Time after Time – Gloria

Kate plopped down on the couch after getting eight-year-old Mabel to bed after fighting with six-year-old Henry for an hour after three bedtime stories before he fell asleep. Happy was on a run this time for legitimate business, porn but legitimate. She still felt intimated by all those fake-breasted bleach blonde-haired women that hung on him. She could smell the rank perfume when he'd come from some porn after party. She'd yelled at him once to at least take a shower before he came home which had proceeded in a yelling match in the kitchen to her crying thinking he'd strayed again. To him yelling at her to get her shit straight and to remember whose name he bared across his chest and that he wasn't cheating. It'd taken them a while to fall into a routine once he'd been home a while and they still had their fights now and again but three years later they now had each other figured out.

She was just about to turn in for the night knowing she'd have an early morning the first day of school after a long summer. Henry would be joining his sister at school all day for the first time going into first grade. She had his clothes picked out lunches pre packed and was an emotional wreck now that her baby would be leaving her side all day. She'd been fine when he went to kindergarten he'd only be gone for the morning spending the afternoon with her at the studio but now her mornings and afternoons would be free. He was no longer going to be her little helper. She shut off the T.V. just as the front door opened and Happy walked in she'd been lost in her thoughts and hadn't even heard his bike pull up. "Hey," smiling at him, "I thought you weren't going to be home till tomorrow."

"What and miss little man's first day of big kid school, fuckers been rambling on about it for months now." He said taking a seat next to her on the couch.

"I guess he's excited. You miss me?" She asked as she snuggled next to him smiling at the clean soap smell that came off from his skin.

"Always, little girl, you got a kiss for your old man?"

"Always." She said getting up straddling him and giving him a deep kiss.

"Just the kinda welcome home I like, just my girl no kids running around." Running his hands down her sides taking the sight of her in smelling her sweet smell as he kissed her neck.

"Hap?" She whispered in his ear grinding against him.

"Kate?"

"Let's have another baby."

"You fucking kidding me right now?" He pulled back looking up at her. "Jesus Christ you're not." Pushing her off him.

"What?" She asked her one leg still resting in his lap as he ran his hand over his smooth head.

"What? How about no absolutely not. We got two kids outta diapers, no more crying all night both of them in school. Why the fuck would you wanna start all that shit over."

"It's not shit, it's a baby Hap and I want another one."

"Well I don't." He said getting up.

"Well I do."

"What's wrong with the two we got?"

"Nothing their perfect, I just want another one with you, I want to have your baby."

"No, Kate absolute not."

"But..."

"No, end of discussion."

She tossed and turned all that night lying next to him, quietly got the kids ready for school and they were each silent on the drive. Mabel gave them each a quick kiss running up the school steps to a group of girls while Kate grabbed Henry's backpack "Henry give Daddy a kiss and Mama will walk you to class."

"No, Mama I'll walk by myself I know where it is."

"But I always walk you to class." Handing his backpack over when he reached for it.

"That was when I was little now I'm in first grade. Mamas don't walk first graders."

"Okay, give me a kiss then."

"No kisses either Mama that's for little boys."

Kate's eyes started to well up as he reached his little hand up giving Happy a handshake goodbye. "Have a good day little man."

"Henry?" She called out as he started to walk towards the steps of the school. "I'll pick you up I'll be waiting right outside your class."

"No, Mama you stay here with all the other Mamas." Giving her the look that she should have known that.

She stood there watching him walk up the steps and go in the big schoolhouse doors with the other little boys who had left their mothers on the street. She would have stood there all day waiting for school to get out had it not been for Happy's gruff voice from behind her.

"He's fine Kate."

She turned glaring at him "I know that." Snapping as she opened the passenger car door getting in turning her head toward the window as to not make eye contact with him for drive home. He followed her inside as she went to the kitchen grabbing a sponge and wiping a nonexistent spot from the counter.

"I'm gonna head into the garage."

"Fine."

"You going in today?"

"Nope."

"Kate..." He sighed out going to the counter next to her turning around leaning his back against the counter. "How long you gonna be mad at me for last night?"

She looked up at him tears in her eyes "You're a real stupid assshole, you think this is about last night."

"Then what's with the fucking tears then?"

"My baby doesn't need me anymore." She sobbed out dropping the sponge her hands going to her eyes.

"Fuck, Kate." He groaned out pulling her into his arms. "You're fucking upset that Henry started school?"

"Of course I am my baby is all grown up. Stupid assshole." Crying harder against him.

"Shit, Kate you gotta tell me this shit cause I don't get it, I'm not a mind reader. You weren't this upset when Mabel went off to first grade."

"It's different with her, it's different with girls they always need their Mom. But with boys, you fucking men tell them from the time, they're born to grow up and be a big boy, so then they don't need us anymore. And it fucking hurts."

"This why you want another baby."

"Some of it yeah, but I was thinking about it before. We're not getting any younger now would be the time if we were going to."

"God dammit Kate, we're gonna need a bigger house then."

She pulled back from him tears still staining her face "What?"

"No fucking room here for a new baby, you want it to have its own room right?"

"Oh, Hap, I only want this if you do. I don't want to have a baby just because you're trying to appease me."

"When have I ever done shit to appease you?"

"Never." Shaking her head.

"Well I ain't starting now." Pulling her back into his arms giving her a smack on the ass. "Come on then let's go make a baby."

"Hap, I have to stop taking the pill first and even after that it'll take a while."

"I don't care I wanna fuck my old lady, want get it in as much as possible before there's another baby screaming it's head off."

"Oh god Hap." Kate moaned out as Happy's hand was buried in her underwear the moonlight shining through their bedroom window.

"Shit little girl you're fucking soaked."

"I can't help it I want you so bad."

They were interrupted by Mabel's 11-year-old voice coming through their closed and locked bedroom door. "Mama?"

Before Kate could respond Happy held her in place "Mamas sleeping go back to bed Munchkin."

"Daddy I need Mama."

"I'm coming baby." Kate sighed out removing Happy's hand giving him a quick kiss before rolling out if bed. "I'll be right back."

Opening the bedroom door "What is it honey?"

"Can you come to my room?" Kate followed Mabel down the hallway while Happy lay in bed almost drifting off to sleep before Kate returned a half hour later. Shutting and locking the door behind her, and the climbing back into bed.

"Now where were we?" Smiling leaning in kissing him the rolling back over on her side maneuvering so he could pull down her underwear and slide into her. "Fuck me." She gasped out.

"You feel so fucking sweet so fucking perfect." Sliding his hand up her thigh lifting her leg up further so he could go deeper hearing her gasp out as he held her leg in place.

"Oh Hap right there, just like that. Please, please give it to me." Begging for her release it still amazed her after 12 years with this man he could still get her wound up the thought of his muscular body, tattoos and all his gruffness could make her wet at just the sight of him. She still craved his touch the feel of his rough callused hands holding on to her. The last seven years had been pure bliss them actually being a family, while he'd never coach a soccer or little league team no other man on this earth could love their kids more. And that turned her on more than anything he was doing right now with her.

"Come for me baby I wanna feel it."

"Oh, Jesus it's right there, yes." She screamed out clutching on to the arm that held her leg up digging her nails in her whole body on fire. She felt him pulse inside her as she came against him their breathing both labored.

"What'd Munchkin need?"

"Her Mama, she started her period."

"Jesus, she's not old enough for that shit right."

"I started at her age."

"Fuck, you talk to her about babies and shit?"

"Yep already had that conversation. Had too, she had questions about this little one." patting her 7 month pregnant belly, "The whole stork conversation wasn't going to cut it. Don't worry she fine, just growing up."

They had moved right after they started trying to get pregnant, they went from their small three-bedroom home to a larger four bedroom, closer to Gemma and Clays house. The backyard swing set that had started out, as Mabel's moving with them in hopes a toddler would soon be playing on it. After a year of trying and no success Kate had started to give up in the idea, after another year with nothing the once empty bedroom that was meant to be a nursery was turned into a storage room for various household items. After three years, they had both given up on the idea and the dilapidated swing set that was no longer used, with Mabel spending more time with her friends at school and Henry playing video games or out on his bike they had removed it and put in a pool. So when Kate had come to him one summer night after the pool was finished a smile beaming on her face tears in her eyes as she showed him the stick with two pink lines on it he'd had been shocked, happy and scared at the same time. This baby had been meant to arrive three years earlier but seeing Kate's happy face he lost all his doubts. She'd always known best and figured she was right again this time.

"Daddy?" Came Henry's voice through the closed bedroom door.

"What!" Happy shouted.

"Mabel said a bad word."

"And?"

"And, she won't tell me what it means?" He whined back.

Happy threw the covers off getting out of bed putting on his boxers throwing the covers back over Kate and wrenched open there door. Staring down at a miniature version of himself. "What word did she say that you don't know?"

"Menstruation."

"Go to bed." Happy barked out as Kate hid her laughter in her pillow.

"But Daddy..."

"Bed, now!" Watching Henry walk down the hallway shutting the door and crawling back into bed with Kate. "Looks like you're gonna have to have the talk with him too."

"No, that's all you, I handled Mabel."

"I can't believe you wanted another one." He complained but she could hear the smile in his voice as his hand came to rest over hers cradling their unborn daughter. "You gonna be alright while I'm gone." Kissing her neck.

"Yeah, it's only three days and Tara's going to take the kids tomorrow." Happy was leaving I the morning for a bike rally three hours away in San Jose.

"I'll talk to him when I get back tell all about the birds and the bees. Should take him to Diosa he'd learn everything he needs there."

"Don't you dare take my baby boy to a brothel. And don't use the word pussy it's to vulgar for a ten year old."

"Any other demands Mama?"

"Just tell him to be nice to girls and to stay away from whores."

"So tell him to be like me." Chuckling.

"No the exact opposite of you."

"I'm fucking nice to you."

"Yeah now, I want Henry to start out that way."

"I dint want him being a pussy."

"Nothing wrong with being nice to a girl."

"I got it, nice to women like his Mama and an occasional whore."

"Hap, I'm serious."

"I know I baby, just let me do it my own way."

When Tara came the next day she sighed in relief opening the door "Thank you so much Tara for taking them."

"You look tired." Concern showing on her face.

"I'm exhausted, this pregnancy is draining me, and Mabel's being a drama queen, got her first period. I don't know which one of us more emotional."

"Well get some rest."

"I plan on it the only thing I'm going to do is plant my fat ass on that couch and watch TV."

"Come on kids." Tara shouted children running to the front door giving Kate a quick kiss goodbye.

"Is Able going to be home Aunt Tara?" Mabel asked with hope written all over her face.

"I'm not sure he'll come home sometime." Giving Kate a knowing look. Mabel had recently developed a crush on the older boy. "Jax just let's him do whatever the hell he wants." Abel would be 18 the next year and was intent on prospecting with the Sons against Tara's wishes but with the delight of Jax. Kate counted herself lucky so far, Henry had shown no signs of wanting to follow in his father's footsteps. Was more interested in his books than motorcycles.

Kate did exactly what she told Tara, grabbing a pillow and blanket, she turned on the TV made herself comfortable and went to sleep. Well into the night, she bolted awake grabbing her abdomen as a searing pain shot through her, reaching for her phone, sweat staring to bead as she was racked with another sharp pain. Her first thought had been to call Happy but he was three hours away so she called Gemma. Letting the phone ring for an endless amount of time before the sleeping women picked up. Not waiting for her to say hello "Gemma, something's wrong, the baby, come now." She gritted through her teeth.

"Oh, fuck I'll be right there, you call Hap."

"No," taking a deep breath "not yet called you first."

"Call him, I'm on my way."

Kate hung up the phone, calling Happy, the pain subsiding as the phone began to ring.

"Kate?" He picked up on the first ring shouting over the music in the background.

"Hap, you need to come home, something's wrong, the baby's."

"You're not due for two months?" She could hear him going outside and the music quieting down in the background.

"I know." She cried out as the pain started again. "Gemma's on her way, please come home."

"I'm headed to my bike right now baby." The worry prevalent in his voice.

"God, Hap it fucking hurts, I'm scared."

"I know I baby, it's gonna be fine. Just breath, I'll stay with you till Gemma gets there."

"I need you Happy, if something wrong I can't do it on my own."

"I'll be there as fast as I can little girl just hold on everything's fine."

Kate saw Gemma's headlights in the drive way and within seconds Gemma was unlocking the front door rushing to her grabbing the phone from her hand. "I got her Hap." Shutting the phone and helping her up from the couch.

Once settled in the hospital nurses buzzing all around her as the doctor explained she was in active preterm labor and they were doing to try giving her something to stop the labor as her water hadn't broke yet. She relaxed a little when the doctor assured her that the baby's vitals were all normal and wasn't currently in danger but the longer they could hold off labor the better. She gripped Gemma's hand as the doctor explained the possible complications from a pre-term birth. They waited an hour no signs of the labor stopping the doctor upped the dose as she begged for an epidural, being told it would interact with her current medication.

As hour two turned into three Kate was covered in sweat her water having broken the doctor explaining there would be no stopping her labor and put the NICU ward on alert. By this time, Tara had arrived leaving the kids with Neeta. "He's not going to make it Gem." Kate cried out her entire body now experiencing the pain of labor.

"He'll make it baby."

As hour three wore on the doctor was giving the go ahead for her to start pushing when Happy barged through the door. "Why the fuck is she in pain." Shouting at Gemma who released Kate's hand Happy grabbing it in her place.

"They were trying to stop the labor and now it's too late, babies coming." Gemma responded as the doctor came in to get ready for the birth.

"Jesus, it's okay little girl I'm here." He leaned down next to her wiping the sweat from her brow.

"God Hap it hurts so fucking bad."

"Look, at me Kate take a deep breath."

"Fuck you, and your deep breathing bullshit it doesn't help asshole. Get the fuck out of my face." Shouting at him, pushing his hand away. "Get the fuck out of here, I can't stand the sight of you right now." Shoving at him as the doctor was telling her to push. As Happy stepped away from her she screamed out reaching for him. "Don't leave me, please, god I need you." Clutching at his arm now begging him to stay. Straining with her first push. "If I ever say I want another baby I want you to slap me and remind me how fucking horrible this part is."

It took Gloria Lowman, named after Happy mom who'd passed years earlier, three pushes to make her way into this world. She was a small, angry red baby when she came out Kate anxious until she heard her first cry knowing her lungs were working just fine. Gloria was whisked away after her parents had a look at her to be evaluated for any complications. Kate sat holding Happy's hand until the doctor came back with the small wrapped up bundle weighing only 5 and 1/2 pounds announcing her small but healthy before passing her off to Kate's waiting arms. Kate spent the next half hour looking over her daughter inspecting her fingers and toes while Happy sat there next to her bouncing his leg up and down staring at Kate and his new daughter. Kate noticing his nervousness handed the baby off to him. "God, she's so small." She commented looking at the tiny thing nestled in Happy's arms.

"She's fine Mama, she's just a little bit." Smiling as his daughter fell asleep in the comfort of his tattooed arms.