Chapter 7

Happy Faces

The next morning, I woke up sore. The alcohol and weed had worn off, and my body ached from head to toe. I rolled over, only to find the bed empty. I sat up, and saw the bathroom door was opened a crack and the shower was on. Hot water - that was exactly what my aching body needed.

I climbed out of bed, pulling off the shirt Happy had given me the night before, and opened the bathroom door.

"Room for one more?" I asked, pulling the curtain back slightly.

He turned around. "I was just about to get out, but I might stay a little longer."

I smiled and slid in next to him. He carefully wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me towards him. Underneath the water, the heat both hurt and helped my aching body. I reached up, kissing his lips as the water flowed around me.

He looked me over. "You're a mess."

"Gee, thanks."

"Still the sexiest woman I know," he assured me, running his hands down my sides.

My body shivered at his touch, little goosebumps on my arms. I pushed him against the wall of the shower, my hands on his chest. Water drops ran down his chest, making the snake tattoo shimmer and move as they did. A cluster of smiley faces sat beneath his ribs, lined up like little soldiers. I counted them one by one, running my hand across them.

"14?" I asked.

"One for every kill."

I straightened back up, looking him in the eye. "Tell me."

"Really?" he asked.

I nodded, shutting off the water. I grabbed a towel, and handed one to Happy. I wrapped it around myself and lay across the bed. Happy followed, his towel wrapped around his waist. He sat at the top of the bed, legs out with his head on the pillows. He lit a joint, had a puff, and handed it over to me. He pointed at the first smiley face.

"My first kill was when I was 14," he began. "My Dad, he used to drink a lot. He was always hard on me as a kid, especially after my little sister died. We were playing out the front when a stray bullet hit her. I was 8. After that, anytime he felt like it, he hit me. Sometimes my Mom, but usually just me, which was good.

"Your mom never tried to stop him?" I asked, handing him the joint.

"She did, a couple of times. She's always been sick, my mom, for as long as I can remember. She's a tiny little thing." he looked up at me. "Kinda like you, but nowhere near as strong. Anyway, one day I came home from school, and my Dad was already drunk and waiting. I don't know why, but my Mom stood up to him that day, told him she was taking me and leaving. He completely lost it, told her she was an ungrateful bitch. He smacked her around and then started choking her. I tried to pull him off but he knocked me away. I went to their bedroom, grabbed his gun from the drawer, and shot four 9mm's into his back."

"Holy shit, Happy," I said, shaking my head. "Where's your Mum now?"

"She still lives here in Cali, up in Burbank. I try to visit her whenever I can, send her money and stuff." He smiled. "We'll visit her one day. She'll love you. Anyway, that's why I got this," he said, pointing at the tattoo around his collar bone.

I live. I die. I kill. For my family.

He then told me the story behind each of his other kills, all of them for the club. At times, his voice was even and steady, as if he were talking about the weather. Then every so often, something would come through his voice. Excitement? Exhilaration? I wasn't sure. But whatever it was, killing wasn't something Happy struggled with. I think he had killed too much to be worried by it anymore."

"This last one, was for SAMCRO," he said. "Esai Alvarez. Mayans tried to hit Clay, but he botched it. Marcus Alvarez made a deal, handed over his kid as payment to make peace with the club. I pretended to be a vendor at a churro stand, and when he approached with his Dad, I stabbed him in the back of the neck."

I lay on my stomach, tracing each of the smiley faces, each of them seeming less innocent now that I knew the stories behind all of them.

"Did I scare you?" he asked when I didn't speak for a while.

I wasn't sure how to answer. "Maybe a little," I admitted.

"I'm sorry," he said, going to stand. I put my hand on his stomach and pushed him back down.

"Don't ever be sorry, it's who you are," I said, pulling myself up next to him. He wrapped his arms around me, kissing the back of my neck. "I wouldn't change a thing about you, Happy Lowman."

"Even the killing?" he whispered.

I rolled over and looked him in the eye. "Yes, even the killing."

By the time we got up and dressed, it was lunchtime. Jax had sent Happy a text message, telling him Tara was going to come by TM this afternoon to check my injuries.

We pulled at the garage, Happy went inside the MC, and I went to the office. Gemma was inside.

"Hey Mumma G," I said, flopping myself down onto the couch inside the door.

"Hey baby," she said, glancing up from the paperwork in front of her. "Shit, what happened to you?"

She took her glasses off, and came over, pulling my chin up carefully to look at my face.

"Nothing," I said, shrugging it off. "Looks worse than it is."

"I bet," she said, her face disapproving. "Do the guys know?"

"Yeah, they're looking into it," I explained. "Anyway, I'm here for a few hours. Need a hand?"

"That would be fantastic," she said. "I have a pile of jobs to be entered and invoiced if you wouldn't mind?"

"Love to," I said, swapping seats with her.

Gemma and I chatted while we worked, mostly small talk. She didn't ask again what had happened, and I was grateful. I really didn't feel like talking about it anymore.

Her phone rang, and she sighed before answering it. "Yeah?" She listened for a while as the person spoke. "Are you ok?" She listened again. "Yeah, thanks Wayne. I'll let Jax know."

She closed her phone, and looked at me. "Two of the nomads tried to kill Wayne."

"What?!" I said, standing up. "Come on, we need to tell the guys."

We walked down to from the garage, and saw Happy sitting round the picnic tables with Chibs, Tig and Juice. Gemma explained to them what had happened.

"Jax is inside with Bobby," Chibs said, standing up.

Phil was in the bar when when we walked past, and followed. Gemma walked in first, the rest of us following behind.

Jax looked up when the doors opened. "What?"

"Unser just called," Gemma explained. "Greg and Gogo tried to kill him. He shot them both. They're dead."

"Jesus Christ," he said. "When?"

"Just happened," Chibs said.

"What about Frankie?" Jax asked.

Tig shook his head. "Wasn't there."

"Sheriff's on his way," Gemma said. "Wayne sounded real bad. I'm gonna head over."

"Yeah, okay," Jax agreed. Happy closed the door behind Gemma. The boys all sat around the table, and I leaned on the wall next to the door.

"Why the hell would the Nomads try and kill Unser?" Tig asked.

"Unser's been digging into these home invasions'" Jax explained. "He thinks they might be internal."

"Maybe he was getting a little too close," Bobby suggested.

"You think the Nomads were the ones doing the attacks?" Phil asked.

"That makes no sense," Tig said, shaking his head.

"It does if you're trying to compromise the club," Bobby explained. "and bring a shitload of heat to our front door."

"The Nomads are on someone's payroll," Chibs said

Tig was quick to answer. "Pope."

Jax shook his head. "I'm not sure."

"There's still one more out there," Happy said, glancing at me.

"We track down Frankie, maybe we get the truth." Jax said.

Everyone agreed, and Tig, Juice and Phil left. I started to follow, but Jax stopped me.

"Listen, until we find Frankie, you do not go anywhere without a member, you hear?"

"Don't worry," Happy said. "I'm not leaving her side."

"I'll be fine," I argued.

"These scumbags tried to kill Unser because he knew too much," Chibs explained.

"For once," Happy said. "Please don't be difficult about this."

"I thought that was what you liked about me?" I joked.

"I like you alive," he said quietly.

I wanted to say something, but the look in his eyes stopped me. Instead, I just nodded.

We all headed outside, Happy holding my hand as we walked. Tara was just pulling up with the boys.

"Oh shit," Jax said when he saw her.

"What?" Bobby asked.

" Tara and I are supposed to go up to the cabin for a few days."

"That's not a bad idea'" Bobby suggested. "Sheriffs are gonna be all over us. Maybe you could run things from the cabin till this cools off?"

"Yeah, okay," he agreed. He wrestled with Abel a little, before he took off to play with Chibs. He kissed Tara. "Hey."

"Hey," she replied, looking stressed. "Elyba bailed on us again. Something about her mom. I'm sorry, baby."

Tara looked over at me. "'

Come on, let's check you out." She sat me down on the picnic table, pressing on my cheek bone.

"Why don't we let Gemma stay with them?" Jax suggested. Tara glared at him."Come on, babe. We got to cut her some slack. Georgia's around too to give her a hand."

Tara sighed. "Okay. Yeah. Where is she?"

"She went to see Unser. You should give her a call," he said. He kissed her. "Thank you. I got some shit to handle here. It's gonna be a while before we can leave."

"Let me head up," Tara suggested. "Gemma can pick up the boys here. Georgia, can you keep an eye on them until then?"

"Of course," I said. "I'd love to spend some time with the boys."

"Great. Nothing looks to serious here. It'll all heal by itself. Just take it easy," she instructed. She turned back to Jax. "I'll make some dinner, air the place out."

"That'd be great," Jax said. "I want Tig to ride up with you."

"Really?"

"Oh, come on," Tig said. "I mean, what if there's snakes in the cabinets, grizzlies under the bed?"

"Right." Tara snorted. She turned back to Jax. "I love you. Hurry up."

"Yes, ma'am. " he turned to Tig."Tiggy, eyes open."

"Nothing touches her, boss," he nodded.

Once they were gone, Jax turned back to us. "Why don't you give me the night with Tara? I'll tell her what's going on. You guys can come up tomorrow."

"Cool," Chibs agreed.

"Gemma will be by later, pick up the boys," Jax told me. "Sure you'll be right till then?"

"No problem," I assured him. "Kids love me - just look at Happy."

He smiled. "Chibs, need you with me."

"Where are we going?"he asked.

"Check on a sick friend."

Happy and I played with Abel and Thomas for the next few hours. They were gorgeous kids. Abel was a quiet little thing, but very observant. And Thomas was as cute as a button. Up and down the slide Abel went, with Happy chasing after him. As I sat on the swing with Thomas, I watch the two of them laughing. It was hard to imagine Happy as a vicious killer when he was so innocently playing with a 3 year old.

He came over and sat on the swing next to me. "That kid has far too much energy."

"This little man is more my pace right now," I said, tickling Thomas's tummy. "Aren't you, buddy?"

"Do you want me to take him for a while?" Happy asked. "Give you a break?"

"And give up cuddles with this cutie? Never." I looked at my watch. "Although it is time for these little monkeys to eat."

"Hey Abel, you hungry?" Happy called out.

He slid down the slide and ran over. "Can we have pizza?"

"Pizza? I dunno, what do you think, Georgia?"

"Please can I have pizza, GeeGee?" Abel asked, sad puppy dog eyes and all.

"How could I say no to that?" I said, handing Thomas to Happy, and taking Abel's hand. "Let's go and see what we can find."

We headed down the the Clubhouse, Abel pulling me the whole way. Happy warned him to be gentle, but I waved him off.

I sat Abel on the bar next to Happy who was still holding Thomas, and dug around in the cupboard. I pulled out a jar of mashed vegetables for Thomas, and a pizza menu for Happy.

"Alright buddy," I said. "what sort of pizza do you want?"

"Umm... Pepperoni!" Abel cheered.

"Ok, one Pepperoni. And what does Happy want?"

"He can share yours, GeeGee."

"Good idea." I grabbed Thomas back from Happy, and fed him his food while Happy ordered the pizza. Thomas giggled when I made little airplane noises, and soon Abel was laughing along with his brother.

I felt lips on my neck. "Pizza will be here in 10."

"Can you watch Abel?" I asked, unbuckling Thomas from his high chair. "I'm going to change this little man."

"I got him," Happy said, scooping Abel off the bar.

By the time I returned, the pizza had arrived, and the boys were sitting at the picnic tables outside. I strapped Thomas into his carrier, and tucked a blanket over him. I grabbed my own piece of pizza, and we giggled and joked while we ate.

"Guess who's here?" I asked, seeing a black SUV pull into TM.

"Grandma," Abel cheered as Gemma walked over. She bent down to hug him. When she stood up, she wobbled a bit.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I reached her and Abel. Happy took Abel to the car and buckled him into his seat.

"Fine, sweetheart," she replied. "Just a big day."

"Tell me about it," I agreed, shaking my head. She reached out for Thomas' carrier, and we walked towards the car.

I watched Gemma as we walked . Her eyes were a little glazed. Maybe she had just had a big day. God knows I wasn't looking my best either. We strapped Thomas in and I went around to see Abel.

"Thanks for the play today," I said, kissing his head.

"Can we play tomorrow?" he asked, hugging his stuffed Toad.

"Tell you what? If you're a good boy, and Grandma says its ok, then maybe we can go for ice-cream tomorrow."

"Yay!" Abel cheered.

I ruffled his hair, before closing the door. Happy and I stood back as Gemma reversed out. "Drive safe," I said to Gemma through the car window as they drove off.

Happy wrapped his arm around my waist. "Come on, let's get home. If you're a good girl, you can have some dessert too."