Previously…

Happy grunted in response. He knocked back the rest of his beer. Then without so much as a glance around, headed back into the clubhouse.

Jax let loose a low whistle. "Wow."

"Aye." Chibs agreed. "The killa is pussy whipped."

"I think we all are." Opie scoffed, nodding pointedly to the sweetbutts curled up to each of them.

The men all shared a laugh.

"Good for her." Clay murmured, letting loose some smoke.

"Aye." Chibs nodded. "Good for 'er, indeed."

Chapter 15: Personal Jesus

One week later

"Need help, Mama?" Stevie asked, leaning against the kitchen door frame, watching Mrs. Lowman prepare to cook dinner. True to her suggestion, Happy went to visit his Mom, Stevie in tow. Her injuries were almost healed. Even the cut on her face had healed over, just a thin pink line remained. The bruising was a different story. She still had various purple-red marks on her face, arms and hip. It definitely still looked like she had kissed the pavement at 20 miles an hour.

"You can set the table, mija." Mama nodded to the cupboard where the plates were. "Happy is going to grill for us."

Stevie nodded and went to the cupboard, gathering the plates. It was just the three of them tonight, Happy's Aunt was working an overnight at the diner.

"Smells good, Ma." Happy commented coming into the kitchen from the back porch. Mama smiled and handed him the platter of meat.

Once she'd set the table, Stevie slipped outside to check on Happy's grilling progress. "How's it going, grill master?" She asked, crossing her arms.

Happy grunted, flipping over the steaks. "Five more minutes."

"Good," Stevie sighed, running a hand over her ponytail. "I'm starving."

Happy chuckled and shook his head a little. As much as he liked Stevie, he really enjoyed their shared love for good food. It was so annoying to be around a chick who just wouldn't eat. Stevie was always down for a good meal.

"Speaking of being hungry…" Stevie trailed off suggestively, she leaned in to murmur in his ear, "Looking forward to a little one on one dessert later." She kissed his ear before leaning away.

Before she could go back inside, Happy reached out and gripped her wrist. "Careful, little girl." He rasped.

"Always, Big guy." She winked playfully at him. Happy let go of her wrist to attend to the meat on the grill, so she continued on inside to help Mama finish up dinner.

Dinner was quiet, but Mama's food was magical. Stevie never realized how much she missed home cooking until she was back at Mama Lowman's.

"Real good, Mama." Happy stood up from the table and kissed his mother on the cheek. He gathered the now empty plates and went to the sink to wash them.

Mama retired to the living room to watch the evening news, so Stevie joined Happy at the sink. "She seems better." Stevie nodded to the living room.

"She likes you here." Happy's jaw clenched as he rinsed a soapy plate. "Boosts her mood and shit."

Stevie's smirk deepened into a full grin. She bumped shoulders with him playfully, "Do you like me here?" She bit her lip taking the freshly rinsed plate to dry it with a towel.

Hap's eyes slid sideways to meet Stevie's. "What do you think?" He avoided her direct question, continuing to wash the dishes.

"Jesus Christ, Hap." Stevie scoffed, taking another rinsed plate from him. "It wouldn't kill you to just say yes or no once in a while."

Happy's brow furrowed as he soaped up another plate. Why would he say no? Would it kill him to just admit he liked having her there? Probably not. After rinsing the soap away he pulled the plunger on the sink and let the water drain away. He dried his hands and moved towards Stevie who was elbow deep in a cabinet putting away the plates.

Stevie closed the cabinet and turned around to face a very conflicted looking Happy. He loomed above her, hands coming up to grip her biceps.

"Like having you here." Happy rasped, his dark eyes searching hers.

Stevie smiled softly, "See," She reached up and wound her arms around his neck, "Not so hard, is it?" Happy leaned in and kissed her in response, his body pressed firmly against hers. The kiss deepened and Stevie opened for him with a soft whimper.

"Happy!" Mama called from the living room, "Can you adjust the antenna for me, mijo?"

Happy growled against Stevie's lips. "Easy, killa." Stevie murmured, her hand swatting his ass playfully.

"Mijo!" Mama called again. "You can have that angel all to yourself later, bring her with you."

Stevie scoffed and giggled a little. Happy smirked and rolled his eyes as he untangled himself from her embrace. "Comin' Ma." He called back, grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge, handing one off to Stevie.

"Thanks." She said softly, twisting off the top, following him into the living room.

Mama sat in her favorite spot on the sofa, and the channel she was watching had grown fuzzy. "Come sit with me, mija." She patted the space beside her.

Stevie crossed the room and settled next to her on the sofa. After adjusting the bunny ears, Happy plopped down in the recliner, taking a long pull from his beer.

Mama lit up a joint and took a puff. "Smoke?" She offered the roll to Stevie.

Stevie bit her lip, eyes sliding over to Happy. He had his eyes fixed on the TV, but a tiny smirk of amusement pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Aw, what the hell." Stevie smirked, taking the joint. She took a quick drag and passed it back.

Mama smiled. "I'm so glad you came to visit me, Stephana." She sighed, taking a drag. They continued to share the joint. After Stevie took another drag, Mama asked, "You talk to your Mom since the last time you were here?"

Stevie choked for a second on the smoke. Happy glanced sharply over at her, ready to move towards her if she needed help. She held up a hand to signal she was okay. "Uh," She swallowed. "Not yet, Mama."

"Ah," Mama smiled sadly. "You should take Happy with you." She suggested with a mischievous grin.

Stevie barked a laugh. "I'm sure my mother would love to know I'm in deep with a fellow club enforcer."

"You and your mother aren't close, eh?" Mama observed, her eyes deep with understanding and compassion.

"No," Stevie sighed, "Not like you and Happy." She smiled sadly, taking the old woman's offered hand.

"Do you want to be closer?" Mama asked, squeezing Stevie's hand.

Stevie bit her lip, "My mother left me in the care of my Dad's best friend, Jury and the MC in Indian Hills when I was 16." She sighed. She'd eluded to this with Hap, but hadn't told him the entire story. "After my Dad was killed, she moved back to Charming and refused to take me with her. She was convinced I'd become a Son if I went with her." Stevie swallowed and let go of Mama's hand to stand up from the couch. "Hell of a lot a good that did." She scoffed softly. "I need some air." She explained, picking up her beer and slipping out the back door onto the porch.

Happy watched her go and wondered how he could help her. She seemed so lost when it came to her family. His mother may be dying of cancer, but he at least knew where he stood with her.

"Go, mijo." Mama murmured. "She needs you."

Happy nodded and made his way out onto the back porch. Stevie sat on the porch swing, nursing her almost warm beer. He sat down next to her and put his arm along the back of the swing, his fingers brushing her bare shoulder. Stevie felt her insides warm at just the slight skin to skin contact. She set down her now empty beer and snuggled into Happy's side.

Happy cracked a smile as Stevie settled against him. He wasn't a cuddler, but he did enjoy holding her close. Add that to the mountain of firsts she'd brought into his life. He never let a chick ride on the back of his bike, but Stevie rode bitch with him all the time. He slept in her bed whenever he was in Charming, whether she was there or not. He'd had regular hookups before, but Stevie Vale was on a totally different level.

"Should go see your Mom tomorrow." Happy rasped, fingers sliding into her hair.

Stevie lifted her head to lock eyes with him. "Yeah?" She snorted softly. "Should definitely call first."

"You okay?" Hap asked, palming the back of her head, cocking an eyebrow.

Stevie sighed as her vision blurred with unshed tears. She swallowed and nodded before pressing her lips to his cheek. She pushed up off his lap and pulled out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts and found her Mom's number. Before she pressed send, she pulled out a cigarette and lit up. After a few drags she pressed send on her phone and waited for her mother to answer.

"Hello?" Kathy Vale answered.

"Hey, Ma." Stevie murmured.

"Stevie?!" Her mother gasped. "Why are you calling? Are you alright?"

Stevie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, Ma." She sighed, "I'm fine."

"Don't get an attitude with me, Stephana." Kathy spat, clicking her tongue.

"I wouldn't get an attitude if you didn't jump to morbid conclusions." Stevie spat back. She locked eyes with Happy who just shook his head once. "Uh," She sighed, "Look, can I come by tomorrow?"

"What's this about?" Kathy asked suspiciously, "Are you sick?"

"Ma!" Stevie exclaimed, then quickly took a breath to calm herself. "I'm not sick." She sighed, "I just want to see you, is that so hard to believe?"

Her mother took a quick breath on the other end of the phone.

"You know what, don't answer that." Stevie shook her head. "I'd like you to meet someone."

"Oh?" Her mother gasped, "Shit must be serious if you're bringing him around."

"Jesus, Ma," Stevie groaned.

Kathy smiled, "Come by around 10." She relented. "I'll have a pot of coffee ready."

"I'll pick up some donuts." Stevie smirked. "Thanks, Ma."

"Sorry I jump to morbid conclusions." Kathy sighed, "You just don't call that often…" She took a quick breath, "I love you, Stephana."

"Love you too, Ma." Stevie murmured before disconnecting the call.

"Feel better?" Happy asked, tossing his spent cigarette, standing up from the porch swing.

"A little." Stevie murmured, taking a final drag on her cigarette.

Hap scoffed and took Stevie's spent cigarette, tossing it in the coffee can by the door. "Gotta get Ma to bed." He turned to go inside.

"Thank you." Stevie murmured, catching his wrist. Happy turned back towards her, eyebrow cocked. "It means a lot to me to try and have something even close to what you and your Ma have." She shook her head a little, "Your support means the world to me, Hap."

Happy pursed his lips. He wasn't much for the mushy gushy side of romance, but he did always listen to her when she got all flowery and shit. "Family is important." He nodded, pulling her close and kissing her softly.

Stevie smiled as Happy pulled away to go help his Ma. "You up for a little dessert?" Happy smirked and nodded slowly before heading inside. She watched him go and bit back a moan. Damn that man was fine.

"Damn." Stevie murmured, rolling over to her back to stare at the ceiling. Happy grunted and reached over to switch off the low burning lamp. For some reason he always wanted the lights on during sex, Stevie didn't mind, she had her eyes closed for most of it anyway.

"Smoke?" Hap questioned, hand smoothing down her arm.

Stevie shook her head, then chuckled to herself because Hap couldn't see her in the dark. "I'm good." She murmured, entwining her fingers with his.

"Yes, you are." Hap drawled with a chuckle, bringing their entwined hands up to his mouth for a soft kiss.

"Is that a compliment I hear, Happy Lowman?" Stevie teased with a small gasp.

Happy scoffed, she could see his lips twitch in the sliver of moonlight. "Maybe."

Stevie laughed softly, "Maybe, eh?" She teased. He turned to face her, hand gripping her hip to pull her closer.

"Yeah," He rasped, lips claiming hers softly.

When he released her mouth, she swallowed against the sudden rush of desire. "Gotta be up early, should get some sleep." She reminded them both.

Happy groaned in agreement, moving to leave the bed. Before going to use the facilities, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Like having you here." He murmured.

After a moment Stevie slid up and pulled back on her panties and tank top. Happy returned a couple of minutes later and she used the facilities herself before settling down for sleep. As she drifted off, Happy pressed a kiss to her temple. "Sweet dreams, Stephana." No one but her very close family called her that, and usually 0nly when they were cross with her. Even if she had the energy to correct him, she decided not to. She quite liked the sound of her full name on his lips.

"Thanks, Jeb." Stevie held out a ten dollar bill to the cashier. "Keep the change." He nodded his thanks and handed her the box of six donuts; chocolate glazed bavarian cream long johns, her mother's favorite.

Stevie exited Charming Bakery to find Happy leaning against the store's facade, smoking. "Nervous?" She asked after securing the box in her saddlebag.

Happy shook his head, tossing his spent cigarette to the ground, grinding it into the pavement with his boot.

She crossed her arms. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" He asked, knowing full well what she was asking, straddling his bike.

"C'mon Hap," Stevie groaned, slumping down to sit on the side of her bike. "How do you make it work with your Ma?"

"Cancer sucks." Hap shrugged, buckling his helmet. "Don't got time for bullshit."

"Yeah," Stevie sighed, "I guess that's the difference, eh?"

"What?" Happy scoffed.

"Your Ma wants to spend what time she has left with you." She explained. "Mine would rather use it as an example of how much of a disappointment I turned out to be."

"You're not a disappointment." Hap growled, reaching out to grip her chin so she locked eyes with him.

Stevie smiled warmly. He meant well, but she knew better. Kathy Vale couldn't accept that her husband was an outlaw, much less that her daughter was one too. "Thanks, Hap." She murmured, covering his hand with her own.

Hap knew she didn't believe him, at least not when it came to her mother. He at least hoped she knew he didn't think she was a disappointment. Life had given her knock after knock and she kept coming, fighting for every inch. He was proud to have her with him, always loved it when someone discovered she was the notorious Angel of Death and their world exploded.

Stevie leaned away from Happy, letting his hand fall away. "Let's hit the road," She grit her teeth, "Don't wanna keep Ma waiting."

Kathy Vale looked up from her morning crossword puzzle at the sound of Harley tailpipe. She'd know that sound anywhere. She heaved a sigh and set down the paper, striding over to the front door. She crossed her arms and tried to contain her emotions as her daughter and the Tacoma Killer pulled into her driveway. She'd definitely heard the gossip. She knew about Happy Lowman, now it was time to see if he lived up to the hype. She still struggled with the fact that her daughter was a killer, but she'd at least learned to accept it as a reality. It was easier to justify when Stevie had been in the military. Now she just tried not to think about her role in the club or else she'd become an inconsolable mess.

Stevie set her bike and looked up to find her mother standing in the front doorway of her tiny Charming home. She gathered the donuts and strode confidently up her mother's sidewalk to the front porch, Happy close at her heels. Her mother had watched Maverick for the days that she'd been out of town. The door swung open and Maverick bounded out of it.

Stevie handed her mother the box of donuts and knelt down to receive her rambunctious pit bull with open arms. "Hey Mav," She cooed. "Missed you."

Happy took note of how much the two women looked alike. He knew that Kathy had Stevie when she was only 17, so the age gap wasn't as pronounced as between most mother and daughters. It made more sense now why they weren't super close. They were most likely seen as competition.

"He started whining as soon as I heard your bikes." Kathy chuckled, "He's a good dog."

"Yeah," Stevie murmured, standing up to face her mother. "Hey, Ma."

Kathy bit her lip to stop the tears that sprang into her eyes from overflowing. "Oh, baby." She reached out and held Stevie's head in her hands. "What happened to you?" She asked, fingers smoothing over the healing cut on her cheek. "You get this in the ring?" Her eyes snapped up to meet Happy's over Stevie's shoulder. "Or-"

"No," Stevie reached up and took her mother's hands, gently removing them from her face. "He doesn't beat me, Ma."

Kathy swallowed hard, her chin ducking a little. "Okay, then." She nodded, "Let's get you inside." She stepped back to let them inside.

Kathy turned away and took the coffee carafe out of coffee maker. She began pouring the hot liquid into the three mugs set out on the counter "You still take it black, baby?" She asked Stevie.

"Yeah, Ma." Stevie nodded, wrapping her hands around the warm cup, "Thanks."

"How about you?" Kathy asked Happy, pouring him a cup.

"Black is good." Happy rasped, leaning on the counter a little.

"He speaks." Kathy teased, handing him the third cup. She turned away to get the plates she'd set out for the donuts and handed them each a plate with a pastry on it. "C'mon, I just finished staining the deck." She motioned to the back porch. "Let's enjoy it before the sun bleaches it again."

The trio settled at a small glass patio table on the back porch under a colorful awning. Kathy Vale was always a little eclectic with her style, pairing tie dye with fishnets, or a string of pearls with a leather jacket was normal.

"So," Kathy set down her mug, leveling her gaze at Happy, "The Tacoma Killer doesn't beat my baby girl."

Happy stiffened at the use of his nickname. So this woman was still connected to the MC world, eh? He guessed there must be some truth after all to the idea that you never could really get out of the life.

"Ma," Stevie warned, placing a gentle hand on Happy's forearm, willing him to calm down. He pushed up from the table and wandered away, picking up one of Maverick's favorite toys. He tossed the ball into the yard and the dog barrelled after it.

Kathy swallowed and cleared her throat, "Sorry," She pursed her lips, "What the hell happened, Stephana?" She asked, eyebrows raising.

"Laid my bike down on a charity ride two weeks ago." Stevie explained, "One of the guys' bike started spewing smoke and we kinda piled up." She shrugged, taking a sip of coffee. "Got a concussion and a few scrapes." She smiled slightly, "Happy took great care of me."

"Aw, hell." Kathy shook her head, "That's awful." She leaned forward and took Stevie's hand in hers, "I'm glad you're still in once piece, baby girl." They lapsed into silence for a few moments and Steve took her hand back. Kathy turned her head to look at Happy who was tossing the ball for Maverick. "He's isn't the talker Jacob was, is he?"

"Ma," Stevie warned around a final bite of donut.

Kathy laughed, "I'm serious." She leaned forward a little, nodding to Happy who was mid throw, "Definitely an upgrade in the looks department."

"Ma." Stevie rolled her eyes, feeling her cheeks heat.

"Well," Kathy sighed, smoothing a few crumbs away from Stevie's kutte, her fingers brushing over the Redwood Original patches. "You seem happy."

Stevie studied her mother for a moment. This was new. Maybe Gemma had made that visit she'd promised to make. Gemma had suggested she go see Kathy Vale and extend an olive branch. "I am, Ma." She cleared her throat. "I really am."

"Your father would be over the moon." Kathy sighed, taking a final sip of her coffee.

"You think so?" Stevie scoffed softly, biting her lip.

"Mmmhmm." Her mother confirmed, placing a gentle hand on Stevie's inked forearm. "You added some color." She nodded to the feathers swirling up her arm.

"Yeah," Stevie smirked, "Hap did it before the run."

"Really," Kathy gasped, eyes sliding sideways towards Happy. "I guess it makes sense, he does have a lot of tattoos."

Stevie grit her teeth. "What's that's supposed to mean?"

"I don't know," Kathy shrugged, "Hey, I'm trying here, okay?" She sighed, "Any talk of a crow?" She asked in a quiet voice, fingers tracing the newly purpled feathers.

"He's not SAMCRO." Stevie said automatically, ignoring the fact that if they took that step, they'd both be getting tats.

"He will be." Kathy assured her with a knowing grin. "Man's too smitten to not patch in where you are."

"His mother's in hospice." Stevie explained why He had gone Nomad in the first place.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Kathy pursed her lips. "Cancer?" She guessed.

"Yeah." Stevie sighed, running a hand over her ponytail. "Once she passes, he'll probably transfer back to Tacoma."

"Not as long as he's fucking your sweet pussy he ain't." Kathy mused with a knowing grin.

"Did you really just say that?" Stevie asked in bewilderment.

"What?" Kathy scoffed, "It's the truth, ain't it?"

"Jesus Christ, Ma." Stevie rolled her eyes with a sigh. Sometimes it felt like Kathy Vale was her older sister and not her mother. "Yeah, I guess."

"Gemma came by." Kathy divulged, changing the subject. "Invited me to come by the clubhouse this Friday night." Stevie pursed her lips. "I told her I might."

Stevie stopped breathing for a second. "W-what?" She sputtered.

"Yeah," Kathy smiled indulgently, "Imagine my surprise when I heard myself say that, eh?" She chuckled. "Gemma was always a master manipulator."

Stevie scoffed, "Jesus Christ, Ma."

"I know, I know." Kathy held up her hand, "I'm not a spring chicken anymore."

"Ma," Stevie shook her head, "You'll still turn all the boys' heads, trust me."

Maverick began to lose steam and Happy turned back to the two women on the porch, sensing that Kathy may have calmed down a little.

"Should put some more ointment on." Happy rasped, nodding to the cut on her cheek. He was being a little overprotective of the doctor's orders. The doctor said if she kept the cut moist it would help it not scar as bad. So far the good doctor's orders had been right. The cut was healing nicely, mostly thanks to Happy's diligence. Riding dried it out, so whenever they were out and about Hap made it a point to keep it protected.

Stevie rolled her eyes and gave him a lopsided smile. "Okay, big guy." He nodded and went to get the small tube from her saddle bag. She turned to her mother. "He's a little obsessed about making sure my face heals right." She shrugged.

Kathy watched as Happy returned with the ointment and a clean wet rag. He knelt down in front of Stevie, and Kathy's breath caught. It felt oddly intimate to be witnessing, but she knew Happy was doing this in front of her to prove a point. He cared for and was devoted to her daughter despite of his reputation. The small tube of medicine looked comically small in his large hands and Kathy had to look away to hide her chuckle of amusement. He gently cleaned Stevie's face then spread a thin layer of the ointment on her cut.

"Thanks, Hap." Stevie murmured as he screwed the top back on the ointment. He nodded to her and disappeared back into the house to take care of the rag.

"That man loves you, baby." Kathy murmured, nodding to the doorway that Hap had disappeared through.

"Jesus Christ, Ma." Stevie groaned, shaking her head.

"I'm serious." Kathy insisted. "He loves you."

Stevie studied her mother for a moment before sitting back in her chair with a sigh. "Maybe he does or maybe he doesn't." She pursed her lips. "I'm not sure he's the type to ever say it."

"Awww, sweetheart." Kathy bit her lip. "This life might be complicated, but your relationship with a man shouldn't be." She leaned forward a little. "Give him a little time, I'm sure you'll hear him say it, goodness, he practically just said it with his actions, baby girl."

Stevie knew that. She knew that Happy cared for her. Hell, she'd almost said it aloud during sex a few times. Her fear of his reaction kept her quiet.

"Do you love him?" Happy stopped cold at Kathy's question. He released his grip on the screen door and took a slow step back into the shadows. Both women faced away from him on the porch.

Stevie let out a quick breath. "Fuck," She swore. "I'm in deep, Ma." She drug a hand through her ponytail. "Yeah, goddamnit, I love him."

Happy's breath caught at Stevie's confession. She loved him? If he was honest with himself, what did he really want her to say, that she didn't? He'd be a fool to want that. Before she could say anymore, he stepped back onto the porch.

Stevie immediately felt her cheeks burn. Did he hear her say she loved him out loud?

Happy settled into the chair next to her and lit up a cigarette. He offered Stevie one and she accepted. They smoked in silence until Kathy asked Happy a question.

"Where you headed next?" She asked, nodding to the Nomad patch on his kutte.

Happy leveled his gaze with hers. "Needed here." He rasped, releasing some smoke.

"Those orders from Clay, or are you putting your relationship with my daughter before the club?"

"That's enough, Ma," Stevie stood up.

Happy stood and placed a hand on Stevie's shoulder to get her to calm down. "I'm here to assist with the ATF presence in Charming, same as she is."

"Right," Kathy scoffed, not convinced. She knew the ATF had set up shop in Charming, looking to bring the Sons down along with their gun running contacts.

Suddenly an explosion shook the ground, and all three adults looked to the west where TM and the clubhouse sat. Stevie's mother's house was only two blocks away from it.

Kathy gasped, "Is that-"

"The clubhouse?" Stevie finished for her. "Yeah, it is."

Dearest Readers,

I hope you cut Kathy Vale a little slack. She knows the life, but doesn't know our beloved Happy and what he'd do for her little girl. The two might not be close, but make no mistake, Stevie is still her little girl. I'm sure she'll come around with time.

I've got Stevie and Hap away from the clubhouse when the first vote for retaliation happens under the guise of them returning from his mother's house in Bakersfield. This trip to her mother's is unplanned, but needed to give Stevie some support after her accident.

Up next we'll deal with Chibs' injury and what that means for our crew long term.

Thanks for reading and reviewing,

xoxo

Lumora The White