Happy paced his cell as Tig watched. Earlier in the yard, Jax had pulled Happy aside for a conversation. Judging by their body language it was about the mystery woman who had visited Happy a week ago; Happy had been agitated ever since. She hadn't returned yet but another letter had come. Haven wrote that she was fine, just settling in and working on getting all her stuff to the house and asking if she could turn the empty front room into an office. He chuckled when she said she was turning the other spare bedroom into a library but wouldn't change too many decorations in the house.
When the guard came to the cell door, Happy stopped pacing in order to glare at him. Tig stopped reading to watch Happy twitch as he eyed the guard. Both knew visiting hours had just started.
Happy would be pissed off if Haven didn't come today and the guard was there for something else. He hadn't seen her in eight years and now after seeing her for 30 minutes it was like an itch to see her again. He had always been her protector; her grandfather had asked him to watch out for her. She was dropped off on his doorstep when she was eight months old and never met her parents. Francis didn't talk about his son or who Haven's mother might be. Happy had protested loudly the first time he had to babysit, but soon the little girl captivated him. When she started calling him bear as a toddler he was hooked. It had grown into a friendship and now Happy didn't know if it was going to change again. He stopped his thoughts at that, he was getting way too far ahead of himself.
When Jax had pulled Happy aside, he drilled Happy about Haven. Happy gave his VP the same bare bones story he gave Opie. Jax had accepted it, asking if his mother or Tara should check in with her. Happy said he would ask Haven first, given her recent track record with women. But if Gemma or Tara came today, it was a family day, he might not have a choice.
"Lowman, you have a visitor. Family area this time," the guard said. Happy nodded and held out his hands through his cell, knowing the drill. Tig sighed in relief picking his book back up. Happy being weird like this was getting on his nerves a bit.
Haven was pacing nervously in the visiting area. She had noticed two other women looking at her curiously and by deduction she figured out who they were. Gemma Teller and Tara Knowles. She had mostly kept to speaking with Chibs and Opie, glad she had avoided these women. Tara looked like she was in her second trimester of pregnancy, Gemma looked like her violent guardian angel. Haven knew she would eventually have to speak with them, but was hoping it was later rather than sooner.
When Happy walked in, she had to cross her arms tight over her chest to keep from running up to him. Happy was not a man into excessive public affection but Haven had checked that she could hug him this time. Haven noticed Happy grin in amusement at her action, knowing what she was doing. Walking up to him she hung her arms by her side, waiting for him to make the first move, biting her lip, looking down.
Happy grunted at her action while appreciating it at the same time. Titling her chin up with two of his fingers, he spoke. "Hey shorty." Haven mock glared at him before wrapping her arms around his midsection, resting her head on his chest.
Happy was not ready for the flood of emotions that ran through him or the way his body reacted to her, making him tense. The last time they had hugged was before she went to the University of Wisconsin before she ended up in Baltimore. She was all grown up now, he could feel it when she pressed against him, and Happy was not ready for that.
His arms wrapped around her shoulders, her head a gentle weight on his chest. Like Chibs, he caught the smell of fresh citrus but also felt how silky her hair was, hearing her sigh in a contented way. It felt right having her in his arms like this. Pushing her back, he took her hand and led her to a table. They had to talk. Haven didn't notice, but Happy did, that Gemma had her eyes glued on them.
"How are you?" Haven asked, smiling from the hug she got. It felt good to physically feel Happy's presence around her. He had always been special to her; her only friend sometimes.
"Fine. You gonna tell me why you are really here?" he asked, getting straight to the point. Haven looked around the visiting area before sighing and slumping down.
"I really did take that job at the high school. I wanted to come home. I wanted to be close to you and your ma and aunt. You are the only ones, only family, I have left. I just didn't fit in out at Johns Hopkins," Haven said. Happy had watched her body language seeing the truth in her words.
"And that bitch that broke into your apartment?" he replied. That rattled him, he didn't trust the issue was over.
"Still doing time for breaking and entering. I don't think she will stalk me if that is what you are thinking. Besides, she will be on parole and didn't strike me as someone who would know her way around it. My guess is that she will be set on trying to revive her shattered career," Haven said. Happy nodded. Haven took his hands, playing with his fingers. Happy raised an eyebrow at the action, not sure how he felt about the public display.
"Thank you Hap, for letting me live in your house and for the help of your brothers. I appreciate it," Haven gave his hands another squeeze before letting them go.
"Yeah. Just don't put a ton of chick shit in my house," Happy warned. Haven laughed, she wasn't much of a girlie-girl.
"What about a dog? It's a bit lonely at night," Haven asked. She wasn't one to go out and be wild and crazy. Happy considered her question.
"Guard dog might not be a bad idea…" Happy replied as Haven interrupted him.
"Thank you! I have been doing research into shelters around the area and what breed I would like best and fit the best with. At first I thought German Shepard, but then it made me think of the police, so I nixed it. Besides, they shed something awful. Then I thought of a Rottweiler. But that didn't fit either, something felt wrong although they are an amazing breed. Finally, I thought, Pit Bull. There are a couple I can check out now," Haven had spoken in a rush, and thankfully left out most of what she had researched. Happy knew she could ramble for an hour as he sent her a mild glare at being interrupted. Haven smiled giving a shrug.
"A pit huh?" he asked. Haven nodded excitedly. "No more than one, right?" Haven bit her lip.
"Well…the ones I am looking at are brothers and I would hate to separate them…" she started, biting her lip again looking at Happy with the best begging eyes she had. That look turned Happy on to his surprise and a dozen dirty thoughts crossed his mind before he could speak.
"Yeah, I guess. You better take care of them and not let them destroy my house!" he said as stern as possible. Haven grinned, that was too easy. He probably just wanted something there to bite off an intruder's leg.
"Thank you bear. You worried about me?" Haven asked in a sincere yet teasing voice. Happy narrowed his eyes at her in annoyance but she could see the affection in them. Haven smirked back and gave his hand a quick squeeze.
"You aren't planning on getting in trouble, are you?" he asked, returning to the thought of her getting too bored at the house or work when she started. It wasn't her he was so worried about, but rather if Chibs or God forbid Kozik got any ideas if she wound up at a club party or hanging around the garage fixing things.
"No. You know I would rather stay home or work a project or maybe the movies for a walk on the wild side. No party in me," she replied guessing at where Happy's thoughts went to. "But Chibs has been really great," Haven finished. Happy glared his eyes flashing at that.
"It isn't like that Hap, I have no interest…not that I would have the experience…" she mumbled and blushed. Happy looked at her again.
"You know you would have figured it out or I would have said something. I remember what you told me about any guy who hurt me or got too…friendly with me!" Haven exclaimed. And it was true, any guy she would have thought about dating, she would have told Happy. Not because she was obligated to, she just didn't want to deal with the blood and bullets if she didn't and something went wrong.
"Really shorty? How old are you again?" he asked. Haven glared at him.
"I'm 24 Hap. And I am not short, I'm fun size," she retorted. Happy smiled. She did that to him, made him smile and almost laugh. A buzzer sounded making Haven pout. Happy stared at her plump lips before shaking his head.
"When do you start school?" Happy asked, getting up. Haven followed suit being quick to wrap her arms around Happy again. God she missed these hugs. Happy kissed her forehead, something he rarely ever did, and Haven blushed as she answered his question.
"Three weeks." Happy nodded.
"You need anything, ask Chibs or Opie. Also, you will get stopped by Gemma on your way out," Haven groaned and buried her face in her hands. Happy pulled them down as the guard came up.
"Be polite and respectful," he ordered. Haven nodded and watched him go. Not a minute later, Gemma was by her side as she too turned to leave.
"And who are you?" Gemma asked, her tone the opposite of inviting. Haven looked at her trying to remember Happy's words from a moment before.
"Dr. Haven Morgan," Haven replied. Everything she could use to help her out in this meeting she would.
"Doctor? Really? What do want with Happy?" Gemma pressed.
"Really. I've known Happy my whole life," Haven replied.
She didn't know exactly how to define her and Happy. Friends, yes. But after seeing him again, Haven wondered if she didn't want more. Returning her attention to the somewhat shocked woman beside her, she asked, "Are you Gemma Teller?" The woman nodded.
"And that was Tara with you, the one still saying goodbye?" Gemma nodded again.
"Thought so," Haven replied and turned her attention to the checking out process. When they were out in the parking lot, Gemma spoke again.
"Why are you here? What do you want?" Haven put on her sunglasses and looked at the woman. She didn't like her; too nosy and her attitude bothered Haven. Unlocking her car before answering, she took a deep breath.
"I'm here because I wanted to see Happy," she said flatly. With that she got in her car and drove away.
