"So Jack has been asking about Christmas." Iris started and I groaned.
"It's only October!" I moaned into the phone and Iris laughed.
"He's 8, Jade. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, he's thinking about Christmas." Iris laughed and I rolled my eyes.
"Does he already have his list ready?" I probably didn't have to ask, if little man was already thinking about Christmas it had to be because of something he wanted.
"Oh yeah, it's about three pages long." Iris chuckled and I snorted.
"Of course it is. How do you and Tony afford these kids?" I asked as I flipped through the channels on the tv, bored of the typical daytime shows.
"We use the word 'no' liberally." Iris said seriously and I chuckled.
"Well that explains all the begging when they come to see me then." I mused thinking of all the times I had caved to their adorable faces.
"You're a sucker and they know it." Iris teased.
"Nah, I'm just the favorite aunt."
"Jade, you're their only aunt." Iris sounded amused.
"I know. But that just means I have to work hard to set a precedent in case Tony's brother ever gets married." I said seriously and there was a pause, I could just picture Iris rolling her eyes at me.
"Speaking of ever getting married, how are things going with Happy?" Iris asked and it was my turn to roll my eyes.
"Very subtle, Iris. We're doing fine, but that is definitely not a topic we're talking about. It's only been six months." I defended and Iris hummed.
"I knew I was going to marry Tony after the first month, what's holding you back?"
"Well knowing you're going to take that step and actually doing it are two very different things aren't they? We haven't even done the big proclamations yet and I'm okay with it. I like things how they are now, it's uncomplicated and there's no real expectations." I said seriously and Iris sighed.
"If you say so. But don't you worry about where you stand with him in your relationship? Are you sure he's serious about it?" Iris fretted and I rolled my eyes.
"When you met him, did he seem like the kind of guy to string a girl along for the hell of it?" I asked.
"No, but he did seem like the kind of guy who wasn't going to settle into the standard family man role either." Iris said and I sighed.
"Honestly Iris, I don't expect him to and I don't think that's what I need. I've done the guys with the standard 9 to 5 jobs with the nice cars and fancy dinners and who want the perfect wife with the 2.5 kids. The longest it's lasted is two months and then they're talking about what I'm going to do with the bar when I want to settle down or what my thoughts for the future are. Guys like Tony don't fit well with girls like me and I'm not going to change for a guy. Happy fits and I know exactly where he stands because I've never known the man to mince words." I hated explaining my relationship to my sister, she wanted for me what she'd created for herself and I just couldn't see myself walking in her shoes and being happy.
"What could he have possibly said that has you so certain about everything?" Iris asked and I smirked knowing she was going to hate it.
"He told me 'if the pussy ain't worth staying loyal to, it ain't worth the hassle of keeping it around'." I had to fight the laughter as I heard Iris' disgusted snort on the other side of the phone.
"He seriously told you that?" She asked.
"I told you, he doesn't mince words. Iris, it may be crass, but he sees my worth, he sees someone worth fighting to keep around. Those other guys with all their pretty words and tokens of affections, never bothered to look at my worth beyond arm candy, they all wanted to change me, make me into someone I wasn't to fit their perfect little picture. With Happy, he accepts me exactly how I am and I've done the same for him."
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess it is sweet." Iris conceded though I know it still bugged her that he wasn't the stereotypical guy she'd always pictured for me.
"I think the lack of pretty words is refreshing. I never have to wonder if he's just saying something to get my pants. He seems like a complicated guy, but once you get to know him he's rather transparent, I always know where he stands on something. Things are black or white and I want to hold on to that." I heard Iris sigh before she spoke again.
"As long as you're happy that's all that matters." Iris said and I hummed my agreement.
"So how are we doing the holidays this year?" Iris asked and I sighed.
"I'm not quite sure yet. I'm gonna check with Happy, see if his family has any traditions before setting anything in stone. I'll get back to you about that later." I turned my head to look at the door when I heard a key in the lock.
"Hap just got back. I'll talk to you later." I ended.
"Alright. Love you."
"Love you, too." I said and hung up as Happy was taking his boots off.
"Hey. What did the lawyer say?" I called. Happy grabbed a beer out of the fridge before walking toward me.
"Said he can get it down to a fine and some time on parole." He said and I felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders.
"So, no jail time?" I clarified and Hap nodded.
"Thank God." I sighed and finally relaxed a little. Hap quirked a brow as he took a drink from his bottle.
"You were really worried about it?" He asked and I looked at him confused.
"You weren't?" Hap shrugged.
"It would have only been a couple months. Did a four-year stint before joining the Sons."
"Did you enjoy your time on the inside?" I asked and Hap shrugged again.
"Wasn't the best four years of my life, but I survived. It's how I met Tig, how I became a Son."
"Well I don't like the idea of seeing you behind bars or having someone else tell me when and for how long I can see you." I said and leaned into his side.
"You realize that at some point I'm probably gonna have to do time?" Hap asked and I looked up at him confused.
"I know you don't want to get involved with the dangerous part of the club, but you gotta know that there's always going to be the risk of getting jammed up." Hap continued with a shrug.
"All I'm asking is that you don't do it intentionally. Try not to get caught." I said and went back to channel surfing.
"I'll do my best." Hap said and I could hear the amusement in his tone.
"There's a party at the clubhouse tonight. Barb wants you to come." Hap said after a couple minutes and I looked to him for further explanation. He'd never invited me to a club event before. He knew I didn't want wrapped up with the club and I suspected that he liked not having me involved like the other old ladies. I overheard him bitching to Kozik a time or two about the sweet butts and old ladies always sticking their noses where they didn't belong. I never asked to be looped into anything and Hap never offered. I did commit everything he did mention to memory though, knowing it was likely important if he was bringing it up.
"Barb told me to bring you along. She's not going to take no for an answer." He explained and I nodded. The couple times I'd met Barbara she didn't seem like a woman that got told no very often.
"Sure. Any dress code requirements I should be aware of?" I asked and Hap stared blankly at me.
"Never mind." I said, already reaching for the phone to call Barb.
"What you're wearing will be fine." Hap said a moment later and I nodded, leaving the phone where it was and relaxing back into the couch. Jeans and t-shirt wasn't the worst thing I could show up in anyway.
After a couple minutes I decided to bring up my conversation with Iris. I knew it was early to start talking about the holidays, but I knew Iris would nag me until she got an answer from me and Jack was likely to bring it up the next time I saw him if I managed to avoid his mother's prodding.
"Was talking to Iris earlier and she brought up the holidays. Is there anything special you do for the holidays?" I asked and Hap shot me a blank stare.
"It's October." He stated and I rolled my eyes.
"I'm aware, but this is the first time you'll be around for the holidays. We're just wondering if there's something you've always done that we should incorporate this year." I explained and Hap shrugged.
"Club always does the holidays a couple days early. For Christmas I usually go see my mom, but I won't be able to if I'm on parole." Hap said and I felt a little bad about bringing it up.
"We can invite her up then." I offered, but Hap shook his head.
"She don't drive. My aunt drives her where she needs to go, but she's a nurse and always ends up working the holidays." I nodded and watched as he turned back to the tv. We'd have to figure something out by Christmas, I couldn't stand to think that Hap wouldn't be able to see his mother for Christmas because of some stupid indecent exposure charge. I didn't say another word about it, instead storing it away for further thought later.
"When do we have to be at the club house?"
"Seven." Glancing at the clock, I nodded and headed down the hall to get ready. I trusted what Hap said about what I was wearing being fine, but figured dressing up just a tiny bit wouldn't hurt. I grabbed a nicer shirt, going for dressy casual and touched up my makeup, taking the time to style my hair instead of leaving it in the messy bun it had been in all day.
"Should I follow you over in the car?" I asked as I came back into the living room. Hap just shrugged.
"If you want to. I'll probably crash at the clubhouse though." I looked at my keys on the counter as I thought.
"Oh, what the hell. Ace will be fine for the night." I said to myself and followed Happy out the door and climbed on to his bike behind him. Riding with Happy had been something I hadn't expected to enjoy so much, the air rushing by was exhilarating but also brought a sense of peace as I clung to him, trusting him inexplicably as I rested my head against his back.
When we got to the lot Hap let me climb off before backing the bike into the row of harleys. I could already hear the music blaring loudly from inside and there were several people leaning against the side of the building or mulling around in the parking lot. The guys were all dressed similarly in jeans, t-shirts, some in sweatshirts, but the women spanned the spectrum. Some were dressed in tight fitted jeans and casual tops while others were wearing sky high heels and painted on dresses that looked far from comfortable.
"Come on." Hap said and lead me toward the building, stopping to greet the men in leather and introducing me before we went inside. When the door shut behind me I was stunned by the sight in front of me, there was literally a stripper pole in the middle of the room and several of the woman seemed to be in various states of undress, whether they had come only partially clothed or had started stripping I couldn't be sure.
I followed Happy through the crowd to the bar where Jerry was busy pouring drinks. I relaxed a little seeing a familiar face, even if he was just a prospect. Hap ordered two drinks and was turning when someone was suddenly pulling me into their side. I turned quickly but relaxed when I recognized Kozik.
"Hey, you finally decided to join the party?" Kozik teased and I smiled as I rolled my eyes.
"Nah, I was just summoned by Barb." I explained and Kozik laughed.
"That's alright, we'll break you in." Kozik razzed and I thanked Hap as he handed me a beer.
"Well, get a few more drinks in me, you might get me to dance." I joked and took a long drink. Kozik's face lit up at the idea before he looked over at Hap.
"How many drinks do you think it would take to get her to dance on the bar?" Kozik asked and Hap shook his head, taking a drink from his own beer.
"Don't get your hopes up Koz. I have no intentions of getting black out drunk tonight." I warned and he pouted before the smile quickly returned.
"Ah, that's okay, someday." He said and quickly broke away. I looked to Hap and shook my head.
"If I ever get drunk enough to even consider the idea of dancing on the bar, get me the hell out of here." I said sternly and Hap smirked.
"I don't know, sounds like an interesting sight." I rolled my eyes and took another drink.
"Hap!" A voice yelled and Happy clasped hands with an older man. When he turned I recognized Brick from his numerous trips to the bar over the years. He smiled when he noticed me.
"Hello, sweetheart, it's good to see ya." Brick extended his hand and I smiled as I shook his hand.
"Good to see you, too, Brick."
"Barb's been telling Hap here that he needed to start bringing you by, she's more than a little intrigued about how you hooked this one." Brick jabbed a thumb in Happy's direction and Hap looked vaguely uncomfortable and that made me smile.
"Now, if you don't mind sweetheart, I need to steal Hap away for a couple minutes. Have some business we need to discuss. Barb's on the other side of the bar if you don't mind chatting with her for a little bit." Brick said and I was more than aware that neither part was optional as Hap followed Brick through the crowd and I was left to search out Barbara.
She was right where Brick said she'd be on the other side of the room. I downed the rest of my beer and motioned for Jerry. He nodded, quickly popping the caps off an armful of bottles and sliding them across the bar to a woman whose entire outfit had the same amount of fabric as my shirt. When she walked away Jerry hurried over with a beer in hand, but I shook my head.
"Looking for something a little stronger than that. How about a glass of whiskey?" Jerry nodded quickly and the beer disappeared behind the bar and was quickly replaced with a glass.
"Thank you." I said and Jerry nodded before moving on down the bar. I took a drink, bracing myself before moving away from the bar and toward Barbara. Barbara smiled bright when she saw me walking toward her and moved over on the couch she was sitting on.
"Well hello, Dear! Glad to see that Happy finally took my advice and brought you along!" Barb called out so I could hear her over the thumping music and patted the seat next to her on the couch. I smiled and took a seat though I wished for an excuse to be anywhere else.
"Good to see you, Barb." I said and she hooked her arm in mine, bringing me closer.
"Didn't hear that you were getting cozy with our Happy till after I'd seen you at the grocery store." She said with a coy smile as she sipped on her drink.
"Well, I like to keep my private life, private." I replied with a tight smile. Barb's eyes narrowed as she took me in.
"That's fine and dandy, dear, but I hope you realize that you'll have to keep more than that private around here." She said conspiratorially. I sighed into my drink before looking to Barb.
"Is this supposed to be some sort of indoctrination?" I asked and let my smile drop. Barb's smile fell as well and set her drink down before turning to face me fully.
"Well, if that's how you'd like to look at it, yes." She said and all friendliness drained from the conversation.
"You need to be aware of the rules, honey. Just because you spread your legs for one of the men doesn't make you irreplaceable. Anything you hear while around the men or Happy tells you during your pillow talk… it all stays, private." She said pointedly and I wanted to roll my eyes, but refrained.
"Barb, I just want to let you know that I have no intentions of becoming more involved with the Sons of Anarchy then I currently am. Happy and I have an agreement, he only tells me what I absolutely need to know and nothing more. If your main concern is that one day I may become a rat, then rest assured that I have every intention of remaining as blind, deaf and mute about the club as I have been since the day I moved in with Al." I said, staring directly into Barb's eyes. There was a long moment where she just looked right back at me in silence before a slow smile broke out on her lips.
"I think you're going to be just what he needs, deary." She said picking up her drink and walking away.