Finding Happiness Ch. 24

Over the last month, things with the club finally calmed down. The only thing that was a stress in her life, was her little pet project with Otto. While she was happy that her plan was in motion, she was nervous. Today she told a lie to Happy, which she's never done before, but she's hoping that it was worth it. So now Luna was chewing on her lip out of nervous energy. She was sitting outside Stockton hoping for Otto to come out. She knew that sending her lawyer here for his parole hearing was a gamble, especially not talking to the club, but she felt it was necessary, Otto wouldn't allow Luann or the club to spend the money on the lawyers, he always felt it was a waste of resources that his wife or club would need in a real emergency.

While she respected the club and their rules, this seemed like one to roll the dice on. Sitting in the truck, she knew that Kevin was probably walking in on the parole hearing in his 5k suit. Making everyone in that meeting stand up with rapt attention. She knew that he made a hell of an appearance, he was about 6'2, cobalt blue eyes, and wide shoulders. He was most women's wet dream, hell, when he came into her ER after his accident, she couldn't help but admire the man, but that was not here nor there. But saving his life, he was grateful, and offered her 3 favors. This was number 1.

She remembered the conversation that they had when she first asked if it was even possible for Otto to get parole.

FLASHBACK

"Kevin Bradford."
"Mr. Bradford, this is Luna Erickson, I am seeing if I can call in a favor."
"What do you have?"
"I'm sending you a file, it's about a parole Otto Delaney, his parole hearing is in 2 weeks. I want to know if you can do anything, if so, I'd like to cash in the favor. Please."
"Of course, when I get the files, I'll review them, if it is something that has a shot, we'll cash it in, but I do not guarantee that he will be released. You understand?"
"I do. Thank you for looking at it, I'll wait for your call."

With that Luna hung up the phone. She new that it was a risk, but at least this way, no one would be out money. She debated on calling Gemma, but decided against it, if it didn't pan out, no one would be disappointed but her.

When his call came in, she was laying in the on-call room, she was working a 24hr shift so that if Kevin did take the case, she had the day off for the parole hearing.

"Hello?"
"Ms. Erikson, Kevin Bradford. I reviewed the files, there is a good chance, and I pulled his records within the prison. I'll contact the California Bar Association and let them know that I'm coming in for a parole hearing. I have the day and time; I'll make the arrangements and I'll meet you after the hearing. If all goes Well, I'll be walking out with Mr. Delaney."
"Thank you so much for looking at this. I'll be there waiting. Either way, thank you."
"No problem Ms. Erickson."

Disconnecting the call, Luna looked up and smiled. He said there was a chance. That was all she needed to hear, so now all the hidden agenda crap was possibility worth it. Well, was it really considered lying? No one asked her anything about it. She knew she offered to cash in the favor to Gemma but given the fact that she never got back to her, either she didn't extend the offer, or Luann rejected it. Her theory was that Luann didn't want to get her hopes up. Now the only thing was how to arrange for the big reveal. While she was sure that showing up to the clubhouse was the quickest way, but she knew that Luann wanted some time alone.

Before she could get too deep in thought, her pager went off, stretching her hands above her head she shook her head clear of non-medical thoughts and went back to work. She'd rack her brain about the whole thing later.

END FLASHBACK

So now she was sitting outside the prison inmate release gate waiting. She probably looked like a weirdo just parked there and staring. She wondered how everything was going, she offered to go inside with Kevin, but he told her that wouldn't be necessary. She needed a distraction, anything would be good, and just like that, the gods answered her prayer. Looking at the caller ID on the phone, Luann.

"Hey Lu, what's up?"
"Nothing sweetheart, just wanted to check to see if dinner's still on?"
Looking at her watch, it was only 9am.
"Yes of course it would be. If you get bored and want to hide at my house for a little bit, you know the garage code. You're more than welcome to use it."
"Thanks sweetie. I need the company, today is just blah."
"I'm sure, but don't worry, you me, wine. Food. Heading to the clubhouse for drinks after. Sound good?"
"Yea, I think I'm going to your place now, I don't want to go home and be in that house tonight."
"I understand Lu, enjoy the house, I'll be home in a few hours, I have a few things I need to pick up."
"Thanks doll. Love you."
"Love you, Lu."

Another hour went by, and Luna was ready to start banging her head on the steering wheel, but soon enough she heard the chattering of people, looking up, she couldn't believe her fucking eyes. Otto was being escorted out. Kevin walking beside him. Jumping out of the truck she headed towards the men.

Stopping just on the opposite side of the fence. Kevin locked his eyes with hers and smiled. Luna watched Otto, he looked like he was in a trance, he probably never thought he'd be on the outside of a prison.

When the guards opened the gate, Kevin thanked them and made sure to thank the guards for their service. Ever the polite gentleman.

"Ms. Erickson, I believe I can entrust Mr. Delaney here with you to get him home?" he asked with humor in his voice.

"Of course, I want to thank you Mr. Bradford. For everything." Looking at Otto. "You OK, big guy?" she asked him.

Otto was stunned. While he got to see the sun during yard time, there was something magical about breathing air as a free man. He could see the lawyer was talking to Luna, but when she spoke to him, it took him a second to accumulate to the thought of being free. Turning towards the lawyer, "I don't know how to thank you. If there is anything I can do for you, please name it." Extending his hand.

Kevin grabbed his hand and gave it firm shake, "That will not be necessary, Ms. Erickson just cashed in a favor that I owed her. So, no debt is owed. You take good care Mr. Delaney." With that Kevin shook Luna's hand and headed towards his rental, it was time for him to head home.

Luna watched as he drove away, even renting he drove a Mercedes. Snorting at the thought. Turning her attention to Otto, "Otto, are you OK?" she asked.

His joy finally caught up, he turned quickly and hugged her tightly lifting her off the ground. He held on to her until he could get a hold of himself. Gently putting her down, "Why would you use a favor for me? You don't know me."

She couldn't help the tears in her eyes, "That's simple, Luann. I love her, she's like my aunt, big sister rolled in one. She loves you, misses you, and wanted to honor your wishes by not getting her hopes up. The club too. They didn't want to hire the lawyer because you said it wasn't worth it." Wiping her tears and trying to catch her voice so it didn't sound so broken. "But I had a favor to cash in. I didn't tell anyone at the club, or Luann. They have no idea. I didn't want to get anyone's hope up. So how about, you get in my truck, and I head to my house. Luann is there. She didn't want to be alone on your parole day." Luna waited for his body to move. She knew that it was going to be a moment or two before he got his ass in gear.

Otto couldn't believe it. She truly was an angel. How Luann always wrote her in the letters, he knew that his wife loved the girl, he could see why. She loved the family she was a part of. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he nodded and started walking towards the big Silverado. Opening the passenger door, he slid in, it was a surreal thing for him. He thought he'd die behind these walls, but Luna and her lawyer friend gave him a chance to live again.

Jumping into the truck she texted Happy that she was done with her errands, and she would see him at the clubhouse. Turning to Otto, "You ready to get the fuck away from this place?" she asked.

Laughing at her blunt statement, "Hell yes kid. Let's go before they think they made a mistake." He was only half joking

Turning on the engine, Luna made her way out of the parking lot, and straight for Charming. It was time for them to go home.

It took about a little over an hour to get into town, Luna looked over at Otto, "I would normally drop you off at the clubhouse, but Luann is at mine. I thought that if you were granted parole that you and she would like sometime to just be together. I hope that's OK?" she was a little worried that she made a decision for a OG member of SAMCRO without checking.

Looking at the young woman that gave him his freedom, "That's perfect. While I can't wait to get my bike and go to the clubhouse, I missed Luann terribly. She's the only thing that kept be sane while in prison."

Damn, her eyes filled with tears again. "Damn it, the two of you are going to turn me into a blubbering mess." Wiping her eyes. "I'm glad that you are going to be reunited." Turning down her street, she saw Luann's little red corvette, smirking at his face, "That's her version of a bike. She loves that thing."

Rubbing his beard, "I'm glad she has a little something that gives her joy." His guts were turning, he never dreamt this moment was possible, but now he was a literally at the doorstep of his dreams.

"It's OK to be nervous Otto. But don't worry, she's going to be thrilled to have you." Giving him a minute to grab his belongings, "You ready big guy?" she asked.

Not trusting his voice not to crack, he just nodded and stepped out of her truck. He watcher her do the same, coming around to her side, he followed her to the door. Taking a deep breath, he watched as she opened the door and stepped inside, leaving him at the entrance.

Looking at him, she indicated him it was OK to enter. "LU, where are you?" she asked the empty living space.

Otto looked around, her home was welcoming, big, and warm. Turning his attention towards Luna, his heart skipped a beat when he heard her voice.

"I'm in the guest room, I'll be right there, just got out of the shower. By the way, your shower is amazing, I think I'm moving in." Luann loved how she had her home remodeled, perhaps a project outside Cara Cara would give her mind something else to worry about.

Otto smiled at his wife's voice; it was good to hear her not have worry. He watched Luna smirk. "Yea, that'll be fine, but Ima is not welcome!"

A laugh came from around the corner, Luann was heading back into the living room, as she turned the corner, she had some dirty laundry in her hands, looking to see if Luna was there her eyes found her husband. Screaming and dropping her clothes. She just stared.

Luna knew that it was going to be a shock for Luann, but her being frozen was not something that she expected. Walking up to her friend. "LU, I need you to breath or you're going to pass out." Standing in front of her, "Deep breath in, 1, 2, 3. Deep breath out. 1, 2, 3. One more time." She watched as Luann took her slow breaths. It took about 5x before she was able to talk.

"Luna, I'm not having a stroke, am I? This is real, he's really here?" her voice breaking.

Luna looked over her friend, and back to Otto, she indicated for him to come over. "Dude, hug your fucking wife. I think she needs to make sure she's not insane." Stepping back, she let her friends husband walk towards her.

Otto approached Luann as if she were a deer, easily startled. Holding his hands up, "I'm so happy to see you Lulu. I've missed you every day." When he was in touching distance, Luann leaped at him; he quickly picked her up and held her. The pair was frozen in that moment.

Luna turned away; they deserved this moment. Heading towards the kitchen, she left them holding each other, she could only imagine what emotions they are feeling. Starting to put together a simple lunch, she made some tuna sandwiches. Figured that they would be hungry. When the last sandwich was made, she could see them still holding each other, but looking at her, taking a bite of her sandwich, she walked past the pair, "You guys enjoy some a lone time. Luann has the codes to lock up. I'm going to head to the hospital to fill out some paperwork. I need to swing by a bit later to get dressed for the party. Which I hope that you'll attend Mr. Delaney." She said with a smirk.

Before Otto could even speak, Luann brought her into a broke cracking hug. "How? How did you do this?" she asked.

"I know a defense attorney in Chicago, he owed me a favor, I cashed it in. But you don't worry about that. You enjoy him," she said pointing to her husband. "I'm going to let you guys have the house for a few hours. You both need it." Taking her leave, she could see the pair smiling and locking eyes. This was an excellent turn of events.

Parking her truck, Luna walked into her office and started finishing up the charts that feel behind the last couple days. She knew that it needed to be done so that the administrators would be able to bill insurances appropriately. Taking a deep sigh, she eyed the stack that was on the desk, figuring by the time it was done it would possibly be safe to head home. Biting her lip, she knew that she didn't want to keep anything from Happy, reaching into her phone, she sent him a text to call when he had a moment.

About an hour, his ringtone echoed in the room. For the first time in their relationship, she was wondering if she over-stepped herself. She could only hope that he wouldn't be upset.

"Hey."
"Little girl, what's up?"
"You alone?"
"I'm about to head out to the house, why?"
"Can you come by the hospital, I'm in my office."
"Luna, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong Happy, but I need to talk to you."
"Alright, I'll be there in 10, see you soon little girl."
"Love you Happy."
Chuckling, "Love you too little girl."

Hanging up, Luna stared at the blank screen on her phone. She was beyond anxious. Trying to shake herself clear of the all the doubt that came crashing around her, she focused on getting a couple more charts completed, figuring that if her life blew up in her face, she'd at least have a clean desk.

Happy made his way through the hospital, he knew something has been going on with her, it wasn't something serious or she would have told him, that he was sure of. But he could see it in her face that she was holding something back. He didn't push her to talk, figuring when she was able to figure it out, she'd talk to him.

Stepping off the elevator he walked with purpose to her office, whatever it was that was keeping her on edge, he figured she finally was able to figure something out. Which he was glad, to be honest it was starting to have him worried that something was going to happen, like her leaving. Turning the corner, he could see that she was in deep concentration, slowly walking to her office, he was half amused that she was so busy doing some bullshit paperwork that she didn't notice that he was standing there. Shutting the door, the loud thud that it made, caused her to jump and look at him.

Luna barely held in the squeak that wanted to escape her mouth. But by the look on his face, Happy was slightly amused with himself. "That's just cruel. Sneaking up on a lady."

Shrugging his shoulders, "Not my fault you weren't paying attention little girl." Watching her face, he could see that she was pleased to see him, but underneath it was worry. "Tell me what's got you so twisted little girl."

She knew that it was best to just pull the band-aid. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, "So, I may have called an attorney that owed me a favor to review Otto's case for his parole hearing. He came in earlier today, and Otto's got parole, and he's at our house with Luann right now." She breathed out. Opening her eyes, she could see that Happy was frozen. Fuck, I broke him. Not wanting to bug him or even speak to him until he processed what she said, she sat back down, watched and waited.