Author's Note: I don't own any characters, etc. Just for fun, doesn't follow story line from the show, or character deaths.
Happy Lowman snuck a peak in the kitchen through the back porch screen just as he was grabbing a beer from the mini fridge that was kept outside on the porch- Sarah had stopped in the kitchen to stir the rice that was cooking on the stove. She gave it a quick stir before heading back to the laundry room to fold more clothes he presumed. She looked a little tired- her hair in a messy bun and black leggings with a tank top on. She had gone to the gym earlier and hadn't taken a shower yet so, her cheeks were still flush. He had poured her a glass of wine earlier- it sat untouched on the kitchen table. He knew something was up with her, he just wasn't sure what it was.
He was currently in charge of the grill, chicken and veggies were on the menu as well with a couple of hot dogs for Ava- the 9-year-old German Shepherd. He patted the dogs head as he went back outside- Ava was a good dog, she followed him back outside and then sprinted to the back of the fenced in yard when she saw a bird. Circling back to him when it flew away.
The weather was nice that day and the sun was still shining brightly- it wasn't hot but warm with a slight breeze. Perfect California day as always, the way he liked it. Plopping down in the chair closest to the grill he leaned back and warmed his face I the sun. It had been a lazy day- spent at Sarah's house and while she worked, the kids were at school, and he had stayed home to cut the grass and fixed the leaky bathroom faucet.
Home.
He said it again. He never saw himself as the domesticated type- never settled down long enough to establish himself, the closest thing he had was his mother's house where he stored the very few things that he had kept over the years, but something felt different with Sarah, in her home. It had started to feel like his home too, after a couple months. For the lack of a better term, he couldn't think of a better way to describe it than just simply, "homey". She had pictures on the walls, extra matching blankets on the couch, a dog bed in the corner for Ava and there was always a cat in the front windowsill, irritating the shit out of the dog. She had her kids- Collin and Emma who were always leaving something somewhere it shouldn't be, and she was always yelling at them to turn their respective TV's down- but it was clean and comfy. He liked coming home to Sarah's warm bed, Collin asking him to play video games and fresh laundry. Emma was turning 11 next month and she had the attitude of an 18-year-old but when she wasn't being a drama queen, she was very funny and always making him laugh with her stupid jokes. It had taken them very little time to warm up to him which was a surprise. It was Sarah who he had to butter up for six months before she had even agreed to go on a date with him.
Lena, his cousin who lived across the street- two doors down, had been the one to suggest Happy to come by her place to see his niece and nephew, pick up something for his Ma- when he saw Sarah for the first time. His Harley was loud as he pulled into Lena's driveway, so Sarah had naturally looked to see who was passing and he gave her a slight nod as she carried grocery bags from the back of her car to the house- she had on a tight pair of jeans and black tank. Her hair was shorter then- but the same dark brown with caramel brown highlights. She was pale- having only been in California for two weeks then. She had re-located from Ohio after her husband died suddenly in a car accident. It had been tough for her and the kids, and when her mother died a few months later- it nearly broke her. After that, she had decided she needed a brand-new start, somewhere fresh, where there were no memories, or ghosts.
And in a bizarre twist of fate- they chose little old Charming, California. She had let Emma pick the state and Collin pick the city- which he literally did with his eyes closed. Sarah packed everything up and took the money from insurance to buy a quaint three-bedroom house with garage and fenced in back yard. The company she worked for was large and flexible and she switched positions, now working remotely- only having to go into the office that was an hour away once or twice a month. Lena told him all about it and had picked up on Happy's interest the one day when Felix had his new friends over to play in the pool.
It was about a month after Sarah had moved across the street and Happy brought some money for his cousin to help pay school tuition. He was always close with Lena and tried helping her out when he could. When he walked in the side door- he found Sarah and Lena laughing over White Claws and tequila at the kitchen table. You could hear screams of laughter through the back porch door and water splashing. They were both in bathing suit tops and shorts- Sarah in a black one piece that laced up to a 'V' at her chest, denim cut offs and pink toes. Lena had caramel skin, but you could she had been sitting outside- her highlighter orange bikini top showed off her tattoos. Sarah had pink shoulders, chest, and nose from not putting any sunscreen on. She had been spending some time in the sun you could tell. She had a slight tan with an almost orange glow but not in bad way- like you would get with a bad spray tan. Her skin was just literally glowing, tucking strands of hair behind her ear, she looked up at him through her lashes with her round, honey brown eyes that were twinkling from laughing- he would never forget that look for the rest of his life. He imagined that was one of the images that would flash before his eyes right before he died.
"You burnin' the chicken?" Her voice pulled him from his thoughts abruptly. She was standing in front of him with the glass of wine he poured.
"Oh," He stood up quickly, their bodies an inch apart. She wrapped an arm around his waist and placed a small kiss on his lips while on her tiptoes. It was like, she knew exactly what he had been thinking. "It should be alright…" He stepped to the side reluctantly and opened the grill top and flipped them one last time. He placed the hotdogs on the plate to cool for Ava, rustling his buzzing burner out of his pocket- he prayed it wasn't the club.
"Hey Cuz," Happy furrowed his brow. She knew where he was. Normally if she wanted something- she would just come over.
"Hey Hap," She was speaking low. "Um, Jax just stopped by for you . . .. He saw your bike- I didn't know what to say, he's walking there now."
Shit. Happy cussed in his head. His little secret was busted. "Thanks, Leen."
Happy flipped his phone shut. He looked to Sarah who was eyeing him skeptically. "Can you handle the chicken? Jax is on his way over."
Sarah knew who Jax was, Happy had told her about pretty much everyone in the club and explained the rankings and how things worked. He didn't sugar coat anything. He told her how "rough" it could be and the constant wildness. How he wanted to keep her separate for a while and to make sure they were "really serious" before getting her involved into any of the club business. He had Lena explain some of it to her as well. Sarah decided to go with it nervously at first - she wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or creating a giant lie to cover his tracks and he secretly was married or what, but over time she decided it mattered less and less because it was hard to deny the chemistry between them. She hadn't felt like this with anyone. And she was pretty sure he was in the same boat.
"Yeah," She felt her heart rate quicken. "Why?"
"Dunno," He squeezed her waist as he hurried by. "But I'm gonna' go meet 'em out front." Happy went through the fence and up the driveway, just in time as Jax reached Happy's Harley that was parked in the driveway. He wondered how he didn't hear Jax's own Harley drive past to Lena's until he saw that he had driven his truck. Which was odd. Jax was observing Sarah's house, not noticing Happy as he got closer.
Happy cleared his throat. "I'm not interested in any girl scout cookies…."
Jax whipped his head around and laughed. "There you are, I have been wondering where you have been hiding…"
Happy shrugged and leaned against Sarah's black SUV. "Guess, I'm busted."
"I never thought I would see the day- I knew something was up with you but I couldn't put my finger on it. Going to your cousins all the time. . ." He put "cousins" in quotation marks.
Happy sighed, "Sorry I didn't say nothing, bro. I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while. Make sure she was legit before bringing her around."
"I get it, man."
"I did have Juice run a background che-"
Jax shook his head. "Don't explain- he told me. Plus, you're the most closed off from the club. She must be something special if she tamed the Tacoma Killer." He lit up a cigarette, grinning. "I have heard some rumblings that you haven't been with anybody at the club in months." Happy could tell he knew more than he was letting on.
"Yeah, had to put an end to that, she was not cool with that at all. Go figure." Happy snorted. "But Sarah's different. She's got her shit together, the girl's I had been messing around with," Happy shook his head distastefully. "They can't light a candle next to her."
"I'm happy for you, man." Jax blew out some smoke. "She cool with the club?"
Now that was a loaded question. Happy knew what he meant by it- he was gauging to see how much he had told her about the not-so-legal-stuff the club did. It was far less than two years ago but there were still some things that could land jail time.
"She knows what she needs to know. She's not stupid though. She knows when I'm on a run- it's not a charity run most of the time. I have told her about the club dynamics, the porn studio, the sweet butts," Happy rolled his eyes at that one. That had been an uncomfortable conversation.
Jax laughed, "And how did that go?"
Happy grunted, "It took me six months just to get her to agree to go get some chicken wings with me. It was like chipping away at an iceberg. Once I mentioned the porn and girls," He rolled his eyes while chuckling, remembering her face when he told her about them. "I thought it was over- but after promising seventy-five- hundred times I'd never touch a sweet butt again; she was ok with it. Well, she accepted them being there- I guess." Happy scratched his head. "She doesn't even have a problem with the porn stars really- it's their job. It's the crow eaters that get her. She can't wrap her head around the whole sharing thing,"
"She's got you whipped, boy" Jax hooted.
"Maybe," He shrugged, nonchalantly, trying to act cool. "She's different. She's like- Tara." He looked Jax in the eyes to show he meant no disrespect. He was trying to convey to Jax how separate she was from the normal meth heads and skanks that hung around just for clout, parties, and more drugs. "The club isn't her life. She's not going to go around fucking every other member to get in."
Jax gave him a tight smile, "I know what you mean. She's in it for you." He said regretfully, stomping the butt out on the concrete.
Happy nodded. "I can't believe I'm saying this sappy-ass shit. But it's true, man. I'm the last person who thought I would find somebody. It's mainly my cousin Lena's fault." He nodded across the street to her house. "Would call me to fix something that didn't need fixing while she was over, that sort of thing."
"When Juice mentioned you had asked to run a background check on a girl- I thought he was lying." Jax admitted. "But then I noticed you hadn't been sleeping at the clubhouse that much, always on the phone in the back corner. Skipping out on the porn wrap up parties which should have been my first clue." Jax laughed. "But Juice said there was nothing on her and if you say she's legit. I trust you man."
Happy put his hand out, Jax shook it and they patted each other on the back. "I appreciate it, brother. Sorry, I didn't say anything but why don't you come in and meet her? We were just about to have dinner. It's healthy shit though," He grunted, making Jax laugh. Happy had always ate the worst food possible for years but maintained his six-pack no matter what.
"I'd love to, man." Jax grinned while following Happy down the driveway and into the backyard.
Happy let him in through the fence- Sarah must have put Ava in the house- and showed him to the six-person glass table and chair set on the wooden porch attached to the back enclosed porch. She had somehow set plates and silverware out already.
"Sarah?" He called through the door as he grabbed two fresh beers from the porch fridge. He watched Jax take in his surroundings. Sarah's backyard was modest, but she had a nice size lawn with flowers lining the fence, a basketball hoop attached to the garage and small raised garden bed. It looked good since he cut the grass today.
Sarah came around the corner with her hands full- chicken and vegetables plated and bowl of rice in the other. "Can you grab the door for me?"
"How'd you do that so fast?" He gave her a one-sided smirk, exposing his dimple. He slid the screen door open and closed it behind her, taking the plate of meats and grilled veggies in foil.
"Magic," She raised her eyebrows at him before turning to Jax. "Hi, I'm Sarah." Sticking her free hand out to shake.
Jax shook Sarah's hand, "Ahhh, it's nice to finally meet you. I can't believe how well he kept you a secret."
Sarah chuckled nervously, "I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing," She set the bowl of rice down and placed her hands on her hips, her cheeks flush.
Happy snorted, placing the meat in the middle of the table and handing Jax one of the beers he was holding by the neck. "It's a good thing you haven't met these mongrels yet."
Jax laughed, taking the que from Happy who padded Sarah's seat to sit. "We're not that bad… well, some of them are." Jax conceded, leaning back in his chair.
Sarah swatted at Happy's side when he filled her wine glass to the top and raised his eyebrows at her before taking a long swig of his beer. His right arm was under the table and Jax could only guess it was resting on Sarah's thigh. They seemed very comfortable with each other, not needing to say anything to convey what they were thinking. Happy was a stark contrast to Sarah with all his tattoos and baggy t-shirt and gym shorts. Sarah had one tattoo that he could see- a classic blue bird, flowers, and a ribbon underneath on her inner arm, looked older- like she got it when she was young. Nothing compared to the hundreds that Happy probably had. She had a round inviting face, that seemed to invite you to talk to her- unlike Happy's usual grimace. Although, his face seemed gentler around Sarah Jax thought. He didn't seem like he was so on edge. It was bizarre to see Happy like this, but Happy was right- Sarah was definitely not like the girls from the club or who Happy normally entangled himself with, Jax did find that slightly entertaining. She was a "normal" girl from what he saw so far. She may have been exactly what Happy needs, but Jax was confused on how this whole relationship had even started. Sure, opposites attract but they were polar opposites it seemed. From the background check, he found out the typical things like, where she came from, age, where she worked, he noted she had two kids and a deceased ex-husband which brought her to Charming. He didn't know how they exactly became for the lack of a better term- girlfriend and boyfriend but that was pretty much why he was here.
'So, how do you feel about the federal prison system?" Jax broke the silence.
"What?" Happy's mouth dropped open, food half chewed. "I don't know about.."
Jax laughed, "I was just wondering how she felt about the prison system…" He grinned at Sarah, trying to rattle her.
"Do you mean how would I feel about Happy going to prison?" She squared her shoulders at Jax. "Or, do you want to know about how I feel like, the complete shit show that the American Prison system is?"
"Both," Jax shrugged.
"I mean, the prison system is a joke. It's too fucked now though- they'll never be able to fix it. Just burn them all to the ground- start fresh. It's designed to just breed more criminal behavior, I wouldn't trust the guards for anything if I was in there, or anyone else for that matter, nothing about prison is helpful to the community. I love the shows- you know like, 60 Days In, Lockup?" She took a sip of wine. "They're all bullshit. Well, not that I have ever been to prison obviously, but" She looked at Happy with a slight frown. "I assume they're bullshit but I find it fascinating that they could be interviewing someone and they're funny- like, you legit think to yourself, 'This person can't be all that bad.' And then bam! They're a serial killer. And I feel like, we need to question more why they're a murderer, where did they come from, do they use drugs, how was their childhood, hell, did the person deserve it? Because in my book, if you rape or hurt a child- someone should just shoot you on the spot. I have always wanted to work at a prison, I find them fascinating."
Jax looked to Happy his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
"And for Happy- I'd miss him," Sarah shrugged, "But he probably deserves it."
Happy laughed, "You're probably right, baby."
"Fuck, man" Jax sat forward, in somewhat disbelief "She's fuckin' perfect for you."
"I know." Happy agreed.
"You should bring her to the party this weekend." Jax suggested.
Happy shook his head, "I don't know, man. It's Franco's retirement party, Tacoma, NOMADS, Tulsa are gonna be coming."
"What's gonna' happen, bro? We got your back." Jax winked at Sarah, who was slightly irritated and yet completely interested at the same time.
"I'll fuckin' kill somebody, that's what." Happy rasped, shoveling the last of his rice in his mouth and then taking a swig of beer. "I don't give a shit who they are-"
"Alright, killer." Sarah put her hand on his shoulder. "Take it down a notch. I can hear you two, ya know."
Jax scoffed, "Yeah, take it down a notch, Hap." He loved the look that was on Happy's face right now.
Happy gave them both a look. "I will talk to her and let you know."
"You'll have fun, I promise." Jax raised his beer bottle so that they could cheers. "Get ready to meet your new family!"
