Chapter 8
That afternoon, we are all sitting in the living room. Me and Happy on the couch on one end, Angel on the other and EZ in the recliner. Creeper went back to the clubhouse. I'm leaned into Happy's side and thinking about what Creeper said. That Happy would stick around. "You okay mana?" EZ asks and it gets everyone's attention. "Yeah. Just tired. Think I might go lay down." I tell him. Happy stands up and helps me stand. He walks me to the bedroom and helps me into bed. Kneeling down beside the bed, he says "Talk to me little girl." I shake my head and say "I'm just tired Hap." He shakes his head and says "I don't want there to be any secrets between us. You're my Old Lady and I want you to be able to talk to me." he says and I feel a tear fall. He moves me over and lays beside me, pulling me close and I start to sob. "It's okay babe. I got you." he says and I pull away from him. "You called me your Old Lady. I can't be that right now Hap." I say. He looks at me and asks "Why not?" I look down at my hands on his chest and say "You live in Charming. You're going to be there most of the time and my family is here. How's that going to work?" I ask. "I called Packer. They're voting in the morning and I'm transferring to SAMDINO." he tells me and I look at him shocked. "I told you I wasn't going anywhere." I lean up and kiss him and say "You need a place to stay." He nods and I say "You have a home here. With me." He kisses me softly and says "That I do."
I sleep for a little while and when I wake up, Angel comes in to talk to me. "So, he's moving in?" he asks. "Yeah. He's transferring to SAMDINO. Are you okay with this?" I ask. "I wasn't at first but seeing how he is with you and the kid. Seeing how you two look at each other. You never looked at me like that. He loves you mi dulce." he says. I shake my head and he says "Babe, he looks at you like mama used to look at pop." I look down at my hands and say "I don't know if he loves me but I know he's good to me. We'll get there someday." I say. "You love him?" he asks. "I haven't know him that long but I think I do. He's good to me and Mateo and he's always asking how he's doing and how I am. He didn't hesitate to ride up here when I was taken to the hospital. I know he's serious about me and Mateo." I tell him. "He is. A man doesn't jump charters for a fling mi dulce. That man is in deep and as much as I wish it were me, I'm happy for you." he tells me. "Thank you Angel. Look, I know this situation is so fucking messed up but I'm happy with him but I miss my best friends. I miss my family." I tell him and a tear falls. "And we're here." he tells me and I nod. "Can you help me to the living room?" I ask. "Yeah." He says and helps me off the bed and to the couch.
Sitting me down on the couch, Happy walks over and kisses me softly. "How'd you sleep?" he asks. "Okay." I tell him. "Can we talk?" I ask and he nods. Angel and EZ stand up and Angel says "We're gonna head to the clubhouse. Fill the guys in on how you're doing." before him and EZ kiss my cheek and see themselves out. Happy sits beside me and asks "What do you want to talk about?" I look down at my hands as he reaches over and laces his fingers with mine. "Are you sure about jumping charters Hap? I don't want you to do it just because I'm on bed rest. I'll figure shit out." I tell him. "Listen to me little girl. You're my Old Lady. As soon as Mateo is born, I'm giving you my crow. Do you know why I spoke to you at the diner that day? Why I was asking about you and Angel?" he asks and I shake my head no. "Because you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Then after we talked, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I love you little girl." he tells me. "I love you too Happy." I say and I feel Mateo start kicking. I grab his hand and put it on my stomach and he feels my son kicking him and he smiles. He kisses me softly and I look down at our hands and he pulls me into his side and I can't help but smile a little.
A little later, we head to bed and as we get into bed, he pulls me close and I snuggle into him the best I can. "Hap?" I ask. "Yeah babe." he says. "You know being on bed rest, I won't be able to...really...um…" I start and he says "I don't care about that shit. Long as you and Mateo are good." he tells me before tilting my chin up to look at him. "But as soon as you have him and the doctor releases you, I'm pinning your ass to this bed." he tells me and I start laughing. "I'm holding you to that. But if you need to step away from time to time to...you know…" I say and he says. "Nah. If your hand can't do it, mine can." he tells me and I look up at him. "You really love me don't you?" I ask and he nods. "I love you too. I am so glad you're here." I tell him. "Me too babe." he says as I lay my head against his chest and snuggle as close as my pregnant belly will let me.