I'm A Little Bit Hopeful

I sat in the garage watching Happy and Juice talk with Frankie Diamonds and Chucky. I had been working on one of the cars but I started getting a horrific headache, so I had to take a break. That coincided with Happy and Juice approaching the open bay door, so I had no qualms sitting and openly starring at my boyfriend. He was in 'work mode' so he had a very serious look on his face while Juice explained to Frankie that he was going to be joining them on their run. Damn. That meant they were leaving TM, possibly for the rest of the day. That would also mean that I would lose my eye candy. Yes, I'm a love-struck goober who spent more time watching her boyfriend than she did working some days. But in my defense, my concussion was really messing with my head and I had to take frequent breaks to soothe away headaches or dizzy spells. Was it my fault that those breaks usually happened when Happy was in or around the garage? Of course not. It was just a pleasant coincidence.

After Juice was finished talking, Happy made eye contact with me and smiled. I can't tell you how much that melted my heart and helped me to feel at ease. It amazes me how much emotion he could put into one look. Right now, all I saw was adoration and I really hoped he saw the same sentiment on my face.

He started to talk towards me but stopped suddenly. He didn't say anything to me before he turned to walk towards an approaching motorcycle. Even from this distance I could tell who it was right away. I jumped to my feet and hurried to Happy's side. By that time, Opie had parked and was chatting with the guys.

"Where they at now?" Opie asked.

Juice replied, "Stockton, a friend of Gemma's. Trying to get some protection before they turn themselves in."

Happy wrapped an arm around my shoulders to hug me into his side as he said, "I'm heading up there now. I know Jax would want you there."

"Yeah, man," Juice confirmed with a semi-enthusiastic tone.

Opie looked over towards Frankie while he combed his fingers through his beard with a pensive look on his face. After a couple of seconds of contemplation, he answered, "Looks like you guys got it covered." He then made eye contact with me and asked, "You doing okay?"

I nodded as I hugged my arms around Happy's waist. "A little headachy, but I swear I'm not overdoing it."

"Good."

Frankie then jumped in asking, "Where's your patch, man?"

Opie barely moved his eyes to glare at the other man before he reestablished eye contact with me. I just gave him a reassuring smile because I knew we didn't have to say anything else to each other. He knew I was with Happy, so I was safe. Plus, he didn't know Frankie well enough to ask anything personal in front of him and I felt the exact same way.

After we shared our look, he shifted on his bike, put on his sunglasses and then turned over the engine to drive away. Frankie gave us an indignant look to which Juice replied, "He's not much of a talker."

"Yeah... well... Let me tell you somethin'... Next time I see him riding without his patch, I'm gonna kick his teeth in. THEN he won't be much of a talker."

I let out a loud, annoyed scoff, but before I could voice my own scathing reply, Happy hugged me more tightly into his side. I knew what he was doing and why, so I forced myself to relax in his embrace. My hope was that he would loosen his hold on me, thank that he had pacified me so that I could turn and give Frankie a piece of my mind.

Happy must have figured that out because he didn't loosen his grip on me at all. But he did turn to Juice and say, "We should get going. I'll meet you guys by our bikes."

"Yeah… Okay, man." Juice then nodded his head towards their bikes saying, "Let's go, Frankie."

After the other two started to walk away, Happy released me from his embrace to push me to arm's length. "Princess…"

"I know, I know. A good Old Lady doesn't talk back. But I wasn't going to tell him to go fuck himself as your Old Lady, I was going to do it as Opie's sister."

"Princess," he sighed out with a chuckle. He leaned down to kiss me then continued quietly, "I would appreciate it if you didn't do it as either one. Please?"

I tried to glare at him, replying, "Damn it. Why do you have to be so polite and respectful? Okay… I'll hold my tongue… this time. But if that douchebag says anything else about hurting my baby brother, he will feel the wrath of Andie."

"Alright. I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again." He kissed me again then asked, "Are you staying here? I don't think we'll be staying in Stockton long or I'd offer to bring you with us."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I gonna head to the club house and rest until this headache goes away."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll try to call and let you know when we're heading back as soon as I can."

"Thanks. Be safe."

We shared yet another kiss and then we turned to walk arm in arm towards the clubhouse. After we parted ways, I stopped by one of the picnic tables to watch them drive away. Juice waved and tried to give me a reassuring smile as he passed by, so did Happy. I waved to them but I know I was scowling at Frankie Diamonds as I did it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I didn't actually make it into the clubhouse. Fresh air was sounding much more appealing than stale air, so I laid down in the boxing ring while I waited for my headache to go away. It was actually pretty perfect. I was far enough away from the garage that the noise the tools made didn't reach me. Plus, I wasn't all that visible either, so no one bothered me while I was laying there.

Once I was able to think and move without feeling like I was going to lose my lunch, I moved over to the picnic table. I then pulled out my phone to call Cody. He had taken over running both the bar and the restaurant when he didn't hear from me and I hadn't shown up to either place for over a week. Since that was so out of character for me, he had tried calling me and when he couldn't reach me, he finally broke down and called Opie. (He knew Opie was my emergency contact and had his number for that same reason.) After Opie told him about what had happened (okay an edited version), Cody didn't hesitate to step up and take charge.

Have I mentioned how awesome my staff is? Everyone pitched in to make sure my absence wouldn't have a negative impact on either business. Everything was running so smoothly that I really didn't have to go back at all if I didn't want to. Not that there was a chance that I would ever be an absentee owner, but it was reassuring to know that was one less thing for me to worry about while I was healing.

"Andie…? Sweetheart, can I interrupt a second?"

I hit send to deliver my text message and then turned to answer, "Of course, Mom. What's up?"

"Have you heard from Happy?"

"No, not yet. Why…? Did something happen? Did he get hurt?"

She rushed to my side and hugged me while she remained standing. "No, Baby. Everything is fine… even with Fawn."

I let out the breath I hadn't noticed I was holding then said, "Thank, God. So…?" I gently pushed out of her embrace to ask, "Okay… what's going on?"

"Alley just delivered a marriage license…"

"Marriage…?" I inadvertently interrupted. "Who…?" I trailed off and didn't finish that thought when I saw the unimpressed look on her face.

"My son. I'm going up there to do the delivery. Since you three have been so close, I thought you would want to come too."

"I… Yeah, I would. Let me just go tell Phil so he doesn't freak out and do something stupid like call Happy in a panic or something."

She shook her head then said, "Chucky will tell him. Nero told me he has a judge willing to do the ceremony but it's a very short window of time, so we have to go now."

"Oh… Okay, so… sooner than later. Gotcha. I'll just…" Again, I trailed off because she held up my hat and jacket that she had dropped on the ground to hug me. I took them both from her and laugh. "Or you could have all those bases covered. Okay, I guess I'm ready to go."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Turns out Gemma's 'friend' was a pimp and the guys were hiding out in a brothel. Alright, it was a legal escort service and Nero wasn't out back smacking the girls around to get paid or anything, but I still felt dirty when I walked through the doors. Dirty and ugly. Did the girls really have to look like they were porn stars? Well, I guess they wouldn't have many clients if they didn't, but still…

I pulled my cap further down my forehead and placed my hood over top of it. I could just barely make out Gemma's feet to follow her and Nero to the room where everyone was waiting. I even felt myself recoil further under my hood when I heard Nero quietly ask about my attire. I couldn't see the look on his face when Gemma quietly explained, but I could picture it. It was the same look of pity everyone gave me when they saw the huge scar on my bald head that was on prominent display whenever I took off my hat. Well, everyone but Happy. His expression was usually one of adoration and devotion or unmitigated rage.

As we entered the room, I could hear a variety of reactions. Well, actually more like a variety of shocked gasps. Awesome. No one knew Gemma was coming for the ceremony. That also meant no one knew I was coming with her. Fuck. That meant I had to find Happy so that I could explain everything to him as soon as possible.

But the universe doesn't like me. No, scratch that, it fucking HATES me. Before I could even pull the hood off my head, I felt an arm wrap around my waist. He pulled me into his side and pressed his lips to my ear and through the material of my hood to say, "Why are you hiding under your hood, Princess?"

I turned to face him and gave him an indignant look. "You aren't being serious, are you?"

He pulled my hood off answering in his low, gravelly tone, "Deadly."

"Happy… Look where we are. These women… they… they could be starring beside my sister in law in the next 'Debbie Does Dallas' remake."

He nodded then tried to take my hat off answering, "And so could you."

I took a step back retorting tearfully, "Only if it's fetish porn."

"Andie…" He sighed out as he pulled me into a hug. "You are my beautiful Princess. Your hair is growing back but you don't need it to be beautiful."

I tried to snuggle against his chest, but my ball cap prohibited that action. Begrudgingly I pulled it off and tucked myself under his chin. "You're too nice, Grumpy."

He kissed the top of my head then nearly whispered, "And you're the only person who would say that."

"Because you ARE too nice to me," I countered with a chuckle. I then moved up to my tiptoes to kiss him. "Thank you for being you. I really needed that and wish I came here sooner."

"You're here now, that's all that matters."

Before I could reply, we heard a jovial voice say, "Andie, you same too?" I turned to face Jax and was engulfed in an overly enthusiastic hug. "Thank you for being here."

I managed to move my arms around his waist so I could hug him back. "I would never miss my bro's wedding."

He laughed at that as he kissed my head. "Lucky for me. How's your head feeling?"

"A little achy and a lot shitty about how I look… so nothing too new."

"You look like a badass."

That caused me to laugh. "Shit between you and Happy, I'll be blushing nonstop. Congratulation on the nuptials. I love you, Bro. You deserve nothing but the best for you and Tara."

"Love you too, Sis. You know I feel the same about you and Happy, right?"

"I do. Thank you. But… I think Nero is trying to get your attention."

He checked over his shoulder to verify I was telling the truth. "Shit, you're right. Thanks again for being here."

He kissed my forehead quickly and then passed me off to Happy. Yes, he literally did a hand off of me to my boyfriend. Not hat I was complaining. I needed familiarity and lately Happy was the only person who could guarantee that for me.

He kissed my forehead then asked, "You okay, Princess?"

"Yeah…" I hesitated then answered. "No… I… I think I need to sit down."

Happy guided me over to a chair and as he sat me down, he asked, "Did you want some water?"

I nodded replying, "Please? It couldn't hurt."

"Of course. Get comfortable and I'll be right back."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The service was… brief and to the point. Shit. I might not have ever wanted a huge ceremony or party, but this? Wow, I never thought I would see something this succinct. Shit, when I… Fuck! NO! IF! IF I ever got married, I wanted something more than this. Honestly, the ceremony Opie had with Layla was the closest thing that I had envisioned for myself, if I thought really hard about it.

But Dad was gone and now so were so many dreams. Without him being around, did it really matter if I ever got the Father/Daughter dance? Would it be better if I just did something like this?

Shit… Marriage… HA! Like that was really in the cards.

"Princess?" Happy asked when I didn't stand to clap with everyone else.

Jax was at my side before I could properly catch up. He hugged me close and quietly said, "Thanks again for being here, Sis."

I kissed his cheek and made sure we were looking each other in the eye when I replied, "Always have your back, Bro."

The smile I saw on his face was one I hadn't witnessed in a long while. Hell, the last time I saw him this happy, I think it was when he told me that Tara was going to Prom with him. He and Opie had been voted in a Prospects and they were going to Prom with the women they planned to marry. I was so happy for them. I really was, but that didn't mean I had to watch their love fest. My boyfriend had broken up with me earlier that day because he finally got word that he got a full ride to his college of choice. That, in his bluntest of terms, meant he was going to be drafted. I f was going to be a Top Prospect, he couldn't… and these are his words… couldn't be tied to a biker whore. Yeah, I broke his nose that night, but that didn't slow down his trajectory. I should have broken his arm… in three places.

I hadn't really wanted to go to the dance, so it was the perfect excuse to hang out at the clubhouse that night. That's how I was available to commiserate with Jax after Tara broke the news that she was moving out East for school with no plans of returning to Charming, ever. That night we shared a LOT of alcohol and even more truths. We told each other stuff that night w had NEVER planned on telling anyone, ever.

That was the day we knew that we were truly brother and sister. There was zero chance we would ever have our closeness turn romantic. Contrary to popular belief, we never kissed that night and the spooning while we slept was unconscious. We drank, talked and passed out on the bed. When we woke up in each other's arms we had a brief moment of tenseness. But just as quickly, I hugged him close and told him I loved him and that he could call me whenever he needed to talk. I hated myself for the sad look I put on his face when I told him I was heading to NYC for school because it erased the last trace of a genuine smile that I ever saw on his face.

But now it was back. Damn. Now I really wish that Opie was here. This heartwarming family reunion felt incomplete without him.

Jax shook my hand then asked again, "Would you be my witness?"

"What?" I replied automatically as I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Then his question registered. OH MY GOD! "Yes! Yes, of course! Where's the pen?"

He passed it to me and wrapped an arm around me to lead me over to the marriage certificate. I quickly scrawled my name on one of the witness lines. When I was done, I moved to pass the pen back to Jax, but it was Tara who was now standing there. She took the pen and placed it on the counter so that she could lead me away from it by my hand.

Thankfully she didn't lead me too far away because Happy was looking to intervene. Not that I gave him any reason to be concerned. In fact, I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile more than once to get him to back off. I was with Happy and she was married to Jax, so this couldn't be part of any sort of power play. And she really didn't need to try to intimidate me in anyway.

SO, what was happening?

"How are you feeling, Andie?" Tara asked quietly.

I watched as she ran her fingers over the scar on my forearm. "I'm… I'm pretty good. Kinda confused…"

That got her attention. She let go of my arm and took half a step back away as she said, "I'm sorry. I know we haven't been… close. But I want to fix that. Jax says you and Opie are his family… Heck, he calls you his sister so casually that it sounds as natural as when Opie says it. You're important to him and… I want us to be okay with each other."

"Okay. I've… uhh… I've…"

"Always wanted that," she jumped in. She smiled more easily then continued, "I'm sorry I fought you on that. But… If you're willing to forgive me…"

"Of course. Tara? Us fighting? That… That's never been a thing." I smiled then turned my head to show her my scar as I asked, "In the spirit of… Sisterhood, could you take a look at my scar and tell me what you think?"

"Are you having problems with it?"

I shook my head and looked at her over my shoulder. "No… Not really, but I can't see it properly, no like my arm, so… it… it bugs me."

"Oh… That." I turned completely around to give her a questioning look. "No, not… it's… It's just that Jax has always said that you feel more at ease when you have a handle on things." She lowered her voice then added, "You're an Alpha being forced to follow. I get that now."

When I started to smile more easily, Tara finally answered, "It's looking really good. In fact, the scar is a lot smaller than I expected it to be. Who…? I mean… Do you know who did your surgery?"

"It was Dr. Cunningham at Sutter Memorial." Her eyes widened slightly, so I quickly asked, "Does that mean something to you?"

She nodded and suddenly felt myself starting to panic. She recognized it right away and gripped my shoulders tightly. "Nothing bad, Andie. It just makes sense. He started as a plastic surgeon before he moved into neurology. Your scarring is minimal. Heck, one your hair grows out, no one will even know it's there."

"That's… that's what Happy said too. Thanks Tara."

She smiled and squeezed my shoulders as she replied, "It's the least I can do to make amends."

I lunged forward to hug her then. "We're square, Tara. You don't owe me anything, but…"

"But what?" She asked as she pushed out of my embrace to look me in the eyes.

I nodded towards Jax and replied, "Be good to him. You guys finally found your way back to each other. Be good to each other and enjoy the happiness you deserve… as a family."