"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why." ~Mark Twain
How quickly time had flown by for Liv. It seemed like just yesterday, Happy had been discharged from the hospital and she got him settled into his house. Nurse Olivia worked brilliantly; Happy's mood was much improved and the nurses at the hospital were all grateful for Liv and Nurse Amber. They all wanted to know how Liv did it; she refused to tell them but they did allow her to have time alone with Happy every day until his discharge. Needless to say, they never had any other issues with him.
Liv went to back to college right after she got Happy established at his house and she figured out which one of the club members could handle Hap. She had already fallen two weeks behind in her classes; thankfully Olivia's professors allowed her to hand in her homework online. She may have told them a little white lie and told them it was her dad that was in the accident and not her boyfriend. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.
Now, she was a few days away from graduating. How could it have snuck up, upon her so quickly? She wondered if it was in part that she was splitting her time between Charming, Portland and Tacoma. Liv spent as much time with Happy as she could before her last semester of school. The last semester was painful for Liv between her classes, internship and Happy, she had little time to spend with her roommates. But, that was about to change, she had plans with Chase and Reese. Happy was going to be arriving in a few days with her dad for her graduation. Shit, graduation, the real world. Liv had accepted a position at a center for battered women and children in Stockton. As daunting as it felt to her, it felt right to be taking the job and moving to Charming with Happy.
"Oliver?" Chase popped his head into Liv's room through the open doorway. "You ready?" His hair flopped in his face. Over the last semester of classes Chase had grown out his light brown hair. He had told her that long hair was all the rage in Hollywood, so he did what they did. It fit him.
Liv finished lining her eyes with kohl black eyeliner. "Yeah." Gazed at Chase in the mirror. "Do I look okay?" She glanced down at her outfit; a pair of jean shorts and black racer back tank top.
"Girl, you'd look good in a plastic bag. Now if you don't mind, we should probably get going; Chase is waiting for us at his place." He smiled at Olivia. She had changed so much since Happy had come back into her life. Liv seemed more contented, and when he had seen them together it seemed like they were good for each other. As hard and as terrifying as Happy looked, he was a decent guy and if he made his best friend blissful then Happy was alright in Chase's book.
"Ha, ha." Liv shook her head at Chase as she stepped out of the room with him. They had plans to go get lunch and then see if they could find new clothes for graduation. "It's hard to believe that we are already done." It had been a struggle but they were there.
Chase smiled, "I know, right?" He couldn't believe that Liv had finished classes within a year and was graduating with him. Reese still had one more year and Bri and Sam both had another year and half or two since they had taken some time off for their honey moon and marriage. "I am glad you and I are sharing in this experience." He couldn't have been happier that he was partaking graduation with Liv; it was their moment together.
Liv smiled as she hugged Chase close to her, "I am too. Now let's go find some amazing outfits that make everyone jealous!"
"Shit, we already make everyone jealous." Chase smirked as they walked out the door.
"Zip me up?" Liv stood with her bare back to Happy.
"And why would I do something like that?" He asked as he ran his hand down Liv's back and teased the eyelets on her strapless bra.
Warmth filled Liv's body, she had just spent most of the evening making love to Happy. As much as she wanted him again, she also couldn't be late for graduation. "Happy." Liv sighed in protest, he gruff laugh filled her ears as he placed a kiss on her bare neck before zipping up her dress.
Olivia turned and faced Happy, the dress she was wearing made her look so sexy; even if she looked nervous. She ran her hands down the black and silver fabric of her bandage wrap dress. Happy's eyes lingered on sweetheart neckline of the dress that accentuated her breasts. "Olivia, you look beautiful." A pink flush washed over Liv's cheeks; he still had it. A victorious smile creeped across his face.
"Thank you." Liv was a bundle of nerves, she was so grateful that Happy was with her, he helped her forget about graduating. She wondered why she was so nervous, it wasn't like it was going to be hard to do it. Liv would just have to walk across the stage and get her diploma, no big deal. But what if she tripped and fell or what if she didn't hear her name. Anything that could go wrong flashed through Liv's head. It gave her an upset stomach just thinking about it. "Ugh, I am so nervous, my skin is crawling."
Happy hated seeing Liv that way. He wondered if giving her his gift would make it worse or if she would be okay. He and Tig had sort of coordinated their gifts, in the sense that they matched. Well here went nothing, he thought as he dug through his duffle bag to find the box before turning back to Liv, who was putting on a pair of black t-strap heels. "I have something for you." Happy said quietly as he stood in front of Liv.
What could Happy had gotten her? She didn't see anything in his hands, she glanced up at his face. The last gift he had given her was her tattoo, was he going to ink her again? They certainly didn't have time for that. Liv's brow furrowed as she looked at Happy, who now looked uneasy as he dug inside pocket of his cut and produced a small black box. He handed Liv the small velvet box. "Hap, you didn't need to get me anything. You being here is a gift in itself." Liv said as she looked down at the box in her hands.
"Ju…just open it." Happy's voice faltered. What the fuck?! He thought to himself.
Liv slowly opened the little box, she glanced up at Happy after seeing the contents; she searched his eager face. He had bought her a ring. Was he asking her to marry him?
"Olivia…" Happy started.
"I need to sit down." Liv was breathless. Was she ready for this with Happy? Was she ready to let him all the way in? If that was what the ring with the trio of black diamonds and smaller ones around the band meant. Olivia tried to catch her breath, she put her hand on her stomach and tried to take slow controlled breaths.
Happy sat next to her on the bed. He had never seen Liv like this before. She looked shocked and scared. He thought that his gift would make her happy beyond belief, at least that is what he had seen when his brothers had asked their old ladies to be their wives. He was ready for this step with Liv, it didn't have to happen right away but he knew that was where he wanted the path to lead them to in life. He sat silently next to Liv waiting for her to talk, not knowing what to say. He wasn't eloquent with words, he had a speech put together, Jax and Quin had helped him but now it didn't seem right. It wasn't him.
Liv finally calmed her frazzled nerves, "Is this what I think it is?" She asked quietly. Happy had not uttered a word since she started to panic, he had just sat next to her in silence. Had she ruined his plan? Was he upset with her? What if he wasn't asking her to marry him? Hell, she had overreacted at the sight of the ring but it was the last gift that she expected from Happy. If it was an engagement ring, it certainly was a surprise; Happy never seemed like the marrying type and Liv was resolved to that fact. The fact she would always be his old lady but never his wife.
Happy shook his head, "Yup, what do you think?" He asked in a very Happy sort of way. He didn't need sweet words that were not him. He had never been flowery or romantic; shit this was the most romantic thing he had ever done. But Liv was worth every uncomfortable moment of it; she was he reason to live.
"I.." Liv paused, wait, he had just asked her to marry him. It hit Liv hard and sent her heart into double time. This man who had saved her asked to spend the rest of her life with him. He was changing his ways for her. She melted. "Nothing…would make me happier." She placed the box on the bed next to her and took Happy's face into her hands and kissed him. After they pulled apart, Liv took the ring out of the box and placed the ring on her left ring finger. She stared at it momentarily, it was a beautiful ring and it totally represented Happy.
"If you want a different type of diamond, we can go pick one out." Happy didn't know what to get her but black seemed like a good color. It was different, just like them. Their relationship was not the run of a mill sort of love story.
"Happy, it's perfect." Liv smiled up at him. She didn't need a plain old diamond, the same thing every other woman had. Her ring was unique and it couldn't have been more ideal for her.
The rest of her day went over without a hitch. It had turned out that most of the club had showed up for graduation unknown to her. She only found out they were there when her name was announced and she one section erupted with hoots and hollers. Liv would have recognized those yells anywhere; her family was there to support her. Happy had talked with Mikey and he had gotten them the club where Happy and Liv had reconnected for the evening. It was a Sunday after all and it tended not to be too busy. The club had their own place to celebrate Liv's graduation and the engagement.
Things were gone great until Liv meekly walked up to Happy. "Hap?" She pulled him close to her. He glanced down at her and from the look on her face he knew nothing good was going to come out of her mouth.
"What?" His voice laced with edginess.
Liv took a deep breath; she had invited Natalie down for her graduation but didn't think she would take her up on it. But she had and she had brought Avery and Juice with her. It was a bold step for them. "So, let me start by saying I have already talked to Jax and my dad and they are okay with it because this is such an important day."
"What the fuck is it?" Happy growled. He could feel anger rising in his chest. He had a feeling he knew it had something to do with the rat.
Liv shook her head, "I had invited Natalie to my graduation, not thinking she would come but she is one of my oldest friends and it would have been rude not to. Especially when we are trying to mend things still. Well she is here; she brought Juice and the baby. I am not sure why came with or why he is willing to show his face around you or the club but he is. I want to see if you are okay if they come here."
Happy saw red. How dare the rat think he could show his face around him ever again. Not only had he stolen Liv from him but then he threw her away like she was a whore. She was so much more than that and she deserved to be treated so much better. But then it dawned on Happy, he had treated Liv the same way, several times. It wasn't until she walked away from him that he realized how much he fucked up. If it wasn't for Liv's love, he would have still been a miserable bastard. He wanted to see Juice be that miserable bastard. What did the rat have? A 9-5, suit and tie job, a kid and a woman he probably didn't actually want to be with but was because of the kid.
"Fine." Happy said.
"What?" Liv asked in shock. She figured she was going to have a fight on her hands when it came to Happy. Shoot, he had been the easiest one.
"They can come here but if the rat starts anything or says one word to me…they are out of here." Happy took Liv's hand in his and brought it to his lips. She was his and he wanted Juice to see how happy she was with him. He wanted to rub salt in that wound.
"Thank you." Olivia smiled up at him. "I love you, Happy." She kissed him quickly as she made her way to the door of the club where Natalie and her family were waiting. It was still hard for her to see Nat and Juice together but having Happy made a lot less painful. She knew that it was inevitable that she and Juice would have ended up apart but the way it happened was not how she imagined it. It stung that Natalie had been the one to betray her; Liv could have cared less that Juice had but Natalie…
Liv made her way over to Natalie's car that was parked in the parking lot of the club. "Hey," she smiled at Natalie, who looked over at her nervously. This would be the first time she had been around the club since things had went down with Juice. "You guys are welcome to come in on the condition that Juice avoids Happy and doesn't try to start anything."
It was going to be awkward but Natalie loved Liv and would do anything to be in her life. "Okay." At least they had Avery as a buffer, no one would start anything in front of her. Well at least she hoped they wouldn't. Before anything else could be said Liv was already in the back seat of the car unloading Avery.
"Come on peanut! Your grampy Tig cannot wait to meet you!" Liv said excitedly and she placed her on her hip and walked towards the building.
Juice began to open his mouth in protest. "No, Juice don't start. Let Liv introduce her to Tig."
Juice shook his head; the club was the last thing that he wanted Avery to be a part of. He came with Natalie in protest but knew that it was important to both Liv and Nat to mend their friendship. He was being supportive of that since he was the reason they were so broken. "How far will you let her push you before you say no Natalie?" He asked earnestly.
"Really?" Natalie stopped in her tracks and put her hand on her hip. "She is just bringing Avery in to meet Tig. What is wrong with that? It makes me so happy that she wants to be a part of Av's life after everything. I trust Liv's judgement when it comes to Avery and you should too." Natalie knew that Liv would protect her little girl with her last breath.
"Fine." Was all Juice responded.
Happy watched as Liv smiled broadly at the little girl she held in her arms while talking to her dad. She looked good with a kid in her arms but he was definitely not ready for that yet. The idea of being engaged and getting married hadn't even sunk in. But he couldn't help but smiled at Olivia, who emitted pure bliss. The smile didn't last long; the rat walked in with Natalie. He looked miserable and uncomfortable; Happy let out a quiet chuckle, it was exactly what he wanted to see, before going back to talking to Chibs.
"Miserable sod." Chibs muttered when he saw Juice. "Surprised you are over there beating him inches from life."
"The things you do for love, brother." Happy shook his head. "Plus, I like seeing how unpleasant this experience is for him." A psychological death was far better; he was sure that Juice was just waiting for him to come over and beat the shit out of him. But he wasn't going to; he would just let him internalize it.
"So you're just going to let him walk away?" Chibs asked, if he had any say, he wouldn't have let Juice in but he didn't so kept to himself. He was told to stay away and keep the peace.
"Look at him." Happy's voice had the same sickening psychotic glee to it, that he got when he was on a kill. "He's already dead."
As the evening was winding down, Liv walked with Natalie out to her car. Juice was a few feet ahead of them with a sleeping Avery. "That's a nice ring." Natalie took Liv's hand into her and looked at the ring Happy had given her earlier in the day. It seemed like days if not years already.
"Yeah, it's pretty amazing, isn't it?" Butterflies came to life in Liv's stomach. "Happy asked me to marry him." Liv blurted out.
It wasn't Natalie who responded, it was Juice. "You've got to be kidding me." He stopped dead in his tracks and turned abruptly to face them.
"Excuse me?" Liv glared at Juice. Who did he think he was? He had no right to say anything.
"You know he is a killer, right? Fuck Olivia, he cheated on you, more than once!" Juice started to yell. How could she forgive Happy when she wouldn't forgive him? How could the sweet girl he knew tolerate what Happy has done?
Natalie made her way over to him and took a startled looking Avery from his arms. "Stop, Juice." She said with a quiet venom as she started to put Avery in the car.
"NO!" He growled. "She needs to know who he really is." Juice protested.
Liv's blue eyes narrowed on Juice. "I know exactly who Happy is. I know exactly what he has done. See that is the thing Juice, he has never hidden who he is from me. Sure, he cheated on me, the first time we weren't even together and the second time was because of you. You, have no right to say anything about who I am with or what goes on in my life. You are only a part of my world because of Natalie and Avery. If it wasn't for them, you would be nothing." Olivia snarled. "Happy saved me while you thought you were saving me. He broke the chains and gave me back my body. Something that you were never able to do while you were selling your club's secrets." Olivia's good mood was lost; the carefreeness of the day was gone. "If you ever try to say anything about my being with Happy ever again, I will let him kill you. Because honestly I am the only thing standing between you and the club taking you out and I am pretty sure you know that." She turned swiftly on her heels and stormed back towards the building, with Juice wondering what hit him and Natalie shaking her head in Liv's wake. Juice had overstepped his boundaries and Nat didn't blame Liv for her anger.
Juice finally saw the transformation, the Liv that he had been in love with was no longer there. The girl he had searched for still was not there, she was gone. Liv, his Liv was gone.
A/N: Happy New Years! Yes, this is what I did with my New Year's Eve. I would have to say it's good way to ring in 2017. I am sorry that chapters are few and far between but having a newborn in a lot of work especially now that I am back to work. Please let me know what you think. I will write more as soon as I can. Cheers and I hope that 2017 brings you joy, peace and your heart's desires.