Wow I'm so happy that people are enjoying this.
I do have to say for Debbie, my mother is dutch and she gave me the translation.
Thanks Kateriina Sofia, my lovely beta.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Charlie had been right. The prospect had gone sprinting out of her house, jumped on his bike and fled for dear life. Azalia sat on the couch pouting after he left.
"Geez Z. Keep it in your pants." Charlie said, still a little tipsy.
"Can it, mom." The teen said, standing and flouncing up the stairs. Charlie just shook her head, heading to the bathroom in search of aspirin. She couldn't believe the night she'd had. He'd kissed her. Charlie giggled and spun around like a school girl. He kissed me! He kissed me! He kissed me! Spun through her semi-intoxicated mind. She swallowed two aspirin, chugged a bottle of water and headed to bed.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy rejoined the party after Charlie'd left but didn't enjoy it as much. Clay approached the killer cautiously. The fierce look on his face one that didn't bode well for the people around him.
"See you got a thing for our girl Charlie." He said casually.
"What's it to you?" Happy snapped out.
"Just be careful there eh? That girl's been through hell." Clay said, sitting down.
"I'm taking her out tomorrow. On the bike. Could I get Gemma's helmet from you?" Happy said, lighting up a cigarette. Clay's eyebrow shot up so fast they nearly came off his face.
"Yeah. No problem brother." He said, surprise ringing through his voice. Happy nodded his thanks before going and ordering a beer.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Charlie awoke the next morning to her son jumping into her bed and jumping up and down. She groaned before reaching up and grabbing him, pulling him down.
"Why are you being mean to momma, baby boy? It's way too early for this." She mumbled sleepily.
"Mom it's ten thirty and I want pancakes. Please pretty please." The eleven year old begged. Charlie sighed releasing her son and rubbing her face. "You know what I need then."
"Coffee with hot chocolate in it, coming right up." Carson bounced out the bed. Azalia came into the room as Carson bounced out of it. She crawled into bed with her mom, both still sleepy.
"He woke me up at six this morning going on and on about some stupid cartoon." The teen said crawling under the covers and curling into a ball next to her mom.
"I take it the anger has eased off then." Charlie said, a small smile crossing her face.
"Yeah but only 'cause you're making pancakes." Azalia said, returning the smile. Charlie reached up and tapped the end of her daughter's nose. The same nose she had, that her mother, and grandmother had had.
"Heard you were torturing the prospect last night." Charlie said, examining her daughter's features. She noticed more and more traits from her sign of the family than from Azalia's sperm donors. The same big green eyes, the same mouth, the same high cheekbones, even Azalia's ear's were like her mother's. The only difference was Azalia was a blonde, whereas Charlie naturally had deep auburn hair.
"Maybe a little. It's fun to make them squirm." Azalia giggled from her spot next to her mother. Charlie laughed.
"Well the way he ran out of here, squirm he did." She said, hearing slow footsteps up the stairs. Carson soon appeared in the doorway taking slow steps to make sure he didn't spill the coffee.
"Ah my hero," Charlie said scooting into a sitting position and reaching for her coffee. Carson handed over the steaming mug and Charlie took a long sip.
"Okay waking up now." She said, smiling at her kids. Mornings like this were the best. When the three of them were at peace, just together. She took another sip of coffee before grabbing her T.V, remote and turning it on. She flicked through channels before settling on a movie network.
"What is this momma?" Azalia asked, watching.
"It's Howl's Moving Castle." Carson said, crawling in the bed. He settled in while Charlie sipped at her coffee. They lay there for about half an hour before Charlie asked,
"Chocolate chip pancakes sound good?" Her kids chattered off agreements before letting their mother up. She picked her phone up off the night table and slid it in the back pocket of her sleep pants as she headed for the kitchen. She paused at the door and turned to see Azalia straightening out and Carson curling into her as they continued watching the movie. She smiled and continued downstairs.
Charlie listened to the radio as she made a quick batch of chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage, before calling up the stairs for the kids, who trooped downstairs and sat at the kitchen table. Charlie brought the food over and the kids began digging in.
"Carson do you have homework this weekend?" She asked, bringing her coffee over and joining her children.
"No I finished it." He said through a mouthful of food.
"Don't talk with your mouthful, young man? Do I need to check your backpack?" Charlie asked, fixing herself a plate.
"I've got math homework, and I've got to read a book for language arts." He admitted shoveling pancake into his mouth.
"Z?"
"Just some reading for history." The girl replied, staring in horror at the eleven year old, who continued eating like a tyrannosaurus.
"Good you can help your brother while I'm out today." Charlie said lightly, cutting off a small piece of pancake. Azalia and Carson paused, staring at her.
"Where are you going?" Azalia asked. "The store's not open on weekends."
"I'm going out with a friend, then tonight you two are all mine for movie night, so I want all homework and chores done by the time I get home." Charlie said.
"Out with a friend? Holy shit you've got a date!" Azalia exclaimed, a broad smile crossing her face. Carson stared in horror at his mom.
"What do you wanna go and do that for." He asked.
"Why not?" Charlie said, raising an eyebrow. Her phone started blaring Kryptonite from her back pocket. She pulled it out and checked the text message.
Azalia scoffed, "I really need to get you some new ringtones."
Be ready at 1. Was all it said. Charlie quickly sent her address and put her phone away. Azalia was watching her.
"What's wrong with the ringtones I have?" Charlie asked, continuing her breakfast.
"They're so old…It's that biker you were checking out the other day, isn't it?" Azalia asked.
"What's it matter?" Charlie said, shortly.
"Biker? This guy has a motorcycle that's so cool!" Carson said, pushing his plate away. "You think he'd let me sit on it?" Charlie's eyes went wide, she could feel the panic rising. My baby on a motorcycle. Fuck no!
"I dunno if that's such a good idea baby." She said, picking up her plate and Carson's and taking them to the sink. She stood there a moment, an image of Happy taking Carson for a ride on the bike making her smile before she shook her head Bad Charlie, Carson + motorcycle = bad. She turned back around.
"You two do the dishes while I'm in the shower." She said, holding up a hand to end the arguments. "Carson, you put leftovers in the fridge and scrape, Azalia you rinse and load." She walked out of the kitchen and darted up the stairs before there were any more complaints.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy woke up alone. He laid in his bed a moment before remembering what he was doing later on. He rubbed his face. Am I really taking this bitch on a date? Jesus what's wrong with me? He sighed and pulled his phone out. Sending a quick text to Charlie, he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom, grabbing a towel along the way. The phone vibrated and he flipped it open to see her address. She lived in a decent part of Charming. Same neighborhood as Jax to be exact. Happy snapped the phone shut and took a shower.
He finished in five minutes and toweled off. He was in the middle of shaving when someone knocked on his door.
"Hap, Clay's got somethin' for ya." Tig called into the room. Happy pulled on his boxers and pants, slinging a belt on as he walked out to the main room.
"Bad time?" Clay asked, seeing the state Happy was in.
"Picking her up in an hour. Gotta be ready." Was all Happy said as he took the helmet from Clay. All the guys began catcalling and laughing. Happy stared each of them down before saying,
"And how many of you have gotten as far as getting her to ride bitch?" Jax raised his hand. Happy turned and glared. "Dude chill it was in high school, I took her to the hospital on my bike 'cause Azalia had appendicitis." Happy just continued out of the room.
"It won't last once he meets the kids." Tig said. The other guys began throwing stuff at him. "What?" He exclaimed dodging trash.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Charlie dashed around her bedroom digging through clothes. Azalia walked in only to have a sweatshirt hit her in the face.
"Geez mom. What's your problem?" Azalia asked poking through the clothes.
"What looks good and can be worn on a motorcycle?" Charlie mumbled to herself. Azalia picked up a black loose fit long sleeved shirt and tossed it to her mother.
"Try that with the jeans you're wearing." She said, Charlie quickly changed shirts.
"Oh that does look good and these boots." Charlie said, picking up a pair of black slouchy boots. She slid them on as Azalia began fixing her hair.
"How long before he gets here?" She asked her mother.
"Twenty minutes." Charlie replied, putting on a smidge of eyeliner then lipstick.
"Well," Azalia said. "You're ready." Charlie turned around and hugged her daughter.
"My little heathen." She said, as Azalia pushed her away.
"Gee thanks." The teen grumbled, "Love you too." Charlie laughed and the two headed downstairs.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Happy left Teller-Morrow at 12:45. He rode quickly through town and pulled up at the address, parking by Charlie's Escape. He looked up at her house. It was a two story cottage style how painted in a soft blue with dark blue shutters. A kid's bike was on the front porch and there was a tree swing in the oak tree in the front yard. He saw a face appear in the window which was quickly followed by the front door flinging open and a boy running out of it.
"Oh my god! That is so cool!" The kid crowed, looking at Happy's bike. He just stared as the kid rattled off question after question.
"What kind of bike is that? Does it go fast? Will you take me on a ride? That paint job is so cool! I wanna a motorcycle when I turn sixteen but mom won't let me, think you can talk her into it?" The kid said, sucking in a deep breath as he finished.
"Carson? Where are you baby?" Charlie's voice carried from the house.
"OUTSIDE MOM!" The kid, who Happy now realized was Charlie's younger child Carson, hollered back towards the house. Charlie walked out the front door.
"Oh Carson leave him alone. Sorry Happy, he's a little rambunctious." She said smiling over at him. "Carson, come give me a hug." Charlie said. He went over and wrapped his arms around his mother before looking up at her.
"You should convince him to take me riding on that awesome bike!" Carson said, loudly enough to get a smile to cross Happy's face. Charlie laughed.
"I don't think Momma can handle you on the back of a motorcycle. It scares me." She said, kissing her son noisily on the cheek, making sure to leave a lipstick print. Carson pulled away, violently rubbing at the lipstick.
"Go inside with your sister. I'm leaving now." Carson trotted back to the house glancing back at the bike.
"He's something else." Happy said, looking at her through his sunglasses. She smiled at him.
"That's my baby." Charlie stated proudly. "He's a little kiss ass but he definitely doesn't like when I date. It's usually why guys go running after meeting him once." Happy raised an eyebrow. "You got lucky. He was distracted by the shiny motorcycle." Happy chuckled at that one. He handed her the spare helmet as she slid her sunglasses on. She put the helmet on and climbed on the bike. He backed it out of the driveway before turning the engine over.
_-_-_777_-_-_
Charlie was having a blast. Happy was taking sharp turns and speeding. She had her arms wrapped around him, hands directly over his abs and she was appreciating that. He took a hand off the handlebars and placed it over hers, rubbing softly before placing it back on the handlebars. She grinned and buried her face in his back. He glanced behind him and a small smile crossed his face. She popped her head up and called out,
"Where are you taking me?" Happy smiled and replied, "We're almost there." Charlie could see trees popping up along the side of the road. Happy pulled off the main road onto a side road. They rode a ways more Charlie gripping tighter to Happy as he took a sharp turn. He finally stopped in a small clearing.
Charlie hopped off the bike as soon as Happy killed the engine. She took the helmet off and stretched before shaking her hair out.
"That was fun." She said, a huge smile crossing her face. "I haven't been on a bike since high school." Happy smiled as he reached for the bedroll strapped to the very back of the bike. She danced around the clearing like a little kid while Happy laid the bedroll out and sat down.
"So what's the plan?" Charlie asked as she stopped mid-skip and looked at him.
"This is it. Just to relax." Happy said, gesturing her over.
"That sounds amazing!" Charlie giggled as she sat down next to him. He leaned back and watched Charlie as she took a deep breath and raised her face towards the sky, releasing a sigh. Happy just watched her, he could visibly see the tension in her shoulders disappearing.
"This is lovely." She said lying flat on her back and closing her eyes. Happy reached up and took her sunglasses off. She turned her head and looked directly in his eyes. Chocolate brown meeting brilliant green.
"So two kids?" Happy asked.
"Yup Azalia and Carson. Carson's eleven and Azalia is seventeen." Charlie replied. "They're my world, I dunno what I would do without them."
"Sounds like it. Who helps you with them?" He asked, noticing the way her face lit up and her eyes sparkled as she talked about her kids.
"Just me now." She said sadly. "Mom helped me with Z when she was a baby, but she died when I was seventeen and Azalia was almost 4."
"What happened?"
"Breast cancer, didn't catch it until it was too late. She was young too, and there was no history of it in our family. Just caught up with her and poof, she was gone." She said.
"And your dad?" Happy asked.
"Even more tragic he was killed during a gas station hold up when I was twenty. Killed for one hundred twenty dollars and a twelve pack of pop." She stated blankly.
"You seem to be okay with it now." He observed.
"I started therapy at age twelve. Learned a few coping skills during the six years I spent with the shrink." She said, chuckling.
"What about your kids' dad?" He asked.
"Carson's dad and I split about six years ago. Last I heard, he was living in New York with a new wife and baby. I get child support and Carson gets a birthday and Christmas present every year, but he doesn't call." She said. "I feel like I'm talking about my life too much. What about you? Do you have any family?" Happy looked up.
"Just my mom. She's in hospice down in Bakersfield. Dad was never around, Mom worked her ass off to take care of me. Now I just return the favor." He said. Charlie smiled.
"You really love her." She stated simply. Happy shrugged.
"She's my mom."
"God I hope my kids are that good to me when I'm old and gray." She said. He smiled at her a real smile. She was stunned at how it transformed his face. She leaned up into him. His smile shrank and he leaned toward her, gently placing his lips on hers. She pushed up into him, parting her lips. He took advantage of this movement and deepened the kiss. She pushed into him, fisting a hand in his cut. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, holding her tightly as he continued his assault on her mouth.
Charlie broke away gasping. "Whoa."
"Agreed." Happy rasped out, eyes boring into hers. She sat up and faced him, brushing hair out of her face.
"What all has Clay and the guys told you about me?" Charlie asked cautiously. Happy stared up into her face, trying to see where she was going with this.
"Just that you're not like the bitches that normally hang around a clubhouse. Oh and a lot of back offs." He said, smirking at her. She gave a shy smile.
"Well that's not a surprise." She said. "Maybe if you stick around a while, I'll tell you everything, but for now can we just hang out?" She started twirling a piece of her hair. Happy reached up and grabbed her hand, running a thumb over the back of it.
"That's fine." Was all he said, but the smile it brought to her face damn near blinded him.