So I'm thrilled with how people are responding to the story. My best friend read it and decided to try her hand at writing fanfiction and help me with this story. So a big hand for .
I tried to bring the killer in Happy out a bit in this chapter. Let me know what ya'll think.
Thanks to Kateriina Sofia for looking this over for me.
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Charlie had a blast riding on the back of the bike. She could feel every muscle that lined Happy's back. She ended up holding on the bitch seat's strap part of the way and took the time to trace the patches on his back when they rode down straight stretches of the road. Azalia stopped them three times to get gas and once 'cause Carson needed the bathroom. The trip took almost 14 hours.
Charlie climbed off the back of the bike. It was almost two in the morning by the time they had found a halfway decent hotel and her ass was numb. Carson was passed out in the passenger seat of the Escape and Azalia was on her third coffee of the night. Happy was the only one that showed no sign of fatigue. The night clerk was rude and Charlie finally snapped.
"Listen. I have two kids that are exhausted, a meeting with a lawyer at nine o' clock in the morning, and a funeral for my ex-husband to go to on Tuesday I just drove 14 hours on the back of a motorcycle and I'm really not in the mood to get jerked around so why don't you just point and click on your computer and find me a god damn room with two queen beds in it." Charlie said, her voice steadily rising until she was almost shouting. Happy poked his head in the door.
"Ma'am if you don't relax I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The bitch behind the counter said. Happy walked up and asked,
"What's the hold up?"
"Fuck this. I'll sleep in the Escape for the next three days." Happy stopped her.
"Nah. We'll go to Koz's."
"Who?" She asked, but Happy was already dialing his phone.
"What the fuck Hap?" Kozik's voice came through the phone.
"Need a favor."
"What?" Kozik replied shortly.
"Remember Charlie. She needs a place to crash." Happy said, ignoring Charlie's glare.
"What? You want me to put up the bitch you're fucking?" Kozik said, now wide awake. Happy heard him kick some sweet butt out of his bed and the gash complaining about it.
"You're the only one with the space and the dumb bitch at the hotel we found won't give her a room. We'll be there in twenty."
"What the fuck?"
"There's three of them get over it see you soon." Happy hung up the phone.
"Happy…" Charlie said as he led her out of the hotel. "I don't want to impose on any of your… er… friends?"
"Don't worry about it. Kozik will understand and you need to get Carson into a bed." Happy said, shortly having been listening to the preteen bitch about being tired since they stopped. Charlie sighed, she was too tired and it was too late to argue.
"Fine. But I still don't like it."
"Well get over it." Charlie glared half heartedly as she went to the Escape. Azalia was way too tired to drive anymore, the coffee having lost its effect thirty miles before. Happy made sure to rev his engine as loud as he could to piss off the people at the hotel. Charlie chuckled as she followed him. Carson was half asleep staring out the window, Azalia laying across the backseat sipping at the lukewarm coffee drink. Charlie followed Happy across Tacoma, surprised when he pulled up in front of a relatively nice house.
A tall blonde that was very familiar to Charlie, though she couldn't for the life of her figure out why, was standing shirtless in the doorway. Azalia perked up at the sight of the good looking man.
"Keep it in your pants, Z. He's too old for you." Charlie said absently parking in front of the two story house. Happy pulled his bike into the driveway next to a similar Harley. He joined Charlie at her Ford. She looked at him, he could see the exhaustion running across her face, but he also saw guilt.
"Let's get these two inside." He said, ignoring the unspoken question of 'Are you sure this is alright?' Charlie tapped Carson.
"C'mon baby bed is waiting inside." Carson sleepily opened his door and fell out of the vehicle. Azalia opened her door and slid out daintily. She helped her brother up and led him into the yard. Charlie went to the back of the Escape opening the back hatch. She grabbed the three bags, too tired to protest when Happy took two of them off her shoulder.
"Charlie, Kozik. Kozik, Charlie." Happy said shortly. Kozik nodded to her. Charlie walked in and wrinkled her nose. It was a nice house but it was very clear Kozik didn't know the meaning of the word clean. Judging from the décor and porn laying around, Kozik was single, and had been for a long time.
"Which way?" She said softly.
"Upstairs and to the left." Kozik said. Happy hung back as Charlie went up the stairs.
"I don't understand." Was all Kozik said to Happy.
"Me either brother, me either." Happy replied. Kozik just shook his head.
"You staying too?" He asked, picking his beer up off the coffee table.
"Yeah." Happy said. Charlie appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Happy? I need those bags babe." She called quietly. "Carson and Z are already unconscious and Z will be pissed if she can't find her bag in the morning."
"Come get 'em. I gotta talk to Koz." Charlie stepped lightly down the stairs. She took the bags from Happy before laying a hand on his arm. She turned to Kozik.
"Thank you. I know this is probably a pain in the ass, but it means a lot." Charlie said, a small smile crossing her face.
"I'll be up soon sweetheart." Happy said. Charlie waved meekly as she headed back up the stairs. He could hear her open the door to the room where the kids room, then it latch as she headed down to the other spare room. That door shut quietly before Kozik spoke.
"That is one fine piece of ass." Kozik said. Happy glared at him. "I know I know, off limits." Kozik laughed out.
"Better remember that brother." Happy said, displeasure coursing through his tone.
"Yeah, yeah, are you gonna tell her?" Kozik asked, settling himself into a recliner.
"That'll go over well. Yeah Charlie just so you know. I wacked your ex. Hope that's okay." Happy said, sarcastically. Kozik chuckled.
"Yeah I see your point." Happy sat down on the sofa and kicked his feet up on the coffee table.
"She gets everything." He said. Kozik's eyebrows raised.
"What?" He asked staring at Happy.
"I looked through the paperwork at the house that night. Charlie gets everything." Happy said, pulling his cigarettes out of his cut pocket. He lit one up as Kozik pushed an ashtray toward him.
"Fuck. Bet that'll be a relief." Kozik said, watching the killer closely.
"Yeah. She doesn't fight me on paying for anything. It's clear she doesn't have a lot to spend." Happy said, absently. Kozik shook his head.
"What are you doing man?" He asked. "Getting yourself all tangled up in pussy like this. Especially pussy that comes with kids."
"I have no idea." Happy replied. "She's not like any other woman I've ever met. And the kids aren't so bad. Carson just plays video games and Azalia… well… she's something. And Charlie, she's reminds me of my mom, fiercely protective but when it comes to her kids she's a whole other person." Kozik stared his jaw practically laying on the floor.
"Fuckin' Christ! This bitch really has you twisted."
"Yeah… I'm so fucked." Happy said, stubbing out his cigarette and standing.
"See you in the morning brother."
"Yeah."
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Charlie was up and moving before anyone else. She didn't have to meet the lawyers until noon and her stomach was in knots she went to the kitchen and found a coffee maker that looked like it had never been used.
"Come on come on." She murmured, searching the cupboards. "Jackpot!" She said, pulling coffee and hot chocolate out of the cupboard. It didn't take long to get the coffee brewing. Charlie looked around the kitchen and sighed.
"Okay I have to rescue this poor man from himself." She said, looking under the kitchen sink. Charlie was surprised to find a fully stocked cleaning cupboard, that looked like it had never been used. She pulled a new sponge and large, full bottle of dish soap. Picking up a bottle of 409, she discovered an unopened package of rubber gloves.
"Score!" Charlie quickly put the gloves on and set to work. She organized the dirty dishes and found the seldom used dish rack. Charlie started doing dishes, going to the living room to gather more dishes.
By the time, Kozik woke up, the dishes were done and put away, the folding table was cleared off and wiped down, and the floor was swept and mopped.
"Holy shit!" Kozik said, suddenly wide awake at the sight of Charlie sipping coffee in the middle of his sparkling clean kitchen. "Marry me." He said as he sat down heavily in the folding chair across from Charlie. Charlie laughed.
"Sorry I clean when I'm stressed. Keeps me from chain smoking speaking of which." Charlie stood and found her purse in living room. She picked up an ashtray and set it in the middle of the table as she sat back down. Kozik chuckled.
"Do I smell coffee?" He asked.
"Yeah, want me to get it for you?" Charlie said standing. Kozik stared in shock as she crossed to the cupboards.
"Yeah black is fine?" He said incredulously. Charlie quickly poured him a cup and set it in front of him. She picked up her cigarette as she sat down.
"How the hell did Happy land you?" Kozik asked. "Killa isn't exactly the domestic type." Charlie smiled, sipping at her coffee.
"More like how did I land him?" She said with a chuckle. Kozik just shook his head before taking a drink of his coffee.
"Oh my god."
"Morning." Carson said, stumbling into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.
"Morning baby. We'll get you some breakfast in a minute. I gotta run to the store." Charlie said.
"I've got food here." Kozik protested.
"No you don't." Charlie laughed. "You have freezer burnt, stale, and expired nastiness and a whole mess of half eaten take out. Half of which was molding." Kozik just scratched the side of his head. Carson went and sat in his mother's lap. She stubbed her cigarette out before wrapping her arms around her son.
"You know pretty soon you're gonna be too big for this. It makes me sad. I cried the day Z couldn't fit anymore." Charlie said.
"Mom you're such a sap." Carson said, embarrassed that his mom was talking like that in front of the really cool biker.
"I'll run to the store. What do you want?" Kozik said, standing up. Charlie quickly found a pen and scrap piece of paper and scribbled a bunch of stuff down. He took it without looking and went upstairs, reappearing with a shirt and his cut firmly in place. Carson moved to the seat that Kozik had vacated as Charlie stood and began pulling various pots and pans around.
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Azalia woke up to a quiet room. She listened closely and heard the sounds of her mother downstairs. Score. She reached into her purse and pulled out the tiny prepaid phone she had gotten. Flipping it open she saw she had a missed call and a text.
Where you at? You get to Tacoma okay? Azalia smiled of course he would be worried.
I'm fine babe. We got in at like two in the morning. We're staying with one of Happy's friends. Kodak or something? She replied, making sure her phone was on vibrate. She laid there a few moments surprised that her phone went off so quickly.
Kozik? I've heard of him.
Yeah that's it. Mom's gotta meet with the lawyers today. I'll prolly text while she's gone.
K. Headed to TM. Ttyl.
Bye Kip. 3
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Happy woke up to Charlie's voice.
"Babe, it's time to get up. I've got breakfast ready." He felt her hand lightly touch his back. Smart bitch, she knew to make him aware before touching him in his sleep.
He rolled over and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her on top of him. She laughed propping herself up over him. He watched the way her hair fell around them.
"Morning to you too sexy." She said softly, a smile crossing her face. He leaned up and kissed her. She shook her head and started climbing off him. "Yuck morning breath." Happy smacked her on the ass as she stood.
"Kozik asked me to marry him." Charlie said, a laugh bubbling out. Happy sat straight up in bed.
"What?" He growled out, still not fully awake just aware that he was getting really pissed.
"Come downstairs, you'll see why." She said, closing the door as she left. Happy quickly pulled his jeans on and followed the smell of breakfast to the kitchen.
He was shocked to see Azalia, Carson, and Kozik gathered in the incredibly clean kitchen. They were all chowing down on breakfast. Charlie was standing at the stove making up a plate. Carson waved at Happy.
"Oh my god. If you ever leave him come straight to me Charlie, I'll take care of you." Kozik said between mouthfuls of food. Charlie laughed as she handed the plate to Happy. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Eat up. I dunno how long I'll be gone today. Gotta find the damn place. Azalia, Carson, you guys teach Koz here how to do dishes." She said, picking her mug of coffee up off the table. Happy looked down at his plate. Bisuits and gravy, with scrambled eggs and toast. Holy shit. Charlie smiled at him over the rim of her mug.
"Mom, eat. Coffee isn't gonna be enough. We don't need you arrested for manslaughter 'cause some jerk in a suit pissed you off. " Azalia said, standing and taking her plate to the sink. Charlie groaned.
"Fine." She quickly fixed herself a small plate and scarfed it down. She headed out of the kitchen they heard her climbing the stairs.
"Koz." Happy said, taking a bite of food and pausing. Damn that is good.
"Yeah Hap." Kozik said, heading to the stove for thirds.
"Keep these two today. I'm gonna take Charlie."
"What do you want me to do with them. I have to go to the clubhouse. Wolf's orders." Kozik replied as he sat back at the table.
"Take them with you for all I care. I just need them somewhere safe." Happy replied, finishing off his plate. Azalia looked back and forth between the two bikers.
"You want us to go where?" She asked. Carson paused mid-chew at the tone in his sister's voice. Happy raised an eyebrow.
"Watch it girly. You're in my town. You'll do what I say." He said. Azalia shrank back. Kozik stood up placing himself between Happy and Azalia.
"Easy Hap. She's just a kid." He said. Charlie came into the kitchen.
"What the fuck is going on?" She snapped.
"She's getting lippy." Happy retorted.
"Well she's seventeen. It comes with the territory." Charlie stood her ground as Happy glared at her. "Don't threaten my kid." Happy's whole body tensed up. Kozik quickly steered Azalia and Carson out of the room.
"Don't tell me what to do." Happy growled. Charlie crossed her arms.
"Listen up 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. Azalia is my daughter. She is my fuckin' baby and you EVER threaten her, you're gonna deal with me. Same goes for Carson. Do NOT fuck with my kids." She stated, not even flinching as Happy leaned into her.
"Tell your kid to watch her mouth and there won't be a problem."
"Guys relax. It's done." Kozik said, laying a hand on Happy's shoulder. "Charlie, I gotta take the kids to the clubhouse if Happy is going with you." Charlie turned her glare to him.
"My little boy sees anything he shouldn't while he's there, your ass is grass." She snapped turning and stomping out of the kitchen. Happy threw Kozik's hand off and stomped after her.
Azalia peeked her head out of the living room. "Well this isn't going to end well. Mom's like a nuclear bomb. Happy's about to make her detonate."
"Let's just hope there's not bloodshed." Carson piped up. Kozik looked bleakly up the stairs as Charlie started yelling. He looked at Azalia who was shaking her head.
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"Who the fuck do you think you are." Happy growled out as he stormed into the room where Charlie was half naked in the middle of changing. She turned to him.
"I could ask you the same thing." She snapped. "Those are my kids. MY FUCKIN' KIDS! Where do you get off threatening them?" She reached for the pants that were laying across the bed. Happy grabbed her.
"Where do you get off threatening me?!" He snarled. Charlie slapped him. He threw her to the ground.
"Let's get one thing straight." She said, climbing to her feet. "You are not their father. I am the only parent they've had for the last six years and before that they barely had a parent and a half. I don't need you causing problems with my kids when you have no right to. You don't know them you don't care about them. Back the fuck off!" Happy grabbed her and shoved her against the wall. She instinctively wrapped her legs around him as his hand pressed into her throat.
"You're right they're not my kids, but they damn sure will respect me! You fuckin' understand that?" He ground out. Charlie smirked and said with her last bit of air."Fuck you!"
Happy roared and shifted his grip to the back of her neck, crushing his lips to hers. This kiss was brutal, more like an invasion than a kiss, but lord did it turn her on. Charlie's hands came up to his shoulders where she dug her nails in hard enough to draw blood. Happy ripped her bra off, causing a small whine to emerge from Charlie. He broke the kiss long enough to say "I'll buy you another one" before he ground into her, pressing her tighter against the wall. Charlie growled against his lips biting down hard on his bottom one.
"You fucking bitch" Happy swore and swung her around so they were lying on the bed.
"Just fuck me you prick" Charlie snapped and grabbed the crouch of his jeans fumbling for the zipper. Happy grabbed her wrists and flung her back on the bed, reaching down he ripped her panties off and then undid his own jeans. Still holding her arms he flipped Charlie over on her stomach and drove his shaft inside her. Charlie gave a squeal of protest that soon turned into a moan of pleasure. Happy did not stop there, letting go of her wrists he placed one arm on her back to hold her down and wrapped her long red tangles around the other.
"Harder, God! Fuck me harder" Charlie began to squirm and writhe beneath him. Happy held her down and continued pounding until he felt her tremor with her release and allowed himself to finish. Happy collapsed beside her and pulled Charlie to him. "Now will you respect me?" He asked still panting and out of breath.
Charlie just looked at him…trying to regain her train of thought. With a very sarcastic look she said "You don't ever threaten my kids again and we will see about that respect, until then man up and stop whining, you're worse than Carson." She climbed out of Happy's arms and began rifling through her bag. He watched stunned as she calmly got dressed. He didn't get up 'til she was brushing her hair. He went up and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You have a death wish don't you?" He asked quietly. A small smirk crossed Charlie's face.
"Only on Mondays." She said, setting the brush down. She picked the makeup bag up off the dresser and continued getting ready for the meeting with the lawyers. Happy leaned down and bit at her neck. She yelped glaring at him through the mirror. He pressed a small kiss over the bite before releasing her and finding his own clothes.
Downstairs, Azalia had turned the T.V. up. Carson was watching some mindless show. Kozik was sitting in his recliner, chuckling every now and then. Azalia looked at him.
"You're crazy you know that?" She said.
"That's what the shrinks tell me."
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Charlie and Happy pulled up in front of Howard, Darcy, and Kingston law office just in time to see Anne Marie entering the building.
"Skinny Bitch." Charlie muttered under her breath. Happy just stared at her as she swaggered up to the door.
"You're in a mood this morning" he remarked. Charlie just glared at him before he opened the door. "After you, your bitchiness" Happy bowed and waved her in.
"Okay, why is this bitch here?" Anne Marie said as soon as Charlie walked through the door. Her next remark was cut off by Happy's stare as he calmly said, "That's no way for a lady to talk." Anne Marie glared at him but said nothing else as she took her seat.
Charlie sat in the other open seat across from the lawyer and next to Anne Marie. Rather than take the other open seat Happy stood behind Charlie with his arms crossed, a stoic, dark look plastered on his face.
"Ahem, Hello I assume you all are done bickering? My name is Kingston, Royce Kingston and we all have to put up with each other just long enough to settle Mr. Vitolo's last wishes.
"Which of you is Charlotte Ryzdale?" Kingston asked a look of great distain on his face.
"That would be me" Charlie raised her eyes to meet and gave him a sarcastic grin "and don't call me Charlotte, My name is Charlie"
"Well Charlie, according to the will and life insurance paperwork you just gained 250,000 dollars and a house, Mrs. Vitolo I only called you in to inform you that you should probably invest in a u-haul and some boxes."
"What the fuck do you mean she gets everything? She's not even his fucking wife! She is his ex wife low life biker-fucking scum! What am I supposed to do now?" Anne Maries face was a sickly shade of white and she was breathing heavy.
"Exactly how I said it is how I meant it Mrs. Vitolo. Now I advise you to lower your tone watch your mouth and stop insulting Miss Ryzdale and her guest."
Anne Marie slumped in her seat and started weeping, Charlie although outraged at Anne Marie's last outburst felt that tug of compassion you feel for a puppy that has been neglected.
"Mr. Kingston, sir do you handle real estate?" Charlie asked, looking down.
"Well if you're wishing to leave the house to Mrs. Vitolo, I Have a paper here you can sign and we can call it even, no extra charge, Mr. Vitolo was a friend of mine. Suppose I could cut you some slack."
"I don't want this cheap skank's charity" Anne Marie started shooting daggers at Charlie.
Charlie had finally had enough "Look bitch, I don't like you, you don't like me. You think I'm biker fucking scum and I know you're a worthless, mostly plastic home wrecker so you can take the fucking house now while I feel like playing nice or you can get the fuck out and I will sell it and keep the money to give to your dead piece of shit husband's son! You know the one he never saw because he was too busy with you?" Charlie stopped mid rant when she saw the tears rolling off Anne Marie's face and the look of complete shock on Happy's.
"Give me the damn paper to sign Mr. Kingston so I can get out of here and get on with my day." Charlie snapped. Without a word, Kingston handed the paper over Charlie signed it, threw it at Anne Marie and then snatched the stack of papers and the check Kingston had in his hand.
"Ya'll have a good day" Happy said with a grin as he hurried after Charlie who had already stormed out of the office leaving Anne Marie and Kingston staring after her with looks of disbelief and awe.
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The ride on the back of the bike had down wonders to calm Charlie down. She relaxed into him arms slung low around his hips. Whenever they hit a light, he'd take his hand and run it along her arms, the caress adding to her relaxation.
All the calm vanished when she walked into the clubhouse and saw Azalia tending bar with a sweet butt, who apparently was 'showing her the ropes'. She stormed over and dragged her daughter out from there.
"Where's the key's?" She bit out. Azalia pulled them out of her pocket and handed them to her mother. Carson rose from his seat on the sofa and followed his mother and sister out of the clubhouse. Happy turned on Kozik.
"You realize I had just got her calmed down?" He said. Kozik just looked over at him. He had been so caught up in the game of pool he'd forgotten about the kids.
"Shit. How bad?" Kozik said. Happy just shook his head.
"Might wanna get home before she burns your house down." Happy said, walking into find Wolf.
"Happy." Wolf said, shortly.
"Wolf." Happy replied. The Tacoma president did not look pleased.
"Care to explain why I had a couple of kids in my clubhouse today." He asked staring Happy down. Happy didn't flinch, just stared back as he replied.
"Remember the mark from last week. The boy that was here, that was his kid, Carson." Wolf's eyebrows rose.
"And the girl?"
"Azalia. Charlie had a meetin' with some lawyers. She got everything, house, life insurance all of it." Happy said, unable to resist the smirk crossing his face. Wolf got a fierce grin on his face.
"Damn, guess that was our good deed of the week then." He joked viciously. Happy shook his head. "Where's she stayin' at?"
"Kozik's though I dunno if it'll be standing by the time I get back there. She warned him to keep an eye on her kids and she walked in here to find Z tending bar? Shit, we're all in trouble." Happy said. Wolf couldn't believe that the redhead was that frightening.
"Can't handle your woman Hap?" He asked. Happy just laughed.
"You kidding me? She got so pissed at me this morning she slapped me, throwin' her into a wall didn't do anythin' but end up with us naked and even after that she still got smart. God I wanted to kill her." Wolf whistled.
"You got a real pistol there brother. Good luck." He said, gesturing for Happy to leave.
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Charlie didn't say a word on the way back to Kozik's, Azalia just told her where to turn and she did. They got to the house and Charlie went upstairs and laid down. Carson soon joined her.
"Mom?" Charlie looked at him. She knew this conversation was coming. Carson was not one to accept offered comfort, if he wanted comfort he'd seek it out. Charlie wrapped her arms around him.
"Yeah baby?"
"Why did dad leave us?" Carson asked in a small voice. Charlie sighed.
"Oh baby boy. He didn't leave you he left Momma." She said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. Carson shook his head.
"No he left me too. I heard him on the phone with you the last time he called. He didn't want me." He said, a tear trailing down his cheek. Charlie could feel the tears welling up as she looked at her little boy crying.
"Carson, your father wasn't ready to be a daddy when he found out about you. I was so excited. Your grandpa nearly exploded with happiness, but your dad was scared. He didn't know how to be a dad and he tried, he tried for a long time. But me and him weren't happy anymore and he found someone who did make him happy." Charlie said, carefully choosing her words. Carson sniffles.
"You mean like Happy does for you?" Carson asked. Charlie chuckled.
"I dunno what Happy wants, but yeah he makes me happy." She said, pulling her son tighter to him.
"But why did dad have to be with that evil hag?" Carson asked.
"Carson, that's not nice." Charlie said, holding back a smile. Carson pouted. "Your dad chose her because she's what he wanted. You and Z, you are everything that I want. I could go my whole life with just you and Z and be completely happy."
"Don't you want to replace daddy?" Carson asked.
"Every girl wants a man who'll take care of her, but that doesn't mean she needs one." Charlie said, running her fingers through Carson's hair. Carson snuggled closer to his mom.
Carson had argued about leaving Tucker's house when Charlie had called. He didn't say anything as Charlie had explained what happened. She had just come home and he was there. Charlie knew her son, and knew he wouldn't say anything until he was ready. So she waited.
Carson lay there snuggled into his mom's side for a long time, his eyes closed and his breathing evened out as his mother's heartbeat lulled him to sleep. Charlie left him there and went downstairs. Azalia was watching T.V. and flipping through a magazine. She gave her mom a smile as Charlie passed. Charlie sat herself down in the kitchen and lit a cigarette. She sat there, her head resting on her hand.
Azalia walked into the kitchen to see her mother's shoulders shaking as she cried.