I made my way down the hall as quietly as possible with my right knee barely bending. Tara had tried to convince me to go to the hospital after laying my bike out, but I made a promise to Katerina that I would come home. As I opened our bedroom door, I felt my chest loosen a little when I saw Katerina curled up with Harley's head resting on her hip. His eyes darted over to me, but he didn't move an inch.
There was a trashcan next to the bed that I noticed as I sat down to try and pull my boots off. My right ankle was swollen twice its normal size and it hurt like hell to move it. Katerina stirred and I froze, hoping like hell I hadn't woken her up. I wanted to at least get in the bed and out of my torn up clothes before she saw me.
"Hap? Will you get me some ice chips?" Katerina mumbled without opening her eyes. I glanced down at my torn up leg and swallowed hard as I stood up and started hobbling down to the kitchen. I heard Harley walking behind me before he shoved his head into my palm.
"What's wrong with your Momma, boy?" I scratched his head before grabbing him a bone out of his treat jar and passing it over to him. I got my wife her ice and headed back down the hall.
"You okay, baby?" Katerina rolled over and looked up at me with a frown. I nodded and handed her the cup of ice. She smiled and popped a piece in her mouth before crunching it between her teeth. I grimaced and shook my head.
"That's terrible for your teeth, Kat. You sick?" I brushed her hair off her forehead and noticed she was a little sweaty. She sucked her bottom lip in and nodded slowly. I pulled my shirt off over my head and crawled into bed beside her.
"I think I had too much wine. Lauren and Kiara came over and we had a girl's night since you men left us." She gave me a playful smirk and tucked herself under my arm. I turned my head and kissed her nose before nipping it lightly.
"Is that how our dog's nails got painted, Kat?" She shook her head slowly and smiled brightly. I rolled my eyes and squeezed her tighter to my side.
"Is Jax trying to push Clay out?" Her question surprised me and lit a burning fire in my gut. That was one of the reasons my leg was all fucked up and my bike was in our garage. Jax and Clay had bitched and moaned about what the plan was and ended up giving conflicting orders.
"That's club business, Katerina. Go to sleep, baby." She nodded and pursed her lips before turning her back on me and backing up towards me. I rolled over to my left side and pulled her hips closer to me. Her ass against my crotch made my dick twitch and harden, but neither one of use was in any ship to act on it. So instead, I buried my face in her hair and tried to get some sleep as my arm moved up and down with her breathing.
I woke up with a start as Katerina crawled out from under my arm. She dashed into the bathroom and I could hear her vomiting and started out of bed to check on her. My whole right side was sore and my teeth clenched and gritted automatically. I had to move my leg from my hip to walk at all.
"Babe, you okay?" I leaned against the counter and tried to keep my own pain off my face. She nodded right before lurching forward again. Seeing Katerina in any type of pain or discomfort killed me. I lowered myself down to the floor and sat next to her, rubbing my hand over her back.
"I feel like shit." Katerina groaned and sobbed into her arm. I grabbed a cloth and pushed myself up to the sink to wet it. She looked up at me and gingerly touched my knee.
"I'm fine, woman. Don't worry about me when you're sick." I said, handing her the cold washcloth. She pressed it against her forehead and frowned at me.
"Baby, I'm just going to worry more if you don't tell me what's wrong. Did you wreck your bike?" She knew me too damn well for me to keep brushing it off. I took a deep breath and nodded with a hitched shoulder. She looked like she was about to say something when she got sick all over again. I lowered myself down to the tiled floor next to her again and pulled her hair back, pressing the cold cloth onto the back of her neck.
"I laid it over and messed up my right side. Tara checked it out and said I would be okay." I didn't mention her adamant recommendation that I go get my knee checked out at St. Thomas. Katerina caught her breath and turned to look at me with a scowl. I lifted an eyebrow, curious as to what she was angry about.
"So you go and take your jeans off for Tara last night and don't tell me about getting hurt until now?" She growled as she pushed herself up from the floor. My natural reaction to her anger was to scowl back, even though I didn't want to fight.
"She's a doctor, Kat. She checked out my leg and some road rash. Why do I even have to explain this shit to you?" I shook my head and stood up, pinning her against the wall and staring down into her eyes. Katerina pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes.
"You don't. I'm going to check in on the bar." She pushed against my chest but I didn't budge. Her attitude was coming out of nowhere and I didn't understand why she was pissed at me.
"No, you aren't. You've got the weekend off and you're sick, Kat. Either go back to bed or we can hang out on the couch." I leaned down to kiss her and she turned her head. I clenched my hands that were bracing me against the wall. "Whatever the fuck your problem is, I suggest you find a way to get over it. You can talk about it or just let it go but you ain't leaving the house without me."
"Yeah? How are you going to manage that? What if Clay calls you? All bets are off then. Hell, we can't even have a honeymoon and you want to have a fucking kid?" She started crying and I felt my anger slip away.
"Babe, it's not always going to be like this. I know you don't believe me but you're my top priority, Kat. If we have a kid then you two will share that spot. You were right about Jax pushing him out, okay? It's not going to happen over night but I swear it's going to happen soon. After that, we'll have more time." I hugged her to my chest as she sobbed and hid her face.
Katerina wasn't supposed to know about Jax's plans, none of the old ladies were. I hated bringing her into club business, but losing her scared me more than looking down the business end of a gun. If telling her more than she needed to know made her feel better, then I could justify that shit.
SOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOASOA SOASOASOASOASOASOASOA
Happy and I spent the rest of the weekend at home, surprisingly enough. He insisted that I rest to try and fight whatever stomach bug I had and had only left for a couple hours yesterday. Spending time with him made me feel better about leaving Monterey early, but I knew it was only a matter of time until he would get called out on a run.
"You still don't look like you feel good, Kat." Happy kissed my shoulder and traced his fingertips down my arms as I tried to finish my makeup. I tightened the mascara lid back on and looked at our reflections in the mirror.
We were both dark, thanks to our natural skin tones and the late summer sun. Our eyes and hair couldn't be further opposites. He was right though, I looked about as good as I felt. If I had a choice, I would stay home today as well, but we had a meeting with my lawyer that we couldn't miss.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked Harley as he sat in the doorway on high alert. His ears were perked and his tail swayed slower than normal. He had been like that ever since we got home.
"I'm going to start the car and get it cooled off, Kat." Happy kissed me on the cheek and glanced into the reflection of my eyes before walking out of the bathroom, pausing to scratch Harley behind the ears.
I finished my makeup and getting dressed in a body fitting black dress that stopped just above my knees. If I didn't feel good, I could at least look good. Happy came back inside just as I was stepping into my nude heels. His eyes moved up and down my body as his head shook slowly. I blushed, loving the way my husband could still make me feel sexy.
"You need to get better, fast." Happy growled as he pulled me into his arms and pressed his mouth into mine forcefully. I smiled against his lips and savored the way his lips felt.
"I promise baby. As soon as I go a morning without getting sick, you can have all you want." I raked my nails down his back, taking advantage of his choice not to put his kutte on yet. He nipped at my bottom lip and shook his head with a smirk.
"I know I can, Kat. You're mine." His smirk got even cockier as he ran his hand over my ass. I blushed as he gave it a good squeeze before stepping away so I could finish getting my papers and bag. Happy was smiling too much and I just knew something was going on. I twisted my mouth and kept my eye on him as we headed to the door.
"Happy, what did you do?" I asked, freezing in my footsteps and staring at the blacked out Ford Raptor that was idling in the driveway. He smirked and hitched his shoulder.
"I wanted a truck and I know you like these. Your beast of a dog can't exactly fit in the back of your car and I want you to start taking him with you more, Kat." He planted a kiss in my hair and led the way over to the truck. It was no secret that he had wanted a new truck for a while, but I thought it would be something we would talk about before he went and bought one.
"Looks like you two are ganging up on me." I said with a laugh as Harley stood up in the truck bed and went to lick me. It was a close call, but I managed to avoid his massive tongue. Happy went around to the driver's side as I climbed up into the truck, thankful that it had foot rails.
"What the fuck is this?" I asked as Happy and I walked into my attorney's office. Mr. Kline was sitting at one end of his large mahogany table with Declan's parents and family lawyer to his right. Harley leaned his weight against me as Happy stepped forward.
"Ms. Recker, I tried to call you. I thought it best if we all try to come to an agreement this morning." Mr. Kline looked between Happy and Harley with a nervous smile. As soon as he used my maiden name, I saw Happy's muscles stiffen further.
"It' Mrs. Lowman as of Friday. I think it best we discuss the status of your retainer after this meeting." I growled as I walked over to the table and sat down directly across from Pamela as Happy lowered himself into the seat across from Teddy.
"This is hardly a dog park, Katerina." Pamela looked down her nose at Harley as he sat down between Happy and I. Happy grunted and leaned back in his seat, looking the part of a club enforcer.
"They let you in didn't they?" He growled with a straight face. I smirked and looked away from Pamela to keep from openly laughing. Teddy shifted forward and Harley through his ears back and tensed.
"Please, please, can we just get this started and finished civilly for the sake of all those involved?" Kline begged as the tension in the room became palpable. I shrugged and settled in for what was sure to be an interesting meeting.
"My clients are owed not only reimbursement for the supplies and reservations they made but there will also be compensation for the damage the abandoned nuptials had on the family's reputation. In total, we are seeking $50,000." The Frost's lawyer said arrogantly. I failed miserably at stifling a laugh.
"Ms. Rec- Mrs. Lowman, does not owe the family for any alleged reputation damages. Relationships and engagements end all of the time. Hell, the divorce rate is over fifty percent and climbing. Where is your son at on this matter of charging Mrs. Lowman for the entire cost of the wedding?" Kline asked just as arrogantly. Lawyers in general irritated the hell out of me. There was a knock at the door and a tall, brunette woman in a crisp pant suit waltzed in without waiting any invitation.
"Sorry I'm late. I just needed to stop by the office and make copies. You must be Katerina." The woman switched her briefcase to her other hand and reached out for a handshake. I shook her hand slowly and looked from her to Happy. He looked surprised but it seemed that he knew her.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Kline asked with a raised brow. The woman smiled and cocked her head to the side as if it were a ridiculous question.
"Lohen. I represent Mr. Lowman and as such, I also represent Mrs. Lowman now. Congratulations, by the way." She gave me a sweet smile which I returned with a half grin. Happy was smirking and I could tell he was glad to have her there.
"We just went over what my clients are seeking for damages and reimbursement." The Frost's attorney snapped with an eye roll. Lohen smiled and nodded as she opened her briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. She proceeded to pass copies around while explaining what they were.
"The first section includes a cease and desist order that outlines the demands for you and your clients to stop harassing my client as well as an order to stop looking into her personal and business financials without expressed consent from my clients that would be relayed by myself and myself only. The second section is in reference to the California bylaws and codes that support your impending decision to drop this preposterous attempt to exploit my clients. Finally, in section three, you will find my contact information. Should you feel the need to contact my clients or their business partners in any way shape or form, it must be done so through me Monday through Friday during business hours." I flipped through the packet of papers that Happy slid over towards me and felt a weight lift off my chest. Kline was staring at the brunette lawyer and flipping through the papers as well.
"This is ridiculous! That little whore owes my family." Pamela snapped as she slammed the papers down and pointed over at me. Happy shot up from his chair, knocking it over in the process. Harley leaned against my chair and started lowering down in an aggressive stance.
"My wife doesn't owe you shit. You need to put something in that bitch's mouth before it gets her in trouble." Happy barked at Teddy, completely ignoring Pamela. I took his hand and ran my thumb over the underside of his wrist. He looked over at me and I watched the coldness in his eyes melt away slightly.
"If you have any further questions, you can contact Ms. Lohen. Kline, you're fired." I looked around the table and smiled smugly before heading out of the office. Harley stuck to my side as Happy walked on the other. The way he stood up for me had me hot and bothered and I just wanted to get him home and into our bed.
"Tell Jax this one was on me. I hate people like that." Lohen said with an eye roll as she unlocked her silver Mercedes. Happy nodded and shook her hand before we made our way back to the truck. There was a yellow ticket underneath the windshield wiper that made me groan.
"Is today really the twenty-sixth?" I asked, feeling sick to my stomach all of a sudden. Happy raised his brow at me as he dropped the tailgate for Harley to jump up into the back of the truck.
"We got married on the twenty-third, babe. Why?" Happy took the ticket and balled it up as he opened the driver's door. I shook my head and walked over to the passenger side. I buckled up and let my thoughts settle down before answering his question.
"I don't think I have a stomach virus, Happy." I bit my bottom lip and watched as his face shuffled through emotions quickly. There was confusion, fear, concern and finally happiness. He did a u-turn in the middle of the intersection which earned us several loud honks from angered motorists.
"Where are we going babe? I don't feel good." I frowned and watched as we headed away from home. He smiled and grabbed my hand. His lips grazed my knuckles in a soft kiss as he picked up speed.
"St. Thomas. If you're carrying our kid, I want to know now." He smiled and continued accelerating, even though it was barely five minutes to the hospital at a normal speed. I smiled and looked down at my flat stomach with hope.