Sorry for the late post, although it is still Wednesday. I came straight home from work and watched the season finale of SOA on iTunes. Priorities people! lol

This one shot fits in between the first 2 chapters of The Reluctant Lion Heart.

Disclaimer: do not own, not for profit

1997

Age 5

Happy followed Emily through her house to the back bedroom. It was his first trip back since promising Gabby he'd return 3 months ago. He had wanted to come back sooner but club shit had been heavy. He had no doubt that Gabby probably didn't think he was coming back.

Emily passed out fairly quickly after their first round. Hap had planned it that way. He'd gotten her pretty drunk at the clubhouse. She didn't really interest him at this point. Truth be told he pretty much despised her; but sleeping with her was the easiest way to get into her house to see Gabby, and honestly, Happy wasn't gonna turn down a warm willing body.

Happy got up and showered and dressed. He had arrived in Charming late and stayed at the party till nearly dawn. He shut Emily's door and looked around the house. He didn't know who was watching Gabby or when she would be back so he skipped breakfast and started making coffee. He hoped he'd see her soon, he didn't want to leave without at least making sure she was okay, but he didn't want to stick around and deal with Emily either.

He had been on the couch 10 minutes and was starting to consider a nap when he heard the sound of small feet on the stairs. He got up and headed into the hall; Gabby spotted him immediately and ran down the rest of the steps hugging him tightly. Hap couldn't help but be a bit taken aback but after a minute he squatted down and hugged her back.

"I knew you'd come back again." She whispered in his ear and wrapped her arms around his neck. Hap squeezed her tighter at the innocent truth and picked her up, carrying her to the kitchen. He sat her down on the top of the table and looked her over carefully. She looked fairly healthy and had no bruises. She was fully dressed in clean though wrinkled clothes and Happy guessed she was ready to leave for the day incase her mother was 'sick'.

"Were you here all night sweetheart?" He asked looking behind her for perhaps a babysitter to follow down the steps.

"Yes." Gabby looked slightly confused by the question. She began to kick her legs and Happy turned to the fridge to see if there was anything he could make for breakfast.

"Your mom left you here alone?" He asked; quickly adjusting his form of questioning to fit a 5 year old.

Gabby simply nodded this time. She wasn't really supposed to tell people her mother left her home alone when she went to work. But Happy had guessed.

"Does she leave you home alone a lot?" Gabby nodded her head again as Happy pulled eggs out of the fridge.

Happy sighed and scrubbed a pan clean to start making eggs. He questioned Gabby on friends and school, things he hadn't thought to ask the last time he was here. He was relieved to find out she had started kindergarten. The more people who saw Gabby on a regular bases the better in his book.

Breakfast was made, eaten, and cleaned up quickly. Happy joined Gabby in the living room and laid out on the couch while she watched cartoons. It wasn't far into the second episode of some talking dog show that Gabby cautiously moved from the floor to the very corner of the couch.

"Hey," Happy tapped her with his sock covered foot. Gabby looked up and started to slip back onto the floor. "Come here." Hap said and curved his finger. She walked to his head and he smiled. He scooped her up and laid her down on his chest as he brought himself to half sit up against the arm rest. Gabby immediately snuggled into the soft t shirt between the open sides of his cut and turned to face the TV.

Happy couldn't imagine Emily being very cuddly with her kid, and even Happy remembered climbing into his mother's lap at Gabby's age. His hand seemed to automatically find and stroke her mass of black wavy hair as she giggled along with the show. He would never admit it, but having Gabby hug him and curl up with him was more relaxing for him then riding, shooting, or the sweet butts.

Thank you for all the comments. I got back to most of you, but not all, i'm sorry. Things are crazy for me right now. Like really crazy. Did you know it's less then 3 weeks till Christmas? Fuck! I need more hours in my day! I have a lot of these one shots already written, thank god, because it's now 2 weeks that i haven't written a thing. My creative juices are dried out at the moment due to personal issues as well as work and holiday normalcy, things will get back to normal in Janurary. I plan on starting the sequel then, which i have no names for yet so feel free to give me suggestions.

Little sneak preview: It will involve Gabby taking on the role of Old Lady and dealing with the many issues that can arise from that including club business and prison time. Tig will play a much bigger role in it as he tries to win a place in Gabby's heart and family.

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