A/N: I do not own anything about Sons of Anarchy. It belongs completely to Kurt Sutter, and I am just so glad to be allowed to play in the wonderful world he created.
And guys, I know that you're reading the story and adding it to your favorites, but I don't get a lot of reviews, and that makes me sad.
Yes, I've been away, but hopefully, I'm back! And, hopefully, I'm back with a vengeance!
Chapter Twelve
Two weeks had passed and the truce between the Mayans and SAMCRO was holding, at least for now. Charlie hadn't heard from Tully since she had told him off in the clubhouse, but from what she had heard from Chibs, he was still allied with the club, so at least she wasn't the cause of the dissolution of an alliance. Charlie looked up from her position on the couch as the front door opened and Chibs came into the house.
"Gemma's havin' a family dinner tomorrow night at Happy's new place; celebratin' Happy's house an' tryin' ta get everyone together. Ye cannot skip it."
Charlie grunted and rolled over onto her stomach on the couch, burying her face into a pillow. She heard Chibs' kutte hit the recliner and his keys, gun, and wallet slide onto the kitchen table. Chibs walked over to the couch and patted Charlie on the shoulder, and she turned her head sideways to look up at him.
"Yer dad wants ta talk ta ye. Says yer're not answerin' yer phone."
Charlie didn't answer, so Chibs decided on another tactic. He turned around and sat on her, and Charlie groaned and tried to push him off.
"Get off me, you lard ass!" Charlie growled, but she let out a small laugh as Chibs just smiled down at her.
"Finally. She speaks." Chibs pulled his cigarettes from his pocket and lit one nonchalantly. "Ye 'ave ta go ta the dinner, lass. Gemma will 'ave all our asses, an' I like bein' alive." Chibs was quiet for a moment, and then he stood up. "Hap wants ye ta come. We all do."
Charlie turned over quickly and sat up, staring at Chibs. "Hap wants me to come? Like, he verbally said that?"
Chibs smirked and took a draw from his cigarette. "Not in so many words, but in his own way, yeah." Chibs stepped to the side table and flicked some ashes into an ashtray, then turned back to look at Charlie. "Hap can get ye ta come to family dinner, but I can't?"
Charlie stood up and patted Chibs on the shoulder. "You're my best friend Chibs. You don't have a whole lot of sway, honestly, because you're there no matter what."
Chibs laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, then started pulling her towards the kitchen.
"Well let's make something ta eat before ye leave me ta go ta work, best friend."
Charlie was in the shower the next day getting ready to go to the family dinner when she heard the bathroom door open and slam against the wall. Charlie jerked the shower curtain to the side and saw Happy standing there with his arms crossed.
"What the fuck, Happy? Occupado." Charlie yelled, wiping some shampoo away from her eyes and making sure that the curtain covered everything from the neck down.
"It's Gemma. She's at my house." Happy said shortly, and Charlie saw him clench his jaw. "She's… I've barely got any of my shit in there, and she's all over it, Hurricane."
Charlie let out a snort and Happy glared at her, taking a step forward. "Nuh-uh, big boy. You want my help, you better not piss me off." Charlie said, giving him a hard look.
"Hurry up. She's… Hurry." Happy said, and Charlie resisted the urge to laugh at the distraught look on his face.
She nodded and pulled her head back into the shower, pulling the curtain closed behind her. She went back to rinsing her hair, but she didn't hear Happy leave. "Happy?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you going to stand there until I'm finished?"
Charlie heard feet shuffling and assumed that meant Happy had left. She peaked her head out just to double check, and Happy was gone, but he didn't close the door behind him. Charlie sighed and shook her head, then went back to her shower. A few minutes later, as she was stepping out of the shower, Charlie heard footsteps coming down the hallway.
"I'm hurrying, Happy. Chill the fuck out." Charlie yelled as she grabbed for a towel and tried to kick the door closed simultaneously.
"Not fast enough." Happy snarled as he stopped in the doorway to the bathroom. Charlie had gotten the towel wrapped around her by that time, and she huffed as she looked over at him.
"Privacy, Happy. Is it a foreign concept to you?" Charlie growled back at him as she pushed past him and down the hallway.
Happy followed behind her and replied, "You've all got the same parts."
Charlie spun around and glared at him, then grabbed the door to her bedroom. "Way to make a girl feel special, Hap. Especially from one you want help." Charlie slammed the door in his face and locked it.
Charlie heard Happy grunt, and she refrained from opening the door again whacking him on the head. Instead, she settled for sticking her tongue out at the door before drying herself with the towel and wrapping it around her. Charlie pulled a pair of jeans and a purple tank top out of the closet and threw them on the bed, then went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of socks, a bra and a pair of panties. She proceeded to get dressed, put on her socks and cowboy boots, then stuck her phone, keys, cigarettes, and wallet into her pocket. She checked that the safety was on her Makarov before sliding it into the back of the waistband of her jeans and pulling her tank top over it. Sighing, Charlie placed her sunglasses on top of her head, stepped to the door, unlocked it, and opened it; as she expected, Happy was leaned against the wall opposite her door with his arms crossed, and he did not look… well, happy.
"I'm ready, sunshine." Charlie said, shooting him an evil grin. Happy gave her a dark look and opened his mouth to respond, but she held up her hand to stop him. "Unh-huh, remember, you want my help."
Happy glared at her, but he didn't respond. Instead, he took off down the hallway at a brisk walk and Charlie followed behind him with a grin on her face. Happy walked straight through the living room to the front door, and Charlie stopped to talk to Chibs, who was laid out in the recliner watching the History channel.
"I'm going to head over to Hap's and see if I can help with his problem. When are you coming over?"
"Probably 'round six; that's when everyone else is supposed ta arrive too." Chibs replied, looking up at her and smiling. "That'll give ye and Hap about two hours ta fix the Gemma situation before I put meself in the mix."
Charlie rolled her eyes and said, "Wow, what big tough biker guys you two are. Scared of Gemma."
"Not even goin' ta say anythin' to that." Chibs said, returning to his documentary. "Have fun wit' everythin', brother. I'll see ye later."
"Right." Happy said in his usual gravelly voice. He turned towards Charlie and she put her hands up in surrender, then followed him outside, closing the front door behind her. Charlie pulled her keys out of her pocket and headed towards her truck, but Happy grunted at her and pointed towards his bike. Shrugging, Charlie changed course, putting her keys back in her pocket and climbing on behind him. Happy started the bike and headed down the driveway, turning left once he reached the bottom. He continued down the road for about three-quarters of a mile and turned right into the driveway of a brick ranch style house with a two car garage. Happy pulled past Gemma's Cadillac and into the left garage, and Charlie looked over to see a black Dodge truck parked there. Charlie climbed off the bike and waited for Happy, who then led her into the house through a door that led into a hallway. Charlie could hear the Gemma-esque clicking of her heels on the laminated kitchen floor, and Charlie suppressed a grin. She heard chatter, and as she and Happy entered the kitchen, Charlie saw that Gemma had recruited a few crow eaters to help her with the cooking.
"Charlotte!" Gemma said, shooting her a smile and stepping over to hug her tightly. "I wondered where Happy had went."
"Yeah, Happy thought that you could use some help." Charlie replied, sliding a look over at Happy, who was leaned against the fridge with his arms crossed.
Charlie looked around the kitchen and saw different foods in varying states of progress. As she surveyed the kitchen, she couldn't help but notice that it was very nice. The kitchen was large enough for the six of them to be comfortable in and there was ample counter space for food preparation. She looked over and saw an adjoining dining room with a large kitchen table that seated at least twelve. There was a vase of flowers on the table.
"So, Gemma, did Happy have all of this or did you bring it?"
"I had the boys bring over one of our old dining tables and an outdoor table and chairs as a housewarming gift, and I'm lending Happy our grill for a while, and I brought all of the kitchen supplies. We're going to do grilled barbeque chicken, broccoli casserole, salad, potato salad, garlic bread, corn, mashed potatoes… I think that's enough food, don't you?" Gemma said as she set to chopping carrots.
"Yeah, absolutely… How about Happy and I start the grill and get it heating up. I wouldn't want to ruin your rhythm." Charlie replied, snatching a piece of carrot and popping it into her mouth.
She giggled as Gemma swatted at her playfully. "Sure, sweetheart. That sounds like a good plan."
"Come on, Happy. Lead the way to the grill." Charlie said, grabbing his arm and pulling him from his stance against the fridge. Charlie ignored the glares from crow eaters and pushed Happy in front of her so that she could follow him to the correct door.
Happy walked into the dining room and then opened a door to his right, then stepped outside and Charlie followed. She had to stop the gasp that almost escaped from her. It was a beautiful, large backyard with a large deck, a walkway that led the huge in-ground pool with a diving board, and there was a spacious amount of green backyard to complement the pool.
"Damn, Happy, this is a fucking dream backyard." Charlie said as she walked across the deck. She was about to head down the stairs when Happy grabbed her arm and spun her around to look at him.
"This wasn't the solution I had in mind." He said quietly.
Charlie rolled her eyes. "What, Hap, you think I'm going to tell Gemma to stop cooking and go home? To leave you in peace? To stop putting flowers in your house?"
Happy growled and clenched his jaw, but Charlie shrugged. "Come on, Hap. It's just one night; we'll stay out here, grill the chicken, and drink beer. We'll have a nice, yummy dinner, and then you can get your dick sucked by a crow eater to round out the night."
Charlie slapped him on his back and looked around the deck before spotting the grill with a bag of charcoal and a bottle of lighter fluid beside it. She walked over and opened the grill cover, then grabbed the charcoal bag and ripped the top open. Looking back over at Happy, she saw him staring at her with his hands in his pockets.
"Happy. We can't get drunk without beer, and I know that was the first thing that you brought into this house. Go grab us two." Charlie said, then she turned back to the grill and poured charcoal into it. She didn't hear Happy moving, and she sighed as she looked back to see him unmoved. "Look, Hap, you should've known this was going to happen. We're all glad that you've bought a house, and Gemma does family dinners all the time. You don't have to be nice or even personable, but you do have to endure it, just like me."
Charlie turned back to the grill and realized that she didn't have a long handled grill lighter. She was about to ask Happy to bring her one, but she heard him move and didn't want to distract him from finally doing what she asked. She heard the door open and close, and gave herself a mental high-five. She squirted some lighter fluid on the charcoal and stepped over to the railing of the deck, leaning against it to survey the backyard again. It really is a beautiful place, she thought to herself. Dammit, am I jealous of Happy? She heard the door open and close again, and the clunk of Happy's boots made her turn around. He was carrying two bottles of beer and a grill lighter.
"You're a freaking mind reader, Happy." Charlie said, smiling as he handed her a bottle and stepped over to the grill and lit it, then closed the lid to keep the heat in.
Charlie twisted the top off her beer, pulled her cigarettes from her pocket, and lit one, inhaling deeply. Happy stepped up beside her and leaned against the railing, sipping on his own beer.
"It's a nice place, Hap. You did a good job picking it out."
Happy nodded and said, "You haven't seen the rest of it. Two bedroom, two full bath, nice living room."
Charlie took a sip of her beer. "Yeah; it's a little big for just you, though, isn't it? Huge pool and backyard, two bedrooms…"
Happy scoffed. "I got this place because it was the only one with a pool. You're the one that wanted a pool, Hurricane." Happy pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one, then looked over at her. Charlie had a shocked look on her face. "What, you think I just ignored you?"
"Well, yeah." Charlie said after a moment of silence. "I mean, access to a pool would be awesome but I didn't mean to influence you that much."
Happy shrugged his shoulders and took a drag off his cigarette. After that, he was silent for the rest of the afternoon. He had probably reached his word quota for the day. They worked together in silence as they grilled the barbeque chicken and then the corn. People started to arrive around six, and soon they weren't alone on the deck of the house. Charlie was watching Opie's kids play in the backyard and chatting with Tara when they heard a motorcycle come down the street. Happy's eyes slid to Charlie as she took count of who all was here that rode motorcycles, and watched as it dawned on her that her father was the only one missing. Happy watched as Charlie put her cigarette out, excused herself from the conversation with Tara, and went inside the house.
Happy wasn't the only one to notice Charlie's exit. Chibs stepped up to the grill and said, "I'll watch this."
Happy paused for moment before following Charlie into the house and down the hallway. She had almost gotten the door to the bathroom closed before he pushed his way in and shut and locked the door behind him.
"What the fuck, Happy? What is it with you and being unable to let me be in a bathroom alone today?" Charlie growled as she put her hands on the sink counter and stared at herself.
"Your dad just pulled up."
Charlie flicked her eyes up to look at him in the mirror and then went back to staring at her reflection. "I know that." Charlie took a deep breath and closed her eyes, exhaling. She heard Happy shift and then felt him move up beside her.
"He's just your dad. So what if he called you a whore. He'll have to respect your choices eventually." Happy said.
Charlie kept her eyes close and responded. "I can sneak out and walk home. There's left over lasagna."
Happy placed his hand on top of her left one, and her eyes popped open. "Family gathering, remember? If I have to be here, you do."
Charlie rolled her eyes and said, "That is so not fair, using my own words against me." Happy shrugged and gave her his equivalent of a half-smile. "Ugh, fine, let's go get this over with."
Charlie pulled her hand out from under his with a little bit of regret and turned to unlock the door. She felt Happy grab her shoulder and he spun her around, pushing her against the door. Happy's lips were on hers before she knew what was happening, and Charlie, with her dry streak, couldn't help herself. Her fingers curled into his kutte and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. Happy's hands settled in her hair, pushing her against the door with his body, and her head hit the door hard.
"Fuck." Charlie broke the kiss, breathing hard, and she wasn't sure whether her vision was blurry because of the kiss or the hit her head took.
Happy gave her an evil grin and said, "I thought that you liked it rough."
Charlie glared at him and pushed against him, but he deepened his hold in her hair, pulling it hard and eliciting a moan from Charlie. Happy's grin grew as he looked at her and decided to see how far he could push her. Happy kept one of his hands in her hair while the other slid down to her neck and applied some pressure before kissing her again, hard. Charlie melted into him, pulling him closer by his kutte before releasing it, reaching for the bottom of his shirt, and dragging her fingers along the waistband of his jeans. Happy moved his hands to her ass and lifted her, turning around and setting her on the counter without breaking the kiss. Charlie pushed Happy's kutte off his shoulders and gripped the bottom of his shirt, lifting it off him and breaking the kiss. Happy tossed the shirt behind him and pulled Charlie's tank top over her head. Charlie ran her fingernails down his chest and wrapped her legs around Happy's waist. Happy kissed her hard and then moved down her neck to her breasts, pulling one out and sucking on her nipple, biting it gently.
"Jesus, Happy!" Charlie moaned, rocking her hips against his and digging her nails into his back.
Happy moaned and moved to the opposite breast, giving it the same treatment as his hands began to work on the button of her jeans. He had them unbuttoned and unzipped, and was about to lift her off the counter to remove her jeans when there was a knock on the door.
"Charlie? Are you in there?" Tara asked.
Charlie groaned and slammed her hand onto the counter.
"Yeah, what's up?" Charlie panted as Happy moved back to kissing her neck.
"We're almost ready to eat. Have you seen Happy?"
Happy flicked Charlie's nipple with his finger and she moaned, rocking against him. "I, uh, I think he might've went to the garage. I'll be right out."
"Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
"Happy's in there with you, isn't he?"
Happy growled and pulled away from her, an angry look on his face. "Fucking hell people, it's my goddamn house."
Charlie groaned and unwrapped her legs from around Happy's waist. Happy stepped back from her and picked up his kutte and their shirts from the floor, handing Charlie's to her.
"We'll be right out, Tara." Charlie said as she pushed her breasts back into her bra and pulled her tank top over her head. She slid down from the counter and zipped and buttoned her pants. She turned around and flattened her hair in the mirror before turning back to Happy and saying, "Okay, then. Let's go have family dinner."