OMG, Thank you guys so much for your reviews, and your support. This chapter took a little longer that I thought it would but in my defence, it is over 6,000 words and is a very important chapter. Spoiler alert: Big things are happening. Before I stop my yammering and let you guys enjoy the update, I've been teasing the last few chapters with Dani and Opie flirtations. Not sure how well received my, erm, spicier chapters have been received, so I'm asking you all. Should my next chapter include more details about Opie and Dani's bedroom adventures? lol. Or should we leave that to your own imagination? Let me know in a comment, message, or review. And without further nonsense from myself, please enjoy!

Chapter 41

Dani leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms as she let out a yawn. She was sitting in the office at Teller Morrow, helping out with customer paperwork as they came through, but mostly watching the online lecture for her GED class and adding notes into the margin of the section of the workbook they were going over. She was eagerly absorbing the information, so focused on her lecture and notes that she jumped slightly when someone dropped some paperwork on top of the desk.

"Oh, hey Lowell, didn't see you there. How's it going?" Dani asked as she grabbed the paperwork he had set down and began skimming through it.

"Real good," Lowell told her. "You know, keeping busy." He gestured around the garage, which Dani noticed was a lot emptier that it had been earlier.

"Hey, where did all the guys go?" Dani asked him.

"Oh, uh, Clay called everybody in for a meeting, I think." Lowell said.

"Those impromptu meetings of there's are never any good," Dany sighed. "Thanks Lowell. I've got the office covered, so let me know if you need anything before, they're done, ok?"

Lowell nodded and made his way back to the garage to start on his next job. He was a little twitch at times, Dani had been told that he struggled with addiction, but he was a brilliant mechanic, and was always friendly, if not somewhat shy, so Dani never minded his company.

Dani kept one eye on the club house as she continued to work and study, waiting for the familiar sights of men in leather dispersing the area. When they did, she stood in the office door watching for two of the men, in particular. She spotted them coming out of the club at the same time. Dani watches as Jax and Bobby got on their bikes. Opie stood talking to them for a moment before clapping Jax on the back and walking back towards the garage.

Opie saw her standing in the doorway and smiled, heading towards her. As he approached, he reached out for her, placing a hand on her waist as he pulled her in for quick kiss. Dani's hands naturally went to his broad, muscular shoulders in response.

"How's studying going?" He asked her, barely pulling his lips back enough to ask the question.

"Fine," Dani replied and gave him another quick kiss before pulling back enough to look Opie in the eyes.

"Is everything ok?" she asked her eyes darting towards the club house and back.

Opie looked at her for a moment, and she could tell he was deciding what to tell her. She appreciated the way he respected her boundaries when it came to her knowledge of club activities.

"Yeah, we're on top of things. ATF is sniffing around again."

"Agent Dick?" Dani asked, with mild alarm. That man creeped her out like few others.

Opie shook his head and ran a hand soothingly over her hair. "Nah. Someone new. So Jax and Bobby are going to take a ride to see Jury in Nevada, talk to them about a problem they are having with another MC, and see if they can help with a problem we are having right now."

"Who's Jury?" Dani asked.

"Jury is an old friend of your dad's. Jax calls him Uncle Jury. He is the president of another MC- The Devil's Tribe, that we are friendly with."

Dani nodded as she took in the information. "Ok, do I have anything to be worried about, where you, or Jax, or any of you are concerned?"

"No, baby," Opie said, cupping the side of her face with his course fingers before running both his hands down her sides and around her back as Dani's naturally went up around his neck. "If anything else changes, I'll let you know, but it won't. There're no more worries for you and me, only good times from here on out for us."

Dani smirked up at him. "Is that so? Good times here on out?" Opie nodded. "I could get used to that."

"If you want, I can take you upstairs and we can get started on some of those good times right now." Opie offered and waggled his eyebrow at her.

Dani couldn't help herself. She tossed her head back and laughed. There was so much joy and light emanating from her that Opie couldn't help but chuckle along with her. They stood there, arms wrapped around each other, eyes bright and twinkling with happiness, just looking at each other.

"All right, Lovebirds, back to work." Dani jumped, so distracted by Opie that she didn't hear Clay come up. Clay sniggered as he walked past, and Dani shook her head and loosened her grip around Opie's neck.

"You heard the boss." Dani said. "You'll have to save those thoughts for later," she told him.

Opie kissed her once more and let go with reluctance. Dani turned to go into the office when a car horn beeped several times and Dani turned back to see what was happening.

An older, black car pulled in and stopped to the middle of the lot. She could tell the driver was female, and the woman behind the wheel waved at Jax, and Dani watched as Jax smiled at the woman and hopped off his bike, making his way towards the car. Dani didn't realize she let out a groan when she realized the driver was Tara Knowles, but realized she must have when Opie, who was still in the doorway with her, nudged her.

"What was that?" Opie asked her.

"Nothing," Dani replied, but Opie just raised an eyebrow. "Fine," Dani sighed. "I just don't think that Dr. Knowles likes me very much, and if I'm being honest, I don't think I like her very much either."

"You don't like Tara?—Wait, though, you like everybody."

"I don't like everybody." Dani argued.

"Unless they have hurt you or another innocent- you pretty much like everybody. You got along with my ex-wife." Opie pointed out.

"Donna was nice. And she's going to be in your life forever, you have kids together, and I want to be with you, so I'd try and get along with her anyway, even if I didn't like her. But I don't like everybody. I don't like strangers." Dani countered.

"No, being around strangers just makes you nervous, but you don't dislike them."

"I don't like my old doctor. Or Agent Dick."

"With reason. What's your reason for not liking Tara."

"She was rude to me when we met, and she's been cold to me ever since. She's always poking in on Abel, even more than the nurses seem to. She seems way too possessive of Abel, and it doesn't seem very professional. I also don't think it's right for her to be Abel's doctor and to flirt with Jax like she's doing. She's rude to Gemma, who, I know isn't exactly sunshine-and-roses around Tara either, But Tara- she doesn't like Jax's mom, doesn't like me, his sister, and based on some of the things I've overheard her say, doesn't like the Sons or Charming very much, but acts… mildly obsessive about Jax and his baby. Jax has enough on his plate to sort out, the last thing he should have to deal with on top of everything is else is conflicting emotions about the "love of his life" who has her own preconceived notions about his family and life choices." When she was finished speaking, she took in a deep breath and let out a loud sigh before looking back at Opie, who was looking at her with a slightly stunned expression.

"What?" Dani asked. "You asked."

Opie shook his head. "I forget how much you notice; how much you observe others sometimes."

Dani shrugged. "It's how I learn who to trust, and who not to. And I don't think I trust her." Dani said nodding towards the doctor.

"What did you mean Jax has enough to deal with without letting Tara's opinions affect his?" questioned Opie.

"Oh, um, well, you know, Abel and everything. And Wendy. Me and my crazy shit." Opie again just looked at her, knowing she was leaving out the truth. Dani sighed. "I had hoped he would have talked to you already. Jax found something the day he took me to the storage units, you know, the day Abel was born?

"Well, he found some things that our dad wrote, like a journal, more like a book. It was all typed up and dedicated to Jax and Thomas. He offered to let me read it, but I told him that it was for him, about the club, and I wouldn't really understand most of it the way he would. I suggested he show it to you, I thought he might have already."

Opie shook his head. "No, but you're right that he's seemed distracted lately. Questioning some things."

"Will you talk to him? When he gets back from Nevada?" Dani asked him. Opie groaned in response. "Hey," she said. "I'm not asking you to have him over for a sleepover and paint each other's fingernails. Just check in on him."

"I will." Opie promised.

"Thank you," Dani said, kissing his cheek before turning and watching Jax say bye to Gemma, leaning over to kiss her cheek where she sat in her car, talking with Jax and Tara. Dani almost rolled her eyes as Jax then stood up and kissed Tara on the cheek as well. He turned and saw her standing in the doorway and gave her a wave as he made his way back to his bike. Dani gave him a smile and wave of her own and turned back to Opie. "Looks like I've got to get some customer paperwork together." She told Opie and finally left the doorway, going back into the office.

Opie followed her, heading towards the garage entrance but stopped. "If Jax and Tara do get involved again, are you going to be able to play nice around her?"

Dani gave him a mischievous, slightly evil grin. "Of course, I can, darling." She said. "I like everybody, remember?" she said reminding him of their previous conversation.

Opie just shook his head. "Remind me never to get on your bad side. Forget what I said earlier, you might have a wrath worse than your moms."

Dani laughed and waived him off, sending him to the garage and started gathering the paperwork for Tara's car. She put everything together on a clipboard and ran it out to Kip, who was doing the initial inspection on the vehicle. She sat back behind the desk and tried to get herself back focused on her studying. She didn't get very far before she heard the office door open again.

"Right in here, Tara," Kip said opening the door for her. Dani watched as Tara entered the room and Dani pasted a professional smile on her face. Kip handed Dani the clipboard. "Here you go, Miss, Dani," he said.

"Thanks, Kip," Dani said as she glanced over the paperwork. She held a section open and turned it around on the counter. "Hi Tara. Looks like we just need a signature here and then a form of payment and we'll be all set." She told Tara in her professional voice as she indicated where to sign.

Tara signed the paperwork and handed over a credit card. Dani ran the card details and handed the card and carbon copy of paperwork to Tara. Tara didn't take the papers right away, so Dani glanced up at her expectantly. Tara was eyeballing Dani's GED study guides.

"Did you need anything else, Tara?" Dani asked, trying to redirect her attention back to the task.

Tara glanced between Dani and the study guides a few times. "No that's all. Getting ready for the GED?" she asked.

Dani nodded. "Yes, that's right." She said.

"Good for you," Tara said. Dani offered her a smile, thinking this was the most normal conversation she'd had with the doctor, and was wondering if maybe she had judged her too soon. "It's never to late to go back to school and make something of yourself. I'm sure you don't want to work here forever. I hear it's harder the second time around, but I'm sure you'll do fine."

Dani sighed. She had thought too soon. "Well seeing as how I didn't have a first time at school, I guess I don't have to worry about that. We can't all be doctors now can we. Some of us are very happy to work in the family business. I know Jax does." Tara started to stutter some sort of a response cut her off. "We'll give you a call when the work is done. Looks like your ride is ready for you," Dani gestured towards Gemma's waiting vehicle. "Have a nice day, Tara." The tone she used when she said have a nice day implied anything but that, however Dani was beyond caring.

She turned in her chair and began mindlessly entering data into the computer, waiting for the woman to leave, and after a moment she did. Once she was gone Dani sighed and leaned back in the chair. She had worked in the office for a while linger until Gemma had returned from dropping off Tara. She excused herself to Opie's room and studied a little longer until she felt comfortable on the material. Opie still had several hours before his shift was over, so she crawled into his bed, toed off her shoes and within minutes was well on her way to a nap.

"Baby," Opie woke her, speaking softly. Dani rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked up to see Opie sitting in the edge of the bed.

"What time is it? Is work over already?" Dani asked.

"Not quite, babe." Opie told her.

There was something a bit off about the way he said that that made Dani pause. "Why does that tone make me think you aren't here to play hooky and do naughty things with me?"

"Wish I was." Opie told her. "Jax and Bobby ran into some trouble in Nevada. Things aren't quite going the way we hoped they would. The rest of us are heading out to Jury's to help out.

Dani sat up. "On a scale of one to ten, one being someone got a flat tire, then being completely FUBAR, what kind of issue are we talking about here."

Opie smirked. "Not too bad, I don't think. Let's call it a four, at a worst-case scenario. Two at best."

Dani nodded. "And you have to go?"

"Someone has to keep your brother's ass outta trouble," he offered. "I'd stay if I could."

"You got time to run me home?" she asked.

Opie shook his head. "Gemma will take you."

Dani nodded and shifted to the end of the bed. As she pulled on and tied her shoes, Opie told her that in order to fix whatever was going on, they were going to 'patch over' the Devil's Tribe, which Dani learned meant that the other club was becoming a new branch of the Sons of Anarchy. "I see," Dani teased as they made their way out of his room and down the hallway. "You're really ditching me so you can go to a party."

"You know the only party I want to go to is the one where it's just you and me in our bed." Opie growled in her ear. Dani giggled and they waled through the clubhouse and out into the afternoon light. She went with Opie over to his bike and stood their as he got on, pulled on his gloves and helmet as the other Sons did the same.

Dani leaned into his side and gave him a kiss. "Don't forget about those good times you promised me earlier. I'm going to want to cash in on that as soon as you get home." She told him.

"That's the easiest promise I'll ever make to you." Opie smirked as she stepped back so she was out of their way. She made her way to stand with Gemma and watched them all drive off on their bikes. Dani had to admit, it was quite the sight seeing all those men in black leather pull out on their motorcycles together.

Dani grabbed her things and within minutes of the guys leaving, Dani was in Gemma's car on her way home. "Some of the guys seemed pretty excited to head out," Dani commented to Gemma.

Gemma chuckled in reply. "Excited to get to Jury's? No doubt." Gemma told her. "Between the patch over party and Jury's girls, they'd happily ride straight through a pack of Mayans to get there."

"Jury's girls?" Dani asked.

"The Devils Tribe deals in pussy."

"What?" Dani asked, sure she wasn't understanding.

"They run an unlicensed brothel." Gemma explained. "The girls all work there willingly and get paid well for their… services."

"And so a party bringing the Devil's Tribe into the Sons of Anarchy gives them access to all the… girls." Dani surmised.

"You know, things can happen when the guys are on a run. They tend to do crazy things when their together, add in celebrating with alcohol and access to willing puss—women, well like I said, things can happen. Sometimes it's best not to ask too many questions when they get back and let what happens on the run, stay on the run."

"Are you trying to say that Opie might-, wait are you trying to say that Clay might? And you're ok with that?"

"I'm saying that men will be men, and as long as it stays away from Charming, that I'm not asking questions."

"And you're ok, with it, as long as you never find out?" Dani asked in disbelief. "I can't believe that you would be ok with that. I wouldn't. Not that Opie would do that, anyway."

The rest of the ride home was somewhat stilted. Dani was eager to hop out of the car and waive Gemma off. Dani understood Gemma was just trying to prepare her, but she did not like the idea that Opie might be doing things with another woman while he was away. She really didn't think Opie would do that to, but if he did, that would change things for Dani. She didn't think that was something she could look the other way on, no matter how much she loved him.

Deciding that if she was going to be home alone for the night, she would do it right she hopped in her truck, deciding to pick up lots of takeout and ice cream. She was standing in line waiting to pick up her Chinese food, when someone cleared their throat behind her.

"How nice to see you again Miss Teller." A man said. Dani turned and every thought turned to irritation as she realized who was talking to her.

"Agent Johnson. I didn't realize you were still in town, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Picking up food for you and your new little friend?" She asked.

"What friend?" Agent Johnson asked looking puzzled.

"Oh, don't play that game." Dani sighed with exasperation. "Everyone's heard that there is an ATF agent that's been spending time at the Charming Police department for the last few days, and it's not you. You can invite as many of your ATF friends around that you want, but you aren't going to find anything on my family, so why don't you just go away already?" Dani turned her back on him and stepped up to the counter giving her name and tossing a couple bills on the counter.

She grabbed her food and tried to sidestep the annoying agent on her way out, but the man stopped her grabbing her arm. "Look here," He said, his voice low, and almost menacing.

Dani jerked her arm out of his grasp. "Fuck off, Agent Dick." she turned and walked out of the restaurant and straight to her car, locking herself inside and taking a few deep breaths. Knowing she had ice cream at home in the freezer, she skipped the stop at the grocery store and just went straight home.

She unpacked her food containers and dished herself up some sweet and sour chicken and fried rice and a couple of the egg rolls she had ordered. She filled up a glass of ginger ale and carried her dinner into the living room. Sitting on the floor, with her food balanced in her lap, Dani flipped through the channels looking for something to watch, not finding anything of interest. She turned off the TV, and instead grabbed her phone, dialing the number quickly. She felt an almost instant relief when the line picked up. "Hello, Alice?"

Dani felt immensely better after talking to Alice. The woman had a way of putting things into perspective, and assuring Dani when she needed it. The two had chatted all through Dani's dinner and through half a pint of cookie dough ice cream Dani had grabbed from the freezer for dessert. Dani put away her leftovers, rinsed her dished and placed them in the dishwasher, before getting ready for bed.

As she was changing into her pajamas, she stared at the bed she shared with Opie. Not wanting to feel alone in the bed, she grabbed one of Opie's pillows and the blanket from their bed and carried them into the loving room, curling up on the sofa and finally settling on an old black and white movie called 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.' Dani thought it was interesting and was watching as the main character first was introduced to the ghost of the sea captain that haunted her home when her phone rang. Dani's heart soared as she answered.

"Hey there, Sasquatch." She smiled into the phone.

"My Xena, warrior princess, goddess divine." Opie replied.

"How'd the patch over go. You sound like you're having a good time." Dani said. What she meant was it sounded like he was happily drunk. Opie told her things were well and that Jury was very hospitable with his booze. "Any pretty girls catch your eye?" Dani tried to ask playfully but she could tell Opie picked up on the weariness in her voice.

"Only woman that ever catches my eye anymore is you." Opie's tone instantly sounded more sober. "What's going on in that beautiful brain of yours?"

Dani sighed. "Gemma. I know she was trying to help in her own way but as she took me home, she started talking about 'what happens on a run stays on a run' and that there were lots of available and willing women there. I told her that wasn't something that you would do, but the idea bothered me little bit."

"Oh baby. You're right. I don't want some sweetbutt. All I want is you. I was getting ready to call it a night and get some sleep—alone—but I wanted to hear your voice." Opie told her and Dani could tell it rang true.

"Opie," Dani said.

"Yeah baby?"

"Remember when you talked to me about getting a crow—your crow?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" Opie asked, sounding alert and eager.

"I asked Happy to make me a tattoo to go over my scars. And I asked him to put your crow on me when he does." Dani confessed. "That was going to be my surprise for you that I talked about after Fun Town, but it never happened."

"Where did you talk about putting it?" Opie asked.

"The back of my neck."

"Fuck baby. Thinking about you, with my crow on you. Makes me so fucking hard."

Dani blushed and giggled. "Well calm down handsome, I don't have it yet. I don't even know when Happy will be able to do it."

"As soon as possible. I'll talk to him. I'll find a reason for us to come home tomorrow and bring him with me. I don't want another day to go by without the world knowing you're mine." The earnestness in his tone made Dani feel like her heart would burst.

"I wish you were here." Dani whispered. "I love you."

"I know."

"Did you just Han Solo me?" Dani asked.

"Yeah, I guess I did." He chuckled.

"I'm glad you called." She confessed.

"Me too." Opie told her. "You in bed yet?"

Dani shook her head even though she knew Opie couldn't see her. "I don't want sleep there without you. I'm cuddled up on the sofa tonight. I stole your pillow," she confessed.

"I don't like the thought of you not sleeping in our bed." Opie said.

"It's not the same without you." Dani countered. "You sure you'll be able to come home tomorrow?" She asked through a yawn.

"Yeah, I'll make it happen. Baby, you have no idea how much you getting my crow means to me. Thank you for that baby. God, I love you so much."

"I love you too." Dani said softly.

"Ok, baby, I'm gonna let you go. You get some sleep. Sweet dreams only. That's an order." Opie said.

Dani smiled into the phone. "Yes, sir." They hung up and Dani went back to watching her movie, falling asleep soon after with a smile on her face.

She couldn't sit still. She was bouncing her feet up and down sitting on the picnic table outside the club house. The sun had gone down a little while ago and she enjoyed watching it set, but she was starting to get antsy. Opie assured her he was coming home today, and he had called her a while ago, telling her to meet him at the clubhouse tonight.

She had spent the entire day in a state of anticipation, from the moment she had awoken on the sofa that morning, through trying to help at the office Until Gemma got tired of her jittery state and kicked her out, until now. Dani knew that when Opie got home, when her tattoo was done, that would bring a shift in their relationship. Sure, they lived together already, they were in love, of course, but getting this tattoo, it suggested a new level of permanence. Dani had barely been out of captivity long enough to understand the true meaning of this kind of permanence, and it felt right to her that the first thing in her life that she would associate that kind of permanence with to be her relationship with Opie. She was pondering this when she finally heard in the distance the sound that was like music to her ears; the distant roar of motorcycles. She stood, just knowing that these were her motorcycles, the ones she had been waiting for.

Sure enough, after a few minutes there were several motorcycles pulling into the lot, she easily spotted Opie among them. She noticed Happy as well but was not familiar with the other couple guys with them. She figured they must be from Happy's charter. She watched with the last remnants of patience she possessed as Opie dismounted his bike and took off and stowed his helmet. As soon as he turned in her direction she was moving and launched herself into him. Her lips fused themselves with Opie's as her legs wrapped around his waist, Opie's hands going straight for her ass, gripping her slightly harder tan needed just to support her weight. She heard Happy and his guys chuckle, and Happy said something about setting up as he walked past them. Opie hummed in acknowledgement but didn't break from kissing Dani just yet.

Several minutes passed before they finally did separate, gasping for breath, Opie's forehead resting against Dani's. "Hi." She whispered.

Opie chuckled. "Hey, baby." He whispered back. "Missed me, huh?" He teased.

"Oh, were you gone?" Dani teased back. "I just thought that was how we were greeting each other now." She said, unlocking her legs from around Opie's waist and searching for the ground with her feet. "Trip go okay?" she asked. Opie nodded. "Good. So I have a suggestion."

"What's that?" Opie asked, nuzzling her neck.

"I suggest that we go inside, I get this tattoo, then you take me home to bed and we stay there for at least 48 hours." Dani sighed, reveling in his attention.

"Mmmm. Sounds good to me. Do we have to keep to the bed the whole 48 hours?" Opie asked. "we can spend time in the shower—you loved it last week, remember?—, the kitchen counter, or I could lay you across the dining table and make a real feast of you." He latched onto a spot on her collarbone and gently bit down.

Dani gasped and took a small step back. "Opie!"

"What?" He gave her a wolfish look.

Dani laughed. "The 'in bed' part was just metaphorical. Other locations will be considered, but I don't know how comfortable that table will be for my back. You might have to hold off on that one." She tugged on his arm. "Come on, let's go inside. I am so ready for this."

Opie pulled her back in for one more kiss, then wrapped an arm around her and led her into the club house. Looking around, they saw Happy had rigged up a curtain to partition off a private area for them to work in. Ducking behind the curtain, they saw Happy was just finishing setting up.

"Hey Happy," Dani greeted the man.

"Little Killer!" Happy grinned at her. "Ok, so before we get going here, I just want to make sure you know that we won't be able to do the entire back in one session. Tattooing over scars can be tricky, it can hurt more than tattooing unscarred skin. It might not hold ink the same way and can feather or need touch ups more frequently. The way I designed your tattoo should minimize any possible feathering, and it should take three to four sessions to complete. You sure you're good with everything before we get started?" Happy asked. Dani nodded.

"Ok then, because I don't want to get my ass kicked by your man here, I'm gonna turn around. Go ahead and take off your shirt and lay down on the chair, ok?" Dani nodded waited for Happy to turn around. Once he did she turned towards Opie and unbuttoned the oversized shirt she was wearing. She started flushing as she began pulling off her undershirt, leaving her bare from the waist up. Opie smiled at her reassuringly, easing her nerves at being temporarily exposed in the presence of someone else, even if they couldn't see her. He guided her to lie face down on the tattoo chair Happy had set up.

Once she was settled, Happy turned around and began by prepping the area, then he placed the stencils. He offered her a handheld mirror and held up another one behind her so she could approve everything before they started.

"It's even better than I thought it would be." She told Happy before turning to Opie. "You like it?" she asked. Opie just nodded, but Dani could tell by the look in his eye he was more than a little affected by the sight. Dani smiled to herself. He liked it alright.

"Ok, Little Killer, here we go. Let me know if you need to stop and take a break." Happy told her. At Dani's nod, she heard the buzz of the tattoo gun come to life and she sucked in a deep breath. It definitely stung, was Dani's first impression, but the pain was manageable. She reminded herself to take slow, deep breaths, and did her best to relax. After a few minutes, Happy warned her they were about to tattoo over the first part of scarred skin, and she sucked in a breath as the needle passed over. The scarred skin was definitely more sensitive and was, therefore, more painful, but Dani was determined to tolerate it. She indicated for Happy to keep going when he asked her about it. A few minutes later a drink appeared in front of her and one sip from the straw told her she had been given a rather strongly mixed drink. She didn't object, hoping it would help her from getting too tensed and sipped on it slowly.

Opie sat in front of her, holding her hand, and occasionally brushing the other over her forehead, offering her praise. He talked with her and distracted her and occasionally conversed with Happy for a bit. Dani tolerated the pain of the tattoo relatively well, occasionally letting out a hiss as the needle moved across the scarring. She only asked for a break twice over the course of the tattoo, taking a few minutes to breathe and loosen herself back up before continuing again. They spent about four hours on her back tattoo before switching over to the crow. The rhythmic feel of Opie's thumb running across the top of her hand that he was holding was almost hypnotically soothing to Dani. She was on the verge of almost dozing off, when Happy announced he was finished.

Happy once again handed her the mirror, and held the other one up so she could see the work. It wasn't the finished tattoo they had discussed, but the way he did the outline and started the shading in some areas, so it didn't look unfinished. The scars were already blending into the black lines that weaved themselves in to vines and leaves and flowers. Then angled her mirror so she could see the crow, and she almost stopped breathing. It was there, and everything felt so much more real. "It's perfect,"" she breathed.

Happy spread lotion over her tattooed skin and covered the area with a bandage, reciting the care instructions and handed over some ointment to Opie that she would need to use until it was healed, and then Happy wisely said he'd be back later to clean up his equipment and disappeared behind the curtain.

Opie helped her sit up and made sure she was steady as he carefully helped her slip on her shirt and button it up. She looked up and caught his eye. "Do you know why I finally decided that I wanted your crow?" Dani asked.

"Because you love me, and I love you. Because we belong to each other." Opie said.

"Well, yes, there is that. But it's more than that. You—this—us" Dani stuttered as she gestured between them "feels like so much more than that. You feel like forever to me." Dani confessed, not tearing her eyes away from Opie's as her eyes shone with all the love she possessed for him.

Opie cupped her face and wiped away a tear that Dani didn't realize she had shed. He leaned down and captured her lips in a slow, tantalizing kiss. "Forever is right," he murmured against her lips. "I've been thinking that same thing recently." He told her as he kissed her again. Dani felt his fingers entwine with hers, but something was odd, there was something metal that she could feel on her fingertip and Opie's slid it further down until it rested at the base of her finger. Dani gasped and pulled back when she realized what the object was and what finger it was on. She pulled back and looked up at Opie. "Forever, right?" Opie asked.

Dani just nodded.

"Then marry me?" Opie asked.

"Yes," Dani breathed, kissing him again before pulling up her hand to look at the ring. "Opie, it's beautiful," Dani gasped, as she stared down at the ring. It was made of sterling silver and had a square cut diamond in the center with two smaller stones on either side.

"The stones came from my grandmother's ring. I had it reset for you though. Nana had fat fingers." Opie teased in a loving tone as he ran his hand over her face.

Dani laughed. "It's perfect. You're perfect. Everything is perfect." She told him. "I could explode from happiness."

"I'd rather you explode from something else" Opie told her, pulling her closer again.

"Then you'd better get me home, because what I have in mind for us, we are not doing here. Not today anyway." Dani said and then squealed as Opie grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder before marching through the curtain into the club house and then out into the night, Dani giggling helplessly as they went.

Could life be any better?