Sorry for the recent absence, a bereavement couped with mental health issues and deciding the next chapter is completely awful means that writing has taken a little bit of a back burner. I'm sorry, I will try harder but make no promises at the moment with funerals coming up. Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter!
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Blood dripped down from the chair, the fabric stained, the floor marred and ruined.
"How could you?" Charlie was facing her, holding his guts in his hands, he wasn't making eye contact. He couldn't see as his eyes were still on the floor, next to the growing puddle of blood.
"I'm sorry, I never meant-"
"You did this!" Charlie shouted out.
"I didn't, I didn't," Bella sobbed.
"You did that," Charlie said, pointing behind her.
Bella turned to see two dead bodies on the floor. The people she had killed. The men who would never see their families again.
"I had too!" Bella said, she did, it was either them or Tig or her. She couldn't have let Tig die.
"You're a killer. A murderer!" Charlie yelled. "You deserve this!"
Matt was there, grabbing hold of her, groping her body as she tried to fight him off.
"Spitfire!"
She fought harder as sobs came. He couldn't be doing this and calling her that.
"Spitfire!"
No! His hands were everywhere, pinning her down, defenceless, helpless.
"Bella!"
Bella's eye snapped open and Happy was pinning her to the bed. His eyes wide as he looked down at her.
It was a nightmare. Just a nightmare. Oh god, she'd woken Happy up just because of a nightmare. He was going to be so angry with her.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Bella said, feeling tears roll down her cheeks.
"Girly?"
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up. I'm okay, go back to sleep," she said in a rush.
"Bella, calm down. It's okay. It's okay Girly. Don't matter about waking me, hey?" Happy said, releasing her wrists, his eyes full of concern as he cupped her cheek and wiped her tears with his thumb. "One hell of a nightmare. You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I'm sorry," Bella said, catching her breath and leaning into his comforting touch.
"Stop with the sorry bullshit already. What was that about? The dream?" Happy asked, laying down next to her and pulling her onto his chest.
"It doesn't matter," Bella said, feeling stupid as her heart started slowing down a little. Happy's solid form next to her calming her down a little. It had just been a nightmare.
"If it fucks ya up that bad it does. Tell me," Happy insisted, his hand still on her cheek.
"Erm, Charlie…" Bella caught her lip between her teeth, biting down on it to stem any tears that might fall. She did not want to cry.
Happy rolled away and searched for something in his nightstand, they were in his dorm room after the party the night before. Or the party that might still be going on, Bella had no idea what time it was.
"Here," Happy said, lighting a joint and passing it over. "Smoke that and talk."
"Charlie… I found him after he was killed. They'd eviscerated him and pulled his eyes out," Bella said, her hands shaking as she took another drag of the joint and passed it back to Happy.
"Shit Spitfire," Happy said with a frown, his arm going back around her as he pulled her further on to his chest.
"He was, yelling at me, calling me a murderer. The two guys I killed were there. And then Matt…" Bella stopped talking and took the joint back. "Does it get easier?"
"What?"
"The guilt?" Bella asked quietly.
"Don't know. Never felt no guilt," Happy replied but she could feel him tense under her. They'd never talked about what he did for the club. It wasn't her business, but she was glad he wasn't pretending she didn't know.
"Oh," Bella said. She needed to know if this feeling ever went away.
Happy took her hand in his and placed it on one of his smiley face tattoos. The ones she had guessed about.
"This was for a guy tryin' to rape my ma. Never felt no guilt," Happy said, his voice hard and honest. He moved her hand to the next tattoo. "This guy was trying to kill a brother. This one was protecting the club. I don't regret any of them. Don't feel guilty. I did the shit I had to. You did the shit you had to. Wish ya didn't but can't change it now. Ya protected Tig, you stopped him gettin killed and stopped the shit head killing you."
"I know. And I'd do it again, I wouldn't change anything. But I just can't shake the guilt," Bella admitted. Looking down, she didn't want to be weak.
"Just means you're a good person. S'okay. Just try forget that shit. And I'm here. Ya can talk to me," Happy said, lifting her chin so she was looking up at him. His lips pressed against hers softly.
Bella kissed him back, her worries melting away as their mouths melted together. She shifted so she was laid on top of him, her legs going either side of his. She didn't stop kissing him as her hands traveled the length of his body, feeling him reacting beneath her.
She lent back, taking him in her hand and stroking him as she broke the kiss.
Keeping eye contact she held him as she rose up, ready for him. Wanting him to take away the nightmare. Wanting him with a desperate need she'd only just found.
"Stop," Happy rasped, his breathing hard.
"What?" Bella asked, he'd never stopped before. She could feel he wanted to as well.
"Condom," he growled out.
"Shit, yeah," she stuttered with wide eyes. She was on birth control, which she would tell him, afterwards, but double protection was better.
Bending himself at an awkward angel he pulled a now familiar foil packet out of his nightstand and handed it to her.
She ripped it open and placed it on him quickly, flicking the rubbish to the floor. Leaning forward she kissed Happy deeply once more before raising herself again and taking him inside of her.
She groaned as he filled her, her eyes snapping shut at the delicious feeling. Happy's hands went to her hips and together they started a slow rhythm that had her head falling backwards.
Soon the slow pace wasn't enough and she sped up, listening to Happy's grunts and moans beneath her. "You look hot as fuck riding my cock," he breathed. His hands grabbing at her breasts.
"Oh god!" Bella moaned. Something about his dirty mouth when they were in bed drove her wild and she could feel herself building.
"Yeah, that's it Bella, cum for me!" Happy ordered as she moved faster still. Obediently Bella broke at his words, not able to stop the chanting of his name that came from her lips, not wanting to.
Happy's hands wrapped around her hips, keeping her moving as she sagged, her limbs loose and spent.
"Don't stop now Spitfire," Happy ordered her, his dark eyes burning.
Bella picked up the rhythm again, grasping on to his forearms as she moved faster, harder. Pulling him in even deeper.
"Happy. It feels so good!" She moaned.
"Yeah it fuckin' does," Happy said, his hands tightening on her as he pulled her down harder and snapped his hips up to her. He set a punishing pace and she loved it. It was getting closer again.
"I'm… I'm gonna!"
"Fuck, hold off. You don't cum until I tell you too!" Happy snapped.
"Oh god! Please! Please Hap!" Bella begged, feeling it spread through every part of her being.
"Yeah, beg. Fuck. Yeah," Happy moaned and his thrusts got wilder and more erratic.
"Please!" Bella yelled, she didn't think she could hold off any longer.
"Yeah, cum with me Bella!" Happy yelled.
She screamed her release as Happy grunted her name below her, his hands digging into her hips so hard she knew she was going to bruise.
"Fuck Spitfire. That was fucking amazing," Happy grinned as she collapsed onto his chest. She could feel his heart hammering against her cheek as she caught her breath.
"Um hmm," Bella agreed, not able to use her voice right then.
"You alright there?" He chuckled, pulling her hair back so her face was exposed.
"Uh hmm," she said, trying to nod.
Happy laughed and kissed her forehead before moving her off him so he could use the bathroom.
Bella had just about regained her senses when he came back.
"I'm on birth control," she said as he walked across the room.
"Alright?" Happy raised an eyebrow as he climbed back into bed.
"Lyla took me to get it before we… ya know," Bella blushed.
"Fucked," Happy smirked at her. "You just had my cock in ya riding me for all you're worth and you blush at saying sex. You're fuckin' adorable."
"Hey, this is still new to me!" Bella said with a giggle feeling the heat return to her face. "Yes, she took me before we had sex."
"Cool. Never done bareback before," Happy said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Never?" Bella asked, surprised.
"Nah, don't trust bitches. Never know which of em fucked Tig," Happy replied.
"Erm…" Bella bit her lip, not sure how to say what she wanted to. She didn't want to annoy or upset Happy.
"Talk," Happy commanded but kissed her hair afterwards.
"I… er… have you been… tested? It's just I know you slept with a lot of girls. And it's fine. I mean. I just, you, don't know if… or you… erm," Bella struggled to get the words out. She was mortified but at the same time she'd had the perils of unsafe sex drilled into her from an early age.
"Did that shit in Tacoma when I was back there. Don't stress Girly," Happy said and she could hear the smirk in his voice. At least she was entertaining him.
"Erm, but since then?"
"Only been with you Girly."
"Okay," Bella said in a small voice. Inside though she was beaming. He had only been with her since he started messaging her. He had waited that long for her. It wasn't a long time, a month or so, but she knew that was a long time for any of the bikers she was acquainted with. Her chest swelled with feeling once more and she turned to kiss him softly.
She fell asleep not long later wrapped around Happy, a smile on her face.
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"Hello?" Bella muttered sleepily into her phone as she answered it.
"Are you still in bed? It's ten in the morning!"
Bella shot up, wide awake. That was a voice she hadn't heard in a long while.
"Hello? Are you still there?"
"I was up late. What do you want?" Bella asked her voice hard, as her heart beat painfully in her chest.
"Is that anyway to speak to your mom?" Renee said in that sickly sweet voice of hers.
"What do you want Renee?" Bella asked again.
"Where are you?"
"In California, why?" She said, her voice could probably freeze with the coolness in it. Still she wasn't the same girl she had been the last time her mom had seen her, years ago.
"California, what are you doing there?"
"I have a job, a house, and I'm spending time with my dad. You know that guy you screwed over. That's what I'm doing here. What do you want?" Bella said again.
"I haven't heard from you. I should have known. Let me guess you're one of the little whores at one of their clubs… let's see… California… I'm guessing Charming? Right?" Renee hissed down the line.
"It was nice speaking to you Renee," Bella replied before hanging up the phone. Her fists clenched as she ignored the next two calls.
"Breakfast?" Happy grunted from next to her, she had obviously woke him up.
"Yeah, give me a minute and I'll go get some," Bella said, closing her eyes and breathing. Trying to let go of her anger.
"Nah, we'll go together girly. Wanna blow some steam off in the ring after?" He said wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her bare shoulder.
"Yeah, I really do. Thanks," Bella said, letting her body sag against his.
"What she say?" Happy asked after a moment, his lips still against her shoulder. It felt nice.
"That I'm a biker whore," Bella shrugged. She had been called worse by better people. She wondered why Renee had really called. It wasn't to check up on her, that much she knew. Renee never rang just to chat.
"Well-" Happy said with laughter in his voice.
"Hey!" Bella giggled, grabbing a pillow and hitting him with it. "A whore means I get paid for it. Did ya leave a fifty on the side?"
"Nah girly, hundred at least for that shit," Happy grinned at her before climbing out of the bed. Her shoulder felt cold now his body heat was gone from it.
"Did I leave any clothes here?" Bella asked, hoping she had as she didn't want to get dressed into her dirty clothes from the night before.
"Don't think so," Happy shrugged and threw one of his shirts at her.
Bella laughed as it hit her in the face before sliding down onto the bed.
The clubhouse was a mess of bodies, empty bottles and other party paraphernalia. Bella wrinkled her nose at the smell, she had never seen it that bad before. She held in a giggle as her and Happy walked past Juice and Lyla curled up together on the pool table. They looked cute together.
Happy was not so circumspect though, instead he slammed his hand down hard on the pool table, making Juice jump. Juice looked around himself then flipped off Happy before laying back down to sleep. Bella laughed as she walked into the kitchen to see what rations were there.
She found the ingredients for pancakes and muffins and started making them as Happy put on the coffee. He was chewing on a toothpick, leaning against a counter and watching her.
"What?" Bella asked, feeling a little self-conscious as she poured the batter into the cake tins.
"You look good cooking breakfast," Happy said with a little smirk.
"You've seen it before," Bella replied. She made breakfast most mornings, though sometimes just grabbed a pop tart or a cereal bar.
"And you always look good," Happy shot back, making her blush a little. Considering she hadn't pulled a brush through her hair and was in yesterday's pants she thought he may have been stretching the truth a lot.
Happy made the coffees as she started cooking the pancakes, turning on the warmer so they were hot for whoever woke up first.
She set Happy up a plate with blueberries and syrup and hers with just blueberries. She loved those domestic moments they shared.
After they'd eaten Bella went home to get showered and changed and Happy went to make sure the ring was ready and to track down some focus pads.
Feeling more refreshed Bella drove her truck back to the garage. She really didn't want her crappy little dirt bike near the long line of shining Harley's.
Happy was already in the ring when she got there. He threw some wraps at her without even looking and she giggled, feeling better already. She wasn't sure she liked how easily he was able to lift her mood, she didn't want to become dependent on a man, not again.
Carefully, but quickly she wrapped her hands, twisting the black strips of material expertly around her knuckles and palms. Happy had found the focus pads that he said they used for prospects just learning. She was glad of them though, certain she wouldn't be able to hit him properly without them.
Happy and her spent an hour or so sparring in the ring, halfway through he dropped the focus pads and then went head to head. She knew he wasn't using his full strength but the hits he got in hurt like hell. In turn she wasn't using her full strength. It was fun Bella realised. Happy's eyes were similarly lit up. He was in his happy place too.
Bella dodged a combination punch that he threw at her then placed a low kick to his knee that connected. If she had been looking to hurt him it would have taken out his knee. By his nod and smirk he knew that too. A groan came up and Bella looked around to see they'd amassed quite a crowd at some stage. She felt her face burn at the attention but couldn't think on it anymore as Happy landed a hit on her shoulder.
"Pay attention Girly," he said with raised eyebrows.
"You want my undivided attention babe?" Bella giggled as she threw a punch she knew wasn't going to land, she was starting to tire. Happy looked as though he could keep going all day though.
"You saying I don't have it?" Happy smirked at her as he tugged his shirt over his head.
"You do now," Bella shot back with a little blush. She noticed that he had blemishes on his body where her hits and kicks had landed. She frowned, she hadn't realised she'd actually been hurting him.
"S'up?" Happy asked, his fists back up.
"I hurt you," Bella said, pointing at his drool-inducing but now marred torso.
Happy chuckled and shook his head. "You'll have some bruises too, it's all good Girly. You feeling better now?"
"Yeah, much better, thanks," she admitted walking over to him.
They hugged it out, as all the Sons did after a fight but she got the added bonus of a kiss that had the guys all howling. Bella broke away to see Happy flipping them off.
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"How ya feeling hon?" Georgia asked as they drove out to Stockton.
"Nervous," Bella said honestly, holding on tight to the water bottle in her hands and trying to ignore the convoy of bikes in front of her.
"You'll be great," her stepmom said.
Bella wasn't so sure.
"Things seem to be going well with you and Hap," Georgia said with a smirk, her eyes fixed to the road.
"It's only been a couple of weeks, but, yeah," Bella said with a smile. He was just so easy to be herself around.
"I've never seen him so… well happy," Georgia said with a little giggle.
"Good," Bella said, she wanted him to be as happy with her as she was with him. He'd started leaving some clothes around her place and she had left a change of clothes in the clubhouse in his draws.
"You're being safe right?" Georgia asked.
"I carry my gun everywhere," Bella smirked.
"You get more like your dad every day," Georgia rolled her eyes.
"Yes mom, I got the shot," Bella said, still smiling. After the call from Renee Bella appreciated her stepmom even more. Georgia was there, Georgia cared. When she called it was to see how Bella was doing, there was never a hidden motive.
"Good, I think your dad would castrate Happy if ya make him a grandpa," Georgia said seriously.
Bella shuddered at the idea. She didn't want to be a mom, never had done. She had basically raised Renee and herself, she didn't want that responsibility again. It was something that Edward had said she would change her mind on but Bella couldn't see that being the case.
"They're gonna remember what I said right?" Bella asked nervously as they approached the gym.
"They can't all go into the grading but they can watch the match. You've repeated yourself enough that even the prospects get it. Don't worry so much hon," Georgia chuckled. It wasn't just the guys that she had come to see as family watching the match, Hopper and his prospects had come along too. They would be leaving the next day but had been invited to watch her fight. By Clay, not her. She had invited any of them. In fact she was regretting telling Georgia about it. What if she got her ass kicked in front of them all? What if she didn't even go up to the next belt and didn't get into the match? What if-
"Hey, we're here. You okay?" Georgia asked with concern and Bella realised they were parked up with the Sons milling about.
"Yeah, sure," Bella took a deep breath and left the car. She was in yoga pants and a plain black top, her black gloves in her hands along with her wraps and head guard. Her hair was braided back by Georgia as Bella couldn't do more than pull it into a ponytail.
"You good Girly?" Happy asked, waiting by the door.
"Yup," Bella said, feeling sick.
"You got this," he said confidently with a nod.
Bella tried to smile and nodded back. Taking a deep breath she headed for the entrance trying to smile as she was wished luck for the grading. Behind her Georgia, Jax, Happy and her dad followed her inside.
Bella dropped her things off with her cheering section and started warming up. Her instructor, Dave, was going to grade her personally as he wanted her to skip grades.
It didn't last as long as she thought and was easier than she had envisioned. Easier than sparring with Happy for sure.
When she finished her instructor smiled at her, resting a hand on her shoulder he gently squeezed it before leaving her side. She wondered what that meant. Was he trying to let her down gently? Had she managed it? When would she find out?
He came back and silently handed her a belt. Her eyes widened.
"Really?" She asked, holding it as though it was going to break any minute.
"Seriously, you earned it," he nodded. "Congratulations. You got half an hour, be back then, you'll have two fights."
"Thank you," Bella beamed before rushing over to her family.
"Okay, so you got a belt? That's great. Right?" Her dad said smiling.
"I skipped like three grades," Bella said with a laugh, unable to believe it and proud of herself for the first time in a long time.
"Course ya did. Overachiever," Jax smirked before giving her a hug. "That means we get to see you fight, right?"
"Yeah, two matches, first in half an hour," Bella confirmed, taking hugs off Georgia and her dad who both looked proud.
"Told ya you got this," Happy said, a small smile on his face. As wide as the smile got when he wasn't in private. He gave her a quick hug and a chaste kiss.
The group stepped outside to the waiting group of bikers. Bella admitted if she didn't know them, and if she hadn't had a crazy life, she would have been intimidated. As it was not only did she know these men mostly had hearts of gold but she'd also hung around the supernatural who were slightly more intimidating.
Bella was passed around for hugs and congratulations from the guys and then Gemma and Lyla who had just arrived.
"It's time Girly," Happy said in her ear as she stood talking to Chibs and Tig. She hadn't realised how quickly the time had gone. Her nerves came back full force though. "C'mon, you got this, remember?"
Bella nodded before walking in with her head held high. She wasn't going to let her opponent see her nerves, whoever they were.
She barely noticed as the rest of the hall they were directed to went silent as the large group of bikers that were her entourage entered. She saw others had brought supporters along too. With a deep breath she started stretching as everyone tooks seats. Dave came over to her moments later.
"So you bring in a crowd then?" He asked her pointedly while glancing at the rowdy bikers.
"Yeah, they're my family. Couldn't shake them if I tried, and I tried," Bella said with a nervous laugh.
"Hmm. You're up against Fredricka Holmsome. She's got a wicked right hook, dodge it," he said watching the end of the fight taking place currently.
"O… Okay," Bella stuttered, feeling her heart race and her hands getting clammy.
"Hey, you'll be fine. I wouldn't have put you forward if I didn't know that was the truth," he said comfortingly.
Bella nodded and took a drink of her water.
The fight ended and her instructor nodded at her. "You're up! Good luck!"
The girl she was fighting was taller than Bella with more defined muscles, she was also very pretty. Dark hair was swept from her face and dark makeup highlighted her exotic looks. She smirked at Bella, as they stepped up to the ring.
Bella raised her eyebrows suddenly unafraid. She had faced things this girl couldn't even imagine and had come out the other side still smiling. This was nothing. Nothing.
Bella was surprised at how quickly the match started and ended, she had expected it to last longer. The woman, Fredricka, though, was too stiff. She telegraphed her moves and although she hit hard and accurately couldn't dodge very well. Bella won her match in minutes.
As her hand was raised she noticed the Sons screaming happily at her. She smiled as she hopped down from the ring. She could do this!
Her dad was the first to reach her and give her a hug, at the same time she received pats on the shoulder and proud words from those gathered.
"Spitfire," Happy nodded at her, lust burning in his eyes.
"Eloquent," she winked with a giggle.
"Smart ass," he winked back as Clay came over and gave her a hug and kiss on the head, a wide smile on the man's face.
"Who you got next then? Someone who can give you a real fight I hope," Clay said like a proud uncle.
"No idea," Bella shrugged, still smiling as her instructor walked up to her looking a little nervous to be walking into the gang of bikers.
"You did brilliantly, she didn't stand a chance! Well done Bella. Bit of an issue for the next one," Dave said looking directly at her. At her raised eyebrows he continued. "Some of the other opponents are a little… intimidated to go up against you considering your family here."
"So I don't get to fight?" Bella asked, a little disappointed.
"Well that's up to you. Gregory, he's happy to step into the ring," he shrugged, letting her know it was her decision. Oh she was going to enjoy this! She realised she would lose this match for sure, but she was going to enjoy getting some hits in before that happened.
"Yeah, let's do it," Bella nodded firmly.
"Who's Gregory?" Georgia asked as the instructor walked away.
"You know that guy who had been on my case since I started that I told you about?" Bella said and Georgia nodded. "That's Gregory, he's lightyears ahead of me so he will win, but I'm going to enjoy kicking him in the head anyway."
"He been giving you grief?" Happy asked, frowning and folding his arms while pulling himself up to his full height.
"I got this one babe," Bella said, wrapping her hands again.
"Of course you do, make him hurt," Happy said, his eyes shining.
Bella nodded and smiled as she was called back to the ring.
"Not scared are you Baby Bella?" Gregory taunted her as she climbed into the ring and faced off against him.
"Not even a little, just glad to have the chance to kick your ass," she replied honestly.
The match started and it was much more brutal than the one previously. Gregory could dodge and duck. He didn't telegraph his punches, he was vicious and unrelenting and she would be going home with many bruises.
Bella though didn't hold back. She gave it her all. By the time the match was called she was sweating and out of breath. She ached all over but she smiled as the crowd cheered.
Gregory and her touched gloves as they waited for the results. Bella thought with more than a little pride that it might even be close. Gregory nodded to her in respect and she nodded back, smiling at the bruise that was forming on the side of his face from where she had kicked him with a roundhouse.
"Points are in. We have 27 points to 29," the man announcing said and Bella beamed, even if she had lost she had held her own. She looked over at the Sons who were all cheering, even Hopper and his prospects who she didn't know too well.
"With twenty seven points we have…" Bella smiled. She could handle losing, that was fine, she was just glad she had held her own. "Gregory Vincent!"
Bella's mouth dropped open. No way. No freaking way!
Her family went wild and she saw they weren't the only one's cheering as her gloved hand was raised as the victor.
"Good match. I'll get you next time," Gregory nodded at her, not looking upset as she had expected.
"Good match," Bella nodded back before jumping from the ring and being swarmed by her family.
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Bella was still riding a high as she got showered and changed while the guys were at church. She drove back to the clubhouse for the Friday night party afterwards. Her muscles ached, she had bruises everywhere and she was a little exhausted but she couldn't stop smiling. Not only had she had her first two fights, but she had won. She had actually won.
Bella waved to a few of the Crow Eaters and a couple of the hang arounds as she made her way into the clubhouse. Georgia, Gemma and Lyla were sitting at the bar where they waved her over, a drink ready and waiting for her.
"So, how are you feeling?" Lyla asked after giving her a hug.
"So good. I mean I ache everywhere and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a walking bruise tomorrow, but so good. I did it," Bella smiled nodding. It was something she could be proud of. Something she had done for herself, getting her green belt and winning two fights in one night. She was no longer that weak little girl who couldn't protect herself, couldn't protect her family. Now she could hold her own against threats against them. In this world she was someone, something, not on the edge trying to fit in and failing.
"You were a total badass," Lyla grinned, clicking her bottle against Bella's.
"Yeah you were hon, not that I had any doubts. I mean, Ima still can't work a week later and ya only smacked her once. Just one pop and she's out for over a week. Always knew ya had it," Georgia agreed with a proud smile stretching her lips that were painted a flattering red.
"Bella!" A voice shouting at her had her frowning and turning around. It was yelled in anger. Her eyebrows lifted in confusion at Tig shouting at her looking really pissed off from the door to the chapel. "Get your ass in here!"
"What's that about?" Bella asked in shock and more than a little warily.
"Now!" Tig yelled, making Bella jump to her feet as Georgia, Gemma and Lyla looked on with wide eyes.
Face blushing as everyone in the room watched Bella make her way into the chapel past a very angry Tig. Looking around she saw that all the men were frowning at her in anger. Including her dad and Happy. What had she done?
She jumped a little as Clay banged his hand on the table catching her attention.
"We've been discussing things," Clay started off with a frown, his forehead creased and his mouth turned down. "Your comment, about how you'd make a better prospect than Half-Sac if you had balls? Well it's been bugging us."
Bella was confused, she'd made that comment weeks ago.
"It's tha bloody disrespect o' it tha pisses me off," Chibs said, his eyes flashing as he looked at her.
"That vest, be it prospect or patch is a privilege, a right that you have to earn, and hearing someone discussing it as though it were easy? That doesn't sit right," Jax said, his face with a bitter look on it.
"I-" Bella started to say, to defend herself.
"No! Don't speak!" Bobby said, getting to his feet. He stomped around to a cupboard in the corner.
"Saying shit like that's dangerous," Opie nodded.
"Yeah, some might think you're serious," Tig added a cigarette in his hand as he stared at her. His light blue eyes watching her.
"So were ya?" Clay asked, leaning back in his chair, his hand cupping his chin.
"Was I what?" Bella asked in a quiet voice. The night had been going so well too. She should know that when things went well for her there was always something to ruin it around the corner.
"Serious? About how if you had the balls you'd make a better prospect than the shit head we have?" Piney barked at her.
"Yes," Bella said. She wasn't quite as clueless as that guy, she didn't scare easily, she could -mostly- follow orders and she had a good work ethic.
"You best prove it then," Bobby said from next to her as he held out a black leather vest.
Bella's eyes went wide as she reverently took the vest in her hand, the soft leather smooth and yet rough under her hands. The gleaming white of the prospect patch stunning.
"I… Seriously?" Bella asked, stunned.
"Seriously, Tiggy here is your sponsor, he'll go over shit with you tomorrow. Until then… we welcome our newest prospect… Bella Swan!" Clay said as all the men beamed at her and started hitting the table as a way of applauding.
Bella grinned, feeling tears enter her eyes as she slipped on the heavy leather vest that seemed to have been made especially for her.
"Thank you, I won't let you all down," Bella said, trying really hard not to shed a tear and look weak already.
"Damn straight you won't," Tig said in an almost threatening manner before he stood and brought her in for a hug.
She went around getting hugs from all the men and pats on the back, coming to her dad and Happy last.
Her dad pulled her in for a tight hug, lasting longer than usual. "I've no doubt that you can do this," he whispered into her ear. "I'm proud of you Bells."
Bella smiled widely at her dad as he let her go with a pat on the shoulder.
Happy pulled her in for a hug last, he said nothing but brought his hands under her vest, resting on her waist and kissed her as the guys all cheered around them.
"Enough of this sappy shit, time to party!" Tig yelled, getting more cheers as the doors to the chapel opened.
Bella was the last to leave, Happy's arm around her shoulders. She glanced at Gemma, Georgia and Lyla. Gemma was sitting with her mouth open, as was Lyla. Georgia though just nodded and raised her beer bottle, Quinn had obviously told her.
Hang arounds that she knew came over to congratulate her, some with barely concealed jealousy in their eyes. All of them eyed Happy wearily as he gave them the stink eye. Bella tried not to laugh.
"Did you know?" Bella asked when they got a moment to themselves which wasn't for several beers later.
"Had to vote it in," Happy said with a nod as he pulled her into his lap, his lips close to her ear making her shiver a little in desire.
"Are you okay with it? Me being in the boys only club with you?" She asked, her arms wrapping around his neck.
"Would it matter if I weren't? Would it change ya mind?" Happy asked, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes.
She thought about her answer. The beer she had consumed didn't help with her thinking process. She didn't want to upset Happy, he'd been a fantastic… boyfriend? He looked after her, helped her when things were going to shit, he made her laugh, made her tingle everywhere and the thought of screwing things up with him made her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. However, being a Son? That feeling of family, of always having a place, of always having backup who wouldn't leave when things got rough? She didn't know if she could pass that up, she didn't think she could, no matter what.
"I… I don't think so. I'm sorry, I… really-"
"Shut up," Happy smiled at her and leant down to kiss her. "Right answer Girly. I wouldn't ask ya to give this up. And I got your back. Always," he said before sweeping her into a heated kiss. "By the way, that shit earlier, that fight? Hot as fuck."
Bella laughed and then kissed him back, her legs going either side of him as she got lost in the moment.
"Oh fucking hell! Get a goddamn room!" Bella pulled away and giggled at the sight of her dad who was standing with a disgusted look on his face.
"You got it," Happy rasped, standing up with her legs wrapped around his waist as he walked her towards the dorms.
Bella laughed as behind her she heard her dad's curses.
