Happy stood in his childhood kitchen. The sun was setting in the small window that overlooked the mostly kept yard. The taller grass and scattered weeds at the fence line irked Happy but with gun storage here it was a risk for the kid who normally did it to come. Still, Kozik or Miles should have offered. When the oven went off Maria bustled in pulling out her famous baked enchiladas, which happened to be her son's favorite.
"Tell me mijo, is my chiquita still at your house?" Happy tensed, he had wanted to at least have dinner before this conversation.
"Yeah ma," Happy said grabbing the dish from his mother setting it on the table.
"In separate bedrooms?" She raised an eyebrow at her son.
No one would doubt at the moment Happy got his scary eyes and firm demeanor from his mother. Maria Lowman was tougher than steel and never accepted a lie. Happy really wanted a shot of tequila or at least a joint hit at that look.
"No madre…" he didn't even get to finish before the sting of the dish towel hit his arm. "Mierda ma!"
The rapid Spanish flying from his mother's lips coupled with her towel snaps forced Happy to sit. He grabbed the towel from his mother, setting it on the table. Waiting for the string of Spanish to stop with I raised you better Happy took a deep breath.
"Madre, I would never disrespect Haven and you know that. She's my goddamn fiancé for Christ's sake, calm your Latina ass down," Happy growled in a voice mixed with respect and frustration.
There weren't many things that could make Maria Lowman speechless. Hearing her son say he was engaged to the young woman she had help raise was the last thing she ever expected. For as long as Happy had been an adult she had nagged him about having a proper wife, and now…well she was both joyous over him actually doing it, but afraid of what would happen if this didn't work. Sitting down, she took his hands her dark eyes searching his face. He gave her nothing.
"Happy Dominic, how long?"
"Since her birthday at least, but probably around New Year's for her," Happy shrugged.
"Are you happy? This isn't just because you were in prison?" Happy knew where his mother's question came from, but it irked him nonetheless.
"Haven ain't like any other bitch, and a string of crow-eaters would be it if it was just about being locked up," Happy snarled causing his mother to slap his knee.
"Mijo! I only ask because I love you and her. As long as you are both happy and treating each other good, you have my blessing," Maria smiled. "When do I get grandbabies?"
Happy was saved from answering as his brothers filed in with his aunt. She had decided that the boys needed a cleaning up and had forced them to go get hair cuts, as much of a force of nature as her older sister. Chibs gave them a look, then a smirk but luckily kept his mouth shut. No way were both "parents" going at him alone. Haven deserved the luxury of that torture as well.
The next morning he was yelling at Miles about pancake mix being all over the kitchen counter. Damn right he didn't like messy. And he was slightly pissy because he had barely gotten to speak to Haven, she had the kids and Lyla over for a sleepover the night before. This morning she said they were going to the Micke Grove Zoo and would be busy all day. His day didn't improve much from there with their guns being taken, a chase to get them back, dealing with Vivica, and then having church still? Haven better be ready to give him some TLC, a blow job or at least a fucking massage.
To his surprise both her and Lyla were at the picnic tables. Piney was between them looking worse for the wear. Something was going on with him but Happy couldn't put his finger on it. Haven lit up when she saw him, rising to come greet him.
"Hey handsome," she sweetly said allowing him to sweep her up into a deep kiss.
For as much as he wasn't one for such displays, this was needed. Haven eagerly responded, nipping his lips while trying to wrap her legs around him. Adjusting her to settle on his hips he reveled in how Haven squeezed him.
"Christ Hap, put my girl down and let her say hi to her old da!" Chibs chuckled.
Haven pulled back looking at Chibs with a smile. Wiggling to get let down she came up to the Scot.
"I missed you da. Did Laurena force that hair cut?" Haven teased. Chibs pulled her up his arm kissing her head.
"Tha' woman is a force of nature, but Maria? Hurricane," Chibs stated with a shiver making Haven laugh.
"Glad you are back in one piece. Come over tomorrow and I'll make you dinner," Haven gave him a squeeze before returning to Happy wrapping her arms around him.
"When you are done with church, I have something for you." Happy cocked an eyebrow at that.
"Like what babe?" His voice dropping to a gravelly whisper.
"Something that needs to be untied, you might have fun with the ribbons and lace," Haven purred taking his hand to kiss his palm.
Fucking hell. The stress eased a bit from him at that, his lust tingling down his spine. Whatever happened at church, he had something at home to distract him for a little while.
"What color is it?" Haven shrugged at that looking over to his bike.
"You know I sat on your bike in red lingerie once," Haven's voice sounded like she was reciting the periodic table, but the look in her eyes was anything but studious.
"Fuck," Happy moaned yanking her back against him. Before he could get too far into the kiss, the yell for church came.
"Handle your business, I'll see you later," Haven said cupping his cheek.
"Oh yes you will," Happy kissed her forehead before turning back to the clubhouse intent on handling this vote and getting to what his old lady had for him.