AN: Reviews make me happy, thank you for all that do. I don't have a beta, so all mistakes are my own. I don't own SOA, just my OC's.
Helena was feeling weepy and nauseous when she woke up Friday morning. Sliding out of Happy's arms she went to the bathroom. Examining herself as she took her prenatal and anti-nausea she didn't think she looked too different from she normally did. No baby bump yet. She was a little pale but not enough for anyone but Happy to notice. Happy…the man who changed everything in our lives so quickly. The realization of how short of time they'd been together suddenly overwhelmed her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sank to the floor.
"Mama?" Henry asked. Helena glanced at her son, who looked worried but only managed a weak smile. The boy darted off and Helena didn't have it in her to stand.
Happy came rushing in, picking her up off the floor. The quickness startled Helena as she gripped Happy tightly. He took them to the couch, settling so he could stroke her hair.
"Cariña, mi amor dime cómo hacerlo mejor," his voice was a growl. (darling, my love tell me how to make it better.)
Helena tried to settle down, but apparently she just needed to cry. Henry came back, looking nervous. He hovered before climbing up beside his parents wedging himself between them.
"Henry, I'm ok. Sometimes I just need to cry," Helena finally said.
"Can I make it better?" He asked, receiving a nod of approval from Happy.
"Just be you sweet boy. And can you wake up your sister? We are seeing your abuela today remember?"
That perked the boy up who gave a quick kiss to her before scampering off. Happy kissed her forehead before he spoke.
"Baby, what's wrong?" His tone indicated he expected an answer.
"Mood swings? Everything just overwhelmed me this morning. We haven't been together that long and we are a family— married. We are having a baby. We need to tell the kids before seeing Lupe. I get to be a stay at home mom now, and there is so much I want to learn. I'm learning to be an old lady. Our kids start kindergarten…" Helena listed off. Her husband just pulled her closer.
"Helena, I remember you saying we couldn't rush anything and I said take it a day at a time. Fate had other ideas but I'm exactly where I want to be. I love you, and whatever happens we get through it together."
Helena almost started to cry again at that. Declarations beyond 'I love you' didn't happen often from Happy, and she cherished each one.
"Daddy!" Noella came around the couch, climbing onto the arm. Henry settled on the floor, fidgeting with a couple of his cars.
"Noella Grace Lowman," Happy said making his daughter giggle. When Noella saw her mother, she frowned.
"Does your ear hurt too?"
The question reminded them of the conversation they needed to have. Before breakfast would be best. Helena reluctantly adjusted herself to be on couch beside Happy. He still kept an arm around her. They hadn't come up with anything better than just saying they were having a baby, they had enough love for everyone, and mama might need extra help as the baby grew.
"Henry, Noella I need you to listen to us ok?" Helena started, receiving nods. She took a deep breath.
"Mama and daddy are having a baby. You'll have a little brother or sister soon," Helena said, watching for an explosive reaction.
"Can I have a brother?" Henry asked, making Happy roll his eyes.
"Doesn't work that way buddy," Happy said. Noella slid down into Happy's lap making him grunt at the impact. "Easy baby girl."
"Daddy where is the baby?" Noella asked her eyes big and wide.
"In mama's belly, they have their own special place," Happy explained. Noellla frowned.
"But if it gets bigger where does it go?" Happy sighed at her question.
"Mama just gets bigger with it, like a balloon." Helena nudged his ribs at that, still feeling a little weepy. He just shrugged.
"Will you still have room for us?" Noella asked, Henry perking at the question.
"Daddy and I love you both very much. That won't ever change. You are our oldest children, that's a very special thing," Helena said as Henry crawled in her lap and Noella snuggled Happy.
"Si, nothing will change my love for either of you, te amo Noella. Te amo Henry," Happy growled.
"Love you daddy!" "Love you mama!" Their chorused voices made Helena blink rapidly not to cry again.
"We all good?" Helena asked.
"Oui." "Si" Happy letting out a chuckle at the mixed languages.
"Then let's get breakfast," Helena said.
The three and a half hour drive to Lupe gave Happy time to think. He had hated seeing Helena cry that morning, and along with morning sickness was his least favorite pregnancy symptom so far. He was surprised at how well Henry and Noella had taken the news. But they were five, and more things might come up once Helena started showing. A quick glance told him his old lady was out like a light.
"Daddy?" Noella piped up. Happy glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah?"
"If mama has a girl, I'm still gonna be your princess right?" Noella's voice was shaky.
Happy took a deep breath. He had come a long way with being able to comfort his daughter since he first met her. But this was different; this baby would be his biological child. Happy chose his words carefully.
"Noella Grace, you will always be my princess and my little girl. I chose you, just like I chose your brother and mother. If we have another girl, she'll have her own special nickname," Happy hoped his words worked because he was running out of being gentle today with how emotional the day had started.
"She can be cookie," Noella nodded making Happy laugh. Cookie sounded ridiculous, he had know why.
"Cookie? La galleta?"
"Si 'cuz the Cookie Monster is funny," Noella said like it explained everything.
"Ok princesa, la galleta it is for a little sister," Happy looked to Henry who was still listening to his music. At least his son wasn't worried about his place in the family. Maybe Happy had rubbed off on him.
Pulling into Gentle Pines Assisted Living, he gently woke his wife. She gave a few groggy head shakes before she was fully awake. The family made their way inside, Noella insisting she be carried.
"¡Mis nietos! Ven aquí, necesito un abrazo," Lupe cried happily opening her arms. Henry was fast to receive a hug, Noella trailing behind. (My grandchildren! Come here, I need a hug!)
"Ma, ¿Cómo te sientes hoy?" (How are you feeling today.) Happy asked sitting on the small two seater couch, pulling Helena to his lap.
"Buena buena, (good, good). Better now that I'll get some time with mi familia," Lupe said as Henry and Noella went for the toys she kept for them.
"And you two? Don't Henry and Noella start school soon?"
"Tuesday, we did the meet the teacher night. Happy went," Helena smiled. Lupe gave an approving nod.
"And work?" She eyed Happy at this.
"It's fine ma," he said. He never wanted her to worry about what might be going on with the club.
"And you mija?" Happy felt Helena fidget at that.
"I'm not going to be working," she said leaning into Happy. He pulled her tight, burying his face in her neck. He needed something, something to ground him for telling Lupe they were having another baby.
"Dios mío, tell me," Lupe pressed sinking into her chair.
Happy didn't move for a moment. He felt Helena trying to kiss his forehead. Pulling back, he gave a nod.
"Ma, we're having another baby," Happy breathed out. There was silence for a moment.
"¿Otro nieto? ¡Ah, es una noticia maravillosa! ¿Cómo te sientes hija mía? ¿Necesitas algo?" Lupe spoke so fast even Happy had trouble catching everything. (Another grandbaby? Ah, it's wondeful news! How are you feeling my daughter? Do you need anything?)
"Easy ma, Helena is fine…" Happy stopped at his wife's huff.
"In the words of Gemma, 'The first trimester is a bitch' but your son has been wonderful," Helena said. Lupe nodded her approval.
The rest of the visit Helena and Lupe talked pregnancy tricks and what foods to avoid; Henry and Noella stealing Lupe's attention with something or another. Happy took the time to observe and recharge. He still felt a little off but considering the huge change coming to his life, he figured it came with the territory.