To Love a Son

Twenty Six.

Shortly after the funeral for Luann, I found myself driving to Bakersfield to spend some time with Happy's mom, Maria, and his aunt, Lauren. It was Happy's suggestion and I was glad he made it. Charming was anything but its name sake at the moment and I currently wanted nothing to do with it.

I was trying my hardest not to push Happy away but I wasn't exactly pulling him closer either. I had to give credit where it was due and Happy deserved it. Through my depression Happy stayed strong and he loved me through it. Juice never told Happy about me almost shooting up again and I was thankful for that. I had no idea how he would have responded but I knew that it wouldn't have been good.

I parked my car in front of Maria's house and didn't hesitate to get out. I slung my small bag with my clothes in it over my shoulder and headed for the front door after locking the car. I knocked once and it didn't take her long to answer, when she did she pulled me into a warm embrace.

"Oh, Carmen! I'm so glad you're here, it's been too long. Come in! Come in!" She held the door open for me as I made my way into the living room. "How are you doing, honey?"

"I'm pushing through. Thanks for having me."

"You don't have to thank me. You're family, you know that." She gave my hand a light squeeze. "Why don't you go put your bag in the room and then you can come help me. Lauren will be by later."

I followed her instructions and went down the hall to what used to be Happy's bedroom but now acted as the spare. I set my bag down on the bed before pulling my phone out of my purse and calling Happy.

"Hey, you there?" He asked when he answered and I smiled at the sound of his voice.

"Yeah, I just got here and I'm already feeling better." I told him honestly.

"Good. That was the plan, let ma know I'll be down in a few days."

"I will, stay in touch okay?"

"Alright." He responded before hanging up. Happy's calls were always short, we didn't have a lot to talk about that couldn't be handled in person.

I made my way into the kitchen where Maria was already working on something, that woman loved to cook. I found my place beside her and started helping with whatever I could.

"How is Happy?" She asked and It made me smile to think about him.

"Oh, you know, he is Happy. He is doing good, we're doing good even with all things considered. He really is an amazing man."

"That he is." She smiled, "You know, his dad wasn't around when he was growing up. I raised him myself."

"That's probably why he turned out so great." I told her honestly and she nodded in agreement.

"It might have something to do with it." She put the enchiladas in the oven and then we washed our hands and cleaned up the kitchen. "So, I have to ask, you going to give me any grandkids?" I couldn't help but laugh and she joined me. After everything that had happened recently, I hadn't even thought about it once but I loved that she had. It was light hearted and lightened the mood.

"I'm sure, one day. I told Happy I wanted the whole package though. You know, a wedding and then the kids. He said he expected as much but we didn't talk about it after that."

"He would make a great father."

I agreed with her, "Yes, he really would."

We heard the front door open, signaling that Lauren had joined us.

"I see a car out front that means we have a visitor!" Lauren said with excitement as she made her way through the house and into the kitchen. She was a few years younger than Maria and it was obvious from their looks. Maria's sickness has really worn her out and aged her quickly. "There she is!"

Lauren pulled me into a warm embrace and I was quick to hug her back. "Hey, Lauren. How are you?"

"I'm doing alright. Work is pretty busy so that makes the time go by faster. How is my favorite nephew?" She moved away from me and towards the fridge where she pulled out a container of tea and poured herself a glass.

"Happy is well, he said he'd be here in a few days. He misses you both."

"He better." Lauren joked before taking a seat, her smile faded. "How are you doing though?"

"I'm..." I got asked this so much now days, you'd think I'd have a good answer, "I'm doing better." Was my response and she seemed to accept it.

Over the next few days my time was filled with cooking, relaxing, and watching old movies with Maria and Lauren. It was the best distraction I could have asked for. It made me realize that I wanted to be around my family more, I missed them. I missed being surrounded by the people that I loved.

It was two days later when I heard the roar of a Harley pulling up in the driveway.

"Oh, that must be my boy!" Maria said with excitement as she made her way outside. I wanted to give them a minute alone before I talked to him.

When they came back in, Maria was smiling wide and hurried into the kitchen which left Hap and myself alone. I shot him a shy smile as I stood to my feet and he didn't waste any time pulling me into his arms. His arms feel like home and I realized just how much I missed him.

He kissed my head before pulling away and I surprised him by kissing his lips hard. We had barely touched recently, it was my fault, but now I wanted him. I needed him and by the look in his eyes, he seemed to be able to tell.

"I love you, Hap." I told him and watched as his eyes darkened.

"I love you, Carmen." He said before he placed his lips on mine again. I tugged on his white shirt, pulling his body even closer to mine. A small moan escaped my lips when his hands went to my waist and pulled me into him. I remembered where we were and pulled away from him. His eyes were dark, full of lust, and I didn't blame him. We hadn't had sex or anything close to it for almost a month.

"You're mom..." I whispered, smirking slightly as I found the humor in the situation. It was as if we were naughty teenagers but we were really anything but.

"She said dinner is in an hour." He replied before leading me back to the spare bedroom I was staying in. He locked the door and dropped his back pack before lifting me off the ground and moving towards the bed. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist and he moved against me the moment my back hit the bed. It had been way to long.