To Love a Son

Twenty Eight

Holidays in my family were always crazy because our 'family' was huge. In our minds, blood didn't make you family, loyalty did. It was Me, mom, Lyla, Tara, and a few other Old Ladies moving around the kitchen and getting things ready. I was finally at a place where I was doing well again, Happy wasn't worrying about me 24/7 and I was almost back to normal. I was still a little jumpy but I had made a lot of progress.

"Oh shit!" My mother's voice broke through the loud chatter in the conversation and I knew that something was wrong. "I'm out of salad dressings and butter." She thought about something for a second until her eyes landed on me and the look in her eyes told me exactly what she was thinking.

"Well looks like we won't be having either of those." I told her, not willing to do what she was about to ask.

"Don't be such a baby. Call Juice and run to the store for me." She walked over to her purse and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill before handing it to me. "Thank you." She said sarcastically and I was left with no other option but to do what she had said.

I grabbed my purse and walked towards the door, calling Juice as I did so.

"I'm not even late yet." He groaned, causing me to laugh.

"I need you meet me at the store." Another groan followed.

"You do realize that it's the single worst day of the year to go grocery shopping, right?"

"Mom needs things from the store and she is sending me. But, of course, if you don't want to go I can always just..."

"Oh, shut up." He interrupted. "I'm leaving now, see you there."

With that I hung up and made my way to the store. It was a quick drive but then again, everything was a quick drive in Charming. When I pulled into the grocery store parking lot it was full and I quickly became frustrated, surly not all these people made the same mistakes as my mother. I finally found a parking spot and met Juice at the entrance of the store.

"So, what did Gemma forget?"

"Salad dressings and butter." He scoffed and I smirked at his response.

"Wow, what a novice move."

"Tell me about it." He followed me through the store as I pushed through the herds of people and picked up what we needed. What should have taken us all of three minutes ended up taking us twenty. We were not amused. "Are you heading back to the shop?"

"Nah, I'll follow you to the house. By now the guys are probably already there." He walked be to my car before heading towards his bike and then following me back to my mom's house where everyone was gathering.

"I'm here! I'm here!" I called as I hurried through the front door of my mom's house with the grocery bag in my hand and Juice behind me. Laughter followed my words but I was ready to pass out after that trip to the store. "I can't believe you sent me into a store on the morning of Thanksgiving."

"You survived." Gemma took the bag from me and I jumped back into place. The guys were slowly starting to show up as the turkey was being pulled out of the oven. Most of the food had already been prepared since we had different people bring different things. It worked out best that way so mom didn't have to worry about making everything in her kitchen.

"Does Jax have Abel?" I asked Tara who smiled and nodded back.

"Yeah, but feel free to steal him."

"Don't have to tell me twice." I smirked before leaving the kitchen and walking into the massive living room where the guys were gathered. The kids were in the corner coloring and I spotted Jax standing near Tig and Juice with Abel in his arms. Abel was now big enough that he could sit up on his own and crawl. "Hand him over." I said as I neared him.

Jax's response was to laugh and do as he was told. I moved to sit on the floor in front of the fire place, which wasn't lit, and started playing with my nephew.

"You know Hap," Jax stated, getting all the guys' attention, "Carmen looks a little baby crazy, you ready for that, brother?"

My eyes shot up to Happy and my smile matched his.

"Whatever she wants."

"Always the right answer." Clay told him, slapping him on the shoulder. "You learned quickly."

"He had to if he wanted to survive in this family." Gemma pitched in as she came to check on everyone. "It's about time to eat if ya'll want to start moving to the table." Jax stole his son from me and Happy helped me to my feet.

"Baby crazy, huh?" He asked me quietly, a secret smile playing on his lips, and I smirked.

"You know the rules Hap, I want to do things in order."

He smiled, "Trust me, I know." He gave my hand a squeeze before we took our seats at the table. Jax and Tara were across from us with Clay at the head of the table and mom at the other end. The others were filled in around us and the family vibe was at its highest that it had been at in some time.

"Alright, so I heard something about a baby?" Kozik asked with a raised eye brow after we all started serving ourselves and eating. "Am I the only who didn't know?" His eyes looked between myself and Happy and I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"I'm not pregnant if that's what you're asking."

"She just wants to be." Gemma said with her all-knowing smirk. "Better get on that Happy." A few of the guys laughed and Happy snickered while shaking his head.

Happy was forty-six and most people would say he was way past the age of baby making but I didn't think so and I don't think he did either. I don't think he would have ever been ready before now, I think he was always too afraid to even consider settling down but look at him now.

"One day mom, don't rush him." I rubbed Happy's arm and he gave my leg a squeeze under the table. I caught the mischievous look in his eye but I wasn't sure what it was for. "Plus, we already have one baby to spoil right now." I looked at Abel who was smiling in Tara's arms.

"Yeah, but one more couldn't hurt." Mom argued and I just rolled my eyes and took a bite of food before Clay changed the subject.

Looking around the table, with all the guys there and the family together, I truly couldn't be more grateful. I was happy and in love, my heart was healing and my family was doing well. I knew we still things ahead of us to face like Weston getting out of jail and taking care of the rest of the club problems but I was more than glad to enjoy a peaceful day.