💘( In the Wake of Loss! )✨

FOUR

[ Fírinne ]

( 🏍️💀💘👪💒🔫 )

" Fuck me, Alfie. We're a pair, aren't we? Your family walks in on you mid-shag, and I nearly sleep with my long-lost brother. What a life. "

~ TRINITY ASHBY to ALFIE TELFORD 

☆《》¤

GUEST STARRING

CAIT TELFORD

(KATE DICKIE)

THE ESTRANGED AUNT 

"He was a fool! Always dotting over my darling brother. I warned him—told him exactly what would happen if he followed him down that same reckless path. But just like Filip, he never listened. And look where it got him—blow to shite!"

☆《》¤

ALFIE'S OUTFIT 

CAIT'S OUTFIT 

THE TENSION INSIDE CAIT TELFORD'S KITCHEN WAS SUFFOGATING, as Fiona, Alfie, and Kerrianne sat around the dining table. Juice stood nearby, quietly keeping watch as Chibs had asked him to. His presence, however, didn't sit well with Cait, whose cold, steely eyes flicked toward him every so often, her disdain clear. The SAMCRO kutte on his back seemed to amplify her resentment for everything the MC stood for.

Cait's rigid posture remained unmoved as the news sank in. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked at Fiona, her face betraying no emotion.

"How'd it happen?" Cait's voice was cold, detached.

Fiona met her gaze, bracing herself for the weight of the conversation, "Explosion," she said simply, her voice steady, but her eyes reflecting the weight of the tragedy.

Cait took a small sip of tea, her expression indifferent, "Was it at least quick?"

Fiona hesitated for a moment, but nodded, "Aye."

Cait set her mug down with deliberate care, "Where's Filip?"

At this, Fiona, Alfie, and Kerrianne all lowered their heads, quietly sipping their tea, unable to meet the stern woman's gaze—Their silence told her everything she needed to know. 

Cait let out a small, derisive chuckle, "Couldn't face me, huh?" she muttered, taking another slow sip from her cup. "Bloody coward." Her tone was sharp, almost mocking.

Fiona spoke next, hoping to soften the conversation, feeling her youngest daughter tense beside her, and noticing Alfie clenching her fists angrily under the table, "We could help you with the funeral arrangements." 

Cait scoffed, her eyes flashing with bitterness, "Funeral arrangements?" She leaned back in her chair, giving Fiona a dismissive glance, "Nah, take him to the crematorium. Burn the body. No need for anything else." 

The cold, callous words hit Alfie like a slap to the face. Her body tensed, and in a swift movement, she shot to her feet, slamming her hands down on the table. The sound echoing through the room, "He's your son!" she finally snapped, her voice laced with fury, the disbelief evident in her eyes. She couldn't understand how a mother could be so indifferent, so cruel.

Cait didn't even flinch. She looked up at Alfie with icy detachment, "He was a fool! Always dotting over my darling brother." Her voice dripped with disdain as she glared at Alfie. "I warned him—told him exactly what would happen if he followed him down that same reckless path. But just like Filip, he never listened. And look where it got him—blow to shite!" 

Alfie clenched her fists, the anger boiling under her skin. Fiona, sensing her daughter's rage, reached out and gently grabbed her hand, trying to calm her. Fiona gave Cait a long, weary look before speaking, "I'll take care of it all. You don't need to worry. You won't have to pay a cent. I'll cover the costs." Fiona's voice was soft but resolute as she stood up, gesturing for her daughters to follow. "Come on, girls, let's go." 

Kerrianne immediately rose to her feet, her face pale and uneasy, while Alfie stood frozen for a moment, glaring daggers at Cait. As her mother and sister started toward the door, Alfie couldn't hold back her disgust. Before turning to leave, she spat on the floor near Cait's feet, her eyes burning with hatred, "Loyalist pig," she hissed, the venom in her voice unmistakable.

Juice, who had been standing quietly by the door the entire time, fought the urge to smirk. Watching Alfie explode like that, the fire in her eyes—she really was her father's daughter. And without a word, he followed the women out of the house.

Once outside, Kerrianne's panic finally bubbled to the surface, "Ma, what are we gonna do? We can't afford all that," she said, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. 

Fiona, calm as ever, pulled her daughter into a comforting embrace, "We'll figure it out, Kerri. Padraic deserves a proper send-off." 

Alfie lingered at the edge of the driveway, still fuming. She watched as Cait's front door shut behind them, feeling a sense of closure, but also resentment.

Juice walked up beside her, catching the tail end of the glare she still had aimed at Cait's house. He gave her a sideways glance, smirking slightly, "You know, every time you go off like that, I'm reminded just how much you're like your father—tough as nails, no nonsense." 

Alfie laughed lightly, shaking her head in amusement as they continued to walk, "Is that a compliment or a warning?"

"Definitely a compliment!" he said, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. "You've got that same fire in you. It's impressive." 

Alfie smirked proudly, "Well, I guess some of his stubbornness rubbed off on me. It's not always a bad thing, is it?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. 

Juice shook his head, "Not at all! You stand your ground, and I respect that. Plus, you handle things with a fierceness that keeps everyone on their toes."

Alfie chuckled, "Guess I've got to keep up the family legacy, then. Just don't expect me to wear a kutte or ride a bike anytime soon!"

Juice chuckled, "You'd look good in a kutte," he said, ruffling her hair, making her whine as she hurried to flatten it out, making him laugh some more. "But fair enough. You're your own kind of badass." 

They both chuckled, as they caught up with Fiona and Kerrianne at the end of the driveway where Alfie had parked her car, the windshield now fixed thanks to her Pa. 

***

The air in Alfie's small living room was heavy, a mix of exhaustion and grief pressing down on both of them. Alfie sat on the couch, her hands shaking slightly as she sifted through the papers that littered the coffee table, each one a reminder of the task at hand: planning Danny's funeral. Across from her, Juice leaned against the couch, his face drawn, but his eyes stayed locked on her, watching her struggle to hold herself together. All the while, Koda slept on his bed in the corner, his soft snores filling the room. 

"Should I do an open casket?" Alfie asked, her voice small, almost as though she were asking Danny for permission.

Juice hesitated. He didn't know the right answer; he didn't even know Danny, "Whatever feels right to you, Al," he said softly, moving closer. "But...I think it might be good to give his family a chance to say goodbye."

"He didn't have any family," Alfie muttered, her voice almost monotone and void of emotion. 

Juice leaned over, placing a finger under her chin as he gently lifted her head, making her meet his sympathetic gaze, "He had you." 

Alfie forced a tight smile, appreciating Juice's kind words, his presence a comfort she didn't know she needed.

"Okay, open casket it is," she decided, though the weight of the decision settled like a stone in her chest. The idea of seeing Danny like that, so still, so unlike him, filled her with a dread she couldn't quite shake. But Juice was right. Kellan, Maureen—they needed their chance to say goodbye, too.

As she flipped through another page, arranging details that felt so trivial and yet impossible to overlook, Juice crouched beside her, his hand resting gently on her knee. His touch was grounding, a quiet presence in the chaos of her mind.

"You don't have to do this alone," Juice murmured, his dark eyes soft as they searched her face. "Let me take some of this off your shoulders."

Alfie shook her head, stubbornness flaring despite her exhaustion, "It's my responsibility," she whispered. "Danny...he was my best friend. He deserves...everything."

Juice's grip on her knee tightened slightly, just enough to remind her he was there, "Yeah, but you can't do everything, Alfie. Not right now." His voice was firm but gentle. "You're not alone in this. I've got your back, always."

Alfie looked at him, the words resonating in a place she had long tried to wall off. Juice had been there for her many times before, even if it was just over the phone. But this—this was different. She was grieving her best friend, a loss that cut deeper than she had ever imagined. But Juice was right. She couldn't carry it all by herself.

She let out a shaky breath, "I don't know how to do this," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I don't know how to say goodbye."

Juice stood, moving closer as he pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping around her in a way that felt safe—warm, "You don't have to figure it out all at once," he said quietly. "One step at a time, yeah?" 

Alfie clung to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck, taking in the scent of his cologne which mixed with the familiar smells of tabaco, whiskey and a hint of weed.

As she pulled back, she caught a glimpse of movement outside her living room window. Fiona and Kerrianne were speaking quietly with Father Kellan. Alfie knew they were busy sorting out the details for Padraic's funeral. 

Kerrianne's face was drawn, her eyes hollow, her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to shield herself from the chaos that enveloped her life. 

"I should be helping them," Alfie muttered, guilt creeping in. "I should be there for Kerri. Losing Padraic broke her heart." 

Juice shook his head, "Fiona's with her, she's got it. They're handling it. But right now, Danny needs you."

Alfie bit her lip, torn between the two losses, the two funerals that felt like they were slowly suffocating her. But Juice's words anchored her once more, reminding her that she couldn't be everywhere at once. She had to focus on one step at a time. 

"Okay," she whispered, nodding slightly. "Okay."

Juice offered her a small, reassuring smile, before picking up one of the papers on the desk, "So, where do we start? Flowers, music?"

Alfie glanced down at the list, her mind still spinning with everything that needed to be done, "Danny hated flowers," she said with a small, bitter laugh. "He always said they were a waste of money. I guess that explains why he never had a girlfriend. Either that or he was just gay. You never knew with Danny, you know?" 

Juice chuckled softly, "No flowers, then. Got it."

They fell into a quiet rhythm, Juice helping Alfie make the arrangements, taking small tasks off her plate whenever he could. It was tedious work, each decision bringing another reminder of the finality of it all. But with Juice by her side, Alfie felt a little less like she was drowning.

As they worked, the sun began to set outside, casting long shadows through the windows. Alfie caught another glimpse of Kerrianne and Fiona, still in deep conversation with Father Kellan. Kerrianne's arm was linked with her mother's, her expression one of quiet determination.

Alfie took a deep breath, feeling a small pang of guilt that she wasn't there for her sister right now. But as she looked back at Juice, still patiently waiting for her next instruction, she realised that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to do it all.

She wasn't alone. And she'd never be again. 

***

The night was quiet, the only sound being the gentle rush of the river as it wove its way through the countryside. The moonlight shimmered on the water, casting a soft glow across the riverbank. Alfie stood at the edge, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the current, lost in her thoughts. She had come here to escape the noise, the grief, the weight of everything. It was her spot, a place where she could breathe.

The crunch of boots on gravel snapped her out of her reverie. She glanced over her shoulder to see Happy approaching, his hands shoved into his pockets, his usual unreadable expression on his face, "Figured I'd find you out here, Bella," he said, his voice low and gravelly as always, but this time carried a hint of teasing. 

Alfie raised an eyebrow, as if saying, 'excuse you', but couldn't help the faintest smile that crossed her face, "What gave me away?"

Happy shrugged, stepping closer until he was standing beside her, looking out over the water, "You weren't at your house. Figured you'd be where it was quiet. And Juice might of mentioned you like coming here when you have a lot on your mind." 

Alfie's entire family was now staying in her cramped apartment. Her father's idea. After what went down with Jimmy—it was his way of keeping his family close and protected. Alfie loved her family, don't get her wrong, but for someone who was used to their own space, it just felt suffocating at times. 

A taunting smirk stretched across her lips as she playfully nudged Happy, "So, you were looking for me, huh?" 

Happy simply grunted in response, his gaze locked on the water. 

And for a moment, neither of them spoke, both just standing there, side by side, staring at the river. Alfie let out a sigh, her arms dropping to her sides. She felt the weight of everything creeping back in—The funerals, the grief, the loss. She didn't want to think about it anymore.

"You okay?" Happy asked, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

Alfie shook her head, not trusting herself to speak at first. Then, with a small smirk, she glanced at him, "No. But I don't want to talk about it." Her gaze shifted back to the water, her eyes narrowing as a thought crossed her mind, "In fact, I'm tired of thinking altogether."

Before Happy could ask what she meant, Alfie pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it to the ground. Happy blinked, caught off guard as she continued to undress, quickly stripping down until she was completely bare.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Happy's voice was rough, but there was a hint of amusement in it.

Alfie flashed him a grin, completely unapologetic as she stood at the riverbank, bare under the moonlight, "I'm going for a swim. I need a distraction to help get me out of my own head."

Without another word, she stepped into the river, gasping at the cold but pushing forward until she was waist-deep. She turned back, her grin still firmly in place, "You coming or what?"

Happy chuckled, shaking his head, "Are you mad, woman?! It's freaking freezing!" 

"Maybe. But I'm not the one who can't keep staring. Like what you see, huh?"  Alfie called back, splashing a little water in his direction. "Feel free to check out my tits, ya?" She giggled, turning around and diving into the water. 

Happy hesitated for a moment, then, with a smirk of his own, he pulled off his hoodie, taking his shirt with it. Alfie raised an eyebrow as she watched him strip down, her eyes tracing the tattoos that covered his body, specifically the smiley faces that aligned his torso. 

Alfie had heard the story from Juice once, how Happy earned every single one of his smiley face tattoos—each one marking a life taken. It wasn't a story that surprised her, given Happy's reputation, but the way Juice had told it, with a mix of awe and unease, stuck with her.

Now, seeing those little black inked faces on his skin firsthand, it unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite explain. There was something about them—so deceptively simple, almost childlike in their design—that clashed with the brutal reality they represented. It wasn't fear, not really, but a kind of recognition. She understood the darkness that lived in him, the kind that earned those marks.

But what unsettled her more was how they didn't scare her. In a strange, twisted way, she found herself drawn to them, to him. Maybe because she knew that under all the violence, Happy was still a man who could be gentle when he wanted to be—she'd seen that firsthand. The tattoos, while a constant reminder of what he was capable of, were just another layer of him. And Alfie had a way of accepting people, darkness and all. 

Still, every time she caught sight of those smiley faces glistening in the moonlight, a chill ran down her spine. Not because of what they meant, but because she wasn't sure what it said about her that she didn't mind them.

Alfie hadn't expected him to actually join her, but there he was, stepping into the water beside her.

"Now who's staring?" he muttered, the cold water hitting him hard as he moved closer.

Alfie laughed, the sound light and free, something she hadn't felt in a long time. It felt good to not think for once, to just be. The water was cold, but she didn't care. It was a distraction, and that was exactly what she needed.

They floated there for a while, the water swirling around them, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they drifted closer. There was a moment of quiet, the tension between them thickening with every passing second. Alfie's eyes met Happy's, and for a second, neither of them moved.

Then, without thinking, Alfie leaned forward, her lips brushing his in a tentative kiss. Happy momentarily pulled away at first in shock, briefly the consequences of him having his tongue down a brother's daughter's throat flashed through his mind, but he was quick to brush them off, and kissed her back. His hand finding the small of her back, pulling her closer as their kiss deepened.

The river lapped at their skin, but neither of them cared. It wasn't until the chill began to seep into their bones that Alfie finally pulled away, breathless, her forehead resting against his.

"We should probably get out before we freeze," she whispered, her voice husky.

Happy grunted in agreement, but neither of them moved for a moment longer, just standing there, holding onto each other in the water. 

Finally, they made their way back to the riverbank, grabbing their clothes as they hurried back to Alfie's house. 

Once inside, Alfie led the way to her very tiny bathroom, her hand gripping Happy's as they stumbled through the hall, the urgency between them building with every step. By the time they reached the shower, they were already tangled in each other, lips crashing together as the water poured down over them.

The steam from the shower filled the small space, thick and hot, making the air feel heavier as water cascaded down over their bodies. Alfie pressed Happy against the cool, tiled wall, her hands gripping his shoulders with a fierceness that matched the intensity in her eyes. She kissed him deeply, her lips aggressive, hungry. But beneath it, there was a desperation—a need for something real, something to ground her.

Happy, though normally rough and unyielding, was shockingly gentle with her. His hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing lightly over her cheeks, slowing her urgency. He kissed her back with tenderness, an almost unfamiliar softness that felt foreign but right. As their lips parted, Alfie looked into his dark eyes, searching for the fire that usually lived there, but instead, she found something deeper—something raw and unspoken.

"Slow down, Bella," Happy whispered, his voice gravelly but soothing, as his hands trailed down her arms. "Just...feel it."

Alfie hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by his gentleness. But as her breath hitched, she let him guide her. Her hands relaxed their grip, moving to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.

Every touch, every glance, held a kind of electricity that neither of them were used to. Alfie's usual fire burned brightly, but now it was tempered by the way Happy looked at her, as though he could see through every wall she had built. Her breath came out in short, ragged bursts as she pressed against him, her body demanding, but his touch remained steady, controlled, as if he wanted her to feel more than just heat—he wanted her to feel safe.

Happy's lips brushed the sensitive skin of her neck, and Alfie tilted her head back, a soft moan escaping. His hands traveled down, holding her firmly but not rough, like he was afraid she'd slip away if he let go. The sexual tension between them was palpable, both of them unaccustomed to this kind of connection.

Alfie's voice, usually full of sharp edges, was soft as she whispered, breathless, "I need you, Hap. Please, fuck me." 

Happy smirked, his lips curving against her skin, "Well, since you asked so nicely." His voice was low, almost reverent, as though he couldn't believe what was happening between them.

Happy pushed her back against the shower wall, the cool tile contrasting with the heat of their bodies. Happy let out a low growl as his hands found her waist, holding her as she kissed him fiercely, her teeth grazing his bottom lip.

She pushed his head back to expose his neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down his throat. Happy grunted, his fingers digging into her hips, "Bella..." he breathed, his voice rough, but there was a tenderness in the way he said the nickname he had given her the first day they met that made her heart stutter. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, searching for something in his face.

To Happy, the nickname fit perfectly, representing the fierce and untamed strength she carried, while acknowledging the softer side she hid behind her hardened exterior. The name might have started off as a teasing jab, a play on her Irish background and her fiery nature, but over time, it became something more—a term of endearment only he used, marking her as someone special to him in his own quiet way.

"Happy, please," she whispered, her voice softer now, the intensity between them shifting slightly. She pressed her forehead against his, their lips only inches apart as the warn water rained down on them, "I want you so bad." 

Happy cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek, his gaze locking with hers, "So needy, woman. Patience," he murmured, his voice low and gruff, full of teasing.

Her breath caught in her throat as his words settled between them, the weight of them making her knees weak. She had never needed anyone like this before, had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and yet...safe.

Happy pulled her closer, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other tangling in her wet hair. He kissed her then, soft and slow, the kind of kiss that made time stand still. Alfie moaned into his mouth, her hands gripping his shoulders as the tenderness of the moment consumed her.

They moved together as though their bodies were perfectly in sync, the slick heat between them building with every second. Happy hooked her leg around his waist, pulling her closer, as he spun her around and pressed her back against the shower wall. His hands moved down her body, fingers tracing the curve of her hips, her thighs, every inch of her skin alive with sensation.

When he finally entered her, it was slow, deliberate, every movement measured. His eyes never left hers, his brow furrowing slightly as if he was concentrating on every tiny reaction she had. Alfie let out a shaky breath, her nails digging into his shoulders, drawing blood that drippled down his back along with the water droplets as he filled her completely.

"Fuck, Hap..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, her fingers digging into his skin. All the rush and aggression was gone, replaced by something much more intimate, something neither of them had truly experienced before.

He pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling as they moved together in perfect rhythm, "Jesus Christ, woman," he whispered, his voice low and reverent. "You feel amazing."

Alfie bit her lip, her body trembling as they lost themselves in each other, the intensity of the moment building with each slow thrust. Every sound, every breath between them was electric, the chemistry undeniable. Alfie had never felt anything like this before, even with Liam. Liam was her first love and don't get her wrong, their sex life was great. But with Happy, there was this overwhelming connection, this sense of being seen, truly seen, for the first time.

Happy's hands were everywhere, caressing her skin, gripping her hips, holding her like she was something precious. His usual roughness was nowhere to be found, and it was disarming, yet completely exhilarating.

The tension between them built and built until neither of them could hold back any longer. Their moans mingled with the sound of the water hitting the tiles, their bodies moving together more fiercely now like two animals in the wild. 

"Bella," Happy rasped, his voice hoarse with need as he pressed her harder against the wall, his body trembling with the effort to hold back. Not wanting this moment to end so soon, but she just felt too damn good wrapped around him. 

"Don't stop," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper as she felt herself teeter on the edge, the overwhelming pleasure threatening to consume her completely.

***

Kerrianne padded down the hall toward the bathroom, rubbing her eyes. She was half asleep, only waking up because she needed to pee. The distant sound of running water caught her attention as she turned the corner. 'Must be Alfie,' she thought, figuring her sister was taking a shower before heading to bed. But as she reached for the door handle, completely unaware of what was happening behind it, she swung the door open without a second thought.

Her scream echoed off the tiled walls, louder than any alarm.

In front of her, Alfie was pressed up against the shower wall, completely tangled up with Happy Lowman in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Happy's eyes shot toward the door, his expression flat and mildly annoyed, while Alfie's head whipped around, her face immediately flushed with embarrassment.

"Kerri!" Alfie barked. "Shut the damn door!" 

Eyes wide with shock, Kerrianne fumbled for the handle and slammed it shut so hard the whole house seemed to shake.

But it was too late. The scream had already drawn the attention of their parents.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and within seconds, Chibs and Fiona were rushing down the hall, followed by Alfie's loyal companion, Koda. 

"What the hell's going on?" Chibs demanded, his voice filled with concern, scanning Kerrianne's pale face, while Koda barked with concern, scanning the room for any sign of the danger. 

Fiona was close behind, eyes narrowing at her daughter, "Kerri, are you okay, sweetheart?" 

Kerrianne stood frozen, her back against the door as if she could somehow physically block her parents from what she had just witnessed. But her wide eyes and stunned expression told them everything they needed to know — something was happening behind that door.

"Move, lass!" Chibs pushed past her before she could protest.

"No! Wait!" Kerrianne stammered, but it was too late. Chibs swung the door open, followed closely by Fiona and Koda, all of them stepping into the steamy bathroom.

The scene that met them was one neither of them could have anticipated. Alfie was still in the shower, glaring at them with flushed cheeks, trying to cover herself with whatever dignity she had left. Happy, meanwhile, didn't even bother to move, one hand still gripping Alfie's waist while his other rested on the shower wall. He looked as unbothered as ever, though clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Alfie rolled her eyes, clearly embarrassed but trying to maintain some level of composure, "Does anyone knock around here?!" she spat, pulling a towel off the rack and using it to cover herself. 

Happy simply grunted, clearly less embarrassed but equally annoyed, his gravelly voice cutting through the tension, "Apparently not."

Chibs blinked, his mouth slightly open as his brain tried to process the sight before him. Fiona, meanwhile, looked more amused than anything, an eyebrow raised as she surveyed the situation.

"Jesus Christ..." Chibs muttered, running a hand down his face, not knowing whether to laugh or yell. He'd seen some things in his lifetime, but this? Walking in on his daughter mid-rendezvous with Happy Lowman was something he wasn't prepared for.

Kerrianne was still standing outside the door, red-faced and mortified beyond belief, "I tried to stop you!" she called out, feeling a rush of second-hand embarrassment.

Alfie, her patience frayed, groaned into the towel, using it to cover her flushed face, "Can I get some goddamn privacy, please?" She gestured toward the door, practically shooing them out.

Fiona, ever the pragmatic one, stepped forward and grabbed Chibs by the collar, yanking him back toward the exit, tapping her knee to signal for Koda to follow behind, which he did immediately, his posture now a lot more at ease as if understanding the situation, "Come on, ya big eejit, let them finish." 

With a last glance between Alfie and Happy, Chibs allowed Fiona to drag him out of the room,  "Wait, finish?!" he mumbled under his breath, clearly unsettled but wise enough to let it go — for now.

The door finally closed, leaving Alfie and Happy alone once again. Alfie let out an exasperated sigh, leaning her head against Happy's chest.

"That...That was so humiliating," she muttered, shaking her head. 

Happy smirked, pressing a kiss to her damp hair, "Could've been worse," he said with a shrug. "At least your old man didn't see me railing ya," he said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Which speaking of..." he said suggestively, making his eyebrows jump, before tearing off her towel and tossing it aside as he rested his forehead against hers. Reaching out for the tap, he turned the water back on, pressing Alfie back up against the wall. "Jump," he grunted against her lips, his hands firmly gripping her ass. 

Alfie complied, her legs instinctively wrapping themselves around Happy's waist, and her arms went around his neck, while his hands slid up to grip her thighs, before entering her once again, this times his pace was quicker, harder, as if he was in rush, not wanting to be interrupted again. Alfie's pleasurable moans mingled with Happy's deep, gravelly grunts, that were only muffled once their lips collided once more, their tongues dancing together in a fiery tango. 

***

ALFIE'S OUTFIT 

Alfie stepped into SAMBEL's clubhouse, her cheeks slightly flushed, the clinking of her heels against the floorboards echoed through the space. She made a beeline for the bar, her mind spinning and emotions whirling. When she reached it, she found her best friend, Trinity, already there, hunched over a half-empty glass of whiskey.

Trinity barely glanced up as Alfie slid onto the stool next to her. Without a word, Alfie signalled for the prospect behind the bar to hand her a bottle of whiskey and an empty shot glass. 

After a moment, she turned toward Trinity, noticing the haggard expression on her face, "Ooh...You look awful," Alfie muttered, her eyebrows contorted and her mouth shaped into an 'O'. 

Trinity let out a bitter chuckle, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass, "Yeah, well...I guess it's just one of those days."

Alfie shot her a sidelong glance, noting the tension in her friend's posture, "Yeah, I'm sorry about McGee. He was a dick, but he was the closest thing you had to father." 

Alfie never liked the man—his rough, controlling nature, and the fact that he used to put his hands on Maureen disgusted her to her core. Any man who laid hands on a woman in anger, especially someone as strong-willed as Maureen, earned nothing but contempt in Alfie's eyes. She could never respect him for that, and it was something she never forgave.

Still, despite her dislike for him, there was a pang of guilt. McGee had been the closest thing to a father figure for Trinity, and she couldn't help but feel for her. Alfie hated seeing her friends hurt, and even if McGee was no saint, his absence would leave a gaping hole in her friend's life. It was that pain, not McGee's death itself, that made Alfie pause, clenching her jaw as she stared at the selection of whiskey and bourbon displayed on the shelf behind the bar, wishing she could make it better for those who mourned him. But for her? She wouldn't shed a single tear for a man like that.

Trinity sighed, downing the last of her whiskey and signalling for the prospect to refill her glass, "Yeah, it sucks. Ma's a wreck. But that's not it." 

Alfie frowned, tilting her head to the side as she searched her friend's face for answers, "What's eating ye, Triny?"

Trinity sighed deeply, taking a big gulp of her whiskey, before setting the glass down with a heavy thud, "It's my da'," she began, her voice low and hesitant.

Alfie raised an eyebrow, confused, "What about him?"

Trinity paused, clearly struggling with what she was about to say, "John Teller..." she whispered, staring into her glass as if the words would sting less if she didn't meet Alfie's eyes. "He's my father." 

Alfie blinked, her brain taking a moment to process the revelation, "John...Teller?" she repeated, incredulous. The name carried weight here in Belfast. "Wait," she said, shaking her head in confusion. "I thought your Da was a solider." 

Trinity nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line, "Aye. So did I...That's what Ma told me. I didn't know, Al. I almost..." She swallowed hard, shaking her head in disbelief, "I almost screwed my half-brother. Jax." 

Alfie's eyes widened in shock, "Bloody hell, Trin, that's..." She struggled to find the right words. "I always knew you had questionable taste in men, Trin, but going for your own brother? That's a whole new level, even for you," she mocked, finding the whole situation kind of hilarious. 

"Oi, shut it!" she scolded, shoving her best friend, making her laugh. "Like I knew at the time, all right? Not all of us have a radar for disaster like you do!" she muttered sarcastically, finishing off her drink in one big gulp. "I mean, Christ...what the hell kind of luck do I have?"

Alfie exhaled sharply, her hand resting on the shot glass the bartender slid her way when she first arrived. She threw back the liquor in one smooth motion, feeling it burn down her throat. She and Trinity were no strangers to life's twisted sense of humour, but this? This was a whole new level of messed up.

Alfie turned to her friend, trying to gauge how to comfort her, but the irony of their shared miseries was too much to ignore. After a moment of silence, she let out a small laugh—bitter, but genuine, "Well, if it makes you feel any better...my entire family just walked in on me and Happy doing it in the shower."

Trinity's head whipped toward her, her eyes wide with disbelief, "The lad that always looks like his doing a massive shite?" 

Alfie nodded, her lips quirking into an embarrassed smirk as she poured herself another shot, "That's the one," she muttered, downing the drink without a second thought.

Trinity blinked, then burst into a fit of laughter, the absurdity of their situations finally breaking through the heavy tension in the air, "That really gives his name a whole new meaning now." 

Alfie smirked mischievously, "Oh, and let me tell ye, Trin, when I say 'Happy', I mean 'Happy'," she said suggestively, making her eyebrows bounce. "Scared the hell outta me at first—didn't think it was gonna fit."

Trinity's hand shot to her mouth as her loud laugh reverberated through the four walls of the room, "Oh, Christ, you are so bad," she chuckled, playfully shoving Alfie in the shoulder, making her laugh as she almost fell from her stool, but Trinity was quick to grab her beforehand, making them both burst with laughter once more. 

"Hey, at least I can say for certain he is not my brother," she said, taking another jab at poor Trinity. 

"Fuck me, Alfie. We're a pair, aren't we?" Trinity shook her head, still chuckling, "Your family walks in on you mid-shag, and I nearly sleep with my long-lost brother. What a life."

Alfie groaned, leaning her head against the bar, "I swear, if this day gets any worse, I'm running for the hills." 

"And I'll be right behind ya." Trinity raised her glass in solidarity, "Cradle to grave, right?" 

Alfie clinked her glass against Trinity's, a smirk playing on her lips, "Always." 

Alfie and Trinity's bond was forged from the moment they took their first breaths, born just days apart. Their mothers often joked that they were destined to be together, inseparable from cradle to grave. And it became more than a joke—it became their unspoken promise. From the time they were toddlers, they were by each other's sides, causing mischief, surviving childhood heartbreak when their first dolls broke, and protecting one another from Danny, Liam, and Padraic's pranks. 

'Cradle to grave' wasn't just a saying for them; it was a vow that no matter what life threw their way, no matter the distance or chaos around them, they would always be there for each other. From the time they came into this world, they were each other's constant—through life, death, and everything in between.

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AESTHETIC

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