(I forgot to change Nola's hair color in the picture; she's still blonde!)

ᅳ

RUBY EXCITEDLY KICKED her legs while sitting on her dad's arm, and Happy stood tensely next to where Nola lay, her stomach exposed so the doctor could do an ultrasound. Nola, on the other hand, was completely calm, neither tense nor nervous; just curious.

Happy was the one who started hinting a few months ago that he wouldn't mind having another child. If it were up to him, they would have five kids in the future. Nola, on the other hand, was okay with eitherᅳ one or five kids. Although five children would probably be too much for her.

But a sibling for Rubyᅳ yeah, she liked that.

"Oh, here it is", the doctor said enthusiastically, breaking the tense silence. His finger pointed at the screen, making it obvious that it was a baby. "So the tests didn't lie."

Nola craned her head to look up at Happy, her wide smile matching his as he stared first at the screen and then down at her. He squeezed her hand, which he had been holding this whole time, showing her that he was there for her.

"Told you", he grunted with a triumphant grin. "The tangerines gave you away, little girl."

Nola just rolled her eyes with a lighthearted chuckle. "Okay, fine, you were right. So you won the bet."

"I know", a raspy laugh crawled up Happy's throat, the wink he shot her having her weak in the knees. "I'll call the real estate agent who rents out one of the houses at the end of the street later."

"I see, big changes are planned already", the doctor, who had already been there through Ruby's pregnancy, let out a small laugh. "But I have one question; haven't you noticed anything the last few months, Ms. Lowman?"

"What exactly do you mean?" Nola furrowed her eyebrows, a little confused by the question, and Happy immediately straightened his shoulders, a flicker of concern flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah, what do you mean?", he also asked, his voice tinged with unease.

"Well, you can see for yourself that the baby is already quite big", the man in his fifties began with a wry smile. "You're already in four months along, almost five."

"She's what?!", Happy asked, astonished, dropping his hard shell as his eyes grew wide.

And Nola also stared at the man in disbelief, then at the screen. But the doctor was right, that's how big Ruby was back then when she was five month pregnant. "But I had my period regularly, this is the first time I'm overdue. And as you can see, I didn't again weight at all."

"Yeah, I noticed that you're not showing yet; although that's nothing too unusual", he immediately reassured the couple when he noticed the two exchanging worried glances. "Some women have their period throughout their entire pregnancy and never grow a belly; it doesn't happen all too often, but it can happen."

"So the child is still fine?", Happy inquired impatiently, squeezing Nola's hand supportively.

The doctor nodded quickly. "Yeah, absolutely. There is nothing unusual to see and I'll make sure to check the heartbeat right away."

Nola breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, that..that sounds good."

As the doctor continued to slide the small device over Nola's stomach, he paused at one point and pointed to another spot. "Here you can see the heart beating strongly. And", the man typed something into the large device next to him and then smiled. "Now you can also hear it."

A strong pounding sound filled the room, the heartbeat strong and regular. Nola gasped, quickly looking up at Happy who was listening intently to the heartbeat, his face unreadable but the the way his dark eyes lit up immediately said everything.

Even Ruby was quiet now, clinging to Happy with her head tilted forward as if she could hear better the closer she got to the ultrasound device. Even though the girl didn't quite understand how they could already hear the baby when it wasn't even here yet, her big eyes filled with excitement.

Happy swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the feeling of hearing his child's heartbeat. Instinctively, he cradled Ruby closer, his cheek resting against her curls as he looked down at Nola with pride.

"Can't believe we're actually going to be parents again", he murmured, his rasp low and thick with emotion.

"Our second little miracle." Nola choked back a sob of joy, suddenly hit by all the emotions. She timidly returned the pressure of Happy's hand, her gaze sliding to Ruby. "That's your little sister or brother, baby."

"Well, I could actually tell you more about that", the doctor hinted, adjusting his glasses as the adults snapped their heads towards him, making him chuckle. "It seems today is a good day for you, the baby isn't shy at all. Do you want to know what it will be?"

Before the two could answer, exchanging a quick look to see if they were both sure they wanted to know, Ruby answered for her parents.

With her chin raised proudly, she chirped her next words. "I want to know!"

"Not even giving us a chance to decide for ourselves", Happy chuckled, letting go of Nola's hand for a moment to run it over Ruby's head. Her giggle filled his chest with warmth, getting him all soft again. "Just as impatient as your mom."

"Hey! I can hear you!" Nola playfully swatted Happy's hip, drawing a laugh from him. "But I actually wanna know, too. What about you?"

"Pleaaaase daddy", the three-year-old pleaded, once again looking at her dad with that puppy face. "Mommy and I wanna know!"

Happy didn't hesitate when all eyes were suddenly on him, instead he just nodded firmly. "I wanna know, too."

Ruby squealed with joy, clapping her little hands, which made Happy laugh in turn as he could feel the excitement rushing through her body as she began to wiggle his arms again.

And Nola couldn't help but laugh either, just happy to see that Ruby was happy instead of jealousᅳ which had always been one of her biggest worries. But apparently Ruby was ready for a sibling.

The doctor grinned kindly and didn't want to keep the little family in suspense any longer. Again he pointed to a certain spot. "Here you can clearly see that it's a boy; no doubt about it."

Happy and Nola both tilted their heads to look at the screen, and indeed it looked like they were having a boy. Nola's stomach did a flip, her smile spread from ear to ear.

"I'm having a brother?!" Ruby began to squirm with joy so much that Happy had to hold her with both arms so she wouldn't slip. "When can I see him?"

Happy barked an amused laugh. "It'll be a few months, bug."

"I know that sounds long; but still not as long as we thought", Nola added, chuckling softly. "Now we have both; a girl and a boy."

"Sounds pretty perfect to me", Happy croaked, pure pride reflecting in his eyes. "And he'll be just as perfect as Ruby."

Nola beamed, nodding eagerly as she glanced at the screen. "He will."

The longing to finally see and hold their baby was almost unbearable, but until then they'd make sure to get everything they needed.

ᅳ

WHEN HAPPY PARKED in front of Bobby's house, he gently grabbed Nola's wrist and pulled her back as she was about to get out. "I got something to do, you mind if you and Ruby do this alone with Bobby and Ginny today?"

"No, that's okay", the blonde assured her husband but still looked at him questioningly. "Why so suddenly? Where do you have to go?"

Happy grinned slightly, letting go of her wrist to cup her cheek in his palm. "I just realized we only have about five months left. I just wanna check out a few houses in the area, see if I can get anywhere."

"Jesus, I thought something had happened", Nola chuckled, the relief definitely audible. Leaning forward a little, she rubbed the tip of her nose against his before resting her forehead against his. "Are you sure you wanna do this alone? I can help you, baby."

"Bobby's already looking forward to spend an afternoon with you two and Ginny again", he croaked, stealing a kiss from her lips. "Besides, you shouldn't do too much. I'll take care of it."

"Are you sure?", the blonde asked again just to be sure, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Is it okay if I tell Dad and Ginny about the baby?"

"You think our child would keep her mouth shut about it?", the SAA asked, casting an amused glance to the back seat where Ruby was already trying to free herself from her seat. "Tell him, I don't mind. And call me when you want me to pick you up."

"You're right, it wouldn't stay a secret for long." Nola laughed softly, grabbing Happy's face to pull him in. Their lips met in a gentle but almost heated kiss, leaving room for more.

Nola pulled back with a frustrated groan, but Happy just smirked, wanting more just as much as she did. "Gotta treat you real good tonight, little girl, promise."

"I hope so for you", the blonde quipped as she grabbed her bag that was still tugged between her legs. "Don't do too much, okay?"

"I'll be fine, baby", Happy winked, sliding his hand down to Nola's stomach. Rubbing his thumb in circular motions against the fabric of her black top, the corner of his mouth twitched upwards. "Can't wait to meet the little man."

Nola immediately relaxed under the touch, resting her head against the headrest as she looked at Happy, watching the pride grow in his eyes. "And I can't wait to see you again with a baby in your arms, that always did something to me. My ovaries always screamed for another child every time Ruby fell asleep on your chest or something like that."

Happy's chest vibrated with a rough laugh, his eyes locking with Nola's. "Guess that won't be our last baby then."

"Who knows, maybe not." Wiggling her eyebrows, Nola leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek before slipping out of the car to help Ruby out of her seat. "Come on baby, let's tell Grandpa and Aunt Ginny you're going to be a big sister!"

"I wanna tell him!" Ruby hastily climbed out of her seat, almost stumbling over her own little feet.

"Hey, I'm not getting a bye anymore?" Happy grumbled, his head turned toward the back seat, just managing to grab Ruby by her green jacket. "Bring me some of whatever you're baking today, will you do that for me?"

Ruby giggled, climbing back into the car. "I always bring you something, daddy."

"That's my girl. Alright, don't keep your mom waiting any longer", he pinched Ruby's cheek lovingly as she nudged the tip of her nose against his, something she always did that made the stoic killer puddy in her hands. "Love you."

"We love you too", Nola chirped with a sweet smile as she glanced at him one more time after Ruby got out.

After she closed the door, Happy waited until his wife and daughter were at the front door and until Bobby let them both in. Better safe than sorry, after all, Alden was a free man now.

ᅳ

GINNY PLOPPED DOWN on one of the chairs in the kitchen, her feet stretched out so Ruby could climb onto her lap, flour and dough all over her clothes. "I'm telling you, baking will definitely never become my hobbyᅳ I'll leave that up to you guys."

"Ah, come on, you gotta have to be just a little like me, not just like your mother", Bobby teased his older daughter, gently nudging her foot with the tip of his shoe. "Otherwise we'll have to find something else that the four of us can do together once a month."

A smile crossed Nola's face as she divided the remaining batter into muffin tins. "I think it's good that we all do something together at least once a month now."

"Me too", Ruby exclaimed, the girl now planted firmly on Ginny's lap as she licked the batter off the spoon her mom had given her. "Can I have more, mommy?"

But Nola shook her head, turning to her daughter. "No, baby, otherwise you'll get a stomachache. You can have a muffin later, okay?"

"But mommy pleaaaaase",the three-year-old pouted, trying her best to convince her mother that another spoon wouldn't hurt her.

"Hey butterfly, listen to mommy, okay?" Ginny lovingly pinched Ruby's tiny nose, smiling as the girl giggled. "And the muffins you baked, you can share with your daddy later, okay?"

A hearty laugh rumbled through Bobby's chest, his belly moving as he laughed. "If she shares with him."

"I always share, grandpa", Ruby defended herself with an innocent smile. "Mommy is having another baby", the girl sing-sang, completely unfazed as she began to play with the rings on Ginny's fingers, not even looking up at anyone. "And it's a boy!"

Ginny's mouth fell open, Bobby dropped the baking pan he was washing back into the water and Nola just cleared her throat, scratching the side of her forehead as she felt caught. She had only been waiting for Ruby to burst out the news.

"Nola!" Ginny quickly got up after sitting Ruby down on the empty chair next to her, staring at her sister. "You're pregnant?!"

"And how far along if you already know that it's going to be a boy?" Bobby chimed in, both now standing directly in front of the Lowman woman, studying her. "Jesus, it's true..", Bobby stated with a wide grin as Nola's cheeks now had a red tint to them.

"Why would Ruby lie to you?", she asked with a cheeky chirp, casually shoving her hands into the back pockets of her dark blue jeans. "Happy and I had a feeling, well, actually only Happy. Because he saw me eating tangerines", the blonde chuckled. "And after three positive tests we made an appointment. And what can I say.."

"Oh my God!!" Ginny didn't wait a second longer and threw her arms around her younger sister, almost knocking Nola over as the two women stumbled back with a laugh. "I'm going to be an aunt again, I can't believe it!"

"Jesus, you'll kill me if you hold on any harder", Nola choked out a laugh as she wasn't even able to move her arms anymore in Ginny's tight grip.

"Shit, sorry!" Ginny smiled sheepishly as she slowly let go of Nola and placed her hands against her sister's arms, her body literally shaking with excitement. "That's the best news, I swear!"

Especially after the news that Alden was back and had already threatened her sister, Ginny was just glad that there was some good news that shed some light on the darkness that was currently descending over the clubᅳ everyone wanted Alden dead; especially Bobby, Happy and Ginny.

"I have to agree with your sister." Bobby stepped forward to pull his youngest into his arms, placing a kiss on the top of her head as Nola snuggled up to himᅳ just like she always did. "I'm so happy for you and Happy, sweetheart. You deserve all the happiness you can have."

"Thanks dad", the blonde murmured against his chest, her arms wrapped around him as far as they would go. For a moment she felt truly safe, any bad feelings about Alden gone as she found comfort in her father's arms. "That's why Happy didn't come today, because he really wants to look at some houses."

Bobby had to chuckle, nodding. "I'm not surprised, he's been wanting a bigger house for a while. I think it was his plan to expand the family."

Ginny snorted a laugh as she sat back down, Ruby back on her lap. "Please, we all knew that already. Have y'all seen how he treats Ruby? The guy loves kids."

Nola stepped back a little, unable to bite back a laugh as she shot her sister an amused look. "No, he loves his kidsᅳ not all kids."

"Okay fine", Ginny smiled with a roll of her eyes. "Then he loves his kids. But the man definitely wanted more; and that one", the blonde pointed to Nola's belly. "Won't be the last one, girl."

"Can you maybe let me have this kid first before we talk about another one?" Nola asked with a theatralic whine, leaning against the counter after she put the muffin tin in the oven. "But who knows, maybe there'll be another one. I still want to be able to give them all equal attention though."

"Hey, I don't mind having more grandchildren. And each one will always get enough attention from someone, sweetheart", Bobby stated confidently, patting his youngest's cheek. "You have enough babysitters if you and Happy ever wanna do something fun with only one of your kids. This way all of 'em get enough quality time with their parents."

"And I hope I'm the first one you call", Ginny said sterlny, hugging Ruby's small frame as the three-year-old started singing, which she often did. "But how come you haven't noticed yet?"

"You and Dad will always be at the top of the babysitting list", Nola assured her sister with a smirk before shrugging her shoulders. "To be honest, I have no idea. I still had my period and didn't gain any weightᅳ but the doctor says that can happen."

"Aww, I bet Happy secretly wishes you would show it soon", Ginny said with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "He was literally obsessed with your baby bump when you were pregnant with Ruby, at least that's what you said."

"He was, sometimes I think he was even sad when the belly was gone", Nola chuckled, but better that than a man who blamed his wife for her weight even during the pregnancy.

"There's a very simple explanation for that." Two bottles clinked together as Bobby pulled them out of the fridge, handing one to Nola and one to Ginny before filling Ruby's cup with apple juice. "We men know that you are carrying our kids, that they wouldn't exist without youᅳ that just fills us with pride and while you women are already bonded to the baby, we men can only bond with the child by talking to them or touching your belly."

Nola and Ginny exchanged an impressed look. Bobby was someone who always found the right words, they knew that, but that was even more touching.

"There might actually be something to that", Ginny hummed as she wrapped one of Ruby's big curls around her finger and released it again. With a longing expression, she looked at Nola's belly. "I hope it's my turn soon. I just need the right guy for it."

"It's actually true. Happy always talked to Ruby, or touched my belly at every opportunity. And the two were inseparable from the first day on", Nola said proudly, the memories of the first weeks with Ruby still some of the most beautiful she had. "Hey, the right guy will come, Ginny. And then you'll make me an aunt too."

"Jesus, I have to save money for all the Christmas presents I have to buy in the future", Bobby muttered into his beard, followed by a laugh as his daughters also had to laugh.

But it was Ruby who made everyone laugh even more as her head shot up, her look completely serious. "I want a dollhouse for Christmas! Can I have one?"

Ginny ruffled her niece's hair. "Sweetie, it was only Christmas. You still have plenty of time to think about what you want."

"Hmm..no, I want a dollhouse", Ruby chirped in, her short legs dangling from Ginny's lap. "Will the baby be here by Christmas?"

"Yes, the baby will be here by then." Bobby leaned down a little towards his granddaughter, lowering his voice as if he was about to tell her a secret. "I'm gonna call Santa later so he already knows what you want for Christmas."

Ruby's eyes lit up, her pigtails bouncing as she nodded her head quickly. "I like that! Thanks, Grandpa."

Nola took a sip of her soda, watching the scene in awe as Ginny joined in and whispered to Ruby what else she could ask for for Christmas. It was good to have her family here, even though her mom was still way too far awayᅳ Nola was just grateful to have found so much happiness again after Alden.

And it had to stay that way; for her, for Happy and for their children.

word count; 3476

author's note; hey guys! If you haven't seen it, I published a new Jax story (BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS). I'd appreciate it if you could check it out. Thank you. 🤎