Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Here's a new chapter, hope you like it :)

Chapter 21

Charlotte woke up and looked at the clock. It was 9:30 am. She sat up and stretched, yawning. She wanted to get in a quick run since she had been neglecting it lately. She decided she would check in with her mother before she did, not wanting to feel the wrath of Gemma if she was waiting on her to get up.

She walked downstairs in her pajamas. Her mother smiled at her when she entered the kitchen. "Good morning," she said, sitting on a stool at the counter.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep okay?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, I did, thanks. Do you need me right away or can I go for a quick run?"

Gemma rolled her eyes. "Aren't you on spring break? Doesn't that mean you're supposed to take a break from school and running and all that crap?"

She laughed at her mother. "Hey, running is a good thing. It's good for my heart, you know, as well as my figure."

"Yeah, yeah. I don't run, even if someone's chasing me," Gemma replied.

"Oh no?"

"No, baby that's what my gun is for," she said simply.

It was Charlotte's turn to roll her eyes. "Should've guessed that. Well, I won't be gone long." Charlotte stood up and kissed her mother's cheek before heading back upstairs. She changed into a sports bra and shorts and put her long blonde hair up in a ponytail. She put on socks and her running shoes before heading out.

It had been quite some time since she had run around the streets of Charming. Why, the last time she had been running in Charming she was in a wedding dress. Running away… Oh, how times have changed.

She ran through the residential areas before she made her way out onto the main road. She ran past the diner they had eaten at just 2 days ago where she was arrested… as well as the other stores that had been there since she was a child. It was bringing back some memories, mostly good ones.

She heard the roar of a group of motorcycles and she turned her head to the left to look. She saw Happy in the group who nodded at her. She smiled back at him and she slowed down into a walk.

He pulled off and parked at the curb. Charlotte walked over to him, standing next to his motorcycle. "Hey," she said catching her breath.

"Hey yourself, gorgeous," he replied, taking a hold of her hand and pulling her to him, kissing her hard. "Are you sleep running or something?"

Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

Happy looked down at her exposed body and then back up to her eyes. "You're missing some clothes," he said simply.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and smiled at him. "Hap, this is California. I know I run in sweats and a sweatshirt in Washington, but here it's way too hot to do that. I'd pass out from heat exhaustion."

Happy shook his head. "Just don't like other people staring at my woman."

She scoffed. "No one is even paying attention to me!" she tried to reason with him.

He gestured towards the building behind her. Charlotte turned and looked into the window of Floyd's barber shop where several men were outright staring at her ass and chest.

She suddenly felt exposed and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Pigs," she muttered.

Happy moved her arms away from her chest and pulled her towards him again, pressing her up against his chest. "I wanna rip their eyes out for lookin' at you," he started. "But I'd be staring too. You're beautiful."

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I'm glad you think so, that's all that matters to me," she replied and kissed him softly.

Happy gave her a smile, dimples and all, when he pulled back. "We're headed out to Lodi for a while, but we'll be back for dinner tonight. I gotta go catch up with them."

She nodded and stepped back. "Yeah, I should get back home. I'm sure my mom is wondering where I am by now," she replied. "Be safe."

He winked and gave her a nod before he sped off down the road again. She watched him go until she could no longer see him. She didn't dare glance back into the window of Floyd's again, instead she turned back towards the way she came and headed home.

When she got back home the kitchen was packed with women- old ladies and croweaters chatting and preparing food. It was just after 11 am. It was going to be a long day.

She spotted her mother and walked over to her. "Hey, ma, I'm just going to take a quick shower and then I'll be able to help with whatever you need," she said. Gemma nodded and Charlotte headed up the stairs.

She decided that she would curl her hair for this occasion, leaving it down. It flowed past her shoulders, about to the length of her midback. It was getting a little long for her liking, she'd need a cut soon.

Annie would be wearing a dress that evening, but Charlotte decided on jean shorts and a floral tank top for herself with a pair of wedges. She laid everything out and got into the shower. An hour and a half later she was dressed and ready, including hair and makeup.

She walked down the stairs finding even more women inside the house and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Luann Delaney spotted her and walked over. "Charlotte, doll, it's so good to see you! How are you?"

"Hey Luann, it's great to see you too! I'm great, how are you?" She hugged her.

"I'm great, kid. I know your mom sure is happy to have you home."

Charlotte nodded at her mom's good friend. "I'm happy to be here too. It's been too long."

"Charlotte, come on! I need your help!" Gemma yelled.

"Sorry, Luann, duty calls," she apologized and walked over to help her mom.

By 6 o'clock everything was ready. Clay and Jax had arrived before the other guys because Gemma had Clay on barbeque duty. The two guys were in the back manning the grill when Annie walked in the house.

Charlotte frowned at her friend. She wasn't in the dress they had gotten the other day. "Hey, Annie," she started.

Annie walked up to Charlotte, holding up a bag. "I have it in here, don't look at me like that! I need your help to get ready."

Charlotte nodded and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the stairs. "Mom, Annie and I will be back in a bit," she said, dragging her up the stairs. "Why aren't you dressed and ready?"

Annie sighed and looked at Charlotte who just closed her bedroom door. "I don't know, don't you think my dress is a little much?"

Charlotte crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "No, I think you look great in it, I wouldn't have convinced you to get it if I didn't think so!"

"I'm not ready for this!"

"Annie, I love you, but you are just as bad as he is if you don't do something! This is your opportunity. Put your big girl panties on and get your man!" Charlotte exclaimed, arms flailing.

Annie looked back at her friend, Charlotte thought she resembled a deer in headlights. "I just don't think this is the best time for this," Annie stated.

Charlotte sighed and reached out to hold Annie's hands. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Annie, but you should still wear that dress. You look absolutely beautiful in it. Just get changed and come downstairs when you are ready. It will be a fun night." Charlotte gave Annie a smile and walked back out of her bedroom, closing the door behind her.