Page 1 of Sam’s Forever (Crow MC 2nd Generation)

CROW she’s smiling, “I love you, Sam.”

“I love you too, beautiful. Now before we get to your parents’ place, tell me what you want from our day.”

Ally’s quiet as she thinks before she replies, “I want us, our closest family, and friends. I don’t care about second cousins twice removed, business associates, and all the other crap.

I don’t need anywhere fancy; I’d do it at Crow Manor if there wasn’t so much construction happening with the renovations.

“Finger foods where we can all mingle and simple cake with cupcakes for everyone to eat. I don’t want a sit-down meal, and I don’t care about speeches. I do want a father-daughter dance, though.”

“Consider it done, baby. Leave it to me, okay?”

Ally’s eyes search mine for a minute, then she smiles, and my heart skips a beat like it does every time she smiles at me with so much love; I’ve a hard time believing it’s all for me.

Reaching up, she presses her lips to mine, tongue gently caressing my lips, seeking entry.

I don’t deny her, deepening the kiss. When our lips part, I press my forehead to hers.

“You’ll always come first, baby. From now on, anything that doesn’t sit right with you, let me know, and I’ll handle it.”

Ally nods, looking relieved, “Okay.”

We both turn as a vehicle comes to a stop next to us. When I see it’s Alec and Bren, I open my window.

“Everything okay?” Alec wants to know. When he sees Ally’s tear-stained face, he frowns.

“Don’t move,” he orders. Pulling up in front of us, he gets out of his vehicle.

Going around to Bren’s door, he helps her out.

Bren checks in the back where I know Lexie will be but must be happy because before long, they’re walking towards us hand in hand.

“What’s going on?” Bren wants to know when she sees that Ally’s upset.

“I just want to get married,” Ally explains.

“I don’t want all the circus that this is turning into.

This week it’s been about trying to find a venue big enough for everyone.

I don’t even know some of these people. I just want our closest family and friends.

I know Dad comes from a big family, but I don’t know all of them, and I’m not sure why we have to have clients at our wedding.

If this wedding was for one of our parents, I’d understand, but it’s mine and Sam’s wedding.

” Ally’s voice starts to tremble once more, and I can tell she’s about to burst into tears again.

Rubbing her back, I pull her against my chest and look at my sister and her Old Man.

Bren has a contemplative look on her face when she asks, “Ally, what do you think of the old Star Hotel? Have you ever been there?”

Bren’s talking about a Victorian hotel on the outskirts of Feannag Village.

It had been beautiful in its heyday; built with cream stone, it had four turrets and was on a large acreage with beautiful gardens.

I’d been inside once when Mum had been doing a job there and remembered it having a large, beautiful foyer with a chandelier, original tile floors, and two sweeping staircases that took you up to the rooms. It also had a gorgeous ballroom.

“I love it, but it’s been sold and they’re not taking bookings because of renovations.”

“I know,” Bren grins. “I bought it, but if I can get it done by September, would you like to have your wedding there? You and Sam can be my guinea pigs. Any of your out-of-town family can stay there no charge. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.

If you tell me what food you want, I’ll speak to the staff I’m keeping and see what we can do. ”

“Really?” Ally asks, looking relieved. “That would be amazing. We’ll pay you, though.”

Bren shakes her head, “No, we’ll set something up for my staff, but you’ll not pay for the rooms or the food; that’s my treat. Now, come on, let’s get to your folks and let them know what’s happening.”

Fuck! I love my sister, and I’m grateful she’s found a solution we can work with, and I tell her so. “Thanks, Bren, and congratulations on buying the hotel. I know you’ve had your eye on it for years.”

Bren grins as she wraps her arm around Alec’s, leaning up against him, “I got your back, big bro. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll get you sorted.” She tugs on Alec’s arm, “Come on, honey, let’s get going before Lexi wakes up.” Turning to us, she tells us, “See you both at the O’Sheas.”

Ally looks relieved and more relaxed. Giving me one more kiss, she climbs back over to her seat and straps in. Putting our vehicle in gear, I check for traffic and pull back onto the road, following behind Bren and Alec.

Taking Ally’s hand, I give it a squeeze, “Better now, beautiful?”

“Yeah,” she gives me a smile, and I can see she is. “I’m better now that we have a plan.”

“Good,” I tell her. “Leave it with me.”

Ten minutes later, we’re driving into her family’s parking. The amount of vehicles is insane.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter. “This is getting ridiculous.”

“It is. It looks like all the aunts are here.”

“Stay there, baby,” I tell her.

Getting out of our vehicle, I walk around to Ally’s door, helping her down. Enfolding her in my arms, I remind her, “You and me, baby, that’s all we need.”

Ally nods against my chest. Giving her one last squeeze, I take her hand, shut the car door, and meet Bren and Alec, who has Lexi in his arms.

We walk towards the veranda and up the steps. I’m not surprised to find Colm sitting there. It seems to be his favourite place. What does surprise me is finding Jeanie with him. I’d thought she’d be in the kitchen where most of the wedding planning seems to be happening.

“Hi, Granda,” Ally bends to kiss her grandfather.

“ Milseán, ” he pats her hand. Holding out my hand to him, I greet him, “Hi, Colm.”

“Sam,” he shakes my hand, then turns towards Bren, Lexi, and Alec. Holding out his arms, he says, “Give me the baby and go and sort that shitshow out in the kitchen.”

My eyebrows rise at his words, and I look at Jeanie.

“I’m staying out here with Granda. I will say, though, Ally, you need to put your foot down.

I’m not sure what the hell has got into our normally responsible mother, but she and Abby are going off the rails.

If this is what happens, I’m not telling anyone I’m getting married; I’m just going to do it. ”

“I agree,” I tell Jeanie. “I’m putting a stop to it today. It’s upsetting Ally, and I’m about done with it.”

Turning to Ally, “Do you want to stay out here or come in with me?”

Ally shakes her head and frowns at me, “We’re a team, Sam. I’m not letting you take on all the responsibility for this. I should have said something sooner but didn’t want to rock the boat. And now that we have a venue and a date, I’ll start being more forceful.”

“You found a venue?” Jeanie wants to know. “I thought you were still looking. The mothers-from-hell were going through a list in there of venues for you to look at next week.”

Ally and I snigger at Jeanie’s description of our mothers. She wasn’t wrong; they’d turned into women we hardly recognised.

“Money bags,” I point at Bren, who laughs, “has bought the Star Hotel and is offering it up for free as long as she can use us as guinea pigs.”

“Damn, Bren,” Jeanie holds up her hand for a high five, “I want to be you when I grow up.”