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

Once we’d all stopped laughing, Jeanie turns serious, “All jokes aside, that place is beautiful, and it will be perfect once it’s given a facelift. Let me know if you need help with anything, as long as you don’t turn into whatever the hell the mothers have turned into.”

Bren grins, “I promise I won’t. Ally and Sam are going to give me a list of their wants, and we’ll be using that. Now,” Bren claps her hands together, rubbing them, “let’s get this shitshow on the road, go to the pub and plan sensibly, and then Jeanie and I can discuss Ally’s hen party.”

“Sounds perfect,” Jeanie smirks. “Hurry up. I’m about ready for a pint.”

It always amazes me how different the two sisters are personality-wise. Ally is quiet and thoughtful, while Jeanie is loud and has no qualms in telling you her opinion. They may be different, but they are close and always have each other’s backs.

Still holding Ally’s hand, we walk towards the noise in the kitchen. Stopping at the entrance, we listen, and I shake my head.

“That one’s no good because there’s not much parking. Where are the guests going to park?” That’s Mum’s voice. Ally’s mum is next, “And this one is terrible. The rooms are so dark, plus, have you seen the bathrooms? They’re awful.”

“Babe,” Dad starts, “have you asked the kids what they want?”

“Of course we have, Kane. They’ve been with us every step of the way.” I can hear the frustration in Mum’s tone. “We know what they want.”

They may think they do, but they’re not listening, and I’ve done enough eavesdropping.

Walking into the kitchen, Ally and I stop at the top of the table—everyone’s so busy arguing, including the aunts.

Ally’s dad, my dad, and her uncles are standing to the side watching but not doing anything to stop it.

Ally’s squeezing my hand so hard my fingers are losing their blood flow.

Putting my fingers to my mouth, I whistle loudly, shutting everyone up. As one, everyone in the room turns to look at me in surprise.

“Right, anybody who isn’t an O’Shea or part of Crow MC needs to leave,” I order and put up my hand when my mum goes to speak.

“No,” I tell her as we wait for Sera’s girls and their men to leave.

I’m glad to see most of them are smiling, and a few pat my shoulder on the way out.

When it’s only family left in the kitchen, I inform our family on what is going to happen going forward.

“Ally and I are done. Do you understand me? DONE.” Ignoring their shocked faces, I continue, “You’re all going to listen to what I have to say and listen well because I’m only going to tell you this once.

We’ve just stood out there listening to you go on about how you know what we want and how you’re listening to us.

You’re not. How do I know that? Because all Ally and I want to do is elope and get away from this shitshow.

And if this continues, that is exactly what we’ll do. ”

“Son,” Dad starts.

“Hu-uh,” I inform him. “Enough is enough. You could have reeled Mum in sooner, but you didn’t.

” I turn towards Adam, “And you’re no better.

Do you think I like having my Old Lady, your daughter, in tears because nobody is taking into account that this is our wedding, not yours?

” Adam looks gutted, and his eyes flit to Ally, taking note of her red-rimmed eyes and red-tipped nose.

“Look,” I continue, “I get it. It’s a big deal having our two families tied together by marriage, but the way you are going about it is wrong.

“Ally and I are taking over. Give me the guest list,” I demand, holding out my hand.

My mother looks stunned, but she gives it to me.

Tilly’s watching her daughter, and I can see the guilt on her face.

I know they didn’t mean any harm and were coming from a place of love by taking over, but they’d upset Ally, and I wasn’t having it.

I hand it to Ally and tell her, “Cross off anyone you don’t know or don’t want from that list, baby.”

Mum and Tilly both go to speak, and I give them a look, making them both clamp their mouths shut.

Softening my tone, I say, “This is our wedding, and we’d like to enjoy it. Thank you for wanting to support us, but I think it’s time for you both to take a back seat.”

“What about a venue?” Tilly asks in a soft voice.

“We’ll be having it at the old Star Hotel,” I say.

Protests flood from around the table. Even some of the men look horrified. I understand why. The hotel is a mess at the moment, but I know Bren won’t let us down.

Holding up my hand, I wave Bren forward.

She steps up and wraps an arm around Ally’s waist, giving it a squeeze and assuring everyone, “I bought the hotel. It’s now May, and the date for the wedding is the 20 th of September.

It gives me four months to make it perfect for Ally and Sam.

It’s also being renamed The Crow leaning back, she pats my cheek, “Not likely, but I’ll do better. Proud of you for standing up for Ally like you did. You’re a good man, Sam. Now, let me go so I can apologise to Ally for upsetting her.”

Letting my mother go, I watch as she hugs Ally and whispers something to her, making Ally smile and nod. They’ll be okay.

“Sam,” Adam starts, then sighs and rakes his hand through his hair. “Thanks for looking after Ally and putting her first. I knew it wasn’t what she’d want, and you’re right, I should have stepped in, but you’ll find it’s hard to say no to the woman you love.”

“What Adam said,” Dad agrees, looking sheepish. “We should have said something, and I hate that Ally was upset enough to cry. We’ll do better.”

“See that you do,” I tell them.

“Is it safe to come in?” Jeanie calls out from the veranda, making us all laugh.

“Yes,” Ally shouts back.

“Oh good. Alec, you need to change Lexi,” Jeanie says, handing Lexi to Alec.

Alec takes Lexi and then says to Jeanie, “I don’t mind changing Lexi, but that was oddly specific, saying I need to change her.”

“Huh, has he grovelled enough then? No more shitty nappies?” Jeanie looks at Bren, who’s laughing silently and ducks behind me.

Alec follows her gaze, and his eyes narrow when he looks for his Old Lady, “I knew you were keeping all the shitty nappies for me. Did you hear that, Lexi-bell? Your mum was using you.” He’s smiling, so we all know he isn’t pissed, and I think he realised long ago what Bren was up to.

“Right, now that the shitshow is sorted,” Jeanie claps her hands, “and once Alec changes Lexi, shall we meet at the pub, and we can get started on narrowing down that guest list? You can choose a design for the invites. We’ll get them printed and out the door by the end of the week.”

Wrapping my arm around Ally’s shoulders, I ask, “Good with you, baby?”

Ally nods and gives me a wide smile, “That’s good, honey.”

“Give me ten minutes,” Alec says, taking the nappy bag from Bren and disappearing down the passage towards the bedrooms.

We give him the ten minutes, then it’s a flurry of goodbyes before we leave the O’Sheas’ compound and meet at the pub.

Two hours later, we’ve got a guest list, the invite designed, food list, flowers, and colours firmed up, and we take the rest of the evening to spend time together and have a good time.

Bev and Gunny arrive to pick up Lexi, and from the way Alec’s looking at Bren, I’m thinking that I’ll be having another niece or nephew before too long.