Page 8 of Sam’s Forever (Crow MC 2nd Generation)

ALLY

The months seemed to fly by after we’d had our early stag and hen do. Bren and Jeanie were working hard at getting everything ready. The twentieth of September was only a week away. Next week, all the family would start to arrive from various parts of the world.

I wasn’t sure how my dad, uncles, and granda were going to take that my Uncle Andy was coming. Honestly, I’d been surprised when he’d responded, and that he had a family blew my mind. I’m not even sure Uncle Johnny knew about them.

I guess weddings were all about getting family together or creating drama.

We’d had my last dress fitting last week.

Mum, Jeanie, Abby, and I’d spent the day in London.

It had been a lovely day of female bonding.

I’d missed spending time with my sister, but now that she was done with university and was back home, we saw each other more often.

Having all of us within a few minutes from the O’Shea compound made the overprotective men in our family ecstatic.

I’m so happy that I got on with Sam’s mum. It would have been awful if I didn’t, considering she was not only going to be my mother-in-law, but she was also my boss.

Our dresses were gorgeous; we couldn’t be happier with them, and they were now hanging up in my wardrobe in my childhood bedroom.

Jeanie and I were wearing the exact same dress, except mine had a train and was white, while hers was a deep purple so dark it almost looked black unless under the lights.

Jeanie would make sure they were in my room in the hotel next week if I couldn’t pick them up. Sam and I’d be staying at the hotel from the Tuesday so that when Cash, Lizzie, and their kids, along with Maestro and Stacey, arrived on Wednesday we’d be there to meet them.

I was powering through work so that Abby wasn’t left holding the bag while Sam and I were away on honeymoon.

Cash and Lizzie had reached out earlier in the year via Jeanie and had insisted that a fully paid-for honeymoon was their gift to us.

We were booked for fourteen days in the Greek Islands.

Both Sam and I’d been stunned, and Sam had wanted to protest, but I’d stopped him, carefully explaining that this was what Cash and Lizzie had wanted to give us when I’d been on a call with her to ensure that they were sure about spending so much money on us.

It had taken some persuasion, but he’d given in.

We weren’t originally going to go anywhere fancy on honeymoon.

Not because we couldn’t afford it, but because we didn’t need to go anywhere fancy and had made a decision to go away for a long weekend instead.

We were both more than happy being surrounded by our family, but the more I thought about it, the more I was looking forward to it.

I’d have Sam to myself for an entire two weeks; why wouldn’t I be thrilled with that?

Lizzie and I spoke a lot over the last few months, and I realised how lucky we were to have the family we did have.

I understood from Lizzie that Cash felt so much guilt about not being there for Sam growing up.

When they’d reconnected, Sam had been in his late teens, and with Abby and Reaper getting together, Cash didn’t feel like he had the right to disrupt Sam’s life.

As for Sam, I knew he wasn’t sure how he felt about Cash and there was resentment there; however, he loved Lizzie and their kids.

So many feelings that had been hurt over the years. Between Sam and Cash and my own family and their feelings towards their younger brother, I was wondering if anything would kick off, or if they’d all be sensible and put aside differences for the day.

Sam had suggested that I speak to my dad and uncles before Andy arrived, if only so that they could be there for my granda if anything happened to upset him.

I’d done as suggested, and the three of them should be arriving any time soon.

Getting up from my desk, I walk into the kitchen, get a fresh pot of coffee on, and take the coffee cake and lemon cake out, slicing them up, and putting them onto plates. I’ve found with my family that if they are fed and watered, they are more inclined to listen.

The back door code beeped, and Sam walks through, greeting me with a smile, “Hi, beautiful.”

Setting the knife down on the table, I go to him, and I’m immediately enfolded in his arms. All my nerves and worries disappear as soon as he’s with me, and I sigh quietly as I lay my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around his waist.

“Sam,” I sigh, squeezing him.

“Everything okay?” he wants to know.

“It is now,” I respond, tilting my head to look up at him. I still have to pinch myself because I’m not sure how I got so lucky that this gorgeous, kind man fell for me. He makes sure every day that I know I come first in his life.

“Your dad and uncles have just pulled up out front. Do you want me to let them in?” Sam asks.

I give a small grimace because I’m not looking forward to this conversation. Families can be so bloody complicated.

“Yes, please,” I say. “Bring them in here. I thought it would be better to chat here where there’s less wedding crap lying around, and we’re less likely to be interrupted with the office closed for the day.”

“You got it, baby,” Sam says, pressing his lips to my forehead before he turns and walks out of the kitchen to the front of the office.

It’s not long before I can hear voices, so I start to pour the coffee and set the mugs on the table just as my dad walks in the door, scooping me up, enfolding me in his arms and rocking me from side to side.

“ Cailín deas, I’ve missed you,” he rumbles, kissing the side of my head.

“Dad,” I laugh, wrapping my arms around him, returning his hug.

“I’ve missed you too,” I assure him, squeezing him one more time before letting go and stepping into Uncle Liam’s embrace.

“ Ceann beag , home isn’t the same without you,” he mutters, hugging me.

“Can’t you make him move to the compound? ”

“Sadly no, he’s the next President, so he’s going to have to stay at Crow Manor,” I grin up at my uncle, who glares at me like it’s my fault.

“We can start an O’Shea MC, he can be President of that,” he grumbles but passes me over to my Uncle Johnny when he moans, “Stop hogging my niece, damnit. I never get to see her anymore, and now you two won’t even let me hug her.

” This last is muttered as he pushes Uncle Liam aside and wraps me in his arms. My Uncle Johnny is the fun uncle, and as kids, he’d been the one we’d gone to when we’d done something stupid, knowing he’d be the one that would help us out rather than give us a hard time.

But once he’d done that, then he’d make sure we realised the error of our ways.

“Uncle Johnny,” I smirk at him, accepting his hug and kiss before turning to them all and telling them, “Sit down. I want to speak to you about something.”

When they realise I’m serious, they immediately sit down. Sam takes a seat next to me, wrapping his hand around my thigh as I hand out slices of cake and coffee. I take the comfort he’s offering because I’m not sure how this conversation is going to go.

“What’s going on, milseán ?” Dad wants to know.

I don’t beat around the bush, “You all know I invited Uncle Andy to the wedding.” When they all nod, I continue, “Well, he’s coming,” I inform them and watch as they still, all looking shocked.

“He is?” Uncle Liam asks with surprise—surprised but also emotional.

“He is,” I nod. “And he’s bringing his family with him. They arrive next Tuesday.”

“He’s got a family,” Johnny looks shocked. “Uncle Sean never said anything.”

Dad and my uncles share looks, and I can read these men. There’s regret and sadness in each gaze.

“The reason I’m telling you is that I didn’t want it to be a shock for Granda, and I wanted to see if you thought it would be a good idea for you all to meet on Tuesday for afternoon tea.

They’re arriving that day. We thought it would be better for you to meet them before the wedding.

Sam and I will be staying at the hotel from Tuesday through to Monday to spend time with everyone, so I’ll be there to meet them.

” I’m aware I’m rushing my words, but they’re sitting there looking stunned, and I want to get it all out so we can start planning. “What do you think?” I finish.

“He’s got a family,” Uncle Liam looks devastated. “We fucked up so bad with him.”

Uncle Johnny sighs and agrees with a sad nod, “We did. We shipped him off and basically forgot about him. I mean, I checked in with Uncle Sean, and he always said he was fine, but we haven’t seen him in over ten years, although now that I think about it, it’s probably closer to thirteen. That’s a shit way to treat a brother.”

“It is,” Dad agrees, looking gutted, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it right.

We should have made it right long ago.” Turning towards me, he nods and says, “Set it up, sweet girl. We’ll let Da know so he’s not shocked, and we’ll make it right.

He’s our baby brother, and we basically wrote him off.

I can’t believe it’s been that long since we sent him to Ireland.

Fuck!” he growls, “It wasn’t meant to be forever; it was only meant to be until we were more settled. I can’t believe we forgot about him.”

Guilt lies heavy in the room, and I glance at Sam, wondering what I should do. As usual, he takes charge and looks each of my uncles and finally my dad in the eye.

“Look, you fucked up, but you’re brothers.

Granted, it’s been a lot of years, but you can make it right.

Ally and I will set it up for four on Tuesday at the hotel.

You lot get everyone to the hotel, and we’ll take it from there.

Families are complicated. I mean, mine is beyond fucked up.

So, I get it. But if Colm gets to see Andy, I think it will make his year.

He’s not getting any younger, and I know from my dad that he misses Andy and regrets sending him away, so how about we make sure that he gets his wish and sees his youngest son.

I’m sure he’d like to meet his other daughter-in-law and grandchild too. ”

“You’re right,” Uncle Liam agrees and Dad and Uncle Johnny all nod. “Set it up, Ally, we’ll be there.”

“Fuck,” Dad whispers, running a hand through his hair, “he’s actually agreed to come.”

“We’ll fix this, come hell or high water,” Uncle Johnny says decisively, as if by saying it, he’ll make sure it’s done. And I’m sure they’ll all do their best. I just hope it’s enough because I can’t imagine the hurt Uncle Andy must feel having been ostracised and forgotten for so long.

But I know the men in my family, and while they may have got it wrong with their brother, if they said they’d fix it, they would because family meant everything to an O’Shea.