Page 12 of Sam's Forever
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, knowinghe’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 hiswish 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.”
