Hers(23)

“Um, I suppose I could give it a go. I know Jane goes, and she loves it.”

“Slater can pick you up and bring you to the first class on Tuesday,” Brock said.

“Sounds good. I look…” Sammy trailed off as a short, plump, dark skinned woman with black hair came over with a tall blond man who looked just like Slater. The woman had a huge smile on her face, and her eyes were alight with tears.

“You must be Sammy. I’ve heard so much about you.” The woman pulled Sammy up from Brock’s lap. “I tell you I was losing hope that any of my boys would find a mate. You see I always wanted a daughter, but fate gave me three strapping boys instead. I wanted more, but Daren said three was enough.” The woman kissed her cheek and stroked Sammy’s hair. “Hopefully you’ll give me grandkids soon. I may even get some granddaughters.”

“Mum. Stop. You’re embarrassing Sammy.”

Slater’s mother still held her close. “I’m not embarrassing you, am I?”

Sammy glanced between Slater, whose cheeks were red and his eyes filled with embarrassment, to Brock, who was smiling and staring at the situation with clear envy. Sammy turned back to Slater’s mum, with her eyes that were bright and cheerful. She had laugh lines around them like she laughed and enjoyed herself a lot. Her smile was full and genuine, and she held Sammy with a warmth she remembered from her own mother.

“No. You’re not embarrassing me. It’s nice to meet you. Yes, I’m Samantha Gardener, but you can call me Sammy.”

If possible Slater’s mother’s smile widened. “Hi, Sammy. I’m Abigail, Slater’s mother. And this.” Abigail nodded to the blond beside her. “Is Daren, Slater’s father. You can call us Mum and Dad. I would love it if you would.”

Sammy fell instantly in love with Abigail. Sammy looked to Slater’s dad to see him staring at his wife with such love and devotion, it made Sammy realize she wanted a man, well men, Slater and Brock in particular, to look at her that way. “I would love to call you that. Are you sure it’s okay, Mr. Bear?”

Daren sighed. “Please. I would love to be called Dad. Mr. Bear reminds me of my brothers, or uncles. You’re also family now.” He grinned and winked at her. “Plus, I feel the same as my wife. I’m ready for grandkids. I hear they are even better than your own because you can play with them, hype them up, and hand them back to their parents.”

Slater groaned. “Mum, Dad, we haven’t even discussed children. Sammy might not want any.”

Abigail gasped, and her gaze darted from her son to Sammy.

Sammy raised her hands in surrender at the look on Abigail’s face. “I want children. Not right now, but I would like some.”

Abigail almost bounced with happiness. “Oh this is great. I’ll see you at our house on Friday to celebrate. It was a joy to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you on Friday.” Without letting Sammy respond, she let her go, put her arm in her husband’s, and almost skipped off.

“I’m so sorry about my parents. They mean well, but my mother is full on.” Slater moaned.

Brock grunted. “I wish I’d grown up with your parents.”

“Don’t apologize. I fell instantly in love with your mum. I’m looking forward to Friday.” Sammy went over to Brock and hugged him. “I’m sure your mother is loving to you.”

Brock pulled her so she sat on his lap, and he hugged her tight. “No, she’s not. Remember I told you I was brought up by nannies. Gwen gets most of her attention. And she loves and is great with little Matty, but me, Blake, and Brian, she never seemed to warm up to. Zack got babied before he went into the army, but after Zack did that she didn’t have much to do with him.”

“I thought Mama bears were protective and loved their young?” Sammy didn’t know if she should have asked Brock that, but she was curious.

Brock shrugged and nodded to Slater. “No. My mother and Jake’s mother, who are both bears, seem to be missing that gene. Slater’s mother has it, but she’s human. Aunt Grace has it and the other mothers in the family, but mine it skipped.” Brock kissed her forehead. “I will say this though. She is that way with Matty, and she’s very excited about Susie’s and Sandy’s babies.”

The music stopped, and the announcer’s voice interrupted Sammy’s reply as he said, “The bride and grooms are leaving and starting their honeymoon.”

Everyone stood and cheered as Sandy, Jake, and Zack left the reception.

When the music went on again and guests started dancing, Sammy could see that she and Jane were the only people left from the bridal party.