This Is Our Song

by Samantha Chase

  “Okay then,” she said with a smile. “Does this mean we can go back inside and visit some more with your family and you won’t be shooting daggers at me at every question I ask?”

  He laughed. “I don’t know. It depends.”

  “On what?”

  “Are you just going to keep asking embarrassing questions?”

  She laughed with him. “Maybe they seem embarrassing to you, but it’s all helping me figure out how you became the man you are now.”

  Unable to help himself, he stepped in closer, his hands instantly going to her hips. “Or maybe you could just wait and ask me. I’d gladly tell you. Or show you.”

  The urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming, and if he wasn’t mistaken, Savannah just inched a little closer to him.

  Violet eyes looked up at him—part wonder, part humor. “Somehow I don’t think you’d share all the good stuff.”

  “Sweetheart, for you, I’d share whatever you asked.”

  Sighing, she leaned into him. “We’re doing it again.”

  “Doing what?” he whispered, inhaling the scent of her—light and floral and capable of making him crazy.

  “This. It’s almost as if we can’t get too close or we end up like this.”

  “I’m not complaining,” he said and skimmed his fingers across her cheek.

  “Riley… I—”

  “Hey, you guys!” Hugh yelled out the door. “Dessert’s on the table.”

  Riley was able to see just enough of his brother in the dim light to catch the knowing smirk on his face.

  “Saved by the bell,” Riley said, stepping away and linking his hand with hers once again.

  * * *

  The rest of the evening had a different tone—at least to Savannah. Maybe it was only she and Riley who had relaxed, but to her it seemed as though the entire Shaughnessy family had breathed a collective sigh of relief.

  They continued to talk all through dessert and then everyone moved out to the living room, where Ian presented his children with his plan for more rehabs on the house.

  “Not again,” Hugh mumbled, raking a hand through his dark hair.

  “My children all grew up in this house,” Ian said, “and I’d like to see this be a place my grandchildren will grow up in too.”

  And when it was put like that, no one could really argue.

  “It means things will be a little messy for a while so we may have to move our weekly dinners to someone else’s house for a while,” Ian began.

  “We should rotate houses,” Anna said, and everyone stopped and stared at her. “For dinners,” she clarified. “I mean have dinners at everyone’s house on a rotating basis. First Sunday of the month, it’s at our house, the second one it’s at Aidan and Zoe’s, third at Hugh and Aubrey’s, and so on. This way everyone gets to host—or you can look at it as no one is getting overburdened. Take your pick.” She shrugged. “It can be fun and then once things are done here, we can just slip you back into the rotation.”

  Ian shook his head. “I think it’s great how everyone wants a chance to host, but when this last bit of construction is done, there won’t be any more rotations. This place will have been done over from top to bottom. It will practically be a brand-new house. Everyone’s coming here. The nursery will be set up with multiple cribs and everything my grandbabies will need. You can all bring the food, but everyone’s coming here. Your mother always said this house was the perfect home for her family, and she would love to know we’re continuing on with the next generation of Shaughnessys here.”

  Savannah looked around and noticed everyone was smiling and there were a few unshed tears. Hell, she was a little misty-eyed herself and it wasn’t surprising when she looked down and found Riley’s hand covering hers. She turned it over and grasped his, gently squeezing it for support. They were next to one another on the sofa, and his presence next to her was comforting.

  As she hoped hers was for him right now.

  “When are you looking to get started?” Aidan asked.

  “We have to get permits and all first, but if you could maybe help me draw up some plans, I’d like to start as soon as possible. I know that’s sort of putting you on the spot,” Ian said apologetically, “but Connor’s already growing too darn fast, and your baby will be here before you know it, and hopefully more won’t be too far behind… I don’t want to wait too long.”

  “I hate to think of you doing all this for the babies, Dad,” Hugh said. “I understand why you want to and I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it, but it’s a big job to take on and it will be a little disruptive to you. You’ll be living in a construction zone again. And so will Riley if you start it while he’s here.”

  Beside her, Riley shrugged. “If it really gets to be too much, Savannah and I can work someplace else or head back to L.A.”

  “No,” Ian said. “Absolutely not. You promised me you’d be home for most of the month, and even if the construction starts, you need to honor your word. You can stay at the apartment at Aidan and Zoe’s or…or… Quinn and Anna have space. You have options. You don’t have to leave and go to the other side of the country because I’m doing some minor renovations.”

  “You’re adding a room on to the back of the house, Dad. It will pretty much entail opening the back wall of the house. Last I checked, something like that doesn’t classify as a minor anything.”

  “Don’t be a smart-ass,” Ian warned. “We don’t see you near enough. If I have to postpone the work until the end of the month, that’s what I’ll do, Riley. It’s important to me that you stay.”

  Everyone was looking at Riley with a mix of pity and amusement.

  “Fine,” he finally said. “We won’t head back to L.A. But if the work does become an issue, Savannah and I will find someplace else to stay because she has a schedule to keep with the magazine article and I’ve already put us behind.”

  “Well, like Dad said,” Aidan smiled, “you have plenty of options. We’ve all got space for you.”

  “Thanks,” Riley said. “I appreciate it.”

  “So what are the plans for next weekend?” Martha asked. “What do you need help with for the christening, Aubrey?”

  Hugh and Aubrey smiled at one another. “Everything is set for the church. We have it reserved for Saturday at two o’clock and then we are going to have a dinner for everyone over at Aidan and Zoe’s,” Aubrey said. “Our place is so much farther away that it seemed silly to make everyone drive.”

  “Plus,” Zoe interrupted, “since Aidan and I are godparents, we thought it was only right for us to host.”

  “That seems like it can be a lot of work,” Martha said. “Surely there’s something we can help with.”

  Hugh sat forward. “It’s going to be a lot like today. We’re going to grill and eat and visit and just celebrate being together—only with a few more people.”

  “Are both your parents coming, Aubrey?” Zoe asked. “You said you weren’t sure last we talked about it.”

  “My mom is, but my dad said he couldn’t make it.” She sounded sad but gave everyone a smile. “It’s probably for the best. He and my mom still don’t get along very well, and I don’t want to deal with that whole thing, especially not on Connor’s big day.”

  “Who’s getting Darcy from the airport?” Zoe asked. “Is she getting in on Friday?”

  “She isn’t getting in until Saturday morning. She waited a little too long to book her flight,” Ian said, shaking his head. “I knew I should have just taken care of it, but she assured me she could handle it. I knew things would get a little more complicated when she transferred to a college out of state. And now she’s making up extra classes during a summer session. Lesson learned.”

  “Poor kid,” Hugh said. “She’s going to be exhausted.”

  “Yeah, but she’s so excited to be coming home and to fi
nally see Connor in person that she’ll be fine,” Ian assured him. “You’re probably going to have to pry him out of her arms at some point.”

  They all laughed.

  “Speaking of which,” Hugh said as he stood and stretched, “we need to hit the road. We’re trying really hard to establish a routine with Connor, and part of it is getting him to sleep in his own crib each night instead of someone’s arms.” He gave Aubrey a subtle look. “If we leave now, we’ll have the timing right to get him fed and bathed and changed just in time to put him to bed.”

  Aubrey stood. “And with any luck he’ll sleep for at least five hours. That’s our goal.”

  Ian laughed heartily as he came to his feet. “You two have read too many books and are too rigid. Babies sleep when they want to and wake up when they want to no matter how much you wish otherwise.” He shook his head and took his grandson from Zoe, who was currently holding him, and kissed the baby on the forehead. “Let him simply be a baby. Don’t let him get fussy like you, Hugh. He doesn’t need a daily planner just yet.”

  “Hey!” Hugh grumbled but then couldn’t help but laugh at himself. “Dad, sometimes having a schedule—especially with a new baby—is a good thing.”

  “Yeah, but you have a tendency to take things to the extreme, Son. Don’t pass that trait on to this sweet, innocent boy.”

  Aubrey took the baby from Ian’s arms and got him settled into his infant carrier. “Nobody’s getting him a day planner,” she chuckled softly. “We’re just hoping for a good night’s sleep. It’s been a while.”

  “When the nursery is ready, Connor can spend the night with me,” Ian said.

  “Done!” Hugh and Aubrey said in unison while everyone laughed.

  Within minutes, they were out the door and were soon followed by Aidan and Zoe and Quinn and Anna.

  “Owen, you can sleep in Darcy’s room tonight, if that’s all right. I highly doubt you and Riley want to share a bed.”

  “Nah, he snores,” Riley teased, and Owen shot him a look.

  “It’s fine,” Owen said to his father. “I could just as easily sleep on the couch.”

  “Why? There’s a perfectly good bed in your sister’s room. And it’s not like she still has Barbie sheets on the bed,” Ian said. “They’re purple but there’s nothing particularly girly about them, and they’re clean.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  Looking at his sons and Savannah, Ian smiled. “I’m going to take Martha home. I’m not sure if any of you will be up when I get back so I’ll just say good night now. And Owen? I’ll see you in the morning before you leave. We’ll have breakfast together, deal?”

  “Deal,” Owen agreed.

  When the door closed behind Ian and Martha, Riley shuddered.

  “What? What’s the matter?” Savannah asked.

  “He’s not sure if we’ll be up because he’s going to spend some extended time at Martha’s. Ugh…that means… It means—”

  “They’re having sex,” Owen finished. Riley let out a yell and stormed from the room. Savannah and Owen quickly followed. “I don’t understand. Why is this so upsetting to you? I would think out of all of us, you’d be okay with it.”

  Riley’s eyes went wide. “Me? Why?”

  Owen shrugged. “You’re just more open-minded than the rest of us. I guess I thought you’d be less freaked out.”

  Riley made a face and walked to the refrigerator to grab something to drink. He pulled out a bottle of water and handed one to Savannah before asking his brother if he wanted one. “It’s not like I’m freaked out. But I just don’t want to have to think about it. If he and Martha are—”

  “Having sex?” Owen responded.

  “Stop saying it like that!” Riley yelled. “It’s even worse hearing you say the words!”

  “Why? Why can’t I say—”

  “So help me if you say it again, Owen, I will punch you,” Riley said seriously.

  Owen instantly shut his mouth and took the beverage from Riley’s hand. He walked back out to the living room and sat down on the sofa.

  “That was a little harsh,” Savannah said quietly. “Even I know he wasn’t saying it to be obnoxious or to taunt you. To him it was simply stating a fact.”

  “Yeah well, he doesn’t always have to state the facts,” Riley said defensively, raking a hand through his hair as he sighed.

  Savannah walked over and put her hands on his shoulders. “Riley, all day long I watched the way you and your brothers bantered with one another and teased each other, but not Owen. He’s probably in there beating himself up. Please go tell him you’re sorry.”

  “But—”

  “Please? For me?”

  “Why are you taking his side?” he asked with a pout.

  “Because you’re acting like a big bully and he’s very sensitive,” she said.

  “You really have a spooky knack for figuring people out.”

  “It’s a curse, really,” she said with a grin. “Now go and make things right with your brother. He’s leaving in the morning and you don’t want to let this go. I’m going to go upstairs and read and go to bed.”

  “But…don’t you want to talk to Owen some more? You might not have the opportunity to get this time alone with him again.”

  Reaching up, Savannah cupped his cheek and smiled. “It’s very sweet of you to think of me and the interview, but I think Owen and I had a great talk outside earlier. Right now, it’s the two of you who need some time together.” Leaning in, she kissed him on the cheek. “Because you might not have the opportunity to apologize and make it up to him like you do right now. Now go,” she said gently.

  With her bottle of water in her hand, Savannah walked out to the living room and said good night to Owen. “It was a pleasure meeting you and I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

  “You’re going to the christening next weekend, aren’t you?” he asked as he stood up.

  “It’s a family thing,” she said dismissively. “I don’t want to intrude.” Then before he could ask her anything else, Savannah leaned in and kissed him on the cheek too. “Don’t go easy on him,” she whispered in his ear. “Make him pay for being a bully.”

  Owen blushed and looked down at the floor. “Good night, Savannah,” he said quietly and then looked up as she walked up the stairs and continued to watch until she was out of sight.

  “If I didn’t know any better,” Riley said as he walked into the room with a smirk, “I’d say you were just checking out Savannah’s ass.”

  “What?” Owen cried. “I wasn’t… I didn’t…”

  Riley walked over and put his arm around his brother’s shoulder. “It’s all right, dude. But don’t let it become a habit. Only one Shaughnessy is allowed to ogle Savannah, and that’s me.”

  Pulling away, Owen opened his water and sat down. “I don’t know, Ry. I think I kind of have a little crush on her.”

  Riley stared at his brother in shock. “You…you…what?”

  Owen grinned. “Have a seat and we’ll talk about it.”

  * * *

  Savannah slept in the next morning. It wasn’t intentional but she had hoped that by doing so, Ian, Riley, and Owen would have had the chance to have breakfast together—just the three of them—without her hovering. She knew they didn’t see her intrusion as a big deal, but she also knew the importance of family time.

  And she wasn’t so sure she’d be as gracious as the Shaughnessys if someone were going to be staying with her for a month strictly for the sake of observing her.

  Savannah knew this was all Riley’s idea and everyone had agreed, but she couldn’t help but feel a little bit bad about it. No doubt there was going to be a discussion about her going to Connor’s baptism next weekend and it would turn into an argument. It was one thing to be here to interview Riley and his family; it was quite a
nother to be there for an intimate family occasion.

  She’d have to come up with a good reason why she wasn’t going to go—something that Riley wasn’t going to see through and figure out how to change. Maybe she’d call her parents and see if they were up for a road trip to come see her in North Carolina for the weekend. It would be perfect. Surely Riley wouldn’t deny her the chance to go off and spend time with her own family? And her parents certainly wouldn’t want to impose on the Shaughnessys so it was a win-win!

  Picking up her phone, she immediately dialed her parents’ number. Her dad answered.

  “Hey, Dad!”

  “How’s it going, Daily Scoop?”

  She chuckled at the nickname. “It’s going great.” She told him about her trip to Riley’s home and the private plane. “I’m telling you, I may be spoiled for life after that one.”

  “No doubt. That sounds amazing. How’s the interview going?”

  “We’re off to a slow start. I spent the entire day yesterday with his family. They were all so gracious and friendly, and I got a really good feel for who Riley was and where he got his love of music. We’re going to start sitting down together today and filling in the gaps.”

  “Okay, so you have a plan,” Paul Daly said. “So this is just a checking-in call? Because I’m sensing there’s something more.”

  Savannah chuckled. Her father knew her too well. “I was wondering if you and Mom were up for a little trip…for the weekend.”

  “You mean come to North Carolina?”

  “Uh-huh. The Shaughnessys have a family event this coming weekend. Riley’s nephew—the first baby in the family in over twenty years—is being baptized. I know they’re going to insist I go, but I feel it should be a private, family thing. I don’t want to feel like an intruder. They deserve to have a day without someone watching them.”

  “I’m sure they don’t see you that way, sweetheart,” he said sincerely. “But I know how strongly you feel about things, and if you’re calling and asking, then I know it’s important to you.” He paused and Savannah could hear him typing away on his computer keyboard. “It’s not exactly a short drive, you know.”