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new characters!

There was only one picture [in bad quality] of Lee on Google so I decided to give him a different faceclaim as in the show.

Lee Sanders
portrayed by; Steven Weber

Samantha Sanders
portrayed by; Allison Janney

⸺

Samantha, who was basically the Gemma of the Tacoma Charter, gently shoved the young woman into the next store after they couldn't find a dress Cassie liked in the first store. After SAMTAC'S Queen heard about the wedding plans of the two of them she was beaming with joy. Cassie had always been like the daughter she never had but always wanted. Sadly, the woman couldn't have kids on her own. And after Tom's ex wife bailed on her family, Samantha made sure to step in and became a mother figure to Tom's kids.

Lee had told her a few days ago that Cassie would love to come back to Tacoma and that Happy wasn't against it either, just that it wasn't that easy and too expensive. However, Lee had made Happy an unbeatable offer, and basically all Happy had to do was get the Charming Charter's approval before he could move back to Tacoma with Cassie, Callum, and Opie.

And that's exactly why Samantha went shopping with Cassie today, since the Samcro Charter guys were on their way to Tacoma to make a decision today whether to let Happy transfer. All members had to vote yes, otherwise the vote wouldn't go through.

Happy's request was not to tell Cassie yet. He didn't want to get her hopes up just that she might end up getting disappointed if it didn't work out. But he could hardly refuse the unbeatable offer he had got from Lee⸺ and he didn't want to turn it down. He and his little family belonged here and he hoped his brothers would understand that.

"Okay, why do we go shopping so spontaneously? Yesterday you said we weren't leaving until the day after tomorrow." Cassie looked skeptically at the older woman, who looked at her innocently and just shrugged. In that moment, Cassie knew immediately that something was going on behind her back.

"I don't know what you mean, sweetheart. I had time and thought it wouldn't be bad if we get the dress today. After all, it's only five days until the wedding", Samantha said while looking at some dresses on the rack, none of them Cassie's style.

"I know y'all are hiding something, Sam", the brunette stated softly, pushing the stroller in front of her while looking at some dresses. "Is it something bad? That's all I need to know, Sam."

The older woman sighed and put her hands on her hips. Cassie had always been too smart and too observant to hide anything from her. "Why is it so hard to keep shit from you? But no, it's nothing bad, sweetheart."

"Okay, that's good." Cassie blew out a relieved sigh and scratched her forehead. "Will I ever find out what's going on?"

"Yes, soon, sweetheart", Samantha assured her before she grabbed Cassie's arm and pointed at a dress that took even her breath away. "You have to try this on. I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful dress."

The brunette's head snapped into the direction Sam was pointing at, her eyes growing wide at the white wedding dress that was almost entirely made of lace. This was the kind of dress she always had dreamed of as a little girl and teenager. Even though she never thought about getting married back then, she still fantasized about it sometimes.

"Holy shit", she exclaimed and walked to the corner where the dress was, running her fingertips over the lace fabric. "It's perfect. But this probably costs a fortune."

"No, it's on sale actually", a woman in her mid fifties chimed in, a friendly smile on her lips. "It's still not cheap but affordable, I think."

"Oh?" Cassie and Samantha shared a brief look, both of them smirking before they turned back to the woman. "How much?", the brunette asked curiously.

"Eight hundred. That's not a lot for a dress like this. And it looks like it would fit you", the saleswoman hummed and took the dress off the rag and put it over her arm. "If you want I can help you try it on?"

"Of course she wants to try it on", Samantha said before Cassie even had a chance to respond. The older woman saw the conflict crossing the young woman's face after she heard the price. It wasn't cheap, yes, but it wasn't expensive either for such a beautiful wedding dress.

"Sam, no", the brunette muttered under her breath, glaring at the woman for making this decision for her. Cassie knew full well that she would be super sad if the dress would look great on her⸺ but she wouldn't spend eight hundred dollars of Happy's money on a dress she would only wear once.

The saleswoman felt for the young woman. It was obvious that she felt bad for spending so much money⸺ like so many other women did that entered her little store.

“Maybe I can still do something about the price. The dress has been hanging in my shop for a long time now, I'll be happy if someone finally buys it”, the woman offered and walked a few steps further to the changing room, where she pulled the privacy screen aside. “Your decision.”

“Mhm, so apparently the dress was waiting for you”, Samantha smirked, kissing Cassie on the cheek before taking over the stroller. “Go on. Besides, Lee and I were going to pay a part of the wedding anyway. So you have more budget for the dress.”

Cassie was still in a conflict with herself, but she was really itching to try the dress on. Eventually she gave in and nodded slightly.

“Okay. But that doesn't mean that I'll buy it”, the brunette clarified before she disappeared into the changing room with the saleswoman to try on the dress.

Samantha took the moment and looked around the store for a nice dress for herself and a cute outfit for Callum. She even found it and couldn't wait to show Cassie. Oh, he would look adorable in it.

When Cassie came out of the cabin, Samantha's jaw dropped. The dress fitted Cassie's body almost like a second skin, showing off all of her curves. It was revealing and yet it looked incredibly elegant, which was due to the short but wide train. It didn't look pompous, rather simple and fairytale-like.

“Wow!” Samantha couldn't say anything else at the moment, she was too stunned by the sight. One hand was on her chest while she kept the stroller moving with the other hand so that Callum wouldn't  start fussing. “You look⸺ stunningly beautiful, sweetheart.”

When Cassie saw tears well up in Samantha's eyes, she knew it was her dress. She hadn't seen herself in it yet, but she had a feeling that this was her dress and Samantha's reaction said more than a thousand words.

“I agree with your mother. And I'm not just saying that because I want to get rid of the dress”, the woman next to her let out a soft laugh, slowly leading her to the mirror.

“Oh, I'm not her mother”, Samantha clarified a little sadly. It was obvious that she wished she could bear the title⸺ especially since Cassie was always like a daughter to her.

“Not on paper, but she's definitely like a mom to me”, Cassie corrected with a gentle smile and briefly squeezed Samantha's hand, who looked at her gratefully.

“Sometimes the moms we choose are better than your own”, the saleswoman smiled and could literally feel the special bond between them. "So, turn around!”

“That's true”, the brunette agreed, nodding. Taking another deep breath, she then turned  around to catch a glimpse of the dress herself. And she wasn't disappointed.

Holding her breath, she stared at her reflection and had to swallow. The dress was stunning and she fell in love instantly⸺ it was just what she had expected. She tentatively ran her manicured fingernails over the lace and all the detailed appliqués on the dress.

Samantha stepped to her side and placed her hands on each of her upper arms, a sentimental smile caressing her lips.

“That's your dress, honey”, she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“And I can give it to you for seven hundred, but that's all I can do”, the saleswoman politely told the two of them.

“But it's still expensive, Sam”, the brunette sighed, a sad expression taking over her face. That's exactly what she had feared⸺ that she would fall in love with the dress but couldn't afford it.

“What did Happy say, honey?”, the older woman asked, knowing that Cassie was just afraid that Happy would get mad at her for spending so much money. But the SAA took Samantha aside before they left and told her to make sure Cassie would get the dress that she likes as long as it's not two it three thousand dollars. Even though he would love do give her such an expensive dress, he simply couldn't afford it at the moment.

“To get the dress that I want”, Cassie sighed, nervously fiddling with her fingers. “But⸺”

“No but's”, Samantha interrupted her, a smirk plastered on her face. “It's your special day and Happy told you to get it. Listen to your future husband!”

Cassie bit down on her lower lip and squeezed her eyes shut. “Okay fine! I'll take it”, she answered quickly before she would change her mind again.

“Hell yes! That's the right decision, honey!” It almost seemed like Samantha was even more excited about Cassie's choice than the young woman herself but that was probably because Cassie still felt guilty towards Happy for spending so much of his money.

⸺

Happy sat on Lee's right side while everyone else, Samtac and Samcro, sat around the large table with the Reaper carved into the center. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room after Happy had explained what his wish was. The Tacoma men tense, not sure if Happy would be part of them again any time soon⸺ but they hoped so. And the guys from Samcro tense because they didn't want to let Happy go, but also understood why he had requested a transfer.

James was the one who was hit hardest. Unlike Cassie and Happy, he had settled down in Charming and even though he missed his hometown, he wanted to stay in Cali⸺  especially because of Lyla, who definitely wouldn't give up everything just to move here. He also had Benny to think about. The teenager loved Cali and had finally made friends there, plus he had developed a real bond with Nero who even offered him a job once he graduated from school.

Jax ended up letting all of his guys vote, and as sad as it was, he was the last person who had a right to stand in the way of Happy and Cassie. So he also gave his blessing. Now only James was left, who looked anything but happy.

He looked at the man who had sponsored him, who had introduced him to club life alongside his father. He wanted to say no, this way Happy had no choice but to stay in Charming with Cassie. But that would only create bad vibes between the two of them, and as much as he hated letting the three of them leave Charming, he didn't want to lose his best friend and sister by ruining their future plans.

“I don't want to let you go”, James started, his voice laced with sadness and even a hint of disappointment, which got Happy all nervous. It wasn't too obvious but Happy did shift in his seat, rubbing his chin between his index finger and thumb.

“But I know that's what my sister wants. She never felt home in Charming. And I fucking hate to let my best friend go, but I know you belong here, too. So, my vote is a yay”, the oldest Connor finished with a sigh, earning a appreciative nod from Happy.

“Thanks man”, the SAA rasped, his gaze met each of his brothers from Charming once. “Thanks to all of you, I appreciate it. My time in Charming was great even besides all the things that happened. But Tacoma is my place. Still, I hope all of you are staying for the wedding. Cassie and I would appreciate that.”

“We're gonna miss you, man. You were just as fucked up as I was”, Tig spoke with genuine sadness, although he was happy for his friend. “And we're definitely going to stay for the wedding. You think we gonna miss that?”

“We wouldn't want t' miss our forever bachelor getting married”, Chibs added with a smirk und slapped Happy's back since he sat right next to him. “I hope you and t' lass are gettin' happy 'ere.”

“Good, because my Old Lady wouldn't have accepted a no”, Happy smirked. And yes, maybe he felt a little wistful for leaving Charming but coming back home was the right choice, no doubt.

“So, that means you're one of us again, brother.” Lee got up and put a hand on Happy's shoulder, placing the Tacoma patches in front of him on the table. Genuine joy and excitement radiated from Lee. “Welcome back, Happy.”

All of the Samtac members cheered and whistled, giving Happy brotherly hugs and welcomed him back. Besides Lee, Kozik was the one most excited about Happy's return and couldn't wait to team up with his best friend again.

“It's good to be back”, the SAA smirked after everyone hugged him. It was official now that he was part of Samtac again and after the wedding he would make sure to get everything from Charming to Tacoma as quick as possible. Thanks to Lee's offer, he wouldn't have to search for a house first. He just hoped that Cassie would be just as happy about this as he was.