Here's the reception chapter, well part one at any rate that so many of you have been waiting for. I take it from the lack of reviews that the last chapter kind of stunk. It wasn't my best, but it was a necessary evil to move the story along. I hope you guys like this one. Is it Thursday night yet?

~~Nikka~~

Sam was starting to fidget again and he knew that he needed to behave himself. That made it so much worse, especially considering that his partner was standing next to him looking absolutely breath taking. It was enough to drive him to distraction. And to make matters worse, his cheeks were being pinched, he was getting tugged down for hugs, the butt of several jokes about his inattention during the ceremony, and the comments about Andy were starting to get to him.

When the hell is this receiving line going to end? Sam couldn't wait to get away from the crowd. He loved his family and extended friends, but he was not really in the mood for standing at the back of the church and saying hello to everyone. It wasn't like he had actually gotten married after all. He glanced over at Andy again.

Her easy smile was firmly in place as she introduced herself and listened to compliments that make her blush. His heart swelled with pride at seeing her handle compliments from this boisterous group so well. Despite the slight blush staining her cheeks, Andy was poised and content. If Sam didn't know any better he would say that she was trying to drive him insane when she accidently brushed against him and reached for his arm during a conversation, even when she patted his arm and sent him a small smile.

Sam rubbed both hands against his face trying to snap himself out of it when he felt a hand fall heavily on his shoulder. Sam looked up to see one of his cousins with a smirk on his face. "Jason," he nodded and smiled.

"Geesh! Liven up there Sammy!" his cousin quipped but not before letting his eyes settle on Andy's form to Sam's right. Sam felt himself tense up.

"So Sammy," Jason began in a somewhat hushed voice. "The maid of honor… Is she single?"

Sam's anger flashed for a minute. His cousin was just another in the list of men who had asked him that question today. Why did everyone assume that because she was beautiful, that she would be interested in them? Sam tried to shake the thought from his head as he grudgingly answered that she was in fact single though it was a recent development. Jason smiled at Sam, his own slightly less marked dimples made an appearance as he eagerly moved up the line to talk to Andy.

O o o

If Sam had thought the receiving line was torture, he didn't know what to call the hour and half that the pictures took. Multiple times he reminded not to glare. As the guest left to allow the bridal party to do pictures alone, Sam felt his mood shifting. The smile was effortless and he knew that he'd take heat from his family as his megawatt smile was busted out for any pictures that Andy was anywhere near him in.

O o o

As expected, the reception was a noisy affair. Sarah and Steven had spared no expense. Sam had felt increasingly uneasy about how many of the male guests had approached Andy and requested that she dance with them. She had politely declined telling them it would be rude to think about that until after the bride and groom had danced. It made Sam's heart sore a little bit that she put them off rather than telling them definitely yes.

And then it was time for Sarah and Steven's first dance. Andy found her way next to Sam. He could feel her nervous energy beside him. Without thinking Sam reached over and grabbed her hand linking it through his elbow to rest on his forearm. "Worried about all the dances you'll have to do after this," he asked her a bit grumpily.

Her face flushed as she shook her head. "Nope. Who says I have to dance at all after the waltz?"

Sam rewarded her comment with a smirk and motioned with his head towards the groups of men that had suddenly sprouted up around them. "Oh, I think all of these guys hanging around. That's all."

As they heard the musical cue for them to be ready to sweep out onto the floor with his sister and her husband, Andy leaned in to whisper, "Too bad I'm really only interested in one man asking me to dance."

Sam nearly stumbled as they swirled onto the dance floor misstep and began to waltz. The smile on his face almost melted her insides when she knew that he had caught on to her meaning.

He leaned in and spoke softly into her ear, "Stop thinking McNally. Let me lead. Just let go a little bit and feel."

Before he pulled away he felt a surge of heat come from her. He leaned back and looked into eyes and saw the flush on her cheeks.

"I also follow your lead Sam," she mumbled and looked down trying to concentrate on the steps to the dance.

Sam's dimples were working overtime as he heard her mumbled words. Unconsciously, he pulled her closer to him. Their dance increased in its intensity and they got lost in each other's eyes.

As the dance came to a closer both of them were breathing heavily as Sam twirled Andy into the dip. His mouth was mere inches away from hers. Their eyes met, chests heaving from dancing and nerves. It would have been so easy to close the distance and kiss her. Before Sam could get the chance, Sarah's voice broke his concentration and he almost dropped Andy.

"Easy Sammy, tomorrow's another day." Sarah teased him before walking away.

Sam and Andy straightened up somewhat embarrassed and tried to get themselves lost in the crowd of wedding guests. "Drink," he asked her a bit more gruffly then he meant to.

"Yes , please!" She nearly cried at Sam's disappearing back.

It wasn't two minutes after Sam had left her at their table to get drinks that his cousin had found her and began a conversation. Jason was clearly related to Sam and Sarah, his dimples were less pronounced and he definitely had the air of perceived awesomeness about him. Despite her rampant thoughts about how she and Sam had nearly kissed, she found herself smiling at a few of his jokes. He definitely told much better jokes then Sam did, but she loved Sam's so much more.

When Sam returned to her side with a glass of Champaign, he had a scowl on his face. Andy's face instantly fell at the dark look that Sam had on his face. If Jason had noticed his cousin's bad mood, he ignored it and his cousin as he continued to try and make Andy laugh. When he failed to get more than an obligatory smile from her Jason took a hint and patted his cousin on the shoulder as he wandered away.

She watched as Sam downed his drink quickly and set it a little bit too harshly down on the table nearly breaking the stem on the flute. "Sam," Andy asked in a soft voice.

He was almost ashamed of the somewhat confused look he knew he had caused to shade Andy's face when Sarah came rushing over her to. "Andy! Come on girl right now!" Sarah shouted in an excited voice as she grabbed a hold of Andy's arm. "Bouquet toss!"

Sam's momentary annoyance at his sister was set aside only by his amusement at watching as Andy was awkwardly thrust into the crowd of single females in the middle of the dance floor. He watched her try to maneuver away from Sarah in what he supposed was a way to save her from catching the bouquet. Sam nearly laughed. Andy had no such luck and Sarah was devious.

Andy heard her name shouted just as she had worked her away out of the gaggle of women. Turning to the voice she reached out her arms in reflex and caught Sarah's bouquet. It would have been hysterical Sam thought to himself, if he didn't have to worry about who was going to can't the garter and then put it on Andy's leg. It was irrational and all in good fun, but Sam's blood was beginning to boil thinking about one of these guys sliding their hands up Andy's leg, and if the family tradition held, get to kiss the girl that caught the bouquet.

Sam was feeling that anger start to build in his chest again and he knew that he'd at least have to warn Andy that his family would expect her to kiss the man that caught the garter. He cast a glance over at his cousin Jason who was grinning and eyeing Andy again. Jason was also keeping track of where Steven was and the garter that was in his hand.

Sam began to cross the floor in an almost desperate attempt to reach Andy. What was he so worried about? It's not like the kiss would mean the end of the world, it was all in good fun. It wouldn't mean anything right? What if Jason got it and he had made Andy laugh earlier…

Sam's thoughts were broken by something hitting him in the face. He stopped instantly and looked down to see the blue garter in his hands. His head shot up to look at Steven who was grinning like a Cheshire cat and turned to look dumbfounded at Andy.

Oh hell.

Reviews make my day! Please let me know what you think! :-D We're definitely almost done here and it makes a little sad, but I could definitely see adding some more drama here. Anyway, let me know what you think