Page 21 of Four Fiances & I

“Okay, here’s mine,” Terry laughs as he lifts the joke from the cracker he pulled with Maximus. “What is Santa’s favourite pizza?”

“I know this one!” Layton calls out excitedly.

“No, you don’t!” I tease. He looks at me from across the table, grinning smugly.

“Yes, I do, it’s meat feast!”

“Nope!” Terry laughs as the rest of the table laughs along.

“Why would it be a meat feast?” Sean laughs next to me.

“As in mincemeat, you get in mince pies,” Layton explains, frowning.

“Do you know it, Jaz?” Terry asks, shaking his head at Layton's horrendous answer.

“Of course, it’s one that’s deep-pan, crisp and even.” Everyone groans as Layton frowns at me.

“How does that even make sense?” he asks. The table goes quiet, and the two of us stare at each other.

“Do I really need to explain it to you?” I ask, arching one brow. When Layton just continues to stare at me, I shake my head and repeat the words in the tune of Good King Wenceslas.

“Ahh shit, she’s right.”

The table erupts with laughter as Layton sinks into his chair with embarrassment.

“No more drink for the rookie!” Terry laughs as he tosses the screwed-up joke across the table, aiming for Layton. “It’s okay, bud. I will find you an easier one.”

Layton reaches across so his hand shields Mrs Brown's eyes before flipping Terry off.

“Christian, have you seen the abuse your staff give me?” Terry laughs.

“I’ve seen the train regiment you put them through; I think you deserve it now and again,” he smirks while reaching over and taking my hand, which rests on the table.

As always, Christian is sitting at the head of the table with me on his left and Jason on his right. Maximus is beside Jason and Sean next to me, with Mrs Brown at the other head of the table, Terry and Layton on either side of her.

As soon as I heard that Terry wouldn’t see his daughter until Boxing Day and had planned on spending Christmas with Layton in the security room, I asked Christian if they could join us. I, of course, had to include Mrs Brown as she has become like a mother to me, especially after the whole kidnapping drama. I don’t know what I would have done without her.

I turn to look at Christian and notice he’s looking at the silver bracelet I had engraved for his Christmas present. It reads,“To my amazing Daddy, love your Baby girl xxx.”Luckily, Trent hadn’t asked too many questions when I had told him what to engrave. Although I’m sure he will never look at me in the same way again.

“Does it fit okay?” I ask, turning in my seat so I can give him my full attention. Christian lifts my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.

“It’s perfect, Sweetheart. Just like you.”

Even after all this time, the way he speaks to me makes butterflies erupt in my stomach and I have to stop myself from jumping on him.

“Everything I am, is thanks to you four,” I whisper before turning my attention to the other three, who I find are all watching us, smiling softly.

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m the person I am thanks to them. If it hadn’t been for the O’Reilly brothers coming into my life four years ago, I wouldn’t be a professional ballerina, living my dream life whilst studying in the best dance school in the UK. They did so much for me behind the scenes, and now they may not need to hide it, but simply by encouraging me and helping me learn and grow, they have shaped me into the person I always wanted to be.

“And everything we do is for you, Jazzy,” Jason winks before turning his attention back to our guests.

* * *

Content just to relax and enjoy the day together, we invited the others to join the five of us for the whole day. We are currently sharing a few drinks and nibbles in the sitting room and haven’t stopped laughing and joking all day; everything has been magical. But my mind has constantly wandered to my best friend, and I can't help worrying that she isn’t having the day she deserves. Verity will do anything for anyone, and I just hope her three men are all back with her and showing her the love she deserves.

“Princess, your phone’s vibrating.” I turn to look at Sean, who is standing on the other side of the room, chatting with Layton and Maximus. I quickly place the puppy on the floor and rush to where my phone is charging.

“Hey! I was just thinking about you!” I answer, looking around the room to find the puppy trying to get Christian’s attention as Verity laughs down the line.

---