Page 131 of Four Fiances & I

“No. She has a lot to do already,” Verity says, glancing at Danielle with a warning.

“Sorry, but yeah, you should have just accepted it with a thank you,” Danielle shrugs, never being one to sugarcoat anything. Looking around, I can tell the girls are divided over what I should do, which doesn’t help me.

“I’ll see if she brings it up again. If she does, I’ll tell her to ask Christian.” I go back to the flowers before me when Abbi chuckles under her breath.

“Think she's decided the same thing.”

I turn and see Mrs Brown has come back with not one, but all four O’Reillys, who look like they are trying desperately not to laugh in front of Mrs Brown.

“Will you explain to this girl what happens if you are in my bad books?” she demands, placing her hands on her hips.

“What did you do?” Sean sighed, looking at me.

“Nothing! I just said she didn’t need to go through all the trouble of making us a cake because we didn’t need one!” I expect the guys to agree with me, but all four hiss through their teeth as they recoil from me in unison.

“Shorty, I love you, but you're on your own with this one,” Maximus grimaces, looking between me and Mrs Brown.

“Sweetheart, if Mrs Brown says she is making you a cake, you accept the cake,” Christian adds, glancing at Mrs Brown, who nods.

“Jazzy, I told her she didn’t need to make me a cake for my twenty-first, as I had no intention of being home for it.” Jason looks to Christian, who looks like he's about to burst; his lips are sucked into his mouth as he tries desperately not to laugh or smile

“Guess where he spent his birthday,” Sean says with a smile.

“It wasn’t in the strip joint he wanted it to be. But at least there was cake,” Maximus laughs as Jason slaps him around the back of the head.

I look to Mrs Brown, who has her hands back on her hips, looking like she is daring me to continue arguing with her.

“I love your lemon cake; it’s my favourite. Thank you, Mrs Brown,” I answer quietly, playing with the bottom of my jumper, feeling bad for upsetting her. I can't even bring myself to look at her as I mumble an apology. All four O’Reillys are struck down with coughing fits until Mrs. Brown turns and looks at them all.

“Are the four of you ever going to grow up?” she asks, rolling her eyes before turning back to me.

“Thank you, dear. See, it wasn’t that hard.” She walks up to me and cups my cheek lovingly. “The boys mother, bless her heart, loved making them cakes for their birthdays or any celebration. It’s a tradition, and she asked me to carry on when she knew she wouldn’t be able to. She would have loved nothing more than being the one to make your wedding cake, so it's my honour to do it for her.” She kisses my cheek and walks away, leaving us all staring at her speechless.

“Well, now I feel like a giant bitch,” I gasp under my breath, throwing my hands up in the air. “You could have warned me!” I snap, still whispering. I glare at the guys, but one look at the shock on their faces, and I realise; they never knew.

“Is that true?” Maximus asks, turning to Christian and Jason.

“I’d forgotten she always made our cakes,” Christian whispers, looking at Jason, who’s watching him nodding.

“It all makes sense now. Mrs Brown has never missed a birthday or celebration,” Jason answers to no one in particular as he shakes his head.

The guys don’t talk about their mother much; I know very little about her other than that her name was Helena, and she loved her boys, who loved her too. I’ve always wanted to learn more about her, but I know what it’s like to talk about someone you miss, so I never ask. I’m not sure if they speak to each other about her; they never have around me anyway.

“Are you okay, Daddy?” I ask Christian as I step up next to him. I take his hand, and he looks down at me momentarily before forcing a smile.

“I’m fine, Sweetheart.” He kisses the top of my head and walks out of the room, leaving the rest of us to watch as he goes. Not liking how unhappy he is, I go to chase after him, but Jason stops me by taking my hand.

“Leave him, Jazzy. He’s okay, he just needs a minute.” He looks back to the door before pulling me into his arms. “He’s been missing her more than usual lately. He wishes she had met you and seen how happy you make us all.”

“Has he said something?” I ask. Jason leans down and kisses my lips before looking deep into my eyes I notice the way his are sparkling as they fill with tears.

“She would have loved you,” he smiles as he tucks some hair behind my ear. “You would have been the best of friends and caused so much trouble together.” He looks to where Christian left and sighs deeply before a single tear escapes down his cheek. “He didn’t need to say anything for me to know he’s missing her more because I am too.” Without looking back, he walks from the room. The twins share a look as they watch their brothers leave.

Sean wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my head.

“Mum has always been a challenging subject for them. It’s easier for us; we had each other to get through losing her, but Christian and Jason didn’t. Tommy made sure they didn’t get to grieve for her and pushed Christian harder once she was gone. With her not being there to remind him of what good he had in his life, Tommy could use Christian's grief and turn him into the ruthless man he became. He was taught how to turn his anger and hurt into a weapon, and it took him a long time to see that’s what Tommy was doing; by then, Tommy had what he wanted. He could get his hands on anything he wanted without getting them getting dirty. That’s what he had Christian for.” He looks to Maximus, who seems a little lost in his own head. He takes a deep breath before grinning, and I know he’s pushing all his feelings down.

“Can I go back to stripping the Donavons of their cash now, Shorty? I had a blinder of a hand when we got dragged away.” He turns and winks at Verity, who stands with her hands on her hips and points between the two brothers.

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