Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
JASMINE
I look around the dining room table and smile as I watch my guys and our friends laughing and joking together. The table that usually sits twelve has been compacted so eight of us can sit together comfortably.
The guys, of course, pulled out all the stops today. They have spoilt me and spent far too much money as usual. But it's something I’m starting to come to terms with.
The O’Reillys have a lot of money and want to spend it on me as it brings them joy, so I let them. Do I wish they would tone it down a little? Of course, but whenever I bring it up, they just shrug and say they work hard for what they have and want to spend it on me.
“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.
“I wanted to call quickly and wish you a Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Ver. Have you managed to enjoy your day at all?” I ask, walking back over to the sofa where I’d been sitting with Jason. I curl back up beside him as he places an arm around my shoulder and hands me my half-filled glass of wine.
“Believe it or not, it’s been amazing! I woke up to find Travis had been to the other house and picked up the tree and decorations. He decorated the whole downstairs as I slept. Jasmine, after everything that’s been going on, it was perfect just because all three guys were here with me.”
I know there is a lot we need to talk about, and we will, very soon, but not today.
“I’m glad your daddy got home in time for Christmas. You deserve to be spoilt.” Jason kisses the top of my head as his arms tighten slightly.
“So do you, Jaz. I bet you’ve been spoilt rotten today by your daddies.” Before I get a chance to answer, the puppy starts barking at Christian, still desperately trying to get his attention. “Did I just hear a dog?” Verity asks as I hear the shock in her voice.
“Yep. Daddy Max got him for me. He’s trying to get Daddy’s attention and doesn’t like that he’s not picking him up,” I giggle. Christian looks at me with that Daddy look he gives when I’m pushing my luck. But I don’t miss the way he’s trying desperately not to smile.
“Aww, send me pics! I obviously have my phone again. I need to see him! Has he got a name?”
“No,” I admit. “I need to think of one, but nothing suits him.
“Send me pics, and we will work one out together.”
The puppy starts yapping again whilst trying to jump up Christian's legs. I can't help smiling when Christian sighs, picks him up and places him beside him. The puppy ignores him, curls up on his lap, and settles as Christian glares down at him. When Christian's eyes meet mine, I don’t miss the warning in them. I smirk and lean further into Jason, who’s chuckling at his brother.
“I need to go. Ethan’s cracked open another bottle of champagne and demanded that I help him drink it,” Verity laughs as I hear a couple of other voices on her end of the call.
“Okay, I’ll send the pictures over now, and we can call and talk more tomorrow or something.”
We end the call, and I place my now empty glass on the coffee table before smiling at Christian.
“Are you going to take the mutt back now?” he asks with an arched brow. I grin, shaking my head and snap a quick picture of them on my phone.
“He looks happy now he’s having cuddles with Daddy.”
The whole room looks at Christian and starts laughing, which wakes the puppy, who cuddles closer to Christian, looking for protection. Instead of letting him rest, Christian sighs and stands whilst holding the puppy, only to drop him onto my lap.
“I think he needs letting out,” he mutters, heading to the bar.
“Come on, Shorty, we can take him for a walk around the garden,” Maximus says as he moves over with the lead. The puppy instantly jumps down and runs around his feet, almost tripping Maximus up in his excitement.
“Remember the rule!” Christian calls as Maximus and I head out of the sitting room.
“He poops, I scoop,” I call back. “Don’t worry, I won't forget!” If Christian replies, we are too far away to hear it. Maximus laughs beside me as he passes me the lead and takes my hand in his.
We head straight to the kitchen and out of the back door, where we start to walk the puppy around the dark garden.
“Have you had a good day, Shorty?”
I smile, nodding and giving his hand a quick squeeze.
“It’s been perfect, thank you.”
He pulls me to a stop and wraps an arm around my waist, holding me tightly against him before kissing me.
“I’m glad to hear it. You deserve so much happiness after everything you have been through.”
I smile back before kissing him again.
“I am the happiest girl alive and will be even happier in a few short weeks when I will be married to all four of you.”
“It couldn’t come soon enough, Shorty. I can’t wait until you are finally my wife.” He kisses me, but this time, it starts to deepen quickly. But before it can go any further, the puppy pulls against the lead and whines. We both look down at him and laugh.
“Come on, let's see if we can think of a name as we walk.” Maximus holds out his hand, and I happily take it, so we walk around hand in hand, laughing at all the ridiculous names we can think of, ending the day happier than I have ever been at Christmas.