Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
JASMINE
I look around me and smile. It's Thursday afternoon, and I think we might actually pull off the impossible.
From one side of my dance studio to the other, there are tables filled with boxes of fake flowers, decorations we have made to hang around the wedding tent that will be put up Sunday morning, as well as a few for the tables.
Today, we are finishing the table decorations, and then Abbi and Verity will make the buttonholes, leaving Danielle and me to make the bouquets. The three of us have made these types of things before for props. Personally, I think we are doing a damn good job. I send a silent thank you to our dance teacher, Mrs Florence, for being a stickler for perfection and making us redo everything until it was perfect. It seems we would need these skills again after all.
For the tenth time in the last hour, I glance over to the rack where all our dresses are hanging in dress bags. They arrived last night and are already altered and ready for Sunday. My dress may not be the one I had designed especially for me, but there is something about this one that makes me well up every time I see it. Poor Mrs Brown has gotten sucked into all the planning. She not only spent last night doing any alterations needed with the dresses but is also making the food for our little gathering after the wedding. She is fantastic, and I’ve already told Christian we need to do something special for her as a thank you, even if I know she will have a fit.
“Jasmine, dear. What’s your favourite type of cake?”
I look up from the flowers I’m working on and frown.
“What do you mean? For dessert?”
“Don’t be silly, dear, I know that’s hot chocolate fudge cake with ice cream,” she chuckles, flipping a page on her notepad. “No, I mean as in sponge cake. I know you like lemon and wanted it in the original cake, but is it your favourite?”
“I love your lemon cake, but why are you asking?” She can’t seriously think she still needs to make our wedding cake.
“For your wedding cake, of course, I was going to be making it anyway.”
Damn it, I should have seen this coming. There is no way I can let her take on a big job like that when she is already doing so much.
“Don’t worry about the cake, Mrs. Brown. That was before you were doing everything else. You’ve got enough going on with the food and the dresses now.” The second the words leave my mouth and I see the look on her face, I know I have a fight on my hands.
“You need to have a cake! You can't have a wedding without one!” she exclaims.
“We don’t need one, honestly. I promise we will be fine without one. I couldn’t let you take on even more than you have already.”
She looks at me like I’ve completely lost it, and she wants to throw me into an asylum. Looking at the grand scale of things, a cake is the least of our worries. There’s only going to be nineteen of us anyway.
“No family of mine is getting married without a cake. So, do as you are told and tell me what flavours you want.” I try to argue again, but she storms off, leaving me feeling guilty. She’s never been cross with me before, and I think I may have hurt her feelings.
“Do you think I was out of order?” I ask, looking at the girls.
“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.
“Leave my men alone. If you think Jaz is scary, you haven’t seen me protect them yet!” we all stare at her for a moment before bursting out laughing. Verity looks shocked and then furious as we all try to stop.
“Oh, Ver, honey. I love you, but you are scary as a church mouse,” Danielle smirks as
Verity stares at her.
“Bitch,” Verity mutters, sitting back down and going back to the flowers in front of her.
“Don’t worry, sweetie, we won’t take all their money. We will leave enough for them to at least buy you a nice diamond ring,” Maximus winks as Verity’s cheek flush as she mutters something about “too soon.”
“Is that to go with the new ring on her hand?” I tease. Verity’s head snaps up as I grin at her. “You forgot to swap it to the other hand yesterday after lunch. And whenever you take it off, you automatically put it on your ring finger,” I point out.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she’s engaged!” Danielle snaps, turning to Verity. “You aren’t engaged, right? You would have at least told me if you were!” Danielle stares at her, and all I can do is laugh.
“Danielle, stop trying to scare her into saying she's not,” Abbi giggles, shaking her head. “She's probably just wearing it on that finger at times because she wonders what it will be like to be engaged. We’ve all done it!”
The three of us stare at Verity, who looks like a deer stuck in the headlights.
“I need some fresh air,” she declares, jumping to her feet and rushing from the room.
“Hey! Don’t run from us!” I yell, racing after her while the others jump to their feet and chase after her, too.
“Verity, they are in the sitting room!” Sean shouts after her as he tries to stop us from chasing after her. “Leave the poor girl alone!” he laughs as Danielle violently moves him out of the way. “Fuck she is vicious when she wants to be,” he curses, rubbing his side.
“She has a lot riding on this,” I laugh, walking up the stairs with the guys. They both start asking questions, but I refuse to explain further. Telling them to wait as we listen to the commotion coming from the sitting room.
We walk in to find Verity curled up on Ryan's lap as Danielle stands in front of her.
“See, she has nothing to say on the subject. Nothing! ”
“Danielle, enough,” I sigh, shaking my head. “I’m sure she will tell us everything once Sunday is out of the way,” I wink at Verity as Ryan and Ethan laugh. “FYI,” I add, smiling as she looks up at me sheepishly, “I hope I’m right because I would love nothing more than knowing my fellow brat was going to marry her daddies too.”
“Really?” Verity asks nervously.
“Absolutely! If you are hiding it, I know it will be because you are worried it will take attention away from me. But that would mean you have forgotten how much you mean to me and how your happiness is my happiness. Nothing will ever be more important than that.”
Verity and I look at each other for a moment before she jumps up from Ryan’s lap and launches herself at me. I hold her tight as she sobs into my shoulder.
“It’s been so hard not telling you!”
I laugh, hugging her even tighter.
“It’s been so hard not letting you know I had guessed.”
Danielle starts cursing loudly as Abbi bursts out laughing.
“What the hell is going on?”
I look behind me to see Travis, Christian and Jason looking confused as they walk into the room together.
“Are you okay, Sweetheart?” Travis asks, walking over to us as I release Verity, and she quickly wipes her eyes, grinning.
“I’m fine, Daddy,” she replies, laughing as she leans against him while still holding my hand. “Jasmine and the girls just worked out the secret,” she grins up at him as his face comes alive, and he smiles at her.
“Is that so?” he teases. She nods, squeezing my hand.
“So, just to confirm,” Danielle says, stepping right in front of us. “You are ….”
“Engaged,” Verity answers before moving her ring back onto the left ring finger.
“Son of a bitch!”
“Danielle!” Christian snaps, staring at her. Everyone else turns their attention to the woman, and she throws her arms up dramatically. This is followed by a string of curse words that turn the air blue.
“What?” she yells at him before facing Verity. “Love this for you, seriously, you deserve it,” she adds with a smile. “But could you have waited until she was on honeymoon? Do you have any idea what you have cost me!”
“What?” Verity asks, looking around. I lean in and press a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m personally over the moon you spilt the tea before the wedding,” I wink before turning to Danielle and Abbi, grinning. Walking away from the others, I pick up the internal phone and press Layton’s call button.
“Can you bring my winnings to the sitting room, please? Thanks.” I hear Layton laughing as I hang up. Turning my attention back to the room, I find the others watching me.
“Did you all bet on me?” Verity demands, stepping away from Travis.
“Yes, and because you can't hold your own piss, I’m down a thousand pounds!” Danielle exclaims.
“You were the one who was so sure she would spill after the wedding, but before the end of the honeymoon, you demanded that we up the stakes, twice!” Abbi laughs, taking a seat on one of the sofas.
“You bet a grand each?” Christian asks, looking at me with disappointed eyes.
“No. Five hundred each,” I shake my head. “It started at fifty, but she upped it to two fifty after the hen party. She went for double or nothing the night before the dress disaster.” I turn to Verity and smile. “Once we get back from the honeymoon, I have a hen party to plan.” Turning so I can lean my back against Christian's front, I turn my attention back to Verity and smile, smiling at the way all three guys are now surrounding her.
“That should cover our drinks for the night,” I wink as Christian pinches my hip playfully.
“Well, now the cat’s out of the bag, how about we celebrate?” Christian announces, surprising the hell out of all of us. He’s been so much more relaxed since going into lockdown. I guess knowing no one can get in or out, or even contact him is a weight off his shoulders.
Verity thanks him before heading over to me and threading her arm through mine.
“Who would have thought the Donavon’s and O’Reilly’s would be like this?” I ask, chuckling.
“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in, but it makes our lives a little easier,” she giggles.
“I’m so happy for you, not just because I’m richer for it, but because you deserve this.”
“We both do, Jaz. We are finally getting our happily ever after,” she replies before turning back to laugh at Travis as he opens a bottle of champagne he takes from Christian. Both of them grinning like kids as they start filling the flutes Christian places on the table in front of them.
“We really are, Verity, and it's going to be great.”