Page 163 of Four Fiances & I

The bridesmaids start cheering loudly, and the rest quickly join in as the five of us laugh.

“God, I love this wedding,” Lucinda laughs. “Anyway …” she says a little louder, and everyone settles back down. “As I was saying, each of you will say a little something, and then you can exchange rings. Afterwards, I will end the ceremony, leaving you all to carry on the celebrations.” She looks around at the five of us smiling, and I suddenly feel more nervous than I have all day.

“Shall we start at one end and go from there?” she asks, and all heads turn to me. “I think that’s a yes,” she laughs as Sean steps back, letting me get to Jasmine.

Stepping forward, I take a deep breath and look at my beautiful girl. My jaw clenches as I take in her radiant smile, realising how close I am to losing it. Taking both of her hands in mine, I take another deep breath before beginning.

“Jazzy, I have sat down every day for six months and tried to work out what I wanted to say, but nothing ever seemed enough, but then nothing in relation to you is. Because I will never get enough of your smile, your laughter, and how your eyes sparkle when you feel mischievous, I will never get enough of how you feel when you are curled up in my arms or how you always make me believe I can take on the world. But most of all, I will never have enough time to tell you how special you are to me.

“You have the biggest heart and have grown so much in our time together.” Lifting her hand, I press a kiss on her knuckles. “You told me once I saved you, but Angel, you saved me too. I was lost before you walked into my life and gave me a purpose. You gave me a future I never thought I would have, so today, in front of everyone, I promise you that I will always love and protect you. I will save you every time you need me to. But most of all, I promise to be more than enough because there is nothing you could ever ask for which I would deny you.” As I look deep into her eyes, I see her lip tremble a little.

“Daddy, you really did save me that night you followed me. You knew that if you demanded I leave the pub and go with you, I would fight and refuse all help. So, instead, you sat there, watching over me and letting me do what I needed to knock down the barriers and admit I needed help. You saved me in more ways than one, and you did it by being patient, loving, and comforting. When I cried, you held me and offered words of reassurance. You showed me that I wasn’t a failure for asking for help. It was what I needed to hear. Every day since, you have showered me in support and told me time and time again that you will always guide me, and you have.

“You have always been more than enough, Daddy, and I know we will spend the rest of our lives saving each other because that’s what we do. We are a team, and nothing or no one will ever come between us. That’s a promise I want to make to you today in front of everyone who matters to us.” A single tear escapes her beautiful bright eyes, so I reach up and wipe it away slowly whilst cupping her cheek.

“I love you, Jazzy,” I whisper, leaning forward and kissing her lips.

“I love you too, Daddy,” she replies just as quietly as my heart swells, and I fall even more in love with my girl.

* * *

Sean

Watching Jason and Jasmine, I realise I’m unsure if I can do this without crying. This amazing woman is here declaring herself as ours, and I don’t deserve it, but I can’t lose her, not now, not ever.

“Sean, would you like to go next?” Lucinda asks as Jason steps back, giving me room to get to Jasmine. My hands shake as I take hers. She smiles while giving my hands a reassuring squeeze, giving me the encouragement I need like she always does.

“Princess, I’ve had my promise written for weeks, but now I’m standing in front of you, like Jason; it doesn’t feel like it's enough.

“From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me. I stood in that hotel lobby and decided there was nothing I wasn’t willing to do to make you mine. Within a few days of spending time with you, I had our whole future planned out. But when we discovered that all four of us had fallen for you, I never once thought you would choose them over me. Because I knew you had the other part of my soul. Everything with you is easy. Whether it’s talking about absolutely anything until the early hours of the morning or watching you as you interact with my brothers, I never feel like I have to be anything I’m not.

“You told me I taught you to fight, but you taught me there was something worth fighting for. I have always done my own thing and held myself back as I compared myself to others. But you have shown me what I can achieve by fighting for what I believe in and want. Without your encouragement, I would have never had the courage to branch out and start managing fighters. Every time I hit a snag and feel like throwing in the towel, I wonder, what would Jaz do?

“You really are the brains of this family, and I, for one, couldn’t be prouder of how you fight for us and yourself. You are a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to be by your side as you take on every challenge that comes your way, cheering you on and encouraging you to fight for what you want.

“Princess, you are my soul mate, my biggest supporter, my rock, my Princess, and now my wife, and I couldn’t be happier and more excited to start this next part of our journey.” Lifting her hands, I kiss her knuckles as she sniffles and takes a hankie that Verity offers her. She dabs under her eyes as everyone giggles around us.

“I’d been doing so well,” she laughs between tears. Taking a deep breath, she slowly lets it out as she retakes my hands and looks deep into my eyes.

“Daddy, you have shown me what it's like to love wholeheartedly, accept what I can’t change, and fight for what I can. You have made me a fighter, whether it’s to protect myself and those I love or if it’s just fighting to be seen and heard. I love you so much and hope you realise how proud I am of you and all you have achieved in your new role.

“I will always be your biggest supporter because I know there isn’t a challenge you could face and not conquer. I have every faith in you and know you can achieve great things. I will always be by your side, pushing you when you need me to, but most importantly, I will be rooting for you.” Leaning forward, I kiss her like I’ve wanted to since she walked into the tent.

“I love you, Princess,” I whisper against her lips as we both attempt to blink back the tears.

“I love you too, Daddy.”

* * *

Maximus

As Sean steps back and nods, signalling for me to step forward, I do what I’ve been longing to do since my girl walked down, looking like the Goddess she is.

Reaching for Jasmine's hand as Sean releases them, I spin her around to face me and kiss her whilst lifting her into my arms. Everyone around us bursts out laughing, including Jasmine, as I lower her to her feet.

“I couldn’t wait any longer, and I’m not sorry,” I smirk as Jasmine laughs, leaning into me, and I’m more than happy to hold her close.

“When have we ever done things the normal way?” she grins, looking even more radiant.

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