Page 19 of Four Fiances & I

“I saw him grabbing a coffee about six, mumbling something about retrieving his present for Jasmine, and heading out the door.”

Jason and I frown at each other before looking back to Sean.

“Did he say how long he would be? I’m not waiting around for him all morning,” I argue as we hear footsteps on the stairs behind us.

“I’m here. Keep your hair on, old man.” Maximus walks into view with a bundle in his arms.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Sean groans as Maximus grins at us.

“What the fuck have you done?” Jason growls through gritted teeth.

“Did you not think you should have spoken to us about this?” I ask, trying to keep my cool. Maximus looks at me with a deep frown on his face.

“I don’t need your permission to buy my fiancée a gift, Christian. If I want to get Shorty a puppy, I fucking will.” We glare at each other for a moment, but before I can respond, Jason steps between us.

“Look, we can discuss this later,” he states, looking between us. “We did all say we may get a dog in the future, as Jazzy wants one,” he adds. Maximus and I continue to stare at each other before I let out a deep breath and rub my face.

“You’re right. Let’s concentrate on the main thing: giving our girl the Christmas she deserves.” We all share a nod in silent agreement. But I don’t miss how Maximus looks at me, and I know there will be words between us at some point. We’ve been butting heads a bit more recently, and I worry that it's something that’s only going to get worse. Someday soon, we need to have it out, and I need to find out what the hell has gotten into him and why he is fighting me so much. But like Jason said, now is not the time, and we need to focus on Jasmine.

The four of us all head to her room and quietly walk in. Maximus, leads the way, we all stand at the bottom of the bed and watch our girl sleeping for a moment.

“Should we let her sleep longer?” Sean whispers.

“Nah, she would never forgive us,” Jason grins.

“I know how to wake her,” Maximus declares, putting the puppy on the bed. It looks at us all for a moment before Jasmine groans in her sleep. It quickly turns and rushes to her before pawing at her hand, nestling up to it.

Jasmine groans as she starts to wake up. But as soon as one eye opens, she jumps into the sitting position and stares at the puppy, who looks up at her with its tongue hanging out.

“Oh my god! Where did you come from?” she squeals, picking up the puppy and hugging it.

“Merry Christmas, Shorty!”

Jasmine looks up at us as we all call Merry Christmas as well.

“You gave me a puppy?” she asks, tears in her eyes.

“That was all Maximus,” I smile as it licks her face.

“Oh my god! Thank you, Daddy Max,” she cries, jumping from the bed, nearly tripping over her blankets in her haste before throwing an arm around Maximus, hugging him and the puppy.

I hate to admit it, but she looks so happy. The puppy does, too, as it looks up at her with the biggest eyes, desperate for her attention.

“You’re very welcome, Shorty. Merry Christmas.” When he looks into her eyes, I can see how much he loves her and wants to make her happy, just like the rest of us.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy,” she whispers before looking at the rest of us. Stepping away from Maximus, she walks to Sean and gives him a one-arm hug and kiss, wishing him a Merry Christmas before moving to Jason and eventually me.

“Happy Christmas, Sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear before kissing her.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.” Stepping back from me with a smile, she looks around at us all before bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Can we go downstairs?”

“Sure thing, Jazzy,” Jason laughs as she squeals and rushes for the door, still holding the puppy in her arms.

The four of us laugh as we follow her. Sean quickly catches up so we can all enter the large lounge, which we have decorated with a tree and various decorations.

“You okay?”

I turn to Jason, who gives me the look he gets when he knows I’m stewing on the inside.

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