There was a New Year's Eve party being held in the Vic with the hosts being the new owners of Walford's local pub which were Mick and Linda Carter. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Max Branning was standing by the bar of the pub with a cloudy pint clutched within the grip of his hand. He gazed over at his daughter Abi Branning who was slow dancing on the dance floor with her boyfriend of almost three years, Jay Brown. He observed the way they were dancing, how they got lost in the moment. Their faces showed how much they were in love with one another, how it was like they were alone in the Vic, like there was nobody else in the world.
However, Max couldn't help but think about how he was enough for his youngest daughter not long ago, how he was Abi's number one as she told him so. Abi still meant the world to Max and Jay knew that and had pure respect for that. Jay respected the father of his girl. Max watched Jay pull Abi closer to him as they continued to dance, how careful Jay was as he held her in his arms, just like he wanted.
Max let out a sigh. Time changes everything, life must go on and he wouldn't dare to stand in Jay's way and ruin his daughter's happiness. Although, Max will always remind himself of how he loved Abi first, how he was the first one to hold her; a special place in his heart will always belong to his precious daughter. Max's memory brought him back to the time when Abi breathed for the first time and how Abi smiled up at her daddy. He knew all along how the love of a father runs deep. But he prayed that Abi would find a man who is warm and loving and is devoted to her. She found that in Jay. But Max still found it so hard to give her all to Jay because he loved her first.
Max couldn't come to terms with how the beautiful woman that was dancing with Jay was the same red headed, freckle face kid that he knew. The one who he once read fairytales to and the one who he tucked into bed all those nights.
Max started to remember when he came home from a busy day at the car lot during March 2011 to find Abi and Jay kissing on the sofa. He didn't want Abi seeing him as he thought that he was trouble but he knew that it would only be a matter of time until they got serious, which is where they happen to be on this current day. Although, Max will always remind himself of how he loved Abi first, how he was the first one to hold her; a special place in his heart will always belong to his precious daughter. Max's memory brought him back to the time when Abi breathed for the first time and how Abi smiled up at her daddy. He knew all along how the love of a father runs deep. But he prayed that Abi would find a man who is warm and loving and is devoted to her. She found that in Jay. But Max still found it so hard to give her all to Jay because he loved her first.
But Max still couldn't help but think how he loved Abi first, how he was the first one to hold her; a special place in his heart will always belong to his precious daughter. Max's memory brought him back to the time when Abi breathed for the first time and how Abi smiled up at her daddy. He knew all along how the love of a father runs deep. But he prayed that Abi would find a man who is warm and loving and is devoted to her. She found that in Jay. But Max still found it so hard to give her all to Jay because he loved her first.
Then, Max began to think of the future, how in five to ten years time, Jay and Abi could have a beautiful baby girl in their arms. Their own pride and joy, their own little miracle, then Jay will inherit those feelings Max had for Abi when she started dating him and understand what Max was going through. And Jay will remember how he loved his little girl first when she finds her prince charming.
Max chuckled as he watched Jay dip Abi unexpectedly which resulted in Abi hitting him across the arm playfully before emerging from the dance floor hand in hand, laughing together.