CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO

It was the next night; the eve before the wedding. Friends and family had come together at Jack and Martha's place to celebrate the conjoined bux and hens' night. Because of Laila, Jack had thought it would be a good idea if they brought the two parties together, and then that way he and Martha could both watch over Liala throughout the night.

Jack looked around the room trying to find Martha. He spotted her in the kitchen with Tasha and Kit; giggling excitedly. He was pretty excited himself. Tomorrow he was finally going to marry the girl of his dreams and she was going to be his forever. Laila made things even better. He didn't think life could get any better than this.

Jack was just about to turn away when Martha turned and caught his eye once more. She sent a flirtatious smile his way and then turned back to the girls. Jack then slowly made his way out onto the front porch so he could get a bit of air.

"You ready for tomorrow?" a voice said from behind him.

Jack spun around and found himself face to face with his father. "As ready as I'll ever be," he answered his father's question.

"I'm glad you've found someone who makes you happy, and I'm glad that girl is Martha," Tony started. "Your mum would have loved her, you know?" he then said.

Jack nodded. "Yeah, I know," he smiled. He then started to laugh. "Please don't go and get all soppy on me. It's creepy seeing you cry," Jack joked.

"I wasn't going to cry," Tony laughed. "Besides, you're the wussy boy in this family," he teased.

"I am not," Jack defended himself.

They spoke for a few more minutes before Martha's three brothers joined them outside.

"What's going on?" Jack asked them.

"So Jack," Greg started. "We think now is the best time to give you the whole brides big brother speech," he said.

"Oh, this should be fun," Tony gleefully rubbed his hands together.

"Okay," Jack laughed; even though he was feeling slightly uncomfortable about the way the three young men were looking at him.

"Okay, so for the next thirty seconds or so we are not your friends. We're the very protective and shot gun-wielding older brothers," Macca said seriously.

Jack looked over and glared at his father when he heard Tony stifling a laugh behind his beer glass. Tony stopped the laughing almost immediately, but he still had a smile on his face.

"There are three things we're going to tell you," Greg began. "Firstly you look after our baby sister the best way you can. You will treat her with the love and respect that she deserves," he said with a serious face.

"Secondly," Dave started. "You ever hurt her, physically or emotionally, we'll chop your legs off and chuck you out into our back paddock and we'll let the wild dingoes eat you," he said; his facial expression matching the seriousness of Greg's just a moment before.

Jack shifted uncomfortably on his feet and coughed lightly. He then looked at Macca; waiting for his lecture.

Macca grinned. "If you ever leave her; I'll kill you," he exclaimed.

Jack just nodded and took another gulp of beer. "Fair enough," he muttered.

"Right, we'll now that's done; let's go and have some fun," Greg laughed and slapped Jack on the back before walking back inside. Dave and Macca followed close behind him.

Jack looked over at his dad, who was still stifling a laugh.

"I hope you and Lucas plan on giving that same speech to Martha," Jack joked.

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Martha moved around the room chatting happily with everyone, but now she was looking for Jack. She couldn't see him anywhere. She decided to go to their room and see if he was in there with Laila. She smiled when she found him leaning over the crib; looking at their sleeping daughter.

"Hey you," she whispered huskily in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

Jack spun around to face her. "Hey," he smiled as he looked down into her sparkling blue eyes.

"What are you doing in here all alone?" Martha asked as she nuzzled his neck affectionately.

"Oh, I just needed a few minutes to…get my thoughts into…um….," Jack started to answer but stopped when Martha's lips started to nibble on his neck. Tiny bolts of pleasure were starting to shoot through his body "You gotta stop that Martha, otherwise I really won't be responsible for what comes next," he stuttered a little; trying hard to control himself.

Martha laughed but continued on with her ministrations. "Why don't I close the door and you can show me what comes next," she flirted.

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but a loud voice from the doorway interrupted them. "Ahem," Tasha cleared her throat.

Martha and Jack quickly jerked away from each other. They turned to face the door and found Tasha and Robbie watching them.

"Mac, come with us if you want to live," Tasha exclaimed.

Jack smiled. "She's not going anywhere. But you two are, so can you close the door on your way out," he smirked.

Jack, believing that they would do as he asked, turned back to Martha and started to kiss her again. Just as his lips touched hers, he felt himself being jerked back. He swung around to face the culprit; who turned out to be Robbie with a grin on his face.

"Get the hell lost if you don't wanna die," Jack said as he pushed Robbie away.

"Jack Holden, you know the rules; no more monkey business until the wedding night," Robbie said with an evil grin.

It was Martha's turn to groan as she felt herself being pulled away from Jack. "I love you," she said with a pout.

"I love you too," Jack called out as he watched his wife to be being dragged away from him; when all he could think about right now was taking her away and making sweet love to her and holding her all throughout the night. "This is gonna be a long night," he muttered as he took a swig of the beer that Robbie had just handed him.

"Cheer up," Robbie laughed.

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THE NEXT MORNING

Martha opened her eyes and found four young women standing over the top of her. Tasha, Cassie, Maddie and Kit were all smiling down at her.

"Get up sleepy head. It's time to get married," Matilda said in a sing song voice.

Martha grinned and sat up. She felt this sudden energy running through her body. She'd never felt so excited in her whole life.

A few moments later, Beth came walking into the room with a big tray of food; muffins, croissants, toast and fruit. Then her mother and Sally walked in carrying two bottles of champagne.

"It's time to celebrate," Roo smiled at her daughter as she waved one of the bottles in the air.

Martha laughed. "I'm getting married," she squealed.

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