Team: Echo (34 page)

“
Yeah, whatever you say big brother.” She leaned into him and
hugged him. “Besides, I like keeping people guessing. You know as
well as I do that I can totally be patient, when I want
to.”

She flushed at the presents and shook her head. “You guys.”
She felt like crying, dammit. “I didn’t know there would be gifts
too.”

“
Of course there are presents,” Gareth said with a grin. Honey
was on his hip, her head resting on his shoulder. “It wouldn’t be a
wedding without gifts. But you don’t have to open a single one of
them if you are so against it. I’m sure we can take them all
back.”

“
Oh no way, Jose.” Penny said with a grin. “I totally want to
open them.” She felt James and Dieter slide up to each side of her
body and she smiled. “So how about we get our gifts opened?” She
leaned into James when he wrapped his arms around her.

“
Quickly,” he said into her ear. “We have a flight to catch in
just under three hours. And we need to feed you a little more than
cake at some point too.” He pressed a kiss to her throat and then
urged her towards a chair Marius had just brought out. “Sit and
start opening. They should all have labels for the most part. If
not, then it’s probably mine or Dieters and, well,” he
grinned.

“
Open at your own risk is it?” Meirion asked, passing out
glasses of champagne.

“
Pretty much,” James chuckled.

“
Oh good. I am so glad that we are going to be fast. Okay, no
opening blank pressies until we are on the plane. Only then.” She
grinned and added, “So that you boys can explain to me how whatever
it is that you have gotten me works.” Because knowing those men
they would have gotten them high tech toys, ones she would be
screaming with but still.

“
If they need to explain anything of what they bought then you
really need to get out more,” Daisy muttered next to her with a
smirk. “And yes, I know almost all of them. A couple I don’t
because they went off on their own. But they did drag me along for
the rest as a consultant. Go, unwrap, eat and then get
going.”

“
Oh god,” Penny laughed at that and closed her eyes. “Okay, so
those presents please ensure are ready to go to our honeymoon with
us so that others don’t see them.” She shook her head and took the
first gift past to her. She then started to open the gifts given to
them.

It didn’t take long to work through the pile. Some gifts were
obviously gags, others were thoughtful and few were, well... A few
would be remembered for a very long time. And if the looks James
and Dieter were sending off to those doing the gifting, never
forgotten and repaid tenfold down the line. Finally they were
cutting the cake, eating some finger foods and then Daisy rushed
her off to get changed for the flight. All the unmarked packages
had been slipped into bags and left at the front door for their
departure. Right next to suitcases. When the guys had packed she’d
never guess, or how they’d managed it on top of everything else,
but they were prepared.

Then it was time for the goodbye’s and last minute
suggestions from the oh-so helpful men. “Be good,” Mikhail said
giving her a hug. “And give them hell the entire time.”

Daisy smacked him as he moved aside and she slipped close to
hug Penny. “Enjoy the honeymoon and make detailed notes. I want to
hear every single detail when you get back.” She stepped back and
grinned mischievously. “And I do mean every, single detail,” she
waggled her brows.

“
Oh hell no D. What happens on my honeymoon stays on my
honeymoon.” She looked up at her boys and smiled. “Besides, I’m
sure that my boys wouldn’t want their secrets to be told. Would
you?”

“
Only if you’re bragging to make her jealous,” Dieter said,
grabbing up a couple of bags. “Other than that, no,” he added,
moving out of the way so James could get the rest.

“
Well, I for one, don’t want to hear nothing,” Gareth said
hugging her. “And Daisy doesn’t need to hear it either, does she?”
he stared down at his woman.

“
M’eh,” she shrugged, the grin still in place.

Penny gave Daisy a hug and then everyone a hug. She then
looked up at her husbands. “Take me out of here?”

“
Done,” James said, holding the door for her to get in.
Helping her up into the vehicle he slid in next to her so she was
sandwiched between his body and Dieters. Each man took a hand and
squeezed gently. “And now, to start our lives together,” he said
with a grin. Lifting her hand he kissed her fingers
gently.

“
And now we start our lives together.” And that was the last
thing she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, before the door
was closed and the car pulling away.

*The End