The Other Branning ~ Eastenders

Tell us a story, Johnny

"Everyone always tells me, ah, you're so lucky, your daughters are beautiful and intelligent. I say, damn right they are, they've got me as a Dad. I couldn't even begin to express how proud I am to be standing here today, on my eldest daughters wedding day. My youngest hasn't even been born yet, six months grown still in the womb. As a Dad to two daughters already, it was obvious from the start how protective I was of them. From the day my Grace was born, the first moment I held her in my arms; I was sure it would take one hell of a man to be good enough for my daughter." Jack started his wedding speech.

"Grace has always surprised me. She never fails. Six months ago, I would've never thought that it would be my twenty year old baby nursing me back to my full strength. She started walking when she was seven months old, talking when she was two. She's always been ahead of the game. And now, she's surprised me once again, by finding a man that not only loves her to pieces, but fits in perfectly with our family. Amy, my other baby, thinks of him as a brother, Grace absolutely adores him. Lee, you've always treated my little girl like a princess, I wouldn't trade you for anyone. A father always knows when somethings right for his daughter. You, my new son-in-law, are right for Gracie." He finished, Grace kissed her Dads cheek. "I love you with all my heart, Grace."

"Love you too, Dad." Grace hugged her Dad, tight. "I'm so glad you're here right now."

"Alright, alright. It's my turn now ya sops." Mick butted in, his speech at the ready. "My soldier boy, Lee. What can I say? From the day you were born I knew where you got your good looks. Your mother." He earned a few chuckled from the guests. Grinning, he continued, "those good looks have got you a few birds over the years, but none like Grace. Grace, well she makes you fall in love every single day. When you and your brother and sister were growing up, the one thing I wanted for you all was to have a relationship like your mothers and mine. To be able to fall in love with the same person every single day, to find their new quirks everyday, laugh with them, cry with them, till death do you part. Grace is your one, Lee." Mick finished his own speech, patting Lee on the back before going over to help Linda serve at the bar.

"It must be time for the best man speech!" Linda clapped her hands excitedly. "Go on, Johnny, tell us your story!" Lee had of course picked his younger brother to be his best man.

"Ok, when we moved here three years ago we really couldn't have anticipated everything that would've happened to us. Lee's ex girlfriend, Whitney, fell in love with me first. But I'm gay. So she went for her second best...Lee. We both know who got the better looks." Johnny chuckled, winking at his older brother and Grace. "But alas. She wasn't the one. Then he met sweet Grace...the face he fell in love with from second one. The story of the Carters is a long one, I know us kids have broken my Mums heart along the way. Now, I can see her standing over there, she's looking over at Lee and Grace, and she's knows she's done good. She's raised us well and now it's paying off. The wedding was amazing, a day full of love and laughter, it's all down to you, Mum." Johnny congratulated her. "And congrats to my big brother and new sister."

"Yay! Gracie and Leelee are finally married!" Any ran up to her sister, Grace picked her up.

"You had a good day, my lovely?" Grace asked her little sister as Amy put her arms around Grace's neck in a cuddle. Amy nodded in response. "You looked beautiful all day in your bridesmaids dress and you were even better at walking down the aisle than me! And I've been practicing for months."

"I'm the better sister." Amy sassed Grace.

"You got told." Lee laughed.

"Shut your trap, husband." Grace smirked back at him.

"Mummy wants to go soon, Amy." Jack joined them. "Mummy's getting tired, your baby brothers getting heavier and I think she's about to stack it. Make sure you say goodbye to your sister first and then come find me, ok? Love you." Jack planted a kiss on his youngest's forehead and went to find Roxy.

"Can't I stay with you?" Amy asked Grace and Lee.

"How about tomorrow night, instead?" Lee suggested.

"But I want to stay for the rest of the wedding." Amy pouted, refusing to leave.

Grace set Amy down on the ground. "Ok, Amy." Lee began to explain to her, "you know sometimes when you come and stay with me and Grace because your Mummy and Daddy want some special time?" Amy nodded in response, "well, tonight is mine and Grace's special time, after our wedding night."

Amy gave him puppy dog eyes. "It's not gonna work, Ames. I know every trick in the book." Grace chuckled at her little sister. "Anyway, you need to look after Mummy and Daddy for me tonight."

Amy sighed. "Fine. Love you Grace and Lee." She put one arm around each of their necks in a hug before skipping off to find her Dad.

"You were surprisingly good at explaining that to her." Grace praised her new husband.

"She's my new little sister after all." Lee shrugged. "Come here, you." He held Grace in his arms and kissed her. "You, look so beautiful. I feel like I've barely seen you except for at the alter! It's out wedding day, babe, we've done it. I put a ring on it." He smirked. "You're all mine."

"Forever and always." Grace promised him, kissing her husband again.