Surprise for New Year’s Eve: A Bride No One Expected
James, Oliver, and William had been inseparable since childhood. Despite their different careers and temperaments, their friendship had stood the test of time. James was the first to marry—not out of grand passion, but more because “it was the right thing to do.” Yet, over time, respect and even tenderness grew between him and his wife, Emily.
Next came Oliver’s turn. His was a true love story—passionate, mutual, and joyful. His wife, Sophie, quickly bonded with Emily, and the two couples began spending holidays together.
William, however, remained a bachelor. He brushed off jokes about settling down, claiming it was easier to breathe alone. But that New Year’s Eve, he announced he wouldn’t be arriving solo—he was bringing a girlfriend. For the first time ever, he wanted to introduce her to his closest friends.
At James’s house, preparations were in full swing: the tree was decorated, the roast was marinating, and the champagne chilled. Oliver and Sophie had already arrived with their young son, Thomas. Everyone buzzed with curiosity—what was she like? The woman William, always so particular, had chosen to bring?
“Probably some high-powered businesswoman with a Cambridge degree,” Oliver joked.
“Or a supermodel from the cover of Vogue,” James added.
“Honestly, lads, enough,” Emily sighed, tired of their guessing. “Whoever she is, what matters is that he’s happy with her.”
When the doorbell rang, James rushed to answer. There stood William… with Bryony.
William’s fiancée left everyone stunned. Petite, curvaceous, in a sequined mini dress, bold makeup, dramatic lashes, and long, intricately painted nails. Her hair was tied up in colourful braids, and beneath her coat peeked a leather crop top.
“Hi, everyone! So lovely to meet you!” Bryony beamed, batting her lashes. “You must be Emily and Sophie?”
The wives forced polite smiles as they shook her hand. The room buzzed with awkward tension, but everyone kept their composure.
In the kitchen, the women tried to include her. Bryony jumped in with enthusiasm—peeling vegetables, chopping herbs, grating beetroot. To everyone’s surprise, she worked swiftly and neatly. Emily and Sophie exchanged glances—they’d expected disaster, but instead got the most efficient sous chef.
“So, what do you do for work?” Sophie asked carefully.
“I’m a photographer,” Bryony replied. “Mostly editorial stuff, but I also do charity shoots. Just wrapped a project at a children’s home—wanted the kids to have some beautiful memories.”
That caught them off guard. It didn’t match the first impression at all. But what really surprised them was how effortlessly Bryony bonded with the kids. She spent the evening entertaining Thomas and James’s seven-year-old daughter, Lily.
When it was time to unwrap gifts (the friends had a tradition of exchanging presents before midnight), Bryony’s presents turned out to be thoughtful and heartfelt—each one carefully chosen.
The next morning, while the others still slept, Bryony was already outside building a snowman with the kids. The house smelled of coffee, and the kitchen was neatly set with arranged mugs.
“She’s a gem,” James murmured to William. “Hold onto her.”
“You’re lucky,” Sophie added, grateful for the first full night’s rest in ages.
And that’s when they all realised how wrong they’d been. Appearances deceive. Bryony was exactly the kind of woman—kind, genuine, dependable—that every man dreams of, even if he doesn’t admit it at first.
