Weddings, who needs 'em? What's the point of making such a deep promise that you don't know for certain you'll be able to keep. Who says the person you're with at that moment in time is the person you're meant to be with forever? I know love doesn't last, I've seen it with my own parents. Sure, there was a time when they were happy but that came crashing down when dad drank too much and mom started letting herself go. It was a blessing when their rings came off. Mom and I were free from all the verbal, and sometimes physical, abuse. She and I were going to make a better lives for ourselves, and we did, until she met this guy named Carl and fell head over heels for him.


That explains why I'm here now, in the reception hall of a beautiful hotel. My mom had just said I do for the second time in her life and I'd just gained a new father figure. Carl was a decent enough guy. He had a stable job, he loved my mom and he'd been through a divorce so he knew how we both felt.. But I didn't like the idea of mom rushing into this with him. Too late for that now. She was officially Joyce Meadows.


The wedding was nice, as far as weddings go. Mom looked flawless in her cream colored dress and Carl looked nice in his tux. They made a promise, slid on rings and locked lips. Now, they were dancing and laughing with their friends, while I sat in the corner with my own best friend sipping on a bottle of champagne I'd managed to snatch from one of the drunk bridesmaids looking for love. My tie was hanging loosely around my neck and my sleeves were rolled as Alex joked about how much ass he could be pulling right now.


"Dude, check it out," Alex nudged me in the side, his finger pointing in the direction of the newly weds. Standing beside my new step-dad was a girl that appeared very tiny. She, a lot like Alex and myself, didn't really fit in with the fancy crowd around us. "She's an elf!"


"A hot elf," I smirked, tipping back my glass of bubbly before anyone could notice I still had it. "I wonder why she's talking to Carl."


"The better question is: Why aren't we talking to her? I hear chicks with nose rings are easy."


"That's bullshit," I snickered, pulling myself to my feet once Alex stood. "We should go introduce ourselves, though. You know, so we don't seem rude."


"Is that your way of saying you don't want to hook-up at your mom's wedding?"


"Yep."


Alex shot me a crooked grin as he adjusted his suit. We nodded to each other before we began venturing towards Carl and the small beauty. I watched with raised brows as he bent over to hug her, the kind of hug you see in a movie where two people hadn't seen each other in so long. She must have been family, but I'd never even heard about Carl having a brother or sister.


I was about to whisper my thought to Alex when Carl turned and pointed in our direction. Had he noticed we took the champagne? I let out a groan as he placed his hand on the elf's back and began leading her towards us. Maybe he just wanted us to hang out with her since there was like, no one else here in our age group.


"Jack! This is Ember, my daughter."


Alex and I both choked on our spit, for no real reason, other than we'd never once heard about Carl having a daughter. Did my mom even know? And if she did, why didn't anyone warn me that this hot, little badass was destined to be my new sibling of sorts?


"Don't worry," Ember smirked, popping one hip out so the black dress around her frame made her curves stand out more. "I didn't know about you, either. Welcome to the family, Jack."


I gulped. There was a look in her eyes that told me I should be worried about this arrangement, but a voice in my head that told me to give her a chance. If I didn't, it'd break my mother's heart. I wasn't willing to do that. So, I sucked it up and pulled the small girl into an awkward hug.


"You too, Ember."


"Maybe you can help me decorate my room when we get home."


My mouth fell open. Holey fuck. My mom just got married. I have a step-sister I never knew about and now she was moving in. What the Hell was going on here?! Ember took notice to my confusion. For a moment, I thought I saw a sadness in her eyes, almost like she had just been thrown into the loop with me, but it was quickly replaced by a wicked smile. She didn't like this idea, either, I could sense it. But just like me, she put her dad's happiness before her own.


"See you later, Jack."


Carl waved me off as he and Ember turned to go meet my mom. My head was spinning as we made our way back to the table and I feel against my chair. Alex stared at me with concerned eyes and a cocky smile. It was just like him to make light of a crazy situation.


"Dude. Your new sister is a hot elf."


"Don't call her my sister," I grumbled, looking off to where Ember was hugging my mom like they were life-long friends. "It's going to be a long year, Alex."

Notes

Hey guys! New co-author project that I'm pretty stoked about! This is kind of just to give you a feel of Jack's life and his selflessness in the situation. The exciting part will be getting to know Ember, since we all know Jack already. <3.
Please let us know what you think?! (:

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