Two Vibrant Hearts
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter 36
(A/N: So I have no fucking clue what Zach’s dad’s name is, and Emma tried helping me find it, and we came across a blog that seemed trust-worthy. So please tell me if I have his name wrong so I can go back and change it to be more realistic, thanks :D)
“Wait-what?” I choked, completely taken back by what she just said. “A-are you sure?”
“James Baker?” My mom stated. I looked at Zach, who was staring at me with wide and confused eyes.
“What’s your dad’s name?” I asked quietly. He raised an eyebrow, confusion masking his face even more.
“James. Why?” Zach questioned.
“Mom, you’re not being serious right now, are you?” I asked, in utter shock.
“Yes, Jessi. I’m being 100% serious about this.” My mom replied.
“But you’re 55.” I pointed out, whining a little bit.
“Yes, but 55 year olds need love too, don’t they?” My mom retorted. I groaned loudly.
“C’mon mom! Dad didn’t get remarried! I don’t even think he got another girlfriend.” I whimpered, upset running through me. The reason my mom left my dad was because she thought he was cheating and he said he wanted to break up. My mom always told me that if my dad found another girl, she’d have no choice but to find another guy because she hated being alone. But that was the thing; as far as I knew, my dad was still single.
“I know, Jessi. But I’m not going to just break up with James because your dad decided to stay single.” My mom sighed.
“Have you told Katelyn or Jacob yet?” I asked, referring to my siblings.
“Yes. And your father. They’re all happy for me. I thought you’d be happy too.”
“You told dad?” I asked incredulously.
“Well, I had-“
“And you thought I’d be happy for you?” I spat, anger spilling over me. “After going through so much shit about you saying how much you wanted to stay with dad and how heartbroken you were after the divorce and then three years later deciding to get remarried? You think I’d be happy that my mom is getting remarried to someone who I don’t know nor have ever heard of before?”
“Well then I’ll have James go down there and meet you. I’m sure he wants to see Zach as well.” My mom suggested. I scoffed in disgust.
“I cannot believe you.” I growled. My mom sighed sadly.
“Jessica, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” My mom apologized.
“So how exactly did this happen?” I questioned.
“Well, your aunt told me to get out, so I went to the bar. I was-“
“You met at a bar?! You’re shitting me right now.” I yelled.
“Jessica, stop.” My mom commanded. I sighed exasperatedly and let her continue. “Anyways, I was getting a drink when James paid for it before I had a chance to get my money out. We talked for a little bit and he asked to take me out. After a few dates he asked me to be his girlfriend, and a few nights ago he proposed.”
“How long were you guys together?” I asked through my teeth. I heard my mom’s breath pick up, which indicated to me that it was a long time. She was about to say something when I cut her off. “From the way you had to stop yourself, and I can tell for a long time. You didn’t even tell me.”
“I didn’t want to worry you in case it didn’t work out,” my mom whispered. I felt tears prick my eyes and I pushed them away.
“When’s the wedding?” I asked quietly.
“In a few months. We’re not sure yet.” My mom answered. I bit my lip and looked down. “James and I would love for you and Zach to come up and be there.”
“Why?” I questioned, my voice hostile again.
“Well, you guys are our children." My mom stated a-matter-of-factly. "You realize you and Zach are going to be step-brother and sister now."
“Oh holy fuck, you’re right.” I breathed, completely forgetting what this whole thing meant; Zach and I would be legally step-brother and step-sister.
“Are you and Zach good friends?” My mom questioned.
“Really good ones. Like brother and sister.” I said slowly, staring at Zach. He looked from the ground to me with wide eyes. My mouth twitched into a small smile.
“That’s wonderful.” My mom complimented.
“Has James told Zach yet?” I inquired, continuing to stare at Zach. He raised an eyebrow and straightened himself up.
Told me what? Zach mouthed. I shook my head and he gave me a look.
“Well, actually, he was hoping you’d tell him.” My mom admitted. I was about to ask why when she cleared her throat. “James knows Zach will most likely react the way you did, and he doesn’t want to fight with Zach.”
“Wait, can James hear me?” I asked, my eyes widening.
“Uh, yeah.” My mom muttered, sounding embarrassed. I face palmed, extremely embarrassed that James, my soon-to-be step-father, heard my outburst.
“Oh shit.” I croaked. “Uh, hello James. I’m not usually this-err, uptight with my mother.”
“It’s fine, Jessica.” A deep voice came from the other line. I jumped a little; he sounded kind of like Zach. “I’m sure Zach would react the exact same way, and I can understand why.”
“I just feel kind of bad now because I’m flipping shit on my mom in front of you.” I mumbled quietly. I heard a chuckle and I bit my lip.
“It’s fine Jessica, really.” James said. I sighed. “So could you tell Zach? Since you guys are pretty much brother and sister now, I think he’d react better if he heard it from you.”
“S-sure, of course. I can tell him.” I said, stumbling over my words. Zach looked up at me, irritation and confusion covering his face. “Speaking of Zach, he’s really confused right now, so I’ll text you later and tell you how it went.”
“Okay, sweetie.” My mom answered. “When the time comes closer, I’ll send you more information about the wedding. Have a good day. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.” I said, my voice dying out at the end. I was so baffled by what I was just told to even begin to comprehend what’s happening.
“Tell Zach we say hello.” My mom said before hanging up. I slowly put the phone on the table and stared blankly at the fridge.
“Finally!” Zach yelled, walking over to me. He shook my shoulders, which caused me to look at him. “What the fuck is happening.”
“Our parents say hello.” I answered, my voice monotone. Zach’s eyes narrowed a little and he pulled me down so I was at his eye-level.
“Our parents?” Zach questioned. I nodded and actually looked at him.
“Yes. Your step-mother and your father say hello.” I repeated. Zach raised his eyebrows.
“What do you mean?” Zach asked, his voice getting desperate.
“Zachary James Baker,” I began, my lips twitching once again. “You are soon going to become my step-brother. Our parents are getting married.”
*
“You… you’re kidding, right?” Zach whispered, dropping his arms from my shoulders. I shook my head slowly and Zach’s face drained. I jumped down from the counter and grabbed his hand, guiding him to the couch. I sat next to him and stared, becoming increasingly worried as Zach’s face grew more and more pale.
“Zacky?” I said, my voice barely audible. Zach’s eyes flickered to me for a brief second before staring back in front of him. I held onto his forearm, waiting silently until he could speak. After what seemed to be about ten minutes, Zach slowly closed his eyelids.
“So… after twelve years, my dad is getting remarried.” Zach muttered quietly, tension thick in his voice. I pursed my lips and looked down at our hands. If I flipped shit on my mom for getting remarried after only three years of being divorced, I could only imagine how upset Zach must be that his dad is remarrying after twelve years. Zach chuckled humorlessly and opened his eyes. “That son of a bitch.”
“I know, Zach.” I spoke, my voice still quiet. Zach looked at me, his eyes full of anger and pain.
“So how exactly did our parents meet?” Zach asked, his voice low and slow.
“Your dad bought my mom a drink at the bar.” I answered, slightly embarrassed that my mom is getting married to a guy that picked her up at a bar.
“Your mom didn’t tell you either?” Zach continued, his eyes hard. I shook my head and he let out a deep breath. “Well, I hope my dad likes losing his son.”
“Zach, don’t say that, he’s just-“
“No!” Zach screamed, standing up. I cringed into the couch a little and Zach stared at me with hostile eyes. “I will not forgive him for this! The thought of him getting remarried after five years was okay. The thought of him getting remarried after three years was okay. I’m going to push it by saying even after one to two years would be okay. But not after twelve years. After about eight years of being divorced and not finding someone to remarry, you should stop. I cannot believe my dad.”
“Zach, I can’t believe my mom either, but they’re adults and they can do whatever the hell they want to do.” I snapped, getting defensive over our parents. Even though I was nowhere near happy with either of them, I made myself begin to accept that my mom wants to get remarried and it’s not my choice.
“Well I’m an adult, so I can disown my dad whenever I fucking want to.” Zach spat, glaring at me. I flinched a little but stood up, getting angry with how Zach was acting.
“No you fucking can’t, because you don’t have a right to.” I snarled, getting close to Zach. Even though he towered me by three or four inches, I could tell he was slightly unnerved by my roughness.
“And why the hell not?” Zach retorted, his face getting a little red.
“Because whether you like it or not it is their decision; and we, as their kids, should respect the decisions they make.” I explained, my voice hard. Zach stayed quiet and I sighed, the anger draining from me. I put a hand on his shoulder and he loosened under my touch. “Zach, I know this is really hard to grasp, especially after ten years of your dad being single. I’m having a rough time, too. My mom said if my dad found another girl she would have no choice but to find another guy. But my dad has been single since the divorce, and that makes me feel like she’s a hypocrite. But it’s her choice and I can be mad at her, but I can’t tell her what she can and can’t do.”
Zach slouched, seemingly upset at his own little outburst. He trudged to his couch and flopped himself down, his face pale once again. I sat next to him and rubbed his arm soothingly, not enjoying the view of Zach being upset. We sat quietly for about twenty minutes, Zach most likely processing the whole idea of his dad getting remarried. I began to doze off a bit when Zach sighed sadly.
“Do they expect us at the wedding?” Zach asked quietly. I sat up a little and stared at him. He looked at me and I gave him a sympathetic look.
“Well of course. We are their children.” I answered. Zach nodded slightly and looked down at his lap. I pursed my lips and pushed him a little. He stared up at me and I raised my eyebrows. “You know what this marriage means, right?” He shook his head and I began to smile. “That means that you and I are going to legally be brother and sister.” Zach smiled and his eyes brightened. It was quiet for a minute before Zach wrapped his arm around me and hugged me a little.
“Welcome to the family, Kid.” Zach stated.
Ohhhh, I love this!!!
12/13/16