Chapter 21 - Jack
Chapter twenty-one
I can’t help but smile as I look down the table filled with my closest friends and family, especially with my bride-to-be sitting beside me.
Well, technically, we’ve been married for a couple of years now, but with how big an ordeal this wedding has been, it sure as hell feels real.
And I’ll go through as many as she wants to have, too.
I’ll agree with her on all the little details she asks for my opinion on when she really just wants me to validate her choices.
I’ll make two o’clock in the morning calls to Paris to lock down the right chocolatier, and I’ll write a million vows declaring my love.
After everything she went through for me, I owe it to her.
“Alright, everyone, it's time for speeches!” Blanche calls loudly enough to get the attention of the room. “We can start with Henry since he’s the oldest and work our way down. How does that sound?”
Henry stands, clearing his throat as he looks lovingly toward Margot.
“My dearest sister, I know I wasn’t around much growing up, but never doubt the joy you brought into my life.
When Mother told Ledger and me that she was having a girl, I was thrilled.
While…relieved…not to have to put up with another lunatic brother, I was also so excited to have a little sister to take care of.
I hated having to leave both you and Ledger when I went away to school, and I looked forward to every update Mother sent about your progress as you grew.
In our adult lives, I’ve been fortunate to have a second chance at a relationship with you.
Over the past several years, I’ve cherished the opportunity to get to know you, and you’ve absolutely blown me away.
I’ve always been so proud of you, but to know you now is an honor I’ll carry my whole life.
I can’t think of anyone who deserves a happily ever after quite so much as you, Margot. Forever our little princess.”
Margot already has tears in her eyes, and fuck, I didn’t realize Henry had such a way with words.
We all agreed that none of the speeches would contain anything too unsavory.
Which has me both curious and excited for what this big ole sap might have to say about me…
The little brother he never thought he needed, perhaps.
Henry turns his attention to me, with that same soft look in his eyes. It’s something I’ve never experienced from him, and it gives me chills. “Ah, Jack. Jack Carter. I still remember the first day you came to me asking advice on how to dominate my baby sister.”
Margot stifles a chuckle as I choke on my wine. Half of the table, who know Margot’s and my story, giggle while the other half look between Henry and me, cluelessly.
“I didn’t know it was our Margot he was talking about.
No, when Jack F. Carter the third came to me asking how to properly punish his submissive, I never imagined it was my baby sister he was referring to.
Of course, in her defense, she didn’t know it was him either.
I don’t think anyone knew or could’ve ever imagined that it was you—”
“Oh, I knew, darlings!” Blanche yells, interrupting her son. “Do carry on, dear, you were doing so well!”
Henry raises a hand to his brow, rubbing his temples as he shakes his head.
“Anywho, as I was saying, I would have never imagined this knucklehead would come to me asking for my help to dominate my sister. But I gave him my best advice, and it obviously worked out. Now look at them, with two beautiful children. You helped bring my niece and nephew, who I love so very much, into the world, and for that, I will always thank you. But more importantly, you make my little sister happier than I’ve ever seen her, and for that, you will always be one of the most special people in the world. To Margot and Jack Sinclair!”
Everyone raises a glass to toast, most of them seeming to forget the bits about the domination after his…
what? One sentence of emotion. Whatever, he was gone so much growing up anyway.
Ledger’s turn is next, and while I know that fucker is more emotional than his brother, I also know our gentleman’s agreement not to mention anything about the dubcon situation is off the table. And he’s ruthless.
Ledger begins his speech, turning to his sister with tears welling in his eyes.
“Margot, I don’t even know if there are words to describe what you have meant in my life.
You’ve been the calm to my storm as long as I can remember, bailing me out of so many situations growing up.
I would do something stupid, and you would look up with those big blue eyes of yours and get me out of trouble.
I’m your elder by seven years, but it’s been you who’s always taken care of me.
You’re the best of us by a landslide, Princess.
You deserve so much more than a happily ever after. ”
Everyone is sniffling as he wipes the tears from his face and turns to me. Smirking. Fuck.
“Oh, Carter. Where to begin with you? For starters, you’ve been the best friend a person could ever ask for.
You’ve been by my side for as long as I can remember, and almost every great memory I have involves you.
From the first time we snuck out of the house, to our first orgy, to that beautiful day when my son was born, and I found out you had been putting on a disguise and fucking my little sister without her consent. ”
Gasps fill the room, and if anyone was confused about what Henry meant in his speech, they all get it now. Groaning, I hide my head in my hands as he continues.
“Yes, yes, I know. I was just as shocked as everyone—”
“I knew,” Blanche tells Ivan, proudly.
“—I thought, surely not John Flynn Carter. The man who grew up like a brother to both of us. Surely, he wouldn’t do that.
Then I remembered that he co-owns a sex club with me and is kinky enough to go through with just about everything.
I beat his ass, of course. But he proved his love for our dear sister, and well, the rest is history.
He helped bring my niece and nephew into the world, even if he hasn’t let me live down the fact that he fucked two babies into his woman.
On a serious note, seeing my brother-from-another-mother hold his babies for the first time was magical.
Almost as magical as when he held Margot for the first time.
We were seven at the time, and we were so excited to have a baby sister.
I assumed we were both excited for the same reason, but I suppose he was just happy to have a wife.
To Margot and Jack Sinclair!” Ledger winks at me, and I’m about to risk it all and start a brawl right here, but Margot grabs my hand.
This time, the cheers are less enthusiastic, but my sweet sister Lucy is up next, so I’m sure she’ll lift everyone’s spirits.
Just as I assumed, the room brightens just a little when she stands with a big smile on her face.
“Hi, everyone! I’m Jack’s sister, but I technically didn’t know him until a couple of years ago.
I actually became close with Margot first, so I feel like I got a true brother and sister instead of just a brother and sister-in-law.
Your love for one another was the first thing I noticed when I met you both.
It’s a love so inspiring, it feels almost tangible in every room you guys enter.
I knew from the moment I saw you together that what you share is a bond that transcends lifetimes.
Yours are souls that find each other in every universe.
I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to share in this one, and I hope I get to join you in all the others. ”
Wow. Wow. I can’t help my tears, and a glance around the table shows I’m not the only one struggling to contain their emotions.
Lucy leans down as Sasha whispers something in her ear.
“Oh, Sasha wanted me to tell you that he’s glad you went through all the weird stuff with Margot so that you wouldn’t get mad about him…
” She leans back down as he whispers more.
“Oh God, Sasha, I can’t say that…never mind.
Sasha wants me to tell you congratulations!
To my favorite brother and sister, Jack and Margot! ”
Blanche finally stands again, tears streaming down her face.
“Oh, my babies. Where do I even begin? I knew these two were written in the stars the day Jackie decided to hold baby Margot instead of going to play with Ledger. And I knew at that moment that my daughter would always be taken care of. Jackie was always there looking after Margot as she grew. Of course, it didn’t take long before Margot decided you were it for her, and we all know once that girl gets her mind set on something, she’s going to get it.
I have no idea where she gets that from. ”
She pauses as the room laughs.
“The two of you were kismet, undeniable. The day we found out we were having Ledger, well, Daddy was convinced he was going to be a girl. He was terrified. I think it’s one of the first times I ever saw that man on his knees in prayer, but he begged for an angel to watch over his baby.
Wouldn’t you know, the very next day, my best friend in the whole world, Pam, told me she was pregnant.
I didn’t think a thing about it at the time, just thrilled to be pregnant together.
Then, of course, when we both found out we were having boys, we were elated.
Your father forgot about all that worry as well.
He was so excited for another little boy.
Every day, he would tell Henry that Mommy was growing him a buddy to play with. It was the sweetest thing…”
She pauses again, and I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the restaurant at this point. Even the waitstaff are sniffling.
“Anyway…by the time we were pregnant with Margot, so much life had transpired. Pam was gone, leaving me with another precious son to help fill the hole her absence left in my heart. Your father and I were more practiced parents at that point, raising three boys, and he was less worried about her safety. She had Ledger, you see, so he felt confident nothing could ever hurt her with that maniac in her corner…It wasn’t until I saw Jackie with my baby girl that I realized my best friend was the one to answer our prayer all along.
She gave us the guardian angel who has not only watched over our baby boy but also our little girl.
Jackie, you are the most precious gift. You’re the only man I would ever trust with my darling Margot.
I’ve seen a lot of love in my life, and experienced it to its fullest, but what you two share is the rarest of all.
To my babies, Margot and Jackie Sinclair! ”