𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚙 𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢

I never realized how easy it was to turn your life upside down. For me, it only took three little words. Three words that held five syllables and sixteen letters.

“I’m getting married!” My mother stood there showing off her ring with a bright smile adorning her face. The female members of our family that had shown up for this girl’s day festivity swarmed my mom with equally bright smiles and words of congratulations. I just simply gaped at her. I come back from spending three months with my father and all of a sudden she’s getting married? Who was this guy anyway? I hadn’t even realized she was seeing someone.

“What,” I spoke softly, my voice drowned out by all the ladies of our huge family, “you’re what.” Mother looked at me this time. I had raised my voice so the words could reach her ears. She didn’t seem to care that my expression was full of negative emotions about her newfound engagement.

“Mia,” mother walked to me and held my hands as she bent to my level, “I’m in love. And for people who love one another, it’s common that they may get married.” I just looked at her, pursed lips and a tense form. I didn’t know who this man was, and I didn’t know if he was a good guy. I glanced down and my eye caught the large rock on her hand. It shined and screamed expensive. At least he was rich. Unless the ring was fake and he’s a sleazeball.

I sighed heavily and looked at my mother. She had a glow to her, her happiness and excitement so obvious a blind person could see it. “Fine, if you’re happy then I’ll suck it up.”

“Thank you,” Mother said as she kissed my cheek gently. Aunt Camille pulled her away before another word was exchanged. It was difficult for me to digest. My mother was getting married to a man that I have never even seen. That little shindig had been a week ago.

I hadn’t expected things to move on so quickly. I thought that I would possibly get a chance to meet this mystery man and help my mother prepare for the wedding. But no. Instead, only seven days after she said she was engaged, here I stood holding a glass of champagne I had managed to snatch and adorned in a sparkly baby blue dress ending at the knees at the wedding reception. Apparently, my mother’s new husband — Evan La’Hansen — was a rich man.

There were a few hundred or so guests. I had to give them credit though, this wedding was extravagant and beautiful for being thrown together in under a week. I was shocked at the sheer size of the wedding, but after learning how big and famous Evan was in the business world the shock lost its standing. A professional photographer walked around taking pictures of everyone.

I stood from afar, watching as mother stuffed cake into her hubby’s face. The two laughed as Evan leaned forward to avoid cake on his suit. Everyone gathered around the happy, love-sick couple. I could see two of Evan’s sons standing close by, laughing along with their father. One held a flute of champagne while the other recorded the newlyweds making a mess with expensive dessert.

“Why do you look so pissed.” I jumped at the unexpected intrusion. Evan’s third and final son stood by my side, a cigarette in hand and with a curious expression. I eyed him and looked back at my mother whose face was now smothered by white and blue frosting.

“I do not,” I responded with more attitude than intended. Oh well, I never asked to be bothered by a snob and his fuckery anyway. He snorted next to me and I gave him a dirty look as my eyes stayed on the couple wiping their faces off with some napkins. The lunatic beside me starts laughing as he takes a deep drag of his cigarette.

“Would you like to enlighten me on what the hell is so fucking hilarious,” I snapped, turning to face him and setting the flute of champagne down with more force than necessary. He paused for a moment, his cigarette almost gone as his eyes scanned my annoyed expression.

“Nothing,” he drops his cigarette in the champagne that I wasn’t actually drinking, “it’s just you’re so pissed about two people in love getting married and having a nice time.” I narrowed my eyes and glared at him as he smirked and walked off. I rolled my eyes and walked the opposite way to sit at the family table. A song began to play and I watched as Mom and Evan headed to the dance floor and swayed in each other’s arms. I was thankful that I convinced Mom to not have me dance with Evan or his sons. She had wanted the dances between us but I wasn’t up for the extra torture.

The three diddle fucks must have heard my thoughts and came walking over together. Aaron, the trash bag from earlier sat on the far end away from me. Alex and Andrew opted for standing by his side rather than one of them having to sit by me until the dances were all over. It was creepy how identical they all looked. The same hair cut, along with the same eye and hair color. Alex was the easiest to spot as he was the only one with curls. I must admit, they were all attractive. Weird, but attractive.

Aaron looked over at me while Andrew blabbed on about something along the lines of work. The scar on his bottom lip was glaringly obvious. It extended down to the bottom of his chin and disappeared under his jaw. I rolled my eyes as his egotistical smirk formed. I watched as Mom walked up to me, her princess-style wedding dress making her look like a goddess.

“Come with me, Mia.” I took my mother’s hand with a small smile, ignoring all the nosy looks from the crowd. The live band played a slow song and Mom grabbed my hands and made me sway with her. Her dress rustled quietly as she moved and hummed along with the music. I looked around, seeing some of our family tearing up and the photographer taking pictures of our precious mother-daughter moment. I looked over at Evan and his sons, all watching the two of us and discussing something that seemed to be serious.

“How come I never met Evan before today,” I asked my mother, suddenly curious about the solemn man. Mother simply smiled and lifted my hand up so I could spin. I did so, the dress she picked for me flared out and settled back as I faced my mother once more.

“What do you think of him, Mia?” I frowned at her closed eyes before I thought about it. He seemed nice enough. Genuine. He treated her nicely and didn’t let anyone too close to them. This was the first time tonight that the two have been more than ten feet from each other.

“He seems like a good man,” I deduct, “serious and very formal, but he’s treated you good from what I’ve seen.” Mother just smiled in response. Moments like these were rare for us. Most of my time was spent with Father or my best friend — Analise.

“I’m glad you like him. I love you, my sweet child.” I smiled at Mom’s words and rest my head on her shoulder as we swayed to the song.

“I love you too, Mom,” I whispered, holding back tears and tightening my arms around her waist.

Edited

Posted: June 28, 2022

A/N: Thank you for reading chapter 1 of The Step Family! I hope you like it so far. Please vote, comment, share, and follow. Have an amazing day (or night)!!