Dear Jolene

Chapter 10

A maid rushed into the bustling room and announced that dinner was ready.

Before Jo could get a chance to talk to her new Grandmother, she was dragged to the dining room by Emily. "Act politely Jo", Emily said softly.

"Not if someone's rude to you", Jo huffed.

Emily let out a sigh and said, "Listen carefully Jo, Andrew and his sons are the only ones we can trust and I don't get a good vibe from others..."

"Doesn't Aunt Joyce seem familiar to you, like I've seen her somewhere", Jo mused.

Emily pulled her in a hug and kissed her on top of her head, "Don't worry, just work your charms, my lovely daughter".

Jo rolled her eyes and pulled back. She looked around for an empty seat and noticed one beside Logan. She walked towards him and pulled the chair back, "Hope you don't mind me sitting here".

Logan looked at her and said, "Of course not".

When everyone had settled down, Uncle Rowan cleared his throat and stood up, "So now it's time for the Bestman's speech", he smiled at his nephews and started, "Well, we have been buddies since childhood and I only want what's best for him. I see how Emily makes him happy, so..." Uncle Rowan turned towards Emily and said, "Thank you Emily for accepting this idiot, may God Bless your union to be forever".

With that, Rowan raised his glass and took a sip of his champagne, and so did everyone, but before Jo could even take a sip, Logan held on to her glass and made a face. Seeing Jo pout, Logan elbowed her a little and pointed towards Theon who mouthed, 'You're underage'

"Wait, doesn't the Maid-of-Honour want to say something, I heard she didn't speak at the wedding too", Uncle Rowan pointed out.

"Yes, Jo, say something", Granny cheered from one end of the table. Even Andrew and Emily looked at her expectantly.

Jo sighed and stood up from her seat and grabbed the glass of mango juice, a red-haired maid provided her on Theon's orders.

"Um...Thank you, Andrew and everyone else for accepting my Mom and, well, me... I hope you guys make each other happy for the rest of your lives", Jo gave everyone a picture-perfect smile and sat down.

Andrew smiled widely at her words.

"Doesn't little Jo like drinking", Aunt Joyce said with a smirk eyeing her Mango juice.

"Jo's just fourteen", Emily explained.

Aunt Joyce rolled her eyes and said, "Oh God, it's just champagne. Don't be such a wuss, we started drinking when we were barely thirteen and I'm sure nowadays nobody cares about the legal age".

"Well, I didn't grow up like that and neither will Jo, she can drink after she turns 16", Emily said.

Joyce gave Emily a disapproving look and said, "Well, now she is a Knight, though it's only by name, shouldn't she act like one".

Andrew took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible, "It's Emily's choice how she raises Jo, so please drop this".

Aunt Joyce shrugged and slumped back, Jo looked at the Grandparents who looked unbothered. Now everyone started taking food from the sizzling platters to their plates. Logan helped Jo with every dish she wanted to try. His twin, Leo noticed how proud he looked while describing every dish and at her compliments.

At one point when he heard Jo exclaiming at his vast knowledge of food, Leo popped into their conversation and said, "He knows about food so much because that's what he does the entire day, stuff his face".