Living Not Dreaming [Suite Life on Deck]

17 - Mother of the Groom

"Thanks," Jack said, relieved. 

"Anytime, son," Harrison said.

Jack smiled when Harrison called him son.

For years, Harrison has been of a father to him than his own father. Harrison always treated Jack like he was one of his own kids and whenever Jack was hurt or needed someone to turn to, Harrison was always there. He was always there to pick him up when he fell.

Jack wished he was a part of the family. He would do anything to be a part of the Taylor family over his own. At least they love him and would support him unlike his parents.

Jack glanced at his friends.

"I, uh, I gotta go," Jack said.

"Okay," Harrison said. "Have fun with the time you have left."

"Thanks," Jack smiled. "Thanks a lot, Harrison. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, Jack," Harrison said. "I'm here if you need anything."

"Thanks, Harrison," Jack said. "Bye."

"Later, kiddo," Harrison said.

Jack hung up the phone and went back to his friends.

"Everything okay, buddy?" Zack asked.

"Oh, yeah," Jack lied. "Everything's... fine."

***

To cheer Jack up, Zack, Cody and Evan decided to prank someone and have Jack be a part of it.

As soon as they saw it backfired on them, the four ran into the lobby of the ship and hid behind Mr. Mosbey's desk.

A smoothie bar employee came out with whipped cream on his face, looking for them.

He walked past the desk, not knowing that the boys were hiding behind it.

"I wonder why," Jack heard Mr. Mosbey said.

"Oh, little blond peoples!" a man in a white suit said, excitedly.

The four of them stood up.

They looked over to the man in the white suit.

"Esteban!" Evan said, excitedly.

"You're here!" Zack said.

Zack, Cody and Evan hugged the man named Esteban and Jack stood awkwardly by the desk.

"Good to see you."

"We had a pie for you, but Zack thought it would be a better idea to use it for a prank to cheer our friend up," Evan said.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Zack laughed nervously.

"Seeing you three is gift enough," Esteban said.

"Oh, Esteban, this is Jack," Evan said, pulling Jack over.

"Hi," Jack said. "I'm Jack."

"Hi, Jack," Esteban smiled.

"You're Esteban?" 

"Oh, yes, I am," Esteban said. "Evan told me so much about you."

Jack laughed nervously. "He did?"

"Oh, don't worry, buddy," Evan put his arm around Jack, "it's all good things."

"Yeah, well, Evan told me about you too," Jack smiled. 

"Good things I hope," Esteban said.

"You know it!"

"Oh, I have some special news," Esteban changed the subject.

Esteban seemed excited about the news.

"I have come onboard to marry my sweetheart, Francesca..." he said.

"Congrat - " Cody began.

"Maria Consuela Gonzales..." Esteban continued.

"That's awe -" Zack began.

"Damaso Garcia Ramon -" Esteban added.

Jack raised his eyebrows knowing better than to say anything just yet.

"Oh, how -" Mr. Mosbey began.

"Lucia Greenberg Gomez," Estaban finished.

They looked at him, expecting him to add more.

"I'm done," he told them.

"Oh."

"Congratulations!" Jack said.

"That's great, Esteban," Evan smiled.

"Thank you," Esteban smiled. "Oh, Mr. Mosbey, I was hoping that you would officiate at the ceremony."

"I would be honored!" Mr. Mosbey said, excitedly.

"Excellent!" What size llama skin do you wear?"

Jack looked at Esteban confused and surprised.

"Llama skin?" Jack repeated, looking at Evan then back at Esteban.

"He's from Peru," Evan told Jack.

"Oh, okay," Jack siad.

"Oh, dear," Mr. Mosbey said at the mention of llama skin.

"Would each of you like to be half a best man?" Esteban turned to the twins and Evan.

"We would be thrilled!" Cody said, excitedly and Evan and Zack nodded. "I'll do everything I can to make sure you have a wonderful wedding, complete with the traditions of your country."

"And I'll do everything I can to talk you out of it," Zack said.

Jack and Evan gave each other a look before they both hit Jack.

"Ow!" he exclaimed. "What was that for?" he looked between the two.

"Esteban wants to get married, dipshit," Jack said.

"Don't talk him out of it, dumbass," Evan said.

Cody gave Evan a look.

"Oh, dear god, Jack, what have you done to me?"

"I don't know" Jack shrugged. "I guess I rubbed off on you."

"So, anyways," Evan said, changing the subject, "when do we meet the blushing bride?"

"Oh, oh," Esteban said when he saw his fiancé out of the lobby.

A woman wearing black turned and gave Esteban a flying kiss.

"Oh," Jack said.

"Yikes," Evan said quietly to himself and Jack.

"Wow," Cody said faking any happiness he felt at the moment.

Mr. Mosbey clearly felt the same.

"She's really... mature," Cody said.

"She must be loaded," Zack said.

Jack went to smack Zack on the head, but he ducked.

"Not that her," Esteban said. 

A woman in a yellow dress turned around with a smile on her face.

"That her," Esteban said.

The woman gave Esteban a wave.

"The other now I say mother," Esteban explained.  

"Oh, that makes a lot more sense now," Jack said,

Evan nodded in agreement.

"She is a saint."

"Stand up straight!" Esteban's mother said to his fiancé. "Who is your father, Quasimodo?"

"That's one scary saint," Zack said to Jack, Evan, Cody and Mr. Mosbey.