"I love you Jojo." Penelope uttered into her ear as she tightened her grasp around the love of her life. "I love you with all of my obnoxious, selfish, evil heart."
It was the last thing she said before leaving her princess in the hall with tears falling from her eyes as she wheeled her suitcase away from her home.
Days passed, weeks passed and turned into months with no contact from Penelope. Worried, frustrated, confused and exhausted of the wait, Josie dialled Penelope's number several times but there was nothing; nothing at all and soon she gave up trying. She did what Penelope had requested, learn about the merge and suddenly everything made sense but it was just a shame that she never acknowledged the love of her life before it was too late. One last time she called Penelope and waited patiently for someone to answer the call but it went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Penelope, I did what you said and I- I don't know what to do, what to say, how to feel or how to say sorry. I treated you like you were out to get me and annoy me any chance you got but I was wrong; I was wrong Penelope and I am so sorry but most of all- most of all...I want you back because I- I love you...and I will wait for as long as it takes."
Years passed on but there was no contact from Penelope at all. Josie lived her remaining few years fighting on and off with Lizzie and the rest of the students. Their company was no longer needed in Josie's opinion so she began separating herself, learning more about the merge in secrecy and writing letters with one of the pens that Penelope had gifted. Whilst the rest of her family spent time downstairs watching a movie or chatting with one another, Josie dived deep into the world of black magic; learning new spells that she could use to defeat Lizzie when the time came.
That time came and passed by in an instant.
She died; she died and she came back as a vampire with siphoner powers. She fed off of her first human when her father took her to the hospital and ever since she'd just keep to herself. Lizzie never dared to go near her sister and avoided any conversation that concerned Josie. As for her father, he tried so hard to get anyone up into that room but each and every one of them was turned away. There was only one person that could talk to Josie but that person hadn't been heard from in six years.
There was a black rover parked outside of the Salvatore school gates. Slowly Alaric made his way to the gates with his crossbow in his hand and checked the dark interior of the car. Gently she knocking at the window and slowly it lowered down revealing the one and the only.
"Penelope?" Alaric said in confusion.
"Hello sir." Penelope said with a smile. "We have a problem."
They walked to the front entrance where Lizzie stood in confusion and shock as she saw the dark lord re-enter the premises. Both Alaric and Penelope entered the office and left the door open ajar so Lizzie could hear.
"What did you find Penelope?" Alaric asked.
"I couldn't find anything, I'm so sorry but...who- Penelope said.
"Lizzie won, MG turned Josie but she still has her powers." Alaric explained. "She's been broken since you left actually, it's scary to see this side of her."
"You know where I can find her?" Penelope asked.
"Upstairs but she won't let anyone in." Alaric answered. "So, what was the problem?"
"I need her to be with us when we talk about it." Penelope said.
As she turned around she saw a quick flash of blonde hair and rolled her eyes at an instant. Penelope made her way up the stairs contemplating what to say, what to do and what to tell her. She knocked at the door and waited for some time before there was finally a reply.
"What?" Josie demanded. "What do you want?"
For a second she took a breath and placed her ear against the door listening to the shuffling inside.
"Hey Jojo." Penelope said.
Immediately the shuffling stopped and the door opened revealing Josie who's mouth was partially stained with blood, her eyes blackened like a ripper and her clothes were just black like she was attending a constant funeral.
"You can't see me like this." Josie said turning away. "Walk away Penelope!"
"No Jojo, I'm not walking away from you again." Penelope insisted following Josie into the room.
Josie clenched her hands against the desk and tried to control the bloodlust festering inside of her. Although she was dangerous Penelope didn't care, she stood beside Josie and watched as she struggled with the desire to absorb the blood from any person in the room.
"Why...aren't...you...afraid? I could kill you." Josie questioned.
"No, you can't." Penelope said with a smile.
"How can you be so sure?" Josie asked.
"Because I've seen the future...and that's why I'm here." Penelope replied.
They made their way downstairs carefully with Josie covering her face and holding Penelope's hand. Finally when they reached Alaric's office they sat down to talk about the problem.
"You travelled into the future?" Alaric questioned.
"Yeah, I wanted to see if we could find the cure in time." Penelope replied.
"But you didn't." Josie commented.
"Yeah I didn't but I did find something else." Penelope explained. "In the late future when you and I are older, we...have children; two girls."
"Last time I checked that wasn't biologically possible." Josie said.
"It's not, I think our twins were...made magically like you were." Penelope said.
"I don't believe you Penelope, I've got to see it for myself first." Josie said raising up.
"Alright, I'll show you but we're going to need a little help from everyone in order for it to happen." Penelope said.
Each of them made their way to the gym where Raf, MG, Hope, Landon and Lizzie were waiting and chatting amongst themselves. They looked up as they saw Josie in her overgrown sweater approach them and Penelope walk from behind her. At first they were pleasantly surprised but then MG broke the silence by running over and hugging his best friend.
"Glad to have you back Peez." MG said enthusiastically.
She smirked back at him and watched as the others looked down awkwardly at the ground. After taking a breath, she lay on the floor next to Josie who was already in place. Her hand held out for Josie to take and hesitantly she did so. As the chanting of the witches echoed in the background, they felt the floor disappear from beneath them and they were transported into another time realm.
Both of them awoke in the backyard outside of a three storey house painted in white. Beside them there was a swing with two empty seats and little toys scattered around the grass. Penelope took Josie's hand and helped her up, then they went into the house.
"Are we supposed to be in the same room as ourselves? Won't the time morph us or something?" Josie asked.
"No, they can't see us. We're like spirits in a way." Penelope explained.
Whilst Penelope waited for herself to arrive from work, Josie took the opportunity to explore the house. She went to the stairwell where she saw the many photographs were displayed of her and Penelope with one little girl that resembled Josie well but there was something that she didn't understand; Penelope had mentioned two little girls but all these photos had one.
"Penelope, what are their names?" Josie asked.
"Um...Ember and...Blaise." Penelope replied hesitantly.
"Fire? Really?" Josie questioned.
"They're a force of nature, just like their moms." Penelope answered.
"Right, but there's only one kid in this picture." Josie said.
"That's why we're here. Oh, here I come!" Penelope said running over to Josie.
The door unlocked and Penelope entered holding one of their little girls over her shoulder. The girl was upset, crying her eyes out whilst holding a picture of her other mother in her hand. Both Penelope and Josie watched as future Penelope tried to calm her daughter down but was struggling immensely.
"I'm sorry mommy didn't come, I'm so sorry Ember." Penelope kept saying over and over.
"Why is she being like this mommy? Why can't she be happy?" Ember questioned.
"She's just in a bad place right now. She's...missing someone." Penelope replied vaguely.
"Who?" Ember asked.
"Someone very important." Penelope said wiping a tear. "Now, come on, let's get you in the bath."
As they walked past the two of them, Josie and Penelope turned to face them and then turned to one another.
"Penelope, tell me what happens...please." Josie begged. "I need to know."
"After I had the girls, you got scared that when they turned twenty two, they'd have to face the merge and then after one of them would have to turn, just like you did. You took Blaise in the middle of the night and you got rid of her so Ember could live in peace and you didn't tell me anything. You blamed yourself when I got depressed and you starting parting from us; you missed talent shows, awards, sports, all kinds of things and I never knew where you were." Penelope explained.
"So, why didn't you come home earlier? Why didn't you tell me about all of this before I was turned? Now, it's inevitable!" Josie questioned.
"I didn't tell you because I couldn't! I was stuck here and I couldn't find a way out! I had to find someone who could help me and I went everywhere; I cast so many spells trying to get back to you but it didn't work so I watched as you came and went, leaving your wife and your daughter by themselves in that house. Then, finally I got out because I found someone who could help me but by the time I got here, you had already changed." Penelope explained.
"Who helped you? I thought no one could see us." Josie asked confused.
"Our daughter helped me, our daughter that I never got to meet. I found her in the playground on the swings and she saw me immediately but she had no idea who I was until I told her." Penelope replied.
"Why would she help you if she knew that we abandoned her?" Josie asked.
"She's a good kid, our kid. She's selfless just like you used to be and she told me that no matter what she would always love me and you, also if we'd ever come back, she'd wait for as long as it takes." Penelope answered.
"Where is she Penelope?" Josie asked.
"I don't know, we could go to that park and see if she's there." Penelope said. "But, I don't know if I could face her again Jojo. I don't know if I can look her in the eyes and tell her that she can have her family; I just can't promise that."
"Whatever it takes Penelope, we'll get Blaise home." Josie said wiping Penelope's tears.
Suddenly Penelope fell into Josie's arms and instantaneously Josie pulled her in closer but as she did, she could smell Penelope's blood flowing through her body. Her eyes began to blacken and the dark matter veins started forming around her eyelids as the bloodlust grew. The fangs began to emerge from her gums so she pushed Penelope away and hid her face trying to make her monster persona disappear.
"Sorry Penelope." Josie said.
"It's ok, come on, let's go meet Blaise." Penelope said taking her hand.
On the swing sat a lonely little child wearing one of Penelope's trench coats and a t-shirt that also belonged to Penelope but no pants; just that. She looked at the floor and raised her hand up slowly as an ant passed by her.
"Icaeus." Blaise whispered.
Suddenly the force that had been exerted onto the ant bounced back onto Blaise and threw her back immediately. She hit her head against the ground and as she did, Penelope and Josie saw her flying. Instantly Blaise began to weep tears of pain as Penelope ran over to help her up.
"Mommy, I hurt my head." Blaise wept.
"It's ok, I'm back, just like I promised remember?" Penelope said kissing the top of her head.
A little smile appeared on Blaise's face as she placed her forehead against Penelope's. It reminded Josie of the many memories that they shared in the Salvatore school, skipping class and kissing under the tea lights in that little outhouse. Josie walked forward nervously but as she did, Blaise's ears pricked up and she looked at Josie afraid.
"What's happening Penelope?" Josie asked.
"I don't know, why are you afraid Blaise?" Penelope said.
"You brought her with you, why'd you do that?" Blaise questioned.
"I thought this is what you wanted, you wanted to see your family again." Penelope said.
"I wanted to see you because I've already seen her in this world enough." Blaise said.
Before Penelope could ask any further questions, Blaise revealed to them both the scarred vampire bite on her arm and another fresh one on her neck.
"She can't control herself." Blaise hissed at Josie.
"When did I do this to you?" Josie questioned.
"Last night when you took me whilst you were on your way to your home. You promised me that you would take me back home and that I would get to meet my other mom but you bit me in the alley and left me there for dead." Blaise explained.
Overwhelmed by the actions that her future self had committed Josie began to pace up and down, clenching her hands against her head, trying to comprehend the fact that she couldn't control herself and bit into her own daughter's neck. Alerted Blaise hid behind Penelope and watched carefully as Josie tried to make sense of the situation. She knew that any moment now Josie would either burst or break down in tears; either way she was not safe and neither was Penelope.
"Mom, we have to get out of here; she can bite us." Blaise warned.
"We're not leaving her." Penelope said. "Just stay close."
Suddenly Josie's mind exploded into a million; the one and off bloodlust kept coming back, overtaking her system and forcing her to charge towards the closest source of blood. Immediately Penelope raised her hand up and cast a spell that created a forcefield around them both but threw Josie back onto the field. Blaise looked up at Penelope who sighed and looked down at the ground whilst thinking what to do.
"Where do we go now?" Blaise asked.
"To your mom's house, you can finally meet...me." Penelope answered. "You know what I mean."
They walked over to Josie who was laying on the ground with tears falling from her eyes. Penelope helped her up and they started walking in the direction of the house. Their daughter skipped ahead and as she did, they noticed her shoes were completely worn out and stained with mud.
"I must be some sort of monster." Josie said. "I didn't even get her proper shoes."
"She's still alive thanks to you." Penelope said trying to comfort her.
"Yeah barely." Josie muttered.
"Look at her, she may have the worst life but she's so happy and hopeful, so loving and caring and that's all you." Penelope explained.
Both of them stopped for a second and looked into and another's eyes for a moment. As much as Josie wanted to kiss her, hold her, touch her even, she just couldn't; she wanted to wait for the right moment to pull her close into her embrace.
Finally they reached the little house and the three of them hid in the bush to watch Penelope sitting on her porch reading. Their door opened and Josie exited but stopped noticing Penelope's sadness as she read.
"What is it?" Josie questioned.
"Nothing, just that you missed our daughter's show today. She loves you so much Jo, but you never make the time for her." Penelope hissed.
"Maybe it's because I have other things to do Penelope!" Josie shouted.
"Like what? What things Josie?" Penelope questioned.
"Things that don't concern you!" Josie yelled.
As Josie was about to leave, Penelope stood up and cast a spell which deafened Jo to the point where she fell onto the ground in pain.
"Tell me! Tell me please Josie!" Penelope screamed.
Her eyes began to bleed as the power grew and grew. Slowly she turned to Penelope and as she was about to tell her the truth for the first time in ages, Blaise stepped out from the bush. Immediately the power disappeared and Josie could hear once more although she did not want to listen to what was about to happen.
"Penelope, go inside!" Josie demanded.
Slowly she walked closer to the small child that looked like she had been wiped up by a storm and stopped right in front of her. Penelope moved her long hair back and it revealed Blaise's light brown eyes and olive coloured skin. A little afraid Blaise started to back up and look around for any kind of exit but then Penelope placed her hands against Blaise's flushed face. Nervously Blaise looked up at her mother and noticed the tears forming in Penelope's eyes. A little smile appeared on her face.
"Hi mommy." Blaise said almost whispering.
Instantly Penelope chuckled as tears fell from her eyes and she picked the child up from the floor. She pressed her lips against Blaise's forehead and ran her fingers through her hair.
"I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner." Penelope said through her tears.
"It's not your fault." Blaise whispered.
"It's mine." Josie spoke up.
When they turned around, Josie stood there with the other child fast asleep in her arms. The smell of the sleeping child's blood enchanted Josie and forced her eyes to turn completely black; veins of black matter to appear once again as the fangs emerged from her gum lines.
"Josie, please." Penelope said gulping.
"Give me the kid and I won't kill her." Josie warned.
"Josie, they're both your daughters. There is no reason to do this; we can be finally be happy with both of our twins." Penelope begged.
"No we can't! As long as they live together they will always be in danger!" Josie yelled. "Then when the time comes, one of them will die and come back, then end up like me!"
"Jo, please." Penelope said.
"Not again Penelope." Josie said.
She raised Ember to her mouth and suddenly Josie ran forward and snatched the child from herself. Suddenly Ember awoke and began to look in confusion at her four parents. She could see them all but how was it possible? What was happening? Why was it happening?