Joe and Alaric picked the date. Wedding would be held in two weeks and it left their friends and family very little time to organize everything. Caroline got into her OCD mood and she had to have everything running smoot. She appointed everyone on their duties and it all had to run smooth. Girls were falling how tired they were. They had school work and wedding preparations. Since Penelope had a car, she was usually going off campus to get things, order things, try things. Caroline really gave her so much to do. Last thing she had to do was to make flower arrangements. On the morning of the wedding, flower shop delivered flowers and girls had to make arrangements as Caroline said and place them on the tables. There were about thousand white and red roses, but the roses were wrong color. It was not what Caroline wanted. She was pissed off when Penelope came to her.
''We can handle this. We can use magic to change colors of the roses.''
''What?''
''I do it all the time for Josie…''
Caroline was surprised by this.
''You do?''
''Yes, i make them purple. She loves them that way and it sort of gives them very special stamp.''
''How?''
''They are unique. No one gets purple roses. Josie loves them.''
Caroline didn't know that about her. She had no idea about a lot of things when it came to Josie and things she shared with Penelope.
''Are you sure you can do it?''
''Hope, Josie, Lizzie and I can do that. We will need about three hours. So, someone else can start on the arrangements and we will add roses when we are done.''
Caroline hated to admit, but Penelope just saved the day and her nerves with this idea. Penelope go the kids to help too and in less than three hours everything was ready. She had last thing to do…She had to make Joe's bouquet. She went to the garden and made it from the wild flowers Joe and Josie loved so much. She grew some of the flowers she would need for it and now she had flowers for three of them. Josie, Joe and Lizzie would have different bouquets from the wild flowers. Joe's dress was satin, long and ivory. Her hair was up in a bun and Josie helped her get ready. She and Lizzie had bright pink dresses and silver sandals. Penelope was in deep red dress that went up to her knees and black high heels.
Alaric was pacing his study very nervous. He was about to marry Joe again. He was scared to death of losing her again or something going wrong. Penelope found him pacing around and trying to convinse himself everything would be fine.
''Dr. Saltzman, are you ok?''
''Yes…No…I don't know?''
She came to him and smiled.
''You are scared of something?''
''Of everything…''
''There is no need for you to be scared. She loves you, you love her and everything will be ok.''
''I wish I could be calm as you are… Wedding thrills are the worst. My hands are shaking…And I can't think straight.''
She smiled and said something she shouldn't.
''I know…''
''What?''
''What?''
Before they could get any further in their conversation Damon and Elena came to the room.
''It's time… Joe is ready and now it's time for you to go out and wait for the bride.''
''Are you ready Rick? Your dream girl is back…''
''I am… Let's do this.''
He suddenly forgot about this with Penelope, but he knew he would have to go back to that. Was he really missing that much from his daughter's life? Were they really married? Was Josie really growing apart from all of them that much to hide her nuptials? How was that possible that he missed his baby girl become someone's wife?
Yard was decorated beautifully and everything was perfect. Girls really outdid themselves. Hope and Raphael were in the front with huge smiles. Bonnie, Elena, Caroline, Josie and Lizzie were bridesmaids and they were all dressed in light pink dresses. Penelope took her place at the altar and waited for the bride and the rest of the girls to come out. When the music started, all the guests turned toward the stairs where bride and her entourage appeared. It was beautiful sight and there was very few dry eyes in that moment. Penelope had a feeling it would be very emotional wedding and a lot of tears will fall today. Joe was perfect, even more beautiful than ever in Rick's eyes. Penelope couldn't take her eyes off Josie and especially her left hand and rings she had. Her wife was beautiful and she felt like she was falling again for her. Joe was very nervous. Just as Rick did she had bad flashbacks to the previous wedding and she really wanted this one to turn out better. And then she saw Rick and all of the sudden she was calm. She was going to marry love of her life. It will all be ok and they will finally get to live amazing life with their two girls and the rest of the kids at school. She arrived to the altar and she had a huge smile on her face. Rick was there, her kids were there, her friends were there and she was ready to become Rick's wife. Penelope gave a short speech about love and how in the end it brought them back together and how honored she is that she got to officiate this wedding and be part of their incredible romance. Joe and Rick had very romantic and sad woes. He mentioned that she is putting the ring on his finger for the second time and that she will finally get a chance to have hers on too. He said that she is the love of his life and that no other woman could ever take her place. Joe and Rick were in tears when Penelope declared them married and after that she got the chance to let few tears fall. It was over, nothing ruined their wedding. Their kiss was cheered on and everyone was happy to finally see Dr. Saltzman happy. After the ceremony, it was time for pictures. Some were taken during the ceremony and now it was time for the family ones and the ones with just bride and groom. Josie and Lizzie were the first ones to take picture with the newlyweds. After them, Joe invited Penelope and Caroline to join them. Two of them were members of the family in their own saddle but very firm way. No one could deny them the roll they played. New guests arrived to many people's surprise. Stefan and Katherine were there. He was in perfectly tailored suit and she had emerald greed dress and her hair was in a perfect bun. She walked toward them like she owned the world. Some members of the wedding party were surprised to see the duo here. Some, like Penelope and Josie, were happy, some like Damon and Elena were surprised, and Bonnie and Caroline were the not happy ones. Penelope run into her mother's hands and Damon was really surprised to see his usually ice cold ex-lover show emotions.
''Mom, I had no idea you were coming…''
''Joe called us and said she would love for us to come. So, after some talking and thinking about it we decided to come.''
''I am so happy to see you. I missed you.''
''I missed you too…''
Josie gave them equally warm welcome. Next were Damon and Elena. Penelope noticed how cautious they were approaching the other Salvatore couple.
''Baby brother… Kitty-Kat…''
Stefan opened his arms for Damon and they shared very long hug. It has been very long time since they saw one another.
''I missed you…''
''I missed you too. It's so good to see you Damon…''
''We have to catch up before you leave…wherever you live now.''
''Sure thing….''
Elena gave him a hug too. She was more careful than Damon, but still very happy to see him.
Damon and Katherine were very happy to see one another and had one of the usual banters. Bonnie and Caroline were not happy to see them, especially Katherine.
''You don't stay dead for long time?''
''I am dead witch… I learned how to trick death and all your magic. Katarina Petrova is a survivor…and now you have it point in case.''
Caroline looked at two of them with a lot of pain and hate. She couldn't stand that Stefan was there and that he was with HER of all the people. She just walked away trying to find a place to be alone.
The rest of the guests went into the ballroom where reception was held. MG's friend John was a DJ and he did amazing job combining the music Joe and Rick loved with what the kids loved. They started dancing and everyone had so much fun. Katherine was dancing with Josie and Penelope and three of them had so much fun. Hope joined them too but not for a long time. She was not rally a dancer. She loved to watch the rest of them from her seat. Raphael joined her as he finished helping guys setting up some fireworks for later. Bonnie, Elena and Damon separated to find Caroline. They all knew she was not happy with the sight of Stefan with another woman. Bonnie was angry.
''How could he be with her? Out of all people, her?''
Elena had no idea what was the right answer but Damon did.
''He loves her.''
''He went to hell to kill her.''
''That is the part of loving Kitty Kat… You the more you love her, the bigger your hate grows. I am happy he finally grew a pair and dared to love her. Loving her is one of the hardest things in you will ever do, but it's also very awarding….and I am not even starting on the bedroom activities.''
Bonnie made disgusted face and Elena smacked him on the back.
''I so don't want to know…''
''What?''
''I don't want to know about your sex life with her…''
''You are saying Stefan is with her for sex?''
''No, he is one of very few idiots that fell in love with her.''
Bonnie wanted to tease him.
''And what about you?''
''I was one of the idiots who loved her so much. I died for her. I loved her that much that I was ready to spend my life as a vampire and hide with her from Klaus and the gang…just to be with her and love her. But, she always preferred Stefan.''
''You sound like you still haven't forgiven it.''
''I am happy with my life and Elena in it…But over 150 years of resentment and pain is a lot to process…''
They didn't find Caroline so they went back to the house and party. Bonnie went to say hi to some people and Damon and Elena went to get their drinks. As they got to the table with drinks they saw Katherine and Stefan outside. They were dancing, kissing and talking about something. They were glowing and looking very happy. Josie and Penelope joined them soon and Penelope couldn't get away from her mother and Katherine was very gentle and loving toward her. Even Stefan was making jokes and being fun to be around. Damon and Elena joined them and the gathering got much more interesting. Two brothers made fun of one another and Katherine made stab at both of them. Even Elena had to laugh at some of her comments. She was observing brothers with her and saw an incredible dynamic she never saw before. They were teaming against her, she teamed with one of them and they all teased each other. There was so much laughter and memories that they shared that the rest of the people really envied them on all the things they saw. Josie was glad that Penelope got a chance to be with her mom and that nothing bad was happening. This was incredible night in her eyes. She was never happier and she could burst of how happy she was. She and Penelope were sneaking a peak at her parents who glowed and held on to each other. Dinner was served and guests got in and took their seats. It was time for speeches. Lizzie let Josie be the one to speak and Damon was Rick's best man and he made very funny speech. Josie's was different. It left people in tears. She took her glass and stood up.
''Many of you know who I am… My name is Josette Saltzman. I got my name from my mother… A woman who was just a stranger to me and main character in all of my dad's stories. For years I was listening about her and how amazing, smart and funny she was. My dad would often tell me I remind him of her and that I am my mother's daughter when it comes to loving people and caring about them. I could never imagine that woman. I didn't know who she is and what made her that special in my dad's eyes. I could never imagine loving someone that much that you morn them for so long and that is still feels like it happened just few days ago. I learned about true love from most unlikely people…From my dad, who mourned my dead mom for almost twenty years, from my dead mom when she came back and from Penelope…person no one believed is capable of love.''
That made some people laugh…even Penelope.
''Each of them taught me a different thing. My dad taught me that some loves are stronger than the physical absence of the loved one. My mom taught me that love is patient, selfless and often on a very thin line of sadness, pain and happiness…and my beloved Penelope taught me that selfish love can be selfless sometimes. I want to thank them for teaching me a very useful lesson about love and for giving me a chance to love them and be part of their amazing lives. I love you all…''
She got applause and people were very pleased with her speech. Penelope took her hand under the table and squeezed it. Joe and Rick went to dance. It was time for the first dance. Josie picked one of their favorite songs they danced to at one of the first dates they had. It was also Damon's and Elena's song. Josie knew there was some crazy and complicated story with her compelling her memories and two of them dancing at that party. Both couples went to the dancefloor with a smirk. Josie and Penelope joined them and after them other guests came to dance. Rick was looking at two of them and he noticed the wedding ring on his daughter's hand matched the one on Penelope's. All of the sudden there was panic that took over. His daughter was married and he had no idea it happened. Joe sensed something happened and she just looked at him.
''What's wrong?''
''Let's go outside.''
She followed him worried out of her mind. She really needed this wedding to go the right way.
''What is it Rick? You are scaring me?''
''They are married?''
''Who?''
''Josie and Penelope….''
''Oh…''
Lack of her reaction could be only one thing. Rick was so disappointed…
''You knew?''
''Yes…''
''Since when?''
''Paris… I was there…''
''You were?''
''Katherine got me there… She wanted Josie to have someone…of her own.''
''She has someone! She has me, she has Lizzie, Caroline….''
''And none of you is ok with her and Penelope… That is not the crowd you want at your wedding…and you know it Rick… She did want you there… Penelope wanted you there because she believed Josie would regret not having her mom, dad and sister there…But she said no. She was not sure if you would try to prevent it or just ruin her wedding. She told Penelope that she wants to be selfish and once in her life do what she really wanted.''
''She is sixteen…She shouldn't be married. She should be dating… Looking for herself…She should be teenager…causing problems to her parents…''
Joe smiled at her husband.
''Sixteen old witch…with a blood oath to one of the most powerful witches ever… Josie had no chance. Penelope is her destiny. And let me tell you, they are not your usual teens. They complement each other.''
''What do you mean?''
''Have you ever watched them together?''
''Not that much…''
''Maybe you should.''
Penelope and Josie sneaked out to the green house when they believed no one was watching. Joe pulled Rick in the dark so girls wouldn't see them. They wantched them walk there and hold hands. Josei was telling Penelope something and they heard Penelope's laughter and saw Josie's very happy face.
''Don't make me regret this Saltzman.''
''What?''
''This…''
She led him to the greenhouse.
''Where are we going?''
''To spy on our daughter and her wife.''
Rick got chills from that word.
''Why?''
''Because Josie made them small picknick there.''
''Why?''
''It's their one month of marriage.''
''Wow! Already?''
''Yes… Its past midnight.''
Rick and Joe were very quiet, but even if they were not girls wouldn't have noticed them. They were in their personal bubble. Josie pulled out a blanket and put it on the floor. Both of them took off their shoes and sat down.
''My feet are kilning me.''
''I know that you hate heels JoJo…''
''I do not. I just don't need to be in them this long.''
''I agree. Even my feet are in pain.''
''You see... And you are used to be in shoes and boots with very high heel.''
Josie turned and got the basket from the corner.
''What is that?''
''Our snacks… and bottle of Dom I stole…''
''Josette Saltzman- Michaelson… you stole a very expensive bottle of champagne and you believe no one will notice… I can imagine all the drama if your parents see this…all THREE of them would kill us.''
Alaric was agreeing with Penelope. They should intervene and take that bottle from two of them. He wanted to do so, but Joe stopped him. Josie laughed at that comment.
''They wouldn't know. Mom and dad are being teenagers in love and Caroline is somewhere avoiding your mom and Stefan.''
That changed the mood. Penelope felt bad about it.
''I'm sorry JoJo…''
''Why should you be sorry?! We don't pick who we love and it's impossible to make people love you. Your mom and Stefan are really happy together and very much in love. And when it comes to love like theirs…I have to be on their side…even if my mom gets hurt.''
''I am not sure I would say the same if the situation was opposite.''
''You would… Especially now…''
''Why now?''
''Because you love me…and you know there will be no one else.''
''Hmm… I believe we talked about open marriage option.''
She knew Penelope was joking, but she got a bit mad. She jumped on the other girl and started tickling her and kissing her.
''NO! This is mine…MINE….''
Penelope giggled and teased Josie some more.
''Penelope Pierce Michaelson…you listen to me… You are MINE! Just MINE and I am NOT sharing you with anyone…''
''Possessive much?''
''No, just…warning you in time… I will blast that person if I find them with you and then I would use some exotic spell on you…Just to make you pay.''
''You are very sexy when you are jealous.''
Josie pushed down Penelope on the blanket and straddled her.
''You have no idea.''
''Oh, I do…''
They started very heated make out session and Alaric was uncomfortable. He saw and heard enough to know it was time to go and to give them a chance. Before they left, he witnessed something he never believed he would. Josie broke the kiss and just looked at Penelope.
''What is it?''
''Promise me that we are forever! Promise me that you will never give up on us.''
''I promise. I am here with you…All the way.''
Girls were deaf and blind to all the things happening around them. They were in their little bubble hoping their night will be amazing. Josie really did all she could to make this night for her and Penelope perfect. She did her magic to get the fireflies all around them and in return she got her black, white and purple butterflies. They enjoyed their last moments of life and love as they knew it. They had no idea that their lives were about to make huge 180. They were wrapped around one another when they were woken up by a scream.