Penelope and Elizabeth
Morning at court was not what Penelope expected it to be. It was bigger than anything she has ever seen. There were a lot of reporters, people who offered their support to the family of the late Mrs. O'Neil, people who supported their client… and she was a bit scared for herself and Elizabeth when they got out of the car. Defending a man like their client was a controversial thing but that gave her some new boost that she never felt before. She wanted to give her best and win that case. For a moment, she didn't care if he did it or not. She wanted to win, she wanted to feel in control again. Josie's affair and the divorce she just signed shook her foundation, they took her base and have shaken her like very few things in he life. She needed to go back to her regular Penelope Park mode and kick ass in court. She couldn't allow herself to be distracted by her personal problems. When she was a foster kid, she made promise to herself that she would never again let her emotions and pain control her life and get in the way of her ambition. And she managed to keep that promise to herself, but recent events were something that shook that determination. Police escorted her and Elizabeth into the building and gave them directions where they should go. Their client was waiting for them in a separate room getting dressed and ready for his hearing. He was in a black suit with a red tie and freshly pressed shirt. He even put on some perfume and he looked good.
''Ms. Cooper, Ms. Park…''
Penelope and Elizabeth nodded at him.
''Are we ready for this?''
''Yes, we are… But let me warn you. I am pretty sure this will go to trail… Judge can't just let you go. We will argue the bail, but I am sure that she will not let you set you free this early.''
''What are you saying Ms. Cooper?''
''This is also political, not just murder trail.''
''I knew that… I hope I am in safe hands.''
''You are Mr. O'Neil.''
Officer came to get him and take him to the court room. Penelope and Elizabeth walked in and saw people getting in and taking their places. She saw Mrs. O'Neil's parents on the prosecution side and saw some more people they identified as members of the late Mrs. O'Neil's family. She saw the pain in their eyes and for a minute she had a doubt about what she was doing, but then she remembered that she was a lawyer and that it was her job to get him out or at least make jury have doubts about him being the one to do it. Elizabeth was very calm and that gave Penelope enough calm to just follow her lead. They had everything prepared to continue with trail and be there to point out to the mistakes in the investigation and everything. Mrs. Stevens, Rebecca's mother looked at her son in law with such hate in her eyes, and Penelope could understand. He might have killed her daughter and her lover and in her eyes, Mr. O'Neil was the worst men alive.
Prosecution gave their opening statement and pointed out that Mrs. O'Neil was young woman with her flaws, but she was a good person, who loved her family and was loved by people. Penelope noticed how jury was buying every word prosecutor said and she also noticed Elizabeth taking notes and not looking to worried about what prosecutor was saying. He painted their client as a villain and his wife as victim of his anger and vanity. He said that he was possessive and sick man and that he couldn't take it that his wife was interested in a man he would never be. When he took a seat, it was Elizabeth's turn to speak. She walked to the jury box and started her statement. She said that she has no doubt that Mrs. O'Neil was lovable and loved person, and that she has no doubt that she didn't deserve to die, especially since she was pregnant and that life of that child didn't deserve to end that way. She also mentioned that Mr. O'Neil had no reason to kill his wife and that she would prove that.
After they gave the statements, judge decided to send this to trail. He said there was enough evidence to go to trail and no dismiss the case. For a moment, Penelope noticed Elizabeth's smirk. They had a week to prepare. He was out of jail on a bail and Elizabeth made sure that Williams has him with guards around the house and inside of it. O'Neil was happy to go home. After they were done in court, he insisted that Penelope and Elizabeth follow him home. During their ride to his house, Williams had private security around it and searching for any bugs or cameras. Elizabeth and Penelope told him to pay attention to that. They didn't want any surprises by the police, especially since they knew Mrs. O'Neil was involved with a police detective that was part of the squad that came to the house to investigate a murder.
Mr. O'Neil was sitting in his study and waiting for Penelope and Elizabeth to come in. His lawyer was with him and two of them were escorted to the study by one of his staff.
''Mrs. Cooper, I must say I don't really understand what you did today. You had every chance to avoid the trial, but you didn't.''
''We needed this case to go to trial.''
''And why is that?''
''You are not only one on trial here, your reputation is too. Now they see this as a chance for revenge for everything they didn't get from you in the past. You are man of power and money, and they see this as a chance to strip you of it all.''
''So, what do we do?''
Penelope smirked.
''We play as dirty as they do. We strip them of dignity and power.''
''And how do we do that Ms. Park?''
''By getting jury to wonder if they are really telling the truth and if their evidence against you is as strong as they believe.''
''And you think that is the way we could win this?''
''I am pretty sure we could win this with turning the evidence against them or at least questioning the gathering of some of them.''
''Like what Ms. Park?''
''Like…''
Elizabeth put her hand over Penelope's and she stopped talking.
''Mr. O'Neil. Let us worry about the evidence.''
''Ok, but if something goes downhill Mrs. Cooper, I'll have your head for it.''
Penelope and Elizabeth came back to their apartment building and got out of the car. Penelope knew that Elizabeth never spoke of cases in front of drivers or any staff she didn't personally hire. They walked into the elevator and Penelope turned to her.
''Your place or mine?''
''Mine, be there in two hours. I think we both need a minute.''
Penelope knew it was a code for Elizabeth needing some rest. Sometimes that woman worked as hard as any healthy person that Penelope forgot she was ill or something was wrong with her.
''You are right… I could use a shower and a minute.''
Elizabeth gave her a weak smile. They both knew Penelope was well aware of her illness being the cause for that two hours she needed. Penelope got into her apartment and found it to be very quiet. Her roommate and her girlfriend were not there. She guessed they were in the war room getting some new info about the case or whatever Elizabeth instructed them. Penelope changed and called Helena to see how she was.
Penelope and Helena
Helena was at school and it was her lunch break. She was sitting outside with Kiki when she heard her phone ringing. It was Penelope's ringtone so she answered fast.
''MOM!''
''Hey baby… How are you?''
''Having lunch with Kiki…How is the case?''
''It's crazy. I have no idea when I would be back in Boston. I miss three of you like crazy.''
''Just three of us mom?''
Penelope gave her daughter a warning glance.
''Helena…''
''Fine… So just you know, she is not doing ok. You really broke her heart with serving her papers.''
''Well, mine was broken first.''
''I am not saying anything mom… You know best what is right thing for two of you.''
''Actually , I have no idea Helena… I am not sure about anything anymore.''
''I know… But as I said…if it's meant to be, you will find your way back.''
Penelope was silent for a moment.
''I might be able to fly you to New York for the holidays.''
''Mom will not be happy about it. You know how much she loves the holidays and twins are hoping for a small part in a school play.''
''Well, she has you all the time. I miss being with you.''
''We miss you too mom… But let me tell you, I can't wat for that conversation with mom. Hormones are hitting hard and she will be crying a river just knowing she has to talk to you. Knowing you want us for holidays will be just an added bonus. You know how much she loves Thanksgiving and Christmas.''
Penelope knew how much Josie was crazy about the Christmas and putting it all together with kids.
''Well, now we all have to compromise… I am sorry for all this.''
''I know mom…It is what it is…''
''How are the boys?''
''They miss you…we all do… They don't know about the divorce yet but they know about the babies. They saw mama's belly and now they are over the Moon with it. They told everyone at school. I am guessing parents will be having a field day with it when it gets out that it's not….''
''Let's not talk about it now. All of us will have to adjust to the new normal and new reality. And I am sorry for the little kids.''
''Mom, are you sure you want this divorce?''
''Honey… I have to do this…''
''I know… But part of me hoped.''
''Part of me hoped too… But I don't trust your mother. How can I stay in a marriage where all I have are doubts? I love her so much, but I can't shake off the idea that I have to have Landon in my life forever because he is the father of the twins. Fuck! I even have to have him in my life just for the fact that he is the father of the babies she is having now.''
''I get it.''
Penelope heard the bell and she knew it was time for them to hang up.
''Your lunch is over… ''
''I'm sorry mom we didn't have more time.''
''I'll try to call tonight so I can see the boys too.''
''Ok mom… Talk to you later.''
Penelope and Elizabeth
After Penelope was done talking to Helena, she took a shower and changed to go to Elizabeth's place. When she got there, she found her boss sitting at the table surrounded by papers and pictures.
''What is all this?''
''Pictures from Mrs. O'Neil's past and some thigs investigators got us.''
Penelope just looked at them and back at Elizabeth.
''There are a lot of things here.''
''Yes, and that is why we will bring it to the war room tomorrow so the entire team can look at them. You will supervise that and I will have to be out for the day.''
''Ok… If I need you, can I call?''
''It's better to talk about it all when I come back.''
''Ok.''
Elizabeth made them a drink and took a seat on the sofa.
''I got a call from the office. Your divorce will be over tomorrow.''
''So soon?''
''Yes, I pulled some strings… Tomorrow at noon you will be a free woman.''
''I wonder if I would ever be that free woman in my mind?''
''It will take a minute for things to settle, but you will be fine.''
''I was wondering, will we have some time off for upcoming holidays?''
''I don't know. It depends of the case. Why?''
''I wanted to see the kids.''
''Thanksgiving is in two weeks. You can fly the kids here.''
''I can't. It's a big deal in Josie's family. They celebrate big…and twins love it.''
''Do you want to bring Helena?''
''Maybe... I will have to talk to her.''
''Good.''
Penelope and the kids
Around eight Penelope called Helena and boys were in her room waiting for the call. It was nice to see their little faces light up when they saw her.
''Hey loves.''
''Mama!''
''How are you?''
Dylan took Helena's phone.
''When are you coming home mom?''
''I don't know baby… As soon as I know, I will give you a call and let you know.''
''Will you be spending a Thanksgiving with us at grandpa Rick's?''
''I don't know love. I have so much work.''
She saw sadness in her sons' eyes.
''I will give my best to be there.''
''We all miss you mom.''
''I miss you too.''
''And you should hurry home to see the film of the new baby. Mama went to the doctor's and we heard the heartbeat. It beats so fast…and it will be two boys, just like us.''
''Wow!''
''I know… Imagine mom, two brothers.''
''You sound happy.''
Helena noticed that Penelope looked sad. Boys saw it to. Only difference is that they had no idea why Penelope was sad.
''Don't worry mom. Maybe next time we will have girls.''
''I don't think there will be next time…''
''It's ok mom…''
''I know baby.''
She noticed at the corner of the room Josie standing at the door.
''Hey Josie…''
When she was discovered, she had no other option but to enter the room. She took a seat on Helena's bed and took Dylan in her lap.
''Hey Pen.''
''How are you?''
Dylan turned to his mom and smiled.
''I was just telling mama that you showed us babes heartbeats and she was a bit sad we are having two more boys…I think mama wanted girls.''
Josie didn't know what to say to that.
''I think mama is just tired.''
''Maybe… Mama works a lot…''
There was someone at the door and boys rushed out followed by Helena. That left Josie and Penelope on the phone alone. There was awkward moment of silence.
''How are you feeling? Are the babies good?''
''Why do you care Penelope? You filed for divorce…''
''I did… But it doesn't mean that I am not worried about you.''
''You have funny way of showing it… And what is the thing of having me followed?''
''I didn't do it. Elizabeth did it to all the members of the firm. She wanted to see how she could keep our families safe and what are our usual habits. Unfortunately, she uncovered the affair and you continuing it after we agreed on trying to fix our marriage.''
''I didn't kiss him back Penelope…''
''I want to believe you, but I can't… I feel like my trust in you is shattered and I have no way of fixing it. That is why I filed for divorce.''
''And what about the love you said you still have for me?''
''I still do…and I always will, but it's not enough… Love can't save us Josie…''
Just as Josie wanted to say something, Penelope saw behind her back Landon and the boys.
''You have company… We will talk soon to make arrangements for the holidays.''
''What do you mean?''
''I would like to have the kids for Thanksgiving and Christmas.''
''But it's tradition to be at my dad's. You know my family…''
''Josie, thanks to you, we have to make up new traditions…''
And with that she ended the conversation.