Josie and Landon
Landon got the kids and went up to say hi to Josie. She has been avoiding talking to him about things that are not about the twins. He was trying to see if there is a chance for them now that all is in the open and Penelope and his wife both filed for divorce.
''Hey Jo… How are you?''
''I am… I don't know…''
''What's wrong? Is it the babies?''
''I just spoke to Penelope… She wants the kids for the holidays.''
''And you wanted them too?''
''I hoped she would be here and spending them with us.''
''Oh…''
He was a bit disappointed with the answer she gave him. He had hopes that now that their marriages have ended, that two of them would resume their relationship and let it be in the open.
'' It would be the first time in seventeen years we are not celebrating together… This house will be so empty.''
''I can keep you company or we could go somewhere.''
''Landon, please… ''
''What? She and Marry know… We can finally be together.''
''Landon, I need some time. This is all so new to me and I need to get used to being without her in order to move on… If I ever.''
''I don't get it. We've been seeing each other for months and it was never an issue for you.''
Josie turned to face him and raised her voice.
''Because I was coming back home to her. When I went to bed, she was on the other side of that bed. Do you know I haven't slept in that bed since she left? I can't sleep in our bed knowing that her side will always be empty. I can't stand the fact that she will be gone and I will have to do things all alone.''
''Well, I could move in and help with things.''
''No!''
''Josie, you will me too pregnant soon to do things alone. You need help.''
''Landon, just leave me alone. Go now and I will call you tomorrow to pick the boys up.''
''We will have to talk at some point how our lives will look like when the twins are born.''
''Yes, I know… But not now.''
''Ok. But soon…''
''I know Landon.''
Helena and Josie
As soon as Landon left, Helena came to her room.
''I came to get my phone.''
Josie gave it to her and got up from Helena's bed.
''Mom, are you ok?''
''I will be… I have to be.''
''It will be ok mom.''
''How do you know?''
''I don't… But I just have the feeling that things will get better.''
''I wish I could have your faith.''
''Mom, it will not be easy but I am here for you.''
''I know.''
Helena and Josie held hands for a moment.
''Your mom wants you with her for the holidays.''
''I know. She told me.''
''Do you want to go?''
''I miss her and boys miss her too…''
''I know.''
''Mom, we have to get used to new normal and new things and that is part of it. Split holidays, double celebrations of things…It will take a minute, but we will be ok.''
''It's just the house will be so lonely without all of you here.''
''I know… But you will have some time to rest and just do things for yourself… I can imagine how hard it is to care for the boys now that you are getting more and more pregnant.''
''It's hard, but I love it.''
''No one says that you don't. It's just that you need to think of them too and we both know there is a real chance that you would be on bedrest soon.''
''I can't think of that now.''
''But you should… You do need help.''
''Landon offered to move in.''
Josie noticed her daughter change her face from soft to very angry.
''I said no. I don't want him here…''
''And do you think he got the message?''
''I hope so. I need my own space, especially now that your mom is gone.''
''Is that why you sleep in the guest room?''
''I can't sleep there without her.''
''Maybe you just need some time?''
''I don't need time. I just need her to come home.''
With that Josie left the room and Helena stayed alone lost in her own thoughts. She agreed with Josie. She needed Penelope back too.
Penelope and MG
Penelope went out from the building because she needed to clear her head and she went for a walk. She looked at shop windows and people slowly preparing for the upcoming holidays. She saw toys she wanted for twins, she saw new dress for Helena and perfect pair of earrings for Josie…and then she remembered that there was no need for that present anymore. When she turned from the window of the jewelry store she saw Nya and MG. They were surprised to see her and they insisted they had a drink together. Nya picked a bar that was near and they took a seat. MG had million questions for her but the first one that sort of left his mouth was the one Penelope didn't feel ready to mention first.
''Where in the hell is your wedding ring?''
''In the box.''
''And why is that?''
''Because we are getting a divorce?''
''What?''
''Josie and I are not together anymore.''
''How? What happened?''
''She cheated on me…''
''Josie? No!''
Penelope just nodded and took a sip from her glass.
''With Landon…and she is pregnant with his twins.''
MG sat there frozen trying to process so many things at once and Nya just took her hand.
''We are there for you P if you need us.''
''Thank you.''
She was grateful to them that they didn't ask too many questions. She told them she was in NY for the case and they told her that it will be huge deal. Penelope already knew that. They spent two hours at the bar and she was glad they didn't talk much about Josie and divorce. She was sure that it was like that just because Nya didn't let MG ask too many things and he followed her lead after she kicked him under the table few times. Nya sent MG to pay the bill and she and Penelope stayed alone.
''I will not pry and ask things I am not supposed to know. I just want you to know that we have your back and that we are there for you in case you need something.''
''Thank you… And please do me a favor… ''
''Whatever you need Park…''
''Don't let people pick sides when this gets out.''
''You know I can't promise it.''
''I know… But please try. Josie needs all of you.''
''So do you P.''
''But she needs support now more than I do. I will manage and I will be ok… Some new paths are opening for me and I am scared to step there, but eventually I will…''
''I have no idea what you are talking about, but I have faith in you Penelope.''
"I have some choices to make that will not make others happy. But it's for my family, to secure their future.''
''You know what you have to do…''
''Unfortunately, I do know.''
She finished her drink and went back home. She had long day ahead of her.
In the morning she was back in the war room working with the team on materials Elizabeth gathered. Around noon she got the message from one of the assistants in Boston telling her that her divorce is finalized and that soon Josie would receive her copy. Her stomach dropped and she excused herself from the room and went back to the apartment. She locked herself in the bathroom and cried. It was over. Now it was officially over. She was a free woman again after so many years. She got off the floor, splashed her face and went back to the war room. Show must go on.
One of the team members came with a shy face and a paper to her.
''Ms. Park, I think you should take a look at this.''
''What is it?''
''It's from Mr. O'Neil's doctor. He had vasectomy more than twenty years ago.''
She pointed with her finger the note from the doctor.
''… and we checked…. He never had the procedure reversed or went to some fertility treatment with his wife.''
Penelope had a smirk on her face.
''So, he is not the father of the child?''
''No, he is not…AND DNA of the fetus has never been tested or compared to him or anyone else.''
''Can we have independent lab test it against other victim's DNA AND our lead detective?''
''Detective?''
''They had a past… They might have had a present too... It doesn't hurt to check and find some evidence of two of them having a contact or at least seeing one another at least once. Then Mrs. Cooper and I will do our magic and discredit him…''
''I'll make the call Ms. Park.''
''Thank you Lina.''
Girl was about to leave when Penelope remembered something.
''Lina, get me her yearbook… Preferable senior year.''
''High school?''
''Yes, high school.''
There were some more things in the new papers that showed very sloppy police work and the fact that only Mr. O'Neil was considered as a suspect. By the end of the day, Penelope had about thirty pages of things she would have to present to Elizabeth that evening. She was feeling excited for all the new discoveries and ways they could destroy prosecution's case. Around eight in the evening Elizabeth sent her a message telling her she was back and that she could come to her place. Penelope wished pleasant evening to the team and went upstairs to brief her boss.
Penelope and Elizabeth
As soon as she opened the door, Penelope noticed that Elizabeth was not looking good.
''Are you feeling ok? Do you want me to come back tomorrow?''
''I can handle it. Just help me to the sofa.''
Penelope did what Elizabeth asked of her and took a seat across from her boss on one of the chairs. She opened her laptop and started with the list of the things they uncovered. She would sometimes get her eyes of the screen and see Elizabeth smirking with pride.
''I knew you could do it without me.''
''Where were you today?''
''At the hospital, getting my first dose of chemo.''
Penelope grew sad all of the sudden. She felt bad for Elizabeth.
''And how did you take it?''
''Like hell. That shit is…''
''I've heard some stories about it being horrible…''
''Horrible doesn't cover it Penelope.''
''Do you need something? Can I do something for you?''
Elizabeth turned to her and all of the sudden her face grew serious and there was no trace of previous pain and sickness.
'' Did you think about my suggestion?''
''Yes, I did…''
''And what is your answer?''
''Yes, I accept.''
''Good…''
Elizabeth pointed to the dining room table.
''All you need is there…''
Penelope got up and went to the table. On it was a folder with prenuptial agreement, Elizabeth's will and ring box. She took a seat and opened the folder. She carefully studied every line and she was amazed how detailed Elizabeth made it. Every single thing was covered in it, including money for Helena's college, twins and everything Elizabeth owned. There was one thing Penelope never expected. There was a line about their children.
''You want kids?''
''I put it there in case you want to have them. We never really had time to talk about it. I am in my sixties, so there will be no pregnancies for me, but you might change your mind. I do admit having some of my eggs frozen…''
''So, you want me to have your baby?''
''I do admit I don't find that idea repulsive. Part of me wants a second chance…and part of me is scared I might not see the day that child is born. My illness is unpredictable. I might get some time with this chemo, and also I might die in month or two.''
''And what about your children?''
''They haven't dialed my number in years… I don't have children.''
''Are you sure about this Elizabeth?''
''Yes, I am.''
Penelope looked at the other woman and felt immense amount of gratitude and love for her. She was not in love with Elizabeth, she saw her more as a mother figure and someone who shaped her into this amazing lawyer. Now she was giving her a chance to have it all…to never have to wonder if she and her family would have enough to survive the month. She could even work less and spend more time with kids…and part of her didn't find the idea of having a baby repulsive. Maybe the family with Elizabeth would be something that would help her get her mind of Josie and kids she was having with Landon. He was already in their house, their bed, their life… Why couldn't she have new start and something potentially good?
She took the pen and signed the agreement. Elizabeth smiled and pointed her finger at the ring box. Penelope opened it and found an impressive ring inside. It was princess cut white gold ring with smaller diamonds in the band.
''Wow!''
''I am glad you like it. I picked it for you today.''
''I've seen rings like this only on some of our clients.''
''Well, now you are one of the women with a ring like that and soon millions on your bank account.''
''And you have to die for that…''
Elizabeth got off the sofa and took a seat across from Penelope.
''I have to die and I am fine with it. Yes, I am sorry that I will not get to do or see some things, but I don't regret my life. It was not perfect, but it was fully lived. And now I am offering you a chance for a life like that. After I die, you can get the kids and hell, even baby mama if you have it in you to forgive, and go somewhere nice… Penelope, I am happy that my death would give someone as amazing as you a chance for amazing life. You are like daughter to me and I want the best for you. With my money and name to yours, no door in the world of law would be closed for you. And I am just your starting point. There is so much more you would be able to do with Cooper name and money. I know you will do wonders for kids like you and for young people who didn't have much luck. So put that ring on my child and let's declare a war to those fuckers in the office that think they are better than us just because they have a dick.''
Penelope smirked and looked at the ring box again.
''This is going to be fun.''
''Oh, you have no idea…''
With that, Penelope offered her hand to Elizabeth and she put the ring on it.
''So, do you know any fertility doctor here in NY?''
Elizabeth's smile grew huge.
''Oh, it will be so much fun seeing you pregnant and pissed off.''
''Oh, I meant for you Cooper…''
''Ha…Ha… Good one Park….''
''So when do we get married?''
''Tomorrow evening?''
''I will not have time to tell my family.''
''We will make something when we come back to Boston. But I need to do this as soon as possible… Just in case.''
''Ok…''
''And no one knows until it's time to let the cat out of the bag.''
''Just so you know… I don't have cash for the ring like you gave me.''
''I know. That's why I will use my mother's ring.''
Elizabeth brought an old ring box and opened it. Inside was a sizable yellow diamond in yellow gold band.
''Wow!''
''It's over 200 years old.''
''You really have money.''
Elizabeth smirked as she put the ring on.
''I am what you call, filthy rich.''
''I am afraid to ask.''
''Let's say that with proper managing of the money next few generations of Park kids will not have to work a day in their life.''
Penelope just stared at Elizabeth and couldn't say a word.