Penelope woke up to her mother bringing her food.
''Good morning love.''
''Good morning mom.''
''How are you?''
''Excited.''
''I bet you are…''
She put the tray in Penelope's lap and took a seat on her bed.
''After you are done, come to my office. We have to have very important talk with Josie and her family.''
''What is going on?''
''Nothing… Just be there.''
Penelope finished eating and got dressed. When she got down, everyone was in the office.
''What is this all about mom?''
''Honey, Caroline mentioned that you want to have kids and that you are thinking of taking Josie's last name… My recommendation is that you stick to Park.''
''Mom… I want to take her name..''
''Penelope, be smart!''
''Mom!''
''NO! Listen to me… I have nothing against Josie's name… But when you have kids… Imagine having twins… if they are Saltzman, they belong to the Gemini coven…and do you want to relive with your kids what you are living now with Josie? You want to die knowing that you might lose your partner. Ask Alaric and Caroline how are they feeling knowing that they might lose a daughter? And what do they think about kids being alive and Park…''
Penelope looked at Josie's parents. They had immense sadness in their eyes.
'' If they are Park, they belong to your coven Penelope and they don't have to die… Just think about it…''
Josie saw the logic in the way Penelope's mom was thinking. She turned to Penelope and took her hands.
''She is right… Do it for the kids… I will take your name today….''
''But Jojo…''
''I would love nothing more than to marry you and for you to be Mrs. Saltzman, but this is bigger than us… This is about the family we might have. Stay Park…and our family will be safe from my coven.''
''Are you sure Josie?''
''Penelope, there is nothing more important than out kids and you… If Park name can give them safety and protection Lizzie and I never got the chance to have, then we'll all be Park.''
''Ok… It's for them.''
''Thank you Penny. It's for the best.''
''But we…''
''Hey… We can always call you Mrs. Saltzman… But it matters that in the coven books we are Park…''
''Ok…''
Lizzie looked at them a bit upset.
''So, that means that if we were under Forbs name we would have avoided this?''
Josie wondered the same. Penelope lowered her gaze and shook her head.
''No, it would be the same for you… Your mother… biological mother was part of the Gemini coven and she was killed in front of the members of the coven who implanted two of you in Caroline… So, they knew whose kids you were… And your dad is human, so there is no coven behind him and your mom is a vampire…also no coven…. So, two of you were screwed in any scenario. My dad still has people who are devoted to him and no one would ever doubt that my children are not part of the coven… If they see me pregnant and all… They are from our coven…ant your coven is pretty small now…after Kai did what he did to many members.''
Mrs. Park got up from her chair.
''Now girls, go to your rooms it's time to start getting ready… In few hours, we have wedding to celebrate… You are free to go.''
Penelope managed to get Josie for a moment. Caroline turned and gave them a look.
''I need her just for a minute…If you want, we can keep the door opened.''
''Fine, but just a minute.''
Penelope took Josie to the window seat and got her to sit with her.
''I will ask this now because we are alone… Are you sure you are ok with taking my name…? You can keep yours or I can take yours… Who gives a damn!"
''Penelope… We want a family… That means protecting them best way we know how… I don't care what my last name is if I am married to you… Is that clear?''
''Yes, it is.''
''Good… I love you and I want to marry you… I don't care about anything else. Having your name will not change what we feel for each other… It will just help the case later.''
''Ok…''
They shared a kiss and Josei smiled at her.
''We better go before one of our moms comes for us….''
''Yes, you are right…''
''I love you Penny…''
''I love you too..''
They climbed the stairs together and separated when they reached the top. Penelope let go of her hand and smiled at her.
''See you in the garden my love.''
''See you P.''
Lizzie was getting her hair done by their mother and chatting with her when Josie got in.
''Look who joined us…''
Caroline smiled at her.
''How are you baby?''
''I am good… I am very good… ''
After she was done with Lizzie, it was Josie's turn. Josie's make up was elegant and very light. She didn't' want her to look like some other person. She wanted Josie to look like herself, but a bit more elegant. She gathered her hair in a nice bun and put the veil in. Now it was time for the dress. Josie was so nervous about being in her mother's dress. She watched the box entire time Caroline was doing her hair and makeup. And now it was time to put it on. Caroline helped her and zipped her up.
''How do you feel love?''
''I am sad she is not here.''
''I know…''
''I am sorry mom… I didn't mean to hurt you.''
Caroline took her hand and got her to sit on the bed.
''Honey, you can't hurt me by missing Joe… She was an amazing woman and I am so honored I got to carry her babies… I am your mother… I gave birth to you and raised you…but she is also your mom… You are her DNA…and that counts for something… Each big step in your life, she was on my mind and I spent hours ''talking'' to her. I love you so much… You and Lizzie are my babies, but I can't deny that she is also part of who you are…Especially you Josie… You are so much like her… And I am so sorry you only got few hours with her. Your dad should talk more about her… She was an amazing woman and we all loved her.''
There was a knock on the door. Caroline opened and it was another surprise for Josie. Caroline invited Elena and Bonnie to come. Damon was with Rick at the bar, Caroline had no doubt about that. They entered the room and there was no dry eye between three old friends. Elena came to her and smiled.
''God, you do look like her.''
''My mom?''
''Yes.''
''You knew my mom?''
''Yes, I worked for her when I was a student.''
Josie smiled.
''What was she like?''
''Incredible… We were so lucky to have her as our mentor and all.''
Alaric and Damon were standing at the bar having their bourbon.
''So, she is getting married… Little Josie is getting married.''
''Don't…''
''What?''
''If thigs were different… I would have never allowed her to do it.''
''Oh, Rick… If things were different…maybe we would have never met eachother and lived what we lived.''
''I would gladly erise many years of my life…''
''Even Jo?''
''Never her.''
''Then, it's how things should have been.''
''I can't believe I must face potential death of my girls.''
''We are all working to solve that Merge thing… We are here for you.''
''What if we fail…''
'"We are still here for you…''
''I am scared.''
''I know…''
''I gave her Jo's dress…''
Damon didn't say anything. He let Rick speak.
''She wanted part of her mother today.''
''I am here for you Rick…No matter what… You know that.''
He gave Damon a very sad smile.
''I know…''
Penelope was in her room and she was almost ready. One of the maids was finishing her hair and her mother placed the comb at its place.
''You look amazing my love.''
''Thank you mom.''
''Nervous?''
''Scared.''
''Why?''
''I don't know… I feel like countdown is starting.''
''You have to stop thinking like that. You have to think about here and now.''
David came to Penelope's room and smiled at her.
''You are stunning.''
''Thank you.''
''Honey, go downstairs… It's almost time.''
He kissed Patricia's cheek and she left. Penelope was giving last look to how she looked and she picked up her flowers.
''Are you ready honey?''
''Yes… I am.''
They left the room and he offered his arm to her.
''Let's get married!''
She smiled at him.
''Yes, let's do it.''
She got out to the garden and all eyes were on her. She was the first bride to come down. David walked her to the flower arch and took his place beside her mother. She smiled at them and blew them a kiss. She heard Elena whisper to Caroline that she looked hot and Caroline just rolled her eyes at her friend. Penelope gave her flowers to Hope and turned to wait for Josie to come. Few moments later she walked into garden and Penelope was mesmerized with how she looked. For a moment she forgot about all the bad things hanging in the air for them and she just focused on being in the moment… Living in the moment when she was about to marry Josie and have time of her life today… Josie got to the arch and gave her flowers to Lizzie. She and Penelope took each other's hands and just looked at one another with pure love, admiration and hope for better future. After clerk finished his part of speech, it was time for the girls to exchange rings and vows. Josie was first.
''Penny… After all the arguing, me screaming that I hate you and all the other things that took place... after that event…''
There were some giggles in the back that got them to smile too
''It was only natural that we end up at this moment…getting married.''
That got everyone laughing.
'' We were never easy… We were never boring… We always had something to fight for and about... but now I learned to appreciate that. In our worst moments when I believed we were done and all went to hell…you never lost faith in us and me. Loving you and being loved by you is a blessing and a curse at the same time. You are like lingering cough… You show up out of nowhere, you don't let go until you decide it's time and there is no way to get rid of you… You drive me crazy… In so many ways that are not good…But I love you… And I hope I will get a chance to love you for many more years… And that we have a lot of time ahead of us to get on each other's nerves, argue about some stupid things and love like crazy… My life is better palace because I was blessed and cursed to love you and be loved by you… That is why I promise to you on this day that I will love you until the end of world…and even when my time comes, I will love you. You are it for me… Until this day, you were someone I love… my person, my support, my rock… Now you are all that and so much more… From this day on…you are my wife… And I can't wait to repeat that word to you and the world… MY WIFE…. Penelope Park… you are my world.''
She wiped her eyes and put Penelope's ring over her engagement ring. Now it was Penelope's turn.
''Loving you, Josette Saltzman has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. You are so special, beautiful inside and out and I can't imagine the day that I will stop loving you. One of my biggest dreams is growing old with you and getting on your nerves in some supernatural nursing home… I promise to be your wife, your partner and your support… I love you so much and I can't wait to be married to you for as long as I live… You are my first, my last and my everything… I love you Jojo… I love you with all of my obnoxious, selfish, evil heart… and I will love you when I am gray and old and start forgetting things… I know that you are someone who will never be erased from my heart… No matter where we are… I am yours…until the day I die.''
She placed the ring on Josie's hand and they were declared married. They were about to kiss when Penelope pulled back.
''Lingering cough? Really? That is in your vows?''
''Do you really want to discuss it now?''
''No, but we will…later.''
''And so the marriage begins Ms. Park…''
''Shut up Jojo and kiss me.''
''As you wish…wife.''
Penelope had huge grin on her face… Wife… Josie was her wife. They kissed and everyone cheered. Penelope broke the kiss and leaned her forehead to Josie's. They both whispered to each other I love you and turned to their guests. First to congratulate them were their parents and Lizzie. She was not really into Josie being married to Penelope, but she finally realized how much that meant to her sister. She even hugged Penelope that came to the other girl as a surprise.
''Take care of Josie…''
''I will.''
After they were done with everyone wishing them good life and long marriage it was time to get into the house for the reception. Penelope's mom got the best food for this occasion and it was time to enjoy it. They got in and took their place at the center of the table. Soon they were served and even they were allowed to have a few drinks. Josie and Penelope looked at one another and smiled. They were married… They made it… One more thing to be crossed from the list. They were talking about something when they heard Alaric asking for a moment. He gave nice speech wishing them all the luck and amazing life together. He also told few stories about Penelope and Josie that made many people laugh and even two of them. He mentioned some of the situations that were painful for them, but now they were passed it and married… They were where they were supposed to be. After him David spoke of Penelope and it also didn't leave a dry eye in the room. Girls were lucky to have two of them. After that it was time for the first dance. Josie and Penelope danced to the song Josie picked. It was played at one of their early dates and they loved it. From that day it was their song. Josie still couldn't believe they were married.
''Pinch me…''
''Here? In front of everyone?''
Josie laughed…
''I still can't believe we are married.''
''Yes, we are.. You are my wife…''
''I am… Yours…Only yours. Mrs. Josette Park…''
They both laughed…
''It sounds so grown up…and like someone I don't know… ''
''I know… I am not used to my name either.''
Penelope kissed her and pulled her even closer.
''I love you so much Jojo…''
''I love you to… wife….''