Song and dance ended and it was time for brides to retire. But before that there was one more thing, they choose to give small speech to their guests. Josie was first to speak. She held Penelope's hand and had huge smile on her face.
''Friends and family. I want to thank you all for being here and making this day possible for us. I can't describe to you how happy I am that I finally have a chance to call this one my wife. I want to take my mom and dad and tell them that I understand that it's not easy for them. With this Merge hanging over our heads, none of us can relax and enjoy life to the fullest. Hell, because of that merge I am married at sixteen and my dad didn't try to chaise away Penelope with shotgun or some other weapon he possesses somewhere at school.''
They all laughed at that comment.
''So, there is one good side of all this… Without knowing I might die in a few years, I would have never dared to go and look for her and I would have never faced my feelings. So, I am happy I get the chance to live my dream and be your wife Penelope Park. Maybe we will not have the time we wanted, but I know we will have the best of it.''
There was no dry eyes now.
''I love you so much and I am so happy I get to call you mine that I don't mind dying…because I know I lived my one true love and I had that love back. You are all I ever wanted and more than I expected you would ever be. I want to thank you for loving me and being there for me when no one was. I want to thank you for teaching me how to love and how to give myself to someone. Until I met you, I never believed in angels… And then you came…and saved me from myself. I love you so much…''
Penelope kissed her and wiped her tears away.
''Wow! What can I say after speech my wife just gave?! Just a moment ago, I had enough things to say that would get me to talk for hours. And now…I have no words. I am also very thankful for all of you here and I am happy we got to celebrate with people we love. I can't believe I am sixteen and married… I never imagined being in that situation and then she came along and I ended up doing many things I never imagined I would. I got married, I fell in love and I am building a life with someone. I am scared to death but I know I wouldn't do it any other way. I am yours Jojo…mind, body, soul and scheme.''
Josie smiled at her.
''I've learned so much from you. I learned to love and be selfless in love I feel for you. I learned that life is too short to waste it. I learned to play chess and now I am better than you. And most important lesson I learned from you is that I am not damaged. We bonded over the fact that we don't have one parent and feel that void. We did have David and Caroline, bit that never changed the fact that we missed my dad and her mom. I always felt damaged because I didn't have his love anymore and she felt the same because of Joe. And then she changed that. She made me feel worthy of being loved and she showed me that our void is just one more thing we had in common. We grew from that pain. We learned to live with the pain we felt and I am so happy I had her to guide me through my anger, disappointment and a lot of resentment for the Park family. ''
She turned to Josie and took her hand.
''You are my entire universe Josie and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.''
Josie smiled at her and kissed her. She whispered in her ear how much she loves her and that she is forever hers. No matter where and what happens.
They got many kisses and hugs from their friends and family. At Penelope's request, they didn't throw their bouquets but took them to the garden and placed them on her dad's favorite bench. It was her way to make him part of the wedding. She put her flowers on the bench and wiped her tears away.
''I miss you daddy…''
Josie could feel her pain…She held her wife's hand and took her back into the house. They climbed the stairs and went to Penelope's room. During the reception, staff moved her things into Penelope's room so this room was theirs now. Penelope closed the door and Josie went to the vanity. She took a seat and started taking off the pins from her hair. Penelope was sitting on the bed and she took off her shoes. Her feet were killing her. She watched Josie in the mirror and she was so taken by her.
''What is it Penny?''
''You are so beautiful…''
''You don't have to flatter me… I did marry you… Now it's over.''
She got up from the bed and stood behind Josie. Her hair was now lose and Penelope loved those curls her wife had.
''Mrs. Park… It's not gave over… We are just getting started…''
She kissed Josie's neck and turned her to face her. She took a seat in her lap and kissed her.
''Penny I really want to continue this… But can we do it when I get out of my mom's dress. I don't want to ruin it.''
''Sorry… I forgot.''
Penelope got off from her lap and helped her out of the dress. They put it in the box and then Penelope focused on the fact that Josie was now only in tiny lacy white panties. Josie helped her out of her suit and now they were on an equal playing field. Josie pulled the other girl into her arms and lifter her chin so she would look at her.
''I love you Penelope. Thank you for being my wife and accepting to share the rest of my life with me.''
''I would do it million times over Jojo… You are my person and no one else would ever take your place… I promise you this…''
She took Josie's hands and kissed them.
''I am your wife…your woman…until the last breath I take…''
''No… Penelope…If I die young…''
''No Jojo… After you, I am done… Whenever our final hour comes, I am yours…Only yours…''
''Promise me that you will go on if I die.''
''Don't ask me to promise something you know I will not keep.''
''Penelope…''
''Yours and no one else's Jojo… I made my woe to you… and I will keep it… Your wife and woman until the day I die.''
Josie had no strength to fight Penelope on that now. She just wanted them to enjoy their first night of being married.
Josie was sound asleep after some champagne and love making, but Penelope couldn't sleep. She watched Josie sleep and after some time she put on her robe and went downstairs. In the living room, in front of the fireplace she saw Alaric. He was siting with a glass of burbon and watching the fire.
''Are you ok Dr. Saltzman?''
''I should ask you the same… It's your wedding night and you are out of your room…and bed.''
They both blushed a bit.
''Josie is asleep and I can't sleep.''
''Why?''
''I can't stop thinking about the day…''
''Penelope…''
''How do you cope? How do you get out of bed every day after Jo's death?''
''I had them… I had them as a reason to live…Leting them down was letting Jo down in a way…''
''I am scared Dr. Saltzman…''
''I know… But unlike me and your mom, you know how much time you have… We had no idea and there were so many things we regret never doing with them.''
''It doesn't make it easier.''
''I know… But at least you know how much time you might have if we fail.''
''I don't want to live without her.''
''I know… But if you have kids, you will have to live without her. You will have to live for her and the kids you might have. ''
She poured some bourbon to herself and drank it all at once.
''You shouldn't be drinking…''
''I shouldn't do many things, but I still do them.''
He just gave her a look.
''We are talking about the prospect of me being a widow at the tender age of twenty one and only issue you have right now is me drinking.''
''Well, if it happens, you have life time of drinking…''
''Ha! Didn't think of that.''
''You see…''
She gave him sad smile.
''I better get back to bed. She will panic if she doesn't find me there.''
Just as Penelope said that Josie showed up on the stairs. She was surprised to see her dad and Penelope together. She put her arms around Penelope and put her chin on her shoulder.
''I woke up and you were gone…''
''I am sorry Jojo. I was on my way up.''
''Why are you awake?''
''Couldn't sleep.''
''Let's go to bed… I might change that.''
''Girls, I am here and I can hear you.''
''Sorry dad.''
Josie took Penelope's hand and led her upstairs. When they got to the room she took off their robes and kissed Penelope. Now it was her turn to return the favor to her wife. She made love to Penelope and Penelope really needed Josie to take control for a moment. She needed to feel her and to convince herself to live in the moment and not let fear of the future ruin it for them. Josie held Penelope and Penelope wanted to melt into her wife and never move away from her.
''What is wrong P?''
''Nothing…''
''That is a lie… I know you pretty well to see that something is bothering you.''
''Nothing worth mentioning now…''
''Hey, stop thinking of what might be… We have years to that moment… Please…do it for me… Live for me here and now. I need you to be in the present… I am also frightened of the future… I am also scared of the day I would not return to you…''
''The day I will send you out on two feet and get you back in a box…''
''Penelope…''
''I'm sorry… I didn't mean to say that.''
''Look at me…''
Penelope looked at Josie. They both had wet eyes.
''Even if they returne me in the box… I will keep living in you and the kids we would have… You will always have part of me…''
''As a reminder that you are gone.''
''No, as a reminder that life goes on and you have so many reasons to live Penny… You have so many reasons to live and so many places to be.''
''I will die without you.''
''NO! You will not… You will have our kids and things to be happy about.''
''How?!''
''Penny…''
She put her hand on Penelope's heart.
''I will always live inside of you…. And I will never leave you… I will always love you P… And some day we will have our eternity together… I promise.''
She cuddled up even more to Josie.
''I'll make you a deal… If we have kids, I live… If not… I am leaving after you…''
''No! I will not let you.''
''It's not your choice.''
''Penelope!''
''If it's not my choice your death, that's how you have no choice in my death…''
''We will have children and you will live for them…''
''Josie.''
''Believe me Penelope… You will have amazing and full life before it's your time to go… I can promise you that.''
''Not without you.''
''Oh, I love you so much Penny…''
''I love you too Jojo…''
They fell asleep holding on to each other hoping that Caroline would find the solution and that their end would be when they are gray and old… But Penelope knew better than to hope.