Penelope and Josie
Penelope arrived to the hospital and looked herself in the car mirror. She fixed her hair and makeup and went to the front desk to ask about Josie.
''How can I help you?''
''I am here, for my wife. Her name is Josette Park. She was admitted here about an hour ago.''
Nurse searched for the information.
''Your wife is in room 2522. Her doctor is Doctor Adams.''
''Thank you.''
Penelope found Doctor Adams because she wanted to know what happened to Josie before she sees her. She found him in the hallway and asked to talk to him.
''I am Josette Park's wife. Can you please tell me what happened to my wife?''
He took his pad and found her chart.
''Oh, here it is. She had minor trauma to the head. It looks like she lost conscience when she was hit by the other car. She was lucky. Nothing is broken and your babies are safe.''
That got Penelope's attention.
''Babies?''
''Yes, your wife is eight weeks pregnant with twins.''
He showed her picture of Josie's sonogram and Penelope stared at it for a few moments. She had no idea Josie was pregnant. She felt her cheeks were wet and she wiped them along with her eyes. She pulled herself together and returned the pad to the doctor.
''I am sorry.''
''Don't worry Mrs. Park. Many parents react like that when they see their babies…especially after the accident your wife had.''
''And Josie… ? She knows?''
Doctor was a bit surprised by the question.
''She warned us not to do the x ray because of the pregnancy. So, I am sure she knows. I will be there in a minute to give you the paperwork so you can leave. And please, make sure she is not under stress. It might harm the pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies are much more complicated than when there is just one baby.''
''I remember. Our twins are six, so I know she has to keep the stress on the low.''
Doctor smiled and nodded at Penelope.
''I think she had enough scares in this day. This accident could have been serious. Your wife was really lucky. It could have ended in tragedy…''
''Don't worry doctor. I will take care of her…like I always do.''
''See you soon Mrs. Park. Now go and see your wife. I know you are dying to see her and make sure she is ok.''
''Thank you doctor.''
Penelope walked toward Josie's room and she tried to calm down. She had a feeling her entire universe fell apart. In just few hours she found out her wife has been cheating, she got in the accident and she was pregnant with that someone. She had to find a way to keep it together…at least until they get home and have a moment to talk. She opened the door and found Josie talking to someone on the phone. When she saw her she hung up the same moment.
''Penelope…''
''Hey Jojo…''
''What are you? How did you?''
''Hospital called me since you can't drive and don't have car.''
''Oh… ''
''Your doctor will be here in a minute. You can go home, but you can't drive.''
''Kids will be disappointed.''
''Well, that is not what matters now… Your health does.''
''But they were so happy…''
''I know… Let's get you out of here and then we will talk.''
Josie looked at the pail of clothes folded on the chair and Penelope picked it up to help her get dressed. They were almost done when Landon barged into the room.
''I got you things you asked for. And I talked to the nurse, she said you can go home… ''
Josie looked frightened and Landon looked confused.
''Penelope?''
''Hello Landon.''
Before Landon said anything Josie spoke.
''It looks like they found Penelope. Thank you for bringing me something to change into. I am sorry for pulling you away from whatever you were doing.''
He looked at Josie again and put the bag on the bed. Penelope puzzled some peace together, but choose to pretend she had no idea what happened.
''Do you want to change into these new clothes Jojo?''
''Yes… There is some blood on the old shirt. I had nose bleed.''
''Ok.''
Penelope helped her with the shirt and looked at her belly. It reminded her of the time when Josie was pregnant with the boys. She had this glow about her and her belly looked like she had eaten a bit more than usual. She looked the same this time around too. Only difference was that Penelope didn't feel the thrill like she did the last time. This time it was Josie's pregnancy with someone else, someone she was having an affair with…most probably Landon… Josie noticed that Penelope was looking at her .
''P, are you ok?''
''Yes, I'm ok…''
''You looked a bit pensive and you looked at me a bit strange.''
Penelope knew she had to control herself. Whatever was going on, hospital was not time and place for the talk. And to be honest, all the pain and disappointment aside, she was worried for Josie. She still loved her deeply and she had no idea what would she do if her wife was injured for real or dead. She chooses to smile at Josie and take her hand.
''I am just out of my mind Jojo… You were in an accident. You were lucky…''
Penelope started crying. She couldn't hold it in.
''You could have died…Something could have happened…and I don't know what I would do without you Jojo.''
Josie got up from the bed and pulled Penelope into tight hug.
''I am here Penny and I am not going anywhere.''
She kissed Penelope and they were kissing until the doctor came. Penelope broke the kiss and they both felt a bit ashamed for getting caught.
''I'm sorry…''
''Don't worry. You suffered a traumatic event Mrs. Park….It's normal to be worried for your wife, but don't worry. She is strong, she is well and your babies are safe too.''
At that moment it felt like someone broke the spell again for Penelope. She was reminded again of Josie's treason and now all the pain and disappointment came back. Looking at Penelope Josie knew Penelope knew shew as unfaithful and that they had to talk.
The rest happened somehow too fast. They got out of the hospital and got into Penelope's car. Both of them had no idea what to say to the woman sitting by their side. Josie feared starting the conversation and Penelope feared that she might come to aggressive if she really spoke about how she felt. When they got home, both of them knew there was no way to avoid the conversation now. Penelope got out of the car and entered the house. Few moments later, Josie followed. When she got in, she found Penelope sitting at the sofa with a glass of whiskey. Josie could see the hurt on her wife's face and she felt bad.
''Penelope…''
''Don't!''
The tone Penelope used was ice cold and something Josie never heard her use in her life.
''You are going to call Lizzie and tell her that you had minor accident and that you and boys need a ride to the cottage. I will stay in the city with Helena.''
''What?''
''I am not sure it's a good idea for us to be together now and especially together surrounded by our friends and your sister. I can't pretend we are ok… I can't pretend everything is perfect… So, I think we need few days to think about what we are going to do… And me staying for Helena is a cover story they will buy. She is sixteen and all of them can relate to a bratty teen who doesn't want to spend her time with her mothers and six years old siblings… So, that's why I think it would be less suspicious for me to stay with her rather than with twins. Three of you love that cottage and it's for the best if you would go.''
''We should talk Penelope…''
''I agree… But right now… I can't talk to you… I can't look at you… All I can think of is how you betrayed me…betrayed our family and all the dreams we had Josie…And it makes me angry, it makes me want to scream, throw things….and say vey offensive things to you…even physically hurt you…''
She looked at Josie and for the first time in her life, Josie was afraid of Penelope.
''Call Lizzie and ask her to pick you up so you can pick up boys and leave with them. I am going out….''
Josie wanted to try to fix it somehow. She wanted her and Penelope to solve things. Before this happened, she was sure she wanted to leave Penelope, but now…After today, she realized her home was Penelope and their kids. Everything else was a mistake.
''Please talk to me.''
''I can't… I am hanging by a thread here Josie. I am afraid that I will hurt you if I stay… Because I really want to… I really want to hurt you and I want you to feel the pain I am feeling right now. I want you to feel this disappointment and sense of loss I feel… Josie, more than fifteen years together and that's how you throw us away?! ''
Josie started to cry and Penelope just stood in the corner of the room and watched her.
''I am so hurt that at this moment I don't care that you are crying and hurting…I feel the urge to tell you all the things on my mind, but I don't want to be the cause of possible loss of your pregnancy… and that is why I am leaving.''
''Where are you going?''
''Back to the office and after that to pick up Helena from the practice… Have a safe trip Josie.''
''Penelope, I think I should stay…and we should…''
''Talk about it with the kids in the house? Do you really think it's a good idea to talk about our marriage problems with boys running around the house and Helena who will notice something is happening… Let's be real. When we sit and talk about this, it will be a very loud discussion we can't hide from kids… So, we shall do that after you come back and I can take a day off so we can handle our issues…but not in front of them… They don't need that stress to see their parents biting their heads off…''
''Penelope.''
She picked up her coat and bags and went to the door. Josie stood in the middle of the room hoping that Penelope would change her mind. Penelope was almost out of the door when she turned back to Josie.
'' Say hi to Muppet and Marry to me.''
''Muppet?''
'' Landon…''
Penelope put on her coat and went for the door.
''I can't wait for what Marry has to say about all this. I can almost imagine how interesting that after work drink she promised me few weeks ago would be… See you Jojo…''
With those words Penelope left the house and left Josie speechless. She had no idea Penelope figured it out. She felt bad, she felt ashamed, she felt scared. She had no idea if Penelope would tell Marry about them and the possibility of spending the long weekend with Marry who has no idea was also eating her alive.
Josie called Lizzie and asked if she and the twins could get the ride with her or Sebastian.
''What's wrong with your car? Satan didn't give you pocket money and you can't pour gas?''
''No, I was in a small accident and my car is in the repair shop… I can't use them.''
''Oh, are you Ok?''
''Yes, I am ok… But I don't have a car. I have to get seats for the boys from the car in the shop.''
''I can pick them up when I come to get you. I will move baby seat to Sebastian's car and you and the boys can ride with me.''
''Thank you Lizzie.''
''Is Satan coming tomorrow?''
''No, she is staying in the city… Helena has some party she wants to go to and Penelope has work so she volunteered to stay at home and be there for Helena.''
''Ok, I have to go now. I will pick you up in an hour. Get ready…''
''Ok… I will have our bags ready soon...''
''Ok.''
Josie packed three of them pretty fast. She needed distraction from what just happened in her life, but she knew that there was no way she would forget about what happened. Lizzie came and she noticed that for some reason Josie was pretty off. Josie didn't tell her the truth… She lied that she was just stressed because of the accident. Lizzie chose not to poke too much and Josie was grateful for it.