Josie, Landon and Marry

Marry arrived after work and she had some more food in her trunk. Lizzie was glad that at least one member of the Kirby family knew how to shop for food. She got a lot of wine and joked that this year there are even more reasons to drink…either to celebrate or drown the sorrows. Some of the cases she worked on were not in the best place and she really needed to figure out how to resolve them. She was almost sure that someone from her office was sabotaging her. She was sure someone was tempering with her evidence and notes. She was sure she is not that bad and that lost in the procedures and paperwork. Lizzie and Sebastian were outside when she parked, so they were the first she greeted.

''Hello guys.''

''Hey, how was the ride?''

''It was good. I was afraid of more people on the road and in the shops, but it was pretty good. I guess I found some window when there was not too many people and just came with no issues.''

Sebastian high fived her and she laughed.

''Where are the kids and Landon?''

''At the porch… He and Josie are with the kids.''

''Oh, kids…. They must be over the moon that they have endless sleepover.''

''Oh, yes they are. All they are talking about is how they could sleep at each other's cottages.''

''We'll see…Is Penelope here?''

Lizzie made a face that Marry didn't really get.

''According to my sister, Satan has work and babysits the teenager.''

''Oh, I hoped to have a word with her.''

''Why?''

''Work…. I might regret my words, but she is a Pitbull in the courtroom and I really need her advice on something.''

For a moment Lizzie looked disappointed. She hater shop talk and Penelope and Marry were very much into their jobs.

''Oh, you really want to talk about work when we are at the place like this? You and Satan are hopeless.''

Marry chose not to indulge Lizzie and get into conversation about work and whose job is better. Sometimes Lizzie was too much with how much she bragged about the restaurant and complained how hard it was to be a working mom. Marry was always in shock that she would pick this audience for her speech, like she and Penelope were not working moms too and had no idea what it takes… Plus, unlike her and Penelope, Lizzie often had her daughter with her in the restaurant.

She got her things in the cottage and left them in the bedroom. She saw through the window Landon and Josie sitting on the main porch with the kids and talking. She was glad two of them had so many things to talk about since their kids loved to play together and having nothing to talk about could be boring and uncomfortable for parents whose children loved to spend time together. At one point it looked to her as if their talk was too intimate and she didn't really see many reasons for him to touch her hand. It also looked like Josei was trying to avoid the topic of that conversation and she felt either very uncomfortable or angry at Landon, but she had to keep it cool for the kids not to notice. She was not sure how she felt about what she saw or believed she saw. She shook any negative thought from her head and went to finish unpacking and changing into something more comfortable than her suit and heels. She changed and got out of the house. When boys saw her they run into her arms and she held them tight.

''Hey boys, are you having fun?''

''Yes, mom… dad promised he and uncle Raph will make barbecue later.''

''Mmmm… Nice… I can't wait.''

''We are hungry too.''

She got of the floor and went to Landon. She gave him a kiss and it felt somehow weird and tense.

''I missed all of my three boys.''

''We missed you too…''

That comment felt a bit forced to Merry, but she didn't say anything. She turned and gave Josie kiss on the cheek and a kiss.

''Please tell me you have some deviant way to get your wife here…''

Josie looked like deer in the headlights.

''What?''

''I desperately need Penelope… And if you repeat it to her, I will kill you with my bare hands.''

''Your secret is safe with me…and I have no idea how to get her here… She said she has to work and someone must watch over Helena.''

''I hate teenagers.''

''I do to…very often… Helena is ok, but her friends… Oh, I can't believe we were ever like that.''

''Like what?''

''Teenage girls who annoy.''

Marry laughed.

''My mom was the happiest when I grew out of my teens.''

''I can understand now why.''

Marry turned to Landon and smiled.

''Babe, can you get me a cold beer? I think I earned one…''

''Sure… I'll be right back…''

He was about to leave when he turned back.

''Jo, you need something?''

''No, I still have my water.''

Marry was surprised by Josie drinking water. She knew Josie loved to have her glass of red or white wine and enjoy sea and sun.

''No wine?''

Josie had to think of quick and good answer.

''Too early and I don't think I had enough food not to get drunk from the glass of wine.''

''I get it. When you mentioned that, I think this beer will really hit me hard.''

''It's ok. You earned it.''

They sat in silence watching their children run and play. Josie was going down the memory lane of how cute they were when they were just toddlers and how they always loved to play with Kirby boys.

''What were you like?''

Josie didn't really understand the question.

''What?''

''What were you like as a teen?''

''Hmm… Not much different than now…''

''And Penelope?''

Somehow it felt weird to talk about Penelope with Marry…especially now that she is sleeping with her husband and having his babies…

''Hmm.. I think she was also not too different than she is now. I guess Penelope didn't change much, just matured with age and experience. But some basic principles in her life didn't really change. She was always very loyal and very protective of people she loves. If she loves you, she gives everything…and asks from you just the same… ''

''You know, when we met, I was always jealous of two of you.''

''Why?''

''I heard some stories that you were together for a very long time and all and joined by the hip…''

Josie laughed at that comment. Yes, she often heard about that.

''But the ways she looked at you…she still looks at you… How do you manage to keep looking at one another with the same dumb look as you did when you were teens? I've never seen a couple more in love that two of you.''

Josie felt like she might cry… Were they still in love? Will Penelope love her after everything hat she knows now? Could she ever look at her the way Marry just described? A lot of questions were on her mind.

''To be honest… We are not perfect. We have issues, we have problems… ''

''But you have a lot of love. That woman adores you. She is so proud of you and she is so proud of what you have, this family you created. You have no idea.''

Josie looked at Marry in surprise.

''We went to some big dinner. There were some people from the prosecutor's office and big law offices and we mingled chatted and some had too much to drink. And that is my favorite time of the evening, because some of those who had few drinks more, get brave and hit on Penelope.''

Josie had no idea about that. She knew her wife was very attractive, but had no idea it is something that happened often.

''They would give her compliments, tell her she has bright future in the law business and then ask her if she is seeing someone. ''

Marry had huge smile on her face.

''And every time they ask about her private life, the mask of a cold lawyer fades and she grins like idiot. She shows them a picture of your family and says that she has the best wife and kids there are. And if she is asked what the secret of her success is, she always says it's you Josie. She always says that the reason she is who she is, is her amazing wife who held her hand through thick and thin.''

Josei had no idea Penelope ever said something like that about her. She had no idea she saw her that way. Josie started crying and Marry was confused.

''She really said that?''

''Yes, she always says you are her rock and reason she got that far. She speaks of you like you are some sort of a superhero to her. She says she might be the more visible and louder one in your marriage, but you are the glue that keeps her together and grounded. She said she would never be that good without you holding her hand for so many years and telling her she can do anything she wants.''

Josie got up from her chair and pulled her coat to tie it better.

''Excuse me… I need a moment.''

She run into her cottage passing very worried Landon. He had no idea what happened. For a moment he believed she told Marry about two of them, but judging by how calmed Marry looked he was sure something else happened. He took a seat in Josie's chair and looked at his wife.

''Is she ok? What happened?''

''She is fine… I think she got a little emotional... We spoke of Penelope and how much she loves Josie and brags about her in our circles. She adores that woman and believes Josie is the glue that keeps her together and force that guides her and motivates her to work harder and be better. I really love how good they are together… And if I am being honest… Two of them are the reason you got that second date.''

''What?''

''Watching them, cynical little me started to believe love can happen and be amazing. So, thank them for second date we had and all the other things that happened in our years together. They made me believe in love and here we are…years later… Married and with two kids.''

Landon just looked at the sea and didn't speak.

''You know my life… You know what was like to grow up in my family. My parents hated each other, and I was sure for the longest time that I will never form a family and that love is just a lie, an illusion… And then we met, and I still didn't want to believe it… Then we went out with your friends and I saw them and I suddenly believed.''

''I think your beer is making you say nice things about Penelope.''

She smirked.

''I know she is not a saint, but they have something amazing.''

Marry was not sure if it was her imagination or she heard Landon mumble.

''I wouldn't be so sure.''

Before she could ask him if he said it, their kids came to tell their dad that they were hungry. Landon got up and went to find Raphael to start the grill.

Penelope and Josie

Drive to the cottage was too short for Penelope. She was not ready to see all of their friends, especially Josie, Landon and Marry. She was sure they didn't have courage to tell her and she had no idea how to react when she sees her. She had urge to tell Marry everything, but she knew it was not her thing to say. She wanted two of them to tell Marry, she wanted two of them to cook in this and tell his wife. She made promise to herself that she will not tell anything to Marry until two of them tell her. She couldn't wait to see what she would do to them. She didn't want to protect Josie anymore… She didn't want to love her anymore…but she did. And that made her angry. She was angry at herself for still caring. She had to warn Josie that she was coming to help cover up their situation. Josie couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Penelope's name and picture on her phone. She got up from the table and went inside.

''Hey…''

''Hey… I am just calling to tell you I am on my way. I think we should try to act normal.''

''Normal?''

''Like our usual selves… We will buy some time and not spoil Hope's engagement with our problem and situation. And we have to think about the kids. Boys don't need to know what is going on until we talk about where do we see us going.''

''Us?''

''Yes, we still are a couple until we say we are not and file for divorce or whatever we chose to do.''

''Is Helena with you?''

''No, she is in the city…. She will be with Kiki.''

''Kiki?''

''Yes, and before you start with worried mother rant, I told her the rules and she will follow them because I said that consequences might be very serious… Again, I think I might have hot gossip for you.''

''What?''

''Not now. When I get there.''

''Is it work related?''

''No, it's daughter related.''

''Penelope Adeline Park, you better spill…''

''Patience, Mama Bear.''

''You are not funny…''

''I will tell you in less than an hour.''

''I hate when you do that.''

''What?''

Josie just rolled her eyes and she was sure Penelope knew what she did.

''Tell me you have something to tell me and not say it right away.''

''And where would be fun in that.''

Josie had to end the conversation because twins were almost asleep in their chairs.

''I have to go. Boys will soon fall from their chairs how sleepy they are.''

''Ok. See you soon.''

''See you Josie… ''

Penelope hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Pretend like nothing is wrong, pretend like nothing is falling apart… Pretend you can breathe…