Josie and Penelope
Kids ate first so as they were finishing, Lizzie and Hope were setting the table for the adults. Instead of plastic plates boys used, now there were real plates and cutlery on the table. Instead of their juices, there was wine and beer and all other grown up things finding its way out to the table.
It was time for twins and other kids to go to bed. Sebastian took the baby in and prepared her for bed. Lizzie was too busy making salad, so he took it on himself to get her to bed. Baby Linda was very sleepy so it took just few minutes for her to fall asleep and Sebastian to be back to the table with the baby monitor. She was so cute in her crib and fast asleep. Now it was time for bigger kids to go to bed. It was clear that the twins were so tired, but they kept repeating they were not. It was clear that it had some other reason. They didn't want to separate from Kirby boys. Dylan came to Josie and made puppy dog face to her so she would let them sleep with two other boys.
''Mom, please… Can we stay with them?''
Josie looked at Landon and Marry and they nodded. Marry knew how much boys loved coming here and how excited they were about time together and giant sleepover. She mouthed thank you to Marry and smiled at her boys. As usual, twins managed to sweet talk Josie into anything, damn those Penelope Park genes, so they were spending the night at the cottage of the Kirby family.
''You can stay with Brandon and Douglas, but you have to let Dug sleep and you have to sleep too. Are we clear?''
''Yes, mom.''
''Good. Now, let's go to our house so you can get ready for bed and brush your teeth?''
Dylan was not happy.
''Mom, do we have to?''
''Yes, you do… You have to brush your teeth…''
They got into the house and went to their room. Josie already had their PJ's out so after boys brushed their teeth and she checked them they got to the Kirby cottage. Josie got into the kids' room to find Marry fixing them place to sleep. They had spare blow up mattresses and now they were getting ready for Park boys to sleep on them. Dylan and Josh loved sleeping on them and it all made them so excited. Josie took sheets and put them over the mattresses and Marry helped her.
''I can't stop looking at them. They are so happy.''
Josie smiled at the sight of kids getting ready to sleep.
''Yes, they are.''
''I miss being excited about things like they are.''
''Me too…''
She looked at Marry and debated if she should tell her that Penelope was coming. She wanted to talk to her about something and based on how Marry was nice to her, she was sure it was not about the affair.
''Oh, I forgot… Penelope should be here any minute.''
''Really?''
''Yes, she is coming.''
Marry smirked.
''I bet she is… You have a cottage to yourself…My guess is that this sleepover will not be the only place where there would be very little sleep.''
With that Marry left the room and Josie was hit with a realization…frightening realization. She and Penelope will be alone…and that meant that they will definitely have the talk…talk about everything. They will have that alone time Penelope said they needed in order to talk and not be overheard or interrupted by the kids. To be honest, Josie was frightened of the conversation. She was sure that Penelope will end their marriage and she was also aware that she deserved it. She had nothing on her mind that she could say to try to get Penelope to stay and not leave her. She was aware that she had no right to ask anything of her wife. By cheating and getting pregnant, she lost the right to anything. Only thing she was worried about was how they would tell the kids about it and how they would feel. Now, after Penelope learned the truth, it all became too real. It became real that she stepped out of her marriage, it became real that Penelope knew and had some hard feelings about it, it became real that their kids will have to know…. It was all too much all of the sudden…and on top of everything…her morning sickness …turned entre day sickness was starting. She got back to the table and Raphael was starting to bring the food from the grill. Just as the food was being brought, they saw headlights getting close. Hope looked at them and she was confused.
''Who is this? MG and Nya are coming tomorrow and Penelope is not coming.''
Josie looked at her and smiled.
''It is Penelope… She changed her mind.''
''Oh, that is a surprise.''
''I know…''
''Did she know upfront you will have cottage to yourself?''
''No, it happened when she was on her way.''
''Just checking…''
''Hope, mind out of the gutter.''
''What? Like yours is not dragging through that gutter?! You haven't had a moment alone in a long time… I will not be surprised if we see you next on Monday before we go home.''
Josie couldn't tell Hope or anyone else who had similar idea how far from truth they were. Hope was right. There would be very little sleep… But not for the reasons she thinks.
It took Penelope a moment to compose herself and get out of the car. She could see them all at the table and they knew she arrived. Now it was time for her to show herself and start the perfect couple act. She must really love Hope since she was doing this. All she wanted was to strangle Muppet , be very bitchy to Josie and tell Marry that they will be sharing twins…. But she couldn't do it… She could never hurt kids like that. No matter how hurt she was, she was a mom and her family came first. When she and Josie resolve their issues, they will find a way to somehow tell the kids what they had to say. She got out of the car and got her bags. She was walking toward the house and somehow she managed to fake her smile. Hope got up to greet her and pulled her into hug.
''I missed you bitch!''
''I missed you too Hope…''
''It's nice for you to join us... Where is the evil teen?''
''Partying, doing drugs and having sex. Her mom is hotshot lawyer… She can to whatever she wants.''
They all laughed at that moment. Raphael pulled her into hug and couldn't stop laughing.
''I hope I can be cool dad when my time comes to think about my kid partying and having sex.''
''I am sure you will be.''
''How cool you are Park…. I wish my mom and dad were like you.''
''I am not cool, I just have good kid… She and I joke about her doing all these things and even worse than what I said… But in truth…I know I left a kid with a good head on her shoulders at home. We did all we could to teach her things we either heard from our parents or lived through. I saw what drugs and alcohol did to my parents, so I smoked pot few times in my life and I never abuse alcohol. I love good wine, beer or something strong… But I never drink to the point where I black out… I know when to stop and it's time for her to learn what are her limits….She knows what is good or bad for her.''
Josie listened to Penelope and she felt proud of her and scared what was going on with Helena. She knew they had to let her learn some lessons alone, but mother in her was worried and wanted to protect all of her kids.
She said hi to the rest of the people and kept her distance from Landon. He got up to say hi, but just one look was enough for him not to dare to be in her line of sight. She noticed how uncomfortable Josie looked and how scared she was what Penelope might say or do. She wanted to tell everyone and humiliate Landon, but she didn't. Her outing them would humiliate Josie too… and humiliate herself with saying it in front of everyone… It was not just Josie's and Landon's shame…It was shame for all of them… Both families would have to pay for what Josie and Landon did…and she hated them for it. Marry came to her and hugged her.
''I need you Park.''
She smirked at Marry and took a sip of her beer. She took her usual seat beside Josie and put her hand over Josie's .
''Well, well… The mighty have fallen… I knew you liked me…''
''Park, you are an idiot… But I am drunk enough to admit that after many, many years I've learned to appreciate your deviant nature.''
They all laughed because they knew it was a joke… Well, all but Landon and Josie laughed. Marry and Penelope continued their banter and Josei was getting unconformable. Hope noticed how uncomfortable Josie looked so she wanted to break the tension and teased her friend.
''Come on, Jo! You know she is joking… And no matter how shameless she is with her flirts, she has eyes only for you.''
Josie didn't say much, she just felt Penelope squeeze her hand as a reminder that she needs to keep her end of the bargain for this weekend.
''So, Marry, did your appreciation for me grow after you walked on us having sex…or?''
''Actually, it has to do with your increased bitchiness at court.''
''Oh, now we are talking…''
Lizzie had to get involved.
''Ok, Marry… Who did she make cry this time?''
Penelope's smirk was enough for people who knew how to read faces, but Lizzie was not one of them.
''Me…''
''Oh, she beat you in court.''
''Yes, and she was not very modest about it. Her smug ass enjoyed it.''
''I am good at what I do.''
Marry matched Penelope's smirk.
''Sex?''
Penelope winked…
''And being a bitch in court.''
''I am not interested in the sex part… But the court part.''
''I have same rule when it comes to sex and court… I don't kiss and tell…''
Lizzie was tipsy enough to make random comments. Especially when it came to Penelope not talking about sex.
''Bull shit! You love to brag about both… You and Josie are together since you were fifteen… I've seen you have sex and heard about it too many times.''
''But I never give away trades of the business…''
Hope smirked…
''There is no need… Most of us walked in on you.''
Josie felt uncomfortable for a moment there… She knew that in the past she and Penelope were not that careful and there was some thrill in having sex with a chance of getting caught. And part of her was turned on by the risk of it. But then they moved in together, got engaged, got married, and that thrill never disappeared…along with their friends and Lizzie never knocking before they enter their bedroom or bathroom. In seventeen years, they've been together there were more occasions they were interrupted or caught than when hey were not. When the kids came, they started locking the bedroom and bathroom door in their bedroom and they hoped kids didn't hear them…but Helena was too smart for her own good and she figured out where her mothers were disappearing on Friday evenings and why they were in a good mood the next day.
''You walked in on us because you never knock.''
Hope was surprised by the comment Josie made and Lizzie made disgusted face.
''Hey, it's not our fault that two of you were always so hormonal and pretty much able to do it anywhere…''
Sebastian took a sip of his drink and entered the teasing of the Park couple. Raphael was quiet and just looking at them. Hope noticed that. She put her hand on his knee and smiled at him.
''Are you ok babe?''
Suddenly he got up and raised his glass.
''Instead of making fun of them, I want to express my admiration for them.''
Penelope and Josie gave him a look, along with everyone else.
''What?! After seventeen years and three kids together they still want each other… You are really relationship goal… You inspire me and Hope. You Penelope inspre me to be a better person and work every day harder so we could have safe future and you Josie inspire me to be a better parent to my kid, to always put him first and to know that no matter what, his family will always be a safe place for him. What two of you did for kid like Helena, that had no chance on paper… That is simply Wow! And that is why…''
He got one knee and presented her with a ring.
''Hope Andrea Michaelson, will you be my wife and my best friend , my partner and my rock?''
''Yes!''
Raphael put the ring on her finger and smiled at Hope. He kissed her hand. And got up. Everyone was happy. Rushing to Hope to see the ring and no one payed attention to the couple standing in the back. NOW it was really uncomfortable. They inspired Raphael to propose? Their relationship and family? Penelope looked at Josie and Josie looked to the floor. Before anyone could speak, Penelope spoke.
''No, we are not perfect…We shouldn't be anybody's relationship goal. You should build your relationship based on who you are. We are just human… Like the rest. We have good days, bad days…Days we can't stand each other, days when we can't stand to be apart… We wonder if there is a point in being together, in being apart, is there someone better for us, are we good enough for each other? Are we growing together or apart? We are just like any other couple whit our ups and downs…''
Josie looked at Penelope and then to the rest of their friends.
''Penelope is right… You should be you and build the relationship two of you need and want. No matter what are patterns around you. We are still figuring out our relationship. Every day is a challenge in its own way… Yes, we have days we love each other very much and we are all over one another… But right now, we are hanging by the tread… for so many reasons… So, don't be like us… Be who you are!''
With that, Josie got up from her chair and went into their cottage. Penelope remained in her chair looking at her glass and feeling all the eyes on her. Lizzie broke the silence.
''What the fuck just happened?"