Josie , Helena and Penelope

Josie was sitting in the car processing what was going on. Her daughter was having sex… Helena was sexually active and it was scary for her as a mother. It was scary to think that she is growing up and that now her world will change and be opened to new experiences and dangers of that particular (sexual) Pandora's box. In the mirror she saw how uncomfortable Helena was. Penelope found perfect parking spot and stopped the car. They got out and went into the restaurant. They found very secluded table and ordered their food . It was clear that Penelope has to be the one to start the talk.

''Ok… We have so much to talk about and not that much time…''

Before Penelope said anything, Josie spoke. She turned to Helena…

''How long have you known about the affair and pregnancy?''

Helena looked at her mothers and saw that both of them were very curious to what she had to say.

''I've known for couple of months now about mom and Landon sleeping together. I've learned about the baby about a month ago. I saw a test in mom's bag and I knew you were not trying for another baby because you were normal mom. I remember how you were on hormones when you were trying for the twins and all that with using your egg to impregnate mom. I remember how you were nervous, sensitive and crying about everything… And knowing about the affair, it was very clear who the father was.''

''How did you learn about your mother's affair?''

''I saw them…''

Both Josie and Penelope looked at her in surprise and shock.

''What?''

''I came home early one day and heard something coming from your bedroom. You and I just spoke on the phone just a minute before that and you ended the conversation because you were about to board your plane. So, I went upstairs and sneaked to the door… That's when I saw them having sex… Well, Kiki and I saw them having sex.''

Penelope felt like someone stabbed her in the heart.

''In our bed? You had sex with him in our bed?''

Josie felt ashamed, sad, guilty…bad about what she just did.

''I am sorry…''

''I can't believe you… I can't believe either of you… ''

''I am sorry mom.''

Penelope felt her heart break hearing that. Her daughter knew and didn't say anything. Penelope wiped her eyes and kept looking at her daughter with the same disappointment she felt for her wife. Two people she loved the most lied to her.

''You knew and never said anything?''

''I am sorry mom… But I had no idea how to tell you that mama is sleeping with a family friend… With a person who is in our house all the time because twins play with his boys. I didn't want to hurt anyone…and I believed that is something mama should tell you…not me… I am your child; she is your spouse… I did nothing wrong… She stepped out on you and you are angry at me.''

Penelope took a breath.

''I am not angry at you… I am just…I don't know… processing all this. You knowing and not saying anything, her sleeping with him in our house and our bed… that is just another layer to this betrayal… And I don't even know where to start from processing all this. And Kiki? She knows too?''

Josie looked at Helena. She was also sad and crying.

''Kiki made promise not to say anything and she hasn't mentioned it to anyone… Don't be angry mom. She was the only person I could talk to and who understood how I felt and what were my fears and concerns. Her parents were in a situation resembling ours….so she knew… She understood and she was there for me. I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you were going to leave us. I didn't want to break up our family.''

She looked at her mothers. She was embarrassed to say these things.

''I am sad, angry, hurt and a lot of things over what happened, but I can't say I was surprised with the fact affair happened.''

Her mothers were surprised to hear that comment.

''You were not?''

Helena just shook her head. Both women were nervous about what she would say. Penelope took Josie's hand and squeezed it. She wanted the other woman to know she is there and she is not going anywhere. She wanted Josie to know they will resolve this as a family…s they always did.

''You stopped kissing and touching… and you haven't had sex in a very long time.''

Both woman looked at their plates and didn't look at Helena. They had no idea she noticed that things changed…somehow shifted.

''When things are ok with two of you…there are always some small touches or signs of affection…even just a stolen glance… You would somehow find a way to make some contact only known to you. I always wanted that in my future relationships. I wished to have someone who would look at me like you did one another after so many years together. I always believed your love to be something amazing and special and in many ways something I should have as goal in my life. Somehow we all saw you that way. And after you had sex, you were insufferable. Everyone simply knew you did, because of the glow and again looks and small touches you exchanged. You would talk on the phone or text all the time…''

Smile she had on her face speaking of her mothers' spark was gone.

''And then it just was gone. Somehow all that disappeared in what felt like a day. Like one day you woke up and that spark and love was gone. Mom started working longer hours, you started arguing. I don't remember hearing you argue when I was a kid. I am not stupid, I know you did… But you did it in your room or quietly so twins and I don't hear or see. I was so proud to have parents who didn't fight and who resolve things quietly and peacefully. All of the sudden that changed and you were all over each other arguing about everything. Even when we went to the grocery store, you fought about the milk or something so stupid. You stopped sharing small moments, you stopped smiling at one another and all that I saw and heard was bickering and looking at each other with some strange hate. I have no idea what happened and changed that. All I know is that those two were not my moms and relationship I was used to. Mom, you worked more, mama was somehow depressed and I heard you argue about your work hours, missed plays at our school, some family activities you didn't go to because of work and all that mama usually blamed you for. And I heard you respond that someone has to work around here and pay for all those activities you are missing. You mentioned school trips, swimming classes for the twins, my piano lessons, French…costs around the house, groceries, cars, gas…and how you pay for all that wile mama just complains and asks for more. ''

Both women felt embarrassed that their daughter heard them.

''I am sorry you had to hear that. I am not sorry that I work so much. Thanks to that, you have nice and normal life. I love providing for my family and giving you all I could only dream of. I am proud that they are so good swimmers. I love that you show interest in foreign languages and culture. I am proud how good students you are and I don't take for granted all the opportunities that were presented to me in life. I took them and here we are now. I know I am missing so much… But I am making sure that three of you have everything you want and need. I wanted you to have what I never had. Good, stabile home, financial safety and place to land if things don't go your way. This is why I do what I do… I am sorry I am not a good mom to you.''

Now Helena felt bad for her mother. She took Penelope's hand and squeezed it.

''Mom, I know… I understand… I know why you work so much… I get you… I came from the same background you came from. I know how you feel. And I am so proud of you mom… I know you told me that you heard so many times in your past that you will never get anywhere and that you are not wanted foster child… But I just want to tell you that they were wrong. You are just thirty two years old and look where are you now mom! You are an amazing lawyer and you have three kids that love you so much. ''

Penelope wiped her eyes and smiled at her daughter.

''Thank you…''

Josie saw that Penelope was in pain and she tried to take her hand in hope she would let her do it. After what Helena said she was sure Penelope would address that when they were alone. Helena checked her watch and lifted her gaze from the food.

''We have to go back to the cottage soon… So, before I do I have a question.''

Josie was nervous and had no idea where this lunch will lead… They still haven't addressed what happened with Kiki and the night they spent together and she knew they had to go back soon.

''What happens now? What happens with two of you? Us kids? Our family?''

Penelope looked at her daughter and wife. They both expected an answer from her. Josie feared that the fact she slept with Landon in their house would make Penelope change her mind about fixing things and Helena feared that her revealing what happened with her mother and Landon in the house would male Penelope leave definitely their family and marriage to Josei.

''I must say that I am confused with all the feelings I am having… But, your mother and I talked last night and made a decision to try and work on our marriage. We have many issues we have to work on, and there are many things that we need to resolve, but I am not going anywhere and neither is she.''

Josie felt relief. Penelope was in still in this. Helena on the other hand was silent. Josie noticed that and took her hand.

''What is it? You are not happy about this?''

''I am… I just.''

''What?''

''Nothing… And what about the babies?''

Josie and Helena were looking at Penelope waiting for her to make that final decision.

''They are our babies…''

''And the father?''

''Donor…. I think we should stick to that. We just did insemination using Josie's egg and it was less expensive and I didn't have to use any hormones for the harvest of my eggs.''

''I just hope it's the right thing to do. What if he says something?''

''So do we. And when it comes to Landon saying he is the father, I am not sure he would do it. If Josie wants to stay in this marriage, I don't think he is comfortable with ending his life of comfort. Mary gives him a pretty good life and he will not waste it if he doesn't have Josie's ok.''

Penelope gave Josie a meaningful look, like she was waiting for Josie to reassure her one more time that she wants them to stay together and work on the marriage. Josie took her hand and looked her in the eyes.

''I told you last night… I am staying. I want us to make it work. Now that we werbalized most of our issues, I want to stay and resolve them.''

Penelope squeezed Josie's hand turned to face Helena.

''I will draft some papers when we get back home. Birdy boy will sign off his parental rights and when the babies are born, I will be other parent on their birth certificates, just like with Jason and Dylan.''

Josie was surprised how fast Penelope's brain was working with the paternity issue.

''Mom, are you sure he would do it?''

Josie had the same fear but she had no idea how to address it.

''Oh, he will…''

''How? You will threaten him mom?''

''No, I don't make threats… I just do things. And he knows he shouldn't mess with me. Not after this.''

Helena noticed her mother's very strict and aggressive tone and she didn't like. She was angry at Landon and Josie for what they did, and she was under impression that Penelope is sort of giving Josie get out of jail card for all this. She did not like it. She was angry, but she was angry at both her mother and Landon and to her, there were no passes. She will be civil to her mother, but she will not forgive and forget overnight what happened.

They got into the car and Penelope started driving.

''So, baby girl, how about some of your news? How long have you been dating and liking Kiki?''

Now it was her turn to blush.

''Well, I think I've liked her for about a year now… And this thing with her is pretty complicated… We just started dating officially six months ago, but we have been seeing each other for about nine months.''

Josie was surprised with the timeline.

''Nine months of just hooking up?''

''No, mom… We haven't slept together until last night… But some kissing and other things might have happened before.''

''Oh, ok.''

''It took us some time to figure things out and chose to try to be together… We were in that in-between status for three months where we spent time together but not being sure how the other side felt. We spent every moment we had on the phone or simply together, but not crossing that friendship line… Like we dated but without kissing or anything else. Just waiting to take the shot and try.''

That reminded Josie of her and Penelope, but unlike two of them, Josie and Penelope started dating pretty fast after they met.

''Are you happy?''

Helena had huge grin on her face.

''Yes, I am.''

Her mothers were happy for her.

''We are happy for you too H… Your mom and I are very proud of you and how you turned out to be. And if Kiki sees the amazing person you became, that makes us even happier.''

She put her hand on Penelope's shoulder and smiled.

''I had an incredible role model.''

Josie felt a sting in that comment and action. She knew that it was Helena's silent way of saying she is not ok with what she did and that she was ashamed of her mother's actions.

''So, before we get there… Does anyone know?''

''No, no one knows and we want to keep it that way…''

''So, no one knows she cheated, you are covering it up and that she is pregnant?''

Josie lowered her gaze to her feet. Penelope saw that and gave her daughter a warning look in the mirror.

''No, no one knows anything and you watch it with your comments. Your mother doesn't need that.''

Helena rolled her eyes at them and mumbled.

''Off course you side with her…''

Penelope sensed it was the moment to end the conversation. She felt like there is much more Helena has to say, but she was also sure she wants to talk to her alone. Some things somehow remained unsaid and in the air and Penelope wanted to resolve them, but also didn't want new conflict. She needed just a minute of silence and normality…even if she knew it would be far from normal.