Josie and Landon
Josie couldn't believe what was going on. Just after she spoke to Penelope and their daughter about everything, Landon had to appear out of nowhere and try to talk to her.
''We have to talk… Alone Josie. When can we meet after we come back?''
''We have nothing to talk about.''
''What do you mean? Penelope knows now… We can finally be together after I tell Marry.''
''No, we can't.''
''What?''
''We can't be together because Penelope and I are not splitting.''
''What?''
''You heard what I said. We talked and we decided to work on the marriage…''
''And what about all the planes we made? What about our kids?''
''Nothing, there are no planes and these are not your kids.''
''What?!''
''We talked and Penelope will adopt them after birth, just like she did with the boys.''
''Boys were donor kids with her egg… These kids have a father…''
''No, they don't… They have two mothers and that's it.''
''You have no right.''
''And what will you do? Sue me for custody? We both know that if you do that, your wife will have to know… Are you ready to tell her?''
Landon was silent for a moment.
''When you had your accident, we were both on a way to speak to Penelope and Mary about ending our marriages. So, what makes you think I will not tell her now?''
Josie had to make sure he doesn't say anything. She really wanted to keep her marriage and save it. She and Penelope finally managed to say things that bothered them and what might be the problem in the relationship. Josie was sure that two of them could make it work and make the relationship even better than before because they learned to communicate and word their concerns and issues.
''Would you really do that to our kids? Go to Marry now and tell her? Who knows what she may say or do.''
''Are you afraid of what the others would think of you if the truth gets out? Are you staying in the marriage because of it?''
''No, I am staying because I love her.''
''Love her? When did that happen? When did that love happen all of the sudden Josie? Just yesterday your story was different.''
''Yes, I do love her. She is my wife…''
''And then why didn't you love her yesterday or any other time we had sex?''
''I did… I loved her all along, but I believed we were not going to work out things and that our spark was gone. Now, we talked and we are on the path of fixing things.''
''And what about me? What about the promises you made to me?''
''Landon, don't complicate things.''
''I am complicating things? You want to take my children from me and turn me into some uncle or whatever… Do you really think Penelope would let me close to them after they are born? Do you think your wife will not try to isolate me?''
''Landon, it's better that way. What we did was wrong… Please, don't ruin my family.''
''And what about my family? My sons will not know their siblings because your wife and you are selfish.''
''And what do you suggest? We tell the truth and, our kids and friends will hate us. Imagine the pain we would be causing.''
''It would fade away at some point. If the kids see we are happy, they will be happy for us. We just have to prevent Marry and Penelope poisoning the kids against us.''
''And how do you do that? Kids will stay with Marry and I know for sure that Helena would follow P.''
''But the twins and the boys… They would be happy to be brothers and big brothers to the twins you are having.''
''You are crazy.''
''No, I am just being real. We could be happy Josie… I know we could.''
''No, we couldn't… I have Penelope and the kids and you have your family. Please don't do anything stupid to ruin our families…''
She tried to walk away from him when he grabbed her arm. She looked at him and hissed.
''Let go of me.''
''We are not done talking.''
''No, we are DONE… We are done in every way Landon. Don't make this worse than it already is.''
''No, you don't get to just walk away after all the things you promised and we planned. No, I am not giving up.''
''Landon, don't be stupid. You have to move on.''
''I will not be uncle to my kids.''
''Yes, you will… For your family and mine. Let's not screw things up even more.''
Parks and Landon
Penelope was getting ready to storm out of the house when Helena stopped her.
''Where are you going?''
She looked in direction of Landon and Josie and back at Helena.
''No, I am not letting you.''
''Letting me? I am your mother!''
''And that's why I am not letting you out. You will cause a scene and get everyone's attention…and you don't want that because you will have to explain why you attacked Landon? Do you want it out NOW? Do you think this is time and place for that secret to get out? Now? Now that everyone is here, including kids…''
Penelope calmed down and Helena let go of her.
''Please mom, don't do anything stupid.''
''Fine, I will not cause problems.''
''Promise?''
''Yes, I do.''
They got out of the house and walked together to Josie and Landon. Penelope had her sunglasses on, so they couldn't see she cried or any pain and anger in her eyes. Josie was surprised to see her and had no idea how she would react to seeing them together. Penelope took a deep breath and smiled.
''Hey Jojo… We were looking for you. Helena and I were about to make grilled cheese for the boys and we wondered if you wanted some.''
''Grilled cheese?''
''Yes, we crave some carbs…''
''Oh, ok.''
Landon looked at her a bit angry.
''Penelope, do you mind? We were in the middle of the conversation.''
''And that's where you are wrong Bird boy… You are done talking to my wife.''
She turned to her side and faced her daughter.
''Helena, get your brothers to the house and help them change.''
Then she turned toward Landon.
''And you, watch it…''
When boys entered the house with Helena, Penelope spoke to him.
''I will not repeat myself. Stay away from my family.''
''I have every right.''
''No, you don't… I will not let you ruin our family and brake up our marriage.''
He gave her very sarcastic laugh.
''Marriage she was ready to leave just yesterday? WOW!''
Penelope looked at Landon and then at Josie.
''What? What is he talking about Josie?''
''Oh, she forgot to mention to you she was on her way to your office to see you and tell you she wants to leave you.''
Penelope turned to face Josie and saw her crying. She couldn't face Penelope.
''Josie, is that true?''
She just nodded.
''You were on your way to ask me to give you divorce?''
''Yes, but…''
Penelope just turned around and started walking to the house. She went straight to the bedroom and locked herself in the bathroom. Helena couldn't go after her because she was with twins. Josie got into the house and went to the bedroom too. By the way her face was red and puffy, she knew something was wrong. Josie tried to open the door but saw that it was locked.
''Penny, let me in.''
There was no movement. She felt Penelope was by the door and she tried to get her to open the door again. She didn't want to do it, so Josie had to give up that. She sat on the floor by them and waited for Penelope to say something. She heard her cry and had no idea what to tell her to try to calm her.
''Penny, please.''
''Were you really thinking about leaving?''
''Penelope…please.''
''No, Jo… I want to know.''
''Why? We are on the road of fixing things.''
''No, you need to tell me. We spoke about honesty in our relationship just this morning and you are already trying to bend the truth.''
''I didn't try… I just…''
''Josie, is it true?''
There was moment of silence and Penelope already knew.
''You were to leave with him… If your accident didn't happen, I would have been packing my things and moving out and you would be with him? Am I right?''
She heard Josie cry and she wanted to open the door and comfort her, but she couldn't. She was not able to look at Josei and have this conversation. She needed the distance door represented.
''Why did you stay?''
''I…I realized it would be bad for the kids to leave. Our children need both of us.''
''And what about what we need?''
''I still need you Penelope.''
''Maybe, but do you want me?''
''You know I do.''
''That's the problem… I don't know anything anymore.''
Both women remained silent not knowing where this revelation would take them. Penelope wondered how many things were there that she had no idea of and Josie wondered what would be the moment when Penelope would give up on them and fixing things.