Parks
Penelope sat on the bathroom floor and had no wish to leave it. Learning that Josie was on her way to end their marriage hurt her a lot. It broke her heart again and she now doubted everything they said to each other less than twenty hours ago. How could Josie tell her that she loves her after she was on her way to leave her? How could she believe a word that comes out of Josie's mouth?
She knew that Josie was on the other side of the door waiting for her to let her in or say something. But she also knew she had no idea what to say. Her feelings were all over the place and what she wanted the most at that moment was to tell Mary and to watch her tear Landon and Josie into shreds. But she couldn't do it. She couldn't do it to Josie even after all the things she just learned. Josie did what she did, but Penelope still had dignity and didn't want to stoop that low…regardless of how much she wanted them to suffer and feel as humiliated as she felt.
Their waiting game was interrupted by Penelope's phone. It was ringtone she used for Elizabeth, so she had to take that call. She got up from the floor and unlocked the door. Josie was surprised to see how fast she got out and how she calmed herself to speak to Elizabeth.
''Hello, Ms. Cooper…''
''Hello Penelope. I hope I am not calling at the bad time.''
''No, not at all…''
''Good… I am calling about the case… We are expected to be in New York tomorrow afternoon…''
''But, you said...''
''Change of plan… Can you travel with me or should I find another lawyer for this case?''
''I will be there... Where do we meet?''
''I will send a car to pick you up at your home. Pack for ten days. We have some people to talk to, our client to talk to…So it will take some time.''
''Is there some material I should pay attention to?''
''No, I will fill you in on the flight. Mr. O'Neil will send his private jet to pick us up so we will have time to talk about the details of the case I just got from his lawyer in NY.''
''Ok. I will be ready and will be seeing you tomorrow.''
''I will send you a message in the morning when would the driver come to get you.''
''I'll be waiting.''
''Have a good night Ms. Park.''
''You too Ms. Cooper.''
She ended the conversation and took her suitcase from the corner. Josie stood confused in the corner and had no idea what was happening.
''You are leaving?''
''You heard the conversation Josie… Elizabeth needs me to go with her to New York.''
''Penelope, we have to talk about what happened.''
''I am afraid I don't have much to say Josie… Thing he said…''
''What about them? We talked Penelope. We agreed…''
''No one changes their mind that fast Josie… You wanted to leave… You were on your way to my office to ask for divorce…or even tell me about the pregnancy and whatever was on your mind. You don't change mind about someone in a matter of few hours… Especially if you are having his children… Pregnancy results were not surprise to you at the hospital. You knew about it… You kept seeing him after you found out and you made plan for your future with him. I think that speaks enough.''
Penelope took a seat on the bed. Josie was standing across from her waiting for her to say what is on her mind. Penelope looked to the floor and then at Josie.
'' Maybe you should…''
''What?''
'' Maybe you should leave and live with him?''
Josie was hurt by this comment.
''Is that what you really believe?''
''I don't know what to believe anymore Josie… I am so lost and confused… You said you loved me, you said you wanted to try to fix us…and then I learn you were on your way to leave me before you had an accident? What should I think Josie? What would you do if you were in my shoes?''
Josie took a seat on the bed and lowered her gaze.
'' I don't know…''
''Well, don't ask me to know things either… I need time to process…''
''Ok…''
Penelope finished packing and Josie got up from the bed.
''Do you want us to come back with you?''
''Do you want to go home?''
''Yes, please… let's just leave.''
''Ok.''
They went to boy's room and packed their things. And after that Penelope called Helena to come and Josie stayed with boys.
''Is everything ok mom?''
''Yes, I have to go back home for the work… I leave to New York for ten days… So, your mom and I packed the boys…and you should pack too.''
''Ok…''
''We leave in an hour.''
''Ok mom.''
Josie went outside to find Lizzie and move seats for boys from Sebastian's car to Penelope's. She put the seats in Penelope's car and she felt Lizzie's eyes on her.
''What?''
''You tell me Josie.''
''Penelope has to leave. She has some work trip.''
''And you are leaving too?''
''Yes, it's better like this.''
''Why?''
''Because… I have to help Penelope pack and it's easier to leave with her in her car and not bother you and Sebastian again.''
''You know he adores the boys and I am not bothered.''
''I know… But I want to go home.''
''Fine, I will not force you to stay. ''
Josie continued fixing chairs when Lizzie spoke again.
''I hope you will tell me the truth.''
''About what?''
''I don't know… Something is happening.''
''Everything is ok Lizzie.''
She didn't believe her, but she also knew she will never get any info from her sister or Penelope. No matter what was going on between them, Lizzie knew they would never spill.
Helena and Penelope left the house with their bags and twins were running around them. They were not happy about their mother's choice to leave early. Dylan was pouty and he crossed his hands across the chest.
''I don't want to go mom.''
Penelope smiled at him.
''Baby, we have to go.''
''But I want to stay. I want to play with my friends.''
''I know love, but we must go home. I have work.''
''So, go… We can stay with mom.''
Josie got involved.
''No, baby. We have to go home… All ,together, as family. We don't have mom's car. That is why we have to go baby.''
''But we can go with aunt Lizzie and uncle Sebastian.''
''I know… But your mom and I talked and we are all going home.''
''I don't want to.''
''Well, you must go…''
Josie was not usually the parent to be strict and Dylan was surprised. Jason just walked to the car and waited for his siblings and mothers to come. Helena came to her mothers and gave them a small smile.
''Maybe we should go and say good bye to the rest of the people. It's stupid to just pick up and leave.''
Penelope took her hand and smiled.
''You are right… Let's do it.''
Parks went to the deck where everyone was and said that they were leaving. Many of their friends were sad they were leaving and Lizzie and Mary rolled their eyes when Penelope said she has work. Helena watched Landon and Josei carefully and she noticed that two of them didn't really look at each other. And she started thinking about if he would show up at their door during the time of Penelope's absence. She didn't like the idea of Landon being close to her mama and she was very determined to keep her eye on Josie. She knew they haven't seen the last of Landon in their lives and she was just waiting for the bomb of her mother's pregnancy to explode and the friendships in the group to implode.
Car ride was very quiet and tense. Twins were angry, Penelope and Josie had their issues they couldn't address in front of the kids and Helena was not sure how she felt about everything she knew. She wanted her moms to be happy and her family to stay together, but she knew that maybe that was not the best idea. She believed that Penelope should end the marriage and have a fresh start. After seventeen years together with Josie , it was time for her to go on.
When they arrived home, it was already time for twins to go to bed. Jo went to get them ready and Penelope unloaded the car with Helena's help. They got the bags to the living room and took off their coats. Helena helped her to get things upstairs to their rooms. Helena unpacked her bag and joined her Penelope in the bedroom. Penelope put her things away and started looking for what she would need for New York.
''Are you ok mom?''
''I will be.'
''I know… You are a tough one.''
''Thank you H.''
''You are welcome.''
''Will you be ok H?''
''Yes, mom… I will be fine… It's just ten days.''
''And few months once we start the trails.''
''Mom, I will be ok.''
''Helena, I need you to know that no matter what happens with me and Josie, you are our daughter and we love you… Same goes for the boys.''
''Mom, I know you love us… No matter what happens with two of you, I am sure you will be the best parents you can be.''
''Will it be ok with you if we get a divorce?''
Helena took Penelope's hands and got her to sit on the bed across from her.
''Mom, I just want you to be happy, both of you… You deserve to be happy… I love you both very much and I would like to see you happy and satisfied with your lives…As I told you…I don't think you are happy together. You are my moms… You are my family along with the boys and honestly, I would be happier if you stayed together…but I don't want to be selfish. You shouldn't stay together just for three of us. You should try to be happy in a way that works for two of you. If mom wanted to leave with Landon and had a relationship with him, maybe she should be with him without you as a backup and some sort of safety net. Maybe you should test the waters too… You can always get back together if that is really what makes you happiest.''
Josie stood in front of the door and listened to their conversation.
''I don't know what to say love.''
''I don't want you to say anything. I want you just to promise me something mom.''
''What is it?''
''I want you to promise that you will be happy… With or without mom.''
''It's not easy to end a marriage.''
''I know mom, but you have to if it is for the best… None of you deserves to be trapped in a relationship that causes more harm than good.''
''I don't abandon ship… That is not who I am.''
''Mom, your ship was ridden by another captain…and it's not only your fault.''
Both Josie and Penelope cringed at that comment. Josie was still very uncomfortable with Helena knowing about her affair and pregnancy.
''God, Helena… I don't want that image burned in my mind.''
''Maybe you should have it mom! Remember that every time when you feel bad for wanting out of that relationship.''
''Helena, I am not sure what I want to do.''
''I know mom, but whatever you chose, I am there for you… But don't stay for us, the kids. Stay for you or leave for yourself.''
Penelope hugged Helena and thanked her for the support. Helena moved away from Penelope and noticed Josie at the door. It looked as she was crying. Penelope noticed where Helena was looking so she looked too.
''You want Penelope to leave?''
Helena was surprised with that question. It meant that she was listening to their conversation.
''Yes mama, I want her to leave.''
''Why? Why do you want to break up our family?''
''Are you sure mom that I am doing that?''
''You said that you want Penelope gone.''
''No, I said that if she wants to leave she should do it. She deserves to be happy and have someone who appreciates her.''
''She has a wife already, don't forget that Helena.''
'"I didn't forget… But her wife did forget she was married and she kept forgetting for six months when she was sleeping with her children's best friends' father.''
Again both women were surprised by their sixteen years old daughter. Her words could really cut and wound. Josie didn't expect Helena to be that blunt.
''So, mama… Before you accuse me that I am breaking up our family remember what you did and why are we having these conversations in the first place.''
Josie lowered her gaze and Helena left the room. There was tension in the air none of them knew how to handle. Both of them were processing what Helena just said and wished their daughter was never in a situation to know that much about their private matters. She didn't deserve to be involved in their problems and suffer for it.
Twins were asleep; Helena was in her room, probably calling Kiki to tell her about her day…so that left spouses forced to talk about their issues. Josie took a seat on her side of the bed and looked at her wife.
''What happens now Penelope?''
''Life Josie…Life…''