Penelope and Elizabeth
As soon as Penelope and Storm put everything together and spent entire night trying to gather things about detective, they invited Elizabeth to their place. She was surprised to see two of them looking like crap. She never saw Penelope that tired and that excited in her life.
''What is going on girls?''
''Our detective did date the victim…And Storm's magic fingers got us some more info… They moved together to NY and dated until she dumped him for O'Neil. He has every reason to be pissed at both of them.''
''Ok, that could be useful… But I would keep that to ourselves for some time more.''
Penelope's face showed a lot of emotions and surprise.
''I know what you are thinking. If we use it before the trail, we discredit the office of prosecutor and NY PD and get new investigation… But if we use it in court…''
Elizabeth waited for Penelope to get what she was aiming for.
''We get mistrial and he walks…''
''Media will follow this… We need something big to get all the attention from our client.''
Penelope nodded.
''Keep up the good work.''
''Thank you.''
Elizabeth was about to leave when she turned to Penelope.
''Can we have dinner tonight? I want to talk to you about something.''
''Just text me the time and place.''
''Eight? My place?''
''I'll be there…''
''And dress casual… It's informal.''
Elizabeth was at the door again.
''Two of you, get some sleep. We can survive few hours without you.''
Storm was grateful for the chance to sleep and Penelope loved the idea too. They went to bed and set the alarm for three in the afternoon. Elizabeth was happy with their all-nighter so she wouldn't be angry if they slept some more. She also knew that Storm and Penelope would pick up the work from the guys that worked during their sleep.
Josie called her around two thirty and Penelope answered the phone.
''Hey Jo…''
''Hey, I am just calling to remind you that we have to pay for the swimming lessons.''
''I know. I have it in my reminder. I will wire them money today.''
''You sound like you were sleeping?''
''Yes, I spent whole night working with Storm so Elizabeth gave us few hours to sleep.''
''Storm?''
''She is IT girl… My roommate.''
''Oh, I understood you live alone….''
''I did… But since she was my suggestion for the team, I tought it would be only fair for me to give her a room in my place.''
''Is she hot?''
''Josie…''
''I'm sorry…''
Penelope took a deep breath.
''Yes, she is… But I am not interested.''
''This is weird… We never spoke about the other people…''
''I know…''
There was awkward silence.
''Josie… I know we are at the bad place and I still don't know what will happen when I come home… But I am not going to step out of our marriage…And plus, her ex is working with us.''
''That must be fun.''
''They haven't really worked together yet, but I guess it will be something to watch for pure entertainment.''
''You are horrible…''
''I know. But other people's drama entertains me now… I am not thinking about us…''
''Helena is asking about you.''
''I will call her tonight… I miss her and the boys…''
There was another moment of silence.
''I miss you too Pen…''
''Josie…''
''I know… I'm sorry.''
''I have to go… I have to get ready to go to work…''
''When are you coming back?''
''In a week.''
''Ok...''
Penelope got ready and went to the office. When she got there, teams were still working on their paperwork and she noticed few more things added to her murder puzzle. Some doctors had their findings questioned and in some ways their findings were brought into question at some trails. She took notes and sent Storm what she should dig about. She had a feeling that this will go well. At eight Penelope was at Elizabeth's door. She opened and let her in. Elizabeth ordered food from some nice restaurant and opened the bottle of white wine.
''Take a seat Penelope… I have something important to talk to you about.''
She took a seat and took some of the wine. She had no idea what Elizabeth wanted to talk about.
''I need this to stay between us.''
''Ok. I am listening.''
''What did you decide about your divorce?''
''What does this has to do with anything?''
''It has everything to do.''
''I think it's for the best to end my marriage.''
''Are you sure about that?''
''No, I am not. I still love her, but I can't live with the feeling in my gut that I doubt every words she says and thing she does. She doesn't answer her phone, I wonder if she is with him. She takes kids to school, I wonder if she is going somewhere to see him. Do they meet in the super market just in case ? My mind is playing cruel games with me.''
''Ok… I understand that…''
She got up and went to the bedroom. She presented Penelope with draft of divorce papers.
''What is this?''
''It's suggestion for your divorce settlement.''
''Why did you do it?''
''Because I don't have much time. This O'Neil case will be my last.''
''What?''
''I am dying Penelope…''
''What?''
''I have cancer Penelope… It's spreading pretty fast… It's pretty much inoperative and it's too late for anything, but morphine drip when time comes.''
''I am sorry for asking, but what does it have to do with me and my divorce?''
''I need you to marry me.''
''What?''
''If we get married before this gets out, you have all the power. I will instruct my doctors when to end my life and what to do, but you get my part of the firm and partnership. I don't want any of those vultures close to my legacy… And I think you are my biggest legacy Penelope… I watched you evolve into amazing lawyer and I love what I see. You remind me of myself.''
''And your children?''
''What children Penelope? They made their choice long ago… As far as I am concerned, I have no children. They will not get a penny from me… My will is already made, I just have to make some adjustments if you accept the marriage.''
''How much time do you have?''
''Less than a year.''
Penelope took some of the wine…
''You really gave this a thought.''
''I did… I want you to be my wife and inherit everything I have… I see you as a child I never got to have. But, you are too old to be adopted… So, marriage is what we get to do. If you say yes…''
''I don't know what to say….''
''Look at the divorce papers and all and tell me what you think. We can mail them tomorrow if you choose to.''
Penelope took the folder and put it on the chair beside her. Divorce papers...Now shit got real. She and Elizabeth ate in silence. After they were done, Penelope went back to her apartment. Lights were out, so she went to her room . She took a shower and opened the folder. There was divorce settlement that looked fair to her. Josie would get the house, she would get the monthly support for the kids and for Josie as unemployed spouse. Helena would choose if she wanted to live with Josie or Penelope and the twins would stay with Josie and Penelope would have right to take them when she wants. Penelope agreed with what was written. But there was more that she guessed was Elizabeth's doing. In case of Josie getting married again, child support says the same, but the spousal support is canceled, same goes for the unmarried partner that starts living with Josie in the house. As soon as someone else moves in as her partner or in case of marriage, she loses money. If she marries or starts living with someone in the house moves to the name of the three children Penelope and Josie had during their marriage, and Penelope pays just the half of the mortgage and costs of the house. She wanted to protest this, but then she found some fresh photographs of Josie and Landon together. They were in front of the house and he held her and they kissed. Also there were pictures of them leaving doctor's office together and his hand was on her belly. That was the end for Penelope. She signed the papers and put them in the envelope. She got out of the apartment and got downstairs to the night guard.
''Please, can you make sure that this is mailed first thing in the morning?''
''Yes, Ms. Park.''
She went back upstairs and went to her room. She tried to take off her ring, but it somehow still felt wrong to be without it. In the morning, she got ready and went to Elizabeth's place. Older woman was not surprised to see her.
''Why did you include all those pictures?''
''So you would know…''
''Know what?''
''Why you are staying or leaving. I wanted you to make a choice knowing all the facts.''
''Fine… I signed and sent the papers.''
''Ok. Let's get the ball rolling.''
''What do you mean?''
''I know a judge… He will help us speed things up.''
''I can't believe my life.''
''I know the feeling.''
They went to the offices and for the most of the day they were deep in the paperwork. Penelope would sneak the look to the phone expecting Josie's phone call or message about the papers. She was nervous about it all and still not completely sure what to do and if she made right choice.
Penelope and Helena
During her lunch break, Penelope went to the apartment and called Helena. She answered right away.
''Hey mom.''
''Hey baby… How are you?''
''I am ok. Doing some homework… And mom is downstairs with aunt Lizzie, baby and the boys.''
''Oh, fun.''
''Don't even start.''
''Are you doing ok mom?''
''In a way.''
''What's wrong?''
''I sent divorce papers…''
''That was unexpected.''
''Why do you say that? You were the one who was all for it.''
''But you were not… So, it means only one thing…Something changed your mind…''
''You can say so…''
''What is it?''
''I…''
She didn't want to tell Helena about the pictures, so she had to find some other explanation.
''I don't trust her anymore… And I can't live with that feeling that I don't trust at all to the person who I love so much.''
''I get it mom…As I said, it's for the best… If you are meant to be, you will find your way back… But for now, it's best to move on.''
There was a moment of silence between Penelope and Helena and then Helena spoke.
''I have to go. Something is happening. Aunt Lizzie is shouting something.''
''It must be the papers…''
''Oh, shit!''
''Yap…''
''I'll talk to you later.''
Helena ended the conversation and went downstairs. She found Josie crying on the sofa and Lizzie cursing Penelope for hurting her sister and being a dick for leaving a pregnant woman.