Author's Notes: Okay. I actually had trouble with this chapter. I wrote like...several versions of these and then got hit by a bout of depression and it was extremely difficult for me to write anything comedic. But as soon as I said, I'd go on a hiatus, this kept nagging me and I'm forced to write it. Maybe it's cause I decided on a hiatus, IDEK. But here it is. Please enjoy it.

You were discharged after a few days. In a miracle (that you thank Maturin for), your mother, Eggy, Penny and Bob managed to keep civil with each other. Although you are still ticked off by Bob's tit fists, you decide to forgive him…for now. At this moment you're busy trying to eat and remain hydrated and it was only after a regime of medication and diet that would make your insurance policy weep, that you were allowed home with a week off for you to recover.

Your mother stayed by your side most of time, making sure you're eating and drinking well. Bob and Penny would leave whenever Eggy began to show signs of straining. And also because they both need to start cleaning the Animal Eating Room aka Your Former Guest Room, to prepare for your mother. Although some part of you were worried because the last thing you need is to explain the why the fuck you have an abattoir in your house, Penny ensured that it's completely spotless. He showed you the pictures.

Most of the time you were out of it, however, slipping into that dream state, watching that soft glimmer that is your second child.

It was only because of this that you were unaware of Penny distress when he found himself locked in said guest room, hooked up to a lying detector with your mother staring him down like he's a convicted felon.

He's blaming Bob for this because Eggy is asleep in her attic hideaway with an excuse she's off with Bob – who is actually off hunting in his actual dimension.

Penny had always thought your mother was a mother type albeit one not beholden to his powers of apathy. She's exudes a warmth that comes from someone who loves unconditionally and always have a kind word and soft smile when it comes to you and Eggy. She had made polite talk, asking about his work, if he has eaten or what Eggy was doing. So he made the assumption that everything is fine between them and didn't think much when she asked him for help with something in the guest room.

The next thing he knew, he was handcuffed to a chair, wires lining his arms to a machine, and your mother peering down on him like a hawk. It happened so quickly that he had to admit he wasn't even mad, but rather impressed.

It was only because of that he didn't start screaming because his mind is too boggled to be anything but.

"So…" your mother starts, steepling her long fingers, "Penny Wise, was it?" she says, uttering his words like it's a curse.

"Erm…[ M/N]…?" he starts but your mother cuts him off.

"In here you shall address me as Mrs. [L/N]." she says coolly and something in her tone gives Penny a pause.

He looks at her, really looks.

Gone was the kind warmth, the soft smile; your mother's eyes hardened and her shoulders stiff and her lips thinned with displeasure. He knows this look, it was the look he often used whenever you were being stupid. Except it was being used on him.

Confused, he stares at her again, "…I don't understand, why am I cuffed?"

"Security, also don't bother screaming. My daughter and Agnes won't be coming to help you." She explains and that caught his attention.

"What did you do?"

"Just some sleeping pills, can't have anyone interrupting. And your cousin Bob shall not return until late this evening."

Fucking Bob, off to whenever, Penny tries screaming for his former mate but the clown must have gone back to his dimension and is off the grid. FUCK. Of all times.

"I don't – let me go! You have no right-" he starts, his blood burning with anger. How dare this woman tie him up, in your home! But your mother slams her fist onto the table, eyes blazing.

"No, you listen, whoever the fuck you are." She starts, any pretense of politeness fading away. "You may have fooled my daughter but you will have to try harder to pull the wool over my eyes." Then without warning, she slowly opens her jacket to reveal a handgun strapped to her hip, a tazer and…is that butcher's knife?

Penny goggles at the weapons and look back into your mother's face because this woman doesn't even reach his chest and is tinier than a chipmunk and somehow managed to hide all these things…under a thin jacket?

What the shit?

He once peruse your memories, kept them even when he had to let go most of his knowledge after being depowered. Not once in your memories did your mother (or your late father) exhibit any signs that they were anything but average bourgeois with an average life.

Now, she's acting like she's a fucking spy? And where the hell did she keep the lying detector? She had only one small suitcase!

Then, something clicks in his mind and he snarls, "Bob, are you fucking with me?"

"Excuse me?" Your mother – no – Bob-Mother raises her eyebrow because of all the thing she had expected, that was no it. Penny scoffs because FUCK THIS ASSHOLE, if he wants to troll fine but Penny has work to do cause unlike a certain reality shifter he needs to earn money! Especially since he discovered just how much everything costs!

"Listen you ass, I have work to do, if you want to play do it later!"

Bob-Mother frowns, her lips curls with distaste, "I assure you, your cousin 'Bob' will be dealt with later."

"No, un-cuff me, right now! I have a commission to finish!" Penny starts, rocking the chair back and forth as he tries to stand. The machine whines as he pulls away, that was until something sharp zooms past him and a scalpel sink itself into the door with a twang.

Penny freezes, staring at the blade uncomprehendingly before he feels something cool jabbing him in the back. He didn't need to turn to know that it was the gun.

"Sit down, Mr. Wise. I'd rather not end this with violence." Your mother, now standing, eyes hard as Penny slowly turns around. For the first time since forever, he felt that awful primal fear that he thought he'd never feel again. It was like Billy standing in front of him, the stutterer's hands wrapped around his heart, crushing in with one final squeeze.

This wasn't Bob. He knows it, deep, deep down that this woman standing in front of him is one-hundred percent human.

Slowly Penny sits down, eyes focused on the gun. Then with a flick she tightens your cuffs and adjusts the wires again. Satisfied she puts the gun on the table, near enough towards her but far enough that there's no way Penny would reach out and grab it without her hurting him. He ponders if he could scream for help, call Eggy but no, he will not put his daughter in danger.

"Good. I have a few questions for you and this machine will tell me if you're telling the truth or not." She explains as if he's a young, stupid child. He bites back a retort and nods instead, fighting the urge to kick this bitch in face.

Smirking, she switches it on before turning back to face him, "Is your name Penny Wise?"

"Yes." He answers, keeping his voice even. The machine didn't twitch because honestly he is Penny Wise at this point.

"Are you really thirty-five years old?"

"…yes." Which was also true because that's how old this form is.

"Hmm, is Agnes Wise your child?"

"Yes." And on and on the questions went. Your mother asks about what he does, where he came from and the machine continues to twitch as it goes on. Occasionally, she'd make a quick mark on the paper the machine is spewing, before proceeding to the next question. They were basic queries, ones a parent would ask a lover of their child, and Penny wouldn't have minded this because you and him did sit down and create a simple and realistic background about his existence. However, he draws the line at being handcuffed and threatened at point blank range.

After a while, your mother stops, peering over the jagged lines that was his answers before tossing it aside.

"According to this, you're truly a thirty-five year old widower with a young child, who works as a freelance costume maker," she expounds and Penny stares back hoping she wasn't going to go where he thinks she's going with this line of thought.

"You were born here, raised here and yet there's not a single document in this state or country proves you or your child exists." She states, slamming her palm onto the table, her eyes piercing him as if she wants to peel him open like a grape.

Fuck, FUCK, this was something you two were planning to do but procrastination and also because none of you know anyone who could forge such things meant that it was laid on the wayside. Also because since all three of you were introverts, it slipped your mind; Penny's old powers ensure the apathy remained when it came to your family in Derry.

Except your mother is from Washington is apparently a super-secret agent because what the hell, right?

Steeling himself, he glares back at this woman. No.

This woman won't browbeat him. He may be stripped of his powers but his tongue can still spin lies.

"I told you, my parents were hippies. They didn't believe in the government and didn't register me."

Your mother scoffs, "And yet, nobody in this town knew about you until two years ago." Narrowing her eyes, she continues, "I can excuse the lack of identification but Derry is a small town and for a place where everybody knows everybody, I sincerely doubt even you escaped any attention for thirty-three years prior to the last two years in this town."

"I like to keep to myself." He excuses, not once flinching.

"A tall, handsome man like you? I doubt you don't register in anyone's minds."

This is Matu-dick's fault, Penny would never be in this situation if the fucker hadn't cursed him with such a beautiful, handsome face.

Racking his mind for a reply, your mother clucks her tongue, her hand wrapping around the gun.

"[Y/N] is my only child, Mr. Wise. She can be quite stubborn and blind when it comes to matters of the heart." She states, fingers tightening around the weapon. Penny can understand, honestly, he spent centuries toying with human emotions, finding delight in seeing souls crumble with despair as he feeds on their loved ones. Some part of him likes to think him making them forget was because it was out of the kindness of his heart. Also numbed soul is difficult to scare and season anyway. Better to erase and scare a new.

"I assure you, Mrs. [L/N], I only want what's best for her, for our child." He says, meaning it. You are his mate and bearer of his offspring. He was many things but even he has standards.

Your mother gives the machine a quick glance and Penny hoped it showed just how sincere he is…because he'd rather not find out just how much getting shot stings. He still remembered Billy Boy, trash-mouth and germ boy biting him piece by piece. It was humiliating.

A moment passes before your mother's hand, finally, moves away from the gun and she crosses her arms, eyes narrowing at him.

"Prove it."

You woke later to the smell of your favourite meal and for once you don't feel like hurling all over the place.

"Hi, sweet-heart," your mother coos, placing the tray of food onto your bed. You try to sit up and your mother fluffs your pillow before wiping your clammy forehead. You lean into her touch, smiling.

"Hey, mom," you reply eyeing the darkening skies out of your window, "How long was I out?"

"Since morning," Penny answers, sitting beside you, pecking your cheeks.

"Damn…I'm starving." you say as you move towards the food. As soon as it touches your tongue, you begin to gobble it down like a starving beast (which you kind of are). So into your food, you don't notice the look exchanged between them.

Eventually, you cleared everything out, took your medication and some hot ginger tea to go with it. Penny makes to take the tray but your mother jumps in first.

"Oh no, let me do this honey. Let me spoil you for once." She says, before turning to the man sitting beside you.

"Penny."

"[M/N]."

Satiated, you move to snuggle against Penny but the man slides off, holding your hands as he kneels to the floor, his face serious.

"Penny?"

"[Y/N]," he starts staring at you with such intensity that you can't help but worry. "I want to do right by you."

What.

Your brain, still gathering energy from the meal you just ate jumpstarts and you feel a flip-flop in your belly that you know isn't from the nausea. Quietly, Penny pulls something out of his pocket – some square – something hand sized.

"What, what are you doing?" you demanded but Penny grip was tight, as his other hand move to open the box to reveal a beautiful, blue sapphire ring.

"[Y/F/N]," he says solemnly, "Will you marry me?"