May 2, 2012

It was past midnight. Alicia didn't confront Stu like she had wanted to. She just couldn't believe it. Maybe Penny knew she was standing therre. Maybe Penny was just trying to make her jealous. After all, Penny and Drew had just broken up. She laid in bed in the hotel room, staring blankly at the ceiling. There wasn't anything worth watching on TV. She glanced at the clock. It'd be one soon. Maybe Stu was back now. She had declined his offer to go out, telling him she didn't feel well, and he should just go have fun with his friends.

She sighed and got out of bed. She pulled a lush white bathrobe over hir nightshirt and slid her feet into her flipflops. She slipped her room key into the robe pocket and started down the hall towards Stu's room.

Stu sat at the table, another beer in hand. It was late, he should get going. Why had he even come out tonight? He sighed as his eyes landed on her again. Now that she was "single", everyone wanted to dance with her, and she hadn't refused many of the offers. Currently, Penny was dancing rather closely to Heath to a Rihanna song filled with innuendos.

She was smiling and laughing, singing along. Heath was smiling with her. "I'm gonna head back now," he said to Drew, getting up from the table.

"You want her," Drew said, before Stu could walk away.

Stu turned back around and shrugged, "I miss her."

"You know what you have to do."

Stu nodded, and the conversation ended.

Stu slid his key into the lock and pushed the door open. His hand had just found the lightswithc when a voice called out to him, "Stu!" He turned to see Alicia standing there.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"Um...kind of. Look, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Alright. Uh...come in."

"No! No, it'd be easier for me out here."

"Okay." Stu shut the door and leaned against the frame. "What is it?"

There was a long pause while Alicia tried to gather her thoughts and figure out exactly what to say to him. "I overheard Layla and Penny talking, and there's something I need to know. I need to know if it's true." She stopped, still trying to gather herself. But the look on Stu's face was enough to tell her he knew what she was talking about, and it was true. Alicia looked down at the floor, "Did you..." A deep breath, trying to stay composed. "Did you kiss her? Did you kiss Penny?"

His expression was all that she needed to confirm it. "I...yes."

She nodded, refusing to look him in the eye. "Alright then. I'll see you later."

"Alicia..."

"No, Stu." She shook her head. "That was all I needed to know. It's over. I hope you and Penny are happy together."

She turned and walked away. Stu sighed and walked into his room. It was over. He was free. He could happily take Penny back, but he felt awful that things ended between him and Alicia like that.

May 11, 2012

Penny returned to her locker room after beating Kelly and Alicia in a tag match with Layla. The room was empty, but there was a folded piece of white cardstock sitting on the bench in front of the cubby where Penny's bag hung. Penny picked it up. Scrawled across the inside of the card was an address and a time.

Penny showered and got dressed, a simple dark blue dress and matching shoes. She left her hair down, and didn't bother with any make up. Curiosity had gotten the best of her, and she was going to find out what was waiting for her at the predetermined place and time.

She told Brie and Nikki where she was going before leaving, just in case something happened to her.

Penny pulled up at the designation five minutes early, and was even more curious when she seen it was a fancy French restaurant. At least I wore a dress, she thought walking up the stone steps to the double doors. There was a man in a tuxedo standing at a podium in the entrance. He looked up at her, "Ms. Brooks-Bennett?"

"Um...yes." She said, slightly stunned at his use of the 'Bennett' part. Legally, that was still part of her name, but she didn't use it anymore.

"Right this way."

She followed him to the back of the restaurant, to a private room. He opened the door, ushering her in. "You're date will be here in just a few minutes."

"Um...alright."

The host left, and she took a seat at the only table in the room. She sat as patiently as possible. Soon enough, the door opened, and the host reappeared, following behind him was none other than Stu. He smiled at her. She was at a loss for words. "Sorry I'm late. You left sooner than I thought you would," he told her.

"But...why?" she asked, unable to form her thoughts into actual words.

The door shut behind him and he walked over to her, looking handsome as ever in his suit. "Penny, I still love you, more than anything. And I know we've been through so much, but I want to try again. "

"I don't know." What are you thinking? she silently reprimande herself. This is what you wanted.

"Just have dinner with me tonight, and we'll go from there."

Penny nodded.

After dinner, Stu and Penny strolled through the park arm in arm. It was as if nothing had ever changed. Everything was perfect. They got back to the hotel at the same time, and Stu walked Penny to her room.

Penny turned to him. "Stu..."

"Yes?"

She threw her arms around him, "I love you. I always have. It was stupid to let you go, I don't know what I was thinking."

He wrapped his arms around her, "It's okay. I forgive you, and I love you too."

She looked up at him, "We can start over?"

He nodded before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. It was the kiss to end all kisses. It was more passionate, more romantic, and more loving than any other kiss they had ever shared.

When they finally broke the kiss, Stu ran a finger down her cheek. "Penny?"

"Yes, Stu?"

"I'm taking you back because I intend to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want anyone else but you."

"Me too." He held her close.

That night, and every night afterwards, Penny spent in Stu's arms.