"So what do you think of Penelope's fiancé?" Ivy asked her husband what their guests were gone.
"I like him a lot," Juan admitted. "Our daughter's taste has improved from when she was a teenager. Dave has no nose, belly, or earring and his clothes might have been causal, but they were also a good brand name."
"Yes, it has," Ivy agreed. "On the other hand, when you're a teenager you're exploring your boundaries. I suspect, though I don't know for sure, that Penelope agreed to date that boy because she felt pity for him."
"That's possible," Juan said once he had considered his daughter's personality. His Penelope, was very kindhearted and that might have indeed taken pity on the poor boy that she had dated back when she had been in high school. "Still, I like this David Rossi because it's clear he adores our daughter and the fact that Penny adores him too..."
"He also has plenty of money to support her and any children they have, which relieved my mind a great deal. I know that's not the only factor to a good marriage, but it's certainly a big point in his favor, being financially solvent," Ivy said.
"I have to agree," Juan said nodding, knowing his wife was just concerned about their daughter's fiancé having enough money to support her and any children they had. It wasn't even that Penelope wasn't capable of earning a living, just that Dave should also help out with the finances as traditionally that was a man's responsibility. It relieved both parents minds to know that there would be no problems financially, in these rather unsure economic times. While the economy had improved a great deal from a few years ago there were still problems, unemployment for one.
"Also, he's polite and so many people are not nowadays," Juan added.
Politeness was a big thing for Juan.
"Some men don't go through that stage and Dave doesn't seem the type," Ivy pointed out.
"That's true," Juan agreed. "He told me a little bit about his childhood and he didn't have time to go through a rebellious stage."
Ivy looked interested so one told her exactly what their daughter's fiancé had said.
"Yes, he mentioned some of that," Ivy said. "He offered to help me with dinner and I could sense it was very sincere. He wanted to be genuinely helpful. One thing I do know and that is, I'm sure that Penny is going to be happy with him for many years and that's all that matters."
"I have to agree," Juan said nodding. "So long as they maintain the love they have for each other their marriage won't break up like so many do, but since I saw the visible adoration on Dave's face when he looked at our daughter several times, I don't think we're going to ever be hearing about a divorce. You know subtle emotions usually pass me by, but I suppose I was tuned for it more than normal, probably because this is our daughter after all."
"Our daughter finally settling down, is not something I ever expected to happen," Ivy said with a great deal of emotion in her voice, as she leaned against her husband's shoulder. "I never imagined that this day would come. I had begun to fear that she would never find a guy to settle down with. I know she's been wanting children for the last few years, but she's not one to have them from a one night stand."
"It's a good thing," Juan snorted. "I would've taken verbal strips off if she had dared gotten pregnant and not married the guy."
"She probably never would've come home though, so it's just as well that she met Dave," Ivy said. "I think it's time I pass on the necklace."
Juan knew the necklace had been passed down in Ivy's family for several generations. It was a pearl necklace that was worth a great deal. It was several hundred years old at the very least. It was three strands of pearls and it was made to drape over the neck, front and back. It had been passed from mother to oldest daughter on their wedding day for at least the last 5 or 6 generations. Once or twice it had been passed to the oldest granddaughter of the oldest son if there had been no girls born that generation.
"So that means you approve of him?" Juan said knowing his wife very well.
"Yes, I do. He's nice, polite, more than financially solvent and I have no fear he's going to mistreat Penny."
"If he did our daughter would kick his ass and then divorce him and you know it," Juan told his wife.
"Yeah, she would," Ivy giggled. "I don't see that happening, though I suppose I only met him for a few hours."
"Since I feel the same way, I would say Penny found herself a winner. He was brought up to know his responsibilities by looking after his younger brothers and probably very occasionally his sisters when he was growing up. That makes a lot of difference in who someone grows up to be. From what I understand, Dave's parents paid attention to their children. They didn't ignore them like so many do, because they're working so much or they're too busy hanging out with their friends. I believe Dave when he told me that his father would've taken him over his knee if he had dared get some woman pregnant without at least paying child support and that's at a minimum. His words had the ring of truth to them, so I have no doubt his father would have done just that."
"That's good," Ivy said approvingly. "He was raised very well then, unlike so many children today and I'm sure his siblings were too."
"I would say so," Juan said. "I'm looking forward to meeting his parents at the wedding in a few weeks. They certainly know how to raise their kids with discipline, which is so rare in today's world. Most parent don't even spank their kids anymore, even when they deserve it."
"That's true," Ivy agreed. "It's no wonder so many kids turn out to be spoiled, rotten brats or end up in prison. I think Dave's parents had the right idea. A little pain is a strong motivator to not commit that particular sin again."
Juan was nodding, because he completely agreed with his wife. Both his and Ivy's children had had to be spanked on a few occasions, but they had mostly been well-behaved, so it hadn't been necessary often.
"I'm looking forward to the wedding in just a few weeks," Ivy added.
"I am too and I'll be proud to walk my daughter down the aisle," Juan said and Ivy knew that meant her husband definitely approved of the man Penny was going to marry, as he wouldn't even attend if he didn't as a way to show his disapproval. Of course, the over $2000 that Juan had written a check for, for his daughter's wedding dress was also a clear indication of his approval. She knew that her husband wished there was more he could do financially, but Dave was taking care of most of the expenses and had allowed her daughter to order the wedding dress she really wanted instead of going for something cheaper. This was an indication to Ivy that Dave truly loved her daughter, as he hadn't put a cap on how much she could spend for their wedding. Some men were so tightfisted with their money, even when they had plenty of it, that Ivy was glad to see Dave wasn't like that. Of course, to be fair, the same could be said of women to, not that there was many women who were so financially wealthy, but there were some.
Both Garcias got more comfortable in bed and started to drift off to sleep, once Juan had turned off the bedside table lamp. Ivy curled against her husband's form and drifted off contently, secure in the knowledge that her daughter would have a happy, safe and secure future with a man that would adore her and she him. Juan joined her in sleep minutes later.
~~~Dave and Penelope~~~
"Well, you won my father over easily and my mother too," Penelope said finally when the two were snuggling together in bed in the hotel room.
"They love you and they see that I truly do care for you," Dave said.
"You also don't have a nose ring, a belly ring or an earring," Penelope said. "I had a boyfriend in the past, when I was much younger, that dad disapproved of, just because he had a nose ring. He doesn't understand modern fashion. I'm sure dad would try to convince me to not marry you if you had any of those things."
"I never understood the need to go to so much pain for a nose or belly ring and yes, even an earring, as on a man, I would think it would look rather ridiculous, but that's just me," Dave snorted. "I know everybody's different though."
"Well, you were born a very long time ago honey, so I'm sure sometimes it's hard to understand the modern world," Penelope said.
"I understand the modern world just fine, sweetie," Dave defended himself. "I just don't understand teenagers of today."
"Well, it doesn't matter, you won dad's approval easily. I should've realized though, that he'd want to pay something for the wedding, as he has a lot of pride," Penelope said.
"Well, you salved his pride when you let him pay for your wedding dress. You have the check in your purse and you'll deposit it at the bank when you get back to New York."
Juan had decided that a check was better than a money transfer and Penelope had accepted it solemnly, making sure to put it deep in her purse, so it wouldn't get lost, as it was for quite a lot of money, over $2000 dollars actually, because Dave had convinced her to order the wedding dress she really wanted, instead of going for a dress that was far cheaper, simply to save money. This was her wedding, Dave had logically pointed out and if she couldn't splurge a little for her wedding then when could she? Penelope had seen the logic and given in without further argument.
"Mom, will take care of a lot of the details and she'll do it exactly the way I want," said Penelope. "We both know that Emily will be rather relieved to be let off the hook."
"Yeah, she will," Dave laughed. "She's the one that volunteered to help though, so she only has herself to blame."
"That's true," Penelope giggled. "I should've asked my mom right away, but it's just that she lives so far away, but I suppose with modern communications that doesn't really matter. I guess I just wasn't thinking."
"Well, now that problem is out-of-the-way, so the planning will likely go faster," Dave said. "The sooner I marry you the sooner we can have those children we both want."
"I'm not completely immortal yet though," Penelope said.
"But you will be within a few weeks, Penny, possibly sooner," Dave told her. "It won't be long at all before you are, certainly before the wedding."
"That's good, because I want to start having children right away, so we can have those five kids we both want," Penelope said.
"I wouldn't mind having more, but we can do that next time we decide to have children after your parents are dead. I have far more than nine siblings that I told your parents I have for instance, but it's not like I could tell them the real number, they'd never have believed me," Dave said.
"I thought you did a good job of not lying to much," Penelope praised him. "I know you had to lie a little or at least stretch the truth, but you had no choice and I know that."
"Mostly what I said was the complete truth, though I admit, there were a few minor fibs in there," Dave said. "I did lie majorly when I said I only had nine siblings though, but that's a lot in modern society. Still, I suppose it's not really a lie per say, since that's how many siblings I grew up with and the rest came after we were all out of the house."
"See you didn't lie at least not really, as nine brothers and sisters is how many you grew up with. My parents would never believe in immortality, much like Emily's mother never would. I doubt we'll have much contact after this, except maybe for some holidays, thanksgiving or Christmas," Penelope said.
"I'll manage, as I've had to do it before even if I don't like to," Dave promised. "You deserve to keep in contact with them until they pass away and they also deserve to spend time with their grandchildren once they come."
"You have yet to meet my brother, but I'm sure he'll love you. Perhaps, we could visit him and his family before we head to see your parents," Penelope suggested.
"Sounds fine to me, sweetie. Whatever you want," Dave said.
"Alright then, I'll call my brother and make sure he isn't too busy," Penelope decided. "I haven't seen him in several years, so it'll be nice to visit with his family for a few hours."
Dave lay back into the nice firm mattress and simply held Penny close looking forward to meeting her older brother tomorrow.
~~~Dave and Penelope~~~
"You're here, you're here!" Rebecca, Dave's mother squealed excitedly.
Dave parents lived on their own private piece of beach that they had both bought years ago. They had raised a lot of their children in this house, though they didn't have any at present. The piece of beach was out-of-the-way of the usual tourist routes, so it was relatively private and even if it wasn't Jacob had every right to throw interlopers off his property. Rebecca and Jacob had been living there for quite sometime and they rarely had any interlopers. Family of course, was always welcome to drop in for a visit.
"You knew we were coming mom," Dave said in amusement.
"Of course we did, that doesn't mean your mother isn't excited son," Jacob said coming up behind him and slapping him on the back. "She's just happy that you are finally tying the knot."
"I know," Dave said with a smile.
"Of course, I'm also happy that you have finally found someone to settle down with, someone that makes you happy," Jacob said. "As your mother has already said, Penelope is a lovely lady and I'm very happy for you both."
"Thank you, dad," Dave said as he hugged his father.
"You're quite welcome son," Jacob said. "That Penny makes you happy should be all that matters and vice versa of course."
"She does dad," Dave said, as he looked at his beautiful fiancée. "She's everything I could possibly want in a wife."
"Well good, we'll be expecting those grandchildren, particularly your mother," Jacob told his son chuckling.
"Don't I know it," Dave said with fond exasperation in his tone.
"She just wants what's best for you son," Jacob reminded Dave.
"I know dad, I know," Dave agreed.
"Are you going to give me a chance to hug my soon to be daughter-in-law," Jacob asked his wife his amusement clear in his tone. He stepped away from Dave and approached the pair.
Rebecca finally released Penelope only to have Jacob take his wife's place. "Welcome to the family Penny."
"Thank you," Penelope said kissing Jacob's cheek. "I'm genuinely happy to be part of the family."
"I can't wait until the wedding," Rebecca said. "Seeing my oldest son get married was not something I believed would ever happen at least not until now."
Dave said nothing as there was nothing he could really say and he knew it.
"Which won't be for a few weeks anyway," Penelope said coming to Dave's rescue.
"Need any help planning?" Rebecca asked.
"No, my mother is helping plan everything," Penelope said politely. "I had Emily helping, but she hates planning events."
"Well, from what she and Aaron have said about her mother I can understand why she does," Jacob said entering the conversation.
"No, she didn't have a very pleasant childhood," Dave agreed. "It was just mostly lonely and boring."
"Let's talk about something else, as it's not really fair to Emily to discuss her life without her being here," Penelope suggested.
"Penny is right," Dave said. "As much as I hate that Emily's childhood was lonely and friendless it's not really our business."
Everybody changed the subject to something else as they all chatted.
Rebecca left the room briefly to bring out a tray of snacks and drinks for everyone.
"So trying out new recipes mom," Dave said, after taking a big bite of one of his mother's original creations.
"I like coming up with original recipes," Rebecca shrugged. "It's not like I have much else to do with my time, except when our children are visiting. Oh, sure, Jake and me travel a lot but when I'm home..."
"I understand, as it's a problem I've encountered myself from time to time," Dave said. "I don't expect to have that problem in the near future though."
"I think you should publish a recipe book, as this is delicious," Penelope said she took another big bite of the little cake her mother had created.
"Hmm, I never thought about doing that," Rebecca mused looking intrigued. "I certainly have come up with enough recipes over the years to make that work. I might even be able to get two recipe books since I've created a lot of different recipes over the last few hundred years."
"It's certainly something to consider," Jacob said. "At least a recipe book likely won't bring the wrong kind of attention."
Dave was nodding at this as an immortal stayed under the radar for a reason.
"So what are your plans for while you're here?" Jacob asked both Penny and Dave.
"I thought I'd take her to see some of the sites, while we're here," Dave said. "She can also plan the wedding from out here so long as she has a decent internet connection and also a cell phone signal. There's also a beach right in front of the house and I told Penny to pack a bathing suit."
"So what do your parents think of our son?" Rebecca asked Penelope.
"Dave won them over it easily," Penelope reported with a smile of amusement.
"I thought he did a good job about not lying too much, though I know he had to a little. My father is something of a hard sale and he accepted Dave quite easily really. He likely wouldn't even have attended the wedding if he disapproved of my choice, as that would have been his way to show he didn't think I made a good choice."
"The $2000 check he gave you is also a sign he approves Penny," Dave said.
"That's a whole bunch of money," Jacob said impressed.
"It's for my wedding dress, as the chest part is seeded with pearls," Penelope explained. "Dave told me to get what I really wanted instead of going for something cheaper, as he's paying for everything except my dress, because my father wanted to contribute to my wedding in someway. I know he wishes there was more he could do, as I'm his only daughter after all. It's actually a check for nearly 2,500. I gave in to Dave's request because as he pointed out women only get married once or at least that's true for most. I have no intention of ever getting a divorce and I'm not even sure that's possible among immortals anyway."
"Your father, loves you and wants what's best for you," Dave said. "I was intending to pay for her wedding dress to, but this way we salved Juan's pride. It gave him a way to contribute to his daughter's future happiness."
"Well, if you need any help let me know," Rebecca offered.
"Thank you but there's really not that much more to plan. My mother has been a godsend and I should've assigned her instead Emily in the first place. Emily's lack of talent when it comes to planing a major event is one of the reasons she allowed her mother to plan her wedding in the first place. At the time I was thinking about the distance, because my parents live in California, but with email and everything, it's really easy to plan weddings and other events at a distance," Penelope explained.
"It was a lovely wedding and reception so Emily's mother has some talent in that area," Jacob said.
"She's used to planning fundraisers and other events," Penelope explained. "She's a very wealthy businesswoman and wanted her only daughter to go into the same type of profession. Emily refused though and she's certainly strong enough to get her way. She just doesn't have the right type of personality to deal with difficult people when it comes to making money."
"She'd likely lose her temper and punch someone that annoyed her to much," Dave explained. Dave began to tell them all about the incident with Mister Daniel Carruthers, which they hadn't actually witnessed, but had heard rumors about.
"Well, it sounds like Daniel Carruthers should have been smart enough to obey the warning on the invitation," Jacob said with a smile.
"You would think," Penelope agreed dryly. "He made a lot of assumptions according to what Dave has told me. He assumed as Alan Prentiss's daughter that she would be into politics, but she definitely is not and with good reason."
"What an idiot," Jacob and Rebecca both chuckled in unison.
"Yes, he was," Dave chuckled right along with his parents. "I mostly got him out of there because I didn't want the people to talk about the scene the bride caused by punching him, even though it would've been Carruther's fault. He was the one that chose to ignore the big, capitalized, bold letters on the invitation that said no talk of politics after all."
Everybody chuckled again, but then, the subject was dropped entirely.
~~~Dave and Penelope~~~