"For God's sake Penelope will you marry me or not?"

A thrill it threw though her whole body, she never thought could be real. Did he really just ask her that? Could it be true? Just moments ago, she felt like her whole life shattered to pieces, leaving with nothing till the day she dies.

A smile light up on her face so hard it hurt her cheeks. There were no words to describe this feeling inside of her. Only she must answer something.

"Yes."

One simple world. One complicated evening. Too many prospects how it could develop. But at that second on her mind was only his smile.

And then he kissed her again. A light smack on her lips still somehow left her completely breathless.

How could kiss with the same person every time feel so different. Their first kiss was full with fear and sweet first feeling of warmth. The kiss in the carriage was pure desire leaving her flushed and red. It was unspeakable what that kiss did to her truly. Every touch left of his soft lips her in mirage, breathless wreck by choice. Everything has fallen out of sight expect his lips… and hands… and that fascinating new feeling she haven't discovered before. It felt like moments. In fact, it's been a long, long ride. How can time pass that quickly?

This kiss. In was unlike every other they shared yet. Warm. Caring. Loving?

Holding his hand she slowly got out from a carriage. He was summering her every move, every breath like intoxicating fever he couldn't get rid of. A walk to his house was filled with stolen glances and let out breaths of hope and dread of what's next.

A question so loudly beating in her heart.

Is it true love? Could it be?

Or is it all a fog capturing her mind.

And suddenly they are in the foyer.

Up the stairs.

And to the so familiar living room.

His hand never leaving hers even for a second. Somewhere down the road glances changed from longing to shocked, from shocked to happy, from happy to fearsome and from fearsome to so newly confident feeling.

With one deep breath, they stand there, in his living room. While their eyes never left sight of each other. And then he said it.

"Dear Family, we have some good news."

Long pause made once full of noise room suddenly completely quiet.

"Me and Penelope, we are engaged."

The happiest kind of sighs and laughter filled the room. And there and then she felt it. She was the closest yet to become a part of a family who would be nothing but loving, supporting and cherishing to her.

Everybody started hugging them, sincerely happy that they finally admitted their true feeling to each other. Violet's hug felt like the warmest family embrace she ever experienced in her life. That just felt right. So right.

And then she saw her once best friend look at them. It all came crumbling down. She knew. And for sure her friend looks mad. Eloise came running of the room as fast as she could, not even making a sound.

She must go after her. They must talk.

It hurt Penelopy deeply than she ever knew. He best friend should've been happy for her. Eloise was the only person who truly got her… But that was before. Before everything… last year. There was nothing Penelope wanted more than Eloise's support right at this moment. A smile slowly faded from Pen's face, as nobody seemed to even notice Eloise exiting the room.

She couldn't leave. She was a center of attention right at this durable moment. His hand hold her by her waist just a bit too close to him. But it wasn't forbidden anymore, wasn't it? At least nobody said anything, so it must be okay now.

She had no idea what was right after such an announcement. But she knew one thing for sure. That felt right and wrong at the same time.

Putting a smile back on her face she looked up at Colin.

How would she tell him? She should tell him, right? She must. But what if...? That thought send chills right to her stomach.

"Pen, are you alright?" he whispered leaning down a bit.

Now that was great. He noticed. She should be more careful now.

"Yeah, sure" was her only response.

He must have believed it, as he let it go way to quickly, continuing accepting congratulations from everybody.

While she was looking at the direction of Eloise's room, he stole a few meaningful glances at her. She would never know, but at that moment he was scared she might have her doubts about saying yes.

Kate and Anthony suddenly entered the room.

"What are we celebrating?" Anthony asked holding his wife close by his side. Everybody turned to them now.

"Colin and Pen are engaged" Hyacinth announced running to her brother and Kate.

The bright red blush seems to not planning on leaving Pen's cheeks anytime soon. As much as Colin's biggest smile.

"Congratulations, brother!" you could her how proud Anthony was for Colin. "We seem to have our own news ourselves. Do u mind if we steal your spotlight for a second here?"

Everybody looked up at Kate and Anthony. "Sure thing, we had our fun for now. Didn't we?" Colin laughingly said, looking down at Pen.

"Oh could it be…?" somewhat fearfully excited asked Violet.

"We're expecting!" Kate announced and once again the room was filled with happy signs and congratulations.

It was a perfect moment to escape - Penelope thought.