Chapter Text
“Happy birthday Josette.” Penelope Park practically waltzed into the kitchen to greet her wife, who was sipping her morning coffee. Josie gave a smile to Penelope, then gestured to the playpen that sat in the corner of the living room, which was open to the kitchen. A sleeping toddler, no older than 16 months, lay resting peacefully with a droopy pout.
“He finally chose to sleep now ?” Penelope whispered. Josie glanced up at Penelope, who was now wrapping her arms around her.
“Yeah. Thanks for staying up with him last night.” Josie responded in a hushed voice, kissing Penelope on the cheek.
“No problem. He reminds me of myself. My little fussy buddy.” Penelope said, walking over to the playpen and stroking the boy’s soft cheeks. The sweet silence only lasted a moment, because the baby monitor on the kitchen counter began projecting gentle stirring and quiet cries from the nursery. “I got it.” Penelope said, briskly heading towards the staircase. Josie grabbed her arm, dragging her back to meet her in a kiss.
“It’s fine, enjoy your coffee. I’ll take get him.” Josie whispered, hopping up from the bar stool and ascending the stairs to the nursery. As she peered into the second crib within the pale yellow nursery, Josie’s heart soared. She lifted the sorrowful toddler out, gently slinging him on her hip, gently bouncing him to soothe his cries.
“Good morning sleepy head.” Josie smiled, brushing a piece of soft brown hair from the baby’s face. “Oh Oscar. My little boy. I love you so much.” Josie murmured, tears welling in her eyes suddenly as she laid her head next to her son’s. The love was practically pouring from her heart. She’d never felt anything as powerful as the love she had for her family. She began singing a soft lullaby to the child, who immediately relaxed into her arms.
Downstairs, Penelope watched carefully in the baby monitor as Josie rocked Oscar. She hastily prepared breakfast. It was an easy task, she’d made the pancake batter in the wee hours of the night while attempting to quiet the fussier twin. As she flipped the second batch of pancakes, she glanced back at the playpen. The blond twin had hoisted himself up and was bouncing in the playpen, clinging to the barrier.
“Good morning Lincoln!” Penelope cooed. “We have a big day, tiny one.” She said, walking to the playpen and lifting the toddler out. As she placed him on the ground, Lincoln rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He waddled to follow Penelope as she returned to the stove, grasping her leg to steady himself. Penelope smiled down at him. His crystal blue eyes shone back up at her, and she admitted defeat, tearing off a tiny piece of pancake from one of the ready ones and handing it to Lincoln. Penelope finished preparing the meal, and dressed a plate for Josie who was coming down the stairs. She added fresh fruit to finish the plate, and waited patiently for Josie’s arrival in the kitchen.
Josie gaped at the plate that waited for her. She placed Oscar on the ground, and clasped at her mouth. The tears returned.
“I hope those are happy tears.” Penelope smirked, sauntering to Josie, and wrapping her arms around her neck.
“Thank you. So much.” Josie said, pressing her lips to Penelope’s gently. Her smile lingered against Penelope’s.
“Only the best for the birthday girl.” Penelope said through a grin. The pair sat down for breakfast, giggling and kissing throughout their meal.
“So Lizzie and MG, Hope and Landon, and dad are coming over at around noon. Can you help clean up while I get the boys ready?” Josie questioned. Penelope nodded in response, mouth full of strawberry and pancake. “And my mom is taking me and Lizzie on a girls day tomorrow. So you’re on twin duty then.” She finished. Penelope glanced into the living room where the twin boys sat playing with wood blocks.
“No problem. Lincoln, Oscar, did you hear that? Mama gets the whole day with you two tomorrow!” Penelope called to the boys.
“Thank you for breakfast. Today is going to be so great, I already know it.” Josie said, leaning in to kiss Penelope one last time before collecting the dishes to wash.
“Not so fast, birthday girl. I got this.” Penelope said, gathering the dishes from Josie’s hands and heading to the farm sink which was framed by numerous plants in terra cotta pots.
The baby blue antique grandfather clock in the foyer signaled that twelve had finally come, and the picturesque family waited in the hall for their guests. Josie wore a soft yellow sundress, adorned with dainty jewelry, and faux suede heels. Penelope was dressed in light wash jeans, cuffed at the ankle with some booties, finished with a lilac blouse gently tucked in. Both of them had soft curls in their hair, Josie’s embellished with two soft braids pinned back. The twin boys wiggled uncomfortably in their light grey suits, fixed with a blue tie for Lincoln, and a spring green one for Oscar, strategically picked to accent their eyes. The first sign of guests arriving was a shriek from behind the front door. Penelope opened it to find a shouting 3 year old girl with natural ringlets flowing to her shoulders. The little girl stomped into the house, giving a forced “happy birthday auntie Josie.” She was soon followed by Lizzie and MG, who frantically apologized for their daughter’s behavior. Alaric strode up to the porch behind them, greeting his family proudly.
“Happy birthday my beautiful girls.” He gathered Josie and Lizzie into a large hug, both of them laughing.
“We aren’t too late, are we?” Called Landon, who was now approaching the steps of the home, Hope’s arm wrapped in his.
“Hope! Congratulations!” Lizzie helped her up the steps, finally embracing her as she reached the top.
“Thank you! It’s not as easy as you two made it seem.” Hope said, gently stroking her pregnant belly. “Happy birthday guys.”
The family gathered in the formal dining room, sitting down for an elaborate lunch. The children played in the other room, and the adults were left to catch up.
“So, Penelope, I heard you got that promotion! How does it feel to be Mystic Falls’ first ever female judge?” Landon started. Penelope smiled, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah. I still can’t believe it really.” Penelope said.
“Oh come on! You totally deserved it!” Josie said, turning to her wife. Penelope looked back at her with admiration.
“And this one just hit a huge milestone! One million subscribers!” Penelope retorted, pointing the attention to Josie. Josie ran a channel about motherhood, which had become wildly successful after her video about raising two boys to respect women.
“And Lizzie completed her PhD in psychology!” Josie shot the attention toward her sister again, who bashfully glanced downward.
“MG’s dance studio is taking off. He’s really helping those kids.” Lizzie said, regarding her husband’s nonprofit studio for at risk youth. MG beamed.
“Landon, I heard your band would be releasing another album soon. I bet you’ll top the charts again.” MG said, turning to Landon, who chuckled in embarrassment.
“Hey, I’m not changing lives like Hope is. The Salvatore School really is growing under her watch.” Landon said. “Not that it didn’t under you, Dr. Saltzman. Just that, uh, Hope is really great with the kids. Not that you weren’t!” Landon attempted to correct his mistakes, only sending Alaric into a fit of laughter.
“No, I agree. She is the Headmaster the school deserves.” Alaric stopped Landon.
The found-family continued their praise of one another, and fell into fits of laughter over stories from the past few months. They group didn’t get together as often as they wished, so there was always a lot of tales accumulated. The afternoon progressed, and everyone enjoyed the company, moving into the living room, and settling with glasses of peach wine or fresh lemonade. The homemade beverages were something Josie had taken from Penelope’s side, and kept ever since. The sun began to set, which meant the family would all be going their separate ways soon. Penelope entertained everyone in the foyer, discussing backstories of some of the antiques, while Josie and Lizzie talked in the living room. Lizzie had her daughter sleeping deeply over her shoulder.
“Today was really great Josie. It was so good to see you again.” Lizzie whispered, so as to not wake the little one in her arms. Josie smiled, and the tears from the morning began to creep back up.
“We really have come so far.” Josie said, her voice tight from fighting back the tears. “I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that we might’ve missed out on these past six years.” Josie’s voice quivered, and the tears finally overwhelmed her.
“Hey, Josie.” Lizzie said soothingly. “We did it though. We are both here still, together. And we are happy.” Lizzie smiled at her twin. Josie glanced back at her, smiling through the tears.
“I love you.” Josie said, embracing her sister and her niece together.
“I love you too.” Lizzie whispered, and the pair parted ways.
Loving goodbyes commenced, and the family parted. Penelope shut the front door after one last wave, and pressed her back against it, looking back at Josie. The pair sighed simultaneously, and chuckled at the long day they’d had. Josie approached Penelope, wrapping her arms around her waist, and giving a soft kiss through a smile.
“The boys are asleep.” Josie whispered, smirking mischievously. Penelope raised an eyebrow at the comment.
“What are you suggesting, Josette Saltzman?” Penelope said deviously. Josie crinkled her nose in amusement, and pressed her lips to Penelope’s once more.
The pair practically skipped up the stairs, falling onto the fluffy bed in a fit of giggles. Penelope rolled on top of Josie, smothering her in kisses, which were met with more laughter.
“Shhh!” Josie hushed. “We can’t wake up the boys!” She said in mock distress, immediately pressing her lips to Penelope’s. Penelope smiled into it, allowing her hands to gently wander beneath the sun dress. Something caught her attention, and she pulled away from Josie briefly.
“Josette, did you really not wear underwear all day ?” Penelope whispered. Josie attempted to hide her pleasure at this, pressing herself further into the mattress. Penelope returned her lips to Josie’s, and allowed her fingers to continue exploring. Josie bit on Penelope’s lower lip as her breath hitched at the contact. They continued well into the evening, exchanging kisses and rediscovering each other.
As the pair finally slowed, Josie found herself cuddled up, her leg draped over Penelope. They stared out through the skylight into the dazzling night sky. The moon was full and shone brilliantly into the room, illuminating a pool of light that spilled from the end of their bed onto the floor. They again recounted the night on the dock.
“I can’t believe I fell for you because of fucking astrology.” Josie murmured, giggling lightly. Penelope kissed Josie’s head which rested on her chest, and lingered there, feeling the soft strands gently brush against her chin.
“It wasn’t just the astrology.” Penelope mocked. Josie smiled in defeat. “But the stars helped.” Penelope said smugly, breaking her composure for a small laugh.
“You made me so nervous.” Josie admitted. She’d told Penelope this before, and every time Penelope had come up with a snappy response. But this time was different. Penelope breathed slowly, Josie’s head rising and falling as it remained on her chest.
“I still can’t believe that you married me. Villains aren’t supposed to get a happy ending.” Penelope muttered. Josie turned her head so she could see Penelope’s eyes, which were fighting back tears.
“You were never the villain in my story.” Josie responded softly, reaching up to gently kiss Penelope once more. “And I can’t imagine my life without you. I wouldn’t trade this for the world.” Josie whispered. A small smile tugged at Penelope’s lips.
“You are my world.” Penelope whispered back, barely making it through without laughing. Josie joined in the laughter.
“That was so corny.” Josie said in amusement. The moment settled, and Josie peered back up at Penelope. She looked entirely content. “I love you.” Penelope’s smile grew. She looked back at Josie with a smirk.
“God you make me feel like a teenager again.” Penelope grumbled jokingly, reaching in to kiss Josie once more. “I love you too.” Penelope said.
The night sky seemed to envelope them. The pair who had gone through so much together, and yet always found their way back to one another. The moment spoke for itself, overflowing with joy and content. Josie and Penelope were entirely in love.