It has been two days since Penelope left and Josie is a mess. She managed to find few books about merge and after very detailed research, she had better idea of what will happen to her and it was time for her to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Lizzie was trying to reach her and talk to her, but Josie didn't want to talk to her sister. She had other things on her mind. She packed her suitcase and got ready to find Penelope. If she had only six years left, she will not spend them away from the person she loves. Lizzie tried to talk to her, but all she got was a very cold shoulder. During the night Josie sneaked out from the school and went straight for the airport. It was time to take things into her own hands. She had about seventeen hours of flying ahead of her and few layovers. She was scared, she was excited and for the first time in her life she felt free. During her overseas fight she couldn't sleep so she took a paper and started writing things down. She arrived to Paris at midnight and found a cab to take her to her mom's house. Caroline was surprised to hear someone at the door at that time of the night. She opened the door to find Josie standing there.

''Josie?''

''Hi mom.''

Before Josie could say anything Penelope showed up in the hallway dressed in Josie's favorite PJ's she stole.

''Josie, care to explain what are you doing here?''

''I came to find Penelope.''

Penelope was surprised to hear that.

''How did you know I was here?''

''I am a witch, not an idiot.''

There was a small smile on Penelope's face. She was proud that Josie actually came after her. Part of her wanted this to happen, but she believed she would never dare to leave the school and come to look for Penelope.

''I know that.''

Josie smiled back…

''I used dark magic to locate you. And when I did, I came to find you.''

''Jojo…''

''We have to talk… We have to have serious talk Penelope…''

''Ok…''

Josie passed her mother and walked toward Penelope. Her face and pace made Penelope believe that Josie is about to beat the shit out of her. Instead of being punched, she was being pulled into Josie's arms and a pretty heated kiss. Josie's hands were in her hair and Penelope held Josie around her waist. They broke the kiss when they remembered that Caroline was there. Both girls blushed. Josie took her hand and smiled at her.

''Now I know where my favorite PJ's disappeared.''

''I see that you are in my shirt.''

Josie blushed. She pulled Penelope into a very tight hug. She really needed the other girl to help her put pieces of herself together.

''I missed you…''

''I missed you too Jojo…''

Caroline smiled at the girls.

''Penelope, why don't you two go to sleep. It is late and Josie is probably very tired.''

Penelope smiled at Caroline.

''Good night mom.''

''Good night girls.''

They entered the room and Josie realized that Penelope was sleeping in her room. She found it cute. Penelope went to the closet and got her large shirt for Josie to use for sleeping. She also gave her a towel and Josie went to take a shower. When she got out, she saw Penelope standing in the middle of the room looking a bit lost.

''Are you ok P?''

Penelope smiled at her and nodded.

''I am fine Jojo…''

She noticed that Josie was in the towel instead of the shirt she gave her. She came closer to Penelope and smiled. Josie leaned and pressed her forehead to Penelope's. She put her hands on Penelope's cheeks and whispered.

''I love you too Nelly… I love you so much. I didn't get to tell you that because you caught me off guard. But I had entire speech ready in my head until I saw you again and I can barely speak now… That is the power you have over me. When you are close…I am a mess…''

Penelope's eyes were wet and few tears escaped her.

They kissed and Josie dropped her towel.

''Josei…''

''Penelope…''

''Are you sure?''

''I am not sure about too many things in my life, but you are one of the very few things I am sure about. I don't want to waste any more time…''

''Jojo…Please stop talking like that.''

They kissed again and Josie took off Penelope's top and threw it on the chair. Same happened with her bottoms.

''Now we are almost equal. ''

Penelope smirked at Josie and threw her underwear on the chair too. They made love and both felt like they were at home. Like they somehow managed to put behind all those months of hell they lived in. Josie was in charge that night and she made sure to cover with kisses every part of Penelope's body. She was incredible gentle and patient doing so. She didn't want to rush things. She knew she and Penelope have to mend so many things, but this was a good start….very good start… She covered Penelope's body with kisses and every now and then she would whisper to Penelope how much she loves her, wants her and how big part of her live she is. Penelope is a mess…but she feels ok about it. She never let her walls down as she did that night. Josie was surprised by the events that took place in the room. She never saw Penelope cry during sex. She was not sure if those were happy or sad tears. She never saw Penelope let go that much that Josie has all the ''creative freedom'', as Penelope called it, in the bedroom. She really gave it all to Josie that night. Josie held her wishing she could melt Penelope into her so she could always have her close.

''Are you ok Penny?''

''I am scared.''

''Of what?''

''Of the day I wouldn't be able to be with you anymore.''

''Penny…''

She lifted her head from Josie's chest.

''I know you will die for her… You don't have to lie to me… I just hope that until the day of the Merge you will find a reason to live for me.''

''We have six more years… Six more years to find the solution and live our lives to the fullest. I know you are scared. I am too. I have no idea how my life will look like after that…or if I will be over twenty two. I have only two options Penelope… I can spend next six years living in fear of the day or I can make the most out of these six years I know I have. Are you ready to live them with me Penelope or will you spend these six years being afraid?''

Penelope was silent. She put back her head on Josie's chest and listened to her heartbeat. She loved the sound of Josie's heart.

''When you left, my world fell apart. I was so lost… I told Lizzie off, moved my things to your room and spent the night in your shirt hugging the pillow that smelled like you. I felt physical pain caused by your absence. I wanted to lie there and die… It felt like I lost everything… You were the only person I was sure would never abandon me… Like you would follow me to the end of the world just to annoy me…and bicker with me…''

That got a smile out of Penelope and she looked at Josie and wiped her tears.

''Of course I would follow you. You would need someone to annoy you to live.''

''That's what I'm talking about… I lost that when you left… It felt like I had no reasons to live anymore.''

''Don't say that Jojo…''

''I didn't… It took me a lot to get out of your bed and make a decision to do something. I don't want to live a day of my life without you in it Penelope Park.''

''I know…''

Josie wiped tears from their faces and pulled Penelope into a kiss.

''I want to spend the rest of my days in your arms Penelope Park… and no day like that would be wasted time. We wasted so much time.''

''You will live Jojo…''

''We don't know that.''

''You must…''

''Penny…''

''Please…at least fight for yourself…''

''I will..''

''I love you so much.''

''I love you too P…''

They fell asleep tangled and both finally felt peaceful. Penelope had Josie back and Josie had Penelope back and it felt like their world was spinning again. Selfish and selfless in the same room… But at this point lines between who is who were blurred. They had no clear idea who is selfish and selfless…They both were some of it.

Caroline was pacing the living room not being sure what to do. She knew that Penelope told Josie about the merge and at first she was very angry at her, but when she calmed down, she realized that Penelope had to do it. She needed to get Josie to fight for herself and wake up. She was in pain knowing that one of the girls wouldn't make it…if they don't find the solution…but she wanted them to fight, to want to live. She was so heartbroken thinking of it all. She needed to call Rick to tell him that Josei was here and that they have to get to Paris so four of them could have a talk. Rick answered after the first ring.

''Caroline!''

''She is here…''

''What?''

''Josie is in Paris…''

''Why?''

''Because she did a locator spell on Penelope.''

''She uses dark magic?''

''Yes, she does… She found Penelope…''

''Is she ok?''

''Yes, they are in her room…Probably not sleeping…but at least they were polite enough to use some silencing spell so I have every reason to believe they are sound asleep and not having sex.''

Rick didn't need that image in his head too.

''So, what do we do?''

''You and Lizzie should come here.''

''I can't leave the school.''

''I think that Dorian and Emma can handle it for a few days. Our daughters are in question now.''

''Fine… We will get on a plane as soon as possible.''

''Good… See you soon.''

''See you Caroline…''

Girls woke up around noon. Penelope was still believing that Josie's presence is just a dream or something. She couldn't believe she was there. She kissed Josie's shoulder and neck and Josie smiled at feeling those very familiar kisses.

''Good morning baby…''

''Good morning Jojo…''

They shared a kiss and Josie rolled Penelope to be on top of her.

''You are really starting to like this being on top of me?''

''I didn't hear you complain last night?''

''I was in shock…''

''Oh…''

''Yes…''

Penelope flipped them so she was on top of Josie now. Josie looked at her with a huge grin.

''I love you Penelope Park…you giant pain in my ass..''

''But Jojo, for the record… that is an amazing ass.''

Josie smiled and spanked Penelope. There was a dose of surprise on the other girls face.

''I might have an amazing ass, but I prefer yours.''

Penelope smirked at her and stole a kiss.

''I know...''

Just as they were about to kiss and have sex again, Caroline was knocking at their door.

''Girls, be in the kitchen in ten minutes…''

''We will.''

''My mom has the worst timing.''

''I know baby.''

Penelope got out of the bed and went to the bathroom.

''You coming Jojo? We don't have much time.''

Josie run into the bathroom and they managed to take a shower and finish what they started in bed. It took them much more than ten minutes. They got dressed and left the room. They were giggling about something but they stopped when they saw Caroline's face.

''Really? You couldn't wait?''

''Well mom… You sort of interrupted…''

Penelope couldn't believe Josie was saying that to her mother. She was looking at her giving her every possible sign to shut up, but Josie kept talking. Caroline really had fun with this. After the parenting horror of realizing your child is having sex, she realized that she should be happy that Josie was with someone who loved her as much as Penelope did. She also remembered being sixteen and her crazy sexy times with Tyler and Damon…

''Josie, you should stop talking. Your girlfriend is about to have heart attack.''

''She is not…''

Josie was blushing and feeling even more nervous than a minute ago. Caroline was having too much fun with this and Penelope was worried for Josie. She really didn't work well under parent pressure.

''Your girlfriend?''

''We still haven't really got to that…''

''Oh, I'm sorry Jo… I am guessing you didn't have a chance to talk…''

She started blushing. Penelope came to her and gave a look to Caroline to stop.

''Jojo…Now is the time to get to the table and start eating your food.''

''That is an excelend idea Penelope.''

''I know Caroline.''

''Two of you are weirding me out.''

''Why?''

''It's not usual for parent and a partner to behave like that.''

''She is seventeen.. She is trapped into teenagers body and hormones.''

''Penelope…''

''Yes, Caroline…''

''Your food is getting cold.''

They were at the table eating their brunch and Caroline now really could watch her daughter with Penelope. Girls soon forgot that she was even in the room and she saw Josie and the other girl share food, exchange things from their plates and even Penelope giving Josie some of her coffee because Josie was too lazy to move. After they finished eating, Penelope cleared out the table and put the things in the dishwasher. Josie took a seat in the living room and Caroline sat across of her. She tried to talk to her but she gave up because she noticed that Josie was not listening to her but wathing Penelope making coffee for herself.

''I give up!''

''What?''

''Nothing Josie… It's just that you don't see or hear anything when certain someone is in the proximity.''

She blushed at that comment coming from her very observant mom. Penelope took a seat beside Josie and took a sip of her coffee.

''Give her a day or two. Then she will pay attention to you and talk to you just to avoid talking to me.''

''Why would I do that?''

''Because you suck at solving problems in a relationship.''

''I do not!''

''You really want to go there Jojo?''

''No…''

''That's what I thought.''

Caroline watched them and sort of craved a blood bag or popcorns.

''You two are fun to watch.''

''No we are not mom.''

''Yes, you are. And she knows you so well.''

''It's not true…''

Josie made her pouty face and both other women laughed at her. Penelope put her coffee on the table and hugged Josie and started giving her small kisses on the face and hair.

''Baby, who is pouting?''

''I am not…''

''Of course you are not…''

''I hate you Penelope…''

''Oh, I know… I remember.''

''Stop using that night against me.''

''Oh, there are many nights to be used against you when you said those three little words…''

''I don't know anyone who loves hearing I hate you as much as you do.''

''Oh, just from you Jojo…''

''Why?''

''Because it's thrilling.''

''You are deeply disturbed…and lucky that I love you.''

Caroline was taken back by the very bold statement Josie just made. Even Penelope was surprised she said it in front of her mom.

''I love you too Jojo…''

She winked at Penelope.

''I know.''

''That is my line.''

''Oh, now you hold the right to words too?''

''Some of them!''

''You are so full of yourself Park.''

''And you love that too.''

Caroline got up from her spot and went to the kitchen. She got a message from one of the people she reached out to and she wanted to call him back and see what is the news he has for her. She was glad that Penelope was distracted. That girl took dead ends very hard.

''No, that actually gets on my nerves.''

''So, she speaks up her mind. Oh, my God! What happened to our little goodie two shoes? It's like she never existed.''

Josie got up and pulled Penelope to stand.

''She never existed…Never with you… For the entire world…she was the picture perfect girl… But you knew better…You knew it was just an act to get people to love me… But you loved me without that act or a mask I made myself live under.''

''I always loved you…Who you really are Jojo… Good, bad, ugly… I still do love that…''

''And I love you too… You selfish, obnoxious, evil, manipulating, mean, beautiful ass…''

She kissed Penelope and it got a bit heated. Caroline was about to return to living room when she saw them kissing. She moved back to the kitchen and started laughing quietly. How things changed?! Her quiet and good girl has become a woman. She fell in love and found someone who knows her and loves her for real. She knew that Penelope had flaws, everyone has, but she was grateful to that girl because she never stopped fighting for Josie. She sacrificed her own happiness for Josie and would keep doing it for her girl. She was really ride or die person. Her phone rung and it was Elena. She called to ask if they know something about Josie.

''Yes, we do. She showed up at my door in the middle of the night.''

''She needed her mom… How sweet?!''

''Actually, she came for Penelope…''

''The girl living with you?''

''Yes, the same.''

''But…I don't get it.''

''It looks like Penelope's feeling are not one sided and that it took for Penelope to leave for Josie to realize that she loves her and that she should fight for her. And she knows about the merge…''

''Girl or Josie?''

''They both do. Penelope came to me to help me find some solution…and Josie came after her…because it looks like she is solution to Josie's troubles.''

''Oh, young love.''

''My daughter is pretty much in love with a female version of your husband.''

''Romantic idiot?''

''YES!"

''Then she is very lucky. She will fight for Josie until her dying breath.''

''I know, but I don't know whose dying breath are we talking about. They would die for one another.''

''Be happy Caroline that you daughter is loved as much as she is. Some people never feel that love.''

''I know… I am happy for her…but it breaks my heart…''

''I know…''

She watched two girls cuddling and kissing in the living room with huge grins on their faces. She was very glad that there was someone who really saw Josei under the layers of person she wanted everyone to see.

''I will talk to you later. I must go now.''

''Give my love to Josie… and I can't wait to meet the lady of her heart.''

''You will love her.''

''If she is like Damon, I sure will…''

They ended the conversation and she was about to go back to girls when phone rung and it was Rick. He and Lizzie landed and would be at her house in about an hour.

She came to the living room to tell them the news.

''I spoke to one of my sorces. There is a woman in Belgium we shoud visit. She is a wtich…''

''Ok?''

''But I don't think that Josie and Lizzie should go.''

''Lizzie is not here.''

''She and Rick are coming.''

Josie and Penelope were surprised.

''What?''

''I called them yesterday. It's something that we must solve as a family and they have to be here.''

Penelope was a bit stung by that ''family'' part of the comment. Josie took her hadn and held it.

''Penelope is part of this too.''

''She is honey…''

''You said family…''

''I was guessing that she is now part of it… The Forbs- Saltzman madness now is joined by one of the Parks.''

''Why do you say it like that?''

''She is a powerful witch… She might have means to help.''

''Oh, ok…''

Girls were exchanging looks and having a very silent conversation. Caroline was not happy to be excluded from it.

''Go to your room and talk…''

''See you soon mom.''

They went back to the room and the first thing Penelope did was make a bed. She made it so neat that you coild drpp a needle and it would bounce how tight sheets and all was pulled.

''No one will come to the room…''

''We don't know that.''

''And what if they see messy bed. They all know we are sleeping together.''

''Maybe, but knowing and seeing the evidence is not the same.''

Josie desided to tease Penelope since she was so cute when she was nervous.

''Did you hide those 250 condoms we have.''

She just gave her a glare.

''Josette Saltzman!''

''Penelope Park!''

''You will not live until the merge. I will kill you.''

''Oh, baby, that's so romantic.''

She smacked Josie on the hand and went to the bathroom to wash her hands for the millionth time.

''Why are you so nervous?''

''Your dad is coming and he knows it was me who told you. He will be angry.''

''Baby, you did the right thing….''

'' Did I?''

''Yes! We had every right to know about it… It's our lives that are at stake…and choices abou the future too.''

''I am just so scared Jojo…''

''I am too Nelly… I don't want to die…and I don't' want to kill Lizzie.''

''I don't want you dead ether.''

They stood in the middle of the room holding on to each other. Their moment was interrupted by Lizzie openeingt he door.

''Dad wants to see you Josie.''

''I'll be right there.''

She glared at Penelope and left. Penelope kissed Josie and smiled.

''Some things never change.''

'"And where would be fun in that.''

She started walking toward the door and turned to see if Penelope was coming. The other girls still stood in the middle of the room.

''Are you coming babe?''

''In a minute… Go without me.''

''Ok…''

Josie left and Penelope now could fall apart. She sat on the floor and cried like a baby. At one moment she noticed folded paper on the floor. She opened it and found something she didn't expect to find.

Josie's bucket list

Tell Penelope that you love her back

Be happy

Make her happy

Marry Penelope

Have a baby with her

Jump from the plane

Dive

Learn another language

Go to Bali with P

Remember anniversaries

Take silly pictures with P and family

Make memories that will last

Never be forgotten

Forgive Lizzie

Forgive mom and dad

Forgive myself

Love Penelope as she deserves

Make her feel important and loved till the end of my days

Leave memories for our kids

Leave memories for P

Never let her down

Make sure she knows how loved she is in case I die

Remind her till the rest of her life that she was loved (P.S. I love you)

Penelope held the list close to her chest and continued crying. Josie was getting ready to die…