Convincing

Focusing

Jezebel sitting in her home with her husband and kids felt bad.

Having only agreed to help her mom set this up thinking her sister could use a partner or some fun at least, Jezebel hadn't wanted to push. Having done so last time, she'd been there when it blew up in Penelope's face and caused her humiliation from someone Jezebel vouched for?

Jezebel started to apologize profusely for overstepping again but Penelope waved it off, “I know why you did it. And while I thank you for worrying about my v****a closing up like an old wound from lack of use, I can assure you, a toy still does the job.”

Rolling her eyes Jezebel teased in French, “Yeah well sometimes a girl needs the real thing.” Laughing Penelope reminded her, “That’s why we both have kids. Well more you than me, but you get what I’m saying.”

Laughing a little, Jezebel teased, “Point for you sister.”

Laughing together, the sisters fell silent for a moment, but then Jezebel had to say, “Mama just worries-.” To which her sister interrupted, “Mama is confused on why I didn’t marry some wealthy guy and piece my family together in a “normal” way, bit it’s my family and I decide how it looks. Not her or anyone else, and I’m not desperate enough to force something for the sake of looks. I did that once and it sucked because I was falling for someone who spent the entire time pretending.”

Silence for a moment, Penelope closed her eyes scared the conversation would come back. But it didn’t thankfully and her sister said instead, “Sister, I have always admired your decision and I still do. And I am proud as your older sister at how amazing a mother you are. Hell you make me step my game up and I thank you for it because every time I see my nephew? He’s loved, well, and blessed. Because you pour into him like he’s your well of fortune. It is beautiful.”

No, he was.

Understanding where she was coming from, Jezebel wondered, “So you’re just going to ignore her? She’s been trying to call.” Of course, after Penelope told her dad Arthur it’d be a while before she came by the house. And guessing it was because of his wife’s antics again? He’d ripped into Simone for being too aggressive in trying to make their daughter feel like she should be married.

Causing Simone to backpedal and try to explain it was only for her daughter and grandson's benefit and she just wanted to see them happy. Ignored for now though, Penelope listened to Jezebel as she softly said, “You’re completely right. It was wrong to trick you into going and I’m sorry. You deserve to take your time and figure out s**t as you want. I’m sorry jam.”

Grinning at the old nickname, Penelope teased, “You’re forgiven toast, but between us? It’s me and you against the plotting mother. Not the other way around.”

Agreeing with a giggle, Jezebel promised from now on it would be. All while she asked just to be clued in, “And there’s no one on the horizon? It’s been almost two years sis. You can definitely entertain a few dates and getting to know some brilliant minds. I know single dads your age is hard. You might need to go up the ladder.”

Scrunching up her nose, Penelope admitted, “The one time I “went up the ladder” he was forty-five and his son was closer to my age than he was. He asked me what Tik Tok was.” Laughing unintentionally, Jezebel forced herself to stop, “Okay, so maybe not that far. Last thing you need is a man who is going to drop from popping too many little blue helpers.”

Rolling her eyes since that date had ended with him embarrassed when his toupee began to slip into his soup, he had been the one to do so. Head bowed as he quickly paid and rushed out, Penelope could admit she wasn’t vain and understood aging and changing.

As long as there was honesty about it and not a shocking spectacle she had to endure in the middle of dinner.

Or just when she was trying to get serious...

“I’ll find someone in a reasonable age group with his hair attached or at least maintained properly going forward.” She said as more as a prayer than a guarantee.

“Until then, no more helping our controlling mother set me up with your husband’s douchebag friends. While I love a good reminder on why a lot of men aren’t worth my time? I have an app that will allow me to do the same from the comfort of my bed. Thanks.”

Telling her sister she was sorry again and letting her know she wouldn’t help their mother again, it was after their conversation that her husband came in and asked, “Well?” Shaking her head rubbing her temples, Jezebel admitted, “I feel shitty for hurting her. I’m not trying to make her feel like she’s less than alone or she’s not crushing it. She’s doing amazing and I hate mama uses me as an example of what she should be.”

Knowing it made Jezebel uncomfortable because the sisters were tight, Vincent kissed her shoulder, “Your mother needs to be pacified in knowing Penelope is an adult. A resourceful and beautiful woman with a business of her own, a beautiful son, and an amazing heart. Those are things that any man would kill to have.”

Remembering the man who had been so close to being perfect for her younger sister, Jezebel sighed remembering how he fell flat. “Liars suck.” Agreeing they do, Vincent knowing who they were referring to made him admit, “I never thought they were right for each other anyway.” Agreeing in the long run not maybe, Jezebel remembering the old friend’s voice begging for understanding made her roll her eyes.

“Whatever, what I want to know is when my little sister is going to catch a damn break and get the happily ever after she deserves?”

Vincent couldn’t say, but if Penelope hadn’t gotten distracted and had read the email waiting for her? She’d have seen that something, or someone, was indeed coming to shake up her daily life forever.

Only that night, she was too busy laying back wondering if she did need to put herself out there more. Start the process of finding someone who loved her and her son. "Mama, can I lay with you?" Smiling and nodding as her son came into her room and lay beside her, Mateo curled in close and she kissed his head.

Knowing moments like this wouldn't happen forever and wanting to keep them, Penelope settled knowing life would happen whether she wanted to or not. So as she got up and got her son ready for school, she got herself ready for work as well. Going to her business and opening with her cook Timothee and his fiancee Harper, she looked up when someone came in.

Confused seeing the flowers for the first time, Penelope couldn't help but smile a little and wonder if this was more of her mother or sister's meddling. Not minding as the cute note was actually well thought out and kind, she looked at one of her favorite flowers and whispered, "Okay...I might bite." Putting the flowers in her office and wondering who they were from, Penelope was curious.

But as she looked at a picture of her and Mateo on her desk? She turned back to her work and forced herself to concentrate.

Only for the plot for her focus to be ruined? Already underway.