Finding My Way Back To You

Chapter Six

Penelope and Josie tell Caroline and Alaric that they are back together. Both are supportive, but protective over Josie.

"What are you doing here?" Josie asks.

"I came to visit you and Lizzie. Actually, I talked with your father and we've decided it would be best for me to live at the school so I can spend more time with you and help him out with running it," Caroline explains.

"Really?" Josie questions. She's always hoped her mom would live at the school with them, and now it's finally happening.

"Really. Now come here and give me a hug," Caroline smiles, opening her arms for Josie.

Giggling like a small child, Josie rushes into them. The blonde vampire wraps her arms around her daughter. She hasn't seen Josie in so long that it feels good to just be able to hold her again. Now, though, Caroline is here to stay, and she couldn't be happier about it.

"Mom?" Josie asks, pulling away to face her mother.

"Yes, love?" Caroline replies.

"I need to tell you and dad something. Can we go to lunch sometime?" Josie requests.

"Sure thing," Caroline agrees.

"Penelope needs to come too. She's involved in what I need to tell you," Josie adds.

"Okay, Josie, no problem," Caroline nods. She has a feeling about what her daughter needs to tell her and Alaric. They make plans to go out for lunch tomorrow, and Caroline heads off to find Lizzie while Josie goes off to tell Penelope about the lunch plans.

******

"Hey Jojo. Come in," Penelope smiles, opening the door to her room.

"Hi baby. I have to talk to you about something," Josie replies.

"Sure. What is it?" Penelope asks as they take a seat on her bed.

"So my mom's back, for good this time, and I want to tell her and my dad about us. They're going to take us out for lunch tomorrow. Is that okay?," Josie explains.

"I'm so glad your mom is back, love, and of course we can tell them about us, though I'm not sure they'll like it very much. I did hurt you pretty badly," Penelope sighs.

"Hey. You are my soulmate. I forgave you, so they will too, especially when they know we're soulmates. Besides, I love you and don't care what they think," Josie replies.

"I love you too. Can we cuddle now?" Penelope asks. 

Josie nods, smiling at the witch. They cuddle up close, Josie is Penelope's arms, and just let the rest of the world drift away until all that remains is the two of them. 

******

"Hey Josie. Ready to go?" Penelope asks as she stands in the door way to the twin's room. It is about 1 o'clock the next day, and the witch has come to pick Josie up so that they can go to lunch with her parents.

"Yep," Josie nods, grabbing her purse. 

The two make their way to the front of the school. There, they find Caroline waiting for them. She smiles at the pair, and they head outside. Alaric has the car all ready, so they all get in. Caroline sits in the passenger seat while the girls sit in the back of the vehicle.

"Everyone all set?" Alaric questions. 

"Yes sir," Penelope nods.

"Alright then," Alaric replies, staring the engine.

They begin the drive into town. Due to the low traffic, they arrive quickly and enter the Mystic Grill. A kind old man shows them to a booth. Penelope and Josie slide into one side while the adults slide into the other. 

"Get whatever you want, you two. It's our treat," Caroline instructs as they all look at the menus.

"Are you sure? I can help with the check," Penelope offers.

"We're sure, sweetie," Caroline tells the witch, who smiles softly at the vampire.

Penelope ends up ordering a cheese burger and fries. Josie gets a veggie burger and tatter tots. Caroline gets a chicken Caesar salad while Alaric ends up picking a BLT and chips. They place their orders and Josie takes a deep breathe before taking Penelope's hand under the table. Penelope nods at her encouragingly.

"We need to tell the two of you something," Josie announces to her parents.

"We know, love. You said that already yesterday," Caroline chuckles.

"Oh! Right. Well, uh, Penelope and I are back together. She's my soulmate," Josie explains.

"Honey, we know. We aren't blind," Alaric replies, smiling at the pair, "I am happy for you, but if you hurt my baby again, Park, I will hunt you down."

"Noted, sir," Penelope gulps.

"Mom, are you crying?" Josie questions as she spots her mom dabbing at her eyes.

"Maybe. I'm just so happy that Penelope's your soulmate, baby girl. I always knew you two were meant to be tougher. That said, don't hurt her, Penelope, or there will be a steep price to pay," Caroline replies.

"Yes, ma'am," Penelope nods, trying her best not to whimper, but one slips out anyways. Caroline and Alaric can be quite scary when it comes to protecting their daughters. Satisfied with the terrified look on the witch's face, Caroline smirks.

"Mom, dad, stop scaring Penelope," Josie whines, snuggling into Penelope in hopes of comforting her.

"It's our job, Jo," Alaric shrugs.

"Yeah, yeah. Just leave Penny alone," Josie pouts.

"Okay, okay," Caroline agrees, smiling as Josie pecks Penelope's check.

The food soon arrives and they dig in. As they eat, Caroline and Alaric notice how much Penelope cares for their daughter. She always looks over at her with hazel eyes filled with love. When Josie gets ketchup on her face, Penelope wipes it off with a napkin, causing Josie to beam at her. Both adults couldn't have asked for a better soulmate for their daughter, and are glad the pair are back together. They know they will last forever, and couldn't be happier about it.