This is Us [ Elijah Mikaelson ] 2

forty-four

Penelope was exhausted. She was talking to everyone, some people she didn't even know as they were friends of Elijah. Some, she was happy to see again like some of their neighbors from their townhouse. "Ugh, this house is so beautiful!" Gemma gushed as she squeezed Penelope's arm. "You know when we received invitations two months ago, we were so surprised!" She told her and Penelope frowned, looking from Gemma to Abby, confused.

"You two had moved so suddenly, and when we asked his sister, she said there was some kind of family emergency," Abby replied, her voice was soft and soothing. Out of all the women in their neighborhood, Abby was the one that Penelope liked and got along with the most. She reminded Penelope of yellow tulips and butterflies, soft, and happy colors and Abby was that kind of person.

"Then when we saw the news not long after you guys left about a missing girl in New Orleans and your picture popped up, we were all so worried," Gemma spoke up again. "And when it was announced you had been found, we were sure there wouldn't be a wedding at all."

"That's why we were all surprised when we got invitations two months ago!" Abby said with a smile.

"Although, I do have to know," Gemma whispered as she leaned closer to Penelope. "Not judging at all," She began, and Penelope knew the question was coming. "Did you guys put the wedding back on because..." Her eyes went to Penelope's bump. "The baby?"

"No," Penelope shook her head, her hands resting on her bump. "We decided to have the wedding again before we found out. The baby was just a happy surprise," Penelope assured them and both women nodded.

"Well," Abby started as she took Penny's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Congratulations on both the wedding and the baby. You two are going to make great parents," She told her and Penelope felt her heart warm at the girls words.

"Thank you," She whispered.

Penelope had snuck into the kitchen, shushing the catering and the wait staff and silently asking them to keep her presence a secret for the time being as she moved to sit at the breakfast bar. One of the waiters put a plate of finger food and a glass of ice water in front of her. "Thank you," She whispered with gratitude and the woman gave her a small smile and nod before going back to her work. She sat there and nibbled on her snacks as she listened to one of the younger members of the wait staff talk to her. She was around Penny's age, maybe a year or so younger, and she was a second year at the university. Her name was Samantha, and she was talking to Penny about some boy from her English class.

"I don't know what to do," She said as she dried a glass and placed it in the clean rack.

"Do you like coffee?" Penelope asked her and the girl nodded. "Does he like coffee?" She asked and the girl nodded again.

"He comes in with to go mug from the campus café every morning."

"Well...ask him if he would like to get coffee one morning before class," Penelope suggested with a shrug. "Have you been there?" She asked her and Samantha shook her head. "Tell him you haven't tried the café yet and since he always comes in with it, he must know what's good there."

"You think that would work?" She asked nervously as she grabbed another wet glass to dry off and the boy next to her snorted and Penny glared at him.

"Ignore him," Penny told her, turning her attention from the boy washing the glasses and back to Samantha. "What is the worst he can say? No?" She asked and the girl nodded. "If he says no, then you know. If he says yes, then there's your chance to start to get to know him."