Wrapping her shawl around herself a little more, Stevie let a heavy sigh escape her as she stared out over the water.
She was still standing out on the balcony, leaning up against the railing, where she'd spent most of the afternoon... writing and thinking.
She felt like she had a thousand thoughts running through her mind and in many ways, she did, even if they all circled back to one person... Well, maybe two people, both of whom had left earlier that morning to head back home.
Luckily, after running into Penny the night before in the lobby, she asked her to come back to her suite to have a drink while she finished packing and of course, Stevie couldn't turn that offer down... She was worried that it was the last time she'd hang out with her daughter on such simple terms.
So, she soaked it up as much as possible, taking in every moment of their time together. They talked for hours and before she headed back down the hallway, Stevie gave her a piece of paper with her home address and phone number... A way to stay in touch.
"You about ready?" Dan's voice caused her to flinch, pulling her back into reality as he walked through the French doors.
She had been in her own little world all day and even though he tried not to disturb her, he was also kind of curious to know what was running through her head... The most mysterious woman in the world, and he didn't even know the half of it.
Glancing back at him over her shoulder, she bit down on her lower lip as her eyes dropped to the patio rug. "I don't really feel up to going out tonight." She admitted, shrugging lightly as a soft breeze came through.
She couldn't sit through dinner with his daughters, not when she felt sick to stomach over the absence of hers... She was already missing Penny so much, it actually hurt her heart a little.
She couldn't go without her anymore and it was clear before she'd even said her finally goodbyes the night before.
Dan huffed lightly, rolling his eyes as he watched her turn her attention back to the water out front. "You've been hauled up in this room all day long, Stevie." He wasn't sure what the problem was, but he was starting to get a little annoyed with her and how distant she was being... Felt like she was somewhere else and she kind of was. "What's going on?" He wondered, trailing towards her.
He was patient... He had already been married once for twenty years and if that taught him anything, it's that being patient was the key to being happy, or at least content.
That and not having an affair, but he only practiced the first part in his marriage.
She closed her eyes the moment she felt him wrap his arm around her waist from behind, suddenly not in the mood to be touched and cuddled... Sometimes it was overbearing. "I'm just tired." She shook her head lightly, tone in her voice shifting to a more gentle, almost sensitive one.
His lips met her shoulder, hand still resting on her stomach as he tried his best not to let out a sigh. "We only have a few more days here, sweetie..." Dan had to remind her, even though she was well aware... She couldn't wait for that trip to be over now that Penny was gone. "Let's go and enjoy ourselves for a little-"
"I'm tired." She repeated, rolling her eyes as she started to pull herself out of his grasp... She didn't want to be touched, not by him, at least. "It's been a very busy couple of days," she added in a softer tone, trying to calm herself down before she got any more upset than she already was.
She was too busy thinking about other things to worry about dinner and Dan...
"And I just don't want to go out tonight." She whispered, brown eyes weak as she finally turned her head to actually look at him.
He paused for a second, holding up his hands as he raised a brow. "Whatever," he shrugged a shoulder, not going to try to convince her anymore. "Enjoy your night sitting around here, alone."
~~~
Penny creased a brow, bending down slowly to pick the envelope up off the floor as her eyes scanned it over.
There were hand drawn flowers on the corners, her first and middle name spelled out in the center and a heart to follow... She didn't recognize the writing and she didn't know where it had come from, but she slowly flipped it over and carefully tore the seal open.
And inside, tucked between the pink paper was a letter, written just for her...
My Sweet Penelope,
You have been a dream from the moment you entered the world. You had soft blonde curls, big brown eyes, pouty lips, chubby cheeks, and the most contagious smile... You have always been the most perfect girl that I've ever known.
Every detail of my time with you has been engrained in my memory for the last twenty years and when I saw you that afternoon, I knew that you were mine instantly... The girl that I have thought about every day since the minute I found out that I was pregnant with you.
You were a safe place in a crazy world for me... You and your brother, that is.
And it would be easier for me to explain it all in this letter, but that wouldn't be fair, not to you. You deserve an explanation for my absence and I owe you an answer to every question you have.
I, however, could never put into words just how incredible you are as a woman and getting to know you the last few days has been the greatest gift.
You are beyond lovely and it would be a privilege to sit down with you and talk to you about everything... I want nothing more than to form a relationship, but I can understand if that's not something you want... I will learn to accept it.
Either way, I couldn't not write this... I needed you to know how amazing you are and how proud I am of the kind human you grew up to be.
And of course, I love you to the moon and back, forever and always...
~ your mom,
Stevie
