Penny got to LA the next Friday morning and by noon, she'd already talked to Stevie, just very briefly to make plans. She didn't want her father to know who she was meeting, so to the older woman's surprise, Penelope asked that they just meet at Stevie's home, where they could talk for as long as they needed.
They had twenty years to catch up on and even though Penny didn't plan to ask a million questions at once, she did want to be able to talk in peace.
And besides that, she really didn't want Lindsey to know that she knew about her mom, not yet, at least. Of course, she wanted to hear his side of the story too, but there was a part of her that just yearned to understand Stevie on her own terms and without any outside judgment.
She knew their relationship was complicated and she couldn't allow that to get in the way of her relationship with either of them... She didn't even want to talk to Barbara about it right away and she talked to Barbara about everything.
Anyway, Penelope was nervous her entire cab ride up to Laurel Canyon, where she'd only really been a handful of times, even though she thought it was such a beautiful place. And Stevie's home was no exception to that.
When she pulled down the driveway, she couldn't help but smile at the rose bushes that lined the sidewalk and the trees in full bloom that framed the outside of the house. It was so cute and peaceful.... it made her feel lighter and easier about the situation, especially once she got to the front door.
There was a welcome mat at her feet, bird feeders and wind chimes hanging off the patio, along with a rug and the most beautiful out door furniture... It was so still and comfortable, which made it clear to Penny that a single woman had lived there.
"Hi," Stevie pulled open the door just a moment after Penny had rung the bell, having been patiently waiting and pacing for a long time that morning... She had been excited all week to see that sweet girl.
"Hi, there." Penelope smiled softly, eyes melting into Stevie's identical ones instantly
She thought her mom was beautiful- she really did, but she had before she knew who Stevie was anyway....
But that afternoon, Stevie had on a long black dress with butterfly sleeves, wedge sandals, a mess of necklaces and rings on every finger. She was unique.
"Come in, please." She held open the door a little more, stepping off to the side to welcome her daughter inside her home... The place she'd escaped to twenty years earlier.
With her hands clasped in front of her, the young blonde traveled through the front door, not surprised by the inside.
There were shawls draped over lamps, lace curtains, gold accents, fresh flowers in vases, beautiful artwork hung on each wall... It was the home of poet and an artist- just as Penny had always imagined her mother as.
"I made little finger sandwiches and a cut up some fruit." Stevie announced, growing more nervous as she led the way into the sun room.
She knew Penelope was taking it all in... It would have been impossible not to be curious about the woman that had basically abandoned her, so Stevie understood.
"This is so lovely." Penny nodded softly as they moved through the French doors, eyes falling on the circle table in the center, where a bottle of wine was waiting and a board of perfectly displayed food.
It was elegant and Penelope knew Stevie was trying extra hard, but she also knew that it wasn't totally an act... she was just classy.
"It's wonderful to have you here." Stevie motioned for her to take a seat whenever she wanted- wherever she was most comfortable.
