Forever ; W.S

14. blake n ryan

IRL

Penelope sat at her vanity, her reflection staring back at her with a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. The message from Walker had come as a jolt, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions she had been trying to keep at bay. The pain of their fallout had been compounded by his sudden reappearance in her life, his apology both a balm and a fresh wound.

The words from his message echoed in her mind, each line a reminder of the hurt she felt. She had wanted to believe that time apart would heal the rift between them, but his message only highlighted the depth of the pain and confusion she was grappling with. She had hoped for an explanation or a reason, but all she got was a vague apology that didn't quite reach the heart of her hurt.

Feeling overwhelmed, Penelope decided she needed to talk to someone who could offer her comfort and perspective. She knew that her father, Ryan Reynolds, and her stepmother, Blake Lively, had always been a source of strength for her. They were the steady presence in her life, and their advice had guided her through many tough times.

She found Blake in the kitchen, her stepmother busy preparing a light snack. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the room, a comforting aroma that usually brought her solace. But today, it felt like a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.

"Hey, Blake," Penelope said, her voice wavering slightly as she approached the kitchen island. Blake looked up, her expression immediately softening as she noticed the distress on Penelope's face. "Hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?" Penelope hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I got a message from Walker today. He's been distant, and I haven't heard from him in weeks. He finally reached out, and... it didn't go well."

Blake set aside the spoon she was holding and moved to sit beside Penelope. "Do you want to talk about it?" Penelope nodded, feeling the tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She recounted the message from Walker and her response, trying to keep her voice steady as she spoke. "He apologized for everything, but it just doesn't feel right. I'm still hurt, and it's like he's expecting things to go back to normal just because he said sorry."

Blake listened attentively, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze Penelope's arm. "I'm sorry you're going through this, honey. It's okay to feel hurt and to need time to heal. Sometimes people think that saying sorry is enough, but it's really about showing through actions that they've changed and understand what they did wrong." Penelope nodded, taking in Blake's words. "I know. It's just... I thought maybe he had changed, but now I'm not so sure."

Blake gave her a comforting smile. "It's important to take care of yourself first. Don't let his actions dictate how you feel about yourself or your worth. You deserve to be treated with respect and understanding."

Just then, Ryan walked into the kitchen, noticing the somber atmosphere. "Everything okay in here?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Penelope glanced at Blake before responding. "Dad, I need to talk to you too." Ryan came over and sat down, giving Penelope his full attention. "What's going on?"

Penelope repeated the story for her father, her emotions spilling out as she talked. Ryan listened with a quiet intensity, his gaze never leaving her. When she finished, he leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You're a strong person, Penelope," Ryan said gently. "And it's perfectly okay to set boundaries and take the time you need to heal. It sounds like Walker's message didn't address the core of what you're feeling. It's important for him to understand that actions speak louder than words."

Penelope nodded, feeling a sense of relief from the support of her parents. Their advice and presence were like a warm blanket on a cold night, offering comfort and clarity. Blake reached for a box of tissues and handed them to Penelope. "We're here for you, no matter what. And you don't have to go through this alone."

As Penelope wiped her tears, she felt a small but significant shift within herself. The pain was still there, but she also felt a renewed sense of determination to focus on her own healing and well-being. "Thank you," Penelope said softly. "I really needed this."

Ryan and Blake exchanged a knowing glance before Ryan spoke up. "We love you, Penelope. No matter what happens, remember that you have us. And sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take care of yourself and trust that things will work out in time."

Penelope felt a flicker of hope amidst the sadness. With the support of her stepmother and father, she felt ready to face the challenges ahead and take the time she needed to heal from the wounds of the past.

authors note!
we love blake and ryan