Not so fake love

Part 7

Daphne didn't leave anything to chance and came briskly knocking on each persons door at 4am. The beat of her fists against the wood broke Colin out his trance, eyes locked on Penelope. "Are you two up yet? We're meeting on the top deck in 5 minutes. Bring your phones the Instagram opportunities are going to be peak! Also we're heading straight to the pool once we're back so I'd get into your swim suits!" The sound of retreating footsteps came through the door, Penelope gathered up their beach things and swung the beach bag round her shoulder. Colin watched each movement out the corner of his eyes. They set of together, indulging in quiet excited conversation.
"Are sunrises different in foreign countries?" Penelope asked.
"Yes. Though it is the same sun, they so much more magical. And seeing them over the ocean is all but breathtaking. You will love it Pen." He pulled her into his side as they climbed the stairs to the top deck where Daphne, Simon, Francesca, Micheal, Agatha, Frederick, Gen, Laurent, Violet, Marcus, Benedict, Sophie, Marco and Lily were gathered by the exit. They all watched as the bow of the boat swung nearer to the dock. Penelope held her breath in anticipation, Colin watched fondly as her eyes glowed in excitement.
"So Colin. Bet you can't wait to see me in my bikini!" Lily smiled and reached out to graze his face. Slapping her hand away Colin scowled.
"The only person who's bikini I'm interested in is Pen's." He reached round Pen's side and squeezed her waist. Lily huffed annoyed.
"She's going to look ginormous in it." Penelope swallowed shyly her eyes sparkled with tears. Colin felt anger bubble up inside him. How had he ever spent ANY time with this poisonous venom spitting slime ball. Eloise and Phillip came trudging up the stairs yawning widely.
"Tell me why we're doing this again?" El asked. Daphne sighed annoyed.
"Because it's a sunrise in Italy Eloise! How many times are you gonna be able to say you did that?" El rolled her eyes and made some comment about watching it on YouTube. "Right now we're all here we can set off! The beach is a 5 minute walk from here so let's go according to Google the sunrise is at 5am." Daphne began to frog march the group down the gang plank and across the harbour. Lily ran up to Colin and fell into step along side him. Colin growled in annoyance while pulling Penelope even closer into his side. She blinked up at him before spotting Lily and easing herself into the embrace.
"You know you don't have to walk together right. You won't die if you separate for a bit. I haven't spent anytime with you in ages Pen I want to catch up!" Marco reached out a hand and grabbed Penelope from Colin's hold. Lily looked delighted and slipped into her place.
"He's right you need to learn to socialise more." She tapped Colin's nose and giggled madly. The rest of the wedding party side eyed the four. Everyone was uncomfortable and no one knew what to say. Pen's eyes filled with a sense of uncomfortableness as Marco's arms strapped themselves round her side. Colin began to growl in frustration. He looked over at her and they silently communicated again. In synch they pulled away from their exes and reattached themselves to each other.
"I'm fine just socialising with my girlfriend thank you." Colin hissed as Lily squeaked in anger.

They reached the beach at 4:45. The white sand glowed in the darkness and the ocean twinkled in the star light. Penelope gasped at its beauty. And when the sun peeked over the horizon her shock just deepened. Dying the view deep pinks and reds the previously dark coat now an inflamed bruise printed across the sky. It shimmered on the surface of the sea. The water scarred with a golden beam breaking a pathway across the ocean surface.
The Bridgertons and wedding guests all stood up and walked to the waters edge, phones clutched in hand as the clicking of the camera app was swallowed up by the lapping of the waves. Penelope just stood still staring.
"It's so beautiful. Colin how can you look at anything when you have seen such things and not compare them to this. I mean have you ever seen anything as beautiful?" But Colin wasn't looking at the sunrise he was captivated by the beauty in front of him. Her blonde hair was glowing with a red reflection from the water. Her eyes glued to the sky were widened in awe and glowing gold. Her face was set alight in the shine of the sunrise.
"Yes. Yes I have." He whispered. She turned and their eyes met. Penelope blushed under his watch. He smiled at her and began to lean in. She followed and they met in a soft touching of lips. Electricity alighted them both. Hands sliding into the others hair they melted into one another.
"Get it Colin!" Benedict whooped. The two blushed and broke apart. Their eyes locked again and so many things passed between them both. Penelope felt her heart racing. This was everything she ever wanted. And now he seemed to feel it too.
"Get a room." The snide voice of Lily came from behind them. Penelope's eyes began to sadden. Was that the reason he kissed her? Just to scare away his ex? Of course that was why. She thought hating herself for hoping. She looked away from him trying not to let the tears fall but a few did. He caught them on his finger brushing her face gently as he did.
"Don't Colin." She whispered stepping away. His heart snapped as he realised what she must think.
"No Pen. I didn't... it wasn't because.... You are..." He stammered unsure of how to begin.
"It's fine Colin I know this isn't real. You don't need to remind me." She slid a hand up his cheek and it sent warmth shooting through him. She turned away to join the others as they began to trudge up the sand and back to the boat.