Strictly you.

Penny slowly opened her left eye, her head was pounding and she felt the soreness radiating from her pelvis. It wasn’t a dream. She’d done it.
She closed her eye and reached her hand out, she felt the body heat beside her. He was still there. How could she have been so stupid.
“What’re you doin’ babe?” She heard Niall’s voice ask. She opened her eyes quickly and looked over at him. Her hand covering his face was quickly moved as she stared at him.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, sitting up slightly.
“You don’t remember?” He asked, arching a brow before yawning and sitting up. “I guess you were pretty drunk last night. I don’t know if I should be insulted.” He said with a frown.
“What?” She asked again, completely baffled.
“I surprised you… when you got out of the shower?”
“Oh, OH I thought that was a dream Niall!” She said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Why had she thought it was Harry? She moved toward Niall and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest as she breathed in his familiar scent.
“You okay?” He asked as he smoothed her dark hair back.
“Yes, I just missed you so much. I’m so happy you’re home.” Her gaze lifted up to his and he pressed his lips to hers without hesitation.
As their lips slowly parted, she gave him a grin. “Do you remember years and years ago on the Take Me Home Tour when you said that we were destined to be together? You said we were going to get married and I should just accept it?”
“You were washing my hair and confessing you had been with Harry the night before, right?” He replied with a devilish grin.
“Yes, exactly. You were right, we should do it. We should get married.” She was sitting up straight now, her teeth chewing on her bottom lip. She hadn’t even thought about this, but she had the insatiable urge to be Mrs. Niall Horan. Maybe it was a moment of clarity the night before?
“What? You’re serious?” Niall’s voice was higher than normal and he was looking at her confused.
“Why not?” She shrugged.
“Did you just propose to me?” He laughed.
“I think I did. So, what do you say?”
“I mean, where’s my rock…”
She shoved him and he laughed, locking his gaze with hers.
“Of course Penny, I’d love nothing more.” He cupped her jaw and brought her in for a sweet kiss.
--------------------------------
“I don’t understand why it has to be such a speedy wedding…” Mauri said as she as she sat on the plush puff outside of the fitting room. Penny was behind a large curtain with a sales rep who was helping her lace up the back of the wedding dress she’d chosen. It still had some minor alterations to be made, but everyone had seen it except for Mauri (and obviously Niall) who had just arrived the night before. “
“Why not? I’m ready – he’s ready, we’re just going to do it!” Penny said cheerfully, she didn’t want to give herself a chance to over think it. She was ready and the time was now. Once she was all laced up the lady who was helping her slid the curtain back and she walked out, grinning like a fool at her best friend. Mauri’s jaw dropped slightly as she stood up.
“Penny, it’s beautiful.” She said as she walked near her, using her hands to guide the bride to be in a twirl.
“You like it?” Penny would ask tentatively, feeling nervous for her approval.
“Love it. This is going to be the best wedding.”

After the Mauri was fitted for her dress as well, the girls went to lunch in the city, Pippa was with Evelyn back at Penny’s house so she was free to catch up.
“So, what’s new with you then?” Penny asked as they sat down to wait for their food. Mauri had been traveling for modeling which meant they had seen very little of each other.
“Same stuff, different day different country. I love it though, that doesn’t mean I’m not excited for a break. Even if it is for two weeks.”
Penny and Niall were getting married in one week exactly, everything was being rushed to be completed, but Mauri was going to stay while they were on their honey moon to help out with Pippa.
Everything was falling in place.
“I know, thank you so much again. My mom has to go back to work and you’re really helping us out.” Penny said as she gave her best friend a large grin.
“Of course. So Penelope…” Mauri said as she stirred the ice in her glass.
“Yes…?” Penny replied, a brow arched with curiosity.
“Have you spoken to Harry?” She asked, pursing her lips.
“Of course, he is the father of my child. He’s fine, he’s just being mopey, but agreed to stay out of everything for Pip’s sake.”
“Oh, that’s good. That’s wonderful…”
“What? What do you want to say?”Penny said as she crossed her arms and leaned back.
“Nothing, it’s just…this is all so sudden and you and Harry were practically married before.”
“He cheated on me, repeatedly Mauri. Our relationship was not healthy, it was toxic.”
“But you were so in love with him, don’t you think it’s funny how quickly you’ve gotten over him, because I do.”
“I have been in love with Niall for years-”
“Yeah because you cheated Harry with him, Harry is not to blame for all of your relationship issues and you’re putting this all off on him and it’s going to blow up. You still love him and I know it.” Mauri sat forward, trying to keep her voice down but still get the message across.
Penny exhaled and blinked, she felt blindsided.
“Where is this coming from?” She finally asked after a moment of awkward silence.
“You’re my best friend Penny, I know you. You’re rebounding and everyone is going to get hurt. That’s why you’re rushing this.”
“No, that’s not it at all. I love Niall, I want to be his forever, and I want to have a child with him and start our family – even if it is blended.”
“Have a child?” Mauri arched a brow.
“Yes, we’ve discussed it briefly…we’re going to start trying on our honeymoon…”
“Grilled Chicken Club Salad….?” A waitress said, realizing she’d come at an inopportune time. Penny raised her hand and watched the plate be set in front of her. Once their food had been served and they were alone again, Mauri picked up her fork.
“Guess you got it all figured out, just forget it.”

They ate in silence, Mauri’s words resonating in Penny’s head. Was she right?
Was Penny trying to open a door before she’d closed the previous one?

Notes

Woooo.
Thoughts?