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Strictly you.

Rehearsal

Pippa was perched atop a wooden barstool looking out the window into the garden. Various flowers were in full bloom and it smelled divine. Her small fingers pressed against the glass as she pointed out a butterfly that was fluttering about.
“Butta-fly” She said softly, completely in awe. Penny looked down at her daughter full of pride, letting her hand caress her dark curls before looking back over to where everyone was gathered.
“You ready babe, it’s almost your turn to walk down the aisle.” She said softly as she got her daughter’s attention.
“But I’m not in my dress!” She pouted, turning to look at Penny.
“This is just a rehearsal love, tomorrow you get to wear your dress.” She reassured the toddler before helping her down.
“Fine.” Pippa said with a grin, giving her mom a quick hug. Pippa looked over at her mother who was standing near her, it hadn’t dawned on her that father wouldn’t be there to walk her down the aisle. She felt gutted at the thought, but she knew he would be there in spirit. She knelt down and waited on the music to hit the right mark before telling Pippa to walk slowly, but not too slow like a turtle. Pippa smiled and began walking a sort of army march towards the alter.
“She’s incredible.” Evelyn said as she looped her arm in Penny’s.
“I’m so proud of her.” Penny gleamed.
“You okay?” Her mom’s big brown eyes were looking at her with concern, she knew this was just as tragic as it was magical without her father.
“I will be.” She gave her mom a smile and a wink before the bridal music started up.
“Let’s do this.”

The rehearsal went smoothly, everything seemed to be in order, and Penny was feeling quite good about the entire situation. After the walk through they all sat down and had dinner and discussed when the speeches would be done. Niall had chosen Louis as his best man so they knew it would be risky, but full of laughs. Mauri had a speech prepared too and that made Penny a bit nervous, but she knew her best friend wouldn’t let her down.
“My lady…” Niall said as he tugged Penny’s hand toward his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.
“Good sir.” She said in a mock accent, giving him a curtsy.
“Tomorrow is the day.”
“It certainly is. Nervous?” She grinned
“That is an understatement.” He said with a laugh.
They had walked outside into the garden now, the lights were illuminating the plentiful flowers and she felt like she was in a fairyland.
“Do we really have to sleep apart tonight? Isn’t that too old fashioned?” He asked with a pout.
“Yes, we really do. I want to be traditional. It’ll make seeing me tomorrow that much more special.” She assured him with a sweet kiss.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world because of you Penelope.” He said as he pulled her into his arms, his green eyes staring into her as he spoke. Making sure she not only heard him, but felt what he was saying to be true. She had no doubt in her mind that he was the one she was meant to be with. Not anymore, everything was perfect. Harry had even been insanely cool about it all, surprisingly supportive. Nothing would get in her way now.

Once they’d finished everything and headed their separate ways, Pippa and Penny went to stay with Evelyn in her condo. It made sense to stay the night at her mother’s, even though she wished she was staying in their old house in Dallas, this would have to suffice.
“Mom, have you seen my earrings?” She yelled as she frantically searched through her jewelry box.
Her mother poked her head in the room, “Shh! I just got Pip down, you’ll wake her and it took me three hours to get her to fall asleep.”
She walked into the room and instantly pulled out the earrings that Penny had somehow managed to look over.
“Calm down. Everything will be fine Penelope. We’ve got this under control.” She reassured her.
“I know, I just… I feel restless. I know I won’t sleep tonight.” She said as she slouched in the vanity chair, her back against the wall.
“Why don’t you go for a drive? That used to always calm you down.” Her mother offered, sitting on the edge of the bed with a warm smile.
“I don’t want to drive, too jittery. Maybe a walk…” She said as she looked out the window at the clear night sky.
“That’s dangerous babe, you don’t know who is out there.” Her mother objected.
“I’ll be fine. I’m just going to walk up the street and back, relax some.” She said as she stood up and shook out her limbs.
“Keep your phone on you. Be careful.” She stood and gave her daughter a quick embrace.
“Love you mama” Penny smiled and turned, walking out of the room and then the front door. It was a bit chilly, but she had on a jumper that was keeping her warm. Her feet carried her down the quiet strip, everyone was asleep it seemed, it was almost one a.m. Her phone buzzed and she looked at the screen.
Harry:
Big day tomorrow…
Penny bit her bottom lip, of course Harry would text her.
Penny:
It is, I am very nervous.
HARRY CALLING
ACCEPT DENY
She groaned and pressed accept.
“Hello?”
“I didn’t expect a text back…”
“Well why not?”
“I thought you’d be asleep?”
“Too nervous.”
“Oh, I see…”
“What do you want Har?”
“I don’t know; I just couldn’t stop thinking about you…” He sounded like a hurt puppy.
“Not tonight, not ever Harry. I can’t do this.” Her voice was rising; she was getting annoyed.
“You should be marrying me Penny”
“No, I shouldn’t. I should be marrying the man I love, which is Niall.”
“Where are you?”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Please, I need to see you.”
“No, Harry please stop…” She sat down on a bench and closed her eyes. Why now? Why tonight?
“Are you at your mom’s condo?”
“Harry stop it. You’re being creepy.” She said exasperated.
“Sitting on a bench…” He said softly.
She looked around, suddenly feeling like her mother had a point. It just wasn’t the danger she’d had in mind.
“Are you stalking me?” She spat.
“Maybe. I knew you’d be here and I have to see you…”
“Harry, you’re sick.” She said before hanging up the phone and standing up, she began to quickly walk home, but of course was stopped in her tracks.
“Penelope…” Harry said as he stepped out in front of her. “Please, just talk to me.”
“Holy fuck, you’re on a new level of creep.” She said as she shoved past him, wrapping her jumper tighter around her.
“Please I still Love you, I can’t watch you marry Niall!”
“Then don’t look!” She yelled back. At least he was doing it now and not tomorrow, there was one plus.
She felt his hand on her elbow and he spun her around, pulling her tight to him and pressing his lips hungrily against hers. She instantly shoved away from him and slapped her palm against his cheek as hard as she could muster.
“You don’t have the right to touch me or kiss me. You have no fucking right” She yelled, pulling her arms free.
“Fuck you Harry…” She said through sobs as she turned again to walk away while he stood dumbfounded, clearly shocked she’d denied him.
“You’re going to regret this!” He yelled after her before she broke out into a sprint, wishing she would have listened to her mother after all.