Wilhern Mansion; England - Sunday early evening, Fandom time
"Hello, mother," Penelope said as she stepped inside her home. Jake was just behind her, his sprightly red sneakers hurrying past to carry her single piece of luggage up the stairs, and to her room.
"Oh, Penelope!" her mother cried, taking her daughter in her arms and hugging her close. "Are you well, are you all right; has anyone made fun of it? Do you have to go back there? Can't you just stay, sweetheart..."
Sighing, she answered each question, allowing her mother to drone on and on, while fussing over her.
"Oh, honey, your hair needs brushing. And where did you get that sweater?" She clucked her tongue. "It doesn't matter. I went shopping, Penelope, and have bought you a whole new wardrobe. You'll need one being a new wife and oh," she cried, guilt rearing its ugly head, "that sounds almost strange doesn't it? Sixteen and wed. But Penelope dear, just remember the reason behind it and everything will be beautiful. You'll be you! You'll be normal. You'll have a whole new life. That isn't your nose, sweetheart. It's your great great great-grandfathers and he's not you and you're not him. You haven't forgotten have you? Oh, Penelope, I'm so glad you're home."
Penelope could barely think straight and she cut her eyes over to her father who was standing to the side, waiting for his wife to let their daughter alone so he could embrace her.
Smiling, she slipped free from her mothers hold and into her father's arms. It was the calm she needed. And it was the calm that didn't last long enough.
Her mother took her by the hand and after giving her father a quick grin, steered her towards the stairway and up towards Penelope's room.
"We're going to the theatre one day this week with Edward and his parents. I bought you some lovely new scarves--"
"No, mother. I'm not wearing scarves anymore."
"Penelope," she chided lightly. "Come on, dear. Just one night. It won't hurt anything will it? You don't want to cause anyone to feel... awkward, do you?"
"I'm not wearing a scarf, mother."
"We'll see. Come along, let's get you into some new clothes, hm, and I'll help with your hair. We are all so very excited to see you home where you belong, sweetheart. We love you so much Penelope and you know we just want what's best for you. Trust your mother. You'll see; you're going to be a whole new you."
Penelope gave her mother a small smile. It didn't quite reach her eyes but sadly, her mother didn't seem to notice.
Some things never change, no matter how much you wished they would.
[[OOC: NFI, NFB due to distance. OOC A-okay. ]]