Wilhern/Vanderman Wedding; Wilhern Estate Lawns, England; Saturday Afternoon
Penelope sat at her vanity. She was still; her outward appearance calm as maids fussed over her, doing her make-up and hair and nails. Staring at her reflection she felt anything but beautiful. Not as a bride should feel. And her phone call from Joan last night kept her up, thinking and mulling over what the message meant.
"Mother, I feel stupid."
MotherHer mother plucked at a few dark curls and bent to look at her in the reflection of the mirror. "Ah, you don't look stupid," she began, her eyes moving to Penelope's nose. "You look... you don't look stupid." Her mother straightened, gave her shoulder a small pat, and left her room.
PenelopeSighing softly, Penelope could barely look at herself. Her nerves were tearing at her stomach and this day... this day she was not sure of. What if the curse couldn't be broken? What if the curse could never be broken? What if Joan was right?
The longer she sat, the more she realized it didn't matter. She had to try; her mother wouldn't allow otherwise.
She was dressed and once more fussed over. "It's time, Penelope."
And not one single time did anyone tell her she looked beautiful.
The Wedding"...for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer; in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish," the Priest spoke loud and clear, "from this day forward..." Edward looked extremely ill. "...till death do you part." Penelope stared up at him, unsure and nervous.
EdwardA minute seemed to tick slowly by. "I do," he finally said, trying to smile but failing miserably.
Penelope"And do you, Penelope Wilhern, take Edward Humphrey Vanderman the third, to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer; in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do you part."
The GuestsEveryone was gathered for this special event. This special occassion that would break the curse, change the pig to girl, and make Edward Vanderman and his family even wealthier.
Jake, Wanda, Annie... were the only people smiling, her parents?
PenelopeShe looked from Edward to her mother, to her father; at Annie and at Jake --
"Penelope?" The priest said, gaining her attention. But wary, she glanced at her mother who mouthed 'I do' encouraging her. Then back at the priest, and finally up at Edward. She started shaking her head, and took a step backwards. "No."
Turning around, she started to run up the brick stairway towards her home, missing the relieved smile on Edward's face.
Mother"No!" she yelled, racing after her daughter. "Nobody move! She's fine!" She flew up the stairs, trying to catch up. "Penelope, wait!"
PenelopeTurning around, she faced off with her mother, grabbing her hand. "Look at me," she said.
Mother"I am," she said, sparing a quick glance at the wedding guests. "What is it dear?"
Penelope"No, look at me!" she exclaimed loudly, imploring her mother to really really look at her.
Mother"I am, what, I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Jessica Wilhern had only ever noticed her daughters outward appearance.
PenelopePenelope breathed out, shook her head sadly, and cried softly. "I'm sorry." And she ran inside, up to her room where she locked herself within.
[[ OOC: NFI, NFB due to distance, dialogue taken and modified slightly from Penelope, TBC, OOC is A-okay! ]]