Chapter Text
Penelope stares down at her bathroom counter where two very dark pink lines stare up at her like a blazing billboard.
“Shit!”
*Five years later*
Penelope decided that the school pick up line was the most stressful thing she has ever encountered. She arrived early, or so she had thought. When she arrived cars were already lined up around the block. She’s currently sitting in the line, tapping her nails against the steering wheel. When the bell rings, she watches as the doors swing open and kids file out. She strains her neck, trying to get a glimpse of her daughter, Agatha. This morning when Penelope woke her up, Aggie had bolted out of bed, squealing that it was her first day of Kindergarten. Penelope chased her around the house, trying to wrestle her into her uniform. Peggy, their 10 month golden doodle, whose name was thanks to Aggie’s obsession with Hamilton, bounded after her, happily leaving a trail of pee on the hardwood floors. She had successfully managed to put her unruly curls into pigtails. At drop off, Aggie had ran off with the other kids, leaving Penelope on the curb, feeling like her heart had just left her body. When the door to the school closed, Penelope was tempted to go in there and drag her back out. Needless to say, she couldn’t wait to get her back.
She catches a glimpse of bright red hair and she beams. Aggie is looking for her and when she spots her she starts waving and starts to run to the car. Her Bluey backpack, comically as big as her, sways with each step. A young woman, chases after her, stopping her from running any further. Penelope laughs as Aggie stops and turns around. She just knows those big blue eyes of hers are giving her best “I’m sorry” as the woman reminds her that she cannot run. She holds Aggie’s hand and Aggie points to the car. The woman walks Aggie to the car and opens the door.
“Mommy!” Aggie exclaims and jumps into her car seat.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Aggie!” The woman tells her and shuts the door.
“Who was that?” Penelope asks.
“Miss. Lila! She teaches art!” She says.
“She’s seems sweet.”
“She is mommy! I have her class on Tuesdays.”
“How was your day?”
“Mommy, it was the best day ever!! Ms. Jordan is the best. She gave all of us a sucker. Don’t worry mommy, I made sure to save it, because I know how you feel about suckers. It’s in my lunchbox. Oh! I loved my unicorn sandwich! I met a bunch of new friends. My best friend is Lily! She has curly hair like me and her favorite color is pink too! We played tag at recess. Mommy, did you know they have swings!”
Penelope laughs as she looks up at the mirror to see Aggie practically vibrating in her car seat.
“Slow down, squish!” Penelope says causing her to giggle at the use of her nickname. When Agatha was born the nurse had declared she was the squishiest baby she’s ever seen and the name stuck.
“I’m sorry mommy, I’m just so excited.”
“It’s okay. What was your favorite thing you did today?”
“Music class! My music teacher is so cool, mommy!! He plays the guitar and we sang songs and danced’ he sings really good mommy!”
“Your music teacher is a guy?” Penelope asks, curious. She didn’t remember seeing a male name on the list of teachers when she had researched he’d the school, not that it was a big deal.
“Yup, Mister B! That’s what he told us to call him. But he’s so awesome! He told us all about different kinds of music around the world. He’s really been to all of those places, mommy!”
Penelope smiles watching as Aggie talks about her new teacher. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought Aggie had her first crush.
“Are you excited to go back to school tomorrow?”
“Oh yes!” She exclaims.
“Awesome! How about we get some ice cream to celebrate?”
Aggies eyes widen to the size of saucers.
“Before dinner?!” She squeals.
“Absolutely! You had a big day today!”
“You’re the best mommy ever!”
The next few weeks pass with the same flair. She picks up Aggie and she listens to her ramble about her day, which always included Mister B. Apparently, Mister B had recess duty during her recess time so she got to see him a lot.
This particular afternoon, Aggie gets in and waves a flyer at her.
“Mommy, here!” She says, leaning forward to give the paper to Pen. She takes the paper.
“What’s this?” She asks.
“It’s meet the teacher night!” She says.
“I’ve already met your teacher, squish. “
“But you haven’t met all of the teachers! You’ll get to meet Mister B!” She says excitedly.
“Oh yeah?” She asks, causing Aggie to smile even wider.
“Yup! You’ll love him mommy. He’s so awesome!”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah! So can we go?”
“Of course, especially if we get to meet your favorite teacher.”
“Yay! It’s tonight!”
“Tonight? Aggie!”
“Sorry mommy, I forgot it in my cubby. Ms. Jordan made sure I remembered it today!”
Penelope sighs, reminded herself that she’s only 5. She looks down at herself and groans.
“We have to go home so I can change and you can get out of your jumper, so dinner is on the go. What do you want?”
“Anything?”
“Within reason but yes.”
“McDonald’s!”
“I should have known.”
Two hours later Penelope walks hand in hand with Aggie into the school. Aggie practically drags her down the hall to the music room.
“Come on, mommy! This way!” Aggie exclaims.
“Aggie, honey, slow down. I can only go so fast.”
“You have to meet him. He’s the best!”
“He will still be there when we get there, squish.”
They round a corner and she can hear the faint strumming of a guitar. Aggie squeals and pulls harder.
“Mommy! Let’s go!”
Penelope laughs and follows her daughter. In the center of the room, a man sits on a stool, his back is to her, it she can’t help but take in the muscles of os his back, flexing as he strums the guitar. He starts to sing and Penelope’s heart drops to her stomach. It can’t be.
“Mister B!” Aggie yells, running up to him. He stops playing and sets the guitar down to hold his hand out to give Aggie a high five.
“Agster!” He says, and Aggie giggles.
“You have to meet my mommy!” She says and takes his hand. Penelope is frozen to her spot as Aggie pulls him to his feet.
“If she’s half as cool as you are, I can’t wait!”
“She’s way cooler!” She says. Mister B turns around and their eyes meet. His eyes widen as he takes in the woman before him. Penelope’s heart races as she stares into his eyes, the eyes her daughter shares with him.
“Pen.” He whispers. They both freeze and Aggie looks between the two of them, her brows furrowing.
“Mommy?” She asks.
“Mommy? Aggie is yours? Pen…”
Penelope shakes her head, trying to catch her breath before she freaks out. She leans down and scoops Agatha up into her arms, walking out of the room.