PENNY

 

After the initial rush of dealing with my father and the inheritance, things began to settle. I’d never been happier having Theo by my side. The Lopa boomed with business and had finally became one of Miami’s coolest hotspots.

Dex on the other hand had a world of karma beating him over his burly body. We ended up pressing charges of his attack on Theo, and then after that his whole world crumbled. He was immediately removed from the country club he loved so much and served a small sentence. Xavier lost his license to practice law.

June was shocked to learn about her son’s behavior and apologized over and over to Theo for everything. She still hung to the ideal Dex could be reformed, but I wasn’t holding my breath.

Life with Theo and Lucy was what I focused on. He finally let me see his lists, and I fell in love with him even more after reading each list over and over.

My favorite list was one I carried around with me in my wallet. It was the perfect ending to our story, well almost.

He’d planned a secret trip which took us North on ninety-five. As he drove, I pulled out the list and read over it a few more times.

 

Things I’m thankful for

•     Lopa
•     Bar, cars, and walls
•     Turtles
•     Freckles
•     Slave Leia outfit
•     Silver wigs
•     Lifeguard stations
•     My Boss

 

When we stepped out of the car, I smiled up to the man I loved more than anything.

Sure we had a rocky start, but now we were on the same page and nothing would change that, ever. “Penny, this way.” He led me out onto the beach as the sun rose over the horizon. After we held onto each other while the waves crashed he whispered in my ear, “What do you think of this location?”

I spun around to gaze at him. “For what?”

“Your turtle sanctuary.”

My heart seized as he stared at me. He drew closer and planted his lips on mine. I couldn’t believe my own eyes when he led me to a small facility.

“This is the future site of your very own sanctuary, Penny.”

It was perfect and not far from Lopa.

“I love it. I love you.” As I went to kiss him, he pulled back.

“I have just one more place to take you.”

I smiled as he led me back to the car. Another quick trip up the coast and Theo smiled to me and brought my hand to his lips, kissing my fingers.

“Where are we going?”

“Ft. Lauderdale.”

“And why are we going there?” I laughed.

“You’ll see.”

A few more minutes passed by until Theo pulled into the convention center, and the place was packed.

“What’s going on here?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Come on.”

He led me to the entrance and supplied two tickets from his pocket. The place buzzed with an insane energy.

People all over were dressed in costumes, and I smiled as I recognized a few of the comic book characters. Superman, Batman, and Spiderman to name a few.

He led me to a seated area in front of a small makeshift stage and sat me down. “Wait here, I’ll be back soon.” He kissed the top of my head and walked away.

I sat for a few moments before an announcer said the show was about to start. I glanced around trying to find Theo, but he was nowhere to be found.

The lights faded and the curtains opened. A bunch of stormtroopers from the movie Star Wars marched onstage.

Looking around again for Theo, I turned my attention back to the show. After a few minutes, a few more characters graced the stage. The action packed show kept my attention as I laughed and smiled along with it. There were lightsaber battles, and I felt bad Theo was missing everything.

The whole show lead to one final moment, and near the end Darth Vader walked out onstage with his big, black mask and long, black cape.

He performed a light saber battle with a jedi, and I cheered as the jedi almost won.

“Come to the light side, Darth,” the jedi said.

“Never,” the distorted voice of Darth said.

“Is there anything that could ever change your mind?” the jedi said.

Darth took off his helmet, and I damn near flipped out of my seat when I saw Theo behind it. My heart beat frantically trying to escape my chest as I waited for his answer.

“There’s only one person who could ever drag me back from the dark side. She’s the love of my life. My one true silver goddess.” His eyes searched mine as he stepped closer. He motioned for me to join him onstage, and I shook my head.

“Penny, get up here,” he said with a stern yet playful tone.

The seats were packed and all the attention was on me. Somewhere in the crowd someone yelled for me to get up there and save the empire.

I laughed and rose from my seat. Walking to the stage, my heartbeat hammered in my ears. He held his hand out and helped me up.

“Penelope Marks, you’re the only woman I will ever love. The only woman I ever want to love.”

He got down on one knee, and my hand flew to my chest to calm my rapid heart. “Theo,” I whispered.

He grabbed my hand with his and laid his mouth over top. “Penny, please save me from the dark side and bring light to my life. Will you marry me?”

I took a quick peek to the audience as they sat still and silent. “Yes.”

The crowd erupted into cheers as Theo stood and swept me into his arms. His lips claimed mine as he kissed me with a passion far greater than any he had before. As he set me down, his eyes lit up and he leaned his forehead to mine. “I love kissing you, and I can’t wait to do it forever.”

I winked at him and smiled. “Well, you keep using the force with each kiss, and I’ll always let you.”

He slid a ring on my finger. When I stared at it, my eyes welled up. On my finger sat a diamond in the shape of a turtle’s shell. It shined even without the light and I gazed up to Theo. “You’ve always been the man of my dreams, and the Lord of my O’s.”

“And you’ll always be my Penny, the boss.”

 

THE END