Brian's POV
It was a relief that Bianca was going to come with Penny. I hope that everyone doesn't jump to the conclusion that Bianca did. That I was the one trying to keep us a secret. Honestly, I am not sure how long I can do this, but this is the only way to be with her right now that she is comfortable with. I hope that someday I can change her mind.
We talked the whole way to the airport about Labor Day weekend, but even though we had that to look forward to, saying goodbye was still hard.
We hugged and kissed. "I'm going to miss you."
"I am going to miss you too."
"I love you Penelope"
"And I love you too Junior."

Penny's POV
It had to be the longest week of my life! I was nervous and excited all at the same time. Brian was keeping his plans for the weekend a secret. That made me even more nervous.
I called Chloe asked her to watch the house while I was gone. "I am glad Bianca is going with you. Mom, you know there has been one thing you have been putting off."
"I know, introducing him to Mom, Allen and Tess."
"I know why you are putting it off, but you have to. I had an idea, why don't you invite Brian to Thanksgiving dinner? He could wear a long sleeve shirt and that way you can ease them into all the tattoos, they would only see the ones on his hands."
"I hate to ask Brian to do that." I argued.
"Mom, from what I have seen he will do whatever you ask him. You know that the age difference is going to be an issue, especially after Jay. The fact that he's famous and in a famous band will probably not play in his favor in our family. I know you love his tattoos, but they won't. They threw a fit when you and I just got a couple, remember? I would just at least hit them later with all the tattoos."
"Okay, I'll ask him while I am in California." I relented.

Brian's POV
I can't believe Penny will be here in a few hours. I have everything ready. All the guys and their wives are coming over for a cookout tonight That will be followed by a moonlit walk on the beach. Then some "us" time before going to bed, probably to be followed by some "shower" time in the morning. Then we are going to have lunch with Dad, Suzy and McKenna. After lunch, I was going to send the ladies out shopping and then when they return, I have a special surprise for Penny. I figured on Sunday we would go to the beach and just have a lazy day. Then on Monday, we are going to Zack's house for a cookout and on Tuesday, I planned breakfast before they have to head to the airport. I want this weekend to be perfect and I hope everyone likes her and will see past the age difference (which she can't seem to do).
I sent a Limo to pick them up from the airport, I even had the driver hold up a sign that said "Penelope and Bianca" of course it was written in purple. He also had a rose for each one of them. Yellow for Bianca and Purple for Penny.

Penny's POV
I made it through the plane trip, Bianca being with me helped. We got off the plane and there was a man holding up a sign that said "Penelope and Bianca".
I said "That Man!!!"
"That man is nuts about you and spoils you even more than you already were!" Bianca said.
We approached the driver and he said "Ms. Jenkins?"
"Yes, I'm Ms. Jenkins."
"Mr. Haner has arranged for your luggage to be retrieved and delivered directly to his home. He has instructed me to take you to his home as soon as possible. He also wanted you to have these." He handed each of us a rose, yellow for Bianca with a card that said "Welcome to California" and a purple one for me with a card that said "Just as your home is my home, my home is your home." I almost cried.
The Limo pulled up to a gorgeous estate, Brian came running out and picked me up and spun around. "Missed me?" He said. I nodded, then we kissed.
I guess we forgot about someone, Bianca cleared her throat, "HMM HMM. It's good to see you again Brian!"
We broke our lip lock "It's good to see you again Bianca." Brian said. "I guess we should go inside."

Brian's POV
Penny was finally here and time to put my plan into action.
"Ladies you must be tired from your trip and the time change will catch up to you later. How about a tour of the house and then you can take a nap and freshen up."
"I am sure for you two will be napping and freshen up means taking a shower together." Bianca said. I gotta say, she calls it like she sees it. I think she'll get along great with everyone.
I took them through the house and they met Pinkly. Penny and Pinkly were instant friends. Then I took them to one of the guest rooms, "Bianca, this is your room. I hope it's okay."
"Are you kidding? Okay? It's more than Okay!" I think she liked it.
"Relax and get comfortable, our guests should be arriving in about 4 hours." I put my arm around Penny's waist "Now my lady, I will take you to your room" She had a confused look on her face, all part of my plan. "Your room is right through here, I think you will like it"
Finally she said "My room?"
"Well, yes I thought you would like to have your own room." She looked disappointed.
"But first, I would like to show you my room. Do you want to see it?"
"Sure." She didn't seem too excited.
"I hope you like it. Remember, it's a guy's room, so you might not be your style." This was too fun. I opened the double doors to the Master Bedroom and ushered her in. She gasped.

Penny's POV
He's joking, right? He can't be saying we are sleeping in separate rooms. He took me to his room. He opened the doors and kept his arm around me as we walked in. I almost lost my breath. The room was filled with Purple Roses and on the bed were purple rose petals.
"Do you like it!" Brian asked.
"Are you kidding? It's beautiful! The roses must have cost a small fortune! You really had me going for a few minutes!"
"Do you really think I would be able to sleep apart from you when we are in the same house?" He grinned.
"I had hoped not!" I hugged him tight. "Thank you for bringing me here and for all the wonderful surprises."
"You're welcome, anything that makes my Penelope happy." He kissed the top of my head.
I turned to him and looked right into those beautiful brown eyes. "Listen to me, Junior. You don't have to buy me things or spend a fortune to make me happy."
"I know, but I am not going to stop." We kissed and then made love on a bed of purple rose petals. We eventually fell asleep and didn't wake up until about 45 minutes before guests were to arrive. Brian didn't seem too worried about it.
"Shower Time!" he led me into the biggest and most gorgeous bathroom I had ever seen. We were both finishing getting ready when we heard Bianca's voice "Brian, your guests are here!" That's Bianca, never met a stranger in her life. That was followed by multiple shouts and cat calls. Then Bianca yelled, get your sorry asses down here or the party is starting without you!"
Brian looked at me, "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'm ever going to be." He kissed me.
We walked down the stairs, I didn't feel like anyone was staring at me or anything. We got to the bottom of the stairs and it was like I had known these people for years. It was a great night, I got to know everyone. The only person I felt a little uncomfortable around was Val, she must have sensed it. She came to me and said "Can we talk in the other room?"
Oh shit, here it is, she's Michele's twin sister. "Sure" I was ready for a "get the hell out speech."
I sat on a chair across from a sofa, Val sat on the sofa and said "Come sit by me."
I slowly walked over, obviously with fear on my face. "Penny, I didn't ask you to come in here to yell at you."
"You didn't?"
"No, I can tell you are nervous around me and I understand why. I wanted to talk to you and make sure you know that you don't have to be. I love my sister and I love Brian, he will always be my brother. They did not work out, but what I have always wanted most for both of them is to be happy. You make Brian happy, I see it when he talks about you, I see it when he's getting ready to go see you, I saw it when he was planning this weekend and now I can see it when he looks at you."
"Thank you Val." And we hugged.
We went back outside to the patio and everyone was drinking and laughing. Bianca was really hitting it off with the ladies, you could tell she was having a great time.
"Hey Bianca, do you want to go out dancing with us tomorrow night? I think the love birds have other plans." Val asked.
Bianca said "Hell Yes!" I saw Brian wink at Val.
Soon everyone left and Bianca decided to head up to bed. I said "Time to clean up this mess!"
"Oh no you're not! It will get cleaned up tomorrow morning."

Brian's POV
Penny wanted to clean the house up before we went to bed, I had other plans.
"Then let's go up to your room." She grabbed my hand and started toward the stairs.
"It's OUR room and I don't want to just yet. Walk with Me"
I took her hand and we walked down to the beach. The temperature was in the upper 60's and it was a beautiful night.
"This place is beautiful Brian; I wish I never had to leave."
"You don't have to." I said and wrapped my arms around her.
"Don't start Brian, please?"
I didn't want to ruin this night. "I will, for now." And I took her hand again and we continued to walk on the beach.
"Tell me more about your childhood." She asked.
"I don't think there's much left, I've told you just about everything." I said "Now that I think about it, you haven't told me much about your family."
"My family? Well I am the youngest of four..." And she continued to tell me about her childhood.

Penny's POV
We were walking on the beach talking about my family, this was the time to ask about Thanksgiving.
"Speaking of my family, I was hoping that you would come to Ohio and spend Thanksgiving with me. You can meet my Mom, my sister and my brother."
"I would love to." He said. I was elated, but also very nervous. "Penelope, are you worried about your family freaking out about you being secretly involved with a musician, who is not only younger but also has a ton of body art?"
"How the hell do you do that?" My inner voice jumped outside.
"When are you going to accept that we are connected?" He didn't give me a chance to answer, he hugged me and we kissed.
"I guess we should head back, it's getting late." I said. He nodded yes.
It was suddenly very quiet, the only sound was the waves.
"So what can I do to make this all easier with your family? What are my major obstacles?" He finally asked
"People wise, it will be my brother. He is sort of the "boss" of the family with Dad gone. He was the most vocal about Jay being younger than me." I said.
"But he liked Jay?"
"Yes, he and Jay got along great. He just doesn't think a younger man will ever stay with an older woman. Jay proved him right on that and you're even younger than Jay." Suddenly I felt scared about it again.
"Penny" Brian looked at me sternly "He is wrong and we are going to prove that, okay?" I nodded.
Brian moved on. "What will they think about my career?"
"I am not sure, they will probably worry that you will get bored with me and give in to all the temptation of being famous."
"Are you worried about that?" He seemed concerned.
"No, I am not. I am more worried that someday you will regret not..."
He cut me off "I wish you didn't worry about that. What about my tattoos?"
"They are not fond of tattoos, they were not happy when Chloe and I got ours. Maybe you could wear a long sleeve..." I stopped mid-sentence. "No Brian, I don't want you to be anything different than who you are. You have never asked me to do that and I am not going to ask that of you. I love you, all of you. They will have to accept that."
"You know I would do whatever" I put my finger to his lips and said "I just want you to love me and right now get naked, hot and sweaty."
"Your wish is my command" he said and I started running back toward his house. "You can't outrun me, woman!!" He tackled me and we kissed rolling around in the sand.
"Way to go Haner, now we're covered in sand!"
He winked at me "Guess we need to go in and take a shower."
"I know what that means" and it made me very happy.
"Get moving Babe!" He said as he smacked my ass.

Bianca's POV
Breakfast was way too early. I am the biggest light weight when it comes to drinking. I know Penny is going to razz me about it. She made sure to come into the room and throw open the curtains.
"Good morning Sunshine!" She said with annoying cheerfulness. "Time for breakfast!"
I drug myself downstairs to the deck where they had brilliantly decided to eat. "Couldn't we at least eat in the gaz..." Brian cut me off. "So ladies, I have a full day planned for you." That wasn't weird at all, I thought to myself.
"So what's the plan?" Penny asked.
'Well first we are going over to Dad and Suzy's for lunch." I saw panic on Penny's face. I tried to help her.
"Don't worry chicken legs, they will love you."
Brian and I had this routine now "She's right, Penelope!"
Penny mumbled "I hate you both"
"No you don't, you love us!" I knew that would make her laugh and all three of us did for a few minutes.
"Bianca, I guess we should go get ready." Penny said.
"Do you guys mind if I stay here and rest, I have a terrible headache.
Brian false whispered to Penny "Lightweight" Penny followed with "Told ya,"
"You two have no manners!" I went back upstairs, I could hear their laughter from outside all the way up the stairs.

Penny's POV
I was so nervous, I didn't know what to wear. I went around the room in my underwear looking through everything I brought.
Brian found it all very amusing, "Penny are you okay, you're making me dizzy running around the room?"
"I don't know what to wear!" I was standing at the closet that my clothes were hung in.
"You know what they say when you don't know what to wear." He came up behind me. "You should wear nothing at all." With that he unfastened my bra and pushed it down my arms until it fell to the floor. Then he hooked his fingers in my panties and soon they were on the floor. He started kissing the back of my neck and said "See isn't that better?"
"Yes, it is. But you are overdressed now" Before I knew it he was undressed and on the bed.
"How's this?" He asked.
"That's the best outfit I've ever seen and it fits you perfectly." As I jumped on top of him.

Brian's POV
We got to Suzy and Dad's just barely on time. McKenna was out with friends, so it was just the four of us. They all got along great, they took delight in sharing all my "growing up" stories. I could tell Penny had relaxed.
"So what are your plans for the future together?" Dad asked.
I saw Penny get immediately uncomfortable. "Dad, we're just taking it one day at a time right now. We aren't in any rush." I tried to end the subject.
"Well son, life is short."
I'm not sure what Dad was going to say after that, but Suzy jumped in and said. "You two are obviously great together, I am sure you'll figure it all out."
Before anyone else could say anything I jumped up and grabbed Penny's hand and made way for our exit. "Well, Penny has an appointment to keep." She looked at me questioning what I was talking about.
Everyone hugged and when we were out and in the car, Penny was quiet. "Penny are you okay?" I heard a small little "yeah."
"What's wrong?" I held her hand.
"This isn't going to work Brian. It just can't." I was suddenly angry.
"Penny, the only reason it can't work is you. You said your family had to accept me. I love you and my family will have to accept that too." She looked at me in disbelief. "Every couple has barriers, people who don't like them together. But if they love each other, they do what they have to. They either break through the barriers or they move past them. We don't even know what Dad really meant. I am willing to keep us a secret from the public for you. Because I care and want to be with you. Why can't you do the same for me? Why do you keep trying to run away when you think there's an obstacle?"
Now there was a tear flowing down her cheek. I did it again; I was a giant dick.
Then she finally spoke "You're right. It's me. Most of my adult life, I have run away or given up on every relationship I've had. I promise I won't run anymore and we will make it together." I kissed her, so thankful that she understood what I said and wasn't furious with me. "But Brian, I am still not ready to go public."
I wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I can wait as long as you don't run away." She smiled and we kissed, then we headed back home.
Bianca was waiting when we got back. "Penny have you been crying?"
Penny covered "Yes but they were good tears."
"Chicken legs you are the mushiest person I have ever met."
"Brian, let's go up and take a shower." Penny started to pull my hand.
"Sorry Babe. I would love to, but you two have plans?"
They said in unison "We do?"
"Yes, a driver will be here any moment to take you shopping."
"I don't think we" Penny started to protest.
"You're both going and you're both going to shop. Bianca needs something to wear when she goes out tonight and you need a dress for our special night."
"A dress? What kind of dress?" Penny asked.
"I have made arrangements with a boutique to give you a choice of dresses that will fit the occasion. You both also have appointments at a spa for some pampering. " They both looked very excited. "Here is a credit card for your purchases."
I handed Penny the card "Brian, you know I can't go around using your credit card."
"Look at the name on the card."
"Penny Jenkins. But how?" She was stunned.
"Don't worry about that, you ladies are losing precious time." They jumped into the car and they were off. Finally, they were out of the house and I had a lot to do to prepare for tonight.

Notes