That evening, Derek was awestruck as he took in Penelope's new look. "Wow. You were already beautiful, but you look even more amazing."
Penelope blushed. "Thank you. I hope that when it grows out, it looks even better." She replied.
"I'm sure it will. What you had was already gorgeous. I can only imagine how luscious and full it will be. This is a perfect substitute, though."
"Thank you. It once went down to my butt. I hope that the products they stylist gave me will help it get there again." Penelope was holding herself a lot higher than she had been that morning. There was a certain amount of confidence that came with her new look. She had one less thing to worry about being made fun of over.
"Um, I was wondering. Could we maybe go shopping again? I don't want to get too much. Just a few things to wear out. Oh! And I can pay you back, too! Whatever I spend, I can return once I get back to work and get paid."
"None of that." Derek said holding up his hand. "You're part of this family, now. And also, the state is reimbursing us for your needs. This includes clothes and anything else you need or want. You're still a minor and you can't be expected to provide for yourself.
"Besides, I know you were overwhelmed with shopping when we went. We didn't get you much of anything, except for things to wear around the house. How about we go on Saturday?" Derek suggested.
"Oh, thank you!" She threw her arms around him, hugging him.
"Of course! In the meantime, how about a dip in the pool?" Derek suggested.
"Um, sure. Isn't it getting kind of late, though?"
"Its only 9 o'clock." Derek protested. "I have some many late nights. Its still pretty warm out. A swim always helps me relax and unwind after a busy day."
"Ok! I'll go get my swimsuit on!" Penelope exclaimed. "Oh, wait... we didn't get me one." She blushed.
"Just throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top." Derek suggested.
"Ok!" Penelope rushed up to her room to go find something to change into. As soon as she closed the door she froze. Wait a second. Could she swim with her extensions in?
Penelope panicked for a moment until she realized that she had a way to ask. She pulled out her phone.
P: Hi Jezz. Its Penelope. I have a ?
J: Hey, Pennie! Go ahead!
P: Is it ok to swim?
J: Yup! As long as the water isn't too hot, you should be fine. Just tie it up in a ponytail or a loose bun so it doesn't get tangled.
P: K. Thank you!
J: You're welcome. Have fun!
P: Thanks!
Satisfied, Penelope put the phone down on her nightstand and turned to her dresser to look for something to wear in the pool. She ended up finding a short pair of black gym type shorts and an olive green tank top. That should due with getting in the pool.
When they had gone shopping, she had been torn on getting them because they were so short, but Derek had insisted that if she had looked at them, they were worth picking up. Although she was reluctant, Sophia had thrown them into the cart, not giving her a choice.
She was glad they did, because now she (kind of) had something to wear into the pool. She'd never had a pool at her house before. This was going to be awesome! After putting the outfit on, she grabbed a towel out of the bathroom and threw on her flats before putting her hair up like Jezz said and heading back downstairs.
"Took you long enough." Derek teased, holding the door to the pool deck open to her.
"Whatever." Penelope rolled her eyes.
"Did you just-"
Penelope grinned before sticking her tongue out at Derek.
"Oh, you're gonna get it, now, Little Mouse!" Derek scooped Penelope up, who began kicking and screaming with glee as he walked her to the pools edge.
"Oh wait, you know how to swim, right?" He asked, wanting to make sure he wasn't about to do something he would regret.
Penelope giggled at his question. "What if I said no? Would you still throw me in the shallow end?" She inquired.
"Is that a yes?"
When Penelope giggled some more, indicating she wasn't going to tell him, he threw her in.
She immediately surfaced and sarcastically flailed her arms. "Oh, no! Derek! Help me! I'm drowning!"
"No you're not." He retorted.
Knowing she'd been called out, Penelope expertly swam to the edge where Derek was standing. "But what if I was drowning. Would you save me?" She asked.
"Of course I would! You're not, though, so you're on your own, Little Mouse. Derek's teasing was met with a playful splash. He leaned down ti Penelope's level. "Don't start what you can't finish, Little Mouse." He whispered devilishly at her.
Penelope responded by grabbing Derek by the wrists. A moment later, he was flying over her head as she used her feet and legs to power through the maneuver. He hit the water with a loud splash as Penelope continued to giggle as he resurfaced. "Oh, its on!"
Derek swam towards Penelope, but she was smaller and faster than him as she dove and kicked away from him. The water felt so good as she swam through it. She had almost forgotten how much she loved swimming. It had been so long!
When she resurfaced, she was behind a confused Derek, who now had his back turned as he looked around for her. He was rather close to the diving board, too! As he began to turn to her direction, Penelope dove under again, stealthily avoiding his gaze as she went for the side of the pool. When she resurfaced again, his back was once again to her as he co tinted to search for her.
She quietly heaved herself out of the pool and sprinted to the diving board. Before Derek realized what was happening, she was shouting with glee as she jumped once... twice... three times before tucking her legs into a cannonball, landing nearby with a large splash.
Her victory was short lived, though, because as soon as she resurfaced again, Derek caught her, wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her into him, her back facing his chest. "That wasn't very nice, Little Mouse."
Penelope continued to squeal in delight as he held her. She attempted to get away again, but Derek was too strong for her. "You're impressive. Where did you learn your swim like that?" He asked, finally letting her go.
"I took lessons when I was really little. Before my parents divorced and my dad met The Witch, I swam competitively. I was really good at it, too. My coach used to tell me I could swim the Olympics if I applied myself. That was a long time.ag9, though."
"Thats really impressive, Penelope! What happened to the girl who said she had no talent?" He inquired.
Penelope shrugged. "Well, there's no way I'm that good anymore. Mary banned me from swim team a long time ago. So I stopped dreaming."
A look of sorrow appeared on Derek's face. "Pen, I'm so sorry. Would you... would you want to do it again. Now that you're free of her?"
"It would be nice. To be a part of a team again. I know its not overly possible, now. Its been too long. I probably don't even compare anymore. I would need to do so much training and re-conditioning to try and catch up. I don't know if its worth it, now." Penelope admitted.
"There's only one way to find out, you know. We can find you a coach. The best coach, even, to see what can be done to get you there. Only if you want to, of course."
"I'll think about it. Thank you, Derek."
Derek smiled. "Of course. Only the best for my Little Mouse." He half teased.
His teasing was met with another splash and a smile from Penelope. Before she could escape him again, he pulled her into his arms. "Do you know how beautiful you look as you defy me in the sunset?"
Penelope looked to the horizon for a moment. She hadn't noticed that the sun had been setting. When was the last time she stopped to enjoy one? When she was little, she used to love to play until the sun went down. When it got too late for her to stay out before it set in the summer, she would watch it go down through her window.
Now, she was watching it from a pool. Two thi gs she had once loved and lost together. When didn't respond, Derek gently touched her chin and drew his face towards his. She gazed into his eyes, studying them deeply.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Watching you be yourself for the first time... its intoxicating." Derek admitted to her.
"I-" Penelope didn't even know what to say. So she continued to study Derek's eyes, looking for queues on what she should do next.
"Can I kiss you?" Derek suddenly blurted.
"What?" She asked, confused.
"Can I kiss you?" Derek asked slower and more quietly.
Penelope didn't have words, so she just nodded. Derek pulled her closer to him, tilting her chin more as he brought his lips to hers, kissing her lightly.
Penelope felt sparks flying through her body. Nobody had ever kissed her before. She had no idea how it would feel, or how much she would like it. His lips were so soft. The kiss was over before she knew it, but she didn't want it to be. So she pulled him back in.
Derek kissed her harder the second time, holding her even tighter. His lips parted, allowing her to explore the inside of his mouth. He tasted sweet. Divine. Like nothing Penelope had ever tasted before. As the kiss intensified, so did the sensations she felt in her body.
She didn't know how long she had kissed him for, but when they finally parted, Penelope's entire core was pulsating with desire.