Mrs. Romano....Amelia Romano was waving happily at the three of them, more like she was waving at Penelope. Amelia was excited to meet this new mystery girl. She knew her mother, who was a delight. She had a feeling that Penny would take after her mother.
Penny couldn't help but do a small wave back. They quickly reached the woman, Penny realized that she was fairly short. Penny was five feet and five inches, and Amelia was actually five feet, maybe close to five feet and one inch. There was a full foot difference between the Romano couple. Penny couldn't help but wonder how that worked.
Well, that was until Amelia ran up and jumped on her husband to give him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. So that is how it worked. Amelia Romano was an extremely athletic woman, even in her sixties
The couple met in college, surprisingly in a freshman year elective course. They soon became study buddies for the course and remained friends afterwards. About a year later, they started dating and haven't stopped since. Penny could see right away that they were just perfect for each other.
When Amelia unlatches herself from her husband, she turns towards Penny, "Hello, Penelope!" Penny is grateful that the woman didn't jump on Penny. Instead, she respectfully places her arms on the sides of her arms and looks into her eyes. "It is so good to finally meet you! I can't wait to introduce you to the whole family. My name is Amelia. Let's get you to Quentin's apartment. He wouldn't come home until later. I'm sorry that he didn't show up. He must be busy or being a little bitch" Amelia starts to snicker. Penny couldn't believe this mother's language towards her own children. She smiles along to be polite. "Let's get your luggage."
As they walk to baggage claim, Amelia introduces herself to Alberta, or Ms. Birdie as she likes to be called. Penelope decides to walk quietly, as the three older adults spoke. Penny was honestly tired from the flight and sudden change in time. She just wanted to eat dinner and then go to sleep. However, the Romano's had other plans of taking her on a tour around the city, then introducing her to everyone, then a big family dinner where she will meet her future husband. Only going to sleep to wake up to a wedding.
Of course, the young woman was too polite to turn everything down.
They picked up the luggage and all entered the back of a fancy down car. The Romano parents had a private driver, who was really kind and introduced himself as Rich to the new women.
Right when she stepped outside, she actually realized that she was in New York. The air was slightly colder, the city was louder, and the fashion was impeccable. People hustled, going in and out of the airport. When driving away into the city, and stuck in traffic, she saw sidewalks crowded, apartment windows open to let in some city air, and yellow cabs communicating through honks and swears.
San Francisco is similar, but somewhat smaller scale. It seemed like San Francisco people live, and here in New York people live to work. Penny never had a true chance to live or work fully in the California city. Maybe she will have better luck living to work in the "Big Apple".
Even though she was tired and yawning at every chance, she was smiling the whole time, soaking in the city. It really helped put her mind at easy and forget about the whole meeting her fiancé tonight. Rich took the whole crew through the streets of Manhattan, showing off their favorite places to eat and shop. Even taking a chance to show off Time Square and the Broadway theater houses on the side streets. Penny can only dream about performing on at least one of those stages.
About an hour later, the car is stopped at the front of a fancy apartment building. Everyone gets out the car and onto the sidewalk, blocking any passer-by with heavy luggage bags. Mr. Romano leads the pack, a doorman opens the door, and another young man opens the elevator. They both were very familiar with the Romano family and knew that they had keys to their son's penthouse. They travel up the many, many floors and exist onto the floor with very little doors. The open the one farthest from the elevator doors, and they enter into the apartment.
More like luxury suite, Penelope thought. Walking through the white door, there is a small, indented room that is holding various male coats and shoes at the bottom. Through a long hallway filled with family pictures, there was a large living room with a dining table off to the right. The high ceilings cut off and the low ceilings were due to a loft above us. Also, to the right, there is the kitchen, but Penny couldn't see much of it since it was set in. The living room/dining room had beige walls, dark hardwood floors and plain furniture. The dining table and chairs matched the floor, and the couch matched the walls. At the large windows there are doors at open to a medium size patio.
Penny was in awe of theplace. She grew up outside the city of the San Francisco and did not grow up inthe noise of it all. She loves looking out the windows already and watching thecity. The penthouse was beautiful.
The Romano parents took her to the kitchen, but Ms. Birdie was more interested in that element. At first, Ms. Birdie will live with the newly wed to help Penny with her transition but will be looking for another place to live. She did not want to intrude on the new couple's blossoming romance, as she predicts.
They then moved to the stairs and up to the loft. The upstairs was much larger than she saw. There are four bedrooms and four bathrooms and a half baths in the whole place (The half was downstairs in the kitchen). The master bedroom, of course, belong to the master of the house with an ensuite bathroom. The group did not take a tour into there. There was also a study, a smaller room with a desk and shelves lined with books. Next to this room was a small bedroom and a little bathroom. Before Penny had a chance to say anything, Ms. Birdie claimed this room as her own. Then they come to the next room on the second floor, which was going to be Penny's room and ensuite bathroom. The room was an okay size, with a queen size bed, a desk, small closet, and dressers. Penny didn't care about the furniture or size of the room. What she loved was the giant windows that seem to light up her pale gray walls. Since she never had a chance to decorate her own room in the past, Penny was excited to add some accent color to the white bed and dark wood desk.
Penny and Ms. Birdie were even more surprised when the stair brought them to a third floor. This floor only had two rooms. Looking in the one on the right was a mini gym with a treadmill, open floor space, punching bag, weights, and benches. Nothing to crazy, but it was enough for Quentin's workout schedule. The other side was a mini theater, with a nice comfy couch, mini fridge, coffee table, blankets, pillows, and a huge tv. The room had no windows. Penny also noticed that this was the only tv in the house that she has seen. She didn't think that this room was used often though.
Finally, the tour was over and there was a knock at the door. The Romano's leave the two women to their respective rooms to greet their children at the door. Penny plops the suitcase on the ground and throws her bag onto her desk chair before passes out on the bed. She was completely exhausted from the time change, flight, tour, and meeting new people. She fell asleep around 5:15.
***
Quentin walked into his house a little after six and hears the general chaos his family brings. Everyone is spread around. His sisters and brother-in-law are sitting on the couch talking, his father is talking with his sons, and his mother is talking with a mysterious older woman. That was the catch, only one mysterious woman. A part of him hoped that she actually never came, and his father left her in wherever she came from.
He doesn't even know what she looks like. He refuses to look at any picture his father sees his way. His guess is that she is ugly and a shut-in. He has never heard of her, so she much be a nobody.
Mr. Romano sees his middle son first, "There he is! The man of the hour, the groom for tomorrow." Quinn had a feeling that his father has been drinking. He feels embarrassed from his father's outburst, and his oldest brother had a similar cringing look.
"No need to say that dad," Quinn responded, going to his mother and the other woman. He kisses his mom on the cheek. "And who is this lovely woman beside you mother?"
"Alberta Cotta. Penny liked to call me Ms. Birdie. I was the Marshall's only maid and cook. I also cared for Penelope since her father was always busy with work. Mr. Romano thought that it would be best that I would come along to help the girl adjust to New York. You don't even have to pay me. I have a lot saved from working for so many years. I am ready for retirement Mr. Romano," Ms. Birdie reached her hand out to shake Quentin's hand.
He reaches to the maid's hand, "Quentin Romano, you can call me Quentin. We will discuss this later, after the unfortunate date coming up."
"Boooooo! Stop being a pussy brother," the youngest Romano, Addison, shouts from the couch. He walked over and hits her arm. The look he gives was supposed to shut the twenty-five year old girl, but she starts laugh. The older sister, Aubrey, and her husband, Logan, tried to hide a smile by drinking their wine.
"Where is the bride?" Daniel, Quentin older brother asks with a teasing tone.
"Why would I know?" Quentin sighs. "I literally just got home. You saw me walk in the door alone."
"Where is your boyfriend, Danny?" the oldest brother, Ben teases back. "I know where my wife is. She's at home with the kids."
"Haha Benji," Danny teases the brother with his least favorite nickname. "We were never dating; we were just having fun. I ended it because it felt weird sleeping with a client."
Aubrey lets out a huge, exaggerated gasp, "No way! Do you need therapy? I can give it to you, for half the price."
Danny smiles at that, "That is so kind, sister dearest! The only thing I really need is an actual boyfriend. I would also like to see my brother some time."
"You know your brother, sweetie," Amelia address her second oldest child. "He is busy with his mysterious work. He is so independent."
"Let's leave Dan alone" Dante Romano address the room. "And let's welcome Penelope Marshall."
Everyone looks to the loft and sees a sleepy redhead taking in everything.
"Hi," Penny waves awkwardly to everyone.