Warren hugged her from behind and whispered, “It’s unfair. Everyone else has seen it.”
Penelope looked back with a smile, kissed his face, and replied, “This is a tradition. Please respect it.”
He gently pulled her down onto the bed and asked, “Is there a tradition that the groom can’t see the bride in other clothes?”
“No,” Penelope answered.
“What about no clothes?” he asked playfully.
“Satyr!” Penelope teased.
The two of them laughed together, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.
Meanwhile, Chris saw his dad hugging his mom and found it amusing, so he wiggled his little bottom, pushing it against Penelope’s face.
“Oooooh, stinky!…” she teased, making everyone laugh.
****
The following week, Asher asked his uncle if he would ever mix up the two identical beauties. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if he couldn’t tell them apart?
Warren replied, “What would be similar between them? They are clearly different.”
Asher rubbed his chin, deep in thought, and asked, “Can you explain the details?”
Warren explained, “Penelope is unique. She has face blindness, but I don’t.”
Asher looked at Penelope, holding Chris in her arms, and Daisy, reading a magazine with her legs crossed. He seemed to grasp what Warren meant.
Daisy was like a fire, intense and blazing. Anyone who got too close would get burned. Penelope was like flowing water, gently wearing you down when you least expected it.
Loving someone meant not just recognizing their appearance but understanding their inner essence. That was what truly drew one person to another.
The two sisters had been busy all day but finally quieted down because Mark Seinfeld, their father, had arrived in the city. The man who had brought them a difficult childhood was finally here.
Grace commented, “Daisy has a fiery temper. She’ll definitely give her dad a piece of her mind.”
Asher added, “Knowing Penelope, her father is in for quite a challenge this time.”
At that moment, Penelope was feeding Chris, and Daisy was making a phone call on the balcony. Asher and Grace exchanged glances and remarked, “This is the quiet moment before the chaos.”
Warren scolded them lightly as he sipped his afternoon tea.
****
The phone rang at three o’clock in the afternoon, and the two sisters were invited to go out.
The call came from Grandma Duncan. She told Penelope that it would be polite to talk to their father, even if it were just a formality.
They agreed to meet at a downtown restaurant with a calm and elegant atmosphere. The two sisters arrived, sharing the same physical features but with distinct personalities. One appeared open and lively, while the other dressed more simply and had a reserved demeanor. They were unmistakably siblings, each with their own characteristics.
Upon entering, they noticed a couple by the window. The man appeared nervous, and the woman comforted him by patting his hand.
The man wore a basic black t-shirt and thick glasses, giving him the appearance of a scholarly type. The woman donned a lovely yellow dress, exuding elegance and beauty.
Their father, Mark Seinfeld, spotted his two daughters and instantly stood up excitedly. Penelope had expected this meeting to be emotional, but she felt surprisingly composed as she sat across from them and offered a nod of greeting.
Daisy removed her sunglasses and set them aside, casually picking up the menu as if it were a regular night out.
Finally, Mark gathered the courage to speak, saying, “Well, it’s been a long time!” The woman beside him smiled, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Penelope explained Grandma Duncan’s request, saying, “Considering that you haven’t played a fatherly role in our lives so far, we won’t ask you to take on that role at the wedding. We’re meeting you today mainly for the sake of the elderly lady. We don’t want to pressure you. We’ve grown up and won’t expect you to fulfill any parental duties.”
Mark felt sad. He spent his whole life focused on his science career. He fell in love with Mary because they both liked the same things and were smart.
He didn’t have much communication with his ex-wife, who felt bad about herself.
Mark didn’t care about looks. He just wanted people to understand him when he talked. “Sorry, Penelope and Daisy,” he said sadly. He didn’t spend much time with them when they were kids.
Daisy coughed and picked up her coffee. “It’s okay. I turned out fine.”
Mary saw the awkward situation and defended him.
He was a man who gave his life to science. He thought it was better for the kids to live elsewhere than with him.
At that time, he was just a poor scholar. He did everything to find the truth. How could he raise kids?
He gave all his Nobel Prize money away, not wanting wealth or beauty. He only loved his research.
Mary said he had nothing except his title and reputation. They lived in a regular house and had a simple life. In his heart, he was like a pilgrim in Jerusalem, never getting tired.
Penelope didn’t know how to blame him because he didn’t understand. Mark didn’t know how important a father was to his kids’ growth. He didn’t know how hard it would be for the kids after losing their mother, and he didn’t even know how to say sorry.
He sat there awkwardly, like a child who had done something wrong. If you asked him what he did wrong, he wouldn’t really know. It’s hard to resent or curse him because he sacrificed everything for his ideals.
At the same time, they couldn’t just accept him as if nothing had happened because he had caused them irreversible damage. A father should be a strong presence, like a tall mountain, a vast sea, and a shield to protect you from bullies.
But he was just a father in name. He never knew how to fulfill his role in that regard. After their meeting with Mark, Daisy went to the mall, and Penelope went back home to rest for the night.
The night grew darker, and warm orange lights lit up the room. Warren went to Penelope’s bed and reached for her.
“You’re so annoying,” she said, rolling over and ignoring him. But he kept touching her.
“What are you up to?” Penelope frowned and sat up.
“Mrs. Brown made your favorite seafood soup. You should get up and have it,” he said with a smile.