Mac knocked on the door to Orchard's Gate. It was a bit late, so it must be important. She was ushered upstairs quickly by Penelope.

"Where's Jack?"

"Asleep," Penelope replied.

She had been dying to speak to someone about this. She knew Brody's sister was not the ideal choice, but Penelope also trusted Mac.

Mac kicked off her boots and hopped on Penelope's bed. "So what's up then? It must be important for me to be getting owls this late."

"Yes." Penelope sat across from her. "All right. Percy's alive."

"Who?"

"Percy Weasley. Jack's father. Love of my life?"

"Oh."

Mac was blinking. This was way heavy. She wondered what Penelope was going to do. This affected her as well. Penelope and Brody were sort of kind of dating or something. Most of Mac's family had adopted Penny and Jack.

"I can't figure out how to tell your brother," Penelope said sadly.

"Are ya leaving him?"

"I don't leave people, Mac. That's the trouble," Penelope replied, eyes watering.

Mac scooted across and hugged the older woman. "Just be honest wit him, Penny."

"That's going to be so hard. I... I just..."

"Brody is a rational mon, lass. He'll work wit ya. Ya will always be part of our family now. Just like Aubrey and anyone else who lived at the Sticks."

"If he and I don't.... will we... you and I..."

"Penelope Clearwater, we are always friends. No matter what."

And Mac meant that.

"Thanks, Mac. I've been needing to talk to someone about this, but I couldn't because his family didn't know. I'm sorry to owl so late."

"Nonsense. Ya can call on me anytime, ya know tha'. Plus, I want to hear the whole tale."

"Well, I'll tell you what I can. Some stuff is only for he and I."

"Of course."

They stared at one another.

"Well," Mac said. "Get to tellin'."

Penelope laughed.


{SUMMARY} Penelope tells Mac what's been going on.