Think Pink (Grease 2) ✔

Chapter 31

The service concluded and Paulette almost breathed a sigh of relief when they signed the official paperwork. She was now Mrs Jonathan Nogerelli!

'Well that was a bit anti-climatic,' she heard Sharon say.

'Yeah, I thought it was supposed to be a big deal?' Goose said his brows furrowing. 'Aren't we gonna do something to celebrate?' Paulette looked uneasily at Johnny but his mom spoke up.

'You can all come back to our house. I've put on a bit of food and drink, and some of the neighbours might come over. I wanted to make a bit of an effort.'

Paulette did not miss the look she shot at her mom. Obviously, neither of them were happy but Johnny's mom was handling it marginally better.

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Johnny was pleased to see his mom had arranged something like a celebration when they got back home. A few friends and neighbours began to arrive, along with some of his closest relatives. He could see Paulette's mom was uncomfortable as she stood talking to Dolores, and he felt a bit sorry that none of her side was there. That said, she had reacted terribly, and his mom would have been reluctant to contact her.

'Hey ma, when did you make all this food?' He hadn't noticed her in the kitchen that morning.

'I made most of it yesterday at Maria's house, and she brought it over while you were getting married.' Johnny shouted over his thanks to Louis's mom who was stood talking to Sharon.

'So are you happy now Mrs Nogerelli?' Johnny asked Paulette getting into the spirit of the occasion.

'Sure Johnny,' she said and kissed him briefly. He realised it was pretty much the first physical contact they'd had in weeks. He saw his mom go over to Mrs Dimucci, and he grabbed Paulette's hand.

'Come on, let's join them.' She gave him a puzzled look as Johnny almost barged into the group.

'Hey ma, you remember Sharon, Louis's girlfriend, she's been here a few times with him.' His mother and Sharon looked slightly confused.

'Yes Jonathan, I know Sharon,' his mom said with a slight frown.

'Right, you do. Her and Louis are getting married.'

'Oh congratulations,' she said looking from Sharon to Louis. 'Maria did say.' Johnny held in a sigh, of course, Louis's mom would have said.

'Yeah, they'll be joining me and Paulette before you know it.' He caught Paulette's eye and winked.

'We're not getting married until next summer,' Sharon said while Johnny's mom admired her engagement ring.

'We've gotta save up first,' Louis added, and Maria jumped in.

'That won't take long now you're working, and your dad and I will help. Besides I don't want to wait too long for more grandchildren.' Louis gaped at her, and Paulette giggled.

'I'll probably finish the associate's diploma first,' Sharon said. 'So even if we get married I'll have to wait a while before getting pregnant.'

Louis's mom smiled indulgently at her. 'Sharon babies don't just arrive when you want them to.'

'No Paulette here's proof of that,' Johnny's mom said dampening the mood again.

'Yeah but she won't be on her own for long,' Johnny said. He shot Sharon an apologetic look, and she scowled in return. 'Come on Paulette, let's get a drink.' He led Paulette away from the group.

'What was that all about?' she asked indicating back to Sharon and Louis who appeared to be getting interrogated by his mom.

'Just making a point to my mom. She's acting like we're too young to have a baby. Well before long everyone will be joining us. We've just got a head start.'

Paulette smiled broadly at him. 'Yeah, we have. You always were one step ahead Johnny.' He laughed, telling himself this wasn't the end of the world after all.

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Paulette watched Johnny's mom fawning over Sharon and tried not to let it annoy her. All in all, it had been the perfect day. Her mom had only stayed for an hour before leaving with Dolores but Paulette appreciated she was trying to make amends.

'I can't believe I'm heading off to college next week,' Rhonda remarked to her. 'This summer has flown by.' Paulette nodded, with all her worry over her pregnancy summer had barely registered with her.

'I can't believe you're going away Rhon,' Goose said. 'Sharon's staying here.'

Sharon's ears perked up at the sound of her name and she joined them. 'God I can't believe I've spent the last hour talking baby-making with my future mother in law! Talk about embarrassing.'

Paulette caught her eye and indicated to Goose and Rhonda.

'Goose I'm gonna be on the other side of the country,' Rhonda said slowly. 'Pretty much till next summer.'

Goose frowned, almost as if this was news to him. 'But you'll be home for Christmas?'

'Maybe but how do you think it's gonna work if we never see each other?' Rhonda bit her lip, and Paulette wondered if she should give them some privacy.

'I guess it won't work Rhon,' Goose said slowly, and Rhonda nodded. 'But in the future...when you come back from college.'

'Yeah definitely in the future....' Rhonda said with a forced smile. She reached up to hug Goose and he kissed her head.

'I'm gonna get a drink,' he said making an excuse to leave. Paulette put an arm around Rhonda as they watched Goose go and join Johnny.

'That could have gone worse,' Paulette said softly. 

Steph nodded. 'Goose will be fine, it's better to make a clean break.' Paulette didn't doubt that, Goose wouldn't stay down for long.

Sharon looked at them, her face sombre. 'I guess this is the end,' she said biting her lip.

'The end?' Steph asked.

'Of us as a foursome, as the pink ladies.' They all looked at each, the mood suddenly melancholic.

'Don't say that,' Rhonda said her eyes welling up. 'I will come back.'

'Yeah and we'll always be pink ladies,' Paulette exclaimed. She reached out to embrace them, pulling them into a group hug. 'Remember, till death do us part, think pink!' They laughed hugging each other, in spite of all their ups and downs they'd always be friends.

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                                                          The End

Once again, thank you for reading ❤