The Hofstadter Change Continuation
Bernadette pulled up in front of the hospital entrance and looked for Penny and her daughter.
Who was just at that moment walking towards Bernadette's van.
"Thanks Bernie, I owe you one." Penny told her as she strapped in Honey Marie. Then after seating herself she closed the door before continuing, "After the stressful day I've had, I really did not feel like driving back at all".
"Hey!, Think nothing of it. In fact this has really made my day.", Bernadette replied on a triumphant note.
"After all the teasing you gave me when I fell for Michael, straight after having Halley, and then lying to me when you first fell pregnant, This is sweet, sweet payback", she added.
"Please don't Bernie, I'm really worried about Leonard, as it is" Penny pleaded.
"Yeah, well if you kept your hands off of your Husband you would not have fallen pregnant again so soon. And it's not as though you were totally unaware that I fell pregnant despite still breast feeding Halley.
Also, the fact is, that Doctor should have had more sense to wait until Leonard was seated before she revealed the news that you're having twins, you really ought to sue her ass".
"Well first of all I was pressured into sex, shortly after having Honey Marie and I can't sue Doctor Kenyon as she is my best customer," then Penny mumbled as she added, "And she let's me use her cabin in Big Bear" Penny revealed in mitigation for both falling pregnant with twins, and Doctor Kenyon's misjudgment regarding Leonard.
Penny then paled visibly as she described the awful sound of Leonard's head hitting the floor.
"Penny, Leonard Will be OK, they're only keeping him in tonight for observation." her friend replied soothingly
"if the X-rays had shown any fractures. I'm sure they would have said", Bernadette comfortingly reminded Penny.
Then as though suddenly hearing Penny's comment that she was pressured into sex.
Bernadette frowned, then asked Penny, "Pressured!, What! From Leonard?. Come on girl don't give me that. You could take Leonard with both arms tied behind your back?".
"Hey it is solely Leonard's fault, I'll have you know.
He insists on coming out of the bathroom after his shower, and he smells nice and his robe is open at the chest, and he smiles at me and….(at this point Penny emitted a low animal like growl).
"Don't tell me, Idris Elba's just arrived?", Bernadette asked.
"Penny sighed, "Nope, to tell you the truth, he never did.
I only said that on the plane, to try and change the subject. Amy was creeping me out, talking about sister wives.
It's only ever my Leonard who gets my motor running like that. And if you must know, there were two good reasons that I fell pregnant again.
1) I did not want to take the pill while breastfeeding Honey Marie.
And 2) I so love that really close feeling when Leonard and I make love.
It's so much more nicer, wonderful even. when doing it with someone that you're utterly crazy about," Penny confessed. "and I know that they are equally crazy about me", she added, dreamily.
"Yeah OK that's enough of that, too much information, I guess your pregnancy hormones must be working overtime" Bernadette assumed whilst blushing furiously, before adding, "yeah I know what you mean. Howard's ruined me as far as other men are concerned, and sometimes the closeness is even more important than the sex itself."
Then hurriedly changing the subject she went on to ask, "So Mrs I-don't-want-kids Hofstadter, how are you feeling, now that you're expecting twins this time?".
Then before Penny could reply another driver veered into Bernadette's lane which resulted in Bernadette shouting at the top of her voice, "Yeah, don't bother signaling Jack, I'm psychic." which promptly woke up Honey Marie and therefore Penny was then too occupied with calming her daughter by letting her suckle on her breast, and feeling somewhat relieved while she did so, that Bernadette owned a van with blacked out windows.
Also Penny decided against revealing the rather embarrassing admission to Bernadette, that she always felt that way about her Leonard, pregnancy hormones therefore had nothing to do with it.
XXXXXXX
Once they were safely back at 4A, and comfortably seated with the obligatory cup of coffee for Bernie while Penny poured herself a large orange juice, that Bernadette repeated her question.
She felt more than a little concerned at how her dear friend was really feeling, as she was now forced to cope with a four month old, as well as now pregnant with twins. Taking Penny's earlier reluctance at becoming a mother into consideration.
But to Bernadette's relief. Penny swelled with pride as she answered, "Well, as you know Honey Marie certainly was quite a shock, but as soon as I felt her there inside me, I just knew I wanted her so much.
And the moment she was born, wow! I was so happy I wept buckets.
And now I can't wait to meet my two little guys, I'm so happy and excited", Penny revealed, her eyes shining with happiness. If any further evidence was required.
"I'm so pleased you're so happy about your children. Yeah, I think it's the best thing ever being a mom.
Seriously though, I'm not at all surprised that you changed your mind over having children.
Lets face it, you kept changing your mind over dating Leonard enough?" Bernadette reminded her.
Penny slowly nodded her head in agreement, "Yeah. My head was all over the place, thanks mainly to Kurt, and then Mike, and other guys I dated in Omaha. I came to think that that was the normal thing for guys, being only interested in me for sex, well that and the fact they considered me to be hot arm candy to just show off and make them look good", Penny sighed sadly as she cast her mind back.
"And I just could not get it into my head that Leonard thought differently.
"Also, the other reason was, Leonard was more than just cute. He was also the smartest guy I have ever met but sweet with it too. And that bothered me. All I was, was a terrible actress, and an even lousier waitress.
You see, I was convinced that Leonard would want, and certainly deserved, a like minded woman who would be his equal. And she would also be passionate in sharing in the same things he loves, and when we dated and he told me he loved me I panicked. I was so sure I would be cast aside for such a woman, and one who did not need to keep leeching money off of him because she could not afford her rent. Or having to provide her with food because she was frequently flat broke". Penny wiped her eyes as she continued.
"And the guys I did date like Zack I found were a lot easier for me to deal with.
I mean, if they broke up with me then the only thing that would be hurting, would be my ego.
But Leonard?, I found it so hard.
I had never known myself to have that restless feeling. That the only place I really wanted to be was wherever Leonard was and I just did not understand then what it all meant.
I just could not get him out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried."
Bernadette interrupted her, "So how did you cope when he dated Priya?
At the time, I thought you managed reasonably well considering".
Penny swallowed, then her eyes brimmed as she confessed how bad her feelings were, at that time.
"Oh!, you're so wrong. I didn't at all, no it was an absolute nightmare.
As soon as my door was locked for the night. I would scour my apartment for any alcohol and just drown my sorrows. I'm ashamed to admit it now, but I was so desperate to stop feeling miserable that I even sponged some money off of Leonard just to buy some liquor.
I feel terrible about it now, you see I lied, I just told him it was to pay my credit card," she revealed shamefacedly.
Bernadette's face was stricken, "Oh Penny no! that's so awful. I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were struggling so badly.
You should have told me how you were feeling, maybe Amy and I could have helped with your distress?."
Penny wiped her eyes and nose on some tp, and continued to explain.
"I could not risk it getting back to Leonard, he might have broken up with her, and all because of my own stupid insecurities.
And that was the last thing I wanted to happen. It was me that screwed things up in the first place.
Happily though for me, she cheated on him anyway, and eventually we got back together.
And though I was still a little insecure for a while until Sheldon's assistant, Alex came on the scene, And although I hated that bitch at the time. I am very grateful to her now because she made me think deeply about my feelings for Leonard, and since then, in spite of a few ups and downs along the way.
I know now Leonard will be the only man for me," Penny reflected in conclusion, a huge smile now on her face.
Bernadette smiled, then teased, "Yeah, and very fortunate for your liver too," Then noticing the time she jumped up, "I'm sorry Penny, I have to run and pick up Michael and Halley from preschool. Let me know how Leonard is, won't you? Also I have to stop at the supermarket afterwards." She gave a sly smirk, then asked, "How much pickled herring do you want?".
Penny's face paled at Bernadette's question, "Are you crazy?, after the amount I barfed. I never want to see another one ever again.
And then, giggling as she left. Bernadette was out the door and rushing for the elevator.
XXXXXXX
Penny fed and changed Honey Marie, then after placing her in her crib, she phoned the hospital to see if she could find out how Leonard was. The hospital didn't say much more than that Leonard was comfortable, which did not really ease her anxiety all that much.
Then, seeing the very low power level warning on her cell, she turned the device off and put it on charge.
She prepared a pasta salad for herself, which she ate while watching TV. though without really paying much attention to the show. Her mind was elsewhere. Too busy fretting over the current welfare of her husband.
After Penny had eaten. In order to ease her anxiety somewhat, she busied herself by ironing some shirts of Leonard's.
Then having finished her task.
She was about to hang Leonard's shirts up in his closet, when Honey Marie awoke and instantly demanded another feed.
And after Honey Marie was fed, mom had to change her daughter again, Penny, hugged and kissed her daughter, before placing her little princess back in her crib for the night and crooned a soft lullaby until Honey Marie fell fast asleep.
By this time, Penny herself was feeling somewhat fatigued after her event filled day, and she really felt like having someone croon a lullaby for her, (preferably Leonard). And she decided to turn in for the night herself. At first though, sleep eluded her until she hugged Leonard's pillow and while breathing in his scent, she too soon joined her daughter in slumber.
XXXXXXX
At 04:12 am Leonard quietly opened the door to 4a and tiptoed towards the couples bedroom. By the light of his cellphone he could see Penny there, clutching his pillow, sound asleep and gently snoring.
She looked so beautiful laying there, and Leonard was loathe to wake her. But the urgent phone call that Leonard had received from Penny's mother earlier, had forced his hand and he gently shook her shoulder.
Penny startled at the touch immediately came awake, her heart thumping with fear at what she thought, in her half-asleep state, was an unwanted intruder.
"It's OK, it's me Honey," Leonard told her quietly.
Penny launched herself across the bed with relief and tightly hugged her husband.
"Sweetie! You should not be here, are you OK?", she asked him seriously, then added, How are you feeling?," she asked him a little nervously.
Leonard immediately put her mind at rest. "I'm OK. I signed myself out. I've just got a slight headache, and a large bump on my head but I have no nausea or dizziness.
"You sure your OK Sweetie?" Penny frowned as she asked him again.
"Honey I swear I'm fine. I had to leave there. You see Penny I got a call from your Mom, as she was unable to reach you. your Dad has been taken ill and is currently in the trauma Hospital in Omaha."
Penny gasped, then hurriedly borrowed Leonard's cell in order to quickly call her Mother back. She knew her mother would not be able to sleep for worrying over her Father. Just as much as Penny worried over Leonard.
"Hi Mom. How is Dad doing?….", Penny began as she moved into the lounge.
After talking to her Mother for half an hour. Penny returned to the bedroom to find Leonard to tell him about her Mom's call only to discover Leonard had fallen into a deep sleep.
Penny though, was feeling a little relieved. As she was not certain how Leonard would take her news.
She badly needed to talk to someone.
Then deciding that Amy was nearer, she fed and changed her daughter. Then waited until 07:15, which was Sheldon's allotted time for his bathroom schedule. She carried Honey Marie over to apartment 4B.
"Hi Penny, come in," Amy greeted her as she took Honey Marie from Penny's arms, then sitting down she began to fuss over the little girl. Then turning to Penny, she asked her, "What's up Bestie?."
At Penny's news that she was expecting twins, Amy gaped at her in astonishment.
"Wow Penny, for a woman that didn't want kids, you sure ain't very good with using contraception are you?. It might be shutting the stable door but I will get you a lot of pamphlets on the different methods you could use. That is before you overpopulate Pasadena single handed, well including Leonard that is, but then again he's not using his hands...but neither are you?"
at which point Penny interrupted her before Amy began to enthusiastically describe in vivid detail.
All about coitus and how to use the various methods of contraception before coitus.
"Amy! Please! Look I really need some advice, this is why I came over this Morning," Penny told her with more than a little exasperation.
Amy pondered for a minute or two, before "Well? You should be OK, the elevator is now working, so it'll make it much easier for you regarding transporting your offspring. Incidentally, did you know?, apparently the people upstairs told me that when the engineers first came to look at the elevator, they found that someone had thrown a tree down the shaft?. Honestly, I just can't understand some people!"
"Amy no. please stop. Listen. My dad's been taken ill and though they need to do some tests, they've told us that it is very unlikely that he will be able to work on the farm again.
And we can't sell the farm. Because I know my dad, and he will just give up. My mom's afraid what Randall will try and grow and as for Lisa, she has never been interested in the farm at all.
My mom wants me to interview a farm manager for crop planning, seeing the need to replace equipment, that sort of thing.
But she also wants me to have overall control of the farm. I can get dad's advice on things, once he recovers but it means me leaving California, and moving back home.
And I just don't know how I'm going to break it to Leonard.
I have no idea whether he will want to come with me or stay here.
I just feel so torn. I love my husband very much, but I also love my father, and now I'm pregnant with these two little guys….." and at this point Penny burst into tears.
Amy immediately went to comfort her bestie, (that is after much haranguing of Sheldon to get him to hold Honey Marie while she did so).
"I get it now", Sheldon exclaimed suddenly.
"Get what Sheldon?" Amy inquired, (and feeling somewhat annoyed and puzzled at his sudden interruption),.
"What Leonard and Penny have in common, They both overthink things", Sheldon happily reasoned.
"Not helping Sheldon", Amy told him in exasperation, while still trying to comfort Penny.
"Penny", Amy began. "You know Leonard's crazy about you. And you also know how depressed he got when you told him you did not want children".
At this, Penny gasped in astonishment, "Leonard got depressed?", she ejaculated as her tears began to flow again.
"Oops sorry, cat's out the bag. The truth is Leonard hid it from you. He did not want to put pressure on you. So he did not want you to know", Amy explained, feeling embarrassed at her careless indiscretion.
"Anyway, now that he has that family that he wanted so much, do you really think he would stay here rather than being with you all?". Then holding Penny's shoulders. Amy pleaded with Penny to talk to Leonard.
"Where is my science weekly magazine?", Sheldon suddenly piped up.
"It's, there, on your desk Sheldon", Amy informed him.
"No I'm referring to the one I was reading ten months and four days ago at 7:45pm. It was just before you asked me which brand of cream for treating thrush would I prefer for us to use?.
After which you put my magazine away," Sheldon elucidated helpfully.
Amy's face was a picture, as her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment, "Sheldon!" she shouted angrily. As she pointed to a pile of magazines in the corner
"But it might be helpful to Leonard?", Sheldon answered simply. Then he walked over to the pile and located the issue he wanted Leonard to read, before handing it to Penny.
Penny Hugged them both and thanked them. Then taking her daughter she returned to 4A, with the copy of science weekly tucked under her arm.
XXXXXXX
Penny, opened her door and entered the lounge to find Leonard was standing by the kitchen counter getting himself some breakfast. Upon noticing Penny's tear streaked face, Leonard inquired of her father's health.
Penny could not avoid facing the truth any longer, and she began to relate to her husband all that had been planned regarding her father and the farm.
Leonard thought for a moment or two before moving towards Penny and gently embraced his wife and daughter revealing his feelings toward them both.
"Penny. When I was still at Princeton. The time soon came when we had to choose the field of study that we would be specializing in. And our Professor at the time advised us to choose the one we were most passionate about.
You, my darling and our children are my passion. Therefore my family is much much more important than my career.
So Penny. Where you go, I go," Leonard told her, while wordlessly noticing the look of relief on his wife's face.