Chapter 1

Christmas Eve

It was a beautiful and sunny day in Pasadena Penny sat on her couch reading the latest fashion magazine. It was Christmas Eve, and Leonard was supposed to arrive back yesterday, but his flight was cancelled due to bad weather. He was stuck in Seattle airport waiting for a flight home. Penny had spent hours putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the apartment. Penny wanted to make it a magical Christmas so this year she brought a real tree and traditional incandescent lights it reminded her of Christmas back home in Nebraska she remembered the lights warming the branches of the tree which made it release the scent of pine into the room. She added a dapple of garlands to the tree starting at the top and worked her way down. Next Penny added ornaments of different sizes and placed them in prime positions and a few icicles. She was happy to have finished her Christmas shopping three weeks ago. Usually, Penny left it to the week before Christmas, last two weeks had been spent wrapping up presents for family and friends, finding a hiding spot so Leonard wouldn't go snooping. She remembered asking him what he wanted for Christmas, and his reply was "I have you. What else could I ever want or need." It brought tears to her eyes because she knew he really meant it. She couldn't wait to celebrate the joys and the wonders of Christmas with Leonard. It will be their first Christmas as a married couple and wanted it to be special. She wanted Leonard to see the hard work she had put into making this the best Christmas ever. Well except for probably burning the homemade mince pies she tried to make earlier, without Leonard's supervision and after Thanksgiving you would think she had mastered the art of roasting. Leonard always loved spending the holidays with her. She sighed and bit her bottom lip. He had been away for four days at a conference, and she missed him terribly. Just then her phone rang she smiled as the screen flashed her baby's name. She answered.

"Hello sweetheart, hope you have good news lover boy." Her heart skipping a bit at the sound of his voice.

"Hey Penny there is a flight to Lax I am on Standby for a ticket to get on board, but it is not looking good I have been waiting for 3 hours." She senses the sadness in his tone.

"It okay you can catch the next one as long as you are here for our first Christmas together as a married couple."

"That's the last flight out till boxing day. I need to get on this flight. I really need to get a ticket It's the only way to get home for Christmas."

"Oh baby I really hope so too, I don't want to spend Christmas without you or alone.

"I hope it doesn't come to that I miss you already just have to keep trying if it the last thing I do."

"Just be patient miracles do happen this time of the year," she said attempting to assure him.

"Penny I've got to go, the airline rep is trying to get my attention, I hope it good news. Call you back. Bye penny."

"Bye Leonard. Take care I love you."

"I love you too. Talk soon." He hung up the phone and walk toward the counter. Leonard waited at the desk while the lady typed away on her screen. He hoped she wasn't wasting his time. He really needs to get back home it's would be their first Christmas as husband and wife. He hoped for some good news. He smiled at her. She seems friendly

"I am doing all I can," said the agent. "The only way you can get on this flight is if someone doesn't show and you are next on our standby list. that's the best I can do right now, it's not looking good."

"What if I can't get on this flight? " he asked.

"You just have to be patient," she said sympathetically. Leonard looked defeated, but he had no choice but to wait. He looked at the next desk and noticed a lady talking to an airline rep. she turned and caught his eyes she looked familiar and for some reason reminded him of Penny. She had grey-blond hair and was about sixty and still pretty for her age. He smiled at her and imaged penny's looking like that when they were both old.

Penny decided to go the mall to distract herself and maybe pick up some bargains. The Christmas spirit was alive and kicking. Choirs were singing Christmas carols the mall was beautiful with all the decorations, and the Christmas spirit was in full swing. Everywhere she went there was Christmas music playing in the background. It brought a smile and sadness to her face she wished Leonard was here with her holding her hand as they browse through all the shops. She knew he hated the mall the suffocating crowds and the screaming kids, but he would do it for her. Penny watched as the well behaved children waited in line to sit on Santa's knee. She wished her dream will come true, and Leonard makes it home for Christmas.

She wondered what he had got her this year. It didn't matter because she would love it no matter what. After a few hours of browsing and not buying anything but maybe hitting the bargain sales in the New Year. She just took in the atmosphere and enjoyed a cup of coffee in one of the many cafes watching people running around doing their last minutes shopping. She was glad it wasn't her this year. She drove home feeling much better.

Penny sat on the sofa in 4B she was looking up flight she didn't want to spend Christmas alone. All their friends already had plans, and she didn't want to intrude but to be honest, she only wanted to spend Christmas with her husband. Sheldon and Amy had gone to Texas for the holidays, and Howard and Bernadette were at her parent. Raj and Emily were spending it together, she didn't want to be a third wheel, Her mind drifted back to Leonard. If he couldn't get to her, she would try and get to him. After hours of searching she found a flight that was leaving in 2 hours, she thanks God and quickly booked it she packed a light suitcase and headed for the airport.

Leonard paced around it had now been 4 hours since he got there and nothing seemed to change. He wondered if he didn't catch this flight he could catch a train to LA and get a cab, but that meant spending the night at the airport, there wasn't much of entertainment, there was a nice cafeteria and resting area where you can recharge your phones and eat. There were lots of staff and people, so it felt pretty safe, and the friendly airline rep was kind enough to give him a blanket as it was cold in the terminal. They also had Wi-Fi, which was a bonus. He closed his eyes and dozed off.

He saw a man and a woman standing in a living room admiring a Christmas tree they were holding hands they turned to face each other and kissed. He couldn't see the man face but could partially see the woman. They looked elderly, and he could sense the love these two had for each other when he suddenly woke up as he felt a chill and vibration pass through him. It seemed so real. It didn't feel like a dream he had only closed his eye for a second or two, he thought. He had this strange feeling that something wasn't right somehow the terminal looked different. What was going on he thought? Was this remote viewing that he had heard of where you see something without actually been there but could be from great distances receiving images in your mind, but you don't know what it means. It could either be the present or the future, but it was real. Everything looked the same but for some reason the flight desk and logo had changed colour the company name was the same, but the airline reps were now wearing blue and white uniforms instead of red and white. What was going on?. Was he experiencing paranormal activities?

He looked around, and nothing strange was going on he notices that blond lady again but this time, she was sitting next to him. He smiled at her; he could see she was cold, so he offered her his blanket that she gladly accepted she put it around her and said.

"Thank you. Young man."

"You are welcome." There something about her, he felt like he had her met her before.

"Are you waiting for a flight somewhere." she asked.

"I'm trying to get a flight home my wife is waiting for me."

"You are newlywed," She asked.

Leonard thought that was strange she asked that question. "Yeah nine months" he smiled at her, well he tried to, but all that came out was a big grin. "Do I know you from somewhere, he asked.

"I don't think so but congratulations and wish you and your wife all the best. I hope you catch your flight, is it delayed?"

"Not exactly, it was cancelled due to bad weather, there is a flight in an hour, I am hoping to get a seat."

"How long have you been waiting."

he looked at his watch. "About 4 hours," he said sadly looking back at the flight desk

"It's not looking good for you. But I'm sure something will come up."

"I hope so, I miss her so much."

"How long have you been together? The elderly lady asked.

"We've known each nine years we got engaged last year and got married this year. it was wonderful the best day of my life." as he rattled on about Penny.

"I can see you love your wife very much, take care of her and make her feel special, and you will have a long lasting marriage."

"I always do, but sometimes I feel that my best is not good enough."

She put her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it gently. My husband is a wonderful man we have two grown up children and four grandchildren, there will be ups and downs. Keep that fire burning and don't let the romance die appreciate and make time for her. Woman want to be loved and cherished, and I see you are that kind of man."

"Really you think I'm, how can you tell."

"Your heart is full of love, and the passion in which you talk about your wife reminds me of my husband, and how his heart is always full of love for me. If you are anything like him, and I really think you are. You will always be there for her."

"Thank you so much. I will be the best husband ever." He felt a connection to this woman but didn't know why.

She stood and said "good luck and happy Christmas Leonard." He was shocked he didn't remember telling her his name. "How do you know my name?" he asked.

She walked away stopped and turned around. "Does it matter? Just remember be passionate and supportive of her goals and personal life."

"Thank you and happy Christmas to you too," he watches as she walked over to the flight desk and spoke to the rep. His mind wondered why this woman was so familiar but also a stranger and how she knew his name. He approached the counter as she finished talking to the rep.

"Let me help you with your suitcase it the least I can do after the great advice you gave me." He wanted to find out more about her."

Thank you, but you don't have to."

"I insist," as he tried to look at the nametag on her suitcase." he walked with her towards the check in area.

"Okay, so where are you heading. She asked.

"Lax my wife is picking me up."

" we used to live in the Pasadena area."

"That's where we live." he was about to ask her about her name when they were interrupted by an announcement over the airport speakers.

"Will Dr Leonard Hofstadter please come to the agent desk?"

"That's me I've got go. Thanks for everything and have a safe journey."

"You too. Leonard home is closer than you think." What did she mean by that he thought? It bothered him the she seems to know so much about him.

Penny arrives 45 minutes before her flight she only had hand luggage so as she sat waiting in the lounge. Penny was a bit shaken she felt a vibration as she entered the airport it was weird, but she put it down to probably a mini earthquake. The airport look different from the last time she was here something just didn't feel right, but she couldn't put a finger on it. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Hello is it ok if I sit here."

She looked to see a man standing in front of her and pointing to the seat next to her. "Sure she removed her bag. There was something familiar about the man. He had quite a bit of hair for his age, and it was brown just like Leonards.

"Thank you, are you flying out to spend Christmas with your husband?" he asked. How did he know I'm married she wondered?

"Actually yes I'm going to meet my husband so we can spend our first Christmas together as a married couple."

"That's so sweet, have you been married long?"

"Nearly a year. he is the sweetest man in the world," she said proudly.

"that strange that exactly what my wife says about me."

"Well you seem like a nice guy, so I guess she is right. he blushed as he said. "Thank you. Well, we are in it for life, we've had our share of problems, but the secret is never to go to bed mad at each other." Penny nodded to this.

"You don't mind me asking, how long have you been married?"

"We have been married 40 years, and this will be the first Christmas apart, and I don't want that to happen this tradition needs to continue."

"Wow that like forever, I hope my marriage last the long, and we can start our own tradition."

"It will if you are willing to invest in it and work through the good and the bad.

Is your wife away." Penny asked.

" I was supposed to catch a flight to be with her, but I was late and missed it. I don't know how I'm going to get home. He said sadly."

Her heart sank a little for him. I'm sorry Christmas should be spent with loved ones talking and laughing together."

"You are right. The secret of a lasting marriage is communication."

"That one area we haven't got a problem," Penny said.

"It not just about talking just because you have to, make time or plan activities, always set aside time for your partner and respect each other feelings and decisions even if you don't agree with it.

"I guess I could work on that. Sometimes I take his feeling for granted. I know it's wrong, but I'm trying. I am sorry to hear that, can't you get another flight?"

"No, they are fully booked. This may sound odd but don't emasculate him; life gets boring and stressful just like marriage it will have times when it stronger you feel happy, but when things are tough, remember the early day's revel in your successes and the things that made you laugh together."

"That is such good advice I will remember this. Thank you. Your wife is very lucky to have a wonderful man like you."

"She is my rock and world I don't know what I would do without her. One thing I have learnt in the years we have been married is never to take each other for granted."

Penny looked down at her feet feeling embarrassed. "I have in the past, and sometimes I feel like I don't deserve him, he can be annoying, but it's no excuse."

"I feel you are a good person and will do the right thing, just remember not to look at problems to place blame just find solutions. You are both going to do a lot of growing up and maturing over the years, understand and support each other."

Penny took in everything the old man told her he was right she didn't want to lose her best friend or the love of her life. She promises herself to work on being a better wife and to treasure the gem that is Leonard. Penny felt a connection with the man what he had told her was inspiring she love Christmas but felt sad to knowing for the first time in forty years; this man wouldn't be spending Christmas with his wife. The man continued.

"Always sit next to each other it's impossible not to touch physically. That what my wife and I do I never forget when our daughter bought us a kissing booth because she said as long as she could remember we were always kissing or touching each other." He smiled at Penny.

"That's so adorable. I hope our marriage is as beautiful and blissful as yours."

"How long have you been together," He asked.

"We have known each other for over 9 years. We dated six years ago but broke up due to my insecurities but got back together four years ago."

But you found each other again which forms that special bond you both have. Penny felt her heart melt at that statement and without even thinking she said.

"Here, you can have my ticket."

He looked up at her surprised. "I can't do that what about your Christmas together."

"It fine we will have plenty more to celebrate together. At least, your tradition wouldn't be broken, and I insist."

"Thank you and Merry Christmas Penny."

"Merry Christmas to you too. She wondered how he knew her name maybe she mentioned it. "Come on let's go and change the name on the ticket, we don't want you missing your flight again," they both laugh as they made their way to the agent desk.

Why the ticket was being finalized Penny decided to call Leonard. She was sad that she might not get to spend Christmas with him, but she felt good about helping someone in need at a time like this. After all, it was Christmas and helping people in need is what it's all about.

"Good news we have a ticket for you." The rep said excitedly to Leonard.

"Thank you so much and for all your help." he said relieved at last.

"You are welcome, but you should actually be thanking the lady you were talking to she gave you her ticket. Specifically asked for it to be given to you," he turns around, but she was gone he scan around the airport, but he couldn't see her how could she have left so quickly. He felt sad that he didn't get to thank her. After getting his ticket and thanking the rep for all her help he sat down to rest, he was tired and emotionally exhausted everything that had happened made no sense but it was Christmas and as Penny said miracles do happen. He hoped the lady was okay and why she did what she did. It was all too much for him he felt like crying. tears burning the back of his eyelids. as his phone began to ring.

Leonard answered, Hi"Penny is everything okay."

Hey, Leonard." She thought his voice sound different, but she put it down to bad reception due to the weather. "I was going catch a flight to you, but I met this sweet old man who missed his flight an d gave him my ticket."

"That was very sweet of you. you are not planning on leaving me." he joked.

"No Leonard, he is like 100 years old, are you crying?"

"No." he cleared his throat and wiped his eyes away from the speaker of the phone so Penny couldn't hear. "Just tired haven't slept well but don't worry I've got a ticket, we are about to board. I will explain later.

"Oh okay, I'll be waiting for you, honey." Penny was relieved.

"Happy Christmas Eve Penny." He wiped his eyes

"Happy Christmas Eve Leonard," she had tears in her eyes.

She couldn't believe he was coming home. She was so happy and felt everything was working out. After composing herself, Penny went to tell the man the good news, but he was gone she asked at the desk, but no one knew where he was or went. as Penny was about to walk away the the agent said.

"Excuse me." she turned around, "he left this for you." She handed her an envelope. Penny thanked her and put it in her bag with the other Christmas cards. She hoped he was okay and caught his flight. Penny sat down and took out her phone and began to play candy crush. She had three hours to kill.