November
Penny was convinced there was a hell. She was sitting in the middle of it. It had seemed like such a good idea when she had it. The guys had been dubious, especially Leonard, and tried to talk her out of it. Penny had been so certain, though. It was the perfect plan. Or so she thought. Invite Meemaw, Mrs. Cooper and Missy for a weekend visit along with her mom and sister Caroline. The two families could get to know each other a bit and they could help her chose her wedding dress and their dresses. Easy right?
Mrs. Cooper wanted a large church wedding in Texas. Her mom wanted an intimate wedding in Nebraska. Caroline and Missy both liked the same dress, but clashed over the colors. Mrs. Cooper wanted George to be best man. Mom wanted her brother Chris to be best man. Mrs. Cooper wanted Protestant, Mom wanted Catholic.
By Sunday Penny was seriously considering Howard's joking suggestion. She sat on the couch and listened to Missy and Caroline argue blue versus yellow. Mrs. Cooper was glaring at the bridal book as her mom rhapsodized over how beautiful it would be to have a priest instead of some country vicar. Meemaw was sitting at the table watching silently.
Penny stood and walked over to her. Meemaw had been the only one not arguing all weekend. In fact, she rarely gave any opinion at all about the wedding. Her only response to the situation had been "As long as Moon Pie and Penny-blossom are happy, so am I."
Meemaw smiled as Penny kissed her cheek. "Meemaw, would you like to go up to the roof with me?" Penny asked quietly.
The older woman nodded serenely and they walked out into the hallway. She took Penny's arm as they walked up the two flights of stairs. Penny led her over to a couple of overturned planters and they sat down.
"Meemaw, this is a disaster, isn't it?" she said tearfully.
"Penny-blossom," Meemaw said gently, "what do you want?" She sighed and took the woman's wrinkled hand in hers.
"To be honest, I'm thinking about something a friend said as a joke. The more I think about it, though, the more I like it. A Star Trek theme." She blushed and glanced at Sheldon's grandmother. "Sheldon makes a very cute Spock."
Meemaw laughed uproariously. "Oh, now wouldn't that put a spoke in Mary's wheels!" Penny's expression became worried, and Meemaw patted their clasped hands with her other. "I think it's a fine idea. Moon Pie loves that show, and to be honest, so do I." She leaned closer a bit. "But I'm more of a Scotty fan, myself. I've always loved a Scottish accent." Penny burst out laughing and threw her arms around Meemaw.
When they finally went back downstairs, the women were still arguing. Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj were standing in a close group in the kitchen. Meemaw walked over and took her seat back and winked at her grandson.
Penny cleared her throat loudly and waited until all eyes were on her. Then she looked directly at Howard and blew him a kiss. "Ladies, put away the books. We won't be needing them. Gentlemen, I hope your sewing machines are primed and ready. I have made up my mind. In March, Sheldon and I are getting married right here in Pasadena. I've decided that Howard had the best idea. We're boldly going where we've never gone before." She heard Sheldon gasp with excitement. She nodded. "That's right sweetie. Dust off that Spock uniform. We're having a Star Trek wedding!"