Raj and Alex pulled through the gate at Leonard and Penny's ranch to find Leonard, Howard, and Jason gathered around what appeared to be a new black SUV and Penny, Gina, and Bernadette looking into a lavender version of the same car next to each other in the garage. Sheldon was sitting on the steps going into the kitchen working on his tablet and drinking a glass of what looked to be ice tea.

Raj parked the car in his usual spot under the giant oak tree. He went around to Alex' side of the car and opened the door for the surprised physicist. He took Cinnamon from her child seat in the back and held her with one arm and held Alex' hand with the other hand. As they came into the garage, they first encountered Leonard and the other men.

"Dude," Raj said. "That was fast. I need to switch to your insurance company if they replaced your car this quickly."

Leonard said, "We lucked out. I was driving Wyatt's car on the way from taking Penny to the doctor, and I stopped by the dealership where I bought my old SUV to see what they had. The adjuster for our insurance company was there getting a repair estimate on the car for one of his other customers, and he told me he had already seen my car, and I should go ahead and get a new one. Since it was New Years Eve, and the dealership wanted as many cars off the lot before midnight as possible, they had a great sale. The insurance company is going to give me enough for my old car that I'm not going to take much of a hit with the new car. This one is exactly what I wanted-even the color-and then some: There are some features on this model that we didn't have on the one that was destroyed. I even have a compartment that will be perfect for carrying bags and towels in case Penny gets sick and then supplies for the baby when she comes. Penny got the same one in lavender. You'll be happy to know that Sheldon has given his approval. He has already figured out how to monitor my engine and all the sensors with his smart phone."

"I certainly do approve of the car," Sheldon said, looking up from his tablet. "You can interact with the car and not have to interact with people. By the way, your tire pressure in all four tires-and the spare-are within the expected parameters."

"Darn that Vulcan hearing," Leonard said.

Raj and Alex walked over to Penny, who was showing Bernadette and Gina her new car.

Penny said, "I wasn't in that much of a hurry to get a car, but it was a really good sale. They didn't give us much at all for my old car when it was bombed, but I'm going to need something. It's exactly like Leonard's-except for the color-and Consumer Reports rates this model as the most baby-friendly because of all the safety features. It even has a built-in Blue-Ray player for when the rugrat gets old enough to need entertaining. I've been out playing with all the electronic gizmos. Raj, it has heated seats. I know you like that."

Leonard went in to check on supper while Penny took their visitors to the corral to see Midnight.

Midnight whinnied and came over to the fence and nuzzled Penny."That's my sweet boy," Penny said, stroking the large black horse.

Alex said, "I used to go to riding camp every summer." She reached up and scratched the bridge of Midnight's nose.

Midnight eyed Alex suspiciously but did not fuss. He flicked his ears as she cooed at him.

"I think he likes you," Penny said.

Midnight flipped his tail but did not protest. He nudged Penny, who absent-mindedly scratched his ear.

Raj let go of Alex' hand momentarily and reached up to scratch Midnight's nose, but Midnight kicked the fence post and snorted, causing Raj to step back.

"Penny, your horse just gave me a threatening look," Raj said.

"Raj, you're imagining things," Penny said.

"No, I promise you I know that look," Raj said. "Remember, I have sisters, and I've been around you for six years. I know what it is to be threatened."

"Darned skippy," Penny said.

"What does peanut butter have to do with it?" Raj asked.

"It's an expression," Howard said.

Penny took their visitors over to Wyatt and Patti's property to show them the goats Wyatt had just bought.

"Daddy's going to use the goats to clear out the brush over on our back lot," Penny said. "Goats are wonderful: They eat the sticker bushes and the poison ivy, even the garbage that's under all the brush that looks as if it has been there for several decades. I was raised on goat's milk: It's so much better for the baby than cow's milk."

"Plus they give you free fertilizer," Howard said.

Just then, a border collie walked out from behind the goats and barked at Penny, wagging his tail.

"Hi, Sam," Penny said.

"Sam's new," Bernadette said.

"Sam's Daddy's border collie," Penny said. "Jason brought him out in the car with him and Gina. He's going to stay with Daddy and Patti. He's great with goats. He always worked the sheep at home, and goats are a lot smarter than sheep. They won't get into mischief with Sam around, not to mention that he's great at catching frisbees. His daddy was my Daddy's dog, and Sam took over about six months before Daddy came out to Pasadena."

The group went into the house, where Leonard was putting the final touches on dinner as Amy drove up and parked next to Raj.

"Hi, Amy," Jason said as she walked into the den. "May I get you something to drink?"

"Sure, maybe some white wine, if some is open," Amy said. "I brought a hostess gift." She walked into the kitchen and put a large bottle of sparkling cider and a bottle of white wine down on the counter next to the wine Raj and Alex had brought and the Poinsettia Howard and Bernadette had brought. "I brought two hostess gifts, since I didn't think Sheldon would bring anything. Jason, I thought you were leaving for Omaha."

"I'm supposed to be back the day after New Year's, but my flight was canceled. I may be here a few more days. I hope I can see you those days and get you to come out and visit me in Omaha. Why don't we go take a walk?"

Jason took Amy's hand and led her on a walk around the farm, showing her where Leonard and Penny were growing lettuce in bell jars. They walked over to the goat pen.

"Why is that grasshopper-looking guy following us?" Jason asked, nodding at Sheldon, who was peeping out from behind a tree.

"Ignore him," Amy said. "Sheldon is-how do I say this nicely-special."

"Are you and he [making a sign with his fingers]?"

"We're supposedly girlfriend and boyfriend, but I think we may have broken up."

"That's a shame."

"Maybe not."

Penny was looking out the window watching Amy and her brother.

"Do you think Jason and Amy are starting a relationship?" Bernadette asked, looking around Penny.

"I don't know," Penny said. "They do look cozy, don't they?"

"From what you said, I'm surprised," Bernadette said. "I would have thought Jason would go for someone a bit more-oh, I don't want to say something bad about Amy-uh, more. . . ."

"Slutty?" Penny said. "You have to understand that Jason is a hound dog. As long as you're biologically female and willing, he'll do you. He won't have a long-term relationship with most women, he mostly looks for one-night stands. I hope Amy doesn't let herself get hurt. I'll talk to her. Leonard, how's supper coming?"

"Everything's under control," Leonard said. "The salads are in the fridge, and the Sopa de Ajo is in the slow-cooker doing well. I'll have the homemade fat-free Eggplant Parmesan ready by the time we're finished with our soup and salads."

"What is Sopa de Ajo?" Alex asked, walking up to pour herself a glass of white wine as Bernadette left with a glass of wine for Howard.

"Garlic soup: It tastes a lot better than it sounds," Leonard said. "It's light and makes a good transition between the salad and the entrée."

"Wow, Leonard, you have become quite the cook," Alex said.

"You haven't tasted anything yet," Leonard said. "You might want to withhold judgment until you see if you have to spit it out and wash it down with wine to get the taste out of your mouth."

"Oh, don't let him bluff you. He's a great cook," Penny said. "Ever since we took the healthy eating and healthy cooking classes, he has really climbed on the heart-healthy bandwagon. Just wait until you taste the Tres Leches Cake."

"Don't tell me that's heart-healthy too," Alex said.

"No," Leonard said. "That's the one splurge I did tonight. It's very rich. I usually can't eat more than half a slice. I got the recipe from Elie at the Mediterranean restaurant when she sent some for Penny after her attack and Penny went wild over it."

"Alex, you and Raj are looking comfortable," Penny said, looking around to make sure she and Leonard were alone with Alex.

"It's too soon to tell if there's anything there," Alex quietly said. "May I tell you and Leonard something and you keep it among the three of us? I really need to talk to someone, and I trust both of you. Sometimes, Raj makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. You know him better than I do, so tell me if this is weird: He insisted that he wanted to come early so he could do my makeup tonight, and I thought he was going to cry when I said no. I mean, he brought a case with lipstick, foundation-he said I'm using the wrong color-the works. That's just kind of ewwwww. I've dumped guys over less than that. I almost didn't come. I mean, is he going to be wearing my skin as a vest and everyone wants to know what happened to me six months from now?"

"I don't want to embarrass you," Penny said, "but he has been madly in love with you since he first met you. I think he's just eager. He wants to impress you, and he doesn't know how to just relax and be himself. He's really just a sweetie. He's totally harmless."

"He told me he loved me when he dove on top of me during the earthquake. It was kind of creepy."

Just then, Raj's dog Cinnamon ran into the kitchen and barked at Penny.

"Hi, Cinnamon. What do you need?" Penny asked.

"She needs to go potty," Raj said, coming into the room with Cinnamon's leash. "Alex, would you like to join us?"

"No, I think this is Daddy and doggie time," Alex said.

Penny flipped on the backyard light and said, "Cinnamon will probably have a better time out in the backyard."

After Raj and Cinnamon had walked out into the backyard, with Cinnamon sniffing every clump of grass, Penny said, "You know, Alex, Raj has been so lonely. I'm glad that he is finally able to talk to you. He has wanted to ever since you started at the university."

"Sometimes," Alex said, "He's almost stalkerish. He seems like a good guy, but so did Ted Bundy."

"He's the best," Penny said. "He's so sweet. I think he tries too hard and says things without thinking sometimes."

"I just don't know what I'm prepared to commit to," Alex said.

"Alex," Penny said, "I know that you're not the kind of person to hurt Raj on purpose."

"We'll just have to see where it goes," Alex said. "I think he's already thinking about names for our children."

#

"That was a wonderful meal," Alex said as she finished the last of the slice of Tres Leches Cake she and Raj were sharing.

"You're right," Amy said, as Jason fed her the last spoonful of the slice they were sharing.

"There's still plenty," Leonard said. Everyone groaned.

"Dude," Raj said, "I think I will burst if I try to eat one more spoonful. That was delicious."

"It was all Leonard," Penny said. "I think he's nesting now that I'm pregnant. He won't let me help out much at all. He's working himself to a frazzle."

"Penny's not too shabby in the kitchen either," Leonard said. "If everyone will head into the den, I have a fruit and cheese tray. Help yourselves. Sheldon, you wanna surf to New Years Rockin' Eve while I clear away from supper?"

"Um, hum," Sheldon said, glaring at Jason and drinking another glass of Long Island Ice Tea.

"Sweetie, I'm coming," Penny said.

"Here, Penny, I'll help," Howard said. "Penny, you entertain your guests. Leonard and I can handle it." He cleared the dishes off the table as Leonard loaded the dishwasher and put the leftovers into containers. Gina came in and helped Leonard.

"Someone's going to have to take home some leftovers," Leonard said.

"You know, Leonard," Gina said, when she and Leonard were alone, "I appreciate you and Penny letting me stick around for the next week. You know what? You guys need a housekeeper, and I could do that for you. When the baby comes, I could help out with him too."

"Hold that thought," Leonard said. "Let's talk that over with Management when we don't have guests under foot."

"Management?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. That's my pet name for Penny."

Leonard, Howard, and Gina came into the den as Nose Hair was performing their latest single on New Years Rockin' Eve.

"I don't like it when they scream," Sheldon said. "Why can't they just sing?"

A few minutes later, Ryan Seacrest was counting down to the New Year on the East Coast.

"Three, two, one, Happy New Year!"

"You know," Bernadette said, "We need something like a ball drop here."

"Bernadette," Penny said, "I don't think you ever worked the New Years Eve shift at the Cheesecake Factory, but we had a whiffle ball that the manager would lower from the ceiling. It was kinda cheesy, but we had a nice countdown."

Eventually, New Years Rockin' Eve signed off and the group watched local programming coverage of celebrations in the Los Angeles area.

Finally, it was 30 seconds to New Years on the West Coast. Leonard came over and sat next to Penny while Bernadette came to sit next to Howard. Raj took Alex' hand. Jason came over and put his arm around Amy's shoulder.

"Five, four, three, two, one, Happy New Year!" the local anchor announced. Leonard and Penny kissed, as did Howard and Bernadette. Raj looked Alex in the eyes and kissed her on the lips. Amy looked away at first, but Jason took her by the chin and turned her face toward his and kissed her. Gina looked at Sheldon, shook her head no and walked into the kitchen for a glass of sparkling cider. Sheldon began growling as he drank his fifth glass of Long Island Ice Tea. He drained the glass and carefully put it on the coaster on the end table. He rose to confront Jason and fell behind the sofa. Leonard jumped over the sofa to make sure that Sheldon was all right but found him snoring quietly with Cinnamon licking his face. He put a cushion under his head. He and Penny looked around and saw that Amy and Jason and Raj and Alex were still kissing.

"I love you, Mrs. Hofstadter," Leonard said.

"I love you, Dr. Hofstadter," Penny said.

"Last year brought some bad things and some great things," Leonard said. "Maybe this year will bring all good things."

#

Everyone was in the living room watching When Harry Met Sally. "I've never see this movie before. This is great," Gina said.

"I know, right?" Penny said.

"You know what?" Howard said.

"Howard, if you say, 'Gee, I wonder if our periods will synchronize,' I'm going to smack you," Penny said. She snuggled closer to Leonard and said, "As soon as this is over, I think I'm going to slink off to bed and get at least a couple of hours sleep before we have to drive to the parade. Is everyone settled in?"

"I think so," Raj said. "It's nice of you and Leonard to give us a place to sleep so we don't have to drive home tonight."

Bernadette said, "Are you sure it's all right with your dad and Patti for some of us to stay at their house?"

"Oh, they won't mind," Penny said. "He likes you guys. Alex, do you need anything to sleep in? Leonard has some exercise pants. I think we're about the same size, and I can let you see what you might want."

"No, thanks," Alex said. "I think I'm going to borrow Raj' car and drive on home."

"No, please stay," Penny said. "We have plenty of room, and, tomorrow morning, Leonard will make you one of his famous breakfast smoothies."

"Actually," Leonard said, "Alex, if you will stay, you can help me with Penny's final Christmas present."

"What Christmas present?" Penny asked.

"Alex, will you please stay?" Leonard said.

"OK, I guess so," Alex said.

"Penny, you wanted to get back from the parade and lunch in time to watch the Rose Bowl game, right?" Leonard said.

"Yeah," Penny said. She turned to the others and said, "Nebraska is playing USC. I tried to get tickets when I found out, but they were sold out. I was hoping we could watch it here or find somewhere we could watch it with Nebraska fans."

Leonard said, "Are you aware that the Hofstadter Foundation makes a substantial contribution every year to the Tournament of Roses Foundation?"

"No, I really haven't seen what all you do with the foundation. Most of what you and the money guys talk about is jibber jabber to me."

"Well, we do give a very large contribution. This is my first year as Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, and, when I found out we make that contribution, I made a few calls. Long story short, we pay for a number of tickets to watch the game at the stadium in the President's box, and we've never used them. I called, and all of us have passes waiting for us. So I hired a limousine. It will be here at 6:00 a.m. to take us to Portofino's for breakfast, and Mr. Portofino said we can watch the parade from the restaurant's balcony. After the parade, the driver will take us to the stadium, where we will all have lunch in the president's box and watch the game from there."

"Leonard!" Penny said, launching herself at him. "Thank you so much!"

"I knew how much it meant to you to go watch Nebraska play," Leonard said.

"I don't want to be one of those people who takes advantage of my connections to get special treatment," Penny said.

"It's not special treatment: Do you realize how much my family gives to the foundation, and we have never asked for a single thing? We've already paid for the tickets, and they'll go to waste if we don't attend."

Everyone went to bed. Leonard got up around 4:00 a.m. to get a drink of water. When he slipped back into bed, Penny snuggled back up next to him. "You're nice and warm," she said.

"I think Alex and Raj are sleeping together," he said. "Raj's bedroom is empty, and I could hear a man's and woman's voices coming from Alex' room. Sheldon's still asleep on the floor behind the sofa in the den snuggling with Cinnamon, so it has to be Raj."

"Good for them," Penny said. "I was afraid Alex would dump him."

#

"Dude, this is living," Raj said, sitting at the table on the balcony overlooking the parade route, pouring Alex some orange juice. "It was great that you talked Portofino's into reserving us tables here."

Penny said, "It would be nicer if we weren't staring right into a billboard with a giant picture of me advertising the Penny Collection from Back Door Cosmetics. I never posed for them with red hair and orange-red lipstick. That's deceptive. I have eyelash extensions and the ad implies that, if you'll wear their mascara, your eyelashes will look like mine."

"That's why God gave us PhotoShop," Howard said. "Leonard, how did you get Mr. Portofino to reserve us a table and let us eat out on the balcony?"

"Mr. Portofino wanted to do something nice for Penny," Leonard said. "Somehow, he found out that Penny is the donor who is responsible for keeping the Children's Hospital open and having the weekly pizza parties. His granddaughter was one of their patients last year when the drunk driver struck her while she was riding her bicycle. Penny didn't know her, but, when Penny came to visit the children, she made a big impression on his granddaughter."

"Leonard! Penny!" Mr. Portofino said walking out onto the patio behind the young woman who was bringing two of the meals. He set Penny's meal in front of her and placed another pitcher of apple juice in front of them.

"Mr. Portofino," Penny said, standing to hug him. "How is your granddaughter?"

"My Angelina is doing well," Mr. Portofino said. "She has been going through physical therapy and is running and playing with the other children. She was excited when you sent her the new bicycle."

"I'm so thrilled she's doing well," Penny said. "I meant for the bicycle to be anonymous. How did you find out that I was the one who makes contributions to the Children's Hospital?"

"A little bird told me. Mrs. Portofino and I appreciate everything you did for my Angelina and all of the children. You and your friends stay here as long as you like and watch the parade."

"I've never eaten out here on the balcony before," Penny said.

"We normally only open it up for parties, but I thought you and your guests might want to watch the parade from here."

"Well, it was very nice of you," Penny said. "It's a good thing this is a warm day. Are you going to be able to join us?"

"I may stick my head out from time to time, but this is one of our busiest days of the year," Mr. Portofino said.

During the parade, Leonard was talking to Mitchell, Linda, and Molly on his tablet. "Here come the horses," he said, switching the camera from the front to the back lens. About 30 men and women in colorful costumes rode their Palominos by where Leonard, Penny, and the others were sitting.

"Uncle Leonard, they're beautiful," Linda said. "I want to see Aunt Penny's horsie Midnight."

"Sweetie," Penny said into the tablet, "We're going to have to figure out how to have you, Mitchell, and Molly here. I would love to have all of you here."

"Aunt Penny, can I ride Midnight?" Linda asked.

"When you're here, maybe I'll ride Midnight and have you up with me, if it's at a time when I'm still allowed to ride," Penny said. "Midnight can be difficult, but, maybe, if I'm riding him with you, he'll be a sweet boy."

#

Penny settled into her seat in the President's box at the Rose Bowl. She sat next to the Nebraska president's wife Arielle.

"It's interesting watching from here," Penny said to Leonard. "Somehow, it seems we ought to be sitting in sub-freezing weather having to snuggle together to keep warm. Speaking of which," she nodded toward Raj and Alex, who were sitting across from them kissing. "I don't think they're going to pay attention to the ball game."

She looked around for Amy and found her and Jason standing off to the side holding hands and talking. "Wow. I don't think they're watching the game either."

"Sheldon looks as if he's about to launch across the room after Jason," Leonard said. "I think he just put cream cheese on his hand rather than his bagel."

"It serves him right," Penny said. "Sheldon! Why don't you come over and sit with us?"

"No thank you," Sheldon said. "I'm busy." He continued to glare at Jason.

"Too bad we don't have any Long Island Ice Tea," Howard said.

"All you have to do is grab one of the servers and tell them you want some," Arielle said.

Penny stopped a young woman who was putting chocolate-dipped strawberries on the food table and asked her to bring Sheldon a Long Island Ice Tea. "And keep them coming," she said.

"So, Penny," Arielle said. "You're a Nebraska graduate?"

"No, I'm from outside Omaha. I was a cheerleader in high school, and we would go to University of Nebraska for our clinics and competitions."

Coming next: Science Fair