Disclaimer: I do not own "The Big Bang Theory" or anything related to it.
As soon as he walked into the room he knew something was off; he just wasn't sure what it was. Being the genius he was however, it didn't take him long to spot the aberration and he became highly agitated. Flipping through the pages he realized that someone had solved every single one of the equations he had been working on. How many times does he have to tell everyone not to touch his board? Everyone should know by now that his board was sacrosanct. Who could possibly have the nerve to do such a thing? Seconds later, the names of two possible suspects flashed in the mind of one Dr. Sheldon Cooper.
A few minutes later came the inevitable.
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny?"
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny?"
Knock, knock, knock, "Penny?"
Penny Hofstadter opened the door to an obviously peeved Sheldon Cooper. "Hey, Sheldon, what's up?"
"What's up is that someone has been touching my board again and I think you know who it was," Sheldon said in an exasperated tone.
"Here we go again," Leonard said walking into the room where Penny and Sheldon were talking.
"Leonard, someone solved all of the equations I've been working on," and I think you know who it was. How many times do I have to tell Josh and Summer not to touch my board? You know that I don't need a six-year old and an eight-year old doing my work for me."
"Sheldon is this about your board or is this about the IQ tests or maybe the fact that Josh corrected your Chinese when you were placing an order the other night with the China Garden restaurant?" Leonard asked cautiously.
"First of all, I will never accept the fact that two kids, six and eight years old have substantially higher IQs than me. I've been doing some research and I think the previous IQ tests we've taken were biased. I will be choosing more tests for the future so you'd better tell your kids to be ready. Two, how does an eight year old speak flawless Mandarin? He and the owner of the China Garden talked for a good ten minutes after I placed my order, in Chinese of course. I'm not sure exactly what Josh said but he kept looking at me and then laughing."
"Sheldon, you know both Josh and Summer are very smart. Right now they're using approximately 75% to 80% of their brain power and by the time they are ten they will use 100% of their brain power. I know it's not fair, but they are always going to have higher IQs than you. About Josh speaking fluent Mandarin, we did spend a month in Beijing last year."
At that exact moment, two kids burst into the room, both shouting at the top of their lungs for their dad. "Dad, Dad, we need help. Something is going wrong with the miniature black hole inducer. We did exactly what you said, but we think our calculations may be off. We remember that you said if our calculations were off even by a factor of one that the earth would start to turn in on itself and we don't want the earth to turn in on itself and obliterate mankind the day before Christmas. We want Santa to come tonight."
"Okay, guys let's run down to your lab and see what the problem is. I doubt if your Mom and Uncle Sheldon would appreciate seeing the world end today. Oh, and Josh, Summer, you two apologize to Uncle Sheldon for touching his board."
"Sorry, Uncle Sheldon. We thought you were stuck and we just wanted to help. We won't do it again, we promise. We just get so excited about science stuff," the kids yelled over their shoulders as they ran out of the room after their Dad.
Sheldon watched Leonard and the kids leave. Turning to Penny, he said, "Leonard was right. Your kids are smart and beautiful."
"When did Leonard say that?" Penny asked with a shocked grin.
"The first day we met you. I didn't think he had a chance with you. You were just so different from anyone that we'd ever known. Obviously Leonard knew something I didn't."
"Thank God," Penny said earnestly.
"Exactly. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't know you and Leonard and Howard and Raj these last few years."
"Sheldon, you know we thought we'd lost you right? When you moved out of your and Leonard's apartment all those years ago, all of us thought we would never see you again; everyone except Leonard. Somehow Leonard knew that you needed some time away from everyone. I know I've never asked you this before, but what brought you back?"
"A letter with a key to a special safety deposit box and a note inside that said, "We all forgave you a long time ago. It's time to come home."
"Oh Sheldon."
"I know. Leonard's a good man, Penny. I don't know anyone else who would've been as forgiving and done as much for me since that time as him. I hope I can be as good a dad and husband as he is."
"Sheldon, sweetie, you're already a great husband and you'll be a great dad. When's the baby due?"
"In another month. I don't know who's more excited, me, my Mom, or Beth."
"Kids are a great blessing, Sheldon. Now, speaking of kids, you are going to be making a special appearance in your costume at our party tonight, right?"
"Yes, but I don't understand why it always has to be me that dresses up as Santa. Why can't Howard or Raj do it?"
"Because no one can play Santa like you Sheldon; especially Howard since he's Jewish and Raj because he's Indian. Besides this is the kids' favorite portion of the party."
"Okay, Beth and I will see everyone tonight. Bye, Penny."
"Bye, Sheldon."
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas everybody. Now it's time for me to go and finish delivering presents to the rest of the good boys and girls all over the world," Santa said loudly. Santa hoisted the big sack over his shoulder and made his way away from the party to the lab where he could change back in to his regular clothes. Sheldon, still in his Santa suit passed his board and seeing something he didn't like took a marker and made a change to something there. He didn't know he had two pairs of eyes spying on him. His two spies looked at each other and quietly said, "Ooh, Uncle Sheldon is going to be pissed. Santa Claus touched his board."
The Christmas party had been a rousing success as usual. All of their closest friends and family had been there. Howard was there with his wife and their two kids, Raj had brought his fiancé, and Sheldon was there with Beth, who he watched over like a hawk, making sure that she was okay all evening. Beth complained about Sheldon's overprotective nature at times, but the truth was she enjoyed being fussed over by her husband. Everyone had a great time eating and drinking and telling stories. The highlight of the evening was when Santa made an appearance. The kids loved Santa and his stories of life at the North Pole.
Later that evening, after everyone had gone home and the kids were in bed, Penny and Leonard snuggled on the couch in front of a roaring fire. Their love for each other had only grown over the years. Penny had her head laying on Leonard's chest and said, "Leonard I've got a couple of surprises for you."
"You know I love surprises. What's the first one?"
"Jan, my agent called and told me the television series had been picked up for another two years."
"Penny, I'm so happy for you. I knew your screen play would do well. I'm just a little surprised that people find the story of me and you and our friends so funny and so fascinating. Oh, and I forgot obsessive."
"Well, after Time magazine had you on the cover with the caption, "The Eminent Rise of Leonard Hofstadter," I knew there had to be a funny story in there somewhere."
"That was like five or six years ago. You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"No."
"Okay, then let me remind you about all of the people who want Sheldon and Penny to hook up on both the show and on various fan forums and sites where they write fictional stories. You'd think Leonard could get some love since he's the one that holds the group together, but NOOOOO, everyone loves Penny and Sheldon."
"Okay. Okay. No more mention of "The Eminent Rise of Leonard Hofstadter" if you promise to never mention anything about me and Sheldon in a relationship. The very idea makes me nauseated," Penny said wrinkling her nose up in disgust.
"Agreed," Leonard said quickly.
"Now, what was that second surprise?" Leonard asked as he kissed the top of his wife's head.
Penny hugged her husband tighter as she said, "How many stockings do you see above the fireplace?"
"Five. Why are there five stockings? There's just you and me and Josh and Summer."
"There's only four of us now, but in another eight and a half months we're going to need that fifth stocking."
Leonard didn't need to use 100% of his brain power to understand what Penny was telling him and he couldn't be happier. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything. When I was growing up I always dreamed of the perfect life with a wife and kids, friends, a nice house, good health, and a job I love. The thing is I never really thought I would have any of those things. That all changed the day I met you. You gave me hope for the future, a glimpse of what could be, not just what I had to settle for. I owe you everything. Everything I have, all of my accomplishments would mean nothing if I didn't have you and your love. You, Penny Hofstadter, make it all worth it. So thank you for taking a chance on me all those years ago."
Leonard looked down and could see tears streaming down Penny's face. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
"Oh, Leonard, you sweet man. I will always love you."
"And I will always love you," Leonard said as he held his wife closer.
And they did.