Chapter 10
They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you, I promise you I will…
Bernadette followed the voice down the hall. Penny had taken up singing to Sheldon more often, according to the nurses (and although they were unsure whether she knew she could be heard throughout the floor or not, they didn't have the heart to stop her.)
She knocked on the door frame, careful not to drop the package she held in her arms.
"Hey, Penny!" She stifled a giggle when Penny jumped in surprise, blushing in embarrassment.
"Oh, uh…hey Bernadette! W-what are you doing here?" She gave Bernadette a sheepish smile, and watched her set the box down on the bedside desk.
"Oh, Chuck and the rest of the Cheesecake Factory wanted to send you best wishes in the form of Red Velvet cheesecake! Plus it's the holidays. And don't worry," She assured. "I really did remember to wash my hands. We were working with Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, after all."
"Aw…well that's really sweet of you guys." She hugged the smaller woman. Bernadette pulled up a seat by Penny and took a deep breath.
"Penny, let's be honest with ourselves. It wasn't your fault." She looked over the rims of her glasses at Penny.
Penny frowned slightly. Leave it to Bernadette to not beat around the bush, she thought.
"Bern…I'm here because it IS my fault. I told you…" She looked down at her hands, willing herself not to cry. "If I hadn't made Sheldon go get those stupid hot dogs, he'd be in front of his laptop, lecturing me on Saturnalia and hot cocoa."
To her, Penny looked so small and defeated, and it broke her heart.
"I know you think it's because of that note; you're telling yourself you have to make things right because you feel guilty. But you know what I think, Penny?"
"What…" Penny sniffled. Bernadette took her hands into her own.
The boys may have been fooled, but she knew there was a bigger reason why Penny wouldn't leave Sheldon's side. Much, much bigger.
"That that's only one of the reasons. You love him, don't you." It was a matter-of-fact statement, confirmed when Penny's blush returned. Penny glanced at Sheldon, saying nothing. She had known, sooner or later, that someone would figure it out.
She sensed the conversation was over when Penny remained silent, but Bernadette, a romantic at heart, didn't mind. Love is a powerful thing, she thought. She knew that if anyone were to pull a miracle, it'd be Penny.
"Well, I have to get going. I promised Howard I'd help him on this project he's doing with Raj."
She gave her one last hug before leaving, and Penny, who had no longer been able to hold back, cried.
When she reached the elevator, she began whistling 'All You Need Is Love'
A/N: The song she sings is Lucky by Jason Mraz (feat. Colbie Caillat) :3