Chapter 11

Reaching out Leonard switched on the lamp and felt around for his glasses on the bedside table. Rising from the bed his legs felt like jelly and at first he was uncertain as to whether he would be able to walk. The light from the hall light hurt his eyes as he made his way out of the bedroom and slowly towards the lounge using the walls for support. There she was seated on the couch beside Howard and Bernadette laughing and smiling as she ate; Raj was sat on the floor and on the opposite couch sat Sheldon in his newly designated 'spot' and Amy. A selection of Chinese takeout food was laid out on the coffee table

"Oh hey honey you're awake, I figured you were tired so I decided to let you sleep a while longer, I've saved you some food"

Penny leant forward and picked up one of the cartons and offered it to him

"It took us ages the traffic was terrible there was a real bad car wreck… plus we had to make a special run to TWO different grocery stores for SOMEBODY'S food order…"

Penny shot Sheldon an annoyed look but he continued to eat choosing to ignore the remark

"In a way it's just as well we stopped at the store otherwise who knows maybe Penny and I would have got caught up in it…." Bernadette added and felt a shiver go up her spine "It really makes you think how just a few minutes could potentially change your life…."

There was a short silence as they all contemplated this fact

"Oh and Stuart called me when we were out" Penny continued " He wanted to get us a present for the baby but he's a little broke right now so he's offered to paint some comic book stuff on the nursery wall isn't that awesome? "

Leonard didn't speak but continued to stare in disbelief at his still pregnant girlfriend; Penny frowned noticing that he was as white as a ghost; he had been working so hard recently she hoped he wasn't getting sick

"Are you ok sweetie? You look pale are you getting sick?" Penny shuffled herself to the edge of the couch and got to her feet "Leonard honey what is it?"

Seemingly oblivious to Penny's concern for Leonard Howard began to speak

"Actually seeing as we're all together Bernadette and I have some news we'd like to share with you all…"

Howard slipped an arm around his wife but before he could continue he was interrupted. Jimmy Speckerman's picture had just flashed up on the TV and a news reporter stood behind a police cordon was talking to camera

"It's understood that the driver was local Pasadena resident Jimmy Speckerman aged 34 who is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital having received immediate medical assistance at the roadside from an off duty nurse, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision only received minor injuries. Although it is currently unconfirmed there are reports that Mr Speckerman had been drinking…."

"Isn't that the Jimmy Speckerman who used to bully you at school Leonard?" Penny asked

Upon hearing the name Leonard turned his head to stare at the screen. He was yet to utter a word, without taking his eyes off the TV he backed out of the room and into the hall only stopping only to pick up Penny's car keys from the bowl by the door. In the lounge they all heard the door to the apartment slam.

"Where is he going?" Howard asked

"I don't know but he'll freeze to death out there in just his shorts" Penny said by now beginning to feel scared by Leonard's bizarre behaviour.

Penny followed her boyfriend outside to find him in the downstairs parking lot sitting in her car on the passenger side. Opening the driver's side door she slid in beside him

"Leonard what is all this about honey? You're beginning to scare me"

Leonard reached forward and opened the glove compartment; there inside was a small black jewellery box reacting quickly Penny slammed it shut

"Leonard! What are you doing looking in there?" she exclaimed

With that Leonard broke down in tears and sobbed his head resting on the dash board. Penny had seen him cry on a number of occasions but had never seen him break down completely in the way he was now.

"Leonard baby its ok I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you..…" Penny soothed

It was freezing in the car and Leonard was shaking vigorously prompting Penny to reach for the travel rug which she kept on the backseat and drape it over Leonard's shoulders

Reaching out Leonard cupped Penny's face in his hands so that she was looking directly into his eyes

"Promise me you'll never leave me Penny; promise me we're gonna be a family and that we're gonna have so many happy years together; you know I couldn't bare to lose you…." Leonard's words were broken by another sob as he rubbed Penny's belly and felt the baby kick

"Leonard I promise you I'm…. we're here to stay…" Penny corrected herself still deeply concerned to see the man she loved in such a state, she couldn't imagine what had gotten him so upset in the time it had taken her to get the takeout. Penny cuddled him and waited patiently for his sobs to subside

"Will you marry me Leonard?" she whispered into his ear

Leonard sniffed and began to pull away from Penny's embrace. He wanted to look at her so he could take in every last detail of her face

"I was planning to ask you in a few weeks' time but somehow the time seems right now..."

As Leonard looked out of the windshield he saw that snow had begun to fall and settle onto the hood of the car and he remembered what Penny had said in what he now knew to be the most intense dream of his life about love lasting forever. Opening the glove compartment Penny took out the box containing the ring and offered it to Leonard

"Well will you marry me? I know you said you wanted 'the whole nine yards' but…"

His hesitation was making her feel a little nervous. But she needn't have worried; taking her hand Leonard took the ring from the box and slipped it onto Penny's finger

"This is perfect" Leonard whispered resting his own forehead on Penny's and looking deep into her eyes "and the answer's yes"

THE END.

NOTE: Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to review my fist proper attempt at a fan fiction, I've enjoyed contributing. I realise that the ending of this story hasn't really allowed for the relationship between Raj and Stuart to be fully developed and explored. I hope to write another story in the future which will focus more closely on their relationship.