Chapter Eleven: Family

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Saturday (Day One)

Leonard opened his eyes once again to a mass of blonde hair half blocking his vision. He couldn't help but smile as this time it was Penny clinging to him like a limpet. Her body, soft and warm, was pressed against his as he lay on his back, one slender thigh thrown across his. He lay there in the early morning silence feeling completely at peace-

Wham!

The door flew open with a bang and a blonde whirlwind blew in, bellowing at the top of her lungs, "Penny!"

The other blonde that had been clinging to Leonard suddenly pushed him so hard that he ended up on his back on the floor next to the bed. Looking under the bed, he caught a glimpse of Penny's panty-clad bottom past the dust devils, as she lay there on the opposite side. Staggering to his feet, Leonard stared as the blonde dervish enveloped a half-awake Penny into a smothering hug, all the while talking a mile a minute.

"Penny! I can't believe you're still sleeping! That's the cutest little nightgown! I bet Larry over there likes it! I can't believe you didn't come to see me last night! I'm only the bride!"

Penny didn't look shell-shocked at once she was awake, seeming to take intruders into her bedroom in stride. "Mary, slow down. First off, his name's Leonard. And thanks. I think my nightshirt's cute, too."

Leonard was conscious that he was wearing his boxers in a pretty cold room with a woman he'd never met giving him a frank, assessing stare. Deciding that pants were the better part of valor, Leonard scrambled into his. Mary laughed as she said, "Don't worry about that, hon. You haven't got anything I haven't seen before. Often!"

Penny sniped, "You can say that again!"

"Pot!"

"Kettle!"

Leonard, now that he was wearing pants and a shirt, even if they were just a little wrinkled from traveling in them yesterday, decided to play peacemaker. "Penny, aren't you going to introduce me to your sister."

Penny gave him an amused look as if she could read his mind. Which clearly she couldn't or she'd be slapping him because Leonard couldn't believe how hard her nipples currently were based upon how visible they were beneath the silk. Then again, maybe she could as she immediately grabbed a robe that had been hanging from a hook on the outside of the closet door next to her. She then made introductions.

"Mary, this is Dr Leonard Hofstadter, my boyfriend. Leonard, this is Mary Sanders, my big sister and bride to be."

Leonard walked forward and shook Mary's hand, only to have her envelop him a hug. Aware of the press of her breasts against his chest, he pulled back as soon as was feasible. "It's nice to meet you, Mary."

Mary gave him a knowing look, as if able to read his mind. "Right back at you, Leo."

Suppressing a grimace at the diminutive of his name, Leonard examined the woman standing next to Penny. Unfortunately for her, despite her chest being bigger, likely a result of having had kids, she looked like a faded and blurred copy of her younger sister. Still attractive, her hips were quite a bit broader and she had the slightest beginnings of a second chin. Her eyes were a similar shade of green and her hair a much darker shade of blonde that Leonard suspected was Penny's natural shade as her mother shared much the same color.

Then Mary smiled, and the resemblance between the two sisters became much more striking as her face filled with mirth and vitality. "Leo, I'm going to steal Penny for some girl talk. We'll be down in the den if you decide you can't keep it in your pants and need her back."

He was gaping like a fish as the two women swept out out of the room, identical grins on their faces.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Penny managed to suppress her giggles as she walked next to her sister. "Mary, you're so bad! Poor Leonard."

Mary smacked her on the arm. "Poor Leonard? From the look of that outfit you're wearing, he was more 'Lucky Leonard.'"

Penny laughed. "Maybe I'm the lucky one."

May nodded thoughtfully. "I could totally see that. I mean, he's head and shoulders above the usual empty-headed pretty boys I've seen you date."

They were now seated in the den on the big overstuffed couch there. Giving Mary a glare, Penny defended herself, "I wasn't that bad."

"Remember Brad Dorstreet?"

Oh, yeah, did she ever. "Okay, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, was he?"

"And Ryan Jones? And Bill Salisbury? Oh, and your last guy, Kurt-"

Penny interrupted her before she could mention anyone else, "Fine! I'm lucky! Leonard is great."

Mary laughed at her. "You're so easy, Penelope. So, Mom said that this one's a doctor?"

Penny temporized, "He's a PhD doctor, not an MD doctor. Leonard has a doctorate in physics. He's crazy smart. Like a genius."

Her sister whistled silently. "A genius, huh? Well, there's no doubt as to why he's with you. Still leading the boys around by their private parts, aren't you?"

She felt a flash of anger at that remark. "It's not like that with Leonard at all."

Mary's smile started to fade at Penny's tone. "Then what's it like? Why's a guy like that with a girl like you? He's cute, but not the kind of guy you usually go for. I can't imagine him being interested in more than how you are in the sack-"

Penny's slammed her hand so hard on the surface of the coffee table that it stung badly as she shut her sister up. Her voice, low and angry, conveyed just how angry she was, "Don't do this, Mary. Don't you dare cheapen what we have. I really like Leonard. I think he really likes me, too."

Mary looked flabbergasted. Tentatively, she said, "You like him? As in, like him like him? Seriously?"

Penny slowly nodded. "Yes. I like him like him. Leonard's wonderful. He's smart, funny, brave, loyal, and ridiculously sweet."

Mary's eyes were wide. "You really do like like him! I've never heard you seriously defend any guy you've dated before like that."

"Yeah, I really do like him. And yes, I'm lucky as hell to be with him. He's luck to have me. We take care of one another."

"Penny, is this serious?"

Penny shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Leonard's serious. I think. I... I like him more than anybody I've ever dated."

Mary looked speculative. "How do you know he likes you that much?"

"Besides the fact that he wears his heart on the sleeve, he stood up to Kurt."

"No way! Seriously? What happened?"

"I was stupid and asked him to get my TV back from Kurt. Leonard's too brave for his own good and got beat to a bloody pulp. But he still got Kurt to bring my TV over himself."

Mary sat there. Finally, he said, "I never would have guessed. How bad was it?"

Penny felt her eyes prick with tears. "He was in bed for two days afterward. I took care of him. I still feel bad about it." Then she straightened up. "Anyway, Leonard's off limits. Leave him alone. Or else."

Mary threw up her hands. "Fine! Leonard's off limits. Got it." Then she started to smile. "You know that Grandma Sweetie's going to grill him mercilessly tomorrow."

Penny felt worried for a moment. "Leonard can handle her." then she remembered losing five boyfriends to Grandma Sweetie's charms back in high school, and doubts suddenly filled her. "I hope that Leonard can handle her."

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Leonard felt better once he showered, dressed, and retrieved Penny from the clutches of her sister. He got a guided tour around the farm, and only had to be saved from one wild beast, a bull who seemed to take his existence personally.

After lunch, he and Penny drove around the nearby town of Bennington, and she gave Leonard a glimpse into how her life was growing up. There was apparently a football game that night, and a pep rally was taking place in the center of town which they sat and watched for a while. Next to him, Penny followed along with the cheers, her arms mirroring the movements of the teenage cheerleaders in front of them. He couldn't stop smiling, imagining her in one of those short skirts leading the crowd.

They stopped afterward for the best chocolate shake he'd ever had, which they shared. A steady stream of people had stopped by to say hello to her, from old men and older ladies to mothers and fathers to young men and women. Several of the guys had hit on her, mostly unsubtly, while many of the girls eyed him with speculation, as if wondering just what it was about him that attracted Penny.

When they finally drove back to her house for dinner, Leonard had had enough of meeting people. He doubted he'd remember even a fraction of the names and faces from today.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Sunday (Day Two)

Penny's eyes fluttered open and she slowly sat up as sleep receded. She glanced down at Leonard to find him still fast asleep, his face curiously relaxed and vulnerable. Penny felt a powerful feeling of tenderness wash over her as she watched Leonard sleep. In so many ways, he was far too innocent of the way the world worked, lost in his make believe worlds of monsters and the superheroes who defeated them.

At that moment, more than anything else in the world, Penny wanted to protect him. She rested her hand on his chest and felt the slow and steady bating of his heart. Was this love, she wondered helplessly?

It was nothing like the visceral passion she'd felt in the past for someone. That was all fire and heat, and when it was over, nothing remained but ashes, allowing Penny to walk away unbothered other than by a few tears, more for her wounded pride than her heart. She'd told far too many of those guys that she loved them, when most of them she'd hadn't even really liked all that much.

Being around Leonard was completely different. There was passion, but it was a softer, slower version of what Penny had experienced in the past. Instead of jumping into the sack with someone before she even knew if she liked them, she was finding out just how much she liked the person she was with, even though no sex was involved. Instead, it was all flirtation and innuendo, looks given and received, warm appreciation and genuine caring that seemed to be currently driving their relationship.

Penny couldn't forget those times recently when Leonard had taken care of her, blunted her insecurities with just a few words, while never trivializing the feelings that drove them. She could tell that he cared about her. Though he talked about forever, Penny had learned as a young girl that forever was a long time and couldn't really be trusted. But maybe, just maybe, Leonard could.

She grew aware that he was waking up as his heartbeat began to sped up slightly under her hand, while his breathing changed, a slight hitch in it. When his eyes finally opened, Penny had deliberately leaned in so he could see her without his glasses, something that made a wide smile break out over his features.

It was like seeing sunshine, and Penny couldn't keep her answering smile from bursting forth. She kissed Leonard softly, enjoying the warmth of his lips, then slid back down on her pillow to snuggle into his side.

Penny could hear the smile in his voice as he asked, "What did I do to deserve that?"

She rubbed her hand lightly over his fabric-covered chest as she answered, "Just because."

"Just because, huh?"

Penny smiled. "That's all the answer you're going to get, buster."

Leonard laughed. "Well, I'm feeling like I've been a good boy this year."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. So I figure that Santa's going to be especially good to me."

Penny pointed out, "Leonard, Christmas isn't for almost two months."

He sighed. "I know. I never really celebrated it much in the past. The Hofstadters were too important for Christmas."

Penny felt that familiar stabbing sensation that went through her whenever Leonard talked about his childhood. His parents had a lot to answer for. "So, what's different this years?"

Leonard didn't answer, but the arm that he had carelessly thrown around her tightened until she could barely breath. She didn't press for any other answer, instead relaxing into his embrace, a soft smile on her lips.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Leonard sat in bemusement, staring at the chaos that swirled and ebbed around him. It was Sunday. Apparently, Sundays were family get together day. So everyone came over to Penny's parents' house as it was both large enough to host the festivities, and central enough to make a good gathering place.

For the last hour, there had been an influx of people into the house of all ages, both male and female. Aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and a myriad of cousins. Each had been introduced to Leonard, who had then focused his incredible intellect on the situation and had managed to remember a total of five of their names. Not bad, but out of thirty-one, it could have been better. Then he heart Elizabeth call everyone in for dinner.

Penny appeared at his side as if by magic, accompanied by a silver-haired woman, who looked just like a much older version of her. "Leonard Hofstadter, this is my grandmother, Grandma Sweetie. Grandma Sweetie, this is Leonard, my boyfriend."

Leonard stood up, smiling. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs-"

In a strong voice at odds with her appearance, the woman said, "Call me Grandma Sweetie. Everybody does. So Leonard, huh? Well, Leonard, I've heard nothing about you. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Leonard was taken aback by the sheer force of will emanating from what appeared to be a sweet little old lady. Penny had warned him a little about her grandmother. He had practiced several lines, but in the heat of the moment, every one of them vanished like fog in the sun. Without thinking, he blurted out, "I think I'm the luckiest man on earth if Penny's going to look as gorgeous as you in forty years."

Leonard saw Penny's mouth open in astonishment while at the same time Grandma Sweetie burst into laughter that was hauntingly familiar. She grabbed Leonard's arm, leading toward the dining room. Over her shoulder, she called, "You'd better watch out for this one, Penelope. He's a heart breaker. Come now, Leonard, you're sitting next to me during dinner."

As he and Grandma Sweetie walked into the dining room chatting amiably, everyone stopped talking for a moment. Then, as he pulled her chair out and seated her, conversations slowly resumed. Leonard sat down next to Grandma Sweetie, while Penny sat down next to him, lightly squeezing his knee in reassurance.

"So, Leonard, what do you do? Pass the corn, please."

"Grandma Sweetie, here you go. I'm an experimental physicist at CalTech."

"How many types of physicists are there? Gravy?"

Leonard grinned at the interrogation. "Experimental, theoretical, astro, amid others. Yes, thank you."

I've always thought that purely intellectual pursuits were all but useless. Biscuit?"

Leonard shrugged. "I agree. Lucky for me, physics is the basis for every single principle of science and engineering. Without it, we would still be living in grass huts and healing people with leeches. Yes, please."'

Grandma Sweetie smacked him on the shoulder, laughing. "Got a little ego there, dontcha?"

Leonard laughed along with her, liking Penny's witty grandmother. "It's not ego if you've got it."

This time, Penny joined in when they both started laughing.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Monday (Day Three)

Leonard breathed in a scent of vanilla as he woke. A smile stretched his face. Somehow, he had a sense that Penny was awake, too. He burrowed into her intoxicating warmth. Then he was nuzzling her neck, drawing a giggle from her.

"Leonard! That tickles!"

Leonard nibbled at Penny's neck, drawing more giggles and a muffled, "Noooo!"

Then he felt strong, slim fingers digging into his sides. He tried to get away as a blonde dervish straddled and pinned him. "Payback's a bitch, isn't it?"

Penny leaned down far enough her features became blur free and he was entranced by the smile on her face. Leonard slipped a hand free, sliding it around her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. The fierceness with which she kissed him back surprised him.

Suddenly, she was pressed full length against him, slowly grinding her hips atop his. His other hand now free, Leonard slid it down the length of her back, loving the feel of the silky material over even softer skin as he explored her taut flesh.

He could feel Penny's tongue exploring his mouth and Leonard returned the favor. Bracing a hand to the side, he rolled them over so that he was now on top of her. Settling into the cradle of her thighs, he ground his aching erection into Penny's soft heat. She broke the kiss, a loud moan passing her lips, then she was sucking hard on his neck.

Leonard cupped a soft breast, hand cradling her through the slippery material of her sleep shirt. As he gently kneaded and squeezed, he could feel the hard nub of her nipple nestling into the center of his palm. He gently tugged at the nub with his thumb and forefingers, twisting just the smallest amount.

Penny was grinding against him now, her legs wrapped tightly around him, keeping him aligned against her core. Her hands tugged at his t-shirt, pulling it over his head. She scraped her nails down Leonard's now bare chest, a sensation that blurred the line between pleasure and pain. He caught her hands and pulled them to the bottom of her nightshirt, then they were pulling off together.

Pressing himself against Penny, Leonard now felt the electrified sensation of skin on skin. He captured her in another kiss, hips swiveling as they were only separated by scraps of material. Penny again broke the kiss, seemingly unable to draw enough air into her lungs as her breathy moans increased. Leonard kissed her neck, finally finding that spot that seemed to push her over the edge, as her movement became increasingly erratic.

Penny's body suddenly stiffened beneath him, her nails digging into Leonard's back, as a wave of heat seemed to erupt from her body. A few final grinding movements of her hips, and she lay back on the bed completely limp. Leonard, himself, was so close that as he propped himself on shaky arms above her, just the sight of her breasts, topped with hard pink nipples, jiggling and bouncing along with his movements, was enough to put him over the edge. He groaned as he orgasmed, collapsing onto the girl beneath him.

Little frissions of pleasure were still traveling up and down his spine. However, after a moment, Leonard managed to half roll, half squirm off of Penny, while she moved with him until they lay pressed together, arms around one another. It was he who seemed to find his voice first. "Are you okay?"

"Mmm... I'd say I'm way better than just okay," Penny's voice was soft and breathy as she spoke. After a moment, she asked, "Are you okay?"

Leonard felt his lips curve into a smile. "Yes. I can safely say that I am okay."

They lay companionably in silence. Then, after a few minutes, Penny began to giggle. Leonard couldn't help but smile at her antics. Finally, he asked her, "What's so funny?"

"I haven't dry humped like that since I was fifteen. Though, the truth is, I never dry humped like that in my life. That was hot. We were hot."

Leonard couldn't help the pleased flush that suffused him at her acknowledgement of his prowess. He couldn't help analyzing the situation a bit. "We were hot. Maybe... I think it was easy because we were just having fun and weren't putting any huge expectations on one another."

Penny's reply was muffled as she sounded half asleep already. "Maybe. Naked sweaty fun."

Leonard didn't get a chance to reply as her breathing deepened into a soft snore. As he lay listening to her, he tried to analyze his feelings, but he couldn't make heads or tails of them. He thought he was in love, but what did he really know about love? His life growing up was cold and sterile. He would like to say he loved his parents, brother, and sister, but that wasn't exactly true.

He rarely saw any family member and only enjoyed the rare visits from his grandmother, even if she had become a bit loopy over the years. Maybe he loved Nana, but if so, his feelings for Penny were nothing like his feelings for his grandmother.

Penny made him feel deep sensations of tenderness and a fierce sense of protectiveness. Leonard couldn't deny she also engendered intense carnal feelings as well. He wanted Penny in a way he'd never wanted another woman in his life, as if he would suffocate without her.

Leonard had been able to be patient so far with Penny because he truly believed that for the first time in his life he had a chance to be happy. Every time his brain told him rush rush, some deeper feeling inside of him counseled patience patience. If days like today were the possible result, if he got to spend the rest of his life with Penny, he would gladly be as patient as he needed to be. Hell, he would be a glacier if he had to.

Smiling while listening to the soft breathing of the girl next to him, Leonard fell into a deep slumber.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Tuesday (Day Four)

Leonard had been up for hours, hanging out in an empty house, while Penny and her mom drove into Omaha and Wyatt worked around the farm. He was about to start lunch when his phone rang.

Checking the number, Leonard recognized a Pasadena area code. "Leonard Hofstadter."

"Dr Hofstadter, Eric Gablehauser here. How are you doing?" The strong voice of the head of the Physics Department came through clearly.

"I'm fine, Dr Gablehauser. What's up?" Leonard knew he was being a little casual, but he was on vacation.

"You are, my boy. Your star is on the rise."

Okay, it was getting weird. "I'm sorry? My what is on the rise?"

Comprehension filled the other's voice. "I take it you haven't gotten any of my emails?"

Leonard wondered exactly what had been sent his way. "No. I didn't bring my laptop with me. I'm actually on my girlfriend's parent's farm."

"Well, if you can get to a computer, please do so and read them. But that's not important. What's important is that Dr Stephen Hawking confirmed your equation and research. I still haven't heard back from Dr Igor Gregorovitch, but it's just a matter of time. Leonard, your paper, your equation, your research, it's all correct."

Leonard sat there, his heart beating a mile a minute. He knew that it was, but confirmation was always nice. Still, he wasn't ready to let them off the hook. Dryly, he said, "Yes, I knew that it was."

The other man seemed to understand his frustration. "Dr Hofstadter, I am sorry about the meeting we had before your vacation. I know you probably felt ambushed. The intent was there to protect you as well. However, the past is the past. A bright future beckons, especially for you. I wanted to make sure that you'll be able to attend the banquet in your honor this Tuesday following your vacation."

Leonard had been surprised and disarmed by Dr Gablehauser's apology. He was even more so by the news that a banquet was being held in his honor. "Ah... yes, I can be there. No problem."

Dr Gablehauser sounded enthusiastic as he continued, "Good! Good. Now I have some other news for you. A tenured position will be opening up in the very near future. Dr Hofstadter, that position is going to be offered to you."

How was that possible? Leonard wasn't aware of anyone leaving which was the only way a tenured position would be happening. "Has someone decided to retire, Dr Gablehauser?" It was the only thing he could think of.

"Yes, Dr Hofstadter. Dr Rothman has been thinking of retiring for some time. During my interview for the head of the Physics Department, he let me know that he was waiting until someone he believed to be a worthy successor appeared. Well, Friday, he told me that person was you."

"Uh... since when did retiring tenured professors get to pick their successors?"

"They don't. However, if you believe for even one second that we're going to take a chance on losing someone of your stature, Dr Hofstadter, then you are gravely mistaken. When that tenured position opens up, your name will be one among many considered. But you will be chosen. Please do not bandy this about as I would not wish accusations of favoritism to be levied against you or the university."

Leonard felt numb as he sat down heavily in a chair. "I won't. Thank you, Dr Gablehauser."

"Thank you, Dr Hofstadter. Oh, and check your email. Someone from the Air Force is also trying to reach you and they called the Administrative Office looking for you."

Slowly, Leonard ended the call, his mind going a hundred miles an hour. What the hell was going on?"

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~

Wyatt wiped the sweat from his brow. It was an unusually warm day and the precursor for a brutal cold front that was going to hit late tonight. While today was in the high sixties, tomorrow would be lucky to break twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit. It was time to take a break and he knew just what he wanted to do during it. Have a talk with one Leonard Hofstadter.

Ever since his daughter Penny had brought her new boyfriend to visit, Wyatt's worries had deepened. She was clearly head over heels for Leonard, and while he obviously care for her, it did not appear to be nearly as much as she did for him. Worse, he appeared to be a terrible fit for Penny, far too smart and educated for his community college drop out of a daughter.

Leonard might be with Penny now for her looks, but those looks would eventually fade. When they did, would he leave her high and dry? Or worse, grow tired of her even sooner as passion faded? That was actually Wyatt's biggest worry. Even though Leonard had passed the Sweetie Test, he still had his doubts about his staying power.

It was a good time for a talk with Leonard as Penny and Elizabeth were both out for the day in the city and would not be back until close to five. He was going to find out just how much the boy cared about his daughter. If it wasn't close enough, someone was going to be leaving.

Walking into the kitchen, Wyatt saw the man in question sitting in a chair, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Clearly something was wrong. He wondered if the discussion was going to be shorter than he'd originally thought. Clearing his throat, Wyatt asked, "Everything okay there, Leonard?"

Leonard raised his head up uncertainly. "I... don't know."

Wyatt pulled out a chair and sat down. "What's wrong, son?"

Leonard gestured towards his phone. "I just got a call from the head of my department. It's about a paper I submitted."

Wyatt felt a moment's compassion. Clearly, Leonard had made a mistake of some kind and was in a bit of trouble. "It can't be that bad. Whatever happened I'm sure you can fix it."

Leonard waved his hand absently. "No, you don't understand. There's nothing wrong with the paper. Rather, it's so important that they had Stephen Hawking reviewing it. Well, that and no one else could understand the math. In the call I just got, Dr Gablehauser, the head of my department, told me they're having a banquet in my honor a couple of days after I get back. Not just that, he gave me an unofficial heads up that I'm probably going to get a tenured position that's about to open up. All because of this paper." He sounded contemplative as he finished by saying, "I might even end up with a Nobel Prize for it."

Wyatt sat there, frozen, as Leonard announced his newest successes. He was was about to interject, although what he'd say he had no idea, when Leonard spoke again, "I really wish Penny was here so I could tell her. I don't think I ever could have done with without her. Meeting her has to be one of the defining moments of my life. Ever since the day I met her, every single thing that has happened to me has been wonderful. It's like I hit the lottery twice in a row. First Penny, now this. I really am the luckiest man alive."

Feeling like he'd just been hit with a hammer between the eyes, Wyatt asked, "You really believe that, don't you? About Penny, I mean?"

For the first time since he'd come in, Leonard looked straight in the eye. "Of course I do. Penny's the best thing that's ever happened to me. She's simply amazing. Penny's got skills and abilities I'll never have. She is absolutely brilliant with people and I don't have the slightest doubt that she is eventually going to make it big in Hollywood. I'm just lucky to even know her."

Wyatt hesitated, then plunged on in. "Are you sure that's not just the sex talking? You wouldn't be the first young man blinded by his little head."

He couldn't figure out why Leonard started laughing helplessly, to the point that tears came out of his eyes. What he had said wasn't really funny. It took several minutes, but eventually the young man wound down. "I really needed that. Thanks, Wyatt. I'll let you in on a little secret if you don't let Penny know that you know."

Hesitantly, Wyatt nodded. Leonard had a smile on his face as he said, "Penny and I aren't having sex. I mean, we haven't yet. We're taking it slow. Penny's been burnt too many times and she doesn't want to lose our friendship. I had the hardest time in the world just convincing her to date me. We're going to, though. We just haven't yet." He was quiet a moment. In a musing tone, he expounded, "I'm actually okay with that. I don't want to be just a guy she slept with. I wouldn't trade the way she is with me for any amount of sex. That's why I was kind of surprised when you put us in one room, but Penny said not to make a fuss."

Feeling completely flabbergasted, Wyatt asked, "Seriously? That was the last thing I expected you to say." Getting his shock under control, he asked the most important question, "Leonard, how serious are you about my daughter?"

The boy, no, Wyatt had to call him a man after what he'd just said to him, sat there for a moment. Finally, in a determined voice, he said, "I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to marry her. Have a family with her. I want everything, just so long as it's with her."

Wyatt eyed him. "Marriage, huh?"

Leonard nodded resolutely. "As soon as I think she'll say yes, I'll ask her. The last thing I want to do is pressure her. I know that's she's gun shy about marriage. But one day, Penny's going to be Mrs Leonard Hofstadter. You have my world on that, Wyatt."

Slowly, Wyatt extended his hand. The two men shook handily. He said, "I accept your world, Leonard. You have my blessing."

They stayed sitting there in companionable silence until rumbling stomachs drove them to the fridge.

~~~Leonard/Penny~~~