Penny flinched and shifted her hips trying to find a better position. Her ever-widening stomach made sitting in the computer chair for long periods uncomfortable. She looked up as the office door opened and her manager stepped inside. "Hi, Carol."

"Penny, how's the baby?" Carol asked, sitting down on the other side of the desk.

"Kicking up a storm," she answered ruefully. "I swear she's trying out for soccer or something."

Carol grinned wider. "Maybe he'll be a field goal kicker."

Penny leaned back, her eyes twinkling with humor. She liked this game. "Maybe she'll be a Las Vegas showgirl."

Carol tilted her head thoughtfully. "Maybe he'll be a kick boxer."

Penny flinched after a particularly hard kick and rubbed her stomach. "Maybe she'll be a horse."

Carol burst out laughing and placed some papers on the desk. "I have some applications for you to look through. Megan gave me her 2 week notice, and Shannon wants off bar detail. So, we need at least two more hires. Especially with you going on maternity leave in 7 weeks."

Penny grabbed up the applications and skimmed through them. She pulled two out and set them aside. "Not them. They've worked here before, when Jack was still manager. One was a speed freak and the other was hooking on her breaks."

She set another one on the other side of the desk. "I remember her, too. She came in and applied a few months back. Friendly, didn't get riled when two costumers hit on her while she was waiting to hand in her application, had some experience working at a diner in her hometown. She would be a good fit."

Carol nodded and threw the two Penny warned about away. "This is why I need you," she said casually. "You are a so-so waitress, but as management, you have a lot of skills. You remember people. You have a knack for calming a situation down. And you have excellent instincts about people."

"My dream was to be a famous actress," Penny said quietly. "My name in lights, my face on posters. I was going to be the next Angelina Jolie."

"And now?" Carol asked curiously.

Penny was quiet for several seconds. "For 4 weeks I've been talking with Sheldon. He's been so different. Supportive, encouraging, even a bit… sweet. I just want to be a good mom and a good friend. I want him back in my life, because I miss the crazy whack-a-doodle." She met her boss' eyes calmly. "I care about him. I'm working hard. I'm studying hard. I've changed my life around completely. I won't say it's always easy. Sometimes I feel like I'm just one small misstep away from sliding back into my old life."

Penny shifted again and rubbed the small of her back. "But I keep going because I refuse to give up. I keep going because I have high hopes for the future. Now I dream of being a mom. I dream of Sheldon, and the life we could have together."

Carol stood and walked around the desk to lay her hand on Penny's shoulder. "I think that's a wonderful dream."

Penny smiled and smoothed her hand over her stomach. She just hoped that her dream didn't turn out to be wishful thinking.

Sheldon,

I have some good news. Amy and Charlie are moving in together! He's really good for her. She's always smiling and happy. I hope you like him. He's very smart (even if he's not a beautiful mind), plays chess, and thinks the world of Amy.

So, my boss has suggested I focus on management and economy next semester. She thinks that it could help me advance at work. Being a manager at the Cheesecake Factory was never a goal for me. To be honest, it scares me. It kind of feels like giving up.

I want to be a good mom. A steady paycheck is part of that. So why do I feel like I am failing? I'm good at this job, Sheldon. I was a crappy waitress, but making schedules, doing payroll, and ordering? I'm very good at it. I calmed two drunks down the other night simply by pointing out that the girl they were fighting over wasn't half as cute as the two women at the bar. I know how to deal with people.

So what should I do? Do I go for a management degree? Do you think I should keep trying to break into acting? You're the smartest guy I know, Sheldon. I could really use your advice.

Anyway, I have another appointment on Thursday. Hopefully we'll find out if we're having a boy or girl then. I'll let you know as soon as I know.

Fondly,

Penny

Sheldon steepled his hands and leaned his chin on the tips of his fingers. His first instinct was to write and encourage her to take the business courses. However, he wasn't sure if he was thinking of her, or himself. Did he want her to advance for her own benefit, or because it would keep her close? With a troubled expression he began typing.

Dear Penny,

Please extend to Amy my well wishes for her new relationship. I am glad she is happy.

Penny, I am torn about your request for advice. I want to tell you to follow through with the management classes. It would be sensible, logical, and stable. However, I question whether that advice is for your benefit or for mine. I suspect I am being selfish, wanting to keep you close.

You say you are good at this job. I can attest to the fact that you are good at acting. I cannot advise you on this, Penny. I cannot be objective. All I can say is, I hope that whatever path you choose, it does not lead you too far from me.

Love,

Sheldon

He hit send and closed his laptop. With a heavy heart he stood and walked to the bed. He laid down and tried to clear his mind with a relaxation technique Karl had taught him. He closed his eyes and pictures a single sunflower, devoid of color. One by one he mentally painted each petal a golden yellow. From there he moved to the seeds. Each one became a rich earthy brown. By the time he reached the stem he was beginning to drift off to sleep.

A/N: As you can see, Sheldon and Penny are beginning to slip back into being honest and trusting one another. They're growing closer again despite (or maybe because of) the physical distance between them.