(Penny and Sheldon are firmly entrenched in each other's lives..)
Penny was serving beers when Sheldon came in. He didn't usually visit during the week but there he was sitting at the end of the bar. She checked on everyone's drink and then made her way down to him. She marveled at how well he had fit in here. The waitresses and other bartender liked him. They thought his food quirks were a bit weird, but just part of who he was. He had even made friends on the softball team. And everyone in the physics lab were both awed and overwhelmed by him. He was a sort of savior there. He had told her once in a miffed voice they called him Sheldon Khan. Why was he disgruntled? They meant Genghis, not Wrath of.
"Hey, sweetie. What brings you here?" she asked. She could see a glimmer of near panic in his eyes, but he was holding onto his control. She turned to the manager, Grace, quickly. "I need a break right quick. Sheldon needs to talk to me."
Grace liked the young professor who had once spent a Saturday afternoon helping her niece fill out college applications and had even given her a reference at Penny's request. "Go on, hon. He does look worried."
Penny led Sheldon into the back and through to the storeroom. She sat him down on a crate and grabbed another for herself. "Sheldon, what's going on?"
"Penny, my mom is coming to visit this weekend. And she's bringing Missy and George with her." His eyes were wide and worried. "Momma says she is worried about me because I moved and got a new job. It seems she contacted Amy when I told her I had moved. Amy told her we had broken up and my momma is under the impression that is why I moved. Now she's coming here to try and 'fix' my relationship." Sheldon twitched a couple of times. "I'm not in a relationship with Amy anymore, nor do I want to be!"
This was something Penny had never discussed with Sheldon. She had suspected they had broken up since he never spoke of Amy. Was it why he had moved? Her heart plunged at the thought. "Sheldon, did you move because you and Amy broke up?"
If possible, his eyes got wider. "Of course not! We terminated our relationship when you left," he said in surprise.
"You did?" she said softly. "Why? And why did you move here Sheldon?"
His mind was in an uproar. He didn't want his mom or siblings here. They would ruin things by trying to get him and Amy back together. "I moved here because you were here, Penny. I had to have you back even if only as a friend. I couldn't stay with Amy. She kept wanting me to kiss her and further our parameters. I only wanted to kiss you. Penny, what am I going to do? I am not good at standing up to my mommy!"
She gasped softly. "Sheldon, are you saying you …care for me?"
He rolled his eyes, in pure exasperation. "No, Penny. I am saying I love you. I did not know it before you left. I only realized it later." He looked at her solemnly. "I am sorry I did not realize it before you left. My only excuse is that I have never been in love before and did not recognize the feelings for what they were..."
Suddenly his lap was full of Penny and her lips were fused to his. After a couple of seconds he remembered to wrap his arms around her and kiss her back. After a few moments, Penny leaned back.
"Sheldon, are you sure you love me?" She smiled tenderly. "Because I love you, too and if you say Bazinga one time, I'll hog tie you!"
"Penny, I have never been more certain of anything in my life. I love you." He smiled shyly at her. Suddenly Penny hopped up and pulled him to his feet.
"Come on Moon Pie. We have some plans to make. When will your mom be here?" Penny pulled him out into the passageway and toward the office. "Never mind. I remember."
Sheldon followed her lead. "Penny," he said quietly. "Only Meemaw calls me that."
Grace gave Penny the rest of the afternoon off when Sheldon explained what was wrong. They rushed home and set up the trundle bed in Sheldon's office. Penny went downstairs and put on tea while Sheldon drew up a rough sketch of the house and a list of things they would need for the impending visit.
"Penny, if we give Mommy my bed, and George takes the couch, and Missy gets the trundle bed, where will I sleep?" he asked. "Maybe I can stay at the boarding house a little longer."
Penny spun and glared at him. "Oh no you don't, Cooper! You are NOT sticking me with YOUR family and hiding out across town. Not gonna happen!"
Sheldon pouted for a moment. "Penny, there aren't enough beds here. Be reasonable."
Penny smirked. "Okay. How about this? George gets the couch, Mary gets my bed. Missy get's your bed. You get the trundle."
Sheldon frowned. "Where will you sleep?"
Penny grinned. "I'll stay at the boarding house."
Sheldon stood quickly. "Penny! You can't leave me here alone with my family!"
"Sheldon, baby, they're your family. They are coming to see you. I guess we could put them up at the hotel, but it's not very comfortable." Penny poured them tea and sat across from him at the table.
Sheldon sighed. "It would be so much easier if you and I shared a bed. Of course, then Mommy would kill us because we weren't married."
Penny pulled the diagram closer and looked it over for a moment. She looked up to make a suggestion but the words died at the expression of wonder and hope on Sheldon's face. "Sweetie? What's up? You look like you just solved one of your equations."
Sheldon stood and left the room. Penny wondered if she should follow him, but he was back quickly. He pulled out the chair beside Penny and sat down. "Penny, you love me, and I love you, too. And hopefully, the end result of any relationship is a legally binding marital commitment. Would you not agree that it would be infinitely easier if you and I were married?"
Penny translated that quickly and gasped. "You want us to get married so there's enough room for everyone to sleep here?!"
Sheldon shook his head. He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it up. He placed it on the table and took her hands in his. "I want us to get married because I love you. I bought this before I left Pasadena. This has always been my intention. To win you."
Penny searched his eyes for a long moment. Slowly she leaned in and he met her halfway. "I love you," they whispered in unison.
Sheldon waited impatiently as the phone rang several times. "Hello?"
He grinned softly. "Hi, Meemaw. I have a favor to ask of you."