Make A Friend Day (February 11th)

Penny threw her hands in the air and stormed off swiftly. Sheldon watched her with a glare. Why was she angry? She wasn't the one being forced to smile and "make nice" with an enemy!

Missy let out an maddened sigh. "Shelly, you're my brother. I love you. You mean the world to me." She poked a finger in his chest roughly. "But if you put one foot wrong, if you make one snide comment, I'll do to you the same thing I did when you blew up snowball!"

Sheldon crossed his arms and looked at his twin haughtily. "This is my home and I'll do as I please!"

A knock on the door drew everyone's attention. Sheldon was practically growling as Leonard walked over to answer it. He drew himself up to his full height and prepared to meet his nemesis again.

Only the person on the other side of the door wasn't a 6', tattooed, 52 year old man. It was a 5' white haired 81 year old woman. Beside her was a 5'7" brunette 57 year old woman.

Sheldon hurried forward. "Meemaw? Mommy?" The two women smiled and hugged him close for a moment.

"Now," Meemaw said warmly, "where's this young woman who won my Moon Pie's heart?"

Sheldon grinned and moved them over to where Penny stood. "Meemaw, this is my fiancée, Penelope Queen. Penny, this is Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Lee, my Meemaw."

Penny hugged the diminutive woman gently. "Hello Mrs. Lee. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Hello, Mrs. Cooper. It's good to see you again, also."

Mary smiled and hugged Penny before turning to Missy. "Well? Where is this man you've been mooning over?"

Missy blushed a bright red. "Mark isn't here yet. I wanted to make sure you and Meemaw were here before he arrived."

Meemaw looked over at Sheldon and shook her head good naturedly. "Missy says you don't approve, Moon Pie. What's wrong with this man?"

Penny snorted and looked at Sheldon challengingly. "Yes, sweetie. What's wrong with him?"

Sheldon glared at his sister and fiancée. "He's too old."

Mary looked worried for a moment. "How old is he?"

"52," Penny said. "And he's got his own home, business, and is financially secure. He's got a good heart, and is very smart and funny. There's nothing wrong with Mark."

Sheldon muttered under his breath angrily. Penny rolled her eyes. "Sheldon just doesn't like him because Mark and I almost dated."

"Lived together," he corrected stiffly. "You almost lived together, and he kissed you."

Mary's eyes went wide and Meemaw laughed heartily. "Oh my! I never thought I would see the day my Moon Pie was jealous!"

There was another knock on the door and Amy opened it. Mark and Zack walked inside and Amy blushed deeply. Mark nodded to her and then zeroed in on Missy. He walked over and pulled her in for a brief, soft kiss. He turned to Penny and kissed her cheek before smiling at Sheldon mischievously. Sheldon pulled Penny in close and glared fiercely.

"Mark, this is my mom, Mary Cooper, and my Meemaw, Caroline Lee," Missy said with a tender smile.

He shook hands with both women. "It's a pleasure to meet such beautiful women."

Mary grinned, completely won over immediately. Meemaw looked him over carefully. "You love my granddaughter, young man?"

Mark grinned widely. "Ma'am, I don't know. But I can tell you that it's been a great many years since anyone has made me feel as happy as she does."

"Ever been married?" Meemaw asked.

Mark's eyes dimmed a bit. "Yes, ma'am. Heather died in an accident when we were 25. I've been a widower for 27 years."

Meemaw and Mary's expressions turned sympathetic. They knew what that loss was like. "Any kids?" Missy fidgeted uncomfortably, but Mark rubbed her back in a soothing motion.

Mark shook his head. "No. Just a dog. A 6 year old blue tick hound named Fester."

Meemaw turned to Sheldon. "Moon Pie, bury the hatchet with this man. I have a feeling he's going to be around for a long time."

Sheldon huffed and looked at Mark stubbornly. Meemaw tapped her foot, while Mary, Missy and Penny tried to hide their smiles.

Mark shook his head. "Sheldon, you don't have to make friends with me just because of some silly holiday party. I understand your feelings. I really do. But I care about your sister. Penny is a dear friend to me, and the best damn assistant my partner and I ever had. Can't we at least be civil?"

Sheldon looked down at Penny's pleading expression. "No more kissing Penny!"

Mark nodded. "Agreed."

Sheldon sighed. "Welcome to the girl's Make A Friend party. Would you like a soda?"

Penny grinned and hugged Sheldon tight as Mark smiled and hugged Missy close. "How about I help and we'll get something for everyone?" Sheldon led the way to the kitchen. Missy and Penny grinned with satisfaction.

Mary looked at Penny appraisingly. "So, have you and my boy decided when you're going to get married and stop living in sin? I want grandchildren. Two, if you don't mind."

Panic spread over Penny's face immediately. She turned to the kitchen frantically. "Sheldon!"

Okay, I am about to start reading the very last ever Sookie Stackhouse novel, so don't expect to hear from me until tomorrow evening at the earliest, Wednesday at the latest. I love you all, but I love Charlaine Harris' books more.