I still own nothing.
Things will start to pick up. We have had happy times, now...
New Years passed. Penny and Leonard had everyone over so Penny didn't need to be stressed. Penny had fallen asleep before the New Year came. At midnight, Leonard didn't want to wake her up because she looked so peaceful. He finally gently kissed her on the forehead and she opened her eyes. Penny didn't want to miss a minute of the New Year. She had a glass of wine and everyone wished each other a Happy New Year.
Bernadette asked everyone, "Does anyone have a resolution for the New Year"?
Sheldon looked in the direction of Leonard and Penny who were sitting with their arms around each other. "I would like to have a resolution to the as yet UNNEGOTIATED and UNSIGNED Roommate Agreement"
Leonard looked back to his friend. "Not tonight Sheldon, it's late". Leonard realized that even though he and Penny were now married, he still kept the majority of his stuff in 4A. This was probably driving Sheldon nuts.
Penny was certain that the New Year was going to be the best one ever. She was married to the best husband ever. He would do anything for her. Jenny and Max would make their debut into the world in a month or so. She was so excited but also a little terrified that she would not be a good mother. Still, the thought of having Leonard's children put the biggest smile on her face.
The idea of having a glass of wine every now and then or when she felt possible contractions set well with Penny. Leonard had bought a small TV for the bedroom after their party so Penny didn't have to walk too far to the bathroom. Drinking Water all the time was bad enough, but being pregnant and having to pee so often was a real drag.
Leonard had taken to doing as much work at home as possible and since the party and was pretty much virtual as far as work went. He had done a considerable amount of laser work before Thanksgiving and now, he was crunching data and researching new papers for potential new projects. Leonard made it clear that his main focus was Penny. He would draw her a warm bath every day and would pamper her as much as she would tolerate.
Sleeping had become extremely difficult and uncomfortable for Penny. Laying around all day did little to help. She was beginning to feel like she was shut in and being shut off from society. Penny was a very outgoing person. Her work as a waitress was one that exposed her to all kinds of people. Sure the work was mundane, but the interactions with the people especially at the bar were engaging. Her acting class and the local productions she was in was another way to expose her to the wide world outside her small apartment. Even the classes she took at the community college were stimulating.
Now, not only was her apartment small, Leonard had made it smaller by buying the TV for the bedroom further contracting her sphere of social interaction. As much as Leonard and their friends were trying to make life as normal as possible, Penny was going crazy not being able to go outside. It was the middle of January and Penny wanted out. She could see that it was a sunny day with blue skies and nice puffy clouds. Back home in Nebraska, this would be one of those rare days you could go riding in the crisp clear air in the dead of winter just breathing in the cold, returning to the crackling fire snuggling up.
Leonard was sitting on the couch with his laptop reading a journal when he heard Penny call from the bedroom, "Leonnnnnaaaard, I'm bored"!
Leonard put his laptop down and went into the bedroom. "Mrs. Hofstadter, may I be of assistance"?
Penny looked at him with the best puppy dog eyes she could muster. "I'm a mess, I'm bored, there's nothing on TV, and nobody wants to play with me. Can we just go outside maybe for a walk"?
Leonard was defenseless, he simply could not say no. He helped her up, ran a bath and helped her wash all the places she could no longer reach, dried her off, gave her a shampoo and dried her hair which she put into a ponytail. "You know, Leonard,… you really have some hidden talents here. If you did this more often when I'm not pregnant, there could be some fringe benefits"…..
Leonard smiled at that statement as she picked out a cute outfit to wear. "Promise me you will take it easy. A smile on your face is all the fringe benefit I need today". Penny turned and kissed her husband.
They slowly went down the stairs and outside. The air was cool and crisp with the sun brightly shinning. Penny took in a deep breath. "Oh, my god…. This feels so good. Leonard, I love you so much for doing this with me". They walked down to the park arm in arm, found the first bench and fed the ducks in the pond. They sat and watched the children playing and running around. Penny held Leonard's arm and put her head on his shoulder. "We could come here with the kids. We could play on the swings….. and on the slide….. we could ride bikes on the path….. Leonard, it's going to be so much fun".
There was a hotdog vendor across the way drawing a small crowd. "Penny, are you hungry"? Penny nodded and Leonard went to get two hotdogs. His was plain with mustard. Penny's, however, was loaded with onions, sauerkraut, mustard, catsup and relish. It took a little more time than Leonard had expected. As he turned around to take them back to Penny, he saw her laying down on the bench holding her stomach. She had her eyes tightly closed.
Leonard dropped the hot dogs and ran to Penny. "Penny, are you OK"?
The look on Penny's face was one of panic. "Leonard, this is not right, It feels different. Something's wrong, it hurts. I thought it stopped when I laid down but then it started up again".
Leonard took out his phone. "How far apart"?
I don't know It's getting better now. Penny sat up. "Maybe we could just sit her for a bit. Then go home. I shouldn't have made you take me out here, I'm sorry". Penny's eyes started to well up with tears.
Leonard put his arm around Penny. They sat for a while. "It's OK, t's not your fault. Let's just rest. I dropped the Hot Dogs. Do you want me to get some more"?
With that question, Penny doubled over. "OHHHHH magod! Leonard"…..
Leonard looked at his phone. "That was about ten minutes. Was that like the other"?
Penny sat back up after a minute or so. She was now in a panic. "Leonard, it's too soon….what are we going to do… we have to get back home… I need a warm bath"…
Leonard held her. "Shhh, it's Ok. He then dialed his phone.
"Bernadette, Penny may be in labor, we're in the park by the duck pond. Can you come get us? …
"Don't worry honey, Bernadette is on her way".
Penny started to breathe a little heavier. "C'mon babies, not now. You need to stay in there a little longer. Not now, please. Ow…ow..oww… Leonard"!
Leonard dialed Dr. Johnson.
"Dr. Johnson, Penny is in labor. The contractions are about ten minutes apart…..
In the park by our apartment…
I don't think so, I don't see any wet…
OK, we'll see you there.
Leonard hung up his phone and turned to Penny…"Penny, honey, we need to go to the ER. Dr. Johnson will meet us there".
Penny sat up. "OK, OK,…. That sounds good…. Where's Bernadette?….
Max , sweetie, please hold on a little longer….. Please….. OWWWW"….
