Leonard and Penny laid in bed. Her head is resting on his chest. She smiled as she thought about last night and how good it felt giving in to each other's desires and pleasures. She just couldn't get enough of this man, and how he made her feel physically and emotionally. He was the whole package, but something was bothering her. Why wasn't she ready to marry him. What was she scared of? She knew he wouldn't hurt her because he loved her as much as she loved him. Maybe subconsciously she was holding back because her life wasn't complete. She still didn't know where her career path was leading. She wanted to be an actress, but that wasn't working out. Penny had four auditions in the last five months, and she hated her waitressing job. She wanted to make something of her life so that Leonard will be proud of her. It wasn't fair on Leonard that her fears could affect their happiness. She didn't want that to happen. Penny needed to show him that she was 100% committed to him, she listened to his steady heartbeat it was like listening to a song from his soul. Penny wished she could stay in this position all day. She felt his movement, and Penny was a little disappointed that he was waking up. Penny quickly relaxed when his arm pulled her as closely as possible to him. She looked up at him, and they both smiled at each other. He kissed her forehead and asked.
"What time is It?"
"Just gone past 11."
"We had a very long sleep."
"Well, we didn't go to bed until 5 in the morning."
"Well, that was your fault, keeping me up all night."
"I didn't hear you complaining, and you're the one that couldn't get enough of me."
"True but that sexy body of yours is hard to ignore."
"Thank you, and you're not so bad yourself Leonard." She winked at him. He leaned in and kissed her softly.
"So how long have you being awake."
"Oh about an hour." Penny tried to snuggle more into him.
"Why didn't you wake me."
"I couldn't bring myself to wake you up; you looked so peaceful sleeping, and I was so comfortable with my head on your chest." She answered in a soft voice. Leonard could see something was bothering Penny. He could sense it; he didn't know how, but it was just instinct and no matter how hard she tried to hide it he always knew.
"Is everything okay," Leonard asked.
Penny thought. How the hell does he do that? Knowing something was on her mind. But then again she could always tell when something was bothering him. She loved how in sync they were.
"Oh, I was just thinking about our talk last night."
"Penny I promise not to put pressure on you. When you are ready, so will I. okay."
"I know we spoke about marriage and we decided that we will wait until we are ready for that commitment." She paused before speaking again. "You know I was thinking now that we've decided not to get married yet. We could throw a ceremony and celebrate the fact that we have reached a new place in our relationship," Penny said.
"What, like a commitment party to symbolize our commitment without the legal aspects.?"
"I guess we could call it that. Instead of an engagement party or not-technically-a-wedding thing,"
"That would be awesome we could invite our friends for our non-legal commitment party." Leonard chuckled.
"Leonard I'm serious. I want everyone to know we are together and solid and show the awesomeness that is you and me."
"Sorry, okay If you put It that way I guess I'm In."
"You guess you are In.?" Penny frowned.
"You know what I mean. But have you thought of the effort to get all our friends and family on board with the whole not-technically-a-wedding thing as you put it." Leonard air quoted.
"Well to save us the trouble of explaining it to our friends and families and some thinking it's a bad idea. We could throw a surprise ceremony, or whip up some fancy non-wedding invitations and throw a big 'ol party to show them our new level of commitment." Penny suggested.
"That's a great idea, Penny. Our way of showing everyone we belong to each other, and we are declaring it."
"Something like that. You really think it's a good idea?" Penny questioned.
"Yes, I do. We could just have vows and pledge our commitment to each other. You know what, let's do it. Let's have a kick-arse party and surprise everyone. Like a wedding but not really a wedding and there will be no officiant. We will be speaking directly to each other to the surprise of everyone."
"How are we going to pull this off without giving our plan away?" Penny inquired.
"We could just send out invites for a house warming party and surprise everyone as we make our non- wedding vows and commitment to each other."
"Sounds like a great plan. Okay, let's do it." Penny moved up and began to kiss him passionately and soon enough their make out session lead to more romps under the sheets.
Leonard and Penny organized the party for three weeks time. They invited their family and kept the guest list to a minimum, just close friends. Leonard asked his family via email but was sure they wouldn't turn up. Penny called her parents who were happy to attend. They kept everyone in the dark about the real intent of the party; the invitation just stated a house warming party.
"So how come now," Amy asked.
Now, what?" Penny replied. Amy, Bernadette, and Penny were having brunch in a pub.
"Having a house warming party. I mean you and Leonard have been living together for months."
"Oh, we just decided that we need to make it official," Penny answered.
"Make what official?" Bernadette asked.
"Nothing," Penny said quickly, not wanting to give the plan away. "It's just that we didn't have one before and we wanted to make it official that we are now living together." Penny excused herself and went to use the bathroom to avoid further questions on the subject.
"Do you buy that," Bernadette asked Amy.
"Why.? Do you think she is lying about something?"
"I don't know; it's just she is keeping quiet about the party and changes the subject whenever you ask for more details."
"It's like she doesn't want to talk about it," Amy said.
"Or give any details about the party and what's up with them inviting their families who live out of town."
"Do you think they might announce they are getting or are engaged. Amy said excitedly.
"You might have something there. Penny is definitely keep something from us."
"I guess we find out soon enough or we could get her drunk and make her spill."
Penny returned, and they just talked about what drinks and food to get for the party. Penny drifted off into her little world. Penny could feel Leonard's presence even though he wasn't there she had this feeling of being at home and in peace next to Leonard.
"Penny."
"Penny," Bernadette said. Louder.
"What?" as she was brought out of her daydream.
"Are you okay. You seem lost in thoughts."
"I'm fine I was just thinking."
"About Leonard?" Amy asked.
"No, well maybe." Penny giggled.
Penny arrived home to find Leonard at his desk, busy typing away on his laptop. He had that cute expression on his face that told her he was thinking hard.
"Hi, honey."
"Hi, Penny. How was your day?" He asked, without taking his eyes off the screen."
"It was okay. I met Bernadette and Amy for brunch. I think I had too many glasses of wine."
"Drinking in the afternoon is not the way to start the day."
"Well I had to, they kept asking me questions about the party. I think they are suspicious and do not believe, it just a housewarming party."
"You think they know." Leonard raised a brow.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling they probably think we are going to announce something."
Penny walked over to Leonard and leaned down and put her arms around him from behind his chair and kissed him on the cheek.
"So did you get a reply from your parents?"
"Yes and no, my dad's probably away, and my mom replied with, I will think about it. Which means no."
"I'm sorry Leonard," Penny said sincerely.
"It's okay; I'm over it and glad they are not coming. I have you now." His declaration brought happy tears to her eyes.
"Yes, you do. I will always be here for you. No matter what. I love you so much and can't wait for our commitment party, so I can tell everyone how much I love you."
Penny felt linked together with Leonard in many ways. She was ready and willing to take on any feat of life including his mother to protect him. They were responsible for each other now. She couldn't imagine not being with Leonard; he was worth sticking with and fighting for. Penny knew she had found the other half of her heart.
