Let's see what kind of disclaimer should I write today? I'm on my iPad again waiting for my partners for lunch at the golf course today. Out on the deck in the sunshine even though its 34 degrees today. The snow has melted off everything but the foothills and mountains. My waitress thinks I'm an idiot she's probably right. Hold on she has blonde hair, green eyes about 5'6 about 26 seems like somebody familiar. I wonder if she ever worked at a Cheesecake Factory. Of course I still only own what's mine and would never dream of owning what belongs to others. Scheme and plan perhaps but never dream.
Faux Valentine's Day
Penny lay on the window side of the bed. Leonard asleep beside her with his hand draped over her, her hand upon his. The sun was going down over the Alps bathing the room in soft orange light. It really was a beautiful view she thought. She was still tired but had slept for a couple of hours. The roses were now on the bedside table next to the lamp. The champagne and chocolates still sat on the coffee table untouched. It felt like Valentine's Day would have felt like all those years ago. She squeezed Leonard's hand he stirred but didn't wake. She knew they had a dinner plans but she could just stay here for the rest of the evening and it would suit her fine. But Leonard had something special planned at a restaurant called Le Florist or something like that.
She slid out from under Leonard's arm covered him up and headed for the bathroom. She started the shower and looked at her cosmetic bag. It was in there should she go ahead and check and if it was positive what then? Better to know she thought and got out the pregnancy test. She read the instructions and went to the toilet. She followed the instructions and put it on the counter next to the sink and got in the shower. She didn't want to stand there waiting. As she showered she thought of when to tell Leonard if it was positive at dinner tonight, after getting Lisel or after the wedding. He'd probably figure it out before the wedding. She stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in one of the big fluffy towels and wrapped her hair in another. She looked at the counter, the test was gone. She walked back into the bedroom to find Leonard sitting up in the bed half under the comforter. The huge grin on his face was answer enough to the test results. She smiled and crawled back under the covers into his arms.
Drawing your Dreams
Lisel was in her room coloring when Lena looked in to check on her. Lena looked over her shoulder at the drawing. It was stick people with large heads, a little girl with yellow hair holding hands with a taller yellow haired figure. There were smaller figures of two dogs and cat. Lena smiled, "I see you and Mama Penny and her pets. What are you doing in the picture?"
Lisel looked up and smiled at her grandmother, "Walking the dogs and the kitty in the park."
Lena smiled widened, "Normally people don't walk their cats Lisel."
Lisel furled her brow in thought for a moment, "I'm going to try to anyway, but the dogs will be there with us."
"I'm sure they will Lisel, where's your papa?"
Lisel smiled at Lena, "He's taking the picture of us"
Lena rubbed her grandaughter's back and rose to leave but Lisel had a question, "Grandmama will Mama Penny get sick like my mama?"
Lena stood very still considering how to answer her heart was in her throat. When she did answer her voice broke slightly, "No Lisel Mama Penny will never get sick like your mama. She will be there for you always like your father."
Lena said a silent prayer for this to be true no child should have to lose two mothers. She would not even let the possibility enter Lisel's mind.
The Flourishing
Penny held Leonard very close, the towel wrapped around her between them. He nuzzled her neck and ears, "How long have you suspected?" Penny smiled into his chest, "About two weeks I've been patient though in case I was just late. I take it from your grin that you're pleased?"
Leonard nodded, "Very pleased. Wow I need to be more careful every green eyed blonde girl I sleep with gets pregnant. Maybe I should try a nice brunette or redhead next time?"
Penny ran her hand down Leonard's chest, "Do you remember how Sheldon's sister made him be good?"
Leonard sat up ever so slightly, "Got the message, Nebraska on the boys would not be good. No brunettes or red heads got it." He slumped back down into the bed as she moved her hand back up his chest she was grinning slyly.
"I can't believe how lucky we got. We weren't even trying just not preventing it from happening and it happened."
"Leonard you say that as if you think it was fate?"
"Not fate exactly but maybe natural law. If you let a system that's been prevented from growing suddenly grow it may grow at exponential rate. Really rather"
"Pedantic Leonard, let's just call it fate okay?"
He pulled her closer, "Fate it is. Now we should be getting ready for dinner."
Leonard got up and headed for the shower. Penny started to follow and then lay back down and looked out the window. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, something in her had really clicked she was wondering if she could wait for tomorrow to see Lisel now. How would she feel about a little brother or sister? Why do I cry when I'm happy?
Leonard had appeared dressed in grey slacks and white collared shirt from the bathroom when she finally roused herself and got ready for dinner. She had on a light pink dress that came to a couple of inches above her knees. It was silk and interwoven with light green and lavender threads. She found the slightly off colored pumps that were the perfect match and did her makeup and hair.
She walked out and did a small twirl for Leonard. He smiled and nodded his approval, "you look wonderful are you getting hungry?"
Penny actually was getting hungry she walked toward him as he held her dark blue overcoat for her, "I am actually, what's the place we're going to again?"
Leonard helped her on with her coat and grabbed his own black wool tweed jacket, "It's called Le Floris which means The Flourishing. Kind of appropriate with our news tonight don't you think."
Penny nodded as they walked toward the elevator and Leonard continued, "It's on the lake and is a Michelin 2 star restaurant. If it was summer you would sit out on the terrace overlooking the lake and mountains. This time of year we'll have a nice window seat but it's spectacular in the summer. It's the last place I ate before moving back to Pasadena so I could remember the food. You're going to love it."
The elevator door opened as soon they got close to it, Penny went in and Leonard followed pushing the garage level button and they were off.
Unpreventable Loss
Horst and Lena sat on the couch. Horst was sipping hot cocoa that was laced with schnapps. He looked at the spot on the mantel where Liisa's ashes would go. Though he was happy she was coming home he was much sadder that Lisel was leaving. Leonard had invited them to come to California more than once in the last year to visit or to stay if they were inclined. He was 62 years old and could retire at any time. He looked over at Lena. They had always wanted more children but were never blessed with another. Liisa had been enough at the time. Had they known they would have found a way to have another or adopt. Lena was reading a novel next to him, she looked up when he looked over at her, "Horst don't start missing her until she's gone." She then went back to her novel.
Horst smiled it was always good to have someone who knows you so well they can read your moods. Horst got up anyway and checked in on Lisel who was sound asleep with her bunny clasped to her chest. The glow of the nightlight on her face made her appear angelic. He walked to his office and sat down using his tablet to pull up images of Pasadena and southern California. It looked beautiful but he didn't think Lena would go. She had all her children from school and volunteer work to keep here occupied. Horst had CERN and his life's work. Horst opened the drawer and took out Liisa's letter. I just need to hear her voice in my head one more time.
Correspondence
Penny was sitting at the desk just off the living room of the suite. Dinner had been as Leonard promised it would be, extraordinary and scrumptious. The chef had come out to greet them when they arrived. He was a friend of Leonard's banker and he got a picture with the couple. Then they started their meal. It was prepared especially for them, the exact menu that would be served on Valentine's Day that year. It was a 7 course tasting menu with each small course matched to a wine by the Sommelier. It was smoked salmon spring roll and Sauvignon Blanc, then a seared scallop and Chardonnay, then shrimp with a Viognier. The meat courses were duck, rabbit and lamb with Pinot Noir, Grenache and Syrah. Leonard knew what all the wines French names were but let her know the grape varietal for each so she could relate them to American wines she knew. The dessert was a type of bread pudding, sweat and wonderful paired with a tart sherry. Each course was very small but by the dessert you were full. The chef had come back out and talked to Leonard about the dinner in French and kissed her hand when he went back to the kitchen.
It was now close to 11:00. Penny should have been tired but wasn't and knew the time change was keeping her up. Leonard was sitting on the couch in the living room checking his email. Penny opened the desk drawer, inside was beautiful stationary and envelopes. She took some paper and an envelope out. She set them before her and took up the pen and started to make a list.
Love
Protect
Nurture
Teach
Play
Encourage
"Don't forget learn and patience, Leonard said over her shoulder. You will learn so many things you have forgotten even when they are young. They will teach you to have patience." He had been looking over her shoulder for a few moments.
"Thank you, anything else?" She wrote down "Learn" and "Patience".
"Only to be happy, if you are happy your child will be happy. Liisa told me that."
Penny wrote down "Be Happy". She then folded the letter and placed it in the envelope and wrote on the front. "Things to Remember Always" and dated it.
She took the letter, stood and slid her arms around Leonard's neck. She kissed him softly, and then whispered in his ear. "A shame I left the red and brunette wigs at home or I could make you dreams come true too." Leonard whispered back, "You already have and I prefer blondes."
That's it for today: FF has been acting up all day so I still haven't published the prior chapter yet but will when I see they have their problems resolved.
I think things are going just about where I want them right now. Is the next chapter Lisel and Penny at last. Maybe? I have some other things to resolve as well so I'll wait until I write it then even I'll be surprised. I always am at the end of each chapter.
Please review when it comes up, if anyone sent me anything through FanFiction I will get to it as soon as there messaging system is functional again.
T
PS Le Floris is a real 2 star restaurant in Geneva on the lake with a gorgeous terrace dining area.
PSS, I'm looking through some pictures on my laptop. Men and boys dressed in heavy rain gear, sopping wet. They all idiots to be out in that, they all have idiot grins on their faces. They are all holding golf clubs in their hands. Any correlation? They are the SOGI, Society of Golfing Idiots. I'm proud to say I'm in none of the pictures, for I always took them.
