Chapter 29 Visitation Vortex

Candlelight and Broomsticks

Leonard looked across the table at Penny as she took a bite of her pasta. She was in the lavender dress she'd worn on their first date after he'd asked her out again. Her hair was down, curled in loose spirals golden and shining. Penny looked up at him her green eyes sparkling then smiled. The restaurant was the same one they had been to that night. This time they were seated by the window, white curtains between them and the street view outside. The table covered in a white table cloth over a red one. There was a basket of breadsticks to the left side between them along with two glasses of red wine.

"What are you thinking about sweetie?"

Leonard sat back adjusting his grey jacket over his blue shirt and black vest. He pushed his glasses back up his nose slightly. He gave her a smile, a flash of teeth and a grin.

"I'm thinking about the day I stood in the hallway and decided to ask you out again. You're wearing the same dress. It seems like a long time ago now."

Penny giggled, "It's only been six months Leonard. I have to tell you I was pretty surprised when you asked. I was happy you did."

Leonard nodded, "I know you were. I saw the smile on your face after I asked. I really didn't think you would be happy about it when I considered it before hand."

Penny just grinned then took another bite, "I know that, your face was so serious when you asked. You really should realize that you can't predict how I'm going to react to things."

"So I've learned, maybe tonight's not a good time then."

Penny looked at him setting her fork down on the side of her plate. "Good time for what?"

Leonard reached in his pocket then slid a small black jewelry case across the table, "To ask you to make me the happiest man in the universe and marry me?"

Penny slid the box back toward him, "Nope. Not a good time. I don't like to cry in public."

Leonard looked stunned then reached for the box Penny snatched the box from beneath his hand.

"Gees Leonard you're as bad as Sheldon sometimes, I was just messing with ya. Let's see what we have here."

Penny opened the box staring at its contents. She blinked several times then tears did start to come from her eyes. Penny held the box in her left hand while reaching up with her right to brush the tears away.

"Leonard, honey it's beautiful no one's ever given me anything like this. It's lovely."

Leonard had a huge grin now as Penny slid the ring on her finger. She held her hand out looking at it then looked over at Leonard, "Do I have to say yes or does just wearing it say enough?"

Leonard was still grinning, "I think I need to hear you say it."

Penny wiped the tears off her face again, "Yes"

Leonard looked serious, "Now we just have to tell my mother when she arrives tomorrow."

Penny looked stunned.

Interior in Light

Howard looked out at the empty apartment living room from the kitchen. The walls were freshly painted a light eggshell blue, the carpet a darker blue. The kitchen he stood in was L shaped behind him with white counters. He was standing behind the breakfast bar looking out at the room. To his left a hallway led off, Bernadette stood in the hallway in a blue dress and pink sweater. Howard had on a red shirt with a matching dickey and small black alien pin.

He looked over at his wife, "I like it, two bedrooms, a small garage and even a patio."

Bernadette smiled, "Then let's sign the papers and get a move in date."

Howard nodded, "How much?"

Bernadette fidgeted for a moment, "$1800 a month, first, last plus $1400 deposit."

Howard whistled, "Wow that's $5000 up front, then $1800 a month that's really expensive."

Bernadette just stared at him, "No Howie that's what a nice place goes for. It has a pool and exercise room."

Howard snorted, "Can we get a discount if we promise not to use them?"

Bernadette frowned, "No Howie, I know this is a shock for you, you've never had to pay rent but that's how much it costs. We can afford it, Howie, really."

Howard looked around one more time, "Alright let's do it"

Bernadette let out her breath and smiled.

Long Rides

Beverly Hoftstader sat next to Sheldon in the back of the car as Leonard drove. Her dove gray business suit showing just a touch of the pink blouse she had on underneath. Sheldon had on his green rock 'em sock 'em robot's shirt with a with long sleeve white shirt on underneath. Leonard had on a blue button up dress shirt and a gray jacket.

Beverly tilted her head toward Sheldon, "Leonard is dressing well today Sheldon what was the occasion?"

Leonard looked up at the rear view mirror, "I'm right here Mother, you could just ask me. I had a meeting with the department chair and president of the university this morning."

Sheldon leaned toward Beverly, "I believe he's seeking funding for a new experimental grant from the department of energy."

Beverly nodded very solemnly, "Was he successful?"

Leonard grimaced, "Still right here Mother, yes I got the grant acceptance approved by the university this morning. Thanks for asking."

Beverly looked over toward her son, "I know you're here Leonard but you really should concentrate on the traffic. Sheldon and I are just chatting."

Sheldon had a very smug look on his face, Leonard grimaced again, "You should ask Sheldon how his relationship with Amy is going?"

Beverly raised her eyebrows in response, "Oh they came to me in a professional capacity Leonard that kind of thing needs to be discussed in private. Speaking of relationships, Sheldon how are Leonard and Penny doing?"

Leonard gave a stern look at the mirror, Sheldon seemed not to notice, "I believe they have some big news for everyone according to Amy. I'm not supposed to say anything until they announce it though."

Beverly nodded, "He hasn't impregnated her yet has he? I know that was a certain concern you had about their relationship earlier."

Leonard smirked, "Why yes we're having twins."

Sheldon looked up condescendingly, "That's not funny Leonard. Penny is far to petite to do well with a pregnancy involving twins."

Leonard shook his head, "Now you get sarcasm."

Beverly actually looked up at Leonard again, "So what's this big news Leonard?"

Leonard was exasperated, "We wanted to tell you together. We're getting married, I proposed again and she accepted."

Leonard smiled very satisfied with himself.

Beverly looked over at Sheldon, "What happened the first time he asked?"

Sheldon smiled, "Oh the first time around was during"

Leonard sneered at the mirror, "Sheldon!"

Sheldon stopped then looked back at Beverly, "I've really enjoyed your latest book. It's very insightful about the relationship of youngest siblings to their parents."

Safe Harbor

Leonard walked into Penny's apartment closing the door behind him. Penny was on the couch her feet up with a glass of white wine on the table in front of her. She looked very relaxed but still in her work clothes. The engagement ring was on her finger, she had been staring at it as he came in.

"Hey you, rough drive home from LAX?"

Leonard nodded his head as he plopped down on the couch beside her.

"Any drive with my mother and Sheldon in the car is exhausting. Mind if I hide out here for a while she has a session with Sheldon?"

Penny put her left arm around his shoulder then gave him a friendly hug, "Sure it's your place too. What kind of session is she having with Sheldon?"

Leonard shook his head, "It's my own fault I suppose. She's talking to him about his relationship with Amy."

Penny nodded knowingly, "Yeah still some problems there, they are sleeping together but still haven't actually done it."

Leonard looked stunned, "How long have you known this?"

Penny smiled, "Oh a couple of weeks but only us girls know. They have a schedule and some detailed plan for it now. That's what they spent the weekend in Santa Barbara figuring out. They are sleeping together but not sleeping together, I guess. It got a little fuzzy there something about fly charts or something.

Leonard nodded, "Gantt charts, it's a milestone chart for a project. Well they are both scientists it might work. Oh you don't have to worry about telling my mother about our engagement. I did on the ride home."

Penny frowned, "Really I was looking forward to seeing that."

Leonard frowned also, "Sorry but she didn't bat an eye."

Penny smiled now, "Well she will once I get her liquored up."

Leonard looked worried suddenly, "You're not?"

Penny just nodded her head, "Oh yeah, girls night out with your mother and all my homies."

Episode 15 part 1. Hope you liked it. That should be an interesting evening. I wonder if the busboy is available. Comments and reviews are always welcome.

SOK