Don't own much, but here is a surprise or two...
Six weeks had passed since Max and Jenny came into the world. It was time to take Jenny home. Leonard and Penny left for the hospital leaving Max with his Uncle Shelly.
After Penny and Leonard left, Sheldon called Amy and initiated the coded signal. "Elvis has LEFT the building". Within minutes, Amy and Bernadette entered the apartment and started decorating for the surprise coming home party for Jenny and Max. They were all excited when Penny first came home with Max, but they thought it would be a special surprise if they waited to have a party when Jenny came home too. They put up a banner, they blew up balloons, and they put up streamers.
Howard and Raj came up and knocked.
KNOCK...
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK...
KNOCK, KNOCK...
Bernadette went to open the door when she was stopped by Sheldon. "Hide... Hide... That's the wrong code"... The corrrect code is...
KNOCK, KNOCK...
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK...
KNOCK...
Amy interrupted. "Sheldon, we saw them leave. They are not going to be back for an hour at least". Bernadette opened the door for Howard and Raj who were carrying a double wide bassinet and a double stroller.
Sheldon laid out the plates and napkins on the coffee table. Amy asked "Sheldon, did you get a gift"? Sheldon turned and smiled. "Indeed I have". He then placed an envelope on his desk to be given at the appropriate time.
Leonard and Penny entered the ICU and saw all the staff standing with Drs. Johnson and Billings. Dr. John Johnson even showed up for the occasion. He had been kept in the loop by his wife. This was something the staff had done for all the "graduates" of the ICU upon discharge. This was a special day for them as Jenny was truly the darling of the ward. She was never a fussy baby and caused no trouble. In fact, if it wasn't for her tiny size, she would have gone home sooner. She excelled at each challenge they had given her. She came off the breathing tube early, she was weaned off oxygen early and she took to breast feeding almost from the very first chance. Penny was so proud of her daughter.
Penny hugged all the staff. There were a few special people Penny would miss the most. There was one nurse that spent many hours with Jenny. She had been there from the very beginning. She attended to the changes in care, and helped Penny with first bottle feeding and then breast feeding little Jenny. Her name was Alma. She was the sweetest thing. She spent the long difficult hours with Jenny when she was first born. Penny saved extra long hugs for Dr. Billings and Dr. Wendy Johnson for all the help they had been. There was a little party and the Hofstadter's waved goodbye. They were on their way to reunite Jenny and Max.
Leonard and Penny climbed the stairs to 4B. Leonard placed the bag of baby things by the door and went over to 4A to get Max from Sheldon. When he opened the door, all their friends jumped up and in a very hushed tone "whispered" SURPRISE!
Penny came in after Leonard carrying Jenny and smiled at their gathered friends. Amy and Bernadette quickly came over to see Jenny. Jenny was quietly sleeping. Leonard unwrapped the gift from Raj and Howard, the bassinet. Penny placed Jenny in and Leonard went to get Max. He placed Max gently in the bassinet with Jenny. Penny had a tear in her eye as she gazed down at her children together for the first time since they were born.
The group returned to the couch. Bernadette gave them the gift from herself and Amy explaining that the stroller was so they could take the kids with them for "ladies afternoons" in the park.
Sheldon walked over to his desk and took the envelope off his desk and handed it to Leonard. Penny was eating cake when she noticed the look on his face. Leonard was stunned.
Penny put her cake down. "What is it honey"? Leonard passed the paper to Penny who read it.
"Sheldon Lee Cooper here by designated as the lessor of apartment 4A does, on a temporary basis, transfer occupancy of said apartment to one Leonard Hofstadter, here known as the roommate, and family here by designated as the lessee. In return, the above mentioned lessor will take occupancy of apartment 4B until which time other arrangements can be made. At no time does the lessor relinquish his SPOT which is held in a condition of eternal dibs".
There was a collective gasp by the occupants of the apartment. Penny looked at him. "Sheldon... This is so sweet... Are you sure"?
Sheldon looked at the confused group. "Penny, it has become exceedingly apparent that your apartment is insufficient for your current needs. As your departure would inconvenience me, it is only logical that this arrangement be instituted. Leonard would therefore be able to continue with his duties which will be delineated in the soon to be completed Neighbor Agreement".
Penny's demeanor immediately changed. "Sheldon, if this is the same cockamamie agreement that you tried to force me to sign, so help me"….
Sheldon put his hand up to stop the deluge of comments that were about to be given. "Penny…. Penny…. Penny… Before you make any assumptions about the agreement, rest assured that there will be compensation on my part for all expected and agreed to actions on Leonard's part".
Penny was becoming irritated. "Leonard's part…. Leonard's part….. why are you singling out Leonard"?
Sheldon continued. "Tut… Tut… Leonard…, as the signatory, is responsible for little more than many of the already agreed upon tasks in the current roommate agreement. I, however, will compensate with babysitting duties, on an as yet to be determined schedule. Also, I would provide consult services such as disinfection, cleanliness, and general tidiness. You are not required to perform duties as your primary function will be the basic care and feeding of the other members of the family unit. A task that I am given to understand is exponentially more complex and time consuming with twins. In essence, you need your rest. In any event, at such a time when apartment living is no longer suitable, I as the lessor, have first option as to the disposition of apartment 4A….. As I have stated, my SPOT is in a condition of eternal dibs".
Penny then ran over to Sheldon and embraced him with a hug that was clearly too long in duration. The rest of the group just let out a collective sigh.