Here's a small filler chapter for you all! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The four of them went out for a celebratory lunch paid for by Meemaw. It would have been a dinner, but Penny had another show that night and needed to be at the theater in a few short hours. While she was there, Sheldon would spend some time with his Meemaw and mother since they would be leaving the next day.

Sheldon sat uncharacteristically silent as he watched Penny talk with Meemaw. There was adoration in his Meemaw's eyes and it looked as if Penny had already fallen in love with the woman as well. Meemaw had that effect on people.

Mrs. Cooper watched her son as Sheldon watched the interaction between her mother and Penny. She knew that the cogs in his brain were working overtime, but not on a scientific equation. Unless Penny was considered science.

Lord, she prayed in her head. Thank you for sending Shelly a woman that loves him for him. Now, all I need is for him to pop the question so I can have grandbabies already. No rush, though. Amen.

After lunch, Penny was getting ready in her apartment for the theater. This time would drive herself, but she didn't mind. This way she could recite her lines aloud and not have anyone look at her oddly. Just as she was putting on the finishing touches of makeup on in the bathroom, her cellphone rang from where she had thrown it on her bed when she got home. Checking her appearance once more in the mirror, she walked into her room and answered it. "Hello."

"Good afternoon, Penny dear!"

Penny smiled so widely at the sound of the voice her face hurt. "Dr. Mueller! How are you?"

"Oh, come now, Penny. It's Dominik. I just wanted to apologize."

"Apologize?" She frowned. "Apologize for what?" The man had always been kind to her, she didn't think he ever had to apologize to anyone. Let alone her.

"I was not there to see you on your opening night. Something came up back home and I was on the phone for hours." He sighed. "I can't be gone a week without something happening that only I can fix, it seems."

"It's okay that you missed opening night Dr. M- Dominik." Truthfully, and with guilt, she hadn't even noticed that he wasn't there. Most of her attention had been on Sheldon and Meemaw and Mrs. Cooper.

"I'll be there tonight, Penny. I am excited to see this play that so many have raved about. Of course, I knew that everyone would love it."

Penny blushed at the compliment. "Thank you." She glanced at the clock by her bedside and gasped. "I'm sorry, Dominik. But if I don't leave now, I'll be late to the theater."

"We can't have that, can we?" The man chuckled on the other end. "I will see you later. Break a leg."

"Thank you," she said again. "I look forward to seeing you tonight. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Penny hung up the phone and flew around her room, gathering all the things she needed and then, some. One never knew when certain things would be needed. She ran out of her apartment and rushed down the stairs, praying that she wouldn't fall and actually break a leg.

If it was possible, the second night of the performance went even better than the first. Everyone had lost their jitters and nerves and the positive reviews in the newspaper had boosted their confidence. Before the show started, Penny had spotted Dr. Mueller in the crowd and waved. He was sitting in almost the same spot Sheldon had been sitting and would be easy to spot when she was on stage.

Penny acted her heart out on stage, loving the role of Jenny and loving the play. it had been a long time since she had felt this good about acting. If this would be her only gig, then she would be happy.

After another standing ovation from the crowd, Penny slipped away from her fellow actors and found Dr. Mueller to give him a hug. "Thank you for coming," she said and hugged him tightly again. She hadn't know this man long, but he had quickly became a very important part of her life.

"You were amazing, Penny dear. I knew you would be good, but that performance was phenomenal! You deserve a Tony!"

Penny blushed. "Thank you. I would need to be on Broadway to get that, though."

"Well, you are certainly good enough, my dear," he said with sincerity. "I am half-tempted to come to tomorrow's showing, as well. However, that would mean missing my flight home."

"Leaving already?" Penny asked, sadly. She wasn't ready to see him go so soon. Though, when she had left Germany with Sheldon she had thought she wouldn't be seeing Dr. Mueller for a long time.

"Unfortunately, yes. I must get back to the University." He looked just as upset about returning, too. "Summer vacation will be coming in a few months, so I may just have to come back by then. Maybe you'll be in another play or," he leaned close and whispered, "A movie."

That would have been Penny's dream.

"Maybe," she said and smiled before grabbing him in another hug. "I'm going to miss you so much, Dominik!"

It was late when Penny made it back to the apartment. This time, she took more time on the stairs. Not for the first time, she wished the elevator wasn't broken. She was exhausted. When she reached the fourth landing and looked to Sheldon and Leonard's door and wished that Sheldon was awake so she could tell him goodnight in person. But it was past his bedtime.

However, when she opened the door to her apartment, she was shocked to see a pajama-clad Sheldon curled up on her tiny couch. At the sound of her door opening, he opened his eyes. They were wide until they landed on her, then he smiled.

"Hello, Penny," he greeted.

"Hi, Sheldon." She set her bag down and went to sit with him on the couch. "Why aren't you in bed? It's late."

"I know, but I wished to know how your performance went and wish you a proper goodnight."

Could this man be any sweeter? "Honestly, I think this performance was better than the first and Dr. Mueller was there to see it! He leaves tomorrow, though."

"Just like my mother and Meemaw." They wore matching sad faces.

"I'm going to miss them." She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Me, too. They won't be leaving until the afternoon, but Meemaw wants to spend the morning with me."

"What are you two going to do?"

"I don't know." If Penny had been looking up at him, she would have seen the way his face twitched and knew he was lying. Lucky for him, her eyes had drifted closed. Sheldon didn't want to disturb her, so he leaned back against the couch and didn't jostle Penny too much.

"Sleep with me, Sheldon," her sleepy voice said a few minutes later.

"What?"

Penny laughed. "Just sleep." She opened her eyes. "Please. You're already here and in your pajamas."

It took him a little bit to think it over. Penny's bed was not his bed. But if he slept in Penny's bed, she wouldn't be far and he enjoyed having her so close. Maybe he would enjoy sleeping with her in his arms, too. "Okay. But if you snore, I may have to leave," he teased.

Penny hopped to her feet and tugged him along, looking extremely happy. "I won't!" She went up on her toes and kissed him. When she moved away, he grabbed her back and initiated another kiss.

What will Sheldon and Meemaw be doing in the morning? Hmm...

Thanks for reading!