Chapter 48 - Final Preparations

Penny and Lindsey really knew their parents would come over to them, after the scene Valerie made, but they had both hoped they wouldn't. However the two girls weren't so lucky, so it was almost immediately after Amy asked 'What just happened?', that Meryl walked up to them with Wyatt following directly behind her. "That was Valerie Mossbacher, wasn't it?"

"Yes." was all Penny could to say to her mother.

Meryl looked at her daughter funny at her simple response with no explanation, but shrugged it off and continued to pry for more information. "I thought you didn't like her? Did you invite her to the rehearsal dinner?"

"No, I didn't." Again Penny only gave her mother a short answer

Meryl now knew something was up. "Honey what is going on?"

Lindsey sighed, she could see Penny was trying to not have to explain to her mother what happened, but was also trying not to directly refuse to answer her. She thought that her sister was probably more upset than she was letting on and she actually felt sorry for her, so without another thought she just blurted out, "Valerie came here to try and ruin Penny and Leonard's wedding."

Meryl now looked with shock at Lindsey then back at Penny, "Is that true honey?"

Penny nodded, and responded in a sad tone, "Yes." Leonard now moved until he is directly behind and against her back, putting his arms around her middle in comfort. Penny couldn't help herself from leaning back against him, his warmth and touch making her whole body relax.

"Why?" Meryl asked in confusion.

"Revenge or jealousy, I guess." Lindsey answered for her sister.

"What did she try to do?" Meryl now asked Lindsey who seemed to be more talkative than Penny.

Again Lindsey sighed, she decided just to tell it all at once and get it all in the open, "Valerie was one of the strippers last night and she lured Penny's fiancé to the back room to have sex with him." Meryl's eyes got wide as she now looked at Leonard, so Lindsey quickly continued, "But she didn't know that Penny's fiancé was Leonard so she actually lured Raj." Meryl visibly relaxed then looked at Raj, who just sadly nodded, not saying a word.

Penny was actually glad Lindsey was explaining it to her mother, because now hearing it repeated for the second time, it was actually was upsetting to her. But it didn't surprise her that as soon as that thought crossed her mind she felt Leonard's hand move up to gently rub her shoulder, he seemed to be able to sense her feelings and she loved him for that. It made her turn her head to look at him and in his eyes she could see him asking if she was okay, so she just gave him a small nod before looking back at her sister still talking to her mother.

"Valerie's scene was because she had took a video on her phone of the act and brought it with her to show Penny, thinking that it would screw up everything before the wedding tomorrow. But like I said, she didn't know she made a mistake and didn't have sex with Leonard." Lindsey continued the story.

Meryl looked surprised. "I never thought Valerie Mossbacher was like that, I know her and you weren't friends but this is just evil." she said looking at Penny.

Penny just nodded, thinking back to when she had fooled around with Valerie's boyfriend after Valerie stole the position of head cheerleader from her, by spreading lies about her. She felt so ashamed of that now, she was embarrassed how easily she would fool around with guys then, when she was younger, and then again even during the time when she first moved across from Leonard. She wished he had never seen that side of her, she wished she had just went with her feelings when she first met him, she still remembered that first real kiss on his couch, after her Halloween party, and how it made her feel about him.

Penny also made an important realization, at that moment, she was not like that anymore, she was not the same girl she was when she lived in Nebraska, she never really realized how much she had changed till right now. She was like Valerie before, when she lived there, but now she was so much different she would have never done what Valerie had just done or even think about it. She had changed and with that change she thought back about her returning to California, she had already convinced herself to go back, but now she knew she belonged there, not here, she wasn't that girl anymore. She would always love Nebraska because her family lived there, but there was no doubt in her mind anymore, her home was in California and she had absolutely no reservations to that she wanted to go back. It was actually comforting for her to know where she belonged now but she was so deep in thought that it took a second to realize her mother was asking her a question.

"Penny, honey, are you alright?" Meryl asked while looking at her.

"Yeah, I guess I am." Penny said with a small smile on her lips as she rested her hands on Leonard's. "But you know, I just want to go home now." Penny honestly told her mother, the thought of being cuddled up to Leonard while he held her making it the only thing she wanted to do at the moment.

Bernadette now spoke, knowing Penny was referring to going home with Leonard. "Penny you can't go home, you are staying with us at the hotel tonight so Leonard doesn't see you till the wedding."

"Yeah Sis, remember we are all staying in the hotel, in Bernadette's room, her husband is staying at the farm with Leonard." Lindsey reminded her.

Penny now remembered that they had told her that earlier that week, she had just forgot about it with all that was going on after the party last night and this thing with Valerie. Her first thoughts were to say she wasn't going and that she would stay with Leonard, but she then thought that wasn't right, it was just her being a needy little girl and that not the person she really was. It was her wedding and these were her friends, staying the night with them before she got married the next day is what she should be doing and what she would be doing if all the 'crap' of the last few months never happened. This was her wedding and being with the girls the night before would be fun and she knew she would hate herself later if she missed that, so Penny turned her head so she could see Leonard, "Sorry Sweetie, tonight is girls night." she said with all the conviction she could muster and a small smile. Leonard smiled back to her, with a little nod, making her realize she was doing the right thing and he was making it easier for her, letting her know that he understood.

The party ended up going on for another hour and nothing much else was said about the incident with Valerie, at least to Penny's face, her friends and relatives actually being sensitive to the feelings of the soon to be newlyweds. The girls finally piling into one of the rental cars, as soon as it was over, and before they left, Penny and Leonard kissed each other good-bye, a kiss that got very passionate quickly until the girls cat-calls finally embarrassed the two of them so much that they had to stop. So as the car drove off with Lindsey, Amy, Bernadette and Penny, Penny watched as they left the man she knew without a shadow of a doubt was the man for her and the man she wanted and needed for the rest of her life. The only thing allowing her to accept their separation being the knowledge that tomorrow he would be hers legally forever, though in her heart she knew he already belonged to her and she to him, forever.

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Penny was too excited to be tired, even though she had stayed up with the girls till past 5 AM that morning, because now at 10 AM she was starting to get ready for one of the most important days in her life. She was currently getting her shower, washing both her body and hair, the girls waiting outside for her to finish, them all acting like hand-maidens waiting for their princess to come out so that they could make her into the most beautiful woman at the ball. Penny chuckled at that thought, her friends and sister were all so excited to help her get ready, she was sure they would be in there, with her, washing her up, if it wasn't that it would be the weirdest thing in the world. So she hurried herself along trying to use the water to soothe her nerves while it cleaned her, she did want everything to go perfect because marrying Leonard felt perfect to her and she was so excited about today because it was the beginning of the rest of their lives as husband and wife.

Penny was exactly right about her friends, they immediately rushed her over to a chair, near their makeshift makeup table, after she came out of the bathroom, Penny still only in her terrycloth robe, straight from the shower. Lindsey and Bernadette immediately drying and working on her hair, while Amy made sure her feet were dry before working on her toenails, a very light shade of pink, previously agreed to by Penny, ready to be applied. It would go nice with the white wedding dress hanging in the closet, that had delicate pink accents in several places on it and all the girls had agreed that Penny's finger and toenails should be a similar color. Penny had to force herself to relax since the closer in time she got to the actual wedding the more nervous she was becoming, but as the girls continued with their effort, she found herself relaxing and then enjoying the attention. She told herself that after all this is her day so why not enjoy it as much as possible.

It was an hour later the hardest part of her preparation was over, her hair looked beautiful and her nails were dry, and Penny stood there with a big smile on her face on how well her friends accomplished the effort to make her look beautiful. "Thanks guys, this is perfect."

All three girls smiled before her sister spoke, "Your welcome, now get out of that robe so we can get your dressed."

Something then came over Penny, suddenly she felt incredibly shy, maybe it was all that happened the last few months or maybe in her mind she had told herself no one would ever see her naked again but Leonard, but whatever it was she just grabbed her robe and held it closer to her body without even thinking what she was doing. Amy was actually the one that first noticed Penny's reluctance, from her years working on human brains and their impact to physiology, so she immediately got the box the girls had for Penny as a surprise. "Penny this is for you."

Penny looked at the box and then at Amy, the distraction working just as Amy hoped, Penny now confused about the gift and forgetting her previous fear, "What is this?"

Bernadette now spoke. "We all decided to get you a little something for your wedding." Lindsey and Amy both nodding to Bernadette's simple explanation.

Penny opened the box, her eyes going wide and a small gasp coming from her mouth. "Oh my God." she said in almost a whisper.

Bernadette continued to explain, "The bra and panties are something 'New'."

Penny ran her hand over the silk bra and hip hugging panties at the top of the box, she had never felt a fabric so soft or underwear so beautiful, "These are amazing, thank you."

Lindsey then spoke, "If you look under the tissue you will still see some more."

Penny looked at her sister then nodded, taking the bra and panties out and carefully putting them on the chair, then removing the tissue they were sitting on. "Oh my." coming out of her mouth a moment later.

Lindsey smiled, "The white garter belt was grandma 's, the one she wore under her wedding dress, so it qualifies as something 'Old." she said proudly, then added, "Grandma was tickled when we asked her for something old."

Penny blushed, "Couldn't you have asked her for something less….less personal, like a handkerchief?"

Lindsey shook her head, "No, because then that would ruin the something borrowed part."

Penny now looked back in the box and saw the nylons, they were very fancy and well made, with little embroidered bows at the back near the top. Penny looked at them for a second then it dawned on her as she looked at her sister, "These are yours, aren't they."

Lindsey smiled and nodded, "And remember they are only something 'Borrowed', so I want them back. All the girls giggling at that remark.

Amy then spoke as the giggling ended, "There one more thing under the next tissue."

Penny looked at her friend and nodded, putting the garter belt and nylons next to the bra and panties before removing the last piece of tissue. She knew the next thing had to be 'Blue' but was still surprised when she saw what it was. "Amy did you buy this?"

Amy smiled and nodded. "It is a wedding tradition so why not get one that is 'Blue'.

Penny smiled at her friend. "Thank you Amy." as she pulled the two light blue garters from the box.

Amy then further explained, "One is for Leonard to take off and throw at the reception and the other is for you to keep for your memories." then she smiled, "Or let Leonard take off in private tonight."

The logic made perfect sense and Penny was honored that Amy had put so much thought into it, so her smile got wider, "That is very sweet of you, thank you again." Penny then looked at all the girls, a feeling of emotion welling up in her. "Thanks to all of you for these gifts, they are all so beautiful and perfect." A tear was now going down Penny's cheek, making all the girls come in to hug her.

While they hugged, Lindsey turned to Amy, "Good move giving her this stuff now, it would be a bitch if we gave her these items after she had her makeup on." The remark making Amy smile and had all the girls giggling again.

The gifts had another affect on Penny, it really drove home, in her mind, that she was with her friends and sister, people who loved her and would never hurt her. The shyness of being naked in front of them now dissolved, so as soon as the hug ended and the girls rid the tears on their faces with Kleenex, Penny smiled at them all. "I love you all." the girls smiling and nodding in acknowledgement. "So lets get me dressed in all this amazing stuff." Penny then took her robe off, leaving herself naked in front of them.

The girls quickly helped Penny put some lotion and body powder on herself, then helped her put on the silk bra and panties, them seeming to understand Penny's need to have some clothing on without her having to say a thing. Lindsey then helped her get the garter belt on properly, since she had the most experience with garter belts in the group, and then helped Penny get her nylons on without putting a run in them, she really did want them back after all. So after the two garter belts were added, Penny stood in front of the mirror, as the girls watched her all thinking the same thing, Leonard was in for a pleasant surprise that night.

"Guys, this is perfect." Penny gushed, which put big smiles on all the girls faces.

"Sweetie, it is 11:30 AM now so we have only 30 minutes to get makeup and the dress on you so we better hurry if you are to make it to the church at 1 PM." Lindsey, her matron of honor, now advised her sister with affection.

Penny turned quickly to look at the girls, "Yes, you are right, I can't be late, not for Leonard." she then moved and sat in the chair in front of the makeup table to finish her preparation.

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For Leonard it was much different, the guys were not helping him get ready, like the girls were with Penny, he was getting a shower and dressing by himself while the guys did the same, both Raj and Howard spending the night at Penny's parents house the night before. Steven normally was living at a halfway house, in the next town, but that weekend he was staying at his parents house too so he was close for the wedding. However, Leonard was in his shoes pants and shirt before he even saw any of them that morning, and they all finished dressing talking to each other about little things to calm the nerves of them all, Leonard especially not wanting to screw things up for his wedding. The guys actually had a few laughs as they tried to get their bowties on right, each one of them trying to make it look perfect and not stopping until the other three said it looked alright.

Wyatt and Meryl had left earlier that morning to be with their daughter before the wedding, taking Wyatt's truck and leaving the rental car for the guys. So they had all grabbed their tux jackets and were about to go out to the car, carrying them so they didn't get wrinkled, when Howard grabbed Leonard's arm, "Guy's can I have a moment alone with Leonard?"

Steven and Raj looked at each other for a moment before both nodded and Steven said, "We'll be in the car."

Howard and Leonard watching them go outside and sit in the car before Leonard turned to Howard in curiosity. "What's up Howard."

Howard took a breath in, "Leonard I have been your friend for a long time, so I'm asking this as your friend. I'm not trying to suggest anything either, I just want to ask you something about all this."

Leonard was now concerned, "What Howard, what do you want to ask?"

Howard just said it, "Leonard are you sure you want to do this."

Leonard looked at him without saying a thing, then slightly sighed before he spoke, "Why are you asking this Howard."

Howard began to explain, "Leonard a lot has happened in the last few months, it has been a very difficult time for you with your and Penny's breakup and then the baby. And honestly this isn't the first time Penny has caused you pain or did something strange, remember she broke up with you in a bowling alley and she even married Zack during a drunken weekend in Las Vegas. Also, honestly tell me, if the last few months never happened, could you actually say with certainty that you two would be getting married now?"

Leonard slowly shook his head, "No, probably not."

Howard continued, "Leonard as your friend I want to ask you, do you think you are moving too fast here, maybe responding to what happened instead of waiting till you have time to really think everything over and are positive this is what you want?"

Leonard sadly chuckled, "Sort of last minute time to ask me if I'm sure, just a couple hours before I get married."

"I know and I'm sorry for that, but this is one thing that needs to be asked, better late than never or when it is too late." Howard responded.

Leonard smiled at him, "I'm sure Howard, I've loved Penny for a very long time and even if the last few months never happened, I would have wanted to be married now or even before now. She needs me and I need her, she has told me she doesn't see her life without me anymore and I believe her, plus I feel the same way, life without her would never be the same. Also Howard, I never really broke up with her when I left for England, I just took time to think and in that thinking I decided that I could get past this and I still wanted her."

Howard nodded, "So you're sure?"

"Yes, more than sure. She has told me and showed me how much she loves me and I believe her when she says it was a horrible mistake, she would never consciously sleep with Sheldon and had never had any romantic feelings towards him." Leonard took a calming breath, "She has suffered way too much for everything that has happened Howard, I honestly don't want to see her experience any more pain, ever. To tell you that truth, I would marry her and take a chance with her even if I wasn't as sure as I am, she is worth it to me."

Howard nodded again, "Okay, I just had to ask."

Leonard smiled again, "I understand, that is why I picked you as my best man."

Howard smiled, "Then as best man I guess I need to shut up now and get you to the church on time. I'm not brave enough to deny Penny a groom for her wedding, plus Bernadette would kill me if she found out I made you late."

Leonard chuckled and patted Howard on the back before they both when out to the car, to the patiently waiting Raj and Steven. It was only a moment later they drove out to the church, Howard feeling good he asked Leonard those questions, and Leonard happy that when he told Howard how he felt it just reaffirmed to him that he really wanted to do this with Penny. Raj and Steven were curious what Howard and Leonard talked about but with what was about to happen, they both decided this was not the time to ask questions.