Chapter 23

It was the day before Leonard and Penny's wedding and everyone was given their own task to do for the day. Amy and Sheldon will pick up his mother Mary from the airport. Penny will pick up her parents and brother coming from Nebraska. Leonard will pickup his father Alfred while Howard and Raj will pickup Leonard's mother Beverly and drop her off at her hotel.

[Amy's car]

"I'm so glad Leonard and Penny are finally getting married. I've always been praying for those two." Mary gladly said.

"Well...I don't think that…." Sheldon said when he was quickly cut off by Amy.

"We're also happy for them...they almost never got back together if Leonard's trip to England was never canceled." Amy quickly said.

"Well in any case...I'm just happy for them. Leonard's always had a special place in my heart...taking care of Shelly all these years." Mary said back.

{Penny's car]

"I'm so excited for you to meet everyone mom." Penny said as they drove along the freeway. "and Randall, I'm glad you could finally visit me in California!"

"Well I'm a non-violent offender, otherwise I couldn't leave the State!" Randall said.

"Mom are you alright back there?" Penny said as she eyed her mother from the rear-view mirror.

"I'm alright honey. It's just I'm worried about us meeting Leonard's parents." Susan said.

"What do you mean?" Penny asked.

"Well, they're all academics and intellectuals while we're just a simple farming family" Susan continued. "I just don't want them to think that we're white trash!" Susan said.

"Well what kind of color thrash would we be mom?" Randall asked. Susan sighed.

"It's gonna be fine mom. You don't have to worry about them. Leonard's father is kind so we only have to worry about his mom Beverly." Penny said. "Just relax."

"Penny's right….we're here for their wedding and we just have to be happy for them." Wyatt tapped Penny's shoulder.

"Aww...thank you daddy!" she smiled at her father.

"Anything for my slugger!" he acknowledged.

[Leonard's car]

"So how was your flight dad?" Leonard asked his father.

"Well you know….nothing special...I'm really happy for you son….Penny is a real sweetheart!" Alfred said.

"Thanks dad….it hasn't always been easy for Penny and me." Leonard said.

"Well I can see that you're really happy with her so I think you made the right choice." Alfred said. "Just promise me you would give me some pointers ok!" Alfred smiled at him.

Leonard laughed a little. "No problem dad."

They continued to talk while making their way along the freeway.

[Howard's car]

"Nice to see you again Dr. Hofstadter" Howard greeted her.

"Thank you for picking me up….I'm sure my son had better things to do than pick up his mother from the airport." she said sarcastically.

Raj took a sip from his beer that he wrapped in a brown paper bag. "He went to pick up your husband Dr. Hofstadter." he said.

"Ex-husband." Beverly pointed out.

"Oh right. I'm sorry." Raj apologized.

"Don't be. It's just I've never looked forward to seeing that cheating bastard's face again." she said

'Well it looks like this is going to be a good wedding after all' Howard thought while looking over at Raj.

Penny and her family arrived at her apartment so they could get settled in before the wedding tomorrow. Leonard arrived after about half an hour and met with Penny's family. Leonard introduced his father to them.

"Dad, these are Penny's parents, Wyatt and Susan and her brother Randall. Guys this is my father Alfred." Leonard said.

They exchanged pleasantries until Alfred excused himself to go back to his hotel to rest. Leonard decided to drive him there. After about ten minutes after Alfred left, Howard and Raj arrived with Beverly. Penny greeted Beverly and gave her a hug. Beverly reluctantly hugged her back.

"Nice to see you again Beverly! I want you to meet my parents, Wyatt and Susan and my brother Randall. Guys, Leonard's mother Beverly." Penny said.

"Nice to finally meet you. Penny told us everything about you." Susan said as she hugged Beverly. "I'm sorry you just missed your husband a few minutes ago." Susan said. Wyatt went over to shake her hand.

Beverly smiled at her. "Don't be. His face is the last thing I want to see." she said.

Susan, Wyatt and Randall was puzzled until Penny went to them and explained in a low voice. "Guys, they're divorced."

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Beverly. We didn't mean to offend." Susan said.

"None taken." Beverly smiled at them. "It's nice to meet all of you. If you will excuse me, I would like to go back to my hotel and get some rest. I'm sure you're all tired from your trip as well." she said.

"Of course. We'll see you tomorrow at the wedding." Susan said as she hugged Beverly again.

"We'll drive you to your hotel Dr. Hofstadter." Howard offered.

"Thank you Howard. I appreciate it." Beverly said as the three of them walked back to his car.

[Amy's car]

"Well here we are Mrs. Cooper!" Amy said as she pulled her car to the front of the hotel entrance.

"Amy please call me Mary….and thank you for driving me." Mary said.

"Ok...Mary….we'll let you get some rest and we'll pick you up tomorrow before the wedding." Amy said.

"Thank you. Goodbye Shelly, I'll see you both tomorrow." Mary said.

"Bye mom." Sheldon said as he hugged his mother.

Sheldon got in the passenger side as Amy drove the car to drop him off at his apartment.

Later that evening, Penny had to spend the night in Leonard's room as Penny's parents had to take her bed while her brother had to sleep in her living room on a mattress since they will only be spending two days there. Penny snuggled up to Leonard as they laid on the bed tired from the days preparation for their wedding tomorrow.

"Do you think your mom and dad can keep it cool and not come at each other's throats tomorrow?" Penny asked as she rested her head on Leonard's shoulder.

"I sure hope so. But knowing my mother, any slight comment from my dad would surely set her off. It would be a miracle if we got through the wedding tomorrow without any drama." he said as he rubbed Penny's shoulder. "But let's not focus on that, let's think of you and me tomorrow."

"I know….I'm so excited...I can't believe we're really getting married?" Penny smiled at him. "Can you believe it's been almost seven years since we first met?" she asked Leonard. "We were friends...then we were together...we broke up and then it was awkward...then we got back together again..." Penny continued. "I broke up with you 'again', then I realized I made the biggest mistake of my life…I thought I almost lost you...then there was Alex...and Sheldon found your ring...and now here we are!" Penny said happily.

"I know. It's crazy right!?" Leonard said. "I remember the first day I saw you...you've just moved across the hall...you're wearing denim shorts and a turquoise shirt with a floral print…" Leonard said absently.

Penny looked at him. "Awww honey….you remember what I wore that day?" she smiled at him.

"Of course!…how could I forget….that image is permanently imprinted in my mind." Leonard looked at her smiling.

"And what was running through that big brain of yours when you saw me?" Penny teased him.

Leonard looked at her. "I thought you looked like Christmas morning."

"Honey!" Penny said as she was overcome with emotion. She moved up to kiss Leonard. "I love you."

Leonard hugged her tight. "I love you too honey. Now let's get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow." he said as he kissed her lips. They slept tangled in each other's arms.