Chapter 24
Today is the day, Leonard thought. He woke up and saw that Penny was still asleep. He slowly got up and put on his glasses and his robe and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up and relieve himself. After doing his ablutions, he went to the kitchen to prepare a quick breakfast for them. The wedding is scheduled at four in the afternoon and he figured that Penny will spend all day preparing her hair and makeup with the help of Amy and Bernadette. He put a fresh pot of coffee and began mixing the waffle mix while heating up the waffle maker. He was halfway finished when he heard Penny emerge from their bedroom and going straight to the bathroom to freshen up. She was done after fifteen minutes the same time as Leonard was done cooking breakfast.
"Good morning pretty lady!" Leonard smiled at her while pouring coffee in a mug.
Penny went to him and gave him a hug and kiss him on the lips. "Good morning honey!"
"Here...have some coffee first." He gave her the mug and then went to the other side of the kitchen island. "Let's eat….we have a busy day ahead of us." Leonard said as he sat down the high chair.
Penny sat down and started to put food on her plate. "Looks delicious." she said as they began to eat.
Sheldon came to the kitchen a few minutes later and joined them for breakfast. They ate quietly knowing that it's going to be a busy day for all of them.
"Honey is it ok if my dad and brother come here to prepare for the wedding later?" she added. "The girls and my mom would be in my apartment to get ready there." she said.
"Sure. They can get dressed in my room...it won't take long for us guys anyways." he reasoned. "it will only be for one day Sheldon, so I'm asking you to please not make a big deal out of it." he cut Sheldon off before he got into one of his senseless rants.
"Fine….but I will shower first before anyone else does." Sheldon insisted.
"Sure...no problem." Leonard said as he looked at Penny listening to them.
They finished having breakfast and Leonard started to clean up in the kitchen. Penny went back to her apartment to get ready while Sheldon went to the bathroom to take a shower. Wyatt and Randall knocked on the door. Leonard opened it and welcomed them in.
"Sheldon's in the bathroom now. You two can sit down and you can shower after him. You guys can use my room at the end of the hall to get dressed." Leonard told them.
"It's fine son….we have plenty of time to prepare." Wyatt said. "So are you nervous?" he asked Leonard.
"Not as much as I expected to be." he answered his soon to be father-in-law.
"Well...it's gonna be fine son…just relax and it's gonna be alright." Wyatt assured him.
"Thank you Wyatt." Leonard said as he sat on the chair.
It took no time for them to shower and get dressed. Leonard was the last to get dressed. He went out the living room and made sure he has everything he needs for the wedding – his wallet, inhaler, phone and handkerchief. He took the ring box from his drawer and checked the wedding rings inside. He gave Sheldon the ring box.
"Sheldon…you should probably keep these rings until the ceremony….it's the job of the best man anyways." he said to his best friend.
"Sheldon took the ring box and looked inside it. "Alright. Like Frodo...I'll guard this with my life." he said to Leonard as he put the box inside his coat's pocket.
Leonard smiled. "That's good to know Sheldon." he tapped him on the shoulder. He looked over Wyatt and Randall and spoke. "Alright, if everyone's ready we'll go to the venue now." he said. Wyatt and Randall stood up and the four of them made a beeline to the door. Leonard knocked on Penny's apartment. Susan opened it.
"Leonard it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." Susan was already dressed and went out the hallway to check up on her husband's and son's suits.
"Yeah I got it….I just want to say to Penny that we're heading out now." Leonard said to Susan.
"Oh? Ok...don't worry….we'll be there on time." Susan said as she tried to fix Leonard's bow tie. "Amy and Bernadette are in there helping her prepare." she added.
"Alright...we'll get going then." Leonard said.
"Have fun you guys!" Susan said as she went back inside Penny's apartment.
They arrived at the venue and saw Raj busy in making sure everything is ready for the wedding. Howard and Stuart was also there watching Raj on overdrive mode as he gave orders to the restaurant staff. Sheldon's mother was already there. Leonard and Sheldon went to her. She immediately gave Leonard a loving hug and wished him good luck. She then hugged Sheldon and fixed his bow tie. Raj saw them arrive and immediately went to Leonard.
"Raj, thank you for everything...this place looks amazing!" Leonard said.
"Really dude?...I just thought we may have run out of flowers on that area there." he pointed at the corner.
"Raj trust me...everything looks great...I'm sure the girls will love it!" he said back.
"Ok thanks….I'm gonna go back there to make sure the food is perfect…" he left and went to the kitchen.
Leonard went to where Howard and Stuart were seated. Sheldon went over and joined them.
"How are you feeling Leonard?" Stuart asked him.
"Not as nervous as I thought I would be...a little excited for sure…" he smiled at him.
"Yeah...I remember when Bernie and I got married…" Howard said smiling.
They continued to wait as the guests arrived one by one. Leonard's father Alfred arrived shortly and congratulated his son. He sat down on one of the seats in the front. Leonard's mother Beverly arrived no long after and went to greet her son. She gave Alfred a death stare as she sat at the other end of the row where Alfred was sitting. Leonard became a little anxious as he looked at his parents.
Alfred decided to greet his ex-wife. "Hello Beverly! Nice to see you again." he said.
"I wish I could say the same to you!" Beverly looked at him. Alfred sighed and decided to let it go.
"Ok you two….I'm going to have to ask you both to keep it cool for only a few hours...after that, you don't have to see each other again." Leonard said as he walked towards his parents. Alfred and Beverly didn't say anything and sat quietly. Leonard was quite relieved.
A few minutes later, Bernadette arrived. She went straight to Leonard.
"We're ready Leonard." she said while looking for Raj. "Where is Raj?" She looked around and saw him. Bernadette went to Raj and told him Penny and Amy are ready. Raj waved at the staff to get ready for the wedding rites. Bernadette walked towards the front and took her place as the wedding officiant as the guests settled in. Leonard and Sheldon took their place in front to wait for Amy and Penny to walk down the aisle.
The place suddenly became quiet when the first bars of the wedding procession song filled the garden. The guests turned their heads as Amy emerged from the back wearing a stylish bridesmaid dress. She was beaming with pride as she walked down the aisle wearing the tiara that Sheldon gave her. She reached the front and stood to the side while waiting for Penny to walk down the aisle. A staff signaled everyone that Penny was about to come out.
Leonard saw Penny walk onto the aisle holding onto Wyatt's arm. She was wearing a beautiful and elegant wedding dress, highlighting her shoulders and long beautiful blonde hair. She was wearing the biggest smile on her face as she saw Leonard at the front looking at her full with love. Leonard tried his best not to cry when he saw how perfect his bride was. Wyatt was also smiling when he saw how happy his daughter was. Susan was already drying her eyes.
Penny and Wyatt reached the front. Wyatt shook Leonard's hand as he gave his daughter to Leonard. "Welcome to the family son!" he leaned in to whisper to Leonard. "Don't lend your brother-in-law money." he said as he took his seat beside Susan.
Leonard took Penny's hand as they looked at each other smiling. "You look amazing honey….I don't know how to describe it…" he said.
Penny gave her bouquet for Amy to hold and placed her hand on Leonard's shoulder to fix his suit and tie. "There….perfect." she said smiling at him. They faced Bernadette.
Bernadette began to speak. "Ok! Now that everyone's here...we can start!" She said smiling.
"We're gathered here to day to witness the joining of my dear friends Leonard and Penny. I've known them for many years now and their love for each other is truly a wonder to behold. They've bee through many trials, triumphs and tears but still ended up with each other. It just goes to show that after all the challenges they've been through, they're meant to be together. I'm personally thankful for knowing Leonard and Penny for without which, I would not have met the love of my life and my husband – the one with the Beatle haircut." Bernadette pointed to Howard. Howard nodded to everyone.
"If there is anyone here who thinks these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." Bernadette announced. No one spoke. "I've always wanted to do that!" she whispered to the couple.
"I believe you two have prepared vows for each other. Leonard?" She asked him. Leonard nodded and turned to face Penny.
"Penny, I always remember the first time I saw you. It was definitely love at first sight for me but then I realized that I had a one-in-a-million shot at having you. Even my friends didn't believe that I have a chance at you. But then you gave me an opportunity and up to this day I still couldn't figure out why. As a scientist, I tried to find out why a guy like me gets to marry a girl like you but no matter how hard I try, I still can't figure it out. I loved you since the day we met and I will keep on loving you 'till the end of time." Leonard looked into Penny's eyes.
Penny was stunned at what she just heard. She tried hard not to cry at Leonard's vows to her.
"Leonard...that's the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me." she stared into his eyes. "Leonard, being here with you in front of our family and friends brings back a lot of memories. Thank you for not giving up on me and for always making me happy. You have accepted me for who I am despite my many flaws and shortcomings. You are my best friend and the love of my life." Penny smiled at Leonard.
Bernadette spoke. "Ok...shall we continue?" Leonard nodded and held Penny's hand as he followed Bernadette's lead.
"Leonard, do you take Penny to be your lawfully wedded wife?" She asked.
"I do." he answered smiling at Penny.
"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forever till death do you part?" she asked again.
"I do." Leonard said. Bernadette then turned to Penny.
"Penny, do you take Leonard to be your lawfully wedded husband?" She asked.
"I do." she answered smiling at Leonard.
"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forever till death do you part?" she asked again.
"I do." Penny said. "Whew!" she winked at Leonard.
"Ok...Sheldon do you have the rings?" Bernadette asked.
Sheldon realized it was his turn. "Oh right!...the rings!…" he reached into his coat and brought out the ring box and gave them to Bernadette. Bernadette opened it and Leonard took one of the rings.
"Leonard if you would repeat after me." Bernadette told him. Leonard nodded.
Leonard repeated after Bernadette. "Penny...take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you and I promise to stay by your side forever." Leonard said as he put the wedding band into Penny's finger.
"Penny, your turn. Repeat after me." Bernadette told him. Penny took the ring.
Penny repeated after Bernadette. "Leonard...take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you and I promise to stay by your side forever….except for Comic Con!" Penny said as he put the wedding band into Leonard's finger. There was a chorus of laughter at Penny's last comment including Leonard.
"Alright...by the power vested in me by the city of Pasadena….I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!" Bernadette announced.
Leonard held Penny's hand and moved forward to kiss Penny. Penny held him by his cheeks as they share their first kiss as husband and wife. The crowd roared into cheers and applause.