Chapter 31

The couple arrived in apartment 4A around five in the afternoon. It took them a while to reach the fourth floor since Leonard doesn't want Penny to be physically stressed. Leonard had to make a second trip to carry their luggage up as he insisted that Penny will not carry the heavy stuff. Sheldon moved behind the kitchen island as soon as they entered the apartment.

"The two of you stay right there!" Sheldon said as the couple entered the apartment.

"It's nice to see you too Sheldon!" Leonard said sarcastically.

Penny turned to Leonard. "What is happening honey?" she asked her husband.

Leonard sighed. "Sheldon is afraid we might be carrying some tropical pathogens that will infect him and make him sick!" he explained.

"What? That is crazy!….we're not sick Sheldon!" Penny yelled at him.

"You may not be sick but you may still be carriers…..now I would greatly appreciate it if you will be so kind enough to remove yourself from the apartment and move into Penny's place to perform the required sanitation procedures." Sheldon said.

Penny whispered into Leonard. "Sanitation procedures?" she asked.

Leonard looked at her. "It means taking a shower and cleaning up." he sighed.

Penny glared at Sheldon. "Fine Sheldon." she turned to Leonard. "Let's go honey." she said as she took one of their luggage into her apartment.

Leonard looked at Sheldon. "Can you call the rest of the guys and tell them we've arrived so we could all eat dinner here?" he told him.

"Fine….I'll tell them to get Thai food." Sheldon said. Leonard followed Penny and closed the door. Leonard then started to unpack their stuff while Penny went to the bathroom to get a quick shower. The couple finished taking a shower and was halfway in unpacking their stuff when they decided to come over to 4A to see their friends and have dinner. Leonard took the paper bag containing the souvenirs they bought for the gang and held Penny's hand as they left Penny's apartment. The whole gang was already inside when the couple entered. The gang gave them tight hugs and were so happy seeing the couple again, glowing and tanned from their honeymoon.

"Oh my god Penny, you're really glowing!" Bernadette said while hugging Penny.

"Yeah. It looks like you two had a wonderful time back there huh?" Amy added.

"Ugh it was! That place was so amazing." Penny smiled at them.

Leonard opened the paper bag and began to give the souvenirs to everyone. "I hope the t-shirts fit guys, we also got some mugs if you want them…..oh and save one t-shirt for Stuart okay." Leonard said. Howard and Raj immediately picked their sizes from the pile while Sheldon looks on. "Sheldon, aren't you going to get your t-shirt?" Leonard asked.

"Amy will choose for me because I'm not sure if these shirts are sanitary or not" Sheldon said

Penny yelled at him. "They're not contagious Sheldon! What's wrong with you!?" she told him.

Leonard looked at his wife. "'What's wrong with you?' Where have you been living for the last seven years?" he asked his wife. Penny just glared at him. The gang continued to compare their souvenirs when Penny felt something funny in her stomach and ran immediately to the bathroom. The gang looked confused as Leonard followed his wife. The couple emerged from the bathroom as the gang started to unpack the dinner on the coffee table.

"Penny are you alright?" Amy asked.

"I'm okay Amy. Just tired from the trip I guess." Penny said. Amy looked at Bernadette.

The gang started to eat the takeout Thai food that Howard and Raj brought. Leonard took a food container and gave it to Penny. Penny opened the container and just looked at it.

"What's wrong honey? Are you alright?" Leonard asked her.

"I don't know….I'm not hungry anymore." she said looking at her food.

"What do you mean Penny? Thai food is your favorite….that's why I told Howard and Raj to buy it because of you." Sheldon said.

Leonard spooned some food from Penny's container and tasted it. "It seems okay to me." he added. "Do you want my food?" he said as he offered his container to Penny. Penny exchanged her food with Leonard's and began to eat it. Without warning, Penny stood up and ran to the bathroom again with Leonard following close behind. Once inside the bathroom, Penny hunched over the toilet and threw up. Leonard took a towel and gave it to his wife. "Do you think they're suspecting already?" he asked Penny.

"I don't know. Let's just play if off as jet lag okay?" she said as she stood up to go out the bathroom. They returned to the living room as the others were eating. Amy and Bernadette smiled at each other.

"So Penny, how far along are you?" Bernadette suddenly asked. The rest of them was surprised at Bernadette's question and looked at the couple.

The couple was surprised and froze for a while. "What are you talking about Bernie?" Penny was a little nervous.

"Yeah spill it out Penny. You've been exhibiting these symptoms since your wedding." Amy eyed her.

Penny sighed. "Fine. We found out when we were on our honeymoon." she said as Leonard rubbed her back trying hard to hide his excitement.

The whole gang exploded with cheers and laughter as they congratulated the couple.

"Oh my god congratulations! This is so exciting!….didn't I told you she was pregnant!?" Bernadette told Amy.

"I know….I'm so excited!….not only am I the maid of honor...I'm gonna be a godmother as well!" Amy jumped with excitement.

The guys shook Leonard's hand and patted him on the back. "Congratulations Leonard!" Howard said. "Yeah congratulations dude….I'm sure you two will be excellent parents." Raj added.

"Yeah congratulate him all you want….Leonard still owes me for ruining our honeymoon." Penny eyed her husband.

"I said I'm sorry alright?….now can we all get back to dinner." Leonard said as they sat back down around the coffee table.

"How many months is your baby now?" Sheldon asked.

"The doctor said about two months….but we'll find out once we get my first OB-GYN checkup." Penny said.

"Does your family know?" Amy asked Penny.

"Not yet." Penny said as she played with her food. "but we'll tell them soon."

"Have you thought of names yet?" Bernadette asked.

"Not yet, but we'll each make a list and choose the one we like." Leonard said.

"How about Luke….or Leia….or Marie...as in Marie Curie….or Rey….or Anakin…." Sheldon said.

"Okay if those are Star Wars names then you can forget about it….I won't have my kids be bullied in school because they are named after some stupid sci-fi movie!" Penny angrily said.

"Honey, those aren't stupid names….if I had my way I wish my parents named me Luke…." Leonard said.

"And that would get you beaten up in school all the same honey…" Penny smiled at him. Leonard stood up and looked at the fridge for something Penny could eat and hold down while Penny told everyone about their honeymoon.

After a couple of days, Leonard accompanied Penny for her first OB-GYN appointment. The nurse took Penny's vital signs as their doctor advised them of what to expect during the first trimester. The doctor also performed Penny's first ultrasound to see how the baby is doing. There was nothing much to see since the screen only showed a round blob but the doctor took a screenshot and printed a copy for the couple. The doctor also flicked some switches so they could listen to the heartbeat of their baby. Leonard and Penny were in tears as they heard the faint beat coming from the speaker.

"Listen honey…." Penny said to Leonard. "Our baby's heartbeat!"

"That is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard….I'm so happy honey!" Leonard kissed Penny on the cheek. "This will definitely go up on the fridge." he said looking at the printout.

Leonard helped Penny clean up the ultrasound gel from her belly while the doctor writes on Penny's file. The doctor recommended them on what food is safe to eat and what to avoid. She also recommended light yoga exercises for Penny so she won't feel bloated. They made their way back home so Leonard can drop Penny off while he returns to the university.

A week later, Leonard came home from work and found Penny in the living room of 4B folding her uniform from the restaurant. He put his bag on the side table and kissed his wife on the cheek.

"Honey I'm home." he said as he sat beside Penny. "Why are you folding your uniforms?" he asked.

"I have a surprise for you." she smiled at him.

"What?….tell me…." he was curious.

"Remember our wedding where Mr. Downey told us that his agent will help me get auditions?" she looked at him.

"Yeah?….what about it?" he asked her.

"Well, his agent called me the other day and told me to come in for a couple of auditions and guess what?" she smiled at him.

"Nooo…..you got in!?" he smiled.

"Yes….it's a supporting role for a TV soap!" she said.

"What about the baby?….will it be safe?" Leonard asked.

"That's the good part honey….I told the producers that I was two months along and they said that they will incorporate my pregnancy into the story!" she said.

"Oh my god honey!….I'm so proud of you!" Leonard kissed his wife. "I told you this baby will be a blessing to us!" he laughed.

"I'm so happy honey!...it's only a minor role but at least it's a great boost for my career, that's why I'm gonna quit the Cheesecake Factory." Penny said.

"I can't believe it!….I'm sure the guys will be surprised when we tell them." Leonard said.

Penny hugged her husband. "I love you honey….now would you like to have sex with a TV star?" she teased him.

Leonard laughed. "I won't say no to that!" he said as he pulled Penny's hand to the bedroom.