Author's note: This chapter happens right after Part 3 and before the epilogue, just to clarify.

The Canine Companionship (Part 4)

"What are you doing honey?" Penny asked as Leonard and William set down some pieces of wood and hardware items in the backyard.

"We're gonna build Buster his own house." said Leonard while kissing his wife.

Penny smiled, amused by her husband's confidence. "Really? Do you know what to do?" she asked, teasing her husband.

"Why not?" said Leonard.

"Honey, I won't be surprised if you're gonna fix a laptop or even a stereo, but this!?" said Penny.

"How hard can it be?" he said. "And, I found this DIY website and downloaded the needed parts and plans so we have everything we need!" Leonard said, proudly showing her the printouts.

Sarah joined them in the backyard, carrying the dog in her arms. "Look Buster, daddy's gonna build you your own house! Isn't he great!?" said Sarah as she put the dog on the ground. The dog ran around the backyard, jumping and barking at them. "Look daddy, he's so excited!" Sarah said to her father.

Leonard knelt down and kissed his daughter. "He is honey." he said, smiling while they looked at the dog. All of a sudden, Buster stopped running and went to the corner near the fence and quietly did a number while looking at the young family. Buster barked at them after finishing up, returning to running and jumping in the backyard.

"Oh my god sweetie! That is amazing!" Penny said to her daughter.

"Good job honey!" Leonard said to his daughter, praising her for training the dog well.

"He's so smart, right mommy?" said Sarah.

Penny kissed her daughter. "He is sweetheart. I'm so proud of you!" she said.

"William helped me train Buster mommy." said Sarah, surprising the couple.

Penny pulled her son close and hugged him. "That is so nice sweetie! I'm so proud of you!" she said.

"How did you do it buddy?" Leonard asked while lightly squeezing his son's shoulder.

William shrugged his shoulder. "Just a little positive reinforcement I guess." He said.

"What?" Penny asked.

"Giving rewards honey!" said Leonard.

"Yeah sure." said Penny before turning to Sarah. "You should help your father and brother in building Buster's house okay?" she said to the little girl.

"Okay mommy." said Sarah then calling the dog to her. "You hear that boy? We have to help daddy with your house alright?" she said as Buster wagged his tail, barking at her big sister. "Good boy!" said Sarah as she rubbed the puppy's head.

Leonard and William worked on the dog house until after lunch as Leonard had very little carpentry experience, let alone using hand tools like cross saws and hammers. After much figuring out and some errors along the way, they were able to finish the house to 'acceptable' results.

"Well? What do you think?" Leonard asked Penny and Sarah.

"Is that it?" Penny asked, trying to tease her husband.

"What do you expect? I'm a physicist not a carpenter!" said Leonard.

"I think it's perfect daddy!" said Sarah as she cuddled the puppy in her arms. "What do you think Buster? Do you like your house?" she asked the dog while slowly putting her pet in the dog house. The dog jumped and ran around his new home, sniffing and familiarizing himself around it. He wagged his tail and barked at Sarah who knelt down to rub his back, reassuring him.

William then took Buster's blanket from his temporary sleeping box and laid it inside the dog house. Buster sniffed his blanket and slowly went inside, wagging his tail while whimpering.

Sarah looked up to her father and smiled. "I think he likes it daddy." She said.

"I think so too honey." Leonard said to his daughter. "Good catch with the blanket buddy!" he said to his son while gently putting his arm over his shoulder.

"Thanks dad." said William.

"Okay! So, who wants some ice cream!?" Penny asked.

Sarah jumped with excitement. "Me!" she exclaimed.

"Sweetheart?" Penny asked William.

"Ice cream sounds nice mom." William said smiling at his mother.

"Okay. I'll make something else for your father since he can't eat milk without clearing out the whole house!" said Penny as the kids laughed at their father.

"Very funny!" Leonard said sarcastically.

"Dad?" said William.

"Yes buddy?" said Leonard.

"Thanks for not giving us your lactose intolerance." said William making Penny and Sarah laugh.

Leonard smiled back. "You're welcome son." he said as they entered the house and into the kitchen.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a couple of months...

Penny slowly opened her eyes, hearing a scratching noise on their bedroom door. She moved her hand and felt Leonard beside her, sleeping soundly. She looked around and sat up on the bed, pulling her robe from the chair beside the bed and putting it on before going to the door to investigate. She opened the door and was surprised to see Buster scratching the door. The dog looked up to her and barked, wagging his tail and visibly agitated.

"Buster what is it?" Penny said while yawning. "How did you get up the stairs anyway?" she asked as the dog growled at her before barking and jumping around her feet. Buster then bit Penny's slippers before running towards Sarah's bedroom door. The dog stood by Sarah's door and barked loudly at Penny. She went over and opened the door with Buster immediately running towards his big sister, barking and jumping, trying to get on the bed.

"What's wrong with you Buster? You're gonna wake up your big sister!" she said as she went over her daughter. She touched Sarah's forehead and immediately felt fear as she was burning up and sweating profusely. Penny quickly pulled the blanket off her daughter and felt her arms and chest, feeling the same warm sensation. "Oh my god sweetheart! You're burning up." she said as she hugged her daughter. "LEONARD!" Penny screamed as she carried her daughter in her arms while Buster stood by, visibly worried for his big sister. "Leonard wake up!" Penny screamed again as she heard a tumbling noise from their bedroom. Leonard quickly appeared, putting his glasses on and out of breath.

"What happened!?" he asked.

"Sarah's sick! Get the car now!" Penny yelled as she carried her daughter down the stairs.

Leonard quickly ran back to the room to put his shirt and robe on, grabbing his phone and wallet before running down the stairs. He saw William come out of his bedroom, curious of the commotion.

"Dad what's happening?" he asked his father.

"Your sister is sick buddy! Get dressed now, we're going to the hospital." said Leonard as William turned back to his bedroom to get dressed.

Leonard ran downstairs to get the car as Penny sat in the living room, comforting her daughter while Buster looks on, clearly distressed about her big sister's condition. Sarah slowly opened her eyes and grunted.

"Mommy, I don't feel so good." said Sarah.

"Don't worry sweetheart, we're taking you to the hospital now." Penny said while touching her daughter's face. "Don't be scared, mommy's here." she added while she stood up, carrying her out the door and into the car where Leonard is waiting. She carefully put Sarah on the backseat, making sure she's comfortable while William joined them, taking the front seat. Leonard pressed on the gas pedal and sped away to the hospital.

After almost half an hour, they reached the emergency room of the hospital as Penny carried her daughter, running towards the door with William doing the same, pushing the door open for his mother. "Please help! My daughter's sick!" Penny yelled as a couple of nurses rushed towards them.

"What happened?" asked one nurse about the same age as Penny asked while touching Sarah's forehead. "She's burning up." said Penny as they direct her to put the little girl on a bed as a doctor went to check out Sarah. "Doctor please do whatever you can." said Penny as Leonard joined them, trying to console his
wife,

The doctor put her stethoscope on and listened to Sarah's chest. She then ordered the nurses on what to do, telling them to get some blood test and saliva sample to test for a possible flu. Leonard held Penny's shoulder as she sat beside her daughter holding her hand. Sarah then opened her eyes and saw the nurses and doctor around her, getting a little scared and anxious.

"Mommy!" said Sarah.

"Don't be scared sweetheart, they'll make you feel better, alright?" Penny said, reassuring her daughter. The doctor touched Sarah's forehead, smiling at her.

"Hey baby girl, I'm Dr. Shulz. Don't be scared okay? You're gonna get better, I promise." said Dr. Shulz.

Sarah coughed a little with Penny rubbing her chest to alleviate the child's discomfort. "Mommy, where's Buster?" she asked making Penny smile.

"Oh honey, dogs aren't allowed in the hospital. I'm sorry." said Penny.

"But I want Buster here with me mommy." said Sarah, giving her mother a sad look.

"Is Buster your dog?" Dr. Shulz asked the little girl.

"Yeah, he actually woke us up about Sarah's condition. I think he sensed that his big sister is sick or something." Penny chimed in.

"Wow, he's really a smart dog huh?" said Dr. Shulz, slightly amused by Penny's story. "Don't worry baby, I'll see what I can do okay?" she said to Sarah. "But right now, we're gonna take some blood and saliva from you so we could figure out why you're sick alright?" the doctor added.

Sarah was suddenly afraid. "Mommy, are they gonna poke me with a needle?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so honey." Penny said trying to comfort her daughter. "Don't worry, I promise it won't hurt as much." she said smiling at Sarah as a nurse came carrying the blood sample kit.

"Hi baby girl, I'm nurse Angie and I want you to close your eyes and count to ten, okay?" said the nurse. "I promise this won't hurt a bit!" she said.

Sarah closed her eyes and began counting to ten. By number four, Sarah screamed as the nurse poked her finger with a small prick white quickly letting her blood on a couple of slides and a small pipette before sealing them on the test kit.

"Okay we're done baby girl!" said nurse Angie as Sarah opened her eyes while the nurse cleaned her finger with a disinfectant before putting a small band-aid on it.

"That's it?" Sarah asked with an air of relief.

"I told you it won't hurt as much!" said nurse Angie.

"But I didn't get to reach number ten!" Sarah said making them all laugh.

"Honey, that's called misdirection!" said Penny, kissing her cheek.

"You tricked me!" said Sarah.

"But you were so brave!" said nurse Angie. "Right?" she added.

"My mommy always tells me I'm a brave girl." said Sarah.

"You are brave baby girl! I'm sure your mom and dad are proud of you." said Angie.

"We're so proud of you sweetheart!" Penny said while kissing her daughter.

"Okay, I have to go and get this over to the lab so we could find out how to make you feel better alright?" said nurse Angie.

"Thank you." said Leonard and Penny.

"Honey, why don't you and William go back to the house and get some change of clothes for me and Sarah?" said Penny.

"Okay. I guess we should get changed too huh?" said Leonard. "Are you gonna be okay here?" he asked his wife.

"I got it. Just come back soon." said Penny.

Leonard nodded. "Come on buddy." He said, pulling William to his side as they leave the mother and daughter in the emergency room.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Back at the house, Leonard quickly changed his clothes before getting a small duffel bag to put Penny and Sarah's clothes in, adding some other stuff as well. After packing some clothes, he went to the kitchen to get some food and drink for his daughter, he saw a box of Twinkies and decided to get a few, throwingin a couple of apples and oranges and a couple bottles of water. He was done packing when William joined him in the living room carrying a backpack.

"What is that for?" he asked. William didn't respond and looked at the floor so Leonard went over to look at the backpack. Leonard opened it and was surprised to see Buster jump out, barking and wagging his tail. Leonard gave his son a stern look.

"Dad please. They won't check the bag anyway?" said William.

"It's not safe son." said Leonard.

"Dad, this is for Sarah." said William.

Leonard sighed, touched by his son's love for his baby sister. "Fine, but if he makes some noise, we're screwed." He said as they went out of the house.

"Don't worry dad, if we get caught, I won't incriminate you." William said making Leonard laugh.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." he said as he put the car on gear and drove back to the hospital.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Leonard and William arrived at the hospital emergency room and was told by nurse Angie that Penny and Sarah were sent to a room as they were waiting for Sarah's lab results.

They quickly went to the room and saw Penny sitting by the bed, wiping her daughter's forehead with a small towel. Leonard saw that the doctors put Sarah in an IV drip, probably to keep her hydrated.

"Hey, how's our little princess doing?" said Leonard as he leaned over to kiss his daughter on the cheek.

"She's not as hot as before." said Penny as Sarah opened her eyes and saw her father and brother.

Leonard smiled at his daughter. "Hey honey, how are you feeling?" he asked.

Sarah gave him a weak smile. "Daddy, is Buster alone in the house?" she asked.

Leonard laughed as William went near the bed, slowly opening the bag as Buster jumped out, excited to see his big sister. Sarah immediately became excited, as the dog licked her face, whimpering and wagging his tail, obviously worried for Sarah.

"Leonard, why did you bring him here? Are you crazy!?" said Penny.

"Don't worry mom. If they ask, I'll tell them it's my fault." said William.

"Hey Buster, did you miss me?" Sarah said as the dog laid its head on her lap as she touched the dog's face and ears.

Doctor Shulz and a nurse then entered the room, surprised to see the dog on the child's side.

"This must be Buster huh?" Dr. Shulz asked the child.

"Doctor, can Buster please stay?" Sarah asked.

Dr. Shulz and the nurse smiled, touched their closeness and didn't want to aggravate the child's pain. "You know what, for you I'll make an exception." said the doctor earning a smile from Sarah.

"You hear that Buster, you can stay with me but you have to behave okay? We don't want you to scare the other people here in the hospital." said Sarah as the dog barked and licked her face.

"What's happening with my daughter?" Penny asked the doctor.

Dr. Shulz looked at her clipboard. "It's just a bacterial infection Mrs. Hofstadter, nothing to be concerned about. We'll monitor her until tomorrow and if her fever doesn't return, then we can send you guys home." She said.

Leonard and Penny sighed with relief. "Oh thank goodness!" Penny said. "Did you hear that sweetheart? If you're fever breaks, we can go home tomorrow." said Penny.

The nurse then gave Penny some medicines. "She needs to take these every eight hours. Then these will be once a day to fight the bacterial infection." said the nurse showing which medicines are which.

"Okay got it." said Penny. "Honey can you get Sarah something to eat so she can take her medicines?" she added.

Leonard opened the duffel bag and showed her the food he took with him. Sarah immediately finished two Twinkies bar before taking the medicines followed by a big gulp of water.

"Well at least her appetite is not affected." said Leonard making them all laugh.

"I'll check up on your daughter before my shift ends alright?" said Dr. Shulz.

Leonard shook her hand. "Thank you doctor. We appreciate it." he said as the doctor and nurse turned around, exiting the room.

The young family stayed in the hospital for the entire day until the doctor gave Sarah's discharge papers. Sarah was glad to be out of the hospital, carrying Buster in her arms as they made their way to the car.

"Are you excited to go home Buster?" Sarah asked as the dog barked at her, licking her face. "You are so sweet!" she added. They reached the car as Penny made sure to secure her children's seat belts, glad that her daughter was out of harm's way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a couple of days, the couple was glad to see their daughter return to her usual active self, running and jumping around the house, playing with the dog in the backyard and just being the angel princess in their lives with William being the quiet and supportive brother.

One day, the couple came from the kitchen and saw William and Sarah were watching TV in the living room, laughing and enjoying the show with Buster sitting between them.

"Look at them honey. They're so happy." said Penny as she rested her head on Leonard's shoulder.

"I'm just glad that Sarah's okay now." said Leonard.

"Me too. I'll do anything for my children." said Penny.

"I know what you mean honey. I'll give my life for them." Leonard said. "Although I feel that Sarah might do that to me when she grows up!" he jokingly said.

Penny glared at him. "That's not funny mister!" she said.

"I'm serious Penny. Sometimes I think about how Sarah would turn out when she grows up, especially since she has too much of you in her." he said.

Penny gave him the look. "Okay, you just lost sex tonight!" she said, slapping his chest.

"Aw come on Penny!?" he said.

"Then what is that supposed to mean!?" she asked, looking him in the eye.

Leonard shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Sometimes I say stupid stuff." he said. "I'm sorry." he added, pulling her close and kissing her cheek.

"No!" Penny said.

"Okay how about this, let's ask Kelly's younger sister if she's wiling to watch over the kids while we go out to dinner, maybe go dancing and have a few drinks here and there?" he said. "What do you say?" he asked.

"Really?" Penny asked, obviously trying to hide her excitement.

Leonard kissed her on the lips. "Really honey." he said. "You've been doing nothing but watch over the kids and I'm always working. It'll be nice to have some time for ourselves right?" he added.

Penny smiled. "Okay, but you'll cut no corners! You got that!?" she said, pouting at him.

Leonard kissed her again. "I promise." he said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day, Leonard was glad that their neighbor Kelly's sister agreed to look after his children while Penny and him goes out on their date. It took some time for the couple to convince Sarah to stay behind with her brother and Mandy - Kelly's younger sister. William suggested to Leonard to let Buster sleep in Sarah's bed as a compromise to which the young girl agreed.

"You two behave alright?" Leonard said to his kids as he waited for Penny to finish with her dress and makeup.

"I promise dad. We'll just watch a movie or something." said William.

"Daddy can I eat some popcorn?" Sarah asked her father.

Leonard kissed her daughter. "Sure honey." he said. "Be a good girl alright?" he said.

"I will daddy." Sarah said as Leonard stood up to face Mandy.

"Call us if something happens alright?" he said to Mandy.

"Don't worry Mr. Hofstadter." Mandy said as she held Sarah's hand.

"Thank you for doing this. and there's food in the fridge if you get hungry or something okay?" said Leonard.

"Got it." said Mandy as Penny came into the living room, all dressed and made-up.

Leonard smiled. "Oh my god honey! You look so amazing!" he said.

"Mommy, you look so pretty!" Sarah said running to her mother.

"Aww, thank you sweetheart!" Penny said kissing her daughter. "Promise me you'll behave okay?" she added.

"Promise mommy." said Sarah as Penny went to hug and kiss her son.

"Watch out for your sister alright?" she said to William.

"Don't worry mom, I got it." said William. "You and dad just enjoy yourselves." he added making the couple smile at their son's thoughtfulness.

"Okay, I guess we should be going now." said Leonard, taking Penny's hand. "Bye you guys!"" he said as they went out the door while the three waved goodbye to them.

Leonard helped Penny on the car, making sure her seat belt is secure before getting on the driver's seat. He smiled at his wife as he started the car before driving out into the road. He knew that he has to make this night special for his wife who has been nothing but an amazing partner to him and mother to their children.