Chapter 24
The couple went to the hotel where they first met to arrange the wedding with the hotel staff and receptionist being very excited about their engagement and their upcoming wedding.
"Oh my god Leonard! Congratulations!...this is so exciting!" Galy said.
"Me too! I think I'm gonna die!" said Gracie, another hotel staff.
"Thanks guys. We just want a simple wedding by the beach." Penny said.
"No problem. We've done several beach weddings already and I'm sure you'll love what we have in store for you guys." said Marie, the third staff accommodating them.
"Yeah I saw some of them before and it's really nice." said Leonard. "I'll let Penny decide, I'm not really good at picking out themes and colors." he added.
Penny smiled at him. "Aww, thank you honey!" she said as the other ladies show Penny different designs and themes for the ceremony. They called a seamstress to take Penny's measurements for her wedding dress. She chose a simple, beach gown for her wedding dress. The seamstress also took Leonard's measurement for his wedding shirt and pants to match Penny's dress.
They were done after almost two hours of choosing and finalizing the details of their wedding. They only chose a simple one since they only have a few friends on the island. They also chose a date for the wedding which was a couple of weeks away.
They were holding hands as they made their way home. "How are you feeling?" he asked Penny.
"Happy. Content." she said.
"I'm sorry if this isn't the wedding of your dreams." said Leonard.
"Honey it's alright, you don't have to worry about that." Penny said.
"I know but still." he said.
Penny squeezed his hand. "Leonard I'm here. I chose you. It's all that matters, alright?" she said.
Leonard smiled at her. "Thank you." he said kissing her hand.
"Hey, who wouldn't want a simple, happy life?" she said.
"I know." he said as they reached home to have lunch.
After lunch, they went to the jewelry store to have their wedding bands done. They also took Penny's pearls to be made into a pair of earrings. The jeweler took measurements of the couple's fingers and showed Penny some designs for her earrings. After an hour of choosing and haggling on the cost, they agreed and the couple went on their way home.
Later that night, they were lying in bed, ready to sleep. Penny was resting her head on Leonard's chest with her hand across his body.
"Thank you honey!" she said.
"For what?" he asked.
"Everything." said Penny.
"Hey, I'm just glad that you're back here with me." he said smiling at her.
"I know. When I came back to California, Richard my ex-fiance came to my house." she said.
Leonard looked at her. "And did what?" he asked.
"Relax honey. He wanted to get back together with me. He said he was sorry for what happened and wanted us to try again." she said.
"I'm guessing it didn't go his way huh?" he said.
"No. I told him I already moved on and that you treat me like a princess." she smiled at him. "He wanted to find out if the rumors about me were true, if I got pregnant or had an abortion. It was very insulting." she said.
"Well I'm glad you came back to me." he said kissing her.
"Of course honey. The only baby I'll have is baby Hofstadter." she said hugging him tighter.
"We can start now if you want?" he teased her.
Penny glared at him. "No! I wanna do it when I'm ready." she said.
"Come on Penny, the earlier, the better!" he said smiling at her.
"Hold your horses there mister! I will get pregnant when I'm ready! You got that!?" she said.
"Okay, got it!" he said laughing at her.
"Thank you. I want it to come to us naturally." she said.
"How many kids do you think we'll have?" he asked her.
"Two." she said. "How many do you want?" she asked Leonard.
"Ten." he said smiling at her.
Penny slapped his chest. "You're a jackass!" she said.
"I'm joking honey. I'll be happy with just one." he said kissing her cheek. "I'm sure our babies will be smart and beautiful!" he said proudly.
"Honey that is so sweet!" she kissed him. "Now why don't we get some sleep." she said as she turned off the lamp by the nightstand.
The next couple of days, Leonard set up a Skype call to Penny's parents in Nebraska to tell them about their engagement. After trying several times to connect, they were able to establish a connection. Leonard sat beside Penny as she greeted her parents while trying to refocus the webcam from their end.
Penny: Hi mom! Hi dad! Can you hear us? Is the video clear enough?
Wyatt: [Hi slugger! Your mom is here beside me.]
Susan: [Hi honey….we're glad you're safe.]
P: I'm doing good mom. Leonard is here with me.
L: Hello sir, ma'm. Nice to finally meet you. I'm sorry if we had to meet this way.
W: [Hi Leonard! Nice to finally meet you. It's alright, Penny explained everything to us.]
S: [Yeah. Penny won't stop talking about you when she was here.]
L: Really? Well I tend to have that effect on her.
P: Okay, no need to get smug there mister!
W: So how are things on the island? Your job keeping you busy?
L: Things are doing great here. I'm actually setting up my own company with a local consultant here so I'm gonna be busy for the coming months.
S: [Wow that is great Leonard. We're happy for you.]
W: [Yeah. I hope Penny is not giving you too much of a hard time.
L: Penny is a handful to say the least.
W: [You couldn't have said it better.]
P: It's nice that you and my parents are getting along honey! (she said sarcastically)
P: Mom, dad we have some big news.
S: [What is it?]
P: Leonard and I are engaged. (she showed her ring on the screen)
S: [Oh my god honey! That is great news! Congratulations!]
W: [Congratulations son. So when is the wedding?]
L: In a couple of weeks.
S: [Well we're happy for both of you. I just wish we could be there.]
L: I know it's kinda weird that we don't have any family with us.
W: [It's alright Leonard. The important part is that you are both happy.]
L: Thank you and just to let you know we'll come and visit you soon.
P: Really honey?
L: Yeah. In fact I was thinking of doing it after the wedding.
P: Are you sure? We're going to Nebraska?
L: Yeah. I was gonna surprise you but I guess this is a good time as any.
P: Awww, thank you honey! (she gave Leonard a hug)
W: [Well I guess we will be seeing you in a few months!?]
L: Yes. Thank you sir.
W: [Please call me Wyatt.]
L: Okay….Wyatt.
They continued talking about the wedding and their life on the island. Penny showed her parents their dog Buster. The dog barked at the screen upon seeing Penny's parents making Penny cuddle the dog. They ended the call after about half an hour as Penny's parents wished them the best at their wedding.
Later that night, Penny was lying on the bed with Leonard.
"Thank you honey. I can't wait for us to go home to Nebraska." she said.
"That's my wedding present to you." said Leonard.
"I love it honey." she said.
"And I was also thinking of going to New York to visit my dad so you could meet him." he said.
"Really? We're going to New York?" she asked excitedly.
"Why not? I mean, you're not the only one who can show off your spouse to your family right?" Leonard said.
"Hmm, we're gonna have so much fun in Nebraska!" said Penny.
"I thought you just want to bring me there to help you dad with his tractor?" he jokingly said.
"Yeah and that too." she kissed him. "I thought you were from New Jersey?" she asked.
"Yeah. My mom still lives there but ever since they separated, my dad relocated to New York. He has a two-bedroom apartment there and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we stay with him for a week or two." said Leonard.
"Are we going to visit your mother too?" she asked.
"I guess. I mean New Jersey's just across the river from New York. We could visit my mom for a day, but I have to warn you not to let her get inside your head. She's done that to a lot of people including me and my dad." he said.
"She sounds like a scary person." Penny said.
"She is, but don't worry, the second I feel her using her psychiatry tricks, we'll get out immediately." he assured her.
"Okay." she said.
"Don't be afraid honey, I don't expect a warm welcome from her in the first place. I'm just doing this because at the end of the day, she's still my mother." he said.
"That's what I love about you Leonard. After everything she's done, you still respect her." she said hugging him tight.
"I do. Now why don't we get some sleep? I have to be early in the office tomorrow." he said kissing her.
"Good night honey!" she said kissing him back.