Chapter 34

William Hofstadter was born on the same night, close to midnight. Penny was spent but relieved that it was finally over as they heard their son's first cry as the nurses clean him up before placing the baby on her chest for mother and son to start bonding. Leonard wiped off the sweat from his wife's face and forehead, seeing her strength drained but glad that it was finally over. The nurse then brought over their son to the couple to place on Penny's chest.

Penny and Leonard gasped and shed a tear upon seeing their son for the first time. "Oh my god honey, look a him, he's perfect!" said Penny as she cuddled her son on her chest.

"Good job honey! You did really great." said Leonard as he kissed his wife and then his son. "Hi William, I'm your father. We love you so much. Don't forget that alright?" he whispered as the baby quietly slept on Penny's chest.

"He's so handsome." Penny said as she looked at her son and gently touching his cheek.

"I know. I think he got your nose and cheeks." said Leonard.

Penny pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you so much." she said.

"I love you too." said Leonard as they look on to their son, quietly sleeping on Penny's chest.

A few minutes later, Penny was wheeled into their recovery room as Leonard went with one of the nurses to bring William for his post-natal checkup before bringing the baby back to Penny. As soon as Penny held her son in her arms, he cried telling her that he's hungry. Penny carefully opened her hospital gown as a nurse helped her in breastfeeding William for the first time. After a few tries, William was able to latch on to his mother for her nourishing milk while Leonard looked on, still floating on cloud nine knowing that his son and wife are safe and sound.

The young family stayed in the hospital for three days as they familiarize themselves in taking care of their son, usually at how to handle him without hurting him and how to change his diaper which they thought was weird and gross. Leonard didn't mind being extra attentive to his wife and son which somehow amused Penny, seeing a new side of her husband. At the third day, the doctor gave Penny her discharge papers, wishing them good luck in taking care of their child.

Sammy and his wife and son was waiting for them at the house when they arrived with Leonard carrying the hospital bag and William in Penny's arms. Sammy made sure to hold Buster down as Penny entered the house while Sammy's wife and son helped Penny sit down on the couch. Leonard pulled out one of William's used baby coat from the bag and brought it over for the dog to smell.

"What are you doing honey?" asked Penny as she sat on the couch while William slept in her arms.

"He needs to be familiar with William's scent." said Leonard as he knelt down and brought the used clothes near the dog. Buster immediately became agitated upon smelling the fabric, wagging his tail and jumping, unfamiliar with the scent he is smelling. After a few minutes of smelling, Buster finally calmed down, licking Leonard's hand and wagging his tail, excited for the new addition to their family. Leonard held the dog's leash as he brought him over to Penny to meet William.

"Okay Buster, you need to behave alright? This is your baby brother William." said Leonard as the dog wagged it's tail and barked softly. The dog carefully smelled William, wagging it's tail and looking up to Penny and Leonard then returning his attention to the baby sleeping on Penny's arms. Leonard held the leash taut so the dog won't hurt his son in case he jumps on the baby. After a couple of minutes, Buster softly licked William's hands as the baby stirred, feeling the dog's tongue on his hand. Leonard and Penny sighed with relief, seeing the dog get familiar with the new family member of the house.

"I think he's okay now." said Leonard.

"Good boy Buster!" said Penny as the dog looked at her and barked softly before sitting by her side, sort of guarding her and the baby.

Leonard then turned to Sammy and his family. "Thank you guys for waiting on us." he said.

"Hey it's no big deal. And besides, we wanted to meet the baby." said Sammy as they looked on William quietly sleeping. "Good thing he got Penny's looks huh?" he added making Penny smile.

"Yeah but his hair is definitely from Leonard." said Sammy's wife. "He's such an angel!" she said while touching the baby's hand as Sammy's son did the same.

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After a few days, Leonard set up a Skype video call to Penny's parents in Nebraska to let them know that Penny and William are doing okay.

P: "Hi mom! Hi dad! I want you to meet your grandson William!"

S: "Oh my god Penny, he's so cute!"

W: "Wow! Good job slugger! Congratulations! That is one handsome kid!"

P: "Thanks dad! I'm just glad that William is safe and healthy."

L: "Yeah that's whats important."

S: "So how are you two holding up? You look like you could use some sleep huh?"

L: "It's tough to say the least, especially at night when William would wake up and we had to change his diaper or when he's hungry."

W: "Welcome to the club. Now you know what it's like being a parent."

P: "I know dad."

W: "So are you guys looking to visiting us here?"

L: "Uh we have no immediate plans for now. I'm sorry if you couldn't meet William in person."

S: "Hey it's alright Leonard. You guys should just focus on taking care of William."

W: "She's right, don't worry about us. I'm sure we'll meet William soon.

They continued to catch up for another half an hour until Susan and Wyatt had to say their goodbyes with Penny and Leonard promising to call them again soon. Afterwards, Leonard called his father Alfred to let him know that his grandson is fine and healthy. Alfred was glad upon seeing the resemblance of William to Penny and in knowing that both mother and child were safe and sound.

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In the first couple of months since William was born, Leonard and Penny devoted their time and energy in taking care of their little angel, learning as they went, with Sammy's wife usually guiding them on what to do. It was particularly difficult for Penny since Leonard has to go to work during the day which leaves her taking care of the baby by herself. Leonard would sometimes prepare breakfast before he went to work while Penny fed the baby. After Leonard left, she would then give William a warm bath before putting him on his crib for a nap while she eats breakfast before doing some chores, usually doing the laundry or cleaning the house. Her temper would sometimes flare up whenever Buster will run around the house and make noise waking William from his sleep. She would then yell at the dog to stay in his house as she picked up her son, rocking him back to sleep while the dog whimpered in his house, afraid of his mommy.

Leonard made it a point to come home early everyday in order to spend time with his family. He would always find Penny and William in the living room, with most times Penny dozing off in the couch and William asleep in his baby carrier while Buster stands guard for both of them. Leonard would then scoop up his son from the carrier and rock him in his arms, being careful no to wake him up. Penny would then wake up afterwards, finding Leonard in the kitchen getting started in preparing dinner.

"Hey. What time did you arrive?" asked Penny, kissing her husband in the cheek.

"An hour ago. Good thing we had milk stored in the fridge when William woke up after I arrived. I changed his diaper and put him back o his crib." he said.

Penny kissed him on the lips. "You are so wonderful!" she said. "Keep doing this 'amazing husband' thing and William would have a little sister or brother in no time!" she said teasing her husband.

"Really!?" he asked.

"No!" she said. "You really think of nothing but sex huh?" she said.

"Oh come on Penny!? It's been six months since our baby was born. Don't you think we've waited long enough?" he said.

Penny kissed him again. "I'll think about it." she said as she helped Leonard prepare the table for dinner.

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That next Saturday, Leonard woke up early when he heard William crying on his crib. He let his wife sleep in as he brought William to the backyard to catch some sunlight. William made baby sounds as Leonard talked to him, telling him stories when he was still in California with Sheldon, Howard and Raj. William looked and listened intently to him, uttering baby sounds in response to his father as Buster wagged his tail at them, barking softly and running around the small vegetable garden in the yard. About half an hour later, Penny woke up and found her husband and son in the backyard. Leonard turned so that William could see his mother.

"Hi mom!" he greeted Penny as William smiled when he saw his mother, half awake with her hair all ruffled and messy.

Penny walked up to them and kissed her husband and son. "Good morning honey! You're up early." she said as she tied her hair before taking William in her arms. The baby giggled and jumped as Penny carried him, obviously excited to see his mother. "Hi sweetheart! Are you hungry?" she asked as the baby mumbled and hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder. "Your daddy and I love you so much!" she said while bringing the baby inside the house with Leonard following close behind.

After breakfast, Penny put William back in his crib for his morning nap as Leonard cleaned up in the kitchen. Penny returned to the kitchen, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Honey, do you remember when I went into labor?" she asked her husband who turned around, looking at her suspiciously.

"Yeah. What about it?" he asked.

"Well, I was thinking of getting back where we left off." she said teasing him as Leonard pulled her and quickly kissing her lips.

"Ugh thank god!" he exclaimed as he pulled her towards the bedroom.

"Wait, are you safe?" asked Penny.

"Honey, I've been stocking up for the past month!" he said as he slammed the door shut.

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"That was worth the wait." said Leonard as Penny rested on his shoulder.

"Yeah. You were so into it." said Penny.

Leonard laughed while kissing her. "Well, we were cut-off when you went to labor so I had to make it up to you." he said.

"I'm so proud of you." said Penny as they rested on the bed until they heard William cry from his crib.

They got up to get dressed and tend to their son. "Honey?" asked Penny as she picked up their baby from the crib.

"Yes?" said Leonard.

"What happened to your theory?" she asked.

"Nothing much really. I'm still stuck." he said.

"When are you going to get back at it?" she asked.

"That's not on my plate right now. It's you and this guy that's more important." he said.

"But honey, aren't you worried that you may not be able to finish it?" she asked.

"I won't worry about it. Once I get back at it, I'm sure I'm gonna be able to figure it out. I just need to have the right paradigm shift in tackling it." he said.

Penny kissed him on the lips. "I'm sure you can figure it out." she said as they prepare for lunch in the kitchen.

This has been their life for most of the year, caring for their son and making sure to shower him with love and affection. Although they were living a plain and simple life with Leonard's job as their main source of livelihood, Penny found that it didn't matter if they didn't have fancy stuff like jewelry, cars or extra money, what's important was that they were happy with a roof over their heads, great friends from their neighborhood and work and most importantly, they had each other. For the first time in their lives, they felt true happiness and peace, being there to support each other while taking care of their son who was the center of their universe.