A/N Thanks again to all of you who honored me by reading my story. And of course a special thanks to my wonderful reviewers. You keep me going. I can never thank you enough. I once again return these characters to their rightful owners.
Contains references to major characters deaths.
I also intend to finish my other stories. Again I appreciate your patience.
The minister and the rest of the mourners had left and Carla and Marsha had told them they would see them back at the house. Only the family remained. It had been a beautiful service and Leonard had been gratified by all the people that had attended. It seemed she was loved by many.
John caught Marie's eyes and nodded , "Come on kids, let's head back to the car." Mary came over and gave Marie and Leonard a quick hug before she followed after her father and the others.
That left just the two of them standing looking down at the casket. Leonard looked up and smiled gratefully as Marie stood by his side. Through all the joy and occasional sadness, they had stayed close.
"How are you doing, Dad?"
"I'm hanging in there. I never thought I would be the last."
He began to tear up, "I miss her so much already."
Marie put her arms around him as he leaned into her shoulder, "I do too."
Leonard looked back at the coffin, "In some ways, it just seems like yesterday that Sheldon and I first saw her in her apartment. I realize I loved her from that very first day."
He teared up again, "I hope I made her happy."
Marie fought back her own tears, "Don't ever worry about that, you two were meant for each other. I never knew anybody who loved each other as much as you two."
Leonard looked back over his shoulder, "I suppose we should join the others."
"I suppose, but I don't want to leave."
"I know what you mean. But we won't be leaving her, she will always be with us."
Marie nodded and after one more look, they moved away. Marie interlocked her arms with her father and taking one last look at her mother's grave, walked with him down toward the cars.
Leonard broke the silence, "John is a wonderful guy. You are a lucky woman."
Marie smiled, "I agree, but I like to think he is the lucky one."
She hesitated for a few moments, "Speaking of John, he and I were thinking. Now that you are alone, there is no reason for you to stay out here. Why don't you come and live with us, we have plenty of room and you would be close to Jack and Mary. You could spend time with them and your great-grandchildren."
Leonard was about to disagree, when he realized she was right. He didn't need to stay here to be with them, they would always be with him. His mind flashed back through the years, scenes of the four of them together.
He turned and smiled, "I think I would like that."
After the Minister and the rest of the few mourners that had attended had left, Carla and Marsha told them they would meet them back at the house, leaving just he and Marie. As so many times through the years, it was the two of them.
Marie spoke first, "Do you think she was happy, Dad?"
Leonard smiled, "I do think so. After we told each other the we loved each other, things were good between us. She was thrilled and loved to be a grandmother and great-grandmother."
He paused, "And after Shari died, we were able to be there for each other."
He went on, "She was there for all the big events, the weddings, the births... She even made it to the ceremony when we won the Nobel."
He reached out for her hand, "She loved you so much and was so proud of you."
Marie teared up a little and squeezed his hand.
"I know, Dad. I hope she knew how much I loved her."
"I have no doubt she did, Honey."
Marie got a surprised look on her face, "I wonder what made me think of that."
"What?"
For some reason, I was thinking of that strange dream she had. You remember, the one she had soon after you and Shari were married."
Seeing the blank look on his face, "You remember. The one where she was happily married to you and Shari was married to Sheldon. Where I was yours and hers daughter."
Leonard smiled, "Now I remember." He smirked, "Both Shari and Sheldon were pretty bummed by that part about them being married."
Marie went on, "I remember how much she wanted it to be more than a dream." She smiled sadly, "She wanted so badly to believe, needed to believe, that somewhere, someplace, sometime, another Leonard and Penny were happily, completely, and totally in love. That they lived happily ever after."
She smiled, "I think it gave her some solace."
After standing quietly for some time, each lost in their own thoughts, they turned and headed back toward the car, Marie interlocking her arms with his. Leonard broke the silence by saying, "What time is your flight?"
"Tomorrow morning at nine."
"Say Hi to John and everyone for me."
Marie hesitated, "Speaking of John, he and I were thinking. Now that you are alone, there is no reason for you to stay out here. Why don't you come and live with us, we have plenty of room and you would be close to Jack and Mary. You could spend time with them and your great-grandchildren."
Leonard's first reaction was to disagree, but then he realized she was right, there wasn't anything or anyone to keep him there.
He turned and smiled, "I think I would like that."
"We are not down to a single, unique universe, but our findings imply a significant reduction of the multiverse to a much smaller range of possible universes."
- Stephen Hawking
