Chapter 56
"I'm so proud of you honey!" said Leonard as they eat dinner at the kitchen island.
"Thank you honey!" said Penny. "Ugh I'm so excited!" she said.
"Tell me again how you landed this part in the movie?" asked Leonard.
"I told you, we were having lunch with one of our talents and this director and producer joined us at our table. We were talking with them for a while when they mentioned this movie they were making. A low budget, independent film and they invited me to audition for one of the supporting characters." said Penny.
"You're really great mom!" Sarah said.
Penny smiled at her stepdaughter and touched her cheek. "Thank you sweetie. We're gonna start shooting this Saturday. If you want you guys could come with me?" she said.
"What's this movie about anyway?" asked Leonard.
"Oh, it's about this family in a small town." said Penny. "A little bit of drama and romance I guess." she added.
"What's your role mommy?" Sarah asked.
"I'm one of the cousins of the main character." said Penny. "But I only have like a few scenes in there." she added.
"At least you're getting to follow your dreams honey!" said Leonard, squeezing her hand.
"I know. I mean it doesn't pay much but at least I get to exercise my acting skills in a real movie." said Penny.
"I'm sure you're gonna do great there mommy." said Sarah.
"Thank you sweetheart. That means a lot!" Penny said.
"Don't worry honey, Sarah and I are gonna be there." Leonard said.
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Later in bed, Penny was brushing her hair when Leonard entered their bedroom. He went over and kissed her on the neck, wrapping his arm around her, making her giggle and laugh.
"Hmm…you're getting a little handsy!" said Penny, feeling her husband's affection.
"You know what?" said Leonard.
"What?" Penny said as Leonard won't stop nibbling and smelling her neck.
"I haven't had sex with a movie star before." he said as he continued to feel his wife.
Penny smiled, deciding to play along. "Really? And who have you had sex with huh?" she asked.
"Hmmm…let me see, a waitress, she was pretty great, then a fashion consultant, I had sex with a Disney princess once, then there's this celebrity stylist which became my wife." he said.
"So, you want to have sex with a movie star huh?" Penny said, teasing him.
"Yes." said Leonard.
"Well you're in luck! Because I am a movie star!" Penny said.
Leonard pulled her up, putting his arm around her. "Well, have you had sex with a physicist before?" he said teasing her back.
"As a matter of fact I have!" she said laughing a little. "It was a little awkward at first but he got a little better over time." she said.
Leonard laughed a little bit. "Is that so?" he said, holding her tight. "Well maybe I can do a better job than him?" he said.
"Do you think so?" Penny said, getting more and more excited.
"Come here little miss!" Leonard said, quickly pulling her close for a kiss while starting to undo her robe. Penny wrapped her arms around his neck as their lips locked with each other, feeling each other's affection while they laid on the bed to make love under the covers.
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That Saturday, the couple took Sarah along with them to watch Penny as she films her scenes for the movie. The movie set was not so much to look at since it is an independently-produced film which lacks the usual comforts found in studio-produced projects. Penny didn't mind and only focused on doing a good job, thankful for the opportunity this brings to her career as Leonard told her that even the biggest stars in Hollywood started somewhere small like her.
They arrived on set as the producer told Penny to immediately go to wardrobe and have her makeup done while the crew sets-up the camera and lighting equipment. Leonard and Sarah stayed on the sidelines as they watch Penny get ready for her scene, focusing herself on her character as the director called everyone's attention as they start filming.
After a few hours of filming, the director called for a break as they setup the next scene. Penny took a deep breath, hopeful that she did a good job as she went to where Leonard ans Sarah was sitting.
"Hey guys. Are you bored?" Penny asked.
"Are all movie sets like this mom?" asked Sarah.
"Yeah, pretty much. Some would be bigger but it depends on the budget of the film." said Penny.
"How are you feeling honey?" asked Leonard, lightly squeezing her shoulders to relieve some of her stress.
"Ugh, that feels good." Penny said while rocking her head from side to side.
"Are you guys hungry?" asked Penny. "There's some food in that tent over there. I mean it's not much but they have some sandwiches and cookies over there." Penny said.
"I'm good mommy." said Sarah. "I wanna eat when you're there with us." added the young girl.
"Aww, you're so sweet." said Penny. "Don't worry, a couple hours more and my scenes will be done for the day." she added as a production assistant waved at her, telling her that they're about to film her scenes. "They're calling me now. I'll see you guys later okay?" she said, kissing Leonard and Sarah before running towards the set.
"Have fun mom!" Sarah said.
"Go get them honey!" said Leonard.
Penny shot a couple more scenes with a few actors and actresses, doing somewhere from three to five takes a scene while the director gave them pointers on how to project themselves in front of the camera. Penny listened closely as she tried to internalize the emotions needed for the scene as the director gave the call to roll the film and start acting. After filming a few takes, the director told everyone to take a few minutes of break as they prepare the next scene. The director then saw Sarah who was playing on her iPad, sitting beside Leonard who was reading a science magazine.
"Who is that little girl?" asked the director whose name was Keith while the cast and crew looked over to Sarah.
"Uh that's my stepdaughter." said Penny.
"Okay, can you get her over here? I wanna include her in one of the shots." Keith said.
Penny smiled and hurriedly walked over to her family who was curious as to what was happening. "Mom, what happened?" asked Sarah.
"Sweetheart, the director wants to include you in one of the scenes!" said Penny as she pulled her off her seat. "Come on." Penny said.
"But I don't know how to act mom!" Sarah said as Penny held her hand.
"Don't worry sweetheart. You're just gonna sit with those guys and basically do nothing." said Penny. "Just act naturally and you'll be fine." she said before walking up to Keith.
Keith smiled at Sarah and knelt down. "Hi! I'm Keith. Do you want to join the shoot?" he asked the child.
"I do but don't know how to act." said Sarah.
"It's alright baby girl, you just sit in that couch there and play with your toy. You don't have to say anything, just act normal and you'll be okay." said Keith.
Sarah nodded. "Okay." said Sarah.
"Good, now Penny will take you to wardrobe so we can change your clothes alright?" Keith said before standing up. "Okay people, let's get ready for the next scene!" he yelled to the crew as Penny took Sarah to change her clothes.
After getting dressed for the part, Sarah joined the cast to shoot the scene as Keith told them what to do for the scene, explaining to them what he wants to see. Penny saw Sarah listening closely, trying to understand on how to act out her character.
After almost an hour of shooting and re-shoots, Sarah came back to where Leonard was sitting, glad that she did a good job, like what the director said.
"How was it honey?" Leonard asked, giving his daughter a bottled water.
"It was great dad. Keith said I did a good job." Sarah said as she drank her water as Penny joined them.
"I'm so proud of you sweetie! You were so professional back there!" Penny said.
"I was so nervous mom." Sarah said.
"Were you? But you did a good job?" said Penny.
"Thank you mom." Sarah said. "Do you think my scene will make the cut?" she asked.
"I think so." Penny said. "Listen, I'm gonna shoot a couple more scenes and then I'm done for the day. Then we'll go home and get something to eat okay?" she said kissing Sarah and Leonard before going back on set.
After shooting Penny's scenes, the young family drove back home, stopping by a diner to have some dinner before driving home so they could rest for the night.
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A few weeks after Penny's film shoot, the young family was having dinner at the kitchen island as Penny and Sarah exchanged stories about their day.
"Something came up at work today." said Leonard.
"What is it dad?" asked his daughter.
"Yeah tell us honey." added Penny.
"I got invited to join Stephen Hawking's team for a research expedition." said Leonard, hoping his wife and daughter would take it well.
"Isn't he that wheelchair guy daddy?" Sarah said.
"Yes honey. He's the wheelchair guy." he said laughing a little.
"Expedition to where?" Penny said.
"Well, they're going to the North Sea to perform experiments on his theory on Unruh Radiation. Their experimental physicist backed out and the university recommended me as his replacement." he said.
"You're going away again daddy?" Sarah asked with a sad face.
Leonard sighed. "I haven't decided yet honey. I wanted to tell you guys first." he said hoping his daughter and wife would understand.
"What's with scientists and cold places huh?" Penny asked.
"Uh, I don't understand." said Leonard.
"Well, you already went to the North Pole and then you're planning to go to the North Sea which is also cold right?" said Penny, teasing her husband.
"How long are you gonna be gone dad?" asked Sarah.
"Three months. Maybe four." he said, surprising his girls.
"Four months!" Penny exclaimed.
Sarah stopped eating and bowed her head. "That's a long time daddy." she said as she started to cry.
Penny stood up to comfort the young lady. "It's alright sweetheart, don't cry." she said, kissing Sarah's cheek.
"Don't worry honey, I haven't decided yet." Leonard said, joining Penny in comforting the young girl.
"Come on sweetheart, let's wash up so I can put you to bed." said Penny as she helped Sarah down from her seat, leading her into the bathroom while Leonard cleaned up in the kitchen.
After washing up in the bathroom, Penny took Sarah to her bedroom to tuck her in, pulling the sheets to cover her stepdaughter.
Penny kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep tight sweetie. Mommy loves you so much." she said while smiling at her.
"Do you want daddy to go mom?" asked Sarah.
Penny sighed. "Sweetheart, this is your dad's job and it's an amazing opportunity for him. I don't think he'll get this opportunity again." she said. "But don't worry about it, you're more important to us, do you understand?" she said.
Sarah nodded as she sat up and started to get off the bed.
"Where are you going?" Penny asked.
Sarah held Penny's hand. "I'm going to tell daddy to go on his trip." she said, surprising Penny as they make their way to their bedroom. Leonard looked at them as they entered the bedroom.
"You want to sleep here honey?" asked Leonard.
"No dad." said Sarah. "I just want to tell you that I'm okay with you going on that trip with the wheelchair guy." said Sarah making the couple laugh.
"Uh sweetheart, I don't think the wheelchair guy is gonna be with them." said Penny.
"Why not?" Sarah said.
"Because he'll just roll off the boat if he comes with them." said Penny making Leonard and Sarah laugh.
He then hugged his daughter, kissing her cheek. "Thank you honey. Are you sure about this?" he said.
Sarah nodded. "I'm sure daddy." she said.
"Thank you honey. I promise I'll call every chance I get, okay?" he said, reassuring the young girl while Penny looked on, touched by their closeness.
"Okay young lady, let's get you back to bed now. You still have school tomorrow." Penny said.
"Goodnight daddy." Sarah said hugging her father.
"Goodnight honey. I love you so much." said Leonard as Penny led the child back to her bedroom.
Penny came back to their bedroom and saw Leonard sitting on the bed, reading a book. She took off her robe and joined her husband on the bed.
"Did you convinced her to let me take this trip?" asked Leonard.
"No, I was just as surprised as you were." she said, kissing his cheek.
"How about you? You haven't told me if you want me to go or not." Leonard said, putting his glasses on the nightstand.
Penny snuggled up to her husband, pushing her face onto his neck. "I'm trying hard to tell you not to go." she said.
"I can still back out. I mean, I haven't given them my answer yet." he said. "I'm worried too." he added.
"What are you worried about?" asked Penny.
"I'm worried about leaving you alone with Sarah." said Leonard.
Penny gave him a glaring look. "So you think I can't take care of our daughter by myself?" she asked.
"No it's not that." said Leonard. "I'm worried because you'll be doing all the stuff here around the house and watch over her at the same time. Are you ready for that?" he said.
Penny sighed. "Well, that was what came to my mind when you told us about your trip. But I think I can handle it." she said.
"Really?" he asked.
"We're a team remember? And besides, you won't get an opportunity like this again." she said.
"Okay how about this, I'll call my sister and my mom and ask them to come and visit while I'm away. What do you think?" Leonard said.
Penny smiled. "It's alright I guess." she said.
Leonard smiled and kissed his wife. "Thank you honey. I promise I'll make it up to you when I come back." he said.
"No. You will make it up to us in advance before you leave!" she said.
Leonard laughed a little. "Sure honey. We'll visit the ranch, we'll go to the beach, we'll watch movies and go to dinner…" he said while looking up.
Penny smiled and tightened her hug. "Good." she said.
"Uh, if you want, I can make it up to you now? You know, start early?" he said, laughing a little.
Penny looked at him. "You just can't stop sneaking sex into every situation huh?" she said.
"I'm a jackass, remember?" he said.
"You're my jackass! You got that!?" she said, grabbing him by the back of his neck.
Leonard smiled. "Hmm, every time you call me a jackass…" he said with Penny cutting him off.
"I know, I know, it really gets your motor running." she said.
Leonard smiled and turned off the lamp, pulling Penny in for a kiss kissing while trying to undress her.
"You're really a jackass." she said.
"We'll be quiet." he said as Penny wrapped her hands around him, feeling her excitement build up a Leonard continued with his affections as they make love under the covers.