Chapter 27

Penny grounded her daughter for two weeks, relenting to her husband's suggestion to give her some break as Sarah promised not to hang out with those kids who gave her the cigarette anymore. The couple agreed to Sarah's request so that Jason can visit her at the house, usually to do their school stuff and sometimes staying over for dinner.

One day, Penny parked the car in their driveway after picking up her daughter from school when Sarah faced her mother.

"Mom?" said Sarah.

"What is it?" Penny said, facing her daughter.

"I know I'm still grounded and all but is it okay if I come over to Sheryl's house tonight? We're doing some group stuff over there. Please?" said Sarah, hoping her mother agrees.

"And what time are you gonna be going home?" Penny asked.

"I don't know, maybe nine, nine-thirty?" Sarah said. "And Jason's gonna be there to bring me home afterwards." said Sarah.

"No. You're still grounded." said Penny. "And don't you dare go running to your father about this!" she added, making Sarah frown, helpless at how tough her mom was.

Sarah bowed her head and got out of the car, dialing her friend's number to tell them that she couldn't make it. "Hi, sorry I can't make it. My mom said no." she said as she listened to the person on the line while Penny got off the car, hearing her daughter talking on the phone. "I know, but what can I do? I'm sorry and I promise I'll make it up to you guys! Please! ?" she said. "I'm sorry." she added before putting her phone in her pocket.

Penny sighed, realizing she may have been too hard on their young princess. "Fine, you can go. But only until nine o'clock. You got that!?" said Penny, making Sarah excited.

"Thank you mom! I promise I'll be home before nine." she said while hugging and kissing her mother.

"And call me when you get there. I want to talk to Sheryl's mom." said Penny.

"Yes mom." Sarah said before running into the house to get some stuff ta bring to her friend's house.

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Later that night, Sarah came home finding her parents on the couch, watching TV. Penny looked up to the wall clock and was surprised to see her daughter with Jason a few minutes early from her curfew.

"Wow, eight fifty-six!? Are you sure you're at the right house?" Penny said, slightly teasing the young lady.

Sarah turned around to face Jason. "Thanks for taking me home." she said.

"No problem." said Jason before facing Sarah's parents. "Bye Mrs. Hofstadter, bye Prof. Hofstadter." he said.

"Bye Jason, you go straight home alright!" said Penny, waving goodbye to him.

"Bye Sarah." he said before closing the door behind him.

"I'm surprised you didn't kiss your boyfriend goodbye?" said Penny.

"Don't worry honey, I think they already kissed at the porch before coming in here." said Leonard as if it was an afterthought.

Sarah kept quiet and went to hug and kiss her parents. "I'm gonna wash up and go to bed now. I love you mom, I love you dad." she said before going upstairs to her bedroom.

Leonard and Penny looked at each other, knowing that somehow they may have been too hard on their daughter. "I hate punishing her like that." said Penny.

"Me too." he said. "Even if she's grown so much, I still see her as the little girl with her Olaf and Baymax toys, singing that song all day." he added.

Penny sighed. "I know. And it's only a few days more 'till we lift her punishment." she said.

Leonard looked at his wife. "Are you saying you want to cut it short?" he asked Penny.

"Well, I think she learned her lesson, right?" Penny said.

"Yeah, I mean she's been doing nothing but school stuff and hanging out here with Jason." said Leonard.

"I'll give her another day then I'll lift her curfew." said Penny.

Leonard smiled and kissed his wife. "Okay honey." he said, seeing the softer side of his wife. Even though they have every right to be angry at their daughter, she's still their little princess no matter what.

They were then startled when they heard Sarah whisper 'Yes!' from the top of the stairs. The looked at each other and laughed, amused at how sneaky their daughter was.

"Do you want an extension of your curfew!" Penny yelled.

They then heard some scrambling noise followed by running and slamming of the door.

Leonard and Penny shook their heads in disbelief as they decided to go upstairs and follow the young lady to her room. They knocked on her door before opening it, finding Sarah wrapped up under the sheets.

"I thought you were gonna wash up?" asked Penny while folding her arms.

Sarah slowly peeked under the covers, afraid her parents might lay it out her. "I'm sorry mom." she said.

"Just clean yourself up and go to bed." said Penny. "You're still grounded for one day and if you screw it up, I won't have second thoughts in grounding you longer." she added.

Sarah jumped off the bed and ran to hug Penny by her waist. "Thank you mom. You really are a great mother." said Sarah.

"Okay, no need to squeeze the life out of me." Penny said, slightly amused by her daughter.

Sarah then turned to hug her father. "Thanks dad." she said before running to the bathroom to clean up and go to bed as the couple decided to go to their bedroom and turn in as well.

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Meanwhile in New Jersey...

Erin rested her head on William's shoulder while they try to catch their breath after making love. "How many dates did we have already?" she asked.

"Two." said William.

"And how many times have we slept together?" Erin asked.

"Five." he said, laughing a little. "Don't worry, I'll try to catch up." he added making her laugh. "Hey, it's not like I'm forcing you or anything, right?" he asked.

Erin lightly slapped him on the chest. "Because you keep coming at me with that cute look while getting into my shorts!" she said.

"Well, do you not want to have a cute boyfriend?" he said.

"No, I want a handsome boyfriend." she said. "And you're smart too, so that's a bonus." added Erin. "And what am I to you?" she asked.

"You are my strong, independent and sweet girlfriend." he said. "and pretty too which is nice!" he said making her laugh.

"That's funny." Erin said.

"Hey, before I forget, when are we gonna tell those two about us?" William asked.

"Kim and Jimmy?" Erin said. "Let's tell them tomorrow when we have dinner over at our place." she added.

"Yeah, let's pretend that nothing's happening and when I step inside the apartment, BAM! You run over and give me a big sloppy kiss!" he said as Erin stared at him, amused by his childish plan.

"Seems like this plan is only good for you huh?" she said glaring at him.

"Hey you get to kiss me too so that's something to be excited about, right!?" he jokingly said.

"You're an idiot!" she said.

"Keep saying that and it won't be long until you're saying my name again." he said, teasing her.

"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do? Jackass!?" she said as William moved on top of her, holding her close.

He kissed her lips as Erin laughed and giggled, trying to break free from him. "William, let me go!" she said, trying hard not to scream.

"I want you to say it!" he said, pushing his face on her neck and nibbling her skin.

Erin gasped, feeling William's excitement meeting her own. "Will, you're a jackass!" she whispered as William moved inside her, pushing on until Erin dug her fingers on his back while trying to keep herself from screaming his name.

They took a deep breath as their movement synchronized with each other while whispering loving words into each other's ears, their bodies melding into one as they made love under the covers.

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The next day, Jimmy was unpacking the take-out food on the coffee table in Erin and Kim's apartment.

"When is William gonna arrive again?" asked Kim.

"He'll be here in a few minutes." said Jimmy. "So Erin, how was your date the other night?" he asked.

"Oh, it went great." Erin said, smiling at them.

"When are you gonna introduce him to us?" Kim asked, putting a few water bottles on the table.

"Soon, we're just finding the right time. He's a little busy with work." said Erin, trying hard not to burst out laughing.

They were done unpacking when the door opened with William stepping inside. "Hi guys! I hope I'm not late."

Erin suddenly ran towards William and jumped on him, putting her arms around his neck and giving him a big sloppy kiss as Kim and Jimmy watched, confused and shocked in seeing the two lock their lips together.

"Hi babe! I missed you!" said William as Erin gave him a lovely smile.

"I missed you too!" Erin said, kissing him again. She then broke off as they looked at Kim and Jimmy, whose mouths were open, still couldn't believe what they were seeing. "Hey you two, are you okay?" Erin asked the two.

"Uh...what is happening?" Kim asked.

"Oh this?" Erin said, referring to her and William. "Didn't I tell you that it was Will whom I was dating?" she said.

"Uh, you never told us anything." Jimmy said.

"Well now you know!" said Erin as she held William's hand, leading him to sit on the couch to start eating.

"Will? Care to catch us up?" said Jimmy.

"What can I say?" said William. "I invited her over the other night and we had dinner. I asked her out and now we're here!" he said.

"Oh my god!" said Kim, unable to understand what was happening. "But Will, how about Halley?" she asked.

William sighed and held Erin's hand. "Halley and I are through. I tried to get back together with her but she didn't want to give me another chance." he said. "I'm pretty sure she's moved on as well." he added.

Kim and Jimmy looked at each other. "And does your folks know about this?" asked Kim. "Not to mention your sister." she added.

"We're gonna tell them tomorrow." said William.

"Oh...okay. Well I hope it goes well." Kim said. "I can't imagine how shocked they would be once you give them the news."

"I would be disappointed if they weren't." William said as they continued eating.

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Back in California, the family were watching TV in the living room when Penny heard her iPad ring. She picked it up and saw a Skype call from her son so she told Leonard to turn off the TV so they could talk to William.

Wi: "Hi guys!"

P: "Hi sweetheart! How are things back there?"

Wi: "Everything is great mom. Listen, I have something to tell you guys."

L: "What is it buddy?"

Wi: "We have something to tell you." he said as he pulled Erin to his side, putting her in focus on the camera.

P: "Oh my god! Oh my god!"

Sa: "What's the meaning of this!?"

Wi: "Mom, dad, Erin and I are seeing each other."

L: "Son? I don't know what to say."

P: "Sweetie!?"

Wi: "Mom I know this may come as a surprise to all of you but I have to move on."

E: "Mr. And Mrs. Hofstadter, Will and I never meant for this to happen. It just did."

P: "And does Halley know about this? What are we gonna say when they find out?"

Wi: "Mom, I tried, but Halley doesn't want to give me another chance. And this is all on me, Erin had nothing to do with this."

Sarah stood up and ran upstairs to her room, now knowing what to say or feel.

Wi: "Sarah where are you going!?"

L: "She went up to her room. Don't worry I'll talk to her later."

P: "Sweetheart, do you have any idea what Bernie and Howard would say about this? You'll just prove their suspicion from the beginning."

Wi: "This doesn't prove anything mom. Erin and I have only been together for a few days now. And I don't have to keep holding on when there's nothing for me to hold on to anymore."

Leonard sighed, knowing that there's nothing they could do about William and Erin's relationship.

L: "Son, if you're happy, then we're happy for you."

P: "Leonard?"

L: "Honey, our son is a man now. This is his choice. We have to support him no matter what."

Penny sighed, wiping her tears and realizing that her son's happiness comes first.

P: "I guess you're right."

Wi: "Thank you mom. Thanks dad. Don't worry, I'll call Sarah and explain to her. I'm sure she'll understand."

E: "No Will. I guess I should be the one calling her. You know, a little girl talk."

Wi: "Okay. Just tell me if she yells at you or something."

They continued to talk and catch up with Erin excusing herself to call Sarah and have a one-on-one talk to her.

E: "Hi Sarah, it's Erin, please don't hang up."

Sa: "Oh. I Suppose I should be happy for you and and my brother huh?"

E: "Sarah, we never meant for this to happen. I know you and Halley grew up together and are like sisters. And I'm not gonna get in the way of that."

Sa: "What do you want me to say Erin? I know it's none of my business who my brother has relationships with but I feel like I'm betraying Halley."

E: "I know that Sarah, and it's okay if you don't want us to be friends. I'll understand."

Sa: "No Erin, it's totally fine. At least I know my brother's in good company."

E: "Really?"

Sa: "Yes Erin, It's not that I don't like you or anything, maybe I was just as shocked as my mom and dad."

E: "Thank you Sarah."

Sa: "I guess we're gonna be sisters too huh?"

E: "If you want to, sure! I would love that."

Sa: "Tell you what, when my brother brings you here, let's go to the beach."

E: "I'd love that Sarah. Thank you."

Sa: "Hey don't mention it."

E: "I guess I should hang up now. Let's talk again soon alright?"

Sa: "Sure, that would be nice." she said as Erin ended the call.

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After a few days, Sarah came home a little after eight-thirty in the evening, way past her curfew. Although she wasn't grounded anymore, Penny insisted on keeping her daughter's curfew during school days.

"Hey young lady, aren't you supposed to be here like half an hour ago?" Penny asked as she took a sip of her wine while Leonard came into the living room, holding a cup of tea.

"Where have you been honey? I was beginning to worry." he said calmly so her daughter would not lash out.

"I was just hanging out with friends dad! Can't I get a break or something?" said Sarah as she went for the stairs.

"Is that how you talk to your father now?" Penny said.

Sarah took a deep breath and tried to control her temper. "I'm sorry. Can I go to my room now?"

"Aren't you gonna have dinner first?" asked Leonard.

"Dad if I'm hungry I'm gonna fix something for myself in the kitchen!" said Sarah.

"Okay fine. No need to be too aggressive." he said.

"I'm fifteen years old now dad! I think I can take care of myself!" Sarah said, giving her father a look.

"You watch your attitude young lady!" Penny yelled.

Sarah turned around and ran up to her bedroom, grunting in frustration. "Urrghh! I can't wait 'till I'm eighteen so I can get away from this house!" she yelled before slamming her door shut.

Leonard sighed as he pulled Penny close to him, resting her face on his shoulder and crying.

"What did I do wrong Leonard?" she asked her husband.

"We didn't do anything wrong honey. She just wants to be free, like most kids her age." he said. "Don't worry, I'll talk to her tomorrow." he added.

They were then surprised when they heard Sarah scream from her bedroom. "Noooo! It can't be! Noooo!" she screamed as Leonard and Penny ran up the stairs, going to their daughter's bedroom to find out what she was screaming about.

"Honey, what is it!?" Leonard said as Sarah ran up to hug her father.

Sarah was about to speak when Penny's phone rang. She looked at it and saw her brother Randall's name on the screen.

"Hi Randall, how are things over there?" Penny said as she listened to her brother on the other line.

Penny didn't know what came into her as everything around her started to get blurry and the whole room spun around, fading into darkness.