Chapter 59
'Oh my god!' Penny thought as she sat on the toilet seat looking at the two lines on the pregnancy test stick. 'What am I gonna do now?' she asked herself as tears fell on her cheeks. Right when she needed Leonard the most is when he isn't there to comfort her. Penny put her hands on her face and cried her eyes out, feeling conflicted on what to do next. She decided to put the pregnancy test in her purse and splash some water on her face, washing away the tears and hopefully hide the stress away from her daughter.
She got out of the bathroom and joined her stepdaughter in the living room who was playing with her X-Box.
"Mom, you wanna join me?" said Sarah, not taking her eyes away from the TV screen.
Penny picked up the controller and pushed a few buttons. "Sure sweetie." she said as she joined the game, feeling a little at ease while the thought of another human growing inside her still freaks her out.
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The next day, Penny went to her OBGYN after dropping off Sarah at school.
"So Penny, it's been a while since you came here. How are you doing?" asked Dr. Cruz.
"I'm not sure actually." said Penny while showing her the pregnancy test. Dr. Cruz saw the two lines on the test and became excited.
"Oh my god Penny! Congratulations!" said the doctor. "Does Leonard already know?" she added.
"No. I wanted to make sure that's why I came here." said Penny trying hard to hide her anxiety.
"Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sure Leonard's gonna be thrilled once he finds out." Dr. Cruz said.
"I guess." Penny said.
"Hey, this baby is a blessing for you guys. And I'm sure Sarah won't mind having a baby sister or a baby brother to play with, right?" she said. "Come on, let's get you checked out so we can take better care of you." Dr. Cruz added leading Penny into the examination room, telling the nurse to take Penny's vitals and some blood and urine sample to check if she really was pregnant.
After almost thirty minutes, Dr. Cruz called Penny back into her office.
"Well it's confirmed, you really are pregnant." said Dr. Cruz. "Congratulations." she added while writing on Penny's file. Penny took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from freaking out. "You have to come back here every month so we can monitor you and the baby, alright? And I'll give you a list of foods to avoid." she said.
"I'm scared doctor." Penny said.
Dr. Cruz sat beside Penny, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's gonna be alright. It won't help if you keep stressing yourself about it. It's not gonna be good for the baby."
Penny sighed. "I'm just trying to find a way on how to tell my husband." she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Dr. Cruz.
"Well, Leonard's been away for a month now. He's in the North Sea doing some scientific expedition with that wheelchair guy from England." Penny said.
"You mean Stephen Hawking?" said the doctor.
"Yeah. He's gonna be there for another two months I guess." Penny said.
"Well, when is he gonna call you?" the doctor asked.
"In a few days I think. He said they're gonna dock at port every couple of weeks to stock up on their supplies and get fuel for the boat so the crew could spend a few days on shore." Penny said. "The last time he called was when they were about to board the ship." she added.
"Oh, okay. Then tell him when he calls. I'm sure he'll be more than excited to come home now that he's going to be a father again." said the doctor.
Penny took a deep breath. "I guess you're right." she said.
"Don't worry about it. Just eat lots of fruits and vegetables, oh and no more coffee and alcohol okay?" said Dr. Cruz.
Penny nodded. "Yeah I got it." she said before standing up to leave the doctor's office. "Thanks doctor." she said.
"You're welcome Penny. You say hello to Sarah from me alright?" said the doctor.
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Later that night, Penny and Sarah were having dinner at the coffee table while watching some TV. Sarah noticed how quiet her mother was so she decided to find out if something is bothering her.
"Mom, are you alright? You're awfully quiet." said Sarah.
Penny smiled at her stepdaughter and put her food down to face her. "Sweetheart, something happened and it's gonna change our lives forever."
"What happened mom? Is it about dad?" Sarah asked, slightly worried.
"Sweetheart, I'm pregnant." said Penny. "Your dad and I are gonna have a baby, and you're gonna have a sister or a brother." she added.
"But how can you be pregnant if dad isn't here?" asked Sarah.
Penny smiled. "Sweetie, I've been pregnant for almost a month-and-a-half now. I suppose I got pregnant when your dad was here, right before he left for his trip." she said.
"How are we gonna tell dad" said Sarah.
"We're gonna tell him when he calls. It's been three weeks now since he last called so I guess they would be docking to port any day now." said Penny.
"What name are we gonna give the baby?" said Sarah, making Penny laugh.
"Sweetie, I think it's too early for that. We don't even know if it's a girl or a boy." she said.
"Well, if it's a girl, I 'm sure she'll be as pretty as you mom." Sarah said.
Penny was touched by what her stepdaughter said and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek. "Thank you sweetheart. You just made me so happy." she said. "And I'm sure this baby will be as smart as you!"
Sarah smiled and hugged her mother. "I love you mom." said Sarah.
Penny felt her crushing hug, thankful for her stepdaughter's affection. "Ugh, I love you too sweetheart. Why do I even deserve you huh?' she said while hugging the young lady.
"Well, I think my dad needed someone to come with me in a public toilet, that's why he asked you to marry him." said Sarah making Penny explode with laughter.
"That's what he said to me before!" she said. "You really are your father's daughter huh!?" she added as they continued eating dinner as Penny felt relieved at how well her stepdaughter took the news.
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For the next couple of days, Sarah saw the effect of pregnancy to her stepmother. She would wake up in the morning only to see Penny hunched over the toilet getting sick and throwing up.
"Mom?" she said.
Penny wiped off her mouth with a small towel and sat on the floor, looking up to the young lady. "Yes sweetie?" she said.
"Do pregnant women die too?" asked Sarah, surprising Penny.
"What are you talking about!? Who told you that?" she said, pulling Sarah close to sit beside her.
Sarah bowed her head and began to cry. "I already lost my mom before. Am I gonna lose you too?"
Penny hugged her tight and kissed her cheek, comforting her stepdaughter. "Sweetheart, I'm not gonna die. It's normal for pregnant women to have morning sickness like this."
"Can't you take something so you won't get sick anymore?" Sarah asked.
Penny smiled at her little princess, "It doesn't work like that sweetie." she said. "Don't worry, I'm gonna be fine and I'm quite sure your mom went through this when she had you." Penny added.
Sarah then rested her head on Penny's shoulder and hugged her. "Don't worry mom, we'll blame daddy for your suffering when he comes back."
Penny laughed and kissed the young lady. "Good call sweetie. I'm sure he'll have no choice but to treat us both like a princess from then on huh?" she said.
Sarah gave Penny a high five. "And we'll give dad the cold shoulder if he doesn't pony up."
Penny laughed before standing up. "Okay, why don't you take a quick shower so I could bring you to school. You don't want to be late." she said, leaving Sarah in the bathroom to wash up.
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The next day while Penny and Sarah were having dinner at the kitchen island when Leonard called them thru Skype. The two girls were surprised to see Leonard sporting a beard and mustache.
Sa: "Hi daddy! We miss you so much!" Sarah said, waving at the iPad.
L: "Hi! I miss you guys so much! How's everything back there?"
P: "Everything is fine here honey. Why do you have a beard?"
L: "Oh, it helps shield away the cold honey. And I look more like a sailor right?" he said making his girls laugh.
L: "Tell me everything that happened over there."
P: "Well actually, I have something important to tell you." she said when Sarah suddenly cut off Penny.
Sa: "Mom's pregnant dad!"
Leonard froze and stared at the screen, not knowing what to do or say. He couldn't believe that his daughter blurted out the news as if it was something trivial and could be dismissed off hand. He tried to pull himself together and come back to planet earth.
L: "Uh, honey, can you say that again?"
Sa: "Didn't you hear me dad? I told you, mom is pregnant!"
P: "She's right honey, look." she said as she held up the pregnancy test for Leonard to see.
L: "Oh my god this is amazing!" he said while jumping for joy around his room.
L: "When did you find out?"
P: "Four days ago."
P: "The doctor said I'm a month and a half along."
L: "Oh, okay. God I wish I could be there right now honey!"
P: "Don't worry about it, just finish what you're doing there and come home to us."
L: "I love you guys so much! I don't think I can focus right now." he said as he reached for his inhaler and took a puff.
Sa: "Daddy are you alright?"
L: "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just can't wrap my head around it. I can't believe I'm going to be a father again!"
L: "Honey, I'm sorry if this is all too sudden. I mean, I know we haven't planned this or anything."
P: "Well, I was shocked too when I found out. But then my OBGYN told me not to stress myself out because it'll bad for the baby."
L: "How are feeling? Are you having any morning sickness or something?"
Sa: "She does daddy. Every morning."
L: "Oh my god I'm sorry."
P: "Don't worry honey. Just come home to us in one piece."
L: "Oh believe me, I've been wanting to come home ever since we docked yesterday. Now more than ever."
Sa: "You have to come home soon daddy. So me and mom will have someone to blame for her suffering."
L: "What was that?" he said, amused by his daughter.
Sa: "You heard me. Mom is suffering right now because of you."
L: "What is your mother teaching you this time huh?"
Sa: "Nothing. I'm just saying that mommy's getting sick every morning because you got her pregnant. And now I have to step up and help her out because you're not here."
Leonard was surprised, realizing how much his daughter has grown.
L: "I'm sorry honey. I promise I'll make it up to you both."
Sarah gave her mother a high five.
Sa: "Dad, just come home to us because we miss you so much."
L: "I miss you too princess! Don't worry, I'll take the first flight out once we're done." he said while shedding a tear, having a hard time containing his happiness.
They continued talking for the better part of the hour with Leonard unable to contain how happy he was, telling his wife and daughter how much he loves them and promising to come home as soon as they are done with their experiments. He told them that they will board the boat in two days so he has all the time to talk with them until they leave the port again.
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"Oh my god Penny! Congratulations!" Bernadette exclaimed as the gang hugged Penny, excited for the wonderful news.
"This is so exciting!" Amy added.
"So how did Leonard take the news?" Howard asked as they began to eat dinner at the coffee table.
"Well, he Skyped us two days ago and he cried." said Penny, making the gang laugh.
"Yeah, and daddy danced around his room like a clown!" Sarah said.
"You must be very excited to have a brother or a sister huh?" Raj said to the child.
"Uh huh!" said Sarah before facing Penny. "Mom, when can we know if we're having a boy or a girl?" she asked.
"I don't know sweetheart." Penny said.
"Well according to this, the gender of the fetus can be determined in as early as the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy." said Sheldon while looking at his phone. "It's usually done during the woman's sonogram checkup." he added.
"Is that the one where they use sound to see inside the tummy?" asked Sarah.
"That's exactly right Sarah." Amy said.
Penny tapped her stepdaughter's shoulder, proud of how smart she was. "You're so smart. I'm so proud of you." she said kissing Sarah on her forehead.
"But wouldn't the sound hurt the baby or something?" Sarah asked.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt the baby or your mom." said Howard.
"How so?" asked the child.
Howard smiled. "Because the sound level is very low and it uses a very high frequency signal, too high to hurt the baby or Penny."
"How about you aunt Bernie?" Sarah asked.
"Uh excuse me?" said Bernadette.
"Well, you and uncle Howard are engaged right? When are you gonna get married so you can have babies too?" asked Sarah, surprising the whole gang. "I think it would be great if my sister or brother will have someone to play with, right?" she added.
"She's right Bernie. When are you and Howard gonna get married?" Amy asked.
Howard and Bernadette smiled at each other while holding hands. "Well, we are actually thinking of doing it two or three months from now." said Bernadette.
"Wait, you're talking about the wedding, not making the baby, right?" Penny asked making them all laugh.
"Yes Penny, we're talking about the wedding." said Bernadette.
"Although, we can follow what they did." Howard said to Bernadette.
Bernadette nudged his side with her elbow. "Howie!" she said while making eye contact with him, silently telling him that the little girl can hear them.
"Oh right. I'm sorry." said Howard.
"It's alright uncle Howard. I know what you mean." said the child surprising the whole gang.
"You do?" asked Howard.
"Yeah I mean, my mom and dad has been at each other all the time before he left for his trip." said Sarah.
"Oh my god!" Penny said, not knowing how to react as the gang looked at her.
"I even heard my dad telling mom to say his name. I mean, why would he tell you to say his name? You and dad are already married right?" Sarah said to her stepmother.
Penny covered her face with her hands, embarrassed with what Sarah told the gang. "Oh god!"
"I told you we should hang out here more, right?" Bernadette said to Howard while giving him a fist bump.
"I'm sorry mommy." said Sarah.
Penny took a deep breath and smiled at her. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's alright." she said as Amy cleared her throat.
"So Bernie, I suppose you would be needing a maid-of-honor for your wedding huh?" Amy said,obviously volunteering herself for the part.
Bernadette laughed, amused by Amy's question. "Yes, and I was hoping you'd be my maid-of-honor."
Amy slightly fixed her hair and glasses. "Well, i don't know, I mean I would have to pass by the salon, maybe get a facial or my hair done...it's a lot of work actually..." she said making the girls laugh while the guys looked on, puzzled and confused.
"Amy please be my maid-of-honor!?" said Bernadette.
"Oh alright I'll do it!" Amy said to the amusement of the gang.
"Thank you Amy and we were hoping Sarah could be the flower girl!" Bernadette said.
"Me?" Sarah asked.
"That's great sweetheart! You get to wear a new princess dress and have your hair and nails done!" Penny said.
"Really?" said Sarah, becoming excited.
"Of course! It'll be the same when your mom and dad got married. We'll go to a dress shop and choose which dresses we want while we're having some wine. But in your case it'll be some apple juice, alright?" said Bernadette.
"I can't wait aunt Bernie!" said Sarah. "But what about mom? Is she gonna be a bridesmaid too?"
Penny smiled. "Sweetie, my tummy would already be noticeable by then. I don't think it's a good idea to have a pregnant bridesmaid." she said.
"Oh." Sarah said. "I just want us to dress up mom, like we did at your wedding."
"I know, but bridesmaids are usually single, and I'm already married." said Penny.
"Your mom is right." said Bernadette.
"Okay. Are you gonna go to aunt Bernie's bachelorette party too?" asked Sarah, somehow remembering the time when Penny came home drunk from her own bachelorette party.
"I guess, but I'm not gonna stay long and I'm not gonna drink wine because it will be bad for the baby." said Penny.
"Can I come with you?" Sarah said.
"No sweetheart. That's not a place for young girls." Penny said. "Alright?"
"Okay mom." said Sarah.
"Don't worry Sarah, I'm sure we'll have so much fun when we go shopping for dresses and shoes." said Amy.
"Okay aunt Amy." said the child.
They continued to talk, mostly about how the pregnancy would affect Penny. She was thankful that her friends were supportive of her new journey in life as the girls were already suggesting on how dress the baby in case Sarah gets a sister while the guys discussed what sci-fi shows and comic books to expose the baby to be on the 'cool side of Nerdville' as the girls gave them glaring looks. Penny put her foot down, telling the guys that they would wish to be back at the North Pole before she let's them turn her baby into another nerd, earning her a high five from the girls.
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A week after Penny announced her pregnancy, Howard received a message from Dr. Gablehauser to meet with him at President Seibert's office. Howard was relieved, thinking that his request to upgrade some of his lab equipment might finally be approved. He reached the president's office and was told by the secretary to go right ahead. He opened the door and was surprised to see Sheldon crying being consoled by Raj while Seibert and Gablehauser looked on.
"Uh, what is happening? Why is Sheldon crying?" asked Howard.
"Please Mr. Wolowitz, have a seat." said Gablehauser.
"We received some terrible news about Dr. Hofstadter." said Seibert
"I have a bad feeling about this." said Howard as Gablehauser gave him a piece of paper. Howard took it and began reading, unable to accept what was written on it. "This can't be true. How come he's not included in this manifest!?" he said.
"We're still trying to find out what happened but this is the latest news that we have." said Gablehauser.
"So are you telling me that the boat the Leonard is on sank and his name is not included in this rescue list?" Howard said.
"Unfortunately so Mr. Wolowitz." said Seibert. "We called one of the guys from CalTech that came with Leonard and they're as surprised as we are. Nobody knows where he is."
"Let me guess, you haven't told his wife yet, haven't you?" said Howard.
Seibert nodded. "We were hoping you'd be the one to give her the news."
"Do you know that she's pregnant with Leonard's child!?" Howard said, as his voice began to tremble.
"Dr. Cooper told us just before you came in." said Gablehauser.
"Why me?" asked Howard. "Why can't you tell her yourself?" he added.
"We're asking this as a favor Mr. Wolowitz." said Seibert.
"How about his daughter? How am I supposed to tell her that her father is gone too? Maybe you forgot that poor girl already lost her mother five years ago. I don't think I can bear that responsibility of telling her that she's an orphan now." said Howard as he began crying, unable to accept that his friend may be dead. "What am I gonna tell them now?"
"You're gonna tell them what we all know, that their vessel ran into an accident and sank." said Gablehauser.
"I can't do this!" Sheldon said as he stood up and ran out of the office, crying his eyes out as Raj ran after him to calm him down.
Seibert picked up his phone and called security to restrain Sheldon from doing anything that might get him or others hurt.
"Please Mr. Wolowitz, Penny has the right to know." said Seibert.
Howard wiped his tears and straighten himself up. "Fine. I just hope my arrhythmia kicks into overdrive when Penny and Sarah breaks down in front of me so I could at least join Leonard and not see them suffer." he said walking out of the office and slamming the door shut with a heavy heart, trying hard not to breakdown over the loss of his friend.