Author's note: I wasn't planning on ending Lost and Found so abruptly but I guess Leonard and Penny's trip back home to California was a good way of closing 'Book 1' of that story. I'm gonna try and make this second book as interesting as the first one as the young family adjusts to their new life in the States especially now that their kids are growing up so fast. Enjoy and thanks for taking the time to read my stories.
Lost and Found: A New Beginning
Chapter 1
"Hey guys! Come in!" Penny said as she welcomed Howard and Bernadette into their home.
"Thanks Penny." said Bernadette as she put her purse on the side table.
"So, how are guys settling in?" Howard asked.
"Well, it's been a month since we arrived so it's going well." said Penny. "We already looked around for a good school, now that Sarah is excited in going there and to make sure William's records are in order."
"Where are the kids anyway?" asked Bernadette.
"They're at the backyard with Leonard. He's building them a treehouse." said Penny. "Come on." she added, leading them to the backyard.
"Daddy, let's paint it pink with lots of flowers and rainbows!" Sarah said as she rubbed her hand on Buster's head.
"I think it's too early to talk about paints and designs honey." said Leonard as he continued measuring and cutting the planks of wood while William helped him out.
"Why not paint it green...it's my treehouse too you know?" William told his sister.
"Your brother is right honey...you're gonna have to share this with him." Leonard told his daughter.
Sarah pouted her lips a little. "Okay fine." she said to the relief of Leonard when Penny, Bernadette and Howard came out from the house to join them.
"Hey guys, what are doing out here?" Howard greeted them while shaking Leonard's hand.
"Daddy's gonna make us a treehouse uncle Howard!" Sarah announced, to the delight of Bernadette.
"Aww...that is so nice...come to aunt Bernie honey!" said Bernadette as Sarah ran to hug her.
"When the treehouse is done, you can play in there too aunt Bernie!" Sarah said, making Penny and Bernadette laugh.
"Well, I don't think it can support my weight sweetie!" said Bernadette.
"I'm gonna go inside and make us some iced tea." said Penny before going into the house to make some refreshments.
"You're not that heavy aunt Bernie...and look, daddy's gonna add a basket so we can bring Buster up there...see?" said Sarah while showing Howard and Bernadette the plans that Leonard made as a guide for himself.
"Oh yeah that's nice." said Howard. "You should probably add a couple of struts here Leonard...just to be sure." he added.
"That's not bad...yeah I think I'll do that." Leonard said, giving his friend a fist bump. "So what brings you guys here?" he asked the couple.
"Well, we're actually here for your kids." said Bernadette.
"What do you mean?" said Leonard.
"Well, you guys know that me and Howie are getting married and we're thinking of making Sarah one of the flower girls." said Bernadette.
"And William can be the ring bearer." Howard chimed in.
"I'm gonna be the flower girl?" Sarah asked, getting excited.
"If you want?" Bernadette said to the young lady.
Sarah jumped up, laughing with excitement. "Daddy, can I do it please!? Can I be the flower girl?" she said to her father.
"Sure honey!" said Leonard, amused by his daughter.
"Does that mean that I get to wear a princess dress aunt Bernie?" asked Sarah.
"Of course sweetie! We'll get you a nice dress and make you pretty!" Bernadette said.
"Ugh I can't wait!" Sarah said. "Mommy I'm gonna wear a princess dress!" the young lady yelled at her mother.
"What?" Penny asked as she brought a tray of drinks for all of them.
"Aunt Bernie said that I'm gonna be the flower girl when they get married!" Sarah said.
"That's amazing sweetheart...I'm sure you're gonna be the prettiest flower girl there." Penny said.
"And William's gonna be the best looking ring bearer." said Howard.
"I'm gonna guard the ring like Frodo." said William, making Leonard and Howard laugh.
"Good call buddy!" Leonard said, giving his son a high five.
"Who's Frodo?" Penny asked.
"Honey, he's the guardian of the ring...from Lord of the Rings!" said Leonard.
The girls sighed and rolled their eyes. "Oh yeah...sure." Penny said sarcastically.
"I guess your husband always does that huh? Bringing in his nerd-stuff into everything?" Bernadette said to Penny.
"You can say that again." Penny said. "And I guess, your fiance's the same huh?"
"You don't know half of it...I mean, does your husband wear superhero underwear too?" Bernadette asked.
"Superman!" Penny said, obviously having her digs at her husband.
"Oh my god...Batman!" said Bernadette, slightly embarrassing her fiance.
"Okay I think that's enough!" Leonard said as he took a couple of glasses to pour some iced tea for his kids.
"Mommy, are you and aunt Bernie gonna bring me to the salon?" asked Sarah.
"Why would we bring you to the salon?" Penny said.
"Because I'm gonna be the flower girl in their wedding...I need to my hair done and some makeup...and my nails...maybe a facial…?" said Sarah, surprising all of them.
"Where did you learn this stuff anyway?" Penny asked.
"I heard one of our neighbors talking about going to the salon before going to a wedding." said the young princess.
Penny sighed, seeing how much her daughter has taken after her. "Sweetheart, we'll bring you to the salon before your aunt Bernie and uncle Howard gets married. Maybe a few days before, but not right now, okay?" said Penny.
"Okay mommy." said Sarah.
"Alright, what do you say we go back to building this thing huh?" Leonard said to his kids.
"Okay daddy, just don't make me use that hammer...I don't want to hit my hand." Sarah said, making them all laugh.
"Don't worry honey, I'll do all the heavy lifting and you stand there and be the project supervisor, alright?" said Leonard.
Sarah smiled before looking at Penny, Howard and Bernadette. "See that? I'm the project supervisor!"
"Good job sweetheart. I guess Buster is your assistant supervisor huh?" Penny said, encouraging her daughter.
"Yes mommy...me and Buster are in-charge!" Sarah said as William and Leonard continued working, letting the little girl have her way.
"I guess we'll be going now." said Howard.
"Yeah...thanks for having us Penny." said Bernadette.
"Are you sure you can't stay for lunch?" Penny said.
"We'd love to stay but we have someplace else to go to." Bernadette said.
"Okay." Penny said. "Sweetheart come with me...we'll see your aunt and uncle out." she said to her daughter.
"Okay mommy." said Sarah before turning around to face her father and brother. "You two continue working alright...I'll be back later to check up on your work." said Sarah, surprising the adults with her sassy attitude.
"Yes ma'am!" William said sarcastically.
"Good job!" Sarah said, making them all laugh. "Come on Buster, we'll get something to eat in the kitchen." Sarah said as they went inside the house.
William looked at his father. "She really took nothing from you huh?" said the young man.
Leonard sighed. "You can say that again buddy." he said, laughing at his son's remark. "Now hand me that tape meter, we need to make sure we're cutting this plank of wood to the right length."
"Here you go dad." said William, handing Leonard the measuring tool.
Leonard continued working on the treehouse for the rest of the afternoon with his kids helping him out with whatever their small hands can do. By the end of the day, Leonard has managed to cut to size all of the wood planks and timber he needs to build his kid's treehouse. He also managed to put up the struts and main pieces that would serve as the beams and girders of the treehouse, making sure it's sturdy enough to support his weight so his kids would be safe whenever they're playing on it.
By the end of the afternoon, the kids already went inside the house to watch TV while Leonard started putting his tools back when Penny went towards him, handing him a glass of water. Leonard took the glass and drank all of it, feeling refreshed.
"Thanks honey...that was good." he said as Penny took a small towel to wipe off the sweat on his face.
Penny moved closer and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "You keep doing this amazing husband and father thing and I'll drag you to the bedroom right now and do some stuff with you." she said, teasing her husband.
"Why wait?...let's do it now!" said Leonard, becoming excited at the prospect of having sex with his wife.
"You really get excited when it comes to sex huh?" Penny asked.
"Who doesn't want to have sex with a beautiful and lovely woman like you?" said Leonard, pulling her close.
Penny kissed him again. "You just rest for a while and take a shower...and I promise you won't regret it." she said before turning around and going back into the house.
Leonard lightly patted her butt. "I'm gonna get you later little miss!" he said making Penny squeal a little.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later that night, the couple laid in bed exhausted after making love.
"Honey…" said Penny as she tried to catch her breath.
"Yeah?" said Leonard as he pulled his wife close, resting her face on his shoulder.
"If I wasn't on the pill I think I would be pregnant right now." she said , laughing a little.
Leonard was surprised with what his wife said. "Wait...do you want to have another baby?" he asked, hoping his wife would say yes.
"No!" Penny said, glaring at him. "What makes you think that I want another baby?"
"Well, the moment you mentioned the word 'pregnant', I only think of one thing." Leonard said.
Penny lightly hit him on the chest. "I don't want to have another baby Leonard." she said. "I said that because of the way you get frisky with me these past few years...always getting inside my pants every chance you get."
"Well, you haven't resisted me so far so I just kept going for it." he said, laughing a little. "Why won't you want to have another baby? I mean, the kids can pretty much take care of themselves now?"
Penny looked him straight in the eye. "Okay mister, I want you to answer me honestly...do you really want another Sarah in our family?"
Leonard looked at her and thought for a while, realizing her point of how their daughter keeps them on their toes. "You're right...I haven't thought of it that way."
"And now you see why we should stop at two kids!" she said.
Leonard hugged and kissed his wife. "You are so smart honey." he said.
"Hmm...and you call yourself a genius?" Penny said, teasing him.
Leonard rolled on top of his wife and began nibbling on her neck. "Come here little miss...let me show you what kind of a genius I am." he said as Penny wrapped her arms around him, glad that Leonard always knew how to satisfy her.
"Shut up and kiss me!" said Penny as Leonard put his whole weight onto his wife, holding her tight before moving in, whispering sweet nothings while making love under the covers, trying to stay quiet so their children won't hear them.