Author's note: It's been a while since I posted an update. I hope you'll enjoy this one especially now that we've learned of Kaley Cuoco's recent divorce from her husband which is a sad news for us that are fans of the series. Hopefully this chapter would bring you guys a smile on your faces even if we're still dealing with the pandemic after more than a year !
Chapter 5
"Daddy I'm scared." said Sarah as the plane slowly taxied on the runway after getting the go signal from the air traffic controller that their flight out to Nebraska is cleared for takeoff.
Leonard put his arm around his daughter and pulled her close to his chest. "It's alright honey, don't be scared." he said, reassuring the young lady.
Penny looked over her son. "Are you okay sweetheart?" she asked William.
William nodded while sitting up straight. "I'm okay mom."
Sarah pushed her face on Leonard's chest and wrapped her arms around him as the plane gradually sped up, throttling it's engine to full power until finally lifting off the ground. Sarah finally let go when the plane slowly stabilized up in the air.
"So...are you okay now?" Leonard asked his daughter.
Sarah nodded before taking a deep breath, feeling relieved that the scary part was finally over. "Yes daddy."
Leonard kissed her on the cheek. "You were so brave...I'm so proud of you." he said, earning him a smile from the young lady.
"Daddy, I have to use the bathroom to pee." said Sarah.
Leonard helped her unbuckle the seat belt. "No problem honey, your mom will take you to the lavatory." he said, smiling at Penny.
Penny sighed and got off her seat. "Fine...come on." she said, holding her daughter's hand and leading her to the lavatory where one of the flight attendants assisted them.
After a few hours of flight, the plane landed safely on the runway with Sarah screaming when she heard a loud noise and felt a strong shock when the aircraft touched down.
"Are you alright?" Penny asked her daughter.
Sarah nodded, thankful that the plane already stopped. "Yes mommy, I thought the plane was gonna explode or something." she said, making her parents laugh.
"Well, we're okay now...come on, let's get out of here." said Leonard as he took out their carry-on bags from the overhead storage.
The young family went along with the other passengers into the baggage claim. Leonard saw a vacant bench and told his family to wait for him while he gets their luggage. "You guys wait here...I'm gonna get our bags from the conveyor belt." he said as he walked away.
"I'll help you dad." William said, running after his father to get a baggage cart from the side.
Leonard tapped his son's shoulder. "Sure buddy." he said as they stand along the conveyor belt, waiting for their bags to emerge from the rubber curtain.
After getting their luggage, they went to the exit where Wyatt and Susan are waiting for them. Penny immediately saw her parents and called out to them, giving them a tight hug, happy in seeing them again after a few years.
"Hi Honey! Ugh it's so nice to see you again!" Susan exclaimed while hugging her daughter tight.
"I missed you mom!" Penny said, crying a little before hugging her father. "Daddy!"
"Hey slugger!" said Wyatt while hugging his daughter.
Leonard and the kids joined them with Susan and Wyatt getting excited in seeing their grandkids again.
"Oh honey come to grandma!" Susan said, pulling Sarah close to hug and kiss her. "You've grown so much...and so pretty!" she said.
"I missed you too grandma!" Sarah said, hugging her grandmother tight.
"Hey buddy! Look at you...you're so tall now!" Wyatt said while hugging his grandson.
"Hi grandpa!" said William.
"Let's get out of here...I'm sure you guys are tired and hungry." said Susan as Wyatt lifted Sarah into his arms.
"I'm hungry." Sarah said, making them all laugh.
"You're always hungry." William said to his sister.
"It's because I still have a lot of growing up to do, that's why I need a lot of food so I'll be strong and healthy!" Sarah snapped back at her brother.
"Who told you that?" asked William.
"Daddy did...he told me that I could eat anything I want! Right daddy?" Sarah said, asking help from her father.
"She's right buddy." Leonard said, ruffling his son's hair.
"Yeah...you could eat anything as long as it's sweet...and in big portions." said William, making the adults laugh.
"That is so true!" said Penny.
"I's alright princess...your grandma made a lot of food today...and you can eat as much as you want when we reach the house." Wyatt told the young lady.
"What kind of food did you cook grandma?" Sarah asked.
"We knew you guys were coming so I made some beef stew and the fish that your grandpa caught from the lake yesterday...and I made some apple pie too." said Susan.
Sarah immediately got excited. "You baked some apple pie!?" asked the young girl.
William looked up and smiled at his grandma. "You hit the jackpot grandma...she's gonna make short work of that apple pie when we reach home...you can bet on that!" said the young man, making them all laugh.
Sarah kept her head high, not letting her brother's swipe get into her. "What's wrong with that? I love apple pie...and ice cream too." she said, making Wyatt smile.
"Well we don't have any ice cream in the fridge now, but don't worry, I'll buy you some ice cream this afternoon, okay?" said Wyatt.
"Really? You'll buy me some ice cream?" asked the young girl.
"Of course honey!" Wyatt said making the young girl hug him tight.
"Thank you grandpa! You're the best!" Sarah said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Aww...you're welcome honey." Wyatt said, glad to receive his granddaughter's affection.
Susan looked at William. "She's really something huh?"
"Yeah...we haven't even reached the house and she already has grandpa wrapped around her fingers!" said William, making his parents and Susan laugh.
Sarah looked at her grandfather. "Ignore them grandpa...my brother is just jealous because I'm your favorite, right?" she said.
"Of course you are my favorite honey!" Wyatt said with a hint of sarcasm before winking at William.
"See that? I'm grandpa's favorite!" Sarah said before sticking her tongue out to her brother.
"Okay cut it out...we haven't even reached the house and you two are already coming at each other." said Leonard.
"But he started it!" Sarah said.
"And now I'm ending it!" Penny chimed in, giving her kids a stern look and making Sarah hide behind Wyatt's shoulder.
"Mommy's so scary sometimes." Sarah told Wyatt, making him laugh.
"I think she's just hungry...let's get you in the truck so we could go home." said Wyatt as they reach the truck while Leonard puts their luggage on the trailer with Susan and Penny making sure the kids are secure in the backseat.
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"Grandma this is so good!" exclaimed Sarah as they ate lunch in the kitchen
"I'm glad you liked it...just take it slow okay? We don't want you choking on your food." said Susan, glad that her grandchildren liked her dishes.
"She's right grandma...this is so much better than what mom makes." William added, quickly realizing that he should have kept it to himself. "I'm sorry mom...I never should have said that." he said to Penny.
Penny sighed and gave her son a weak smile. "It's alright sweetheart, I promise I'll get better." she said while Leonard rubbed his hand on her back.
"You're a jerk! You hurt mommy's feelings!" Sarah yelled at her brother.
"I said I'm sorry okay! I didn't mean it." William answered.
"Okay you two, cut it out I say!" Penny said as the kids quieted down, not wanting to anger their mother.
"I promise I won't hurt you mommy!" Sarah said, making Penny smile.
"Aww...thank you sweetheart...that's very sweet." said Penny before facing the young man. "Hey...look at me, it's alright...I'm not mad or anything...do you understand?" she asked her son.
William nodded. "Yes mom...I'm sorry again."
Penny pulled him close and hugged him. "Come here...I can never get mad at my baby boy...I mean look at you, you're so smart...and handsome!" said Penny, showering her son with kisses.
William wiggled himself off his mother. "Mom please...I'm not a child anymore." he said, going back to his seat.
"I'm smart and beautiful too...right daddy?" Sarah butted in, making them all laugh.
"Of course you are honey!" Leonard said, giving his daughter a high five as Susan came in, carrying the apple pie she cooked earlier.
"Okay...who wants some apple pie!?" asked Susan, making Sarah jump with excitement.
"Me!" exclaimed the young lady as Susan took a knife and cut a slice for her granddaughter. "That smells delicious grandma!" she said before sticking her fork into her slice and biting on it.
"So?" asked Susan.
"It's so dewicious gwandma!" Sarah said with her mouth full of the sweet pastry.
They all laughed, amused by the young girl's enthusiasm. "Slow down honey, there's plenty for everyone." said Susan as she put a slice on William's plate. "Here you go sweetie."
"Thanks grandma." William said before taking a bite.
"So are you guys excited for school?" asked Susan.
"We are grandma...I can't wait to show my teacher that I already know how to read and write and do math and stuff!" Sarah said, surprising her grandparents.
"And who taught you how to do math?" Wyatt asked, impressed by his granddaughter.
"William taught me...and sometimes mommy too." said Sarah.
Wyatt lightly tapped William's shoulder. "Good job buddy...your grandma and I are so proud of you." he said.
"Thanks grandpa." said William.
Wyatt then turned back to his granddaughter. "Can you show me if you're really good at math?" he asked.
Sarah nodded, a little excited in showing off. "Okay grandpa."
"Good...what do I get if I have four apples in one basket and nine in another?" asked Wyatt.
"That's easy...thirteen apples!" Sarah said, earning a round of applause from the adults.
"Good job sweetheart! Mommy's very proud of you!" Penny said.
"Remember what I told you." Leonard said to his daughter.
Sarah nodded. "I do daddy...that I should always be humble even if I'm smarter than my classmates." said the young girl.
"That's my girl." said Leonard, beaming with pride of how amazing his daughter was.
"What about William? What are you up to these days?" asked Susan.
"Nothing much grandma." said William.
"Really? That algebra book beside your bed is nothing?" said Leonard, surprising Wyatt and Susan.
"Wait...you're learning algebra now?" Wyatt asked his grandson.
Leonard decided to chime in before William could speak. "Not anymore...I think he got it all figured out! Right buddy?" he said.
William nodded. "Well...I found dad's old algebra textbook so I read it and tried to figure it out by myself." he said.
"You figured it out yourself?" asked Susan.
"Yeah...but I asked dad a few times when I was having trouble, especially with those radicals." said William.
"I don't even know what a radical is but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that is complicated stuff." Wyatt said, laughing a bit.
Susan stood up and hugged her grandson, showering him with kisses. "Ugh my grandson is so smart...and handsome too! I'm gonna cook something special tonight for you...okay?" she told the young man.
"Thanks grandma...but I think Sarah would be the one to eat all of it." William said, making them all laugh.
"Are you two planning on having more kids?" Wyatt asked, surprising the couple.
"Dad!?" Penny said, giving her father a stern look.
"Why not? I certainly won't complain if all my grandchildren turn out like these two!" said Wyatt.
"Wyatt, that's none of your business!" Susan told her husband.
"Okay fine...I'm sorry but I'm an old man and I guess I have the right to be selfish in wanting more grandchildren." said Wyatt.
Penny sighed. "Dad, Leonard and I are stopping at two kids. End of discussion." he said.
"Why?" Sarah suddenly asked.
"What do you mean why?" Penny asked her daughter.
"Well...I just think it would be nice if I had a baby sister...so I can teach her princess stuff, like Barbie dolls and unicorns..." said Sarah, making them all laugh.
Penny smiled and faced her daughter. "Sweetheart listen to me...having another child is not that easy, especially for me..." said Penny.
"How difficult could it be?" asked Sarah.
"Sweetie, when I had you and your brother, I got sick all the time...I'd throw up in the bathroom every morning...I got bloated...and always irritable, especially at your dad." said Penny.
"And giving birth is very painful, right mom?" William butted in.
Penny nodded, glad that her son is on her side. "It was sweetie...it was so painful, I thought I was gonna die or something." she said.
Sarah frowned, saddened by her mother's revelation. "You got hurt because of me?" she said.
Penny gave her daughter a weak smile before hugging her. "No...don't think like that sweetie." she said.
"I'm sorry you got hurt mommy." said Sarah, hugging her mother tight.
"Aww...you don't have to apologize sweetheart...okay?" said Penny. "Now finish your apple pie so I can give you a quick shower before you take a nap." she said.
"But I want another slice mommy." said Sarah, making them all laugh.
"No problem." Penny said, taking another slice of apple pie and serving it to her daughter.
"She really is Penny's daughter huh?" Wyatt said to William.
"You can say that again grandpa!" William said, giving his grandfather a high five.
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After lunch, Penny took her kids to wash up in the bathroom and change their clothes while Leonard took to getting their stuff settled in Penny's old bedroom where they will be staying.
"Mommy can I come with grandpa tomorrow so I can see all the animals in the barn?" asked Sarah as Penny gave her daughter a bath in the shower.
"Sure sweetheart...just promise me you'll be careful...especially with the goats...you don't want them ramming you with their heads." said Penny.
"Yes mommy...I promise I'll be careful." said Sarah as Penny turned the shower knob to rinse the shampoo and soap off the young girl.
After the kids, the couple also took to washing up in the bathroom so they could take a nap for the rest of the afternoon.
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Later that night, the young family along with Wyatt and Susan were sitting in the living room, sharing stories while the kids were watching TV.
"I'm sure your new school would be glad to have a super smart student like you." Susan said to William.
"Yeah...and I wouldn't be surprised if your teachers decide to bump you up a level or two." said Wyatt.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough, I mean it's only three weeks until school starts." said Leonard. "Right honey?" he said, looking at Sarah.
"I'm so excited!" Sarah exclaimed, making them laugh.
"I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends in school sweetie." Susan told her granddaughter.
"Mommy, if I make new friends is it okay if they come over our house so we could play in the treehouse?" Sarah asked.
"Of course you can sweetie!" said Penny.
"And you'll prepare some snacks for us too?" asked Sarah, making Leonard laugh.
Penny sighed. "Yeah sure."
"Thank you mommy." said the young girl before facing Wyatt. "Grandpa can you take me to the barn tomorrow? I want to see all the animals!" she said.
"Sure honey...if you want you can even ride the horse." said Wyatt, making the young lady excited.
"Really? Mommy can I do it please?" Sarah said, giving Penny a pleading look.
"Don't worry slugger, I'll make sure she won't fall." said Wyatt.
Penny sighed, knowing that Sarah would do everything to make her agree. "Fine...just remember your promise." she said.
"I know mommy...and I would do everything that grandpa tells me so the horse won't be scared and run away." said Sarah.
"Okay...and don't go running back to me if the horse drools on you or something." said Penny, making William and Leonard laugh.
"Dad, let's make sure to catch it on video." said William.
"No problem buddy." said Leonard as Sarah gave them an angry look for making fun of her.
"You guys are mean!" said the young lady before climbing on the couch and snuggling between Wyatt and Susan.
"Hey before I forget, you guys should give Nana Juliet a visit. I'm sure she'll be happy to see the kids." said Susan.
"Who's Nana Juliet grandma?" asked Sarah.
"She is your mom's grandmother...and my mother." Susan said. "She's the one who taught me how to cook that apple pie we had earlier."
"You met her before honey, but you were only a year old then when we celebrated your birthday here." said Leonard.
"Yeah...Nana brought a couple of her apple pies on your birthday." said Penny as Sarah listened closely.
"And when Nana fed you a small piece of the pie, you screamed and started jumping on her lap." said Leonard.
"I think that's when you got your sweet tooth." Penny added.
"And then she said her first word." William chimed in.
"Yeah...Nana was so happy when Sarah said her name out of nowhere." said Penny.
"I called her name?" Sarah asked.
"You did sweetie...you were so adorable back then." said Penny. Sarah got off the couch and went to snuggle with her mother, pushing her face on her chest.
"Aww...my little princess is so sweet!" said Penny before kissing her daughter.
"See that...I made mommy happy!" Sarah said to William, sticking out her tongue to him.
"Fine...we get it already." William said, making them all laugh.
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The next day, Wyatt brought his granddaughter along to the barn to see some of the animals they have — a handful of chickens, a couple of goats, some pigs and a horse. The couple decided to tag along, bringing William with them so they could spend time with their grandparents. Sarah was the most excited of all, hopping and jumping along the pathway, telling them to hurry up so she could feed the animals herself. Penny made sure that her kids were comfortable enough with their clothes, not too warm and not too loose while Leonard brought a small towel so he'll have something to cover his nose and mouth from the dust which would surely trigger his asthma.
Wyatt took a bucket of grains and showed it to Sarah. "Okay, just take a handful and just throw them at the chickens like this...and they'll do the rest." he said.
Sarah took a handful of grain and did as Wyatt told her with the chickens quickly converging on her to get more food.
"Mommy look! I'm feeding the chickens!" Sarah said, facing her mother.
"Good job sweetheart...but don't give them too much..." Penny said, amused by her daughter's excitement.
"Come on...let's see if there are some eggs in the coop." Wyatt said, lifting Sarah in his arms before walking to the chicken coop where the hens are staying. He reached from under one hen, feeling the nest for an egg or two, finally showing an egg to his granddaughter. "Look, we got one." he said, showing the egg to the little girl.
"That is so cool!" Sarah said. "Can I do it grandpa?"
"Sure...we'll see if that other has one." said Wyatt while moving over to the other hen in the coop. "Okay...move your hand slowly...you don't want to frighten her." he said as Sarah slowly reached out. The hen squeaked a little, alarmed by the small person in front of her.
"Shh...I won't hurt you..." said Sarah while reaching underneath, finally grabbing an egg and slowly pulling it out. "Grandpa I got one!" she said.
"Good job, now let's get out of here and show them what we have." said Wyatt.
"Mommy look! I got one!" Sarah exclaimed, showing them the egg on her hand.
"That's great sweetheart! Didn't the hen bite you?" asked Penny.
"No...but I think she's a little mad that we took her egg away." Sarah said, making them all laugh.
"Good job honey!" said Leonard.
Wyatt took his granddaughter along to help him in tending to the animals, mostly feeding them since Sarah is too young to do anything else like cleaning the animal droppings or filling their water troughs. They then went to the barn where the horse stayed, sensing them coming as this was the time of the day when Wyatt usually feeds the young mare.
"Well...there she is." said Wyatt, showing the horse to his granddaughter while putting some hay on the horse's feeder.
"Grandpa, she's so pretty!" Sarah said, becoming more excited. "Mommy, daddy look at her!" she called out to her parents.
"That's great sweetie...just don't make any sudden movements, you don't want to scare the horse." said Penny.
"Come on..." said Wyatt, carrying his granddaughter to meet the horse.
Sarah slowly reached out and gently touched the horse on her neck and mane. "Her fur is so soft." said the young lady when the horse looked back at her, slightly alarmed by the small human touching her fur and hair. "Shhh...I won't hurt you." she said as the horse went back to eating her hay. "Grandpa, what's her name?"
"Oh? Uh...we haven't given her a name actually." said Wyatt. "You can name her if you want!" he said, making the young lady excited.
"Really!? Ugh...I don't know where to start!" said Sarah, looking at her parents and brother.
"Just give her a name...any name." William said.
"Let me do it myself! You just stand back!" Sarah said to her brother before turning back to her grandfather. "I know! I'll call her Rainbow Girl!" she exclaimed.
"Rainbow Girl?" William asked. "But her coat is only one color." he said.
"Don't mind him grandpa." Sarah said, making her grandfather and parents laugh.
"I think it's a good name honey!" Said Wyatt.
"Really? You like it?" Asked the young girl.
"Yeah...why not? I mean it's just a horse's name...it doesn't have to mean anything." Wyatt said.
"Thank you grandpa!" Sarah said, hugging her grandfather while sticking out her tongue to William.
"Okay...let's get her tacked up so you could get on her back before we take her out into the field." said Wyatt as he took the saddle and started putting it on the horse.
After putting the saddle and halter on Rainbow Girl, Wyatt carefully lifted his granddaughter up onto it's back while the horse was tied on the wall. The horse got a little spooked when the little girl got on her back but Wyatt managed to calm her down as Sarah held on, balancing herself on the saddle.
"Woah girl...it's alright...I'm not gonna hurt you." Sarah said to the horse while touching it's mane and neck.
"Okay...I'm gonna untie the rope." Wyatt said. "Are you okay?" he asked his granddaughter.
Sarah nodded, a little anxious and excited in getting out in the field on top of Rainbow Girl. "I'm good grandpa." she said.
Wyatt untied the rope and slowly led the horse out into the open field. Sarah took a few minutes to get herself balanced on the saddle while the horse was walking out, while Penny, Leonard and William followed close.
"You're doing good sweetie!" Penny said as they went to stand under the shade of a nearby tree.
"Mommy look I'm doing it!" Sarah yelled as she rode on the horse's back while Wyatt led the horse around, not letting go of the lead rope so the horse wouldn't make a sudden movement or buckle and throw his granddaughter onto the ground.
Sarah rode on the horse for about an hour and a half when it got too hot for her and Wyatt. He then decided to lead the horse towards where Leonard and Penny are so Sarah could get off while Penny held the horse steady.
"So...did you have fun?" Penny asked her daughter.
"I had so much fun mommy! I want to do it again!" Sarah exclaimed, beaming with happiness in having her wish fulfilled.
"I'm glad you're having fun honey." Leonard said, kissing his daughter.
"What about you buddy? You wanna give it a try?" Wyatt asked his grandson.
"No I'm good grandpa." said William.
"Okay...I'm gonna let her out by herself in the field." Wyatt said as he started undoing the saddle and halter off the horse.
"But wouldn't she just run off grandpa?" asked the young lady.
"Don't worry honey...I've done it a million times and she always comes back to the barn when it gets too hot." said Wyatt as he tapped the horse on her back, making it walk off into the field, feeding on the grass.
"Have fun Rainbow Girl!" Sarah yelled at the horse. The horse swiveled it's ears and looked at the little girl, swishing her tail before going back to feeding on the ground. "See that...she already knows my voice!" she aid to her mother and father.
"That's great sweetie! Now let's get back to the house, it's time for your bath." she said.
"But I wanna stay with grandpa!" Sarah said.
"Fine...you can help your grandpa clean up int he barn." said Penny.
"I wanna help out with grandpa too." William said, making Wyatt smile.
"Thanks buddy...come on you guys, we'll feed the goats and pigs while we're at it." said Wyatt, holding Sarah's hand while William walked beside them.
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Later that night, the couple was in the living room with Susan and Wyatt when the kids came in, talking in hushed tones.
"Just do it yourself...don't make me do it for you." William said to his sister.
"Fine." said Sarah as she went to snuggle up to her father, crawling under his arm and hugging Leonard tight and being clingy, surprising all of them.
"Uh...what is happening?" asked Susan.
"Oh my god...I'm in trouble now." said Leonard.
"What's going on?" Wyatt asked, surprised by his granddaughter's action.
Leonard sighed and held his daughter. "Honey...what is it? Tell me." he said, smiling at her.
"Daddy...I wanna live here." said Sarah, making her parents and grandparents laugh.
"Oh honey...our life is in California." said Leonard. "And you and your brother are gonna go to school in three weeks." he added.
"But I'm smart...I can go to any school...right?" said Sarah.
"Sweetheart...we cannot live here...our life is in California." said Penny, hoping her daughter would understand. "Why do you want to live here anyway?"
"I want to spend more time with Rainbow Girl...and the other animals too." said Sarah. "Daddy please...I want to live here!" she said.
"Oh honey...I'm sorry but we have to go back to California." said Leonard as Sarah started crying.
"You don't love me anymore!" Sarah yelled while crying before getting off the couch and going to sit between Wyatt and Susan, seeking solace with her grandparents.
"Aww come on honey...your parents love you so much." said Susan, consoling her granddaughter.
"They don't love me...because they don't want me to be happy!" Sarah said as she continued crying on her shoulder.
Penny stood up and sat beside Susan, taking Sarah into her arms. "Come here sweetheart...your dad and I love you so much." she said as Sarah hugged her mother. "Let's get you to bed...time to sleep...and we'll talk again tomorrow okay?" she said.
"Are you and daddy gonna change your mind tomorrow?" Sarah asked.
"Tell you what...we'll be staying her for three weeks and you have all that time to convince us otherwise...alright?" Penny said while wiping off her tears. and carrying the little girl in her arms.
"Okay mommy...I'll do my best." said the little girl.
Penny kissed her daughter. "That's my girl... now let's go upstairs so I can put you and your brother to bed." she said as she nodded her head at William.
"Your daughter is really something Leonard." said Wyatt as they look at Penny and the kids climb the stairs.
Leonard sighed. "You can say that again." he said.
"Are you worried that she's gonna bring up that topic again?" asked Susan.
"I wouldn't worry about it...we'll just distract her with other things." said Leonard, making Wyatt and Susan laugh.