Chapter 29

A Holiday Romance

Penny woke that morning feeling a million dollars and on top of the world after Leonard, the previous evening, had declared his thanks to her, his beloved wife Penny, for her valued support in front of 600 top scientists, "My god, and there I was thinking last month that he was not bothered about seeing less of me?", and despite her experience as an actress, Penny still found her legs shaking, as she climbed the steps to join Leonard, and at the tumultuous applause, she just could not stop her tears, She was so overwhelmed by their high regard and esteem for her Dear husband and after they had descended, someone had handed Leonard a sealed envelope, which Leonard passed to Penny, for her to to hold for him, then for the rest of the time she went, lovingly holding tight to her Leonard's arm, and going from scientist to scientist thanking them for their kindness then while they were on their way to greet another, she laughed delightedly as Leonard whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, they're more afraid of you". Then on their tired but happy return back to the Rose and Crown where She suddenly realized she was still holding the letter and handed it to Leonard to open.

The letter read as follows

To my esteemed colleague Dr Leonard Hofstadter PhD

Dear Doctor Hofstadter

I had decided to retire from the chair as head of the Physics department a month before this conference in England. and I took the liberty of recommending that you Doctor Hofstadter succeed me and it is to my great pleasure to inform you that my suggestion has been met with unanimous approval from the board of governors.

We feel that not only because of your valuable contribution to physics over the years but also as a dedicated family man with a beautiful and clever wife and three pretty daughters. That you are just the image we want to have, to take up the chair as head of physics here at Cal-Tech.

In the face of Dr Sheldon Cooper you may not thank me but if I can recommend Dr Howard Wolowitz PhD as your assistant this should make things go more smoothly for you as he seems to be able to handle Dr Cooper better than any of us put together.

I bid you every success in your new assignment, and now I say, Au Revoir.

Dr Eric Gablehauser

your colleague and friend.

Leonard, dumbstruck handed the letter to Penny, who, after reading it, became just as speechless as Leonard.

Hence the reason for Penny's excited state this morning added to that their holiday was starting today, as Penny would have her whole family with her and while thinking of one particular and very special member of that family she turned to him then sliding her left leg between his legs, she began kissing him passionately and got herself totally excited another way.

Leonard even though woken up by Penny's kisses, promptly threw his arms around her, so happy to share some quality time with his beautiful wife.

Later, while on the train to London, Leonard was sitting there and mulling over the contents of Dr Gablehauser's letter, when he suddenly sat bolt upright as the realization hit him at the unpleasant task, he would have to carry out.

It was not the task of chairing the physics department of Cal-Tech that worried him, it was the fact that Dr Gablehauser running out of ideas on what on earth he could do with Dr Sheldon Cooper, and had hit on the idea of appointing him as assistant head, and hoping that the extra responsibility on Dr Cooper's shoulders might make him to be a more rounded out individual. But in reality Dr Gablehauser had created a monster and now Leonard had been given the task of removing Sheldon and replacing him with Dr Howard Wolowitz, and the thought of facing an indignant Sheldon Cooper, brought him out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately he still had two weeks with his family before then and Leonard felt there was really no point in worrying about it now. And Leonard turned his thoughts back to earlier that morning. When the series had demanded more of Penny's time, these precious together moments had become increasingly infrequent and when it did occur it just didn't feel the same for Leonard. But that morning, Wow, it was so special Leonard felt like turning cartwheels, at once again experiencing that wonderful feeling of the tender closeness between Penny and himself. So much so that the couple became like courting teenagers throughout the rest of the holiday.

Which prompted Honey Marie to ask her Grandmother, if her Mom and Dad were OK?, and was reassured by Beverly that things between her parents were just as they should be, and Honey Marie was told to think herself lucky that she had a wonderful Mom and Dad who loved each other very much.

Beverley then asked them all if they wouldn't mind if she could stay at the pub as she was feeling a little under the weather today, so therefore it was just Leonard, Penny and the three girls that were going up to London today.

Their first point of call, was at Trafalgar Square where the three girls were more interested in the lions and especially the fountains, rather than the historical significance of the person represented by the statue in the center, high above them.

And Penny was immediately reminded of a line of another song their taxi driver from Gatwick had sung.

"I live in Trafalgar Square with four lions to guard me, pigeons and sparrers all over the place"

They then walked down towards Whitehall and Downing street which was the home of the Prime Minister.

Angela whispered in an aside to her Mom "Our President's house is much nicer, couldn't the English buy the Prime Minister one like that then?". "I think the Prime minister likes living there honey", Penny whispered back. They walked back past the Cenotaph and when Leonard saw it, He shook his head sadly thinking of the same memorials in the USA, and the huge amount of blood that was shed by people on both sides of the Atlantic, and all to try to gain peace.

Tiring of walking, they decided that it was time for dinner and tried one of those Angus steak houses. (Penny even now still insisted that she was a vegetarian except for steak, burgers, Kung po chicken and barbecues and KFC and etc., etc.). In the afternoon, it was more walking, with a tour round the Tower of London and when the girls heard that it dated back to the 11th century with King William 1st, April asked, "is it the oldest thing in England then?", while Leonard informed her that Stonehenge which dated to about 2500BC was probably the oldest and he promised to show April a photograph on his laptop that evening.

Penny then had a fit of the vapours as she gazed at the crown jewels thinking wouldn't the Koh-I-Noor diamond look good as a pendant round her neck while other diamonds would look so good as rings on my fingers and perhaps a gold bar or two on my dressing table for ornaments, in fact so wistful was the look on Penny's face that Leonard whispered to her, "Sorry honey, much as I'd like to buy them for you, I just can't afford them", to which Penny demanded, "What!, so you don't think I'm worth them?, you just don't love me any more do you Hofstadter?", she said, pretending to be outraged.

Leonard told her from his heart, that she was worth more than all the jewels in the world to him and kissed her.

"You flatterer", she said smiling at him, "nice save Hofstadter".

Then they stopped at the site at tower green where Ann Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey were executed. The girls took great morbid interest at the bloody accounts of the executions. But Penny shuddered thinking of Lady Jane Grey who was only 16 years of age when she was executed.

Finally footsore and weary it was time to head back to Cambridgeshire.

As the train pulled into Duxford, Leonard took the girls bags and their souvenirs a teddy bear dressed in the uniform of the Coldstream Guards, another dressed like the Yeoman of the Tower and a red telephone box and three toy Routemaster double deck buses.

Penny feeling tired herself and with her own souvenir, a Union jack canvas bag over her shoulder, woke the girls with some difficulty and all shivered as they stepped from the warm carriage, and reluctantly into the chilly night only to have to wait 30 minutes for a taxi.

As soon as they entered the pub the girls rushed for their beds only to be diverted with much protesting, to the bathroom by Leonard to wash and clean their teeth.

Penny meanwhile had wearily entered the public bar in search of Beverley, and suddenly stopped short in shock.

Beverley and Mike were sat close together at the table, deep in conversation, And they were holding hands!.

Penny was suddenly wide awake. "It's nice to see them isn't it", said Andrea from behind her.

"My uncles been so incredibly lonely now ever since my aunt died two years ago. The Rose and Crown was to be their dream for when he retired from the London fire brigade but after only three months after they arrived my Aunt suddenly died. And since then he has just completely lost interest in it now", Andrea added, giving him a sad smile.

Later that Night, Mike said goodnight to old Harry and then locked up for the night. Then, as he washed Harry's glass, he considered his situation. Although they had only known each other for a few days Mike, to his surprise, realized that he had strong feelings for Beverley and Beverley had told him earlier that she felt exactly the same.

He thought back to of their conversation with earlier.

"Mike, I know we are from totally different backgrounds and even more so, totally different countries. But I believe, that we have so much in common, and I would really like for us to be something more and I would like to know if you feel the same?".

Mike had confessed to her, that he felt the same way, "Hey", he thought to himself, "I could either be like old Harry, In here every night mulling over one pint of beer (the old age pension never stretched to much), ever since his Missus had to go into that care home. Or I can take a chance and see what happiness there is down the old frog & toad with Beverley. And Mike decided there and then, he would take the chance.

"Leonard, when did you realize that you were in love with Penny?", Beverley nervously clasping and unclasping her hands, asked of him the next day.

"It was the day she moved into apartment 4b, when I first saw her the butterflies in my stomach immediately started doing aerobatics and my hands started sweating and I felt so nervous and could barely speak. But I just knew in my heart that she was the one, She treated me like a fellow Human Being , instead of looking down on me, like all the hot girls I met would usually do . Trouble was I just could not believe that she would ever be interested in me as a boyfriend, so for a long time I was just too afraid to ask her for a date, I couldn't bear the rejection".

"That's what happened when I saw Mike. The butterflies that is. I had never believed in love at first sight, and I ignored it as just a silly fantasy, when other people had told me about their experiences, as I practiced Psychiatry.

But over these last few days, I have found that I have been absolutely fascinated by everything he does, and I find in myself, that the only place I want to be is wherever he is. So is that love Leonard?", she asked him, still wringing her hands.

"Didn't you feel the same with dad?", Leonard questioned.

"Don't get me wrong I liked your father very much, but no I had never felt like this before?", she explained "I admired your father's intellect greatly and I suspect our admiration was mutual, but it was never like this, in fact I doubted that You and Penny would last together, but I was wrong, for I have seen that the love you two have for each other is incredible. And now I very much want to experience that love for myself", she added.

"Then I guess it's love", Leonard stated simply, "Does Mike know how you feel?"

"He knows I have strong feelings for him but I wanted to see what you thought before I started making plans with him, like will I move here or will he come to live in Pasadena?, all these things we will have to discuss together". Beverly answered.

"Well then,", Leonard smiled encouragingly, " I guess you had better find him and start discussing your future plans together, I am so pleased for you", Leonard told her.

Beverley smiled shyly, stood up and hugged her son, feeling so happy and grateful for his support, then she went to find Mike.

Penny, despite Leonard giving his approval was worried, Beverley had been forced to face through her loneliness, her emotions, And becoming a much more warmer and kinder person as a result. And if Mike was possibly, just stringing her along, Beverly would be very hurt indeed and could regress back to the cold analytical person, that she was before. And Penny had grown to love the new Beverley very much.

Therefore Penny badly needed to talk to Mike, and Mike, she had heard, had just received the cylinder head back from the engineering workshop.

And Penny decided, it was time She returned to her mechanics career.

Penny rushed upstairs and changed into the cheap jeans and sweatshirt she had purchased from a local shop, then she quickly made her way round to the garage, where Mike was just about to begin, and wordlessly, handed her a pair of overalls he had found and while Penny donned these, he removed the protective oilcloth covering the cylinder block

They worked together in silence for a while until it had reached the stage to refill the radiator with fresh coolant, then Penny took the opportunity to ask Mike how things were going with Beverley.

Mike confessed to her, That earlier that day Mike had slipped out furtively to Cambridge and had purchased an engagement ring, "I know you may think I'm stupid and just rushing into things", he began, "You see since my wife, I had no desire whatsoever, in meeting anyone romantically at all, until I set eyes on your mother in law, and then suddenly I found that I just wanted so much to know everything about her, and then the icing on the cake, finding out that she cared for me just as much as I care for her, So I regard my intention to ask her to marry me just seemed the natural, logical and right thing to do", Mike explained

Penny felt like turning handsprings in the tiny garage as she saw that his eyes matched his words, "I'm so happy for the two of you, but FYI, don't mention 'logical' to Beverley, as I am sure she would like the most gushy romantic proposal ever", Penny instructed.

And later that evening Mike got down on one knee and tremblingly holding the ring he had purchased earlier, he asked Beverley, in the most romantic manner possible, If she would condescend to marry him, and a quite emotional but very happy Beverly said, "yes, yes please".

It had been decided between Mike and Beverley that Mike would sell the pub and move to Pasadena where he hoped his knowledge over the years in the London Fire Brigade would help him gain part-time employment inspecting premises and ensuring they were being compliant with fire regulations and advising them of any changes they would need to put in place if necessary. So for Beverley and Mike, the rest of the time for them was spent in getting a special marriage license and also ascertaining from the American embassy, the legal hoops required to enable Mike's emigration to the USA.

Three days later, Mike took all the Hofstadter's to see where he grew up in the East end of London

On emerging out of Walthamstow central tube station they headed for the street market in the high street where to Penny, it was just like a scene from one of her favourite movies, 'Notting Hill', and was half expecting to see Hugh Grant walking through the market, where a fruit and veg stallholder was shouting out the prices of bananas and cox's apples to shoppers passing by.

On a clothing stall Beverley gasped as she saw the perfect dress for her forthcoming wedding to Mike and carefully purchased it without Mike seeing.

After shopping for a couple of hours Mike took them to a traditional place for cockney fare 'Manze's' for pie, mash and jellied eels. Mike revealed that he had tried the jellied eels in Southend on-Sea once but he quickly decided he did not like them. The girls scrunched up their faces in disgust at the thought of eating eel pies, but were mollified when Mike told them that the pies were steak and kidney ones. Leonard meanwhile was reading the reading the Hymn list, 'Double pie, mash and liquor...£3.00, was puzzled and asked Mike why did they pour alcohol on the food. Mike explained quietly so that the girls didn't hear, was that the liquor was in fact made up from the water they used to boil the eels and added parsley, seasoning and thickeners to it, making a tasty gravy. Penny was puzzled at the bottles of vinegar on the tables and was told by mike that it was the usual thing to put vinegar on the pies, but she was stunned to see the interior was still as it was when it was first opened in the 1920's and quickly made mental notes how she could incorporate some of the tile designs in her interior design business, and she was especially delighted with the original wooden settles, that furnished the seating area.

Mike couldn't be sure if they liked their meals, or had only eaten them, just to be polite, but as his eyes were mainly on his Bride to be, he didn't notice Penny was wolfing hers down, while Leonard liked his just as much but displayed a little more decorum than Penny.

When they had finished eating, they left Manze's and began to walk back up the market towards Hoe street and then with the girls starting to tire, they turned and made for the tube station and then back to Cambridgeshire.

Back at the pub, Penny and the girls tried the cox's apples they bought at the stall earlier and between them they quickly polished them off so when Leonard went to try one he was disappointed to find there were none left, so Penny had to promise to buy more tomorrow.

Beverley enjoyed the visit back to where Mike grew up as it made her feel closer to him by telling her of his life growing up in London's East End, and also, because she was visiting a part of London tourists rarely saw.

The next day Leonard and Penny took the girls to the natural history museum in South Kensington London, while Leonard would have liked to have nipped next door to the science museum, but Penny kept a close eye on him, "He's not going to leave me alone with the girls if I can help it", she thought. The girls were particularly excited to see the dinosaur skeletons and Angela to the concern of Penny took exceptional interest in the shrunken heads of the native South Americans. "I'm beginning to think Angela has been in Emily's company a bit too much", Penny commented to Leonard.

So this was the pattern they settled into, they would spend one day in Cambridge, and the next day further afield, and to Leonard's delight they went on a visit to the Science Museum which as she expected was very frustrating for Penny, as Leonard insisted on reading every exhibits description and so it took them ages to get round the museum.

On the Wednesday evening, Penny went with Andrea to Tesco's supermarket to pick up the food for the wedding on Friday. And as they were exchanging a trolley with a wonky wheel for a good one, Andrea spoke up, "I saw you". Penny puzzled, "Where?", "the other week outside the pub about 11 at night", Andrea added.

Penny clasped her hands to her mouth in embarrassment as the realization struck her what exactly Andrea was referring to, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know anyone was there", Penny apologized, and blushing to the roots of her hair.

"It's OK, I needed to see it, you see I'm ashamed to say I flirted with your husband the day after you all arrived, I was so star struck by him you see, but I saw the look on his face when he looked at you and I could see quite plainly that he loves you so very much. I'm sorry for flirting and I'm glad I saw how he felt, and the bonus is that now I know, if I ever am lucky enough to meet a man that looks at me the way Leonard looks at you, I'll snap him up immediately", Penny smiled, "Apology accepted Andrea and welcome to the family for tomorrow", then Penny gave her a hug.

The Thursday was taken up by preparations for the wedding on Friday, Mike tried on his suit, he had had it for years but found to his annoyance that it had long ceased to fit him, so he rushed out with Leonard into Cambridge to buy another.

Andrea cooked all day for the little reception they would be holding here in the Rose and Crown while Beverley and Penny had gone to the local salon to have their hair done for tomorrow. While the girls amused themselves outside with the football (soccer).

That night Mike stayed the night with old Harry, who was glad of the company and pleased to be asked to be best man by Mike.

The next morning was all panic as the women rushed here and there getting ready while Mike and old Harry made their way by Mike's car to the register office in Cambridge, while the Women and Leonard made their way by the MPV that Beverley had hired the week before last.

Leonard and Andrea stood as witnesses, Penny just could not stop her tears and finally Mr Mike & Dr Beverley Jones emerged from the Registry office.

The reception though a quiet affair was a pleasant one, Old Harry that night got more than one pint of bitter, (So did Penny, five pints of London Pride this time, before she ended up snoring in Leonard's ear again).

The Saturday was a little sad as they flew back to LAX, as Mike had to stay for the sale of the pub and sort out his affairs and also waited for the Legalities to be tied up for his move to Pasadena.

But even though it was a short while, Leonard was saddened at seeing his mother cry so much.

The Monday for Leonard was strange going back to Cal-Tech not to his lab but to the office of The Head of the physics Department in the afternoon there was a little gathering to welcome the new head, Dr Leonard Hofstadter PhD in the canteen and in the spirit of the family image Penny, his Daughters and his very proud Mother were there too. Leonard circled around thanking people for their congratulations when a sudden cry of 'Leonard', and a flying female marine Biologist greeted him with a bear hug and kissed him excitedly on the cheek. "My you certainly have gone up in the world, haven't you".

"H, Hi Mandy", Leonard greeted her nervously, "long time no see", he added, fearfully looking round for Penny.

At hearing the name, Penny's face grew dark like a thundercloud and she began to head towards them.

Just as Leonard spied Penny rapidly approaching him, Sheldon butted in, "Dr Hofstadter If I can have a moment of your time please it is rather urgent", he said rather stiffly. And with one look at Penny's face, Leonard quickly decided to agree to Sheldon's request and led him to his new office.

"What is it Sheldon", Leonard said wearily, dreading the moment he sees Penny again.

"Sir as you know Dr Gablehauser appointed me assistant head and I have had no peace at all since. I'm trying to do important work and all I get is interruptions from Minions wanting this or wanting that, and I have had enough and I respectfully wish for you to accept my resignation from this post forthwith, Leonard could not believe his ears, all this time he had been in anguish over how he was going to tell Sheldon he was being removed from the post.

"OK Sheldon it is with deep regret that I accept your resignation", Sheldon gratefully assumed his koala face, "Thank you Dr Hofstadter", Sheldon said brightening visibly.

"how about if I appoint Dr Howard Wolowitz to the post?", Leonard asked him.

"A most excellent idea Leonard, that will certainly teach that grease monkey upstart a lesson" and an elated Dr Sheldon Cooper then left the office.

While Leonard had retreated quickly to his office, Mandy spied Penny walking towards her, "So you must be the famous Penny?, we heard all about you on the Hawking expedition from Leonard", Mandy told her.

This brought Penny up short but she quickly recovered her composure, "And you must be the Mandy who gnawed his face off", Penny told her.

"I know he told you, and as he related to me, it seemed you had an exceptional difficulty forgiving him over it, well Penny, did he also tell you he called me Penny?", Penny her mouth agape shook her head.

"Honey Leonard had been so miserable on the boat because he was missing you, so miserable in fact that Geoff, Dr Parker, spiked his coffee and only after Leonard had drunk it could we convince him to party at all, and it was while he was drunk he kissed me, but he was so drunk he thought I was you", "then when he realized he had in fact kissed me, he was so mortified he had cheated on you, which sure did my ego a lot of good, I can tell you".

Penny was horrified, and could only gape at her and then she began to cry.

Mandy quickly took Penny's arm and steered her into an empty office.

"I, I though he didn't miss me at all when I heard him partying when he phoned me, but instead, all the time he was missing me terribly".

"Honey, you're not kidding, I ain't never seen anyone so depressed till I saw Leonard on that boat,

and I swear to you girl, it 'was' just a kiss".

Mandy helped Penny to repair the damage to her mascara and left. While Penny went to find Leonard.

Opening his office door she saw him sitting there, He was in fact at that moment thinking what on earth he can say to her that would alleviate her fears, and he nervously jumped when Penny entered, but was absolutely astonished to see that Penny was instead smiling broadly at him with adoration in her eyes.

She turned and locked the door.

"What are you doing?", he asked her nervously.

"Take off your clothes honey", she said unbuttoning her dress, "We are now going to christen your new office.