The Hofstadter Change Continuation,

Chapter 4

Once everyone had a coffee. And Wyatt had joined Penny with, (To his chagrin,) a glass of orange juice. Penny led Leonard, (Whose hand, Stella had noted, Penny had not released since Leonard's arrival,) and once Mr and Mrs Hofstadter, were in position and facing everyone. Penny announced,

"Please everyone, we, well Leonard and me, We're going to have twins!"

Susan, though she had guessed correctly that Penny was expecting again, but as Susan did not have any inkling whatsoever that Penny might possibly be pregnant with twins.

With the result that Susan still wept tears of joy as she, with Wyatt, excitedly hugged their daughter and son in law in congratulations.

Amy and Bernadette also joined in, in congratulating the couple, in order that Penny's parents would not discover that the two close friends of Penny's already knew.

Stella too wholeheartedly embraced Mr and Mrs Hofstadter, feeling a lot more secure now having seen clear evidence of the couples devotion for each other, now Joe would be working at the farm..

Then Leonard, accompanied by Penny. went to call his family and tell them the wonderful news.

XXXXXXX

Stella, after her introduction to Penny's friends commented.

"I just can't believe how much Penny has changed?." she revealed to Amy and Bernadette.

Before she continued to explain.

"You know, she stole not one, but two of my boyfriends and did the same thing to my friends.

And when Joe, my husband told me he had an interview for a job here, Well! I came here with him, all guns blazing to sabotage it and expose her for the horrible slut that she is.

But instead of a Vamp, I found a loving mother who was very concerned over her little girl. And also a very happily married woman, who proudly showed me her wedding photograph of her and her husband. And I realized that I had found instead a woman that I would very much like to call a friend."

"Well I can guarantee Stella, the only man Penny will ever be interested in is her Leonard", Bernadette told Stella.

Amy agreed, then remembered an incident some time ago. "Do you remember that time when Leonard was dating Priya, and we took Penny to a club to find her a fit Hunks heiney to bite. Hoping to help her get over Leonard?.

Bernadette remembered immediately, "yeah, when we got there, sure she soon got hit on but she just didn't seem interested. So after a couple of hours without her choosing anyone. And by this time our Penny had downed quite a few drinks, and we asked her has she chosen anyone yet?, and to our astonishment she said, 'No I'm still waiting for Leonard!' And then she got all depressed and begged us to take her home.

A whole nightclub full of hunky guys, but the only man that Penny wanted to love her, was Leonard. So I think your worries for your husband are needless."

"Yeah, Penny was so down she didn't even want to stop and buy an electric toothbrush?" Amy recalled.

At Stella's questioning look. Bernadette gave a slight shake of the head. As if to say, 'Don't ask.'

"So, How did they get back together again?" Stella asked, now intrigued by the couple's story.

"Well," Bernadette volunteered, "Priya cheated on Leonard with her ex boyfriend and a few weeks after that, Leonard asked Penny for a date."

"Oh!, how romantic," Stella shrieked her delight.

"Yes, it was. We were there at Penny's apartment at the time.

It was a hell of a shock too. For us to witness our worldly wise -devil may care, seen it all before, Penny. Transform into the most nervous, first time going on a date girl, we had ever seen," Amy added.

"Yeah, I think Penny tried on every dress in her wardrobe. To find the one that Leonard would like the best. And Howard told me later that Leonard was just as nervous in trying to look his best for Penny," Bernadette told Stella.

"And so, here they are today. back together with a lovely little family," Stella gushed, her eyes wide with the romanticism of it all.

"Yeah, you're right. They do make a cute family don't they." Bernadette agreed, then added, "I think in the end. They both knew deep down though that they needed each other. Penny brought Leonard out of his shell, and made him more confident. While Leonard helped Penny to learn the value of thinking a little more deeply about her life and her actions."

Meanwhile Penny was at that moment speaking with Leonard, when she suddenly remembered that he had arrived by cab, and feeling rather puzzled she asked Leonard, "When do we get the car Honey? I'm going to need it for my OB/GYN appointments, as well as other things like supermarkets, etc.?"

But Leonard just gave her that secretive smile which he often wore before he would give her a pleasant surprise.

Surprises which Penny absolutely hated. As it made her so maddeningly curious, that she would be aching to find out what Leonard had up his sleeve.

Then Leonard beckoned to Amy and Bernadette to come over.

Once the two women had walked over to join Leonard and Penny. Leonard asked them to tell Penny where Leonard's car was.

"It's Mine," Bernadette declared, "I own it now."

Penny, not knowing what was going on. Asked Leonard to explain how she was going to get anywhere without a car. Or was he expecting his precious wife and daughter, to travel in the front of a battered old pickup truck?

But Amy explained that Bernadette's mini van now belonged to Penny as a gift from herself and Bernadette, and the two women would now be flying home in comfort.

"With all your little ones you are going to need it. I can sell Leonard's car and buy another mini van when I get home," then Bernadette smiled slyly as she added, "Especially as Leonard told me he wants another couple of kids once the twins have grown a little".

Penny was overwhelmed with her friends generosity and hugged them both with thanks. Before laughing as she told Bernadette, "If Leonard wants two more children then HE, can give birth to them next time."

XXXXXXX

The next Morning, Penny's new career began in earnest with a meeting between her father, Joe and herself.

It was quickly established that money on hand for the farm was limited.

"…...Sam said he doubted whether that old baler could take another repair. And the main tractor unit needs a service at the end of the month, and we have barely enough money for a new baler as it is," Wyatt told Joe in order to bring Joe up to speed on the finances available.

"If Sam says it wont take another repair, then we can be sure he knows what he is talking about," Penny pointed out.

"Oh well, at least it will save us the cost of getting an engineer to look at it,", Joe grimaced.

Joe was secure in his own mind that Wyatt knew how to run a farm. All the hands were needed by the farm, so letting a couple of the men go was out of the question. As was cutting their. weekly wage

Somehow savings had to be made, but how?

Penny thought of the money that she and Leonard had saved together, perhaps they could use that for the farm. But she would obviously have to speak with Leonard first before she could say anything in a meeting. Also her father now needed a bedroom on the first floor. To avoid him having to use the stairs.

Although there was a toilet and a shower by the utility room her parents would still need a dedicated en suite, as well as a bedroom. The end of the house, where Wyatt's office was located, could be extended.

And on top of all that they would still need a dedicated farm office somewhere?

But this again would take quite a bit of money for the two projects to be realized. money, to Penny's frustration, they simply did not have.

It was decided in the end, that the first priority was to purchase the new baler.

And then their attention would be to make a careful examination of the books in order to see where more money could possibly be saved.

XXXXXXX

Leonard agreed to Penny using some of their savings, as they were living there rent free. It meant Penny was now able to get the tractor serviced at the end of the month. It also provided some money for other sundries the farm would need over the next month.

Though it was nowhere near enough to be able to fund all the projects Penny wanted to carry out. It did ease things a little in the meantime

Though Leonard insisted that they kept enough back for Penny, Honey Marie and their expectant twins needs.

The couple also decided to take Amy and Bernadette out for a meal on their last evening in Nebraska, to that popular Italian restaurant in Omaha that the local newspaper recommended, to thank them for their kindness in bringing Penny from Pasadena, and also for them giving her the mini van.

That night Penny slept fitfully, a combination of indigestion. Worrying over where on earth she could find the money she needed for her father, as well as for the farm. And added to that her pregnancy hormones were raging. All of which made her very short tempered.

Leonard had got up and washed, changed and fed his daughter, and prepared the couples breakfast. But after one quick glance at her breakfast, Penny rushed for the toilet to instantly alleviate her feelings of morning sickness, (which, unfortunately for Penny often continued into the late afternoon.)

Penny had never been a morning person. And now, being a mother and pregnant added to the stress of running the farm. Did not make her mornings any better.

So Leonard, fully aware of the strain that Penny was under. Decided to see if he could perhaps help on the farm, and hopefully learn something useful.

After changing into some old clothes he went outside to look around and ten minutes later he encountered Sam driving a tractor and trailer.

After offering his services, which Sam eagerly accepted. Leonard climbed unsteadily into the trailer and Sam headed for a ditch in which some John Doe had tipped some construction rubble into, and as Douglas County was expecting some more heavy rain after the frequent downpours a couple of days ago, which meant that clearing the ditch, and releasing any trapped water was vital if the adjoining field was not to suffer flooding.

XXXXXXX

After a little while Penny came to the conclusion that worrying about things that were beyond her control was certainly not going to solve her problems. Leonard almost always seemed to know what Penny needed and him giving her a little space helped her to think things through.

No. Penny decided she would just have to face things as they come. And hope a solution will soon present itself.

"Are you OK Sweetie?," Penny's mother asked her daughter. "Look Penny. I'm so sorry I had to drag you back here, but I didn't know what else to do."

"I know you were doing great in your career. And I am so grateful to you for coming back home."

Penny walked towards her mother and placed both hands on her mother's shoulders, "Mom, it's OK, really. The truth is I hated my job. I hated flirting with Doctors just to make sales. It just felt as if I was being unfair to Leonard. I know I left here with dreams of being a big star and to be rich, But now, I know I am certain in my heart I could not have achieved anything so much more valuable than what I have now.

I have a wonderful husband, I have your beautiful granddaughter and soon I will have these two as well", She said placing her hand on her tummy as she spoke.

You know, when I told Leonard on our wedding do-over that he makes me so incredibly happy, I was not exaggerating. So mom I am happy to have moved back here. Because ALL my family is here. All the treasure that I desire is here."

Susan smiled her thanks and hugged her daughter.

Penny, now feeling a little more cheerful. Collected her family's laundry and brought it down to the utility room. After leaving Honey Marie to have some, getting to know you time, with her grandmother.

She had just sorted and loaded the washing machine, when she heard someone call her from outside

So she stepped outside to find Sam, smiling broadly, as he sat on the tractor.

"Morning Mrs Hofstadter. Got a delivery fer yer," Sam added, sniggering as he did so.

Just as she was about to ask Sam what on earth he was on about, when a mud encrusted figure clumsily clambered out of the trailer.

"I sure like to see a body that are keen to get stuck in," Sam began, "Why, Dr Hofstadter here was so eager to start clearing out the ditch that he just dived straight in. Yep didn't wait for no help from no one. Seemed He was just fixin' to do the whole job his self." then Sam bust his sides in paroxysms of helpless laughter.

Leonard meanwhile, drew around him what little dignity he had left, and made his way into the house in a sort of stiff legged gait, which only served to produce more gleeful laughter from Sam.

Penny quickly followed Leonard into the utility room where she helped him off with his heavily soiled clothing. Before Leonard entered the shower to wash the mud from his person.

Once Leonard had had his shower and had his grazes seen to. And now dressed in his robe. (and it was only Penny's curiosity as to what exactly happened that she didn't emit that low animal growl she usually emitted when her Leonard was attired in that familiar way, that always got Penny going.)

"Well we pulled up alongside the ditch and I climbed down from the trailer to help Sam.

When I placed my standing foot onto a piece of rubble and I pitched head first into a couple of feet of water lying at the bottom of the ditch.

And it seems it was soil as well as rubble that was dumped, because when I was able to stand up I found I was covered in mud from head to foot.", Leonard explained sheepishly, I wanted to try and be useful to you, you see?" Leonard stated.

Penny laughed as she threw her arms around her husband, "OH Sweetie, Thank you for trying. I love you. I tell you what you can help me with," she said as she walked over and retrieved the farm accounts. "Have a look through these and see if you can find where we can save some money. And by the way Leonard, Just having you here with me is helping me immensely. As long as I have you by my side.

I know I am not facing it all alone," then she kissed him soundly, before returning to the laundry, as well as the muddy clothing.

Leonard placed a cushion on a seat at the table, and then gingerly sitting down, he began to read the figures.

XXXXXXX

Half an Hour later, Penny announced to Leonard that Honey Marie had been fed and changed and was with her grandma, and that she was taking Amy and Bernadette horse riding to show them the farm and also at the same time, Penny can check the perimeter fences for any needed repairs.

The next two hours passed by with Penny inspecting all the fences and outbuildings. While engaging in conversation with Bernadette as they rode.

Amy barely made more than a comment or two the whole time, as she was in daydreaming mode as she rode.

In her mind Amy was there, way back in the 19th century, at the time of the little house on the prairie.

Watching Sheldon Wilder as she sat on her horse. He was stripped to the waist, and his muscles rippled as he guided the mules as he ploughed the 10 acre field. Amy got quite warm watching him.

However her daydream was soon shattered when Penny introduced Amy to a modern day corn husker named John. That is to be precise a $500,000 dollar Jon Deere single pass corn cob harvester. Wyatt's pride and joy.

Eventually they came full circle to the cluster of buildings near the main entrance to the farm.

There was the house, that had been recently refurbished for the use of the new farm manager, Joe and his family.

The stables, and the now abandoned old barn. The barn had been built by Penny's grandfather, when he was a young man.

And despite it's weathered appearance, it still seemed in reasonable shape for it's age.

Wyatt had had a new barn built that was more central to the farm, and also more secure. As the old one had suffered some break-ins, and some equipment had been stolen in the past.

Penny was in thoughtful mood as they returned to the farmhouse. And as soon as she could she went to see if Leonard had any success in finding where savings could be made.

Leonard gingerly rose from his seat, feeling all the aches from the bruises on his body as he did so.

"Sorry Honey, the only saving I could possibly find, is to reduce our dependence on the energy supplier, and generate our own power. But to do so we would need to install a couple of wind turbines and site solar panels on all the outbuilding roofs. But that would cost us money initially to purchase and install all the equipment we would need," Leonard gently explained. Knowing that this news was certainly not what Penny wanted to hear.

Penny sighed in disappointment, "It's OK sweetie, thanks for looking for me. I was thinking maybe we could convert our old barn into an office with quarters upstairs. But again that would take money."

Then, after checking the time on her cell. Penny reminded Leonard that they needed to get ready for taking their friends to the restaurant. "Let's enjoy our time spent all together tonight, I must say I'm rather looking forward to it," Penny said as she headed for the bathroom.

However when the time came for them all to leave for the restaurant, Penny suddenly felt very reluctant to leave her little Princess behind.

As Honey Marie was still fretful. But at the first sight of her little red cheeks and frequent dribbling.

Susan guessed correctly that Honey Marie was cutting a tooth.

"It's Fine sweetie, I can cope with this," she smiled at her daughter Penny as she added, "I have been through it before with you and your sister and brother you know. Now go on, enjoy yourself. When you have your twin babies you won't get much opportunity to dine out you know."

And only after many promises to ring Penny immediately if any problems arose, did Penny regretfully leave Honey Marie in the care of her grandmother, and join her husband and friends as they walked to the mini-van.

Bernadette smiled to herself as she strapped herself in, thinking to herself as she did so that Penny is going to make a great mom.

XXXXXXX

As soon as the waiter brought their drinks over, Leonard knew what kind of evening he was in for,

when Bernadette immediately proposed a toast and declared, "Here's mud in your eye."

Leonard grinned sheepishly in response, and took a sip from his own drink.

For Penny it was a little depressing, she would soon be saying goodbye to her dearest friends, besides which almost the whole time at the restaurant was spent with the four of them reminiscing on the events of the fun times that they all had spent together while living in Pasadena.

Although there was one lighthearted period when Amy described her utter torment the first time she had to take care of a sick Sheldon.

As her husband and her two friends had been drinking alcohol, Penny drove home and soon found herself to be the only one still awake in the car. And as she drove she thought back to that first day she moved out of Kurt's. Things had looked pretty bleak that morning. The rent for the apartment she was moving to would take a large chunk of her wages, wages from the only job she was able to get at the time, a lowly waitress at the cheesecake factory. She remembered telling herself that in a week or so she would soon be a big star, enjoying the fame and the huge salary that went with it. Even though a small part of her knew this was an out and out lie.

She smiled as she glanced at her sleeping husband and smiled as she thought to herself, "At least if this farm turns out to be another failure, I will still have Leonard and my children. A great deal more than I had that morning over 12 years ago".

XXXXXXX

Upon finally reaching the farm Bernadette and Amy headed for their beds as they had an early flight the next morning. Penny kissed her husband awake and a bleary eyed Leonard, together with his wife made their way into the house to be met by Penny's mother who was trying to settle a fractious Honey Marie.

"Oh sweetie! Is it that tooth coming through", Penny said to her daughter as she took her from her mother Susan's arms.

"I'll push her in her stroller outside, maybe she will go to sleep that way?", Leonard suggested.

Penny smiled gratefully at her husband, and asked, "Could you do with some company sweetie?".

Leonard grinned as he replied in the affirmative, "Certainly, I'd love some. You know I never could turn down a request like that from a beautiful woman".

"As long as that woman is only me Hofstadter", Penny warned.

"Every time, Penny. Every time." Leonard answered wisely.

Wyatt had joined his wife and they watched as Leonard pushed the stroller along the farm track accompanied by Penny, who was lovingly holding Leonard's arm.

"Leonard. Do you think I'll be okay/. You know running the farm and all?," Penny asked her husband seriously.

"Yes I think you will do well. Let's face it Penny, You, with no experience at all. Procured yourself employment as a sales rep to become their top sales rep in just over a year. Honey even Bernadette said you were the most hard working person that she had ever come across. And I am sure you will be great at this too.

Penny beamed at Leonard and throwing grateful arms around him she kissed him fiercely.

"If you had told me that one day I would see our Penny happily married with family back then I would have thought you were plumb loco," Wyatt noted.

"Well I knew she would someday, Honey. Our Penny was just searching for something you see.", Susan observed.

"It's a pity she never found Leonard Sooner, could have saved a hole heap of trouble." Wyatt pointed out.

"Well first of all, She had to find out what she was searching for Wyatt," Susan explained.

"That don't make sense", Wyatt exclaimed.

"A Woman would understand," Susan replied mysteriously. Then added, "Do you know. Most of our hands have known her since she was a young girl, yet she insists they address her as Mrs Hofstadter. She is so proud of that name. And very proud of the good man she married".

"She's right there, Leonard's a great guy. Which reminds me, I'd better tell Leonard his Mother phoned, and she will be coming to see him tomorrow afternoon," Wyatt remembered.

"Leave it for tomorrow, Wyatt. Leave it for tomorrow," then taking her husband by the hand, Susan led him to bed.