A/N Thank you so much for your reviews, I just love the input. I still own nothing.
After they checked into their rooms, they wandered around the hotel for a while; then deciding they needed to eat supper before heading over to the Goddards they ate at the hotel.
When they arrived at the house they were surprised and impressed.
Howard spoke up, "Wow, looks like they are pretty well off."
When they rang the doorbell, the door was opened by Pierre. After he greeted them, he escorted them into the living room where the others, including Gerard, were waiting.
Leonard began, "Hey, guys, have any trouble finding your way?"
Bernadette answered, "No, the directions were excellent." She looked around, "Your house looks beautiful."
Pierre smiled, "Thank you, it has been in our family for generations."
Leonard spoke up, "The Goddards are the descendants of French royalty."
Gerard smiled, "Yeah, we have the honor of an ancestor losing his head in the French Revolution."
Howard blurted out, "You are descended from Louis XVI?"
Pierre laughed, "No, I am afraid our ancestor was just a lowly duke." He continued, "That turned out to be fortunate since our ancestors did not lose everything as much of the royalty did."
Marie, who had been sitting quietly holding Warren, "Would you like to see the rest of the house?"
When they quickly said yes, Marie handed Warren to Leonard and asked them to follow her.
After they had completed their tour, being even more impressed, they returned to the living room. They had been surprised that they had seen no servants.
Raj finally could not resist, "Do you take care of this house all by yourselves?"
Bernadette quickly said, "Raj!"
Pierre smiled, "it's all right. We have a maid that works during the weekdays and does the cleaning and helps with the cooking." He smiled ruefully, "This house is probably too big for us, but we do not have the heart to leave it. As I said, it has been in our family for generations."
Pierre continued, "I apologize, I have been a terrible host. Can I get you anything? We have an excellent wine."
Everyone agreed. Bernadette offered to help and soon everyone was fortified with a glass.
When they took a sip, everyone was impressed. Raj spoke up, "This is wonderful." Before thinking he blurted out, "Too bad Penny isn't here." He quickly realized his mistake and then compounded it, "I mean, someone we know …"
Gerard spoke up, "it's all right, Raj." He took a sip, "Actually, I am glad you mentioned her, I have wanted to ask if you were still in contact with her."
Leonard spoke up, "She still lives in the same apartment building." He looked at Pierre and Marie, "When I was in California, I spent some time with her and Sheldon." He hesitated, "She was very supportive and helped me through it."
There was a long awkward silence, finally Marie broke it, looking at her husband, "Were you planning to tell Monique?"
Leonard was shocked, "Of course. In fact, Penny was there when…." He took a breath, "I was going to introduce her to Monique." He took a sip and went on, "I hoped they could know each other. I knew that Monique would want to meet her."
He took a deep breath, "It bothers me what you appear to be thinking. I loved Monique more than anything in the world. Penny hurt me deeply but she had once been my friend. I am not ashamed to say I was glad to see her again. And whatever you think, I know Monique would have wanted to meet her."
He went on, "I am sorry this has come up. I am sorry that it bothers you. It might interest you to know that she wanted to join us, to support me, but she didn't because she was afraid it would be awkward."
He got to his feet, "I am a little tired from the trip. I am going to get Warren settled in and go to bed. I will see you all in the morning."
Gerard called out, "Wait, Leonard."
He turned to his parents, "Are you going to let him go? I admit when Raj first mentioned her name, I was a little upset too. But we all know how much Monique loved Leonard and how much he loved her."
Marie spoke up, "Leonard. I cannot say I am thrilled that you spent time with her, but I love you as my son. And Gerard's right, we all know how much you and Monique were in love. I also think you are right; Monique would have liked to meet her. I am sorry for what I said."
Leonard turned back, "I am sorry, too. I love all of you and would never want to hurt you, especially now." He crossed over and gave Marie a hug, which she returned.
Bernadette spoke up, tearing up a little, "It is getting a little late, we should be getting back to the hotel."
Pierre, who had also hugged Leonard, "Thank you for coming. It is so wonderful to have you here."
Checking to be sure they had the time and location for the viewing, they all said their goodnights.
Saying they should be turning in too, the Goddards said goodnight to Leonard and Gerard and headed up the steps.
Gerard turned to Leonard, "I am not ready for bed, would you like a beer?"
Leonard answered, "Sounds good. Just let me get Warren put to bed."
Sometime later they sat on the couch nursing a beer. Gerard spoke first, "It's too bad Penny's name came up like that. I didn't realize my parents had such strong feelings about her. I mean I knew they were aware you and she had been involved, but I thought they knew Monique was not bothered at all."
"I guess I hadn't even thought about it. Once I knew Monique understood and was okay with it, I didn't think much about it." He took a swig from his bottle, "I really believed they would have got along." He sighed, "Maybe I was kidding myself."
"No, I think you were right. Monique never could hold a grudge or feel badly toward anyone. I often thought she was maybe a little too naïve." He smirked, "Of course, if she thought there was still something between you and Penny, she would have been all over her."
Leonard smirked, "Would have gone all France on her."
Seeing the look on Gerard's face, "Never mind, just a private joke."
After a few moments Leonard went on, "It has always been kind of strange about Penny and me. I was attracted to her from the first moment I met her. It wasn't just her looks. We became really good friends. It was probably a mistake to get involved. Don't get me wrong, it was good between us, but there was always something missing. I just didn't want to admit it."
Taking another drink, he went on, "I sometimes think she got with Sheldon because I just refused to believe we shouldn't be together. She hurt me deeply and I wondered what was wrong with me; why no one could love me. Then I met Monique and I realized what love really was. For perhaps the first time in my life, I really liked who I was. If someone like Monique could love me, I decided I must be a pretty good guy."
He finished the bottle and said quietly, "When Monique died, I lost a part of me."
Gerard was amazed, he had never expected Leonard to open up like this. He had always known they were good for each other and he knew how much Monique loved Leonard but he now knew Leonard had loved her as much.
They sat there silently for a time as Gerard finished off his beer. Then saying their goodnights, they both headed for their rooms.