Chapter 14

Catherine went back to New Jersey after two days. Penny came along with Leonard and Sarah to drop her off the airport. Leonard took out her luggage from the trunk as Sarah hugged her aunt.

"I'm gonna miss you baby girl!" Cathy said as she hugged her niece. "You be a good girl ok!?" Cathy kissed her. Sarah nodded. "Don't cry baby...I'll come and visit again soon ok!?" she rubbed the child's back.

"Promise?" Sarah asked as she wiped her tears.

"I promise honey!" Cathy hugged her again. She stood up and turned to Leonard and hugged him. "You take care of Sarah and Penny ok." she said to her brother. Leonard nodded as he hugged hie sister.

Cathy turned to Penny. "Bye Penny...it was nice meeting you...give me call if Leonard does something stupid or something ok?" she said as she hugged Penny.

"I will...have a safe flight Cathy….come and visit again ok?" Penny hugged her back.

After saying their goodbyes, Cathy took her luggage and went inside the airport. They waved at her and got into the car to go back home.

Penny requested three days off from the restaurant for her TV commercial shoot. The commercial is for a feminine hygiene product. She was told that the decision to choose her stemmed from the fact that she knew how to ride horses. The producers said this actually saved them some money as they didn't have to hire someone to train the actress for horse riding lessons. She made sure she was always prepared and early on set so the producers would have one less thing to worry about. It wouldn't help her career if the producers get mad at her for being late which was inexcusable.

She also took a lot of pictures and selfies during the entire shoot for her to show Leonard and Sarah. Leonard for his part would text her everyday to give her encouragement. Sometimes Penny would call him just to hear his voice and catch up on things at the university and his lab.

After three days of shooting, the director called 'it's a wrap' as the cast and crew moved together for a giant group hug. Penny was thankful it was over and hopeful that she can move on to her next project. She made sure to thank everyone in the crew and production staff as well as the producers and the director. After collecting her stuff from the dressing room, she took out her phone and dialed Leonard's number.

L: Hi honey! How are things on set?

P: Hi honey! We just wrapped up production. They'll go to post production and hopefully it will be shown within the next two weeks!

P: I missed you!

L: I missed you too. We can hang out later at dinner ok?

P: Or maybe we can celebrate!

L: Hmmm...sounds nice. Are you suggesting we go out to dinner or just order takeout?

P: I don't know...lets just order takeout...I'm kinda tired...maybe Thai or Mexican?

L: Ok...I'll ask Sarah what she wants...She'll be excited...she misses you.

P: I miss her too...I'll swing by the pastry shop and maybe get her some cupcakes.

L: That's nice honey...I'm sure she'll love that.

P: Listen, I gotta go….text me when you get home ok?

L: Yeah sure...bye.

Later that night, Leonard and Sarah came home carrying takeout Thai food. He told his daughter to wash up so they could eat dinner. He texted Penny that they are home and that the food is ready. A few minutes later Penny opened the door and went straight to Leonard to give him a hug. Leonard hugged her back and gave her a quick kiss while Sarah was still in the bathroom. They unpacked the food on the kitchen island and put a few plates and bowls onto the tabletop.

Sarah returned and ran immediately to Penny. Penny knelt down and hugged the child.

"I miss you Penny." Sarah said

"I miss you too sweetie! But now the shoot is over, I can hang out here more often." she said smiling at her. "Now, lets go ahead and eat, I'm so hungry." Penny added.

Leonard helped his daughter to her chair while Penny started to spoon up some food for Sarah's plate. They started to eat as Penny told them all about her experience with the shoot.

"You really rode a horse?" Sarah asked.

"Yes sweetie...I told you I grew up in a farm...I can hogtie and castrate a goat in under two minutes!" Penny said proudly.

"Wow...that is so cool!" Sarah was amazed as she took a bite of her food.

"So when will they show this commercial?" Leonard asked her.

"They say in about two weeks...I told my family back home about it and they're really excited." She smiled at him.

"I'm so proud of you honey!" Leonard said as he squeezed her hand. Penny smiled back at him.

They finished eating and started to clean up the kitchen island. Sarah went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash up. Leonard took Penny's hand and pulled her close to him.

"I really missed you honey…" he said as he kissed her on the cheek.

Penny put her arm over his shoulder. "I missed you too….I was trying hard not to think about you during the shoot but I just can't…" Penny kissed him on the lips then went back to cleaning up in the kitchen, afraid that Sarah might catch them red handed again.

Leonard sighed and decided to help Penny. A few minutes later, Sarah came back to the living room and turned on the TV. After cleaning up the kitchen, Leonard went to the bathroom to clean up while Penny sat beside Sarah to watch the TV. Leonard joined them shortly and sat beside his daughter. Sarah was leaning onto Penny while her arm was draped over her. Leonard held Penny's hand and just enjoyed the quiet moment that the three of them have. He looked over to Penny and their eyes met.

It didn't take long for Sarah to fall asleep. They let her sleep this way while leaning onto Penny. Leonard picked her up and took her to her bedroom. He returned to the living room and sat beside Penny. She immediately snuggled up to him while he kissed her forehead.

"I missed this…" Penny said softly.

"Me too…" he said back.

Penny suddenly looked up. "Oh I forgot to bring the cupcakes." she said. "I'll be right back." she jumped off the couch and ran back to her apartment. She came back in no time and placed the box of cupcakes on the coffee table.

"Wow...these look delicious!" Leonard said as he opened it and took one out.

"Hey those are for Sarah...not for you" Penny jokingly said.

"You're kidding right?" he looked at her raising his eyebrows as he took a bite.

"Well, I guess we could share." she said winking at him as she took a bite.

It didn't take long for the cupcake to disappear and the two of them making out. Penny slid her hand around Leonard's waist and pulled him closer to her. Leonard then locked his arm around Penny. Penny tried to break free but Leonard held onto her.

"Honey….do...we….cele...brate...here….or….my…..place?" She said as Leonard wouldn't stop kissing her.

"Your...place...is...too...far….honey…" He said barely getting the words out.

"We….have….to...be….quiet" Penny answered.

Leonard stood up and pulled Penny's hand towards his bedroom.

After an hour, they laid on the bed smiling, satisfied with their intimacy. Penny rested her head on his shoulder while he has his arm around her.

"So when are you planning to apply in Andrew's boutique?" he asked her.

"Oh right...I almost forgot about that...I'll give him a call in a couple of days…" Penny said.

"I know you'll do great there." he kissed her head.

"I hope so...I'm so excited…" she smiled at him. "You're like my lucky charm…" she caressed his face.

"Really?...why is that?" he asked.

"Well...you rescued me from the car crash, then I get the commercial….We started dating, then I get a shot at a better job….I wonder what luck would you bring me next?" she looked up to him and kissed him.

"I guess we're both lucky…." he said.

"And what luck did I bring you?" she teased him.

"Penny, I wasn't really looking for a relationship….I was my focused on my daughter and I was fine with it….but then you came along and gave me another shot at life…" he told her.

"Honey...you're a great guy...any woman would be lucky to have you…" she caressed his face.

Leonard said nothing and just tighten his hug of Penny.

Penny looked up to him again. "Honey let's get some sleep and maybe we'll continue this celebration later." she playfully told him.

They went to sleep with smiles on their faces.