Chapter 25

Leonard was in his office typing up a report for their experiment when his phone rang. It was from Sarah's school.

"Hello….yes this is Sarah's father…..what!?" Leonard became agitated as he continued to listen to the person on the other line.

"Okay I'm on my way now….thanks." he said as he took his keys, wallet and satchel from his desk. He went out his office when he ran into Howard and Raj in the corridor.

"Hey Leonard what's up?…..you seem upset?" Raj said.

"I'm going to Sarah's school….she's in some kind of trouble." he quickly said.

"Oh my god what happened?" Raj asked.

"I'm not sure yet….I'll see you guys later." he said while quickening his pace. He reached his car and started to drive to Sarah's school.

He arrived at the school and immediately went to the principal's office. Sarah was seated at the reception. She saw her father and immediately ran up to him and started crying. Leonard knelt down and hugged his daughter to calm her down.

"He wouldn't stop calling me names daddy….he is a bad person!" the child said as she cried on her father's shoulder.

"It's okay now honey….daddy's here….I won't let anyone hurt you." he said as he rubbed her back. "Tell me what happened."

Sarah calmed a little and looked at her father. "It was Billy daddy….he kept saying 'Sarah has no Mama' but I told him I'm going to have a new mommy….I told him Penny will be my new mommy." she continued. "He wouldn't stop daddy that's why I hit him." she cried again.

"Shhh….it's gonna be alright now honey….daddy's here now." Leonard said. He was trying to keep himself from breaking down. He needed to be strong for his daughter now. He realized his fears are beginning to come true as his daughter's words kept playing over and over in his head. He felt like someone stabbed him in the heart upon hearing his daughter's strong longing for a mother's love.

Sarah's teacher Mrs. Carlson came out of the principal's office and saw Leonard trying to calm Sarah down. "Dr. Hofstadter, we're glad you could come immediately. Billy's parents are now inside the principal's office." Leonard nodded and looked at his daughter. "Sarah honey….I'm gonna go inside the principal's office….you stay here for a while okay?" he wiped off her tears. "Don't cry honey...it's gonna be alright….I promise." he kissed her on the cheek. Sarah nodded and went to sit back on the chair. "I'll be right back." he said to her. Sarah nodded. Leonard followed Mrs. Carlson inside and closed the door behind him. He took a seat opposite the other parents.

Principal Anderson spoke first. "First of all, I'm gonna have to ask you both to keep your cool as we discuss what happened to your children today okay?" she looked at them. Leonard nodded as well as Mr. and Mrs. Robinson – Billy's parents. Principal Anderson continued. "Mrs. Carlson here will tell the story as she knows it….please." she said.

Mrs. Carlson cleared her throat and spoke. "Well this morning during recess in the playground, we saw that your son Billy was taunting and calling Sarah names. I heard him taunt Sarah for having no mother. Sarah tried to defend herself but Billy kept on taunting her and when Billy looked away for a second, Sarah hit him in the face with her fist." she continued. "I ran immediately to break off the fighting and bring Billy to the clinic as his nose was bleeding. I called another teacher to bring Sarah here to calm her down." she added. "That is what happened as far as I knew." she said.

Principal Anderson spoke. "Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, Dr. Hofstadter here is Sarah's father." she said.

Mr. Robinson immediately spoke. "Dr. Hofstadter please accept our apologies….we'll talk to our son….we'll tell him it's wrong to make fun of other people…." he said.

Leonard nodded. "Thank you…..Sarah's mother died of cancer four years ago and it's been me and her ever since." he said.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry." Mrs. Robinson said. "That must be very difficult for the both of you?" she added.

"You have no idea…." Leonard said. "I'm sorry about your son's nose….and don't worry, I'll talk to my little girl and tell her it's wrong to resort to violence." Leonard said.

"Thank you." Mr. Robinson said.

"Dr. Hofstadter you have to reinforce to your daughter that violence will not be tolerated here….are we clear?" Principal Anderson said.

"Yes we're clear." Leonard said.

"And Mr. & Mrs. Robinson, you have to talk to your son and tell him it's wrong to make fun of other people." the principal said.

The couple nodded in agreement. "We will." they said.

"Well since we all seem to be in agreement here….I think this matter is now settled?" Principal Anderson asked the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson extended their hands to shake Leonard's. They went out of the principal's office as Leonard went to his daughter. "Are you okay now?" he asked his daughter. Sarah nodded. "Honey I have something else to talk to your teacher and Principal Anderson here….I'm only gonna take a minute alright?" he asked her. Sarah nodded.

Principal Anderson and Mrs. Carlson went back inside and Leonard followed them and sat back down.

"What else do you want to discuss Dr. Hofstadter?" Mrs. Carlson asked.

Leonard reached into his satchel and gave them a piece of paper. Mrs. Carlson looked at it and was immediately puzzled.

"Does the handwriting look familiar?" Leonard asked her.

Mrs. Carlson's eye widened. "Do you mean to say that Sarah did this!?" she asked him and handed the paper to Principal Anderson. Principal Anderson looked at it and was visibly stunned.

"Dr. Hofstadter, did you teach you daughter this?" the principal asked.

"No….she found her mother's old textbook and figured it out for herself." he told them.

"Well that explains Sarah getting bored in the classroom easily….I've been noticing that for the past couple of months now….I figured that you were just tutoring her at home as a reason for her perfect test scores." Mrs. Carlson said.

"Well if that's the case….it seems that this school is not the place for your daughter." the principal said. "I can make some calls and get your daughter to take an admission test for a few exclusive schools for gifted children." she offered.

"That's what I'm afraid of….I don't want my daughter to spend all her life buried in books and equations….I still want her to have normal childhood." he continued. "and those exclusive schools are quite expensive….I don't think my salary's gonna cover it." he said.

"Dr. Hofstadter….it won't hurt if you try….sometimes these schools will give her a full scholarship based on her age alone….imagine a five-year-old child learning advanced algebra on her own?….this story is one the newspapers would be interested in." the principal continued. "But the decision is yours alone...all we can do is show you the opportunities available for your daughter." she said.

Mrs. Carlson decided to interject. "Dr. Hofstadter may I ask a personal question?" she asked.

"Sure." Leonard said.

"I heard your daughter mention someone named Penny….is Penny your…?" she asked.

Leonard sighed. "Penny is my girlfriend….we've been seeing each other for several months now…" he said.

Mrs. Carlson nodded. "Your daughter seems to be very fond of her….she told her classmates about how Penny taught her how to ride a horse…is this true?"

"Yeah...we took her to this ranch that lets kids ride ponies and horses." he added. "Penny grew up in their family's farm in Nebraska that's why she knew how to handle farm animals." he said.

"Well I hope Penny knows how Sarah thinks of her." Mrs. Carlson said.

"Yeah….that's whats been keeping me awake at night…" Leonard said.

"Well I hope it works out for both of you….your situation is very unique and if you need any help, don't hesitate to call us…." Mrs. Carlson said.

"Thank you Mrs. Carlson. I really appreciate it." Leonard said.

Principal Anderson decided to butt in. "We all want what's best for Sarah….I'll make some calls and I'll let you know if those schools would be interested in your daughter." she said.

Leonard stood up and shook their hands. "Thank you very much Principal Anderson, Mrs. Carlson." he said as he went out the office and back to his daughter. "Come on honey, we're leaving." he said as he took his daughter's hand to leave the school for the day.

Leonard took Sarah for a quick lunch before heading back to the university. Sarah laid on the couch as soon as they arrived in his office. Sheldon, Howard and Raj popped in his office and saw him covering his sleeping daughter with a small blanket. Leonard told them to wait for him in his lab.

"Is everything alright in Sarah's school?" Raj asked Leonard.

Leonard sighed and told them the whole story of what happened to his daughter at school. He told them about Sarah hitting Billy in the nose and the name-calling towards his daughter. He also told them about Sarah learning algebra on her own.

"Wow Leonard….this is really heavy stuff…..how are you gonna bring up the subject to Penny?" Howard asked.

"I don't know….but I'm gonna call her later….it's probably not a good idea for her to come over to my place for a few days….if she did, Sarah might latch onto her and we would be down the rabbit hole where there is no turning back." he added. "If that happens, it might scare Penny away." he said.

"I wish we could help dude." Raj put his hand on Leonard's shoulder. "This is a very tricky situation." he said.

"Are you going to transfer her to another school?" Sheldon asked.

Leonard looked at him. "That's not really my concern right now Sheldon…..my daughter obviously sees Penny as her future mother and I don't know if Penny is ready for that…..she's great and all but I don't want to force her into something she's not comfortable with." Leonard told them.

Sheldon thought for a while and spoke. "Well….I think she is Leonard." he said.

"She's what Sheldon?" Leonard asked him.

"I think she's ready for that commitment." Sheldon answered.

"And why do you think that Sheldon?" Howard asked him.

"Well….if she wasn't ready….she wouldn't have agreed to go out with you in the first place….I mean she knew your situation right from the start….am I right?" Sheldon asked Leonard.

"Yeah." Leonard said.

"So if she wasn't ready then why hasn't she broken up with you yet?" Sheldon continued. "She obviously knows what she's getting herself into…" he said

"I haven't thought of it that way…." Leonard looked at Sheldon. "For someone who doesn't like any form of intimacy, that was very insightful Sheldon." he said.

"I'm a genius remember!?" Sheldon said proudly.

The three of them sighed. "Fine Sheldon." they said.

The three guys left Leonard's lab. Leonard checked up on her daughter and saw that she was still asleep. He went back to his lab and decided to text Penny.

L: [hi honey! Are you busy? Can you talk?]

A few minutes later, Leonard's phone rang. It was Penny.

L: Hi honey! How's work?

P: Everything's okay here. Do you wanna tell me something?

L: Yeah…..Sarah got into trouble in school.

P: Oh my god what happened!? Is she alright?

L: She's a little rattled. She's here in my office now, sleeping.

P: Tell me what happened.

Leonard told Penny everything that happened as told by his daughter and her teacher. He told her about Billy and her parents. He also told her about her teacher and principal's reaction to Sarah's intelligence. Penny was deep in thought and didn't interrupt Leonard's story.

L: Honey are you still there?

P: Yeah I'm still here.

L: Penny, I don't want to force you into something you're not comfortable with.

P: I know honey….you've already told me that. So what do we do now?

L: I think it would be better if you wouldn't come over for a few days….keep your distance for a bit while Sarah calms down.

P: Do you think that's a good idea?

L: Well if you show up at my place tonight, Sarah will definitely seek comfort from you…..are you prepared to break her heart if she asks you to be her mother?

Penny was quiet for a while.

P: How about you? How do you feel about this?

L: Penny it's too early and we've only been together for several months.

P: Honey I want to be there for you…..I know how you feel….and you need me now more than ever.

L: What will you do?….talk to my daughter?….what if she asks you to be her mother?….what would you say?

P: I'll make her understand that we will take it slow and not make rash decisions. For her own good….your daughter's pretty smart….I'm sure she'll understand.

L: I don't know Penny….it seems a little risky…..I can't stand seeing my daughter cry….I feel like dying every time.

P: I know honey…..I get where you're coming from…..but it's useless to drag this out…..come on….

L: Okay but if she latches onto you like the Facehugger….I don't know what I'm going to do.

P: Facehugger?

L: Look it up on your phone and you'll know what I mean.

P: Sometimes your jokes are not that funny mister.

L: Come on admit it….you can't help yourself when you're around me.

P: You jackass!

L: You said it yourself….I'm yours right?

P: And don't you forget it….I don't want you flirting around any girl scientist there mister.

L: Okay I get it….jeez…..what have I gotten myself into?

P: You want me to take it back? Because I can do it….just say the word!

L: Hey easy….can't you take a joke?

P: Ha! I knew it!….listen honey…..I gotta go…..I'll see you at dinner okay?

L: Okay…..bye honey!

Leonard put the phone down and sighed deeply. He hoped that Penny's plan will work out and not freak out her daughter. He went back to his office and he saw that Sarah has just woken up.

Later that night, Leonard bought takeout Indian food for the three of them. Sarah was watching TV when Penny entered the apartment. As soon as Sarah saw Penny, she immediately ran up to her and began crying. "Penny!" Sarah said as she hugged her. Penny knelt down and tried to console her.

"Aww sweetie…..stop crying….you father told me everything that happened…..it's gonna be okay now…." she said as she looked at Leonard. Leonard couldn't help himself and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"He's a bad kid Penny….he won't stop calling me names….that's why I hit him…." the child said as she continued crying.

"It's gonna be okay now sweetie….your father and I are here….stop crying okay?" she said as she rubbed her back to calm her down.

"He said I have no mommy but I told him I will have a new mommy….you will be my new mommy right?" the child asked Penny.

Penny didn't answered and waited for her to calm down. Leonard signaled Penny to take Sarah to the couch. Penny carried her and set her down on the couch.

"Sarah sweetie, remember when I told you that your father and I are new in this relationship?" Penny asked her. Sarah nodded. "Well it is the same with my relationship with you…..it's not that we don't love you but your father and I agreed that it would be best to take it slow so we won't make any mistakes by making rash decisions." she looked at Sarah.

"So you don't want to be my mommy?" Sarah asked her.

"I'm not saying that sweetie, we just have to take it slow." she said. "Your father and I want what's best for you." Penny said to her. "Come here sweetie!" she said as she hugged Sarah.

"Penny's right honey….we just have to wait and take it slow okay?" Leonard said. Sarah nodded.

"You said you hit Billy in the face?" Penny asked Sarah. She nodded.

"Sweetie, it's okay for you to stand up for yourself but hitting other people is not good." Penny said to the child.

"But he wouldn't stop Penny." Sarah said.

"I know but still, violence is not cool sweetie." Penny said. "Promise me you won't hit anyone anymore okay?" she said.

"But what would I do if they won't stop?" Sarah asked Penny.

"I'll tell you when we're alone and your father is not here okay?" she winked at Sarah then turned to Leonard. "Don't worry honey, it's gonna be fine." she smiled at him.

Penny hugged Sarah. "Don't be sad okay?….Penny will always be here for you." she said as she consoled the child.

"Promise?" she asked.

"I promise sweetie!" Penny said as she kissed her on the cheek. Penny smiled at Leonard.

"Okay, who's hungry for Indian food?" Leonard asked the girls.

"I'm hungry." Penny raised her hand. "Let's go ahead and eat okay?" she asked Sarah. Sarah nodded. "Why don't you wash your hands first?" she said as Sarah ran to the bathroom.

Leonard held Penny's hand and kissed her on the lips. "You're so amazing honey! I can't believe that went very well!" he said to her.

"I told you I could handle it….you just don't want to trust me." she said smugly to him.

Leonard gave her a tight hug. "Thank you honey….you're the best!" he kissed her on the cheek. They stood up and went to the kitchen island as Sarah came back from the bathroom. Penny helped her to the chair.

They began eating when Leonard spoke. "So I showed your teacher and Principal Anderson your algebra work and they are very impressed."he said.

Sarah's face lit up. "Really?" she said.

"Yeah….they said that if you want, you can take a test in a school for very smart kids." he said to his daughter.

"So I will leave my friends at the school?" she asked.

"No sweetie….it means you get to make new friends….you can still be friends with your classmates if you want." Penny said to the child.

"Why do I have to take the test?" Sarah asked.

"Honey you have to understand, you're too smart for your school now…..and you'll just get bored with your classes. You're already smarter than any high school student so the special school would be the best place for you." Leonard explained.

"Okay daddy." Sarah said as she continued to eat her food.

"It's only school sweetie….you can still go to the park, to the mall, watch movies…." Penny said.

"Can we go back to the ranch?….I miss Bunny Rabbit." Sarah asked Penny.

"Sure sweetie, but not right now….I'm a little busy with work...okay?" she said to her.

Sarah nodded. "Okay."

Penny looked at Leonard and smiled at him.

Later that night when Sarah was already asleep, Penny and Leonard were snuggling at the couch watching TV.

"Thank you honey." Leonard said as he kissed her head.

"No problem honey…." Penny said as she touched Leonard's face.

They stayed like this while embracing each other.

"Hey before I forget….my dad is gonna visit next week for a few days and I told him I'd introduce you to him." she smiled at him.

"Uh oh….is he gonna give me the talk?" Leonard asked.

"What do you mean 'give you the talk'?" she asked.

"Well….you're a beautiful, single and independent woman and I'm a single father raising my five-year-old daughter." he continued. "we're seeing each other which means you won't only have a relationship with me but also with my daughter….which makes you into an instant mother…" Leonard explained.

"I know honey...and you're also my smart, sweet and cute scientist of a boyfriend who knows how to make me happy…" Penny added. "Don't worry honey, he just wants to meet you. He won't bite, I promise." she said and kissed him on his cheek.

"Okay." Leonard said. "Now what do you say we 'celebrate'?" he winked at her.

"What's on your mind doctor?" Penny teased him.

"Well….you know….uh…" Leonard slightly hesitated.

Penny laughed. "Honey I get what you mean…" she said and continued. "do we do it here or my place?" she asked him.

Leonard stood up and pulled her hand leading her to his bedroom. "We'll be quiet." he whispered to her.

Penny bit her lip as she happily followed Leonard to the bedroom.