Chapter 36
A day before Sarah's birthday party, Leonard's mother Beverly arrived at the apartment. Sarah was so happy seeing her grandmother again. Unfortunately, Cathy couldn't come due to her supervising the renovation work being done at her store. Sarah told her grandmother everything about her new school and her new friends while they were eating dinner as Leonard and Penny listens to them.
"and then they put this wrong equation on the board and I told Principal Rogers that it has the wrong exponent. she asked me if I could solve it and I did. she gave my solution to my math teacher Mr. Potts and he cried! It was so funny grandma!" Sarah said.
"Why did he cry?" asked Beverly.
"Because I'm the only one who solved his equation! No one else in the school could. And then daddy won some money." said the child.
"You're the only one who solved it?" Beverly asked.
"Yes grandma. They put the wrong exponent in the denominator and when I saw the equation on the board, I told daddy that maybe they're not so smart because they put the wrong equations on the board." said Sarah while Beverly laughed and was delighted with her granddaughter's story.
"What about the money?" asked Beverly.
"Whoever solves it, gets the money." said Leonard.
Beverly hugged her granddaughter and kissed her. "I'm so proud of you dear! You're already smarter that your father when he was your age." she said.
"Really!? Was daddy a good boy when he was little?" asked Sarah.
"he was behaved enough because he was scared of me. But there was this one time when he told me he could 'improve' the vacuum cleaner. he told me he could make it more powerful but ended up breaking it instead." said Beverly.
Penny and Sarah laughed. "Did you punish him?" asked the child as Leonard hung his head.
"I got so mad at him that I grounded him and no Star Trek for two months." said Beverly.
"Woah! No Star Trek!? That is scary!" Sarah said looking and smiling at her father.
"It was. I had to ask uncle Carl to record it on tape for me so I could watch it later." said Leonard.
"Tell me about your new friends at school." asked Beverly.
"They're a little older than me but I guess it's alright." said the child.
"Well you're the youngest there so you really don't have a choice dear." said Beverly.
"At first no one would talk to me but Penny said that I should wait. she said that any kid would be lucky to be friends with me." said Sarah. "Isn't Penny great grandma?" asked Sarah.
Beverly nodded. "Absolutely dear!" said Beverly. "Give it time and I'm sure you'll have more friends." Beverly said. she looked at Penny and nodded at her. Penny smiled at Beverly, touched by her acknowledgment.
They continued eating while Sarah told her grandmother about their trip to the ranch, Disneyland, the beach and even Sheldon and Amy.
"Are you telling me that this Amy Farrah Fowler is Sheldon's girlfriend?" asked Beverly.
"Uncle Sheldon said that she's not his girlfriend, only his friend." said Sarah.
"Honey, it's better if we let your uncle Sheldon and aunt Amy figure it out for themselves alright?" said Leonard.
"But daddy you and Penny started out as friends. Now you are Penny's boyfriend. I mean, you kiss her a lot right?" said Sarah. Beverly gave her son the look as Leonard found it hard to respond to his daughter while Penny froze, afraid of what Beverly might say. Leonard and Penny looked at each other and knew that they were in trouble.
They continued to eat and make small talk with Leonard feeling a little restless at the upcoming reprimand from his mother. After dinner, they cleaned up in the kitchen while Sarah went to the couch to watch some TV. Beverly sat beside her granddaughter and spoke to her.
"Sarah dear, I'm going to talk to your father and Penny for a while. You stay here okay?" said Beverly.
"Okay grandma." Sarah said. Beverly went to Leonard's bedroom as the couple followed her.
Penny closed the door as Beverly looked at Leonard.
"What the hell have you been teaching my granddaughter!?" Beverly asked Leonard as she folded her arms.
"I'm not teaching her anything. The guys are hanging out here a lot so I guess she must have picked up some grown-up stuff. I'm sorry mom." said Leonard.
"Do you realize that my granddaughter is only six years old!?" asked Beverly.
"I know mom. That's why I told everyone that we should be careful on what we say and do when my daughter is around." he said.
"I'm so disappointed in you Leonard. You should have known better than to expose your daughter to inappropriate subjects like relationships!" said Beverly.
"I'm sorry mother. I have no excuse." said Leonard.
"I told you I don't have any objection with your relationship with Penny but is it appropriate for you to expose your daughter to the two of you kissing?" asked Beverly. Leonard had no response and just bowed his head.
"I'm sorry too Beverly. We're trying to be extra careful with her." said Penny.
"No Penny, this is not your fault." she said. Penny didn't protest and just kept quiet.
Beverly turned to Leonard. "You will make this right! Do I make myself clear!?" she said to her son. Leonard sighed and nodded. "Good." she said as they went out Leonard's room and joined Sarah in the living room. Sarah looked at the three adults and asked her grandmother.
"Grandma, is my daddy in trouble?" she asked.
Beverly sat beside her and draped her arms around the child. "No dear. Your father is not in trouble." said Beverly.
"Really? Because daddy looks like he's in trouble. Penny too." said the child.
"They're not in trouble dear. We just talked about some grown-up stuff in there. You don't have to worry." said Beverly reassuring her granddaughter.
"Okay grandma." said Sarah to the relief of the couple.
The following day, almost everyone from Sarah's class came to the apartment for her birthday party. Sarah's teacher Ms. Sanders also came as well as Principal Rogers who dropped by but had to leave early due to a prior commitment. The whole gang was there as well – Sheldon, Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy. Raj agreed to Leonard's request to be the party's host, but asked him to slow down on taking his 'magic juice' in front of the kids. Instead of a birthday clown or a magician to entertain the kids, Leonard hired a birthday act that does scientific experiments aimed at kids. Since Sarah and her classmates were smarter than average, they openly participated in the scientific experiments, sometimes helping out in explaining the underlying scientific principles involved in them. Sheldon didn't want to be left out so he joined the kids to the amusement and slight confusion of the other adults.
Penny held on to Leonard's arm while watching Sarah and her classmates enjoy the party.
"Honey, look at her. she's so happy." said Penny.
"I know." said Leonard as Sheldon stood up and went to them.
"Leonard, thank you for inviting me to Sarah's birthday party. This is by far the best party I have ever been invited to!" Sheldon said.
"Wait, you never got invited to a birthday party when you were a kid?" asked Penny.
"I did, but the only games we did was where you smash a pinata to bits or spin you around blindfolded until you fall on the floor but this, this is the best. It's like having Professor Proton in the room!" said Sheldon.
"Professor Proton?" asked Penny.
"It's an old TV show for kids using scientific principles. Sheldon and I grew up watching it." said Leonard.
"Aww, that is so cute! So, I guess you two became scientists because of this Professor Proton?" asked Penny.
"Uh huh. he's the best! he even sent me an autographed picture when I was a kid." Sheldon said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go back there!" said Sheldon, walking back to sit with the kids.
Penny kissed Leonard on the cheek. "Good job Hofstadter!" she said smiling at him as Amy walked up to the couple. "Amy, is everything alright?" asked Penny.
"Everything is fine Penny." said Amy. "Thank you for inviting me Leonard." she said.
Leonard smiled at Amy. "You're welcome Amy." he said.
"You don't understand, you just gave me an idea on how to get him to pay more attention to me." Amy said in a low voice, winking at the couple.
"Amy!?" Penny smiled at her, surprised by her shrewdness.
"What? It's not like I'm using illegal drugs on him or something right?" said Amy.
"Alright Amy just remember, no backsies!" said Leonard smiling at Amy.
"Yeah. You really got a good one there Amy!" Penny mockingly said.
After the science experiments, the party continued on with a series of games that Raj organized involving both kids and adults with the team earning the most points wins. Raj told them to form into groups of 4 members. Sarah quickly grabbed Penny's hand along with Bernadette and Amy to form their team, surprising Leonard.
"Really? You're not gonna put me in your team?" he asked his daughter.
"No daddy. We'll prove that girls are better than the boys! Right!?" said Sarah giving a high five to the three girls.
"That's right! We're gonna kick your team into a low-earth orbit!" said Penny surprising everyone in the room.
"Fine, I'll take Sheldon, Jon and Casey in my team!" said Leonard.
"Good luck daddy!" Sarah said, taunting her father. Leonard was perplexed as he looked at his daughter. "You're gonna need it!" Sarah said giving another high five to the girls.
Howard teamed up with the other kids as well as Ms. Sanders.
The first game was Pictionary. Penny, Leonard and two other kids took their markers and started drawing on the whiteboard.
"Marie Curie!" Sheldon shouted as Leonard and the others drew on the boards.
"No Sheldon! Think harder!" Leonard yelled as he continued sketching on the board.
"A Barbie Doll!" Sarah yelled to the delight of Penny giving the child a high five.
"Good job sweetie!" Penny exclaimed as Bernadette and Amy gave Sarah a high five.
Leonard was annoyed at Sheldon. "Really Sheldon!? You couldn't guess that!?" he said
"Well excuse me Leonard, if you wanted me to guess a barbie doll, you should have drawn Ken beside it!" Sheldon said while the others laughed at them, Leonard sighed and hung his head in frustration.
"I think we're gonna destroy them sweetie!" Bernadette said.
"You're right aunt Bernie!" said Sarah giving Penny another high five.
"No doubt! And to think that they have a combined IQ of almost four hundred but can be beaten by a six year-old kid." Amy added smiling.
The games continued with the Penny's team in the lead followed closely by the other teams. The last puzzle was a jigsaw puzzle and whoever guesses the picture first will be the winner. Everyone scrambled to fit the puzzle pieces together in their team while trying to guess what the image was. The girls were halfway done when Sarah stood up, staring at the partially finished puzzle as Penny, Bernadette and Amy continued fitting the pieces.
"Sweetie get down and help us." Penny said. Sarah didn't respond and just continued to stare at the puzzle.
"It's the comic book store!" yelled Sarah.
"Very good!" Raj announced. "Team Penny wins!" said Raj as Sarah, Penny, Bernadette and Amy jumped with joy.
"Wait! That's not fair! They haven't even finished the puzzle yet!" Sheldon protested.
"Sheldon, the rule was to guess the picture, not to finish the puzzle!" said Penny mocking him.
"I'm never letting you in my team again!" Leonard said to Sheldon. Sarah went to her father, hugging and kissing him.
"Don't worry daddy, you'll get us next time." Sarah said.
"Oh, I know I will!" Leonard said smiling at his daughter.
"I promise we'll go easy on you next time, right Penny!?" she said laughing, looking at Penny.
Penny laughed. "Absolutely sweetie!" she said making the crowd laugh.
After awarding the prizes, they sang 'Happy Birthday' to Sarah as Leonard held the cake for his daughter to blow the candles.
"Okay honey, make a wish and blow the candles!" said Leonard while Penny and Beverly took pictures and videos of the child. Sarah took a deep breath and blew the candles in one puff while the rest of them clapped. Penny and Leonard then proceeded to cut the cake for everyone to have a slice.
The party drew to a close around five-thirty in the afternoon when the guests started to leave one by one while the kids were fetched by their parents as the gang started to clean up in the apartment.
"Did you have fun sweetie?" Penny asked as she sat beside Sarah on the couch.
"Yes, and we beat dad again!" said Sarah.
"Yeah we did." said Penny as Leonard turned and looked at them.
"Yeah you got me again honey. Good job!" Leonard said.
"Why don't you open all your presents?" Penny said.
"Can I open them now grandma?" Sarah asked.
"Of course, dear!" said Beverly.
Penny helped Sarah pick up all the presents to the coffee table for her to open one at a time. Most of the gifts were toys and dresses until Sarah opened the one from Penny. It was a bigger box than the rest as the whole gang looks on while Sarah opened it. The child ripped the wrapping and lifted the flap, pulling out the contents – it was a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat used for riding horses, fitted to Sarah's size. Sarah screamed upon seeing Penny's gift.
"Cowboy boots and a hat! I love it Penny! Thank you!" Sarah said as she hugged Penny. Leonard smiled wiping a tear from his face.
"You're welcome sweetie. You can wear them when we visit Bunny Rabbit again!" said Penny.
"It's so pretty!" said Sarah as she admired the boots.
"I'm glad you liked it sweetie. We'll get you a new one when you outgrow these" Penny said.
Sarah hugged Penny again and kissed her cheek. "I love you Penny!" Sarah said as Beverly looked at Leonard. Leonard immediately understood the meaning of his mother's look. Amy and Bernadette were holding each other and wiping their tears, touched by the tender moment while Sheldon, Howard and Raj tapped each other's shoulder.
Penny kissed Sarah on the cheek. "I love you too sweetie." said Penny. she released the child from her hug. "How come I didn't see your father's present?" she asked Sarah.
"I told daddy not to get me anything." said Sarah.
The rest of them was surprised. "Why not?" asked Penny.
"Because my daddy takes good care of me. I told him that's enough for me." said Sarah. Everyone was surprised and touched by what the child said.
"Aww that is so sweet." said Penny as Leonard hugged and kissed his daughter.
"I'm the luckiest father in the world." he said.
"I love you daddy." said Sarah.
"I love you too honey!" said Leonard wiping his tears.
Later that night, the gang went home and Sarah and Beverly were already in bed, sleeping. Penny and Leonard were sitting on the couch, resting their feet on the coffee table.
"Ugh what a day! I think I'm gonna sleep all day tomorrow." said Penny.
"Me too." said Leonard as he held Penny's hand. "Can you believe that it's been almost a year since we met?" he said.
"I know. We've been through a lot right?" Penny said looking at him.
"Yeah. We were friends, then we became a couple because you jumped on me, and now we're here." said Leonard teasing her.
"Hey! I didn't jump on you!" Penny said defensively.
"If my memory serves me right, you're the one who kissed me first." said Leonard smugly.
Penny glared at him. "Be careful Leonard, you're one stupid comment away from a black eye." said Penny.
Leonard smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. "Relax honey. I know you can't keep your hands off of me." he said.
Penny nudged her elbow to his side. "Jackass!" she said angrily.
"Honey, I'm just teasing you. Come here!" said Leonard pulling her close and kissing her cheek. They sat quietly for a while until Leonard spoke again. "I wonder where we'll be after another year?" he asked.
Penny turned and looked at him. "Where do you think we'll be?" she asked.
"Well I want us to still be together. I just hope I don't do anything stupid or something." said Leonard, laughing a little.
"And what stupid thing do you think you'll do?" Penny asked slightly amused.
"I don't know. Maybe forget our anniversary or your birthday." he said.
"That will definitely get you into a lot of trouble mister! What else?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Leonard said.
"Well, what else are you thinking of?" Penny asked, curious at what Leonard might say.
"Sometimes I think about our future." said Leonard.
"Tell me more." she said smiling at him.
"Penny, I don't want you to freak out or get scared or something." said Leonard.
Penny looked at him. "I promise I won't freak out." she said
Leonard sighed. "Well, I sometimes think about us getting married someday. Maybe buying our own house or giving my daughter a little sister or brother to play with, or getting a dog, or a cat." said Leonard.
Penny smiled at Leonard. "You're thinking of us getting married?" she asked nervously.
"Sometimes yeah. I mean, we make a good team right? And you're always saying that I'm yours." he said looking at Penny. "How about you? Do you see us getting married?" he asked her.
Penny leaned and snuggled up to him, putting her arm around Leonard. "I guess. I mean, I've been engaged before so I already know how it feels." she said.
"Me too." he said as he played with her hair. "Let's not think about it too much okay?" he said.
Penny nodded and kissed his lips. "Thank you honey." she said then returned to snuggle up to him.
"For what?" Leonard asked.
"For making me and Sarah happy." she said.
"Well if you're both happy, I'm happy" Leonard said.
Penny tightened her hug. "You're so great. Just remember, you're mine." she said.
"Well, if I'm yours, what do you want to do with me?" he said teasing her.
she glared at him. "Do you think of anything else other than sex?" asked Penny.
"No." Leonard said as he stood up and pulled Penny to her apartment.
"You're really a jackass." said Penny as they entered her apartment.
"Come on. How can you say no to this!?" he asked pointing at himself.
Penny gave up and surrendered, letting Leonard pull her towards the bedroom. Leonard slammed the door shut and pulled Penny close for a kiss. she eventually gave in, feeling Leonard's hands explore her body, guiding her to lie on the bed and slowly undressing her.
"Penny?" Leonard asked as they laid on the bed after making love.
"Huh?" Penny said while trying to catch her breath.
"I was thinking of asking you to come with us to New York next month for Christmas break." he said.
Penny shifted herself and looked at him. "You're going to New York?" she asked.
"Well I was thinking about it. My dad has a spare room in his apartment so we wouldn't have to stay at a hotel." he said. "We can even drive over to New Jersey and stay with my mom for a day or two. We can go to the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, Times Square, Central Park." he said.
"Can I think about it first?" said Penny.
"Of course. I haven't told Sarah anything yet because I want it to be a surprise." he said.
"So, If I don't come with you, I'll be alone on Christmas and New Year?" asked Penny.
"I guess. Don't worry honey, I haven't decided yet." he said as he caressed her skin.
"I have to ask the store first. I'm sure we'll be very busy at the store since it's Christmas season." said Penny.
"No problem." he said. "Let's get some sleep." he said kissing her goodnight.
Penny kissed him back. "Goodnight honey." she said as they slowly drifted off to sleep.