Chapter 38
A few days before Christmas, Sarah was sitting between Leonard and Penny inside the airplane as it taxied on the runway, ready for the flight to New York.
"Have you been to New York before sweetie?" she asked the child.
"No Penny." Sarah said.
"Uh actually, you did honey. But you were too young to remember. I think you were only one year old at that time." said Leonard.
"Was my mommy still alive back then?" she asked her father.
"Yeah. We had to leave you with your aunt Cathy for three weeks so I could take care of your mother." said Leonard hugging his daughter.
"Daddy, did you bring mom to New York before?" asked Sarah.
"Uh yeah, back when we were still dating and way before you were born. But we didn't go there for a vacation. We went to attend a conference for three days so we didn't have time to go around and see the best places." he said.
"How about you Penny?" asked the child.
"This is my first time too sweetie!" said Penny smiling at Sarah.
"Daddy let's go to the Statue of Liberty." she said.
"Of course honey." he said as they heard the pilot announce that they are ready for takeoff. The engine of the aircraft rumbled as they felt the acceleration going forward. Penny held Sarah's hand to reassure her during takeoff.
The plane was already in the air when Penny looked at Sarah. "You okay sweetie?" she asked.
Sarah nodded. "Uh huh." said the child.
"If you feel like getting sick, just tell me alright?" Penny said showing her the air sickness paper bag in the pouch in the seat in front of them. A flight attendant walked up to them and introduced herself to Sarah and Penny.
"Hi I'm Mia, perhaps your daughter would like something to keep her occupied? We have some coloring books and some puzzles." Mia said showing them to Sarah while Leonard looks on.
"Uh Penny is not my mommy. She's my daddy's girlfriend." Sarah said to Mia. "My mommy died when I was young." she added.
"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that." Mia said looking at Sarah.
"It's alright miss Mia, Penny is with me and I'm happy when I'm with her." said Sarah.
Penny was touched. "Aww, thank you so much sweetie!" Penny said kissing her on the cheek.
"Ms. Mia, do you have any math puzzles in there?" asked Sarah.
Mia was confused and didn't know how to respond. "Uh excuse me?" she asked.
Penny decided to fill her in. "Sarah is a child genius. Ask her any math question." Penny said to Mia.
Mia smiled. "Really? Uh okay, what is the square root of five thousand, six hundred and ninety?" she asked.
Sarah thought for a while then looked at Mia. "Seventy-five point four, three, two, zero, eight." said the child.
Mia didn't believe it so she reached for her phone and typed the numbers on the screen. "Oh my god!? This is amazing!" Mia exclaimed. "I can't believe it!" she said.
"She's the youngest in her school and already running circles around her teachers." said Penny.
"Oh my god! You are so amazing." Mia said. "But I'm afraid I don't have any math problems with me." she said.
"It's alright Ms. Mia." Sarah said as she took one coloring book and a box of crayons from Mia's basket. "Thank you." she said to her.
"Awww, you're welcome dear! Just call me if you want more alright?" Mia said.
Sarah nodded. "Okay." said the child as Mia stood up and waved goodbye to them.
Penny leaned over and kissed the child on the cheek. "Good job sweetie. I'm so proud of you!" she said as Sarah started coloring the pages while Leonard kissed Penny's hand.
The flight went on without a glitch. Penny had to help Sarah inside the lavatory a couple of times while Leonard chose to take a nap, waking up from time to time to check up on his girls. He would look over and saw that Penny lifted the armrest between her seat and Sarah's so his daughter could snuggle up to her as they take a nap while Penny's arm was draped around the child. Leonard took out his phone and took a picture of the two sleeping soundly with Penny's mouth slightly open, making him laugh a little.
After the plane landed, Penny and Leonard took out their bags from the overhead storage to exit the plane. Mia was at the door greeting the passengers as they exit the plane when she saw Sarah and the couple.
"Bye Sarah. I hope you'll enjoy your stay at New York." Mia said.
"Bye Ms. Mia!" said Sarah.
Mia knelt in front of the child and removed the decorative pin from her uniform. "Here, this is for you." she said as she pinned the ornament onto Sarah's shirt.
"Huh! Really!?" Sarah said, surprised by the unexpected gift.
"Yes. That's for impressing me with your math skills!" Mia said as Penny and Leonard looks on, happy for Sarah.
"Daddy, Penny look, Ms. Mia gave me her pin!" she said.
"That's great sweetie! Now what are you gonna say to her?" Penny said.
Sarah suddenly hugged Mia. "Thank you Ms. Mia!" said the child.
"Awww, you are such a sweetheart! You're welcome dear!" Mia said. "You be a good girl alright?" said Mia hugging her back. Sarah nodded as Mia stood up to shake Penny and Leonard's hand. "Thank you and Merry Christmas!" she said
"Merry Christmas to you too!" Penny and Leonard said as they walked away while Sarah waved goodbye to her.
After getting their luggage, Leonard got a rental car so they won't have to borrow his father's during their stay. He got the car keys and went to Penny and Sarah waiting for him by the exit. They loaded their luggage into the trunk and drove out of the airport going to Alfred's place.
They drove for about forty-five minutes until Leonard parked the car on the side of the road in front of an apartment building. "Okay we're here! I'll just call my dad to come down so he could let us in the building." he said as they got out of the car. Leonard called his father and after a few minutes, Alfred came out of the building entrance. Sarah ran to her grandfather as soon as she saw him.
"Grandpa!" the child said as she hugged Alfred.
"Ugh! I missed you my little princess!" Alfred said, kissing his granddaughter. "How's my favorite granddaughter doing huh? Are you doing good at your new school?" he asked the child.
"Yes grandpa! Daddy doesn't have to pay anything to my new school." said Sarah.
"Yeah, your father told me. It's because you are so smart, that's why they want you there." he said. "I'm so proud of you!" he added hugging Sarah again.
"Hi dad!" Leonard said shaking Alfred's hand. "I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Penny. Honey this is my father, Alfred." he said.
Penny hugged Alfred. "Hi sir. It's nice to finally meet you." she said.
"Nice to meet you too Penny and please, call me Alfred." he said.
"Okay, Alfred." Penny smiled at him.
"You guys must be tired from your trip? Come on up so you could rest and freshen up." Alfred said, taking the small luggage from Penny and holding Sarah's hand while walking into the building. The couple followed closely as they went inside the elevator, going to Alfred's place on the third floor. They entered the apartment as the couple brought in their luggage. "You can take the spare bedroom at the end of the hall Leonard. You guys relax while I order dinner. Is Chinese food alright with you guys?" Alfred asked. The three nodded as they sat on the couch to rest.
"I'll take the bags to our room and you two rest here alright?" he said as the two girls leaned back and nodded at him.
Alfred was done ordering on the phone and returned to the living room, sitting on the chair. Sarah stood up and went to her grandfather. Alfred lifted her up and sat her on his lap. "I missed you so much princess. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come to your birthday party." said Alfred.
Sarah hugged her grandfather. "It's alright grandpa. I know you're busy with work." she said.
"Thank you honey and now that you're here on Christmas, I don't have to send my presents to you." Alfred said.
Sarah immediately became excited. "You got me a present grandpa?" she asked.
"I got you three presents." said Alfred smiling at his granddaughter.
"But you don't have a Christmas tree?" she said.
"Well if you want, you and Penny can help me put up a tree over there by the window." he said.
"Really?" she asked then looking at Penny. "Can we do that?" she asked her.
"Of course sweetie!" Penny said.
"Yay!" Sarah said as Leonard came back to the living room.
"What happened?" Leonard asked.
"Penny and I are gonna help grandpa put up a Christmas tree!" said Sarah.
"That's great honey! Can I help?" asked Leonard.
"Yes daddy. You can lift me up so I can put the ornaments and the star at the top." said the child.
"Okay honey. No problem!" said Leonard as the doorbell rang, Alfred stood up to answer the door, paying for the food delivery.
"So Penny, Leonard tells me you're a fashion consultant? That must be a fun job?" said Alfred as they started to eat dinner.
"Yes. It's for this boutique shop near our place." Penny said.
"And you're also an aspiring actress?" asked Alfred.
"Yes. But I haven't had an audition call for months." said Penny.
Leonard held her hand. "Don't worry honey, I'm sure you'll get another audition soon." he said.
They continued talking, with Sarah telling Alfred about their adventures together with Penny at the ranch, the beach and even at Disneyland. Sarah also told Alfred everything about school and her new friends and teachers.
After dinner, Penny went with Sarah to the bathroom to wash up and change into their pajamas with Leonard following after them, changing into his pajamas as well. In the bedroom, Sarah climbed on the bed, laying between Penny and Leonard. Leonard kissed his daughter goodnight. "Good night honey. Sleep tight because tomorrow, we'll go to the Statue of Liberty!" said Leonard.
Sarah kissed her father. "Good night daddy." she said then turned to Penny, kissing her too. "Good night Penny!" said Sarah.
"Good night sweetie!" said Penny as Sarah snuggled up to her. Penny leaned over and kissed Leonard on the lips as they went to sleep.
The next day, they woke up early in order to make it to the Liberty Island tour barge since it was Christmas season and many people would be lining up to see the Statue of Liberty. Sarah was excited, telling the couple to hurry up so they would get a good spot at the barge.
"Daddy, Penny hurry up we don't want to be late!" Sarah said.
"Relax honey, we have plenty of time. Penny's not ready yet." said Leonard, excited for his daughter. Sarah then went to the bedroom to tell Penny to hurry up.
"Penny hurry up!" Sarah said pulling her arm.
"I'm just fixing my hair. Just another five minutes alright." Penny said.
"Your hair is fine. My daddy loves you any which way! Come on!" Sarah said pulling her out of the bedroom.
Penny surrendered, amused by the child's comment. "Fine, I'm going now. The statue is not going anywhere sweetie!" said Penny following the child into the living room. "Alright let's go before this young lady pulls my arm off its socket." said Penny as Leonard laughed at the girl's funny moment.
An hour later, the three of them were on the top deck of the barge as it made its way to Liberty Island with all the other sightseers, looking out into the river and feeling the cold yuletide breeze across their faces. Leonard took a puff from his inhaler as he looked at Penny and Sarah having a good time on the railings, taking in the sights and a ton of selfies to preserve the happy memory.
"Are you alright honey?" Penny asked, seeing Leonard wait for the effect of his inhaler. He nodded, smiling at his girlfriend and daughter.
"I love you daddy!" Sarah said.
Leonard finally exhaled, feeling relieved. "I love you too honey. Don't worry, I'm okay now." he said as he joined them on the railing, putting his arm around Penny.
They reached Liberty Island and joined the rest of the tourists disembarking from the barge.
"Oh my god daddy! It's so huge! I can't even see her head from here." Sarah said as she looked up to the statue, amazed by its sheer size. "How did they build it anyway?" she asked.
"Well the same thing with everything honey, they built it from the ground up I guess." said Leonard as he took another picture of his girls.
"But what if it got struck by lightning? Wouldn't it catch fire or something?" asked Sarah, surprising Leonard and Penny with her insightful question.
"Wow that is really a good question honey!" he said. "and to answer your question, the statue's mostly made of copper so any lightning strike on it will just be directed to the ground." said Leonard.
"Really? The guys who built it were really smart huh?" Sarah said.
"Well, they're not as smart as you sweetie!" Penny said, kissing her cheek.
They continued their sightseeing trip around New York for the rest of the day, stopping from time to time to take a picture or selfie and just have a good time with each other's company.
They arrived at Alfred's apartment at around eight in the evening, tired but displaying big smiles for the good time they spent with each other. Leonard told Sarah to go straight to the bathroom to wash up before putting her to bed as he and Penny sat in the living room to rest their tired feet.
"Looks like you three had fun huh?" Alfred said as he took a sip of his tea.
"We did. Sarah's energy never seem to run out." said Penny.
"Yeah." said Leonard while leaning his head back on the couch.
Sarah came out of the bathroom, already dressed in her pajamas, ready for bed. Leonard took her hand into the bedroom to tuck her in while Penny took her turn to wash up in the bathroom. Leonard helped his daughter to get up on the bed and tuck her under the covers.
"Honey, I have something to show you, but you have to keep this a secret from Penny alright?" he said in a low voice.
"What is it daddy?" she asked as Leonard hurriedly took something from their luggage. He showed a small box to his daughter, opening it to show a diamond ring inside.
"I was planning to take Penny to dinner tomorrow night and give her this." he said. Sarah looked at the ring and smiled at her father.
"You're gonna ask Penny to marry you?" she asked while Leonard smiled and nodded. Sarah gave Leonard a tight hug, kissing his cheek. "I love you daddy." she said.
"So it's okay to you?" he asked.
"I love Penny daddy." she said making Leonard hug his daughter.
"Ugh thank you so much honey!" said Leonard. "Don't worry, we'll still go around tomorrow and in the evening, I'll take Penny out to dinner alright?" he said.
Sarah nodded. "I hope she says yes daddy." she said.
"I hope so too honey." he said kissing his daughter again. He quickly put the ring box back into his luggage the same time as Penny entered the bedroom, dressed in her pajamas.
"Honey, it's your turn. There's still some hot water left for you." said Penny as she went to the dresser to comb her hair.
"Thanks honey." he said as he winked at Sarah. Penny saw Leonard from the mirror and was slightly puzzled at their 'secret language'.
"What was that?" Penny asked as Sarah and Leonard straightened themselves.
"What was what?" he said trying hard not to smile.
"That! You winked at Sarah. What was that all about?" Penny asked, turning around to face them.
"Nothing. Can't a father smile at his daughter?" said Leonard.
"Not like that." she said. "What are you two hiding from me huh?" she said squinting her eyes at Leonard.
Leonard laughed a little. "Nothing. You're just seeing things." he said. "I'm going to wash up now." he said as he closed the door behind him. Penny then sat on the bed, looking at Sarah.
"Come on young lady, spill it." she said
"Spill what?" Sarah said trying hard not to buckle.
"You know I'm the one who taught you on how to keep a secret right?" Penny said, eyeing Sarah.
"I'm a child Penny. Children don't tell lies right?" she said.
Penny laughed at the child's shrewdness. "Come on sweetie! What was that all about?" she said smiling at Sarah.
"It's nothing Penny." Sarah said giving her a sad look. "Don't you believe me?"
Penny sighed, knowing she was defeated. "Fine, you win. But remember, you owe me." she said tickling her, making Sarah explode with laughter.
Leonard came back into the bedroom, finding Sarah snuggled to Penny, their eyes already closed, trying to get some sleep. He leaned over and kissed both his girls on the cheek before slipping under the covers to rest for the night, hopeful for his plan the next day.