Chapter 48
"So, are you nervous?" Howard asked while shaking Leonard's hand as they take their place in the front where the wedding ceremony would take place.
"A little bit I guess." Leonard said.
"Good luck dude." Raj said shaking his hand.
"Thanks Raj." said Leonard. "Hey Sheldon, still wearing your Star Trek uniform underneath your suit?" he asked.
Sheldon slightly opened his shirt showing his costume underneath. "Wearing it proud Leonard." he said as Howard and Raj laughed a little.
"You must be burning up inside?" Leonard asked.
"A little bit. But it's a small price to pay for keeping up with tradition." said Sheldon.
Leonard smiled. "Okay Sheldon, whatever floats your boat." he said. "So I guess next time we do this is you and Bernadette's wedding huh?" he asked Howard.
"I guess." said Howard. "I just wish I could convince my mom and Bernie's parents to have the wedding in a non-denomination, neutral ground. You know since they're Catholic and we're Jewish which doesn't really agree on some stuff." he added.
"I don't think it's gonna be a problem Howard." Sheldon said. "You can get married in City Hall if you want?" he added.
Howard smiled at Sheldon. "Thank you Sheldon. We'll call that 'plan B' alright." he said.
"Glad I could help." Sheldon said.
"Which reminds me, I think you should hold on to these Sheldon." said Leonard handing him a pair of wedding bands.
Sheldon nodded. "As the best man, I'll guard these with my life as Smeagol did his precious." he said making the three laugh a little.
Leonard tapped him on the shoulder. "That's good to know Sheldon." he said.
After a few minutes, Pastor Klein who's officiating the wedding joined the guys up front.
"So Leonard, how are you feeling?" Pastor Klein asked.
"A little nervous and excited." said Leonard as he shook the pastor's hand.
"Well I guess that's pretty normal. Just take a deep breath and before you know it, you'll be married to the love of your life." said Pastor Klein.
"Thank you Pastor. I just hope it would go smoothly and we won't have any drama." said Leonard.
Pastor Klein laughed and tapped Leonard's shoulder. "Well it wouldn't be a good wedding if we don't have any drama now, would it?" he said, smiling at Leonard.
They continued talking as the guests started to arrive one by one. They went to the front to congratulate Leonard and wish him the best of luck. Leonard's colleagues from the university arrived and greeted the guys, shaking Leonard's hand. A few of Penny's co-workers from the boutique and Cheesecake Factory also came to attend the wedding, taking their place at the vacant seats among the others.
After another half an hour, a wedding staff from the restaurant came running to the front, telling Leonard and the pastor that the wedding is about to start and they should take their places. Leonard and the guys took their places and faced the crowd as the wedding music started to play and the crowd facing the same direction as they are, waiting for the girls to emerge.
After a couple of minutes, Sarah slowly walked out, carrying a small basket, sprinkling flower petals as she walked along the aisle. Leonard couldn't help but shed a tear upon seeing his daughter all made up and looking very angelic in her dress and surprisingly, wearing the cowboy boots that Penny gave to her on her last birthday party and the tiara that Sheldon bought for her. The crowd gave a unanimous 'Aww' upon seeing Sarah as she gave the biggest smile while walking towards her father. Sarah reached her father who lifted her up, kissing her on the cheek. "You look so beautiful honey! I'm so proud of you!" said Leonard.
Sarah hugged her father tight. "I love you daddy!" she said as the crowd looked on, touched by the tender father-daughter moment.
"I love you too honey!" said Leonard before putting his daughter down. Sarah then ran to Beverly and Alfred to sit between them.
"You look absolutely stunning dear!" said Beverly, kissing her granddaughter.
"Look at my boots grandma! Aren't they pretty?" she asked.
"They're adorable dear." said Beverly, hugging the child.
"You look very pretty, little princess!" Alfred added, kissing the child on her cheek.
Bernadette walked out, dressed in her bridesmaid dress looking very lovely. Howard looked at his fiance and can't help but feel emotional at how beautiful Bernadette is. After a couple of minutes, Amy emerged, walking slowly along the aisle as everyone was stunned seeing her all made up and wearing her elegant maid-of-honor dress. Sheldon saw Amy and was stunned, surprised at how beautiful his girlfriend was.
"Sheldon, are you alright? You look like you just saw a ghost or something." said Raj.
Sheldon slightly shook his head. "I'm alright Raj." he said.
The music then changed as Penny walked out on the aisle while holding onto her father's arm. Everyone turned silent as they saw Penny, stunned at how beautiful she was in her elegant and stylish wedding dress. She then saw Leonard and gave him the loveliest smile while he wiped a tear from his eye. They reached the dais, as Wyatt shook Leonard's hand while giving his daughter over to him.
"Good luck Leonard." said Wyatt. "And if your brother-in-law comes to visit, don't lend him any money." he added while tapping his shoulder, making Leonard laugh a bit.
"Thank you daddy." Penny said while hugging her father.
"I love you slugger." said Wyatt before he took his seat beside Susan.
Leonard faced his fiance, smiling at her. "You look so beautiful honey." he said.
Penny then fixed Leonard's bow tie and coat. "There, perfect!" she said smiling at him.
Pastor Klein then cleared his throat as everyone faced the front, waiting for the wedding rite to begin. "We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Leonard and Penny and consequentially their daughter Sarah." said the pastor as the couple looked at the little girl, smiling at her. "If anyone here thinks that these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, you should speak now or forever hold your peace?" he said as Sheldon coughed, excusing himself as everyone looked at him.
Sheldon looked at them and realized he disturbed the ceremony. "I'm sorry, my throat got a little itchy." he said. "Please continue Pastor Klein." Sheldon said to the relief of everyone.
"I got to know the story of Leonard and Penny last week when they came in for their pre-wedding counseling and I gotta tell you, their story is so heartwarming and unconventional that it somehow brought a tear to my eye. Here are two people, in love with each other and right in the middle of them is their angel daughter. I thought love triangles only end in pain and tears but this one is definitely not one of those." he said making the crowd laugh.
The pastor then turned to the couple. "I believe you two prepared your vows?" he said as the couple nodded. "I suppose we'll let the lady go first huh?" he added as Penny turned to face Leonard, holding his hands.
Penny took a deep breath and smiled at Leonard, trying hard not to get too emotional. "Leonard, when I met you and Sarah, I wasn't expecting things to go the way that they did. But now being here in front of our family and friends, I'm thankful that it did. You make me so incredibly happy and I promise you this, I'll always be with you every step of the way. I know you're a genius and all but sometimes, just let me and Sarah do the thinking from time to time alright?" she said making Leonard and the crowd laugh.
"Nice going mommy!" yelled Sarah making the crowd laugh even more.
Penny faced Sarah and winked at her. "I told you didn't I?" she said making the child laugh.
"Okay, now that the boss has spoken, Leonard, you're up!" said Pastor Klein.
Leonard held Penny's hand, looking her in the eye. "Penny, before I met you, I devoted myself in raising my daughter and I was fine with it. She was my life and the center of my universe and I was happy watching her grow up even if I knew that I could never give her the love that only a mother could give. But then I met you and I immediately fell in love and got scared at the same time." he said as the crowd laughed a little. "Until now, I still can't figure out how someone like me gets to be together with someone as wonderful as you. Maybe I'm not a genius after all!" he said as Penny and the crowd laughed louder. "I was scared but not anymore. I love you and I will keep on loving you until the end of time." he said.
"Aww, honey!" Penny said as she smiled at him while wiping the tear off her eye.
The couple then looked at Pastor Klein and saw him drying his eyes. "Sorry about that. I'm a sucker for beautiful wedding vows." he said as the crowd laughed at him. "Okay, do we have the rings?" he asked Leonard.
Leonard turned around as Sheldon stepped forward, handing him the wedding rings. "Thanks Sheldon." he said.
"I have fulfilled my duties as guardian of the rings." said Sheldon while Penny rolled her eyes.
Pastor Klein took the rings, putting them on his bible before turning to Leonard.
"Leonard, I'm gonna ask you some questions and don't worry, these questions are a lot easier than your Quantum Mechanics or Physics." he said as the couple laughed along with the crowd. "Leonard, do you take Penny to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and honor her all your life, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" said the pastor.
"I do." said Leonard while smiling at Penny.
"I believe the crowd didn't hear you Leonard." said Pastor Klein.
"I do!" Leonard said almost to the point of yelling, making the crowd laugh.
"Daddy, you didn't need to shout!" said Sarah as the crowd laughed again.
Leonard turned to face his daughter. "I'm just making sure honey." he said smiling at Sarah.
The pastor then turned to Penny. "Penny, do you take Leonard to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and honor him all your life, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" asked the pastor.
"I do pastor." Penny said clearly.
Pastor Klein then took one of the rings and gave it to Leonard. "Leonard, if you would follow me…." he said as Leonard held Penny's hand while following the pastor's words.
"Penny, take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. I swear to honor and cherish you for the rest of my life." said Leonard as he slipped the ring on Penny's finger. "No backsies!" he added making Penny laugh.
Pastor Klein then handed the other ring to Penny, telling her to follow his words.
Penny took a deep breath. "Leonard, take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. I swear to honor and cherish you for the rest of my life." said Penny as she slipped the ring on Leonard's finger. "You're mine now mister!" she said cunningly, greatly surprising Leonard and the crowd.
Pastor Klein leaned over to Leonard. "I hope you're not in trouble Leonard." he said.
Leonard smiled at him. "I hope so too Pastor." said Leonard.
"Okay, by the power vested in me by the Lord Almighty, the State of California and I'm not the one to judge one's religious beliefs, by The Klingon High Council." he said earning a glaring look from Penny and the girls while the guys celebrated and gave fist bumps to each other. Pastor Klein immediately defended himself, slightly raising his hands. "Leonard made me say it!" he said pointing at the groom.
Penny then gave Leonard a stern look before taking a deep breath. "Fine! Two more strikes and you're out! You got that!" she said as Leonard quietly nodded.
"You're in trouble now daddy!" Sarah yelled making the crowd laugh.
Pastor Klein then raised his right hand asking for a little silence. "I now pronounce you husband and wife! Leonard, you may now kiss the bride." he said as Penny grabbed Leonard's suit and pulled him in, kissing him passionately as the crowd cheered and applauded, happy for the newly wedded couple.
The couple broke off, smiling and touching each other's face. "I love you so much!" said Leonard.
"I love you too." Penny whispered as Sarah ran to her parents. Leonard lifted his daughter up in his arms, kissing her while Penny did the same.
"Mommy!" Sarah said as she hugged Penny.
"Are you happy sweetheart?" Penny asked.
"Yes mommy." said Sarah as she hugged her parents tight.
Leonard then put his daughter down as the rest of their friends and family came over to congratulate them. Leonard and Penny hugged and shook hands with each and everyone who attended their wedding, thanking them for attending.
The restaurant staff then gathered the couple to the front to take pictures of them with their family and friends. The photographer took pictures of the couple with their daughter, then Pastor Klein joined in followed by their family and friends. Penny made sure to check up on Sarah from time to time, fixing her hair and dress to make her look pretty for the picture.
"You are so pretty sweetheart." Penny said to Sarah as she fixed the tiara on her head.
"You're beautiful too mommy." said Sarah as Penny kissed her cheek.
"Make sure to smile for the camera alright?" said Penny as she stood up to pose for the photographer.
After taking the pictures, the restaurant staff called everyone's attention to take their place for the wedding reception at the adjacent hall. Penny took Leonard and Sarah's hand as they entered the reception hall with the crowd welcoming and cheering for them as they make their way to the main table.