Chapter 62
Beverly and Cathy left California the next day, knowing that Penny and Sarah are gonna be okay now that they know that Leonard was doing alright and is just trying to get home to his family. Penny also called her parents in Nebraska, telling them the story of how her husband survived his ordeal and reassuring them not to worry about her and Sarah. Wyatt and Susan were relieved in knowing their son-in-law is alive and out of harm's way and even more happy about Penny's pregnancy, excited in having a new grandchild.
Sarah for her part went back to school, telling everyone the story of how her father survived his trip. All of Sarah's classmates and friends were relieved to see Sarah again, knowing that her father wasn't dead after all. Her teachers were equally relieved, glad that the incident didn't leave a permanent effect on the child's young mind.
Penny also went back to her freelance work as part of a glam team for several celebrities. Her team was so happy when Penny told them the story of how her husband survived his accident. They were extra happy in knowing how excited Leonard would be when he comes home to his pregnant wife who is now showing a slight bump on her belly. The manager also told Penny to take it slow with work, not wanting the stress to hurt the unborn child, knowing how sensitive pregnant women could be. A few of their celebrity talents also congratulated Penny, more excited than she is in meeting the young one.
The gang made it a point to visit the two every now and then, keeping them company since they still don't have a firm date on when Leonard will come home after all his personal belongings were lost at sea.
"When is Leonard gonna arrive anyway?" Amy asked as they ate dinner around the coffee table.
"He called yesterday and the guy from the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen told him they're already arranging for his travel back home. He said they're just getting the approval for his new passport and visa since his case was a special one." said Penny.
"I'm so glad Leonard's alive." Howard said.
"Me too, otherwise we can't dress up as the Ninja Turtles anymore because we wouldn't be complete if we don't have Leonardo with us." Sheldon said with Howard and Raj nodding in agreement.
The girls looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "So you're saying is you're glad my husband is alive so you could go back to dressing up like your stupid turtles and not for any other reason?" said Penny.
"Well, that's one of the reasons" Sheldon said.
"That's great!" Penny said with a hint of sarcasm.
Amy decided to chime in. "Sheldon, being back with his family, especially now that they're having a baby is more important than dressing up with your stupid nerd costumes!"
Sarah laughed and gave Amy a high five. "Good job aunt Amy!"
"See? Even Sarah agrees with me." Amy said.
"Okay fine, but when we do dress up as the Ninja Turtles, you can't be April O'Neil." Sheldon said as they continued to eat with Sarah feeling a sense of normalcy, excited in knowing that her father would be coming home soon.
Penny looked at her stepdaughter and felt proud, happy in seeing Sarah back to being the sweet and funny kid that they all love. She put her hand on her tummy, feeling the human growing inside of her, trying hard not to get emotional at how the past several days have gone when she almost lost the love of her life and being scared to death in facing life alone, raising two kids along the way. She pushed the thought out of her mind and tried to focus on the future when her husband would arrive and walk through the door, giving them his big goofy smile while wrapping his arms around her and feeling his gentle kisses again.
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Almost three weeks have passed and the gang was in 4A, having dinner with Penny and Sarah, excited because they would go to the airport the next day to fetch Leonard from the airport.
"Mom, let's go to bed early so we can get to the airport early tomorrow." said Sarah.
"No problem sweetheart. I'm sure your dad is just as excited as we are." said Penny.
"I'm so glad that daddy's gonna be able to see us compete against that other school!" Sarah said.
Bernadette chimed in. "I'm pretty sure he'll be your biggest fan there." she said.
"I just hope I don't get the jitters and freeze." said Sarah, making them all laugh.
"Don't worry sweetheart, your dad and I are gonna be there." said Penny as they continued eating and sharing stories when the door suddenly opened with Leonard stepping inside the apartment, putting his duffel bag down and looking at them with a big smile.
Sarah quickly put her food down and ran to her father, crying her eyes out. "Daddy!" she said as she jumped and hugged her father tight, burying her face on his chest.
"Aww, honey! I missed you so much!" said Leonard, lifting his daughter and crying happy tears as the gang stood up to welcome him.
"I was so scared daddy. I thought you were dead." Sarah said as she kissed Leonard on the cheek, locking her arms around his neck and not paying attention to his thick beard and mustache.
"Don't cry honey, daddy's home now. I'm not gonna leave you again. I promise!" Leonard said while kissing his daughter. He then released Sarah as the gang hugged him, glad that he's back home safe. "Thanks guys! I'm so glad to be back!" he said before looking at Penny who remained seated on her chair, looking blankly at him. "Honey, I'm home!" he said, giving his wife a big smile.
Penny suddenly stood up and turned around, walking to the bedroom without even saying hello to him, surprising everyone. They looked at each other, not knowing what to make of Penny's actions.
"Uh, I'm not an expert on social cues, so can you tell me what happened?" Sheldon asked Howard.
"I don't have a clue Sheldon." said Howard. "Bernie, you're a girl, can you tell us what happened to Penny?"
"I don't know Howie." said Bernadette.
Leonard sighed and bowed his head. "I think I have an idea." he said before facing his daughter. "Honey, you stay here with your aunt Bernie and aunt Amy okay? I'm gonna go and talk to your mom."
Sarah could feel the tension between her parents. "Daddy I'm scared." she said.
Leonard gave her a weak smile before kissing her again. "It's gonna be alright honey. You just stay here and finish your food, alright?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes daddy."
"That's my girl!" Leonard said as he stood up before walking towards their bedroom, anxious as to what Penny would say and do to him.
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Inside the bedroom...
Leonard slowly opened the door and saw Penny standing by the window, looking out into the street below. He walked in and closed the door before going to Penny's side.
"Honey, are you alright?" he softly said, gently touching her hand.
Penny brushed him off before facing him, angrily punching his chest and grunting at him with frustration.
"Ow! What was that for!?" Leonard asked.
Penny yelled at him. "What was that for!? What was that for!?" she yelled. "That's for making us worry to death you jackass!"
"I'm sorry honey! I didn't want any of this to happen!" said Leonard.
"I can't sleep, I can't eat. We had to bring Sarah to the hospital when she couldn't take the fact that you might be dead!" Penny said, yelling at him while punching his arm.
"What do you want me to do now?" Leonard said.
"I'm not done mister! I'm here getting sick every morning, carrying your baby and then you had to call and tell us about your 'great adventure' without even thinking that you have a wife and child worried to death about you. Did you know that Sarah didn't say a word for almost two days!?" she said.
"Honey please, I'm so sorry!" said Leonard, holding Penny's hands.
Penny took her hands and punched him again, this time in the gut.
"Ugh, that hurts! What was that for?" Leonard said.
"That's for getting me pregnant you jackass!" Penny yelled. "Urrggghhh...I hate you!"
Leonard sighed and tried to keep calm before composing himself. "Okay honey, I want you to listen to me, you and Sarah were always on my mind when I was on that boat. And when we had the accident, I got so scared in thinking that I may never see the two of you again. I thought about how my daughter would handle the news of me dying at sea and even now that we have a baby on the way." he said. "I'm sorry if I made you worry. I promise I won't leave again. Please?" he added, pulling her close to hug her.
Penny slowly gave in, hugging Leonard tight and pushing her face on his neck before crying, feeling relieved in holding her husband again. "I missed you so much." she said.
"I missed you too." said Leonard, rubbing his hand on Penny's back to calm her down.
Penny slowly broke off and wiped her tears. "Take off your pants." she said, greatly surprising her husband.
"Uh, what?" said Leonard.
"I'm not gonna say it again Leonard!" Penny yelled at him.
"Okay I'm doing it, just don't yell anymore." he said as he quickly locked the door before turning his attention back to his wife. He slowly pulled her close and began kissing her while Penny hurriedly undid his pants, yanking them off before doing the same with hers.
"Hurry up!" Penny said as they jumped on the bed with Leonard moving quickly to satisfy his wife's urges.
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Meanwhile, at the living room, Bernadette and Amy held Sarah close as they heard Penny yelling at Leonard. "Don't be scared baby, I'm pretty sure they're not fighting." said Bernadette.
"Then why is mommy yelling at him?" Sarah said.
"I'm sure she's just laying it on your dad for making us worry too much." Amy said chiming in to reassure the child.
Howard laughed a little. "She's right Sarah. I'm sure Leonard is telling her that everything is his fault, including getting Penny pregnant."
Raj nodded, laughing a little. "Boy I wish I could see Leonard's face right now!"
Sheldon laughed too. "I'm sure it would look similar to when he made that arithmetic mistake on one of his papers!" he said making them all laugh.
"Yeah, that one never gets old!" said Howard.
"Don't worry princess, I'm sure Penny is just glad that your daddy is back with us." Sheldon said to Sarah as they continued eating dinner.
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Back in the bedroom, Leonard got up and quickly put his clothes on, not knowing what to make out of what just happened with his wife almost biting his head off and them having a quick one. Penny laid on the bed, covering herself with a blanket after Leonard helped her get dressed.
"You should go back out there." said Penny. "I'm gonna stay here and rest."
Leonard smiled before leaning over to kiss her lips. "I love you honey."
Penny held his shirt to meet his kisses. "I love you too." said Penny. "Now go and get something to eat so you could do me again later." she said surprising her husband.
Leonard smiled, knowing that he's been forgiven. "Okay honey." he said before opening the door and walking out.
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Leonard went back to the living room, sitting beside Sarah. "Don't worry honey. Your mom and I are okay now. She's just resting on the bed."
"Why were you fighting daddy?" Sarah asked.
Leonard smiled at his daughter. "We're not fighting honey. Your mom just got mad at me for making you guys worry too much." he said. "She's just glad that I'm home now."
Sarah hugged her father tight. "I'm so glad you're here now daddy. I thought I wasn't gonna see you again."
Leonard held his daughter, facing her. "Honey look at me. There's nothing in the world that could stop me when it comes to you and your mom. Do you understand?" he said while looking Sarah directly in the eye. "I would do everything for you and your mom, especially now that we're gonna have a new baby with us."
"Daddy, I wanna see mommy now." said the child.
Leonard stood up and held his daughter's hand. "Come on." he said, leading her to the bedroom.
Leonard opened the door, seeing Penny laying on her side. "Honey, Sarah was getting worried about you." he said.
Penny turned around and motioned for Sarah to join her on the bed. "Come here sweetheart, don't worry about me, I'm okay now." she said hugging and kissing the child.
"I thought you and daddy were fighting again." Sarah said as Leonard sat on the bed beside his girls.
"No sweetheart, I was just telling your dad how angry I was with him." said Penny. "But we're okay now. He already apologized to me." she added while giving Leonard a sly look, referring to their quickie earlier.
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Later that night, after the gang said their goodbyes, Leonard put his daughter to bed.
"I'm sorry honey, I don't even have a souvenir for you." said Leonard while pulling the sheets to cover her daughter.
"It's alright daddy. I'm just glad you're here." she said, clutching her stuffed horse toy.
Leonard kissed her cheek. "Goodnight honey. You get some sleep because tomorrow we'll go out and celebrate, okay?"
Sarah nodded. "Okay daddy. I love you so much."
"I love you too princess." he said, kissing her one more time before turning off the light and closing the door behind him.
Leonard went back to their bedroom and was surprised when Penny grabbed his shirt and forcefully pushed him on the bed.
"I'm not done with you yet mister!" she said while hurriedly removing her robe, revealing her naked body and slight bump on her belly. "Come here and make me pregnant again." she added while moving on top of Leonard.
Leonard didn't protest and let Penny have her way, feeling her sense of urgency and longing for him, surrendering himself to avoid her fiery temper flaring up again.
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The couple laid on the bed, breathing hard after their frenzied love making.
"Good job honey." said Penny, turning to her side to push her face against Leonard's beard.
"You really missed me huh?" Leonard jokingly said.
"I think it has something to do with my hormone imbalance. At least that's what my OBGYN said." said Penny.
Leonard laughed. "I'm beginning to enjoy this pregnancy thing already." he said, making Penny laugh.
"Ummm...don't shave this off alright." Penny said while touching his beard and mustache.
"No problem honey, but can I at least trim it a little bit?" said Leonard.
"Fine." said Penny. "I want my husband to be rough and rugged."
"Hey, maybe you forgot, I'm a sailor right?" he said.
Penny looked up and bit her lip. "Hmm, sailor huh? I haven't had sex with a sailor before." she said winking at him.
"Don't worry honey, just let me rest for a while." he said, laughing a little.
"I'm so glad you're back." said Penny, tightening her arms around him.
"Not as glad as I am. Who would've thought that I'm going to be a father again?" said Leonard.
"Believe it Leonard. This is all your fault." she said.
"Hey, if I remember correctly, you were the one who kept jumping on me before I went away." Leonard said, laughing a little.
"Keep talking and I'm gonna punch you in the face!" Penny said.
"Alright, it's my fault. I'm sorry." he said while pulling her close, kissing her cheek.
"It's alright. At least you're mine again." she said. "Let's get some sleep." Penny said before pushing her face onto his beard while Leonard pulled the sheets, covering them and making his wife feel his warm embrace.