Author's note: Apologies if it's taking a while for me to update my stories. Been busy with a lot of stuff lately and I promise I'll try to upload and update as soon as possible, especially my other stories.
Chapter 78
"Do you girls need any help?" asked Leonard as he carried his son who was playing with a small stuffed toy.
"We got it Leonard, just make sure that young man is distracted." Penny said as Sarah, Amy and Bernadette helped her out in arranging the furniture in the living room, with Howard and Raj helping in moving them around.
"Leonard, I don't think you have a say in this." said Sheldon.
"I know that Sheldon...my wife is pretty much in charge of everything now." Leonard said.
"You don't sound so glad about that." said Sheldon.
"Yeah...what's worse is she's slowly turning my daughter into a miniaturized version of herself for twice the effect." he jokingly said as the girls stopped what they were doing and looked sternly at him and Sheldon.
"I think you're in trouble Leonard." Sheldon said, looking warily at the girls.
"You just keep saying stupid stuff mister, and I'm gonna settle the score with you later." said Penny, giving Leonard a death stare.
"I'm just joking." said Leonard.
"That's his go-to phrase mom." Sarah said.
Penny gave the young girl a high-five. "I know sweetheart..." she said, pouting her lips at Leonard as the gang laughed at them. "Why don't you make yourself useful and buy us some lunch?" she added.
Leonard sighed. "Fine. Come on buddy, let's get out of here before your mom punches me on the face." he told his son who kept playing with his toy while mumbling baby noises. "Sheldon, do you wanna come with me?" he asked his best friend.
"Okay...as long as you don't make me hold William." said Sheldon, following Leonard out the door.
"And don't forget to get some dessert...maybe some frozen yogurt or something!" Penny yelled, making the girls smile.
"Yeah I got it!" Leonard yelled back. "Don't worry Sheldon, William is more afraid of you than you're of him." he said as they got to the car.
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After almost an hour and a half, Leonard and Sheldon arrived at the house, carrying a couple bags of food they bought from the Asian restaurant.
"We're home!" said Leonard as he went through the front door with Sheldon following close while William was fast asleep, wrapped in the baby sling around Leonard.
"Well...what do you think?" Penny asked, referring to the almost complete look of the living room.
"Wow...a few adjustments here and there and it's almost done." said Leonard, looking around the living room. "At least we have space in the bookshelf for a few of my action figures." he added, making the girls frown.
"Oh no you don't!" Penny quickly said. "That is for Sarah's books and magazines...not for your nerd stuff." she added.
"I can't believe this." said Leonard as he put the paper bag on the coffee table.
"You cannot catch a break huh?" Howard said, slightly mocking him.
Leonard took a deep breath. "Let's just eat guys." he said when William slowly opened his eyes and yawned while stretching his arms.
Penny stepped forward to take her son from Leonard. "Hi sweetheart...come to mommy." she said as William laughed, seeing his mother. "Are you hungry?" she said while nibbling her son's neck, making the baby laugh and giggle as the gang started unpacking the food, handing out the paper plates and spoons while Leonard helped his daughter put food on her plate.
"Here you go honey...you must be very hungry huh?" he said to Sarah.
"A little bit, but we're having so much fun so I guess it's alright." said the young lady.
"Well I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." said Leonard.
"Sarah made a lot of great suggestions in the overall look Leonard...she really has a good eye for design." said Bernadette.
"She's right...her color choices are so...what's the word...subtle, but very tasteful." Amy chimed in.
"Wow! Really?" Leonard said, surprised by the compliments to his daughter. "Good job honey...I'm so proud of you!" he said.
"Thanks dad." said Sarah as they start eating lunch while Penny gave the baby back to her husband so she could get some food for herself. William grunted a little, wanting to be with his mother.
"I know sweetheart...mommy's just getting some food." Penny said to her son. William moved his arms while laughing, wanting to eat with his mother. "Okay, just wait for a while sweetie." she said, happy at how active her son is.
"He really gets going when he sees food huh?" asked Howard.
"That and sleep uncle Howard." said Sarah, making them all laugh. William saw them laughing and screamed, telling them that he's part of the discussion. "See that? He got that spirit from my mom." said the young lady, making them laugh even more with William joining them.
Penny took the baby back from Leonard to feed him from her plate. "Come here sweetie..." she said as William squealed with laughter, glad in being with his mother again.
"He's still mumbling huh?" Howard said.
Penny smiled as she looked at her son who was happily chewing the food in his mouth. "Yeah...but I'm not rushing him...I want him to say 'mama' on his own." she said as she fed her son with a small bite.
"And what makes you think he won't say 'dada' first?" Leonard asked, trying to tease his wife.
"Because my son loves his mommy so much." said Penny as she kissed her son, making William scream and giggle. "Remember sweetie...if you say 'mama' first, I'll give you all the food you want." she told her son.
"What if he says my name first?" asked Sarah, making the couple look at their daughter.
"Okay, how about this, whoever William calls last will do the dishes for a month." said Penny, making Leonard and Sarah think for a while.
"But how do we know that you won't be teaching him when dad and I are in school?" asked Sarah.
Penny held her hand up. "Okay, I promise I won't teach him." she said.
"I don't know...I'm still not sure." said Sarah, looking at her father and making Penny laugh with disbelief.
"I can't believe you don't trust me?" Penny told her daughter.
Sarah shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "Well, you are a great teacher mom...so you shouldn't be surprised that I'm learning a lot of things from you...especially in being sneaky." said the young lady, making Leonard laugh.
"Good one honey!" said Leonard, giving Sarah a high five.
"Aww come on!? Why are you two so scared of a little bet?" said Penny.
"We're not scared mom." said Sarah.
"Then prove it! Let's see what William's first word is gonna be." Penny said.
"Okay I'm in." said Leonard.
Sarah sighed, not wanting to be left out. "Fine...I'm in. But you have to promise not to teach him." she told her mother.
"I promise." said Penny, putting her hand up. "You hear that sweetie, I'm counting on you okay?" she said to her son.
Leonard then took the baby from his wife. "Come on buddy...remember...'bros before ho..." he said suddenly stopping at saying the wrong word as the girls looked sternly at him.
"Leonard!" Penny yelled at him. "How could you say that in front of the kids!?" she added.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean it!" Leonard said, realizing his mistake.
Penny took the baby back before punching him on the arm. "You're an idiot! Jackass!" she said. William saw the exchange between his parents and squealed with laughter. "Let's go sweetheart...time for your nap." she said as she stood up carrying the baby and taking him upstairs to his room.
Sarah stood up and decided to follow her mother. "You're really the best father dad!" Sarah said sarcastically before running toward the stairs.
"You're in deep trouble now dude." Raj said while taking a bite of his pizza.
"I know Raj...I guess I just have to find a way to make it up to them." said Leonard before taking a deep breath.
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Later that night, Leonard was done tucking his son in the crib, making sure he held his milk bottle before kissing him goodnight. "Sleep tight buddy." he said before turning around to face his wife. "Hey...I'm sorry for what I said earlier." he said while joining Penny on the bed.
"Just let it go Leonard, I want to sleep." said Penny as she pulled the blanket over herself before turning around.
Leonard decided not to badger his wife so he leaned over and quickly kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight honey...I love you so much." he whispered before getting under the covers and going to sleep. Penny didn't flinch and pushed her face against her pillow, smiling a bit from her husband's affection.
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The next afternoon, Leonard and Sarah came into the house as Penny was cuddling the baby on her lap while watching some TV.
"Honey we're home." Leonard said, putting his knapsack on his desk before going over to kiss his wife and son who giggled at the sight of his father and sister.
"Hey guys." said Penny as she pulled Sarah to her side, kissing the young lady's cheek. "How's school sweetheart?"
"It was okay mom." said Sarah, resting her head on Penny's shoulder.
"Honey, why don't you go to the bathroom and take a shower." Leonard told Penny.
"Uh...and why do you want me to take a shower?" Penny asked.
"Because we're going out tonight! Just you and me." said Leonard as he took William in his arms
"And where are we going?" said Penny. "And what about the kids?"
"It'll be just you and me...and don't worry about the kids, Howard and Bernadette agreed to watch over them tonight." Leonard said as he pulled Penny off the couch. "Come on...off you go!" he said while lightly spanking her butt, making Sarah laugh a little.
Penny smiled. "Okay I'm going now!" she said as she walked towards the bathroom to get ready for their date.
After almost two hours, Penny came downstairs all dressed and made up for her date with Leonard. Howard and Bernadette were already in the living room playing with the baby with Sarah and Leonard. They saw Penny and were all impressed at how beautiful she was.
"Wow...you look amazing honey!" said Leonard as he gave Penny a bouquet of flowers. "Nobody would ever think that you already have two kids...well technically only one but..." he added while kissing her cheek.
"Thank you honey...these are so pretty." Penny said while smelling the flowers.
"You're so pretty mom." Sarah said as Penny knelt in front of the young lady.
"Thank you sweetie...are you gonna be okay here?" she asked her daughter.
"Don't worry mom, I got it...and aunt Bernie and uncle Howard will be here." said Sarah.
"Okay...I just don't want you and your brother giving Bernie and Howard a hard time." said Penny.
"Don't worry about us Penny...we'll just feed William until he falls asleep...and when he has a dirty diaper, Howie will take care of it." said Bernadette, making Sarah laugh a little.
"That's not funny." Howard told his wife.
Penny stood up. "Okay...thanks for doing this Bernie." she said before kissing her son who was a little surprised to see his mother looking a little different. "You be a good boy sweetie." she added.
"Okay, let's get out of here." Leonard said as he took Penny by the hand. "You guys have fun alright?" he said to Sarah and the other couple.
"Just go already! We got this!" Sarah told her parents as they walked out the door, laughing at how confident Sarah have become.
"I'm glad we're doing this Leonard...it seems like a long time ago when we last did this." said Penny as she put on her seat belt.
"I know...and I have to make it up to you for that thing yesterday." he said, hoping his wife would forgive him.
"Well you're off to a good start so I won't stop you." said Penny as Leonard leaned over to kiss her.
"Thank you." he said before driving out into the street.
"What about your daughter? How are you gonna make it up to her?" asked Penny.
"I'm getting her a bicycle." Leonard said, making Penny laugh out.
"What? Really?" Penny exclaimed.
"Yeah...we passed by the bike shop on the way home and we're picking up her bike two days from now." he said.
"That's what you get for being a jackass!" Penny said, lightly hitting his arm.
"I know...I'm a jackass." said Leonard.
"Why can't you just get her a bike off the rack like everyone else?" Penny asked.
"Well, she wanted a different color and it's not due to arrive until tomorrow...and besides, the shop owner promised to set the bike up so it'll be safe to use when we pick it up." he said.
"Now I'm thinking of making you pay even more." Penny said, slightly teasing her husband.
"Oh come on Penny...I was saving that money so I could get that limited-edition Star Wars action figure that's gonna come out next year!" he said while Penny gave him a death stare.
"Are you kidding me right now!? You're already married with two kids and bills to pay and you're still thinking of spending money on useless stuff!?" Penny said, yelling at him.
"Okay I get it...I have responsibilities now." he said.
"I can't believe you're still thinking of those things when we barely have enough for our family...especially now that William eats like a grown-up." Penny said. "And I know I'm not working and earning like you do." she added.
Leonard slowly pulled the car on the side of the road. "Okay look...whatever it is that you want to do, whether you want to go back to work or not, I'll totally support you. And I know I barely make enough for us...that's why I asked my boss for a raise and he said he'll look into it...knowing how many contributions I made to the university physics department." he said.
Penny gave him a weak smile. "Do you think he'll give you a raise?" she asked.
Leonard nodded. "It's a big possibility...that's what he said anyway."
Penny reached over and pulled him in for a kiss. "I'm so proud of you honey. Now let's get going...I'm getting hungry." she said as Leonard drove out into the road.
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"That was so much fun..." said Penny while trying to catch her breath while Leonard did the same, letting the endorphins work it's way while they lay naked and exhausted on the bed. "You did good honey...really great!" she added before snuggling up to him, wrapping her arms around her husband.
"I'm just glad that William didn't wake up to bother us." Leonard said while smelling his wife's hair.
"You're right...he usually wakes up at this hour to eat or when he needs a new diaper." Penny said. "I wonder what Bernie and Howard did to him?" she added.
Leonard looked at Penny and decided to get off the bed, putting on his robe before going over the crib to check up on his son. He slowly reached in and felt William's chest move as he slept peacefully on his bed. The baby slightly flinched, feeling his father's touch before going back to sleep. Leonard smiled before pulling the baby blanket to cover his son, thankful that his son didn't wake up. "He's dug in pretty tight in there." he said to Penny as he joined her on the bed.
"Good...now come back here...I'm not done with you yet." said Penny, pulling him close to kiss him.
"Hmm...twice in a row...I like where this is going." he said as he returned his wife's affections.
"Shut up...we don't want your son waking up." Penny whispered.
"Shutting up." Leonard said before kissing back his wife. Penny held him tight while litting him in, surrendering herself and letting Leonard do what he wanted.
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The next morning, Penny woke up alone on the bed. She turned to her side and saw William was not in his crib anymore. She slowly sat up and combed her hair with her fingers, hearing her husband and children in the kitchen probably having breakfast. She got off the bed while putting her robe on before going out of the room, going straight to the bathroom to freshen up and relieve herself. She looked herself in the mirror and smiled a little, still feeling high from last night's intimacy with her husband.
After almost fifteen minutes in the bathroom, Penny went downstairs, tying her hair up in a bun while still hearing her son making loud baby noises in the kitchen with Leonard talking back to William, trying to engage the baby even if they didn't understand what he was trying to say. William screamed with laughter when they saw Penny enter the kitchen, excited in seeing his mother.
"Good morning mom!" said Sarah as she ate her cereal and toast.
Penny leaned over and kissed Sarah on her forehead. "Good morning sweetie...did you have fun last night?" she asked.
"Yeah...aunt Bernie and I defeated uncle Howard in Mario Kart and we watched that new movie from Pixar." said the young lady as Penny went over to greet her son who tried jumping out of his baby seat, trying to get into his mother's arms. "I'm glad you had fun...hi sweetheart, did you miss me?" she said, choosing to kiss the baby on his forehead since his face and hands were messy from the food he was playing with. "Ugh...you're so messy!" she added as William continued eating and playing with his food.
"Well, he's quiet and happy, so just let him have his way." Leonard said as Penny leaned over, kissing him on the lips.
"Hmmm." said Penny before drinking from Leonard's coffee mug. "Ugh, thank god for coffee." she said as she sat beside Leonard.
Sarah gave them a stern look before standing up. "Thank god I'm done eating breakfast, because that was just gross." she said, referring to her parents affection with one another.
"Watch your attitude young lady!" Penny said, obviously teasing the young girl.
"Yeah...listen to your mother!" Leonard added.
"Okay I got it!" Sarah yelled back as she walked towards the bathroom to get ready for school.
"She's a lot more confident and outspoken now." said Penny.
Leonard laughed and pulled his wife to sit on his lap. "That's all because of you." he said as Penny willingly did what he wanted, putting her hands around his neck before kissing him again.
"Hmm...this is the breakfast I need." said Penny while kissing her husband passionately.
"Hmm...I'm already having dessert!" Leonard said, happily playing along with his wife.
"Well you deserved it. You really did good last night...pushing all the right buttons...hitting all the right spots..." she said while continuing with her hugs and kisses.
"I'm a scientist...and pushing buttons is part of my job..." said Leonard, letting his wife have her way with him.
"Hmm...although...there's still one spot that you haven't found yet." she said, surprising her husband.
"Are you kidding me right now?!" Leonard asked, having a hard time believing what Penny said.
Penny laughed a little. "It's true honey...I'm not messing with you." she said.
"Where is it?!" asked Leonard, making Penny laugh even more.
"I'm not gonna tell you that! That is for you to find out on your own!" she said, obviously playing around with her husband.
"We've been together for almost four years now and you're still holding out on me?" Leonard asked, amused by his wife.
"What do you want me to say?" Penny said, teasing her husband more.
"Oh come on Penny!?" said Leonard.
"No way Leonard...although I'll give you a chance to discover it tonight." she said while kissing his lips. "But if you don't find it, you won't get any for two weeks...you got that?" she added, making Leonard frown a little.
"Okay fine...you win." he said as he pulled her for another kiss when William suddenly screamed and grunted, looking angrily at them.
The couple looked back and saw their son staring at them. "What is your problem!?" Penny asked William, surprised by his sudden outburst.
William made some baby noises, making his protest clear to the couple.
"I think he's jealous." said Leonard.
"Let's find out." Penny said as she leaned in to kiss her husband. William grunted again before crying, making it obvious that he didn't like what his parents were doing.
Penny stood up to attend to her son."Aww...you are jealous...come on, let's get your hands and face cleaned up." she said while taking the baby to the kitchen sink to rinse his face and hands. "You can't even give mommy and daddy some alone time huh?" she added while the baby continued mumbling.
Leonard laughed and followed Penny to the sink, kissing her on the back of her neck while lightly caressing her waist. "I'm gonna get ready for work..." he said, making Penny squeal from his affections. "...we'll continue this tonight little miss..." he added, lightly pinching her butt.
"Just go already...while I can still control myself!" Penny playfully said, trying hard not to giggle and lose hold of her son who was playing with the water from the faucet. "Okay that's enough sweetie. I'll give you a bath later before you take a nap alright?" she said while wiping William's hands and face.
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After getting ready for work and school, Leonard and Sarah went to the front door followed closely by Penny who was carrying the baby with her.
"Bye honey!" said Leonard before kissing his wife goodbye.
"Bye...aren't you going to say goodbye to me and your brother?" she asked Sarah who was already on the pathway.
"I was planning to but you and dad can't help yourselves from creeping out the whole neighborhood!" Sarah said as she turned around to face her parents.
"Aww...I'm sorry little miss genius...please forgive me if I love your father!" Penny said, returning Sarah's sarcasm.
Sarah sighed as she stood still while Penny walked up and knelt down to kiss her on the cheek. "Bye mom. Bye little brother." she said, kissing William on his cheek.
"Okay...let's get going or you'll be late for your class." said Leonard while opening the car door and getting inside.
"Bye you two...have fun!" Penny said, waving goodbye to them as William looked on, mumbling baby words as the car drove out onto the street. "Come on sweetheart, time for your bath so you could take a nap and I can clean up in the kitchen." said Penny as she went back into the house, wearing a big smile on her face, thinking of the wonderful night that she and Leonard had last night, somewhat escaping from their family life even if for a little while.
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Later that night...
"I told you I'd find it." Leonard said as he tried to catch his breath while Penny snuggled up to him with a big smile on her face.
"Good job honey..." said Penny. "I'm so glad you found it..." she added as Leonard tightened his arm around his wife.
"Come here..." Leonard said, pulling his wife close to kiss her on the lips.
Penny happily went along and kissed her husband back before resting her head on his shoulder. "Hmm...I'm so happy Leonard..." she said.
"Me too Penny..." he said as they laid quietly on the bed when William suddenly woke, making some noise before crying out to his parents. "...and now we're back on planet Earth... he said, making Penny laugh. "I'll get it." he added as he slowly got off the bed before putting his robe on.
"Thank you honey..." Penny said as she pulled the blanket over herself to get some sleep.
Leonard went over to the crib and took his son into his arms. "Come on buddy...are you hungry?" he asked while checking William's diaper which was still clean. "Let's warm up some milk in the kitchen so your mom can get some sleep." he added while getting out of the bedroom.
Penny saw them leave the room out of the corner of her eye before pushing her face down on the pillow, letting sleep take her over and knowing that she and Leonard have a new and deeper understanding with each other.