Chapter 36

Leonard stayed at the hospital for almost a week and a half, being cared for by his family especially Penny who wouldn't leave his side. He saw a different side of his wife in the time they spent together in the recovery room. Penny was more affectionate and would always make sure her husband was comfortable on the bed or if a glass of water was always by his bedside table.

"I know I shouldn't be saying this but I really like this new side of you." said Leonard.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well...ever since they brought me in here, you're like my personal butler..." he said, laughing a little.

Penny faced her husband and folded her arms. "Yeah...a butler who has sex with you..." she said.

"That's the best part!" he said, laughing out loud. "How long are they gonna keep me in here anyways?"

"I think the doctor is gonna give you your discharge papers any day now." said Penny.

"I hope it's soon...I'm getting sick of all these hospital food..." he said.

"And what makes you think that you can eat whatever you want when we get home?" Penny said while giving him a serious look.

"Oh come on Penny!? Can't I get a break?" he said.

"No Leonard! From now on, I'm gonna make sure you eat healthy and get the right nutrients. I don't know what I'm gonna do if you get another heart attack." she said.

Leonard took a deep breath, knowing that he can't win against his wife. "Fine...I'm not gonna cheat again."

Penny leaned over and kissed him. "Good...now what do you wanna watch?" she said while pointing the remote control at the TV.

"I don't know...just put it on the news." said Leonard. "Where's your son anyways? I thought he dropped Sarah off at school?"

"He's hanging out with some of his friends." said Penny before joining her husband on the bed. "So for now...you're stuck with me!" she added, making Leonard laugh.

"I would take this deal any time of the day." he said as Penny rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the news on the TV.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Later that afternoon, Sarah came in followed closely by William who's carrying some takeout food for them. She immediately went to give her father a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi dad! How are you feeling today?" asked Sarah.

"I'm doing okay honey." said Leonard, glad to receive his daughter's affection. "How's school?"

"It's fine...it's only a couple of months 'till graduation so there's not much to do really." she said before taking the paper bag from William's hand. "We bought you some mandarins." she added.

"Thanks...these are my favorites." said Leonard as he peeled one open. "Did you buy these yourself?"

"He paid for it." said Sarah, pointing at her brother.

"That's me...the generous one..." said William making his parents laugh.

"Thanks guys." said Leonard when Sarah's phone beeped. She took it out and scrolled on the screen, pushing a few buttons before putting it back in her pocket.

"Who's that sweetie?" asked Penny.

Sarah gave them a weak smile. "It's Jason..."

Penny and Leonard looked at each other and took a deep breath. "Honey, are you sure about your decision?" he asked.

Sarah took out one mandarin and began peeling it. "I'm sure dad...you don't have to worry about me." she said.

"But sweetheart, you have to stop blaming yourself. Do you think breaking up with him is the right thing to do?" said Penny.

"I'm sure mom...I can handle it...I'm smart remember?" Sarah said.

"Is he trying to get back together with you?" Leonard asked.

Sarah nodded. "Yeah...but I told him we're done...and besides, we're about to drift apart once I go to college...so it's just a matter of time before we break up." Sarah said before eating a slice of the fruit.

"I'm sorry honey..." said Leonard while giving his daughter's hand a light squeeze.

Sarah gave her father a weak smile. "It's alright dad...I'm gonna be fine." She said.

Leonard looked at her daughter and saw how much she's grown, coming into her own and making decisions with her life, something she has to own up no matter what the outcome is. "I just want you to be happy honey...but if that's what you want, then you have my support." he said.

"Thanks dad." said Sarah, giving her father a smile.

"Okay...this food is not gonna eat itself so I suggest we get right to it." William said as he started unpacking the food boxes.

"That smells really nice." said Leonard as he reached for one of the food boxes.

"Oh no mister...you get the veggie salad and tofu." Penny quickly said.

"I can't believe this." said Leonard, giving his wife the look.

"That's funny!" Sarah said, getting her digs at her father.

Leonard took the salad and began eating. "It's not funny to me." he said while they start eating dinner, sharing stories and jokes with each other.

Penny looked at her husband and their kids and can't help but feel thankful for this brief moment that they're complete, even if she almost lost Leonard. She tried to push the painful memory off her mind and decided to live in the moment and enjoy their quality time together.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a couple of days, the doctor gave the go-ahead for Leonard to be discharged from the hospital, seeing that his vital signs were already normal and stable.

"I hope I don't see you in here again Leonard." said Dr. Gonzales while shaking his hand.

"Thank you doctor. I hope so too." said Leonard as he sat on the wheelchair.

Penny shook the doctor's hand. "Thanks for saving my husband...we owe you everything." Penny said.

"You're very much welcome...just make sure that your husband sticks to eating healthy." said the doctor.

"Oh I will doctor...he won't escape me this time." Penny said, slightly warning her husband.

"Okay, you guys take care alright?" said Dr. Gonzales while tapping William's and Sarah's shoulders,

"Thank you." William and Sarah said.

"Can you guys take our stuff to the car? I just have something to ask Dr. Gonzales here before we leave." said Penny as William and Sarah took their bags before leaving the room.

"What is it that you wanted to ask Mrs. Hofstadter?" asked the doctor.

Penny took a deep breath before facing Dr. Gonzales. "Uh...can my husband still...you know...fulfill his duties...like getting busy and stuff?" she said greatly surprising Leonard and making the doctor laugh a little.

"Of course...your husband had a heart attack not a sex change!" said Dr. Gonzales, laughing a bit. "Just take it slow I guess...you don't want to overwork your husband now do you?" he added.

Leonard looked at his wife and gave him a big goofy smile.

"What?" Penny asked, raising her eyebrows to her husband. "You are my husband and I'm your wife!" she said.

"Nothing honey...let's just go home." said Leonard.

"Okay...I guess my job is done here...you're one lucky guy Leonard!" said the doctor, tapping his shoulder as he left the room while Penny pushed Leonard on the wheelchair, going to the parking lot where their kids are already waiting on them.

The couple joined their kids by the car as William put the bags in the trunk while Penny made sure her husband was comfortable in the backseat. After a few minutes, they drove off the hospital parking lot, thankful that Leonard overcame his second near-death experience and hopeful that it won't happen again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

As soon as Leonard entered the house, Marty immediately ran towards him, jumping, barking and clawing his way up, happy in seeing his daddy again.

"Marty stop that! You're hurting dad!" Sarah said, trying to calm the dog down.

Leonard sat on the couch as the dog followed him there, licking his face and wagging his tail, an obvious sign of his love for him.

"Hey Marty...don't worry I'm okay now." said Leonard, trying to look away as Marty smothered him with his drool, licking his face and neck. "I missed you too buddy!" he added as he patted the dog on his head, back and belly. Marty then laid on the couch, resting his head on Leonard's lap while looking him in the eye. "I think he's okay now." Leonard said, smiling at his kids and wife.

"William sweetheart, why don't you bring all your dad's dirty clothes in the basement, I'm gonna wash them later." said Penny.

"Sure mom." said William as he took the bags down into the basement.

"Thank you sweetie...Sarah, you're gonna help me in the kitchen, we're making lunch." said Penny.

"Okay mom...I'll just go upstairs and change my clothes." said the young lady before running up to her bedroom.

"What about me?' Leonard asked.

Penny walked over and quickly kissed her husband. "You...just stay here and relax because you're gonna get some tonight...I promise." she said while giving her husband a seductive look.

"Sure honey...whatever you say." said Leonard, giving his wife a goofy smile, excited in getting intimate with her.

After lunch and cleaning up in the kitchen, the couple decided to retire in the living room to watch TV while Sarah decided to sleep in her room with Marty. William decided to join his parents, working on his laptop while looking at the TV from time to time.

"Sweetheart, when are you going back to New Jersey?" Penny asked her son.

"Next week mom." said William. "I called my boss and told him that I'm needed here and he told me to take my time." he added.

"That's very nice of him." said Penny.

"What about Erin? What did she say?" Leonard asked.

"She's okay with it. I told her that I'd make it up to her when I come back." said William while typing on his computer.

"Well you better give her more than your charm if you want to make it up to her." Penny said, making her husband laugh a little.

"Your mother is right son...I tried using that too many times on your mom...especially back when we were dating." said Leonard.

"I guess mom grew tired of it huh?" William said.

"The key is to do it in a seasonal fashion... most days my wit and sense of humor was enough, but on other days I had to step it up a notch, just to sweep her off her feet." said Leonard while giving his wife a smug smile. "Either way it works like a charm every time." he said before looking at Penny. "Right honey?"

"Keep talking and I'm gonna punch you right now." she said, glaring at him.

"Oh come on honey...can't you take a joke?" said Leonard.

"Dad's right mom. Can't you take a joke?" added William, piling it on.

"You two cut it out or I swear to god!" said Penny, glaring at her boys.

"Okay...we'll stop now." William said, giving his father a high five before going back to what he was doing on his computer.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Later that night, Penny entered their bedroom after washing up in the bathroom. She saw her husband on the bed reading something on his iPad and immediately locked the door before turning the lights off.

"Put that away mister." she said.

Leonard put the iPad on the nightstand and looked at his wife as she started to take her robe off, revealing her naked body to him. "Honey..."

"What?" Penny asked while she neared the bed.

Leonard smiled, seeing the desire in his wife's eyes. "Come here little miss." he said as Penny slowly slid under the covers while trying to yank off her husband's pajamas.

"You're mine Leonard...all mine." said Penny as they kiss, excited in finally having time to themselves. "Just relax and let me make you happy." she whispered as she put her arms around her husband's neck, locking her lips onto his.