Leonard arrived home from work to find the lights dimmed. The low-light atmosphere in the room was coming from the colorful Christmas tree lit up in the background and the white candles positioned around the plates and cutlery, given a romantic setting. The aromatic smell of braised chicken coming from the kitchen made his stomach rumble.
"Hey, handsome,"
Leonard stopped in his tracks. He caught a glimpse of her leaning against the island table. He roused a smile and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse and cracked.
"Uh… Hey Beau…, Beautiful."
She winked at him as she walked toward him and kissed him on the cheek. Penny was wearing a sexy Santa Christmas lingerie dress in a white apron at the front. Finishing off with stockings and heels
Leonard inhales heavily. Penny looked fantastic in it. Christmas has come early for him. He thought. "You look incredible."
"Thank you and you're not so bad yourself. Just in time for dinner." she turned without looking back and walked seductively towards the kitchen.
Leonard couldn't help but check out her rear end.
"Leonard."
"Yeah…"
"Stop staring at my butt."
"Umm, yeah, sorry."
"And stop drooling."
"Uh-oh!" He nodded. Hardly getting a sentence out.
Penny smiled to herself. She loved teasing him. Penny had prepared a lovely candlelit dinner. A montage of Isabelle in her various Christmas jumpers over the years grinning and making faces was on a loop on the iPad. Penny sent her off to spend the weekend with Bernadette so she and Leonard can have some alone time.
Leonard smiled at the surprise. He wasn't expecting this as Penny had been cranky lately.
"What is this?" He felt happy and humbled.
She set the chicken down on the table. "D'oh!, a surprise. I thought I'll do something special just for you. Isabelle is at Bernadette's so we have the whole apartment to ourselves."
"Oh yeah. We could use the time wisely." Leonard chuckled.
"I can also sleep and you are not allowed to wake me up until after 11.00 am." Penny grinned.
"Ah, there's that sarcastic indifference I love about you."
"Hey, I mean it."
"Sure you do." He put his arms around his wife and kissed her softly with a lot of passion.
Penny gave in to his kiss, her weakness for him evident.
"Sometimes I look at you and can't believe you're with me. What did I do to deserve you?" Leonard whispered.
Penny looked into his eyes, kissed him on the lips, and said. "You captured my heart and made me fall in love with you. Silly."
"I did?" Leonard's heart melted. "There so many ways I want to tell you I love you."
"Then tell me. Stud." Penny grinned.
"Leonard chuckled and said sincerely. "To be honest. There is no other love like my love for you."
"That's why you are the love of my life," Penny touched his face seductively.
Leonard felt blessed and promised to treasure her for the rest of his life. They ended the evening with a game of food-induced sex.
Leonard was leaning on the island table, sipping his coffee reminiscing about the great weekend he and Penny had. Isabelle entered the kitchen, iPad in hand, and climbed on a stool next to Leonard. A few hours ago Bernadette and Howard had dropped her off.
"Daddy, Howard, says there might be ice on the moon, but he's wrong because there's no water on the moon."
"Well, not entirely, there could be ice at the moon's poles," Leonard replied.
Isabelle looked at Leonard puzzled and said. "Don't be silly, daddy. The moon doesn't have poles."
Penny walks in. "Isabelle, I need to order the shopping this week. Have you seen my iPad?"
"No," Isabelle lied and hid it under Leonard's man bag.
"Are you sure? You were playing your dinosaur game earlier."
"This morning I was using it, but now I'm not." She skipped off.
"But you didn't tell me where it is?" Penny groaned.
Leonard laughed and moved his bag so Penny can see the iPad. Penny gave him the evils. "Very funny, very mature. Leonard."
"What...? She didn't get her cockiness from me." he looked away and continued to sip his coffee and fantasizing about Penny in that Santa lingerie dress and heels. Maybe she might wear it again on Christmas day.
Six years of blissful marriage. Leonard and Penny still could not get enough of each other, but one good thing that seemed to get in the way of their lovemaking was their smart and beautiful daughter. Isabelle was a handful and asked a lot of questions, but they loved her no less. It was also difficult for them to explain things to her. With her vivid imagination, not so much Leonard, but Penny struggled with the young girl's intelligence. Isabelle was more like her mother though, copying Penny's straits. Her body language, eye-rolling, sarcasm, and facial expressions.
Isabelle loved the way she left her parents speechless from her actions. She knew how to manipulate them.
Penny always saw through her but allowed her to get away with it sometimes.
Isabelle took Leonard's brilliant mind and love of video games and exploited his weakness as a pleaser. As a daddy's girl, she always got her way with Leonard, not so much Penny.
Penny was again pregnant, and as usual, it was Leonard's fault. A sister or brother for Isabelle. Penny remembered when they told Isabelle the exciting news. Penny couldn't help but giggle at Isabelle's reaction.
"You've got to be kidding me. Do you know how hard it is to raise two kids these days?" Isabelle said with her hands on her hips, and head tipped to the side, just like her mom would. Isabelle was not so excited about having a brother or sister anymore.
"Yes, we do, we thought about it and... Why am I explaining myself to a five-year-old?" Penny moans.
"Can I name the baby?"
"No." They said together.
"But why?" Isabelle asked.
"Because we are not calling the baby indoraptor?' I am not giving birth to a dinosaur." Penny rolled her eyes,
"Also it's mommy and daddy's job to name the baby," Leonard said.
"But that's not fair, times have changed. It should be a family decision. What is wrong with you people." she storms off.
Penny's thoughts were broken.
"Hey honey, I'm home."
"Hey, babe."
"Are you okay?" A worried Leonard asked.
"Yeah, just aching a bit. but I'm fine. I was just thinking about what Isabelle said about us having another baby."
Leonard was relieved that Penny was okay. "Yeah, that was funny." Leonard chuckled at the memory. Do you think Isabelle is right? It is not going to be easy raising two kids."
"We will be fine, we are not having any more kids after this one and no more sex for you, mister." Penny grinned.
"Good luck keeping your hands off this hunk of a man." Leonard puffed his chest.
"Leonard, I mean it this time, after this baby, you are not allowed to take advantage of my love for you."
"I guarantee you'll miss it." Leonard knew his wife well. She was teasing and bluffing. He softly rubbed her shoulders and whispered into her ears. "Wanna bet." Leonard purred.
"Well, you won the last bet after the all-clear from the doctor, so no." Penny giggled at his touch. "Nothing you can say will change my mind this time,"
Leonard smiled and tested the water. "Fancy a quickie." He continued caressing her shoulders knowing his wife.
Penny inhaled softly, turned around, looked him straight in the eyes, and said. "If you think you can work your way around me with, oh… Leonard." She lunges at him. His purred eyes always got Penny.
The dinner table was quiet this evening, Leonard sensing that Penny was not in a good mood. He silently ate his meal. He wanted to ask what's wrong but knew better when Penny was cranky, it's best to leave her to her thoughts. She broke the silence.
"So are you going to eat your dinner, Isabelle?" Penny asked.
"I'm eating my dinner," Isabelle replied.
"No, you're not. You are playing with your spaghetti."
"I'm not too fond of your… Uh, I mean..."
"If you don't eat your dinner, no dessert," Penny warned.
"But mom…."
"No buts, no dinner, no dessert."
"Daddy!"
"You know I have no say in the matter. Right."
"That's right. Your daddy can't help you." Penny retorted.
"But the last time I didn't eat my dinner, you gave me ice cream when mom went to the bathroom to pee."
"You did what," Penny growls.
"It… was only once, I swear," Leonard said uneasily. He felt the sweat running down his back.
"Actually to be precise four times, last week, the week before an….."
"Whoa, Okay Isabelle," Leonard interrupted. "Eat your dinner."
"You went behind my back more than once." Penny snapped.
"No…umm... it is not like that. Honey, she took advantage of my weak state."
"You let a six-year-old wrap her little fingers around you." Penny stormed out but popped back to get her plate of food.
"Mature, very mature Leonard." She snarled.
Leonard knew he was in trouble. Penny was three months pregnant and sometimes very moody. Penny wasn't going to forgive him for his betrayal easily. It would take a lot of groveling to get back on her good side.
"Look what you've done. You've only gone and upset mommy." Isabelle said as she ate her spaghetti.
Leonard took a double-take. "Really. It's nothing to do with you playing with your food and telling your mom our little secret."
"Umm no, not my fault. Was it supposed to be a secret?" Isabelle asked.
"Uh, yeah...," Leonard muttered.
"Oh. So why didn't you say?"
"I did..." He gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Hi Penny, how are you doing," He put his arms around her tummy. Leonard was trying to get back on her good side. "Sorry I went behind your back with Isabelle."
"Are you Leonard, are you? You are on a very short leash, mister."
"Ooh..., I like that idea."
"Leonard get your mind out the gutter. Perv."
Leonard switches tactics. "But uh..., it's so wonderful that you are pregnant again."
Penny arched her eyebrows and adopted her ironic look and tone. "Yeah, marvelous. Nausea, feeling bloated, gas, pelvic pain, insomnia, acne, fatigue, and lots of peeing. Yes, Leonard. Pregnancy is wonderful."
"I'm sorry," Leonard said sincerely.
Penny knew he was doing his best to make her comfortable. She felt bad for yelling at him. He had been working from home 3 days a week and always there for her appointments and classes. "Hey, it's okay, we will get through this together, we did it once, and we can do it again," Penny said in a soft tone.
"You know I got your back," Leonard promised.
"Yeah, I know Leonard. You've been very supportive, and always there for me. And thanks for those natural shampoos you brought me, they help with the acne."
"Well, one of the jobs of a husband during pregnancy is to help his wife continue to feel special."
Penny wanted to cry from those words. "Thank you, Leonard, I appreciate everything you do and sorry for earlier and looking after Isabelle."
"Well, she is my daughter, even though she can be a handful." They both agreed and chuckled.
Penny was constantly tired. The morning sickness and the constant peeing did not help. Her hormones were all over the place, she was always hungry and getting emotional because she feels fat. She would complain its Leonard's fault because he always made sure she had her favorite chocolates and snacks to satisfy her cravings.
Leonard did all cooking, creating healthier meals for Penny. He took her for walks and exercised with her at home so Penny can stay in shape. Penny was not a fan of the exercises and did her best to get out of them. Leonard was always there to assure her and tell her how beautiful she is and would never stop loving her. He constantly reassured Penny that he still finds her attractive and complimenting her. He would regularly shower her with physical acts of affections holding her hand, rubbing her back, putting his arm around her in public to assure her. There is something about those little acts that gave Penny so much reassurance, particularly now she is pregnant and doesn't feel pretty.
"Leonard, do you think I'm fat?" Penny asked as they cuddled on the sofa watching one of Penny's shows.
He knew he had to be careful answering the question.
"Yes, you are," Isabelle said from the kitchen island, not taking her eyes off the game she was playing on the iPad.
Leonard was shocked at his daughter's boldness and a bit relieved because he didn't have to answer the question.
"Isabelle, I wasn't talking to you, that's it. Go to your room."
"Whoa, settle down mom, it's a hypothetical answer."
Penny was lost for words and blinked rapidly, lips trembling and warned. "Do you want to lose your iPad privileges?"
"Daddy…"
"Ahhhh, I give up." Penny angrily stormed off towards the bedroom.
Leonard got up to go after Penny. "Stay here Isabelle, don't move, I'll be right back,"
He found Penny on her spot on the bed facing away from him as she always does when she is upset or has something on her mind. She was crying quietly. He didn't like seeing Penny upset. He saw this strong and independent woman who fought lots of his battles he never got to fight because she fought them for him. She was loud, scary, and in your face type of person. However, Penny was generous, patient, and possesses a magnificent sense of humor. they were the many things he loved about her. Leonard was grateful they met, their lives were chaotic and out of control. They had their ups and downs over the years and now they are settled in an orbit around each other.
"Penny, are you okay," Leonard asked sensitively
"Leonard, just leave me alone. I'm not in the mood."
"Penny, please… Isabelle didn't mean it."
"Just go," Penny grunted.
Leonard was in two minds. Should he stay and comfort Penny or talk to Isabelle. He chose the latter.
"I'm… I'm sorry about Isabelle. Do you need me to get you anything?" Leonard asked
"No, I'm fine. It's not your fault. Just leave me be for now." She sighs heavily
Leonard knew when to leave Penny to her thoughts. Leonard felt Penny's frustration and feelings of hopelessness. Leonard wanted to encourage and reassure her he was always there for her.
"I'll go talk to Isabelle."
Leonard found Isabelle sitting on the sofa, visibly upset. She looked up at him and asked.
"Is mommy mad at me?" A tearful Isabelle asked.
Leonard could not bring himself to lie to her, so he sugar-coated it. "No, mommy is just feeling sad due to the pregnancy."
He sat next to her. Leonard didn't know how to explain Penny's mood swings but tried his best. "Your mom loves you very much, but you gotta be careful what you say to her. She is very vulnerable right now, so mommy gets upset at little things."
"Is it because mommy is pregnant?"
"Yes, mommy's body is going through changes to prepare her for the birth, mommy will have mood swings and be susceptible to emotions such as getting upset easily. Your mom didn't mean to yell at you, sometimes mommy will get mad with things we say, so we got to be careful what we say in front of her. Carrying a baby is not easy and will make her feel down a lot."
"Okay, I will try. Is that why mommy is always in the bathroom peeing for so long?"
"Yes and no, sometimes mommy hides in there to get out of doing stuff like her exercises, but don't tell her I told you." Leonard couldn't help but chuckle at Isabelle's innocence and questions. Leonard continued. "The pregnancy is causing mommy morning sickness which makes her tired, easily irritated, and peeing a lot."
"I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to upset mommy and make her puke and pee."
Leonard explained the morning sickness as best he could and assured her its part of being pregnant and not her fault and that Penny loves her very much.
Isabelle looked down at her feet, he gave her a reassuring hug. He knew she might be a bit worried about what will happen for her when the baby arrives and may have many questions. He just had to answer them as best he could, comfort her, and help make her feel loved and secure.
"I know you didn't mean to upset mommy. We love you so much and when the new baby comes, there will be plenty of extra love for you and the new baby." Leonard assured her.
"Really." Isabelle piped up
"Lots and lots of extra love." Leonard grinned.
"I love you and mommy very much." Isabelle grabbed Leonard into a hug.
"We love you too and never forget it. Now go give mommy cuddles. Hugs will make her feel better."
"Really, you think so?"
"I know so, many cuddles for mommy will make her happy."
Penny felt downbeat with all that was going on with Isabelle, the pregnancy, and Leonard. The second time seems harder, Penny had not been coping well the last few days. She easily got upset and took her frustration out on Leonard and Isabelle. It wasn't fair as Leonard was doing his best to make her happy and never complained. Penny was having one of those days where nothing was going her way. She got weepy and emotional easily. She didn't know what to do. She felt insecure and frightened. The early days were darker and it was not getting any brighter. She prayed for strength. Penny hoped tomorrow will be a better day, it's Christmas Eve after all.
Penny just needed to love herself the way she was now. Pregnant and sexy, that's how Leonard described her. She blushed at the thought and innocently giggled inside. She knew they were one to one in love and Penny loved the way he held her in his arms and rubbed her belly, massaging it slowly. It always soothes her. Looking back, she remembered all those years, when he was there for her. She thanked what brought their path together. She had struggled as a waitress back then and he had helped her sing her song by loving her from the first day he met her and helping her grow as a person. Penny had mixed emotions back then regarding Leonard. On the other hand, his years of devotion had sealed her love for him and nothing will change that. Leonard helped her free herself from all the negative reflections in her life and took her heart and made her happy.
Leonard found Penny coming out of the built-in bathroom in their bedroom. She looked sad which broke Leonard's heart. He decided to try and cheer her up. he knew she had been going through a lot lately with the pregnancy and had done his best to support her.
"Penny, where have you been? You are 15 minutes late for your workout." Leonard excitedly said.
"Sorry, I had to pee," Penny replied.
"It takes you 15 minutes to use the bathroom?" Leonard chuckled.
"I had to change my panties." She points to the panties on the bed.
Leonard looked at Penny suspiciously. He picked it up and sniffed. "Strange, these panties haven't been worn at all."
"Not as strange as you sniffing my panties. Pervert." She hated doing exercises even though they were light. Now she was pregnant, it just hurts all over. Penny wasn't feeling it today. She wondered how to get out of it.
"Are you ready for some fun workout?" Leonard grinned.
"Yeah. No, of course. Absolutely. I'm ready." Penny grunted.
"Remember, the pain is only in your body, not your mind."
"Got it, genius," Penny smirked.
"Where are you going now?" Leonard enquired.
"Huh, umm... I hate it when I return from the bathroom and then have to pee again" She sighs.
Leonard knew Penny well. "You are just prolonging the inevitable." he grinned.
"Dammit," Penny muttered and played innocent and said. "I don't know what you're talking about." But she still had to pee which should buy her some time.
What Penny didn't know, Leonard has been busy setting up an evening at home spa treatment in the main bathroom. The scene was set with aromatherapy candles, calming scents, and a soothing playlist. With warm fluffy towels, essential oils, foot, and body scrubs, facial steaming, and masks instead of a workout.