Chapter 12
It's been two years since Penny left Pasadena to restart her life back home in Omaha. The first month was the most difficult for Penny. She did nothing but spend her time in their house or in her room, moping around and feeling sorry for herself. Amy and Bernadette called her in the first few weeks just to find out how she was doing. They also kept texting Penny just to make sure that she has friends back in California. Although it was difficult for her to be always reminded of her life back in California, she assured the girls that she's doing alright even though she knew that deep inside, that was a lie in order for them not to worry. A couple of months passed and she eventually stopped responding to their text messages, sometimes just turning off her phone and staying in her room, looking up at the ceiling. One time, her mother Susan came into her room to talk to her.
"Penny, it's been two months and all you ever did was stay in this room. Your father and I are beginning to worry. Don't you think it's time to move on?" said Susan as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Penny sat up and hugged her mother. "I miss him mom." she said as tears began to fall from her eyes.
Susan consoled her daughter. "I know honey but what can you do? Leonard is with another girl now, not to mention he's in the North Sea at this moment." said Susan rubbing her hand on Penny's back.
"I'm so stupid for taking him for granted. I shouldn't have broken up with him." said Penny.
"Penny you should stop being so hard on yourself." said Penny's mother. "What do you think Leonard would say if he saw you right now huh?" she said. "He'll probably be angry at you for punishing yourself." she added.
It took Penny about three months to bounce back on her feet and the first on her list was to look for a job so she won't rely on her parents as much. She went around town and the neighboring districts to try different job openings that she may be able to do – from supermarkets, office assistant, parking lot attendant and almost anything that can earn her some money. As ironic as it may sound, she got a job as a bartender at a local restaurant in the rural part of town. She thought this was better than arranging groceries in a supermarket as the tips are not as bad. Her focus right now was to earn and save up on money to at least give her life a fresh start while she figures out what her next step would be.
Penny was on the night shift at the restaurant, a few regular patrons were seated at the bar watching the football game on the television and a handful of customers were occupying the tables. She was serving another round of drinks to the sports fans when a group of four college students came in and sat at the bar ordering a round of beers. Penny went over to them and served their beers. Penny was cleaning up some of the glasses when she overheard the conversation between the college students.
"I'm glad the university organized this week-long symposium." the guy with glasses said.
"Yeah….a welcome change of pace from our usual lectures." the tall lady said.
"And imagine our guest lecturers….Dr. James Robinson from MIT….Dr. Rebecca Woods from Stanford….Dr. Leonard Hofstadter from CalTech…." said the long-haired guy.
"Yeah...we literally have superstars for guests!" said the girl with a ponytail.
A flood of emotion washed over Penny when she heard the name of the person occupying her thoughts every night ever since she moved back here. Her hands began to shake and her mouth became parched. She cannot decide whether she would shout, cry, laugh, jump, run or hide. She then poured herself a shot of whiskey and drank it straight up to help her focus. She put the shot glass down and went to the college students.
"Uh excuse me guys. I'm sorry for overhearing but did you say Leonard Hofstadter?" she asked the guy with the glasses.
The college students looked at her. "Uh yeah….he's one of the guest lecturers at the university tomorrow." said the tall lady.
"Are you telling me that Dr. Leonard Hofstadter will be at the university tomorrow" Penny asked again.
"Uh huh….do you know him?" asked the ponytail girl.
"Uh….yeah...we had a common friend when I worked back in California." she continued. "Do you know what time is his lecture going to be?" Penny asked.
The long-haired guy scrolled on his phone to check the schedule. "Uh….his lecture will start at ten in the morning tomorrow at the auditorium." he said.
"Uh do you need to buy tickets to get in the auditorium?" Penny asked them.
"No….it's a public event….anyone can attend although the seats will probably fill up fast." the ponytail girl said.
Penny nodded. "Ok got it…..thanks a lot you guys!" she said as she turned around to attend to the other patrons. She can't shake the image of Leonard from her mind but what made her anxious was what would she say to him after two years of not seeing each other. How would Leonard react when he sees her at the university tomorrow?
The restaurant closed early that night as the customers started to leave one after another. Penny cleaned up in her station and drove her car home to rest for the night. She reached home and went straight to her bedroom to wash up and change to her nightshirt. She laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling thinking of what might happen tomorrow. She then got off the bed and went to her drawer looking for something. She smiled when she found it, holding it against the light. Leonard was right, the snowflake was the same as the day Leonard gave them to her. She carefully put the memento in her purse and laid back on her bed to rest for the night.
The next day came and Penny called the restaurant manager to ask for a day off. She said she had some family affairs to attend to and promised to take a double shift the next day. She then went to the university and asked around for directions to the auditorium. She found the auditorium and chose to sit at the back of the hall and was surprised to see so many people attending the lecture with some people choosing to stand along the sidelines just to be near the stage. Ten o'clock came and the host introduced Leonard to the audience. Leonard walked on-stage and everyone in the hall stood up and gave him a round of applause. He took the microphone from the host, thanking the university for inviting him before starting his lecture. Penny immediately felt warm inside when she saw Leonard take the stage. Everyone was paying attention to him as he explained the scientific principles and mathematics contained in his lecture. He was so engaging and charming, putting out a science joke or two to the delight of the audience.
After nearly two hours, Leonard finished his lecture, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. Some students and faculty members then went to Leonard to either shake his hand or take a picture with him while the rest of the audience make their way out of the auditorium. Penny then walked out of the auditorium when she saw Leonard leave with a few faculty members into the hallway. Penny saw them walking in her direction discussing his lecture when Leonard suddenly looked ahead and saw her standing, looking at him. Penny froze when she saw Leonard looking at her. Leonard then excused himself from the faculty members and walked towards Penny.
"Hi!" Leonard said to her.
"Hi!" Penny greeted him back.
"Hi!" Leonard smiled at her.
"Hi!" Penny smiled back.
Leonard went near Penny and just looked at her. "Penny….uh….what are you doing here?" he asked.
Penny smiled. "Well I heard there was a smart scientist here today so I'm going to look for him." she said.
Leonard laughed. "Wow….it's been two years huh?….how have you been?….you look good!" Leonard said.
"Thanks Leonard...you don't look so bad yourself." Penny said.
"Thanks….hey I'm going to the cafeteria to get lunch….do you want to join me?" he asked.
Penny smiled. "Sure!" she said as she walked beside him. Some of the students that attended his lecture saw Leonard walking with Penny and greeted him with the occasional fist bump.
"Dr. Hofstadter! - you're the man!" said one student. "Nice Dr. Hofstadter!" said another giving him a high five. Leonard smiled, acknowledging their greetings back.
"Wow Leonard, the students here seem to really enjoy your lecture huh?" Penny asked him.
Leonard looked at her. "It's not the lecture Penny…..it's the fact that I got picked up by a beautiful blonde woman….that's why they're complimenting me." he said looking at her.
"Oh...right." she said. "So why didn't you bring Alex with you?" she asked.
Leonard smiled at her. "Penny, Alex and I broke up about six months ago." he said.
Penny was surprised. "What!? How did that happen?….did she found out about us...you know?" Penny asked.
"No she never found out….I guess we fell out of love. We had a big fight. Apparently she was waiting for me to pop the question." Leonard said.
"What!? Were you thinking of marrying her?" she asked.
"No." he said looking at her.
"Oh?" Penny said.
"How about you?….are you seeing someone?" he asked.
Penny sighed. "Leonard, I've been trying to get my life back together and dating guys is the least of my concerns right now." she said.
"Okay. I was actually planning on looking you up while I'm here in Nebraska but I guess you beat me to it." he smiled at her as they entered the cafeteria and made a beeline for the food counter.
"Well I was working last night at a bar and overheard these college students talking about this conference. I was so surprised when I heard them mention your name. I asked them about your lecture and decided to come here to see you." Penny said.
"You're working at a bar?" Leonard asked as they picked up their food trays.
"Yes….it's me Penny….the forever waitress!" she said sarcastically.
"Hey...it's an honest job….didn't I tell you not to be hard on yourself?" he said picking out his food from the counter.
"Yeah I remember." she said as Leonard paid for their lunch. They went to a vacant table and sat opposite each other. "So how are things back home?" she asked.
"Oh...uh….Howard and Bernadette are engaged now." Leonard said.
"What!? Oh my god how did that happen!?" Penny asked.
"Well, we were eating in the apartment one night and Howard just got down on his knee and proposed. Bernadette said yes so there it is….his mother was so glad his little boy is finally settling down." Leonard said.
"Who would have thought that Howard and Bernadette would get engaged huh? I thought Howard would do something stupid and Bernie would break up with him." Penny said.
"We're all thinking that Penny. Amy was so happy because she gets to be the maid of honor." he said.
"Are you going back to the conference after this?" she asked.
"Uh….I'm actually going to my hotel after this. I just flew in this morning and went straight here to do the lecture. Leonard said. "Do you wanna hang out or are you going back to work?" he asked.
"Well I was hoping of catching up some more, but if you want to rest, maybe we can catch up tomorrow." she said.
"If you want, you can come with me to the hotel….we could hang out in the lounge or in my room….we can order room service…" he said.
Penny smiled and touched his hand. "Okay. I'll come with you." she said.
Leonard squeezed her hand. "I missed you Penny." he smiled at her.
"Me too Leonard….I'm still thinking of our last time together." Penny said.
Leonard sighed. "So do you want us to get back together?" he asked.
Penny took a deep breath. "Leonard, I've been waiting for two years and when I heard your name last night, I didn't know what to think. I was so afraid to come here and find out if you and Alex were still together, or married. I came here because I needed to find out if I was waiting in vain or not." she said trying to keep herself crying.
"Well I'm here now. We can start over if you like." he said squeezing her hand.
Penny smiled at him. "I would love that Leonard." she said.
They finished eating and decided to leave the cafeteria to go back to Leonard's hotel. Leonard held Penny's hand as they walked along the corridor and out into the parking lot where Penny's car is. They arrived at the hotel and went straight to the elevator. Penny jumped on Leonard as soon as the elevator doors closed. Leonard was surprised and held on to Penny as she wouldn't stop kissing him.
"I…..miss….you….so….much!" Penny said as she moved her hands, feeling Leonard's body.
"Penny…..let's….wait….until….we….reach….my….room." Leonard said. The elevator door opened and Leonard grabbed her hand, dragging Penny to his room. Once in his room, Penny grabbed him by the collar and pushed him on the bed as she hurriedly removed her clothes. She then helped Leonard get undressed while kissing and touching him. They quickly jumped on the bed, overcome with passion and a deep longing for each other. They let go of all their inhibitions knowing that they were not stealing time anymore. They both knew that no one would get hurt with them being together again. Penny tightened her grip of Leonard, determined to never let him go again, making sure her every move meets his advances and surrendering herself to the pleasure of being reunited with her soulmate. For the first time in her life, she has felt true happiness.
Leonard's hotel room was a mess. There were clothes everywhere, bed sheets and pillows scattered on the floor, a couple of empty water bottles knocked over as the couple lay naked on the bed tangled in each other's arms. Penny's face was wedged up to Leonard's neck as they try to catch their breaths.
"Honey, do you need your inhaler?" Penny whispered.
"No….I'm gonna be alright." he said as he played with Penny's hair.
"That therapist really did a good job huh?" she asked.
"Yeah….I owe a lot to him…." he said. They laid silent for a while until Leonard looked at Penny. "Penny…come back to California with me." he said.
Penny looked at him and nodded. "Yes Leonard….I want us to be together again." she said.
"Good. Because I have my own place now." he said.
Penny was surprised. "What about Sheldon?" she asked.
"Well...it may be hard to believe but Sheldon and Amy are now living together. Amy took over my old room." he said.
"What!? Amy and Sheldon are living together!? How did that happen?" she asked.
"Funny huh? When you left, an older lady took over your place for more than a year. She was friendly enough and didn't really bothered us or anything. Anyway, that old lady moved out recently so I decided to take over your old apartment." he smiled at her.
"You're living in my old apartment now?" she asked.
"Yeah. I thought who better to live there than me. Anyway, Sheldon needed a new roommate so it was either Raj or Amy. Raj didn't want to chauffeur him around so Sheldon asked Amy to live with him and she agreed." Leonard said.
"Is Amy crazy? Why did she agree to live with Sheldon?" Penny asked.
"Believe or not, Sheldon is a little more tolerable these days. No more crazy antics or cockamamie non-sense." he said.
"Really? Was it because of that agreement that you forced him to sign?" she asked.
"Uh huh. I think he realized that without his friends, he would get nowhere. Maybe he realized he would eventually do something crazy and end up in jail or something." he smiled.
Penny looked up and kissed his lips. "You're so amazing Leonard." she said then returned to cuddling him. "Honey before I forget, I want you to spend the night in our house….I want you to meet my mom." she said.
Leonard nodded. "Okay. But I have to be early tomorrow." he said.
"No problem." she said hugging him again. "I love you so much." Penny said.
"I love you too Penny." he said as he stroked her hair. "When I decided to look you up, I was kinda nervous thinking maybe you already have a boyfriend….or married." he said.
"Me too….I was afraid to find out if you and Alex were still together." she said as she played with a few of his chest hairs. "I'm just glad it wasn't the case and I promise I'm gonna make it up to you." she said. She then moved her hand to feel him. Leonard gasped as Penny touched him. She smiled at him and bit her lower lip. "Leonard?...again?" Leonard nodded. Penny moved on top and locked lips with him. Leonard wrapped his arms tightly around her as they made love until dusk.
They went out of the hotel at around six-thirty in the evening. It was already dark when Penny drove out of the parking lot and made their way back to her parent's house. They arrived as Penny held his hand to enter the house. Wyatt was surprised upon seeing Leonard walk through the door.
"Uh Leonard….hi!….what are you doing here?" Wyatt said as he shook his hand. "Penny...what's going on?" he asked his daughter while his wife Susan looked at the couple.
"Uh mom, dad...I found out that Leonard is doing a lecture at the university. I went there to see him and we caught up with each other. We also have decided to get back together." Penny said as she held Leonard's hand. "Uh by the way honey….this is my mom, Susan….mom this is Leonard." she said.
Susan hugged Leonard. "Hi Leonard! I've heard so much about you." she said. "Please come in and have a seat." Susan said.
"Thank you. It's nice to finally visit the house Penny grew up in." Leonard said.
"Can I get you anything….water?….beer?…" Susan said.
"No thanks, I'm good." he said smiling.
"So Penny how did you find out that Leonard would be at the university?" Wyatt asked.
"Well I heard these college students at the bar last night mention Leonard's name. I asked them about it and came to the university to see him and now he's here with me." Penny said.
"And you decided to get back together?" Susan asked.
"Yes mom….I'm going back to California with Leonard." Penny said.
"Well if that's what you want….we're not gonna get in your way." Wyatt said.
"And you're gonna live together?" Susan asked.
"Mom?" Penny said.
"Alright….no need to be defensive." Susan said. "So you'll quit your job at the restaurant and move back to California to do what?" Susan said.
"Mom please….I'll figure something out." Penny said.
"So I guess you two getting married soon?" Susan asked.
"Mom!?" Penny said. Leonard laughed a little.
"Uh I think what your mother is saying is that we're happy for both of you." Wyatt said.
"Thank you daddy." Penny said as she smiled at Leonard.
"I hope you two are hungry." Susan said as she stood up and walked to the kitchen. "Penny why don't you show Leonard where the bathroom is so he could wash up and join us for dinner." she said. Penny pulled Leonard's hand to the bathroom.
The couple joined Wyatt and Susan for dinner as Leonard told them about what happened for the past two years. Wyatt could see the happiness in his daughter's eyes as Penny never took her eyes away from Leonard. Penny would always touch Leonard's arm, hand or face as if trying to make up for lost time. They finished eating, Leonard tried to help cleaning up but Penny and Susan insisted that he and Wyatt retire in the living room. Wyatt offered a beer to Leonard as they sat in the living room.
"Well Leonard….I can't say I wasn't surprised to see you here." Wyatt said.
"Me too….I was planning on looking Penny up while I'm here in Nebraska but she got to me first." Leonard said.
"Talk about luck huh?" said Wyatt. "So when are you going back to California?" he asked Leonard.
"Well, our conference is going to be all week." said Leonard.
Wyatt nodded. "Take care of my little girl Leonard." said Wyatt.
"I will sir." Leonard said.
"No need to call me sir….Wyatt will do just fine." he said.
"Alright….Wyatt." Said Leonard.
They continued talking to each other while Susan and Penny were standing behind hallway, listening to them. Penny and her mom then decided to join the two in the living room to join the conversation. Penny told her parents that Leonard will spend the night as it is already late to drive him back to the hotel.
Later that night, Leonard and Penny were lying on the bed inside Penny's bedroom. Penny was resting her head on his chest with her arm around his body.
"What are you thinking of?" Leonard asked her.
"Nothing much….just thankful that we're together again." Penny said looking up to him. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." she said.
"Penny that's all in the past. From now on, let's focus on our future." Leonard said.
Penny nodded. "Okay….I'd love that honey." she moved to kiss his lips. "I love you." she whispered.
"I love you too Penny." he said.
"What time is your conference tomorrow?" she asked.
"I have to be there before eight. We'll probably be finished around two in the afternoon." he added. "If you want, we can have lunch by then or we can come back to my hotel room." he said.
"Okay I'll drop you off at the university and then I'll go to the restaurant to quit my job and get my money. Then I'll pick you up at two so we can stay at your hotel room." she said.
"Okay. Are you sure you don't want us to go around town?….maybe see a movie?...or something." he asked.
Penny tightened her hug. "Leonard, we've already lost two years….we have a lot of catching up to do." she said. "Lets get some sleep so we could wake up early tomorrow." Penny said, kissing him goodnight. Leonard pulled the covers as they slept in each other's arms.