Do endings bring about feelings of sadness and sometimes despair, or are endings an opportunity for reflection and remembering? Do you look forward to beginnings with joy and anticipation, or are beginnings frightening and even perhaps threatening? Anna Masi

4 AM

She sat on the bathroom toilet seat, her eyes getting used to the darkness. After hours of lovemaking, sleep was the last thing on her mind. She kept tossing and turning, as frustration kicked in, Penny went to use the bathroom. Their lovemaking earlier had been intense, and they couldn't get enough of each other. But what was worrying her and the cause of her sleepless night was, they were here and the planned meeting tomorrow. Penny wasn't sure if she was ready. She felt like she was somehow betraying her family. The family of this world will be arriving at Leonard's apartment tomorrow. Leonard had called to let them know Penny was back and would like to meet them. Leonard assured Penny they were excited about meeting her. Penny couldn't help but be nervous; she began to feel guilty as she thought of her own family. Was Penny letting them down? Was she trying to replace them? It felt like she was. Is this what she really wanted? Why was guilt always kicking in, was she making the right decision? Penny couldn't shake those thoughts away. Guilt is a very powerful emotion, and she will never forget that fateful day that the world swallowed her when she found out about the tragedy. Penny loved her family and knew she had to set them free before she can move on. Penny needed to be strong she hated feeling down and carrying so much baggage, It was time to move on and to get on with her life, that's what her parents would have wanted for her. Penny wanted to meet this family to satisfy her curiosity, that was it and nothing else. She subconsciously blamed her parents for leaving her, maybe if they were alive, things would have been different, and that's was part of the reason why she was forgetting herself and finding it hard to cope. Penny needed to remember who she was, not trying to feel like a missing person among the people who cared for her. She had to accept that she was part of the problem and her life choices need to change. Holding on to those painful memories of her family was not helping, there was a possibility she can also be a part of the cure if she let herself go and open up to those who care about her. She thought If you love them set them free. Sitting in darkness because she was lost was just an excuse to clinch onto her past. Penny knew changes had to happen and brushed herself up and turned on the light of the windowless bathroom, determined to begin a new bright chapter in her life.

3 AM

Leonard and Penny laid in bed. She wrapped herself around him. She loves their connection; she listens to his heartbeat as she rested her head on his chest. The way he held her, it made her feel safe and loved.

"Leonard, are you awake?" Penny wanted to talk as she couldn't sleep.

"I'm now," he answered.

She asked the question that has been bugging her. "What are we going to do about us." She asked.

Leonard thought about her question; he had been thinking the same thing. He wanted to be with Penny but coming from different worlds was a big obstacle. He looked into those beautiful green eyes and said. "Penny I want to be with you with all my being, I would give up everything for you." He didn't know where that came from, but it felt good and yes if he had to stay in Penny's world, so be it.

She raised her head so she could look into his eyes, those brown puppy eyes intoxicating as always. "Really, you will do that for me."

"Penny I don't want to lose you, and while you were in London, I did a lot of thinking, and the only conclusion that felt right was wanting you in my life." Leonard held her face in his hands.

"I did a lot of thinking too, and I feel the same. I would stay here with you if that's what you want." Penny meant it, Leonard was her world now and being without him will hurt as much as her loss. She wasn't willing to take that chance.

Leonard strokes her blond hair leaned in as their lips met. He spoke between kisses. "You make me happy, and your love is all I will ever want."

She paused from kissing him and looked at the man lying down. "I love you Leonard, and that will never change."

Leonard was shocked at her confession; it felt good. Leonard smiled as Penny kisses were becoming more passionate, she stole kisses all around his face, including soft bites on his neck.

Sheldon sat in his holding cell; it had been two weeks since Leonard or Penny had come to see him. He wondered if Leonard would keep his promise about pulling some strings so he could see Amy. He didn't like the new interrogators; they were mean, threatening and scary. After a really bad interrogation when he was threatened with physical violence, he nearly spills the whereabouts of the time machine but was saved by Howard and Bernadette who arrived just as the threats were about to be carried out and stopped the interrogation. Sheldon thought of how he got himself in this mess. He should have listened to Leonard all those years ago and destroyed the machine. The thought of spending the rest of his life in prison scared him. He didn't know how to get out of this mess but knew a deal with the authorities of one or both worlds might lessen his sentence. With his intelligence and knowledge of time travel, he should be instrumental to any organization. He held a trump card, and he was determined to use it to his advantage. He also hopes Leonard kept his promise and he will soon see Amy.

Howard and Bernadette gazed at each other for a long moment. Howard was the first to look away, but not before he caught Bernadette expression of genuine surprise in his proposal. Howard panicked, had he done the right thing in asking Bernadette to marry him so soon. The idea of the two of them breaking up tore him up inside, and he didn't want to think of that scenario. He had all kinds of ideas of their lives together, traveling all over the world, a house with maybe a little dog with a cute red bow tie collar.

Bernadette looked at the man in a turtleneck shirt kneeling in front of her. She thought of all the beautiful things she loved about him. He was open with his love. He didn't try to hide his feeling from her. Bernadette was excited by the idea of waking up and being by his side forever but were they indeed in love and ready for the next step in their relationship, was it too soon. She knew she loves him and no matter what, love always saves the day. Bernadette thought about their life together, they had only been dating a few months, but they have already been making big promises to each other. Like moving in together, going on holidays and committing to each other. She looks at the engagement ring dangling in front of her. It was huge. She thought of his qualities. He was mature. He had a job and a healthy stream of income. He makes responsible and clear-headed decisions, Howard was also compassionate and loyal. He was settled. They both grown in the past months working together hunting Sheldon, and made progress in their careers, with that, they had the resources to get married if they want to rather than it seems like a faraway fairy tale. Bernadette realized that she had not answered him yet. She was shocked at the question at first; it took her a full five minutes to respond to poor Howard who was still kneeling and waiting nervously for her answer.

Yesterday

Penny looked up, mouth agape, What Leonard just told her bounced around her head, first in disbelief, then in shock, and finally, in anger. A blank expression on her face. Unable to speak or function from the shock she sat down on the sofa.

"Penny are you okay," Leonard asked.

Penny didn't answer at first, she wanted to scream at him. Why would he do that? She had planned to move on and forget about meeting the family of this world. She was ready to let go and build a life with Leonard. He had no right contacting them, did he contact them after finding her note. He can't have done as he knew she went to London to find them. Penny was confused now; it just didn't make sense. How did they end up here? She began to hyperventilate again.

Leonard sat next to her and rubbed her back. Penny was now front and center in his life. He didn't like seeing her like this. Leonard tried to comfort her, Leonard though maybe telling her was a bad idea. He could see how frightened she looked. Leonard soothed her, encouraging her with little talks and assuring that everything will be okay. Being away from Penny had been torture. Her shock and exhaustion were evident. Penny who radiated power and control over her team as a leader was now a shell of herself. It made him feel sad and hope he was not the sole cause of her pain.

When her shock wore off, Penny responded timidly. "Why did you do it?"

Leonard looked puzzled and responded. "What did I do.?"

"Contact them, why Leonard." There was a touch of anger in her voice.

"I didn't Penny, they found me," Leonard responded.

Penny looked at Leonard; she was now more confused. "What do you mean, are you telling me they just showed up?"

"Yes Penny, without any warning," Leonard calmly told Penny the whole story, not wanting to frighten her, he said, they were nice people and were shocked she was from another world and not their daughter. It took Leonard a while to convince them, but in the end, they accepted his story.

Penny sat there stunned; she couldn't believe what Leonard was telling her. She remembers the waiter Jack taking a photo of them in the restaurant. If Leonard was telling the truth, then she had no choice. She had to meet them. "Where are they now," Penny asked.

"They are staying at a hotel a few blocks from here. Do you want to meet them?" Leonard asked.

"I don't know, maybe, what are they like is," She asked curiously.

"They are nice people. The Penny in this world was loved very much. Even her siblings cared so much for her."

"They came too.?" She asked excitedly.

Leonard smiled, he was glad Penny was feeling better. "They were really nice and asked a lot of questions about you."

"I don't know how to make any sense of this but thank you. Can I meet them?" Penny asked.

"Penny, this family want to meet you, they are grieving too and just like you, it's a second chance to make things right. They would love to meet you, but we have to go back, we are already two days late, but I guess we could stay a couple more day," Leonard said.

"Really, we can, you don't mind."

"Of course not, anything for you Penny."

Penny was touched by his words, Leonard was willing to risk everything for her, it was his way of showing his commitment. Penny felt overwhelmed but skeptical. "What if they reject me and want nothing to do with me."

Leonard saw the fear in her eyes, the doubts and the sense of loss. He tried to reassure her. "They wouldn't. This family is your family, just in a different world. It doesn't matter that you are not from this world. Your family is this family now."

Penny knew he was right as parallel universes were complete copies and replications of the same worlds. The only difference was some decisions made were decisive in alternate universes. She moved closer to him, she kissed him, and he kissed her back.

Leonard's passion for Penny was growing strong every day. His decision to stay with Penny was the right one. The consequence of disobeying orders was the last thing on his mind. Penny needed him, and that's all that mattered. Leonard was going to help her build a relationship with the family of this world if that's what she wants. His priority was supporting Penny because losing Penny would be the biggest mistake of his entire life.

They spend the rest of the night talking about what it would be like when Penny meets them; Penny was happy for Leonard's support,

Leonard knew it was the right decision; he assured her he would be there for her all the way and willing to do what it takes to be with Penny.

Penny was thrilled that Leonard wanted to be with her and looking past her flaws. She opened up also how she felt about him and held nothing back. But there was still the issue of what they would do and briefly discussed their future together.

A New Day

Penny woke up to the rain beating against the window the next morning; The memories of last night came flooding back. To her, it was going to be a beautiful day. Penny was used to the weather being not so great in this world, but on the other hand, it was going to be a good today. She smiled to the smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee fuming in the background, happiness glowing around her. Nothing was going to put her in a bad mood today, she thought. She recalled the events of last night. Everything that happened and how close she and Leonard were getting and his support for the meeting to come. Yesterday she had been numb with shock at the news that the family on this world wanted to meet her. Today Penny's mind was painfully active, with all sorts of scenarios going through her mind. Penny wanted to cure her needs. She knew she needs a little bit of happiness. Today is the day. Penny remembered her father used to say. Every ending, there is a new beginning.