Chapter 5
Penny didn't know how to approach Leonard after Neil and Scott yelled at her. But once Leonard was done crying after Cathrine passed away she told Leonard the boys gave her a hug. She could not sleep that night and decided maybe a walk down to the kitchen for a drink of water would help. But as she approached the fridge, Penny saw someone sitting at the small kitchen table. She knew it was one of the boys. He must have heard her as she watched him wipe away tears from the back. From the dim light a the boy turned around, Penny noticed it was Scott. He stared at with sad eyes. "Can't sleep?" she asked him slowly approaching him.
He nodded and pulled out the chair next to him so his aunt could sit. "I'm sorry for earlier... With my dad gone and now mom..." He then burried his head into his folded arms.
Penny sighed as she heard him sniffle. She knew she was not the best when it came with kids but she felt something inside, this kid was heartbroken and Penny felt so bad for him. She was not an expert when it came to death either but she could not imagine loosing her mom or dad. Even at eight, Scott along with his brothers should not experience this at all, not this young anyways. Penny put her hand on Scott's back and began to rub up and down. "Sweetie, I have no idea how you are feeling. But I am here for you from here on out, just got to let me in."
Scott looked up at his aunt and wiped his eyes. "Really."
"Yeah, really. And if you don't know how to react it's okay. Just let it out and your uncle and I will always be here to love you. We just have to learn to adjust at this. It's scary for me too." Penny gave Scott a calm smile. With that Scott leaned over and hugged Penny. Thought alone made her think maybe she could do this whole parenting thing.
The next few days involved finishing up the adoption process and of course Catherine's funeral. Leonard and Penny decided to stay a little longer for Neil, Scott, and Jeffery to finish out the week at school. Neil was still not saying much to either Leonard and Penny. Penny just told her husband Neil just needed time and Leonard understood.
The night was quite when they arrived back in California. Neil skipped dinner and went straight to hos new room. Penny and Leonard wanted to go after him but Scott told them he will come to them when he was ready be since that how Neil usually was when he was upset.
Penny and Leonard where laying in bed after they put the rest of the boy to bed. "I wish I could say the right thing to Neil..." Penny admitted to her husband. Leonard was about to comfort his wife until their was a knock on their dinner. "Yes?" Penny asked which made her hesitant.
Their door opened slowly and to the couple's surprise was Neil. Leonard and Penny looked at each other noticing Neil had been crying. "Can I sleep with you guys. I can't sleep..."
Penny and Leonard nodded quickly and as Neil joined, so did the other boys one by one. This maybe would not be so bad after all as Leonard and Penny were squished in their bed.