Chapter 48: Home Sweet Home

Our two couples land back in L.A., where a couple of surprises await them.

As the Binary jet neared Los Angeles, Sheldon Cooper did an unprecedented thing, he insisted on taking the window seat instead of the one on the aisle. Niki thought this action was strange behavior on his part, indeed. Most generally, on both takeoffs and landings, Sheldon insisted on sitting on the seat outside of her and holding her hand tightly until they had either reached cruising altitude or had completed landing safely. So, on this occasion, Sheldon's desire to sit by the window puzzled his wife. And puzzled she remained until the plane began its final descent and winged over the Los Angeles Basin. It was then that Niki noticed her husband's eyes glistening brightly and saw him press his face against the glass, completely forgetting that it was at these times that he usually gripped her hand the hardest.

Several thoughts filled Niki's mind at the same time: He must have really missed being home. Look, I think that's actually a tear making its way down his cheek. Its almost as though he's drinking in deeply the entire city like a man dying of thirst would drain a bottle of water. I knew he missed being home, but I never knew just how much until now. This time, instead of Sheldon gripping her hand, Niki reached for his and gave it a loving squeeze. Any lingering resentment over the way he had treated her when he had first been gone vanished completely. Niki now had a better understanding of just how miserable Sheldon had been in Germany.

Love for her husband was filling Niki's heart to overflowing when suddenly her eyes flew wide open as she felt the unmistakable first fluttering movements of her unborn child. She thought to herself, Yes, this about the time I should be feeling him or her move. I'm pretty close to four months along. This is earlier than I felt it with Lori, but my doctor advised me that with a second pregnancy, I would most likely feel movement a little sooner. Now, a tear of her own joined that of Sheldon's and she looked over at him adoringly as she felt their baby's movement. I think this is one of those moments I will remember forever. The man I love, myself, and our unborn child are linked through our hands. Even better, my other hand is holding the one of our daughter. I do believe we have an unbreakable chain of love going here.

Penny Hofstadter stole a look over at her two best friends and a large grin filled her face at the tableau they presented. Every time I see how Niki makes the Wackadoodle more human, it always causes my heart to melt. They both love each other and their child so much. I'm so glad I went with her to Germany. If I hadn't, who knows if they would be holding hands right now. Those two were meant to be together, I've known that from the moment I met Niki. She was the perfect combination of brains, humor, and looks to help Sheldon get over his grief about Amy, just like he helped her put away her grief about Paul. It's neat to see two people I love be so in love with each other.

After the plane landed the two couples and their children disembarked, they were sped through customs, retrieved all their luggage, and made their way out of the terminal. To their surprise, two smiling, familiar faces were there to greet them.

"Hey you guys!" Amanda Koothrappali called out while waving her arms wildly over her head, "We're over here!"

Niki looked over at the sound of Amanda's voice, spotted their friends, and gleefully told Sheldon, "Look,Schatze! It's the Koothrappalis! I wonder what they're doing here?"

Sheldon gave his wife a bewildered look, "I'm sure I don't know. It's not like we don't have a ride home. You did tell me that you left your car in the long-term parking garage. Am I correct in that assumption?"

"Yeah, you are. I guess we have to go over and ask them. Not that I'm not glad to see them, of course."

Lori's little face suddenly lit up and she called out, "Aunt 'Manda! Aunt 'Manda! We home!"

Amanda walked quickly over to her group of friends and scooped the little girl up in her arms and held her tightly, "Hey, young lady. I hear you have been having quite an adventure over in Germany with your folks and the Hofstadters. Speaking of which, where's my favorite little boy in the entire world?"

Leonard's face couldn't stop grinning as he replied, "Blakes still fast asleep in his stroller. I think Lori wore him out by playing games with him on the plane."

Raj finally joined his wife and was his usual effusive self in his greetings, "It is so great to see all you guys! You must come to our place tonight. I spent the whole day yesterday cooking you guys a feast fit for kings!"

Lori looked up adoringly at Raj and asked, "And Princesses, too, Uncle Raj?"

Now it was Raj's turn to hug Lori tight and tell her, "And Princesses, too. Why, we couldn't have a feast without my favorite Princess there!"

Penny finally broke into the conversation with, "And just what are we having at this 'feast'? Truly, Raj, all I want right now is a sixteen-hour nap."

He looked at her strangely and asked, "Why? You flew all the way home on a private jet. How taxing is that? I know there are beds on those things."

Penny was blunt in her answer, "Raj, I'm pregnant."

Raj's face lit up brightly as he gasped, "Oh my god! Congratulations!"

Amanda chimed in, "Girl, congratulations from me, too! How long have you known?"

"Just for a couple of weeks. But Sweetie, I'm not the only one."

All eyes turned to Niki, who confronted them with, "What, you've never seen a knocked-up woman before?"

Sheldon gently chided her with, "Niki, isn't that rather indelicate language to use in this situation?"

Feeling a bit chagrined, Sheldon's wife agreed with him and she was quick with her apology, "Sorry for my crude expression. I'm dead tired, too. But it's so good to see you guys and to be back home! But besides being glad to see you, I have to ask, why are you two here?"

Raj then began his logical explanation, "Thanks. Look, Amanda said that you and Penny took your car to the airport. That's fine. Your car will hold two women, two children, and all their accoutrements quite nicely. But," and here he paused for affect, "will it hold two women, two children and two men and all their accoutrements comfortably? I don't think so. That is why my beautiful wife and I decided to meet you at the airport and offer the Hofstadters a ride home."

Before Leonard could refuse the offer, Penny broke into the conversation with, "Which we gladly accept." She then turned to Niki, "You know, we never did give any thought to how your car was going to hold all of us and our luggage."

Sheldon's wife gave an unperturbed shrug of her shoulders, "I guess we didn't, girlfriend. But that little problem has now been solved for us, thanks to Raj and Amanda. So, what do you say we all head home?"

Sheldon nodded and added, "Yes, we can order some Thai food to go along with your feast and catch up on everything that has happened here since we've been gone."

Raj shook his head and brought home some reality to his friend, "Dude, the ladies have only been gone about a week. There's not much to share with you guys that they haven't probably already told you. There have been no serious breakthroughs in the research. If there had been, I wouldn't have accepted the offer from Mauna Kea."

Penny gave him a confused look and inquired, "Then what can we do at home? Besides catch up on our beauty sleep, that is?"

Amanda had an idea and shared it with the group, "How about we still eat the feast and order some Thai food, but discuss that award Leonard and Sheldon won?"

Niki crowed, "Excellent idea, girl!"

Amanda chuckled happily and replied, "I thought you'd say something like that, Sheldon. But I would truly love to hear where and when you guys get to pick up your prize. We want all the details."

Sheldon looked up and realized they were nearing the long-term parking structure which held his wife's car, "Very well. The first detail is that I see we must now go our separate ways. Niki parked here, and your car is in the regular terminal lot. So, we shall see you back at the house and I'm sure Leonard and I will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the Sakurai Award."

"Okay, Dude. We'll all meet back at your house in two hours." Raj caught Sheldon's look of disagreement and added, "Sheldon, we have to wing by our house and pick up the food."

Niki held up one of hands and gave Raj a mild reproach, "Wait, just wait. Why don't we all go directly to our place, order some Thai, and enjoy your feast tomorrow, Raj? We'll all be far more rested, and the kids won't be as cranky then as they will be in a little while."

Amanda grinned at her friend giggled, "I see why you married that one, Sheldon. Smart, good looking, and practical. Good catch."

Niki waved the compliment off, "Come on, girl. That idea was just common sense."

Sheldon put his arm around his wife's shoulders and gave her a squeeze while replying, "Which I happen to agree with. Raj, let's all meet at our house in an hour. But be warned, Niki and I will most likely be suffering from a bit of jet lag, so we might make it an early evening."

Penny's response to that was swift, "Uh huh. Sheldon, we all know you can't wait to get in bed with your wife, and I ain't talking about getting some sleep."

Niki gasped, "Penny!"

"What? It's true and you know it. I saw the looks you two were giving each other on the plane. Jet lag, my behind!"

All three couples erupted in laughter at Penny's outburst, then hugged and made their way to their respective cars for the ride home.

I suppose everyone has a bit of catching up to do. What do you think our couples will be up to next?