A/N Thank you to otahuhu7, bamadude and Khanyebuoy for their wonderful reviews. I just hope you guys know how much I appreciate them and are really interested in what you have to say.
I am still just borrowing these characters for my enjoyment and hopefully that of my readers.
After Claudette left Gerard, she thought about what he had said about Pierre and Marie. Telling herself she had no right to interfere, she headed for home.
But the more she thought about it, she realized she wanted to do something. She couldn't help but feel that Monique would want her to speak up.
After having a glass of wine to help gather her courage, she called Pierre and Marie and asked if she could talk to them.
After they had let her in and they were all provided with a glass of wine, Pierre and Marie looked at her expectantly.
"I really thought a lot before I decided to come. But I think you should hear what I have to say."
Getting no help, she took a sip and taking a deep breath, "I want you to know that I met Penny when I was in California." Seeing them look at each other, she hurried on, "But I am not going to say anything about the relationship between Leonard and Penny."
"The reason I wanted to see you is because Gerard told me that you have come to feel that Leonard did not love Monique as deeply as you thought. I want to make it clear that I would not presume to tell you how you should feel about Penny."
"But I do feel that I need to say that you are wrong about Leonard when it comes to Monique. I know that he loved Monique very much. I know that Monique knew how much he loved her. I also know that Monique would want Leonard to be happy. I truly believe with all my heart that she would be thrilled that Leonard has found someone."
"I don't know how it is between Penny and Leonard, but I do know that Leonard will always love Monique and that she will always be a part of him."
Finishing off her drink, she rose, "Well, that is all I have to say. Thank you for listening."
As she headed for the door, Marie looked at Pierre. Pierre called after her, "I know that you were Monique's best friend. I know she loved you. I appreciate you talking to us." He hesitated, "We will consider what you have said."
Claudette turned back and smiled, "That is all I can ask."
All the gang were at the airport as Penny, Leonard, and Warren left for New York. Everyone had to smile at Warren's exuberance. "We're going to visit all my grandmas and my Auntie Hayley and Uncle Michael."
Bernadette and Raj gave Penny a hug as they all said Goodbye.
After they watched the plane leave, Bernadette sighed, "Well, I hope this all works out. They have a long road ahead of them."
Sheldon shocked them all when he said, "I think they will be okay. It has taken a long time and a tragedy, but I have always believed they belong together."
Raj finally managed to say, "That was great, Sheldon."
"Why are so surprised?" He hesitated, "I have learned what love is."
As they drove toward Beverly's house, Penny and Leonard were each lost in their own thoughts while Warren looked out the window taking everything in.
When they rang the doorbell it was Leonard's sister Hayley who answered. She was a younger version of Beverly.
She moved forward and gave Leonard a quick hug, "Leonard, it is so good to see you." She turned to Penny, "Hello, Penny, it is nice to meet you at last. Leonard often talked about you."
As Penny answered, she looked down at Warren, "And you, Warren, the last time I saw you, you were just a baby."
"Hi, Auntie Hayley, is grandma here?"
Hayley smiled, "Yes, she is."
She turned to the others, "Everyone is waiting in the living room."
When they followed her into the living room, they looked around. Beverly was sitting in a chair beside a fireplace. A man they recognized as Hayley's husband John was seated near the door; their nine-year-old daughter Dawn was sitting on his lap.
Leonard's brother Michael rose as they entered, his wife Diane sitting next to him. Their ten-year-old son Steven was standing by the chair.
Hayley spoke up, "Penny, Warren, this is my husband John and our daughter Dawn."
John nodded and Dawn said a rather unemotional Hi.
Penny had seen a picture of Michael and he looked ever bit the same. He was basically a taller and she supposed by most standards a more handsome version of Leonard. He looked to be the epitome of a professor.
His wife was a thin woman with piercing blue eyes. Penny knew she was a judge.
Michael moved forward, "Hello, Leonard. It has been a while." He turned toward Penny, "So, we meet at last. Beverly has told us so much about you. She was right about you being a beauty."
"Before Penny could answer that, he looked at Warren, "Well, Warren, you have certainly grown." Warren looked at him, "Hi, Uncle Michael."
Seeing him looking at Steven, Michael smiled, "This is your cousin, Steven."
The boys hesitantly said Hi.
Warren then turned and ran over to Beverly, "Hi, Grandma. We're going to Paris and see grandma and grandpa. Auntie Penny is going to be my new mommy."
Beverly raised her eyebrows and turned to Leonard and Penny, "Hello, Leonard." She paused, "Hello again, Penny. I must admit I was surprised to hear you and Leonard were back together."
Penny smiled to herself, "Hello, Beverly. I can understand your surprise. We are a little surprised ourselves." She paused, "But we have found we really love each other."
Diane broke in, "Penny, I know we have just met but could I ask you a question?"
Surprised, Penny wondered what this was about, "Of course."
"Michael and I are regulars at Broadway plays. We were quite surprised when we saw you in The Love Affair. We were impressed with your performance."
As Penny absorbed that, she went on, "But then we read you had left the show. Can you tell us what happened?"
Penny still a little stunned, finally got out, "I decided I wanted to be with Leonard and Warren."
Diane looked at Michael, "I see. We wondered because there were some rumors about you and Tom Carey."
Leonard interrupted, "You shouldn't waste time listening to 'rumors'. Penny has told you why she came home."
Leonard reached out and squeezed Penny's hand, "Warren and I had missed her. I was sorry she interrupted her career, but am so glad she decided she needed to be with us."
Hayley spoke up, "Well, it seems very romantic to me."
She turned to Warren, "Warren, would you like to go with Dawn and Steven to the den? There are some toys and coloring books there."
When Warren nodded happily she went on, "Dawn, why don't you show Warren the way."
After they left, Hayley continued, "Leonard, Penny, I was curious, how is Warren doing in school?"
Leonard looked warily at her, "He will not be going to school until next year."
Hayley looked shocked, "He is not in pre-school?"
Before Leonard could answer, she hurried on, "We had arranged for Dawn to go to Southmore soon after she was born."
She hesitated, "We wanted her to have the best opportunities."
Leonard sighed to himself, "I decided I wanted Warren to spend his time with me and his friends."
Diane spoke up, "I suppose I understand, with what happened to Monique." She paused, "But I am sure Monique would have wanted him to attend a prestigious school."
Penny found herself getting angry and had to bite her tongue. Leonard looked at them, "I guess I don't share your apparent concerns that Warren get in the 'best' school."
He went on, "We have not decided yet if he will go to a private school or the same one that Howard and Bernadette's children attend. He is very fond of them and they have been wonderful to him."
Seeing Hayley and Diane were about to comment, Beverly interrupted, "I am sure we all agree that Leonard and Penny only want the best for Warren." She smiled, "We all have different expectations for our children."
Penny couldn't be quiet any longer, "Are you saying we have smaller expectations for Warren?"
Beverly looked at the others, "From what I have seen, it is obvious he is not as advanced as Steven and Dawn were at the same age. It is certainly nothing to be defensive about."
Seeing Penny was about to explode, Leonard broke in, "We came here because Penny wanted to have Warren see his grandma while having Penny meet the rest of my family."
He sighed, "I should have known better."
He looked around, "I think I will get Warren. We have to check into a hotel and have a busy day tomorrow."
As he headed for the Den, Penny reaching out to take his hand, Hayley spoke up, "Leonard, wait."
As he turned, she looked at the others, "What are we doing?"
She hesitated, "We hardly ever see Leonard. I for one was looking forward to meeting him and Penny and seeing Warren again."
She turned to Leonard, "I cannot speak for the others, but I am sorry it has gone like this." She smiled, "I am so happy that you have found someone. I know how much you loved Monique. And for what it's worth, I apologize if I upset you by asking about school. I never intended to suggest anything." She smiled, "It is apparent the Warren is a wonderful little boy and that he loves you very much."
Leonard smiled at her, "Thank you, Hayley. I know you didn't mean anything. I am glad you were able to do what you did for Dawn."
Beverly, who had stared at Hayley, "Now that Hayley has said her piece, I need to ask. Leonard, why is everything always about you? We never said that Warren is not a fine boy or that you are a bad father. We just stated the truth." She smirked, "It seems you are the ones that are ashamed of Warren."
Seeing Michael and Diane just looking at him, apparently agreeing with Beverly, Leonard sighed and took a deep breath.
"We are not ashamed of Warren. We love him and are very proud of him. We also do not need his grandmother to judge him."
He looked at Penny, "I do think it is time to leave."
The others were silent as Penny and Leonard made their way to the den and told Warren they were leaving. They were surprised when he made no resistance but actually looked relieved.
As they headed for the door, everyone was surprised when John, who had been quiet up to that point, spoke up, "Leonard, if you have some extra time while you are here, Hayley and I would be appreciative if you would visit us."
Leonard smiled, "If we have any time, we will be happy to."
He turned, "Goodbye, Mother."
Beverly smiled, "Goodbye, Leonard." She hesitated, "I am glad you brought Warren to see me."
She then shocked everyone when she stood up and reached out her arms, "Warren, how about a goodbye hug for your grandma?"
Warren smiled and rushed over to her. She lifted him up and gave him a real hug.
When she set him down, he said goodbye to everyone. Penny impulsively hugged Hayley who returned it and hugged Warren as well.
When they reached the car, Leonard turned to Penny, "I'm sorry…"
Penny stopped him, "Shh, don't be. Whatever happened, I am glad we did it. Warren should know your family." She smiled, "Besides, it was wonderful to see that at least one member of the family seems to have a heart."
Leonard smiled, "I love you."
Pennys smiled happily, "I love you, too."
They exchanged a soft kiss and got Warren in the car seat. They then headed for the hotel.
As they drove, Penny looked back at Warren, "Was it nice to see your cousins?"
Warren surprised them by hesitating, finally saying, "I guess."
Penny quickly said, "You don't sound very sure."
Warren looked at her, "They weren't fun like Halley and Michael." He paused, "They just talked to each other. When I asked if they wanted to color with me, they just said no and went back to talking."
Penny felt herself tearing up a little, "I am sure they just were doing that because they don't know you."
Warren looked at her, "I guess."
