The Wolowitz Conclusion
Chapter 12
Penny sat down next to Halley and had no idea what was going to happen. She knew Halley could be a bit of a hot head like her mother and Bernadette had told her that she didn't think Halley was going to cope very well, Leonard had a similar thought about Michael. The loving caring geeky little boy was a sensitive soul who worshiped his father, and would be crushed by what had happened. Bernadette had every faith in Leonard and Penny, deciding in her mind that, going forward, at least one of them would have to be with her kids when they saw their father. That was a non-negotiable.
"hello Howard" Leonard was still angry with him and didn't really want to know him, but was doing this for Michael who he treated exactly the same as his own children "come in"
"hello buddy" Howard tried, realising immediately that this wasn't the best idea "sorry"
"don't even start" Leonard put his hand up to stop him "you nearly killed my wife, and I'm never going to forgive you, so get that out of your mind"
"I didn't nearly kill Penny" Howard pleaded
"as good as" Leonard shook his head in an attempt to calm himself down "lets just stop this now, we're here for your children"
Leonard and Howard walked into the room and sat down, Halley and Michael didn't run forward to their father to give him a hug, they didn't ask him how his day had been, or tell him about their day at school. In response, he didn't ask them how they were or what they had been up too. The three of them just sat there, looking mainly at the ground with the occasional glance up at each other
"right" Penny started, thinking that if she didn't say anything, no one would "Howard would you like to tell you're children what's going on?"
"not really" Howard muttered under his breath "but it doesn't seem like I've got a choice"
"what happened Dad?" Halley had found some confidence from somewhere and was now staring at him with her arms crossed against her developing chest "why aren't you living at home any more?"
"I did something wrong" Howard sighed, his heart breaking as theirs did "I upset Mom and now I can't live with you any more"
"mom said you kissed another girl" Michael saw his sister's confidence and built on it "that's not good dad"
"I know" Howard agreed "that was my mistake"
"big mistake" Halley agreed "are you and Mom getting a divorce"
"we are" Howard nodded regrettably "I'm sorry guys"
"will we still see you?" Michael didn't really know what else to say "every day?"
"no" Howard answered, "I'm moving to Florida"
"you're leaving us?" Halley shouted, reminding Howard of his mother "to move to Florida?"
"sorry" Howard shrugged "but yes I am"
"can we come?" Michael asked hopeful "I'd love to live in Florida"
"no" Howard told him, quicker than he had intended "I don't think your Mom will let you"
Halley started crying, she turned to Penny and sobbed on her shoulder. Big heavy heaving sobs radiated from Halley and took over all of the noise in the room, allowing very little else to be said
"are you happy now" Penny sneered "you've broken your daughter's heart"
Howard didn't say anything, he couldn't. he simply got up and walked out of the room leaving Halley and Michael upset and Leonard and Penny in utter shock. Leonard's anger started to rise again, he simply couldn't believe it. All the pain one man can cause was snaking through the group, touching everyone as it wound its way through. Even in India, Raj couldn't escape the pain and hurt. Actually it was worse for him being so far away and unable to do anything to help. Penny looked up at the clock and then to her phone, it was almost as if he could sense what was going on as not 10 minutes earlier Raj had sent a text through
Landed and at baggage claim, got some amazing news, something amazing has happened. See you soon, uncle Koo cuddles for Kristian as soon as I get there. Love to you all Raj xxx
"oh, Raj says he's got a surprise for us all" Penny smiled trying to lighten the mood "I wonder what that is"