Still own nothing

The girls sat around drinking their Hot Chocolate and playing with Max and Jenny. Bernadette was first to ask. "Penny, how did the TV interview go with Good Morning Pasadena?"

Penny's eyes immediately lit up. "It was so great! The host that interviewed us, me and Dr. Johnson, her name was Kris Snow. She was so nice. She first started with Wendy, that's Dr. Johnson. Well, anyway, Wendy told everyone all about the technical stuff with Jenny and the problems both she and I could have had. Then she started to ask me questions on how it affected me and how I was able to cope with all the stress. I gave you and Amy a big shout out thank you for all your help. They showed Leonard, who was sitting in the front row, on the big screen they had there so the audience could see better. Well… this little girl, Penny gave Jenny a kiss on the head, saw her Daddy and practically jumped off my lap. Leonard joined me up on the set and took Jenny.

Then the funniest thing happened. You all saw what Max is like when he's near… well… you know… "the girls"…. Anyway, when I took Max from Wendy, he started to try to undress me on the set. The little trouble maker wanted to go at it right there." Penny poked Max in the stomach. He was sitting with Bernadette. "After Max calmed down a little, they had a question and answer session with the audience. It was so much fun. Leonard told me to just be myself, and that's what I did. Kris even asked if they could do some follow-up interviews as the kids get older. Of course we said we would do them. Oh My God… I felt so comfortable doing that."

Alex was interested in what Penny had to say. "Was it a lot different from when you do plays or go acting?"

Penny thought as max moved from Bernadette to Alex. Jenny then wanted to go to Bernadette from Amy. Amy was a little put out, but Alex seemed less anxious to take him than earlier in the evening. Max settled in and just seemed to be happy cuddling.

Penny smiled when Alex started to rub Max's back. "Well, it's really closer to acting in a play because there is a real audience. But the biggest difference and I think the best part is… my words are really MINE… I wasn't up there saying someone else's words. It was totally ME… It was so cool!"

Amy inquired, "Penny, is this something that you would consider pursuing as an alternate career possibility? I'm sure that your Community College has Communication courses that could be transferrable to a number of Universities."

Bernadette looked at Penny. "Penny, you should keep going to school and get your degree. If you think that you would like to do TV, it would probably help".

Penny looked over, "I don't know… that's a lot of work and you have to get up so early to be ready to be on one of those morning shows. What would I do with the Kids? It would be really cool though. Kelly Ripa was an actress, and now SHE is a morning show host".

Bernadette was playfully holding Jenny into a standing pose and rubbing her nose while the little girl smiled back at her. "You wouldn't be starting as full time. Probably just some "on the scene" things they do. You know... the worst possible place to be at the worst minute, just to prove that they have eyes on the spot".

Penny scowled a bit. "Yeah, those really suck. You get to go out in the pouring rain or almost get stuck in a mud slide somewhere. This show doesn't have too many of those though. Those are breaking news. This show is more human interest type stuff. That's why they had me on".

Bernadette handed Jenny to Penny who took her and gave her a big hug. Max was passed from Alex to Amy. The two of them were getting a bit moody. Penny looked at Max and then Amy. "Don't give him to me or we will have to start having another naked exposure time that will look like the last days of Caligula. Bernadette, you and Alex are up." Penny went to the fridge for some of her expressed milk while Max went to Bernadette and Alex took Jenny. Penny warmed the milk and gave each of the girls a bottle.

Penny then turned to Amy, "C'mon Ames, help me with this thing." Penny got out the breast pump and the two of them went to Penny's room so she would be out of Max's sight. Penny turned to the girls and said, "We won't be too long. I just need refill the reserves".

Amy picked up the pump and followed Penny. "I say, this is quite the change from that first Girls Night we had. You were quite taken aback when I tried to do just what you are proposing now".

Penny was already stripped to the waist and "hooking up". "Amy, this is WAY different. First, we didn't know each other that well and second, back then, NOBODY touched 'the girls' except guys…. Mostly….

Anyway, I wanted you in here, because I think those two out there need some time with babies… especially if Alex is pregnant and Bernadette is thinking about it. Now help me with the pump…. NO TOUCHING".

A while later, Penny and Amy came out of the bedroom, Amy carrying two bottles of milk and a big smile on her face. Bernadette and Alex had just come out of the kid's room after changing them. Alex was gently rocking Jenny as the little girls eyes were starting to shut. Max was not far behind. Penny walked over to Alex and took Jenny, gave her a kiss on the forehead and placed her in the Playpen next to the couch. Max reached for Penny who then took him and softly hummed the tune to "soft kitty". When Penny had finished, Max was asleep. Penny placed him next to Jenny and the two babies instinctively moved closer together.

Penny looked over to Bernadette. "Bernadette, you've been married longest. Is it different with Howard? Does he treat you different?

Bernadette was surprised by the answer. "What do you mean? Different in what way"?

Penny rubbed Jenny's back. Today after we got back… I was feeding the kids and Leonard leaned over with that same look in his eyes he's had for all these years. Then he leaned in and gave me a kiss. It was amazing. If the babies weren't busy, I think he would have blown off the afternoon. I know I wanted him to. But instead, he just went to work. Have I changed that much?

The girls sat back down in the living room. Bernadette held Penny's hand. "Penny, sure you've changed. You spend almost all your time with Max and Jenny, you take care of the apartment. You still work when you can. You're still beautiful."

Penny just looked a little sad. "I don't know, we haven't really been like we used to be. I'm so tired lately. He gets home from work, we eat, then we take care of the babies all night. By the time I finally get them to bed for the night, I'm pooped. We still cuddle, but not much more."

Alex looked over. "I'm pretty new to the group, but from what I can see when everyone is together, Leonard would be more than happy to help out with the babies. And they should be starting on solid foods … so you wouldn't need to be with them all the time. Maybe you just need to get away. Not for a long time, just to be alone… no pressure… no influences except for each other."

Penny looked a little sad. "I know… I know… Leonard really is great with them… but I haven't even thought of weaning them yet. I mean right now, I'm only taking a course here and there and my schedule at the restaurant is mostly in the afternoons and evenings. I suppose We could work it out."

Amy wanted to shine a little light on the subject. "Penny, so far tonight, you have been telling Alex and Bernadette to talk to Raj and Howard about what is going on in their relationships. I think it's about time that you open up to Leonard and tell him how you feel about what happened today on the set and how it made you feel. He has always been more than willing to step up to the plate…, metaphorically of course…, he would probably be more than supportive now. And while you're at it, tell him how you felt when he left after... let's say... 'Starting your Engine..." As good as he is with the babies, he needs to not forget about you"

Penny smiled. "I guess, but it's not all his fault".