Disclaimer: I really can't do a lot better than the last chapter or two. I've been writing different things today so no immediate warm up is really required. Of course this work of fiction is based on another work of fiction called "The Big Bang Theory". Which we are all waiting to return after the NCAA BB tournament is over. My beloved Blue Devils went in the first round so I have moved on to Michigan State. Money can now not possibly be recouped to quote Sheldon "Drat". In all things take care, in all cares be gentle.

Little Windows

Penny woke up with her right arm wrapped around Leonard from behind. Her hand on his chest cuddled into his back. It took her a moment to realize they were still on the plane. Penny had flown cross country many times but never in this degree of luxury and never overnight. The seats had been laid down and the cabin lights dimmed several hours earlier. They were in a double so the bed was slightly larger than a standard twin. She squeezed Leonard a little harder he reached up and held her hand a moment then turned toward her. She had to scoot back and they were lying face to face. He kissed her softly and ran his hand down the back of her head. "Did you sleep well honey?"

She cuddled into him, "Yeah I think so, seems that's what I've done most of on this flight."

Leonard held her tight, "It's a big time change, that's why we're going to the hotel and get a nap when we get in, then some nice dinner plans. We'll sleep in tomorrow then we can go get Lisel and visit with her grandparents. You need some time to decompress after flying east all day."

She snuggled in more and sleep returned.

Leonard wished there was more room so he could watch her sleep. He hadn't really slept much himself. It did feel good to laydown though and have Penny next to him. He knew Lisel was going to love Penny. They both had a very empathic nature and he was sure they would bond quickly. Horst and Lena would be accepting he knew. They were the kind of people that were generous and open to new people. That's how he'd met Liisa.

Gaining a Son before Losing a Daughter

Horst sat at his desk drinking his morning tea in CERN's main building. It was early Monday morning and actually looked as if the weather would be warmer today. Leonard and Penny were to arrive this afternoon but he wouldn't see them until tomorrow. Horst was excited to see Leonard again and meet Penny. She must be very special for both Leonard and his daughter to care for her so. He had really missed Leonard.

Leonard had been at CERN for over a year when he came to Horst's attention. There was a story going on about this American physicist that worked more hours than the rest of his team. He would be in the Lab for days, sleeping on the couch in his small office when he needed to. Every month he would take 4 or 5 days of leave and disappear. He would returned refreshed and with different bottles of wine for some of his closer colleagues. Then back into that grind again. Days and nights getting experiments ready for the next collider run. His personal patents for laser development were now over ten with CERN earning 10% of any license fees. He was being productive in the extreme. Horst had made a of point of trying to meet him at staff social functions but Leonard never came. In the end Horst just went to Leonard's office. He'd found Leonard sitting at his desk staring at the digital white board to the right. There had been several bottles of wine sitting on his desk. Leonard was totally absorbed in the board. Horst had said hello twice before Leonard turned toward him. Horst had been expecting a surly scientist that he had just interrupted. Leonard had turned and smiled saying hello in German then:

"What can I do for you?"

"I just thought I would introduce myself, I'm Horst Grunwald deputy director of operations at CERN," Leonard rose and extended his hand which Horst took in his receiving a warm handshake."

Horst liked Leonard's attitude and demeanor at once. He was dressed in slacks and button down shirt. His black glasses framing his face which he tilted his head back to look through.

"What are you working so intently on?"

Leonard blushed slightly, "I've been working on using molecular lasers to increase the rate at which certain isotopes decay. I have a grasp of the theory but predicting a model and designing a prototype experiment for it is proving more difficult."

Horst was impressed with this young man. Studying the board for a moment he was also impressed even more with the physics involved.

"Dr. Hoftstader your work here so far has been exceptional. I am concerned that you may be over working yourself though. I haven't seen you at any of the recreational events or social gatherings."

Leonard seemed a touch concerned for a moment. "I'm sorry Dr. Grunwald, was there an event I was required at?"

Horst considered Leonard for a moment. He was obviously very talented, but something must be broken in him. Lena would figure it out.

"Yes there is Dr. Hoftstader. Friday night you will attend an informal dinner at my home with my wife and me. Please be there at 7:00PM you can bring the wine. I'm sure it will be pork roast because it's Friday." Horst smiled as said this.

Leonard returned the smile, "Of course I'll be there Dr. Grunwald."

That had been the beginning Horst thought. It had taken some time for Horst and Lena to get Leonard to open up and relax but that was the start. Lena had recognized that though Leonard was rather introverted he was also very sensitive and aware. She knew there was something in his past that had drove him further behind his barriers. He had not always been quite so anti-social. It had seemed to Lena that Leonard had shed all of his attachments to life other than his work and a few other interests. He had friends at CERN but did not socialize with them outside of work. He was capable of traveling and had extensively it seemed, meeting new people but not forming any attachments. Lena finally found her answer when the three of them spent the weekend together at their Chalet up the lake.

It had been a lovely evening the wine, beer, schnapps and scotch had flowed pretty heavily. But Lena didn't drink so though Horst and Leonard were laughing at someone at CERN she decided now would be a good time. Lena asked the question she'd asked before but had gotten pat answers.

"Leonard what's the real reason you left Caltech and sunny California for dreary and cold Oxford?"

The answer had not surprised her, "I lost the person I loved the most, it just hurt too much to stay"

That was all he had said but both Horst and Lena knew who they wanted Leonard to meet.

Horst looked at the picture frame hoping it would have Liisa there, it did a picture of Lena and Liisa when she was 10. Liisa had lost what she considered the love of her life also in her first year of university. Sig and Liisa had dated the last year of primary school before college. They were going to the same university but Sig was travelling for a term in Spain to intern in literature. It had been a car accident that none of them still quite understood. Sig and another student had both been killed.

Liisa had dropped out of university and spent the first term at home. She had cried and wrote for weeks. Then she volunteered with some prompting from Lena at the local school. She found her calling a love of children and teaching. Though her poetry was still dark and she hadn't dated anyone since Sig she decided she would return to school. She graduated on time having made up work over the summer terms. Her first position was at a private school in Lausanne on the lake about hour north of Geneva. She loved her work, wrote and had tried dating again but had failed to find anyone she cared for. She did visit them every few weeks for dinner at their old home. It was there that Lena made sure that Leonard came to dinner the next time she was down.

Liisa had suspected that her mother was matchmaking when she heard they would have a guest for dinner. Liisa later told her mother that she and Leonard had an instant connection. Lena had watched them at dinner and already knew. Leonard though quiet at first had talked directly to Liisa most of dinner. Lena thought her and Horst could have got up from the table and not been missed. It was Horst who suggested after dinner the two of them go out for a sorbet. They had and that was when it started for his friend and daughter.

Horst knew that Liisa had never told Leonard about Sig. Liisa had asked him and Lena not to, Leonard had enough heartbreak no need to add hers to it she had said. Horst remembered how happy they had been together and how wrenching Liisa illness end had been for them all. Horst smiled all except Lisel too young to remember thankfully. Then he frowned, her mother a picture on a tablet, an urn filled with ashes.

This feels like a really good place to end it today. Not sure if anything after that would be appropriate. This wasn't supposed go up until tomorrow. So maybe I'll take the day off, yeah that'll happen.

Sweet dreams, please review, tweet or email if you like.

Damn it's cold out here, the north wind blows and my tea has gotten cold.

T