Chapter 30 Combination Approximation
I missed the usual lunch today at our favorite bistro, the weekly wine lunch. I may be a little more clear headed than normal, really not a good thing. So comme d'habitude still don't own anything new except any constructs that have appeared in the story that have nothing to do with TBBT. It should be pretty clear by now we are WAY removed from that storyline. Comme d'habitude ? As usual.
Winding up
Raj woke to a very cold room, the radiator in the corner was putting out no heat. Coming from Mumbai where the coldest it ever got was maybe 65 degrees Paris in January rarely gets over 45. He put on his sweater out of his bag, it was raining but he could see blue sky in the distance. Though he was still cold he was suddenly excited. It was so quiet. There was no one scrambling around the house, no yelling or children crying. No one screaming Rajesh do this, Rajesh why didn't you do that. It was like a dream come true.
He got his tourist map of Paris out with the places he wanted to visit:
Eiffel Tower
Arc De Triomphe
Versailles
Ile Saint Louis
The Louvre Museum
Pont Neuf and the Seine
His first stop though would be a store to get a warmer coat he felt like he was back at the North Pole. He got himself ready and as he passed the door he touched the radiator. It was cold and had writing on it in French. He really needed to get a new smart phone so he could translate things. He'd left his phones in Mumbai so they couldn't track him. What would they do? Then Raj's blood ran cold they would send someone to find him in Paris. There was only one choice, Priya. "Oh my cow", Raj let slip from his mouth.
Intersecting Arcs
Penny sat in her pajamas at the dining room table in the suite sipping the very strong coffee. The room service breakfast was spread across the table. Leonard had ordered a light breakfast for them both, fruit, croissants, preserves and coffee. They had awakened together a little after 9:30. The jet lag was clearing it felt like morning to Penny instead of after midnight that it was in California. The sun was streaming in through the windows, the eastern mountain faces gleaming grey and white in the distance. They lay spooning until close to 10:00, murmurs, kisses, and touches no talking. When her stomach growled Leonard had suggested breakfast and reached for the phone. He ordered in French switching to English to explain what he was ordering to Penny. She had just nodded and pulled him back close when he hung up her back to him spooning again.
Penny took Leonard's left hand and pulled it onto her tummy covering it with her own, "Good morning daddy."
Leonard pulled her close and she thought she could feel a tear on her shoulder. She took her hand off his and reached behind her to his head. He kissed her shoulder and relaxed. They stayed there until the elevator bell rang. Leonard got up and grabbed one of the thick white robes that came with the room. She heard him talking in French and was back in a few moments.
"Breakfast is on the table mademoiselle", he said on his way to the bathroom.
Now she was waiting for him. The coffee was strong she took another sip and picked up a croissant and started tearing it into pieces. Leonard finally appeared still in his robe and set down on the other side of her letting his hand run across her shoulders on the way. She shuddered slightly his touch was very gentle, sexy and arousing. She gave him a sideways glance. He gave her the grin, put his hand out and they headed back to bed.
LLP
They were to meet Horst at his apartment at 2:30 he was taking the rest of the day off. Penny sat beside Leonard in the back of the Mercedes as Klaus drove them across town to Horst and Lena's apartment. Leonard looked at her, she seemed nervous and clung tightly to his left hand. He reached over and touched her face. She turned to look at him, "Don't be nervous Penny, you're sweet, smart and adorable they will all love you. Do you get this way before an audience?"
Penny shook her head, "Not anymore but I used to, it gets easy as you realize you there to entertain them not seek their approval. Today I feel like I'm seeking their approval."
Leonard shook his head, "I would feel the same way if I was you but there is only one person's approval you really need. He already not only approves but loves you. Therefore his daughter and extended family will love and approve of you."
Leonard gave Penny his best smile and most of the anxiety melted off her face. She kissed him just as they pulled up to the curb in front of the apartment building. Unexpectedly they had a greeting party. Horst, Lena and Lisel were waiting on the sidewalk in front of the apartment building. Lisel was almost jumping off the ground. Lena and Horst both had huge smiles as each of them held one of Lisel's hands.
Klaus never had a chance to open the car door, Leonard had it open and was getting out when Lisel ran into his arms. He sat back into the car, "Papa, Papa, you're here at last." She was hugging him her eyes closed. Leonard eyes were closed also as he held his daughter close. He opened them to both Horst and Lisel smiling back at him. Lisel finally started lessening her grip so he turned toward Penny. Before he could introduce her Lisel had leapt into Penny's arms, "Mama Penny, I'm so happy you came with Papa." She was hugging Penny now who had her eyes closed. She opened them with tears welling up looking at Leonard. Leonard smiled big again, "Told ya."
Life Combined Helixes
Leonard had introduced Penny to Horst and Lena while he held Lisel. Horst led the way walking with and welcoming Penny with Lena smiling as she looked on. Horst had her arm in his hands, "We are so happy to finally meet you. Leonard wrote us some wonderful emails the last few weeks. Lisel's room looks lovely and she will be so happy to have pets." Lena touched Penny's arm and spoke to Horst in German. Horst blushed, "She said I should shut up long enough for you to answer. Leonard followed along carrying his daughter up the stairs to the apartment. She was nuzzled into his neck, "Papa you smell like Mama Penny." Leonard just smiled.
Once they were inside Horst got them settled on to the couch and chairs in the living room. Lisel was in her father's lap, Penny beside them on the couch. Horst was in the side chair, Lena sat on the arm. It reminded Leonard of where Penny always sat when he lived with Sheldon all those years ago. They started chatting about the flight and the hotel with Horst translating for Lena. Horst looked at Leonard and spoke in German, "And the Urn?" Leonard answered in English, "In its case in the car, shall we go get it and leave our lady's to chat." Penny looked anxious for a moment, until Lisel crawled into her lap.
Leonard touched Lisel's cheek and she turned toward him, "Little one, Grandmother doesn't know English and Penny doesn't know German so you will have to help them chat."
Lisel looked at her father for a moment, "Ja Papa", she then turned to Penny, "that means yes Mama Penny."
Penny smiled, "Tell your grandmother her apartment is lovely."
Lisel talked to Lena in German and she responded and stood. Lisel looked at Penny, "Grandmama wants to show you around." Penny stood and followed Lena.
The tour went quickly with Lisel showing off her room. Penny was intrigued with the pictures in Horst's office of the collider and the apparently matching desk to Leonard's coffee table. When they returned to the living room Horst was putting the urn on the mantel. Leonard was closing the protective case it had traveled in from California then handed it to Horst. They both smiled at each other then took their seats again. Horst smiled a large smile at Penny.
Penny suddenly knew Leonard had told him she was pregnant. She blushed slightly and looked over at Leonard. He just smiled back very sweetly. Horst looked at Lisel and spoke in German and she leaped up and went toward her room. Horst looked back at Penny, "She's getting a picture she has drawn for you. Congratulations."
He then spoke to Lena whose hand went to her mouth. She immediately was beside Penny on the couch with her arm around her speaking German that Leonard translated as she said it.
"Wonderful oh how wonderful for you two and for Lisel."
Lena had tears in her eyes when Lisel returned with her drawing. She showed the drawing to Leonard and Penny, "Here we are Mama Penny walking the dogs and the kitty in the park. And Daddy is taking our picture." Just at Penny was about to say something Lena spoke to Lisel who looked very surprised, got up and ran toward her room. Just as Leonard started to speak she was back with her crayons and was working on the drawing. Leonard leaned in and sad softly to Penny, "Lena told her that the picture needed the brother or sister that you and I will be having"
Lisel was done and she looked up at Penny and showed the addition. Next to blonde child that was her was another smaller one they were holding hands. The smaller one also had blonde hair. Lisel spoke, "There is my new little brother or sister Mama Penny."
Leonard reached over and touched his daughter hair and she turned toward him, "Little one instead of call Penny mama, why don't you call her Mommy and you can save mama for Mama Liisa."
Lisel understood at once, and crawled up into Penny's lap, "Mommy when will my brother and sister get here?"
Penny fought to hold back tears, Lena was crying. Both Leonard and Horst were smiling, "Just after summer Lisel, when you will be starting Kindergarten."
Lisel hugged Penny, "Can we get another kitty so we can each have one?"
Lena just rolled her eye's smiling, Leonard and Horst laughed. Penny looked very serious for a moment, "Okay Schrodinger 3"
Well that's that then. Lisel has gained a mother, Penny a daughter, Horst and Lena basically a new daughter in law. They are at the start of things now or getting close to the end. I'm not sure yet.
Hopefully FanFiction will work correctly for a while. If not you can always visit the blog of the same name on wordpress dot com.
Please review, always craving reviews, keeps me coming back.
PS Don't worry about Priya, you know who you are.