Chapter 31 Tangential Arcs

I'm on the road again so the iPad rules the day, though I've got the laptop with me also. Left in the sunshine haven't seen it since except the liquid variety that we're famous for. Of course Leonard, Penny, Raj and any other TBBT characters I use tonight don't belong to me. Have you noticed how the cat keeps slipping back into the story? I never plan that it just kind of happens. In Penny's words "What just happened?" Very odd indeed.

Delayed Correspondence

Lena and Leonard were with Lisel in her room finishing up packing her toys and clothes. They had all talked until dinner. Lena had made a German style of meatloaf it was served with a fried egg on the top and was delicious. There was also warm potato salad that was very tangy. Horst had asked Penny to come into his office. She sat in the comfortable chair beside his desk while he sat down behind it. Horst reached into his desk and produced three letters. Penny was little confused she was expecting only one. Horst must have seen this and smiled. "These are the letters I have for you Penny. One is from Liisa I believe she would have preferred you to read it after your wedding but that is up to you. The second letter is her letter to Lisel it should be where ever she is for the time when it's needed. The last letter is from Lena and me. We decided to carry on Liisa's tradition. It is our remembrance of her for when we are no longer there to tell it. That way Lisel will always have it. I entrust these to you and of course Leonard."

Horst slid the letters across the desk to her. The envelopes were all addressed. Liisa's envelopes older and typed. Horst and Lena's hand written and newer. Penny picked them up very seriously. Horst was not so serious. "It's not a meant to be a burden Penny, we have the copies put away so don't fear losing them. Only yours is a one of a kind. Think of them as a legacy from Liisa heart to yours and Lisel's."

Penny smiled at Horst she could feel herself becoming at ease even as she made him relax. She looked around his office, "You built the collider?"

Horst chuckled, "Me and about 10000 other scientists, engineers and construction workers. I have been here since we broke ground. I helped with the collider and the buildings and other structures. My doctorate is in High Energy Physics but I have a master degree in architecture. I never knew I would get to use both"

"Horst will you tell me more about Leonard when he was here?"

Horst was silent for a long minute just staring at the pictures.

"This place was built for people like Leonard. The ones that seek the physical experimentation to prove others theory's and sometimes even their own. Leonard did both. Before he met Liisa though he was incomplete and lost in his personal life. He craved to see the world around him but did it alone. Did he tell you he's been in almost every country in the Western Europe?"

Horst smiled as Penny shook her head, "He wouldn't have our Leonard is very modest. Did he tell you he holds 14 patents in different laser technologies and techniques? He is very quiet about his accomplishments. Perhaps it's because he had bigger ambitions about his life. I can tell you I've never seen or heard him ever be cruel to anyone. He does have a rather wicked sense of humor though."

Penny smiled, "He can find ways to get a person's goat in a teasing way. I've always known Leonard was a genius. I always wondered why he would settle for me."

Horst frowned shaking his head, "Leonard's not a genius Penny. He is gifted in many ways and has an incredible work ethic and stamina. He has had moments of genius. His friend Dr. Cooper is a genius. Geniuses get caught in their intellect and thoughts. I've known many geniuses most are just two steps away from a breakdown. If they have large egos they can be condescending and selfish to the point of cruelty. If they are introverted they can actually become catatonic and self-destructive. Leonard is none of those things. His ego revolves around his personal life and feelings. His Mother though is most certainly a genius and not in a good way."

Penny smiled at that last remark but Horst wasn't done. "Penny Leonard loves you and I know him better than most. Leonard as long as I've known him will give in to settle an argument. He'll quit pursuing something when it is not possible. But Leonard never settles. He has wanted to be with you for a very long time. If anything he would be worried about you settling for him. You two are very alike in a many ways and don't even realize it."

The sound of small running feet were heard in the hall and Lisel came scrambling into the room. "There you are, we are ready to go mommy."

Each time she said mommy Penny would choke up. She'd get used to it she knew but she would always love hearing it. Penny stood up, "all right then tell your father we'll be right there."

Penny gave Horst a hug as he came around the desk. "Thank you I needed to hear that."

Horst looked her in the eyes, "You must care for two of my most beloved people. I trust you will"

Penny nodded and looked up to see Leonard with a suit case. Lisel was holding her white rabbit and a stuffed puppy. "Is that all she's bringing?"

Leonard laughed, "There are 4 boxes in her room which will go air freight to the house. This is just clothes, crayons, paper and a doll."

Penny hugged Lena, and then Lisel hugged both her grandparents. Leonard Hugged Lena and shook Horst's hand. "We'll see you in Paris in four days. I'll email you the reservation numbers."

Lisel held Penny's hand as they went down the stairs. Penny held the stuffed puppy and Lisel the rabbit. Leonard brought up the rear with the bag. Klaus pulled up as they came out and had the door open for the Hoftstader family.

Pregnant Differential

Sheldon was busy packing his bag. Each item folded and crossed off the list on his tablet. Amy had decided to pack her and Tyler's in the morning before they took the Eurostar train to Paris. Leonard's lawyer in Zurich had emailed the hotel reservation to Amy earlier. Sheldon could have cared less he left things like that and all other financial matters up to Amy. He finished his packing by placing his laptop and 30 carefully chosen comic books in his shoulder bag

Sheldon moved into the living room of their rather spacious home and took his place on the couch. Amy and Tyler had gone to get some last minute items from the store for the trip. Sheldon started talking to himself as was his bent.

"Amy certainly had been different during this pregnancy."

He thought back to when she was pregnant with Tyler. They had both kept extensive notes on the entire process. From the fertilization of the eggs and implantation to the birth it was very well documented. They had data on her weight gain, physical changes. There were even data on the frequency and quantity of urination and breast size increase. Though Sheldon would have to trust Amy's recording ability on that data. Once Tyler was born Amy became much more distracted. Sheldon had kept track of his sons growth and intellectual capacity ever since.

This new pregnancy had been Amy's idea at first. It was simple enough they still had embryos stored from the first attempt. He started trying to collect data but Amy had been reluctant. Her explanation was very cogent. This baby would be different it could weigh more or less. Her body had changed during the first pregnancy. She lost almost all the weight but still carried a few extra pounds. She was insistent that there were too many differentials between them to be comparable. Sheldon still continued to record data surreptitiously.

This time he would look at her psychological changes. He already knew she was moodier and less methodical in her planning than before. She had been growing much more haphazard since Tyler was born. She had told him that children demand spontaneity but he was skeptical. It was true that Tyler would want to play at any given moment then be hungry or crying the next but Sheldon still considered it a phase.

None the less Sheldon felt that Amy though not sad really was not happy. He had sent an email to Leonard wondering if Penny could go jewelry shopping with him in Paris so he could get her something. Leonard had written back that if the time allowed she'd love to. But that Penny had suggested that he should send her flowers in the meantime. Sheldon considered this an outdated social convention and wrote them this back. The email he received back was defiantly from Penny and not Leonard. "I'll take care of it Moonpie just act like they're from you, pay me when you see me." There she went again calling him Moonpie. But since Memaw had passed away it gave him a warm feeling too.

The flowers had arrived yesterday afternoon and Amy had been thrilled. She had hugged him and he allowed her to kiss him. The rest of the evening she had been in a better mood. Sheldon would have to thank Penny when he saw her. He had missed her all these years in some odd way. She was always someone he felt he could trust, even when he couldn't. Such an odd juxtaposition of concepts was why you should never trust your feelings. He heard the door to the kitchen open and Tyler and Amy come in. She came around the corner and saw the flowers on the dining room table where she'd put them. Amy then turned and gave Sheldon her happy smile. Sheldon gave his smile back thinking, Penny may be just a Nebraska farm girl but I'm glad she's my friend.

To Walk Along the Seine

Raj had taken the stairs down beside the Pont Neuf Bridge and was walking along the river. He started at the wharf thinking later he might take an evening river cruise. He had strolled along through the centuries old trees. The Louvre was there hulking and beautiful. He walked along lost in every romantic movie that he had ever seen filmed here. Then there we all the thrillers and espionage movies filmed here also.

He just strolled and dreamt about those old movies his hands in the pockets of his new warm overcoat. He almost jumped when the arm slid through his and held on tightly. "Hello Rajesh, I kind of thought you'd end up here."

Raj kept his cool he didn't have to look over to see it was Priya. "I knew they would send you I just thought I would have more time."

He continued walking, her tightly attached to his arm. To anyone else they would look like a nice Indian couple on a romantic getaway. Priya was very gentle but firm, "You know you have to go back Rajesh? But I too have grown very tired of my life in Mumbai perhaps we could spend a few days here and see the sights. I'll just tell Mommy I haven't found you yet."

Rajesh played the stoic male to his sister. "I suppose we could do that." Inside he was at least relieved if not jubilant to have a few days more in Paris."

Raj and Priya continued to walk, "We really should go back Friday." Priya said

Raj stopped and turned to look at her. "I can't go back until at least Sunday, I'm going to Leonard and Penny's wedding on Saturday"

Raj looked at his sister state of shock, "My Cow woman don't you read your email."

If Penny had been there she would have told Priya "Shut your mouth sweetie before a bug fly's in"

Just so you can keep track its Tuesday January 28th 2025 early evening. Hope you enjoyed the chapter tonight. It should go up fairly early tonight if I can get it edited.

Reviews, blogs, twitter you all know the drill. Love to know you're out there don't just be a number on the graph.

T