What should we talk about today old friend? The relationships between this work of fiction and the show its characters and story lines that were used for its base line. The difference between the people they were then and are now in the piece. I've been in analytical mode all day with an emergent problem that still remains unresolved. I finally stepped away from those to start working on this. Maybe peace will come.
Indoor compensation
Amy walked into the suite with her mouth hanging open. It was so beautiful with its classical French furnishings. It had beautiful couches, desks, side boards and chairs. The bedrooms had huge beds, chandeliers, decorative crown moldings all done in a bright white. This was old school romantic. Leonard may not have a top mind but he knew class she thought. Sheldon and Tyler had both went right to the balcony. She stepped out behind them. There was a small table and 4 chairs the back drop was the Eiffel Tower above the trees.
She was suddenly glad she had come. The room alone was worth the trip. The boys of course had loved the train ride. It had been remarkably quick to get to Paris. The taxi ride from the station was quite a bit more tedious. She walked back in the room as the bell hops brought the bags in. She had them all brought to the master bedroom then tipped them.
Amy headed for the couch and set herself down carefully, She couldn't wait to see Penny and Bernadette. Penny was due in tomorrow, Bernadette later today. She had missed her friends so much. There had been no one like them all these years. She hoped she could talk to Leonard about them coming back to Caltech. Maybe Leonard could get Sheldon restarted again. Amy started to tear up thinking about the old days. She missed home. She picked up the house phone beside the couch and dialed the desk.
She asked the operator to leave a message for Bernadette when she got in to call her. Then she ordered lunch for her and the boys from room service. When she had asked about the cost she was told everything for their visit was already covered. Leonard Hoftstader was moving up higher in her mind every moment. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, sleep came instantly.
A New Paradigm
Raj and Priya walked into the suite. They both were stunned by the difference in their lodgings. The foyer was bigger than the entire room at Raj's hotel. Priya walked through the suite running her hand over the fabric of the couch. Looking in the bedroom and then heading for the balcony.
Raj just stood and marveled at the luxurious surroundings. Leonard was putting them up in a level beyond first class. He followed Priya onto the balcony. She was setting at the table looking at the view. A frown was on her face. "What's wrong sister?" Priya looked at Raj then back at the view. "I realize I may have made a huge error many years ago. Do you think Leonard knew how beautiful this was when he reserved the room?"
Raj thought about it for a moment, "He was always a very careful guy Priya. If this was where he wanted us to stay he knew it. Don't feel bad his heart was always with Penny even when he was with you. In the end it would never have worked out even if Mommy and Daddy had accepted him."
Priya looked at Raj. He had expected tears but he saw anger. "Why wouldn't it have worked out?"
Raj shook his head he realized how much he loved his sister in that moment. She was always so together and rigid but right then she was vulnerable. "Penny was the love of Leonard life, we all knew it. If Penny had been the kind person to break you two up she could have just crooked her finger and Leonard would have went back. I feel good they are together again. You deserve more Priya. I tried to tell you then. You should think about leaving Mumbai just as much as me. That person is out there, just don't try to change them."
Priya turned back to Raj, tears in her eyes. "I think I might rather come to Paris, we have an office here you know. Maybe here?"
Priya's phone buzzed, she reached in her purse. "You have an email it appears."
Raj took the phone and opened his email. "It's from Leonard." He started reading it, "I was wrong it's from Penny using Leonard's email and it's to you." He handed it back to her.
"Priya
Both Leonard and I are happy you can be there for our wedding. You are most welcome and we look forward to seeing you and Raj
Penny"
There was a knock on the suite door. Raj moved to answer it Priya following behind him. He answered the door and a bellman was standing there with a vase of red roses. Raj signed for them and gave him a very small tip. He turned to his sister who was behind him. "They're for you."
Priya took the flowers and put them on the side board. She looked at them carefully it was two dozen red roses. She opened the card Raj reading over her shoulder.
"We are glad you're here, no hard feelings. We are looking forward to seeing you at the wedding and the dinner tomorrow.
Penny, Leonard and Lisel."
Priya looked behind her at Raj, "Who's Lisel?"
Refracted Light
Leonard and Penny emerged from the elevator, Leonard holding a sleeping Lisel in his arms.
He thought how wonderful dinner had been. They had gone to a small French bistro with a wonderful view of the fountain. Penny and Lisel had to be reminded that food was on the table and to eat. The view of the changing lights and lasers hitting the water and bouncing outward was mesmerizing. Lisel had fallen asleep in the car on the ride home.
Leonard carried her to her bedroom. Penny pulled back the covers and he lay her gently down. He put her ever present bunny in her arms, tucked her in and kissed her forehead. He took Penny's hand and led her to the living room. There was enough room and seats for five couples but the view of Geneva out the window at night was lovely. They settled on the couch Leonard taking her hand in his. "What a wonderful day I'm not sure how it could have gone any better."
Penny snuggled into his shoulder, her hand on his chest. "It really was how I imagined it" she said. "Our family out for the day together it was wonderful. I 'm not sure what to say Leonard I haven't ever felt this way."
Leonard kissed her head and looked out at the city. "I know what you mean. This is the first time it's ever been not just me and Lisel. When you're a single dad people just kind of look at you wondering where your wife is. They even asked sometimes if you are divorced or where is your daughters mother today. But being out there as a family today really made me realize what I've missed."
Penny hugged him tighter. Leonard reflected on just how right the family felt together. Lisel had really never experienced having a mom there. The female touch with her was so evident. Leonard would take her clothes shopping and it would be a task to be accomplished. Penny had made it a game for her. They were playing dress up and Lisel had loved it. Leonard had even got a kick after Penny had asked him what her budget was for the day now that she was wealthy. He had just laughed and told to try to keep under 10k. She had frowned at him then laughed.
Penny rubbed her hand on his chest then looked up at him. She was about to speak when he kissed her. The kiss was a long one passionate and soft. When their lips parted he looked at her. "You were saying" Penny looked flustered, "I forgot what I was going to say"
Leonard smiled and tried to withhold a chuckle. He'd have to remember to do that in the future when he needed to. She did recover very quickly though, "I was going to say how special our daughter is Leonard. She is so smart. She read signs and things for me all day. It' hard to believe she's only 4, well getting closer to 5. I fall more in love with her every second I'm around her, just like I do when I'm with her father."
She smiled up at him again. Leonard smiled and rubbed his nose to hers.
"She is very special. I believe she will do great things. But I could be biased in that regard."
Penny shook her head, "No your right, she has a kind and gentle personality with an intelligence that is obvious. I think your right our daughter is capable of great things."
Leonard thought over her words. "Penny you know we did all of the paper work for you and our family to be taken care of financially this morning but there is one more thing. Once where married and back home I'd like you to legally adopt Lisel. Then no matter what you will be her legal mother."
Penny pushed back from him with tears on her cheeks. "Of course honey, I promised myself and Liisa I would always take care of her." She was looking into his eyes, very proud and assertive.
"When did you make that promise to Liisa?"
Penny snuggled back into his shoulder, "Before we ever left California"
Leonard held her tight reflecting on how lucky he had been to find this woman again. He also thought how fortunate he was that all the years apart had not damaged her as much as it had damaged him. Then he realized he had been healed of so much of the damage. It was now just then, a memory nothing more. Sometimes a bitter and painful memory but it could not touch them now.
Touching Down and Out
Howard and Bernadette were at the hotel at last. They both were exhausted after the long flight and time change. Though it was late in the afternoon in Paris it felt like two in the morning to them both.
They loved their suite it was so lovely. They had just sat down on the couch and were looking about the place when the phone rang. Howard picked it up talked for minute then hung up. "Amy is apparently right next door and left you a message for when you got in to call her."
Bernadette would have loved to see Amy but she was so tired. "I'll call her what's the suite number?" Howard shrugged. Bernadette called the front desk and asked for the Cooper's suite. Amy answered on the second ring. "Hey Amy its Bernie, were here but absolutely bushed. What's up?"
Bernadette hung up and looked at Howard. "Breakfast with Coopers tomorrow around 9:00 sound good." Howard nodded his head and put his hand out. Bernadette could tell he had other things on his mind. She grabbed his hand and let him pull her up. "Come on Howie let's try to make a baby"
Leaving Geneva
Leonard was lying on his back with Penny lying on his right shoulder facing toward the window. Her warm derrière pressed against his thigh, her right hand holding his. "I'm going to miss this view Leonard. What time does the train leave tomorrow?"
"About 10:00AM we'll be in Paris by lunch. The new high speed train cut about 2 hours off the trip. I saw you sent flowers to Priya today and your email, very gracious of you."
Penny squeezed his hand and continued to stare at the city. "I wouldn't be so gracious if I wasn't the one getting married. I do realize one of the only reasons I didn't like Priya was because she had you. I will tell you though she was never right for you."
Leonard kissed the back of her head. "Why was she never right for me?"
Penny let go of his hand and rolled toward him and kissed him, her hand running down his chest and her knee sliding across his thigh between his legs. "What was the question?"
Leonard stumbled, "I've forgotten actually."
Hope you enjoyed tonight's chapter. I enjoyed writing it, took me away from other unpleasant work.
Please your reviews and responses are always welcome. I'll post pictures of the suites on the blog soon to fill that image out for you.
Macy stay safe, keep writing as you have time.