Time for the real disclaimer 2nd shot at it: I have contemplated that the ownership of fictional characters played by very accomplished actors is both spurious and without any particular social merit. I shall never the less respect that ownership and claim none for other peoples work. I even take less ownership in my own creations which by sharing them with others and therefore making them publically known I expand their depth and inner workings. In other words I really don't care hand me the scotch and hold the ice.
Limited Optional Parameters
Leonard stood up straight and reached over for his scotch for another drink but it was empty. He put the glass back on the table and turned to walk toward Penny and Beverly. He didn't bother smiling if anything just a quick grin, "Hello mother so nice that you could come." Beverly snorted slightly and looked at Leonard over her glasses. "If Sheldon hadn't emailed the plans I wouldn't have." She turned toward Penny, "Leonard neglected to invite me to his first wedding also, but when I heard he was marrying you I decided to come. I'd told him to take good care of you before but he must have forgotten."
Leonard stepped over to Penny and took her hand. Penny could feel how tense he was almost shaking. He had been such a rock since they'd been together but this was like the old Leonard. His self-assurance having ebbed she knew he was feeling vulnerable. Penny did the only thing she could think, she leaned over and kissed him. Not a peck but long slow wet I love you kind of kiss she thought. It seemed to work somewhat he leaned into her and stopped shaking. She held him for a moment and whispered into his ear, "We can do this."
When she pulled back Leonard looked into her eyes. She liked what she saw the self-assured worldly man she was about to marry.
Leonard looked from Penny to his mother, "Since this is the second marriage for both us we felt we would invite just our friends and not family." Penny was impressed he said it nicely but forcefully. Penny decided that a double team was appropriate, "We're both glad you made it Beverly, aren't we Leonard? Now you can meet your granddaughter Lisel she in the dining room." Penny had never even looked at Leonard. She took Beverly by the arm and led her toward the dining room. Penny looked over her shoulder at Leonard and made drinking motions with her hand. Leonard smiled at his wife to be. He walked to the bar and ordered another scotch and two tequila shooters for his mother.
Leonard walked toward the table. Penny was standing behind Beverly and looking at him pointing at her. He came over and saw that Lisel had thrown her arms around Beverly and was holding her tightly. Beverly's face actually looked like it had melted. She wasn't smiling but all the stiffness had gone out of her face. Lisel pulled back and kissed Beverly on the cheek. "I've been waiting to meet you grandmamma. I've seen your picture and daddy has told me you would come see me sometime. I'm so happy you're here come meet my other grandparents."
Lisel had taken her hand and rather insistently proceeded to pull Beverly up. Beverly looked at Penny as she stood and mouthed, "She's adorable", and let herself be led around the table to Lena and Horst.
Leonard put the two shots on the table he and Penny each grabbed one to throw it down. Penny looked at Leonard and put hers back on the table, "Not good for the baby, I little wine with dinner perhaps but not Tequila. " Beverly was visiting with Lena, Horst and Lisel. The guys were all still in the bar. Amy was nowhere to be seen. Priya was sitting with Tyler on her lap, he was fast asleep. Penny patted Leonard's hand as he nursed his scotch and got up and sat next to Priya. "Hi, how'd you end up with a sleeping two year old?" Priya smiled and stroked his head, "I have 6 nieces and 4 nephews he just kind of gravitated my way. Amy asked if I could watch him for a minute while she checked on Sheldon. I take it that's Leonard mother?"
Penny smiled still looking at the grandparents and Lisel, "The dragon lady herself, she doesn't look it but she can get in your head and have you in tears in seconds." Priya nodded and reached for her wine which was slightly out of reach with Tyler on her lap. Penny got it and handed it to her. Priya took a sip and Penny touched her arm. "I'm really glad you're here Priya even if it was just to take care of Raj. It's all set he's going to get to come back to Caltech with his family in the fall."
Priya looked at Penny and smiled. Penny could see it was a smile that was both happy and sad. "You should think about coming back to Southern California too Priya. I remember you liked it there. Think about it." Priya smiled at her, very genuine and sincere, "Thank you Penny I will think about it. Oh here comes Amy."
Amy Cooper was making a striding waddle as she crossed the floor toward the table. Penny stood to meet her. Leonard was watching Lisel talking to Beverly with a sort of smirk on his face. Amy came as close as her extended tummy would allow, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Leonard was startled then turned, stood and got her seated next to him.
"Well, what are they doing in there?" Leonard asked even though he could tell from her face that Amy was very happy. She really had no control over herself that way. "They are arguing over theories and formulas. It's wonderful."
Leonard took a sip of scotch and smiled back. He looked over to see Penny staring at him, head tilted questioningly. He gave her the thumbs up and she smiled then started talking to Priya again,
"I guess I'll give them about 10 more minutes then move them back in here." Leonard looked around, "What happened to Bernadette and Howard?" Then it hit him that they we're working on the baby. Leonard smiled and wished them well. Amy had got up and was sitting with Priya and Penny. Leonard was alone for a moment, maybe the first time all day really. He could just be feeling his liquor but he was actually kind of happy his mother was here. Maybe Lisel was the accomplishment she had always been looking for out of him. He thought about that for a moment then realized if that was true she was just wrong. Lisel was above all things herself he just gave her love and encouragement. Leonard was looking at the lovely dining room they were in when he felt two arms wrap around him from behind. Penny leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Whatcha thinking Dr. Hoftstader?" Leonard covered her hands with his left hand, "I was wondering why we're not in bed having sex right now on our last night single." Penny sat down next to him and gave him the crooked little grin, "You mean with each other right?" He leaned over and kissed her softly and held it for a few more seconds. Leonard stood up laughing softly, "I have to go collect my bickering physicists from the bar, hold that thought and I'll let you know."
Some Resolutions
Leonard was sitting on the couch in the suite wrapped in his robe. Penny was in the bathroom getting ready for bed. Lisel was asleep in her bed it had been a late night for a 4 year old after a long day. It was 9:30. Leonard had the lights dimmed and he sat thinking maybe he should have another scotch but thought better of it. It had been a satisfying evening in many ways, stark terror and fright in others. But Penny had been right and he knew that at this point he should neither seek nor need his mother's approval. She had come over and sat by Leonard and Penny after visiting with Lena and Horst. She had wanted to know everything about Lisel.
He had been fairly circumspect about it all. Obviously she was a gifted child, but what were her gifts Leonard had told her would be decided by Lisel. He would not try to pressure her as he had been. His mother almost seemed appalled when he said perhaps she would be a great poet or painter. The hard sciences were fine but Lisel would decide what her calling was. Penny had gasp when he suggested that maybe she would be a child actor and then go onto stardom. Her mother was in the business after all.
Leonard chuckled to himself. He had probably thrown that in just to dig at both Penny and Beverly. He did know that Lisel would never know a loveless Christmas and that every one of Lisel's birthdays would be celebrated and honored. That she would have friends and a place for them to spend time together. There would be trips to Disneyland and the beach. All the things missing from his childhood would be there. She would also learn to live in both Europe and America. She would be what she wanted to be.
Hi mother had accepted this though he thought grudgingly. It had been the first time he'd ever had that kind of conversation with Beverly. He liked that better than mother or mom, she'd really always been Beverly not the other and he was just now realizing it. With Penny sitting beside him holding his hand he'd just been himself with her. Adult to adult for once in his life he was actually glad she had come. He's been avoiding her for years and for what? Because he had sought her approval, or that she thought he did. Either way that was over, he was a father now and soon to be a husband for a second time. The second half-life was all that mattered.
Sheldon and Raj had actually settled into working together when he had gone back to the bar to get them. They had already decided on the direction the research would take. He was satisfied they would work on it long distance until the fall when they were back at Caltech. He also knew that they might never find the answer, but that's the way it was with some problems. The work was all that mattered sometimes it led to other answers and other questions.
He also realized that none of tonight, this week, this month would have been possible without Penny. She wasn't his muse. She was his fire and passion. If he had her in his life anything was possible. There would be trials and unforeseen problems in their life. She had been right when she realized they would do the hard things together.
Penny roused him from his thoughts suddenly standing in front of him in her pink short robe. "You look like you were solving physics problems instead of Sheldon?"
Leonard looked up into her face, "Nope I'm not sure I can solve any problem without you there holding my hand." He put out his hand. Penny opened her robe and let it slide down her shoulder. She had a very sexy black lace teddy on. "I couldn't decide between this one and another that I got for our wedding night so I got both. Should I try the other one on and let you decide?" She reached out and took Leonard's hand and molded herself into him on the couch.
He ran his hand along her thigh, "no I think this will do for tonight and we'll save the other for tomorrow when your Mrs. Hoftstader"
Penny buried her face in his neck, "Perfect answer Leonard, perfect answer."
The evening's over, again some resolutions some partial suggestions to resolutions and finally just living with who you are.
Reviews and messaging is of course always encouraged and appreciated. I love hearing from you. I'm sure there will be a time in the future when I wish I had never finished but still have some left.
Macy, lovely last Chapterette, I just made that word up. I kind of like it. I got your latest while editing this morning. Sounds like you have it rough there.
Here was the first disclaimer for today, on the road.
Really lost in the fog for a while today but I was pretty close to the ocean, the wrong ocean but the ocean none the less. Let's see if I can get back on time and track here. I forced myself to get a day ahead so that's why the early posts. I will probably move this to the aside and write a real opening here in moment, just one more cup of tea at least I started to write something. Even if it's droll and uninteresting it will get me in the mood. Warming up, thinking of the story getting another cup of tea. Ready set go.