Chapter 43 Home Coming Queen

I've wanted to write the mother of all disclaimers but I'm saving that for the last chapter. When will that be? Not sure yet. I haven't run out of stuff bouncing around in my head yet. I'm in a park today it's nice, a little cold but the suns out for a bit. If you read the prior disclaimers and not just skipped over them to the Threads, (I really wouldn't blame you I'm just playing here), they can get rather esoteric or even down right snide. I seem to recall holding myself blameless if I change your opinion or denigrate a TBBT character that you care for. But I will take the credit if you have found more depth to a character that you found rather shallow on the show. I also have a great affection for the current state of the characters on the show. I'm looking forward to writing pieces about the current characters when I take a break from Threads pretty soon. So if I made you sad or mad to bad, if I made you happy or glad well that was my intention also. Enjoy the chapter, oh and if I didn't own it in the last 42 why would I own it now?

Airplane Food

Penny woke up feeling Lisel move, she was awake so Penny stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. "Did you sleep well sweetie?" Lisel nodded her head then lifted it up to look around, "Mommy I'm hungry can we get something to eat." Penny helped Lisel sit up and then sat beside her. She looked back at Leonard who was also awake and looking at them both with a grin on his face. Penny reached back and took his hand. "Did you get any sleep honey?"

"A few hours I think let me check my phone" he checked his phone and looked at the Paris time, "We've been lying down about 3 hours so yeah we go some sleep. We should have around three hours left in the flight." Lisel crawled over and gave Leonard a hug as Penny smiled and looked on. The flight attendant was setting up the forward table for them. Suddenly Lisel was giving her a hug now. Penny and Lisel gave each other a peck on the lips at the same time then Penny picked her up as she stood. Leonard rolled out of the bed and into the aisle behind them.

A late dinner according to their internal clocks was served by the flight attendant. Leonard and Penny both had vegetarian linguini pasta with feta cheese and olive oil. Lisel had meatloaf, fresh carrots and penne pasta in a marinara. Leonard had a bottle of white wine opened though Penny only had a sip. Leonard had understood, nodded at her and smiled. It was time to really start thinking about the baby to come. Penny needed to decide on an OB when she got home her current gynecologist didn't deliver babies but was sure she would have a recommendation. Then of course they would need to decide on how to remodel the house for the baby's room. Furnishings, bedding, and." Penny stopped; wow that was moving a little quick there. Maybe I should just start with an appointment with my doctor and see where we go from there. She noticed Leonard had been watching her. "Where were you Penny you were in the zone there for minute or two" Penny smiled brightly at him, "Just doing my Leonard imitation how'd it come out, did I get the over thinking look right?" Leonard smirked at her "Not really you looked more like Sheldon there for a minute."

Penny just missed kicking him under the table and laughed though she'd hit her foot on the seat and it hurt. A laughing ouch came out instead. Leonard went from laughing at her to concerned, "Did you hurt yourself, are you okay?" Penny felt his hand on her bare foot and calf and feigned injury. Leonard gently rubbed her foot and calf his touch was so soft, maybe he really should have been a medical doctor. "Is that better Penny? Penny kept a serious look on her face and put her foot back on the floor, lifted her other one and put it in his lap, smiled, "great can you do this one now it's the one I hit on the seat." Leonard smirked and rubbed it too, then Lisel's feet also while both of his girls laughed at him.

Kitty Litter

Customs at the civil aviation terminal had been a breeze. No waiting, no lines they were used to a lot of private flights coming into Burbank from overseas. The driver had been waiting and took their trolley full of bags to the car while the family followed. The drive to the house had only taken about 20 minutes. Chelsea was waiting by the front door as they got out.

"Okay it just happened and I haven't got a chance to clean it up yet." She said almost in tears.

Penny walked up to her and gave her a hug, "What happened sweetie?"

"Schrodinger got a roll of toilet paper I had just got out for the bathroom and shredded it all over the living room. I just wanted the house to be perfect when you got home, damn cat." Penny started laughing, "He does have a thing for toilet paper and paper towels. Chelsea this is Lisel our daughter. Lisel this is Chelsea she works for me and your daddy."

Lisel stepped forward and looked up at Chelsea, "Hallo it's nice to meet you. I'll help clean up after the kitty."

They went through the door to be rushed by two very happy pit bulls. Penny scooped up Lisel so she wouldn't be run over but ended up being knocked down by Einstein herself. She sat on her bottom holding Lisel and let them do their worst for a moment, covering both of them with slobbering dog kisses. "Leonard a little help here!" Leonard was laughing too hard to actually say a command. Chelsea finally raised a finger, "settle, sit, sit!" Both dogs obeyed though they were obviously still very excited. Penny set Lisel on her feet and looked at her, "Okay honey just like I showed you." Lisel held up her index finger and looked as sternly as a four year old can at both dogs, "Lay down." Einstein and Leaky both lay down and continued looking at Lisel. Leonard went to help Penny up, "Now you decide to help" she shot his way, "good job Lisel honey. Now you can go pet them"

Lisel went over to the two big dogs and started to pet them. They licked her hands and smelled her getting to know their new friend. Penny and Leonard just stood back and watched. Chelsea had moved to the sitting area in the great room and was picking up Schrodinger's mess. Lisel saw and went to help her. Penny leaned on Leonard's shoulder and rubbed her hand on his back. Leonard kissed her on the cheek. "Welcome home Mrs Hoftstader."

I have a slide

The infamous Schrodinger made his appearance as soon as the last of the toilet paper was cleaned up, suddenly appearing on top of the couch. Lisel's eyes grew wide and she did a skipping run over to the cat. Leonard thought she might scare him but Schrodinger didn't move. She stopped before she touched him, "Hallo Schrodinger kitty you've been very bad" she said very seriously. She then reached over and started stroking his head and back. Penny had moved up right behind her. "You can pick him up honey, he likes to be held." Lisel gently picked up the cat. Leonard thought he could hear Schrodinger purring from ten feet away. Penny sat with Lisel on the couch and they both lovingly petted the feline. Leonard felt a wet tongue lick his right hand. He looked over and started to rub Einstein's ears and head when Leaky jumped up from the other side. Trapped he just let them give him affection for several seconds and they calmed down.

Leonard started carrying the bags to rooms, first Pennies three to her wardrobe then his single bag to their bedroom. He started to get his shaving kit out when he heard Lisel high pitched scream. Leonard bolted for the door then as he entered the hallway he understood. Lisel was standing in the door to her room, Penny and Chelsea behind her. She turned toward her father, "Daddy, Daddy I have a slide in my room." Leonard relaxed and took a deep breath, then another. He hadn't needed an inhaler in years but he could have used one then. He walked to the door as Lisel walked in. The voice startled him. The screen was down from the ceiling and on it was a blonde woman's head and face, computer generated but very life like. "Hi Lisel my name's Tish."

Lisel looked over at the screen and clapped, "Hallo Tish"

Penny looked over at Leonard who shrugged and stood close to her. "Howard said he'd made certain enhancements for kids." He looked at the woman on the screen again, he was sure of it now. There were differences but it looked remarkably like Liisa looked when they were first married. Penny smiled "It looks like Liisa doesn't it?" Leonard looked very hard at the image again. "It does and it doesn't. It kind of looks like a mix of Bernadette, Liisa and you, Howard would've needed thousands of facial images to put it together."

Penny looked again, "Your right it is a mix. I like the new Tish."

Lisel was looking around the room, touching her toys from the apartment with her free hand. Leonard thought it was Rascal until he saw the white bunny in Penny's hands. He looked at Lisel again and realized it was Schrodinger she was carrying.

Evening at home

Lisel had finally let the cat go when Penny suggested he might be hungry. Then together Penny and Lisel opened the boxes from Geneva and put her things away. Penny helped her explore her room and get things just how she wanted them. Penny got Lisel and herself into their pajamas and asked Tish to put the latest Disney movie on. They lay down on the Lisel's bed and started to watch. Lisel was asleep in minutes. Though it was only 6:00 PM she was still mostly on Paris time. Penny got up and tucked Lisel in then headed out of the room. "Tish low lighting but enough for her to see if she wakes up, when Lisel wakes up let me know." Penny left the door to the room slightly ajar and went to find Leonard. He was in his spot on the couch in front of the fireplace. A cup of tea rather than scotch in his hand, Leonard was staring at the fire. Another cup of tea was on the coffee table. Penny picked up the tea and curled up with her feet under her on the couch and leaned into him. She smelt the tea, "umm peppermint very appropriate for my mood, and still hot."

Leonard took a sip as Penny snuggled into his shoulder, "I had Tish tell me when Lisel got to sleep so I could make you some. I thought for a moment you might both fall asleep, are you hungry?" Penny sipped more tea and shook her head no. "Are you going to go into the office tomorrow honey?"

Leonard took another sip of tea, "No I need a day to get my clock straightened out."

Penny sat up and put her tea on the coffee table. She leaned back into Leonard and closed her eyes. "I've got to make a doctor's appointment then I'm spending the day with Lisel, maybe the three of us can go to the apartment in the afternoon then into old town."

"That sounds good. Tish put some soft music on please."

Leonard listened to the mix of jazz and instrumental blues. Penny had fallen asleep shortly after the music came on. It was just after 7:00PM. Leonard had really wanted to stay up until 9:00 to reset his clock but the best laid plans he thought. He slid his hands under Penny's legs and tilted her head into his chest. With some effort and making sure he didn't grunt he picked her up as he stood. "Tish turn off the fireplace please." Leonard started down the hall to the bedroom asking Tish for low lighting. He laid Penny gently on the left side of the bed and brushed the hair from her face. Leonard next went to bath and closed the door. He decided to shave the stubble off his face, and then finished his nightly routine. In his boxers he slid in next to Penny who rolled over and was facing him. When he slid his arm under her head her hand slide up his chest and in the soft light she opened her eyes. They sparkled in the low light green and lovely. "Honeymoon's not over Mr. Dr. Hoftstader", she slowly kissed his neck then his lips.

Tish turned off the lights in the living room, and then checked to make sure the doors and windows were locked. She had constantly been monitoring Lisel as Penny had asked. She was still sleeping. The dogs were lying in the hallway though both were awake. The cat was lying near to Lisel's head, vibrating Tish noticed. How odd.

Hoped you enjoyed coming home tonight and the new version of Tish.

Love the reviews, I like to know you're out there, don't make me use my psychopathic yet physically challenged physicist Kripke on one of the characters.

Don't forget the blog, EllipticalThreads dot com I'll put a nice picture up for you all tonight.

Macy good luck with the jitters, you'll be great. Break a leg.