Chapter 44 The Cupcake Caper (Just a working title for a friend)

Just got in, still not done for today but in none the less. I should immediately start writing the chapter but I'm still way to wound up. A scotch and a breath of fresh air should do the trick. So I'm working on a piece of fiction tonight using characters that someone else created in a different piece of fiction that in some cases were based on real people and in others total made up figments of their imagination. I'll call these ghosts. I also have created my own ghosts that I use throughout my story to interact with their ghosts hopefully in at least interesting and thoughtful ways. I guess in the end I mean to say that both sets of characters are make believe so if they feel bad about me using them they should get over it, I have! Mine are available to anyone who wishes to use them. They are of course the owners of the Big Bang Theory. I am just a frustrated writer with an affinity for wine, a touch of scotch and a fine cigar. Not really a threat now am I.

Gnats come a Buzzing

Penny was awoken by buzz in her ear. She swatted around at it then settled back in only to have it return. She waved once more by her head then heard Tish, "Penny you wanted to be notified when Lisel was awake. She is waking up now." Penny set up and pushed the hair out of her face. She stood up and grabbed her robe from the chair. The clock on the night stand said 5:45AM. Lisel had slept almost twelve hours Penny thought. That should help her get over any jet lag. Penny looked over at Leonard who was still sleeping soundly. The dogs were both in the hallway the lights low but not off. They were both awake and staring at Penny as she walked toward Lisel's room. She patted both of their heads as she went by and into her daughter's bedroom.

Lisel was sitting up in the bed stretching and looking around when Penny sat on the bed next to her. Penny wrapped her arms around Lisel and pulled her close, "Good morning baby, how'd you sleep?" Lisel yawned, "Good but why is it still dark?" "We came a long way yesterday and went to bed very early. It will be light soon, should we have Tish turn up the lights?" Lisel nodded. Penny looked at her, "Why don't you ask her, say her name then what you want then say please. Lisel looked surprised but tried, "Tish can you turn the lights on please." The room lights came up to a comfortable level but not too bright. Lisel clapped and giggled. "What else can Tish do mommy?"

Penny wished Leonard was up to answer that one. She did know that this version of Tish had a lot more features. Including some child safety ones, Lisel could not open an outside door by herself. Only an adult trusted by the system could open the door. There were overrides for emergencies but it would keep her safe. The system could follow Lisel from room to room and interact with her if she was scared or unsure. It could also play games with her either word games or on the screen, or even video games as if it were another player. Penny thought it might be rather difficult to play hide and seek with Tish. Lisel was a bit more practical though. "Tish I'm hungry can you get me something to eat?" Tish didn't answer. Lisel looked puzzled then added "Please". Tish answered at once, "Only humans are allowed to feed other humans Lisel. I can tell you what we have in the pantry and can see there are some nice apples and bananas in the bowl on the counter." Lisel grinned "Thank you Tish, mommy can I have a banana?" Penny stood smiling and offered her hand which Lisel took and they started for the kitchen. Tish turned on the lights as they went from one room to the next always a little ahead of them. Penny thought about having Tish wake Leonard and then wondered why he wasn't awake already. "Tish why didn't Leonard wake up when you woke me?" Tish answered "You only requested I wake you up, the sound I played should be too high for most middle age men to hear." Penny thought that over for a second, "Tish is there a sound that will wake Leonard and not me?"

"Yes a very low frequency can't be heard by most women but is audible to most men." Penny got Lisel a banana, peeled it and broke it into several pieces. Lisel had climbed up on the breakfast bar stool and was waiting. Penny gave Lisel the banana and got her a glass of milk and started making coffee. She got two muffins from the bread box and sat down next to Lisel. "Should we get your father up?" Lisel nodded while eating a piece of banana. Penny looked up, not sure why she did that when she talked to Tish, "Tish would you wake Leonard up and let him know the coffee's ready." Penny just shook her head and thought wow what a great alarm clock we have.

The Day in Old Town

Leonard sat in the sun outside of Dots Cupcakes in old Pasadena. In front of him sat 2 more uneaten but delicious filled decorative cupcakes. Just what Dots was known for. Lisel had finished hers that had little animals on them already. Though the cupcakes were wonderful they were a touch messy for a four year old and Penny had taken Lisel in to restroom to wash her hands and face. Leonard thought through their first family day back home.

The Hoftstader family had started their new life together very serenely that morning. Leonard had woke up feeling more than hearing a low thrum that went away as soon as he sat up. Tish had then informed him that the coffee was ready. Leonard had looked at the 6:00 AM on the clock and laid back down a moment. He had put his robe on. Then walked into the kitchen where Penny handed him coffee. He kissed Lisel on the top of the head, and then leaned forward to kiss Penny. She was finding something very humorous. "How'd you sleep sweetie?" Leonard started to explain that he'd slept fine until these really weird sensations this morning. Then Penny had started laughing and told him about how Tish woke them up.

Leonard sat down and drank his coffee while sharing a muffin with Penny. Lisel finished her banana and milk then went in search of the cat. The dogs were fed and were camped out in the kitchen waiting for their walk. It was still very early so Penny and Leonard took another cup of coffee and sat in front of the fireplace in their robes. Lisel found Schrodinger in her bed and was playing in her room.

Penny had snuggled into Leonard shoulder as usual. "It feels really wonderful Leonard. You and Lisel have changed the whole way my home feels. I should say our home."

Leonard reached for one more cupcake thinking how deeply satisfying life could be sometimes. The fulfillment of family was pretty new to him. He'd had Lisel of course but never a wife and child at the same time without the agony of cancer and treatment. It did make him wish he and Liisa could have had some of this. He really wished she could have had it. He twisted the wedding ring around his finger. He wasn't sad really, he was too happy in this place but he regretted that Liisa had never had this happiness. He knew it was guilt. Survivor's guilt they called in the books.

He went back to the morning again. Once the sun was up and it was warmer they had taken the dogs for a walk/run together. It was Penny doing the running with one dog then returning to Leonard and Lisel who were walking to switch and take the other. They had settled down when they got home. Penny listening to Lisel read while Leonard went through his Monday emails. The funniest but also the one he dreaded dealing with had come from Leslie Winkle.

I cannot believe that as chairman of this department that you are bringing that dumbass Sheldon Cooper back. I doubted your intellect when you started dating Blondie again now I doubt your sanity. Leonard you have lost your mind or what little you had. I told Siebert you were wrong for this job. I should have insisted on taking it myself.

Leslie Winkle PhD

Well there it was he knew what her issue was with him. She had wanted the department chair when Dr. Siebert had offered it to him. A lot of small little things now fit into place. The way she pushed for a conflict with him. She had always enjoyed antagonizing her fellow male colleagues but she had taken it to a new level since he'd been back. Daring him to chastise her he supposed, relishing the conflict.

Leonard shook his head and finished the cupcake. They still had to go by the apartment. It was getting close to 3:00 and he knew Lisel was getting tired. They had started with a lovely lunch at Plate 38 one of the few finer Bistro's open on a Monday. Then had walked and shopped the next few hours. Penny hitting every shoe store for both her and Lisel. Then an hour in the Kids Stop shop trying on clothes. He looked forward the walk through the park back to the apartment.

Penny appeared with Lisel holding her hand. "Let's go papa Hoftstader". They started to walk down the street hand in hand to the park.

Flight or Fleas

They got to the apartment building from the park but not without a casualty. Lisel was fast asleep in Leonard's arms as they left the park. Camped out in front of the apartment were at least 10 photographers waiting for the newlyweds. Leonard made sure Lisel face was firmly planted in his shoulder as they walked rather than ran through the throng. They were almost to the door when a photographer reached for Lisel to try to get a picture of her face. Leonard spun Lisel away from him and shoved him with his other hand. The paparazzi almost fell but recovered. The rest got the photo that was sure to be on every blog and tabloid the next day. Something not many people had ever seen a very angry Leonard Hoftstader PhD.

Penny had stepped between Leonard and the man he pushed. She stood very still smiling for them all to see. She was daring one of them to touch her. That would have crossed the line. Leonard was at the door when she turned on her heel and went through followed by Leonard still holding Lisel.

The apartment door closed behind Penny who turned and leaned against it. Leonard hadn't said a word but took Lisel to her room and laid her down. He came back up the hall and Penny saw something she had not seen in years. Leonard was extremely angry. She'd only seen it once or twice. She knew he wasn't mad at her he wasn't even looking at her. He was pacing in front of the couch looking at the floor. His jaw clenched and brow furled. He slowly started to relax. She knew he was calm when his hands went into his pockets as he paced.

Penny finally decided it was time and walked over and offered a hug which he returned. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Penny whispered in his ear, "It's going to be alright honey."

He pulled back and looked in her eyes. She didn't see anger but resolve. "Your damn right it's going to be all right." He scared her just a bit, "What are you thinking of doing Leonard?"

He looked at her with a rather wicked grin then looked into her face he must have seen she was scared. He softened his glare, "I'm thinking about it right now but something massive, just massive.

It never comes up all roses even in Pasadena hoped you enjoyed tonight's piece of the puzzle. This will take the Elliptical Threads over 100,000 words. That's novel length. It's taken 43 days.

Reviews and messaging is much appreciated.

Macy keep at it I'm enjoying all your stuff.

Picture of Dot's Cupcakes on the blog tonight Ellipticalthreads dot com