Here's your next chapter, hopefully this will tide everyone in the U.S. and Canada over, since there is no new episode tonight. (Boooo!) It's a little on the short side, just over 1,000 words, but you won't have to wait too long for an update. : )

I still own only what I have previously stated to own. Not a single atom more.

Penny returned from Bernadette's lab and dropped Ada off at Raj and Missy's before heading out to the supermarket. It was the first time she'd gone in years without one of the three children or Sheldon, who apparently was told by Amy that she wasn't going to drive him everywhere anymore, so he reverted to his old chauffeur. She wandered the aisles for the better part of the hour, thinking, as she occasionally did, about how much better fruits and vegetables were when they were home grown. She'd have to take her family out to Nebraska again - Ada had never been - come summertime, to introduce her aging parents to their youngest grandchild and to show her children that food didn't grow in plastic bags and cardboard boxes.

When she returned home, Raj told her Leonard had picked Ada up the hour before, and, he said proudly, the younger girl was showing the same fondness for Cinnamon as Savannah had. "Oh great, we're getting a dog," Penny said before heading upstairs. She reached the fifth floor and, upon opening the door, was taken by surprise at what was going on in her living room.

Leonard sat on the couch, a drum sitting on the coffee table, and he was beating on it with his hands. Savannah stood in front of the table with her bright pink microphone, singing a Disney song, and Ada, the audience, was sitting in the swing, mouth wide open in a baby grin, laughing.

"Well well well," Penny said, putting her purse down as Savannah saw her, dropped the microphone, and ran over to give her mother a hug. "What have we here?"

"I'm singing Hakuna Matata," Savannah said. "It means no worries for the rest of your days."

"So I've heard," Penny said, picking the girl up. "Do I have myself a band in the family?"

"I think I'll stick to my day job," Leonard said. "But I haven't ruled out moonlighting."

"What, will you be Leonard and the Leonards, then?" Penny joked.

Leonard laughed. So did Ada, but Penny suspected she was just in a giggly mood. "Glad some people think that's funny," she mumbled. "How was everyone's day?"

"We had another substoot teacher and I didn't make a cattle drive," Savannah said.

"Good girl," Penny told her, giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead. "Now are you about done with the band?"

"Yes," Savannah said. "My voice is tired."

"It's about time to put Ada down for a nap anyway," Leonard said.

"When she's like this?" Penny said, raising an eyebrow.

"She's been overstimulated. I bet she'll fall asleep quicker than you think."

"Do you want to take a nap too?" Penny asked Savannah. The girl nodded. "Okay." Penny kissed her again and set her down. "Go with Daddy and Ada."

When Leonard returned from the girls' room, he came over and put his hands on her upper arms, kissing her briefly. "How was your day?"

She smiled. "It was good. Went to my session, then visited with Bernadette a little bit."

"Good," Leonard said. "I'm glad you're doing better."

"Yeah," she said, "me too." She put a hand on his arm. "Leonard, can we talk?"

He looked concerned. "Sure, absolutely." He let Penny take his hand and move to sit on the couch.

"Okay," Penny said, realizing that now that it was time to have the conversation, she didn't know how to begin. After Savannah's birth had gone so well, and after they found out what a quiet, good sleeper she was, they'd been ready to jump back into bed with each other as soon as the doctor cleared Penny for such activities. This was such a completely different situation; sitting on the couch with him now, Penny understood why Leonard might have been hesitant to bring this up again. Leonard was looking at her, his face a mixture of curiosity, affection, and concern. If only he'd make the face he made at her back when she was considering breaking up with him. Then she wouldn't have to explain anything. She was powerless against that face. But he wasn't. So she had to talk.

"Leonard, I miss you," she said finally.

Leonard frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she scooted closer to him. "We haven't slept together since the day Ada was born. And I know that my body needed time to recover and I know that we've been so busy with the girls, but…" she shrugged. "I miss that closeness we have. And I know that we're getting older and I haven't felt up to dressing nice and looking good, but…"

"Penny," Leonard said, squeezing her hands. "If you're ready, so am I. You know I love you and I love when we're close." He lifted their mess of hands to his mouth and kissed one of hers. "Sex isn't just emotional for the woman, you know. It's not like I haven't thought about it."

She smiled. "Can we do it tonight?"

"I'll call Apartment Shamy and see if they can take the girls."

"Great," Penny said. "Just don't take them over there until I pump for Ada." She stopped and cocked her head. "Did I just ruin the mood?"

"Keeping our daughter alive?" Leonard said. "Extra attractive."

Penny rolled her eyes and got up to use the bathroom while Leonard dialed 4A. "No can do," Leonard said when she returned. "Amy told me that they're busy tonight. Want to try Gilda and Mark?"

"That might be who Amy's hanging out with," Penny said. "But sure, we can give them a try." She pulled out her phone, and Gilda answered on the first ring. "Hey, stranger," came the cheerful voice. "Tell Leonard I got a Hell of a work story for him next time we hang out."

"Gilda's got a Hell of a work story for you next time we hang out," Penny repeated.

"Tell her I look forward to it," he said.

"He looks forward to it."

"As he should. Tell him-"

"Gilda!"

"Yes?"

"Leonard and I were wondering…if you'd take the girls tonight."

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Penny said, giving Leonard a smile. "We'd just like some time to ourselves."

"Oooh," Gilda said. "We can most definitely take the offspring." Penny gave Leonard a thumbs up. "That's a relief. I thought you might be hanging out with Amy tonight."

"Nope!" Gilda said. "We're staying in. You bring those babies over here and then you can do your thing."

"Thank you so much," Penny said. "We'll bring them over say, seven?"

"How about six? They can eat with us."

"You're amazing," Penny told her before they hung up. "It's a go!" she said, coming back to sit down next to Leonard again. She put her hand on his neck and kissed him, putting her forehead against his when their lips parted. The realization that that was one of the most intimate things the two of them had done since before Ada was born made Penny all the more eager for the evening to arrive.