It looks like the closer I get to finishing this story, the quicker I type. I think this is the most updates I've had in such a short time in a lonnnggg time. I hope you all enjoy! :)
So, I messed up on the flight times. I have never been on a plane so I didn't know how long security checks took and things like that. Thank you for those that have pointed it out. Ive fixed it. Hopefully.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Penny woke up at an absurdly early hour. It was still dark out and the clock by the bed read five-thirty. The night before, Sheldon had set the alarm to six-thirty and wanted them to be in a cab on their way to the airport by seven-thirty. Their plane left at ten and they would be on it for a daunting eleven hours before they landed in LAX. Penny was okay with the length of time. It was Sheldon she would be worried about.
Sheldon shifted a little in his vampire pose and Penny quickly closed her eyes, feigning sleep. She wasn't ready to get up yet and sometime in the night, she had 'accidentally' curled into Sheldon's side. She had never been so comfortable in her life and wasn't willing to give that up, yet. Moving closer to his side, once he settled again and didn't appear to be waking up, Penny closed her eyes once more. This time it was so she could go back to sleep.
An hour later, the shrill beeping of the alarm clock had her groggily opening her eyes. Instead of being curled into Sheldon's side, she was facing the opposite way and had an arm slung across her waist. Somehow in the hour since she had fallen back asleep, she and Sheldon had shifted in their sleep. Not that she minded at all. In fact, this was even better than before. There was no way she was getting out of bed now.
However, Sheldon had other ideas. The arm around her waist disappeared and the mattress sank as Sheldon stood. "Penny, it is time to get up. We only have an hour to get packed and to be out the door."
Penny rolled over and battered her eyelashes. "Five more minutes, Sheldon. Please." She reached for the cuff his pajama top and tugged. "And I want you with me for those five minutes."
"Tempting as that is, Penny, I know that if I were to climb back into that bed with you, we would surely miss our flight because I wouldn't want to leave."
Penny wasn't deterred. "Then, let's miss our flight." She reached for him, again. This time, he side-stepped her hands with reluctance, she noticed.
"Penny, you know we can't do that. I must return to work on Monday and if we don't leave on this plan, I won't get a sufficient amount of rest."
Penny threw the covers from her legs and sat up. "I know," she pouted. He was right. She, too, had to return to work at the Cheesecake Factory on Monday. Something she was not looking forward to.
Sheldon cupped her cheeks and pressed a kiss to her forehead, which was one of the first kisses he had initiated. "Things will not change once we laid in the US, I promise you that and I will always treasure the time we had here. Now, I'm going to take a shower and start to pack. I suggest you do the same." He took a step away from her. "Unfortunately, breakfast will have to be on the go since we are ten minutes behind schedule and counting."
There was the old Sheldon peeking through. Penny smiled and hopped from the bed, ready to do just as Sheldon asked. In a little more than twelve hours, they would be back at their apartments. They would be joined by Leonard, Howard and Raj and work would separate them some days, but things would not change between them. That was for sure.
Fourteen Hours Later
Penny walked off the plane on wobbly legs after having to sit in one spot for eleven hours. Sheldon, however, didn't seem to have any difficulty in walking as they descended from the plane. In fact, he looked well put together and rested. How? Penny asked herself. She knew that she had to look an absolute mess.
Flying back to LA had given them nine hours back and Penny planned on sleeping for all of them once she returned to her apartment and bed.
Leonard was supposed to be the one to pick them up and once they claimed their luggage, Penny went in search of the shorter man. She and Sheldon talked amiably as they walked through the airport in search of their friend. Penny was glad to see that things hadn't changed since they left Europe. Sheldon was still comfortable with her and a few times, as his hands brushed hers, he felt his pinky twine with hers for a second.
While they were looking, they couldn't hold hands. Not until they told everyone of their relationship status. Leonard would be in shock and maybe angry, if he were to find out instead of being told.
"There he is," Sheldon said and pointed with a long arm in front of them. He had several inches on Penny and she couldn't see Leonard until they were standing right in front of them. Leonard saw her and his smile widened.
"Penny!" he exclaimed and shifted, nervously, almost as if he wanted to reach forward to give her a hug. Penny resisted the urge to roll her eyes and pulled her friend into a hug. She had no qualms about hugging men that were her friends and when she stepped back to look at Sheldon, he didn't seem upset by it, either.
At least, he doesn't seem to be the jealous type, Penny thought. But he probably thinks that he's the best choice for me, anyway. Which, honestly, I think he is. Huh... Never in a million years would Penny have thought that when they first met those few years ago. My, how she had changed. For the better, she reminded her self because it was so true.
"Leonard." Sheldon nodded his greeting and his short friend finally took his eyes off Penny to greet him back.
"Uh, follow me," he said. "Penny, would you like me to carry your suitcase?" The suitcase had wheels and was easy to manage. Penny didn't think he would have been able to carry it if it wasn't gliding on the floor.
"No, thank you, Leonard. I got it." Sheldon looked at and rolled his eyes, looking annoyed. Penny giggled and they followed Leonard out to his car. Honestly, now that she thought about it, Penny was shocked that Howard and Raj weren't there with them. Taking her phone out and typing with one hand, she sent Raj a text.
So I'm not good enough to pick up at the airport? Thought you would miss me! ;)
Raj reply came a minute later. Leonard wanted to get you two on his own.
Figures :/ I'll see u later, right?
Of course! :) We'll come by to eat. Unfortunately Howard will be there
Believe it or not, I missed that little pervert ;) I'll probably regret saying that tho
You probably will
Penny slipped the phone into her back pocket as they approached the car. Leonard popped the trunk and went to help Penny put her bag into it. However, Sheldon beat him to it, which seemed to surprise his much shorter friend.
"Thanks, sweetie," Penny said and gave him a sunny smile. She would have given him a kiss on the cheek if Leonard wasn't watching them so closely.
"You're welcome, Penny." He gave her a smile.
After placing his own bag in the back, he walked to the front of the car and opened the passenger's seat. Penny went for the door behind it, but Sheldon decided that he would surprise her even more. "Penny, would you like to sit in the front?" Luckily, Leonard had slammed the trunk shut during the question and hadn't heard Sheldon's words, otherwise he would start asking questions Penny didn't want to answer.
"Um. Sure. If you don't want to." Before she could slide in the passenger's seat, Sheldon leaned down to whisper something in her ear.
"I'll be keeping an eye on Leonard, though." Without a word, Sheldon folded himself in the back seat. His long legs butted against the back of Penny's chair, but he didn't make her trade with him. When Leonard got behind the wheel, he almost did a double take when he saw that Penny was sitting next to him.
"What-"
"Sheldon lost a bet on the plane," she lied. The lie must have been good enough for Leonard because he only shrugged and started the car.
"So, how was Germany, Penny?" Leonard asked conversationally once they got on the road.
"It was wonderful!" Penny exclaimed. "The sites were beautiful and the food was amazing. But I liked being in Paris more."
"P-Paris? You two went to Paris?" Leonard looked at Sheldon in the rear view mirror, eyes wide. "I didn't know that. Did you have to speak at a university there as well?"
"No, I did not. I thought Penny would enjoy a few days in the popular city and I was right."
"Oh, Leonard, the city was so romantic." She made eye contact with Sheldon in the mirror briefly and winked. Leonard hadn't noticed. "And to think, Sheldon kept it all a secret until we arrived there! I was so surprised."
"He kept it a secret?" He was looking as if he was having a hard time taking it all in. "Sheldon actually kept a secret?"
"A big one, too! He's getting better at them."
Leonard looked at his friend in the rear view mirror once more. "Is there any more secrets that you're not telling me?" Penny knew what he was doing and wasn't impressed.
"No, Leonard," Sheldon answered without a tic.
Penny secretly smiled to herself. And it looks like he's gotten better at lying, too.
A little while later, they were carrying their suitcases up the familiar steps of the apartment building. The broken elevator was one thing Penny did not miss while in Europe, especially since her suitcase seemed to get heavier and heavier after each flight.
"The guys will be over later for supper," Leonard said once they reached the fourth floor. "They couldn't make it to pick you up, unfortunately." However, Penny knew the truth, but didn't say anything.
"That is acceptable," Sheldon said. "It will give Penny and I enough time to rest."
"I really could use a nap," Penny agreed. "So, I'll see the two of you later." Going up on her toes, she kissed Sheldon on the cheek. "Thank you so much for the wonderful week, Sheldon."
"You're welcome, Penny," he smiled, a real smile. "Thank you for being there with me. I enjoyed your company almost as much as I liked sharing my knowledge with the students at the university." Penny knew that wasn't true. He had enjoyed lecturing his students, but not as much as he liked being with her. She knew that for a fact. However, it was being said for the benefit of Leonard.
Penny waved at the two of them before fishing out of her key and stepping foot into her apartment for the first time in a week.
Sheldon waited for Leonard to open the door with his key and was more than ready to lie down for a few hours. The jet lag was catching up to him. However, Leonard had other ideas.
The moment Sheldon closed the door behind him, his short friend turned and asked, "Uh, do you want to catch me up?"
Thanks for reading!