Chapter Thirty-Nine

With tearful goodbyes, Penny and Sheldon dropped off Mrs. Cooper and Meemaw at the airport and waved to them until they could no longer be seen through the throng of people walking around the terminal.

Penny wrapped her arms around one of Sheldon's arms and leaned against them. "I'm going to miss them."

"Me, too."

"Maybe, next time, we can be the ones to visit." She looked at him, waiting for an answer.

"If I can survive a plane trip to Europe, then I can survive a plane to Texas." He smiled, which grew even larger when Penny kissed his cheek in her excitement.

"I've never been to Texas!" She babbled, happily. "When we came to California, we didn't drive through it on the way here. I mean, it was kind of out of our way, but still I would have liked to go through it!"

As they walked back to Penny's car, Sheldon's mind whirled. He knew a perfect reason to make a trip down to Texas. But he was going to wait a little bit for that. Like a few a months. He needed to make sure that Penny didn't get sick of him before asking. He knew that he could be a...handful at times. However, he also knew that if anyone could deal with him, it would be Penny.

Sheldon knew he would just have to make a few observations.

Three Months Later

Penny was staring in her third play since her first appearance as Jenny. Now, her name was becoming more familiar and people would come see the plays just because they knew she was in them. Also, in those three months, she had landed a few commercials and a small part in an episode of a popular TV show. Working at the Cheesecake factory had been cut down to one to two days a week and she could afford a better apartment, but that would mean no longer being across the hall from the guys. From Sheldon... So, she had stayed put.

Over those last few months, Sheldon had been...Sheldon. Sometimes, he irritated her to no end, but then others he became the sweetest man she had ever known. Penny would not have changed him for the world. Sure, they had their ups and downs, but didn't all couples? At least, he didn't scream at her, call her stupid or ugly or worthless and at the end of the day, one or the other would apologize.

Their relationship wasn't perfect. But whose was? Penny loved Sheldon and Sheldon loved Penny. That was all that mattered.

That Saturday afternoon, Penny decided to visit her friends and boyfriend across the hall. When she walked into the apartment (she didn't knock anymore), Sheldon was sitting in his spot, Leonard in the armchair, Howard on the cushion at the end of the couch and Raj on the floor.

"Another batch of raving reviews for our girl, Penny," Leonard said over the top of the newspaper he was reading. Penny knew about the reviews, she had read them that morning.

"There hasn't been one bad review about you, Penny," Howard said with a smile (that wasn't creepy for once). "You must be really talented." Now, there was the creepy smile.

"Of course she is, Wolowitz," Sheldon added, oblivious to the innuendo. Like always.

"Thank you, sweetie," Penny said and patted his leg as she took her seat next to him. This was her spot. "So, what's the plan for today? I have a few hours to kill before I have to head out."

"At the moment. Nothing," Leonard answered and folded up the paper. "We thought you might want to relax after the last few weeks you've had."

With rehearsals and auditions, Penny had barely seen Sheldon or the other guys over the past few days and just thinking about all she had done, made her tired. "I would love to just relax with you all," she said and snuggled close to Sheldon's side, who didn't mind at all. "Maybe we could pop in a movie? Anything. I don't care."

Raj nodded enthusiastically and he and Howard went to look through Leonard and Sheldon's set of DVDs. Though Raj had talked to Penny before without drinking, he was silent now. Mostly because he hadn't seen her in a few weeks. Eventually, he would warm up to her. She hoped.

If you asked Penny what movie they had chosen, she wouldn't have been able to tell you. Though her eyes were open, her mind was far away, thinking about her life and how things had turned out for her in the past year. She wouldn't have changed a thing for the world, especially her relationship with Sheldon. If she hadn't gotten any new roles or parts in plays, she would have still been happy with her life if she was still with Sheldon. It made her sound sappy. But she didn't care.

Seven Months Later (Sheldon and Penny's One Year Anniversary)

At this time in her life, Penny didn't think she could have been happier. The Cheesecake Factory (and that ugly uniform) were far behind her and now, she had a recurring role on a TV show.

Things with Sheldon were going good, as well. Just a few months earlier, he had told her that he loved her and Penny returned the feeling. Most nights neither one slept alone. Sometimes, Sheldon would come over and others, she would go to his place. Things hadn't escalated to that and Penny was totally fine with it. She knew it would happen eventually and she didn't want to rush things. Especially when they were going so well.

Now, it was their one year anniversary and Sheldon was taking her to a nice restaurant. She felt absolutely giddy. Her show was doing great and they were on a break between seasons, so Penny had a lot more time to herself.

"Penny?" Sheldon's voice sounded through her closed bedroom door. Finally, he used her spare key and just himself in, now. Penny felt they were passed the point of knocking on one another's doors (though, sometimes, she missed the way Sheldon knocked).

"I'm almost ready!" She called through the door and worked on putting the finishing touches of her makeup.

"All right. But you know, you don't have to put on any makeup when we go out. I think you're beautiful without it, too."

"Too late now!" She said back with a smile. He was always saying something like that and he was always sincere about it, too. Penny really had the perfect boyfriend, even if there were times when he was a little anal. The good always outweighed the bad...by an enormous amount.

Five minutes later, she emerged in a navy blue dress that accentuated all the right places and a pair of silver heels (that she didn't have to wait to go on sale to buy). Sheldon's eyes grew wide when he saw her, like they always did. Even when she was dressed in a pair of sloppy sweats and a t-shirt. He always seemed to be in awe of her, which did wonders to her self-esteem.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he breathed.

"Even with makeup?" She quipped.

He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Even with the makeup."

Sheldon offered her his arm and she took it. Together, they walked out o f Penny's apartment and started down the stairs. "So, shall we make a bet on how many people will recognize you while we're out?" Her show was popular, but she wasn't really a main character. However, she did get recognized a lot.

"Okay." She loved doing this. "Three people."

"Oh, Penny. You don't give yourself enough credit. I say seven."

"You're on. We'll sleep in the winner's bed tonight and the loser has to make breakfast in the morning."

"I accept those terms."

When they walked outside, they went to the back of the building toward the parking lot. Sheldon had finally gotten his driving licence three months before and had his own car. He didn't really like driving and still got rides with Leonard to work. But for instances like this, he didn't mind.

As they drove, Penny laid a hand on his thigh. The first time she had done that while he was driving, they had nearly crashed, but now, Sheldon was used to the touch. There had even been a time where Penny had not put it there right away and he had grabbed her hand to place it there.

"So what are the rest of the guys doing tonight?"

"I think Leonard and Raj are at the apartment, playing video games. Howard has to have dinner with his mother, but I don't doubt he'll sneak over eventually."

"The usual, then?"

"It seems so." He glanced at her for a brief second before gluing his eyes back on the road. He took driving safely very seriously. Especially when he had Penny in the car.

They chatted comfortably until Sheldon pulled into the parking lot of a nice French restaurant. For their six month anniversary, Penny had taken them there and they had come to enjoy the food very much.

Sheldon opened the door for her and took her head as she stepped out. He was always the perfect gentleman and Penny often bragged about him to her coworkers when they were on set. Some of the ladies were totally jealous.

By the time they were seated, two people had recognized Penny- a couple that had been leaving the restaurant as they were entering. Already it wasn't looking good for Penny and her bet. Sheldon was hiding a smug smile behind his menu.

After asking for their drinks, the waiter came back a few minutes later with a bottle of wine. It was a wine that even Sheldon could tolerate and he poured their wine glasses with the goldish liquid.

"I never know what to get here," Penny said, coursing over the menu that written in both English and French. "Everything looks so good."

Sheldon rolled his eyes. "You say that every time, Penny," he said with an affectionate smile. "And you always end up picking off my plate, as well."

She pouted. "You say that as if you minded."

"I don't."

"Good." She beamed and went back to their menu.

Unbeknownst to Penny, Sheldon was becoming a nervous wreck. He was able to hide it under his confident exterior, but on the inside he was a shaking and sweaty mess. What if Penny were to refuse his proposal?He knew that she loved him, but was she ready to spend the rest of her life with him?

"Sheldon?" A cool hand touched his on the menu, which he realized he had been clutching tightly. "Everything okay?"

"Uh, yes." He placed the menu down and was surprised to see the waiter standing there with his notepad and a pencil out.

"Are you ready to order, sir?"

He was not, but he told him the first thing that came to his mind. They had been there a few times before and he knew what was good and what was not.

"Are you sure everything's all right?" Penny's eyes were slightly narrowed.

"Oh y-yes." He had gotten better at lying, but it still didn't come easily and they way Penny was looking at him after that, he knew that she didn't believe him. However, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. He refused to spoil this surprise.

Their meal had long been cleared away over an hour later and Sheldon knew it was now or never. He slipped one hand into his pocket and took out the black box. Glancing at his lap, he sighed.

"Looks like you won," Penny grumbled when she came back from the bathroom. "Two women in the restroom recognized me and a waiter from another table did, too. That's five."

Sheldon smiled. "Looks like you'll be making me breakfast in the morning," he said. "You know how much I like your waffles."

Penny smiled in return, not annoyed anymore. "I love making them for you."

Silent overcame the table and Sheldon knew it was time.

"Uh, Penny?"

"Yes?"

In one fluid moment, Sheldon slipped from his chair and kneeled down on one knee in front of Penny. Behind them, the restaurant went silent, but he didn't pay attention to that. All of his focus was on Penny. The woman he loved with all his heart.

"Penny, will you marry me?"

Several heartbeats passed.

Then, she was flinging her arms around his neck. "Yes! Of course, I will!"

There should be about one more chapter after this! *sniff*. After 4 years, it looks like I'm finally going to finish this!

Thanks for reading!