13
Monday morning
Penny got up early to get ready for her first day of work. Since it had been a long time since she'd really been a morning person, she got up extra early, started her coffee, went out for a quick jog around the block, picked up a bear claw and returned to the apartment. The coffee she'd started before she left was ready. She opened the refrigerator to get the milk for her coffee and couldn't find it.
"Leonard, where's my milk?"
"I threw it out."
"Leonard, I know it wasn't spoiled. I just bought it Saturday."
"I decided that it made more sense if our apartment didn't have anything in it that disagreed with me."
"You're kidding, right?"
"No. I concluded that there is a pretty good likelihood that our children could be lactose intolerant so I thought it made more sense if we got used to not having any dairy around at all."
"First of all, we've had the discussion about children. And besides, there's just as good a chance that any kids we might have would be like me, able to eat and drink pretty much anything."
"Well, it would be unfair to any of them that are intolerant and to me if stuff we couldn't have was waved in our faces all the time."
"Yeah, I think I see what you're doing, Leonard. I'm going over to Missy and Sheldon's for some milk. Have a nice day at work."
"I'll see you for lunch, right?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. Don't count on it."
Penny left her apartment carrying her bag and coffee and knocked on the door to 4A.
Missy opened the door, holding the baby. Penny could see Sheldon running around the apartment gathering items in preparation for the trip to CalTech. "Mornin' sweetie."
"Good morning, Missy. I sure hope you guys have milk."
"Of course we have milk, Penny. I see you've decided to resume your career of crime."
"Sheldon, I'll have you know I bought milk on Saturday. Leonard threw it out. It seems he's just decided that our whole apartment and maybe life is going to be lactose intolerant. And our future kids too, whether they are or not."
"Missy, it's begun."
"Sure has."
"What are you two talking about?"
"Leonard is marking his territory, like a cat. He wants to make sure you know that you are his. That his needs are primary."
"Gee, I thought he was just being a jerk."
"Penny, you are welcome to our milk. In fact, if you like you are welcome to join us for breakfast each workday morning. You are aware of the meal schedule. Please feel free to join us."
"That's really nice of you, Sheldon, but I wouldn't want to impose."
"Sweetie, it's not an imposition. Havin' an extra pair of hands here in the a.m. will help us get ourselves and the baby ready for work. Look at it as a perk of workin' for my brother."
"Okay. But at least let me do the cooking sometimes."
"Penny does make very good French Toast. At least it smelled good."
"Okay. So you're on for Wednesday, Penny."
"Okay."
"It will also spare you from Leonard's morning sputem expulsion."
"Don't remind me. For someone who's so damn careful about what goes into his body he still has a lot of really disgusting stuff coming out of it."
"Penny, not in front of the baby."
"That's not what I meant. Hmmm, maybe it was…"
"Anyway, are we almost ready to go?" asked Missy.
"All set."
Penny looked over to see Sheldon wearing a Babybjorn with the baby tucked in and both of them smiling. "Oh my God," she thought, "that has got to be the cutest thing I've ever seen." Thinking quickly she pulled out her phone and took a picture. All three took a moment to look at it.
"Please forward that to my phone, Penny?"
"Me too, Sweetie."
As they all began to head out the door Penny realized what adding a child to the process meant. Sheldon had the baby and one bag with food and cleaning supplies. Missy had her own bag filled with diapers and clothing plus the car seat. Penny had her stuff plus Sheldon's messenger bag and yet another bag of assorted baby stuff. She could only imagine what might happen if the baby wasn't being cooperative. Then she thought "Have I even heard this baby cry yet?" She quickly banished the thought from her head. "Don't wanna jinx it."
As they were heading down the stairs Leonard sped by without saying a word or offering any assistance. Penny momentarily thought of tripping him.
Sheldon stopped for a moment.
"Penny, I know what you're thinking. Put all the negativity out of your mind. You are embarking upon a new venture and I'm certain that the prospect of you being successful at it terrifies Leonard."
"Sheldon I'm sure you're wrong. Leonard is just in a hurry for some reason." Though, in her heart she knew that Sheldon was probably right.