31
Penny knocked on the door to 4A on Saturday morning. Missy came to the door.
"Mornin' sweetie."
"Hi Missy. I was wondering if there was anything that I could do to help with tonight?"
"Aw, that's so sweet. Well, Junior showed up late last night and he's still sleepin' on the couch. Soon as he wakes up we're headin' to the market to get what we need. Shelly already headed out to the Farmer's Market. I think we have everything covered."
"Darn."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm kinda trying to avoid Leonard."
"Oh. Mind tellin' me why?"
"When I told him I didn't want any wine last night I kinda didn't tell him the real reason."
"The anti-depressants?"
"Yeah. I told him I had an infection and that I couldn't drink and we couldn't…"
"Fuck."
"Yeah."
"Penny, I don't wanna sound like a broken record, but if you're lying to and avoiding sex with the guy you supposedly wanna marry, then maybe you oughta be thinkin' twice about that commitment."
"Yeah. I know. Me and Melanie started talking about that."
"So, if you really wanna avoid Leonard, how about you babysit for me while us Coopers go to the market and get what we need for tonight. We already got the meat and Sheldon has it marinatin'. But we need other stuff. And we're gonna stay away from alcohol except Junior won't make it without his beer."
"I appreciate that. Is there anything I can tell Leonard to pick up for tonight? Especially since I won't let him bring wine."
"Alex and Nora said they're bringing some dessert. I figure you can never have too much dessert."
"Okay, I'll get Leonard to pick something up that he can eat."
"Sounds good. I figure Junior's gonna be up pretty soon. I'll give a yell when you should come over."
"Listen, I'm just gonna tell Leonard about dessert and I'll be right back. Is that okay?"
"I haven't got a problem with it but remember, I did warn you about Junior."
"I'm pretty sure I can handle Junior."
"Well, you do seem to have a way with the Coopers."
"Back in a minute."
Penny went back to her apartment. She could hear Leonard in the bathroom. She never went into the bathroom while he was in there. There were some things she just didn't want to see.
"Leonard," she called through the bathroom door, "Missy needs me to babysit for a while. When you have a chance can you go out and pick up some kind of dessert for tonight. We shouldn't go over there empty handed."
"I thought we'd bring a bottle of wine," Leonard called back out.
"Sheldon doesn't drink. Missy isn't drinking as long as she's breastfeeding. Alex stopped drinking when she got together with Nora because she's in recovery. I can't drink. You'd be the only one drinking."
"So."
"So it's rude Leonard. Just get some dessert."
"I'd rather just not go."
"That's your choice. But I'm going."
"Fine. I'll pick something up. When will you be back?"
"Not sure. I'll let you know when I know."
"I thought when I moved in here we'd be spending more time together, not that you'd be spending all your time with Sheldon and his fucking family," Leonard grumbled.
"What was that Leonard? I couldn't hear through your selfish grumbling."
"Never mind. I'll see you later."
Penny went back over to 4A.
"How'd he take it," Missy asked.
"He complained. He's always complaining. Usually I can shut him up with sex but since…"
"Since you lied to him about your meds you can't."
"I could but I don't feel like putting myself in that particular position right now. So where's Junior?"
"In the bathroom. He should be out in a minute. Here, take the baby for a minute."
"Okay."
A short time later Junior came out of the bathroom. Penny's mouth opened in shock. Junior looked just like Sheldon, except bigger and with lots of muscles and a crewcut. Penny thought "Wow. Before Leonard, Junior was exactly the kind of guy I'd pick up, take home and fuck his brains out."
"So, who's this pretty young thing holdin' my nephew?"
"Put it back in your pants, Junior. This is our neighbor, Penny."
"This is the Penny that Shelly's been goin' on about all this time? Honey, my little brother did not do you justice. You are prettier'n a Texas sunset."
"Um, thanks. Nice to meet you too."
"So, um, after this little shindig tonight how about you 'n' me goin' out dancin'? Or somethin'?
"Ummmm."
"Junior, Penny's engaged to Sheldon's old roommate, Leonard. That means hands off."
"You're engaged to the little creep that's caused my brother so much trouble? Why fer gosh sake would you go and do that?"
"Junior, you're bein' impolite. Now come on. We're pickin' Shelly up at the Farmer's Market and then we're getting' the rest of the stuff we need for tonight."
Penny was relieved she didn't have to explain her engagement to Leonard again. She was beginning to have difficulty remembering why she did it herself.