33
The Coopers returned to North Los Robles a couple of hours later with their supplies.
"How many people did you invite to this thing tonight, Sheldon? It looks like you shopped for enough to feed a small army."
"We only invited a handful of people, Penny. Yourself and Leonard. Alex and Nora. At your suggestion I did reach out to Raj and Howard but they said they both had plans with their significant others. I even suggested they just come by for coffee and dessert but they still demurred. Perhaps another occasion will be more appropriate for them?"
"I guess."
"Did the baby behave while we were out, sweetie?"
"Pretty much. He did get a little cranky when Leonard came by though."
"Are you sure it was the baby that was cranky, Penny?"
"Shelly!"
"It's a fair question, Missy. Leonard has been pretty cranky lately. But this time it was the baby. He was acting the same way he did when Amy came by the office."
"So my son's just a good judge of character. He's already actin' like a Cooper through 'n' through."
"Missy, behave. Leonard is my former roommate, Penny's fiancée and will be our guest later on. I expect everyone will behave appropriately in front of company."
"Shelly, you know I'll behave. Penny's our good friend and I will be polite to her fiancée. I promise."
"And I'll behave too. Even though I'd prefer to throw him out the window," added Junior.
Penny looked a bit mystified.
"Sheldon, I don't understand why Missy and Junior have such a mad on for Leonard. Is there something I don't know?"
"It's nothing you need to be concerned about, Penny. Now that we are home there is much preparation for tonight's festivities to be done. You probably want to go home and prepare yourself. We'll see you at 6:30. Alright?"
"Sheldon, are you trying to kick me out?"
"Not at all. It's just that there is work to be done and you are expected as a guest, not a hostess. We have everything well in hand and I assume that you would like a bit of Penny time, since I noticed that Leonard's car was not in the lot downstairs."
"Y'know what, some Penny time would be nice. It seems like forever since I had some. See ya later."
Once he escorted Penny out, Sheldon Turned and faced his siblings.
"Missy, you know as well as I what kind of state Penny is in. I'd appreciate it if you, and you, Junior, would not put her in a position where she has no choice but to defend Leonard. We must allow Leonard to continue to act as he has and do our work for us. Penny will soon wake up to the mistake she is making."
"Okay, Shelly. But I don't know how long I can hold back. That little creep has been crappin' on you for a long time and I don't like it one bit. If anyone's gonna make you miserable, it's gonna be me, like always."
"Please show some patience, Junior. We must allow Leonard to do the damage to their relationship himself. Trust me, he will. Outside pressures will force him to do so without any help from us."