Chapter 23 - Mrs. Hofstadter
The knocks on the door came at 11 AM, waking both Penny and Leonard up almost instantly. They had fallen asleep at midnight, so after sleeping 11 hours, both in a deep restful sleep, they woke up a little groggy, but rested. Penny immediately got up and went to the door, putting herself instinctively between whoever was there and Leonard, her mind now rooted in the need to protect him. She slightly relaxed when she saw it was Howard and Bernadette, with Major Gray, but she couldn't help notice that the armed guard outside their room was still there.
"Penny, wake up girl, you have a lot to do, and not too much time to do it." Bernadette gushed, way too happily for this time in the morning.
"Please, slow down, I just got up and need coffee." Penny looked back to see Leonard out of bed and looking at her.
"Here you go, this should help." Penny hadn't even noticed that Howard had a takeout tray of coffee in his hands, from Starbucks, and she took the cup gingerly from his grasp.
Major Gray passed a garment bag to Bernadette, "Okay, I'll leave you all alone for about 30 minutes then, I will come back to get the guys." She then winked at Bernadette as she turned and walked off. Bernadette nodded and closed the door behind her, after her and Howard walked in the room.
"Okay, what is going on?" Penny stopped to take a sip of coffee, it actually was Starbucks and her favorite, it tasted so good. "Where did you get this?"
"They have a Starbucks on this base. Scones anyone." Howard now seemed to make a bag appear out of thin air, full of scones, so Penny grabbed one for her and one for Leonard, who had now gotten a coffee himself, the one with his initials written on it.
They all sat in chairs for a few minutes, eating and drinking coffee, just smiling at each other, when Penny's curiosity got the better of her. "Okay, like I said before, what's happening?"
"Your wedding day silly and if you don't hurry up, stuffing your face, you are going to miss it." Bernadette teased, a huge smile on her face.
Penny had froze, a piece of scone sitting half way in her mouth. Leonard just looked at Bernadette then to Penny, obviously confused and surprised.
Howard jumped into the conversation. "We've been up for a couple hours after a great nights sleep." Howard looked at Bernadette who blushed, she was thinking 'you wait until tonight mister, tonight is departure sex'. Bernadette now continued, "SO….Major Gray has filled us in on all the details. The chaplain has his last mass from noon till 1 PM today, and as soon as the church is empty, he is going to marry you."
Penny and Leonard looked at each other, in complete surprise.
Bernadette started to worry. "Major Gray said Leonard asked her about that last night, when we ate, so she set everything up for this morning, she is really a sweetheart and a romantic. This is what you two want right?"
Leonard now thought this was a bad idea, he should have never said anything to Gray, the night before, Penny now had overnight to think about what she said and this thing, that Gray planned, was doing nothing but putting her in a spot. He knew a lot had happened the last two days and emotions had been high, so now that they were rested and the tensions were starting to ease away, he knew their previous conversations could now be looked at in a more realistic way. They had both thought he was going to jail, so things were said because of that situation, now things were different, much different, so he couldn't hold her to what she said before, they would have to talk things over again, when he came back from training.
"YES!" Leonard heard Penny practically shout and he swung his head around to see Penny smiling and nodding her head enthusiastically, so he looked at Bernadette and nodded, a smile now forming on his face.
"Okay, Gray borrowed some clothes for you guys and you need to start getting ready, as soon as Penny stops eating." Bernadette teased.
"Hey! I'll have you know, I didn't eat much yesterday." Penny tried to say with a straight face and a mouth full of scone, but Bernadette's smile made her giggle, which made Bernadette giggle. Penny was starting to feel better, the thought of marrying Leonard in the next couple of hours bringing a joy to her heart again, she had never felt before with anyone.
"Well the guys need to go to our room for Leonard to change and I have your dress here for you." Bernadette now took over as wedding coordinator.
"Really?" Leonard looked over at the garment bag, hanging on the door, where Bernadette hung it.
"Don't get any ideas mister, or I put another bruise on you. You know it is bad luck for you to see the bride, in her dress before the wedding and right now we all need all the luck we can get." Bernadette sound almost like Mrs. Wolowitz for a moment, which made Leonard's eyes go wide.
Penny giggled. "She is probably right honey." Leonard smiled at her and nodded.
They all finished their pastries and coffee then Penny walked Leonard to the door, wrapping her arms around him, in a hug before he left. The hug lasted forever, Penny not wanting to let him go, even though she knew she would see him again in less than 2 hours. Leonard finally got her to let go. "Penny, Honey, I promise to come back to you shortly, you are stuck with me forever now, and in couple hours legally too."
Penny was practically crying so her giggle came with tears. "You better remember that, you are mine forever." She squeezed him then lifted her head from his shoulder and kissed him.
Penny leaded against the back of the door for a few minutes, after Leonard left with Major Gray, deep in her thoughts. Bernadette watched her for a little while before she spoke. "Penny is everything okay?"
Penny came out of her trance to look at her friend. "Yeah, it is, I thought I knew Leonard, and I did know a lot about him, but now it is like I really know him, he is part of me and I know I need him in my life. It surprises me I love him so much, but it makes me happy too."
"You've loved him for a long time, you know."
Penny smiled at her friend. "Yes, I know, probably since the first year I moved into the apartment, when he stood up to Kurt. It was just so different with him, it was so real."
Bernadette nodded and smiled. "So you ready to get dressed and marry your love."
Penny smiled. "Yes, I am so ready." Penny then went to bathroom to dress for her wedding.
Leonard stood at the alter less than two hours later, with Howard next to him, the chaplain and four Army officers sitting in the front seats. There was Colonel Turner, and Major Gray who were their interrogators and two other officers, Ryan and Martin, who Leonard would later find out were Howard and Bernadette's interrogators. He was still looking around when he heard music and saw Penny walking down the aisle with Bernadette. Gray had gotten them both dresses and he thought they both looked beautiful, especially Penny who was wearing a simple white dress that came to her knees and white shoes. Her hair, loosely falling down to her shoulders, went perfectly with the way she was dressed and Leonard couldn't help think she looked like an angel as she walked down the aisle. He just smiled and looked at her, not able to take his eyes from hers the whole time she approached him.
"Hey you." he said as she stepped up to the altar.
"Hey You" Penny smiled back at him, her eyes actually twinkling.
Leonard smiled and teased. "Miss me?"
Penny leaned back and gave him a fake glare, "What do you think?"
The chaplain cleared his throat. "Are we ready?" Leonard and Penny turned to look at him slightly embarrassed and nodded.
The military chaplain performed a short ceremony, with Howard and Bernadette being best man and maid of honor. Leonard and Penny were surprised, when Major Gray produced two simple silver bands for them, during the part of the ceremony where rings were exchanged, and they both smiled, the rings made it seem so right. It was a short ceremony, but it was legal, and both Leonard and Penny felt their hearts swell when they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Hofstadter. So when they had their first kiss as husband and wife, Penny pressed her lips against his and gave herself to him, body and soul, in her kiss.
They had a short little party, for a little over an hour, Major Gray coming up with drinks and even a small white cake for them, they actually had a fun time, but neither of them drank too much. Partly because after their little party, Howard and Leonard were sworn into the Army, and the girls watched as they were given the oath of enlistment in a small ceremony with Colonel Turner presiding. The day went quickly, and soon it was dinner and after that the couples went to the officers quarters for the night, two married couples, one on their official honeymoon night and the other having a second honeymoon night.
Bernadette resumed where she left off, the night before, a need, deep down inside her to ravish her husband and make him happy before he left for his Army training. There was also that fear of being without him, that she had when he went to space, and she wanted to make sure he would remember for a long time how much she loved him. Howard and Bernadette again collapsed in exhaustion, several hours later, falling asleep with Bernadette's head on Howard's chest as he gently stroked her hair.
Penny and Leonard sat on the couch, in their room and talked, both cuddling closely together, giving each other small kisses the whole night. Leonard was still sore, so part of the time Penny rubbed an ointment, the doctor gave them on his body to help him get more comfortable at relieve some of his discomfort. Penny couldn't believe how intimate it was talking with him about their future and what they both wanted to do, she told him everyone of her dreams, opening up to him like she never did before. They went to bed early, but still continued talking and kissing, neither of them able to get enough of the other. They laid side by side, Leonard in his boxers and Penny only in her panties, she couldn't have sex with him, his body was too bruised to put pressure on without causing him pain. So Penny just got as close as she could to him, her breasts just grazing him, as she kissed him numerous times, their closeness extremely satisfying to her.
It was one of those kisses that did Penny in, it started as a small peck, that deepened suddenly until both their mouths were locked together as their tongues sought each other. They had actually both rolled on their sides, moving as close together as Penny could get without putting too much pressures on his chest. Penny soon became one with the kisses she was giving him, her mind concentrating on Leonard, getting more and more excited as their closeness forced her now erect nipples to brush back and forth across his chest. Penny was lost in the moment, her arms around Leonard's neck, her tongue dancing with his, the electrical energy created by her breasts rubbing against his chest, so she wasn't prepared when his hand gently came to her side slowly tracing her body as it went to cup her butt cheek. His hand had sent shivers through her whole body as it moved along her side and as it stopped, as he gave her butt check a gently squeeze, Penny succumbed to the wave of pleasure that took over her body and thoughts. Penny moaned and jerked, her legs squeezing together as the tremors took over her body, Leonard's touch had sent her over the edge.
Leonard actually thought he did something wrong when he felt her shiver. "Penny are you alright? Are you cold?"
Penny suddenly felt so shy and she put her head on his shoulder, so he wouldn't see her cry, her voice cracking as she said, "Yes."
"What's wrong Honey? I'm sorry if I did something wrong."
"No Sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong." her voice still cracking.
"Penny are you crying?" Leonard was now worried.
"I'm sorry Leonard, I'm a mess, please forgive me."
"I'm here for you, you know. You can tell me anything." Leonard tried to sooth her.
"I know Honey, you have always been there for me. I….." Penny lifted her head to look at him, her eyes still tearing.
Leonard brought up his had to wipe her tears, "Is it about this marriage? I know it was probably not what you dreamed of and this isn't much of a honeymoon…."
Penny looked at him with tear filled eyes, a small smile on her face, "No…please Leonard, I love this, this is perfect, I wouldn't trade it for one of those fancy weddings other people have. This is right for us." She then gave him a little kiss.
Even though it was just a small kiss, they had both closed their eyes instinctively so they could savor the feeling of each others lips. It took Leonard a second, after they opened their eyes, to recompose himself and continue talking. "Aw, okay, is it about tomorrow?"
"Yes part of it….part of it is about you and me." Penny looked into his eyes. "And what you do to me."
"I don't understand." Leonard looked at her in confusion and watched her start to blush.
Penny put her head back on Leonard's shoulder, she was embarrassed again. "Sweetie you turn me on,…..a lot."
"Huh?" Leonard thought for a minute. "OH!…." Then he smiled a little. "Really?"
Penny brought her head up off his shoulder again, giving his a little scowl, "Yes, really."
Leonard gave her a small smile, "Come on give me a small break, I'm pretty banged up and finding out, I can still do that to you, is sort of a big ego boost for me."
"Okay Sweetie, you're my stud muffin." Penny teased, then suddenly got serious, as she looked at him. "Sweetie, I love you so much, I'm really not happy with you leaving me and I'm going to be scared the whole time you are gone."
"Penny, I…" Leonard never got a chance to finish because Penny put her finger to his lips.
"Honey, I know you have no choice, but it is not going to make me not scared, so you promise me you will be careful." Leonard nodded to her. Penny now got a little wicked smile on her face, "Also, I now owe you one, so be prepared for a real honeymoon when you get home." Leonard now smiled a little and nodded again.
"I love you Penny."
"I've always know that. I'm sorry you never knew how much I loved you until now."
Penny and Leonard got comfortable with Penny curled up next to him to go to sleep. Leonard's arm was around Penny as she laid her head partially on the pillow and partially on his shoulder, his thumb gently rubbing little circles on her shoulder. Penny's nose was touching his cheek while her hand lay on his chest gently caressing him. Leonard fell asleep quickly, as Penny laid there awake, watching him in the dark, listening to his rhythmic breathing, feeling his heart beating and knowing he was safe with her.
There was only one problem, she was having trouble coming to grips with him leaving tomorrow and she was terrified that something could happen to him, while he was away from her. There was this need, burning deep in her gut, to protect him, and now being married to him only made that need grow and feel stronger. This was her problem, when he left, she wouldn't be able to help him or protect him and she knew if anything happened to him, she would die, just die. For the first time in her life she actually felt bonded to someone else, he was truly part of her, and she knew she needed and wanted to be with him forever.
This was all so new to her and it actually strange how she now felt, because before everything that happened to them, she had always been so scared of what Leonard meant to her, it had actually caused problems between them. Before Leonard, she had thought she knew men, understood them, and could handle them, but then he came along, it made her rethink everything. Bernadette was right, she had feelings for him only a few months after meeting him and the night of the her first Halloween party, she had wanted him badly, her slightly drunk state only allowing her to express the feeling that she had be suppressing. However now, after seeing him almost die, she couldn't suppress those feelings anymore, she loved him like no other man, she didn't want him just across the hall anymore, she wanted to go to sleep with him and wake up with him, for the rest of her life. It was just then a realization came over her and a small smile crossed her face, she wanted to have his babies, she didn't know where that thought came from, but she knew in her heart it was true.
Penny's smiled continued as she thought what their children would look like, but slowly she came out of this little dream and forced her mind to focus, as she tried so hard to see him in the darkness of their room. She knew her life was completely different, now and forever, she belonged to him as much as he belonged to her, they had both taken a major step in their lives. What made that so real is she knew that Leonard would never leave her, it was truly 'For better or worse, till death do up part.' with him and to actually find a man that she knew that to be true, was just so amazing to her, making her smile again. She also knew she felt the same way, she could not imagine not being with him forever, anymore.
It all came back around to why she laid there awake, thinking while he slept, she didn't know if she would be able to let him go tomorrow, all these feelings and emotions she had finally stopped hiding and trying to control, were out, they now controlled her life. These feelings were also too much at once, she found herself wanting to cry half the time she was with him, either because of happiness or from the fear of almost loosing him, and the other half, of the time, she just wanted to hold and kiss him. She needed time, she needed time with him alone, she had all this love for him, that had been bottled up for so long, and she needed to express it to him, now, not later, now.
However, there was nothing she could do, really nothing, she felt she was being punished, for all she had done before, for how she had treated him before and the happiness she felt a few seconds ago turned to sadness. Tears started to form in her eyes, as her emotions took over again, how was she going to function after he left tomorrow, she knew her heart was going to break as soon as he left her sight, he wasn't Leonard anymore, he was her husband, her mate, the man that was her life. She was awake for over an another hour, her mind not wanting to accept she was going to loose him tomorrow, trying to somehow steel herself the nightmare of him leaving her, before her consciousness finally succumbed to exhaustion, causing her to fall asleep too.
In another room, of the visiting officers quarters, Bernadette lay awake, after having fallen asleep in Howard's arms a couple hours before, she was now wide awake. She had fallen asleep from exhaustion, like her husband, wrapped securely in his arms, and in her deep restful sleep, she dreamed and her dream, though very simple, scared her. She dreamt that she was in their bed, in their apartment, and as she rolled over to hold him, he wasn't there and what was worse she couldn't find him. She had woken up in terror, the only thing keeping her from screaming, was finding herself still in his arms. However, now, as she looked at him in his sleep, she realized how true her dream was, the next few weeks he wouldn't be there and she would wake up in an empty bed, wondering where he was.
Feelings inside of her, that she had tried to suppress, since everything that had happened, were now coming out again. When she had fallen in love with Howard, she had thought he was just a simple engineer and a nerd, she was okay with that, she felt a bond to him and realized she loved him for who he was. She had been so wrong, Howard was so much more, he was in a way bigger than life to her now, an Astronaut, this thing with the suit, and now he was going into the Army, she was in awe of her husband. If there was a list of adventurers, men who pushed the limits of life and then went further, Howard would be high on that list, and that made her so proud but also so scared.
Bernadette didn't know how she was going to make it without him right now, she had been more scared for him than herself when he was helping Leonard to save Los Angeles, the thought of loosing him overriding her own thoughts of survival. She still really hadn't recovered from that, with everything that happened in the last 2 days, she hadn't had time get over her fears and the person she needed most to help her was now leaving the next morning. Tears welled up in her eyes, she tried hard to keep her sobs silent, but the thought of him leaving her was tearing her heart in two, she couldn't live without him and if anything happened to him it would destroy her, so Bernadette prayed, she prayed harder than she ever prayed in her life.