Chapter 61- Freedom
Late that week, after Howard and Bernadette returned back from the beach, the morning alarm, did wake them both up but did nothing to get Bernadette out of bed for work. No sooner after the alarm was turned off, Howard pulled Bernadette closer to him, which resulted in her snuggling deeper into him, neither of them wanting to be physically separated. Bernadette knew she was going to be late, but being cuddled by her warm husband was something she could not give up and wouldn't have, except for her bladder overruling her need to be with him. Finally surrendering to her biological needs, she hurried to get ready, barely able to resist the urge to crawl back in bed with her husband, as soon as her bladder was satisfied.
Bernadette was both surprised and pleased to find Howard waiting on the end of the bed, fully dressed when she came out of the bathroom. "Honey are you going somewhere?"
"I'm taking you to work." Howard simply stated.
Bernadette looked and him, the thought of riding to work with him, and spending a few more minutes with him, made her smile and dissolved any resistance to his nice gesture, "Okay." was all she could say and she quickly got clothes out of her closet, while Howard used the bathroom.
The trip to work, Bernadette couldn't help herself from holding on to Howard's arm, while he drove, they had been like that since he came home, always touching and holding each other, never out of each others sight for more that a few moments. So when Howard pulled outside Bernadette's work, it was all she could do, to not start crying, the thought of not seeing him for hours almost too much for her to bare, after the last several wonderful days. Their goodbye kiss lasted for far too long and even after that she found it hard to open the car door, instead talking to him to delay her departure. "Do you have something to do today, Honey?"
Howard nodded, "I'm going to the lab, there is some work for me to do there."
Bernadette just looked at him, "Okay." it seemed her body couldn't move, she just sat there staring at him.
"If you give me a half hour notice, I can come by to have lunch with you." Howard offered smiling at her.
Bernadette smiled back, somehow the thought of only not seeing him for four hours instead of all day finally make it bearable to her and she leaned over to give him another quick kiss. "Okay, Honey, I'll call you, I promise." Bernadette finally then opened the car door and stepped outside, looking back and waving at him all the way into the front door of the building.
Howard waved and watched her disappear, also happy he would see her in four hours too. He then put the car in 'Drive' and pulled away from the curb, mentally calculating the quickest route to Cal Tech, he did have some work to do. He also wanted to talk to Steve Lee, they had a lot to talk about, Howard needed to let him know the new details he had recently found out about the suit. Although he wouldn't tell Steve everything, there was still a lot of things they could talk about and he was currently the only person in California he could talk to concerning those things. But Howard really wished Leonard was back home, he probably was the only person he could tell everything to and the only person who could truly understand what he went through.
-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-
Leonard stayed in the hospital through the weekend, working out every day hard in physical therapy, but it was worth it, that Friday, only a day after Howard had gone back to work, because his inpatient status was changed, to out-patient. So it was with a big smile he walked out of the hospital, using only a cane, on that beautiful summer day, Penny and Wyatt pulling their suitcases along behind him, big smiles on their faces too. Leonard now had a month off, of paid Army convalescent leave, and Penny and him were going to spend it at her parents house, they were both so excited and her parents were thrilled to have them.
The ride to the farm took a little longer than normal, Wyatt stopping at a car rental place to pick up a car Penny rented for the month. She planned on showing Leonard around, sort of making it a Honeymoon they never had, and she wanted the freedom to go and take him anywhere she wanted. She was excited, Leonard was officially out of the hospital and except for a check up in two weeks, he was hers from now on, so she practically skipped into the car rental place to quickly get their car. Leonard could only smile at the beautiful young woman who married him and he shared a knowing look with Wyatt at her enthusiasm.
However, Leonard had to chuckle when they brought up the car Penny rented, a red mustang convertible. "Did you ask them for red?" he asked trying not to outright laugh.
Penny blushed, "I just hinted that I like red." she confessed, which finally made Leonard and Wyatt both laugh, Penny playfully swatting them both, before she grabbed Leonard's arm and led him to the car.
Leonard and Penny followed Wyatt back to the farm, Penny driving the mustang behind her father, while Leonard couldn't help himself from just watching her. He was enjoying the way she seemed to be full of life and energy, her happiness was contagious and watching her made him feel so good inside. It didn't take long for her to notice him looking at her and she turned to give him a dazzling smile. "What?" she said, a twinkle in her eye.
Leonard smiled wider, "I love you. You are amazing, beautiful and the most extraordinary creature ever put on this earth. You look so amazing and just radiate happiness."
Penny blushed then gave him a loving look, "Sweetie, I hurried out of the hospital with you this morning, I have no makeup on and am wearing your T-shirt over my jeans, I know what I look like. You are so sweet, but I am you wife now, so you don't have to butter me up to get me. I'm already yours." She gave him a seductive wink.
Leonard shook his head and smiled, "Penny, I still have to pinch myself to believe that you are my wife. You are drop dead gorgeous, never forget it, I know I never will. You are also the most beautiful person I know, inside and out." he then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Sweetie, stop." Penny's now voice cracked, "or I'm going to have to pull over, okay." Penny sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I love you Honey."
Leonard then put his hand up to the side of her face and gently rubbed his fingers on her cheek, as she leaned her head into his hand. "I love you too." They rode like that the rest of the way to the farm.
-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-
The first week, on the farm, Leonard and Penny just spent every moment with each other, Penny's parents leaving them to themselves while they just enjoyed each other's company. They got up when they wanted and did what they pleased, both enjoying their new found freedom from the hospital and its restrictions that had dominated their lives, the last couple of months. It was beautiful in Nebraska, so everyday Penny would take Leonard out in the convertible to go see some new thing or just show him places she would go while she grew up. Penny was so happy having Leonard just to herself, with no serious worries about his health, and Leonard just loved being around Penny.
The second week Leonard stopped using the cane, he still limped a little but he was steady enough on his feet that he didn't need it. Penny started to help a little around the farm and even Leonard did a few things, mostly helping Penny's mom in the kitchen, but they didn't really work that much and they still got out to see more of Penny's favorite locations that week too. They waded in the old flooded quarry, that Penny used when she was a teenager, then spent the rest of the day getting sun and just talking. Leonard was now getting some color from Penny taking him outside every day and she found she could get him to take his clothes off and get sun by just telling him she would rub suntan lotion on his body. She also got a deep tan, enjoying her husband rubbing suntan lotion on her body too, his touching of her just as much desired as her touching of him.
It was during this second week, that Penny took Leonard to her high school, just to look around and tell him stories about her going to school there. They were there for over an hour and soon found themselves sitting in the stadium seats, on her High School football field, just looking out on the field and watching the grass growing, Leonard's arm on Penny's shoulder while she snuggled up to him. "I spent four years on this field cheering for the football team. Everything from junior varsity to varsity football." Penny sighed, "Those were really some wonderful times."
Leonard looked at her a little concerned, "Do you have regrets?"
Penny's head shot up to look at him, "No, none. They were wonderful times, but I wouldn't trade them for what I have now…well except for the part about you being in the hospital near death. I could do without that part." She then kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll really try not to do that again, okay." Leonard gave her a smile, he was happy she was getting better about it and could joke about it now a little.
"Okay." Penny then put her head on his shoulder again and looking back on the field.
Leonard put his head against hers, then letting out a small sigh, "I sort of wished I could have seen you when you were a Cheerleader, I bet you were awesome." while looking at the field with her.
"I was." Penny giggled, then she lifted her head from under his, stood up and started down the stadium stairs.
"Where are you going?" Leonard said in surprise.
Penny was down the stadium stairs in a flash and was now standing on the field in front of him, smiling. "Well, I think I will grant your wish. Stand by to be amazed Dr Hofstadter." Penny then spent the next 10 minutes doing some of her cheers from her cheerleader days.
Leonard sat there watching his wife, a huge smile on his face as she jumped and tumbled in front of him, with each cheer routine. She was right, she was amazing, and his heart felt so warm that she would do this for him. When she finished he stood up and clapped and whistled his approval, getting a big smile from her and her quickly coming up the stairs into his arms to kiss him. They kissed for a long time and when they finally broke for air, they just stood there looking at each other.
Leonard softly chuckled, "Who would think, I would end up married to a cheerleader."
Penny smiled back at him, "Come with me, I want to show you something."
Leonard followed her down the stairs, off the stadium seats area, then he followed her under the seating area to a spot that was out of sight of everything, secluded under the seats above. Penny turned to him, "I think every cheerleader had sex here once."
"Oh." Leonard said, a little surprised at her confession.
Penny gave him a sweet smile, "It was really lame, I didn't really like him a lot and he wasn't really any good at it, but it was something probably every cheerleader did while I was in school. It wasn't one of those good memories."
"Okay." Leonard looked at her, not knowing what else to say.
"I would like to correct that, would you help me?" Penny looked at Leonard with innocent eyes.
"I guess." Leonard still didn't understand what she was leading too.
Penny looked at him, biting her lip. "Take off your clothes, Sweetie."
The light went off in Leonard's head. "You mean here, now?"
Penny nodded and with one sweeping motion pulled her top and bra off, standing topless in front of him. She tried not to giggle as Leonard's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he looked at her. Even though they were married, she loved that she had that affect on him, so she quickly closed the distance between them, and yanked his T-shirt up so she could press her bare chest against his. She was right, them making love there was memorable, the excitement of it and who she was with, made it all that more special.
A little while after, Penny's impromptu adventure, they were walking back to the car, both smiling and holding hands, walking at a reduced pace so Leonard could keep up as he limped. "Do you want to get some ice cream?" Penny said while looking at him, a sly smile still on her face from before.
Leonard chuckled, "Is that another tradition from your teenage years, going to get ice cream after sex?" Leonard wiggled his eyebrows at her making her laugh.
Penny then scrunched her face in thought. "You know, now that I think of it, I always wanted ice cream after sex when I was younger."
Leonard stopped and looked at her in fake disbelief, "You mean all I had to do, when I met you, was give you ice cream and we could have hooked up." a sly smile now forming on his face.
"What can I say Sweetie, I drop my panties for "Rocky Road." Penny giggled and then grabbed his arm, putting her head on his shoulder as they made the walk the rest of the way to their car.
-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-
Howard started to feel back to normal when the new suit arrived, his work being a relaxing drug to him as he installed the systems in the new suit. Steve Lee was on crutches now but still able to assist him with everything so they got into their routine again, building up the suit to the point when Steve would be recovered enough to be able to get into it again. Howard promised himself he was never getting into that suit again, he owed Bernadette so much and he was not going to break anymore promises to her, ever again.
There was however one big change to the program, where before there had been only Howard and Steve working the project, now there were three of them, Dr Hogan now given a pass to work again by his doctors. The Army had immediately cleared and brought the inventor of Super Kevlar back on to the program and as Hogan learned what his project had developed, it seemed to breath new happiness and energy into the older man. Hogan continued, with the work Leonard had started, on the material properties and his resultant discoveries had now allowed them to build a suit that was two-thirds of the past weight and size, while still being able to withstand a 40 MM antiaircraft round without penetration.
However the best thing about this current routine, was that Howard got to go home to his wife every night, holding her and kissing her the most important things in his life anymore. Little things like eating dinner with her and going to the maturity doctors seemed so special to him now, so he make sure he enjoyed every minute of the time he had with her. Howard even turned down a query from NASA about going back into space, his wife and soon to be child, being the only adventure he could bring himself to think about these days. Howard was happy and content, Bernadette was happy and things were the way they should be, so Howard was not going to risk that for anything.
-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-
The third week of Leonard's and Penny's time on the farm, they were jokingly told that they would have to work for their keep, which was mainly a request for Penny to help with horseback and preliminary jumping lessons on the farm. Penny's mom taught a two week class, at least once each summer for extra money, so Penny gladly offered to help her mom, especially considering all the things her parents had done for her and Leonard, since they had been there. Leonard also quickly found ways to help his wife and so it was on Monday morning, after the alarm went off that they found themselves starting their first day working together.
"Ugh, it is too early to get up." Penny rolled over and latched on to Leonard, closing her eyes, snuggling deeper into him. They had been so use to getting up when they wanted to, suddenly having to get up at a set time (early), actually felt like work and Penny was now so spoiled, only having Leonard to concern herself with the last couple weeks.
Leonard started to kiss her around her neck, making her wiggle and even a giggle a little as she tried hard not to move or be affected by him, but having no success. "Leonard, Honey, stop. Please stop Sweetie, only five more minutes okay, just five more, I promise" she pleaded.
Leonard gave her five minutes, but then ten minutes later, he started his kissing of her again, causing her to squirm again as he ran his lips over her sensitive neck. "You are so mean." She finally opened her eyes to look at him trying to give him her best morning glare and failing miserably.
"Morning Sunshine." Leonard smiled back at her.
"Leonard, it is the middle of the night still, it even isn't light yet." she complained
Leonard chuckled, "That is because you have all the curtains closed and blankets over them to keep it dark, to hide it is late morning, and it is not night, it is 9 AM, the kids are going to be here at 10."
Penny giggled as she snuggled closer to him, "It would have worked too, if it wasn't for that stupid alarm clock you set."
Leonard knew he was going to have to get out of bed and take away her source of warmth, if he was going to get her up, so with a quick sweep of his arm he pulled the covers back and moved to the edge of the bed, with a half latched on Penny being dragged behind him. He hardened himself to her moans and groans, then rubbed her back as she sat on the edge of the bed with him, her head on his shoulder. "Why do we have to work?" Penny groaned
"Because you told your mom that you would be glad to help, and me that we should help around the farm more."
"Well you're my husband, and it is your job to cover my mouth now when I say stupid stuff." She then rolled over to face him, straddling his lap, with her legs. as she pulled her body tight against him and put her head on his shoulder.
Leonard felt her get comfortable and felt more than heard her content sigh, he just knew she had her eyes closed and was going to go back to sleep on top of him. She was tightly pulled against him and Leonard was now convinced she was a heat vampire, the way she snuggled practically on top of him every time she was even a little cold, like now. What made it worse was he loved her cuddling against him and he already had his arms around her, holding her tight, as he felt her slightly wiggle to get more comfortable on him. However, her snoring, made him realize she had fallen asleep again, and again amazed him that anyone could fall fast asleep as fast as she could.
Leonard sat there for a minute and thought, she was completely wrapped around him her legs crossed behind his back and her arms around his neck. He had been working out everyday since physical therapy started and now, every day, Penny would help him work out while they stayed on the farm, so he thought he could do it. Also, Penny had still not gained back the weight she lost, while he was sick, she looked better, her skin color back, but he guessed she only weighed between 100-110 pounds right now and looked very slender when she was in her shorts and tank tops. So he set his feet solid on the floor and spaced evenly, then stood up, still holding her, it actually wasn't bad, so he took a step, suddenly realizing it had been a bad idea. However, now he was standing with her in his arms and didn't know what to do.
Penny woke up as soon as he took the first step, taking a couple of seconds to realize where she was and that Leonard was standing, her mind then went into overdrive and reasoned what she had to do. Her legs immediately came down and thankfully they were almost the same height, because she immediately took her full weight off him quickly. She was now completely awake trembling from him scaring the hell out of her and she just put her forehead against his while she tried to regain her composure. "Leonard, why?"
"I made a mistake. You were asleep and I thought I could maybe carry you to the shower. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought." Leonard confessed.
"Oh Sweetie." Penny quickly kissed him then pulled him tight to her, her arms still around his neck, and put her head on his shoulder so he wouldn't see her tears. Penny felt terrible about her silly morning antics that almost got him hurt, and she mentally scolded herself as the tears came harder.
Leonard only had a T-shirt on so the tears quickly wet it and he knew she was crying, "Penny, I'm sorry. I did something stupid, don't be upset Honey." He then started to rub her back.
They held each other for a couple of minutes before Penny lifted off his shoulder to look at him through wet eyes. "Honey, I need a shower, will you wash my back." A tiny smile on her lips.
Leonard nodded, knowing this little crisis still not over and followed her into the bathroom, knowing she was asking him in with her because she wanted to keep him close. He had scared her and she was now back in protective mode, and he doubted she was going to let him out of her sight all day. He was both happy she cared about him so much and sad he had made her act like that again, but he knew he would do anything she wanted today, because he loved her with all his heart.
-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-TIN MAN-
Carl Kripke sat at his desk looking at the file again, it was a copy, the original was taken away by Homeland Security a few months ago, under the excuse it involved national security. Carl was the Los Angeles Police Department's designated liaison for this case, to Homeland Security, however ever since they took the files he hadn't heard a word from them. He would have never thought much about it again, just let the Federal authorities do their thing, if it wasn't for having dinner with his cousin Barry at his mom's house a week ago. He didn't know how it started, but they talked about the thing that appeared at the Cheesecake Factory and before the night ended they had discussed several possible sources for its origin and a person named Dr Hogan. It was a lead, and Carl was a detective, so a lead was like a dangling prize in front of him, that Carl could not ignore, so he slowly put the file back in his desk and grabbed his sport jacket and keys, Dr Hogan worked at Cal Tech and Carl really wanted to talk to him.