Chapter 19 - Healing

It was several hours later, when dinner was done, and on the table, that Meryl decided to check up on her daughter and Leonard, it had been extremely quiet all afternoon after they went up stairs. So she went to Penny's door, knocking softly, but not getting any response, making her confused on what to do next. They were probably asleep and she really didn't know if she wanted to wake them up or not, but dinner was ready so she tried the door knob anyway, only to find it unlocked. Meryl didn't really see the harm, and she just wanted to make sure they were asleep, she rationalized to herself, so she opened the door to look in, Meryl's nosiness obviously being who Penny got her inquisitive nature from.

The room was a little cool, Penny always keeping her room cool when she slept buried in her covers, and it took a couple minutes for Meryl's eyes to adjust to the darkness. But when her eyes did adjust, Meryl almost started crying right there at the scene she saw of both her daughter and Leonard sound asleep, wrapped up together. Meryl could just make out some of Penny's hair and most of her face, the rest of her cocooned in both Leonard's embrace and the blankets, but what she could see was a content expression on her child's face. Leonard's face was in Penny's hair and he obviously had her pulled tight against him, his arms protectively surrounding her as she slept. They both looked dead to the world, and Meryl could hear the soft snoring coming from her daughter, a sure sign she was extremely tired and deeply asleep. Now Meryl knew she could never wake them, so she softly closed the door and headed back downstairs, she would put some of the dinner away for later for both of them.

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It was almost 8 PM when Penny and Leonard came down the stairs again, both of them quietly talking to each other, while holding hands. So Meryl heated up dinner, then left them alone in the kitchen, they seemed to be in a world by themselves and Meryl sensed they needed their privacy. Meryl just jointed her husband in the living room and sat on the couch, staring at the TV, not watching, but thinking about how things seemed to be going between her daughter and the man she been heartbroken over. She had even became so engrossed in her thoughts she didn't even notice Wyatt get off his chair and sit next to her until he put his arm around her.

"Hey, you with me here?" Wyatt said with a chuckle.

Meryl turned her head to look at him, "Yes sorry, I'm just worried…..no worried is the wrong word, I guess you can say I'm just sitting on pins and needles about those two." Meryl responded.

"Did you see something that concerns you?" Wyatt asked with a little concern himself.

Meryl shook her head, "No really nothing, Leonard seems exactly like you described him, a very nice guy who cares for our daughter."

"Then what is wrong?" Wyatt looked at her now confused.

"I don't know, I guess I just don't want our daughter hurt anymore. She is pregnant and she was not taking care of herself, I was so worried about her, it was like she gave up on life. I'm just scared something will happen and she will loose even this now, I don't think she could take that." Meryl explained.

Wyatt gave her a little smile, "What are they doing now."

"Eating and looking at each other like no one else exists in the world." Meryl sadly chuckled. "It sort of reminds me when Penny first started dating and her first love, she looked at him like that too."

"But did her first love look at her like that?" Wyatt asked.

"No, I could tell what was on that young mans mind, so I made sure I didn't leave him alone with her." Meryl said, a little disgust in her voice.

Wyatt smiled more, "How does Leonard look at Penny?"

Meryl thought for a second, "Like a moon struck calf." Meryl now chuckled, "Just like Penny looks at him."

Wyatt nodded, "Even that time I visited, when they tried to pull that stunt on me to make me think they were back together, they looked at each other like there was something there, I could tell they were obviously more than friends. That is why I asked Leonard not to give up on her, I could tell Penny cared for him, she had never been so friendly with one of her ex's like she was with him, she wasn't done with him."

"You really like him don't you?" Meryl looked directly at Wyatt.

Wyatt nodded, "He loves her, he is a real man who will put her first and take care of her and she loves him. I can't help but like him."

Penny and Leonard walked into the living room a half hour later, holding hands with Penny also leaning on him. "Thanks for dinner Mom. Leonard and I put the dishes in the sink. Sorry we slept so long." Penny blushed a little.

Leonard nodded, "Thank you."

Wyatt and Meryl could tell Leonard's 'Thank You' was for more than the meal. "You're welcome, dear." Meryl responded

Penny gently pulled Leonard to the love seat, him immediately sitting on one side and lifting his arm for Penny could cuddle next to him as she pulled the blanket on the chair back over both of them. Meryl noticed how relaxed and content her daughter seemed to get immediately and also noticed how Leonard's hand gently rubbed her shoulder as a relaxed content expression crossed his features too. It made Meryl think, that maybe Wyatt was right and she was over thinking things again, she had noticed Penny's engagement ring again on her finger as they sat down to eat and they acted like two people in love, so Meryl settled into her husband's side and started to relax too, as she watched TV with everyone else.

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Penny and Leonard stayed up a couple of hours after her parents went to sleep, not really talking a whole lot but snuggling and touching each other the whole time, which also included a lot of kissing after her parents left the room. However, about midnight, Leonard noticed that Penny had fallen asleep so he got her up and they went to bed, and no sooner than in bed, Penny pulled herself close to Leonard, her head on his shoulder. "I love you Leonard." softly came from her as she got comfortable and fell asleep again, while Leonard gently rubbed her back.

Leonard wondered if she even heard 'I love you, too' she was asleep so fast and as he laid there he found he couldn't sleep, Penny's condition really bothered him, every time he held her or rubbed her back he could feel how skinny she was and it just made him feel more guilty. He should have never let things get like this, he should have never left her when she was in such a bad state, like he did and now he was seeing the results of his mistake. He promised himself he would never do this again to her, whatever happen they would talk it out together and if they did have problems again, any result would be based on both of their wants, he would see to that.

She told him, in no uncertain terms, that she still wanted to marry him and he knew he wanted to marry her, it had been really stupid of him to think he could ever just leave her, because without her the world was a duller place to him. But right now he just needed to be near her as much as she needed, take away that fear she told she had of him leaving. It was sadly funny how now he actually missed her sort of taking him for granted, because now that he saw her heartbroken and needy, he preferred her cocky and self assured around them. He would fix things and stay by her side from now on, he promised himself, because to him she was so worth it and he needed her as much as she seemed to need him.

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The next couple of days were hard on Meryl, Penny and Leonard seemed to exist in their own little bubble, where nothing else existed but themselves. In just 24 hours, Meryl had gone from being her daughter's confident in her time of need, the last two months, to now just an observer of both Penny and Leonard. She watched as they talked quietly to each other and spent all day very close, Penny either holding Leonard by the hand or cuddling against him every time Meryl saw them. They would respond if talked to, but Meryl could tell they weren't really there, they were only truly aware of each other and their interaction with anything outside their bubble was limited and only when necessary. They even didn't leave the house, just either spent their time in the living room or up in Penny's room, neither of them ever alone, always together, making Meryl wonder if they were showering and going to the bathroom together too. It was almost too much for Meryl to bear, but she had to, so she and Wyatt just let them alone, after all Penny seemed to be doing better, she was eating more and seemed happy to have Leonard around, so they kept of their way.

It was the third day that Meryl knew for sure things were getting better for her daughter as she hear the both of them coming down the stairs making a lot of noise. Her daughter's giggles, the first she had heard out of her in a long while, coming across loudly as she heard them moving towards the kitchen. It was also the first time Penny had gotten downstairs before 10 AM since she got there.

"Leonard Stop!" Meryl heard Penny plead between her giggles. "Quit it." then more giggles from her daughter as she almost burst into the kitchen quickly coming to stop with her eyes slightly wide like she didn't expect her mother to be there. Leonard was less than a second behind her, looking like he was about to do something to her, but coming to a complete stop too, behind Penny, his eyes also a little wide like he been caught doing something wrong. They both looked like guilty children and Meryl couldn't help the sudden urge she had to just hug them both like little children, but instead she just smiled, "Are you two hungry?"

Meryl now saw Leonard's arms go around her daughter from behind, his hand instinctively covering her belly, where the baby was growing, as she leaned back into him. It was Penny's next words that really made Meryl feel better after the last couple of days of worry. "I'm starved." Penny blurted out and the way she said it made Meryl knew she meant it.

Meryl's daughter wanting to eat was like music to her ears and so she quickly got busy, making both waffles, hash browns, ham and eggs. Leonard and Penny both getting juices, and a few minutes later digging into some of the food Meryl put in front of them. By the time she had cooked it all, her daughter had probably ate more breakfast then she had the whole time she had been there before Leonard arrived. So Meryl just smiled and left the kitchen, to allow them some alone time as she just caught a parting glimpse of Penny putting two pancakes on her plate.

It was about 20 minutes later when Penny pulled Leonard into the living room so they could join Meryl, and it just took looking at her daughter, to know she was getting better with Leonard around. Penny sat Leonard down on the couch then sat next to him, putting her head on his shoulder and started to whine. "Ugh, I ate too much." while rubbing her belly.

"Does you stomach hurt?" Leonard immediately asked in worry.

Penny shook her head on his shoulder, then put her arms around his neck. "No, but I am so full. If I keep eating like this I will be as big as a house."

Leonard chuckled, then kissed her nose, "Believe me you have a long way to go before you even approach the size of a small cottage."

At that Penny gave him a quick kiss on the lips then ran her tongue over her own lips. "Umm, blueberry." which made them both giggle.

The whole time this playfulness was going on Meryl just watched while trying not to watch as a small smile formed on her lips. However after a moment they got quiet and Meryl noticed Penny was looking at her, with the same expression on her face when she was young and going to ask her mother for something. Meryl always thought Penny looked cute as she tried to get over her nervousness to ask what was on her mind, but she never told Penny that, after all she was her mother.

"Mom, you know the church you belong to?" Penny suddenly asked.

Meryl now directly looked at Penny, seeing her bite her lip as she waited for her to respond. "Yes, I still belong to it." Meryl responded.

"Well I…I mean Leonard and I were wondering if you think they would maybe be able to let us have a wedding there in about five weeks?" Penny finally got out. They had both discussed getting married soon and both agreed that the two weeks between her next tapings would give them enough time to plan something not too large.

Meryl looked at the hope in her daughters eyes and then looked at Leonard, who seemed to have the same pleading look as her daughter. It actually gave Meryl a good feeling to know her daughter's man seem to want what she did and Meryl right now couldn't think of a better thing for her daughter than marrying the man she had been so heartbroken over. "We could find out. There isn't usually many weddings at this time of year, because of the cold, so they might be able to do it." Meryl then sighed, "Are you two sure you want to do it now?" Meryl had to ask.

They both nodded like two children, at least that is what Meryl thought, because Penny was her child and if she married Leonard he would become her child too. Penny then fidgeted in her seat again, "Mom could we check today?"

Meryl thought for only a second, this was the first time the two of them brought her back into their world in almost three days and she liked it. "We could go after I feed your father lunch…..and after you both get dressed." Meryl nodding to the two pajama and robe clad children in front of her.

Penny's smile got really large and Leonard smiled too, as Penny jumped up to hug her mother, "Thanks Mom." Penny then grabbed Leonard's hand and pulled him upstairs, Meryl hearing her giggle again as they ran up the stairs. Meryl couldn't wait to see Wyatt to tell him they were going to have another son, she knew Wyatt would be thrilled.

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That evening Meryl thought her home had turned into a mad house as Penny's excitement about her upcoming wedding now seemed to permeated her very being. Meryl had been a regular at church and helped at many the fundraisers so the Reverend only had to make sure that Saturday was free before he told Penny yes, which resulted in hugs for everyone, the Reverend, her mom and finally a long one with Leonard. Then no sooner then they were heading home, Penny sent a text to Lindsey to ask her to be her maid of honor, which resulted in her older daughter packing overnight bags for her and her son so she could make the two hour drive to Meryl's house and stay overnight.

Now Penny and her sister where chatting in the living room while her dad acted like he was watching TV but was really listening to his two daughters. Leonard sat next to Penny, with little Carl in his arms, trying to make him laugh and doing a pretty good job at it, not noticing Penny taking quick looks at him and crushing over him even more. Meryl soon joined them with a tray of drinks and ice cream with pie, Penny eating both hers and Leonard's ice cream because Leonard couldn't, Leonard gladly letting her have his. None of them got to sleep before midnight that night and when Penny finally did settle down to sleep she was practically on top of Leonard as he rubbed her back, to calm her down.

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Penny's last couple of days home went by fast, her sister staying the whole next day and night to help Penny in wedding planning as they both wrote to-do lists and used the internet most of the day, Meryl even joining them every so often to help. Leonard spent the whole morning in contact with Cal Tech, corresponding with Dr Gablehauser and President Siebert, who wanted to meet with him the first work day as soon as he returned, which was that coming Monday. However that afternoon Leonard concentrated on Penny and contacted some people with babies he knew to get the names of several maturity doctors they recommended, then after checking online references, put together a draft list of doctors for Penny to choose from. Leonard wanted Penny to see the doctor as soon as possible, since he worried about the stress she went through the last two months.

The last full day in Nebraska was spent doing wedding stuff, Leonard driving Meryl and Penny around to do some long lead time wedding tasks, like the cake and reserving a small banquet hall at the local VFW for the reception, along with the catering. Leonard just following the two women around providing comments when requested and otherwise just being supportive, holding Penny's hand or standing behind her with his arms around her waist as she leaned into him. It was actually would have been a tedious, boring day for him, but seeing Penny so involved and excited made his whole day magical, he never was not happy when he was with Penny.

So it was Saturday when Leonard saw Penny cry again, as she hugged her father then seemed not able to let go of her mother, her mother apparently in the same state of grief. "Mom I miss you already." Penny whispered.

Meryl couldn't help but smile as the tears rolled down her cheeks, she knew she had to be the steady one before her daughter began to outright sob again like she did when she arrived. "Sweetie, you're coming back in 5 weeks, so you won't be gone that long." Meryl said trying to calm her as she felt Penny nodding against her shoulder, then heard. "I know it is just…..I don't know…..thank you mom." Now Meryl had to actively try not to sob, the last two months had made them so much closer that they were even closer than before she left for California over ten years ago.

It was Leonard and Wyatt that finally broke them apart, both gently putting their hands on their shoulders and when they finally separated taking them into their arms. Penny kept looking and giving little waves to her parents as they made their way through security and when she passed through the metal detector, in front of Leonard, Leonard looked one last time back at her parents, who both nodded to him and gave him little waves. He got the feeling they were passing protecting her now off to him, protecting her something they had been doing the last two months that being the time he had deserted her. They were trusting him to protect her and he promised himself he would not let them down, so he nodded to them, then went through the metal detector to be with Penny.

Leonard sat so close to Penny at the gate, their hips were pushed against each others, he then put his arm around her and waited for her to look at him, which she did with a small smile on her face. So Leonard brought his face close to hers then whispered, "You know I adore you. There will never be another woman in my life but you, you are my life."

Penny touched his face, "Leonard I promise to be a better woman with you, a better girlfriend, fiancée and wife. I love you Leonard."

Leonard smiled, "I love you the way your are, you have always been perfect to me, if anything tell me you will never change."

"But.." Leonard put his finger on her lips

"Remember how sometimes you told me to stop talking." Leonard looked at her and Penny nodded. "Well I just told you I love you and want you just to stay the way you are, isn't it time for you to just accept that and just go on with your life, with me of course." Leonard chuckled

Penny giggled, "Sorry, I guess sometimes even I over think things."

The flight home was uneventful and they got lucky on the long flight leg from Chicago to Los Angles, they were the only two in a three seat row. It allowed Penny to raise the armrests and lay across the seats, her head on a pillow in Leonard's lap and sleep most of the flight. Leonard sat their gently rubbing her back almost the whole time, a extremely content feeling filling his whole being, him being just there with her. So it was evening when they finally arrived back at 2311 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, and after giving the cab driver a big tip, to obtain his help, they were finally in 4B with all their luggage.

Penny walked into the center of her apartment, it felt warm, the colors of everything cheered her up and she knew it was because she wasn't alone. She then turned to Leonard and saw him just standing in front of the closed door, a bland expression on his face as his eyes looked around, it made Penny frown. She felt she knew what he was thinking, he was remembering that night and probably thinking he never expected to be there again. "Honey, is something wrong." she cautiously asked.

Leonard shook himself and looked at her, a small smile on his face. "Do you know how long I wished I could move in with you."

Penny smiled then giggled, happy she was wrong, "Yeah, actually I do. You hinted moving in with me when I had that money problem years ago and I told you I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of you if you did."

They hadn't had sex since before that night, not once while at her parent's home, Penny being afraid that he wouldn't want her after what she did and too scared to find out. Now maybe things were better, she hoped, she was ready to take a chance. Leonard actually thought Penny's eyes twinkled when she said her next words in a low sultry voice, "I wasn't kidding about the hands thing you know."

He had been waiting till she was ready, he didn't want to do anything wrong with her, because he was scared he screw something up and make things worse. He was so worried about her that he decided to just move the intimate part of their relationship by what she seemed to want, he would wait for her until she was ready. Now as he looked in her eyes, he was pretty sure he knew where she wanted their relationship to go next, so when she took his hand and headed to the bedroom Leonard offered no resistance and just followed.