"SHELDON LEE COOPER!"

He raced into the living room only to skid to a stop when he saw what was going on.

"You better have a good excuse for this!" Penny said through gritted teeth.

He quickly began gathering up the beakers and chemicals spread all over the kitchen. "Sorry!" He watched her swipe a towel across her t-shirt, muttering about whack-a-doodles, evil scientists and lab accidents. He carried everything back to his bedroom and put it away.

"Everything okay?" Missy asked from the bedroom doorway.

He nodded and looked over at her with a wry grin. "I forgot to put my experiment away when I was through."

Missy walked in and sat down on the bed. "You know how Penny is. She'll be mad for a moment but she loves you too much to stay that way. In fact if you go back out there, she'll probably plant a kiss on your cheek and hug you silly."

He grinned and sat down beside her. "She does have a tendency to do that, huh?"

Missy slid an arm around his back and hugged him loosely. "Go get ready for dinner. Meemaw will be by soon."

He stood and hurried away. Missy walked out into the kitchen where Penny was placing the meatloaf in the oven. "Another experiment gone haywire?"

Penny looked over at her and shook her head. "Not really. I went to move his tube thingies and spilled something. Did he put everything away safely?"

Missy nodded. "He's taking a shower now."

Penny sighed and leaned back against the counter. "He's growing up so fast. Seventeen and already getting offers from NASA, CERN, and a dozen think tanks." She looked at Missy sadly. "He's going to accept one soon, you know."

Missy walked over and hugged Penny close. "He's got a lot of his father in him. But he's got a lot of you, too. He'll be okay."

Penny sniffled and hugged Missy back. "I want to turn back time and start all over again. Cuddle him in my arms and sing him Soft Kitty when he's teething. Play dates and birthdays. Teaching him to ride a bike or a bull. It never lasts long enough."

The backdoor opened and Sheldon walked in with Mary. As soon as he saw the tears in Penny's eyes he hurried over. "Honey? What's wrong?"

She shook her head and wrapped her arms around him tight. "He's growing up!" she sobbed against his chest.

Sheldon relaxed and rubbed her back. "Yes, he is. And he's grown up into a bright, well-adjusted young man. There is no reason for tears."

"Meemaw!" Sheldon Jr. ran across the room and threw his arms around Mary tightly.

Mary laughed and hugged him back. "I swear you've grown an inch since last week."

Sheldon Jr. pulled away and grabbed her hand. "Wait until you see what I've been doing. It's going to revolutionize the way we cultivate crops."

Missy followed with a smile, leaving Sheldon and Penny alone. Penny sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "How was work?"

Sheldon bent his head and kissed her. "Your daughter provoked Director Hensley again."

Penny smirked and drew away to check on the meal. "Why is she 'my' daughter when she gets stubborn, and not 'our' daughter?"

Sheldon placed a kiss under her ear and snatched a warm roll from the basket on the table. "Because I am a delightful employee who never bucks the system."

Penny threw her potholder at him as he sped from the room. She couldn't help but laugh. "Dinner in ten minutes! Put away the whiteboards!"

She turned back to the counter and drained the ears of corn. She never did become a famous actress. She never did become rich and loved by millions. Instead she chose a bat-crap crazy life with a Texas genius, and a couple of child prodigies. Best decision she ever made.