:Do You Regret?:
"Penny?"
The blonde looked up from her laundry cautiously. Whenever Sheldon used that tone she knew he was about to start a serious, usually uncomfortable, conversation. The last one had involved her going along to hold his hand while he had a prostrate examine. Never. Again.
"What is it, sweetie?"
Sheldon turned to face her, looking a bit worried. "Have you ever regretted not marrying Leonard?"
Penny paused and thought about how best to answer. "I regret how we ended," she said softly. "Hurting Leonard was never my intention. I tried to be who he wanted, but in the end, neither of us were happy. If we had gotten married, we would have divorced badly. We would have made each other miserable."
He clutched his hands together tightly. "Do you regret never marrying at all?"
Penny tilted her head and studied him carefully. The grey hair, the bifocals, the receding hairline, even the laugh lines around his eyes told of a long, happy life. "Sheldon, I have lived a very full life. I've seen the world, twice over. We've been to Italy, France, Germany, South Africa, even Greenland. I was by your side when you were awarded your Nobel Prize. I've been your secretary, your nurse, and most importantly, your best friend through it all. I've had many opportunities over the last fifty years to marry, have a family, and go my own way. I chose to go yours instead. I have never regretted that. Not even once."
He gave her a shy smile and nodded. "I am glad. I never wanted to stand in your way, but I would have hated to be alone."
They finished folding their clothes and headed out to the kitchen. Penny fixed some grilled cheese sandwiches while Sheldon poured them lemonade. Penny grinned and looked over at him. "Moon Pie? Do you ever wish you had married?"
Sheldon snorted and carried the glasses to the table. "Penny. Penny. Penny. Why on earth would I marry? I have you. I have no need for anyone else."
She hugged him tight before sitting down. "I know. I just wanted you to say it."