Disclaimer: All songs and known work is the property of the artists and producers who made them. I just am thankfully granted to play with them. All the songs listed are by amazing singers and performers whose music moved me enough to write this story. So all respect for them and their hard work. That being said, the poem that is in this chapter was written by a dear friend of mine for the purpose of this story. So that is original and not owned by anyone but him. If you wish to use it or a part of it, please reach out to me via PM. I primarily use the app on my cell phone now as it's easier so to PM me there as the webpage system does not connect up to it. So unless I happen to be in my inbox, I can go several months without seeing the PM. Leaving a comment stating you wish to talk to me will work as well as comments go to my email. Have a fun time with this. And yes, the ending is meant to end the way it does. This was a conscious choice on my part. If you have questions, please, feel free to drop a comment or shoot me a PM.
Penny's phone dinged as she sat down outside the gate for her train. She immediately opened the text message that Sheldon had sent this time.
Penny,
Listen to this as it is the only thing I can think of right now. I am almost there now. Just… Please?
-Sheldon
Penny clicked on the video link, once again being taken to youtube. This time a choir song played in a very melancholy tune. It was beautifully, breathtakingly sad. But so full of emotions. She wondered where he had heard it before. She quickly put in her headphones to be able to hear it better over the noise of the station before restarting the song.
Will you teach me? How to sail…
through space upon a comet's tail?
Will you teach me how to fly?
To sail the skies on wings untried
Will you teach me? How to soar
To see things never seen before?
But most importantly of all,
Will you teach me how to fall?
Will you teach me how to cry?
To release the feelings deep inside?
Will you teach me how to laugh?
And travel off the beaten path?
Will you teach me how to dream?
(Teach me how to dream)
To face the future sight unseen?
Will you teach me how to sail?
(teach me how to sail)
through space upon a comet's tail?
Will you teach me how to fly?
To sail the skies on wings untried
Will you teach me? How to soar
To see things never seen before?
But most importantly of all,
Will you teach me how to fall?
But most importantly of all,
Will you teach me how to be
The only thing I can be… Me?
Will you teach me?
Penny sent Sheldon only a few words in reply.
Moonpie,
Yes… I can teach you. If you will let me. -Penny
She didn't get an answer from Sheldon. And she wondered where he was. It was getting close to when her train was supposed to be there. She really wasn't paying attention to the people around her. Nor the announcements being made. Raj quickly pulled her head phones off as the most recent announcement went off again.
"Just listen," Raj told her before she could say anything.
"Attention to all passengers. Would Queen Penelope please look at the nearest monitor screen, there is a message for you from Sheldor."
Penny glanced over to the boarding screen. Along with everyone else in the near vicinity. What she saw took her breath away. Pictures of her, Sheldon and the guys filled the screen. Starting from when she first moved in across the way from Sheldon. The very first one being a hand drawn picture of her smile as she looked at Sheldon's whiteboard. After a few moments a song started to play and Penny started to cry. She didn't know what else to do.
You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everythin' that's green, girl, I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it
You gotta know you're wanted too
'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Anyone can tell you you're pretty
You get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty's deeper than the make-up
And I wanna show you what I see tonight
When I wrap you up
When I kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
'Cause, baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
As good as you make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
You're more than everything I need
You're all I ever wanted
All I ever wanted
And I just wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
And never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted
Baby, I wanna make you feel wanted
You'll always be wanted
The song ended on that same hand drawn picture. The words "Turn Around" displayed on the screen as the song and pictures faded away. Penny turned to see Sheldon, standing there with flowers in his hands and a look in his eyes she had never seen before.
"Sheldon…" Penny sighed so softly that only his vulcan hearing picked it up. Everything had gone quiet in their area by the gate. It seemed like even the announcements had stopped.
Sheldon licked his lips to wet them as he slowly walked over to her. He knew what he wanted to say and he hoped she understood. "Penny…" Sheldon paused before continuing.
"Though I never truly knew
The love I have for you
How my heart feels
Always fluttered
Straight through
Every time I see you
Though my mind races constantly
It slows every time I see you
You help me relax
You help me see
The more beautiful side
Of this violent world
That we reside
You give me hope
You give me pride
Everytime
I see the gimmer in your eye
You make me smile
You make me cry
Everytime you swing on by
The love I feel
I never knew
I never truly
Understood you
But now I do
I see the love
I see the glee
I see the moon
I see the sea
I see the peace you bring me
Though others may not see
I won't be happy
Till your with me"
By this time Sheldon was standing right in front of Penny. He handed her the flowers and just waited for her to say something.
"Who wrote that?" She asked while smiling up at him. Her heart was fluttering rapidly. Did this mean he loved her? But how could it? Penny thought to herself.
"I did. It was all I could think about after reading that first email. I did as you asked. I thought about everyone and what they meant to me. But all I could think about was you. About you leaving. And I had to find you. I have to tell you…" Sheldon's voice dropped off as if he was scared or didn't quite know what to say.
"Tell me what sweetie?" Penny's eyes were shining with unshed tears. She hoped and prayed he felt the same. And that was what he wanted to tell her. But she didn't honestly believe he did.
"Penny… I meant every word of that poem. Every word." Sheldon took a breath to gather his courage but she spoke first.
"I don't understand… what are you trying to say?" Penny's eyes showed her confusion.
Sheldon could see that he wasn't getting through to her so he decided to show her instead. As Penny went to speak again, he moved quickly. He wrapped his left hand in her hair at the back of her head, his right hand went to her hip as he pulled her to his chest.
"This…" he muttered as his head descended just that little bit needed to claim her lips with his. There was hooting and whistles. But for once he didn't care. He didn't care if they were in public nor whatever germs were around. All he cared about was pouring all his emotions, wants, needs into that kiss. He opened his very soul for her to feel.
It could have been mere seconds, minutes, hours or even days before they separated. Penny couldn't tell and really didn't care to. That kiss had been so much more than she had ever thought, expected, or dreamed about. It was all those child fairy tale fantasies combined into one kiss and it was still better and more than that. Penny literally saw fireworks behind her eyes as she felt his arms tighten around her for a moment before he pulled back enough to see her face. She slowly opened her eyes to see his brilliant blue ones staring at her. Looking at her as if he had just solved string theory and she was his whiteboard.
"I love you Penny. I love you more than anything. More than everything. I do not want you to go, but I understand that you need to go. I just couldn't let you leave thinking I didn't care. That I didn't love you. I want to be your man. Your knight in shining armor. Your prince who saves you from your tower prison. I want to be the man who will fight by your side. I want to be the father of your children. I want… you. I want you there when I win my nobel prize. It would mean nothing to me without you there by my side. I want to be able to hold you every night. To wake up to you every morning. In my arms. Forever. You are the chaos I have always needed. You complete me. You once asked me what I want in my life. What would make me happy. That answer is you. You make me happy. You make me look forward to new experiences. You make me look at the stars and see beauty. I want…" Sheldon moved a lock of hair from her face before finishing. "I want you to return to me. I know you have to go. But I want you to come home. To me. And be my wife someday. When you are ready. That is what I want, Penelope. It's always been you."
Penny leaned up and kissed him again as a response. This time she poured herself into the kiss. Letting him feel everything. When they finally separated again, the train was there. But she had to respond. She had to tell him.
"I want the same thing Sheldon. I want to be Mrs. Penelope Cooper. Wife to Dr. Sheldon Cooper. But I have to go and find myself first. And mom and dad need me right now." Penny kissed him again. "I promise I will be back. I promise I will marry you then. When we are both ready."
Sheldon let her go as she needed to board the train. But he quickly pulled a ring from his pocket. He slid it on her finger, before she turned to leave.
"What is this?" Penny looked at Sheldon searchingly.
"It's my alumni ring from Caltech. It's a representation of my promise to wait. If you ever change your mind, just give it back. I won't ask questions. But I will always love you Penelope."
She kissed him one last time before boarding the train. Leaning out the nearest window a few moments later she responded. "The next time this ring comes off better be when you put an engagement ring on me buddy. Because I will never take it off. I love you. I will call you as soon as I can."
Sheldon's smile was all she needed to keep going. Little did he know that she had left her high school class ring on his pillow in his room. With a note that said to wear it if he loved her. She had it resized to fit him. Just as he seemed to have done for his class ring for her to wear.
Sheldon watched the train leave, refusing to leave that spot until it was gone. He turned to Raj with a smile on his face. Even though she had left, she had agreed to be his wife someday. And had taken the ring with her. He knew they both had a long way to go before they would both be happy, truly happy. But now he knew he wasn't alone anymore. Not truly. And he would spend every day of the rest of his life proving to her that being with him was worth it. That he could make her happy.
Later that night, when he finally went to his room to go to sleep, there on his pillow was an envelope waiting for him. Inside was her ring and the note attached.
Sheldon,
I told you I was not leaving you, not really. So I got my high school class ring resized to fit you. Please wear it and remember that I love you. This ring I hold very dear to me so I will be back for it. That is my promise to you. As long as you wear this ring, I promise to come back to you someday. For now, I need to work on myself. Being here… I do not like the girl I have started to become. So I need to go home and remind myself of my roots and my true self. I really hope you understand. You can call me at any time. I love you so much. And once I get settled, I will let you know where I am in case you want to visit. I will miss you greatly, and I am so sorry that this will mess up your routines. But please… Please remember that I am but a phone call away. I love you so much.
Your Penny Blossom
P.S. I left one of my favorite Hello Kitty Doll next to your Lord of the Ring action figures. I figured, if you ever need me at night or miss me. I'm there in spirit. The Penny Blossom I kept was the very first one you and I made. It reminds me of that part of you, you don't show. I will probably be crawling into bed now. So I will say goodnight, my moonpie. I will call you later. I love you so very much.
Sheldon picked up the doll and sighed. He smiled to himself as he fingered the hair barrette gently. It looked good on the doll. Which was wearing paintball gear. He smiled again as he turned out the light and curled up in bed, hugging the doll. Remembering what it felt like to hold her those few brief seconds. He wondered how long it would take her to find the stuffed Sheldor bear he sneaked into her bag. He hoped she saw it before she fell asleep.
Just as he was falling asleep his phone dinged. It was a picture of Penny curled up with the teddy bear. The caption said, "From Penelope with love to her Sheldor."
He smiled, snapped a quick pic back with the caption "She stays in my arms every night till you get back. I love you too."
Unknown to both of them, they both fell into a deep sleep thinking about each other and with sweet tender smiles on their faces, thinking of the next time they see each other again.