Word Count: 2261
Disclaimer: I don't own The Big Bang Theory or the characters.

The morning was still as Leonard stood in the front yard of the family home, the house behind him feeling both heavier and lighter than before. Samantha and Michael were beside him, their packed bags at their feet, ready to head back to their own lives. The siblings had shared so much over the past few days—grief, anger, confusion, and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of their complex family.

Samantha broke the silence, her voice soft. "So, this is it for now, huh?"

Leonard nodded, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Yeah, I guess it is. But it's not really goodbye. We'll keep in touch, I promise."

Michael gave him a small, tired smile. "We've got each other's numbers. And we're not going to let this be the last time we see each other, right?"

"Right," Leonard agreed, looking from one to the other. "We've been through a lot together. We need to keep that connection going."

Samantha reached out, pulling both her brothers into a tight hug. "We will. And when you're ready, Leonard, you can always come visit us—or we can come see you."

"Definitely," Michael added, his voice thick with emotion. "We're a family, for better or worse."

Leonard held on to them a little longer, feeling the weight of that word—family—and everything it had come to mean. When they finally let go, he stepped back, his throat tight. "Take care of yourselves," he said, his voice quieter now. "And if you ever need anything—anything at all—don't hesitate to call."

Samantha smiled, though her eyes were wet. "Same goes for you. Don't be a stranger, Leonard."

"I won't be," Leonard assured them. "Take care."

With final nods and lingering looks, Michael and Samantha picked up their bags and headed to their car. Leonard watched as they drove away, feeling a mixture of sadness and relief. He was proud of how far they'd come, even if there was still a long way to go.

After they left, Leonard turned back to the house and walked inside. He found Alfred sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee. The older man looked up as Leonard entered, a heavy expression on his face.

"Leonard," Alfred began, setting down his cup. "I'm glad you're here. I wanted to talk to you before you go."

Leonard nodded, sitting down across from him. "I wanted to talk to you too."

There was a moment of silence before Alfred spoke again. "I know these past few days have been hard—on all of us. I just want you to know... I'm sorry. For everything. I've made so many mistakes, and I can't undo them. But I want to be here for you, however you need me."

Leonard looked at his father, seeing the regret and vulnerability in his eyes. "I appreciate that, Alfred. I really do. But right now, I need some time to process everything I've learned. There's a lot I have to figure out, and I need to do that on my own terms."

Alfred nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to the table. "I understand. Take all the time you need. Just know that I'm here when you're ready."

"I will," Leonard said, standing up. "Thank you for that."

Leonard turned his back for a moment ready to leave the kitchen, when Alfred called out for him.

"Yes?" Leonard asked, looking back at his father.

Alfred stood up and walked over to the counter. He picked up a small, worn envelope and held it in his hands, weighing it for a moment before turning to face Leonard.

"Jacqueline gave this to me," Alfred said, holding the envelope out to Leonard. "She wanted me to give it to you when the time was right. I wasn't sure when that was, but... I guess now's the time."

Leonard stared at the envelope, realizing this was the first time he ever saw his biological mother's handwriting and how similar to his own it was. "What's in it?" he asked, though a part of him already knew it would hold something meaningful, something he might not be ready for yet.

Alfred shrugged, looking down at the envelope. "I don't know. She didn't tell me. Just said it was something you should have when you were ready to leave, to go back to your life."

Leonard took the envelope, turning it over in his hands, feeling the weight of whatever was inside. "I guess that means I should read it when I get home," he said quietly, slipping it into his jacket pocket.

There was a pause, the silence between them thick. Leonard could sense the hesitation in Alfred, as though there were still things he wanted to say but didn't know how to start.

"Look, Leonard," Alfred finally said, running a hand through his hair. "I know I haven't always been the best father. And I know things between us haven't been easy... especially after everything you've learned recently. But I want you to know that I... I'm proud of you. You've become a good man, despite everything."

Leonard blinked, surprised by Alfred's words. He hadn't expected this kind of vulnerability. "Thanks, dad," he said, his voice steady. "I know we've had our issues, but I've learned a lot through all of this. I've been thinking a lot about everything—about you, about Beverly, and Jacqueline. I guess it's just... it's complicated."

Alfred nodded, his gaze softening. "Yeah, I know it is. I've got my regrets, Leonard. Plenty of them. But one thing I never regretted was you. No matter what happened with Beverly or Jacqueline, you were always part of this family. And I hope you know that."

Leonard felt a lump form in his throat. He'd never heard Alfred speak like this before, and it hit harder than he expected. "I do know that," Leonard said, his voice quiet. "And I appreciate it. But I think... I just need some time to process everything. I'm still figuring out how all of this fits into my life now."

Alfred gave a small, understanding nod. "Take all the time you need, Leonard. And if you ever need to talk... well, I'm here."

"Thanks, Alfred. I'll keep that in mind."

They stood in silence for a few moments, neither quite knowing how to end the conversation.

"Do you think..." Alfred started, then hesitated, his voice a little quieter. "Do you think you'll come back?"

Leonard met Alfred's eyes, and after a beat, he gave a small smile. "Yeah, I'll come back. I'm not sure when, but I'll come back. There's still a lot to figure out, but I'm not disappearing."

Alfred smiled, a little relieved. "That's good to hear."

With that, Leonard reached for his bags, slinging one over his shoulder and holding the other in his hand. He gave Alfred one last nod before turning to open the door.

"Take care of yourself, Leonard," Alfred called after him.

"You too," Leonard replied, glancing over his shoulder. "And... thanks. For everything."

He left the kitchen and made his way upstairs to his childhood bedroom. As memories flooded back, he picked up his suitcase and the journal. With a deep breath, he walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. When he reaches downstairs, he takes a moment to look around the living room. Sighing, he nods to himself.

"Goodbye, mother." He said to the empty room. And with that, he stepped outside the house.

It wasn't a long drive to his biological mother's house. On the way, his thoughts were, for the first time in a long time, in what he was going to find once he returned home. He missed the routine of going to work, the comic bookstore, the movies. Returning home to his friends having dinner in his apartment, listening to the shenanigans that he hadn't been a part of. Just being in the same room as them. He missed them terribly, especially Penny, and he couldn't wait to return to her and their life.

As he finally arrived at the house, Leonard found himself slightly nervous, but still knocked on the door.

"Leonard," his biological mother greeted him. "Your father told me you were going back home. I wasn't sure if you'd come to see me before you left."

"I almost didn't," Leonard admitted, sitting down on the couch Jacqueline had told him to sit. "But I knew I needed to talk to you before I went back to California."

Jacqueline nodded, her eyes searching his face. "What's on your mind?"

For a moment, Leonard sat there, unsure of how to broach the subject of the envelope. But the curiosity had been gnawing at him ever since Alfred handed it over.

"Before I go... there's something I wanted to ask you about," Leonard said, reaching into his jacket pocket. He pulled out the small envelope, holding it up. "Alfred gave me this. He said you wanted me to have it when I was ready to leave."

Jacqueline's eyes flickered to the envelope, and she let out a soft sigh, her expression growing more thoughtful. "Ah. I was wondering when you'd mention that."

"What is it?" Leonard asked, still turning it over in his hands. "I haven't opened it yet."

Jacqueline gazed at the envelope for a long moment before speaking. "It's... something personal. A letter, of sorts. I wrote down some things that I wasn't sure I could ever say to you face-to-face. Things I thought you might need to hear, but only when you were ready."

Leonard felt a mix of emotions rise up—curiosity, apprehension, and a sense of something unresolved. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

She smiled gently, shaking her head. "Some things are hard to say out loud, Leonard. Especially when you don't know how someone will react. I wanted you to hear my side of things, but I didn't want to overwhelm you while you were here, dealing with everything. I thought... when the time comes, you'll read it. And maybe, it'll make sense then."

Leonard looked down at the envelope again, feeling its weight in his palm. "I'll read it when I get home."

"Take your time," Jacqueline said softly. "There's no rush."

He nodded, slipping the envelope back into his pocket. For a moment, they just sat in silence, the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves around them.

Leonard took a deep breath. "I want to get to know you. I really do. But I need to go back home first, to my life, and start figuring out how all of this fits together. It's a lot to take in, and I need some time to adjust."

"I understand," Jacqueline said softly. "And I want you to take all the time you need. We can start slow, whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," Leonard replied, relief washing over him. "I just didn't want to leave without telling you that I do want to build a relationship with you. It's just... going to take some time."

Jacqueline smiled, a mix of sadness and hope in her eyes. "I'll be here, Leonard. Whenever you're ready, I'm here."

Leonard stood up, feeling the weight lift from his shoulders. "I'll be in touch," he promised.

He left Jacqueline's living room and headed to the kitchen where he was told his half-siblings were gathered in, waiting to see if Leonard would say goodbye to them too. They looked up as he entered, a mixture of emotions on their faces.

Mandy was the first to speak. "You're really leaving, aren't you?"

Leonard nodded. "Yeah, I need to get back home. But I want you all to know that I'm here for you, too. Mandy, if you need any help with your PhD, don't hesitate to reach out. I've been through it, and I know how tough it can be."

Mandy smiled, a touch of gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks, Leonard. I'll keep that in mind."

"And you two," Leonard said, turning to Ryan and Jenny. "Don't be strangers. We're family, and I'd like to keep in touch."

Ryan nodded, looking a bit overwhelmed. "We will. I... I'd like that." He paused for a moment. "It's weird, isn't it? We've only just started to get to know each other, and now you're leaving."

"I know," Leonard said, looking at him. "But this doesn't have to be the end of it. We can keep in touch. I'm not disappearing, I promise."

Emily, who had been watching quietly from the door, stepped forward. "Are you coming back?" she asked, her voice small.

Leonard crouched down to meet her at eye level. "I will, Emily. I promise. This isn't the last time you'll see me."

She gave him a small smile, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "Okay."

With that, Leonard stood up, gave each of them a hug, and walked out the front door. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything that had happened, and the hope for what was yet to come.

The drive to the airport was quiet, giving Leonard time to reflect. When he finally boarded the plane, he felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years. He was going home—not just to California, but to his life, ready to face the future with a new perspective.

As the plane took off, Leonard looked out the window, the landscape below shrinking into the distance. He didn't know exactly what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain: he was ready to live it.

End of Chapter 13

And here it is. The return home. Just a few more chapters left!