Fic: The Crossroads Conundrum, Part 5
Title: The Crossroads Conundrum
Part 5: Penny
Author: she_burns1
Pairing: Sheldon/Penny, Leonard/Penny, mentions Raj/Missy
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,005
Summary: Future!fic! Sheldon, Penny, and Leonard all thought they knew exactly what they wanted, but with a big change on the way, all three begin to question themselves, and each of them is lead in a direction they had not anticipated.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The plot is all mine. No copyright infringement is intended.
Back to: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter - James Earl Jones
Penny exited her apartment and could hear Raj and Howard talking as they came up the stairs.
“…even if I could talk to her, I don’t know what I’d say.”
“I could give you some ideas.”
“If I want ideas on how to get slapped in the face I’ll ask you, otherwise, I think I’ll pass.”
“Come on, Raj, you’d have to drink to talk to her anyway, so what difference will it make if she slaps you?”
“So…you’re admitting that your ideas would get me slapped?”
“Possibly,” Howard paused, “Probably. Look, I’m sorry but, you know, we’ll probably all need a good laugh if what Leonard says is true and you getting slapped is a guaranteed guffaw.”
“Oh really? Well I thin-” The end of this word fizzled into a whine before ending completely as Raj came face to face with Penny.
“Hi Howard! Raj!” Penny greeted warmly.
“Ah, now there’s a shiny penny!” Howard returned and Penny wrinkled her nose, “Wow. Really?”
Howard had the good sense to look slightly chagrined, “Yeah, sorry, not my best. It’s been a busy morning.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Well-” Howard was about to elaborate but Raj elbowed him sharply in the ribs. Howard cried out and rubbed at his side, scowling accusingly at his friend. Raj shot him a very telling look and Howard’s eyebrows rose.
Penny watched the silent exchange with interest as Howard and Raj seemed to be communicating mentally. At last Howard spoke again, “It’s nothing, Penny.”
“Nothing?”
“Nope.”
Penny looked at him curiously, swaying from foot to foot, “Nothing at all?”
“No.”
“Well then, why do you need a good laugh?”
“A good wha-ha?” Howard gasped, scratching at the back of his head. Raj’s lips clamped together even harder if possible.
“I heard you. Coming up the stairs. You said if what Leonard says is true, you will all need a good laugh. So, why will you need a good laugh? What did Leonard say?”
Howard’s mouth flapped silently, the look on his face almost comical as Raj eased towards the door of Leonard’s apartment, obviously looking for the best escape route.
Howard licked his lips, eyes squinted in thought, “Oh, well, you know, Leonard. He said…you know…things. Things that the bride-to-be doesn’t need to worry her pretty little head about.”
“Oh yeah? Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
Howard wiped his sweaty palms off on his tight purple jeans and struggled to think of a good answer, “It’s nothing! Nothing. It’s…it’s just…it’s a…science….thing.”
Penny raised one eyebrow, “A science thing?”
“Yeah. Yes. A science…it’s…Leonard has been having an issue with this theoretical argument against a Bose-Einstein condensate in Superfluid.” Howard shot all this out rapidly and looked rather pleased with himself when he finished talking.
Penny and Raj were, likewise, pretty impressed by this and both looked at him with wide eyes, albeit for different reasons. Penny blinked, “Superfluid?”
Seeing the perfect opportunity to get out, Howard grinned wolfishly and took it, “Yes, and he’s a bit broken up about it, but me, I never worry about my super-”
“Hold it right there,” Penny begged, holding up one hand, face contorted with revulsion, “That’s enough for me. You guys can talk about your…yeah, whatever, in private. I’ve got to run anyway, I’m picking up Missy from the airport.”
“Oh, the lovely Miss Missy,” Howard waggled his eyebrows, “Well, you just tell her I said-”
“Yeah, can’t talk, got to go!” Penny said swiftly, practically bolting down the stairs in her efforts to escape another Howard-Wolowitz-pick-up-line/inndeundo.
Once Penny was gone, Raj just looked at Howard and shook his head, “Well, that worked.”
“What can I say?,” Howard shrugged, “I’m a genius.”
“At being deliberately disgusting?”
“Works every time.”
Raj just sighed, “No ‘probably’ about it, your ideas would have gotten me slapped.”
88888888888
“I can’t tell you again how much I appreciate you doing this for me,” Penny gushed as she helped Missy bring her luggage up the apartment steps.
“Oh, it’s really not a problem! Though, I have to say, it seems like the only thing that brings me to California is weddings. Maybe I should stick around so I can finally have one of my own.”
“You looking to walk down the aisle?”
“Honey, what woman isn’t?”
“I can think of a few,” Penny tossed under her breath as they finished the trek up the stairs and reached the fourth floor. Penny put down Missy’s bags and reached into her purse to fish out her apartment keys.
Missy eyed the door of 4A, head titled to one side, “Boys over there?”
“I’d imagine so.”
“Hmm.”
There was a brief silence as Penny continued looking for the keys and Missy continued looking at the door. Right as Penny found her keys, Missy spoke again, “So…what about that one lil’ friend of Shelly’s?”
“Which one?”
“Oh, you know,” Missy tried to sound as casual as possible, “The tall, dark, and handsome one.”
“Tall? None of them are particularly tall…”
“Okay, the dark and handsome one, then.”
Penny froze, face scrunched up as if she’d been sucking on something sour, “Please tell me you don’t mean Howard.”
Missy pulled the same face, “No, no, not that one.”
Something seemed to click in Penny’s mind and her face brightened as she pointed her keys in Missy’s direction knowingly, “Ohhh, you mean Raj!”
Missy didn’t answer but the look on her face was enough and Penny laughed as she turned to unlock her apartment, saying over her shoulder, “I knew it!”
“Knew what?”
“Knew that things hadn’t changed. You seemed pretty interested that one time and this time…” Penny trailed off as she opened her door and took Missy’s things inside.
Missy followed and closed the door behind them, “Well, he was awfully sweet. Maybe tried a little too hard but, I don’t know…little bit of work and he could be something.”
“You think?” Penny asked as she took a seat on her couch. Missy sat next to her, shaking her head, “I don’t know. I just…now and then I’d find myself thinking about him. He’s…I mean, for the little amount of time I've spent with him…he’s different, you know? So different from most guys and there was this,” Missy shrugged, as she struggled to find the words, “This spark.”
Penny thought of that, of that ‘spark’ and she licked her lips, clearing her throat as she got to her feet, “You thirsty? I’ve got lemonade…”
“Yeah, yeah, sounds good,” Missy said and leaned back into the couch, “And I mean, he IS cute.”
“That’s true.”
“What do you know about him?”
“About who?” Penny asked absent mindedly as she poured them drinks, her mind still caught up on sparks.
Missy rolled her eyes, “Raj.”
“Oh. Him,” Penny handed Missy her drink and, sipping her own, sat down on the couch again, “Well, I mean, I told you a bit last time. He’s a nice guy as far as I can tell. Just…quiet. Can’t really talk to women so, as you can imagine, that’s a real roadblock in getting to know him.”
“You mean he still doesn’t talk to you?”
“Not so much. If he’s had a drink, sure, but…even though I’m with Leonard and even though I’ve known them a long time… a bit tipsy once he told me that, despite all that, I’m still an attractive woman.”
Penny sighed, head tilting back in consideration, “It’s a pretty huge compliment when you think about it. Year after year passes, you get a little older and you think to yourself, ‘maybe I’m not as pretty as I used to be, maybe I’m getting old’ and then there’s this guy who still can’t talk to you because he thinks you’re too gorgeous to talk to.”
Missy’s eyebrows rose and she nodded, “Yeah, I’d say that’s one hell of a compliment.”
Penny grinned mischievously, “They’ll be plenty of alcohol at the wedding, champagne toasts and the like, I imagine we can loosen his lips a bit then.”
“Hmm, might do that,” Missy conceded, looking quite devilish herself as she confided, “But then, might not. I do have a few tricks up my sleeves, you know.”
“Oh?”
Missy didn’t elaborate further, instead just winking, and Penny smiled, “Missy, again, I just…I have to thank you for this.”
“Ah, come on now, darlin’, you can’t keep thanking me forever.”
“Yeah I know; it’s just…my sister really wanted to be my Maid of Honor but she doesn’t have the time right now, what with all the trouble with her husband going on and…I mean, I’m not particularly anti-social but I don’t have many girlfriends. At least not any close enough to,” she shook her head, “And I certainly couldn’t ask Howard or Raj to be my Maid of Honor so-”
“Penny, honey, truly, I don’t mind. I mean, you and me, we’ve talked before the couple of times I’ve been by to see Shelly and I mean, I like you. Heck, if I do end up staying here, who knows…”
Penny voiced her surprised, “You really are thinking of moving up here?”
Missy shrugged, “Well, remember the first time I came up this way and met you, one of my friends was getting married? Well, seems she’s got herself into the fashion business and she wants me to model her clothes. Says I got the face and the height for it so….who knows? I never thought of myself as much of the model type, but…”
She sighed, voice thoughtful, “I could certainly use the money and the change of scenery. Been hanging around Mama a good long while now, just making sure she could stand firm on her own two feet after Daddy’s passing. She’s a strong woman, no doubt about that, and if she knew, I’m sure she’d tell me she didn’t need me, but…those first few months…”
Penny shifted about on the couch; face curious, “Sheldon never talks about it. You, your family, his-”
Missy chuckled dryly, “That’s Shelly for you. He ain’t much of a talker.”
Penny blinked, “You’re joking, right?”
“Oh, no, I mean, he talks. Lord knows, you can’t get the boy to shut up if you mention the right thing. He’ll babble on end about string-what’s-it’s and quantum-whatevers but…when it comes to talking, real heart to heart talking, boy seals up tighter than bark on a tree. Always been like that.”
Penny was silent as she drank her lemonade. It was sweet but sour. Huh. How fitting.
Missy turned to her, eyes sparkling, “But enough about that, what about you! The Bride! You must be excited!”
“Yeah,” Penny breathed, pushing a few strands of loose hair behind one ear, “Excited.”
“You and Leonard…who would have thought.”
“I know…but, it works,” Penny offered, “And he’s such a great guy. Sweet and caring and…I mean, he’s one of the best boyfriends I’ve ever had. And he’ll make a wonderful husband.”
For someone, her thoughts tossed in viciously and she tried not to flinch.
“Well, I’m happy for you, girl!” Missy smiled warmly, “And I can’t wait to plan a bachelorette party for you and the dress! Did you pick out the dress?”
Before Penny could answer Missy waved a hand, “Oh, look at me, crazy talk! Of course you have! Wedding’s only a bit off. Sure you picked out a dress ages ago!”
Penny licked her lips and avoided Missy’s eyes. Truthfully she had just recently picked out the dress. The shop assured her they could get it fitted and ready in a rush but they gave her rather stern looks about the whole ordeal, rather snippily remarking that most women got their dresses months in advance - why did she wait so long?
She didn’t want to tell them why, she could barely say why to herself.
Missy continued talking, oblivious to Penny’s internal strife, “I can’t wait to see it! I bet it’s gorgeous! Just think, a couple more weeks and you’ll be Mrs. Penny Hofstadter!”
Missy’s face fell, “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“That,” Missy pointed at her, “You made a face.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No…”
“Yes, yes,” Missy’s finger moved through the air in a circle, “You made a face when I said Penny Hofstadter! Oh! Look! You did it again!”
“I didn’t!” Penny cried desperately, shaking her head rapidly.
“But you did! Penny, your whole face twitched! Like the way Shelly’s face’ll twitch when-” Missy gasped loudly, “Oh my god! Are you…you’re not…Penny, are you having second thoughts?!”
Penny hadn’t stopped shaking her head and she continued to do so, once more avoiding Missy’s eyes and Missy pressed a hand to her mouth, her own head shaking as well, “Penny…oh, Penny…honey…”
Penny stopped shaking her head, instead burying her face in her hands, voice coming out brokenly, “Missy…”
Missy quickly wrapped her arms around Penny and started rubbing her back and shoulders, “Oh, Penny…”
Neither spoke for a while, Penny crying softly and Missy holding her. At last Penny spoke, “Missy…I love Leonard! I love him!”
“I know you do.”
“But…I just…I’m so…afraid. And…lost, and…I just, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do.”
“Penny,” Missy said softly, “Penny, if you’re not sure…”
“But, I am! I mean, I have to be! Missy, I’m getting married!”
Missy looked terribly uncomfortable as she asked quietly, “Are you?”
Penny didn’t know how to answer and she just shook her head again. Missy took in a deep breath and got to her feet. She scouted about until she found some tissues and brought them over to Penny, who thanked her quietly.
Penny wiped at her face and Missy continued to rub her arm reassuringly. Penny chuckled, the sound watery, “Wow…you’re good at this.”
“Oh honey, you have no idea how many a girl I’ve helped through a good cry. Too many are those I’ve worked with who found their boyfriend cheating on them or just plain broke up. Then there’s those sad lil’ things that go and find themselves knocked up and not ready. Bit different from this, but,” Missy froze, eyes wide, “Um, you’re not-”
Penny looked horrified at the very idea, “Oh, no, no, no!”
“Whew, good then,” Missy said with a relieved smile, “That would’ve made this even worse.”
Penny sighed, rubbing another tissue along the bottom of her nose, “I…Leonard. Missy…I love Leonard. I do, I do…I just…don’t know if I do enough to…”
“To say ‘I do’?” Missy offered and Penny shot her a look. Missy held up her hands weakly, “Sorry, lame, I know. Came into my head and I couldn’t help but say it.”
“So…not so different from Sheldon after all, huh?”
Missy shrugged, “He may be one of God’s special little people, but we are blood. Can’t help but share a thing or two in common.”
“Welllllll, your brother is certainly one to have something come into his head and,” Penny began to speak haltingly, her eyes distant, “…not be able to help but…say it.”
Missy leveled Penny with a hard gaze, “Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Penny…”
Penny sighed, rolling her eyes, “Missy, sweetie, you’ve got to stop reading me like a book. I barely know you!”
Missy chuckled, “Can’t says as I mean to, but…you’re pretty open right about now. Not to mention that, not knowing you very well, not seeing you everyday…maybe it just gives me a good outsider’s advantage. I can just sorta peer in.”
“Or you’ve just got one hell of an intuition.”
“Mama’d probably agree more with that one,” Missy clicked her tongue, “Always said I had a nasty knack for seeing too well into things. Sometimes I think she prayed to God I’d go blind…or at least need glasses.”
Penny didn’t respond to that, instead just smirking sadly. Missy didn’t let her off the hook, “Come on though, what’s that about then? What you said about my brother. He giving you a hard time?”
“No…no, not really.”
“Penny, if Shelly said something that upset you, something that’s making you doubt yourself and the wedding, girl, you just let me know and I promise you, as your Maid of Honor, I’ll be more than happy to handle it. Actually, just as the man’s sister I’ll be more than happy to handle it,” Missy sucked in a breath and flexed her fingers menacingly, “Yup, always ready to go another round.”
“No,” Penny breathed, voice sad, “No, Sheldon didn’t…it wasn’t anything he said…”
“Well then what-” Missy froze.
She absolutely froze.
She looked at Penny and her eyes grew wide, mouth dropping open, voice hard to find and when she did it was a breathy whisper, “No…”
Penny looked at her, light green eyes watery.
Missy was still thunderstruck, “No…can’t…you can’t be…”
Penny swallowed thickly.
Missy felt as if someone had clocked her hard in the jaw, as if an anvil had crashed down on her head, as if the world she knew no longer existed. In fact, it no longer did. Her world was a fragile little ornament that had fallen and crashed, exploding into millions of little crushed pieces.
This wasn’t possible.
Missy blinked, “Shelly? Penny…you and…and Shel-,” Missy broke off before she could even say his nickname, instead gulping, mouth dry.
Penny blinked rapidly, and licked her lips before she said so softly that it was almost inaudible, “Let me tell you a story…”
Part 5: Penny
Author: she_burns1
Pairing: Sheldon/Penny, Leonard/Penny, mentions Raj/Missy
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,005
Summary: Future!fic! Sheldon, Penny, and Leonard all thought they knew exactly what they wanted, but with a big change on the way, all three begin to question themselves, and each of them is lead in a direction they had not anticipated.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The plot is all mine. No copyright infringement is intended.
Back to: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter - James Earl Jones
Penny exited her apartment and could hear Raj and Howard talking as they came up the stairs.
“…even if I could talk to her, I don’t know what I’d say.”
“I could give you some ideas.”
“If I want ideas on how to get slapped in the face I’ll ask you, otherwise, I think I’ll pass.”
“Come on, Raj, you’d have to drink to talk to her anyway, so what difference will it make if she slaps you?”
“So…you’re admitting that your ideas would get me slapped?”
“Possibly,” Howard paused, “Probably. Look, I’m sorry but, you know, we’ll probably all need a good laugh if what Leonard says is true and you getting slapped is a guaranteed guffaw.”
“Oh really? Well I thin-” The end of this word fizzled into a whine before ending completely as Raj came face to face with Penny.
“Hi Howard! Raj!” Penny greeted warmly.
“Ah, now there’s a shiny penny!” Howard returned and Penny wrinkled her nose, “Wow. Really?”
Howard had the good sense to look slightly chagrined, “Yeah, sorry, not my best. It’s been a busy morning.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Well-” Howard was about to elaborate but Raj elbowed him sharply in the ribs. Howard cried out and rubbed at his side, scowling accusingly at his friend. Raj shot him a very telling look and Howard’s eyebrows rose.
Penny watched the silent exchange with interest as Howard and Raj seemed to be communicating mentally. At last Howard spoke again, “It’s nothing, Penny.”
“Nothing?”
“Nope.”
Penny looked at him curiously, swaying from foot to foot, “Nothing at all?”
“No.”
“Well then, why do you need a good laugh?”
“A good wha-ha?” Howard gasped, scratching at the back of his head. Raj’s lips clamped together even harder if possible.
“I heard you. Coming up the stairs. You said if what Leonard says is true, you will all need a good laugh. So, why will you need a good laugh? What did Leonard say?”
Howard’s mouth flapped silently, the look on his face almost comical as Raj eased towards the door of Leonard’s apartment, obviously looking for the best escape route.
Howard licked his lips, eyes squinted in thought, “Oh, well, you know, Leonard. He said…you know…things. Things that the bride-to-be doesn’t need to worry her pretty little head about.”
“Oh yeah? Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
Howard wiped his sweaty palms off on his tight purple jeans and struggled to think of a good answer, “It’s nothing! Nothing. It’s…it’s just…it’s a…science….thing.”
Penny raised one eyebrow, “A science thing?”
“Yeah. Yes. A science…it’s…Leonard has been having an issue with this theoretical argument against a Bose-Einstein condensate in Superfluid.” Howard shot all this out rapidly and looked rather pleased with himself when he finished talking.
Penny and Raj were, likewise, pretty impressed by this and both looked at him with wide eyes, albeit for different reasons. Penny blinked, “Superfluid?”
Seeing the perfect opportunity to get out, Howard grinned wolfishly and took it, “Yes, and he’s a bit broken up about it, but me, I never worry about my super-”
“Hold it right there,” Penny begged, holding up one hand, face contorted with revulsion, “That’s enough for me. You guys can talk about your…yeah, whatever, in private. I’ve got to run anyway, I’m picking up Missy from the airport.”
“Oh, the lovely Miss Missy,” Howard waggled his eyebrows, “Well, you just tell her I said-”
“Yeah, can’t talk, got to go!” Penny said swiftly, practically bolting down the stairs in her efforts to escape another Howard-Wolowitz-pick-up-line/inndeundo.
Once Penny was gone, Raj just looked at Howard and shook his head, “Well, that worked.”
“What can I say?,” Howard shrugged, “I’m a genius.”
“At being deliberately disgusting?”
“Works every time.”
Raj just sighed, “No ‘probably’ about it, your ideas would have gotten me slapped.”
88888888888
“I can’t tell you again how much I appreciate you doing this for me,” Penny gushed as she helped Missy bring her luggage up the apartment steps.
“Oh, it’s really not a problem! Though, I have to say, it seems like the only thing that brings me to California is weddings. Maybe I should stick around so I can finally have one of my own.”
“You looking to walk down the aisle?”
“Honey, what woman isn’t?”
“I can think of a few,” Penny tossed under her breath as they finished the trek up the stairs and reached the fourth floor. Penny put down Missy’s bags and reached into her purse to fish out her apartment keys.
Missy eyed the door of 4A, head titled to one side, “Boys over there?”
“I’d imagine so.”
“Hmm.”
There was a brief silence as Penny continued looking for the keys and Missy continued looking at the door. Right as Penny found her keys, Missy spoke again, “So…what about that one lil’ friend of Shelly’s?”
“Which one?”
“Oh, you know,” Missy tried to sound as casual as possible, “The tall, dark, and handsome one.”
“Tall? None of them are particularly tall…”
“Okay, the dark and handsome one, then.”
Penny froze, face scrunched up as if she’d been sucking on something sour, “Please tell me you don’t mean Howard.”
Missy pulled the same face, “No, no, not that one.”
Something seemed to click in Penny’s mind and her face brightened as she pointed her keys in Missy’s direction knowingly, “Ohhh, you mean Raj!”
Missy didn’t answer but the look on her face was enough and Penny laughed as she turned to unlock her apartment, saying over her shoulder, “I knew it!”
“Knew what?”
“Knew that things hadn’t changed. You seemed pretty interested that one time and this time…” Penny trailed off as she opened her door and took Missy’s things inside.
Missy followed and closed the door behind them, “Well, he was awfully sweet. Maybe tried a little too hard but, I don’t know…little bit of work and he could be something.”
“You think?” Penny asked as she took a seat on her couch. Missy sat next to her, shaking her head, “I don’t know. I just…now and then I’d find myself thinking about him. He’s…I mean, for the little amount of time I've spent with him…he’s different, you know? So different from most guys and there was this,” Missy shrugged, as she struggled to find the words, “This spark.”
Penny thought of that, of that ‘spark’ and she licked her lips, clearing her throat as she got to her feet, “You thirsty? I’ve got lemonade…”
“Yeah, yeah, sounds good,” Missy said and leaned back into the couch, “And I mean, he IS cute.”
“That’s true.”
“What do you know about him?”
“About who?” Penny asked absent mindedly as she poured them drinks, her mind still caught up on sparks.
Missy rolled her eyes, “Raj.”
“Oh. Him,” Penny handed Missy her drink and, sipping her own, sat down on the couch again, “Well, I mean, I told you a bit last time. He’s a nice guy as far as I can tell. Just…quiet. Can’t really talk to women so, as you can imagine, that’s a real roadblock in getting to know him.”
“You mean he still doesn’t talk to you?”
“Not so much. If he’s had a drink, sure, but…even though I’m with Leonard and even though I’ve known them a long time… a bit tipsy once he told me that, despite all that, I’m still an attractive woman.”
Penny sighed, head tilting back in consideration, “It’s a pretty huge compliment when you think about it. Year after year passes, you get a little older and you think to yourself, ‘maybe I’m not as pretty as I used to be, maybe I’m getting old’ and then there’s this guy who still can’t talk to you because he thinks you’re too gorgeous to talk to.”
Missy’s eyebrows rose and she nodded, “Yeah, I’d say that’s one hell of a compliment.”
Penny grinned mischievously, “They’ll be plenty of alcohol at the wedding, champagne toasts and the like, I imagine we can loosen his lips a bit then.”
“Hmm, might do that,” Missy conceded, looking quite devilish herself as she confided, “But then, might not. I do have a few tricks up my sleeves, you know.”
“Oh?”
Missy didn’t elaborate further, instead just winking, and Penny smiled, “Missy, again, I just…I have to thank you for this.”
“Ah, come on now, darlin’, you can’t keep thanking me forever.”
“Yeah I know; it’s just…my sister really wanted to be my Maid of Honor but she doesn’t have the time right now, what with all the trouble with her husband going on and…I mean, I’m not particularly anti-social but I don’t have many girlfriends. At least not any close enough to,” she shook her head, “And I certainly couldn’t ask Howard or Raj to be my Maid of Honor so-”
“Penny, honey, truly, I don’t mind. I mean, you and me, we’ve talked before the couple of times I’ve been by to see Shelly and I mean, I like you. Heck, if I do end up staying here, who knows…”
Penny voiced her surprised, “You really are thinking of moving up here?”
Missy shrugged, “Well, remember the first time I came up this way and met you, one of my friends was getting married? Well, seems she’s got herself into the fashion business and she wants me to model her clothes. Says I got the face and the height for it so….who knows? I never thought of myself as much of the model type, but…”
She sighed, voice thoughtful, “I could certainly use the money and the change of scenery. Been hanging around Mama a good long while now, just making sure she could stand firm on her own two feet after Daddy’s passing. She’s a strong woman, no doubt about that, and if she knew, I’m sure she’d tell me she didn’t need me, but…those first few months…”
Penny shifted about on the couch; face curious, “Sheldon never talks about it. You, your family, his-”
Missy chuckled dryly, “That’s Shelly for you. He ain’t much of a talker.”
Penny blinked, “You’re joking, right?”
“Oh, no, I mean, he talks. Lord knows, you can’t get the boy to shut up if you mention the right thing. He’ll babble on end about string-what’s-it’s and quantum-whatevers but…when it comes to talking, real heart to heart talking, boy seals up tighter than bark on a tree. Always been like that.”
Penny was silent as she drank her lemonade. It was sweet but sour. Huh. How fitting.
Missy turned to her, eyes sparkling, “But enough about that, what about you! The Bride! You must be excited!”
“Yeah,” Penny breathed, pushing a few strands of loose hair behind one ear, “Excited.”
“You and Leonard…who would have thought.”
“I know…but, it works,” Penny offered, “And he’s such a great guy. Sweet and caring and…I mean, he’s one of the best boyfriends I’ve ever had. And he’ll make a wonderful husband.”
For someone, her thoughts tossed in viciously and she tried not to flinch.
“Well, I’m happy for you, girl!” Missy smiled warmly, “And I can’t wait to plan a bachelorette party for you and the dress! Did you pick out the dress?”
Before Penny could answer Missy waved a hand, “Oh, look at me, crazy talk! Of course you have! Wedding’s only a bit off. Sure you picked out a dress ages ago!”
Penny licked her lips and avoided Missy’s eyes. Truthfully she had just recently picked out the dress. The shop assured her they could get it fitted and ready in a rush but they gave her rather stern looks about the whole ordeal, rather snippily remarking that most women got their dresses months in advance - why did she wait so long?
She didn’t want to tell them why, she could barely say why to herself.
Missy continued talking, oblivious to Penny’s internal strife, “I can’t wait to see it! I bet it’s gorgeous! Just think, a couple more weeks and you’ll be Mrs. Penny Hofstadter!”
Missy’s face fell, “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“That,” Missy pointed at her, “You made a face.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No…”
“Yes, yes,” Missy’s finger moved through the air in a circle, “You made a face when I said Penny Hofstadter! Oh! Look! You did it again!”
“I didn’t!” Penny cried desperately, shaking her head rapidly.
“But you did! Penny, your whole face twitched! Like the way Shelly’s face’ll twitch when-” Missy gasped loudly, “Oh my god! Are you…you’re not…Penny, are you having second thoughts?!”
Penny hadn’t stopped shaking her head and she continued to do so, once more avoiding Missy’s eyes and Missy pressed a hand to her mouth, her own head shaking as well, “Penny…oh, Penny…honey…”
Penny stopped shaking her head, instead burying her face in her hands, voice coming out brokenly, “Missy…”
Missy quickly wrapped her arms around Penny and started rubbing her back and shoulders, “Oh, Penny…”
Neither spoke for a while, Penny crying softly and Missy holding her. At last Penny spoke, “Missy…I love Leonard! I love him!”
“I know you do.”
“But…I just…I’m so…afraid. And…lost, and…I just, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do.”
“Penny,” Missy said softly, “Penny, if you’re not sure…”
“But, I am! I mean, I have to be! Missy, I’m getting married!”
Missy looked terribly uncomfortable as she asked quietly, “Are you?”
Penny didn’t know how to answer and she just shook her head again. Missy took in a deep breath and got to her feet. She scouted about until she found some tissues and brought them over to Penny, who thanked her quietly.
Penny wiped at her face and Missy continued to rub her arm reassuringly. Penny chuckled, the sound watery, “Wow…you’re good at this.”
“Oh honey, you have no idea how many a girl I’ve helped through a good cry. Too many are those I’ve worked with who found their boyfriend cheating on them or just plain broke up. Then there’s those sad lil’ things that go and find themselves knocked up and not ready. Bit different from this, but,” Missy froze, eyes wide, “Um, you’re not-”
Penny looked horrified at the very idea, “Oh, no, no, no!”
“Whew, good then,” Missy said with a relieved smile, “That would’ve made this even worse.”
Penny sighed, rubbing another tissue along the bottom of her nose, “I…Leonard. Missy…I love Leonard. I do, I do…I just…don’t know if I do enough to…”
“To say ‘I do’?” Missy offered and Penny shot her a look. Missy held up her hands weakly, “Sorry, lame, I know. Came into my head and I couldn’t help but say it.”
“So…not so different from Sheldon after all, huh?”
Missy shrugged, “He may be one of God’s special little people, but we are blood. Can’t help but share a thing or two in common.”
“Welllllll, your brother is certainly one to have something come into his head and,” Penny began to speak haltingly, her eyes distant, “…not be able to help but…say it.”
Missy leveled Penny with a hard gaze, “Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Penny…”
Penny sighed, rolling her eyes, “Missy, sweetie, you’ve got to stop reading me like a book. I barely know you!”
Missy chuckled, “Can’t says as I mean to, but…you’re pretty open right about now. Not to mention that, not knowing you very well, not seeing you everyday…maybe it just gives me a good outsider’s advantage. I can just sorta peer in.”
“Or you’ve just got one hell of an intuition.”
“Mama’d probably agree more with that one,” Missy clicked her tongue, “Always said I had a nasty knack for seeing too well into things. Sometimes I think she prayed to God I’d go blind…or at least need glasses.”
Penny didn’t respond to that, instead just smirking sadly. Missy didn’t let her off the hook, “Come on though, what’s that about then? What you said about my brother. He giving you a hard time?”
“No…no, not really.”
“Penny, if Shelly said something that upset you, something that’s making you doubt yourself and the wedding, girl, you just let me know and I promise you, as your Maid of Honor, I’ll be more than happy to handle it. Actually, just as the man’s sister I’ll be more than happy to handle it,” Missy sucked in a breath and flexed her fingers menacingly, “Yup, always ready to go another round.”
“No,” Penny breathed, voice sad, “No, Sheldon didn’t…it wasn’t anything he said…”
“Well then what-” Missy froze.
She absolutely froze.
She looked at Penny and her eyes grew wide, mouth dropping open, voice hard to find and when she did it was a breathy whisper, “No…”
Penny looked at her, light green eyes watery.
Missy was still thunderstruck, “No…can’t…you can’t be…”
Penny swallowed thickly.
Missy felt as if someone had clocked her hard in the jaw, as if an anvil had crashed down on her head, as if the world she knew no longer existed. In fact, it no longer did. Her world was a fragile little ornament that had fallen and crashed, exploding into millions of little crushed pieces.
This wasn’t possible.
Missy blinked, “Shelly? Penny…you and…and Shel-,” Missy broke off before she could even say his nickname, instead gulping, mouth dry.
Penny blinked rapidly, and licked her lips before she said so softly that it was almost inaudible, “Let me tell you a story…”