Work Text:
‘Have you brushed your teeth, sweetie?’ The soft voice of her mother echoed through the room. The young girl hid her book under a towel, before she grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste. Her mothers footsteps approached rapidly.
She could bring out an ‘Almost, mommy,’ before she put the toothbrush with toothpaste into her mouth.
The bathroom door opened and her mother entered the room. ‘Olivia, are you still not finished with brushing? What is taking you so long?’
The amazing thing about having a toothbrush in your mouth was that she could have a couple more seconds to think about her answer.
‘Sweetie, were you reading again?’ Her mother grabbed her book from underneath the towel before the young girl could even do something about it.
‘I’m sorry, mommy.’
Her mother pulled her against her into an embracing hug. ‘You’re lucky you have the same guilty look in your eyes as your father has when he has done something he isn’t supposed to.’ Her mother let go of her, while her mothers hand was still on her cheek. ‘Let’s quickly go to bed. It’s already way past your bedtime.’
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Penny dropped onto the soft couch and glanced over to the tv. Her husband was watching some geeky television series. He had told her the name of it multiple times already, but she still couldn’t remember. ‘I just caught Liv reading while she was supposed to brush her teeth.’ She told her husband. ‘And then she put on the same sad-eyes look you always have.’
‘I don’t have that look!’ He exclaimed.
She shot him a stern look and put her hands on her hips. ‘Are you sure, honey?’
The tough facade quickly crumbled away and a soft: ‘I might have such a look’, exited his mouth.
She glanced up to him and pressed a kiss against his lips, before she laid her head on his shoulder. ‘I just love how much Liv looks like you. She really did inherit your intelligence, but also your kindness and geekiness and...’
‘But she has your warmth, she can make anybody feel welcome in a matter of seconds.’
‘I know I used to say that I didn’t want any kids, but now that Olivia and Lucas are here I can never remember why. They’re honestly the biggest blessing in my life.’ She lifted her head from his shoulder to look him in the eyes. ‘I love our life together and wouldn’t change it for the world.’
‘Me neither.’ Leonard softly whispered.
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‘Mommy, why won’t Liv get out of her bed?’ The 7 year old Lucas asked his mother while easily hopping on the kitchen bar stool.
Penny chuckled. ‘Because your older sister was so busy reading her book, that she went to bed way past her bedtime.’ She stroked Lucas’ hair. ‘Why don’t you wake up your dad? Then I’ll call Liv.’
10 minutes later two sleepy faces entered the kitchen, while Lucas was quietly munching on his breakfast.
'Good morning sweethearts.’ Penny laughed.
They both mumbled a ‘morning’, before Liv sat down to grab some food and Leonard made a beeline to the coffeemaker.
Penny observed them while they ate their breakfast. These three people were her pride and joy. Never had she imagined when she moved into apartment 4B that she could ever sit here. In her own house, with her loving and smart husband and her two beautiful children.