Sheldon sat in his spot, numbly. Leonard was storming around the apartment, slamming doors, stomping his feet and growling at anyone who looked at him. Raj and Stuart were talking about how they always suspected this. Bernadette and Howard were discussing how great is was that there was a second married couple in the group. Mary and Missy were at the kitchen table planning a reception to make up for missing the wedding (that he hadn't known he was even having!). Meemaw was sitting beside Sheldon, knitting. She kept dropping little hints about great-grandbabies.

Sheldon could only stare at the marriage certificate. There it was in black and white. Penelope Rene Queen. Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper. They were married. He looked at the date. It was the day he signed for her letter. He hadn't bothered to read what he was signing. He was too busy trying to circumvent her prank. She had used his distraction to her advantage. And now he was married to Penny.

A knock on the door shook him from his musings. The door opened and Penny bounced in. She grinned with delight to see everyone. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she moved behind the couch and dropped a kiss on Sheldon's cheek. He gasped and looked at her with astonishment. Then she walked over and hugged Missy.

"Hello Mrs. Cooper," Penny said with a smile.

Mary shook her head. "Just call me Momma, darling." Mary pulled Penny into a hug. Meemaw stood and walked over. Mary released Penny and introduced them. Sheldon could only stare in bewilderment.

"So you're my Moon Pie's Penny!" Meemaw said. She hugged Penny tight and moved back to look her over. "You've made me so happy. I was worried my Moon Pie would never find that special someone."

Sheldon couldn't take anymore. He rushed over. "No! No no no no no! Penny, you tricked me! You know I didn't know what I was signing!" He shook a finger in her face. "You…you…" Words failed Sheldon. He was completely overwhelmed by fear, anger and something else. Something that was swiftly overtaking the fear and anger and turning it into ….hope?

Suddenly a switch flipped in his mind. He was married to Penny. He was married to Penny. The only woman he had ever truly fantasized about. The only woman he had ever ask out because of his own free will. The one woman he had never dared dream would be his. The woman who he tried to get over by dating her exact opposite. And now she was his. By her own hand.

Slowly Sheldon stilled. "We're married," he whispered.

Penny laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. ""Well, not exactly," she said smugly.

Sheldon was confused. "What do you mean?"

Penny's eyes twinkled merrily. "Well, that was a real marriage certificate you signed. I had a friend at the court house get me one. I knew you'd see right through a fake one." She looked around the room at everyone. "So, once I had your signature, I called Meemaw and told her my plan. She brought the family to help. But I never filed the certificate. It was never entered into the county records. So, we're not really married." Penny moved in close and kissed his lips lightly. "Bazinga."

Penny strolled out of the door and across the hall with a smug grin.

Sheldon stared at the door for a long time, stunned. Meemaw patted his arm and he finally looked down at her. She looked him in the eye and nodded.

"Just as I thought. You love her, don't you, Moon Pie?" she asked.

"Don't bother denying it," Mary said as she sipped her coke. "Darlin', I'm no genius, but it don't take no dummy to see you love that little spit fire."

Leonard tapped Sheldon on the shoulder. Sheldon looked at him with trepidation. Leonard laughed. "Don't fight it, Sheldon. You love her, and we all know it. Now, what are you going to do about it?"

Sheldon looked around at all his friends and family. Slowly he smiled widely. "I'm going to finish the prank.

Penny was ascending the stirs, sifting through her mail two days later. She came upon an unexpected envelop and frowned. She opened it up and read the letter inside. Penny stumbled in shock and landed on her ass outside Mrs. Varebedian's door. The door opened slightly and a little woman looked out.

"Are you okay?" she asked, peering at Penny from behind thick bifocals.

Penny looked up at her in shock. "I'm married. The bat crap crazy whack-a-doodle filed the marriage certificate." Penny slowly rose to her feet. Her eyes narrowed. "I'll kill him!" Penny headed to the stairs yelling at the top of her lungs. "SHELDON!"

Mrs. Vartebedian shook her head and closed her door. "'bout time you realized which one was the better guy," she muttered.

Penny stormed up the stairs and threw open Sheldon's door. She ignored the Cooper women sitting on the couch. She ignored Leonard sitting at his desk. All her attention was on the tall, lean, blue eyed devil leaning casually against the frame of the hallway.

Penny stalked forward. "Are you insane?! You filed the certificate?! Why in hell would you do that?!"

Sheldon quirked an eyebrow at her. "One thing we're going to have to get straight right now, Penny, is that no woman of mine will use that tone of voice with me. Now, be a good little wifey and make me a cup of tea. Earl Grey, a dash of milk, and one teaspoon of honey, please."

Penny's jaw dropped momentarily and her eyes narrowed. "Sheldon Cooper, you have exactly three seconds to take that back. Before I go Nebraska on your ass."

Sheldon bent quickly and crushed his lips to Penny's, cutting off her next words. Penny jerked away and swung her arm to punch him. Sheldon grabbed her wrist and jerked her up the step and into his arms. He captured her lips again and kissed her hard.

Penny struggled for a long moment, but with each passing second, her struggles got weaker and weaker. Soon she was clinging to him. The kiss turned gentle, coaxing. Sheldon slowly released her and looked into her eyes. "Tell me you love me," he said with a smile.

After Penny caught her breath she looked up at him. "You're annoying, aggravating, egomaniacal, pushy, frustrating, …" Sheldon started to frown down at her, "sweet, kind, gentle, handsome, generous and the most wonderful man I have ever known. I love you, Sheldon Cooper."

Sheldon grinned with relief. "I love you too, Penny Cooper." He drew her down the hall, never even noticing when Leonard ushered the Cooper women out of the apartment. He'd take them to Raj's so they could finish planning the reception. None of them wanted to listen to the Cooper's consummate their marriage.