Author's note: This is my first ever fanfiction, and I've debated whether to publish it for weeks now. I hope you enjoy!
Late May 2015
Amy sadly took one last look at her apartment in Glendale before picking the keys up off the kitchen counter and heading towards the door. With Penny and Bernadette's help, she had loaded the last of her things into the U-haul in preparation for her long drive across the country. The last few weeks had moved at a terrifyingly dizzy pace, and she still found it hard to believe that she was leaving her whole life behind.
Only a week after initiating the break between her and Sheldon, she received an incredible offer from Harvard. Not only did they want her on staff in their new state-of-the-art research facility, they were offering her an associate professorship in the Neurology department. She had immediately said yes, and until now, hadn't had any regrets.
Making her way downstairs to her car, she saw Penny and Bernadette sitting on the curb, trying to hold it together. As soon as Amy walked out of the building, Penny burst into tears.
"Oh Penny" Amy sighed embracing her friend. "I'm only moving to Boston, not Mars. You know you are welcome any time, and I will be back to visit a few times a year"
Choking back her tears, Penny pulled away from the hug. "I know Ames. But there's been so much change in the past few months, and so much more to come in the next few. It's just so overwhelming. I'm sorry I'm being so stupid and emotional!"
Amy grinned. Neither she nor Bernie had noticed that Penny hadn't really been drinking the past few weeks. It had been so chaotic that they hadn't had many girls' nights, and when they did, everything was so focused on Sheldon and Amy's split, that they never really paid much attention to anything else.
Only 7 weeks along, Penny had planned to keep her pregnancy a secret from the group until she hit the second trimester, but couldn't bear not telling Amy in person. She'd spilled the beans to her and Bernie at their last girl's night a few days ago. Both were completely shocked, giddy with excitement, and Penny made them swear not to tell anyone as she and Leonard hadn't even told their families yet. Amy had made Penny promise to Skype weekly, so she could see her baby bump development, and assured Penny she'd fly home to visit as soon as the baby was born.
"That's okay Bestie. Pregnancy is a known cause of hormonal swings. You'd better get used to them, as you've still got 7.5 months of them to come!" Amy said as Penny made a face. "I had better get this road trip started if I'm going to get to Flagstaff by sundown"
After another round of endless hugs, Penny and Bernadette looked on as Amy climbed into her car, and set off towards the east coast. Both desperately wished for a happy restart on life for Amy, and at the same time, hoped she hated it and would return home. The whole dynamic of their group seemed forever changed.