NOTE: You guys know I don't own these characters. They are property of the creators of The Big Bang Theory. However, there will be a few characters that are my own creations interwoven throughout. Enjoy!
*The Compatibility Constant*
Chapter 4: The Incoming Variable
Amy threw her purse and jacket into the chair next to her door. She was finally back at her apartment after a long, busy day at work.
She'd been so engrossed in the initial day of the new study that she hadn't even taken a lunch break. After kicking off her shoes, she shuffled to the kitchen and poured herself a bowl of cereal then sank into the couch to unwind.
Despite being exhausted, she was happy that the past couple of days had been so exhilarating. She had made small, but meaningful progress in her relationship with Sheldon, and began a very important step in her career. All in all, she was on cloud nine. Even Shredded Wheat tastes better tonight, she thought. But that might have just been because she was extra hungry.
A lot of updates for girls' night, that much was certain.
That reminded her… she needed to text Penny.
She pulled out her phone and noticed that her friend had already beaten her to the punch. Penny's text was there waiting for her.
- Hey Ames! Girls night 2morrow ok? -
Amy texted back a confirmation to Penny to let her know that she was looking forward to it, then decided to get cleaned up and ready for bed.
Just as she had gathered her towel and heated up the shower, she heard her phone buzzing. It took her a few seconds to dig through the pile of folded laundry that she had tossed it into, and by the time she found the vibrating device the call had ended.
She glanced at the screen.
-Missed Call: Mom-
She must really need to talk to me. Amy decided to call her mom back after she had taken her shower and settled in for the evening.
She turned the volume up on her phone and set it next to her computer, then went to the bathroom to wash up. She spent the majority of her shower time just letting the warm water rush over her while she sang a rousing chorus of "Walking on Sunshine". In the last few minutes, decided she had better actually clean herself and began washing her hair.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she noticed she had missed yet another call from her mom. Must be pretty important. Amy picked up her cell and swiped her finger across the screen. After only two rings her mother answered.
"Amy!" Her mother was ordinarily a very soft-spoken woman, but right now it sounded like she'd been running a marathon.
"What's going on mom?"
"I've been trying to reach you for days. Where have you been?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I just have been so busy at work... and was in the shower when you called earlier." Not a total lie.
"Well, I didn't want to leave a voicemail. I wanted to actually talk to you so that I could tell you the good news!"
Amy sat down on the couch and rubbed her damp hair with her towel.
"Good news?" Amy parroted.
"Yes! Two bits of good news, actually. You're father will be going to work near Pasadena!"
"Really?! That's amazing!" Amy's father often traveled for work, and Amy loved seeing him whenever he came into town... which was rare. If he would be around Pasadena for a few weeks, then she would have to come up with some fun things for them to do together.
"How long will you have to manage without him?" Amy asked. "Will dad be splitting his time between California and Pennsylvania? Does he need a place to stay for a few days?"
"Oh, no. That's the second part of our good news! The job isn't temporary... he was offered a permanent position. We are both going to be moving out there!"
Amy was speechless. My parents are moving here? Her brain suddenly was unable to function properly. She couldn't process the information she'd just been given. Is this good news or bad news? She wasn't sure.
Of course, she always wanted to spend more time with her parents, but she also felt very independent living on her own so far away from them. Then there was Sheldon to consider. How would they get along?
"Amy?"
Amy realized that she hadn't said anything for a while. She didn't know exactly how long it had been.
"That's... wonderful!" She said with forced enthusiasm. "When will you be moving?"
"We are packing now, actually. Dad has to be there on Tuesday for work. We've been running around like crazy people! We decided to store what we can now, and fly out there on Monday to start looking for a house. In about a week - after your dad gets settled in at his office - I'll return here and finish up with the packing. We're going to hire movers to drive all of our belongings to Pasadena."
Monday?! That was in three days! This was happening so fast. Amy had a great relationship with her parents, but she couldn't explain this gut feeling that them living near her may cause some problems.
Stop being foolish, Amy thought to herself. They are your parents. You love them. It will be great to see them more often.
"That's amazing, mom. Really."
"Isn't it? Dad hasn't had a chance to talk to that boyfriend of yours yet. Sheldon, is it?"
Amy nodded, but said nothing. Her mom continued on, oblivious to her daughter's inaudible response. "He'd love to meet him. And I'd like to see him in person as well."
The added emphasis on the phrase 'in person' did not go unnoticed by Amy. She knew that her mom didn't believe that she was actually dating Sheldon.
Following their first meeting during a Skype-session ruse in the early stages of she and Sheldon's friendship, Amy had eventually felt compelled to tell her mother the truth… that they weren't actually dating. The problem was that once Sheldon and Amy did officially upgrade their relationship status, her mom didn't believe her. After the incident with Sheldon and a previous fable about a miniature horse-breeder named Arman, Amy had become the girl who cried 'wolf'.
Despite the fact that her mom didn't believe Amy's story, she had been 'playing along' with it. Amy, of course, had always been able to tell her mom was skeptical of the relationship.
Amy responded with confidence, in an effort to prove to her mother that she wasn't lying. "Sheldon would love to meet you too, I'm sure."
She wasn't sure. In fact, she knew for certain that Sheldon did not have any interest in meeting her family. Amy had aunts and cousins in the area, and had been trying to get him to go to family gatherings for years to no avail. It was like pulling teeth from a crocodile. Another fact that just added fuel to her mother's doubts about their relationship.
"Well, great!" Amy's mom continued. An air of disbelief still hung in her voice. "I'll give you a call when we get into town and we can meet up. You can show us all your hang-outs!"
"Okay."
"Goodnight, Amy. See you soon."
"'Night, mom."
Amy hung up the phone and sat in silence for a good ten minutes.
I should be happy about this, Amy tried to convince herself. She did miss them - but she had this unexplainable ... feeling... in the pit of her stomach.
And how would Sheldon react? This would mean he would no longer be able to hide from Amy's family. Her parents would most likely be within a twenty mile radius of them, and would certainly want to spontaneously get together from time to time. They wouldn't understand Sheldon and his need for routine. For structure.
This will undoubtably force him into some awkward situations, Amy thought. He'll start to put up a wall.
Amy was determined not to let that happen.
She was going to make sure to review the section of their Relationship Agreement pertaining to family visits and gatherings before talking to him.
Chapter five coming soon!
Notes: I found time to update after all! :o) As always, reviews and constructive criticism are encouraged and appreciated!
Also - As of the writing of this fanfic (the past part of Season 6), not much has been revealed about Amy's family on screen. So, if that information is released in later seasons, this story may become obsolete. Until then, though... we can use our imagination!
