Happy December!

TBBT

Part 4

"Sheldon," Amy said later that night, once Sheldon had finished complaining to her about the fact that his mother was getting remarried. "Your mother deserves to be happy. I don't blame you for being upset, but it's been a long time since your father died…"

"And I suppose you would accept a new father in your life whenever he just happens to appear?" Sheldon asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Look, I know it's not easy for you to accept this. I'm sure it isn't for your sister and brother, either. Why don't you have everyone over for dinner one night?"

"Does 'everyone' include Mr. Winkleton?"

"Yes. Maybe you'll feel better if you see that he isn't such a bad guy."

Sheldon looked away. "I highly doubt that."

Amy picked up the telephone and handed it out to Sheldon. "You really should talk to her."

Sheldon sighed, but accepted the phone from Amy's outstretched hand. "Hopefully she has a cell phone by now."

Tap, tap. "Shelley?"

"Oh God, it's Missy," Sheldon said, putting down the phone. "I'm going to hide." He ran for his bedroom.

"Sheldon!" Amy called, and went to answer the door. She smiled brightly at Missy. "Hi, Missy. You look nice tonight."

"What are you sayin'?"

"I'm saying you look nice tonight. It's a compliment."

"I know what a compliment is." Missy rolled her eyes. "You're one tough cookie, Amelia."

"It's Amy, actually."

"Sorry, I've gotten slightly tipsy tonight." She scanned the apartment. "Where's Shelley?"

"He's in his room."

Missy rolled her eyes again. "It figures. He's never going to accept this."

"Maybe he needs a little more time to adjust."

"Look, I know we should have told him sooner…" Sheldon came out of his room.

"Sooner? You mean to tell me that you all knew about this for awhile? How long did you know?"

"Couple of weeks."

"A couple of weeks? And no one bothered to call to tell me the news?"

"We were waitin' to tell you in person."

"Well, in person indeed. Am I the last to know? Does Memaw know?"

Missy looked down at the floor. "Yes, she knows."

"Well!" Sheldon was about to turn back to his room, when Amy ran and caught his arm. "Talk to your sister, Sheldon. I mean it: talk to her."

"Well, all right. I suppose this can't get too much worse." Sheldon sat down and then suddenly sprang back up again. "Would you like a hot beverage?"

"Some wine would be great."

"Wine generally does not fall in the category of 'hot beverage'. And besides, we don't keep any in the apartment. You can try Penny across the hall."

"Oh, ferget it." Sheldon sat down. "Shelley, Mom's getting married. You've got to accept this."

"I can choose to accept it, but I have no desire to be at the wedding."

"It would break Mom's heart."

"I recommend you guys have a family dinner so Shelley – I mean, Sheldon – can get to know Mr. Winkleton in a more intimate, yet informal setting. The wedding can be a traumatic experience to see your mom with another man for the first time," Amy said, and shuddered.

"You know, I like that idea. Shelley, how's tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow night is Thursday night. I eat Thai takeout."

"Well, let's change it up a little. Why don't we go somewhere fancy?"

"That's not exactly what I had in mind," Amy said, and turned to Sheldon. "The Cheesecake Factory?"

"You mean the one where Penny works?"

"That very one."

"But it's Thursday. I can't change my routine – it's Thai takeout!"

Missy stood up. "Don't worry, Shelley. It'll all be okay." She winked and headed out.

"Amy, what did you do?"

"I think it will be a good idea for you to meet them."

"Not with Penny there. I'll never live it down." Sheldon retreated to his bedroom.

Please R&R. Thanks!