Mini Cooper
Chapter 4
Now
The past few days passed by like a blur for Amy. Sheldon's sudden reappearance in her life disrupted her calm life and routine. She was offered a tenured position at Yale, teaching graduate students. After leaving Sheldon, she decided to stop participating in research. As much as she loved doing research, she feared that her name would appear on the papers or journals. She did not want her name to appear on his radar at all. Though she knew that her fears were unfounded, Sheldon had never respected her field of studies. He called it yucky, squishy things.
After much deliberation, she decided to teach. She was torn between Harvard, her alma mater, or Yale when considering relocation from California. When Yale offered her a tenured position as an Associate Professor, she had to take it. It offered her job security.
She realized she loves teaching after starting a new semester. She thought her passion was in research until she started teaching. Teaching was fun and interactive. She always thought teaching was a chore, for Sheldon always complained to her about the students' dull minds, their attitude, and their passiveness. She found it the complete opposite. She found nurturing students fulfilling.
She built her life after leaving Sheldon and the gang around Isaac and teaching. She loved her job, her students, her colleagues, and some close friends she made in the University. Isaac was adjusting to a new routine. The childcare facility in Yale was one of the best. Isaac liked his teachers as they did not treat him as a child. They let him attempt advanced calculus. The principal of the childcare told her Isaac had great potential and he could enter University much earlier than his peers. She had no intention to take away Isaac's childhood.
Her life was peaceful and fulfilling until the re-emergence of Sheldon Lee Cooper. His reappearance had disrupted both Isaac and her life. When she first met Sheldon in the café, he had disturbed her life. Before Sheldon, he life was plain and simple. She did not crave for friends or love. Then came Sheldon, she was introduced to the concepts 'Friends' and 'Love'. Leaving Sheldon and her friends were perhaps the most difficult decision she had ever made.
Sheldon had made it crystal clear that he did not and would never welcome a baby. Babies would never adhere to his schedules. They defecate and urinate as and when they liked. He had an adverse reaction when Howard and Bernadette announced their pregnancy. He complained that with the introduction of a baby, it would upset their social dynamics. He hated all the changes. She could not bring herself to tell him they were expecting a huge change, an enormous upheaval to their life. She never did have that chance. She did not have the courage to bring it up. She was so afraid that Sheldon would reject her and their baby.
A few days ago
Penny glared menacingly at Bernadette who came to pick them up from the Airport. "Care to explain why I am here in Connecticut instead of Nebraska visiting my family for Christmas?" Penny asked irately. She had plans to visit Nebraska with Leonard. It was a trip way overdue. Her parents had been pestering them to visit after her wedding. She finally had a chance as Sheldon would be away from Pasadena for an award presentation with Ramona.
"I don't understand, Bernadette. You mentioned about Amy over the phone." Leonard wrapped his arms around Penny's waist, pulling her backward a little. He knew his wife's hostility towards Amy.
"Don't get me started on the AMY shit!" Penny rolled her eyes, broke free from Leonard's grasp. She charged to the carousel to wait for their luggage.
"I don't know where to start." Bernadette sighed, her eyes darting between Leonard and Penny. "It was a long story. What I could say now was I knew about Amy's plan of leaving Sheldon. I saw her sneaking out your apartment after Sheldon's birthday. She seemed to be crying after settling the drunk Sheldon in his room. She seemed weird. She thought I was asleep and whispered goodbyes and thank you. She said she will miss us. When she left, I followed her. She was surprised when I stopped her from driving away. We had a talk and I found out about her plan." Bernadette explained.
"Why did she leave?" Leonard was really confused with Bernadette's explanation. He remembered it was Sheldon's birthday and Amy insisted on celebrating his birthday with a party. Sheldon freaked out but eventually, agreed reluctantly to Amy's pleads. Amy invited Sheldon's friends and colleagues. She baked Sheldon a Sheldon's Mee Maw's special birthday cake. She toasted Sheldon, claiming that Sheldon was the greatest gift to her when he was born. He begged to differ but he saw Amy's love for Sheldon. He could not comprehend when Amy left without a word.
"You knew the whole time but you did not mention it!" Penny grabbed Bernadette shoulders firmly, "I am disappointed in you. We're Sheldon's friends before Amy. How could you do this to Sheldon?"
Bernadette winced from strong grasp but she swatted Penny's hands away. Her voice rose a few octaves and stated firmly, "We're Amy's friends too. What's with we're Sheldon's friends first? Penny, do you know that despite leaving our social circle, Amy cares greatly for all of us. You think I care to get you to those AA meetings and ensure you attend every meeting? The truth was I don't. Amy made me. Amy noticed your drinking problem and dissatisfaction towards your marriage and job. She asked me to get you into AA and marriage counseling. She said that Leonard and you deserved each other and she genuinely felt that Leonard and you would have a happy marriage. BUT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE IT UNLESS YOU RESOLVE YOUR ISSUES. Amy looked for your marriage counselor and AA meetings information while she was pregnant with Isaac. Believe it or not, Amy saved your marriage. I had enough of your foul attitude towards Amy."
Leonard and Penny gasped at Bernadette's outburst and revelation. Leonard was secretly grateful towards Amy, knowing that she had saved his marriage with Penny. He also observed that Penny always had a drink in her hand. It could be wine or hard liquor. Penny was never seen without a glass of alcohol in her hand. He never said anything, fearing upsetting Penny. Penny was defensive whenever someone pointed out her drinking problem. She always claimed she did not have a drinking problem, she just enjoyed alcohol. Her drinking problem almost caused her job when she was caught drinking by her boss in a new drug convention.
"Let's go." Bernadette turned on her heels and stomped out of the arrival hall.
Bernadette took Penny and Leonard to Amy's apartment. "This is where Amy and Isaac stayed. She is currently teaching at Yale. I hope you talk to Sheldon, Penny. He is expecting Amy to marry him and move back to Pasadena. He refused to leave Amy's apartment."
"What!?" Penny and Leonard screamed in unison.
"I need you to bring Sheldon back." Bernadette kept her eyes on the road, "he broke up with Ramona too."
"What!?" Penny and Leonard chorused together again.
"Sheldon never loves Ramona," Leonard said, not surprised by his buddy's action of breaking up with Ramona. He knew that if not for Penny's intervention and suggestion, Sheldon would never ask Ramona to be his girlfriend. Penny had great influence over Sheldon. They were close, and sometimes too close for his comfort. When they did emotional intimacy test, he feared that Penny or Sheldon would realize they were perhaps a better couple.
He asked if Amy was afraid of the possibility. She, too, feared for that possibility but she was tired of feeling insecure over Sheldon and Penny's close friendship. She brought up the experiment intentionally because she wanted to know how they fared. She did not want to be jealous of her bestie and her boyfriend's close relationship. Sometimes she felt left out by them. Penny able to persuade get Sheldon doing something he usually would not. Sheldon turned to Penny when he was in trouble or needed comfort. He hugged Amy that night, consoling her that she was a huge part of Sheldon's life. Sheldon just did not know how to show his feelings and affections towards her. Amy just nodded and replied she understood but she was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
"Leonard, being with Sheldon was difficult. I thought by now we would have progressed more as a couple. But, with Sheldon, I am always taking the steps forward but he retreated a few steps backward. Perhaps, I should take a trip to somewhere, like he went on a train trip, clear my mind and re-evaluate what I want with Sheldon." Amy blinked away her tears.
"Amy. Sheldon – he – uh –," he was lost for words. Just a few months ago, Sheldon had stated that what he had with Amy was nothing romantic.
Amy tried to force a small smile but failed. "It's all right, Leonard. I heard what he said in the cafeteria a few months ago. 'Yeah, well, no, this study refers to romantic partners. Not the way I would categorize the two of us.' Were his exact words. Leonard, what does he categorize us as? I did not force him to alter our relationship paradigm. He did on his own accord."
Amy sighed, "I am tired… and sick of this. Please don't tell Sheldon or Penny what I said. I just needed to rant."
Leonard patted Amy's shoulder and nodded.
Now
"How are you feeling, Buddy?" Leonard asked, scooting closer to Sheldon. Sheldon rolled his eyes, "I don't talk feelings. Feelings are for hippies, not me."
"I am sure you feel something. It could be excitement or fears or nerves." Leonard pressed on.
"Marrying Amy was to bind her to a marriage agreement. I want to have a say in Isaac's life. I want custody. It was the best solution." Sheldon replied with a simple shrug. Leonard shook his head in defeat.
"Buddy, I think you love Amy, deep down in your heart. It is just that you could not see it now. Don't screw this up. I don't know why Amy agreed but I know that if you screw this up, you will lose Amy for good." Leonard gave his last piece of advice before walking back to Penny.
Leonard's words brought a pang to Sheldon's heart. He did not know what was that feeling. It felt hollow. He had lost Amy once. Could his heart withstand another heartbreak? He was lucky that Amy signed the marriage agreement without much perusing. He had a clause where it stated that only he could end the marriage.
"Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper and Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler." The city hall clerk called their name.
"Mummy!" Isaac jumped up from Amy's lap, "it's your name!". He giggled and pulled Amy out the chair. He guided Amy to Sheldon. "Hold hands!" he urged innocently. Sheldon extended his right hand to Amy. Isaac looked at his mummy expectantly. Unable to refuse her son's request, Amy placed her left hand on Sheldon's proffered hands. Sheldon wrapped his hand around hers and mused that he missed her soft hands.
Hands in hands, they walked into the room where Justice of Peace waited for them.
Endnote:
To answer my guest reviewers, yes, it will be a Shamy story. I liked them together. I don't know if there is a child-care facility in Yale, but for this story, let's assume there's one. I am not from the States, thus if I get the geographic location wrong. Please bear with me. I will google and write to my best knowledge. I liked all main characters in the The Big Bang Theory. I liked their dynamic and their friendships. I personally felt that Bernadette and Amy grew closer over the years. Thus, in this story, Bernadette was the one who noticed and knew about the reasons why Amy left. :) Sorry, I accidentally deleted the last chapter, thus reposting it.