A/N: Sorry it took so long to complete this! I worked flippin' hard though, so please REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

Relationships With a Vulcan Physicist

Chapter 7- Something Old, New, Barrowed, and Blue

Penny strode into the room, her arms full of all sorts of makeup. Her responsibility as the Bride's Cousin, and Maid of Honor gave her reign over Belle's face. This was something Penny looked forward too.

"Alright, ladies. Move outta the way!" The crowd around Belle shuffled away in fear of the Junior Rodeo Champion.

Penny joyfully pranced around, adding touches of eyeliner here, and mascara there. Nothing short of fifteen minutes later, Penny presented Belle to all the Bride's Maids. There was a chorus of positive comments. Bernadette, Penny, and Missy Cooper all prepared to walk Belle down the isle. They were ready.

Leonard had no idea what to do. Sheldon was a mess. And as Best Man, Leonard should have figured out a way to get him under control. He was guessing the Redbull didn't help.

"What if she thinks I look ridiculous in a tux? I would feel much more comfortable in my own underwear. I don't like these ones my mom gave me. Why can't I wear my Green Lantern T-Shirt? I feel funny." Sheldon was twitching and walking in a circle, spewing questions and negative comments. Leonard tried to get him to sit down, Raj was having a beer, and Howard was getting it all on tape.

Eventually, Leonard prevailed and got Sheldon to sit down.

"Belle loves you. That's why she said yes. You need to be not so neurotic for like one second so that you can get married. Calm down."

Sheldon started taking deep breaths and thinking about comic books. He was finally ready.

As a piano played quietly in the background, Sheldon and his closest friends got themselves situated at the alter.

Sheldon would have preferred to go to the county courthouse and just sign a few papers, but his mother insisted on the large, very Christian, ceremony.

MeeMaw sat in the very front row on the groom's side of the isle.

"I'm proud of you, Moonpie." She whispered, and he heard because of his Vulcan hearing. Sheldon nodded in appreciation.

Leonard tugged at Sheldon's sleeve. "Hey, you doing alright now?" He casually inquired.

"Leonard, I wouldn't be any other place in the world right now. I'm one lucky bastard."

There was a steady passion in Sheldon's eyes that burned right through Leonard's glasses.

Damn, he's sure about this. Leonard pondered. No second thoughts. He's so happy. I can't take that away from him. Leonard thought back to that day two weeks ago…

It was sunny outside. The birds chirped in the trees and shrubbery as Leonard entered the apartment complex. He pulled out his key and unlocked his mailbox. It was mostly some junk and advertisements. Also a couple things from the university. Nothing much, really. He opened and envelope he didn't recognize. When he read the header, he noticed it was addressed to Belle. "That mailman messed up again!" He thought. But then he saw whom the letter was from. Shock overwhelmed Leonard from head to toe. He stood in the lobby, unmoving, until he had read the letter over three times. He trudged up the stairs and knocked on Belle and Sheldon's door. Sheldon was still at work. When Belle opened the door, she faced a stony Leonard. He stuttered in explaining how the letter ended up in his mailbox. He extended it to Belle, and muttered that he had read it. She, in turn, reopened it and read it. And she cried.

Leonard snapped back to reality. Pachabel's Cannon played beautifully as the bridesmaids progressed down the isle. Penny was amazing. She smiled at Leonard flirtatiously and gestured at the back of the isle. There stood Belle, on her father's arm. They walked slowly down the isle.

Leonard had spaced out for most of the wedding. He recalled that Belle's vow to Sheldon mentioned things about love eternally and quotes from distinguished poets and something in a different language.

"You brighten my day. I promise to never let go of you. I'll love you no matter what, Sheldon." As she finished up, Leonard couldn't help but notice the irony in her statement.

"Belle, you changed me. Before I met you, I was cold, rude, and very annoying. You can ask anyone in this room. I also didn't believe in love. I thought it was irrational and impractical. But when I laid eyes on you, I felt something in me move. And when I heard your voice, it was like everything was changing. I didn't know up from down or left from right. I wanted to spend forever with you. And now I can. There is nothing I can say, except I am overwhelmed with how much I love you. I love you, Belle."

Sheldon's vow left his mother, MeeMaw, and Penny sobbing. Howard and Raj, however, simply grinned at how much of a romance novel their scholarly friend had become.

From over Sheldon's shoulder, Belle gave Leonard a look that said; "I'm telling him tonight, before I leave. He has the right to know." Leonard nodded.

The "I Do's" were exchanged, and Sheldon swooped down and landed a graceful kiss on Belle. Everyone clapped and smiled.

Sheldon and Belle sat at that their table at the reception.

The band started playing some catchy waltz, and the couple was dragged to the dance floor. They gazed into each other's eyes.

"Belle, I am so happy right now." Sheldon said quietly.

"Me too." She replied. "But I need to tell you something."

They slowly snuck away from the dance floor and into the hallway. Belle pulled a letter out of her purse. Sheldon read it over slowly. He read it again. He read it a third time. Slowly, he looked up from the letter. A tear fell from his eye and landed on the page.

"They're calling you into the military. You can't go. Please." Sheldon begged.

"My expertise in language and culture could severely help the cause. I can change the world. And since we can't have kids anyway…"

"Don't talk like that! I'm sure there are many other people with language doctorates who would be capable to go." Tears were still rolling off Sheldon's face.

"In the letter, it says I'm the best in my field. I have to go. It's sent to me from the president personally." Tears welled up in Belle's eyes as well.

"No, Belle! These letters are mass-produced. Please, please, please don't go."

"I need to." Belle whispered.

After a minute of silence, Sheldon took Belle's hand.

"I support your decision. That's what married people do. When do you leave?"

Belle looked regretfully up at Sheldon. "Tomorrow."

Sheldon, overwhelmed in grief, decided to be strong for his newfounded family.

"Then hurry home." He stated.

He wiped her tears with her handkerchief, held her hand tightly, and they stepped into the light of the dancefloor.