Chapter 14

Epilogue Sheldon 4

Six Sheldons: Hint of Strawberries and a Touch of Hope

Thanks so much to Shamy4evr!

Here is the recap:

Sheldon One: He is the Sheldon from the Show. This story takes place minutes after the Skype call ended from the Finale.

Sheldon Two: He is from my Big Reversal Theory: The Vixen in 4B story. You just found out he proposed in 2010. He is marred in 2011.

Sheldon Three: He is the Sheldon who had a one night stand with Amy after meeting her in the theater.

Sheldon Four: He broke up with Amy over the Table incident in Season 7 and hasn't been with her since.

Sheldon Five: This is the Sheldon from my Caustic Cohabitation Conundrum. He is the one who met Amy when he was 21 at Harvard. This is 15 years later and he is a proud parent.

Sheldon Six: Non-believer. More of his story will unfold later. We just found out he was raised by his father and helped his sister with her baby when he was only 18. He still thinks this congress of Sheldon's is just a dream and he wants to wake up.

Sheldon Four blinked and when he opened his eyes, the other Sheldon's were gone. Number Six had just berated Number One for treating Amy the way he did, but Sheldon couldn't help have a tinge of jealousy. At least number One still had his Amy. They were together, going on dates, getting turtles, planning their future together on distant worlds. She had stuck by him, despite the fact that he was just as much of an ass as he was himself. Sheldon had now seen what his future could have been, and saw how he had ruined it.

Sheldon remembered what number One had done differently than he did: he had kissed Amy on that Valentine's day trip on the train. When number One had tried to break up with her over the table, that kiss had given her hope and as a result she had fought for him, had refused to give up and had forgiven him again and again, and so had eventually helped him acknowledge his true feelings for her.

But he had not kissed his Amy on that train, she had received no indication from him that he cared, and in fact, all she had received from him was distain for her feelings about him. She knew nothing about his feelings for her. As far as she was aware, he had none, and he had been proud to prove that point her by throwing her hopes for their future back in her face. No wonder she had turned to another man.

Was it better for her without him in her life? If he loved her, and he realized now that he did, in fact more than his own breath, he should let her go. Isn't that what Sheldon Six had screamed at number One? Should Sheldon let her have her happy life rather than be tied down to his selfish callous ways? He had to know.

He grabbed his coat and headed to the new comic book store. Stuart had had the grand opening, but Sheldon had not attended. However it was a year since the original store had burnt down and Stuart had invited his friends for a small get together. Sheldon had received his invitation, but again just the thought of seeing Stuart's his smug face had made Sheldon sick.

Leonard had long since given up trying to persuade him to go anywhere. In fact after prom, his friendship with Leonard and Penny was strained. Actually to say strained was kind, the friendship was nearly over.

Sheldon blamed Penny for Amy's personality changing. He didn't want Penny in the apartment anymore and banned her from meals. When Leonard protested, Sheldon had told him to go eat with Penny at the local bar, since that was her second home.

So the gang stopped eating together at 4A. Leonard moved across the hall after a huge fight when Sheldon had told Leonard what he really thought of his blushing blond bride. Sheldon spat his displaced anger filled venom at Leonard and said that the only reason she was blushing was because she was probably hopped up on bible juice. He had added that Penny was useless, stupid and had been nothing but a distraction to Leonard for years. She was the reason Leonard had never made any strides in science, and her stupidity was rubbing off on him. She was one acting job offer from leaving him anyway, and he was wasting his time with her. Leonard was so incensed by Sheldon's rant that he had moved out that night after telling Sheldon to enjoy his pathetic lonely life.

Sheldon boarded the Pasadena Bus to the comic store and took his usual seat in the back. He had become accustomed to riding the public transport since no former friend of his would take him anywhere unless it was the airport to leave.

As he watched the lights of the city stream past his face, he reflected on what the other Sheldon's had said about how Amy was worth it. She was worth the pain, the discomfort and anxiety. Amy Farrah Fowler had helped them reach heights he could only imagine and had picked them up from lows he had only in nightmares. As he rode that nearly empty bus, he thought back to her smile, and the only thing he wanted now was to see it again. He didn't expect a welcome, or to replace her new boyfriend. Amy had moved on from him. He just needed to see her genuine smile, to know that she was happy. That was all he needed.

Sheldon arrived at the comic book store, but did not go in. Instead he stayed outside, and spied on the occupants not wanting anyone to see him. It had been over 5 months since he had seen Amy, and more than a year since that fateful Valentine's Train trip.

Stuart was at the register and Raj and Emily were looking over a zombie head statue. Leonard and Howard were combing through the comic stacks. Penny and Bernadette must have been in the back, because he couldn't see them, but he wasn't Interested in them. He only wanted to see one person.

Sheldon scanned the scene, and then his breath caught in this throat: There in the corner was Amy. Her face was down turned, and her shoulders slumped. Sheldon watched in pain as Stuart crossed the store to stand next to her.

As soon as Stuart approached her, Amy put a slight grin on her face. Sheldon watched as she laughed at what he said, and spoke to him with mien of kindness. Sheldon couldn't hear a word, but the scene was enough to convince him Amy was content. He turned his head and slammed his eyes shut. Despite what he had thought before, he couldn't face seeing her so happy with Stuart. It was as if someone had driven a red hot poker through his chest.

He couldn't watch the tranquil scene anymore, but before he left he stole one more look. He saw Stuart leave Amy's side and watched as her face dropped again with the serine smile vanishing as if it had never been.

Sheldon should have left, but he couldn't take his eyes off the woman who held part of his soul in her hands. He watched as she walked over the display of shirts hanging on the wall. Amy walked slowly by each shirt her head still down, then suddenly she stopped, and looked up at the red Flash shirt on display. She put her hand up to feel the cotton and traced her finger around the logo. Sheldon could see her lips quiver slightly, but she sucked them in and squinted her eyes shut. Someone must have called her name, because she quickly retracted her hand and put her faux smile back. She stole one more glance at Red Shirt, and slowly walked to the other side of the store, as if her feet were made of lead.

Sheldon turned away from the scene and walked up the darkened street, past his bus stop, and the next one. As he walked he thought about what he had lost in the last six months. He career was faltering since he had not had one good idea in a year. His childhood idol was gone, his best friend hated him, and the comic book store was home to his sworn enemy. Then he stopped, and realized all those things were still there, but he just wasn't a part of them anymore. Professor Proton had visited him in his dreams to give advice, but he never listened. Professor Proton had told him to appreciate those around him, but Sheldon had told Professor Proton that dressing up like a Jedi was a cheap trick and he should leave his dreams and never return. Professor Proton had listened, and Sheldon hadn't had a dream since.

Appreciate them. That was the last thing he said to him. That's what Amy had said to him as well. He didn't appreciate her. She had been right, in fact. He hadn't valued her, or cherished her mere presence. Those little smiles that she gave him when he was being witty were gone. The times she defended him were gone. She was really and finally he could admit, he did regret leaving her. It was stabbing feeling in his chest that he had been ignoring for months. None of the other Sheldon's understood his pain, or even had a taste of it. All except One, who only felt the feeling for mere seconds before the congress convened, and it seemed enough to cripple him.

Number Five had seemed so happy, content and calm. He had an aura around him that exuded confidence, and though number Three was a love sick teenager, he had had it too. So did number Two. Then he remembered how bitter and angry number Six had seemed. He was glad his anger had been turned toward number One and not him. That guy was off the rails, and it was disturbing to see himself so angry. But then Sheldon remembered that number Six had had no one, not even his mother. He never had Amy or even Leonard t support him or help him through the years. He didn't even wear a shirt with a comic book character, just some long sleeved shirt with no joy. That was Sheldon's future and he knew it now more than ever. He would be just like number Six: Alone, bitter and unloved.

Finally, he stopped at a bus stop to catch his breath. He was half way home, but his legs didn't work as well as they used to. He had lost over 20 pounds in the last year and walking was a strain. He let his memory wander through all the times he had had with Amy. He tasted every bitter word he had ever spoken to her on his tongue again. He tried to think, in an alternate universe, what would he say differently, or how he might do it in a different way. Some cases, he still had no idea why she was so angry. Other times, he knew. In his gut he knew he was pushing her away, but never so far that she would leave him. Till that one time he pushed too hard. There was no string of love to pull her back to him he hadn't woven it for her yet.

Sheldon became cold thinking of the things he could have said. He held his jaw which still stung from the blow that number Three had given him. He wished Amy had hit him, to knock some sense in him. He let out a sorrow filled chuckle as he remembered that she had struck him and it still hadn't been enough. He still hadn't understood he was wrong then. Sitting on that bus bench, finally he got it. He had lost her, and it hurt more than he thought possible. His chest tightened, and the feeling in his throat made him feel as if he would choke on his own air. The tears falling on his hands were the only warmth on them. Then Sheldon felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Leonard's worried frown and furrowed brow.

"Hey buddy, you okay?" Leonard stood next to him near the bench and cocked his head to watch his former friend. Sheldon looked lost, confused, and broken.

Sheldon rubbed the back of his hand against his face to wipe away the tears, "Yeah, I'm just waiting for the bus. It's late."

"Yeah, buddy, it is. It's 2:30 in the morning. You been here long?"

"I came at 7:00. I went to see the new store. But Amy was there with her new boyfriend." Sheldon wanted to sound angry, but he just sounded wounded. He looked up at Leonard, not realizing that he had not stopped crying. His tears dripped back into his ear as he looked up at him, "I just could not face that."

"Come on, buddy. Let me take you home." Sheldon rose off the bench but almost fell over from weakness. Leonard hooked his arm around his waist and helped him to the car. "Come on. Almost there."

Though Sheldon held onto Leonard, he couldn't believe he was there. "Leonard, I thought you hated me after what I said about Penny. I thought we weren't friends anymore." Sheldon looked away as he remembered with shame the vile things he had said to Leonard.

"I hate what you said, but we have always been friends, you would not let any of us near you. Besides…" He smiled at him, "Who do you think told me to find you?"

Sheldon's eyes lit up, "Penny?"

"Yeah. She saw you outside the comic book store as you turned to leave. When we got home we wanted to check on you, but you weren't there. She's worried sick about you, Sheldon. Now come on, let's go back home."

He walked Sheldon to the car, helped him in and buckled him up. While he went around the car, he sent a quick text to Penny. "GOT HIM. YOU WERE RIGHT. ITS BAD."

Penny texted back, "AS BAD AS AMY?"

"WORSE. MUCH WORSE."

Leonard got in the car and turned on the heater. He gave Sheldon a drink of the tea he had brought him just in case he found him. Thank god, he had thought to keep that tracker on the phone. He let the car heat up as well as his friend. "Sheldon, just so you know, Amy's not with Stuart. They are just friends, nothing more."

Sheldon swallowed the tea and gave Leonard a shocked look, "But they went to Prom together and there's that ritual..."

Leonard turned the heater to hit Sheldon's near blue hands, "That was just one time, Sheldon. I don't know what ritual you are talking about, but Amy left early that night. She didn't even stay to dance. This is the first Amy's been out of the house with us since then. She has just locked herself away in her work and has refused to see any of us for months."

Sheldon chewed on his upper lip, plotting his next move, "Leonard, take me to Amy's."

"Sheldon! It's almost 3 o'clock in the morning! Amy's asleep. I'll take you tomorrow, I promise." He started the car, but Sheldon undid his seat belt and tried to get out. He stumbled to the curb and then collapsed on this hands and knees. The gravel of the dirty sidewalk dug into his palms, but he didn't notice. He had to get to Amy. He sat back on his legs and tried to push himself up, but Leonard was there to help him.

"Sheldon! Please, let me take you home." He held out his hand to Sheldon who grasped it but didn't get up.

He looked Leonard in the eye, with a resolve Leonard had never seen before, and begged him, "Please Leonard. Take me to Amy's. I've wasted enough time, please."

"Okay… Buddy. Okay." Leonard helped Sheldon off the ground and got him back into the car. He was silent on the road to Amy's. Sheldon looked out the window and remembered all the times Leonard had driven him to her house. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, or do, but he had to see her again. Everything was telling him to go there. It was as if the woven thread had already been spun, and he had just now felt its pull.

Leonard drove to the front of the building, and Sheldon climbed out,

"Leonard, would you mind waiting, Amy may not want to talk to me."

"Sure buddy, just let me know."

Sheldon headed to the elevator and the third floor. He approached the door he had knocked on so many times. Before he could knock, he put his hand up to outline the numbers 314 with his fingers. He pulled his hand away quickly and took a deep breath through his nose. He knocked on the door in his customary fashion. He heard movement on the other side, then the door swung open and she was standing there before him.

Amy was wearing her striped nightgown, but it had none of the wrinkles from sleep. Her eyes were red, and the dark circles under them looked almost permanent. She chewed her lip for a moment to hide her pain, and said flatly, "What do you want?"

"Today is the day, Amy." Sheldon tipped his head down, waiting for the strike he knew he deserved, but it never came.

Amy looked at him exhausted and slumped against the doorframe, "What day, Sheldon?"

"The day I realize what I lost. And you were right. It hurts." Sheldon put his hand on his chest and one on the door frame. "Oh god, Amy. It's hurts."

Amy hadn't seen Sheldon since Prom, and even then she could tell he had lost weight, but not like this. She hadn't seen him so thin since she had first met him, and his figure now he was even thinner. His face was gaunt with his bony cheek bones showing a deep shadow. His arms looked like sticks and his clothes were bags. Without a thought, she reached for him and pulled him into the apartment.

Sheldon held onto her, wrapping his arms around her waist and sobbing into her shoulder. He couldn't stop shaking from the tears. Amy supported him as best she could, but he was beginning to collapse. She guided him over to the couch, sat him down and covered him with her crocheted afghan. Then she went to the kitchen and fixed him a cup hot tea with lemon. She brought it back to him and held it up to his lips to drink. After the warm liquid hit his stomach, he stopped shaking and his breathing settled.

Amy sat next to him on the couch and ran her fingers through his hair as she asked him, "Its 3 o'clock in the morning, how did you get here"

"Leonard drove me, he is downstairs waiting. I needed to see you, talk to you."

Amy sighed, "Tell him to go home, I will drive you back later." The fact he hadn't stopped her tender touch was curious.

As Sheldon texted Leonard, his mind was racing. He had no speech practiced, or apology rehearsed. He looked across the couch at the woman he had thrown away. She was thinner as well, but the most drastic difference was that her shoulders seemed to droop so much more it was as if she had folded in on herself. In fact, she had. Going out with the group had all but stopped for Amy. She couldn't bear to go to Los Robles anymore.

She was just now starting to get a modicum of confidence back and had used it plus all the strength she could muster to go to the comic book store last night. The last person she had expected or wanted to see was Sheldon. However, he looked so fragile and broken that she nearly forgot her anger.

He tilted his head toward her hand that now rested on his shoulder and said quietly, "You were right. What you said… I don't deserve you. I never did."

"I shouldn't have said that. The word deserve hints at obligation and reward. I never did anything for you with the expectation of a reward. I did it because I cared." She let her hand run through his hair one more time, "God help me, I still do."

Sheldon put down his tea and shifted to face Amy, "I never should have called you a tramp. I never thought that of you, ever. I never should have said those things to you. I'm so sorry, Amy. But mostly." Sheldon inched toward her, "I never should have let you get off that train without doing this."

Sheldon leaned over the couch, bracing his weight on his palms. He drew in a quick breath, and pressed his lips against her mouth.

Amy's lips were hardened with anger and pain. Sheldon's lips were quivering with fear and regret, but he didn't stop. He leaned in and pressed his lips further onto hers with slightly more movement. He was shocked that he was not afraid. That feeling was gone and had been replaced with hope. Sheldon moved even closer to her, he placed his hand on her thigh and wrapped his other around her shoulder. The once awkward kiss became so natural, that soon a growing calm befell them. They relaxed into the kiss and let it bloom and brush away their anger and fears. Only when they needed air, did Sheldon pull back and open his eyes.

He saw that Amy's eyes were still closed as if the last minute was a dream and she didn't want to wake up. But her cheeks were blushed with a peach hue. When she finally opened her eyes, Sheldon had to catch his breath. A small green spark of life had returned to her eyes. He couldn't help but smile.

"I should have done that 6 months ago."

Amy let out a long sigh, "You should have done that 2 years ago."

Sheldon tipped his head, "Again… you're right."

"One kiss isn't going to do it, Sheldon. You need to know that. I won't let you treat me like that. I don't even know if you are here because you missed me or because you are upset your routine is disrupted." Amy pulled her body to inch away from him, but kept her hand near his.

Sheldon reached for her hand and held it as he said, "I'm here…. Because I love you."

Amy who spent the last six months hiding her feelings couldn't believe him. Not that phrase and certainly not from him. She ripped her hand away and held her face as if he had slapped her, "Oh Sheldon, how could possibly think you love me. You've done nothing in four years that would indicate that you do. In fact, you have actively avoided ANY discussion what so ever of feelings, romantic or otherwise."

Sheldon answered her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world to him, "Strawberries."

Amy folded her shoulders up again and let out an exhausted sigh, "What?"

"It's the only thing I can eat. It's the only thing that makes me happy. I eat strawberries and I feel better. Like a wave of comfort has washed over me. For the last month I think that's all I've eaten."

Amy looked annoyed, "What does that have to do with anything Sheldon?"

He smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her into his chest. Amy fell on his like a rag doll, not reacting or pulling away. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his head on hers. He kissed the top of her head and drew in a deep soul penetrating breath.

"You smell like strawberries. You are the only thing that makes me happy. Makes me calm. You give me focus when I can't see through the haze of my mind. You push when I need it and are always there if I stumble. The only thing that brought me any joy in the six months is the fragrance of you." Sheldon held on to Amy's lifeless body and drank her scent.

Then he felt it: her arm and the brush of her hand as she leaned into him. She wrapped her arms around his frail body and closed her eyes. The overwhelming scent of Talc hit every one of her scent receptors. It was the first time she could smell talc and not cry. No other words were needed at the moment, as the exhausted couple held onto each other as they fell asleep on the couch.

The next morning, the light of the day and the crick in Sheldon's neck woke him. His movements also woke Amy and she sat up quickly. They were both quiet and pensive as the cloud of sleep left their minds. She offered Sheldon the use of the shower while she prepared breakfast. Sheldon had to put on his previous night's clothes, but at least he was clean. He came out of the bath to find Amy in the kitchen, just putting the plate down.

"Come on, mister. Time to eat."

Sheldon whined, "Oh Amy, I'm not hungry…"

"Don't give me that, come on." Amy snapped her fingers and pointed to the chair at the kitchen table. Sheldon dropped into it. He was not used to eating much lately, but whatever she had cooked did start to make his mouth water.

Amy brought over a plate with an omelet, bacon and French Toast, with butter and syrup. She also put a glass of milk in front of him. "Do you want the syrup or the powder Quik Sheldon?"

"Is it strawberry?"

Amy smiled, "Of course!"

"Syrup, Amy. It tastes better." Sheldon smiled and took a small bite of his food, and then another and then another until the plate was clean, then another plate and two more glasses of milk with strawberry quik. Amy beamed and watched it all. They were silent, just getting used to the sight of each other on the other side of the table.

Finally, when Sheldon had eaten her entire breakfast food supply, Amy excused herself to the shower. While she dressed, Sheldon texted Leonard that he was still at Amy's. Leonard texted him back saying he was very happy for him and he that would see him later. He also asked if he would like him to bring over Chinese tonight. Sheldon answered wholeheartedly, yes. Then he added to himself, I hope he doesn't screw up the chicken order. It's been too long…

Amy emerged from the bath dressed and coiffed. She sat on the couch but toward the side, not touching Sheldon. They both knew they needed to talk, but neither knew where to start.

Finally Amy had had enough of his nervous hand wringing and said, "Sheldon. I am not going to jump back into a relationship with you. You need to know that. I mean, I liked your kiss last night, but that was not enough. Just because you are now ready for a physical relationship, you cannot expect me to jump to your bidding. I have slowly learned that I don't need your affections to be a whole person, and that has taken me awhile."

Sheldon nodded and let her continue. Amy drew in breath and narrowed her eyes at him, yet she her tone was not as biting as she wished it would be. Just seeing him again was warming her. " You hurt me Sheldon, not only your actions in breaking up and your words at Prom, but the way you treated me before that. I am not ready to open myself up to that kind of hurt again. I cannot, I will not put up with that kind of treatment again. I respect myself too much for that."

Sheldon let out a sigh, wishing he could have one of the other Sheldon's win Amy back for him, and then he could take over. She would never know those doppelgangers weren't him. All but number Six who was obviously doing steroid experiments.

But who was he kidding, he thought. Amy would know the instant they opened their mouths, especially that hippy number Three. Sheldon knew he had to do this on his own. He was the real Sheldon after all, and he would not allow a shoddy copy to touch his woman.

It was up to him to win her back and it would be a long road back to the status quo. Sheldon didn't want status quo anymore. He wanted more and he realized that more was going to be hard for her to give, but at least she was talking to him.

"Amy, I know it will take time for us to get back to any state of normalcy. Not just for you to forgive me, but for me to learn how to be the man I need to be. I have so much to learn, and frankly, you are the only one who can teach me. The only one I trust."

"Why should I think this time will be different? Why should I risk it?" Amy jutted her jaw and glared at him.

Sheldon put a small smile on his face, "You have no idea how good we can be if we are together, Amy. I mean truly together, where I am as invested as you are. I am ready for that now, and I know we can be strongest relationship. If I can learn to half as good a boyfriend as you were a girlfriend for me, well then little lady, we would be unstoppable."

Amy let out a chuckle and continued to glare at him, "I am NOT going to be your girlfriend again, so good luck with that!"

"Proposal. You go on a date with me. Maybe dinner, dancing, we could take in a prize fight?" Sheldon raised his appealing brows, but Amy shook her head and grinned.

"Hey pal, that's the line you used on Penny to ask her for a date when you wanted to make me jealous. Who are you trying to make jealous, Sheldon?"

Sheldon thought back to the evening with the other Sheldons, "I can think of 5 guys that I would like to make jealous. Amy I want our relationship to be so great, so superior to everyone's that we make everyone jealous of us. I am going to work on it, but I can't do it without your help. I need you help me win you back. Frankly, I need to hire you on a retainer as a consultant for how to woo Amy Farrah Fowler." Sheldon put his head down then popped his eyes up with a smile. "What's your hourly rate?"

Amy snorted, "Far more than you can pay."

Sheldon moved closer to her, "Give me a number here."

"Oh brother…Just listen to me, that's all. Care enough to try and change. You're getting off cheap."

Sheldon's smile widened, "Wonderful, more money for dates… Now about those…"

Amy chewed the inside of her lip, then said, "Well, first off … Prize fight. Aint gonna happen pal. I'm not picking you up off the floor when all that blood goes spurting around. Next, there is going to be quite a few dates before I am comfortable with us being a couple again." She was trying to be strong, but the look in his blue eyes was melting her, "That is if ever I do say I would go on one…"

"I can live with that, as long as I can see you. Will you come by the house for dinner again? I really need to have you next to me again Amy. I need that more than you will ever know." Sheldon chewed his bottom lip and swallowed. The loneliness of the last six months had been more difficult than he could ever have believed.

Amy drew in a jagged breath as she thought back to the days when the gang gathered for meals. She had missed that time, almost as much as Sheldon. She had felt that she had lost her friends when they broke up, though she knew that that had been of her own choosing. Months of solitude had hardened her heart but she had grown weary of being sad, bitter and alone. A meal with her friends sounded as good as a King's banquet.

"I can come to dinner again, Sheldon. But we are not a couple." Amy held her own hands again, but the grip was loosening. She cleared her throat and proclaimed, "We have a lot of ground to cover before I will even consider it."

Sheldon swallowed, "Um, there is this three date thing I heard about, we should discuss at some point." Sheldon pulled in his bottom lip and looked briefly at Amy, then looked away. Amy knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Sheldon! Are you talking about sex? Sheldon there is no way we have to deal with that! Not for a very very long time, if ever!"

Sheldon put his hand across the back of the back of the couch and leaned in toward Amy, "So give me a number here."

Amy put her hand on her chest, "Sheldon! I am not going to give you a number, I haven't even said yes to a date with you let alone set a time frame…" Amy whispered to Sheldon, "For coitus." Sheldon smiled at his shy girlfriend with the blushing face. How on earth he could ever have called this woman a tramp was beyond him. He really had been a clueless idiot as number Six had said.

Sheldon smiled and said, "Well I have just one question for you Amy. He then leaned forward and opened his eyes wide at her and she braced herself for what could come next after that statement.

Sheldon smiled, and said, "How about that ride home?"

"There he is! The old Sheldon Cooper I grew to love." Amy smiled then caught her words and her eyes darted around like they were on fire.

Sheldon leaned forward, grabbed her hand and smiled, "Yes, here I am. Here is my Amy, I finally realized I love."

Amy let out the breath she held. "Yes."

"Yes to what? The three date thing?"

Amy snorted at Sheldon's teasing, or what she thought was teasing, "Yes.. as I said last night, I will give you ride home." Amy rose off the couch and grabbed her purse. She headed toward the door with Sheldon following her, but before he reached the door, he grabbed Amy and pulled her by the waist toward him.

He leaned down as if he was going to kiss her, but he smelled her hair instead. Then he moved his mouth to her ear, and said softly, "Just so you know, when we do start dating again, I am putting kissing into the Relationship Agreement after every date night." He brushed his lips against her neck and added softly, "No time limit. You decide when the first date is Amy. I hope it's soon."

Amy let out a whimper as he let her go. He gave her a side smirk and headed out the door. Amy blinked a few times, and called back to him, "So, um… what kind of numbers were you thinking about then?"

Three years later.

"Sheldon! Dinner!" Leonard called back to Sheldon who was in his room. He seemed to take his time getting to the table. Leonard looked to Penny and whispered, "Not like him to miss ANY meals lately." He winked at her.

Penny tried to hide her grin, but a bellowing voice cut off her mirth, "I heard that! Just because I put on a few pounds doesn't mean I can't hear! Geez, haters gonna hate hate hate. Taylor was right!"

Sheldon came out of the hall from the bedroom. He had put on a little weight with a cute pot belly, but he had also bulked up his arms and shoulders as well. He was looking healthier than anyone had seen him, but that didn't mean the gang didn't miss a chance to tease him.

Sheldon settled in on his spot and said quietly, "What are you guys gonna say when Amy is as big as a house? She is eating for two now, and I won't have that kinda fat shaming talk around her!"

"Oh brother!" Amy came waddling down the hall from the bathroom, "And what were you saying to me earlier today, that I looked like a Beach ball with sticks. Besides it's you who have been putting away the red vines lately." Amy walked over to the couch and sat next to Sheldon, who smiled at her and put a hand on her growing belly, "NOW where's my PALAK PANEER!"

"Right here, Ames! Double portion." Penny handed Amy her dish with a wide smile.

Sheldon was brimming with pride as he gazed upon his beautiful wife shoving in creamed spinach like it was her last meal. Penny looked fondly at the couple in front of her.

It had been an uphill battle for Sheldon to gain Amy's trust again, often having to refer to the "consultant" to see what he had done or more likely said wrong. Eventually after six months, Amy had relented and agreed to go out on a proper date and though the first few of these had been awkward. Sheldon never gave up, and since that time had worn the look of contentment that was on his face at this minute.

Six months later, and a year after their reunion Sheldon had rented out the dance hall where they had tangoed before they were even dating. He asked Penny to tell her to dress up in her prom dress. Sheldon dressed handsomely in his tux and asked the guys to decorate the hall as they had done the roof for the Prom he should have taken her to instead of Stuart. Once Sheldon saw her enter the room, he nearly panicked, but he kept his cool and they danced the night away to Prom approved songs like "Lady in Red" and "Take my breath away." That was the first night they made love, and there was barely a night since they were not together. In fact Sheldon and Amy's romance had almost become a model for the group and Penny had a hard time fitting the mold.

Leonard had become so much more relaxed about things, and had stopped playing mother hen to Sheldon as soon as Amy had moved in him. However, Penny had other concerns rather than Leonard playing nursemaid to Sheldon.

No sooner had Amy moved in with Sheldon, then Sheldon was pushing to start a family, as he had so delicately put it, she was no spring chicken. Penny had heard Amy's raised voice through two front doors and the hallway that separated them, and Sheldon had had to call in the "consultant" again.

So after their trip to Texas, Sheldon and Amy were wed. Penny always suspected it was a shot gun wedding with Mary Cooper holding the rifle, but in fact it was Amy that needed convincing.

The comparative speed at their reunified relationship scared the life out of Penny. Here they were married before Penny and Leonard. Then as soon as Amy had declared that she was pregnant Leonard had been pestering Penny to set a date for their wedding. Still as long as he didn't start pushing her on babies, Penny was okay with how things were going. However, she feared that once Sheldon and Amy's little girl arrived, all bets were off.

That night as Sheldon curled up next to Amy, cradling their unborn child with his hands on her belly, he finally felt true happiness. He thought back to the meeting with the other Sheldons, they had taught him to let his guard down, the same guard that had told him never let anyone get too close and never allow a person to change you. Sheldon wondered what had been so different with him. Why had he rejected the prospect of love and commitment with a woman as wonderful as Amy? Why had he been the only one who had let her go out of all of them? He had truly realized the reason on the day he said "I do" to the woman laying beside him: He had wanted it more.

Once Sheldon had fully committed to Amy, he understood what he was afraid of all along. That he would need her too much. He had pushed her away to protect himself, but he had been a fool. He had never needed to push her away, only to draw her near, and every night as he lies with her like this he knew: He really was the luckiest of all the Sheldon's.

A/N:

Whacha think? I'd love to know! Was I too nice to poor ol' four?

Next up: One! Can he pull it off? Did he listen at all?

After that, one more epilogue then the story is done folks!