Chapter 21: With a Little Help From My Friends
Our girl Niki is making some plans of her own, with the help of Binary, LLC.
While Heather was plotting her revenge, Niki was busy plotting her trip to Germany. She checked several online travel sites and was busy comparing airline prices and hotel accommodations when her phone announce loudly that she had an incoming call. Startled, she hesitated to answer and then saw it came from Marcus Benson, Binary's chief attorney. Her nerves immediately settled, she answered with, Hey, Marcus!Long time, no hear.What's up?
Niki, Binary has told me that you are thinking of going to Heidelberg to visit your husband.
Yeah, so what?Are you telling me I can't?
No, Niki.Not at all.Binary loves both you and Sheldon and sincerely appreciates all the hard work you are all doing at your place.
That Nobel Prize didn't hurt our reputation, did it?
It helped Binary's as well.They are truly thankful for all the prestige you have given them in certain circles. Now, on to the reason for my call.Niki, they have informed me that I am to immediately put one of our private jets at your disposal.We can't have a Nobel winner flying commercially with her child, that wouldn't be right.
You had Sheldon and Leonard take a regular flight.
No, we didn't.They both insisted on flying Lufthansa.What can I say?Geniuses are often a bit strange, present company excluded, of course.
Thank you, Marc.But I think you should know that I am taking my best friend, her son, and my mother-in-law with me.So, does that offer still stand?
Our planes all sit up to thirty people comfortably.A party of five should pose no problem, whatsoever.Just let me know what films the children would love to see.It's a long flight and it will go so much smoother if they are both happily entertained.Also, Binary has booked your party for the week in the Arthotel Heidelberg.It is a most unique, four-star hotel located very close to the university.It will make it quite easy for Leonard and Sheldon to stay with you without missing any of their lectures.
All right.I'll take Binary up on their generous offer. Oh, please stock the jet with plenty of sushi, non-alcoholic champagne, a nice, dry Riesling, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, and apple juice.As far as films go, anything by Disney and Pixar would be great.Maybe some of the classics like Toy Story and Up.Oh, make the hotel rooms suites.We do have the kids with us and they will both need their own bedrooms.
Anything you desire, Niki.Your wish is their command.You will find a large assortment of films for the children's viewing pleasure and a well-stocked galley on the jet and Master Suites in the hotel.Now, when would you like to depart?They can have the plane fueled and ready at LAX any time after noon tomorrow.
How about five p.m.?That would let us get a nap into the kids and also have them sleep for the second half of the trip.
The plane will be at your party's disposal at five.Go to Binary's private gate.It's located in the international terminal.Just ask at the front desk, they will be expecting you.
Thanks so much, Marc.We'll try and be there by four.
Don't thank me, thank Binary.You and your people have more than earned this.Now, I must bid you goodnight as I have company coming.
Let me guess, I'll bet she's blonde, busty, and half your age.
Your intuition is most astute, Niki.
Go for it, my friend.As they say, YOLO.
Yes.Well, have a good trip and say 'Hi' to Sheldon and Leonard for me.
Will do.Goodnight, Marcus.
Goodnight, Nikita.
Niki sat for quite a long time, pondering the conversation that had just taken place. She had never considered how much that Nobel Prize had meant to their business partners. She had just assumed they had been pleased by their investment in Pentagram and would continue their partnership with the Coopers and the rest of their group. She had never considered that they were now valued partners in a very big, very powerful, and very global, organization. The very idea that she could summon a private jet at her bidding made her head spin. She always thought of herself as plain old Niki Cooper. Mother of Lori, wife of Sheldon, and best friend of Penny Hofstadter. She suddenly realized the world viewed her as something else, entirely. To them, she was Dr. Nikita Horner; Nobel Prize winner in Physics and wife of a very famous physicist, Dr. Sheldon Cooper. She didn't entirely agree with that view, it disturbed her. She much preferred being Niki Cooper. It was far simpler.
She had learned that from Penny, who had one time told her, Nik, the big secret to fame and success is to not let your public image become the real you.When I'm acting, I'm Penelope Hofstadter, a well-known actress who gets written up in People Magazine from time to time.But that's not the real me.I'm really just plain old Penny from the front house who spends most of her time when not being Penelope, running around after a toddler and debating potty training tips with one of her best friends, Niki Cooper.That's the REAL me.Whatever you do, Sweetie, don't let fame change who you REALLY are.
Niki gave a long sigh and decided that, just this once, she would take advantage of the trappings of fame. Not having to subject the children to a long, boring, flight which was almost certain to seem interminable to everyone involved, she had taken Marcus up on Binary's offer of the private jet. She had seen pictures of some of their jets and she now visualized the children sitting comfortably in a living room type setting watching one of their favorite movies and eating some of their favorite 'only once in a while' foods. She contrasted that picture with one of the children crying, refusing to eat, and kicking the seat in front of them and driving everyone crazy. Yes, she nodded to herself, for both the children and the adults she would agree to make use of everything Binary offered them.
Her mind made up, Niki grabbed her phone and called Penny. She was excited to tell her the latest developments regarding their trip to Germany. She also wanted to give her a heads up that they all had to be ready to leave for the airport the next day at two in the afternoon. Her bestie, as Penny like to call herself, answered on the third ring.
Nik?What's up?Have you made your reservations?
Well, sort of.Guess what?
I give.What?
Binary has booked us one of their private jets for our little trip, complete with food, drinks, and entertainment for all of us.
You're not joking, are you.
Nope.It seems our good friends at Binary think my hubby and I are a pretty big deal.
Well, you are.In certain circles, it's like you won an Oscar.
Yeah, I get that.Still, I don't think of it that way.
Look Sweetie, do what I do.Just consider yourself an ordinary person who does extraordinary things.
Like fly halfway around the world to give my husband his shaving kit?
Among other things, yeah.
Oooookaaay.Anyway, can you, Mary, and Blake be ready to leave for the airport tomorrow at two?
Do we have a choice?
Not if you want to go along with me.
Hey, we'll be ready, don't worry.I wouldn't miss this one for the world.
Good.I don't know whether to be relieved, excited, or worried about what you just said.
Nik, just go with the flow.You science geeks think too much.
Maybe you're right in this instance.Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow at two, girlfriend.
Don't worry, Sweetie.This trip will be a blast!
Or it could blow up in my face.
Sweetie…remember what I just said about thinking too much?
Yeah, I know.I'll stop.I know, I'll just concentrate on all the fun we'll have on the way there.Girl, we have to make it to Paris to shop one day.I know some little boutiques with clothes to die for.
Gotcha.That's one of the days we'll leave the kids with the guys and have ourselves a ball!
Yep.Look, I've got to start packing and confirm the hotel reservations that Binary made.So, bye for now.
'Bye, Nik.I'll see you tomorrow.
Niki put down her phone and stared out the window, a mixture of excitement and dread filling her thoughts. She suddenly turned her head as she heard Lori begin to wake from her nap. She quickly put Dr. Nikita Horner, famous physicist, aside and switched gears to become, once more, Niki Cooper, toddler mom.
Well, it looks like both these little families will soon be reunited.How sweet.Maybe.