Okay so this is a part 1 of 2 situation ya'll. My orginal plan was to have one giant fluffball of a chapter. However I suffer from Manic/depressive disorder and was unable to finish it in its entirety. So here is part 1 and I hope to follow with part 2 very soon.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. Sometimes its what gets me through the day reading what you guys thought.
As always a huge thank you to cutelittlelumpofwool82 for beng my muse, sounding board , and the quickest edit in town.
"Look Sheldon, mistletoe," Amy says stopping him under the awning of the tree lot. She stands on her tiptoes to reach his lips and he lifts her up the rest of the way. They hear a click and a flash and look up to see someone has taken a polaroid of them kissing.
"Commemorative tree lot picture only two dollars," The young man says holding out the photo.
"We didn't ask for a photo to be taken," Sheldon tells him annoyed.
"We'll take it," Amy says fishing the money out of her purse and handing it to the man who hands her the picture. "I love it!" Amy coos showing Sheldon the picture.
Even Sheldon has to admit it is a nice photo of the two of them. Normally when someone tells them to kiss in a picture his face has a pinched look to it. It seems inappropriate to be yelled at to kiss someone for the purpose of a photo by one's mom or grandmother. In this photo his face is relaxed, they look as happy as one couple could possibly be. Amy's long brown hair is flying out behind her, she has one leg kicked back in the air. He wants to ask her if he can keep it. For once a photo has captured them exactly as his memory has. However he does not, Amy paid for it so it is hers.
"It is a good one," He says simply before walking away to examine the trees. "Now we will need to get a small one. Like this," He says pulling out a tiny tree and Amy wrinkles her nose.
"That's too small it looks like a tree top," Amy pouts. Then she walks around the rows of trees and pulls out a taller skinnier one. "How about this one?"
"That is a Charlie Brown tree," Sheldon says shaking his head.
"What? No, it's not!" Amy says looking it up and down.
"Oh please! If it were any skimpier a group of children would be gathered around it singing Hark The Herald Angels," Sheldon tells her and she puts it back. Just as snowflakes drift from the sky and lands on her mittened hand.
"Snow!" She says as excited as child looking up as the snow starts falling thicker and faster. Amy sticks out her tongue and catches one giggling. "I've always wanted to do that!"
"Yes, it is all very beautiful now but if it keeps up at this rate it will make returning home much harder. You've never driven in the snow before," Sheldon reminds her.
"You're right. I guess we'll just shelf getting a tree for now. Do you we think we should try and find Missy?" Amy asks worried. Sheldon sighs, really he just wanted to leave as soon as possible. However if anything were to happen to his careless sister he would shoulder the blame.
"I suppose we better at least try," He says and they race to the car and drive back to the rink. Amy let's Sheldon out to go look and the population of the rink has shrunk. Only a few brave souls are still out skating and none of them are his sister. He returns to the car empty handed and Amy looks worried.
"Where could she have gone?" Amy asks as they get back on the main road and head back to the house. Sheldon was right the snow was falling thicker and heavier and as pretty as it looked Amy did not like driving in it.
"Missy, is very friendly. Right now she is probably showing that young man she met some classic Texas hospitality," Sheldon sighs and Amy looks at him shocked.
"Missy wouldn't!" Amy says scandalized.
"You wanna bet?" Sheldon says wiggling his eyebrows.
"They just met!" Amy protests. Sheldon just shrugs.
He does not want to taint Amy's opinion of his sister anymore. Amy has gotten to know a relatively tame Missy. He remembers a Missy that had his mother sitting up in the kitchen all night chain drinking Dr. Pepper and crying. Fretting about where Missy was and when she would be home. When they get back to the house the snow has already blanketed the driveway. Mary meets them at the door looking relieved.
"I was worried sick! News says this ain't stopping. Missy called a few minutes ago to say she was staying with a friend she just met. Now you know how I feel about that," Mary says rolling her eyes.
"George heading out to get her?" Sheldon asks taking off his wool hat.
"Just as soon as you got back with the car," Mary tells him before calling over her shoulder. "Junior, their back! Go get your sister!"
"I'll go with him," Sheldon says putting his hat back on.
"Sheldon you couldn't wait to get back home," Amy reminds him.
"I am concerned for my twin sister. I would like to assist in retrieving her," Sheldon tells her. Amy looks at him skeptical but relents as George comes around the corner.
"Time to go get the little ho?" George asks and Mary slaps him on the shoulder.
"Be nice to your sister. But yes, get her she gave me the address of where she would be. Sheldon is going with you," Mary tells him.
"Baby girl coming too?" George asks hopefully.
"I thought Amy would stay with us. Meemaw is making her famous cookies. Time to pass the recipe on," Mary says wrapping her arms around Amy. "Unless of course you wanna go with the boys?"
"No, I'd like to stay with you. Sheldon keeps talking about those cookies. I better learn how to make them," Amy tells her happily.
Sheldon looks relieved, for what he has planned Amy can't come with him. Amy gives him a hug goodbye and begs him to be safe. George insists he get a good luck hug too and warns him to drive safe. Mary explains where Missy is and then they are off. George could probably drive in just about any conditions. A talent he inherited from his father. The thickly swirling snowflakes don't even phase him as he pulls out onto the main road. They bother Sheldon who is keeping a tight grip on overhead bar as George passes a car making its way slowly down the road.
"Will you please be careful!" Sheldon barks at him nervously.
"I'm always careful," George says winking at him. "Why'd you even come with me? Wouldn't you much rather be cozied up next to the fire, drinking hot cocoa with your wife?" George asks jealousy tinging his voice.
"Indeed I would, but there are some things in town I need to get. Without Amy there," Sheldon tells him. Looking out the window.
"I see, still got to get the little lady a present? I didn't take you as one to put things like that off," George whistles.
"I didn't put it off. We weren't going to exchange gifts. However I have now changed my mind as I have found her the perfect present," Sheldon tells him smugly.
"I dunno, I don't think it could ever top what I got her," George tells him with a sly smile on his face. Knowing that will rile Sheldon up knowing he got Amy a gift. True to form Sheldon looks over at him angrily.
"You don't need to be buying my wife anything!" He snaps.
"Don't get your panties in a twist. I got Missy the exact same thing. I think of Amy as a little sister now," George says unconvincingly and Sheldon looks at him skeptically.
"That's why your last girlfriend was carbon copy of her, right? Because she is just a little sister to you?" Sheldon says rolling his eyes.
"Alright, I admit Cecelia was a mistake," George sighs turning down a road that leads to a neighborhood. Sheldon recognizes the street name as the address Mary told them Missy was at.
"How do you do that? Mother only gave you the vaguest idea of how to get here. I would be completely lost," Sheldon says as they pull up to a house and see Missy sitting on the doorstep.
"Everyone has their god given talents. Yours is the math and science shit. Mine is my internal navigation system," George shrugs as Missy gets in the car.
"What are you doing out in the cold Moo?" George asks using Missy's childhood nickname.
"He got handsy so I kneed him in the crotch. I figured Mama would be sending ya'll after me. So I decided to wait out here," Missy tells him and George high fives her.
"That's our girl," He tells her. Then he turns the opposite way out of the neighborhood to go back home.
"So what? I thought we were going back to Auntie Roses to sing carols and bake cookies and all that crap?" Missy asks reaching between them to turn on the radio.
"We are. I've just got to run an errand in town first," Sheldon tells her evasively.
"Sheldon forgot to get Amy a present," George laughs and Missy smacks the back of Sheldon's head.
"Ow!" Sheldon yells glaring at her. "I didn't forget! We weren't going to do it at all. Until, I just changed my mind." As he turns the radio down.
"You're damn lucky that you did!" Missy tells him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sheldon asks her curiously.
"You'll see," Missy says mysteriously.
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"So the secret is almond extract instead of vanilla?" Amy asks watching as Meemaw stirs her batter.
"And extra butter! That's what makes my cookies extra special," Meemaw tells her winking. "It's a family secret, only given away once you're married. Not even Missy knows the secret to the cookies yet," Amy smiles at her happily as she pops the batter into the fridge and pulls out an already chilled batch.
"So we load it in here?" Amy asks holding up what looks like a red cookie gun. It has removable plates like her old play dough set used to have.
"Then we squirt em' out!" Mary tells her. "This has been my favorite part since I was a little girl," Mary tells her looking like a little kid again watching Meemaw load up the cookie press.
Amy can't help the happy tears that prick her eyes. The surge of love she feels for these new women in her life. All her life all she ever wanted was a feeling like this, to be loved and included. Christmas with her mother had been sparse and mostly about the reason for the season. No tree, or lights, or Santa. Now she had everything she ever wanted. Even the kitchen is decorated for the holiday.
They make two dozen cookies and put them in the oven. The kitchen as one of those fancy double ovens that make multiple batches at once. By the time the cookies are done and they start to decorate them Missy walks through the kitchen door. She snatches a cookie off a plate and hops on a stool.
"Auntie Rose told me to tell ya'll that the other company should be here in an hour," Missy says starting to grab another cookie before Mary swats her hand away.
"Oh, no you don't! You didn't help bake. You don't get to help eat," Mary scolds.
"I'm not allowed to help! Unmarried women aren't privy to the secret cookie recipe," Missy reminds her.
"You can still help decorate!" Mary reminds her. "Instead you were off galavanting around town with some boy you just met. Instead of spending time with your family," She says disappointedly.
"We are just baking cookies. It's not like we are having the Christmas the party right now or anything." Missy says.
"Where is Sheldon?" Amy asks trying to bail Missy out.
"He is out helping George with something. He'll be back inside in a little bit," Missy tells her coolly.
"It's nice seeing those two boys getting along for once," Meemaw says happily.
"It's suspicious is what it is," Mary says sagely.
"They have their reasons," Missy says winking before hopping off the stool and sashaying out of the kitchen.
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By the end of the night Amy is exhausted physically and mentally. More of Sheldon's family comes pouring in the house. She can't remember when she had been hugged so much. This wasn't even the big celebration this was just the family all getting together. Tomorrow night was Christmas eve and when the big party and gift exchanging was happening.
As soon as it is politely possible they sneak away. Walking outside in the snow that has finally stopped falling. It feels nice to just be alone with Sheldon. The night is dark and quiet the moon illuminates the snow making the blanketed ground sparkle. It seems magical, this ethereal white world.
"It's so beautiful," Amy says serenely as they sit down on a swing. "Have you ever seen snow like this?" Amy asks him.
"When we were here last time it snowed a little. Just a light dusting," He tells her.
"I want to move where there is more snow someday," Amy muses. "Somewhere where the seasons actually change," Amy says resting her head on his shoulder as they rock.
"If you had decided to go to Harvard you would have had lots of snow," He says.
"Should I have gone to Harvard?" Amy asks worried.
"Heavens no! I'm just pointing out that it snows in New England. I couldn't picture my life without you in it. So much so I'm following you across an ocean this summer," He reminds her resting his chin on her head and wrapping his arm around her.
"Speaking of which we still need to tell them that we are going," Amy sighs. Thinking of the trouble they went to of preparing a trailer for them. She just doesn't want to hurt and disappoint anyone.
"We'll tell them when they get back home. Let's give them this little fantasy family Christmas first," Sheldon tells her.
"Alright," Amy says grabbing his hand. They are silent for a moment before Amy pulls away and looks up at him nervously. "Hey Sheldon? Can I ask you to do something with me?"
"Anything," He vows.
"Can we make snow angels?" She asks shyly and he groans.
"Anything but that," He sighs. "Amy you know how I feel about lying in the dirt," Sheldon tells her when she pouts.
"This wouldn't be the dirt, it would be snow. Which is fresh and pure from the sky," Amy says looking at him with big pleading eyes.
"Fine! I will lay on the cold hard ground and make the indentation of my body on the snow with you. For whatever reason, just this once," He says getting up.
"Yay!" Amy says excited grabbing his hand and pulling him out into the yard. Where she flops down and starts moving her arms and legs. Sheldon lays down carefully beside her and half heartedly mimics Amy's movements. When they stand up Amy's silhouette resembles a paper cutout of an angel. His just looks like a misshapen lump.
"What did I do wrong?" He asks his competitive nature taking over. While looking at his failure.
"You didn't flap enough," Amy tells him kneeling down quietly beside him and gathering snow in her mittened hand to make a snowball.
"I flapped plenty!" He disagrees as a snowball hits him in the cheek. He shakes his hands wiping off the snow and looks a Amy astonished.
"Now, you're flapping plenty!" Amy laughs as he bends down and scoops up snow to throw back at her. He misses her and Amy hits him with another snowball on his shoulder. Sheldon squawks indignantly and starts gathering more snow. Compacting it carefully between his gloves to form a perfectly symmetrical snow sphere.
"If you think you've won this one, you have another…" He starts as another snowball hits him in the cheek. Abandoning his meticulously formed ball he charges tackling her into the snow. "How. Do. You. Like. It.?" He asks sprinkling snow over her head making her giggle and squirm beneath him.
"Sheldon stop!" Amy laughs.
"Say it. Say I've won!" He demands sprinkling more snow over her head.
"Never!" She laughs pushing her hands against his chest. Sheldon stops to look down at her with longing. The heat from his gaze warming up her frozen cheeks. His mouth descended upon hers kissing her deeply. They lay there in the snow kissing each other. They rollover so Amy is on top, never breaking their kiss. Not noticing as the snow begins to fall again on top of them. This reminds her of the first time she kissed Sheldon. It was the very first time Mary had left them home all alone and just like before Mary interrupts once again.
"Sheldon! Amy!" They hear Mary yell from the side door. "Where are ya'll? Its getting too cold for ya'll to be hiding out here!" Sheldon pulls away and looks down at Amy amused, his blue eyes dancing in pale light of the moon.
"Coming mother! Amy lost one of her mittens. Its her only pair so we were trying to locate it!" Sheldon lies so smoothly that Amy starts to laugh and he holds his hand up to her mouth to muffle the sound.
"Tell her we'll get her new ones! Ya'll get your butts inside before you catch a death of a cold!" Mary says going back into the house.
"That was close," Amy says getting off of him and helping him up.
"Even if we were caught in flagrante delicto we are married. What could she do? Ground us?" Sheldon scoffs, Amy shrugs in agreement then starts laughing and pointing to the ground. "What?" He asks.
"This snow angel you made is much better," She tells him and he turns his head to the side and contemplates the shape in the snow satisfied.
"We just work better together I suppose," He tells her as they walk back into the house.