Chapter 34
"Good morning" Sheldon greeted politely. When he realized that Melissa Thompson was also in President Siebert's office, he spontaneously snorted because of her annoying presence.
Since Amy told Sheldon about her miserable high school years, he'd been thinking about that evil girl named Melissa Thompson. It was clear for Sheldon that the damage Melissa had done to Amy, hurt her more than she had initially admitted.
"No, she can't be the same person. That woman has a very common name. Moreover, to be as evil as Amy said Melissa Thompson was ... some intelligence is required, and that's something this woman seems to lack." Sheldon thought to himself.
"Dr. Cooper, we're expecting you. Have a seat please." Dr. Siebert pointed to a chair next to Melissa.
When Sheldon and Melissa's eyes momentarily met, she smiled with a false calm. Sheldon simply nodded uncomfortably as he looked at her.
"Dr. Cooper ... I've known you for years and I understand that unusual behaviors are 'consistent with your personality' so to speak, but you're a very responsible and professional man. You've never failed to meet your obligations." Dr. Siebert stared at Sheldon with an expression of disappointment.
Sheldon sat uneasily in his chair, staring at the floor, as if he were ashamed of his impulsive acts.
"Dr. Cooper, why did you leave Houston without telling us? You know we had planned more conferences; in fact… right now you should be starting your first lecture of the day." Dr. Siebert exhaled loudly as he tapped the table with his fingertips. "I'm waiting for an explanation."
"Ahem ... I ... I" Sheldon swallowed hard, feeling a lump in his throat. He didn't know why it was so difficult to find the right words to justify his behavior. "I had to come back to Pasadena earlier than planned because my wife needed me." Sheldon made a long pause, trying to catch his breath. "I came back on Sunday morning, so I couldn't inform you, and I… didn't have time to do it yesterday, either" Sheldon blushed.
Melissa rolled her eyes when she confirmed that Amy was 'guilty' of Dr. Cooper's unexpected flight.
"What happened to your wife? Are your children alright?" Dr. Siebert softened his tone of voice, while noticing that Sheldon had reasons to act as he did. "I hope everything is fine. You should've told me earlier. You know I would have understood it."
Melissa had a hard time disguising how aggravated she was when Dr. Siebert and Sheldon talked about Amy. She still couldn't understand how a woman like 'Gorilla Fingers Fowler' managed to catch a man like Dr. Cooper.
"Yes, Amy Farrah Fowler and my kids are fine, although she's slightly anemic. We had some results outside the normal range in our laboratory tests, but it all was a mistake, a false positive because they didn't take into account that we're expecting twins." Sheldon answered with a huge smile on his face. "Neither she nor I knew we're having twins, until yesterday."
"Great news! Congratulations Dr. Cooper!" Siebert smiled too, as if he were willing to put aside the faults Sheldon had committed.
"Thank you! This was a surprise, but we are extremely happy." Sheldon admitted.
Melissa Thompson, cleared her throat. Now she thought she had a better idea of what Amy had done to 'catch' Sheldon Cooper.
"I hate to interrupt your celebration but, despite the 'great news' of Dr. Cooper, the objective of this meeting is to find a solution to the problems that we're currently facing. It is urgent that we resume our lectures as soon as possible; otherwise, the prestige of this institution will be affected." Melissa got up from the chair and crossed her arms, staring at Sheldon. "I think we should get back to Houston, tomorrow morning."
"I can't go to Houston, not at this time. No!" Sheldon shook his head with great concern. "I don't want Amy to be alone. Her mother is in San Diego and my mother is in Galveston. We have no other relatives in Pasadena." Sheldon knew that wasn't entirely true. Amy wouldn't be alone. They had very good friends who would be there for Amy and their children. Nevertheless, the idea of leaving Amy now that they were together again, was distressing for Sheldon.
"Dr. Cooper, perhaps I should remind you that you signed a contract, freely and voluntarily." Melissa fiddled anxiously with her pearl necklace. "What's the difference if you're expecting a baby or two? You must fulfill your obligations."
"Unfortunately, Miss Thompson is right. You agreed to give several lectures in different cities ... and they're already expecting you, Dr. Cooper." Siebert frowned as he recalled the terms of the contract.
"But ... I don't... I can't… I… I can't do it." Sheldon stammered. Although the theoretical physicist was always very eloquent in expressing his points of view, at that time he found it hard to elaborate coherent sentences.
It was evident that he'd made a mistake by signing a contract in a time of emotional instability, but Sheldon also knew that he had a legal obligation. Besides, he needed the money; he wanted to provide his growing family with everything they required.
"Amy needs me by her side as long as possible; it isn't easy to take care of a little toddler and expect twins at the same time." Sheldon was deeply regretting his hasty decisions. "There must be some way to supersede or break this contract."
"Dr. Cooper... if you breach your obligations, you will tarnish your reputation as a scientist, and you'll also harm Caltech's image." Melissa was pacing back and forth, thinking of a way to manipulate Sheldon's rigid morality at her convenience. "You know that bad publicity can affect you as a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Physics."
Sheldon remained silent, while meditating on the words of Melissa. He'd never failed to fulfill his obligations as a professional, but this was an unprecedented situation.
He knew that, if he left Pasadena to give those lectures, Amy could take care of Nicholas and the babies by herself, but he couldn't feel calm while being away from them. That was a fact.
After a few seconds of silence, Dr. Siebert began to say:
"Melissa, you shouldn't be so drastic with him. Dr. Copper, I totally understand your position and if I were in your place, I'd think exactly as you do." Siebert said, turning to Sheldon with a comforting tone. "I guess we can do something about it."
"Something… like what?" Melissa hissed. "We still have three days of seminars in Houston, and next month we should be in Massachusetts to continue our planned itinerary. We have to be in MIT. We won't be able to justify Dr. Cooper's absence."
Sheldon looked down, feeling as if he weren't a renowned theoretical physicist but the main attraction in a traveling circus. "I can't do it. I've already told you." Sheldon began to feel angry. "President Siebert, fire me if you have no choice, but I won't go."
"Fire you?" Dr. Siebert shook his head. "Of course I'm not going to fire you. We'll contact the boards of each university and we'll propose them to have videoconferences with you, instead of lectures at their campuses. You'll only have to travel in the event that the directors of the universities so require. Probably you'll have to go to MIT, but I think most universities would accept the videoconferences."
"Can you please tell me ... Who's going to contact the Presidents of all those universities and tell them we'll be doing just videoconferences instead of lectures?" Melissa asked sarcastically.
"Melissa, you're the PR specialist that I hired to assist Dr. Cooper and that's your job, so ... you better start working now." Dr. Siebert said flatly.
"Dr. Siebert, thank you for your help!" Sheldon exclaimed, he was surprised by the kind attitude of his boss. "The videoconferences schedule would be a wonderful arrangement in my situation, but I'm willing to give a few lectures at the campus of those universities if we have no other option." Sheldon got up from his chair and headed to the door. "Now, if you excuse me... I must go to my office."
Melissa's glare could set fire to the room; she was about to lose the little patience she had left and start a tantrum.
"Yes, you can leave and continue with your work. Congratulations for your twins!" Dr. Siebert added. "I'll do my best to help you. It isn't fair for you to be away from your family for so long. Although ... when you win the Nobel Prize in Physics, you'll have to travel to Stockholm to accept it." Dr. Siebert told Sheldon with a sympathetic smile.
Sheldon nodded again and left that office, feeling relieved and glad.
Melissa couldn't stand another minute without expressing her disagreement.
"Dr. Siebert ... why did you let Dr. Cooper do what he wants? He shouldn't be rewarded for his faults." Melissa told Dr. Siebert angrily. "These conferences are important to Caltech and it won't be easy to reschedule our agenda."
"Melissa, did you notice how bright Dr. Cooper's eyes were shining when he talked about his family?" President Siebert asked her.
Melissa looked bewildered, she couldn't understand the purpose of that odd question. When Melissa was about to say something, Dr. Siebert interrupted her.
"Of course you didn't notice." Dr. Siebert shook his head with dissapointment. "Now, please continue with your work".
Sheldon went home after an awkward day at work. The conversation he had in the morning with Dr. Siebert and Melissa Thompson, had left him a bittersweet feeling. Sheldon thought that, even when they'd reached an agreement, he'd still have to leave Pasadena once in a while.
Upon reaching home, Sheldon climbed the stairs along with Leonard, in complete silence, as if he were meditating on what had happened at that meeting. He longed to be with his family.
Leonard said goodbye to Sheldon and entered his apartment; Leonard knew that Penny was working at the restaurant, and he was planning to go see her in a few hours.
When Sheldon entered his apartment, he was greeted with a kiss and a hug from Amy and Nicky, and immediately his face lit up with a smile.
"We missed you! How was your day?" Amy grinned happily.
"It was ... weird!" Sheldon replied as he placed his jacket and his messenger bag in a chair.
"A weird day? Why?" Amy asked Sheldon, finding a hint of concern in his eyes. "Are you having problems because you left Texas without notice? I'll understand if you have to return to Houston for your lectures." Amy stared into Sheldon's eyes and gently stroked his cheek.
Sheldon responded with a tender kiss on Amy's lips. "I guess I won't have to return to Houston, Dr. Siebert suggested that we could have videoconferences instead."
"That's great! What an excellent idea!" Amy was glad to hear Sheldon's news, though he didn't look very happy. "But… why are you still worried?" Amy asked.
"Amy, although we can do most conferences via internet; sometimes I'll have to travel. For instance, next month I'll have to go to Massachusetts for some lectures at MIT. I really don't want to go. I don't want to leave you alone." Sheldon was still upset.
"I won't be alone, I have Nicky and our babies, they'll be with me." Amy took Sheldon's hand and hugged him.
"I know, but I want to be here. I don't want to miss a moment of my life with you and our kids." Sheldon sighed. "Besides, in a couple of days you're going back to the lab and your mom is still in San Diego. I can take Nicholas to Caltech with me, but if I go to MIT or somewhere else ... what are we going to do?" Sheldon had been thinking all day of a solution to their future problems.
"Sheldon, I've been thinking about it too, and I already know who is going to watch Nicholas." Amy nodded with confidence.
"Really? Who's going to watch Nicholas?" Sheldon blinked anxiously, he was a little concerned about Amy's answer. "If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, I seriously doubt that we can find someone who fills the requirements to take care of our son."
"No, I'm not thinking of hiring a nanny." Amy replied seriously. "I've decided that Nicholas will stay with me. I'm going to take care of him, everyday".
"Amy, your lab isn't a suitable place for a toddler." Sheldon thought it was an absurd idea.
"Sheldon, these days I've spent at home with Nicholas, made me realize how much I enjoy being with him. I love teaching him, playing with him, reading together, cooking for him. I wouldn't change the time I spend with Nicky for any job in the world. Not to mention that, when Thomas and Oliver are born, they're going to need me too." Amy gently rubbed her belly.
"Are you sure? Do you really want to stay home with the kids?" Sheldon swallowed nervously. "Amy, you don't have to give up what you love to take care of our children. This isn't a decision you can take so lightly."
"Sheldon, believe me! I've thought about this for a long time and I've made up my mind. I'm not giving up what I love, in fact, I'm choosing to do what I love the most. I'm doing what makes me happy." Amy hugged Sheldon tightly. "I know we're going to need more money now that we're five, but we still have some savings."
"Amy, if this is what you want to do, I support you. Likewise, I'll be there when you decide to go back to your job as a neurobiologist." Sheldon assured Amy.
"I know you'll be there. Don't worry!" Amy confirmed with sincerity. "I can always return to my job at the point where I left it, but the time I spend with Nicky and the babies, is more valuable to me".
"Doctor Cooper, you should've given these lectures at MIT a month ago. Although it was difficult, I managed to reschedule the lectures, but we're almost in August and you said you would go to Massachusetts for your conferences." Melissa claimed loudly. "What's your excuse now?"
"I have no excuse, I just don't want to go." Sheldon replied matter-of-factly, and suddenly hung up the phone.
"Sheldon, you should go to MIT. I don't want you to have any more problems." Amy said as she flipped through a magazine at the waiting room of her doctor's office.
"I know, but I don't like being interrupted at important moments like this." Sheldon grinned. "I hope we can confirm today if Oliver is a boy like they said in the first ultrasound. It wasn't clear so, they could be wrong." Sheldon surreptitiously crossed his fingers. He still believe that their twins were actually a boy and a girl.