~Chapter 36~
A/N - See me down below. After you've read the chapter, of course.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of The Big Bang Theory. This is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.
"…Accepting all I've done and said. I want to stand and stare again. Til there's nothing left out- oh, oh, oh…that remains there in your eyes. Whatever comes and goes…I will hear your silent call. And I will touch this tender wall, til I know I'm home again. In your eyes, the light the heat- your eyes, I am complete- your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches- the resolution, of all my fruitless searching. Oh, I see the light and the heat. Oh, I want to be that complete. I want to touch the light the heat I see in your eyes…. Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes (Live)
As it turned out, Sheldon's fears of losing the intimacy he and Amy had found over their weekend together were unfounded. Not only did their intimacy increase, it did so in the sweetest of ways.
When they had awoken that Monday morning, wrapped together in Sheldon's blankets, he took one look at Amy and knew everything would be fine. Better than fine. What they shared had carried over to their home turf. It wasn't just the hotel room, as Amy had pointed out. His eyes raked her up and down, adorably disheveled and looking like a goddess in that nightie, and he allowed the tears that had sprung to his eyes to spill over.
He had made love to his Amy. And he did it well.
He walked into work feeling like a million dollars. He knew he was glowing, and he knew the guys were privy as to why. No one said a word at lunch, other than Howard stating outright that Sheldon looked very happy and must have enjoyed the weekend. He could only smile, dipping his spoon into his frozen yogurt and swirling out the perfect spoonful.
It was impossible for him not to drift off at times; remembering their weekend and the way she made him feel. The way she touched him. The way she loved him. He broke out in chills just thinking of it. He had always sensed that underneath Amy's clinical exterior was a hot blooded woman. For years, he'd fought to keep that woman restrained, using his sarcasm to thwart any attempt on her part to let her out. Thank the Lord, he had come to his senses.
Coming back to his office, he set up his boards and stood back to survey his work. Everything looked so clear. He shook his head. Why hadn't he seen this before? His field of study suddenly morphed into something amazingly titillating. Endless possibilities awaited him, and he couldn't wait to get down to business.
A quiet knock startled him out of his zone.
"Come in," He said briskly, not bothering to turn around.
"Alright. Time's up. What gives?" Howard asked in impatience.
He turned around to find Leonard, Howard, and Raj standing there with expectant faces, their arms crossed. Sheldon narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"Times up? For what?" He asked, not comprehending his meaning. Howard rolled his eyes while Raj giggled.
"The timer attached to the man code about spilling your guts after a hot weekend with your girlfriend. A very hot weekend, if you get my drift," Howard ventured, lifting his brows. Sheldon stared at each man in turn, finally understanding. He bit his bottom lip and sighed.
"I wasn't aware of any man code. Besides…that's private. I don't…kiss and tell," He pouted, turning back to his boards. Howard whined in frustration.
"Uh, uh…you have to tell us, Sheldon. If something happened, we as your friends want to share your joy. It is just how it's done," Howard chuffed. Sheldon wasn't convinced.
"I seem to remember a lot of tasteless chatter about your conquests over the years. I will not subject my girlfriend to such flagrant disrespect," Sheldon said seriously. Leonard smiled softly at his friend. That was all the confirmation he needed.
"So…something did happen. Sheldon…we're your best friends. We wouldn't tease you about this, not anymore, after everything that's happened. We're just…curious. Did the weekend go well, or not?" Leonard asked gently.
Sheldon came and sat at his desk, looking off into the distance.
Well? It went light years beyond well.
"It…did. It was very special. For both of us. Can we just leave it at that? Please?" He begged, his face open and pleading.
The guys relented, looking at one another with incredulity. Sheldon Cooper had lost his V card. And he seemed pretty damn happy about it.
"That's amazing, Sheldon. We're very happy for you. Aren't we, guys?" Leonard asked, Howard and Raj agreeing enthusiastically.
Sheldon swallowed, nodding his head.
"So…We'll just, leave you to it, then," Howard said, giving Sheldon a thumbs up. The meaning lost on Sheldon, he hesitantly returned the gesture, giving Howard and unsure smile. Raj followed Howard out of the office, but he turned around and gave Sheldon a tearful smile. Sheldon's eyes widened comically.
"It's so…beautiful," Raj gushed, making his way out. Sheldon rolled his eyes.
"Brother…" He said dramatically. Looking up, he met Leonard's amused face. It was laced with something new. Respect, maybe? Sheldon swallowed again.
"I'm proud of you, buddy. Really proud. Not only did you let yourself enjoy your weekend, but you were very respectful towards Amy right now. A lot of guys in your shoes wouldn't have been."
Sheldon scoffed at that.
"A lot of guys wouldn't fit in my shoes, Leonard. I wear a size 14." He said matter-of-factly. Leonard laughed heartily.
"Yeah. True. But still…I tried to stop Howard from coming here, but he was just concerned. You know…" He trailed off, and Sheldon waved off his explanation.
"Yes, I understand. And I appreciate the vote of confidence." Sheldon said honestly.
Leonard nodded.
"So…um…it really went…well?" Leonard asked kindly.
"Yes, Leonard. Very well. I'm very…happy." He said, looking his friend in the eye.
For years, Leonard had teased Sheldon about not having hormones. Most recently, at their prom re-enactment. He knew he hurt Sheldon's feelings that night; he was already nervous about engaging in post prom rituals. Luckily, Sheldon made it through unscathed.
That night seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened to Sheldon and Amy since then. Leonard sighed when he thought about what it had taken his friend to reach this point.
"Good for you, Sheldon."
Sheldon lowered his head shyly.
"Thank you, Leonard."
"I'll let you go. See you later."
Sheldon nodded, watching his friend retreat, before sitting back up expectantly.
"Leonard…a minute?" Sheldon asked quietly, and Leonard came back in, closing the door.
"What's up, buddy. Are you alright? Do you have any questions?" Leonard asked kindly, sitting down.
Sheldon nodded slowly, unsure how to even say this.
"Leonard…hypothetically…when would you like to move into Penny's place? Permanently?"
The two friends silently stared at each other. Sheldon was terrified that Leonard would explode. Call him a hypocrite. Or tell him he wasn't leaving. He wouldn't blame Leonard, either, after the hell he put him through about it for the last year.
As the seconds stretched on, Sheldon's fears grew. Until Leonard's face broke out in a smile. He shook his head in awe.
"You dog," He said softly, and the tone of his voice alerted Sheldon that he was fine with it. He breathed a huge sigh of relief, attempting a smile of his own.
"I…that's not to say I don't want to live with you anymore. I just…" Sheldon stammered, and Leonard reached over to put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You just want to live with the woman you love more. It feels good, doesn't it? To want to share something so profound with another person. And it doesn't mean we care about each other as friends any less, right?" He offered Sheldon. Sheldon nodded, looking down.
"No. You're right. It doesn't. You'll always be my best friend, Leonard." He said so sweetly, so innocently… that Leonard could forget every time Sheldon had ever driven him crazy.
"And you'll always be my best friend, Sheldon." Leonard said, tears in his throat. "Um…I'll talk to Penny. See what works for her. Do you want me out by the weekend?" He laughed nervously. But Sheldon didn't laugh. He looked at his friend with something Leonard could swear was love.
"No. Not as soon as that, Leonard. I just wanted to know. You know…hypothetically."
A look of understanding passed between them, and Leonard rose once again.
"Okay. See you at 5."
Sheldon nodded once.
"See you."
Sheldon stared at the door long after Leonard had left. This was a huge step. He inhaled deeply and tried to name the feelings coursing through him. Sadness. Joy. Excitement. Sad to be parted from his best friend, but joyful to ponder what lay ahead with Amy.
Sheldon sat at his desk for endless moments, pondering his next move. One thing was for certain. He would have to tread carefully. He had plans, and he couldn't afford to ruin them.
For years, Amy had wanted to move in with him. He was confident now, that she knew it had been too soon then. He wasn't ready. He knew without a doubt that Amy understood how he felt. And while he had apologized to her for flying off the handle like he did last May, he knew Amy was very hesitant to bring up the issue again anytime soon, if ever.
So he did what Sheldon Cooper did best. He researched, investigated, and tested it from every angle. He came to only one conclusion.
Sheldon wanted Amy to live with him.
Now, how to go about making that happen…and not completely messing everything up in the process.
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Two weeks later, Amy knocked on 4A for dinner and a movie with the group. She giggled as she heard laughter inside and what sounded like teasing. Knocking on the door, she was surprised when Penny threw it open with a big smile on her face.
"Hey!" Penny gushed, pulling Amy into the apartment and throwing her arms around her friend. She yanked Amy into a bone crushing hug, making the woman squeal for a second in discomfort. She was still getting accustomed to Penny being more tactile with her; after nearly dying, she supposed Penny realized how much she cared for her.
She hadn't really had time in the last two weeks to talk to Amy about her weekend with Sheldon. For some reason, Sheldon seemed to hoard Amy every time Penny was within a ten foot radius of her.
Penny knew without a doubt that they had had sex. Leonard hinted as much, saying Sheldon was 'in a good place.' Yeah…he looked to be in a good place, alright. He was glowing like Kryptonite. Penny was trying to keep her enthusiasm in check, but swore that at Friday's girl's night, she would get the goods.
One look at Amy's serene face, and she could tell Amy was in a very good place herself.
"Penny, would you please take your Nebraska man hands off of my girlfriend?" Sheldon said sarcastically from the kitchen, shooting mock daggers at the blond. Amy gave Sheldon a sweet smile, trying to catch her breath.
"Its fine, Sheldon." Amy chided, smiling at her friend.
"It's not fine, Amy. She shouldn't be manhandling you like that. You're not a steer at the Nebraska State Fair," He said dryly. Amy chuckled at his protectiveness.
Leonard came out from the bedroom, waving at Amy before giving Penny a kiss. Amy smiled at their easy affection.
"Easy, Tex. I won't break your lady," She reassured Sheldon, who glared at her regardless. "So…where have you been hiding yourself, you little lump of wool?" Penny asked cheekily.
"I haven't been hiding. I've been busy," Amy defended, taking off her coat and placing it over Sheldon's chair. Sheldon glanced over, noting she was wearing a new cardigan. This one was burnt orange and made her skin pop with a warm glow. It was late October after all, and she was appropriately dressed for the autumn. He smiled at her, and she blushed.
"Too busy for your bestie? I have so much gossip to catch you up on. And vice versa," Penny said conspiratorially.
Sheldon rolled his eyes, sighing dramatically. He knew Penny was chomping at the bit to find out what happened on their weekend away. She would no doubt wheedle it out of Amy soon enough, but for now, he wanted to keep her at bay for Amy's sake. He came over, taking her out of Penny's bruising grip.
"Okay, Cornhusker. Back off. Tonight is about communal fun, and you're not going to smother Amy with your OK! Gossip rag nonsense. You need to share her," Sheldon said, his voice serious.
Penny shot Sheldon a withering stare. She grabbed Amy by the shoulders, squeezing her tightly.
"He makes you want to climb him like a tree, no?" She taunted Amy, who merely blushed in response.
There had been a few tree climbing incidents in the last few weeks, as it turned out. Amy met Sheldon's gaze, and to her great surprise he winked at her, smiling a slow and sexy smile.
Hoo…
What the hell was that?
Penny released Amy to Sheldon's arms, where she walked into them with pleasure. Sheldon kissed her on the top of the head, inhaling her sweet scent.
"Hello, Dr. Fowler," He whispered, and shivered when Amy ran her hands down his back.
"Hello, Dr. Cooper," She responded, equally moved when he cupped the back of her head and delivered a tender kiss to her lips.
"Oh, God. Get a room!" Leonard whined from the sofa, Penny stifling a loud laugh. Sheldon was unruffled, though.
"You both have no room to talk. I've had to witness you groping each other inappropriately for the last seven years. On top of that, my ears have heard things that they can never expunge. I think from now on, you both can afford me the same courtesy…" He said enigmatically. Amy's eyes shot to his in shock.
While she was over the moon with the possibility of increased affections from Sheldon, the idea of his wanting to express those affections in public scared her. Sheldon simply smiled warmly at her, putting her mind at ease.
"Don't worry…I'm just trying to get a rise out of them," He whispered, mirth in his voice. Amy smiled as he planted a quick kiss on the side of her neck. What he didn't realize, was that he was getting a rise out of her. In the best way possible.
The door opened with Raj, Bernadette, and Howard filtering in. Bernadette was carrying a dessert that looked amazing, and Howard handed a bottle of wine to Sheldon.
"Thanks for the invite, Sheldon. A home cooked meal from a master Physicist. Wow…" Howard said happily. In the ten years he'd known Sheldon, he never saw him use his stove once.
"You're welcome, Howard. Much like dancing, cooking is something I do extremely well. I hope you've all brought your appetites. We're having Penne in Arrabiata sauce and homemade meatballs. Try not to die from jealousy once you've tried it," Sheldon said to the gang haughtily.
"Aww, there's the Sheldon we all know and love." Bernadette snarked, and Sheldon stopped in his tracks at once, embarrassed.
"Sorry," He said sheepishly, looking over at Amy in apology. His girlfriend could only smile at him dreamily.
Penny leaned over, whispering in Leonard's ear.
"Oh God…look at them. Did you see that? She's turned him into a…human being!" She said teased, and Leonard laughed.
"Yeah. We don't act like that, right?" Leonard asked aloud, to which Penny shook her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Nah. Not even close."
They shot each other matching grins, knowing they so totally did. They both decided they could, indeed, cut Sheldon some slack.
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Dinner was indeed fantastic. Everyone went back for seconds, impressed with Sheldon's skills as a chef. Unlike his earlier egotistical comment, this time whenever someone moaned in appreciation or made a kind remark, he merely smiled.
As fate would have it, the men lost to the ladies as to what movie they would be watching after dinner. Penny had pointed out that the last three movie nights, had been guys choice. Not that she minded Vin Diesel or Chris Evans. But sometimes, the girls needed something fluffy.
To the guy's horror, they chose the Nicholas Sparks film Message in a Bottle. It was either that or Titantic, Penny warned, and Sheldon balked at all of the historical inaccuracies that movie boasted. They piled around the sofa, settling in for what Howard called a 'gut wrenching homage to sappiness'.
"Well, that's two hours of my life I'm never getting back," Leonard said, rolling his eyes as he saw not only Penny and Bernadette, but Raj dabbing their eyes with a tissue. He rose to throw away some empty bottles and popcorn tubs as the girls straightened up the coffee table and brought dishes and plates to the sink.
"I can't believe you girls punished us by making us watch that god-awful movie. It was worse than that other one from the same guy. The one with the trapper keeper," Leonard mumbled, dumping the trash in the bin. Penny guffawed loudly.
"That's the NOTEBOOK, you genius," She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Bernadette giggled beside her. "And I thought you were tenderhearted," Penny teased.
"Whatever. It was still two hours of skull pounding misery. And it was so sad. I mean, can't you girls ever find a movie that isn't so damn depressing? Does everything have to be about summer houses, lost loves, and missed opportunities? Give me an Iron Man movie. You know where you are with Tony Stark."
Howard nodded enthusiastically, earning a snide look from Bernadette.
Sheldon rose from his spot, heading to the kitchen to start filling the sink with soapy water. He pursed his lips, pondering Leonard's words.
"Well, it wasn't so bad." He chimed in, earning an incredulous glare from both Leonard and Howard. Raj, of course, smiled dreamily at Sheldon's romantic viewpoint.
"Oh, come on Sheldon. If you say you liked that film, I will personally take your man card away." Leonard said in disgust.
Sheldon shrugged at Leonard.
"I didn't…not like it. It was…tolerable. In a mind numbing sort of way. I found myself wishing it had a happier ending, though." He said thoughtfully. Amy looked over at him at that remark, watching him.
"Well, I thought it was beautiful. It really shows how true love transcends any situation. And the fact he was going to go to her, but died rescuing those people on their boat…oh, man. That was a choker," Raj lamented, wiping an actual tear. He became very emotional with any Kevin Costner film.
Amy didn't know what possessed her to speak up, but she found the words coming out before she could filter them.
"I did that, once - Threw a bottle into the sea. You know, like his late wife did."
The entire room stared at her, Penny smiling a quirky smile at her friend.
"Really? You?" She questioned, and Amy shrugged.
"Yeah. I just…I just remembered that. I must have forgotten. It was ten years ago, when I graduated Harvard. Huh…" She said.
Bernadette smiled at her, knowing there must be a reason behind her story.
"So…what was in the bottle? A love letter to an unrequited crush?" She asked, her teasing voice making the group laugh. All but Sheldon, who had his back to them.
Amy shook her head.
"No…it wasn't a love letter. It was…a poem." She said slowly, remembering. "A very special poem. To me, anyway."
Intrigued, Penny came back and sat beside her.
"Oh? What poem? What did it say?"
Amy thought back to that spring day on Nantasket beach. She smiled sadly as she remembered the exact emotions coursing through her that day - loneliness, despair, and fear. She'd come light years from that moment, and she found herself realizing that what she put in that bottle had not come to pass. And for that, she was grateful.
"Are you familiar with the poet T.S. Eliot?" She asked, and most everyone nodded.
"He wrote a poem about…regret. It's called The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. It's about thinking you have time to do those things you think you will do, before it's too late. The man in question in the poem was in love with a girl, and he never told her. But he kept saying throughout the poem that there will indeed be time to do this, and to do that. At that point in my life, I was pretty unhappy, and worried about the future. I never wanted to rock the boat, or stand out in a crowd…I really identified with him. By the time he gets the courage to admit his love, he's an old man. So much wasted time…There's a line in the poem which reads 'Do I dare disturb the Universe?' It speaks of us daring to have the courage to grab what we want, knowing the Universe might not allow it. It really touched me. I was embarking on a new life, and I wondered if I too would be able to do what he did. So…that's what I put in my bottle. That's what I threw into the sea that day."
There was silence in the room as the friends digested her words. Suddenly there was a crash in the kitchen which had them all glancing over.
Sheldon had been doing the dishes, and one of them slipped out of his grasp, shattering on the hardwood floor.
"Sheldon? Are you alright?" Amy said, getting up to make sure he wasn't cut.
Sheldon knelt down, picking up the larger pieces carefully.
"I'm…alright. I just dropped it. The soap," He said, looking up at Amy in a daze. "The soap made it slippery."
Amy knelt to help him, while Leonard went and got the broom and dustpan from the closet. After he swept up the remaining mess, Sheldon watched Amy return to the couch.
"Well, I think that's beautiful, Amy. Somewhere out there, your bottle is floating around in the sea, waiting to be found." Bernadette said thoughtfully, and Amy pursed her lips.
"Yeah. I guess. I haven't thought about that in ten years. It's amazing what the brain remembers. Hey, I should know, right?" She chuckled, and Raj and the girls joined in.
They watched the news for a bit, before Howard jumped up and put on his coat.
"Well, thanks for dinner Sheldon, and that heart ripping film," Howard said humorously, helping his wife with her own coat. They said their goodbyes, and Raj followed suit. Penny and Leonard decided it was time to call it a night, too. Penny had some samples from work she had to sort out for the next day, and Leonard was going to watch a movie while she worked at her place.
Once everyone was gone, Amy sat down on her spot on the couch, watching Sheldon at his computer. He had retreated there after he finished the dishes, and hadn't moved since.
"Sheldon? Are you alright?" She asked in concern, relieved when he turned and smiled at her softly. Rising, he came and sat beside her in his spot.
"Yes, I'm fine. I um…I just have something I needed to tell you. Amy…I need to go to Texas. Just for two days. Something…came up, and…I have to take care of some things. I didn't want to leave without telling you. I have to go first thing tomorrow morning."
Amy furrowed her brows in concern.
"But…tomorrow? Why didn't you mention it earlier? Is everything alright? Is it your mom, or…Meemaw?" She asked fearfully. Sheldon shook his head rapidly in the negative.
"No. No, it's not anyone. I just have some things I need to get back home and some business to attend to. I didn't want you to worry. I'll be back after two days, I promise." He said, his voice low and serious. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier."
Amy had no reason to worry, yet his abrupt departure didn't exactly make her happy. They promised each other to be honest, so she had no choice but to believe him.
"Alright," She said softly. "I'll miss you, Sheldon."
Sheldon stared at her for long moments, and for some odd reason, Amy got the impression he was trying to memorize her. That was ridiculous. For one, Sheldon had an eidetic memory and two, he was coming back. She trusted him.
"I will miss you too, Amy." He murmured, pulling her close to him and inhaling her scent. Amy wrapped her arms around him tightly.
They hadn't made plans to spend the night together, and Amy felt strange bringing it up now. Sheldon seemed distracted somehow, so she figured it was best to let him have space.
"It's late. I should go and let you rest. Will you be okay?"
Sheldon didn't blink as he looked at her, unnerving her further.
"Yes." He whispered, getting up and leading her to the door. Once there, he kissed her gently, hugging her tightly before she could even respond.
"Drive safely," He said, running his fingers down her cheek. Amy swallowed, shaking her head.
"I will. Goodnight, Sheldon."
"Goodnight, Amy."
On the other side of the door, Amy leaned into it and wondered if Sheldon was keeping something from her. His entire demeanor had shifted over the course of the evening. He seemed sad and aloof, and she was worried something or someone had set him off.
Had she?
"No." She said aloud quietly, knowing that wasn't the case. Sheldon wouldn't keep things from her. Not anymore.
Still, she drove home with a heavy heart, knowing she wouldn't be getting any sleep that night.
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Sheldon sat in a rental car outside of his Grandmother's house. He had caught the 4 am redeye to Houston, renting a car and driving himself the journey to Meemaws. He had left Leonard a note telling him of his last minute trip, and that he would be home in two day's time.
He didn't know where he got the courage to drive the hour long distance on his own; perhaps Amy's faith in him and the fact his confidence had grown over the months is what did it. Truthfully, he couldn't face calling his mother or sister to pick him up. He needed to see his grandmother alone.
There was a large oak tree in the front yard that he used to sit under as a child, reading comic books and escaping the chaos of what was happening at home. Her home, and this yard, were his safe haven when it all became too much.
When bullies would pick on him, he would come here. When his father came home drunk and fought with Mary, he'd come here. When he was having a crisis with his studies and was confused as to why he was such a genius, he would come here.
Meemaw would always bake him cookies; sugar for spring, chocolate chip for summer, peanut butter for autumn, and butter for winter. She would bring him out a batch fresh from the oven, pulling up a bench and sitting beside him. Some of the most meaningful conversations of his life were spent under that tree, with his beloved maternal grandmother. She would always have the right words to say, to put his mind at ease. Her wisdom was legendary around these parts. He didn't know if it was the cookies, her love, or a combination of both. He just knew…she made everything better.
He needed that wisdom now, more than ever.
Getting out of the car he made his way up the porch, standing at the door which was the gateway to Heaven for him. His mind was awhirl with questions, and his heart was heavy.
After a few seconds of stalling, he knocked quietly.
Sheldon never gave much thought to fate until he met Amy Farrah Fowler. The day he met the gifted, lovely Neuroscientist, he chalked it up to a random computer's justification of syntax errors. As the days wore on, he came to the blinding realization that this woman would play a part in his life he'd never imagined. She would change his life. Rearrange it. Perfect it.
Chaos. Clear and simple.
Another paradigm shift was taking place, and this time…he didn't know how to accept it.
Last night, after Penny and Leonard retired next door and Amy had left, he retreated to his bedroom and sat on his bed staring at the wall. Seeing nothing. Seeing everything. And not comprehending.
This isn't true, this can't be true. His mind supplied.
It was all he could do after dinner to sit still. He wanted to come to his room straightaway, but couldn't with his friends and Amy there. He quickly went online to Southwest Airlines, getting a last minute ticket for a flight to Houston. He was on autopilot; not fully cognizant of his actions until after he plugged his credit card number in the payment field.
His apartment was silent. So silent, yet he could hear a million voices running through his thoughts.
It's not possible. There is no way in an organized, structured Universe that this is possible. Yet he knew, deep to his core, that it was true. It was possible. But he couldn't believe it.
His eyes had traced across the room until they landed on his closet. Fearful, knowing what lay within. Like a ghost waiting to jump out at him.
That voice. That one voice. His voice….in his own head. He focused on that one, trying to make sense of the nights events. He kept coming up short; nothing would compute; nothing would balance. This wasn't some equation he could fix, this was something out of his realm.
Way out.
Rising, he had walked over to the closet, and pulled out a heavy wooden box that was carved in ornate wood. It belonged to his grandfather - his Pop-Pop. He had made this box himself when he was 18, in the prime of his life. He had just met Meemaw. Upon his death, Sheldon was left this box in his will. It held sentimental value to Sheldon, more than any monetary treasure could. He put his prized possessions in this box, everything special or cherished. Most recently, he put in the letter that Meemaw wrote to Amy.
He lifted the lid of the box, the smell of cedar, orange, and ink wafting up to his nose. Sheldon inhaled the scent, loving it. It spoke of cherished memories. He pushed aside the other contents gently, careful not to disturb anything, and pulled out the item he sought.
Buried away, safe from prying eyes.
Sheldon walked backward, sitting back down on his bed, his eyes scanning the treasure. It was beautiful in its simplicity; full of Victorian charm. It was carved beveled glass, smooth and delicate. It was obviously an antique.
For years he had held onto this, not caring what lay within until one day five years ago, curiosity got the better of him, and he opened it. He knew the words that were hidden inside, had read the poem before, although he had no understanding to why the copier of these particular words chose them. He had put it back and forgotten about it. Whomever wrote it, must have loved these words.
Once again, years later, now…he uncorked the stopper - pulling out the contents within. Holding his breath, he unfurled the scroll and his eyes widened as he took in the typed words. Hoping they would be different. Hoping his perfect memory had failed that day, and memorized something else. He closed his eyes, wincing.
This had to be a joke…
"Moonpie!" Meemaw shrieked happily and brought Sheldon back to reality. She opened the screen door widely and engulfed him in a hug the size of Texas itself. Sheldon, at least 12 inches taller, fell into her embrace. After a few moments, he stood tall, picking her up as if she weighed nothing, and held her. He had missed her so much. She was the one person in this world outside of Amy that held his heart in her hand.
She spoke rapid fire to him, but all he could do was stand there, staring at her. She knew immediately that something was wrong.
"Sheldon, are you alone? Did your friends come with you, or your girl? Why didn't you call me and tell me you were arriving?" She asked in rushed concern, her blue eyes peering around the yard for anyone accompanying him.
Sheldon shook his head, unable to answer. His brain was sluggish and wouldn't communicate with his mouth. Meemaw pulled away, grabbing both of his hands in hers.
"Sheldon…what is it? What's wrong? Did something happen?" Is Amy sick again?" She asked fearfully.
Sheldon shook his head in the negative.
"Amy…she's not sick, Meemaw. But something did happen. I had to see you. I need to talk to you." He croaked, his deep voice sounding exhausted.
If you would have asked her what her grandson sounded like in that moment, she would have said haunted. He sounded haunted, like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Come inside, Sheldon." She said sternly, pulling him in and closing the heavy wooden door shut behind her.
Suddenly, the scents and emotions of being here, of being home, overwhelmed him. Tears sprang to his eyes as he paced around her sitting room for ten minutes, unable to say what he wanted. He had no idea where to even begin.
Meemaw sat on the sofa, watching him like a hawk as he walked to and fro, seemingly distraught but not able to articulate his thoughts.
"What's going on, Sheldon?" She tried gently.
He stopped pacing, suddenly standing still and staring at her oddly for a moment. Meemaw waited patiently.
"Mama used to say that you and Pop-Pop's love was like a fairy tale. I knew the both of you were special, but…I never believed in fairy tales. I never believed that two people…I know you both had a special love, but…fairy tales don't exist. Twists of fate, don't exist. I am a Scientist. I believe in the tangible. I believe in what I can see. What I can feel. What I can explain." He said firmly, his hands making a cut and dry movement.
Sheldon looked extremely agitated. Something had happened, she was sure of is. She tried to keep him calm enough to tell her what it was.
"I know that, Sheldon. I know what you believe. And I've always supported you." Meemaw said gently.
Sheldon continued on, having seemingly not heard a word she said.
"I don't believe in happily ever after. I don't. I mean…I…I didn't. But now…" He stammered, his eyes wild and unfocused. Meemaw feared he was going to have one of his panic attacks. He made eye contact with her, and he could tell he was worrying her.
"Tell me, Shelly." She whispered. "Tell me what it is you've come to say."
Sheldon closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I don't know where to begin, without sounding like a crazy person." He admitted.
Meemaw narrowed her eyes.
"You're not crazy, Moonpie." She said with conviction.
"Yeah," He echoed, unconvinced.
Meemaw hazarded a guess, trying to help him along.
"Is it Amy? Are you two having problems?" She whispered, afraid to upset him.
Sheldon met her concerned gaze. He came to sit down beside her, so closely that their knees touched.
"No. Not at all. In fact…things have been perfect. So very perfect. I've never been so happy in my entire life," He whispered.
His grandmother, nodded, although he wasn't making sense.
"Sheldon…I don't understand. Then what's the problem?" She asked patiently.
There was nothing else to be done. The time for stalling was over. Reaching inside his jacket pocket, he unearthed a small glass bottle. His grandmother stared at it.
"What is that?" She asked curiously.
Sheldon put the bottle on his lap, running his hands through his hair.
"Do you remember when I came to visit you and mama eight years ago?
She nodded, urging him to continue.
"Missy wanted to go to the beach. You know I've never liked the beach. But she said she didn't want to go alone, so I went with her to Galveston. I didn't want to lay there baking in the Sun, so I took a walk. I found myself walking for at least a mile. I was distracted. Penny had just moved in next door to Leonard and I, and I was annoyed at how much our lives were being turned upside by her. I suppose I was a little jealous at the time that she was taking up so much Leonard's time. Suddenly, I stepped on something. Looking down, I thought it was a shell. But it wasn't. It was a bottle.
This bottle.
Meemaw reached over and took the bottle from Sheldon's lap, studying it from every angle.
"It's very beautiful," She murmured. It looks like an antique."
"Yes…it is," Sheldon echoed. "I liked it so much, that I kept it. I brought it home with me. A couple of years ago, I realized there was a note inside. It was intriguing; at first I thought, it was ancient. The bottle is old. But the note inside…it's recent. Very recent," He whispered.
His eyes met hers, and she could sense there was something monumental happening here.
"What is this bottle, Shelly? Why does it mean so much to you?" She asked, her papery fingers tightening their hold on the glass.
Rising, he paced again in agitation.
"It never did mean much to me. At least, I never thought it did. I just knew, somehow, that I was meant to find it. That was why I held onto it all this time." He licked his lips.
Meemaw nodded in understanding.
"Last night, we were all watching a movie. That sappy romance movie Message in a Bottle. Amy mentioned that she once threw a bottle into the ocean. A bottle that had a poem written on it. A poem that is very rare. The poem that is in this bottle, Meemaw," He said frantically, his eyes burning into hers.
It took a minute for the realization to set in. Another for Meemaw to collect her jaw from the floor. And another for her to find her voice.
"Are you saying…Oh, My…" She whispered, stunned.
Sheldon rapidly shook his head.
"I don't know what I'm saying. I can't believe I'm even considering this…what does this mean?" He implored her, searching her kind eyes for the answer. She was certain, he would not like any she had to offer.
"What do you think this means?" She asked him cryptically. Anyone else, Sheldon would have scoffed angrily. He could only stare at her, helplessly. She was going to make him say it, and he wasn't sure that he could.
"I…I think this means I'm as crazy as everyone thought I was," He said angrily, putting the bottle back in his pocket carefully.
"Sheldon, Stop it." Meemaw admonished him seriously, "I'm asking you, as your grandmother who loves you, to just…think a moment."
The truth she was trying to convey made no sense to Sheldon. His brain would not let him compute. She gazed at him with something akin to pity.
"Meemaw…there is no way that my girlfriend threw a bottle into the ocean in Boston ten years ago, and I found it two years later on a Galveston Beach! Before I even met her, which in itself is a miracle. Do you have any idea what the odds are of that happening?" He asked desperately, and his grandmother knew him well enough to know he had already done the math.
"A trillion to one, now doubt. But Sheldon…there is still the one." She said hopefully.
"I don't believe that," He rasped, shaking his head back and forth to even dispel such a notion.
"Why not? Can you explain it any other way?"
Sheldon gaped at her.
"I don't accept this. I can't accept this! This is…impossible." He said defiantly.
Meemaw sat back, shaking her head.
"Why, Sheldon. Why can't you accept it? Why are you fighting this? As a Scientist, you know there are things not yet explainable. But you believe in their possibility. What is the difference?" She asked patiently.
He looked at her blankly.
Because…they are logical assumptions. Based on mathematical facts. They make sense. This makes no sense." He roared, his tone frightened and defensive.
"Oh…you and logic. Yes, Son. Logic makes sense. But not everything does. There could be another way."
Sheldon defiantly shook his head.
"There is no other way, Meemaw. If Science can't explain it, then it doesn't exist. " He said with finality.
She gazed at her grandson shrewdly. She could see he was desperately trying to convince himself of this.
"That! That right there…that is your problem. All your life, you have been so stubborn. Holding firm to your beliefs. And Sheldon…most of the time, that's a good thing. But if you do it out of defiance, then you are going to find a great many things are not what you thought they were. The answers are there. You just have to know where to look."
Sheldon hung his head. His Meemaw had never been so stern and direct with him. For a moment, he was completely taken aback. Suddenly, his tone changed to one of fear.
"Do you want me to just...disregard everything I've spent my life believing?" He asked quietly. His face looked so frightened, and Meemaw's heart ached for him.
"Good Heavens…No, Shelly. I want you to keep an open mind. Why is this so difficult for you to fathom, when you can believe in a ball of gas beginning the Universe? Or any other spectacular facts of Science that maybe, just maybe…were once deemed to be impossible?"
Sheldon stared at his beloved grandmother like she were crazy.
"Because! It defies reason and logic. It defies everything I know to be true."
Meemaw pursed her lips. "Well, you don't know everything, do you?" She asked him, tartly.
He looked at her, almost affronted by her accusation. Meewaw smiled coyly.
"Sheldon…from the moment you were born, I knew you were meant for extraordinary things. You are magnificently brilliant. Did you honestly think there was any way, on God's green Earth, that your love story would be any less extraordinary? Did you think that you were destined for some hum-drum boy-meets-girl fling that wouldn't mean anything? Because your wrong, child. Everything you've done in your life is touched by magic. It only stands to reason that this would be as well."
Sheldon began to shake, his entire body trembling.
"I…this isn't real. Things like this they…they don't happen. Not in the real world. The physical, Scientific, organic world, Meemaw. It's impossible." He stammered, trying desperately to make his words true.
Meemaw licked her lips, her eyes straying to the bottle Sheldon was clutching like a precious jewel.
"It seems to me, that it doesn't matter what you do and don't believe, Moonpie. The proof is right there in your hand. Nobody put that in your possession. You found it. You. It was meant for you. You can't get any more real than that. Fate has decided for you, Sheldon. Does the world stop spinning because you can't see it? Does time cease because you can't feel it moving forward? Perhaps the greatest gift that you can possess as a Scientist, is to know that there are mysteries out there that will never be explained. And to be alright with that. You don't have to see the magic, to believe it."
Sheldon sat back down next to her.
"I don't know what to believe. I can't understand how this came to pass. It doesn't make sense. This would mean…this would mean that…" He stuttered pathetically.
Meemaw's tears trailed down her face.
"Yes, Sheldon. It would mean that you and Amy were destined to be together. By whatever means, you found your way to each other. Out of billions of people. You know it, and I know you know it because I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid to believe. And that's okay."
She watched as her grandson fought a battle with himself. She reached over, taking his large hand inside her smaller one.
"Sheldon, when you were 11 and went off to college, I told you something important. Do you remember what that was," She asked, knowing full well with his eidetic memory he remembered everything.
But Sheldon didn't feel the need to point that out to his grandmother.
"Yes ma'am. I remember. You told me that I wasn't special because I was different, but that I was different because I was special. And you said that because of my scientific knowledge, there may come a day when I no longer believed in the presence of a deity, in contrast to what I was raised to believe. You said I should remember to always keep an open mind, regardless."
Meemaw smiled at her favorite, shaking her head.
"Yes, Moonpie. That is correct. And that open mind can help you in many ways. I've watched you over the years. I have seen you mature into a man, whereas before you acted like a child. You've changed, and for the better. I think your Amy has much to do with that evolution. The way she sounded when I spoke to her…her tone of voice, and her need to do something special for you nearly stole my breath away. It reminded me of something. Shall I tell you what?"
Sheldon gulped, not sure he was following where she was taking this. He felt a thin sheen of perspiration bead his forehead. Dutifully, he nodded.
"It reminded me of your Pop-Pop and me. The sweet, all-consuming love we had for each other. The purity of it. It's a beautiful thing to witness. And I could have only ever dreamt it would happen for you. There's something I want to give you. I've been wanting to give it to you since you were a boy. And now you're a man. So it's time. I will be right back. Stay put," She whispered, getting up and patting his knee.
Sheldon watched her retreat upstairs, his gaze following her. She returned after a moment and stood before him. Out of respect, Sheldon rose to his feet and looked down at her. She reached over and took one of his hands, placing it palm up. In it, she dropped a small blue box. It said Tiffany & Co.
"What is this?" He asked quietly, already knowing the answer. A feeling of panic rose up inside, and he stumbled sideways back to the couch. Meemaw followed him, sitting beside him.
"This is my engagement ring, from when your Pop-Pop proposed to me. I've waited your whole life to give this to you, Sheldon. I love your brother and sister, but I must admit…you've always been my heart. If anyone was going to get this prized possession of mine, it would be you. To give to your future bride."
Sheldon sat stunned, his eyes fixed to the box dumbly. Meemaw smiled, pulling back the hinge to reveal a blue sapphire and diamond ring. The platinum band was pristine, the stones gleaming brightly.
"Good Lord," Sheldon murmured as he studied the exquisite ring. He vaguely remembered seeing this ring on her finger when he was a child, but after he left for college she must have taken it off and put it away.
"I had it cleaned last January for you," She stated quietly. Sheldon's eyes met hers in confusion.
"January?"
Meemaw nodded.
"Yes. After your girl called me at Christmas, I just…I had a feeling. And after your Mama called me when Amy almost died, and told me the state you were in, well…I just knew. The time for playing games was over, wasn't it? And I wanted it to be ready for you. If and when the moment came."
Sheldon stared at the ring, speechless. This wasn't some trinket she was offering him. This was something so profoundly more. His heart thudded in his chest and his blood pounded in his ears. Suddenly, his mouth was as dry as the desert.
"Meemaw," He rasped, stunned at what the implications of this meant. He was overwhelmed today, by everything that had transpired. He didn't know if he could take anymore.
Meemaw saw his distress, and pulled herself close to him.
"Listen to me, Moonpie. I know you. And when I spoke with Amy on the phone, I knew her too. I sensed her intentions. And they were serious. That girl is your Soulmate, Shelly. I want you to grasp that happiness that is so close to your reach and never look back. Do you hear me?" She asked sternly, taking her grandson's hands in her papery soft ones.
"Do you think someone like her comes around more than once in a lifetime? Someone who completely understands you? Knows all of your shortcomings and loves you anyway?"
Sheldon looked up in shock. He dared not contradict to his beloved Meemaw that he never considered he suffered from shortcomings. Yet it wasn't her comment about shortcomings that rattled him.
"Do you believe in Soulmates, Meemaw?" He asked her tentatively. His grandmother smiled widely.
"Yes, Son. Of course I do. You know I do," She said sincerely, and Sheldon swallowed. Meemaw tilted her head and stared at him with loving eyes.
"Sheldon…do you love Amy? Truly, deeply love her?"
Sheldon gasped.
"Yes, Meemaw. I love her with everything I am. But the more I love her, the more scared I become," He said honestly.
Meemaw scoffed gently.
"Scared of what, Honey? What is there to be afraid of?"
Sheldon blew out a deep breath.
"Failing, Meemaw. Not being enough. Not making her happy. I've done a horrible job making her happy. I can't tell you how many times I've upset her over the years, embarrassed her. Distanced her…I may never be what she needs. I may never be able to give her what she wants." He lamented, starting to feel helpless.
She eyed her grandson with pity.
"Just what is it you think she wants, Sugar?" She asked gently, squeezing his knee in comfort.
Suddenly, Sheldon didn't know what to say.
She sighed heavily. She could see where the problem was here. He wasn't afraid of loving Amy. He was afraid of losing himself in the process. It broke her heart to see him suffering over something so easily fixable.
"Sheldon, I don't think Amy wants to change you. I think she would only like you to yield a bit, to accommodate her. It's only fair, Shelly. It's only natural."
Sheldon rose from the couch, pacing in front of her. She knew she struck a nerve with him. She only hoped it was the right nerve. She waited silently while he debated the facts in his mind, warring with himself. It was as sad as it was fascinating to witness. She knew he would come to the correct solution, once his brilliant mind was able to weigh all the facts. Finally, he stopped in the middle of the floor, turning to her.
"In all of the years I was with you and Pop-Pop, I never saw you unhappy. Not once. You looked at him like he was your hero. Even now, when you talk about him, you get a look in your eyes that is beautiful. How did you know, Meemaw? How does anyone?" He asked, his voice desperate.
Meemaw could only smile.
"You just do, Sheldon."
After a while, Sheldon nodded solemnly. He looked at the ring in his hand one last time before closing the lid and putting it in his pocket.
"Thank you, Meemaw. For the ring. For your advice. For your love. I didn't know what to do last night. I felt…lost and scared. But I knew I could count on you to show me the way," He whispered, first one tear and then another trailing down his cheek.
Meemaw rose, and wiped the tears away.
"Be happy, Moonpie. Just allow yourself to be happy. Promise me," She implored.
Sheldon rapidly nodded his head, trying to be strong. His grandmother's eyes wandered over his shoulder to the yard beyond.
"Sheldon…how on Earth did you get here?"
"I drove," He said simply, as though it were a normal, everyday occurrence.
"Will wonders never cease…" Meemaw murmured, shaking her head. She stood back, taking in her grandson with new eyes. He was so different now, a man grown. Light years ahead of how he was last Christmas when Missy's son was born. He carried himself differently, as well. She hadn't noticed earlier when she found him at her door, but he had changed. Matured.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to comprehend what had brought about such a change. Her grandson was in love. And she was positive that love was reciprocated.
Tears gathered in her blue eyes. Happy tears, full of joy, as she took in the enormity of this situation.
"Lord have mercy." She said in awe.
Sheldon looked away, shyly.
"Yeah," He whispered.
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Sheldon spent the night with his grandmother, the two of them not bothering to tell Mary and Missy that he was in town. Meemaw wanted some private time with her favorite grandson, and Sheldon was happy to oblige her.
They reminisced all night of days gone by, looking at old pictures and sharing stories. Sheldon told Meemaw his and Amy's entire story, from beginning to end, especially the events of the last eight months. She sat riveted, unable to fathom how such an amazing tale of love had happened to her shy Moonpie. She knew the decision to give him that ring was the right one.
The next morning, Sheldon went outside, sitting on the bench under the huge oak tree. Meemaw brought out a tray of iced tea and snickerdoodle cookies for them, setting it down on the table. A wide grin bloomed on Sheldon's face as he stared at the goodies affectionately.
"Tea and Snickerdoodles…" He whispered, remembering a conversation he and Penny shared years ago. He shook his head with humor. "Such a Southern thing, isn't it?" He asked is grandmother, and the older woman grinned as she poured her grandson a glass.
"It is. Very. Southern hospitality must never go by the wayside. I know with your fancy degrees, you might think such traditions are hokum, but that just isn't true. Good manners, being a gentleman…I want you to always remember to treat people with respect, Sheldon. No matter how that IQ of yours is."
Her tone was loving, yet stern, and mixed with The Southern charm he loved so much.
"Yes, Ma'am," He said with respect, taking the proffered glass of tea. It tasted of sunshine and home; no doubt brewed in the sun on her porch.
They sat in silence, absorbing yesterday's events and enjoying each other's company. A thought occurred to Sheldon, and he turned to find his grandmother staring at the tree, lost in thought.
"Meemaw? Didn't you grow up in this house?" He asked curiously. She nodded.
"Yes, I did. Your great-grandparents built this house from the ground up. After we were married, Pop-Pop and I moved to Houston for his job. When my parent's passed, they willed the house to me, and Pop-Pop and I moved back in."
Sheldon nodded, taking a sip of tea thoughtfully.
"Mama once told me a story about Pop-Pop getting caught climbing through your window once. Was that here, in this house?"
Meemaw laughed heartily, her eyes flying to Sheldon's in shock.
"Your mama told you that? I oughta take her over my knee…Yes. He did, and this was the very house. He climbed up on that large branch right there, the one with the wind chimes," She said, pointing up. While not a fan of wind chimes, Sheldon felt comforted by the sound as he listened. He could imagine his grandfather climbing through his grandmother's window, trying to steal a kiss.
"I'm surprised your daddy didn't get out his shotgun," Sheldon chuckled, and Meemaw shot her grandson a look full of annoyance.
"The point is…he did it to be romantic. Because he loved me. I'll never forget that, as long as I live. He bought me so many things over the course of our marriage. Cars, jewelry…but no gesture could match that." She said sweetly, her eyes remembering. Sheldon smiled warmly at how beautiful she looked as she thought of her late husband.
"You've had a lot to digest, Sugar." She stated seriously. Sheldon met her eyes hesitantly.
"Yes." He said, his voice quiet.
Leaning forward, Meemaw put her hand on his knee, squeezing gently.
"Who can know what the mysteries of love are, Moonpie. It's alright, not to have all the answers. What do you think Amy will do, once she finds out? How do you think she's going to react?"
Sheldon hadn't thought about that. Tell Amy? Good Lord…but how?
"Meemaw…I don't know how I can tell her. What would I even say?" He wondered aloud, getting anxiety simply thinking about it. Meemaw shook her head, unsure how to advise her favorite.
"Honestly? I don't know. But I do know this - A gift has been given to you. A very special gift. One that can never be duplicated. What are you going to do with that gift? Accept it? Keep it safe? Or…throw it away? The choice, Sheldon, is yours. If and when you decide to tell her, make sure you know she can accept it. Make sure, the time is right." She said gently.
Sheldon nodded thoughtfully, his gaze roaming around the yard.
"Your Pop-Pop would be so very proud of you, Sheldon. You're daddy, too. I know he didn't always show it, but he loved you dearly. He took great pride in how intelligent you were. I think…well, I think your daddy was envious of you, Son."
Sheldon's eyes watered, remembering that Amy told him the same thing so many months ago. At the time, he argued with Amy and refused to believe such a thing. Now…he was beginning to understand how such an intellect might have made his simple father feel jealous.
"Amy said the same thing, once. I couldn't accept it then. But I can accept it now. She reminds me of you in so many ways, Meemaw." He said reverently.
Meemaw smiled warmly. "Your Amy is a wonderful girl, Shelly. I can't tell you how happy I am that you have her. I told her as much in a letter a few months back."
Sheldon smiled.
"I know, Meemaw. I know all about that letter." He whispered.
Sheldon went on to explain just how he knew. And what part his grandmother had played in his finally accepting his feelings.
When he was finished, Meemaw rose and embraced her grandson, Sheldon putting his arms around her waist and leaning into her stomach. She patted his head lovingly.
"I am so very proud of you, Sheldon. I never doubted you for a moment." She said fondly.
Together, they cried in each other's arms. Grandmother and grandson, old and young, man and woman.
The Sun was high in the sky, casting it's shadows across the yard. Sheldon felt like the Sun was shining just for them.
After leaving Meemaws and heading for the airport, Sheldon decided to make a stop.
Getting out of the car, he walked the short distance to where he first found the bottle. The little stretch of beach was deserted today, and he sat down on the hard-packed sand, staring blankly at the Gulf.
The bottle must have drifted with the current, taking two years to reach Galveston Beach. Sheldon had worked out the math, still uncomprehending as to how this happened. He decided that it didn't matter.
He didn't have the answers, and quite possibly never would. But he had the proof; and that was all that mattered now.
Sheldon ran through the domino effect of things that would have had to happen for him to meet Amy. Howard and Raj putting his name in that computer dating survey, showing up at the coffee shop that day, taking her information with him and becoming her friend. He shook his head in silent wonder at what he almost lost, so many times. Both due to fate, and his own hand. The Universe was telling him something.
For once in his life, he was going to forget about equations, calculations, and probability theorems, and simply go with blind faith. He pulled out the bottle from his pocket, staring at it in awe.
"How did I ever find you?" He whispered, and Amy's face instantly appeared before him. He wondered what she must have felt the day she threw this into the sea. Lonely, perhaps. But she wasn't ever really alone. Her journey was already laid out before her, as his had been. For even had he never found this bottle, they had found each other anyway. The fact that he did find it, only cemented in his mind that theirs was truly a union written in the stars.
He bit his lip as tears pooled in his eyes. "How did I ever find her?" He asked the cool wind, knowing full well no answer was forthcoming. "How did I ever get so damn lucky?"
Sheldon rose from the sand, brushing off his pants and headed back to his rental car. There was a life back home waiting for him in Pasadena, and he was anxious to get back to it.
Back to her.
Once again, as he did years before, he left this beach carrying the beautiful bottle securely in his pocket.
But now…it was also a part of his heart.
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Amy's apartment was dark and quiet when he arrived. It was after 11 when he slipped her key into the lock softly. He set his bag down by the door, moving into her bedroom quietly. She was asleep in the center of the bed, adapting his sleeping style. She looked so lovely and peaceful, that it made him smile.
The enormity of the day and what had transpired overwhelmed him. He needed to lay down beside her and absorb her life force. He climbed in bed next to her, careful not to startle her.
"Amy? It's me," He whispered gently, taking her shoulder and caressing it. Touching her was like touching pure electricity. Every cell in his body came alive.
Amy rolled over, staring up at Sheldon with sleepy, unfocused eyes.
"You're back," She whispered tenderly, stroking his cheek. Sheldon nodded, leaning into her touch.
"Yes. I'm back," He whispered in return.
"What are you doing here so late? Are you alright?" She asked softly. Sheldon merely nodded.
"I'm sorry I woke you. I just had to see you…touch you," He rasped, running his hands along her arms with the barest of touches.
"It's alright, Sheldon. I don't mind you waking me. I'm so happy to see you. Did you do what you went to Texas to do?" She asked, and Sheldon nodded, swallowing deeply.
"Yes. I did. Everything is fine now," He croaked, and the tone of his voice woke Amy out of her haze. She sat up, turning on the light and squinting. Her gaze focused on Sheldon. He looked so tired.
"What is it, Sweetheart? Are you sure you're alright?" She asked him, the loving sentiment slipping from her lips in her tired state. Sheldon gaped at her. While he had called her affectionate names in the recent past, such as vixen and little lady, Amy herself had never voiced such a thing. The way the term of endearment sounded on her lips made him cry. Tears sprang to his eyes, and he grabbed her and engulfed her in a crushing hug. He kissed her neck with tenderness, not letting her go.
He was never letting her go again.
"Amy please…" He cried, his sobs growing louder.
"What is it? What's wrong? Sheldon, you're scaring me," She said honestly. She had no idea what had happened to him.
"Amy…I want you to live with me. Say you will. Please," He begged her, clutching her back tighter and tighter.
What?
"Sheldon…-"
"I don't want to spend another night without you. Please, Amy. I love you so much. I need you. I know I've ruined my chances with how I've behaved in the past. I wasn't ready, Amy. I wasn't ready then. I'm ready now. I swear to you, I am. Please say you will live with me."
His tears wouldn't stop flowing, and Amy didn't know what to do. She hugged him tightly, caught between being worried for him and being stunned and overjoyed at his request.
"Sheldon…calm down. Please….of course I will. Of course I'll live with you," She reassured him.
Sheldon melted against her, dragging her down to a reclining position.
"Amy…you'll never understand what you mean to me. You'll never know how much I love you," He sobbed.
Amy began to cry herself. She had no idea where this was coming from, or what had set Sheldon off. Something life changing must have happened in Texas. Whatever it was, it had brought him back to her.
Completely.
"I know, Sheldon. I know how much you love me," She reassured him gently, pulling back to meet his gaze. She cradled his dear face in her hands, and reveled at how clear his blue eyes shined back at her.
"No…you don't. But someday…you will," He promised, kissing her passionately.
After a while, Sheldon fell into an exhausted sleep with Amy secure in his arms.
It would be the last time Sheldon Cooper ever doubted the phenomenon known as Fate.
A/N – I tried to warn you, and leave you clues. Amy's near death experience memory, the talk with her younger self…it was all there. I suggest you go back and read the first half of Chapter 12 for this to be made clearer. For those who guessed it, Bravo. For those who didn't, I'm hoping I've shocked you. (In a wonderful way). This was always the crux of the story. That beyond Faith or Science, there is that which cannot be explained. Their love is truly 'written in the stars'. They found each other, and Sheldon now knows nothing can pull them apart. He won't allow it, because he finally knows what a gift he's been given. Not once, not twice, but three times. And we all know how he loves the number three. My biggest inspiration for this story, aside from the characters themselves, was the book Somewhere in Time. Although the movie was beautiful, I think the book conveyed so much more emotion. I read it again last spring, before I began this story. The idea that not only soulmates can exist, but there may be forces at work happening to bring them together intrigued me. Who are we to say that such a thing couldn't happen? I think the fact it happened to Sheldon Cooper goes a long way to show how one person's journey can be altered for their growth. I've turned this man of Science upside down, so he would see the most important thing was right in front of him all along. Don't worry; he won't be turning in his white boards for hippie beads. But he will now have a more balanced view of life, opening him up to things he'd never dreamt of before (to quote Arthur back in Chapter 1). There are about 3-5 chapters left, including epilogue. Thank you again for taking this journey with me. Next update in about two weeks, after my out of town guests leave and family obligations die down. X