Chapter 53: The Birthday Trip Continues
Day one went well. On to day two. Fun and excitement? Not so much. But they do get a very important phone call.
The sound of the television woke Niki up. Being the creature of habit that he was, Sheldon was watching Dr. Who, as he did every Saturday morning. The only thing missing was ubiquitous bowl of cereal he always had in front of him while watching the show.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." He greeted her with a smile on his face.
She replied, proving once again she was definitely not a morning person, "Ummm…huh?"
Sheldon chuckled; he always got a charge out of how completely nonfunctional his lady was before her morning dose of caffeine. "I have taken the initiative and made you some coffee, would you like me to bring you a cup?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure." She briefly opened one eye, "Thanks," she said as she sat up and took the proffered cup out of his hand.
Sheldon waited a good ten minutes before asking her, "What is on our agenda today?"
Niki took a sip out of her cup, "I don't really know. I hadn't given today a whole lot of thought. Maybe we can go down to California Adventure later and look around. I'd really like to lay here in bed for a while longer."
He grinned in triumph, "Last night wore you out that badly, did it?"
Niki stretched and yawned, "The entire day wore me out for some reason. Anyway, let's make a plan to get some breakfast, shall we?"
Sheldon studied the hotel brochure, "They have a wonderful place to get breakfast right here in the hotel. It's a nice little rustic place called the Storytellers Café. Would you like to do that?"
"Do they have coffee?"
"Is that all you care about, coffee?"
She stretch and yawned once more, "For the next hour or so, yes. But breakfast doesn't sound like a bad idea, either. Just let me lay here a while longer. Then I promise you I will get up and go to breakfast with you."
Sheldon looked over at her, concern written across his face like a billboard, "Niki, are you alright? I've never seen you stay in bed for so long after coffee before."
"I'm fine," she reassured him, "we just had a big day yesterday and a most remarkable night."
He kissed her forehead, "It was quite satisfying, wasn't it?"
"To say the least. Dr. Cooper, life with you will never be dull. Have I told you lately what a fantastic lover you are?"
Sheldon smiled and kissed her again, "Likewise, Dr. Horner. You never disappoint me."
Niki was now fully awake and looked around the room, "Where's the clothes I brought along? Oh yes, I hung them up. Let me finish this coffee, take a quick shower, and then I'll get dressed and we'll go off to get some breakfast." She crossed the room, coffee in hand, and prepared for her morning ritual.
He called out to her, "Will you be safe and secure in there by yourself?"
"Quite. I'm not ready for another go round of last night just yet. Though you give marvelous shower massages."
Sheldon chuckled to himself and centered his attention back on the TV. He had taken his shower before Dr. Who had come on, so Niki was safe in that shower…for now.
After breakfast they headed out to California Adventure to take in some of the rides along the boardwalk. They had a blast driving the cars of the Radiator Springs Racers and Niki absolutely loved looking out over both parks when they rode Mickey's Fun Wheel, an enormous Ferris wheel located close to the lagoon. Then Sheldon suggested they take a walk and check out the Tower of Terror. This ride consisted of riding strapped down to a seat in an elevator that dropped you thirteen stories at a speed faster than that of a free fall. NIki was at first reluctant, but then intrigued when Sheldon explained to her it would give the effect of weightlessness, much as astronauts felt in space. As she had always envied Howard his trips to the Space Station, she was eventually talked into riding the Tower of Terror with him. It had gone something like this:
"Niki," he had attempted to reason with her, "It's a perfectly safe ride or they wouldn't have it in the park. It has an excellent safety record. Plus, if Wollowitz is correct, the feeling of weightlessness is something everyone should experience."
She sighed heavily, "Okay. But if I get sick, it's all on you."
"Why on earth would you get sick?"
Niki explained it to him, "Sheldon, I suffer from extreme vertigo if my head moves too quickly. I've always been this way. I spend most of my time on Space Mountain very dizzy and disoriented. But this ride only goes straight up and down on a track. I think I'll be okay."
She was wrong. The feeling of weightlessness was there, and it caused her to become extremely disoriented and ill. Once off the ride, Niki found the nearest trash can and projectile vomited her breakfast into it. Sheldon immediately went to her, racked with guilt, and attempted to rectify the situation.
"Niki, are you going to be alright?"
Her head finally came up and she wiped her mouth with a tissue she had pulled from her bag, "I'll be fine. In fact, I'm already starting to feel much better. It's amazing what a little puke can do."
He sighed and looked at her with concern, "Well, now we know, no more Tower of Terror."
Niki nodded her head very slowly, "Definitely. But Space Mountain wasn't as bad, I can still ride that."
Sheldon looked off in the distance and saw the huge roller coaster that dominated the California Adventure grounds, "I suppose California Screamin' is out of the question."
"You supposition is correct. I'm sorry, but doing a loop is definitely a no go."
He made a gentle suggestion, "Shall we go back to our room then?"
Niki looked downcast and told him dejectedly, "I know you're disappointed, Sheldon. I feel like I've ruined everything today."
Sheldon pulled her close, "Don't be silly. Besides, I went behind your back and made dinner reservations for us at The Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square at Disneyland. I hear the food is exquisite. What do you think about returning to our room and getting some rest before dinner? I know they have HBO here and if I'm not mistaken, there is a Star Wars movie playing this afternoon. So you see, you have ruined nothing.
Niki replied weakly, "Just what I've always wanted, to be saved by Star Wars. Okay, lead me back to our room. Maybe if I lie down for awhile I will completely recover. I have eaten at The Blue Bayou before. It is quite an experience. Good choice, Sheldon."
They returned quickly to their room where Sheldon watched his Star Wars movie and Niki had a long, restorative, nap.
Niki woke up just as the closing credits for the movie scrolled down the TV screen. She sat up, took stock of her head and stomach and mentally declared herself completely recovered from her vertigo of earlier in the day. "Sheldon, what time is our dinner reservation?"
His eyes left the screen briefly, "Five-thirty. Why?"
"I just read in this brochure that we can watch the World of Color from our balcony. I'd love to be back here in time to see that."
Sheldon rolled over and kissed her nose, "We should be back in plenty of time, Niki. It is now four o'clock. I suppose I should shave and begin to get ready for dinner."
Niki sat up and swung her legs to the floor, "Yes. A nice outfit and makeup is calling my name, also. We don't want to over there looking like slobs."
"Niki, you never look like a slob to me, not even when you are wearing sweats."
She looked back and him and gave him one of her most loving smiles, "Aren't you sweet, sir. You keep talking like that and you could get lucky again tonight."
Sheldon propelled himself out of the bed and told her, "All right. I'll keep that in mind. I don't think I'm up to playing any of our games tonight, though."
Niki shook her head while looking through the closet for her good pair of dress pants, "Neither am I. I think tonight plain old vanilla will do nicely."
"Sometimes plain old vanilla, as you call it, is perfect." He leaned over and kissed her sweetly, "How are you feeling?"
"Completely recovered, thank you. God, I hate vertigo."
"It must be most unpleasant. I am glad that you feel better." He came over to where she was standing and made a suggestion, "Perhaps we can try the Pirates of the Caribbean ride after dinner. Do you think you can handle that one?"
Niki turned and hugged him, "Sheldon, I've never been bothered by that ride. It's so much fun! Yes, let's do that."
So the evening passed most pleasantly. They enjoyed their dinner very much. The Creole cuisine greatly pleased both of them, as well as the decadent desert that followed. Sheldon made a genuine attempt to be romantic and succeeded. On the ride, he held her close and kissed her every time it was completely dark. Niki had been quite pleased with his efforts. They made it back to their room by 7:30 and were comfortably seated on their balcony with cups of tea for each of them when the show began. Niki was entranced by the water, fire, fog, and colored laser lights that made up the show while Sheldon was entranced by having Niki in his arms. That night found our lovers expressing their passion and love for each other in a far more traditional, yet still satisfying, manner than the night before.
Day Three
The next morning found both Niki and Sheldon extremely eager to return to Disneyland. They rose early, had their breakfast at the Storytellers Café once again, and then made their way to the Magic Kingdom.
Niki took Sheldon's hand as they made their way over to the park and asked him, "Do you suppose we can ride the Mark Twain riverboat? That ride is one of my favorites."
"Niki, once we get in the park, I do believe we should make ourselves a schedule to follow. That way we are not going to be wandering around and using up our energy. I am worried about you after yesterday."
She took his hand and informed him, "Sheldon, I feel just fine. Yesterday was just the result of a long day and a wonderful night, plus a major bout of vertigo. I'm feeling great today. But a schedule is a good idea, as long as we don't have to stick to it too strictly. I want the freedom to explore something new if it catches my eye. Agreed?"
"Agreed." They both showed their passes and entered the park. "Ah, here we are. Now, I believe we should find a bench and compose our list of rides and attractions for today."
Niki took out a pen and note pad from her bag, "You go first and I'll do the writing."
He didn't need to ponder long, "Very well. Star Tours."
She wrote it down quickly, "Done. I'll say, Mark Twain Steamboat. Your turn."
He thought for a long moment as she wrote down her choice, "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Niki grinned and listed Sheldon's pick, "A train. Of course. Now, my turn. Pirates of the Caribbean one more time. You're next."
"All right. Indiana Jones." He waited for her to finish writing then asked her, "Niki?"
"I do believe I'd like to go on The Jungle Cruise." That attraction was added to the list.
Sheldon failed to hide his approval of her choice, "Oh, I like that one. Okay, let's see…how about lunch at The Blue Bayou again? I hear their Monte Cristo sandwich is excellent."
Niki nodded in agreement, "That sounds fantastic. Now, after lunch I would like to do Mr. Toad again."
"Only if I can drive," he insisted.
Niki made the point, "You got to drive yesterday."
"Niki, I need the practice."
"Then I'll let you drive us home."
Sheldon surrendered, "Never mind. You may drive."
Niki gave a Cheshire Cat smile and continued, "Good. Now, what do you think we should do next?"
"It's a Small World. We will be foot sore by then and that is very relaxing way to get off of our feet. What about after that? Your turn."
Niki gave the matter some consideration and said, "I say we go back to the hotel for a couple of hours."
"Are you feeling tired again?" He once again became concerned for her health.
"Did I say anything about sleep?"
Sheldon's face lit up and he replied, "Oh. I see. Yes, that is an excellent idea. I believe we agreed on Star Tours for our first stop, did we not?"
"Yep. So let's head off that way and do that."
Sheldon took her hand and led the way towards Star Tours. After a bit he made another suggestion, "And then tonight we can see the fireworks once more and maybe go dancing."
"That is a wonderful idea. Well, let's get started."
By late afternoon they had gone on all the rides Niki had listed and were both more than happy to head back to their room and relax. As Sheldon unlocked the door, his phone rang. It was Raj.
Hello, Koothrappali. To what do I owe this intrusion?
Same old Sheldon, even on your birthday weekend.
Sheldon and NIki entered the room and sat on the bed. I'm sorry. Niki and I have just returned to our room for some rest. But do inform me of the nature of this call.
Dude, you know how we are all going on that speaking tour next Monday, right?
Sheldon rolled his eyes. Of course I know. How you do underestimate me, Raj.
Have you explained to Niki what these tours are like?
I was going to do that tonight. Why?
Well, we're going to be gone for awhile. Isn't it ten days on, seven days off for most of the spring and summer?
He took the bottle of water that Niki offered him, Yes. What of it? By the way, we're skipping April's dates. I've had that cleared in advance. I have a couple of social engagements called my wedding day and honeymoon to attend to that there's no getting out of. Nor do I want to.
I know that, but outside of April, I won't be seeing a whole lot of Amanda. You will have Niki with you while we travel.
Sheldon was becoming a bit impatient. He wanted his friend to get to the point. I'm sorry about that, but how can this phone call change that?
It can't. Don't worry, I'll get to the point. What are you guys doing on Wednesday?
Getting ready to leave for the exhaustion and bad food that is a lecture tour. Why?
Dude, I need you and Niki to come to Vegas with me.
His eyes flew wide open. Why on earth would we want to go to Vegas? Niki and I both neither drink nor gamble.
I know that. I need you there, though.
Could you kindly inform me as to why?
I want you to be one of my groomsmen at my wedding.
Sheldon wanted time to take this all in so he told Raj, Wait, let me give you Niki. She's much better than I am at discussing these sorts of things.
Wait, Dude, are you coming and do you want to be a groomsman?
He deliberated for only a second before he agreed. I suppose my answer is 'yes' to both of those things. Here's Niki.
She took the phone and began to fire off questions, Raj? What's up? Why are you calling? Is everything okay?
Couldn't be better, Niki. Look, I just informed Sheldon that Amanda and I are getting married in Vegas next week. We both want to do this before our tour starts. Sheldon has agreed to be one of my groomsmen. Amanda wanted you to be her Maid of Honor. Will you do it?
Oh, Raj! Congratulations! I'd love to!
Good. We're all planning on flying out there on Tuesday night. So you two should be home in time.
Yeah, we'll have to cut this weekend a little short, but we can be home by Monday afternoon. She looked over at Sheldon, "Is that okay with you?" He nodded his head. He agreed. We'll see you when we get home.
Okay. Put Sheldon back on.
Raj?
Dude, thanks for changing your plans for us. I really appreciate that.
I think we will have done and seen everything we have set out to do and see by tomorrow morning. This poses no great inconvenience to either of us. Oh, Koothrappali?
Yeah?
Thank you both for asking us to be a part of your wedding.
Well, Amanda and I are going to be a part of yours. That's what friends do.
Sheldon was truly moved by his friend's words, "You are correct. That is what friends do. I must go now. Niki and I want to get some rest before we go back out tonight for the fireworks.
I get it, Dude. A little fireworks before the fireworks. I'll let you go then. Sheldon?
Yes, Raj?
Thanks for being my friend.
That means a great deal to me. Not that anyone wouldn't want me for their friend. I'm quite a good friend to have.
I'd love to disagree with that, but I can't. Talk to you tomorrow.
Very well. Goodbye, Koothrappali.
Goodbye, Sheldon. Tell Niki 'bye, too.
Sheldon ended the call and said to Niki, "Raj said for me to tell you goodbye. So, goodbye from Raj."
Niki grinned, "So, Raj and Amanda are beating us to the altar. I never saw that one coming. How long was he dating Emily with no ring in sight?"
Sheldon answered her quickly, "Over ten years. The workings of the human mind never cease to amaze me. Here is Koothrappali, marrying a woman he has only known for a few months."
Niki reminded him, "Sheldon, you proposed to me after only knowing me a few months."
He countered with, "But by our wedding date we will have known each other well over a year."
"Yes, but if you had been preparing for a speaking tour that would have taken you away from me a majority of the time for months on end, what would you have done?"
He smiled and responded in a teasing voice, "Married you in a courthouse and then given you the wedding you wanted when I was finished with my obligations."
Niki pondered that idea for a minute and then suggested to him, "Maybe that is what Raj is doing."
"Perhaps. I never thought of that. Good point, Niki. Anyway, it seems we get to be part of the wedding party."
Niki stared over at her closet, "I wonder what we are going to use as bridesmaids dresses. You still have a good suit from the prom."
He nodded and then took her in his arms, "I do believe I will use that. We can ask them more tomorrow. Now, I do believe we have some unfinished business to attend to."
Niki backed away, "You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Cooper."
Sheldon realized that his offer had not been very romantic, "All right. Let me rephrase that. Niki Horner, my lovely, intelligent, sexy, brilliant, fiancé, would you consent to making mad, passionate love with me? There is no one but you in my heart and in my life, and there never will be."
Niki was touched, "Now that's what I'm talking about, Sheldon. Much better." She returned to his embrace once more.
"Good, because I am incredible aroused by you and don't care to waste a perfectly good erection on my hand."
Niki backed off again, "On the other hand, we'll keep working on your seduction skills. But to answer your question, 'yes', I would love to do the nasty with you."
He complained, "That wasn't romantic at all."
"Says the man whose bedroom talk consisted of him telling me he preferred me to masturbation."
Sheldon took her back into his arms and started to kiss her cheeks, lips, neck, and shoulders. "Perhaps I should let my body language do the talking."
Niki melted into him, she always did. "That sounds like a very good idea. How much time do we have now?" she asked him.
"Two and a half hours."
Niki returned his kisses and took a break to inform him, "That should be enough time. Now, let me continue my in-depth research on your body.
Sheldon melted into her, as he always did. "Dr. Horner, I love it when you talk dirty."
Niki began to undress him, "Cooper, actions speak louder than words."
He began to remove hers clothes, also. "So they do. So they do."
Once again, Niki and Sheldon found their secluded seats and half-heartedly watched the fireworks. They were both more intent on each other than the colors bursting above them in the sky. When the show was over, they made their way back up Main Street and headed towards the exit.
Sheldon tucked her arm in his and asked, "Do you have an idea as to what you'd like to do for dinner?"
Niki hadn't a clue and responded, "None, whatsoever. How about ordering some room service? I'd love to spend our last night here just relaxing and enjoying each other's company."
"I agree. There is something very relaxing about going out on the balcony and having a cup of tea."
They reached their room and sat down to discuss dinner.
Niki started the conversation, "Okay. What shall we order for dinner?"
Sheldon made a suggestion, "The lobster the other night was a fine indulgence."
Niki demurred, "Lobster again? I don't know. How about Italian?"
"Pizza?" he asked hopefully.
Nikii made a face, "We have pizza all the time at home. How about some Chicken Marsala or a nice lasagna?"
Sheldon's face lit up, "Niki, I've had a wonderful idea! Veal Parmesan for me and whatever you would like."
"Chicken Marsala sounds good. With some of that non-alcoholic champagne they have."
Sheldon crossed the room and headed for the phone that connected with the lobby, "As you wish. I will call down our order right now."
After dinner, they sat out on the balcony and talked.
Niki smiled dreamily, "Sheldon, the last couple of days have been very special to me. Even though it's not my birthday."
He agreed with her, "I have enjoyed them, also. We so seldom get to spend time alone. I'm off with Leonard, Raj, and Howard quite a bit while you're with Penny and the rest of the ladies."
Niki added, "And on weekends, if I don't go to paintball with you, we really only spend Saturday together."
Sheldon gave her a worried look, "Do you think that should change?"
She shook her head and took his hand in hers, "No, I don't. I love having lives apart from each other sometimes. However, I think once every month, we should schedule a weekend away together. After this tour wraps up, that is."
Sheldon's face became serious, "About the tour, Raj reminded me that I haven't totally explained it to you."
Niki wasn't sure she wanted to hear all the gruesome details, but she knew she should, "Okay. Tell me about it."
He began, "This first leg is going to be totally on the east coast. Pack warm clothing. We are going to do seven cities in ten days. Not a lot of rest."
"Okay, seven cities in ten days. That doesn't sound too bad."
Sheldon held up his hand, "Wait. I'll describe it further. Every morning at four a.m., we will be awakened and driven to some insipid morning show most generally hosted by two people neither one of us would come anywhere near in real life. Bouncy, perky, woman and witty, smarmy male. It's de rigueur, they are always the same."
"Oh god."
Sheldon continued in a sad voice, "Wait, there's more. They will not want to know a single thing about our work. My guess is they will play up the 'women in science are not all geeky looking' angle and put you in more makeup than you have ever worn in your life and a suit that screams 'sexy, but not slutty'. I, on the other hand, will be dressed up in a suit that would even be too much for Raj's wedding. If they have gotten wind of our relationship, that is what they will focus on entirely. Not our work. It will be both frustrating and boring at the same time. This morning show will happen in almost every major city we visit. Be prepared. After the show, we will be allowed to get a quick breakfast and we will be hustled off to several radio interviews. Some of the hosts will talk about our work and others will be a rinse and repeat of the morning show. We will be allowed a brief break before we are presented as speakers at a well known university. This will be the best part of the day, but most likely we will be far too tired to enjoy it. When the lecture ends, we will have a meet and greet with the faculty and administration which will go on far too long and which will be centered on alcohol. Good times there. Finally, we will have a late dinner and then we will have to catch a plane to the next city. We will arrive there in the middle of the night and have two to three hours of sleep before we are woken up again at four a.m. and treated to a day much like the first. We will have ten days of that. Thank goodness in the middle of all that we will have two actual days off. We will need it. Niki that is what this tour will be like. Do you think you can handle it?"
Her eyes were wide in disbelief and she responded with, "As Penny would say, 'Holy crap on a cracker!' Why are we doing this again?"
He gave her a wan smile, "Because it was part of the deal we cut with Binary. They want their stars out there shining. But if it wasn't Binary, it would have been Cal Tech demanding the same thing. The only difference here is that we will actually be pocketing some of the money we are making from this. If we were still affiliated with Cal Tech, the school would have taken it all and gave us a small stipend and paid for our travel, meals, and lodging."
Niki put her head in her hands, "How depressing."
"Cheer up. We will be done by the end of July. Then we can go back to researching something else and do all this again if we are successful. Such a life, right?"
Niki looked up and rolled her eyes, "Just kill me. The only part I like of that is coming home to do more research.
Sheldon grinned and patted her hand, "Cheer up, Niki. We will be together at least. Raj and Amanda, on the other hand, will not. After hearing our schedule, you can see why there would be no chance for them to see each other or really share any quality time if she came to visit him."
"Well, they'll have almost a week together after they are married. At least they'll have that. And there is a week off between the ten day tours, right?"
He nodded wearily, "Yes, but it will be spent mostly catching up on sleep, or trying to, anyway. I can't stress enough how exhausting it will be. But do it we will. Just get your perky ready to go."
Niki protested, "Sheldon, I don't do perky."
"I have one word for you. Learn."
The next day they returned home and began to prepare and pack for going to Las Vegas for Raj and Amanda's wedding.
So, Raj and Amanda beat Sheldon and Niki to the altar! That was a surprise. That idea came to me in the shower, so I went with it. Sheldon in Las Vegas? This could be good.
