~Chapter 45~ Epilogue 3

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"…I could not ask for more than this time together, I could not ask for more than this time with you. Every prayer has been answered- Every dream has come true. And right here in this moment, is right where I'm meant to be. Here with you here with me…" Edwin McCain – I Could Not Ask For More

Sheldon was afraid that his enormous bubble was going to burst. He had achieved everything he have could have hoped for in this life. A proven theory, a Nobel, a wife and family, and lifelong friends who had come to mean the world to him.

There was no greater feeling of pride for Sheldon than looking out into the audience and seeing his Amy seated in the front row, his children on either side of their mother. The look of pride and love in their eyes made Sheldon cry. He didn't care that this was being televised to 180 countries, or that some of the world's leading dignitaries were there to see him falling apart. His eyes drifted over to Leonard, who had made the trip with Penny, and the two men shared a moment that neither would ever forget.

And once he had received his medal, and his best friend's took charge of his children, his wife gave him an afternoon that they would never forget.

The early afternoon light was shining in through the bedroom window, casting patterns on the walls. The two spent lovers lay entwined in each other's arms, each feeling the same emotions, thinking the same thoughts…How was it that they were so happy?

It had been a whirlwind day for the couple. Even more than the day Sheldon found out he had won the Prize.

Sheldon never imagined when he awoke that morning back in October that the day would end with him being the recipient of a Nobel Prize. From the moment Kripke had left his office, the only thought in his mind was to find Amy. He had driven like a madman to the campus of UCLA, and by the time he spied Amy at that lectern, he could barely think clearly. Time had literally stood still.

Now, two months later and a Nobel Laureate, Dr. Sheldon Cooper found that time still hadn't resumed.

Sheldon's family desperately wanted to make the journey, but Mary wasn't up to traveling at the moment, George Jr. was on the road and couldn't get away, and Missy had her own two children to contend with. They watched the ceremony live via satellite, though; Mary cried her eyes out and Missy couldn't stop screaming words like 'Yee Haw' and 'Yes'.

They had spent a week in Sweden, enjoying the festivities and soaking up the culture. Sheldon was on auto pilot the entire trip.

Coming back to himself, Sheldon leaned down to breath in his wife, the delectable scent of her hair tingling his nostrils. That scent would always be linked to the happiness center of his brain; the nucleus accumbens where pleasure receptors were stored. She was everything in the world to him. There was no way he could have achieved what he had over the years without her presence and her steadfast support and guidance. He had previously thought of himself as an island, yet isolated by choice. Amy Farrah Fowler had crashed upon his shores, and there had been no going back.

"Amy?" He murmured, sliding closer to her and tightening his arms around her. He reveled in the feel of her soft skin, and how as he ran his hands down her silky back her womanly curves molded to his fingers. He released a husky sigh as she did the same to him, her gentle touch stirring his need once again. Sheldon closed his eyes and helplessly leaned forward to touch his lips with hers.

"Hmm…" Amy hummed, overwhelmed with desire once again as Sheldon's wandering hand reached down to squeeze the ample flesh of her backside.

"Sheldon…" She warned, finding it impossible to resist her husband as he pulled her closer to his warm body.

"Shhh." He coaxed, earning a moan from his wife as his fingers began to explore. "You know what, Mrs. Cooper? You talk entirely too much." Sheldon whispered, surprising Amy by swiftly rolling them over until he was hovering over her. The glorious weight of him made her sigh happily. Amy gazed into the eyes of her perfect other, a deep smile blooming on her lips.

"Who are you? And what have you done with Sheldon?" She asked happily. Sheldon merely smiled.

"Oh, he's right here. He's just overcome by your charms, is all." He said with a sexy lilt in his voice.

"Is that so? I knew my charms were plentiful, but I had no idea I could render you incapable to withstand them. You are, after all…you." Amy said, giggling.

Sheldon sat up, sighing.

"Does that mean play time is over?" He asked remorsefully.

"Sweetheart, of course I want you. Again. But perhaps we should get dressed. We told Leonard and Penny to give us an hour. It's bordering on two now," Amy said slyly, her lips making their way across Sheldon's neck. She smiled as he shivered uncontrollably.

"They owe us for years of annoying PDA's and extremely loud coitus. I think watching our children for a few hours is the least they can do. Especially seeing as it's a very special day for you and I." Sheldon said sincerely, kissing a path up to Amy's ear. It was her turn to shiver now, as Sheldon took her lobe in his mouth and gently sucked it.

Something struck Amy in that moment, which had her abruptly pulling away. Sheldon had said a very special day for you and I. Not for him. The fact he was including her in this made her heart race wildly. Sheldon pulled back as well, his face concerned.

"What is it?" He asked his wife, his voice the normally soft cadence she was used to. Tears sprang to her eyes as she looked at him.

"I…you said you and I." She answered vaguely, but Sheldon knew exactly what she meant.

"I did." He affirmed, nodding his head in conviction.

"Sheldon"- Amy began, but her husband cut her off gently.

"You are the reason this was possible, Amy. You are the reason it ever came to pass to begin with. Without you, and your support all of these years…you've cleared my mind of the debris that was clogging it. You gave me hope. Your love made it all possible. I would still be blindly stumbling around in the dark right now if it weren't for you. The life you've given me…the happiness. What I achieved today, is just as much yours as it is mine." He whispered.

The sincerity in his voice made Amy cry. This man had made all of her dreams come true. And she couldn't imagine life without him.

Amy pulled her husband closer, the need to make love to him overwhelming.

"You're right. Leonard and Penny can wait." She whispered huskily.

Sheldon didn't need to be told twice. Playtime was definitely over.

This…this was as serious as you could get.

Eight years later…

"Dad?"

Sheldon was broken out of his thoughts, turning around to see Stephen watching him with a smile. They were in the den playing X Box, and once again, Stephen was proving how adept at computer games he was. Like father, like son.

"Hmm?" Sheldon asked, turning his focus back to the game. Stephen hit pause, scooting back on the couch and threw down his controller. Sheldon's eyes narrowed as he wondered what was on his son's mind. He followed suit, putting his controller down as well and turned to give Stephen his full attention.

"What's on your mind, Stephen?" He asked curiously. Stephen shook his head, trying to find a way to begin this conversation.

"Are you disappointed that I've decided to join Doctors Without Borders instead of joining a practice here in the States once I'm done with my residency?"

Sheldon was taken aback by his son's question.

"No, Stephen. I'm not disappointed at all. I'm so proud of you. I always knew a child of your mother and I would be extraordinary. You've exceeded my expectations in so many ways, Son. Why would you even ask me that?" Sheldon asked seriously, frowning at the idea that Stephen worried about such a thing.

Stephen tilted his head, shrugging.

"Well…I know how important academia is to you. And I will be traveling a lot to foreign countries and won't be home much for a while. I just didn't know if you'd approve of my decision to work abroad, and for such little pay." Stephen answered honestly.

Sheldon smiled at his son, scooting closer and putting his arm across his shoulder. His son was so bright that he fast tracked through college himself, beginning medical school at Berkeley at the tender age of sixteen. Now twenty-one, he was nearly finished with residency and was ready to embark upon a career as a doctor.

"Stephen…I love you. Very much. That alone is reason for me to be proud of you. You're my child. And you and your sister have brought your mother and me nothing short of joy since the days you were born."

Stephen smiled shyly. Never once in his life had he ever remembered his father giving him a stern look, or a harsh word. He'd had a very happy childhood, growing up in home surrounded by love.

"I was wondering…were you happy when Mom told you that she was pregnant with me?" Stephen asked quietly, watching his father's reaction closely.

Sheldon sat back, smiling faintly.

"Before you were born, I worried what kind of father I would make. My own relationship with your grandfather George wasn't very healthy. I was so afraid that I would make mistakes with you. Or push you away without even knowing it. But I realized very early on that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. The second I laid eyes on you, Stephen…I was in love. You were so little, so helpless. It was my job to protect you, and I took it as a great honor. I still do." Sheldon said, his voice faltering.

Tears filled Stephen's eyes as he nodded his head in understanding.

"Is this really what you want to do, Son? You have so many choices…I will support you no matter what you decide, but your mother and I want to make sure you've weighed all of your options. This is a big step. And a very altruistic one at that. And then…well, you watch the news. You know that there can be danger involved." Sheldon said grimly.

Stephen nodded resolutely, sitting up further.

"I know the risks, Dad. I know. And I do know that I have options. But I feel like my gifts would be better utilized if I used them for good. There are so many people who need help. How could I work in the States in a hospital and earn millions of dollars while there is so much suffering out there? Besides, I have a legacy to live up to. My Father is a Nobel Prize winner. I never want the world to think that I used my family name to land a cushy job here in California. This is as much about helping those who need it as proving my salt to myself. I want to do this." Stephen said firmly.

Sheldon smiled, gazing at his son with respect. It was just yesterday that he was a little boy, begging for piggy back rides and building forts with him in the living room. Where had the last twenty years gone? Sheldon wanted them back; he wanted to savor them all over again, even though he had each and every beautiful memory locked away inside his perfect brain.

"You have so much of your great grandmother in you. I'm so proud of you, Stephen. Meemaw would be proud of you, too. You make this family proud. Will you promise me something?" Sheldon asked seriously, his gaze penetrating.

Stephen swallowed at the way his father was staring him down, knowing whatever he wanted to tell him was extremely important.

"Anything, Dad." Stephen said sincerely, putting his arm around Sheldon.

Taking a moment to compose himself, Sheldon took a deep and steadying breath.

"Always put love first. I know you are a man of Science. And believe me…that is a very important calling to aspire to. But…if and when you find someone who makes you question everything about yourself? Don't let that person go. For anything. Don't think you have all the time in the world to string them along, making them wait until you are ready to open your heart to them. Because that person will change your life. That person will be the key to your happiness. And no amount of schooling, or studying, or accolades will compare to the feeling of looking into the eyes of the one you love, and seeing love reflected back to you. I almost lost that once. I almost threw it away, because I was stubborn and frightened, and…just didn't want to yield. I don't want that for you. I want you to know love as strongly and as deeply as I have. It is the most important thing in this life, Stephen. Nothing else even comes close," Sheldon said with conviction, tightening his grip on his son.

Stephen nodded vigorously, having never heard his father speak with such passion about such a thing before.

The years had only strengthened their bond, emotionally as well as physically. Sheldon saw so much of himself in Stephen; lanky, tall, blue eyes…shy. He could say now, looking back with maturity, that so much of his unwillingness to give in and love Amy the way that she deserved was due to shyness. Not feeling worthy. How lucky he was that Amy never gave up on him.

"Does this have to do with Mom?" Stephen suddenly asked.

Sheldon nodded.

"It does. Your mother is the best thing that ever happened to me. Well, besides you and Ellie." He said warmly, ruffling his son's hair. "But there was a time that I feared emotional bonds with anyone. The idea of falling in love was foreign to me, even ludicrous. I was so focused on Science, and my research. Then your mother came along, with her sensible shoes and her woolly cardigans. I was a dead man," Sheldon said fondly, chuckling as he looked far back into the past.

Stephen watched his father as he called upon his eidetic memory, the glow of love warm on his face. He smiled at the smitten look in Sheldon's eyes.

"I don't think I've ever seen two people more in love than you and Mom. The way you look at each other is just…special. When Ellie and I were kids, it used to freak us out. You seemed to finish each other's thoughts without words. All it took was a look between you. It was like you and Mom had this weird bond that we knew nothing about. It's still like that; as if you share a secret that we'll never know or understand."

Sheldon stared at his son, dumbstruck. He realized Stephen was trying to get him to admit something, by the way he gazed quizzically at his father. They had never told the children about the depth of their bond, or about the bottle they shared.

Over the years, he and Amy had toyed with whether or not to tell the children of their love story. They both decided that it was one secret they wanted to covet between them and them alone. Upon their deaths, the children would receive a key to a safe deposit box with the bottle, Amy's letter, and a letter written and signed by each of them. Until that day, their secret would remain hidden and shared between husband and wife.

Sheldon smiled secretively, turning his eyes downward.

"Couples share lots of secrets, Son. That is the point. To only share them with each other. Your mom and I made up a secret language once. And, we made up a game called counterfactuals. One day, when you come back to us for a visit, how about I show you how to play?" Sheldon asked eagerly.

Stephen smiled, his eyes watering.

"I'd like that, Dad. And just so you know…I hope to find a woman who loves me as much as Mom loves you. I know you think all I think about is medicine. But I'd like to share my life with someone special. But she will have to be really special. You said you want me to know what that feels like. Being your son…I think that I already do."

Sheldon nodded, pulling his son in for a hug. He hadn't hugged Stephen like this since Meemaw passed away. It was long overdue.

"I wouldn't wish anything less than magical for you, Stephen." Sheldon whispered gently.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Five Years Later…

The grass rippled in the breeze as the September wind blew through it, producing a hypnotic swirl of green that was both relaxing and invigorating.

As charming as Pasadena was, it wasn't…home. And as Amy once told Sheldon, home was where you hung your hat. Once Stephen was settled abroad, working as a doctor in the Ukraine, and Ellie was settled in New York City after having attended Juilliard for Ballet, Sheldon and Amy decided that it was finally time to retire into Meemaw's house.

The day they left Pasadena was bittersweet for the couple; it was where they had met and fell in love. But each knew that their true love story began here in Galveston on a beach long ago. They wanted to live out their remaining years there, so close to the place that called to their very souls.

The great thing about Meemaw's home was how big it was. At least four times a year, their friends would head out to visit them. Leonard and Penny, Raj and Vivian, and Howard and Bernadette were frequent residents. And once a year they gang would meet up in either Pasadena (where the Koothrapalli's and the Wolowitz's still lived) or New York City (where not only the Hofstadter's lived, but Ellie as well). They never lacked for the company of their youth, and the times they did spend together now were all the more special.

Amy and Sheldon both had taken teaching positions at Rice University, Sheldon's alma mater. They enjoyed once again working together at another University, and were both treated like rock stars on campus which flattered and amused them to no end.

They had a good life. A happy life.

A life complete, in so many ways.

Sheldon reached over to grasp Amy's hand, the pair of them quiet as the setting sun cast a glow around them. The only sound for miles was the gentle lull of leaves as they rustled in the trees, the early evening crickets as they chirped for companionship, and Meemaw's wind chimes as they swung in the gentle breeze.

Amy looked up, entranced as she watched fireflies overhead against the backdrop of the massive tree above.

It was so peaceful here. Almost…like a dream.

Amy's eyes slid shut, as the soothing sounds of nature and the gentle touch of her husband's hand lulled her far away. A strange feeling of déjà vu overwhelmed her, but instead of causing unease, it brought her immense peace - almost as if something or someone was trying to tell her something important that she should have known. Her eyes opened suddenly, catching the last rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves and marveling at the shifting patterns as the sun disappeared over the hills surrounding the house.

There was nowhere on Earth she would rather be, nor anyone else she'd rather be with. Amy looked over at Sheldon, admiring his handsome profile. His eyes were closed, a slight smile adorning his sensuous lips. Even at sixty years old, he was still the most handsome man she'd ever laid eyes on. His chestnut hair had grown a shade lighter over the years, but it only added to his distinguished allure.

Amy tilted her head, her eyes drinking him in. To say she loved this man was an understatement. If she could paint the sky with the color of her love, she wouldn't be able to find a color worthy. Nor a canvas large enough on the planet to hold it all. But the one color that kept coming to mind without fail was the color blue. Differing shades of blue, swirling and tempestuous and serene at the same time.

How she loved the color blue…

The last twenty-five years with Sheldon had been perfect. Ups and downs, as any marriage would expect. They argued now and then about trivial things. They bickered. But at the end of the day, they would come together in their large beg, right in the center, and hold each other. Since Amy had first moved in with him all of those years ago, and other than the week before their wedding, they had only spent a handful of nights apart.

Amy smiled serenely, not able to remember a time she wasn't so happy.

'Your future, Amy. Yours. And his. I can't tell you. I can't. But you'll see. You'll see, and you'll believe. And it will be…magical.'

"Magical…" Amy whispered, a barrage of feelings and thoughts bombarding her at once. As quickly as the feeling came, it fled. The only thing left, was the feeling of Sheldon's warm skin as he tightened his grip.

She felt nothing short of bliss in this moment.

They were lying on a blanket outside under Sheldon's favorite tree, enjoying the coming twilight and each other's company.

"What did you say?" Sheldon asked quietly, turning on his side to look at his wife. Thirty years had passed since he first laid eyes on Amy Farrah Fowler. Sheldon could say with certainty that she was more beautiful now than ever. Amy turned on her side as well, never breaking the connection with their hands. She brought them to her mouth, kissing Sheldon's tenderly.

"I…it's nothing. Just a strange thought, that's all." She whispered, all at once feeling foolish. Sheldon chuckled at the blush on his wife's face.

"Nothing, huh? Well, it must have been something." He challenged softly, mimicking her earlier gesture and kissing her hand.

Amy shook her head, smiling.

"Can I tell you something, without you thinking I've gone mad?" She asked seriously.

Sheldon smiled warmly.

"Little Lady, I think after what we've experienced together there is nothing you could tell me to shock me anymore." He chuckled.

Amy giggled, loving the fact that since moving back to Texas five years ago, Sheldon's accent had once again returned.

"Well…years ago, when I fell ill, I experienced…something. I don't know, it happened so fast and because I was so sick I must have imagined it. But every now and then, like now? I feel this strange sense of someone watching me. Watching over me. Over us. I know, it's crazy." Amy said, shaking her head at her folly.

Sheldon narrowed his eyes, pondering her statement with seriousness.

"It's not crazy though…is it Amy?" Sheldon asked her knowingly, his big blue eyes shining at her with love.

Amy found herself shaking her head in the negative.

"No. I guess it isn't. I can't believe how ill I was that day. I almost lost my life." Amy whispered, the feelings of helplessness still fresh in her mind.

Sheldon closed his eyes, trying to forget that awful day. Since then, he hadn't let it touch him. He couldn't. Those were the darkest moments of his entire life; walking into Amy's apartment and finding her near death.

Leaning his head back down on the blanket, Sheldon closed his eyes.

"You must never forget something, Amy. That day was the beginning of our lives. It was the day that I realized what I had. And what I wasn't willing to give up. As painful as it was, without it…I may have never woken up from the stupor I had been in. Something good came out of it. Something wonderful." Sheldon whispered softly.

Tears filled Amy's eyes as she smiled gently.

"You've made me so very happy, Sheldon. You've given me a life that I never dared to imagine. I guess sometimes, like now…I just feel like I'm going to wake up from the dream."

Her voice sounded so honest, so…disbelieving. Sheldon frowned, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Amy…it's you who have given me this beautiful life. When I think back to our early days, and how haughty I was…how clueless. It's a wonder you stuck around. I love you so much." He said tenderly, sitting up and urging Amy to join suit. He pulled her closer to him, running his hands down her back soothingly.

Amy in turn rubbed Sheldon's back, fitting her face in the crook of his neck. She loved being so close to him. After a few moments of nuzzling him, she laid her head on his shoulder.

His wife still retained the loveliness of youth, but they were now accentuated by a life of intelligence and experience. Her hair was a little lighter these days, Amy having given in years ago to Penny's gentle prodding and had lowlights added. The result intensified the green of her eyes, and Sheldon found himself entranced by her beauty all over again. She'd taken these days to a shorter, precision cut long bob. He thought he would miss her long hair, but he found her new look so captivating, especially when Leonard pointed out that she now resembled Carole from Star Trek Into Darkness. That sold Sheldon in five seconds flat.

Everything about his wife was elegant and regal.

As they sat there cuddling, a thought occurred to Sheldon. He pulled back, gazing at Amy curiously.

"Why did you put the I Ching symbol for Chaos as your Facebook profile picture after I returned from my train trip?" He asked suddenly.

Seconds ticked by before Amy realized Sheldon had spoken to her. Pulling away, she gazed at him with a confused look.

"Hmm?" She hummed, not understanding his query. Sheldon licked him lips before clarifying.

"Years ago, approximately two days before you…before I found you…I called you in the early morning hours after I saw you were posting on Facebook. Do you remember?" Sheldon asked, his face already troubled from conjuring up memories he wished he could forget.

Amy bit her lip, Sheldon's clues reminding her at once of what he spoke. She had had a nightmare. The one where she raced over to Sheldon's apartment to find him gone. She had woken up in a panic, and moments later Sheldon had messaged her. That was the beginning of nearly the end for her, as two days later she was fighting for her life in the ICU. But that wasn't the crux of Sheldon's question. It was about the Facebook profile picture.

"What made you think of that? It was twenty-five years ago." She said quietly. Sheldon swallowed visibly, nodding.

"I know. I know it was. But I've always wondered. Why did you choose that particular symbol for your picture? I had been away for nearly two months, and I hadn't realized you changed your avatar. I worried about you, Amy. And once I had recognized what the symbol was, I had worried even more." He admitted.

The tone of his voice was almost frightened. Amy reached up to caress his cheek, not sure where this was coming from. But after thinking on it for a moment, she realized he truly needed to know. Taking a deep breath, she let it out shakily.

"Well…after you left, I was of course shaken up. I felt helpless. Alone. And I worried whether or not you would ever return. As the weeks went by, I pondered how you felt everything in your life was falling into chaos. You feared that, so much. And in fearing that, you feared me. I was part of that chaos. I feared you would never return to me. I began to research The I Ching. I know, as a Scientist, it was contradictory to my beliefs. But as I read the words, I realized how much they mimicked our relationship. They gave me comfort. I came to the realization that chaos wasn't always a curse." Amy stated softly.

Sheldon gaped at his wife with shock. The words of Arthur came flooding back to him like a tidal wave.

Embrace the chaos…

"Before a great vision can become reality there may be difficulty. Before a person begins a great endeavor, they may encounter chaos. As a new plant breaks the ground with great difficulty, foreshadowing the huge tree, so must we sometimes push against difficulty in bringing forth our dreams. Out of Chaos, Brilliant Stars are Born." Sheldon murmured.

Amy beamed at her husband, never failing to be impressed at his beautiful mind.

"Yes. You know it," She said, pleased.

"I know it." Sheldon affirmed, kissing the top of his wife's head tenderly. "I've lived it."

The great endeavor was, of course, their relationship. Written in the stars, eons ago. Chaos born out of the deepest of love, the most fiery passion and steadfast hope. What they had would never, ever die. Never be snuffed out. Their souls would reside together throughout eternity, always finding each other. Always returning to keep the other's light aflame.

Soulmates.

Sheldon gathered his wife close, closing his eyes and drinking her in. He had unlocked that door. Thank God for that. Thank God for her.

"You are my chaos, Amy Farrah Cooper. And I wouldn't have it any other way." He whispered softly.

Amy smiled serenely, holding Sheldon tightly in return.

It had been worth it. Every single trial.

Worth it.

"And you are mine, Sheldon Lee Cooper. I wouldn't have it any other way, either."

Sheldon jumped up, grabbing his wife by the hand and spinning her around in a romantic waltz, so reminiscent to the one they shared at her cousin Cassidy's wedding so long ago. Their laughter could be heard for miles, as they danced to imaginary music that only they could hear.

Somewhere out there, in another time…another plane of consciousness…a little girl was smiling. Giggling. And dancing underneath a huge tree whose limbs extended to the sky.

Her voice cried out in proud merriment, dancing towards the horizon and leaving that meadow behind. Finally, she was free. Amy didn't need her anymore. Her job was finished.

"She did it! They both did." Came her voice on the wind, sounding clear as crystal and sweet as honey as she floated into eternity.

And so they had.

Together.

The End

A/N – A big thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favorited, reviewed, and rec'd this story over the last 11 months. Also to the readers who voted for me and this story at The Big Bang Theory Forum awards. I am blessed and fortunate to have such wonderful, caring readers. Writing this story and seeing it to fruition was an honor and a privilege. Thank you to the many friends I've made along the way. This was for you. This was for me. And this was for Sheldon and Amy. With love, Jo Anna (Darcyfitz)