Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Hereby my Christmas gift to you. Probably the last in about a month – I'll be traveling and won't be writing. I hope to return filled with fried rice and inspiration.

The Work-Life Balance Disruption

Chapter 22

Assumptions

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever," Amy finished the psalm with only a little tremor in her voice.

She looked up at the pews, and saw Bernadette and Penny dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs. Doctor Cooper was looking at her strangely. She let out a shaky breath and walked over to the coffin.

She lay her hand on top of it. The wood felt smooth underneath her fingers. There were peonies in the floral arrangement that lay at the head, and Amy felt her heart constrict. Aunt Flora loved peonies. She would have liked this.

"Thank you for everything, Aunt Flora," Amy whispered quietly, "I'll miss you."

She moved back to the pew at the front of the church and took her seat again between her parents. The priest was back at the pulpit, inviting the attendees to come up to receive the Holy Communion.

Amy remained seated. Her mother shot her a look, but otherwise didn't say anything as she and her father got up from the pews. A handful of people walked up to the priest, Bernadette included. Amy blinked in surprise, but then suddenly realised that she had seen her wear a cross around her neck on multiple occasions.

Instead of walking back to her old seat at the back of the church, Bernadette took a seat next to Amy as she walked away from the priest.

Amy shot her a grateful look, there were tears in Bernadette's eyes as well as she took hold of her hand. She didn't let go. Not even during the final prayers.

The pallbearers carried the coffin on their shoulders and walked ahead of the congregation out of the church. It was an impressive sight. The front of the church cleared out first, and Amy followed her parents outside. Bernadette never left her side, and Amy's heart soared.

Penny and Doctor Cooper were standing as she walked past them. Amy gave them a small smile. Penny mouthed something to her. Amy couldn't catch what it was, but Penny's eyes shone with unshed tears. Doctor Cooper gave her another nod.

This was not the time, but she thought he looked incredibly hot in this suit.

After a final prayer at the burial site, the congregation moved back to a building at the side of the church, where coffee and tea was served. Amy had been silent after the reading of the psalm, but had held fast onto Bernadette's hand. She couldn't believe they had come. Without them in the pews, she wouldn't have been able to continue the reading.

It warmed her heart.

Upon entering the small room, Amy looked around. The amount of people that had shown up was bigger than she had thought; perhaps the size of the church made the crowd look smaller than it was.

She suddenly realised how exhausting the entire morning had been. She longed for a good night's sleep, or at least a short nap.

Penny and Doctor Cooper walked up to her. Penny enveloped her in a hug. "You spoke beautifully, sweetie," she whispered, squeezing her closer. Amy sighed, and hugged her back. "Thank you, and thank you so much for coming," she said softly.

Penny pulled back a little, but still held onto her waist. "Bernie dressed you up really nice as well," she muttered, and then bent forward as if she was sharing a secret. "I saw Sheldon checking out your ass when you walked by."

Amy flushed. She looked up to where Doctor Cooper was standing, he had given them some privacy and moved a couple of feet away. He stood stoically next to the table with coffee cans. His hands were clasped on his back and he stared out into the crowd. Bernadette was preparing a cup of tea beside him.

Amy released another deep breath, and turned to him. She might as well face him now. Seeing him in the pews had given her the boost of strength she had needed to continue. She would have to take some time later to figure out what that exactly implied.

"Hi," she greeted them.

Bernadette smiled at her softly. "It was a beautiful service, Amy," she said. "You did really well. Didn't she, Sheldon?"

Doctor Cooper had still been looking out in the crowd. His eyes cut to Amy's. "Yes, she did," he muttered. He still had his hands clasped on his back, and Amy frowned. She had expected a hug at least.

Well, if he wasn't going to do it, she would do it herself.

She walked up to him, and put her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her. The heels she wore gave her an increased height, and her face was much closer to his than it was the other time he had hugged her.

His arms went around her almost immediately and she inhaled his scent of fabric softener and talcum powder. It comforted her. His hands rested a little too low on her back to be appropriate.

"Thank you for coming," she muttered, "I didn't know I needed you here until I saw you sitting in the pews." Her statement was ambiguous enough, she could have meant just him, or all three of them with the word you.

He pulled her closer to him, and she was flush against his chest, his head moved to her ear.

"It's a good thing we're already at church," his breath was hot on her ear, "I might need a word with the priest later to confess the sinful thoughts I had when I saw you in this dress."

Amy's stomach swooped deliciously. This was even more inappropriate than her thoughts about him in the suit. She trembled a little. "Oh," was all she managed to get out.

He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "You did great," he said, pulling away from her a little bit, but keeping a hold on her waist.

His eyes were insanely blue once again as he looked at her. Amy blushed slightly.

"Well, Amy, aren't you going to introduce me to your.. friends?" her mother's mocking voice cut the moment short.

Amy quickly pulled away from Doctor Cooper, letting go off his neck and taking a step back. One of his hands fell away, but the other rested just above the swell of her bottom. Amy reacted to her mother's words as if she was caught sinning. There had to be closets around here. Her mother wouldn't hesitate to put her in one.

"Uh, of course. Mom, these are my friends; Bernadette, Penny and Sheldon," Amy stuttered, blushing.

Her mother looked them all up and down. She eyed the length of Penny's dress and Bernadette's slight cleavage disapprovingly. "Hm," was all she said haughtily.

Amy bit her lip nervously.

"Your friends, you say?" she said disbelievingly, as her eyes moved to where Doctor Cooper's left hand was positioned.

He cleared his throat. "Mrs Fowler, it's nice to meet you, ma'am," he said, with the air of arrogance he adopted in class, and held out his right hand for her to shake. "And my condolences as well."

Mrs Fowler took a hold of his hand, and narrowed her eyes at him. "Thank you, Mister…?"

"It's doctor actually, Doctor Sheldon Cooper," he said, staring her down.

Mrs Fowler looked visibly impressed, and Amy held her breath to see what would happen next.

"And may I ask how a doctor such as yourself has come to be friends with my Amy? No offence, Doctor Cooper, but you don't exactly fall into the same age-category," Mrs Fowler said snidely.

Doctor Cooper didn't even flinch at the implications.

"You may ask, but if you don't mind, I choose not to answer," he replied.

Mrs Fowler could only stare at the audacity. "Excuse me?" she sounded appalled.

Bernadette quickly intervened, before things could escalate. "Mrs Fowler? Hi, I'm Bernadette Rostenkowski," she said, pulling her away from the stare-down. "Amy and I share a lab at Caltech. She's met Penny and Sheldon through me, and we've simply loved having her spend time with us."

It was stretching the truth. Amy saw her mother narrow her eyes at Bernadette, until she eyed the cross on her neck again. "You're studying to be a biologist as well then?" she said.

"Yes, I am, ma'am," Bernadette smiled. "I do wish we could have met under different circumstances, but it's still nice to meet you, Mrs Fowler."

Amy was almost sure she was pulling out all the stops to keep her mother from flying at Doctor Cooper's throat. Bernadette must be aware her cute appearance and sweet voice would be able to calm her down.

"You'll have to excuse Sheldon," Penny added conspiringly, "he has developed an aversion against the church, growing up a genius in East-Texas with a born-again Christian mother. He wanted to be here for Amy, though."

"Excuse me, I'm right here," Doctor Cooper snapped.

"Yes," Penny hissed at him, "and you're making a terrible first impression on the woman who could your new mothe- - "

"Okay!" Amy interrupted them quickly, before things were said that could not be taken back. This was going horribly.

"There's my favourite cousin!" Uncle Geoffrey's voice filled the awkward silence around them, "I was wondering if you'd already left!"

As if it wasn't awkward enough already.

"Uncle Geoffrey," Amy smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes. He had his arms wrapped around her already and as always his hand grasped fistfuls of her ass. Amy heard Doctor Cooper cough rather loudly behind her.

Amy quickly pulled away. "Uncle Geoffrey, these are my friends," she waved towards the others. Doctor Cooper's eyes shot fire.

Uncle Geoffrey seemed oblivious, he only had eyes for the women. "How lovely to meet you, ladies," he slurred, and Amy wondered if he had drunk more than just a sip of wine during Holy Communion. Penny and Bernadette smiled awkwardly at him as he engaged them in conversation.

Amy looked at the scene. She never thought she'd think it, but she was actually glad Uncle Geoffrey interrupted them when he did.

"Amy," her mother said, holding her car keys as if ready to go, "I've got to run some errands. The priest is waiting for me. I trust you'll get home by yourself?"

"We'll take her," Doctor Cooper interjected from her right. His tone made it sound like it was not up for discussion.

Mrs Fowler looked at him suspiciously. "Alright," she said, "call me later, Amy. We have things to talk about."

Amy just nodded. She was exhausted. "Whatever, Mom," she mumbled indifferently.

"I will not have you taking that tone with me, Amy," her mother hissed. "We'll discuss this later."

She gave her a stern look, but Amy couldn't care less. Her mother turned around to leave.

"Mrs Fowler," Doctor Cooper called after her, "let me walk you to your car, ma'am."

Amy's mother looked at him in surprise. He had already taken hold of her elbow and walked at a brisk pace to the door.

Amy looked at their retreating forms in bewilderment. What the…

Figuring she would hear all about it from her mother later anyway, Amy turned around at went to save the girls from Uncle Geoffrey.

Penny was trying really hard not to laugh too loud – they were still at a funeral after all – but she obviously seemed to think he was being hilarious.

"Hey," Amy said, when she reached them, "what's so funny?"

Penny was legit crying now, and Bernadette was giggling in her hand.

"Oh," Uncle Geoffrey slurred, "I was just telling these lovely ladies about the time you and Aunt Flora pulled that prank on your mother…"

He continued to recount the story of Amy and Aunt Flora replacing the sugar with salt in her tea, while she had an important meeting with a new client. She had to keep a straight face the entire time.

"You were always her favourite, Amy," Uncle Geoffrey said, smiling at her.

Amy bowed her head, willing the tears to stop for once. "And she was mine," she said.

Uncle Geoffrey pulled her in a bear hug. He smelled of old-people and cheap aftershave. Amy suddenly realised he was the first member of her family to give her a hug.

"I'm sorry, Amy," Uncle Geoffrey said, letting go of her. "My sister always spoke so fondly of you. I'll see if I can find some pictures of the two of you in my photo albums."

"Thank you," Amy said, wiping her face. "That would be great."

Uncle Geoffrey gave her arm a final squeeze, and went to talk to other people.

Penny and Bernadette gave her sympathetic smiles. "You ok?" Penny asked.

"I'm just really tired after everything," Amy muttered, "and then that showdown between my mother and Doctor Cooper was really something I could have lived without."

Penny guffawed. "I thought it was pretty awesome," she said, "I don't know what exactly you told him about her, but he was bitching about her the entire ride over here."

Amy smiled slightly.

"You want to get out of here?" Bernadette asked.

Amy smiled gratefully at her. "I'm going to go say goodbye to my dad first," she said. "Have either of you seen him?"

The all looked around the small area for a couple of minutes, but no one was able to find him.

"Screw it," Amy finally said, "I'll just text him."

The three girls walked outside, and Amy stopped in her tracks. Her father was sitting on a bench in front of the church next to Doctor Cooper. They appeared to be sitting in silence.

She was instantly nervous. Would they have discussed her?

"Hi dad," she said as she reached them. Bernadette and Penny had gone over to pull the car around.

Her father looked up and gave her a smile. "Hey pumpkin," he said, "I'm sorry for keeping him from you too long, but it's a father's duty to find out what kind of man is pursuing his daughter."

Amy felt her face heat up. No, her entire body was blushing. What had Doctor Cooper said to him?

She was speechless.

"Don't worry," her father added, "I'll talk to your mother." He stood up and hugged her to him. "I like him," he stage-whispered in her ear, loud enough for Doctor Cooper to hear.

"Dad!" she exclaimed, horrified. Her father just winked at her.

Doctor Cooper had gotten up as well. He held out his hand for her father to shake. "It was on honour to meet you, sir," he stated.

"Likewise, Doctor Cooper," her father said, smirking at him. The handshake they gave each other was unnecessarily firm. With a final nod, her father turned around and walked back to the side-building.

Amy just stared. What had Doctor Cooper said to him?

"The girls getting the car?" he asked, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

"Uhm, yeah," Amy shook her head, clearing it from the thoughts mulling around in it. She was too tired for all of this.

Bernadette's car pulled up by the curb. Amy turned to walk over there, but she was unsteady in the heels she wore. Instantly, Doctor Cooper's hand was on the small of her back. Together, they walked over to the car in silence.

Bernadette smirked at her from behind the wheel.

Amy didn't know what was happening anymore. All she knew, was that the drive would most likely lull her into sleep. Doctor Cooper held the door open for her, and she climbed in. He got in on the opposite side.

She had an instant déjà-vu to the night he had brought her home after the thing with Zach in the bar.

Except this time, he took her hand as soon as he had buckled up. He squeezed it softly.

Bernadette pulled onto the road, and it took Amy exactly two blocks to fall into a restless slumber.

When Amy awoke they were parked in front of 2311 North Los Robles. She blinked and saw Doctor Cooper unbuckle his seat belt. Was it because he had let go of her hand that she had woken up?

Bernadette turned from behind the wheel. "Ames, we were thinking, maybe you wanted to hang out with us for a bit?" she asked. "If not, I can take you home just as easily. You say the word."

Amy thought for only a second. "Hanging out sounds fun, yeah," she muttered. "But nothing too straining, a movie or something."

The four of them walked up the stairs in pairs of two. Amy and Penny climbed first. It wasn't until the second flight of stairs, that Amy realised she was giving Doctor Cooper a perfect view of her rear in the tight dress she wore.

Should she swing her hips a little more on purpose?

"I don't have the biggest collection, but my immature boyfriend and his roommate own about every movie ever made," Penny joked as they almost reached the fourth floor. "Even though you can stream everything nowadays, they still insist on buying."

"You laugh all you want, Penny," Doctor Cooper inserted, "but you and your Netflix account have no leg to stand on when I change the Wi-Fi password."

Penny gasped mockingly at him. "You wouldn't!"

"I've done it before, and I'll do it again." Doctor Cooper was using his professor voice and it made Amy weak in the knees.

They had arrived on the fourth floor landing, and Penny was just pulling out her keys from her bag, when the door to Doctor Cooper's apartment opened before he had a chance to open it himself.

"I thought I heard you guys coming up," Leonard said in greeting.

"Oh, Amy," he continued, walking over to her and hugging her awkwardly. Her heels only increased their difference in height and her breasts were practically in his face. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Leonard," Amy replied, giving him a small smile.

"Actually, the guys are here. We were going to watch all of Back to the Future, you know, for science. If you girls would like to join us."

Amy chuckled. "Still discussing the workings of the flux capacitor I presume?"

And that's how they all ended up at Doctor Cooper's apartment. Amy looked on how everyone took what appeared to be an assigned seat. Penny fell down into the chair adjacent to the couch. Raj sat on the floor. Howard sat on the one end of the couch, Bernadette on the crate of books next to it.

Doctor Cooper walked over to the kitchen with Leonard, they were talking quietly. Amy tried to hear what they were saying. She stood by the door and took off her pumps. Her feet had been aching before, but the walk up to the apartment had really done her in.

"Amy," Doctor Cooper called, "I'm making you chamomile tea. Have a seat."

He waved towards the couch, but there was really only one seat available. She knew he sat on the far right of the couch. The only unoccupied seat was the one right next to him. Penny grinned at her, and Amy was confused till the realisation hit her. There was a possibility she would spend hours next to him on this couch, watching an entire trilogy.

Leonard had joined Penny in the chair, and they were a tangle of limbs in no time.

Amy accepted the mug of tea Doctor Cooper handed her with a small smile. He had taken off his suit jacket, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. "Are you comfortable?" he asked.

Amy nodded. She couldn't speak. He was dressed like he was in the first dirty dream she had about him. Her body responded in kind.

"Are you sure?" he implored her. "You look a bit flushed."

"No, I'm fine," Amy answered softly. They weren't alone for crying out loud. She was sure the others were watching them like hawks and having the time of their lives doing so.

Raj started the movie, and Amy nestled in further on the couch. She sipped her tea and felt calmer right away. Perhaps she should get some chamomile tea as well.

Doctor Cooper kept a respectable distance to her the entire movie. Amy didn't know if she should be glad about that or not.

The guys around her joked and commented on the movie and Amy laughed along with them.

It was wonderful to be a part of a group like this, she suddenly realised. However much a part of it she was at the moment. She wasn't sure what she and Doctor Cooper were right now – or should she call him Sheldon now that they were not at the University? It was so confusing. Maybe that was tiring her out as well.

She felt his eyes were on her quite a lot during the movie. She bent forward to put her mug down on the coffee table, and when she sat back up, he had moved his right arm to the back of the couch.

It was the oldest trick in the book and Amy loved it.

Amy tried her hardest to suppress a smile as she settled in closer to him. Where should she leave her left arm? On his leg? Against his side? Her thoughts were rendered moot, as he pulled her against him.

Half way through the second movie, Leonard ordered pizza. It was delivered around the end and they all ate while they continued to watch the adventures of Doc Brown and Marty McFly. Howard was making notes every time something about the mechanics of the time machine was mentioned and Amy laughed at his childlike enthusiasm.

By the time the third movie came to an end, Amy was truly tired. While she liked Back to the Future as much as the next person who was born in the eighties, the movies had a kind of repetitive pattern, and that wasn't helping her stay awake. The warmth of Doctor Coopers body right next to hers wasn't helping her either – but in a different way.

She stifled a yawn as the time machine – which was now a locomotive – flew off and the credits started to roll. Penny had fallen asleep and was snoring slightly. Bernadette had lost interest and was playing on her phone.

Howard got up from the couch. "We should go," he said, nodding to Raj and Bernadette. The both of them got to their feet as well, and Leonard nudged Penny awake. She stirred and blinked languidly at Leonard.

"Damn, what time is it?" she murmured.

"It's past midnight," Raj answered, "we'll get out of here."

"Oh!" Penny said and, as if she realised something, got up quickly and pulled Leonard with her.

Before Amy knew what was happening, the five of them were standing by the open door, ready to make a quick exit. She suddenly realised Bernadette was her ride home, and moved to get up from her seat as well.

A hand closed around her wrist and pulled her back.

She looked to her left into the questioning eyes of Doctor Cooper.

"Amy," he muttered, "if you're not up for the ride home, you're more than welcome to stay over."

She blinked back at him, confused.

"Bernadette's the one driving," she said, not understanding why she wouldn't be up for a ride in the back of a car, she didn't need to focus on the road.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Let me try that again," he said.

Before he continued, it suddenly dawned on her what he had actually meant. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She held her breath in anticipation.

"Amy, do you want to stay the night?"

To be continued

A/N I'd very much like a Christmas present in the form of a review.