Chapter 33: Plus One
"I Like To Think Those Atoms Traveled Fourteen Billion Years Through Time And Space To Create Us." - Leonard
For the next few weeks after Carly and Sheldon had finally consummated their relationship, she was unable to remove the smile from her face. She was well aware that everyone around her had noticed, some of them more curious than others- Penny, but she was enjoying herself too much to care.
There was a serious shift in their relationship. There was an understanding, trust, and a whole lot of love. No longer did she feel like she was holding onto a hope she wasn't sure she'd ever received. Just as the relationship agreement had done, this new chapter in their lives brought them seemingly closer.
Their friends could tell. They often found themselves staring at each other more often. Sheldon kissed her on the cheek in front of them every night before she left. They giggled and laughed together, seemingly on the same wavelength and miles away from their friends at times. Even while apart, they were enraptured in their text conversations- causing them all to come to the startling assumption that they must have done something- and if they were guessing correctly- had caused this shift.
Despite this, neither Carly nor Sheldon went into details and instead just fell back on the excuse that they were happy together. Sheldon was better at it than she was of course, as Carly was easily flustered- something Sheldon knew and would often attempt to thwart any harassment from his blond neighbor in regards to his girlfriend.
It wasn't that Carly didn't want Penny or anyone else to know, it was just that she wanted it to remain a cherished moment between just her and Sheldon for as long as they could. Sheldon seemed to feel the same way as he'd made her sign a nondisclosure clause he'd added to their agreement.
Thankfully, a distraction helped their efforts. Leonard and Sheldon both were to receive an award for their paper. Carly was thrilled.
To celebrate, both of their mothers were coming into town. She was looking forward to seeing Mary again, but it was Leonard's mother she was anxious about.
From everything she'd heard from Leonard and Penny, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter could be a cold, calculating woman. Sheldon on the other hand always held her in high regard and had even admitted to corresponding with her frequently.
It was no surprise that when the day finally arrived to meet her, Carly was absolutely beside herself with nerves. They were to be going to dinner together straight from the award ceremony and so after going through her closet to find something appropriate to wear, she decided to don the burnt orange dress she'd worn on Valentine's Day. She slid dressy heels on instead of her go-to sneakers and curled her hair a little into waves. She put on a little makeup and grabbed her white purse. She didn't put a sweater on this time, the March air bringing forth extra sunshine. They wouldn't be outside much anyway, even if it proved to be chilly.
Deciding she had stalled long enough, she made herself leave the apartment after locking up and head up to 4A where everyone was congregated. Everyone meaning, Sheldon and his mother, Leonard and his mother, and Penny. The others were going to meet up with them at the University.
Carly took a deep breath and warily opened the door. As soon as she saw everyone's eyes turn toward her, her breath that she had just garnered left her. Why was she always this nervous to meet people? It was irritating.
"Oh! Carly! You're here!" Sheldon exclaimed happily, standing up from his spot on the couch to greet her at the door. She smiled up at him, their eyes meeting. She saw the little happy twinkle in his eyes that she was so fond of. He must be thrilled.
She peered around the room, noticing how Mary sat in Leonard's armchair, giving her a warm welcoming smile, and who she assumed was Leonard's mother sitting on the far end of the couch, regarding her in appraisal. Leonard and Penny were in the kitchen.
Sheldon took her hand, giving her slight butterflies. "Carly, this is Dr. Beverly Hofstadter. Leonard's mother," he introduced with high esteem, gesturing with a hand, "Dr. Hofstadter, this is my girlfriend Carly Bennett."
Beverly stood and gave her a tight-lipped smile under her glasses. She had short blond hair and a modest, but professional dress on.
Carly smiled back, trying to conceal her anxiety. "Nice to meet you."
Beverly nodded her head once. "You as well. Sheldon's told me so much about you. Have you finally overcome your abandonment issues?"
The way she phrased the question made it sound like she was concerned for her well-being but the context was shocking and Carly blinked repeatedly in what she hoped would help her process what had just been asked of her. The air suddenly felt like it had been sucked out of her and her hand twitched in his.
"A-Abandonment issues? Sheldon told you I have... abandonment issues?" She finished the startling response with a look in her boyfriend's direction. His eyes shifted uneasily. Gulping, he released her and spun around to Leonard.
"Never mind, Leonard- you can have all the attention you want," he conceded to his roommate, walking over to him and Penny.
Carly's heart began pounding in her chest. Just what the...
"He didn't tell me you had abandonment issues," Beverly quickly corrected her. "It was quite obvious from what Sheldon had described, what with your parents passing in a tragic situation as a child and how you've clung to your grandmother, and now Sheldon, ever since."
Carly's mouth gaped. What in the world had her boyfriend and this woman spoken about? Suddenly finding the room to be scorching hot and wanting to leave immediately- award be damned, she caught sight of her boyfriend's mother's troubled face and Carly shakily went over and sat down in the chair next to her.
Mary reached over and patted her hand sympathetically. Carly weakly glanced over at her smiling face. "If it makes you feel any better, I too don't want to be here because of-" she broke her murmur off and threw a pointed look towards Beverly.
Carly slumped her shoulders. This would be a long night, and she'd be having an equally long talk with her boyfriend when it was all said and done.
The drive to the university was awkward and tense. Apparently, Leonard was quite upset with his mother and Sheldon, claiming Sheldon was hogging the attention from both of the mothers- that explained Sheldon's confusing statement about attention. Mary and Beverly did not get along in the slightest, putting everyone on edge. The fact that Carly was upset with her boyfriend for her apparent "abandonment issues" made it clear that she too did not want to be around Beverly or Sheldon.
So, with that said- Leonard drove Mary and Carly to the university, while Penny was the unfortunate one to drive Beverly and Sheldon.
At this decision, Sheldon had wanted to argue about which car Carly had chosen to ride in- but the tense glare she had sent his way had rendered him silent and appeasing.
"I wouldn't get too caught up in what Beverly told you, Carly," Mary told her from the front passenger, while Leonard took off. "She's a cold, callous woman who's got a pole the size of Moses's staff up her behind."
Carly bit her lip at Mary's candor and glanced at Leonard who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'd disagree with you, but my childhood proves just how correct you are."
Carly sighed heavily. "I'm more upset about Sheldon relaying my personal business to people I haven't even met."
"I understand sweetheart," Mary sympathized. "Shelly's the most intelligent man I've ever met but he isn't the smartest when it comes to boundaries or recognizing when to open his mouth."
Carly crossed her arms over her chest uncomfortable and frowned out the window. "I know." Of course, she knew. It was just horribly embarrassing and she had anxiety with new people as it was.
"To be fair, my mother has found faults in just about everyone," Leonard tried to reassure her. "At least you don't have a whole book series about your childhood."
Carly felt bad for him. She may not have had a mother, but she at least had a grandmother who was warm and full of love. She hadn't even spent twenty minutes with Beverly and could assume the woman didn't have a warm bone in her body.
"What does Sheldon even see in her?" Carly wondered aloud. "He always talks so highly of her."
Leonard sighed at the question. "Well, it really comes down to their intelligence. To be honest, they're a lot alike."
Carly tilted her head. She supposed that made sense. There weren't that many people in Sheldon's life where he felt on equal standing, so if he found that in Beverly, she supposed she would have to understand- just as long as he had her permission next time before he aired out her dirty laundry.
The award ceremony was lovely and she sat in between Penny and Mary, watching as her handsome boyfriend accepted his award alongside his best friend. She was immensely proud of them. They truly deserved it and the recognition.
In the light of the stage, Sheldon caught her eyes. Unable to help it, she smiled brightly at him. He looked visibly relieved and gave her a small turn of his lips in response.
Afterward, they all went out for their dinner reservation. Carly still refused to sit in a car with Beverly, afraid she'd say something else about her that she didn't want to be known, but sent Sheldon a text- informing him that she wanted to speak with him privately after dinner.
He responded with an "I know what this is about and I don't want to argue with you."
She held back a sigh. She didn't want to argue either, but she wasn't clear that he knew exactly what he'd done wrong, so she needed to speak with him anyway. "It won't be an argument. I promise," she sent back as they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.
"Very well," was his response.
The dinner was lovely, simply because Beverly and Mary avoided talking to each other and instead focused their attention on the others.
Carly sat by Sheldon, who talked animatedly with Beverly. He was obviously excited to be around her. Carly held back her aversion. She had to respect her boyfriend's choice in friendship, and besides- it wasn't Beverly's fault that she knew Carly's personal life. She was a psychologist and neuroscientist, so it was literally her job to psychoanalyze someone.
She thought that up until the point Beverly turned her pointed eyes to Carly once more. "I want to apologize, Miss Bennett. I didn't realize that by asking you if you've solved your abandonment issues, it would trigger your insecurities."
Carly swallowed thickly and tried to reign in her irritation. Sheldon shifted next to her, his leg brushing up against hers. Taking a deep breath she forced a smile onto her face, meeting Beverly's eyes. "Thank you for the apology. I... didn't realize Sheldon spoke of me in such a way to you."
"He speaks of you all the time. Sheldon is quite enamored by you," she explained, obviously relieved that Carly had accepted the apology. Her lips even curled up into the tiniest of smiles.
Carly's heart jumped. Suddenly she felt a little guilty for being so angry with either of them. Perhaps she was more insecure than she'd thought. Good lord, Beverly was right.
Carly glanced to Sheldon who purposefully took a drink of his water and darted his eyes away from her. "Well, that's sweet of him."
Sheldon dropped his glass. "Yes! It's sweet! Now can we move on?" He cried desperately, his ears turning a shade of red.
It was then that Carly realized the table had tuned in to listen to their conversation. Mary caught her eyes and smiled sweetly at her. Carly returned it. Perhaps this experience wasn't that bad after all.
Carly slid a hand under the table and felt for his that was on his knee. He tensed when her fingers found him, and she wondered if he was so embarrassed he'd reject it, but instead, he clasped her hand and held onto it tightly with long fingers.
Carly smiled. They'd grown a lot throughout their relationship, both finding ways to cope with their inner demons with the help of each other. Carly knew their insecurities will once again rear their ugly heads from time to time, but she knew without a shadow of a doubt, that they'd get through it together.
Six Months Later
"Is it all right if my girlfriend joins me? I promised her we would have lunch together once she began working here-"
President Siebert stopped, staring at him as if he'd grown another head, before relaxing into an expression of disbelief. "You have a girlfriend?"
Sheldon didn't notice the tone or the way he was looking at him. He smiled encouragingly with a nod. "Yes."
Siebert continued to stare at him. "In... real life?"
Sheldon was puzzled by the next question and his smile faltered slightly. "Yes," he answered anyway.
"And... does she know that she's your girlfriend?"
Sheldon gaped at the president of the university, flabbergasted by his question. "Well of course she does? Why on earth would she not?" He retorted, becoming exasperated with Siebert's ignorance.
The older man straightened at Sheldon's impatience and attempted to compose himself. "I suppose, that it would be all right if she joined just this once- if nothing else than to cure my curiosity over who on earth would have the mental capacity to be in a romantic relationship with you."
Sheldon blinked, unsure how to process what Siebert was saying. "Are you insulting me?"
"Of course not- I'll, well I'll see you and your aforementioned at lunch then," Siebert told him, walking away suddenly before it was difficult to converse with Dr. Cooper and exited his office.
Sheldon stared at the empty doorway, baffled as to what had just transpired- but then he decided he didn't care. The lesser man always would confuse him. Not only was he able to sit in the more important meal facility on campus, where the elite ate, but Carly was also able to join him.
Good day, indeed.
He shot over to his phone laying on his desk and sent a quick text to Carly, informing her of the new plan.
At lunch, Leonard appeared in his doorway, and Sheldon turned from his whiteboard to greet him. "Hey, Sheldon. Ready for lunch?"
Feeling rather superior at the moment, he capped the maker in his hands and sat it down, with a smug smirk on his face. "Unnecessary question, Leonard. I won't be joining you this afternoon."
Leonard met his eyes, eyebrows knitting together with confusion. "You're not?"
"Correct," Sheldon implored. "President Siebert invited me to join him in the elite auditorium for lunch, to discuss my theory."
Leonard's eyebrows shot up to his hairline as a smile grew on his face. "No way! That's wonderful Sheldon!" Sheldon returned the smile but Leonard paused with a sudden thought. "What about Carly?"
"Oh already got that covered," Sheldon told him, gesturing for them to exit his office and begin walking. "She'll be joining me. President Siebert's okay with it."
Leonard gave him a happy look through his disbelief. "That's awesome. I'm happy for you."
Sheldon smirked giddily at Leonard. "I am as well. Things are really coming up Sheldon, recently."
Leonard grinned.
They parted ways and Sheldon found Carly at the library where he would direct her to lunch. His heart fluttered wildly in excitement as soon as he saw her at his workplace.
She had her hair up neatly at the top of her head and was wearing a green collared dress with dark tights underneath. A pale blazer with matching dress shoes completed the outfit, and he felt like perhaps he'd never get over this beautiful he thought she was.
"Hey, Sheldon! Ready for lunch?" Her grin made her brown eyes twinkle.
He easily returned the smile. "Yes, you?"
She nodded and he led her to the auditorium, speaking excitedly about what was to come. The fact that he was spending even more time with his girlfriend was exhilarating. Wolowitz had been wrong- having your girlfriend at work with you really was nice.
"Ah, Dr. Cooper! Glad you could make it," President Siebert greeted them, standing from a table already set in the lavishly decorated room as they entered.
Carly, feeling wildly out of place, followed Sheldon over. She'd met with President Siebert a couple of times, for the interview and getting her bearings righted for the job. He seemed like a nice man, yet Sheldon spoke of him as a degenerate. Although there were only a fair few people he didn't refer to them as such.
"President Siebert, this is my girlfriend, Carly -"
"Miss Bennett! What a pleasant surprise!" Siebert cut Sheldon off, moving past him to smile widely at Carly.
Sheldon's eye twitched from both being interrupted and the attention his girlfriend suddenly had gained from the president of the university.
"Hello, President Siebert. Thank you for allowing me to join Dr. Cooper for lunch this afternoon," she told him politely with a friendly smile.
Siebert stilled, his smile faltering. "You mean-" he glanced between them both. "You're Dr. Cooper's girlfriend?" He asked in utter disbelief.
Carly didn't understand the tone of his voice and tried to keep face. "Yes... I am, is that all right?"
Sheldon hung back, staring between them uneasily.
"Of course! It's just... When you spoke of a relationship with a Physicist here, I must admit I didn't expect it to be Dr. Cooper out of all people," he confessed, still clearly taken aback.
Carly blinked. "Well, it's true," she confirmed. "We have an agreement and everything to prove it to you," she joked and Siebert stared at her.
Quickly, he flooded himself. "Uh, right- well, let's sit down, shall we? Dr. Cooper," he gestured to a chair next to the one Carly was standing by.
They all sat down awkwardly at the table. Sheldon and Carly were waited on like at a restaurant, then brought their drinks as their food was made.
"How are you liking the library so far, Miss Bennett? Is it to your standards?" Siebert asked curiously and Sheldon's head snapped up from his water to give Siebert a suspicious glint.
Carly swallowed the drink she'd just taken from her water, to give him a wobbly smile. "Oh, yes. It's marvelous. So many old books, it's amazing- and I have to admit. The intelligent conversation is a relief compared to some of the guests that frequent the Pasadena library."
Siebert smiled at her, happy to hear it. "That's wonderful," he said before glancing to Sheldon. "And you, Dr. Cooper? How is your theory going?"
With the attention finally on him, Sheldon went into an animated- enthusiastic description of what he was working on. Carly didn't understand half of it but Siebert seemed to find it encouraging.
Near the end of their lunch, Siebert once again regarded Carly, leaning his elbows on the table in interest. "So please, tell me, Miss Bennett. How did you two meet?"
Sheldon and Carly stopped to glance at each other. She shifted. "Um, well we actually live in the same apartment complex. We became friends and well... the rest is history, as they say," she explained, throwing a loving smile in Sheldon's direction.
He returned it smoothly to which Siebert studied closely. "Goodness, you must have the patience of a saint."
Sheldon didn't understand the comment but Carly realized Siebert was referring to her boyfriend's difficulty in every life and the ones around him. "Sheldon's perfect for me. I wouldn't change him for the world," she told Siebert honestly, astounding him.
Sheldon's heart fluttered wildly in his chest at her words and wondered if he'd be able to get away with assaulting her on the way back to the library to show her exactly how much her words meant to him.
The lunch ended and Sheldon led Carly out after saying farewell to the nosy President Siebert. As soon as they were out of earshot, Sheldon scowled. "Remind me to never bring you back there," he told her grumpily and she glanced over at him as they walked.
"I'm sorry he had made you uncomfortable, asking me all those questions."
Sheldon shrugged. "I'm always uncomfortable."
"Always?" She countered, putting an eyebrow up in question and he met her eyes before smiling.
"I suppose not always," he conceded.
She put her nose up, smartly. "That's better."
oO0Oo
Carly hesitated at the door, a box in her hands, and looked around the small, one-bedroom apartment that she had spent many momentous experiences in. It was bittersweet actually, the feeling of leaving her very first apartment that had been all her own.
As she peered around the empty room, her belongings already packed and moved out by her friends' help, she couldn't help but feel tears spring to her eyes. She had been a lost, mid-twenties girl when she moved into Los Robles 2B, not knowing where her life would take her. Fully expecting to be alone and miserable for the rest of her life, spending far too much time reading fantasy novels and wishing, dreaming for friends who cared about her and a man with who she could share her life with.
In a matter of the first month she had lived there, she had gained all of that and so much more. She had found purpose. Love. Friendship. Pain. Mistakes - but most importantly she had found who she was and was meant to be.
No longer was she the scared, meek woman whose parents had died in a tragic accident, raised by her warm, loving grandmother, without anyone else she could trust.
Instead, as she stood there with a half-hearted smile on her face, the sun from the large paned window lighting up her eyes- she knew that she was confident and unafraid of her future. As long as she had Sheldon and her friends, she knew she could get through anything.
"Hey! You coming?" Penny's voice called out to her and she jumped into action, realizing she was stalling.
"Oh, um yes of course, sorry," she stammered, embarrassed with her nostalgia, and quickly swept her eyes again over the apartment before shutting the door and closing that chapter of her life.
She turned to see Penny with a small box in her hands, lingering on the stairs next to her, giving her an expectant look mixed with a knowing smile of worry. "It's hard isn't it?" She asked as Carly approached her on the stairs, both turning to walk up the rest.
Carly took a deep breath and let it out smoothly. "In a way, yes. A lot happened in that apartment. And because of that apartment. But..." she inhaled once more, steeling herself as she stepped, allowing the excitement to overwhelm her once more. "I'm anxious to begin this new part of my life with Sheldon."
Penny smiled, adjusting the box in her hands. "I know he is as well."
Carly laughed lightly. "After a lot of convincing on my part," she reminded Penny who snickered at the thought.
After Leonard had officially moved in with Penny in her apartment, Sheldon had been rather adamant about finding another roommate to fill the void.
After weeks of him going back and forth and even tweeting a Star Trek actor an offer to live with him- the decision had been made. Carly's lease was coming to an end and the idea had been on her mind for a while.
She knew it would be a sensitive topic to bring up to him as he never just jumped into something without weighing all variables and carefully constructing a plan that both suited his needs and comfortability.
When she broached the topic he has been startled and she had immediately picked up on his retreat into himself. This was a rather large step for them and she knew that he'd need time to come to his decision. She would put no pressure on him.
Besides, she had lived just two floors below him and they spent most of their time together. They had sleepovers all the time, growing rather comfortable with each other over the two years they'd known each other.
After a week of contemplating, Sheldon had agreed to do a test run. Two weeks they'd live together and if they were compatible enough, he'd agree to it.
Carly signed a contract with him, only out of the spirit of wanting him to feel as comfortable as possible. Besides, she already had a relationship agreement with him and so she hardly saw a reason not to.
She had already known his bathroom schedule and had adhered to it easily without a fuss. He did find her habit of hair shedding to be irritating but she didn't know what to tell him as she was a human and that's what happened to humans with long hair.
The bouts of alone time they had together brought them even closer and the tension and heat had quickly risen in the apartment. Unable to keep their desires to themselves, they'd quite affirmatively christened almost every room in the apartment until no surface was safe from fond, heat-kindling memories.
All in all, it went well and it brought her to that moment in time.
Sheldon had agreed to live with her and Carly knew at once her dreams had one hundred percent became a reality.
"This is it," Penny told her happily, grinning excitedly at her as they paused in front of 4A. "You ready?"
Carly beamed. There was no hesitation. "Yes."
Penny's box was smaller and so she jostled it to open the door for them. As the door swung open, Sheldon was there to grab the box from Carly's hands and she smiled gratefully at him as he sat it down on the floor with the others.
They had quite a lot of unpacking to do but she was thankful she had donated quite a bit of her belongings as she'd not need them there. Her furniture had been sold on Craigslist and she had already begun to accent the apartment with her love of small house plants and her many books.
Sheldon had gone through his own books and made room for hers, the dear that he was- knowing she wouldn't be here without them.
"Is this the last of it?" He asked as Penny dropped the small box on the coffee table.
"That's it," she told him, a little breathlessly as they caught eyes and the realization of what was to happen fell over them in languid silence.
Penny sensed the shift in the room and she smiled to herself before walking back to the door. "I'm gonna get washed up, I'll meet you guys back for dinner later."
Carly finally broke her gaze from Sheldon to give her a look over her shoulder when Penny met the door. "Oh, okay. Thank you, Penny, for your help."
She grinned. "Don't mention it!"
When they were alone, Carly drifted her gaze back to Sheldon who was looking down at the array of boxes littering the floor. She watched his eyes lift back to hers and he visibly gulped, the expression in his eyes easily read as apprehension.
She stepped over to him and took his hand. He looked down at it. "Don't be nervous," she told him softly and he winced, before looking up into her eyes.
"I'm trying not to be. Admittedly the last two weeks with you have been the best I've experienced thus far... it was easier than I anticipated," he told her lowly, his eyes unwavering.
She smiled then. He'd told her this before after speaking of his conclusions from the experiment, but hearing it again made her heart quicken. "I'm glad," she told him, wishing to pull him to her and kiss him. But she held back, knowing he was tense. It was still a new prospect for him.
Instead, she entangled their fingers together, silently reassuring him. He licked his lips and finally pulled her closer to him. "On a related note... are you excited for this weekend? Because I am."
The flash of excitement in his eyes had her biting her lip to stifle the laugh she felt bubbling from her.
On a whim after seeing an ad on Facebook, she had purchased two tickets for a journey across the country, riding a train. As soon as she saw it, she knew she'd have to do it for them. It symbolized more than just how much Sheldon adored trains.
It meant a do-over. This time when he rode a train for an extensive amount of time, she'd be there with him. The whole length of it.
It also meant that they'd be embarking on a new journey in their lives. Just the two of them. To commemorate the meaningful trip, she had also realized without a further doubt that she wanted him to have her father's pocket watch.
She had yet to give it to him or even tell him about it, but she knew it belonged to him. She planned to bring it with her and give it to him as a gift on the train. He still hated gifts but she had a feeling he'd be okay with this particular one.
"I am. I can't wait," she told him honestly, running a thumb over his hand.
Sheldon's eyes dropped down to her smile and she bit her lip accordingly. The intent in his eyes never ceased to affect her.
"We should," his voice grew hoarse and he cleared his throat. "We should unpack."
Carly nodded vaguely and before he could stop her, lifted to her toes and kissed him in a sweet chaste lip press before pulling away.
She released him, leaving him there in the middle of the living room with his lips parted and a bemused expression.
Carly grinned sheepishly to herself as she grabbed a box. "Where should I put these-"
Before she could even finish that sentence, he was there in front of her and grabbed the box from her hands, dropping it down to their feet and crushed her to him.
Immediately, his mouth was on hers, prodding and devouring her with a frantic frenzy that she hadn't expected from him.
Quickly getting over her shock, she clutched him and kissed him back just as fervently, before wrapping her arms around his neck to keep him there.
Their tongues met each other in graceful bounds and lapped at caverns and crevices that they had memorized. His hand found her hair, tangling his fingers in the tresses while the other held her firmly to him by the small of her back.
When they finally parted, it was only to catch their breaths, and their foreheads meshed together to allow air to flow freely between them, but not yet willing to part completely from each other.
Something was happening, she realized as she gazed into his intense, always watchful eyes. Another barrier had been dropped from him and he was giving more of himself to her.
She swallowed thickly, the revelation washing over her and making her nose burn with unspoken emotion. "Sheldon I-" she began, but she broke off as she choked on a sob she hadn't meant to release.
His eyes quickly changed and he stood straighter, becoming concerned. "Why are you crying? Did I do something? Was I too rough?"
His incessant worries touched her as they always did and she shook her head, taking his hands and holding them firmly in hers. "Sheldon, I love you. So much. I... you letting me live with you, it means so much to me. You don't understand how much."
She was rambling as a tear escaped her eye and slid down her cheek. Sheldon followed its trail with his eyes before lifting one of their hands to it and wiping it away with the back of his hand.
Then he was pulling her over to the couch and he sat them down. She was trying not to be overrun with emotion and she bit her lip to reign more tears in.
"Carly. When I was a young child, and I realized what my life could mean for me, not once did I think of sharing it with someone. Sure, I knew my mother would be there, and eventually, I met Leonard. But when it came to actually allow myself to succumb to what everyone else sought after, love - if you will, I assumed that I didn't need that. I had science. The only thing I longed and yearned for was a Nobel prize with my name on it. That is, until you."
Carly held her breath, a new round of tears leaving her eyes and she tried to ignore them, his words speaking directly to her heart.
"You've made me realize that although I still yearn and long for a Nobel prize, and I will get one eventually- mark my words," he added quickly, a vow between them that she couldn't help but smile at. "That I want someone to share it with. And not just anyone. I want someone who has been patient with me, who has loved me at my worst, who has seen me for the man I am and not what I pretend to be to protect myself- the someone who has the most tender heart I've met. Who is selfless and kind. Who loves me more than I understand and could understand."
He paused and released her hands to place his on her cheeks, using his thumbs to wipe away the moisture there. He looked directly into her eyes, no guards or shields left in front of them- leaving her breathless and trembling under his touch. "You, Carly Bennett."
Carly briefly shut her eyes when he spoke her name and when she opened them, he was leaning toward her, closing the gap between them. His lips pressed to hers softly and he ran his hands up through her scalp, through her hair, and to her back, before drawing her closer, deepening the kiss to a degree Carly didn't think she'd ever experienced with him yet.
It didn't take long for the kiss to become heated again and she found herself lying back on the couch, her feet in his spot, as he hovered over her. His mouth descended, his hands roamed, and she was left gasping from his caresses, kisses, and words of love.
With heated hands, their clothes were removed and discarded, unwanted as they succumbed to their love for another all over again like it was the first time.
"Sheldon," she breathed as he dropped his hand to her hip, caressing her thigh and then inwards where she lay drenched for him.
He inhaled deeply as a finger entered her, enjoying how she squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip painfully as a long breath left her.
After toying with her, getting her to the point of maddening desirous fire for him, he removed his hand and positioned himself at her center. She slid her palms up his chest, steeling herself for the then sudden thrust of his hips as she sank into her fully.
They gasped and he dropped his head, pressing his cheek against her own as he moved within her, loving her body with everything he had. "Oh Carly, my beautiful Carly," he breathed and she moaned, unable to help herself from reacting to his words and the tense pleasure he was enacting on her.
She wrapped her legs around him, bringing him deeper into her, crying out as he hit something inside of her that felt immensely powerful. He knew her inside and out, knew every secret she kept within her and she knew of him. Better than anyone ever could. Or would ever.
She pulled him up to her and kissed him, putting forth every emotion she had to him as he moved in her, his skin sliding along hers. "I love you," she murmured on his lips as they parted and he exhaled against her face. "I love you so much, Sheldon."
He kissed her again in response, his pace quickening as she knew her words had resonated in him. She clutched him, holding him as she met him, thrust for thrust until both of them were crying out with release.
With one last slip inside of her, reluctantly ending their moment of pure love for one another that joined not only their bodies but souls, Sheldon dropped his head to her breast and lay his cheek there, holding her to him as he listened to her heart slow.
She caressed his scalp, as she did often after they made love, and he sighed with content against her.
Finally, he spoke, his voice lilting with humor. "Well if this is how living with my girlfriend is going to be, I should have done this months ago."
Carly laughed heartily and held him to her, never intending to let this man go.
oO0Oo
Sheldon was a child in a candy store as he led her through the train cars, his eyes never once stopping their sparkle. Carly grinned, following him, content with the decision to buy the tickets in the first place. They had their own private car, the scenery was already beautiful, and she had the best of company.
She truly couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift to herself.
They enjoyed dinner in the diner car, talked happily about their upcoming trip with excitement, and just before they were to retire for their room, Sheldon led her to the car that had the glass roof.
Carly had admittedly never been on such an amazing train before, the closest having been an Amtrak, but this took traveling to a whole other level. A level that Sheldon was more confident than she'd ever seen him.
Until he stood in front of her. She was admittedly distracted and was gazing up at the stars in wonder. It was the best ending to a wonderful day.
"Carly."
His soft call of her name had her dropping her gaze to meet his face full of barely concealed apprehension. Her smile faded and she glanced down at his tightly closed fist at his side, the other in his pocket.
"Is everything all right?" She asked, thinking back to what could have upset him. Nothing came to mind.
"Yes," he answered in a voice that was both pained and relieved at the same time if that were at all possible.
She reached for his visible hand and brought it in front of her, holding it with both hands as she peered up into his beautiful blue eyes. Before she could ponder his behavior again, he spoke in a quiet yet sure voice that left her breathless.
"I don't want to take this train ride as boyfriend and girlfriend. What I want is to know when we return to Pasadena, there will clear intention of making you, my wife."
Before she could even fully process what was happening, his other hand in his pocket was removed, and out came a box. A small, velvety box and her heart stopped.
Her hands tightened on his instinctively. Was he...
"Carly..." he said her name carefully, lovingly as he slowly dropped to one knee in front of her. She was sure she'd faint from the moment if she hadn't been holding onto him. This wasn't a dream.
He stared up at her with such hope that she couldn't stop the tears from leaving her eyes, even if she had wanted to.
"Will you marry me?"
Carly shakily let his hand go as he took it back to open the ring box, holding it up to her with a small weary smile. It was beautiful, the ring. Elegant, simple, and had a pearl as the center jewel, with two rubies on either side, adorned with a rose gold band. It would look lovely matching with her necklace from his mother that she still wore till that day.
"Oh god, Sheldon, yes! Of course, I'll marry you!" She laughed through her tears, her hands trembling, and watched as he transformed into the happiest man alive.
He jumped to his feet, beaming. "Thank goodness you said yes- I don't think I could have continued on this train ride with you if you'd rejected me!" He told her honestly and she shook her head with a grin.
He slid the ring on her finger and she stared down at it, mystified. "I'd never reject you," she told him, looking back up at him with glassy eyes.
Sheldon crushed her to him and she wrapped her arms around him, listening to the quick beats of his heart. "I will love you forever," he told her, his nose in her hair.
"I will love you forever plus one."
It all started with a Big Bang~ fin.
Thank you for reading this story from the very beginning (whether that be the original, the first revised version, or this one) till the end. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. I am very proud of it. It's the first story I have put so much effort into to the point that I am proud of it. It took a lot of effort and work, yet at the same time, not at all. From the moment I began writing this story years ago, it practically wrote itself.
Thank you to everyone who favorited, alerted, and reviewed. It encouraged me to continue to finish something for once. Your words and support have meant so much to me. It's forever changed me. Forever1