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I had to split this next chapter because while editing, I felt it was getting much too long. I will post the other half next week (probably Wednesday or Thursday).

Wedding bells and broken hearts

Chapter 2

Amy

She did not like flying. It had always been a strange feeling, sitting on a moving airplane.

But sitting on a moving airplane next to her ex-boyfriend was maybe the most uncomfortable thing Amy had ever done in her whole life.

It was awkward. And painful. As soon as she sat down next to him, the smell of talcum powder was filling her nostrils, which made her feel nauseated.

She used to associate this smell with happiness, with love, with desire. Hours of inspiring conversation, gentle date night kisses. But all of this was over. All that was left was a painful reminder of the fact that from now on, she would be back to the lonely life she had been living before.

She stuck her nose in her book and pretended to read. Sheldon was watching some stupid show on his cellphone. He was probably not affected at all by her presence, she thought bitterly.

Sheldon

He had taken out his phone and put earplugs into his ears. It wasn't like he could even focus on the screen in front of him. But at least it kept his hands occupied so they wouldn't shake that much when she took her seat next to him.

It was devastating. There should be a ring on her finger right now. Instead, it was sitting in his suitcase. He had figured, he would just hide it in his old room and tell his mother where to find it, when he was back in Pasadena again.

He had pictured this whole trip so differently. His brain was filled with interesting facts he had wanted to discuss, with games he had made up to play to distract both of them from the thought of being that high up in the air in a flying tin can.

Even before they had started dating, Amy would have been the one person he would have wanted with him on a trip like that. Time would have passed so quickly, playing games and talking about things that only they would be interested in.

But now, sitting so close to her but unable to talk to her, it reminded him again of all the things he had lost.

Not just the woman he loved. The person he wanted to spend his life with. But also, his best friend. His ally. The only other member of his species.

It had only been days. But he missed her. He missed her mind, her wit and the connection he had felt ever since he had met her in that coffeeshop.

Having someone, finally someone who understood him after a lifetime of feeling out of place. He had always thought she felt the same way about him. He must have fooled himself all this time.

Amy

After an awkward drive from the airport in an unfamiliar rental car, Amy was surprised by the size of the hotel Sheldon had booked.

She had expected something small, modest. Maybe a bed and breakfast, since they would be spending most of their time with Sheldon's family anyway.

But this looked more like a resort. It was even more impressive on the inside. She peaked at the hotel information brochure while Sheldon checked them in. Yep, definitely a resort. Indoor pools, a spa, a gym. Was Sheldon aware of this?

Before she could ask about it, he had offered to take their bags to their respective rooms and took them before she could wonder since when he behaved like such a gentleman.

While waiting, she took a seat in the lobby and tried to mentally prepare to meet his family later on. Would she be able to play the role of still being Sheldon's girlfriend? She felt so heartbroken all the time. Hopefully no one would notice. She had to keep herself together.

Sheldon

Sheldon was just glad for the fact Amy had not followed him to her room. It gave him an opportunity to do some damage control.

Sighing, he removed the banner with the words "Congratulations to your engagement" on it and tossed it into the bin. He unfolded the heart-shaped sheets on the bed and refolded them in a non-suspicious manner. Then he took the champagne out of its cooler and placed it in the mini fridge.

It was ridiculous, really. All that romantic mumbo jumbo. He had wanted to surprise her with it. Pamper her a little to show her how much she meant to him. Hadn't she asked for it all these years? 'I deserve romance'. That's what she had told him. He was just glad she wouldn't see how much he had embarrassed himself with it.

He looked around. Well, at least there were a few less things to explain now. He entered the bathroom and stopped in his tracks.

The bathtub/whirlpool for two. He had almost forgotten about it. How would he explain that? Well, hopefully she would just not ask. Maybe she would not notice. It was not like she spent a lot of time in hotel rooms.

Maybe she would assume that all of this was normal. Luckily there was nothing else that looked suspicious. He would be able to deny the fact that there was anything unusual about their stay here.

After depositing Amy's bag, he took one more look at the room. Oh, what could have been. It hurt to think about it. It was still so fresh. The fact that they were broken up kept hitting him.

It had been the right decision to give this room to Amy and keep the smaller room he had been able to book last minute for himself. Because he never wanted to set foot here again. No. He would leave now and not look back anymore.

Amy

It was already afternoon when they arrived at Mary's house.

"So, what's the plan for today?", Amy asked casually while pulling into the driveway. It was the first thing anyone of them had said since they had left the hotel.

"Nothing big.", Sheldon mumbled, looking away from her and out of the window. "Missy probably brought your dress to try on and Mom wants to have coffee with us."

Amy nodded. That sounded not too bad. She knew Mary well and had always wanted to meet Missy.

She was actually happy, when the door was flung open, and Mary greeted them enthusiastically. Finally, a friendly face.

She hugged Sheldon first, then turned to Amy with a bright smile.

"It's about time we see you here in Texas, dear." She hugged her just as tightly as she did with Sheldon before.

Then something weird happened. Mary took Amy's hands in hers and looked at them. Amy did not understand why, but the expression on Sheldon's mother's face changed. Might she say, she looked almost confused?

Maybe she had just imagined it, because only a moment later, Mary's face was back to normal, and she cleared her throat.

"Now get in here you two. Amy, Missy is back in her old room with your dress. I'm sure, you'll have a lot to talk about."

All too quickly, Amy found herself being ushered to the forementioned room.

Sheldon

After practically chasing Amy away from the living room, his mother turned back to him.

Sheldon cringed. Of course, he had noticed the way she had looked at Amy's hand. He should have thought this through.

He had been in so much pain and had not wanted to talk to his mother about his failed relationship so naturally she still assumed he would have gone through with his proposal.

His mother led him to the couch and sat down with him.

"So… no ring?", she asked carefully.

"No.", he answered stoically.

"May I ask what happened? I thought you had planned to propose on your anniversary night. I was sure you would be announcing your engagement today."

Sheldon shrunk under his mother's scrutinizing stare.

"Well, obviously I changed my mind.", he muttered, hoping his mother would let it go.

"You changed your mind?", Mary exclaimed. "It's been five years, Sheldon. What are you waiting for?"

He sighed. "It was not the right time, mother. Now please let it go."

Mary raised her eyebrows. "Sheldon Lee Cooper, I thought I had raised you better than that. That girl you are with, she seems so sweet and innocent. And unlike those skanks your brother tends to bring here, she's a good one. Don't you dare drink the milk for free and leave her hanging, do you hear me? You can't fool me. I know exactly why you chose to stay in a hotel with her instead of here. I know you're sinning."

Sheldon looked up in shock. He had not been prepared for an outburst like that. "Well, mother, you are wrong. We are not sinning. In fact, we are staying in separate rooms."

Mary inhaled sharply. "Since when are you able to lie that easily? I know for a fact that you booked one of those fancy suites."

Sheldon was speechless for a second. "Wha… How?", he stuttered.

"It does not matter how I know, Sheldon. I am very disappointed in you. I would have expected this kind of behavior from your siblings. But not from you."

She shook her head and sighed.

"But since you asked: Your sister will be having her bachelorette party at the hotel you're staying. There has been some confusion because there was already a room booked under the name Cooper. But then we realized, that was you. I was not going to say anything because I had assumed you two would at least be engaged. Now stop lying and tell me what's going on."

Sheldon huffed annoyed. So much for his privacy. He would file a complaint at the reception once he was back at the hotel. "Whatever, mother. It's none of your business, but I am not lying. I did in fact book a second room for myself. I don't want to talk about it any further."

Mary looked at him closely. "Sheldon, I can see, there is something you're not telling me. Are you two having problems? I thought you loved that girl."

He looked away to avoid his mother's stare. He knew, he would break if she continued like that.

"I love her more than I ever imagined it to be possible.", he confessed tonelessly.

Mary's expression softened. "Then will you please tell me what's going on?"

He hesitated, knowing his mother would notice if he lied to her. "We've been going through… something. Some… disagreements on how to move forward. Nothing of your concern. Now please, mother let it go already. This week is about Missy, alright?"

Mary looked at him with a blank expression. "I must say, Sheldon, your behavior is very strange. Even more than usual" She sighed. "Alright, I will let it go for now. But I am worried, honey. Maybe after this week I'll come to Pasadena for a few days, and we can talk then."

Sheldon sighed relieved. Having his mother there for support after this emotionally taxing week might be nice. She would care for him, like she usually did when he was sick. Lovesick was a kind of sick after all, wasn't it? "Sounds great, mother, thank you."

Amy

Missy had been ecstatic when she had entered the room. Other than Sheldon, the women in his family really seemed to like hugging.

And then, Missy had looked at her hand, the same way his mother had done. Was that a Texan thing, she wondered? And why did she look so confused then? What was she missing?

She did not have time to think about it for long, because Missy hurried her to try on her dress.

And then, Amy was standing in front of a tall mirror in Missy's room.

"Wow, Amy, you look dashing." It was a big compliment, especially coming from Missy who looked even more stunning than on the pictures she had seen.

Amy smiled weakly. It was true. She hardly recognized herself in the mirror. Her bridesmaid's dress looked amazing on her.

It was a floor-long dark green silky dress. Form-fitting but not too tight and sleeveless with lacy straps. She admired how it accentuated her curves perfectly without showing off too much skin.

"Thank you, Missy. It fits perfectly." How did Sheldon guess her size that accurately, she wondered?

She turned to the taller woman. "And thank you so much for making me a bridesmaid. It means a lot to me. I hope Sheldon did not pester you too much to make it happen."

The taller woman smiled brightly at her.

"Oh, not at all. Truth be told, I am thrilled. I never would have thought my brother would ever have a girlfriend. And one who's not a robot." She chuckled.

Amy turned away ashamed. She felt guilty. She was not her brother's girlfriend anymore and still she would get to be in her wedding.

"Besides, Amy, I expect you to return the favor once it's your turn. I mean, since you're…" Missy stopped then suddenly.

"What?", Amy turned around shocked.

Missy seemed to hesitate before she continued. "Well, since you and my brother have been going out for five years now. I'm sure there will be wedding bells somewhere down the road. I'd love to be in Sheldon's wedding, and I really hope you will let me be a part of it when the time comes."

Tears welled up in Amy's eyes. No, she could not think about potentially marrying Sheldon. It was too painful, after dreaming about it for five years.

"Uhm, sure.", she stuttered hesitantly.

Wow, Missy would hate her so much once she learned the truth.

Sheldon

A little later, his brother Georgie arrived, ignoring him, as usual. Of course, his mother insisted for everyone to have dinner at her place.

Amy made friendly small talk with everyone except him. It was remarkable how well she fit in here.

All the while, he was screaming on the inside. Stop liking her. She hurt me. She broke my heart.

But a little voice inside him kept reprimanding him.

You should have brought her here sooner. Maybe she would not have left you then.

It was confusing. He finished his dinner silently.

Afterwards his sister pulled him aside. "You've got yourself a good one, Sheldon.", she told him. "You should make her a part of this family soon."

And as if that had not hurt enough, his brother, who had overheard them added: "Yeah, hurry up. Before she realizes she can do better."

Why did the blows have to keep coming at him like this?

"Very funny, Georgie.", he answered coldly.

Missy smacked their older brother's arm. "He's just kidding, Shelly, relax.", she reassured him. "We love you and just want you to be happy, you know that."

He studied his twin's face. She seemed sincere. All their life she had rarely been this friendly with him. Being happy and in love had softened her. Why, oh why couldn't he just have what she had?

He was glad when they were finally back in the rental car and headed to their hotel. He needed some time to himself. Maybe he would watch some TV to distract himself. Or call Leonard and see if his marriage had already fallen apart.

Maybe it had. Maybe things would soon be back to normal. Two single guys sharing and apartment, talking about science, comic books and playing video games. They could make their apartment a man-cave. No more girls allowed.

"So, uhm, my dress fits perfectly." Amy pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Glad to hear it.", he mumbled.

"How did you know my size?", she asked. It was insulting, how surprised she sounded.

Sheldon sighed. "Amy, I have eyes and I am not stupid. Of course, I know your size after five years." He was getting tired of this.

"Well excuse me, I never thought you looked at me that closely.", she huffed in response.

Sheldon's eyes shot to her. She was clasping the steering wheel. Why did she seem so tense? And what did she mean?

Of course, he looked at her that closely. He noticed everything about her. How could she not know that?