Thank you again for your kind reviews I am so grateful for everyone who takes the time to tell me what you think about this story!

I hope I will be able to continue to update on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the holidays. I have the whole story finished on my computer, but I am still editing some things. With three little children and a few family obligations over Christmas I might have to postpone a chapter or two.

Other than that, I wish you all happy holidays and hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Wedding bells and broken hearts

Chapter 5

Sheldon

His meemaw put down her cup of coffee and looked at him imploringly. "So, Sheldon, tell me. When did she break up with you and why?"

Drats. Sheldon looked up alarmed. "What… How… Meemaw, what are you talking about?"

"Don't you try to hide it, moonpie. I suspected it the minute you two walked in. And while Amy tried very hard to hide it, I could clearly see her pain. So, I am going to ask again. When did she break up with you and why?"

Sheldon huffed defiantly. "What makes you think she broke up with me, meemaw? Maybe it was me who did the breaking up."

His meemaw shook her head impatiently. "Well, last time we talked, you were planning on proposing to Amy. And then you asked Missy to make her a bridesmaid because you wanted her to feel included. You argued that she's practically part of this family already. I might be old, but I need to be much older for you to be able to fool me, Sheldon. Now answer my question."

Sheldon tried to find a way to keep to his story but with meemaw's eyes looking right through him, it was impossible.

He should have known Amy would not succeed in fooling her. Reading people had always been meemaw's special power.

Finally, he broke down and buried his face in his hands.

"She stormed out angrily on our anniversary date and then broke up with me a day later. I don't know what happened, meemaw. I wanted to propose that night, but she ran out on me before I could."

He felt his meemaw's hand on his face and looked up to her. It felt so good, finally confiding in someone.

"Moonpie. I am so sorry this happened to you. But why did she storm out? Did you two have a fight?"

Sheldon inhaled deeply. "No. The opposite. We were kissing on my couch. It was lovely. And then I asked her something, which according to my friends must have bothered her. She started yelling at me completely out of the blue. And then she left. Later she called to tell me, being my girlfriend was too challenging and that she needed to take a step back."

He paused. It hurt. He had always assumed Amy was thrilled to be his girlfriend.

"She must have lied when she said she loved me."

Meemaw wiped the tears from his cheek. "I highly doubt she lied about that. But what did you ask her that made her so angry? Did you insult her in any way?"

"Not at all.", Sheldon insisted. "Well not that night at least."

Then he told her about his question about the Flash TV show and what happened afterwards. Everything until the moment she had finally broken up with him and Raj had offered to take him home.

"Oh, my moonpie.", she sighed. "I don't know what to say. This is such a mess. I feel so sorry for both of you." His jaw dropped.

Meemaw stood up to make tea and came back with a cup for each of them shortly after.

"Is that all you're going to say, meemaw? Amy broke my heart. How can you feel sad for both of us? You should be mad at her."

Really, out of all people he had expected his meemaw to take his side.

She sat back down again and put an arm around his shoulder.

"Honey, I hate to see you having to go through this. Believe me, it hurts me to see you so heartbroken. And had I not met Amy today and seen how devastated she is, maybe I would be furious with her."

That was new information. Amy was devastated? His jaw tightened. Good. She deserved it. But why did this not really make him feel good? Why did he feel guilty about it? Why did he even care?

"I don't understand, Meemaw. I know we've had our differences in the past. I know there were times when she wanted us to move forward faster than I did. But I never knew she was this unhappy. And we became so much closer this past year. I really thought we were doing well. What went wrong?"

She stroked his hair lightly.

"I can't answer that, Sheldon. Only Amy can. But I highly doubt she would end a five-year-long relationship just over one bad timed question on your side. Not even your insult at your friends' house – which must have hurt, to be honest – explains that. There must be more to it."

Sheldon racked his brain for a clue.

"She said something weird yesterday. Apparently, she felt I did not notice her enough. I don't know how she can think that. I never noticed anyone as much as her."

His meemaw was still watching him with this knowing look.

"Well, did you tell her? Or show her? Do you two ever talk about your feelings?"

He huffed. "I made her my girlfriend. I told her I love her. I kissed her. I changed my whole schedule for her. But I'm not a hippie, meemaw. We have more interesting things to talk about than our feelings."

Meemaw shook her head. "Oh, moonpie… You two might be brilliant scientists, but you both have a lot to learn about relationships."

The way she had said that, it sounded like she was sorry for him. As if he was a clueless, little boy. He could not stand it.

He looked away.

"Well, there is no reason to discuss this any further. It is over. She does not want me anymore. At some point she must have stopped loving me. If she even ever loved me at all. It's hopeless."

"Now that's just not true. Look at me, moonpie."

Sheldon was startled by the firm tone in her voice and looked up.

"It's not hopeless. She came here with you, didn't she? This can't be easy for her. Pretending to still be your girlfriend. It must be painful. She wouldn't do that for you if she didn't still care deeply for you."

He shook his head. "She did it for Missy so our breakup wouldn't overshadow her wedding."

"Poppycock.", meemaw exclaimed. "She didn't even know Missy and she has no obligation to fulfill to this family. No, moonpie, she had no reason to do it other than to help you. And that is a huge favor. Now, moonpie, tell me. Do you want her back or not?"

Sheldon wanted to say no. He wanted to scream that all this relationship-nonsense was over for him and that he was done with women. That from now on, he would only focus on science. His first love.

But every fiber in his body urged him to say the opposite.

"I do.", he finally confessed. "More than anything, meemaw."

A fresh wave of tears started falling from his eyes when he realized the truth of his statement. He wanted her back. No, he needed her back. But it seemed impossible.

Meemaw nodded. "Then you need to find a way to fix this."

Amy

They drove back to the hotel in silence.

She had enjoyed spending time with Missy and her son. And finally, she had been told the program for the rest of the week.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the whole family would go to the mall and help Missy shopping for the honeymoon. Sheldon would not enjoy that day at all, she thought to herself smirking slightly.

But at least this would give her the opportunity to find an outfit for Thursday. Since Mike's family would arrive then and everyone would be going out together for drinks and apparently line dancing.

She couldn't picture herself doing that. Would Sheldon participate? Would he dress up? It seemed almost unthinkable. She tried to shake the image of Sheldon in cowboy-attire out of her head.

On Friday she would meet the other bridesmaids for a spa day and in the evening, they would have a bachelorette party. Both events would take place at the same hotel she and Sheldon were staying which was convenient since she would not have to drive after the party.

Saturday would be the day of the actual wedding and on Sunday everyone would meet one last time at Mary's where they would have a late breakfast and then send off the newlywed couple to their honeymoon.

And then all of this would finally be over, and she would be able to return home to lick her wounds and start fresh.

She couldn't wait but at the same time she was dreading cutting this last chord of her connection to Sheldon's world.

Talking to meemaw had made her remember all the wonderful parts about her relationship. Despite what she had been telling herself to try to get over him, she had been happy with him for a long time.

She had just needed more. Not much. Just a little more. Just a feeling that he saw her. That he wanted her. More than just her mind. And an ounce of hope that at some point he would want to move forward with her. At least a little.

It all came crashing down on her again. The trip, the room, Missy, Mary, Meemaw. Sheldon holding her last night. It wasn't real. Nothing about this week was.

She had to hurry up. She had to reach her room before she would break down again.

Sheldon

Find a way to fix it, find a way to fix it…

He wanted to, that was clear after his talk to meemaw. Even if he hated admitting it to himself. He did not want to start thinking about a future without her. He needed her.

Was meemaw right about Amy still loving him? She was usually right about stuff like that.

But even if she was right, how could he fix it? Sadly, Meemaw had not given him a sufficient answer to that.

'Talk to her', she had advised him. Tell her how you feel. Ask her what went wrong. And then you'll figure the rest out yourself.

Figure it out? He was a genius. He figured out theories, equations, algorithms, all things that were logical. Figuring out social behavior had never been his strong suit.

But he needed to. He needed to talk to her. He had to try at least. As soon as possible. Before it was too late.

He was running out of time, because Amy had already parked the car and walked ahead of him to the hotel.

Why did she have to walk ahead of him? He could not form a coherent thought when she presented her posterior to him like that in her tight skirt. Did she not know that?

Well, probably not, because he had never told her that much, he realized. Just like he had never told her, how much he noticed everything about her. He had assumed she knew.

Hell, she was so smart. Why did she not know the simplest things?

He should say something. But what?

Amy, I am sorry for mentioning the Flash, please forget that I did.

Amy, I love you and I did not mean what I said at Howard's house. Please give us another chance.

Amy your behind looks breathtaking, please let me grab it and then drag you to your room to make love to you all night and then let's just forget about that break-up nonsense and get married. – Wow, that was bad. Really bad.

Amy, can we please talk for a while? – Yes, that was better. He could do this.

But she had almost reached her door.

"Amy, wait!", he shouted as he ran up to her.

She turned around and he was speechless for a moment, because of the way she looked back at him.

"What is it, Sheldon?", she asked tonelessly.

She looked so sad. Broken almost. Her face even paler than usual and her expression so full of pain. Change of strategies then.

"I uhm…", he took a deep breath. "Amy, are you feeling sad again?"

Amy

What was that? Was he mocking her? Gloating about the fact she was suffering? No, he looked sincere. Worried.

She cleared her throat. "Why? Because you would hold me again, then?" She regretted her words instantly. How could she ask him something like that? Hadn't she humiliated herself enough already?

His eyes widened but otherwise he seemed to keep his posture. "Well, would you want me to?", he asked softly.

She had not expected that. But yes. Yes, she wanted him to. Whatever it meant. It did not matter. As long as she could feel him holding her again.

She did not say anything. She just opened the door for him, challenging him to get in.

"I uhm… I should change into my pajamas first. Will you leave the door unlocked for me?"

Why would he need his pajamas? Was he planning on staying the night this time? Amy swallowed away the dryness in her throat. "Sure.", she said and went into her room to change into her nightgown.

She knew it was a bad idea. But she did not care. She needed this. Just this once more, she told herself. And only because it had helped her sleep the night before.

Should she wait for him? Or get into bed? Maybe it would be less awkward if she would already be lying down just like the day before.

Sheldon

As Sheldon changed into his pajamas in his room, he had a hard time trying to calm himself down.

This had not been his plan at all. He had just wanted to talk to her. See if meemaw was right. If there was any hope left for them.

But judging by her expression she had not been in any state to talk.

Why? Why had he suggested this again? Well, technically she had suggested it. She had wanted him to hold her. She had admitted that much.

Why would she break up with him and then want him to hold her?

He had wanted to hold her again too, if he was honest. To feel close to her again. But nevertheless, it scared him a little. What did it mean? It was so confusing.

Maybe it meant nothing, he told himself. Maybe pretending to be his girlfriend during the day had her confused. Just like it confused him. Maybe she just wanted the comfort.

Or maybe… did she crave it as much as he did? Did she regret breaking up with him?

Nervously he made his way to her room and was glad to see she had already turned off the lights. Like the day before she was lying on the big bed facing the wall.

He felt calmer immediately. Already this felt familiar. He slipped out of his robe and got into bed.

As soon as he was lying behind her, his body flushed to hers and his arm around her, he could not suppress a long, shaky exhale. He had craved this all day, he realized.

But the thought of this being just temporary almost killed him.

Amy

It was different this time. Sheldon seemed much more self-assured than the day before.

He had wasted no time pulling her body close to his. His arm did not rest on her shoulder, but he encircled her waist, resting his hand on her lower belly. Somehow it felt even more intimate.

She had heard his long exhale. It sounded strange. Like he was affected by this. Emotionally. No, that was crazy. She was imagining things.

But not a minute later she felt him bury his face in her hair. Was he smelling her shampoo? No, that could not be right. Sheldon had never tried to smell her hair in the five years she had known him.

It was so overwhelming, being held by him like this. She could not hold back the tears that started streaming down her face. She startled though, when she thought she felt something wet in her neck.

"Sheldon?", she whispered. "Are you… uhm… are you crying?"

"No.", he answered but his voice sounded hoarse. He was lying.

She heard nothing for a while but then suddenly something like a… a stifled sob? She was definitely not imagining this.

"Sheldon?", she asked a little louder. "What's wrong? Are you… are you sad too?"

Sheldon

He scoffed. What was she thinking? Of course, he was sad. She had given him enough reason to be now, hadn't she?

She turned around to lay on her back, her face turned to him. Startled, he pulled back his arm and watched her carefully. He saw the tears glistening in her eyes.

"Why are you sad, Sheldon?" Her voice was barely audible.

Was she serious?

He huffed. "What do you think, Amy? You broke my heart. The better question is, why are you sad. You broke up with me after all. You have no reason to cry."

She blinked at him. "I… I did not think this would affect you this much.", she said quietly, more tears streaming down her face.

Again, with her assumptions. How could she misjudge his feelings for her like this?

"Well, obviously you were wrong.", he hissed.

"Amy, we were together for five years. And you broke up with me completely out of the blue. How can I not be sad? After everything we've experienced together."

He had told her he loved her for crying out loud. And right now, she treated it as if it had been nothing.

She just looked at him, again with a weird expression in her eyes that he could not quite place. He had thought he was getting better at reading her.

"Why are you sad, Amy?", he asked again, softly this time. "How can you be sad when you decided to end things with me."

He saw her lower lip tremble. "I did not decide anything, Sheldon. I just wanted some time to sort through my feelings. You cornered me when you humiliated me in front of our friends."

They looked at each other for what seemed to be an eternity. "I never wanted to break up with you.", she confessed, her voice was shaking. "But you did not leave me a choice. You did not give me any space to think. I needed time."

Sheldon bit his lip. Time. He had never been good with this. His need to know exactly what was going to happen had always been so strong. And there was this other thing.

"I needed to know where we're at, because of this trip, Amy."

It was just half the truth and even to him it sounded incredibly lame. So, it was no wonder she rolled her eyes at him.

But it had been a time-sensitive matter. He had planned to propose for Christ's sake. This had been supposed to be their celebration. Everything had been booked. And time had been running out.

He had wanted this to be perfect. Instead, he had ruined everything with his impatience.

"I'm sorry, Amy.", he croaked, tears still falling from his eyes. "For pressuring you. And for humiliating you. I did not mean to. I… I wish I could take it back." He couldn't stop another sob escaping his mouth. Everything was too much.

He felt her turn fully to him. She would probably kick him out now for making things even more awkward. But instead, she gently nudged him, so he lay on his back.

Then she placed her head on his chest and put her arm around his upper body. She was curled up at his side like this.

"What… what are you doing, Amy?", he asked, unsure of how to proceed.

"You're sad, Sheldon. I'm comforting you.", she stated calmly. "Is… is that okay?", she asked a little less sure.

He sighed deeply. It felt good, being held like this. Once he had described it as being strangled by a boa constrictor. But now it just felt warm. Comforting. Right.

"Yes.", he whispered. "I guess it is."

He pulled her close to him and nestled his face in her hair again. Already he was addicted to this.

"Sheldon? Will you… will you stay this time? Until morning?" She sounded insecure.

"Yes.", he replied firmly.

He had wanted to say so much more to her. Tell her how much he missed her.

Ask her if there was any chance for them to get back together. Ask her if she still loved him.

Find out why she had needed time in the first place. It still puzzled him. Had she not been happy?

But he felt, it was enough for today. He already had a hard time keeping his eyes open.

Yawning, he pulled up the blanket and covered them both before wrapping his arms around her again.

Maybe tomorrow they would get to talk more. For now, he just marveled the feeling of her in his arms. Maybe just for tonight he could pretend she was still his.