Chapter 33: Castles in the Sky

The entire group tours Heidelberg Castle. Niki has a knee jerk reaction to some news.

Penny Hofstadter took in the breathtaking scenery below and around her from the viewing terrace at Heidelberg Castle. She then turned her attention to the people around her. She specifically targeted her husband, Leonard, as he held up their small son so the boy could get a better view of the city below them. She thought to herself: Every time I see Leonard and Blake together, I fall in love with that guy all over again. Thank God, I finally woke up and realized what a gem I had sitting right in front of me. I guess I owe that to Priya, though I'll have to give her that one grudgingly. Still, if she hadn't started up with Leonard when I stupidly ended things with him, I might never have seen how great life with my sweetie really is. He's an amazing husband and an even better father. Plus, together, we have created another life. Our son is the most adorable, loveable 'life' anyone has ever had. Yep, I got really lucky with Leonard.

At the same time, Nikita Cooper watched her husband, Sheldon, entertaining their daughter with tales of past emperors, princes, princesses, and other past rulers who had lived in the castle. As usual, Lori was eating up every last syllable of her father's stories. The look of adoration that the little girl was giving her father completely melted Niki's heart. Her thoughts then centered on her love for, and pride in, both of them. Who would have thought three years ago that Sheldon Cooper would be such a doting parent? He adores his daughter and she idolizes him. I guess by watching them, I can now better understand how much Sheldon missed being with us and how lonely, frustrated, and sad he must have been the entire time he was here without us. Some men are playboys, some men are powerful leaders, and some are family men. I do believe my husband falls mostly into the latter category. He is very successful in his field, we both are, but he has discovered what is truly important in life, his family and friends. Yeah, I was very lucky to meet and marry Sheldon Cooper, especially now.

Mary Cooper interrupted both women's thoughts with words to her son, "Shelly, I'd really like to go inside sometime real soon. You and Leonard have been here a while and are used to this cold. Honey, we've all just come from California and for us, this weather is freezing!"

Sheldon paused his story long enough to answer Mary's request, "Just a moment, Mother. I haven't finished telling Lori about all the emperors, empresses, and princesses who have lived in this castle. Perhaps Niki or Penny would like to go inside with you."

Helmut's lady, Annelise, spoke up as everyone else stared uncomfortably at each other, silently searching the faces of the others for the appropriate reply, "Sheldon, maybe you can finish telling Lori the stories as we walk through the castle. If your mother is cold, a small child must be chilled to the bone."

Sheldon stopped his story and looked down at his daughter, "Are you cold, Princess?"

The little girl answered her father by nodding 'yes', and cooing, "But DaDa, I don't wanna go in. I like the story."

Her father planted a gentle kiss on top of the toddler's head and suggested to her, "Well, I can tell you the rest of the story as we walk through the castle. I know! We can return to the castle courtyard and make our way up to the restaurant. I do believe a nice snack would do us all a world of good."

Lori smiled up at her father and replied, "Okay, DaDa. Story and resraunt."

Father and daughter shared a loving look as, ever the perfectionist, Sheldon corrected Lori gently with, "That's restaurant, Princess. But yes, I will continue the story on our way to the restaurant."

When they were all seated in the restaurant, warming themselves with a hot beverage and some pastries, Niki and Penny began to plot the rest of their stay in Heidelberg.

Penny turned to Niki and started the conversation with an exciting adventure idea, "Sweetie, whaddaya say we visit Paris and do some shopping? Anna, you've been there. You've got to come with us and show us all the best stores and shops. Nik and I would love to get to know you better."

Niki took a sip of her coffee and grinned at her bestie, "Girl, that's a good idea, but don't we want to do some research on Helmut's mother first? I really want to help him find her."

Annelise spoke up and made a suggestion, or it could have been just wishful thinking on her part, "Perhaps we can do both. Maybe she's living in Paris?"

Penny looked over at Helmut's lady and gave a sigh, "Don't I wish! My bet is she's somewhere in Germany. Mary is right. A mother never wants to go too far from her child if she can help it. Tomorrow morning, Nik and I are going to go to the local courthouse and look up some records. Maybe Annelise would like to come there with us, also. Would you?"

When she replied to the pretty blonde, Annelise's voice showed a strong German accent, which was not always present thanks to her past voice coaches, "Oh, yes! I would love to help in locating Helmut's mütter."

Sheldon's wife turned to her cousin and made a request, "Helmut, think hard. Have you ever heard from your mother since she disappeared? If you have, where was she?"

"Only once." He looked up from his plate and informed her, "I got a birthday card from her when I was ten."

"Was it postmarked?"

He nodded quickly, "Yes, it was from Hanover."

At the mention of that city, Sheldon's face lit up and he eagerly squeezed his wife's hand, adding, "I have an idea. Niki, Hanover has one of the largest zoos in Germany. Why don't we take a couple of days off after the dinner and start our search there? Lori would love that!"

His daughter pulled at the neckline of Sheldon's shirt, "DaDa, we go to the zoo?"

Niki cocked an eyebrow in doubt and asked him, "Sheldon, won't the zoo be a bit cold for her in the winter?"

Helmut explained to her in a kind voice, "Do not worry, Niki. The winter is one of the best times to visit the Hanover zoo. There are special rides open then, and there is ice skating and even curling lessons. My father took me there quite often in the winter when I was a child. You would merely have to dress yourselves and the children appropriately for the weather."

After listening to Helmut's words, Niki warmed to the idea and announced, "Well, Sheldon, Hanover looks to be as good a place as any to start our search. Tomorrow, Penny, Annelise, and I will go to the library and courthouse and do a little research on both Hanover and Helga while you two wrap up your last lectures and get ready for the dinner. We will meet you at your apartment and go to the banquet from there. Mary," Niki looked over at her mother-in-law, "is Alfred coming tomorrow? If so, we will have to bring the children with us."

Mary shook her head and smiled, "Nope. He won't be here 'til the day after. I made sure of that so you young people could go and enjoy that banquet together. I'll watch the kids while you do that. After Alfred gets here, I'll be doin' a bit less babysittin', even though I love both these sweeties to death."

Blake and Lori spoke up, "We wuv Gamma, too!"

At that, all the adults broke up laughing until Leonard got a text which made him exclaim, "Whoa! Sheldon, are you sitting down?"

"Leonard, we are at a restaurant, of course I'm sitting down. Why do you ask?"

"Because I just got a very important text."

Niki looked over at Leonard's phone, read the message and went white.

Sheldon immediately noticed and asked his wife, "Niki, are you okay?"

"It's just, just, that message," she managed to croak as she grew even paler.

He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and asked, "What about it?"

"I…they…we…every time…not now…" Niki got up from the table and ran for the nearest restroom.

Leonard grew concerned and asked, "What's got into her? Is she okay?"

Penny looked over at her husband, concern for her friend plain on her face, "I have a snarky answer to give you if I'm right, but I might not be. Sheldon, you better follow her and bring her back, then Leonard can tell all of us what the text said."

Niki's husband handed his daughter to his mother, got up from the table, sighed, and spoke to no one in particular, "Very well. I will return with Niki as soon as possible."

Why did Niki turn pale as a ghost? Was it because of the text message? Something else? Or both? And what did that text message say?