Hi lovelies,
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing the last prompt. It means the world!
This prompt was requested by siloorjaswita. I hope this is what you were after, I feel I've rambled quite a bit! I have focused more on Arthur's first Christmas and briefly mentioned Emily's so I hope this is okay.
Hope you all enjoy reading!
Before Sheldon even opened his eyes, he knew it was early, he could tell it was still dark outside but the little girl that was currently bouncing up and down on his bed told him it was time to wake up.
"Daddy, daddy" she chimed excitedly, his body jolting with her jumps. "Daddy wake up" he felt her little hand on his shoulder as she tried to shake his body, she was so tiny he barely moved.
"Wake up mum instead" he grumbled snuggling further into his pillow. Even though he had now been a father for four years, the early mornings and wake up calls in the middle of the night played havoc with his sleep schedule which, despite Amy telling him it wasn't possible, he was still trying his hardest to stick to.
"Mum isn't here" Emily answered back, causing Sheldon to jolt awake. His eyes landing on the spot next to him where Amy always slept, the space now empty.
"Where is she?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. He glanced quickly at the time, just a few minutes before 6am.
"She's in Arthur's room. They're asleep. Sshh" Emily explained, pressing her finger to her lips in a shushing motion. Sheldon suddenly felt rather guilty, at three months old Arthur's sleeping patterns had returned to that of a newborn, he was waking up every few hours, most nights they would share the load however, last night clearly Sheldon slept through it all. "He woke me up lots."
"He did?" Sheldon asked pushing himself up in bed, leaning back against the pillows. "Don't you want to sleep for a bit now?" this was wishful thinking, he knew the response and as Emily shook her head it only but confirmed Sheldon's thoughts.
"I can't sleep. I'm excited" she squealed. Today was December 23rd and they were flying out to Texas to spend Christmas with Sheldon's family. Mary insisted on hosting the whole family this year, she was a natural born host who loved to make sure the glasses of anyone that entered were always topped up and that their bellies were full. Throughout the whole day, she wouldn't stop fussing, Sheldon knew that for a fact.
"You know it's not Christmas for a few more days" he told her, he desperately wanted to have the same energy levels as his daughter but right now his body was failing him. Growing up and even now as an adult, Christmas was something he was never really into, everyone would say it was their favourite holiday but he simply just didn't get it. Why spend so much money, why make a huge deal out of something that is just for one day, for twenty hours, particularly when it was all about a celebration he had little belief in.
Amy had managed to change his views just a little bit but they all changed when he became a dad. Fatherhood gave the holiday a whole new meaning, gave it all a purpose. It was now all about being together as a family, catching up with people you hadn't seen all year, it was the child like innocence, the excitement on his daughters face on Christmas Eve and the magical build up. He had no idea what had happened to him over the years but he knew Emily and Arthur Cooper had a lot to answer for.
"I know that dad" she rolled her eyes. Most of the time people would comment on how much they looked a like, even Sheldon could see that his little girl was his double but when she rolled her eyes at him like that, she looked just like her mother. "But mumma says once we get to Grandmas that's when Christmas starts" she explained her eyes wide awake and sparkling with excitement. "And, and, and, this is Arthur's first Christmas too"
Sheldon never really understood the excitement around a baby's first Christmas, their second Christmas maybe, once they were that little bit older, much more alert and responsive to their surroundings. Emily had been six months old when her first Christmas approached, Amy and his mother made a huge fuss about how it was important that it was a special day simply because it was her first Christmas. He never really got it. It wasn't that he was a Scrooge, he just couldn't see what good it was going all out for something that the child would never remember. Now, with Arthur's first Christmas just days away, it seemed Amy had roped Emily into all of the excitement too.
"Do you think he'll like Christmas dad?" she was always talking, always asking questions, sometimes they had to remind her to just take a breath.
"I think he will. He likes all the lights here doesn't he? And we know how bright and colourful grandmas house is at Christmas." This year, they were spending Christmas with Mary, Missy and her four children, with six grandchildren to cater for it was inevitable that Mary Cooper would have pulled out all the stops.
"I'm excited. I can't wait to see Ella" she beamed. Ella Missy's daughter, at seven years old she was fairly close in age to Emily. She absolutely adored Ella, Emily looked up to her like a big sister and constantly wanted to follow her every move. Sheldon couldn't quite believe that his sister, who as a child had sworn she would never have children had gone on to have four of her, she, along with George had given him so many nieces and nephews it was hard to keep track.
"I'm sure Ella can't wait to see you too. Auntie Missy tells me they're all really excited"
"Was Ella there when it was my first Christmas?" she asked.
"She was" Sheldon nodded at the time, the now sassy seven year old was a rather cute, quiet little thing. Up until Emily being born, Ella along with her twin brother Ethan had been the babies of the family and they were both so enthralled by Emily. Thinking back it was actually rather heartwarming. "She's was only little though, just a little younger than you are now" he explained, he knew the concept of age was a hard one for children to get their head around.
He could remember Emily's first Christmas well. It hadn't quite started out the way they expected. An argument ensued when upon arrival at the airport Sheldon realised he hadn't put Emily's bag or their bag of presents for everyone into the car, meaning they had to head back to the apartment and subsequently missed their flight. Amy was stressed and desperate for everything to be perfect and Sheldon really wasn't being helpful.
Upon on arrival in Texas, a few hours later than anticipated all of Amy's worries melted away and Christmas, like she had previously just told Emily, could finally begin. Missy and the kids, minus Scarlett who hadn't been born yet, always made it feel Christmassy. The children were loud and excitable and Mary had food cooking and music playing from the moment they arrived. For all of them, Amy included, this felt like home.
Seeing everyone so happy and excited actually did strange things to him. Underneath it all, despite their faults, he really did just adore his family. Every single one of them.
"Shall we go and get breakfast?"
—
"We have everything, right?" Amy asked as Sheldon returned from loading the car and stood in the front porch. Her eyes reminding him of this very moment three years ago, he had learnt from his mistake and tripled checked everything. Whilst Amy was fussing over Arthur, he had also quietly enlisted Emily's help to keep him out of trouble.
She was just like her mother. Even at four years old she had Amy's organisation and meticulousness down to a tee. At times, she caught them all off guard with her maturity and her level of thinking, when she was like that it was hard to believe she was only four.
"We do, I promise" he glanced at Emily who was stood at his side and gave her a little wink. She had melted his heart when she checked the car with him and said: 'We're all good, Dad'.
"You promised last time" Amy snapped, he could sense she was tense. Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently.
"Sorry" she apologised. "I'm just tired" no matter how much she tried to hide it, he could see how exhausted she was. "And I'm nervous about the flight. He's so fussy and clingy at the moment, the last thing people want is a screaming baby on a flight" she explained as she pulled her bag further up her shoulder. She'd never taken a baby that small on a flight before, to say she was worried was quite the understatement.
"He'll be fine" Sheldon reassured her although he wasn't entirely sure himself. "We've got things to keep him entertained."
"Yeah, I know" Amy gave him a small smile. "I'm just hoping, he stays awake in the car so he'll sleep for at least half of the flight."
—
"I feel nervous" Emily spoke just before take off, her voice was quiet and a little shaky. They had been to Texas only a handful of times since Emily had been born, she was by no means a frequent flyer and the idea definitely had her on edge.
"Do you know something?" Amy leaned across and whispered. "Daddy gets really nervous too"
"Really?" Emily asked. In her eyes, Sheldon never got nervous about anything. She looked over at her father mindlessly gazing out of the window, he was never one for a window seat but Amy insisted it would be easier for her with Arthur to be nearer the aisle.
"Really" Amy smiled. "I think he might want you to hold his hand" she watched as Emily reached across and wrapped her little hand around Sheldon's. It was the sweetest of gestures that warmed Amy's heart immediately.
Sheldon didn't say anything, just smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. With Arthur asleep on Amy's chest, the plane engine roared to life and before they knew it they were bumping along the runaway and we're up in the air in minutes.
—
"Ahhhh! This is amazing!" Emily cried excitedly as they pulled up outside Mary's house. Just like Sheldon had guessed, the house was dressed from top to bottom in all things Christmassy. Lights, decorations and more Christmas themed objects than one could imagine. If any house summed up Christmas it was his mother's.
"She never fails" Amy laughed, she appreciated and was in awe of the effort and time Mary Cooper put into making her house look rather incredible. There was no denying that her grandchildren were absolutely at the heart of everything.
"Do you not think it's all a little much?" Sheldon asked as they walked up the driveway, Emily running up and checking out everything in sight.
"Look at her" Amy pointed at Emily who looked the happiest Amy had ever seen her. "This is why she does it, that little face is priceless" sure, it wasn't really to Amy's taste but nothing made her happier than seeing Emily like this and if it was at the expense of this, then so be it.
"Oh hello, my darlings. Hello" Mary answered the door, wrapping her arms around every family member that stepped through the door. "Oh my goodness, look at my beautiful grand-babies" she exclaimed taking Emily little squishy face in her hands and peppering with kisses. "When did you get so big" it was a typical grandmother thing to say, she had seen them three months ago when Arthur had been born, Sheldon was sure Emily hadn't grown much. "You have to stop growing up, it's all going too fast" she laughed wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm making a gingerbread house Em, do you want to come and help?" Mary asked.
"Can I?" Emily turned to ask Amy her eyes lighting up at the sheer mention of gingerbread and baking.
"Of course, off you go" Amy smiled. It was actually a blessing to have Emily out of the way, whilst Sheldon unloaded the car and Amy got comfortable on the couch ready to feed Arthur. It was as if Mary knew, to be honest she probably did.
The house already smelt of Christmas. The fresh pine coming from the tree that stood proudly in the corner of the room, Amy smiled as she glanced over the ornaments, many of them were items that over the years the grandchildren had made, she managed to spot a few of Emily's creations. The gingerbread smells coming from the kitchen were a welcoming scent that made Amy feel all warm and cosy inside. Even though, this wasn't her side of the family, she most definitely felt part of it.
—
"You know you're just like your daddy, this was always his favourite too" Mary explained as she served up dinner that evening. Upon Emily's request, she had made the traditional, spaghetti with little hot dogs cut up into it. Surprisingly, Sheldon loved introducing his daughter to the dish, he saw it as a little family thing that he could pass on and subsequently she loved it.
"I know. He makes it for me at home" she smiled as the dish was put in front of her.
"Hang on a minute darlin'. We need to say grace" Mary told her gently as Emily was all but ready to tuck into the bowl of spaghetti like she had never been fed before. Sheldon rolled his eyes at Amy from across the table, she just smiled back at him, a smile that reassured him that it was okay. Emily knew this was just what her grandma did and made her parents incredibly proud as she sat quietly whilst Mary said her prayer.
"Can I eat now?" Emily asked unsure of what to do once Mary had stopped talking.
"Of course, dig in" Amy gave her the go ahead. "So when are Missy and the kids getting here?" Amy asked, making conversation.
"They're coming Christmas morning. I've told them to be here early so we can all open our presents together" Mary explained. "We don't want them missing little Arthur's first Christmas" she cooed at Arthur who was lying on his play mat just to the side of her, he was excitedly babbling at all the animals that played music when he hit them. "Just a heads up Shelly, you may want to be nice to your sister when you see her. I know Noah has been giving her a hard time about Christmas this year" she explained.
"How so?" he asked.
Noah was Missy's oldest son and at ten years old, nearly eleven, he was far too cool for family Christmases. Missy had split from her husband just six months ago and as Mary began to explain, it transpired that Noah had kicked up quite the fuss over not spending Christmas Day with father instead.
"Well then we've just got to make it extra special here then, haven't we" Amy smiled. Again, Sheldon simply rolled his eyes at Amy, causing her to kick him under the table.
"Ow, what was that for?" Sheldon cried in a rather dramatic fashion.
"Cheer up its Christmas" Amy grinned.
—
Around five years ago, the current Christmas morning that Sheldon was experiencing would have been his idea of absolute hell. Now, he still wasn't sold on the idea but he had much more of a tolerance for the occasion. With five excitable children and baby Arthur who really didn't have a clue what was going on, the morning was chaos. A lovely, family orientated chaos, but chaos all the same.
"Wow, look at all the amazing things Santa brought you" Mary exclaimed as she took in the sight before her. Her two babies with all of their babies, just looking so happy, everyone was smiling, even Sheldon and that was enough of a present for her.
"Mumma, I have a bike! It's a bike!" Emily cried as she peeled off the final layer of wrapping paper to reveal a pink and white bicycle. "Dad, can you teach me how to ride it?" she asked.
"Of course" he nodded excitedly. Amy was beaming as she watched the two of them interact, even though it was madness around her, she was grateful to sit back for just a few moments and enjoy her coffee whilst Mary fussed over and entertained Arthur.
"I'm good at riding a bike. I can help you too" Ella chimed in, desperate to help out her little cousin.
"How about you take it out in the garden later?" Mary suggested to which Emily nodded in response. "What about my little baby here?" Mary cooed, bouncing Arthur up and down on her knee, smiling as he squealed with excitement.
The whole family gathered round as Mary and Emily helped Arthur open a few of his presents. A few of the presents he received were personalised, keepsakes documenting his first Christmas. Everyone knew Amy adored these things. He also received toys and clothes that Amy and Sheldon all greatly appreciated.
"Oh, it's just dawned on me" Mary announced. "This might be the last time we celebrate a first Christmas"
"Are you not having anymore Ames?" Missy asked as she stood bouncing Scarlett up and down on her hip, the motherly instinct in Amy told her that Scarlett hadn't slept very well last night. Despite it being Christmas, the two year old was rather grumpy.
"Amy told me when she was in labour with Arthur that we weren't allowed to have anymore babies" Sheldon relayed the moment, it was during a really intense part of her labour so he had to let her off.
"I'm happy with two" Amy had always wanted two children. She knew Sheldon had this idea of having a ridiculous amount and how ever much he teased her about it she really hoped he was joking. "Plus, with this one being so little" she gestured to Arthur "having another is so far from my mind" she explained, keen to move the subject along.
"Can we go and play upstairs?" Ella asked, her hands full of toys as Emily and Ethan stood at her side.
"Sure" Missy answered. Emily quickly looked to her mother for approval and with a nod of Amy's head the kids were away.
—
"This really was amazing Mary, you didn't have to go to so much trouble" Amy gushed as she stood in the kitchen helping Mary dry the dishes. She had no idea how she had managed to pull off such a huge event, the day had been incredible, filled with more food than Amy thought was possible and an abundance of love that warmed Amy's heart. Being an only child, she had longed for that busy family atmosphere and now here she was right in the centre of it all.
"Oh it's no trouble at all, dear. It's what families do" never one to accept a compliment Mary brushed off Amy's comments.
"Well, we're both really grateful and the kids have loved it" she smiled as she relayed the memories of the day, opening presents, dancing around to cheesy Christmas music, Sheldon teaching Emily to ride her bike and Arthur's squeals of excitement. It was all she could have ever wanted.
"You know Darlin', I'm incredibly grateful for you. You've changed that man in there for the better. Have you seen him? I never thought I'd see the day when that was a picture" Mary poked her head around the kitchen door, gesturing for Amy to do the same.
It appeared that the events of the day had taken their toll on everyone. Sheldon was currently slumped in the centre of the couch sound asleep, Arthur asleep on his chest with a protective hand resting upon his back, Emily was tucked into his side with Ethan on the other and Ella was cuddle up next to Emily, her arm wrapped around them. All five of them fast asleep. On the opposite couch, the image was almost identical with Missy snuggled up with Noah and Scarlett.
"Oh" Amy's heart melted. "I did wonder why it had suddenly gone so quiet" she whispered.
"It's just beautiful isn't" she smiled, Amy didn't look up but she was sure there were tears in her voice. "I can't thank you enough for making my baby a father, it's been the making of him"
Amy had to agree. Almost 14 years ago when they met, she had never once imagined that Sheldon Cooper would become a family man. And although he would never admit it himself, that's exactly what he had become.
Thank you all so much for reading! As always reviews are always welcome and SO appreciated! For the moment prompt requests are closed.
Stay safe. Lots of love. xx