Chapter 23

Thanks again to ShAmy4evr for Beta at the last minute. We are down to the wire here folks!

I have to apologize for the delay of this chapter AGAIN. Work is crazy and as I told you the holidays are cramping my writing time. I hope I didn't leave you guys hanging for too long! Just a little sweet Shamy love before tonight's episode. ahhh!

Surprise visit!

Amy nuzzled Sheldon's neck and inhaled his musky scent giving him soft kisses on his skin. Each kiss a reaffirmation that his touch, his feelings were real, that nothing of the last few hours had been a dream. That she was lying next to the man who could raise her to heights she had never imagined possible. She was in a state of complete contentment and happiness. A state that was mirrored by Sheldon.

Amy's warm body next to him seemed to complete him, not just emotionally, but physically as well. The curves of her body molded to him as if they had been crafted for him alone. Laying half on his chest, half on the bed, Sheldon had his arms snaked tightly around her. He felt as if he could never let her go, they were now one.

Looking down he smiled at her, not having words that could describe his feelings right then. However his sweet smile, the look in his eyes and the way he held her was more than enough for Amy. As she raised her head for a moment, she smiled back, and the love that shone from her eyes could not be mistaken.

At this moment, of all the Sheldons in the congress, he understood number Three the most. No wonder he had been so elated, so giddy, and so annoyingly happy. Lying here with his Amy in his arms, Sheldon had never felt more alive, yet relaxed. Almost a contradiction he could not explain. He relished every sensation and sighed has he closed his eyes trying to hold onto all the new feelings he was experiencing, not wanting this moment to end. Unfortunately, the sensation of euphoria was also like concoction of sleeping pills, and Sheldon was asleep in minutes, which had been the last thing he had wanted to do. So much for Brotastic69's sage advice about not falling asleep after sex. "Wait till the chick closes her eyes, bro, then you can say you didn't want to disturb her. Chicks dig that."

However, Sheldon had nothing to worry about. Amy knew the affect that the cascade of hormones could do to males post coitus, and took the opportunity to sneak off and have a quick shower. When she returned she found Sheldon hugging her pillow like a teddy bear, though he was frowning as if he was uncomfortable. Hoping that he was just dreaming, she crawled back in with him and snuggled up to him, relieved and happy when she saw his smile return instantly. Amy never thought that she could be so happy. She didn't mind that he hogged the bed, the feel of arms as they wrapped around her again was all the space she needed. She didn't mind that he had fallen asleep, it meant that she could memorize every curve of his face before she fell victim to sleep as well.

The following morning, Sheldon woke up with Amy's hair on his neck, her arm across his chest and her face buried in his shoulder. He really wanted a shower, but he remembered number Three's story about how his Amy had disappeared after their magical evening, and Sheldon had no intention of taking any chances. Gathering all of her clothes, including her shoes he put them in the living room closet. Then he beat his record for the fastest shower he had ever had. Though he did not want her to wake to an empty bed, that would have been ungentlemanly, the main reason was that he just wanted to be there beside her. Amy's side was now the best spot in the world.

Sheldon climbed back into bed, and pulled Amy back onto his chest. She looked like a cute lump of wool attached to him. He reached over and combed down her unruly hair, stroking her back as well. The motion stirred Amy and she looked up at him with a grin.

"Hello, handsome."

"Hello…" He took a moment to say the next words, as if they overwhelmed him, "Beautiful."

He cuddled closer to her, but her sweet passion fruit scent and the feel of her pliant warm body against his was causing him a growing problem. Sheldon didn't quite understand how he could be so aroused so quickly in the morning, even after the activities the night before. It seemed he was turning into number Three after all. "Did you sleep well?"

"I slept so well…" Amy arched her arms up behind her and stretched letting out a moan which only caused Sheldon to throb even more, "That I hardly remember sleeping."

Amy snuggled back into Sheldon's chest and started to play with his tuft of chest hair. "I just have one question…"

Sheldon traced his fingers down her arm, "What? Just one? I have a hundred."

Amy had to laugh, "Let's start with… What's for breakfast? How about Chocolate chip pancakes! With bacon…" But she was quickly interrupted.

"I supposed if I said your clavicle, it would be too crude… So let's go with…" Sheldon had an entire menu on his mind, all of which were served at Amy's House of Love as he started kissing her neck.

"Or… ham… Maybe some…"

But Sheldon wasn't listening to a word he just continued to kiss her neck, tasting her juicy peach sweet skin as he moved his body over her.

"Cereal…" Food was becoming less of a priority as the seconds ticked by, and Sheldon's lips continued their assault on her body.

Sheldon moved on top on her, placing his hands on either side of her head he raised his upper body up like a push up with his lower body was pressed against her.

Amy stopped talking as she moved her legs so that Sheldon could position himself between them, and wrapped her hands around his bulging arms. It had been the first thing that she had noticed about him when he pulled her off the floor after spilling his coffee on her. She had held onto his arm for a moment longer than had been necessary lost in the robust curves of them. His strong sculpted arms would be her undoing.

Sheldon's mouth curled to the side when Amy stopped speaking. He loved that he could render her mute with a look. The hungry look he wore at that moment had nothing to do with food and Amy was just as famished. She pulled him down as their tongues hungrily dived together. Sheldon pulled away only so that he could feast on Amy's naked neck, shoulders, then down to her breast, each bite and nibble only seemed to increase his hunger rather than slate it.

Sheldon's actions and the feel of him hard against her entrance was fueling Amy's own fire as she arched her back and moving her hands down to Sheldon's delightfully firm cheeks, pulled him closer, urging him to enter her.

Sheldon had planned to spend the whole day exploring Amy again, but the heat building up in his body and her loud moans and calls to a deity followed by his name was something he could not deny even if he wished to.

The gentle almost tentative pace of the previous night was forgotten as their joint craving increased the tempo of his thrusts as he plunged into her again, and again deeper and harder each time, their passion causing the pillow that had been behind Amy's head to fall to the floor.

Hearing the sound of Amy's head knocking on the head board over their joint moans caused Sheldon to pause, fearing that pile driving his girlfriend into the head board was likely to cause her some harm. Amy snapped her head up wondering why he had stopped, when she heard the same sound. THUD THUD THUD. This however was not from their amorous activities. Sheldon shook his head ignoring the knock. He did not care who was there, the only person who mattered at the moment was Amy. He smiled down at her, thankful that he wasn't injuring her and was about to continue his momentum, when the repetitive knocking suddenly rang bells.

The Morse code: dah-di-di-dah-di, di. Hair cut and shave… Two bits. Was a sound he had not heard in years. There was only one person in his life who knocked like that, and there was no way he could ignore it.

Sheldon jumped off his frustrated vixen, threw on the nearest robe he could find, and rushed to the front door. He took a breath as he tried to compose himself and opened the door with a smile.

"MEEMAW!"

"Hello Moonpie!" Meemaw's warm hug was as like eating Christmas cookies, sweet and didn't last long enough. And Sheldon could never refuse them, he loved his Meemaw's hugs, but right at this moment he was in no state for company, no matter how welcome. Still breathless, aroused and sweaty from his interrupted dalliance with Amy, he was flustered to say the least. He prayed that Meemaw had no idea what he had been up to just a moment before. But he was so wrong. She knew, as did her companion, Sheldon's older brother Junior who was looking less than thrilled to be there after 18 hours on the road.

Sheldon was also flummoxed to see his brother, especially now. "Junior, you too? Whacha ya'all doing here?"" His stunned demeanor was not lost on the crafty old lady or his brother.

"By the looks of it, interrupting somptin'. Where she at, Shelly?" Junior looked around the room.

"Who?" Sheldon gulped and quickly took Meemaw's bag to cover himself.

Junior brought in the rest of the bags and flung them in the corner, grateful after his long and tiring drive, that Sheldon had a working elevator. He looked like he had just walked off the fields, rumpled plaid shirt, with oil stained jeans and dirty work boots that looked as old as he was. He was tall like Sheldon, but not nearly as fit. However the steely blue Cooper eyes shone through even in their bloodshot state. "Don't you go sounding like no Owl. You know darn tooting who…Now, where you hidin' the girl whose robe you got on?"

"What girl!? I don't have any idea…" Sheldon gulped again and his eyes widened in panic as he looked down to find he was wearing a fetching flowered robe that showed off his bare legs. Just when he thought that it couldn't get any worse, Amy came out of the bedroom with sleepy eyes and messy hair. She was wearing Sheldon's robe which was dragging on the floor like a cape as she walked and Sheldon was momentarily distracted by her ever present beauty.

Amy had heard the voices and had wondered who was keeping Sheldon at the door.

"OH My! I didn't know…" Amy was about to dash back to the bedroom, but Meemaw was having none of it.

"THERE she is!" Meemaw was an elderly woman, stout like a pickle pot and slow as molasses, except that was when she wanted to be. When she wanted something, like the last cake at the bake sale or to hug her future granddaughter-in-law, she was as spry and fast as a road runner. Meemaw rushed over to Amy and gave her a hug worthy of a linebacker. As Amy's body and arms were entrapped by the loving embrace of this elderly lady, she gazed over at Sheldon for help, but he was unable to give any as he himself was receiving a choke hold hug from his brother as well.

Shelly, I can't tell ya how happy am I you got a couch!" Junior eyed the welcoming comfy couch with tired and bleary eyes.

However it was the conversation across the room that held Sheldon's attention.

"Yes…I'm Amy… I take it you're Meemaw?" Amy smiled timidly at Meemaw, "Nice to meet you."

Meemaw pulled back and held out Amy's arms to size her up, "Oh you're just pretty as peach, ain't she Junior! AND real too! I knew my Shelly wasn't battin' for the other team! No matter what that Billy Sparks boy said!"

Sheldon pushed away from his brother, and moved over to Amy to shield her from any more scrutiny. "Yes, yes Meemaw. We all know how I was teased. Now don't ya start on Amy. She… um… Just woke up."

Meemaw looked at Amy's hair which was hiked to Jesus and just chuckled, "I bet she did, honey." Meemaw winked at Sheldon causing him to blush up like a fire engine. Sheldon looked at Amy whose color seemed to match his own. Ignoring their evident embarrassment, Meemaw took Amy's hand and led her over to the couch. Almost like leading a lamb to slaughter Sheldon thought as he followed ready to jump in if they started to give Amy a rough time. Though he really needed to change soon as the robe he was wearing was far too short, and it was taking some effort to ensure that the whole room did not get a glimpse at what he felt only Amy should be viewing.

Sheldon and Amy sat quietly, not looking at each other or the smiling old woman seated across from them with a cat who got the canary grin as she retold the tale of how, on a whim, she had hornswoggled Junior into a road trip.

Junior interrupted Meemaw's long tale about the trip, "I don't see why we had to jump in my truck right away. Couldn't we have waited till next weekend, Meemaw?" Junior's eyes reflected the fact that he hadn't slept in days. Though he had to grin as he looked at Amy and said, "Ain't like she's goin' anywhere…"

"I ain't flying in one of them tin cans of death. Besides… I ain't gettin' any younger."

"But WHY are you here, Meemaw?" Sheldon loved that his grandmother had visited him. It was the first time she had done so in his 15 years in 'Gomorrah California', but the timing couldn't have been worse. He had been one kiss away from convincing Amy to move in, instead, she now looked mortified to be barely decent in front of company.

"I got my reasons." Meemaw was no fool and could see Amy was shifting around in her seat like a new born bird. She knew that if she wanted that bird to squawk, she had better get her more comfortable. Meemaw got up with a start, pulled both of them off the couch with a mighty tug and pushed them to the back of the apartment, "Now, you two go get dressed and such. I'll start on breakfast. Take your time, but not too much." She gave Sheldon another wink.

Sheldon and Amy scampered off to the bedroom to dress. Amy was indeed mortified. It was not how she had envisioned meeting Sheldon's family, and she was embarrassed to think of how much of her erotic moans had been heard through the walls. She was shaking with nerves, as she whispered to Sheldon, "Why is your Grandmother here, Sheldon? Isn't she very conservative? Oh god, what she must think of me! She knows we just… were just… Oh god… I feel sick."

"Amy I'm sure it's fine. She's just thrilled you are real and not some robot." However, Sheldon bowed his head with embarrassment and walked over to Amy who dropped onto the bed to steady her nerves. He sat beside her and put his arms around her shoulders and stroked her arms. With an apologetic smile, he said, "Not how I wanted to spend our Sunday together." He blushed and added, "After…you know…"

Amy smiled shyly, "I know, we had wonderful night."

Sheldon kissed her on the forehead and gave her a tight hug. "We sure did." As Amy relaxed into his arms, he closed his eyes with a sigh, as his hands started to caress Amy's back.

Amy too wanted more, but the knowledge that there were two of Sheldon's closest relatives just the other side of the door held her back, and she looked around for her missing belongings so that she could get dressed, "Where are my clothes?"

His eyes popped open and he remembered that he had hidden her clothes so she couldn't run off. He also knew that he had to get his hands off her, or visitors be damned, he would take her then and there, so with another sigh, he rushed from the room and grabbed the clothes from the closet. Unfortunately he was unable to do this with his nearest and dearest watching. His brother just shook his head and laughed at Sheldon scurrying around. It was nice that for once it wasn't him caught with his pants down with a girl. He never would have dreamed that his little brother would have sex hair. Sheldon told his brother to shut up, and he hurried back just as Amy was about to grab one of his comic shirts to be decent.

Amy glared at Sheldon who was almost breathless with running, "Do I even want to know why my clothes are in the other room?"

"No, you really don't!" Sheldon shoved the bag into her hands, "Now get dressed, and I will see if I can get rid of them."

Amy stopped him, "No, Sheldon, please don't do that." Amy knew that due to the distance involved, Sheldon didn't see too of his family. But witnessing the way they had greeted him, and how he had accepted their embraces, she felt that they did have a good relationship and she hoped that by extension, she would as well. She smiled and said, "You can see me anytime, but they're your family…"

"But Amy… You're my…" Sheldon stopped himself and looked down, unable to finish his thought. That Amy was his family at this point.

Amy understood, and smiled as she gave him the flash shirt she was holding. "At least get dressed. My robe is wonderful if you want to showcase your adorable legs, but it does have a tendency to showcase other adorable aspects of you that should not be shared in company."

"Really?" Sheldon grinned as he peeled off the robe and stood naked in front of Amy. She swallowed and looked him up and down.

Sheldon's grin disappeared as he had a sudden thought. "Oh, Amy. You will still stay with me, right? I want you to meet them.

All she could do was nod, like a bobble head not really knowing , or caring , what she was agreeing to.

"Good." Sheldon smiled as he continued to get dressed. Amy did the same, but could not refrain from stealing peeks at Sheldon's body in the mirror on his closet door. Sheldon did the same and cursed his brother's ability to drive cross country.

By the time the couple had emerged from the bedroom, coiffed and decent, the smell of fresh biscuits, cream gravy and bacon permeated their senses. Sheldon was grateful he had stocked up on breakfast provisions in readiness for Amy's sleep over. Now he was beyond famished, and the wafting smells of his childhood were too good to pass up.

While the couple had been getting dressed, and Meemaw was cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Junior had been observing how much Sheldon had turned his lonely apartment into a home, and he was now enjoying Sheldon's new furniture with smelly boots resting on Sheldon's spot, much to said spot owners annoyance.

"Git your darn boots off my new couch, Junior. Geez, this ain't your bachelor pad!" Sheldon knocked his brother's feet out of his spot, and brushed it off with a tissue.

Amy gave Sheldon a look that told him to play nice, and Sheldon said calmly, "Why don't you take this chair, Junior."

Junior chuckled at how different his brother seemed to be. It was as if he was already married. Which was actually the reason they were there. Their family ring was precious cargo and Meemaw had insisted she deliver it by hand to Sheldon so he could give it to Amy.

Meemaw never did trust the mail or the UPS man. Junior had offered to fly it out just to avoid the drive. But Meemaw would have none of that, she wanted to meet Amy, so that was that. Junior hadn't asked why he hadn't been given the family ring for Twila or Missy for her man. The ring was special and needed to be given to the most stable relationship so that they could pass it on. Junior and Missy's relationships had been anything but stable. But he never dreamed Sheldon would have a use for it. Looking at his brother with his soon to be bride, Junior knew that the ring was going to be on the hand it belonged to soon enough. He had to admit that Meemaw was right after all. It had only taken that one phone call from Sheldon last week to convince Meemaw that Amy was the one. Meemaw had heard from Sheldon's voice and comments how smitten he was with Amy and the old woman's mind was made up. She knew that Mary would have been proud that Sheldon was the one to have it and Meemaw was determined that it was done right.

Junior laughed at his fussing brother and said, "Nope, I guess not! Not a bachelor pad at all," as he smirked at Amy and moved to the beige chair, lay across it like a cot, and closed his eyes. "Wake me when the food's ready."

Amy moved to the kitchen and offered to help Meemaw, but was gently told that no aid was required. However Meemaw did start to expand on the recipes of the dishes she was cooking. Sheldon had boasted on the phone about how good a cook Amy was and Meemaw had brought a special gift. Mary Cooper's cook book. Meemaw was intending to give it to her later, once she got some alone time with her.

Breakfast was a gut busting feast, and Amy had never had any better. Now that breakfast was ready, it was Meemaw's turn to see the differences in Sheldon and notice how much he had changed. He held out the chair for Amy, asked her opinion. But best of all was how his cussing seemed to have disappeared. Sheldon had learned a hard lesson at a young age and had a mouth on him that he could never keep in check. Now Meemaw saw that the teasing Junior gave him over breakfast was met with smiles, not curse words. Sheldon seemed to be a new man, and in such a short time.

Once breakfast had been eaten, and before Junior could flake out on the armchair for some much needed rest, Meemaw insisted that he look over Sheldon's motorcycle to insure he was safe. Sheldon acquiesced, and as Sheldon took Junior down to his motorcycle, Meemaw and Amy settled on the couch with a cup of tea. Bringing out the cook book, Meemaw handed it to Amy who on seeing the name Mary Cooper in Script on the front, instantly knew the significance of it.

"Are you sure, Meemaw? Shouldn't Missy have this? Keep it in the family?"

"No honey. You are family now, and you should have it. Besides, Missy hates cooking. She has that new man do it all or orders out. I figured Shelly would be the same way. I'd bet if you hadn't come along, he eat out ever' night. He was spoiled for food from his momma. He likes it a certain way, no surprises. This here." Meemaw tapped the book, "This is the way to his heart. I have to say, from how he looks at you, it's a short trip."

Amy looked through the pages of recipes with names like, Great Aunt Betty's Biscuits, Best chicken Casserole and even one called, Babs Blue Ribbon Chocolate Cake. There were notes scribbled on the sides of recipes, little hints or suggestions or history behind the name. Dust of old flour and grease marks from drops of butter polka-dotted the pages showing this was used with love. Amy asked about all the recipes, and Meemaw told her the family history behind each one. The two chatted for what seemed like hours.

"… and then after my brother Edward put his hand in the wood chipper, Mary made this chipped beef recipe and called it Eddie's! Lord a mercy, he hated that!"

Amy laughed, loving it all, including the kind woman making her feel like one of the family. She smiled at Meemaw and said, "I don't know what to say. I will cherish this."

"Good. Now… Don't you worry, you can pass it on to your kids, when you and Shelly have some." Meemaw's warm smile melted when she saw Amy's sudden frown and how she bent her head over one of the recipes to avoid Meemaw's gaze. Meemaw had seen that face far too many times in her years. Her Aunt was barren and Meemaw recognized the pain of hope taken away. The only pain she knew of that was more severe was the loss of a child.

Meemaw reached out to hold Amy's hand, "You can't have no kids, can ya?"

Amy was shocked that Meemaw could read her so well, "No… I can't. I was told when I was young that I don't have the right level of hormones. It didn't matter then, and I never gave it a second thought. However lately I have been having some strange pains on this side, so I have a hysterectomy scheduled for next month."

"Are you sure? That seems so drastic. Have you checked back with the doctor?"

"Well, what the use of it, if I can't…" Amy looked up at Meemaw and her lip quivered in fear, "I haven't… told Sheldon yet." Amy looked at her hands grasping her knees. It scared her that she had opened up to this woman so easily, especially as she did not know how good Meemaw was at keeping secret. "I will tell him, but please don't say anything. Not yet."

Before she could say more, Sheldon and Junior reentered the apartment. They were laughing about something to do with motorcycles and helmet laws. The two women looked up together. Meemaw's heart seemed to expand to see Sheldon so relaxed and at ease with his brother. There was always love between them, but Sheldon's anger and defense mechanisms seemed to prevent any real closeness. It seemed that almost overnight this young girl had blown them all away and she thanked God for her. Sheldon noticed Amy had a single tear coming down her face that she didn't seem to be aware of and he asked with concern, "Amy, are you okay?"

Meemaw interrupted, "Oh she's fine! I just told her the story of ol'uncle Stumpy. Got a little emotional, that's all." Meemaw rose off the couch and blocked Sheldon's view. She looked down at Amy and gave her hand a squeeze. "Don't you worry none now child. One little thing like that didn't change ol'Stumpy. He was just as wonderful as ever and his wife loved him just the same."

"She did?" Amy asked with a smile. "Are you sure?"

"Yep. She did. Stumpy didn't let a little thing like havin' no hand hurt him. He found other ways to be happy. God don't give us more than we can handle, honey." Meemaw flattened out her apron and pulled Amy up by the hand and walked over to the kitchen smiling, "Now how's about you and me, we get started on that fried chicken I promised I'd show ya how to make?"

"But we just ate breakfast!" Amy couldn't imagine eating after the breakfast she just had. How these Coopers managed to stay so thin was amazing. Although Junior did have a little gut on him. Little did Amy know of his late night Waffle House habit.

However, Meemaw had her head in the fridge and was barely listening, "Oh dear lord girl. This chicken takes a while. Oh shoot… He ain't got no chicken. Why don't you run on out and fetch us some. Oh, and get some real butter, too. I don't trust this junk in here." Meemaw threw a wide eyed glance at Junior, who popped up off couch as if he had just sat on a pin. He'd never get that nap, he thought, but he knew when he was needed.

"I'll go witcha. I need to get me some chewing tobacco." He gave her a sweet smile, "Unless you wanna pick it out?"

Amy curled up her nose, "No… I'll let you get it." She grabbed her purse and keys and headed toward the door.

"Oh and lard, too. None of that Crisco crap."

"MEEMAW! Such language!" Junior scolded her playfully, but she just waved her hands at him.

"Oh hush the hell up, you. Get the real stuff. Go on now, or we'll never eat." And with that Meemaw pushed Junior and Amy out the door. Sheldon was about to follow them, when Meemaw closed the door on them and smiled with a face that told him Meemaw that she wanted a word with him alone. He just hoped he wasn't in trouble.

"Meemaw… I should go with them. I mean, Junior might scare off Amy…"

"Oh doncha worry none. That girl ain't going nowhere. Now sit on here. Let's have a chat."

Sheldon took a swallow, "All right, but you're not fooling me. Whenever you say we have to chat, it means you want me to listen."

Meemaw shook her head, "Then stop talking."

Sheldon sat quietly on the couch, "Yes, ma'am."

Meemaw relaxed into the beige chair and just grinned at Sheldon, "Now I know you and Amy are getting…"

Sheldon thought he knew what the lecture was going to be about and he was in no mood for the subject. It was none of their business what he did, "Is this the sinn' conversation I heard Junior get from Momma? I hate to tell ya, Meemaw…"

"No, it ain't. I don't give a hoot about that. You're a smart boy and so is that girl. If you two wanna knock boots at six AM on a Sunday mornin' good for you."

Sheldon looked down from his grandmother's surprisingly dirty chuckle with a blush and then raised his head again. She wasn't done talking yet and he had better be quiet.

"I got somptin more serious in mind to discuss."

Meemaw grabbed her old pocket book. The glossy patent leather had lost its some of its shine over the years and the gold fittings glittered a less brightly due to the overly scratched surface. The sides of the leather had frayed changing the material into a softer, almost suede quality. Meemaw opened the bag and brought a small box covered in black velvet. She placed it on the table in front of Sheldon and said nothing but beamed.

Sheldon hadn't seen it in years, but knew what was hidden in the black box, "Is that…the ring the Texas Rangers saved?"

Meemaw knew he would have remembered the story of her grandmother and how the family ring had been stolen, then returned. It had been passed down through the family for generations and now it was being given to Sheldon. "Yes… it's for you. I know you'll want it soon enough."

Sheldon picked up the velvet box, snapped open the lid. The sparkle caught his eye at first. For Sheldon that twinkle of white brilliance meant so much more than a simple question which would follow. It was the same ring number Three had planned to give his Amy and probably the same one all the Amy's wore on their fingers by this time, if numbers One & Four had been smart even to ask.

Now it was up to this Sheldon to see if he could get his Amy to say yes. Was it too soon? How would he do it? What would he say? Would he scare her off? That was his biggest fear. Just this thought alone was enough to overwhelm him. As he started to dart his eyes around he could feel his breathing grow shallow as the last scenario flooded his mind like a hurricane. Meemaw could see his panic and grabbed his hand.

"Shelly. Just cause you got a ring, don't mean you got to give it right away. You can wait till the time is right for both of you. I got a sneaking suspicion you need to talk to that girl some more. But I will tell you this. I think this love will wait for as long as you need."

Sheldon opened up to his grandmother as he always did. Like a huggable lie detector, she had a way to get the truth out of everyone.

Sheldon drew in a long sigh and said with conviction, "But I don't want to wait, that's the problem. I feel that I don't have a reason to delay anymore. You know Meemaw, all them years I wasted being alone, and bitter and thinkin' that love was a waste of time, or for lesser men. I thought Junior was a fool from wallowing in it, and Missy ruined her life because of it, or what she thought was love. Their lives…" Sheldon paused for a moment and said with a shaking voice, "Momma's life was wasted over it."

Meemaw shook her head and said flatly, "You know…that ain't true."

"I guess I know that now. Truth was it was just out of reach for a man like me."

"You deserve it, like anybody else, Moonpie."

"I never thought so, and I have to admit, there were times that I regretted I never went out and looked for it. It's a good thing I didn't go out hunting for love, cause it wouldn't have been there. It's funny now, cause I realize that all those years of longing, they weren't a waste at all, it was a waiting period because I never really understood love, till I found her. I just had to wait for Amy. Now I have her, I don't want to wait anymore."

Meemaw wanted more than anything to tell him what Amy had told her, but it wasn't her place. It hadn't been her place to tell Mary that George was having an affair, but she had. It hadn't been her place to tell Missy that her boyfriend was bad for her, but she had. However this was different. Meemaw knew that unlike the other issues, Amy was true to herself and to Sheldon. Meemaw also knew that it wouldn't matter to Sheldon that Amy couldn't have children, but Amy would have to find that out for herself, and she would only be able to do that when she told Sheldon herself.

"You'll know when the time is right. PopPop always said, "You're never prepared for love when it comes. You just know it."

Sheldon cracked a smile, remembering number Three's words of his PopPop, "You just know it… you feel it in your bones."

Meemaw gave Sheldon a bewildered look but just took his hand. He must have heard her husband say that to him when he was young and Shelly's memory was a marvel, to be sure, but that didn't stop the tear that escaped her eye. Just then the door opened and Amy and Junior returned, Sheldon grabbed the ring box and hid Meemaw's face in a big hug as Amy heard him mutter something to Junior about, "Just ol'Stumpy."

Junior just nodded guessing the reason behind the show of affection. He moved into the apartment and brought the groceries to the kitchen as Meemaw popped off the couch like a jack in the box. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent swapping stories, eating the best fried chicken Amy ever had and keeping Junior from using his chewing tobacco. By 8:00 PM, Junior was desperate for some sleep, but Meemaw had other ideas.

As Meemaw dished out the pecan pie, she asked, "Oh, Amy, do you happen to know how to play Canasta? If not… I can show ya. Ain't too hard…"

Junior moaned, "I aint NEVER gonna get that nap!"

Meemaw slapped Junior's leg, "Oh hush up you… so Amy… about the Canasta?"

Amy's eyes lit up and she grew a sly smirk, "Oh, I heard of Canasta." She winked at Meemaw, "What say we challenge these boys to a quick game?"

Sheldon shook his head with condescension, "Oh Amy. Dearest Amy… With my eidetic memory, there is no way you could win, even with my card shark Meemaw."

Amy smirked at Meemaw, and said to Sheldon with a challenging tone, "We'll see about that."

About an hour later, Junior and Sheldon were skunked by the crafty females of the house. The weekends Amy had spent visiting Aunt Flora at the Shady Acres Home hadn't been for nothing. Junior was no help. He had been nodding off for the last 20 minutes. And though Sheldon's competitive streak was getting the better of him, it was too late to start another game. By now Amy was exhausted as well thanks to the excitement and stresses of the day, and she still needed to get home. While Junior set up the guest room bed with fresh linens, Amy readied herself to leave.

"I guess I should get back to my apartment." Amy gave a sad half smile, and turned toward the door. Sheldon put his hand her arm to stop her.

"I hate when you leave." Sheldon held on to her hand for a moment with a tight grip before letting her go.

"But…It's only for a little while. It won't be so bad. Besides, the Inn is full." Amy looked at Sheldon and tried to appear strong, but she had really wanted him by her side tonight.

Sheldon licked his lips and tilted his head down to think for a moment.

"You know, it's not the minutes after you leave that are the worst. It's the hours that tick by, and you're not there. It's the middle of the night when I reach over to an empty bed, wishin' you were there." Sheldon leaned in and whispered to her, "Not just for what we did last night, but for the time afterwards, ya know." Sheldon gave a short smile and looked away in an effort to hide his vulnerability, but Amy saw and understood.

"I do know Sheldon. More than you realize."

Sheldon gathered up courage and asked, "Amy. I know you don't like it when I go too fast, so I wanted to propose an experiment."

"An experiment? What do you mean?"

Sheldon leaned against the door frame and gave her his best coy smile. It was working, she was already intrigued. Sheldon gnawed on his curled lip and then said, "Um… like an experiment to see if you can stand me for more than a day."

Amy smiled, "Parameters?"

"You stay with me this week, like a trial live in. If you like it, maybe you can move in… ya know, more permanent like." Sheldon looked at his feet for a moment and without lifting his head, he raised his eyes to her and batted them a few times for good measure, but Amy was sold at the phrase 'live in' he didn't need the big guns.

"Really? I don't have a safety helmet, or my credit report ready." Amy had remembered Leonard's exhaustive list of requirements, but Sheldon would never put her under the same scrutiny although she loved his attention to detail.

Sheldon shrugged and leaned closer to her. "You don't need anything, I'll keep you safe. We can discuss credit ratings after the week is out."

"Okay. Let's try it. We can start next weekend."

Sheldon jumped back, "NEXT WEEKEND!?" Meemaw looked up from her knitting to glare at Sheldon. "I was hoping you'd start tonight!"

"Tonight?"

Sheldon whined back, "I know that Meemaw is sleeping in my bed, but we could curl up together on the couch… you know like when you were ill… Amy you said you'd stay tonight!"

Amy whispered back, "But that was before you had company! It wouldn't be right us on the couch now with your family next door."

Sheldon knew she was right, but he didn't like it. Silver lining was she agreed to stay the week, and for him, sooner the better.

"Tomorrow night then! It's all settled!"

"Sheldon!" Amy tried to whisper, but she raised her voice, "You will still have company!"

Though Meemaw had her eyes on the knitting, her ear was at the door and she called back to the couple, "We aren't staying but tonight, child. Junior's gonna take me to see Ronald Colman's star in Hollywood."

Sheldon turned back to his grandmother, "Which one? There's two, one for TV and one for film."

"You know who Ronald Coleman is?" Amy was shocked that Sheldon knew the romantic film star of the 30's Amy had been a fan for years, as her foray into French movies had started with Beau Geste.

"Not personally… but I know where all the stars are since Missy made me track down some crooner named Justin Timberlake. A waste of an afternoon if ever there was one since he didn't even have a Star! Unlike Ronald Coleman, who had two. One at 1623 Vine and one at 6801 Hollywood."

Meemaw beamed with pride, "God, I do love that memory of yours, Moonpie! I wish I could visit your work tomorrow, but Junior and me, we're off back to Texas. Got my bingo night on Wednesday."

Junior slumped into the room, "But we just got here! I thought you said we would stay for a week!"

Meemaw snapped at Junior, "Never you mind that! I forgot about my bingo! Just rest up! We are gone tomorrow mornin'. At 6:00am sharp!" Meemaw smiled at Sheldon and give him a little wink before she went back to her knitting, as if she was unaware of anything.

"I ain't never gonna sleep!" Junior gave Amy a sleepy wave good bye, and stumbled back to his bed in the guest room.

Amy turned back to Sheldon and said softly, "So tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow night." Sheldon smiled and wanted to give her a kiss good-bye, but not with an audience which he just knew was observing every move. Meemaw just shook her head and giggled at the young love.

Amy said her goodbyes and after a big hug from Meemaw, left for the evening. She had a lot to do after she got home. Laundry and packing were just a couple of them, but not before she spent a few minutes thumbing through the cookbook Meemaw had given her. For Amy, this was acknowledgement that she was already part of the family and she couldn't wait to meet Missy and the rest of the Cooper clan.

After Amy left, Sheldon and his family prepared for bed. Sheldon changed his sheets ready for Meemaw and he moved to the couch.

Around 2:00AM, Junior came stumbling out of the guest room, to pay a visit to the bathroom. He had been asleep before he hit the pillow, however exhausted as Junior was he was still unable to sleep for too long. The small bed was just as hard as the last time he slept on it when he had come to California to rescue Sheldon from some darn fool thing that he never really understood.

Junior did not bother to close the bathroom door as he relieved himself, much to Sheldon's disgust. The sound of his peeing, coughing and burping would have woke up Sheldon, if he had not already been awake. He had been unable to sleep as he kept going over what he would say to Amy about the congress of Sheldon's, the ring his Meemaw had given him and his eventual proposal. His head was swimming.

Junior rubbed his eyes as he saw Sheldon's head lift up, "Whacha doing up, Shelly?"

"Thinking." Sheldon threw off the thin cover and sat up in his spot.

"Doncha do that all day at work?" Junior snorted and went to the kitchen to find a glass of water, since a beer would be too much to ask for in his teetotaler brother's apartment. He looked over and saw his brother was in no mood for teasing. He grabbed the water, and sat down next to Sheldon in the beige arm chair. He took a large drink, sat back and waited. He knew it would be just a matter of time before Sheldon opened up you just had to be patient.

Sheldon sat back unconsciously mirroring his brother's stance. He blew out a large sigh and finally said, "How do ya tell someone something that you know will make them think you are crazy, but you're not crazy, you're just smart. But not smart enough to figure out how to tell them without confusing them and making them run to the hills?"

"I think you just did. The confusing part that is." Junior smiled at his brother with tobacco stained teeth. Sheldon just glared at him.

"You never understood me."

"Shelly, no one understands you, cept maybe this woman. Just tell her what you wanna tell her! She'll understand or at least git you to make sense." Junior took another drink and then asked, "When you gonna ask her to marry ya?"

"How do you know about…"

"Oh please. That's all the ol'lady could talk about. Over a thousand miles of wedding planning. She's hopin' you'll come on back home and have the wedding there. You know, like a southern wedding or somptin'. I think she just wants to gloat over you to the Kentucky cousins, ya know."

"That's a good idea! I wonder if Amy would go for that. Maybe I can plan a vacation for us, then ask her and marry me the same time! Fourth of July is nice in Galveston. Little hot, but…" Sheldon was positively bouncing over his brilliant plan, but Junior cut off his dreamy thoughts.

"Damn boy! That's only like two weeks from now! Ain't this a little soon to be asking this woman to marry ya, Shelly? I mean, you only just met the woman."

"I feel like I've known her for years, and you know me, when I have a feelin' I know it. I know she is the one, I've had it proved to me, but more importantly, I felt it the moment I met her. This is it."

Junior put his hands on his temples and growled at his brother, "You mean to tell me, we drove out all this way, 18 hours, in my God damn lousy truck, just to give you this ring, and you are gonna ask her in Texas anyway!? SHIT, WE COULDA GIVEN IT TO YOU THEN!"

"Well, I didn't know you were comin'! Thanks for the heads up, by the way! I guess we are even for the red head I caught you with when you got into Dad's driving whiskey!"

"Yep… I guess we are!" Junior slapped his brother on the knee and said with a chuckle, "Damn, Shelly. You gonna be married before any of us!"

Sheldon lay back down on his spot and let out a yawn, "There was never a doubt, Junior."

Junior rose off the chair and snickered back, "Oh boy… there was plenty of doubt, believe me."

AN: Okay, finally we know about Amy's surgery, Sheldon's plans and we get that ring! Oh My! Little angst, lots of sexy time coming up. This story is almost done. I wonder if Sheldon will EVER learn? PS I hoped you liked Meemaw's visit!

I have to ask, rather...actually beg for reviews. This is not just to fuel my writer's ego, (well... a little) Rather it is because the traffic rating is broken on this story. It shows that only 175 people read this story, and I know 25 of those are just me checking the story. If you are reading this story, please drop me a quick review. Just a hello, yes I am here. I really don't want to be a needy baby greedy baby, but without the traffic stats, I can't tell if anyone is reading this OTHER than the reviews. If you could help me out, that will be great.

I hope to get the next chapter for Christmas, and I will tell you if they fixed the stats function. Thanks so much you guys. I really appreciate all your support and feedback and friendship over the last year. Let's hope this next year will be just as great!