A/N- 1. Here is the next chapter - its pretty big! things happen pretty fast in this chapter - before you ask i know that it takes longer for people to get a Nobel Prize but for my story i wanted it this way.
2. Should I finish this story on the next chapter or shall I write a couple more?
3. You guys are wonderful! thank you so much for reviewing, reading, following the story and following me!
Give me your feed back! thank you x
Enjoy...
Chapter 11 – The day he's been waiting for.
It's been four months since Sheldon solved the mysteries of the universe; something that he has spent his whole life aiming to do. The time has arrived for him to collect his reward for achieving his life's goal. And he is terrified; he hates making speeches.
It's 7:15am on November the 11th and he has been twiddling his fingers in the honey blonde locks next to him since 6am.
Penny stirs in her sleep and slowly rolls to face him and tucks the duvet up to her chin.
''Morning sweetie'' penny greets him warmly after sleeping like a baby in his warm blue sheets.
''Good morning penny'' Sheldon replies with the same warmth in his voice. He is lying on his side facing her resting on his elbow with his head on a clenched fist.
''we better get up if you don't want you miss our flight at 11am'' penny said without moving an inch.
Sheldon doesn't move either, just gazes at her with an intense admiring stare. They just smile at each other in a comfortable silence.
''What's with you this morning?'' penny asks whilst shifting under his intense blue eyes.
''nothing'' he replies with a shrug. ''I'm just content with laying here with you for a little while longer. Also my schedule doesn't start today until 7:30, so we have some time''
Penny smiles and wiggles closer to him and snuggles up into his side. She tries to fight off sleep but her eyes flutter shut anyway because of the warmth that he is emitting from his body.
''Ok now we have to get up. My schedule started 1 minute ago.'' Sheldon tries to get her up but fails so he takes a different attempt.
Tap, tap, tap ''penny''
Tap, tap, tap ''penny''
Tap, tap, tap ''penny''
Sheldon tries to unravel her from his person and get out of bed but he is trapped in a cage of Penny.
''ugh, can't you just call and tell them to reschedule the ceremony? I'm too comfy to move.'' Penny replied with a groggy, sleepy voice.
''No'' Sheldon replied bluntly ''now up'' he said whilst smiling to the top of her head and examined the tussled locks.
He manages to escape and looks down to find that penny hasn't moved. A slow smirk stretches across Sheldon's face as an idea comes to mind.
''Am I going to have to count to three, Penelope? I must warn you that the consequences will be unpleasant if I reach the end of my countdown and you still haven't moved'' Sheldon asked in a challenging voice and a stern look.
''ugh, don't try anything mister or face the consequences of me going junior rodeo on your ass'' penny retorts with her face in the pillows. She breaths in the smell of Sheldon and relaxes into the soft material, hoping to get just a little bit more sleep.
''penny'' Sheldon warns as he sees her shoulders relaxing.
''1…''Sheldon begins with a menacing stern voice.
Penny grins to herself and then bites hers lip to stop herself from laughing as adrenaline runs through her veins as Sheldon continues his countdown.
''…2…'' Sheldon continues as he walks to the end of the bed and studies her immobile form in the sheets.
''…3''
Sheldon smirk grows when he finishes his countdown and penny still hasn't moved. He wraps his fists around the sheets and with one hard tug, he pulls it away from the bed.
''Nooo!'' penny squeals whilst curling up into the foetus position in the middle of the bed.
Sheldon jumps onto the bed and tickles her violently until they both fall onto the floor in hysterics. Sheldon gets to his feet and looks down at her pouting face. He offers her a hand up and steals a kiss and grins at her.
''will coffee be of any assistance to awaken your impaired motor skills this morning?'' Sheldon offers politely as he walks her out of his bedroom.
Penny puts the sentence through her Sheldon-ese filter and replies after realising that he is asking her if she wants coffee. ''yes please sweetie''.
She loves waking up with him by her side. After getting past the 'nobodies-allowed-in-my-room' rule, they spend most nights together. The best part is the waking up because every morning he thinks of a different strategy to wake her up. This results in a smile to the start of her day and laughing all the way to the kitchen. Well, this was the only way that Sheldon could break her 'don't-wake-me-up-before-11am-or-i-will-punch-you- in-the-throat' rule.
-The airport-
''hey guys'' penny greets everyone after spotting them waiting for the pair at the line for their flight.
''hey, what took you so long? I'm surprised that Sheldon didn't make you leave two hours before the flight.'' Leonard greeted them with a creased brow and a smile.
''Yes well, somebody wouldn't get up when my schedule started which resulted in us being behind and we lost out on time to get ready and we had to sacrifice morning TV time to make up for the inconvenience'' Sheldon replies and emphasised the word 'somebody' by looking penny with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
They all got onto the plane without any problems and set off for Stockholm, Sweden.
-Stockholm Arlanda Airport – 14 hours later -
Once they arrived they headed straight for baggage collection to collect their belongings. They call for two taxis, which Sheldon did not approve of, and made their way to the hotel that they were provided.
Sheldon gives the driver directions whilst trying not to touch the interior of the cab and calls his mother.
''hello mother''
''hello darling, where about's are ya?''
''We are all travelling to the hotel and will be there shortly. I hope that your journey wasn't too difficult for you all''
''Alright Shelly. The journey was no trouble at all. Meemaw is excited to see ya darling and junior and missy are moaning as per usual. I will see ya shortly, bye''
Shortly after saying goodbye to his mother and hanging up, they arrive outside their hotel. They get out of the taxis and wait for everyone to retrieve their belongings before heading inside and to the front desk to check in.
''hello, I am Dr Sheldon Cooper''
''hello sir, you and miss Queen are in room 221. Your belongings will be carried up for you if you would like to leave them here.'' The red headed women said to them both politely over the desk.
''thank you'' penny replied because she knew that Sheldon wouldn't as he was too busy filling out the paper work and his lack of social skills; although he has improved lately.
They get to their room and Sheldon snickers at the door number. Penny moves past him and steps inside as she shakes her head and laughs at him.
''yeah, yeah. You're Sherlock Holmes'' penny says as she looks around a bit.
''I'm glad that we are clear on that, Watson'' Sheldon replies with a smirk as he shuts the door.
Their bags arrive shortly after that and they unpack their things before going to find his families rooms.
''Hello, darlings. Safe trip?'' Mary asks as she lets them inside.
''hello mother. Our flight was adequate and and we managed to reach our destination safely'' Sheldon replied dryly.
''hello Mary, he is just grumpy that we didn't get to travel by train'' penny teased him and lightly squeezed his forearm.
''Moonpie?'' a small voice came from the kitchen.
''Meemaw, I have someone I would like to introduce to you'' Sheldon called to her from the living room of the hotel room.
Meemaw stepped out of the kitchen and stopped and smiled at penny. She was wearing a pair of flattering jeans and a flowery top underneath her apron. Her brunette hair was flickered with grey highlights which made her blue eyes seem brighter; or it could have been because of her bright smile with white teeth. She walked forward, reaching her arms out to give penny a hug.
''oh sweatpea, you must be penny dear. My Moonpie talks about you in every single letter that he writes to me. It's so lovely to meet ya'' Meemaw gushes as she releases penny from her tight hug.
''It's lovely to meet you too. I have heard so much about you from Sheldon. It's nice to finally meet the wonderful person behind all of the wonderful stories.'' Penny replies with beaming smile.
Meemaw looks back and forth between the two of them with a grin and finally pulls Sheldon into a bear hug.
''my lovely grandson and his big brain, I have missed you so much Moonpie. I'm so proud of ya.'' Meemaw finishes and is earned a blush from Sheldon and small smile as he bows his head in embarrassment.
They are interrupted by a wolf whistle from the kitchen doorway. ''Damn Shelly, I thought yous was gay or some'in. You waited long enough to find the right gal…you definitely know how to pick em.'' George junior strolls into the room after winking at Sheldon.
''Penny, you are unfortunately in the presence of my brother junior. Ignore anything he says and use your rough Nebraskan charm if he hits on you.'' Sheldon mummers to her and protectively wraps an arm around her waist.
George is tall but maybe an inch or two shorter than Sheldon. He is all muscle in a red and blue checker shirt with a wife beater underneath. He is clad in blue jeans that are tucked into his sandy builder's boots. The entire cooper family have the piercing blue eyes but juniors seem to have a darker shade to them.
George jr laughs ''I'm sorry, darling. Excuse me, my names junior and it is nice to finally meet the girlfriend that Shelly is always going on about'' junior holds out a respectful hand which penny shakes. ''it's good to actually have proof of the only living human that makes Shelly happy that isn't family…and a chick'' George winks at her with a small smirk.
''it's nice to meet you too junior'' penny smiles at him and looks over his shoulder to see missy in the kitchen doorway who was trying not to laugh.
''hey penny, are my brothers driving you crazy already? You have only been in the room for 5 minutes. Just wait until you come over for Christmas.'' Missy replies after giving penny a hug.
''nah, we will soon put them both in their places'' penny turns to smirk at them both.
Sheldon looks at George Jr and they glare at each other in a stare down. George breaks first and shakes his head and offers a hand to Sheldon.
''its good to see ya bro. Congrads on the award, I know how much this means to ya'' Junior says and receives a sceptical glance from Sheldon.
Sheldon shakes his hand after a few moments, ''thank you, I suppose it is good to see a familiar face after not seeing you for such a long time'' he finishes as junior pulls him into a bear hug.
''alright ladies, break it up before you both start to cry'' penny teases them, ''why don't we round up the guys and head out for some dinner?'' penny offers after moments of silence as the boys hug.
-The next day-
''good morning sweetie'' penny chimes in a sing-song voice.
Sheldon focuses his eyes and looks up to find penny straddling his lap over his covers.
''Good morning penny?'' Sheldon replies trying not to move a muscle; reducing movements will ensure that his body doesn't reaction to Penny's current position.
''I have a surprise for you, so get up'' penny chimes as she leans down and kisses him before sliding off him; hitting all the right places with her body and giggles when he tries to hide an involuntary groan.
Sheldon stands up and sighs before he follows penny into the kitchen. He stands in the doorway and stops to look at her. He will never get bored of seeing her in the mornings. Seeing penny clad in his flash t-shirt and her under things.
Penny turns around expecting him to be right behind her but looks up to see him in leaning against the door way his with arms crossed against his chest. She checks him out and her eyes take in his pyjamas. Plaid pants, white t-shirt, his bare feet and a messy head of hair. Ever since she mentioned to him that she liked his arms he has been wearing simple plain t-shirts to bed instead of his matching plaid pyjama shirt. There is just something so masculine about a man walking around in bare feet.
She walks over to him slowly and pulls him by his hand and sits him down in a chair at the small circle table in the centre of the kitchen.
''here'' penny says as she points down to the plate in front of him.
Sheldon reluctantly drags his eyes away from her and looks down at his plate. He gapes at the small golden American pancakes with the portrait of a man's face scribed into them. Mini-Nobel Prizes.
''this is wonderful penny, thank you very much'' Sheldon says genuinely shocked at the pleasant surprise.
''you're welcome sweetie'' penny replies and sits opposite him. She bows her head and continues ''I had to look on Google to find out what a Nobel Prize actually looks like, I hope that they are ok'' penny smiles at him before whipping out her phone and taking a photo of her plate and plans to post it on Facebook and twitter later. She sneaks a peak up at him and slyly snaps a few shots of him which he catches her doing but doesn't seem to care much.
They talk throughout breakfast and then they head out to do some sightseeing with their friends and Sheldon's family. The ceremony starts at 2 o'clock at the Stockholm concert hall, which gives them some free time to spend together before they have to get ready.
''How do I look?'' Sheldon asks penny as she steps out of the bathroom.
Penny puts her hand over her mouth to hide her dropped jaw as she looks up at him. He is wearing a three piece tuxedo that his mother bought for him. It was classic black and white which he didn't seem too happy about but didn't grumble too much. His hair was neatly styled for the prestige occasion. He is wearing classic shiny black shoes that completed the outfit perfectly.
''you look gorgeous…and professional'' penny managed as her eyes raked over him.
However, Sheldon doesn't really seem to take in her response because he is too busy raking his eyes over here appeal. He lets his jaw drop and takes in her dress. She was wearing a full length, light tan coloured elegant dress which contrasted well with her sun-kissed body. She let her hair flow in natural bouncy curls over her shoulder which framed her lightly make-up covered face.
She smiled sweetly at him ''shall we go show them who the most brilliant man in the world is, Dr Cooper?'' penny approached him slowly.
''uh'' Sheldon swallowed and briefly closed his eyes'' for a moment he thought about forgetting the ceremony when she called him 'Dr Cooper'. She knows that is his switch. ''Let's leave now before I lock you in here forever. It's probably safer if we join a crowd so that I'm not tempted.'' Sheldon rushes with his words and grabs her hand as he heads towards the door in search of his family and friends.
Penny responds with her adorable giggle which makes Sheldon grip her hand tighter and increase his pace down the corridor.
''it is my pleasure to present the Nobel Prize in Physics to Dr Sheldon Cooper for solving the mysteries of the universe by proving String Theory.''
The crowd of sharply dressed ladies and gentlemen give him a round of applause to welcome him to the stage.
''Breathe sweetie. You can do this. The sooner you go up there the sooner you can come back here, ok?'' penny soothes his nerves whilst brushing her thumb across the back of his hand his with their finger intertwined. She gives it a light reassuring squeeze before releasing his hand.
Sheldon looks into her eyes and then briefly to his friends and family along their row of seats. He goes to stand whilst leaning to give penny a hard, long kiss and then walks confidently to the stage and stands at the podium.
He keeps eye-contact with penny, clears his throat and begins, ''thank you ladies and gentlemen. I have spent the duration of my life dedicated to science. I worked throughout my childhood to quench my thirst for knowledge and to understand our universe. I became committed to physics and made it a personal goal to learn how our universe works and to make a difference in this world. I wanted my name up there with the greats. I wanted to be spoken of as people speak of Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman and many others. I set myself a goal to reach and I have finally reached that goal. I sacrificed my childhood, friendships, life experiences and relationships for my life's goal but it was all worth it. For I wouldn't have let my life turn out in any other way, I have friends and family that have helped me along the way that I must thank. My mother for providing me with efficient education and for raising me to be the man I am today. My father, because without him pushing me down every day I wouldn't have learnt to get up and stand up for myself. My siblings, George Jr and Missy, you both made my childhood difficult but without your continuous teasing, I would have never of pushed myself towards more knowledge so that I could prove you both wrong. Well look where I am now?'' he looks at them both and smirks as they shake their heads trying not to cry (well Missy is letting the tears flow but junior is trying to keep strong)
''I have to also thank my friends and colleagues Dr Leonard Hofstadter, Dr Rajesh Koothrappali, Mr. Howard Wolowitz, Dr Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz and Dr Stephanie Barnett; thank you all for making my adult life enjoyable and sticking by my 'neurotic' side all this time.'' Everyone laughs (probably because they have heard about his neurotic tendencies)
''lastly but definitely not least, Penelope Rose Queen. Thank you for being my best friend, for caring about me, for staying with me through it all, for being the best girlfriend in the world and being your beautiful, intelligent self. I haven't told anyone this yet but you were the reason that I solved string theory; whilst thinking about you…I solved the mysteries of the universe. Because of you, I solved my life's goal and I have already set my next goal in life…you. I love you penny'' Sheldon took a deep breath and watched as a single tear fell rolled down penny's cheek and smiled. ''Thank you all for this monumental award and I am truly grateful for being nominated and accepted for the Nobel Prize in Physics.'' Sheldon bows his head as the whole room claps their hands.
Sheldon stands away from the podium and walks over to the king of Sweden to collect his award. He shakes his hand and smiles into the cameras for some final shots before taking another bow and walking off the stage.
''Oh darling, that was wonderful Moonpie. We're all so proud of you.'' Meemaw greets him after hugging him tightly.
He looks around at all of his friends and family as they nod their heads in agreement with proud smiles on their faces. His eyes finally land on penny's red glazed over ones.
''hello'' he smiles coyly at her and shifts his weight onto either feet.
She laughs and jumps into him arms and sobs into his neck. Sheldon's brain finally catches up his body as he tightens his grip around her waist and lifts her off the ground when he squeezes her.
''I am so proud of you sweetie.'' She choked as she tried to compose herself, ''I love you too, you Wack-a-doodle.'' Penny whispers in his ear as he buries his face into the crook of her neck.
He didn't care who was watching as he pulled back pressed his lips to hers and placed his hands on her cheeks. Penny smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.
-Stockholm City Hall – banquet-
''sweet suffering Jesus, that's a lot of tables'' Mary exclaims as they all enter the hall after the ceremony.
Penny sat in the chair that Sheldon holds out for her before he sits in the one next to her at a long table to the right of the magnificent hall.
The banquet began as she listened to Sheldon's family and their friends talk about how amazing everything was and how surreal the situation was. Penny looked up at the ceiling and examined the interior of the old styled room.
Sheldon was watching the whole time that penny was gaping at the interior of the hall. He watched intensely as she looked at walls and lights. He reached for her hand to bring her back to earth and brought it to his lips.
''Penny for your thoughts?'' Sheldon smirked to himself for his play on words and rested their intertwined hands on the table.
''This place is just so cool. I mean just look at the ceiling, it's taller than our apartment complex. The walls are gorgeous. It's just such a surreal place to be'' penny said dumbstruck and gaping at her surroundings. ''it's beautiful'' she breathed.
''mmhmm'' Sheldon agreed with her, never taking his intense gaze off of her.
Penny slowly looked towards him to find piercing blue eyes unwavering on her. A slow smile crosses her face as she blushes. She has always wondered what it must feel like to be one of his whiteboards as he stands in front of it. Now she knows.
I think that I'm actually trying to kill you all with adorable-ness. Mwahahaha…Hehe, I'm not sure if I should do the epilogue next or give you another random detail chapter about the next thing that they should celebrate? What do you all think, should I end it on the next chapter or give you guys some more? I am already starting another story but it isn't really to be uploaded yet.