The End of the Beginning
Sequel to Decisions Decisions Decisions
It wasn't until they saw the boxes that it became a reality. Leonard, Howard and Raj walked into 4A after work to see a dozen cardboard boxes, all neatly packed, sealed and stacked by the kitchen table. Leonard walked back to Sheldon's room and knocked. The door swung open to reveal a stripped down room. The bed was bare, the closet empty, the desk and dresser gone. No comic boxes, no action figures, not a single poster.
He slowly walked back out to the living room where Howard and Raj were still standing by the boxes, wearing identical expressions of remorse. Leonard frowned as he noticed the bare spaces around the room. Missing super hero busts, empty spots on book shelves, large sections of the DVD stands were bare. Leonard felt a deep sense of regret.
He had been surprise to receive an invitation to their upcoming wedding. So had Raj and Howard. When he had mentioned it to Penny one day in the lobby she had shrugged. They weren't friends anymore, true. But he was still Sheldon's room-mate, at least for now.
"Besides," she said with a small smile, "if not for you inviting me over that first day, Sheldon and I might never have met." Leonard smiled sadly. Sometimes he regretted that. He wished them well and walked away. He knew he wouldn't attend. It would be too awkward.
She couldn't have looked away from him if it saved her life. He was beyond handsome. He stood tall and proud, watching her approach. Steve stood to his left along with Stuart. Across from them stood Amanda and Gail. Her dad squeezed her arm before releasing her. She knew Missy, George, Mary and Meemaw were there, along with her sister and mom. She knew Barry and Melissa were somewhere in the crowd. She was even fairly certain Raj was there. None of it mattered though. There was Sheldon and there was her, and they were getting married.
The pastor spoke, but she hardly heard a word he said. She was waiting on Sheldon. His words finally came and burned themselves into her heart.
"Penelope, every day I wake up knowing my life is you. You are bliss. You are tenderness. You are love. That you choose to share that with me is the greatest joy I could ever have imagined. I had always devoted my life to science and the pursuit of a Nobel. You showed me there was more. You showed me I did not have to abandon my goals, just expand my horizons. I have always understood the universe because of my mind. You showed me how to live in it because of your heart. I love you beyond measure."
Penny took a deep breath and smiled.
"Sheldon, all my life I judged myself by my looks. I thought it was my only real asset. You showed me I had more to offer than that. You valued my spirit. You pushed me to be better. You encouraged me, helped me, fought with me and refused to let me give up. You have been my partner, my antagonist, my best friend and my lover. Because of you I work to do more. For you, I strive to be better. I never thought that I would be as loved and cherished as I am with you. I never imagined anyone would mean more to me than my own wants and desires. You are my joy. You are my dreams. You are my life. I love you beyond measure."
They slid the rings onto each other's hands silently. They turned to the pastor who smiled benignly. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
She practically flung herself into his arms, much to the guests amusement. Sheldon held her tightly as they turned and walked down the aisle. She finally noticed the guests and waved at them. She was very touched to see George and Brad offer them teary smiles. Raj gave them a short bow. Leonard smiled and nodded a they passed by. Even President Seibert was in attendance with his family. They exited the small church Sheldon's mother had insisted on and hurried to the waiting limo. Once safely inside Sheldon pulled her into his lap.
He pressed his face into her shoulder and trailed tiny kisses along her collarbone. "I love you, Mrs. Cooper.
She arched into his kisses. "I love you too, my beautiful minded genius."
The limo started and Sheldon made her sit back on the seat and buckle up. She rolled her eyes and laughed. Then her expression heated up making him squirm in anticipation.
"Whatever you say, Dr. Cooper," she said huskily. With a growl he captured her lips with his. She knew how much he loved it when she called him doctor.
"How long is our reception?" he moaned against her mouth. She laughed and told him 4 hours. Sheldon groaned. "Too long." Then he unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled her back into his lap. Then he proceeded to act very un-Sheldon like for the rest of the drive.
"The end of the beginning" is something my husband said to me just before we got married. It means the end of our individual lives and the start of our life together. After the ceremony he said "Now we begin the rest of our lives. Our beginning of the end". Even now, after 17 years of marriage those words never fail to make me smile.