"Mother, you know I do not like surprises." Sheldon protested as they sat down to dinner.
"Sheldon, please don't do this now, just go with it okay?" Amy pleaded as she rested her hand on his thigh.
"Fine. So, what is the surprise mom?"
Mrs. Cooper handed over an envelope and insisted they open it together.
"This is from your Meemaw and I."
Amy started to open the envelope while Sheldon helped open it. There were three things in it: one of them addressed to Sheldon, one to Amy, and one to both of them.
Sheldon opened his envelope first. It was a letter from his Pop-Pop, after he was diagnosed as terminal. The letter read:
My Dearest Shelly,
I asked your mother not to give you this letter until the right time. Even though I am no longer here in the flesh, I am so proud of you. I am sure that you are beyond successful, you had so much potential from a small boy and I wish I could be there to see you now.
Despite what the family may think of you, I know that one day you will find your equal, just like I did with your Meemaw. You have the potential to love, to have a family, and a normal life even with your brillance. When I take my last breath, this is what I will hope for you and I know it will come true.
Sheldon, please know that I am always looking down on you and that I love you with all my heart.
Love,
Your Pop-Pop
Tears pricked Sheldon's eyes. He adored his Pop-Pop and his heart was warmed – a feeling he had ony ever experienced with Amy.
Amy began to open her letter. It was from Meemaw.
Amy,
I want to apologize for not being able to make the trip to see you and Shelly (and my great-grandbaby). I wanted to send my personal congratulations to you. Even though we have not met, I cannot thank you enough for bringing my moonpie around and all of the credit goes to you.
The last time I spoke to Shelly, I could hear the change in his voice. His letters contained more happiness and joy. I never thought Shelly would ever have any of this, especially not true love or a child.
I cannot wait to meet you and my great-grandbaby and I hope you three will visit Texas soon. Mary and I have included a gift for you Sheldon, I hope you enjoy it.
Don't be a stranger, sweetheart.
Love,
Meemaw
A tear fell down Amy's cheek. How could she feel so much love and admiration for someone she had never met? Amy and Sheldon opened the third paper together, out fell something credit card shaped however it was wrapped in decorative paper. Sheldon opened the paper like a child on Christmas. A gift card to Babies-R-Us, the denomination – Sheldon and Amy's eyes widened, $3000!
"Mom! Thank you but this is far too much." Sheldon said as Amy still sat quiet and wide-eyed.
"Non-sense Shelly-bean. This is so that you can decorate the baby's room and buy all the essentials.
"Well, it really is too much Mom but I can't thank you enough."
"Mrs. Cooper, thank you so much, you really didn't have to do this." Amy popped out of her stunned state.
"Aww sweetheart, you're welcome. I am happy to do it. Decorate the room how you want." Mrs. Cooper soothed.
"Alright, now that's out of the way, let's eat." Mrs. Cooper said.
Sheldon hadn't said a word on the way home, just silently stared out the window obviously in deep thought. Amy desperately wanted to know what his letter said, but it wasn't her business. He would tell her eventually.
Once they arrived back to apartment, Mrs. Cooper offered to give Sheldon and Amy some alone time and went across the hall to visit with Penny and Leonard.
Amy sat on the couch, Sheldon still hadn't said anything.
"Sheldon, is everything alright? You didn't say a word on the way home and you seem upset."
"No, no I am fine. It was just the letter, it hit me hard."
"I assumed as much, you don't have to tell me what it said, I know you and your Meemaw have a special connection. But, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"That's just the thing, it wasn't from Meemaw."
"It was from you're mother?"
"No"
"I am sorry Sheldon, I don't understand."
"It was from my Pop-Pop, he wrote it before he died." Sheldon said looking down at his feet. Amy felt a pang of sadness for Sheldon.
"Read it." Sheldon insisted.
When Amy finished reading the letter, she understood the way Sheldon was acting.
"How does this letter make you feel?" Amy asked softly.
"At first it made me feel sad, but now I feel happy. He had faith in me, he knew that I would have love and family – a normal life, he knew this better than I did. I just miss him so much. He always supported everything I did."
"Aw Sheldon. I know you miss him, I understand. Just know that I love you and you can talk to me about anything, anytime."
Sheldon sat staring off into nothing until a smile came across his face.
"Wait here. I'll be right back." Sheldon said as he put his hand on Amy's knee.
Amy was now utterly confused but went along with whatever was going on. Sheldon returned to the room only a minute later.
"Come on." Sheldon said as he grabbed Amy's hand.
"Where are we going?"
"The roof." Sheldon smiled sweetly.
Amy and Sheldon had been on the roof for almost an hour in the chairs Sheldon had set up there when he needed time to think.
"The sky is simply beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Sheldon looked to Amy whose eyes were glimmering with happiness.
"It really is."
"Amy, I want to ask you a question."
"Sure, anything." Amy smiled.
Sheldon fiddled in his pocket and got down on one knee.
"Amy, I would like to alter the paradigm of our current relationship status. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
To say Amy was shocked was an understatement. She knew they would get married eventually but surely not this soon.
"Sheldon, of course I will marry you. I love you." Sheldon slid the ring onto her left finger, an emerald surrounded by diamonds.
"It's beautiful, Sheldon." Holding up her hand and catching the moonlight on the gems.
"I just want to make sure we are on the same page here, I don't want to get married while I am pregnant." Amy said.
"Of course. We can do it whenever you are ready."
"I love your mother but I wish she wasn't here right now because all I want is you right now."
"I am sure we can arrange that, I am pretty crafty, you know." Sheldon smiled devilishly and swooped Amy off her chair.