"So what do you think Sheldon?" Penny asked tentatively.
"I think Amy will love it "Sheldon said quietly.
"So what's with the sad face?"
"Because I should have thought of it. I am her boyfriend and I should have thought of it, yet all I have done is worry about how I will be affected." Sheldon stood up walked to his room and shut the door behind him.
Penny looked at Leonard. "Well he didn't say no party!"
"No I guess not, but he is not exactly breaking out the maracas either is he."
Penny went down the hall and knocked on Sheldon's door
"Sweetie its me can I come in?"
"OK"
Opening the door Penny found Sheldon curled on his bed.
"Sheldon Amy wont mind who throws the party, as long as you are t here she will be happy. Surely the two nights at the hotel before she goes will give you the chance to spend some time together and say goodbye."
"And again I say I should have thought of that. She will love the gesture Penny, you are right, but it is your gesture not mine."
"Sheldon what do you want to do for Amy, maybe I can help."
"That's just it I don't know."
"What about a nice picture of the two of you together. Something she can look at when she is all the way in England."
"Maybe."
"Well you have a think sweetie and if you need a hand sorting it give me a shout. But you only have a couple of days Sheldon, the party is Friday and she goes Sunday.
"Yes Penny I am well aware my time is limited, thank you."
Not quite sure what to say to make him feel any better Penny rubbed his arm then standing said "Come on Dr Cooper I need to whoop your ass at Halo!"
Snorting Sheldon stood and followed Penny out of his room.
73~73
Amy had started packing, she was amazed at how much stuff she had bought recently. Knowing her work wardrobe would probably be all she required she still couldn't resist some of the new things she had bought for Boston. Those along with the clothes Penny had insisted she buy for London meant she was probably over her luggage allowance. She couldn't leave out the coat she had recently purchased as Sheldon's recent weather updates showed England to be in the midst of a particularly cold spell with snow still falling even in the capital. She did take out the summer dresses Penny said she would need. Temperature charts showed England to never quite reach the temperatures of L.A so she was sure she would be safe leaving those out. Her accommodation boasted washing and drying facilities so everything else she tried to keep to a minimum as she would be able to get herself into a routine and function pretty much as she did at home.
Her flight was due to land in London just before midday on Monday and she was expected in the office on Wednesday morning at 8am. This gave her just over 24 hours to sort herself out, shift any jet-lag and get her bearings.
Sheldon had called earlier and asked if she could go round on Friday. He said he would cook for her. She had said yes but the more she thought about the sadder she felt. She couldn't believe she would have to say goodbye to him.
Sighing Amy got ready for bed.
73~73
"Penny sometime Amy calls me her 'snuggle bunny' " Sheldon blushed as he admitted this. "Do you think it would be silly if I got her a stuffed rabbit she could take with her. I though if I got it a Flash t shirt it would remind her of me."
Pennys eyes filled with tears. "Sheldon that is so cute. She will love it!"
Nodding Sheldon said, "OK I am sure Stuart sells child size t shirts, should I get that first or the rabbit?"
"How about after work tomorrow I take you to the mall and we can go get both then you will be ready."
Sheldon nodded "Thank you Penny"
"Sheldon I don't want to make presumptions, but Amy wont be expecting these 2 nights at the hotel, do you think it would maybe be wise if you packed her bag for those nights, then you can keep the surprise?"
"Yes OK, perhaps we can get some things tomorrow for that too."
"How about I meet you from work, we do our shopping then we can bring home your pizza order."
Sighing Sheldon agreed.
73~73
So after work Thursday Sheldon climbed into Pennys car and listened to her chatter as she drove them to the mall.
Climbing out of her car he waited for her to lock up then followed her to the gift shop. There were various stuffed animals, but none he wanted. "Sheldon I thought you wanted a rabbit. There are loads of rabbits."
"I will know what I want when I see it Penny." Sheldon sniffed. Leaving the shop he moved along, finally stopping at a little shop that sold everything from furniture to vintage clothes to memorabilia. Walking in Sheldon smiled. Pointing he said to Penny "That one!" Turning Penny grinned. Sat up on a shelf was a medium sized stuffed brown rabbit. He wore what looked like an actually lab coat and had glasses on. "That's so cute Sheldon. With that lab coat on you don't even need the Flash t shirt."
"He could wear the t shirt underneath" Sheldon grinned.
Lifting the rabbit down Sheldon went to pay. With his purchase tucked safely under his arm he guided Penny towards the comic book store. Stewart was surprised to see them but more than happy to entertain Penny while Sheldon browsed. Sheldon quickly moved to the rack of t shirts at the back of the store and grinned when he saw a mini version of the black t shirt that had the silver flash Amy had been so impressed with all those weeks ago. Taking the rabbit out of the bag Sheldon measured him for size and once satisfied moved to pay.
"Children's clothes Sheldon? Is there something you have not told us?" Stewart teased.
"Knock it off Stewart" Penny said seeing Sheldon blush.
Shrugging Stewart rang up the sale and handed Sheldon his purchase. "Is that it, I cant interest you in the comic books just in?"
"Not today" Sheldon muttered and headed for the door.
"OK Sheldon, just some clothes for the weekend. I guess its just night clothes and something to wear Saturday, any ideas?"
"Where did you take Amy when you brought that underwear for Boston?" Sheldon asked shyly.
Grinning Penny grabbed his hand, "Come with me."
Soon Sheldon was inside Victoria Secrets surrounded by silk and lace in every imaginable colour.
"Oh dear lord" he muttered. "maybe I should let you do this Penny" he mumbled.
"Come on Sheldon, think how impressed Amy will be to think her boyfriend has bought her sexy underwear."
Bracing himself Sheldon moved to the nightgowns similar to the ones he knew Amy wore. Having surveyed the rack he discovered she had apparently bought the whole range! Snorting he looked at those next to them. These were similar in style but lace as opposed to cotton. Picking up a pale blue nightie Sheldon surveyed in critically, it certainly didn't leave much to the imagination. Behind him Penny said "That's pretty, I know Amy had looked at that when we came in before, she said it was too much. Maybe now would be the right time though?" she raised an eyebrow curiously and was rewarded by Sheldon blushing scarlet.
Dragging him along to the underwear section Penny placed him in front of more panties than he had ever seen,
"So what so you fancy Dr cooper? She grinned.
Sheldon quickly identified the garments he had seen Amy wear for him before. Deciding to go with the pale blue theme he selected one pair of short style panties and one high cut pair. Nodding her approval Penny said "anything else?
Sheldon just wanted to get out. So shook his head quickly and moved to pay. Once outside he said.
"Should I buy her other clothes, in case we want to leave the hotel? "
I tell you what sweetie, tomorrow why don't you text her at work and tell her to pack a bag to stay at yours. She will then pack clothes for Saturday and you are covered." nodding Sheldon breathed a sigh of relief.
"Penny would you mind taking these thing to the car there is one more thing I need to do I wont be long."
Shrugging Penny grabbed he bags and made her way back to the car. Putting Sheldon purchases in the boot she grinned when she saw Sheldon walking into a pharmacy.
"well well Dr cooper you dog you!"
Chuckling Penny got into the car and waited.
73~73
"Amy I wondered if you wanted to stay here tomorrow night after our meal? I thought we could spend the next day together?"
"That would be lovely Sheldon thank you x"
Amy was thrilled Sheldon had asked her to stay over. These past three weeks had flown past and they had spent so little time together. Amy sent Penny a text.
"Sheldon has asked me round for dinner and to stay what do you suggest I wear?"
"Amy dress up for him! How about that little skater skirt and pretty blouse. Also pack nice clothes for the next day and you might be able to persuade him to take you to dinner!"
"Good idea. Will you come over tomorrow or Saturday so I can see you before I go?"
"You bet! "
"Thanks bestie!"
Amy had completely cleared her desk at work, so tomorrow other than say her goodbyes she had nothing to do. She was hoping this meant she could get out early and get ready for Sheldon's.
73~73
Friday dawned and Amy was excited. She had been dreading this day, saying goodbye to her friends but now it was here she was looking forward to the move and whatever lay ahead. Her work colleagues had got together and made her a photo album of all the monkeys she had worked with! Laughing Amy looked at the picture of Ricky front and centre cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
"As if I could ever forget that little guy'" she laughed.
Along with the photo they gave her an English/American dictionary and some gloves, a hat and scarf. Grinning she hugged her friends and realised she was truly lucky. She had more friends than she ever thought possible. Her mother, when she had told her about her up and coming travels, had been amazed. Always expecting her little girl to amount to nothing more than a quiet little shrew hiding in the corner, yet here she was surrounded by friends both in and out of work and about to travel the world.
Escaping work early Amy went home and stashed her gifts on her case then began to get ready. Sheldon said to arrive at 7 to give him time to cook after work. Amy decided Pennys advise had been good and taking out the blue skater skirt a blouse and finding some heels she was sure she would be able to cope with Amy set about showering and doing her hair.
73~73
In 4B Los Robles it was action stations. Amy's work friends had text Penny to say she had left work and Raj had taken the afternoon off to help Penny. They had decided on simple food, Sheldon had fried some chicken Meemaw style, Raj had made a chilli on Priya's advise and Penny had ordered pizza and Chinese, they figured by encompassing Sheldon's weekly food routine into the menu he would be happy!
Raj had painted a banner saying "Good Luck Amy" and this was strung along the wall above the door to Penny's bedroom. Having moved the furniture back and cleared some space they also printed off pictures of Amy that the group had taken over the years they had known her, her colleagues had added some of their own, some hilarious ones of Amy definitely at the mercy of some very mischievous monkeys.
Sheldon came over at 6 and was impressed by the decorations. He stashed his and Amy's overnight bags in Pennys room then went back to change himself. Deciding on the black suit pants and black and silver t shirt to match the bunny Sheldon sat and waited for Amy to arrive. He heard people arriving across the hall and by 6.45 Penny texted to say everyone was there. At precisely 7 he heard the knock on his door. Taking a deep breath he stood up form his spot and moved to open the door.
"Hey Sheldon" Amy said quietly smiling.
"Good evening Amy, do you not have bags with you?"
"I have an overnight bag here, Amy showed him the bag over her shoulder, but I have left my cases at mine."
Sheldon frowned he hadn't thought that might happen. "Come in, let me get you a drink"
Pouring Amy a glass of wine he said "Did you get a key cut for me so I can check you apartment?"
Searching in her bag Amy pulled out the key "Here you go." handing Sheldon the key and watching him shove it in his pants pocket, Amy said "I cant smell cooking, did you get in late?"
"No but Penny asked if we could go over there first so I haven't put it on yet"
"Oh OK" Amy frowned "is everything OK?" Sheldon was acting odd.
"Yes everything is fine" Sheldon could feel his eye twitching, "lets go see Penny then we can go eat"
Opening the door Sheldon led Amy out knocking his signature knock Sheldon took half a pace back and watched Amy's face. As the door opened there was a cheer and shout of "surprise".
Amy burst into tears!
73~73