"Sheldon!" Amy squealed as Sheldon, grinning, snuck up behind her as she reached to turn the shower on.
"You left me!"
"I need a shower before we go out. I wont be long."
"If I join you we will save time and water" Sheldon pressed his body up against her as he manoeuvred her gently into the shower and under the stream of water.
However Sheldon, Amy found out, was less interested in washing than in kissing any part of skin he could reach.
"Sheldon we will be late!"
"We will say traffic was bad. Now stop fidgeting woman!" wrapping her arms around his neck Amy said "What has got into you?"
"It is the thought of having to behave myself for the next few hours with your mother and mine sitting watching our every move." Lifting her and stepping forward so her back was against the wall Sheldon lowered his head to her breasts. "I'd rather be doing this!"
"Mmmm that's nice" Amy moaned.
Lifting her onto him Sheldon thrust into her hard. Amy clung to him feeling the water wash off his back as she gripped him. Sheldon didn't last long using his fingers to bring Amy with him.
Lowering her he said "I am sorry, I don't know what came over me!"
"Oh don't apologise! That was sexy! But we need to hurry, I for one don't fancy explaining to your mum why we are late."
Quickly washing and then dressing Sheldon waited impatiently for Amy to dry her hair and dress "Amy hurry up!"
"Sheldon it is your fault I'm late!"
Hurrying to the car they made their way to the hotel. Amy had decided the neutral ground would make things easier and also meant Meemaw would be close to her room if she felt tired. Rushing into the lobby Amy spotted her mother
"Mum hi!" she waved moving to give her a quick hug "Sorry we are late have you been waiting long?"
"No I have only just got here myself."
Nodding Amy smiled. "Good, lets go find Sheldon's family."
73~73
Sheldon shifted in his seat. He watched Mrs Fowler and his mother chatter away and sighed. He was glad they were getting on but really did not see why they felt it necessary to compare baby stories. Missy who was sat with James on one side and Simon on the other was telling Meemaw about the day they had had, star spotting. Sheldon smiled fondly at his grandmother.
He felt something brush his leg and shifted slightly. When he felt it again he looked at Amy and saw her grin and wink.
He frowned. "Stop it!" he mouthed.
Sheldon moved his chair away
"Is everything OK Shelly?" Mary cooper asked noticing the glare Sheldon had shot at Amy.
"Yes momma everything is fine." he heard Amy snigger as she turned away innocently, "Would you like desert?"
Amy was amused at Sheldon's discomfort but took pity on him turning to her mother and seeing if she was OK. Amy was amazed at how well she appeared to be getting on with Mary they had been deep in conversation all evening. Smiling Amy looked at James who she realised had been watching her.
"What?" she asked
"Nothing, it is just nice to see you look happy. I realise now how stressed and sad you were when you first came to London. Seeing you here, well its nice."
Amy smiled. "I am glad you could come. I was sad when I first went to London and if it wasn't for you I know I would not have lasted."
Across the table Meemaw felt the tears well in her eyes as she looked at her grandson. He had always been her favourite. She knew she shouldn't have a favourite but from very early on she knew he was special. Tonight as she sat here watching him she realised how much he had changed. Amy was so good for him. When he had come to visit her in Texas when Amy had gone to London she had seen the change but watching him tonight, it made her smile.
"Moonpie" she said quietly "are things OK. with you and your momma now?"
"Yes Meemaw. We are OK." Sheldon smiled "I don't think she approves but I think she knows I am happy so is letting me be."
"Good I'm glad. Amy is a lovely girl. Definitely a welcome addition to our family. I am glad she has made peace with her mother too. I should warn you though I think your respective mothers have moved on from baby comparisons to weeding talk!"
"Oh dear lord, perhaps mother wasn't listening to me after all!"
As they left the hotel having bid Mary, Missy and Meemaw goodnight Sheldon held Amy's hand as they walked to the car. "That wasn't so bad was it?"
"No, but seeing my mother and yours in deep conversation did make me a little nervous!"
"Yes, Meemaw said they were talking weddings." Sheldon admitted.
Amy laughed. "I guess they were happy so we shouldn't complain, don't worry Sheldon I have said I will meet mother in a couple of days so I will set her straight on the wedding front."
73~73
Amy was sad to say goodbye to Simon and James. Waving them off at the airport left her feeling a little insecure. Sheldon had gone back to 4A this morning before work and she knew with them both back at work again, the holiday now over, it would be easy to fall back into the old routine. Sighing Amy pulled into her parking spot and locked her car. Not wanting to return to an empty apartment just yet she walked to the coffee shop round the corner and sat sipping her drink as she watched people pass the window.
She pulled out her phone and sent Penny a text
"Hey do you fancy a girls night this week. Been ages since we have had a proper chance to chat."
"Ames that sounds great! I have to work everyday this week though to make up for our little trip. Are you at home today?"
Grinning Amy replied. "Yes! come round I will go but some lunch for us and wine;-)"
Letting Penny in an hour later she hugged her friend and said "Hi, I have missed this. Its a shame Lucy and Bernie couldn't join us though. Maybe when we all get back to normal we should have another slumber party!"
Penny laughed, "As long as there are no pillow fights! Did James and simon get off OK?"
"Yes" Amy smiled. "James cried! I thought it was simon that was the softy! It was lovely having them here though."
"Yeah they were great guys. We should all go visit them next time, no work just for fun."
"That would be great, you would love London Penny. But right now I need to get refocused on work. I feel this last week, while great, has kind of put a stop to my work. Because James and I finished the research I need to get back in the lab and concentrate on my own stuff. It feels ages since I have done that."
"I bet Sheldon feels the same." Penny nodded. "He has been different this last week. I haven't seen him that carefree in a long time, if ever. And his Meemaw! She is so cool isn't she! He will miss her when she goes home."
"Yes he will." Amy frowned. "He is going to stay at the hotel tonight I think after work they go home tomorrow and he wanted to make sure he could go straight from work to see them, he has even booked the morning off to take them to the airport."
"Are you not going with him tonight?" Penny frowned
"No. I thought he would appreciate the time with them on his own, they haven't had that this trip."
"So when is he going to move in? You do know he will want to bring all his comic book crap with him!"
"Yeah I know, I suggested he sell it to the guys and you'd have thought I was suggesting selling a child! I mean seriously how old are they! I am not sure where he thinks we are going to put it all."
"You will have to get a bigger place!"
"To house all of that we will. I honestly don't know when he will move in though. I guess so much has happened lately. What with London and then Sheldon visiting us going to Texas then everyone coming here. It feels like nothing has been normal for a long time."
"What do you mean normal?"
"I don't know really, I guess I have realised lately I like my routine as mochas Sheldon. And as much fun as it has been visiting Texas having James and Simon stay, even Mary and Meemaw.,I will be glad to go back to normality. Work and trips to the zoo."
"Are you regretting saying Sheldon could move in?" she could hear something in Amy's voice she couldn't quite identify.
"No not regretting it, not at all. Oh I don't know Penny sometimes I feel he has adjusted to all this change better than me. Like today. Just us chatting. I have missed that so much. We used to have so many nights when I knew Sheldon was with Leonard and we were across the hall. When did we last do that. The other day I asked Sheldon if he missed 4A missed his spot and he said no. Penny I missed my apartment like crazy when I was in London, yet Sheldon seems so much calmer amongst the change."
"Maybe because he feels safe with you Amy. You have let him take things at a pace most people would have found frustratingly slow. He has made all the adjustments when he was ready; even down to hand holding. No one asked him to go to London he chose it. I guess some of the changes have been 'surprises' for you because it has been him instigating. Wow can you believe it, Sheldon Cooper has made so much progress!" Penny grinned.
73~73
Sheldon was eager to leave work. He had not told his family he was staying. He had booked a table at the restaurant and a room so he would be able to stay and go with them to the airport. His overnight bag over his shoulder he entered the foyer and the first person he saw was Missy.
"Shelly what are you doing here?"
"I came to take you all to dinner. Where are you going?"
"Oh Penny and Amy invited me for a girls night at Pennys. You don't mind do you? Momma and Meemaw will love having you to themselves anyway."
"OK but make sure you don't drink too much and make sure you are back tonight you cant miss your flight home!"
"OK OK, see you later Shelly." and with a wave she was off.
Knocking on his grandmothers door Sheldon straightened his tie. He had wanted to wear his flash t shirt but Amy had said a suit would be better if they were going to eat out.
"Moonpie what a lovely surprise." The little lady hugged her grandson then releasing him shouted
"Mary come see!" and dragged Sheldon into the room.
"Shelly? Why are you here is everything OK?"
"Yes mummy everything is fine I thought I would take you both to dinner on your last night."
"Oh Shelly that's lovely. Where's Amy?" Mary looked round her soon expecting to see his girlfriend behind him.
"I believe Amy and Penny have invited Missy round for a 'girls-night' so don't expect much conversation out of Missy on the flight home!" he sniggered.
"Well this is a lovely surprise Moonpie." Shooting her daughter a look. "We were just finishing our packing so we didn't have to rush tomorrow. Have we got time to finish?"
"Oh yes I have booked a table here but not until later, I am going to stay tonight then I can come see you off tomorrow."
"Oh Shelly." Mary crossed the room to hug her son, she wasn't used to him showing that kind of consideration, "That is such a nice thing to do."
"Yes... well..." Sheldon began to feel a bit embarrassed by the attention his plan had caused so said "Well I will let you finish and I will come and get you for dinner at 7."
Finding his own room one floor up Sheldon unpacked his pyjamas and moved to the bathroom to unpack his wash bag and set up his toothbrush. He moved back into the main room and looked around. He had stayed in lots of hotel rooms recently and thinking back to how he had freaked in Boston he smiled to himself. That had been a beautiful room. Turning on the television Sheldon sat on one of the hard backed chairs near the desk to watch a repeat of something he wasn't even sure what the name was. He knew if he sat on the bed he would fall asleep. He felt tired and wished he was at home, but he also knew he needed to do this. Spend the evening making sure things between him and his mother were OK before she left.
He had collected the 2 women and escorted them to the restaurant, Mary was thrilled to be spending the evening with her son and kept her hand on his arm right up until their meals arrived.
"So Moonpie, how was it going back home and to work today?" Meemaw asked seeing the shadows under his eyes and knowing he was trying very hard to disguise his tiredness from his mother.
"It was good." Sheldon smiled. "I confess to having missed just doing my job. Although I had been back to the university after London I know now I can progress without interruptions. I feel I have so many ideas I want to get down sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day."
"Well make sure you don't work too hard," Meemaw said softly. "You need a balance Sheldon."
Her calling him by his given name made Sheldon look at her closely, she did it so seldom he knew if she called him Sheldon whatever was to follow was important.
"Don't let your work consume you to the point you loose focus on what you have achieved." She said softly.
"Oh Meemaw that's just it my focus is what is making me make those achievements. I can feel so many answer so close now."
"Sheldon, I am not talking about physics. I am talking about Amy. Don't loose yourself in work at the expense of Amy."
"Oh Meemaw I could never do that. Amy understands. She feels the same about her field. We help each other."
Meemaw nodded not sure Sheldon had fully grasped what she was trying to tell him but she could see the love he felt for Amy was strong so knew she had to trust him.
Mary watched the communication silently, she had always marvelled at how her mother communicated with Sheldon. She could also see Meemaw trying to warn Sheldon against falling back into his old routine. Mary considered the words, would it be so bad for Sheldon to go back to his old routines of work and comics and trains?
Yes, even she could see that just his being here tonight, reaching out to them not because he needed something but because he wanted too, was all due to the influence Amy had on him. She had taught him to look at others not just for his own needs.
"Sheldon, you look tired." she said gently "Why don't we go back upstairs so you can call Amy and wish her goodnight then get a good nights sleep before you come with us tomorrow."
Sheldon nodded. "OK, but I don't think calling Amy will be very productive, I have seen the result of girls night and I doubt I would get much sense out of any of them."
"That may be so but still...I am sure she would like to hear your voice non the less.."
Paying the bill Sheldon took the women back to their room promising to meet them for breakfast at 8. Returning to his own room he took his phone and decided to send Amy a text rather than call.
"I hope you are having a good evening, please ensure Missy is not too incapacitated! I will talk to you soon. S x
Washing and changing Sheldon got into bed and was soon fast asleep.
73~73
Having endured tears from Mary and enjoyed hugs from Meemaw Sheldon watched them pass through the gates to go find their plane. Turning to return to the taxi rank Sheldon decided to go back to 4A.
On entering the apartment he smiled. He moved to make himself some tea then went to sit in his spot. As he looked around he realised how long it had been since he had been here alone. Taking his now empty cup to the kitchen he picked up the bag he had placed on his desk and moved to his room. He lay on the bed and soon was asleep again. It was knocking on the door that woke him and sitting up was surprised to see it was nearly dark outside.
"Sheldon are you in there?" Came Leonard's voice from the hall.
Standing Sheldon moved to answer the door.
"Hey buddy what's wrong?" Concern evident in Leonard's voice as he searched Sheldon's face.
"Nothing." Sheldon replied frowning, "why?"
"Well you didn't come to work. Amy said she hadn't heard form you either. How long have you been back here."
"Err probably since about 11." Sheldon said realising for the first time just how long he had slept for. "I was tired. I hadn't meant to sleep that long."
"As long as you are OK. We have food if you want to join us?" Nodding Sheldon moved down the hall and saw Penny sat on the sofa.
"Hey Sheldon, love the hair!" she grinned. Sheldon reached up to smooth down his hair while scowling at Penny.
"How was Meemaw and Mary, sad to go?"
"Well momma was crying but that's not unusual." Sheldon noted, "They all seemed fine. Missy looked tired and was very quiet!"
Penny grinned "yeah she will probably sleep today too!"
"So was girls night a success?"
"Yes it was great. But my shift at work tonight was long!"
Shaking his head Sheldon said "Was Amy in a similar condition?"
"Yeah pretty much, I think she was hoping to lock herself in her lab and hide today!"
"I will go check she is OK." Sheldon stood and retrieved his laptop before going back to his room.
Amy dint answer the Skype call he put through so Sheldon sent her another text
"Penny informs me you may be feeling a little under the weather due to last nights celebrations. Do you require me to come look after you?"
Sheldon sat for a while waiting to see if Amy would respond and when no answer came he began sorting his clothes; knowing a midweek laundry session could well be needed until he could re-establish his routine.
"Hi Sheldon, no need to come over, water and painkillers doing the job, going to have an early night A x"
Shrugging at the response Sheldon continued sorting. He then moved to the kitchen and gathering the cleaning supplies from under the sink began to clean his room. The therapeutic comfort from cleaning soothed Sheldon and having moved from the bedroom to the bathroom he felt relaxed enough to shower and go back to bed.
It was only once in bed he realised how he had actually felt upset by Amy not wanting him to go over. Deciding it was probably because like him she wanted to get back into her routine Sheldon let himself relax into sleep.
73~73
It was Friday. Sheldon realised not only had he not seen Amy since his mother had left he also hadn't spoken to her. He had sent her a few texts but other than to reply she hadn't contacted him at all.
Had he upset her? Sheldon crossed the hall and knocked on Pennys door.
"Good evening Penny I wondered if I could come in."
"Of course you can Moonpie, you don't have to sound so formal."
"Penny you know full well only Meemaw."
"Yeah yeah. Come on, what's up?"
"Have you spoke to Amy lately?"
"Yeah. I spoke to her earlier, I am just going to hers now, why?"
"Oh no reason." Sheldon began backing up toward the door, "Thanks Penny." and he was gone.
"Whackadoodle!" Penny laughed.
She finished getting ready and made her way to Amy's. The girls had decided to have a Mexican night, chilli and margaritas. Amy she discovered on her arrival had got in to the spirit of the evening by putting on a poncho and sombrero and was grinning as she opened the door.
"Hey Ames, looking good!" Penny grinned.
"Hi Penny, you didn't dress up?" She sounded disappointed.
"Sorry!" Penny grinned "hey what's up with your crazy boyfriend? He came to see me earlier was even more odd than normal."
"Why?"
"I don't know really; just asked if I had spoken to you then when I said yes and I was coming here tonight he just said OK and left, literally backing out of the door."
Amy slumped down onto the sofa. "Oh Penny its my fault. I have been ignoring him... well not ignoring him; but we haven't spoken properly or spent time together since his family left. Remember I said I wanted my routine back, well I have it back and within a day I realised I hate it! I don't want my routine Penny, I want Sheldon. I want him so bad I am scared to talk to him. He offered to come look after me and I said no because I knew I would not want him to leave. Penny I'm scared."
"What on earth is wrong with you Amy!" Penny was cross. "Do you not realise how much Sheldon loves you. He has done so many things to change to be with you and you want that too. Why have you not told him!"
"Because I have always said what we had was enough and now I don't think it is. Penny I don't want children but I do want Sheldon. I want the wedding and the home and the slippers by the fire. I have always said I didn't and he was happy we wanted the same thing. If I told him I wanted more he would think I had tried to trap him."
"Oh Amy, you cant ignore him that's not fair. The poor thing looked stunned tonight when I said I was seeing you. Poor Sheldon I bet he thinks he has upset you and he has done nothing wrong. Amy call him now!
73~73