CHAPTER 6

A little bit more than a month had passed and things between Sheldon and Amy remained fairly stable. Amy knew she couldn´t expect major changes in their relationship, but the occasional touch of his hand with hers or a sporadic and shy kiss really gave a new meaning to her life.

Sheldon was pleased with this recent phase of their intimacy. That physical contact (only kissing and holding hands), they´d decided to allow themselves, wasn´t in any way "excessive", and didn´t make him uncomfortable, plus he knew that Amy was one of his favorite people in the world and that made him happy. He couldn´t deny the fact that often, their growing closeness bring him new sensations, both affectively and biologically.

With increasing frequency, Amy´s image appeared on his mind, in the middle of his work or his sleep and without an invitation; she was always there, with her long, silky hair, her gorgeous green eyes, her smile… Ahh, Vixen!

Sheldon couldn´t help but suffer an inevitable tachycardia every time he saw her. On more than one occasion, he caught himself counting the minutes to be with her.

Gradually his situation had improved at work, he could concentrate better and the quality of his research finally reached his standard level. Sheldon was proud of himself.

As for Amy, her research in the field of neurobiology was about to achieve revealing findings on the brain chemistry of addiction, her colleagues commented that the possibility of a Nobel Prize was not so far away. Arguably, she had almost everything.

"I wished I had the opportunity to go back in time and tell myself (at age fifteen), that life is truly worth living". Amy thought while she was checking her e-mail.

Sheldon always used to send her e-mails, commenting the activities they could do in their upcoming date nights, at other times he sent her scientific articles that may be of interest or invitations to conferences and symposia they could go together.

Sheldon had written her an e-mail a few hours ago.

Dear Amy:

As you probably know, on March the 24th, we´re going to be able

to observe an unusual astronomical phenomenon

in the night sky of Pasadena.

I refer specifically to a meteorite shower known as The Lyrids

because the radiant of the celestial event is located in the constellation Lyra.

It is of interest to me that we enjoy this sighting

in the company of our group of friends and

Raj´s told me that we don´t need to take a trip outside the city

to visualize this phenomenon, we could do it from our building´s roof.

Fascinating!, isn´t it?.

For this reason I´m organizing a meeting that aims

to observe the meteor shower and also, celebrate

one of the best science fiction series, ever created: Star Trek.

You know I'm a free spirit and enjoy cosplaying,

so I recommend you to choose your outfit, according to the occasion.

I have selected a Spock costume already.

You have a week to prepare yourself.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper

B. S., M. S., M. A., Ph.D., Sc.D.

Amy thought this was an excellent idea, as every idea that comes from the unstoppable mind of her boyfriend. That date: March the 24th, caught her eye. Of course, that day was Sheldon´s Birthday. It would be an unforgettable day and Amy was going to do her best to make it perfect.

She knew her boyfriend didn´t like surprises or birthday parties, but Amy couldn´t lose the opportunity to make him happy. After all, that was her favorite activity. His smile was like an addiction for Amy.

And speaking of addictions; when Amy continued checking her e-mail, she noticed another message marked as important. It was an email from the Human Resources Department of the university where she worked. They communicated her that she´d been chosen to participate in a study of Brain Biochemistry of Addictions in collaboration with the University of Stockholm, therefore, she would have to travel to Sweden in two weeks. The duration of this program would be a month, with the possibility of extension of this deadline.

It was an excellent chance to achieve significant progress in her career. Amy was familiar with the quality of the laboratories and scientists in Sweden. At some other time, she would be thrilled by the news, but right now she had a bittersweet feeling.

It was an appropriate recognition of her work, however the idea of being away from Sheldon for a month or maybe a little more, wasn´t pleasant, at all.

Since they first met, they haven´t been apart for more than a few days. Amy decided not to worry about it, for now. She had to prepare herself for March 24th.

She could imagine Sheldon wearing his Spock costume, he would look so handsome. Amy already knew what to wear; she still had that blue Star Trek uniform. She smiled when she remembered the last time she wore that costume.

Sheldon was very excited with the prospect of seeing the Lyrid meteor shower, on the night of March 24th, and hoped that the sky would be clear enough; he wanted it to be an unforgettable event.

Sheldon have never been a fan of celebrations and birthday parties. In fact, he considered that have been expelled from the birth canal was not a cause for celebration, however, in his subconscious he was longing for that day to come, maybe because of the prospect of spending an evening in the pleasant company of Amy Farrah Fowler.

He knew that night wouldn´t be like any other, especially if Amy wears that Star Trek costume; which had caused him an occasional unsettling dream.

"Stop it Cooper, you have to focus and concentrate on your work", he told himself, shaking his head. For a longer time than he would admit; just thinking of Amy had caused him several symptoms that might well correspond to hyperthyroidism, various arrhythmias and other diseases. Although Sheldon had already, ruled out several pathologies, those symptoms had continued and worsened.

His phone ringtone brought him out of his reverie. It was Amy. She greeted him cheerfully as she always did.

"Hi Amy, I wasn´t expecting your call. To what do I owe this honor?", Sheldon asked as he smiled on her iPhone screen.

"I just wanted to confirm you that I read your e-mail and I think it´s an excellent idea although the Star Wars theme seems a little childish to me". Amy replied.

"Amy, it´s not Star Wars, it´s Star Trek!, Sheldon said, feeling somewhat offended. "Wearing a disguise is optional, but I would appreciate it, if you make an effort". Sheldon looked away so that Amy couldn´t read his expression.

"I'll see what I can do", said Amy slyly. "And by the way, what's your favorite kind of cake?"

"Umm, I'd say I've always liked chocolate cake. My Meemaw used to make the best chocolate fudge cake. Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious. See you later", Amy said goodbye.

"Yay! I have a week to prepare everything for the best birthday party Sheldon will ever have", Amy thought aloud while stroking a white lab mouse.