CHAPTER 42

"I'm going to feed Nicky and then we'll be ready to go. Sheldon, why don't you wear that pair of Star Trek cufflinks I gave you some time ago? I think they would look great with your outfit?" Amy kissed Sheldon on his cheek and headed to the kitchen where Nicholas waited anxiously for his lunch.

Sheldon thought Amy's suggestion was an excellent idea so, immediately he looked for those Silver Star Trek cufflinks. He had always liked them but, he'd never had the opportunity to wear them because he very seldom dressed with formal suits. Today it was the perfect day to wear Amy's gift.

Sheldon unlocked one of his closet's drawers where he kept his precious treasures: his most valuable comic books, his science's awards, the cufflinks Amy gave him, and... that little blue velvet box with a present waiting to be given, for more than one year. Sheldon had always looked for the right moment to give that present to Amy, but the time went by so quickly and that gift was still waiting for her.

Sheldon took the cufflinks and put them on his shirt, he fixed his bow tie while staring at that little blue box for a few seconds; resolutely he grabbed the blue velvet box and put in his pocket. He left the room.

Upon reaching the living room, Sheldon remained silent as he looked at Amy. She was lovingly feeding Nicholas. Amy didn't notice that Sheldon was staring at her.

Mother and son were in the middle of a charming scene; as usual Nicky would rather play than eat. He wanted to eat by himself; he wanted to hold the spoon and try to take applesauce to his mouth like a big boy. There was only a little problem… apparently it was funnier for Nicholas when he took the applesauce with his own hands, between giggles and laughter, an occasional spoonful reached his mouth.

Amy laughed very happy while playing with Nicholas, trying to keep the baby's lunch away from the little tuxedo he was wearing. Sheldon smiled, feeling a warm sensation in his chest. He had everything he loved, next to him.

"Nicholas! Please be a good boy and let your mommy feed you!" Sheldon used his severe father tone.

When Nicholas saw Sheldon, he raised his little hands in the air, asking his father to hold him in his arms. "Daddy" Nicky said and his father's face brightened.

"Nicholas, you want to eat by yourself, ah?" Sheldon held the baby and tickled his tummy. Nicholas laughed happily. "Are we ready to go? We don't have much time." Sheldon asked Amy.

"Yes, we are ready; we have the diaper bag, Nicky's food and his clothes are in the car. Let's go now! I don't want to be late for my bestie's wedding" Amy was excited to share such an important day for Penny and Leonard.


Isabella Wollowitz was sleeping in Bernadette's arms. Howard thought she was the prettiest girl in the world, and it wasn't only because she was his daughter; indeed she was really beautiful, just like her mother.

Izzy as her parents affectionately called her, had just turned six months old. The baby girl had a very a soft, fair skin and she was as blonde as Bernadette, her light blue eyes were very similar to Howard's eyes.

"Izzy" Nicholas announced happily with his tender little voice, when he saw Isabella at the distance.

The Cooper family affectionately greeted the Wollowitz family as they entered the church where Leonard and Penny's wedding would take place. It was a wonderful day; the sun was shining on a cloudless sky. The church was decorated with white and pink flowers as Penny had wanted.

Sheldon and Howard took their places as groomsmen, along with Raj. Sheldon had won the honor of being the best man, defeating Howard and Raj in a game of Mystic Warlords of Ka'a. Penny had decided that both Amy and Bernadette would be her maids of honor.

Isabella and Nicky looked at their parents from the front row, sitting with their grandmothers. Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Wollowitz chatted animatedly, commenting how adorable their grandchildren are.

"It's getting late and Penny isn't here!" Leonard wiped the sweat from his forehead with a white handkerchief as he paced nervously in front of the minister. "She's coming, right? She's not going to leave me. Is she? Why would she do that? After all this wedding was her idea." Leonard began to hyperventilate; his voice was very sharp, his throat felt dry as he compulsively adjusted his tie.

"Calm down Leonard! Penny will be here at any minute. The brides always get late for their weddings. It's a tradition." Raj tried to comfort Leonard.

At the moment, Raj couldn't help but look at Alex Jensen; she was wearing a beautiful light blue dress. Alex waved her hand gently. Raj blushed and waved back. During the last year, Alex and Raj got to know each other, mainly communicating through text messages. They were quite close and very good friends.

The melody of the wedding march, announced that Leonard's waiting had come to an end. Just when he was considering the possibility of running out of the church, Penny finally arrived.

All the people at the church turned to look at the bride who was standing at the entrance. Penny looked beautiful in an ivory white strapless dress, with a delicate lace veil framing her wavy blonde hair. A bouquet of roses in the same shade of coral as the bridesmaids' dresses completed the outfit.

Leonard's heart jumped in his chest, with a frenetic pace; his breathing became increasingly heavy and his hands were sweating uncontrollably. Penny walked down the aisle, holding her father's arm. Penny's father was smiling joyful and proud, knowing that Leonard was the best choice for her daughter.

Beverly Hofstadter, Leonard's mother, always severe and inexpressive; wiped a tear that ran down her cheek, with her handkerchief. She felt extremely happy to see his son marrying the woman he loved.

Penny and Leonard held hands at the instant they were together. This was actually happening, this was the moment that Leonard had waited, since he met Penny many years ago.

Penny hadn't noticed how much she wanted this to happen until she was next to Leonard. Her eyes couldn't look at anyone but him; suddenly she was aware of every heartbeat and every breath between them. The minister's words sounded distant, as if they're attenuated, as if she was dreaming. She didn't want to wake up.

Meanwhile, Sheldon and Amy listened to every single word the Minister was saying, feeling as if the words were intended for them. Their gazes intensely connected when their friends exchanged vows. Amy and Sheldon became one with the other as they quietly repeated the same promise their friends swore.

"I, Leonard, take you Penny, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part". Leonard smiled at Penny and firmly held her hand. "That's all I want to do for the rest of my life, that's all I've ever done since the first day I saw you. I love you!"

A few seconds passed in which a deep silence fell over the church. Penny looked at Leonard's eyes. A tear ran down her cheek. "Why doesn't she say a word?" Leonard gulped, thinking that the worst would happen.

"Leonard, you're the best! Everything that has happened in my life has been worth it just to get to this moment. I love you" Penny burst into tears of joy and finally said: "I, Penny, take you Leonard, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

The minister continued with the ceremony. Leonard and Penny couldn't stop looking at each other. They were now husband and wife; they hoped their happiness and love last forever.

"Leonard! You may kiss the bride!" those were the words Leonard was waiting. They joined their lips in the most romantic of kisses.

"What a beautiful ceremony! Don't you think Sheldon?" Amy was touched to see how happy their friends were.

"Yes it was nice indeed! But a ceremony in Klingon, as I suggested… mmm, that would be certainly beautiful!" Sheldon added.


After the ceremony, Penny and Leonard shared a moment with their friends, as they left the chapel, just before heading to the wedding reception.

"Raj, please take us a picture with Nicholas and Isabella" Penny asked her friend. She was holding the lovely baby girl in her arms. Nicholas laughed cheerfully when Leonard hugged him.

Amy and Sheldon said goodbye to Nicholas when the little boy had to go; Mrs. Fowler, her grandmother was going to babysit him.

Nicky's parents weren't pleased with the thought of being away from their baby for so many hours but it was probably the best, because he would surely get bored at the reception. Sheldon and Amy wanted to share this moment with their best friends Leonard and Penny. Amy's mother would take good care of Nicholas.

The reception took place in a lovely cottage in the countryside. Penny wanted an outdoor wedding reception. It was a sunny afternoon, in February.

Sheldon and Penny sat on a table decorated with white lilies and coral roses in a tall glass vase, under the shade of a canopy made with delicate white fabrics.

"Amy, you are very quiet. What's going on?" Sheldon took his girlfriend's hand and stroked it gently with his thumb. An upbeat song played while Leonard and Penny danced in the middle of the floor.

"I know it's silly, but I miss Nicky. Not even two hours have passed since he left, but I need him" Amy admitted.

"Aw, I miss him too, princess! But I know he's having way more fun with your mom. This party is a bit boring for a boy like Nicholas; they don't even have a Make your own sundae bar!" Sheldon tried to comfort Amy.

"Shall we dance?" He asked as he rose from his seat and offered his hand to Amy.

"Of course, let's show everyone how to do it!" Amy took Sheldon's hand and they headed to the dance floor. They danced each song with their own pace, regardless of the people who stared at them; as if they were alone on the dance floor.

They danced to rhythmic and joyful songs, slow, soft songs, and some brave attempt to dance Latin music, until their feet hurt from so much exercise.

A romantic song played, when the sun was going down the horizon. Sheldon gently held Amy around her waist as she put her hands on his shoulders, resting her head on his chest. For Amy and Sheldon there was no one else around, just the two of them. When the music stopped, Sheldon leaned to kiss Amy's lips. "I love you" he whispered.

After a delicious dinner and a slice of the wedding cake, it was time for the bride to throw the bouquet, as it was traditional in every wedding. The single women gathered around the bride for the bouquet toss, they hoped to be the next one getting married.

"Bestie! I'm going to throw the bouquet! Watch out! I'm going to throw it directly to you!" Penny told Amy.

Penny wanted Amy to catch the bouquet. It wasn't that she actually believed in those superstitions but Amy was her closest friend and she deserved the bride's bouquet.

"Penny, I'd love to catch the bouquet but... Wouldn't it be cheating? I mean, theoretically I'm not single." Amy looked at Sheldon; he was talking with the guys at the distance.

"I know, but you aren't married. This is just for fun. I want you to have the bouquet" Penny winked knowingly.

All the unmarried girls got together while Penny stood on a chair and turned her back on the crowd. Amy fixed her eyes to the bouquet; she will get it. "Three, two, one!" Penny threw the bouquet.

"Oh my! I did it! I caught the bride's bouquet!" Amy was incredibly thrilled.

Sheldon couldn't help but smiling when he saw her so blissful, holding bouquet like a trophy.

An hour later Leonard and Penny said goodbye to their friends and their family. They had plans for their honeymoon. The joy they felt was immense.


"What a day! Leonard and Penny looked so happy." Amy said as they walked hand in hand to the car.

"Yes, of course they looked happy. Marrying Penny has been Leonard's dream from the first day he invited her for dinner at our apartment. I knew this day would come sooner or later" Sheldon said, as he opened the car door for Amy.

A few months ago, Sheldon had learned how to drive, and every day he was more confident to do it. He knew that Amy'd drunk one or two glasses of champagne during the reception, so he preferred to drive.

"Are you going to drive?" Amy asked.

"Yes, it will take us a little more to get home, but we'll be safe" Sheldon stated.

At about ten p.m. and after an hour of driving, the car suddenly stopped. Sheldon tried to start the engine again, but it was futile. When attempting to start the car for the fifth time, Amy and Sheldon realized they wouldn't get very far.

"Uh-oh! It looks like we'll have to find a place to spend the night. Sadly with all my theoretical knowledge about internal combustion engines, I can't get this car to start. Fortunately I studied the route in advance and I think there's a small and cozy hotel just 10 or 15 meters away from here. It's too late to find a mechanic. Thank God Nicholas is with your mother!" Sheldon was a very bad liar and Amy could tell immediately that he had planned it all. Nevertheless, Amy played along with him.

Sheldon left the car and with great gallantry, he opened the door for Amy. She held his arm. He took off his tuxedo jacket and gently put it on Amy's shoulders.

The hotel was a cozy Victorian house, with light green walls and a tile roof. A truly delightful place! Sheldon knocked on the door, which was decorated with an exquisite stained glass of colorful birds and flowers. The receptionist welcomed them immediately.

"Good evening! Do you have reservations?" The receptionist asked Sheldon and Amy.

"No, we don't" Amy said quickly.

"Good evening! Actually… we do have reservations, on behalf of Ricardo Shilly - Shally and Tondelaya della Veintimiglia" Sheldon smiled, as she grabbed Amy's hand tightly. "Ha ha!"

"Ricardo Shilly - Shally? " Amy was dumbfounded.

"Well… Einstein von Brainstorm was very obvious," Sheldon whispered in Amy's ear.

"Yes, here it is. Ricardo Shilly... Shally ... Umhmm… Honeymoon Suite" the receptionist checked the computer, confirming the reservation.

"What?" Amy was definitely surprised.

A. N: It's getting increasingly fluffy! Ha ha! Please... Read and review!