Chapter Six
The Klingon Agreement
Sheldon felt awash with emotions as he watched his beautiful bride walk toward him, emotions he used to fear and ignore but now embraced as he fell further in love with Rosemary.
Rosemary looked simply stunning, her dress resembling that of her Arwen costume for their first comic-con. The gown, an off-white pre-Raphaelite cut, delicate fabric flowing down from her sleeves which ended at her elbows, intricate beading below a scoop neck that accented her breasts nicely, pleased Sheldon greatly. And seeing how she added the turquoise jewelry, her hair flowing just how he liked it, brought Sheldon back to the very moment he first saw her, her black hair spilling down her back as she played Brahms on the piano. Brahms, which played now as she approached him, now just mere feet away.
He watched Elder Fox kiss Rosemary's cheek then offer her arm to Sheldon, who pulled Rosemary toward him and, without thinking, pressed his lips against hers.
"Hey, hey, watch it, Coopersaurus," laughed Yoshi, who pulled Sheldon back from his woman. "Wait until Dr. Johjima says you can kiss your bride."
The assembly laughed, and Sheldon suddenly remembered at least two dozen people watched them. He glanced out into the crowd and locked eyes with Penny, who winked at him. He smiled back before returning his gaze to Rosemary, remembering the advice Penny gave him the month before.
June 2017
"Wow, so they live here?" asked Penny as Leonard led her to Sheldon and Rosemary's door. "For some reason, I just imagined them living in the same apartment layout. Stupid, huh?"
Leonard kissed her as he knocked on the door. "It's a good place, they have all sorts of nerd art and photos up. But Sheldon always mentions something needing repair. Not sure if it's his obsessions or if the house is actually needing the remodels."
"From the Facebook photos of them working on the place, it looks like they have fun together," she sighed. "I want a house to do stuff to."
"Really?"
"Hell yeah. Getting kind of tired of the apartment. And that stupid elevator. So yeah, climbing the stairs is great on the legs but…"
The door opened, and Sheldon smiled at his friends.
"Hello Leonard, welcome back. And Penny, welcome to Tacoma. I trust the drive went well," he guided them into the house.
Sitting in the living room, Leonard, Penny, and Sheldon caught up, Rosemary not yet home from the capital. Sheldon began dinner after receiving a text she'd be home soon.
"Look at you, Sheldon," laughed Penny as he returned to sit with them in the living room. "Rosemary really domesticated you."
Suddenly, Rosemary, dressed in an elegant and feminine suit, burst in the door, arguing with someone on the phone. The three friends stared as Rosemary ended the call with a harsh good-bye. With a loud growl, she threw the phone onto the empty chair.
"Oh, hi," she said pleasantly, immediately replacing her past tone. "Sorry. Just another senator…trying to block my education bill. He's the only one…just…" She growled, but took a moment to kiss Sheldon.
Leonard, not knowing much about politics, looked to Penny, who asked, "Can someone do that, block your bill?"
"Well, no, but he is a powerful senior senator, his region has one of the largest school districts in the state. And he's a total asshole," she said, slumping down onto the sofa next to her fiancé.
"Is that Senator Wyatt?" asked Sheldon.
"Yes," Rosemary groaned.
"He's the one we had lunch with that day I visited the capital," Sheldon said.
"Yes, and you two argued about the new Star Trek movies," she sighed. "That's his only redeeming quality…he's a Trekkie. Other than that, he's a cold-hearted, son-of-a…"
"Give me your phone," said Sheldon. "I'll talk to him."
"You can play politics?" asked Leonard with a laugh.
Sheldon nodded. "I have an idea."
Rosemary shrugged and handed Sheldon her phone. "Last number I dialed."
Leonard shared a glance with Penny, who looked amused at the situation. Sheldon dialed and put the phone to his ear.
"Senator Wyatt?" he asked. "This is Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Rosemary's fiancé."
Sheldon paused, as if listening to a response, then began speaking again, this time in Klingon. He went on for several moments before pausing again, then continuing, his speech more forceful than ever. Leonard looked at Rosemary to see her grinning, eyebrows raised in delight.
The conversation ended abruptly, and Sheldon handed his phone back to Rosemary.
"You have his support," Sheldon said. "But we do need to give him our Michael Dorn autograph."
Rosemary shrugged. "Done. I'm more of a Riker girl anyway." She stood up and whispered into Sheldon's ear, Leonard noticing him blush. She then moved toward the kitchen. "I'll finish dinner, baby boy. You visit with your friends."
"I'll help," said Penny, leaping up and following Rosemary.
Leonard leaned toward Sheldon. "What did Rosemary say to you?"
Sheldon leaned in, grinning sheepishly. "She said she enjoyed my Klingon and would love to engage in some Klingon foreplay later this evening."
Leonard let out a laugh. "Klingon foreplay? Damn Sheldon, are you sure you're ready for that?"
Sheldon studied Leonard, looking puzzled. "I did fine the past two times."
Leonard felt his eyes widen, and leaned back in his seat, just staring at his former roommate. Sheldon had become quite kinky indeed.
Penny helped Rosemary set the table, asking about her father, the wedding, her work. Sitting down together, Rosemary asked, "So how are things in pharmaceuticals? You probably meet a lot of interesting people."
"I hate it," Penny said, surprising herself. Yet, she and Leonard talked about her dislike of her work throughout their drive north. "It's just, I came out to California to pursue acting, and I'm selling drugs."
Rosemary giggled. "Well when you put it like that..."
"I know!" laughed Penny, then felt a bit bitter. "And nobody but Leonard seems to support me. Bernadette keeps saying I'm lucky to be where I'm at. And Amy and Erik didn't even give me a chance with their film."
"Um, isn't their film a documentary about Gabon. AIDS orphans, chimpanzees, the culture and ecology?" asked Rosemary.
"Yeah, but they hired a narrator. And they didn't even ask me," lamented Penny.
"Who did they get?"
"Helen Mirren," sighed Penny.
"Wow! That's really cool. She's amazing," Rosemary said, then hesitated. "But I'm sorry you didn't get a chance."
"I mean I can do a British accent too," Penny said, than did her best impersonation of Julie Andrews. "Let's have a cup of tea and crumpets."
She watched Rosemary bite her lip, obviously trying to stifle a laugh. Penny finally burst out laughing.
"It's terrible," she said, composing herself. "But I liked acting. And I can do better than that stupid ape movie. I just need to be more proactive."
"Then do it! You said Leonard supports you?"
"Yes."
"Then you have all you need," Rosemary said, turning her attention back to the stove. "I never would have run for senate, but Sheldon gave me that little extra push. Don't let that dream die, Penny. You should love what you do. I love the museum, I really love working in the capital. You should love your work."
Penny fell silent as she watched Rosemary work. She turned toward Sheldon, engaging in some lively conversation with Leonard. What a difference two years makes. The Sheldon of two years ago lived in darkness, mourning his lost relationship with Amy, and now he was responsible for the happiness of another. Instead of the toxic romance with Amy, where he continued to subconsciously oppress and tear her down, always putting his emotional needs first, forcing things his way, he raised Rosemary up, encouraged her, supported her, made phone calls in Klingon for her.
"I'm so happy for you and Sheldon," Penny said. "Hey, do you have a bachelorette party planned?"
"Yeah, my sister has something planned with my friends around here," said Rosemary. "A week before the wedding. Not sure what, but she promised a lot of penis-shaped party favors."
"Those are the best kind of party favors."
Rosemary giggled. "Since I have so many family members coming, and we're trying to keep the guest list small, I don't have room for some of my friends and colleagues. But my aunts always give great gifts, so it's good. And Lillian has always been my best friend anyway." She paused. "I was a little worried about Sheldon, only having three family members coming, but he talks about you guys like family, so…it'll be great. Nice, small, intimate."
An idea sparked in Penny's mind. "Can I plan a small event? The day before the wedding? For you and Sheldon?"
Rosemary raised an eyebrow. "Sure. Anything penis-shaped?"
"No, but let's not forget the balls," Penny said.
Rosemary giggled again. "Okay, now you have my attention."
"It's a surprise," Penny said. "But it'll be fun, promise."
"Is balls a clue? Is this like a scavenger hunt?"
Penny shook her head, smiling. "I'm not Sheldon or Raj. No puzzles involved."
Penny and Leonard decided to stay with Sheldon and Rosemary, bunking down in the living room after a late night of board games. The next day they planned some trips on the ferries as well as Leonard learning his final commitments as best man.
In the small hours of the morning, Penny awoke on the sofa, Leonard sleeping on the floor, to see the still pajama-clad Sheldon enter the kitchen. She padded softly in after him as he turned on his expresso machine, then put a tea kettle on the stove.
"Oh, good morning, Penny," he said, pleasant and wide-awake. "Latte?"
"Ohhh, yes please," she said, leaning against the counter next to him. "Hey, Sheldon?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can I give you some unsolicited advice?"
Sheldon sighed heavily. "You always do."
"Keep doing whatever it is you are doing," Penny said, grabbing the milk from the refrigerator. "This is you, Sheldon. You did this. You became a man who is going to be a marvelous husband and maybe a father. You're a good man."
Sheldon paused, looking at Penny. "I've heard that a couple of times lately, but coming from you Penny, someone who's known me at my worst, means a lot."
Stepping forward, he embraced the shocked Penny, the two standing together for several moments before breaking apart and resuming their coffee and tea brewing activities.
Late morning the day before the wedding, Penny gathered together the younger wedding guests on the basketball court of the McCarthy's bed and breakfast. She stood before the assembled group, excited to announce her event, Leonard not even knowing. She told everyone to wear work out clothing, and she almost laughed out loud at seeing her husband dressed in basketball shorts.
"All right, so I thought since the bride and groom enjoy basketball, and Sheldon always talks about the basketball game he played with Rosemary the week they met, I want to hold the first annual bride versus groom basketball game!" Penny announced.
Sheldon raised his hand. "First annual implies we will be doing this every year and…"
Penny let out an exasperated sigh. "Never mind that…Bride versus groom!"
Everyone cheered. Penny gestured for Rosemary and Sheldon to step forward.
"The game is three on three due to the size of the court, so you can switch out players. First team to forty points wins," Penny explained. "And the winners get these medals."
She pulled some fake gold medals from a bag on the sidelines, favors she picked up at a party store on the way home from an audition.
"Oohhh," said the group in exaggerated fashion.
"How are we going to pick teams?" asked Sheldon.
"School yard pick," said Penny.
"No!" cried Howard and Leonard together.
But Sheldon looked very pleased. "I've never been in charge of a school yard pick before."
"Well, first I'm taking Amy out, since she is carrying her own basketball," laughed Penny, guiding Amy to a seat beside Elder Fox and Glenn, who came outside to watch the group play. She handed Amy a notepad. "You can keep score."
"And I am taking myself out of the game because I suck," said Yoshi. "I'm officiating the wedding, I can officiate the game too. And that makes things even."
Penny nodded, then turned to Rosemary and Sheldon. "Okay, rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock to see who picks first."
Sheldon won, and he turned to study the group.
"Lillian," he pointed to his future sister-in-law.
"Ha! First picked, suckers!" she said, running up to stand beside Sheldon.
"Hey, she's my sister! My matron of honor!" cried Rosemary.
"And terrifying. I don't want to play against her. She hurt me last time," said Sheldon, and the group laughed. "You can take my best man."
Rosemary looked at the group, meeting eyes with Leonard. "Sorry Leonard, but I need to go with height. Carson."
Carson nodded and walked to stand beside Rosemary. Taller than Sheldon, Carson towered over the entire group.
Sheldon turned to his friends again. "Erik."
Amy cheered from the sideline as Erik walked forward.
"What the hell, Sheldon?" cried Leonard.
Sheldon shrugged. "Erik taught me to play."
"Raj," said Rosemary. "I heard you still play on a team."
Raj grinned smugly at both Leonard and Howard, kissed Laura, and all but skipped to join Rosemary and Carson.
"Penny," said Sheldon. "Sorry Leonard, but I like to win."
Penny kissed her husband's cheek, then joined Sheldon with a high five.
Rosemary bit her lip in thought. "Olivia, any experience?"
Olivia laughed. "No, but I've been to several games at Madison Square Garden. Second row behind the bench. A player fell on me one time."
"Hmmm…Bernadette?"
"I'm cute and fierce and gonna be living near you soon," Bernadette smiled sweetly.
"Laura?"
"Played in high school, still run three miles a day and…"
"Okay, Laura," Rosemary picked, grinning over at Sheldon.
"Bernadette!" said Sheldon immediately.
Rosemary stared at the three left, Leonard, Howard, and Olivia.
"Olivia! Hoping some of that player's talent rubbed off on you," Rosemary said.
"Well, his sweat sure did," she laughed. "Total ew!"
Leonard and Howard stood, the remaining two.
"Always last picked," Leonard sighed.
"Leonard!" called Sheldon.
Left alone, Howard sighed and walked toward Rosemary's team, and for a moment, Penny wondered if there was still a bit of animosity between Sheldon and Howard. She wondered how things would play out when he and Bernadette moved to Seattle in the fall, Bernadette already having a job lined up. She'd overheard Sheldon say to Leonard the evening before he wished Leonard would move up instead. Things were definitely changing.
The game began, Penny expecting a silly competition with a lot of errors and laughter. What she got was a highly competitive battle between the bride and the groom, the couple seeming dead set on beating one another. Rosemary and Lillian, neglecting their freshly manicured nails, went head to head several times, name calling, their father laughing hard from his seat. Sheldon and Erik played well together, but at one point Sheldon accidently passed it to Carson, who played on his team back in Tacoma, allowing two-points for Rosemary's team.
"Thanks, Sheldon!" waved Olivia, blowing him a kiss before throwing her arms around Carson, who's usual serious face grinned in a mocking fashion at Sheldon.
In the end, Rosemary's team won by five points, the final point scored by Howard, the only basket he made in the game. Her team leaped up and down in celebration before everyone went inside for fresh lemonade made by Sally. Rosemary grabbed Penny in a tight, sweaty embrace.
"That was so much fun! Thank you," she said, before running up to Sheldon and slapping his butt. Sheldon grabbed her, wrestling with her before they kissed deeply.
Penny watched, feeling her heart swell with joy for Sheldon.
After dinner that evening, Leonard gathered the men for a small get together in the dining room doing what Sheldon requested for his bachelor party – Dungeons and Dragons. Howard organized a special wedding edition, but had to take a moment to explain the rules to Yoshi and Carson, the two having never played before.
"Cool," said Yoshi when Howard finished. "Okay, two more questions. How long does the game last? And can I be the thimble?"
After everyone got situated, Howard began the story.
"The beautiful princess Rosemary Fox has been kidnapped by the evil dragon and…"
"Wait, wait, wait," Yoshi said. "I don't think Rosemary would be stupid enough to be kidnapped by a dragon."
Howard sighed. "It's the fictional version of Rosemary." He looked back at his notes. "And now the brave knight Sheldon is charged with saving her, as well as the kingdom…"
Carson stifled a laugh.
"What?" asked Howard, Leonard sensing his irritation.
"I just know Rosemary," shrugged Carson. "She wouldn't wait around for the…um…brave Sheldon to save her."
"Yes," nodded Sheldon. "By the time we arrive, she will be just finishing beheading the beast. We enter the room to see her lick the blood from her dagger."
The table fell silent.
"Whoa, dude," said Raj, looking a little shocked. "Those are some rather vivid and dark sexual fantasies you're having."
Sheldon glared at Raj, but Carson broke in. "Does the grid pattern on the board have anything to do with the size of the dragon? And is it to scale with the figurines of the orcs and knights?"
Howard put his head in his hands, but Erik started laughing. "Honestly, these are legitimate questions. I just didn't ask the first time I met you guys because you all knew what you were doing. When I was a kid, my sister Jess and I invented a version of Dungeons and Dragons Monopoly using pieces from the Sorry game. It's what happens when you go camping and all your board games are incomplete."
"Yes! Let's do a mash-up! I wanna be the thimble!" yelled Yoshi.
An hour later, the men engrossed in the game, Rosemary came into the kitchen, carrying a tray of several empty glasses. Many of the women, friends and family alike, gathered in the living room to chat. But the crowd began to dissipate, most heading back to their rooms at other motels in the Cougar area. Leonard stayed with Penny in the room next to Sheldon's upstairs, Sheldon's mom and Meemaw sharing the other room. Missy would arrive very early the morning of the wedding, only staying the one night, taking over Sheldon's then empty room. The third floor housed the Fox party, Yoshi and Lillian, along with the bride. Sally and Glenn stayed up there as well, relinquishing their main floor room to Michelle and Thomas, as Elder Fox still recovered from his stroke and could not tackle the two flights of stairs.
Rosemary placed the dishes into the sink, looking over her shoulder at Sheldon. Leonard watched his friend smile longingly at her. She lightly kissed his cheek on her way out.
Erik bowed out of the game first to take Amy to their motel, sacrificing his character to a fire imp in noble fashion. Watching them leave, Leonard shook his head, realizing the Koster-Fowler baby would be arriving in about a month. So many changes…
Carson left next, merely knocking over his piece like one would a defeated king in chess.
"My apologies, Sheldon, but I find this game tedious and pointless," he rose and left without another word.
The five men played for another hour, Rosemary once again entering after some time, this time to retrieve a paper towel. She paused to run her hand along Sheldon shoulder, causing him to shudder and rise, following her.
"Whoa, stop!" cried Yoshi. "You are thinking about going to Rosemary's tonight, aren't you? Well, it's almost midnight. You can't see the bride on the wedding day before she meets you at the altar. Bad luck!"
Penny, Lillian, Bernadette, and Laura rushed into the room.
"You two can't sleep together tonight!" yelled Lillian.
"We weren't!" claimed Rosemary defensively.
"We're not?" asked Sheldon. "But…"
"No, Sheldon," said Penny firmly. "And Leonard and I will be sitting outside your door if you try to sneak up to see her."
"Yeah, Lil and I at Rose's," Yoshi said.
"We're not children…" Rosemary began, but Lillian cut her off.
"We've seen you. You making every excuse to come in here."
"Fine, then I'm going to bed now," she said, throwing up her arms and leaving the room, her footsteps fading as she went upstairs.
The group dissipated soon after, and Leonard found himself sitting next to his wife, leaning against Sheldon's door, both in their pajamas.
"You know, we're married. I can see you. Naked," said Leonard hopefully. "I don't care if Sheldon sees Rosemary tonight and…"
"I know you don't believe in astrology and fortunetellers and superstitions, but I do, and this is important because…because…I want Sheldon to be happy, successful, everything to work out," Penny said.
Leonard studied her for a moment, and gave in, leaning his head against the door, and peering at the Glamour Penny brought with her.
Inside the room, Sheldon paced back and forth like a predator at the zoo. He wanted to see Rosemary. Sure, they'd slept apart, when he went to conferences or she stayed in the capital, but she was right upstairs, just yards from him. Right above him…hmmmm...
Grabbing a chair, Sheldon climbed up and knocked softly on the ceiling, hoping the Hofstadters would not hear. He heard a return knock. Leaping down and running to the window, he threw it open and ducked his head outside. Rosemary looked down at him, her black hair framing her face.
"Sheldon! They've blocked my door," she giggled.
"You need to be rescued from the dragon!" he said. Without thinking, he began to climb out the window.
"Sheldon!" Rosemary whispered loudly. "You can't…you'll fall and…"
But love seemed to blind Sheldon to his past fears. Thankful for the Victorian-styling of the house and the steeply pitched roof and gables, Sheldon had plenty of angles to grab onto, and he soon fell through Rosemary's window. Rosemary slapped Sheldon on the shoulder. She looked terrified.
"Sheldon, you could have been killed!" she hissed, still in a whisper, Lillian and Yoshi right outside her room. "Are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy. My mother had me…" he paused. "Yes…yes, I'm crazy. Crazy about you."
He grabbed her in a tight embrace, kissing her passionately. Soon, they fell softly onto the bed.
Sometime later, Rosemary and Sheldon lay together, Rosemary still naked, Sheldon in just his briefs, having attempted to get up thirty minutes before only to be pulled back by his fiancé. Running his fingers through her hair as she lay on his chest, they talked about their upcoming honeymoon to Iceland, which they would be leaving for in three days. They reflected on the basketball game, Sheldon longing for a rematch.
"No way," said Rosemary.
"Yes," argued Sheldon, now leaning over her.
"No," Rosemary giggled back and began to tickle him.
Soon the couple rolled around laughing loudly, causing Lillian to burst through the door. Rosemary yelped and dove under the covers, Sheldon now standing in just his briefs beside the bed.
An argument ensued, and soon Sheldon ran from the room, past the sleepy Yoshi, down the stairs, to find Penny and Leonard leaning on each other, both asleep, in front of his door.
"Penny? Leonard? I need to get in before…" he said.
"Sheldon! I can't believe you!" yelled Lillian, startling both Hofstadters awake.
"Sheldon, why are you in just your underwear?" asked Penny, eying him up and down. Then realization dawned as she awoke further and stood with her husband. "How in the world did you…"
But Sheldon burst through his door, and slammed it behind him. He heard the others talking, then laughing, in the hall, but the house soon fell silent. He walked over to his still open window.
"Rosemary?" he called.
She again appeared, dressed now, smiling down at him.
"I love you, Sheldon Cooper," she said.
"I love you, Rosemary Fox."
"Marry me in a couple hours?" she asked.
"Yes."
"See you at the altar," she said. And then she was gone, her window closing.
Now Rosemary stood in front of her groom, smiling broadly at his bold kiss. She glanced out at the happy faces of the guests, but her eyes were drawn like magnets back to Sheldon's. She heard Yoshi clear his throat to begin his speech, and her heart leapt with joy.
Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing this quick little chapter and including most of the characters, both from the show and my OCs. Please let me know what you think. Only one chapter left of this story.
Next time, Dr. Sheldon Cooper and Senator Rosemary Fox wed.
Thank you for reading.