Okay, so this was planned to be the last chapter, but it is not. The characters refused to cooperate with me, so the end is another chapter away. But good news is, that this chapter is full of that Shamy family fluff that was missing from this fic until now.

2026 Nick

After I got home I don't go to school the next day which is Friday, so I'll only have school on Monday. On Friday I mostly sleep, while Dory's in preschool, but when I wake up, Mom tells me I have to learn. Maybe I'm a genious but I missed school for more than a week, and even if they didn't learn anything useful or new, I still have to know what they've learned about. So I sit down read parts of the schoolbook. Maybe any other time before I would have just told Mom that this is a complete waste of time and my schoolbooks are garbage, but I still feel so much regret, so I'll spend at least an hour with them. So damn boring. But Mom really appreciates my effort so she cooks mac and cheese for dinner which is my all time favorite. While cooking I'm with her in the kitchen and she starts to ask me about my trip again.

" So Nick… Will you finally tell me what was you plan? " she asked putting the cheese grater down. We are sitting by the table.

" Well…" I hesitate. I've never told this anyone, not even Debbie. She asked too of coruse not even once.

" You told yesterday that there was no bigger plan. But I refuse to believe that. You knew you'll run out of money once. What was your plan? There won't be any consequences. I just want to know. "

" Mom, there was no…"

She raises her brows. I nod.

" I planned to travel through the country, maybe just for another week tops, then I would have wanted to end my trip in Texas and wanted to go home to Meemaw then ask you all to stay with her and live with her. I'm sorry, that was stupid. I was just really unhappy then. And I thought you would take me seriously after not seeing me for that long. "

Mom takes a deep breath then swallows before talking.

" Is that what you want? " she asks. She is serious.

" No. Not anymore. " I answer.

" Are you sure? "

" Yes. I realised I was wrong. And I can't leave Dory here anyway. And I didn't want to hurt you either. I want to be here with you. I missed you and Dad a lot. " I say. I try to be honest. She gives me a hug.

" We missed you too. " She says softly and gives me a hug. Finally no one else is around as I really hate when everyone sees that I'm Mommy's little boy, so now I really do hug her back and even I climb to her lap and just sit there for a while with my head leaning on her shoulder and just let her give kisses to my hair and caress my shoulder. I feel like I never want to let her go ever again.

After that we won't talk about my running away, but enjoy the weekend together, as on Saturday we go to the zoo and Mom invites Dad too, which is a huge step forward and they don't even argue with each other the whole day. It's good, almost like we're a family again. I grab Dory's hand and take her with me to the zoo's playground, only to leave Mom and Dad together alone, as I'm not into playgrounds and neither is Dory. I don't know ehat are they talking about but they seem delightful when we go back.

Dad loves koalas, so we spend just half an hour there, and we're still all so polite to each other that only Dory dares to complain. After the zoo Dad says he wants to return the favor so he invites us all to celebrate at a restaurant. He gives a waitress a hard time while ordering as he always does and usually Mom gets pissed and they start a fight, but now she only smiles and rolls her eyes quietly. She still apologizes to the waitress while Dad's in the bathroom. After that Aunt Penny and Uncle Leonard come over with Justin and Maya. Aunt Penny hugs me tightly and says she's happy I'm back. It does feel good to hear, but it actually leads to an argument between me and Justin, who notices my weird feelings and claims that Aunt Penny is his mom and she only loves him. I know that I should really shut up now, and so do I, so I only smile at Justin and ask him to come to my room to look at all the souvenirs I got. They are mostly tickets and free flyers as I really was on a strict budget and still spent a lot of my Mom's money. The whole day is just amazing, but after the Hofstadters leave, it ends and Dad kisses us goodbye in front of our house. He gives one kiss to Mom's cheek too. My sister is really enthusiastic later and she asks me whether I've seen that and she is really hoping things will change back to normal. I nod to her, but I rather feel sadness than hope. I think now they are just friends. It's better than fighting, for sure, but would it be too much to ask them to love each other? Maybe it would after all. Dory asks me to sleep in her room, as she missed me so much lately and I can't refuse.

On Sunday Dad comes and takes us for the afternoon. This time I can tell he is prepared. Maybe he asked Mom for advice. He made food, like real food with vegetables in it, and he figured we'll build a Lego spaceship together at his apartment. He takes us back and promises to find an opportunity to meet with us soon. Dad can be actually fun, and I do miss him a lot when he's not around, but there's nothing I could do.

On Monday morning I'm kind of nervous about going back to school. Mom notices this and tries hard to give me a pep talk in the car in the school parking lot, and tells me that I shouldn't be upset, and whatever happens I will always be his son and I should just call her and she'll be there anytime and she'll take this bullying thing more seriously and will do everything to stop it. It's kind of her actually, and it makes me feel a little better, but I still have to go in there alone.

2026 Sheldon and Amy

Sheldon was back at work and it felt like heaven. He missed his white boards, his office, lunch with the guys and he really missed feeling okay again. After spending the weekend with Amy and the kids mostly he felt oddly complete and had been only a little nervous thinking about going home today after work to his life, to his apartment which both seemed even more empty now, after really spending some time with Amy, than when he moved in. The only great distraction from work was a phone call from his divorce lawyer, but he simply ignored the problem by muting his phone and not answering. This strategy wasn't a winning one, the problem literally knocked on his door in person. Amy was wearing a dark blue knee-length skirt with a simple white shirt and a cardigan. According to Sheldon she looked gorgeous.

" Hi. My divorce lawyer called. We have a hearing on Thursday. " she said without hesitation.

" Yeah, my lawyer called too. Or at least tried." he answered. " Come in. "

" You didn't answer you phone, did you? I don't want to bother you. " she answered.

" You're not bothering me. " Amy walked in and sat down on one of the chairs in front of his desk. She looked at the white boards.

Sheldon was insecure but instead sitting behind his desk he opted for moving the chair next to Amy's halfly facing it.

" I'd like to offer you anything, but I only have a half bag of oreos. "

" If it's not a problem I'd like to have some. I really forgot what it is like to get ready in the morning with two kids and I only had half of Dory's sandwich today, which she refused to eat. "

He checked the drawer then put it on the table, the bag facing Amy. She started to eat mumbling thanks. Sheldon didn't know what to say. He would have wanted to ask whether Amy plans to go to that meeting with the divorce lawyers, but he wanted her to speak about this first, so he waited. Amy was looking around probably fighting the same thoughts as him, but then her eyes settled for his whiteboards.

" Wow, that's really remarkable, Sheldon. " she said pointing to that. " I mean all this makes sense, but I would have never thought about it myself. It's cool. When do you plan to publicate it? "

" Probably next month. " he answered.

Amy nodded.

" What do you think, is Nick all right back at school? I imagine the first day of school after running away exhausting and rough. " he said.

" He was a little nervous in the morning, but I hope he's okay. "

" Me too. " he agreed looking at her.

" Sheldon, we have to speak about our divorce hearing. " Amy said finally. She seemed straightforward. Sheldon didn't like this, it reminded him of the powerful Amy who didn't need him and who would just kick him out of her life anytime.

" I know. " he nodded avoiding eye-contact.

" Sheldon… Is everything okay? " she asked. She sounded worried. This was Amy after all, he reminded himself, and all his beliefs about how easily she could get over him was proved wrong.

" Yes. I just don't know what to say. " Now he looked back into her eyes. " You know how I feel about this. You should decide. "

" The truth is Sheldon, that I don't know how you feel about this. That's why I came here. I wanted to ask you. "

" I told you already that I missed you. I also told you that kissing you does feel right to me. I don't know what else do you expect from me. " This sounded pathetic, but still he didn't have a chance but to say it out loud.

" Yes, you actually did say that, but then Nick came home and you left and now we're pretending we're friends, but we actually avoid talking about anything that's real. " she answered.

" You've never asked me to stay. "

" I've never asked you to leave either. "

A long pause came to the converstaion both of them looking at each other a little surprised.

" I thought that was what you wanted. Anyway you promised me to think about all this. " Sheldon broke the silence.

" And I did and I do. I just wanted to collect additional data before giving an answer to my lawyer about Thrusday. But I think now I made up my mind. Thanks. And thanks for the Oreos. " she said standing up.

" Wait. I'd like to know what conclusion have you come to. "

" You'll know it in time. " Amy smiled at him. " I have to go now. Bye, Sheldon. "

Sheldon was left speechless and completely distracted from work. Amy was still a Vixen in deed. He spent the afternoon trying to read something easier so he decided to read Kripke's last article, but it was not enough to stop him thinking about Amy. After walking in circles for a while for no reason he checked his phone. Two more calls from his divorce lawyer and a message from Amy. So that's it. He was nervous. He opted for the message first.

Did you call your lawyer back?

He snorted then dialed.

" Hello it's Dr Cooper. "

" Ah, Dr Cooper, I wanted to call you earlier. We would have had a meeting on Thursday, but Ms Fowler cancelled the appointment because she said she already made plans for that day that can't be delayed, then she asked for a later appointment. Unfortunately her request has been accepted and I could only get you the earliest appointment to next month, but I really think that's something we could really use. I mean she's clearly hindering the process. "

" Doctor. " Sheldon corrected him. " She is a doctor. And we're not divorced yet, so technically she is still Dr Cooper. "

" Sure, Dr Cooper, but calling her Dr Cooper too would be a little be confusing, wouldn't it? " His lawyer was a middle-aged man usually really strong minded.

" It's her name. Anyway, thanks for calling. Looking forward to meet you next month. " he said. „Or never." He added just after cancelling the call.

What are your plans for Thursday that can't be delayed?

He sent to Amy immediately. She answered back in seconds.

I don't know yet. I was hoping you'll find out something.

Sheldon didn't know how to respond to that.

Does that mean…?

He was too afraid to complete the sentence. He was now grabbing tightly on the phone waiting for Amy's answer.

That I want to re-estabilish our tradition of Thursday's date nights? Brilliant observartion. Exactly.

He smiled widely. Now it was almost like flirting.

In that case I'll pick you up at 7. What about the kids?

Well, we could send them on a roadtrip through the whole country. I know, I know, it's too early to joke about that. Actually, my Mother is coming to visit and she'll sleep at our place on Thrusday, so she'll be with them. She will be furious when I tell her I'm going on a date in the evening.

Sheldon let out a tiny laugh.

So you can't stay late. :( He wrote back. He hoped Amy would not misunderstand his intentions. He was victoriously smiling when he read her next message.

You know how I love upsetting my mother. I have to stay late.