A/N: Okay back to Shamy. They are on their way to Mt. Rushmore. They are going to have a discussion, of course they are, what would you do with 7hrs? It will be about their upcoming trip plus some other things. I know Sheldon is OOC but I think he works in this story. I'm posting 2 chapters today...to make up for my lack of posting.
I don't own it...
Tuesday morning, Sheldon and Amy woke up early so they could begin the journey to South Dakota.
"According to the GPS, it is about 400 miles from here. It will probably take most of the day to get there." Sheldon said as he looked at the map on his phone.
"Do we have a place to stay when we get there?"
"Yes I made us a reservation at the Comfort Inn. It is about 11 miles from the sight. Plus I happened upon a deal this morning for Philadelphia. It got really good reviews on Priceline, 8 out of 10. It was the deal of the day. I had to get it. I haven't found us a place in Disney, but we could always stay on sight."
"Well we have some time to find a place there. I'm sure we will get something. Are we renting a car in Philadelphia?"
"There is no need. Philadelphia has an excellent public transportation system. It has buses, trains and the subway. We can get anywhere we want using that. We are staying near the airport. There is a train station right next to the hotel."
"Wait you are okay with the public transportation system? Since when? I thought you hated everything about it. You even have bus pants."
"We will mostly be riding trains Amy. We should be fine."
"Who are you and what have you done with my real boyfriend?"
"I have gotten much better with public transportation. Do you think Leonard drives me to your place every time I come over? And he certainly doesn't pick me up. I have become very familiar with the buses in our area. And I don't use bus pants anymore."
"Well I am impressed. But what about hobos?" She didn't know why she was asking this but she had to do it. "You checked the entire train when we went to Napa."
"Have I even checked once on this trip?"
She thought about it and realized she hadn't. She just shook her head.
"I told you it doesn't matter anymore. I will be fine on those trains."
"Okay, if you say so. What about in Florida?"
"Well I have been thinking. I know you want to go to Disney and we will but there is also Universal Studios. They have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I want to go there. They keep saying there will be one in our Universal, but I don't believe them. Plus the new park will be opening before we get there."
"That sounds like fun. I like Harry Potter. Let's go there too."
"Oh I am glad you agreed since I already bought the tickets."
"I said I would go anywhere you wanted to go. And besides I love theme parks. I would go to anyone. Especially if you ride the roller coasters with me." She added.
"Who said anything about roller coasters?" Sheldon asked her.
"You mean you won't go on Space Mountain with me?" She sounded disappointed.
"I didn't say that. I am just surprised is all. I didn't think roller coaster would be something you would like."
"Are you kidding I love roller coasters. How about you?"
"I enjoy a good roller coaster."
"Now that surprises me. I figured you would go with me but only because I begged you to go."
"Well to tell you the truth, I was afraid of them when I was little. My parents used to take us to Six Flags and they had a small coaster with a loop. I never wanted to go on it. One day my dad dragged me on it. He told me I had to get over my fear. And I loved it. I think I was about 5 or 6 at the time."
"He took you on a coaster when you were that young?"
"They didn't have as many restrictions when we were younger. If the parent was willing and seemed responsible they allowed the children on the ride. Plus I was always tall for my age."
"So you got over your fear by riding the ride. Kind of like that bird on your ledge a few years ago. Bernadette made you pet the bird to show you it wasn't that bad."
"I suppose you are right. I am still not a fan of birds though."
"So we will ride Space Mountain?"
"Absolutely and any other ride you want to ride."
"I love it! So besides the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia what else will we do there for a week?"
"Well there is the museum I mentioned. The Franklin Institute is what it is called. We went the summer after I started college. My mom thought if we went some place educational I would enjoy myself. She was right. I absolutely loved the museum. There is a model of a heart that we can walk through."
"That sounds amazing. Did you have anything else planned because I did some research the other night while you were in the shower and I found some things I think we could both enjoy."
"Oh yeah what are they?"
"Well the Constitution Center is right near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The website says it takes about 2 hours to go through completely. So we could maybe go there on the same day as the other two. I also was looking up some other museums and there was one that caught my eye. It is called the Mutter Museum. It contains a collection of medical oddities. I know you are not interested in what you like to call icky squishy stuff, but I would like to check it out if that is okay with you."
"If you want to do it, then we can do it."
"You know what else they have?"
"What's that?"
"They are the home to the America's First Zoo. It has been in existence for over 150 years."
"Wow that sounds amazing. We should definitely go there. Our trip seems pretty planned out then now."
"I guess it is. We are going to have a great time. But remember you do have some things to think about while we are on this trip."
"Yes but I will have another month once we get back to decide on my career, even though I am leaning towards staying in string theory."
"That is not what I am talking about."
"I know what you are talking about and I have given that some thought. I have decided since I was in the apartment first I am not going to give it up. I will simply tell Leonard if he wants to move in with Penny he will have to go to her apartment or find something bigger someplace else."
"When do you plan on telling him this news?"
"I am not sure yet. That will all depend on one very important thing."
"And what is that?"
"Whether or not I have a roommate when this trip is over." He smiled at her.
"What does that mean?" She wanted it to mean he wanted to live with her but she still wasn't sure she wanted to push the matter.
"Amy, I am using this trip as a gauge to see how well we get along. I know we have great communication skills and we get along great. I know you know my routine and are willing to drive me wherever I want to go. I just don't want to fight over this again. I know you want to live with me. I have known for a while. Like I said earlier this week, last year I was scared we were moving too fast. Now on this trip alone we have come further than we did in the first 3 years of our relationship. And it has been great. But let's wait a bit longer before we decide on that step. I hope you can accept that."
"I had a feeling this trip was a test. But I want you to know that I am happy with the way things are especially now. If you need more time, then we can wait."
"Well since we have been sharing a bed, I have never slept better. That in and of itself makes me not want that to end."
"Really?" She was surprised by his admission.
"I don't lie Amy. You know that. My mind has opened up to so much in the last week and I have you to thank for that. Maybe that damn psychic was right after all."
"The one that fed you some kind of malarkey? That was your line not mine. What did she say exactly?"
"I'm not sure I want you to know. I've always said those kind of people were extra jumbo mumbo jumbo. And that night I was so rude to the woman. I told her she was a fraud. So now why do I believe she was correct in what she told me?"
"I can't answer that because I don't know what she said. Sheldon, you can trust me, I won't put down what she told you. I have a feeling it has something to do with you and me. Am I correct?"
"Yes. I just don't want you to be angry."
"Why would I be angry? If she said something about us and you didn't believe it, that's fine. How can I be angry about that? I feel the same way about psychics. They are frauds. Please tell me what she said."
"Alright. She told me to give myself to our relationship. She said if I did all my other pursuits would come into focus."
"So let me guess, you think because we had sex and you are considering staying in the field of string theory, plus you may want to live with me, the psychic was right?"
"Sort of….it was more what Penny said not what the psychic said though." He was afraid to confess that Penny had laid it out for him.
"What did she say?"
"She basically told me the psychic was telling me that you were the key to my happiness. I wasn't really listening to what the psychic had to say but when Penny's words hit me I heard her. I looked at her like she was crazy. And they you know what I did? I ran away. I saw the truth in front of me and I ran. I was so hurt by you that night because you lied. I have already told you that my feelings had been changing since October. I was fighting it. And then you showed up at my door wearing that school uniform. Do you know how hard it was to turn you away? What kind of man does that?"
"Sheldon, you didn't run away from the truth you ran away from some mumbo jumbo. You think it is the truth now because that is what you heard but if you hadn't heard it would you believe I was the key to your happiness? I don't think so. You were upset that night because I lied to you. Why would you not run when some psychic told you that your girlfriend, who just lied to you because she was sick of you complaining, could possibly be the key? If you hadn't heard what she said that night would you be unhappy now?"
"No but…"
"Listen to me. You have an eidetic memory. Think about this relationship. When have you been happy in it? When have you been upset? Then think about your job. When have you been most productive? When have you not? If you think back, what that woman said makes no sense. You excelled in your job before you met me. You were happy in your life before you met me. What does that say to you? How does that make me the key to your happiness? Now, don't get me wrong, I know you are happy now. So am I. I am not suggesting we break up, but I want to know if things are looking clearer because of me or because you have the time to think about what is going on in your life. The only distraction you have is me. No one is pressuring you, not our friends, not your bosses and especially not me. You make the decisions. I will stand by you in whatever you decide."
"I suppose you are right. I was just thinking about what she said and it made sense. I guess you could look at what she said as more of a guide. You do make me very happy. I can't see my life without you in it. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Okay enough hippy dippy feelings. Let's play Counterfactuals."
They spent the rest of the car trip playing Counterfactuals and the license plate game. Sheldon found 20 different states and 3 Canadian Provenances.
They checked into the hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing. Amy decided to sit by the pool and read. Sheldon told her he would meet up with her later. He wanted to look for places to stay in Orlando. The truth was after the talk in the car and his declaration he had been thinking about something. He needed some time alone in order to put a plan into action.
Got any ideas? I bet you do...stay tuned.
All the ideas in Philadelphia are real. If you are interested in icky squishy things the Mutter Museum is definitely it...plus some really gross things as well. Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest in America...no koalas though...sorry Sheldon.
I know if you are a fan of the Harry Potter park it doesn't open until this week but for my story purposes it opens sooner.