I can't believe I am posting the last chapter of this story today. It has been so long, and I am really going to miss this.

I cannot thank all of you enough. I will never be able to tell you, how much your reviews mean to me and how happy it makes me that there are people out there, who enjoy my writing.

You might notice that I am posting two updates today. The second one is not a real chapter, but a little bonus. I have worked on this universe for such a long time. I have posted 64 chapters. Both stories together are about as long as five average novels. It was so much fun to work on it. So, I'd like to share a bit of my process with all of you, by including some of my notes on how this universe COULD have looked like. That's what the second update is about. Maybe you're not interested (I won't be offended if no one reads it), but maybe some of you will find those notes as amusing as I did.

This is not a final goodbye though. I am already working on several new stories, one of which I will be posting in only a few weeks.

Also, I will definitely revisit this universe at some point. For once, I have not forgotten that I have promised to write a naughty little one-shot from Sheldon's POV and I intend to keep this promise. I also think that there will be other one-shots and shorter stories set in this universe, but that might take a while, as I want to focus on other things first.

I want to clarify a few things, before you read this chapter, to let you know what you can expect:

For once, I chose to focus on one special day in their new life three years later. So, this chapter will not be answering every single question about their life. For example, I chose not to include Amy's parents in this one. Let's just pretend that Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are on vacation somewhere on this day. There is also only a little bit about their jobs. Those things might be included in another short story set in this universe. Instead, I am focusing on how they managed to keep a bit of Medford in their lives. There's a lot of love in it, some remembering and also a bit of humor. Also, there's not very much happening. Mostly, it is a happy day, with lots of conversations that answer a few questions and then... one... bigger event at the end. I hope you'll like it, even if there are still some unanswered questions.

Also… I want to explain something about the name of Sheldon and Amy's first child. As some of you may know, I already had them name a child after Meemaw in one of my stories. I did not want to do the same thing again (because it just would have felt too repetitive). I know, it would make even more sense in this story, but still, I chose to go another way to still honor this part of their lives.

Now, I hope you will enjoy this last chapter!

Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, and it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Balancing Heaven And Earth
Chapter 32 – "Remember When"

~ Three years later~

Sheldon's POV

When Sheldon woke up on a beautiful day in early September, he wasn't aware that it would be a very special day that would once more change his life in a profound way.

He woke up, not to his alarm, but to the first rays of sunlight passing through the curtains.

Sighing contently, he stretched out his limbs as a smile spread on his face.

Instinctively, he reached for his lovely wife. There she was, lying next to him. Still fast asleep. Her nose whistling like always.

She was on her side, facing away from him. It was the most comfortable position for her to sleep in nowadays.

Sheldon moved closer to her, so his body was brushing against hers.

This was his favorite part of the morning. Inhaling her scent and feeling the warmth she was exuding.

For the past years, this had become his morning routine. And although he was a man who loved all his routines, this had to be his favorite one.

Gently, he lifted her nightgown and let his fingers slide over her side, before he reached around and caressed her belly.

It seemed, it had grown even bigger overnight, although that was hardly possible.

After all, Amy had been complaining for weeks that she hardly fit into any of her old maternity clothes anymore.

He let his hand wander over her abdomen, trying to feel if there were any movements.

"You're a little sleepyhead, huh?", he murmured. "Just like your mommy."

He kept moving his fingers, from Amy's side to her bellybutton. Up to her ribcage and down to her hipbones again, adding a bit of pressure.

And then, finally, he felt it. One small, gentle kick against his hand.

"There you are.", he whispered lovingly. "So, where have we left off last night? Right… so… as I told you, three years ago, when your mommy and I moved into this house, we were already expecting your older brother. Those were… a very turbulent few months. You see, Medford, the place we moved away from in order to get where we are now… back then, it was the most amazing place your mother and I had ever lived in, and we missed it so very much. There was… so much change. Moving into our new house, going to work at the university, meeting all these new people. It was overwhelming, especially to your mommy."

He felt another kick and smiled.

"I know, I know, I have told you this story already. But it's not like you can go anywhere, so just listen, will you? Anyway, your mommy… you must know, she's the most brilliant woman in the whole world. Everyone at the university was amazed by her abilities. Not just in the lab, but also with the classes she was teaching. She liked her new job very much, so I guess that was the easy part of moving here. But other than that, both of us struggled with our decision for a very long time. Living here felt strange. Especially on choir practice nights, your mommy and I used to sit on the couch and just be sad together, thinking of all the things we left behind. We…"

He sighed deeply before he was able to continued.

"We almost moved back after the first few weeks. It's only because of Missy that we stayed. Missy and your older cousin Joshua. This move… it was exactly what they needed. And they needed us too. So, we stayed. And we did our best to be happy with our decision. Which of course was difficult, because as you know, your mommy was pregnant and… she was so emotional. Every little thing made her cry and a minute later she was laughing again. God, you have no idea how irrational she was back then. At times, I had no idea how to interact with her anymore."

He startled, as he heard Amy's soft voice interrupt him.

"Sure, it was me who was irrational, not the man who spent a month in his office, trying to invent a form of teleportation that wouldn't destruct the person who was being teleported."

There were two more kicks against his hand.

It seemed his little girl was agreeing with her mother.

"She's not even born yet, and already she's mocking me.", he pouted playfully.

"Of course she is. She knows women need to stick together."

He caressed Amy's belly once more, and after promising himself that he would finish his story later, he moved his head up to kiss her cheek.

"Good morning.", he whispered. "You're awake early."

"Of course I am, with all the kicking", Amy grumbled, gifting him a lazy smile. "You just had to go and wake her up, huh?"

"I'm sorry.", Sheldon said sheepishly. "I just… I cannot wait to meet her."

"S'okay.", Amy said and turned around slowly, something that her big belly didn't really make easy for her. "I love that you are so excited."

She held his cheek and kissed him sweetly. Sheldon pulled her body close and smiled as he felt another movement from inside of her. Against his own abdomen this time.

Even with this being the second time he was experiencing these sensations, it still felt unreal to him. There was a whole little person inside of Amy. A person who already reacted to the sound of his voice. A little human being who, he felt, already had a little personality.

She was much more active than his son had been at that time. And he could swear, she was particularly excited when he read his theories to her.

Amy was already a week past her due date, and he had taken the week off, so he wouldn't miss a second of his daughter's arrival.

And as they lay there together, like so often, kissing and caressing each other, reveling in the calm of the morning, Sheldon couldn't help but feel amazed.

For five years, he had known this woman. And he would love to say that he loved her just as much as on their first day, but that would have been a lie, because with each day, he only loved her more. Every facet of her.

He had loved Amy, the High school teacher, as much as he had loved the harp player and the choir singer. Of course he loved Amy the scientist, and he admired her for becoming a professor. He loved Amy, the feminist who was fighting for an improvement for women working in the field of science. He had loved her when she was his friend. He had loved her when she became his girlfriend and only a little later his fiancée. But nothing could have prepared him for the way he loved her as his wife. And after his son was born… oh boy, there were no words for how much he loved Amy, the doting mother to their little son.

"How are you feeling this morning?", he asked her. "Does your back still hurt?"

"It's not too bad.", she reassured him. "I just feel… like a stranded whale. I'm getting bigger and bigger, and there is still no sign of the birth being imminent."

"None?", he clarified. "Still no contractions? Because I remember, when Charlie was born, you had them for almost a week."

"Well…", Amy shrugged. "I guess, our little princess is just a bit too comfortable where she is right now. So it seems, I'll feel like a whale for a while longer."

"For what it's worth...", he said and grinned at her. "You are the prettiest whale I have ever seen."

With that, he cupped her face and kissed her lips again. Sweetly. His hands roaming over her body, letting her know that whale or not, to him she was the most beautiful, most desirable person in the world.

Of course, as was the fate of any parents with little children, their peaceful moment was interrupted only seconds later.

"Mommy, Daddy, I'm awake!"

The door was swung open, and a small boy with sleepy eyes toddled over to them on his tiny feet, carrying a teddy bear in his arms.

Sheldon loved this too. This bright, happy voice of this bright, happy little kid.

"Good morning, Charlie.", he answered and pulled away from Amy, lifting the blanket, so his son could crawl up into bed with them.

The little boy was a spitting image of himself. The only difference were his eyes, that had the same beautiful shade of green as Amy's.

With a content sigh, Charlie lay down between his parents, closing his eyes for another few minutes.

Ever since their son had learned to sleep in his own room, this too had become a routine, and Sheldon couldn't be happier about it. Starting out the day with the two people he loved the most. A day that started like this could only be a good day.

"Can I see my little sister today?", the boy asked excitedly.

"I'm afraid not.", Sheldon said, running his fingers through his son's soft hair. "Your little sister has decided that she would like to stay inside of mommy for a little while longer."

"Aw, man…", Charlie pouted. "I want to meet her."

"She'll be with us very soon.", Amy promised.

"Wait, I have an idea.", the boy said and crawled out of bed again. He returned only a minute later, before Sheldon could even wonder about his idea.

Then he came back to their bed again, carrying the plastic guitar that his Uncle Jared had gifted him for Christmas.

He sat down next to Amy's belly, moving his head close to the big bump.

"Oh no…", Amy whispered, just before the first, very disharmonic notes.

"Good morning, sister.", Charlie chanted. "Come out and play, play, play. Come out and play, play, play."

Sheldon tried to stifle a laugh as his son repeated his line again and again. It looked so cute, how he was sitting next to Amy's giant belly, serenading his little sister.

It was a lot of noise though and Amy still looked very tired.

"Come on, Charlie.", he said softly. "We can go play in the living room together. And later, if you want, you can help me make breakfast."

"Can we make waffles?", the toddler begged. "With strawberries and cream?"

"Of course we can.", Sheldon promised.

"But you already handled bedtime last night.", Amy protested and tried to sit up. "I can get up."

"Don't you dare.", Sheldon said firmly and kissed his wife's cheek. "You'll be giving birth soon. You should be the one who gets to sleep in."

Amy smiled at him lovingly. "You're the best husband in the world, you know that?"

He smiled back.

"It's not hard to be the best husband to the most amazing wife."

He gently kissed her lips before he took his son's little hand into his and went downstairs with him.

Sheldon had to admit, he did not just do this for Amy. He genuinely loved these mornings when he got to spend some quality time with his little son.

He was growing up so fast. It seemed like yesterday, when he and Amy had brought him home from the hospital. He remembered the joy when he looked into his son's sleepy eyes for the first time. He remembered the unimaginable happiness mixed with a bit of anxiety.

But contrary to his fears, Sheldon felt, he had really grown into his new role of being a father.

And so there they were. Mixing batter together, Charlie standing proudly on his little footstool, carefully listening to his father's instructions.

They were cutting up strawberries, when there was a knock at the front door.

"Aunt Missy!", Charlie said excitedly and jumped off his stool to let his favorite aunt in.

"Surprise!", Missy chanted, as she walked inside, followed by Raj and… someone unexpected.

"Granny!", Charlie shouted and jumped into the visitor's arms.

"Mom, you're already here.", Sheldon wondered, and wiped his hands to go greet his mother. "I thought your flight was going in the afternoon."

"I took an earlier flight.", his mother remarked as she picked up Charlie and hugged him tightly to her chest. "I couldn't wait a second longer to see my grandchildren again. I cannot believe how big they've all gotten. Look at you, Charlie… oh my sweet little boy."

Sheldon stood by and watched this endearing exchange.

Even though he did not see his granny as much as he would have liked, Mary Cooper was still Charlie's favorite person in the whole world.

"Mary?"

They heard Amy's voice long before she came waddling around the corner. She sounded just as pleasantly surprised as he was.

"Oh, Amy, look at you!", his mother exclaimed. "You look like you are ready to pop!"

"I am…", Amy replied as she hugged her mother-in-law. "Believe me, I absolutely am. And it is so good to have you here again, Mary."

Sheldon knew, this was nothing but the truth. Although they had just visited her two months ago and saw her on videochat almost daily, Sheldon knew that Amy missed her on every day she wasn't here.

"So, how long can you stay this time?", he asked casually as he set up the waffle iron.

"Well, I was planning on staying for one month after the birth, but I can always extend my stay as long as you don't feel I'm intruding."

He smiled. Of course, his mother was going to extend her stay. After Charlie was born, she had stayed in their attic apartment for six months, and after that, she had visited every other month for at least two weeks, resulting in the close relationship she had with the little boy.

"You are never intruding, Mary.", Amy stated as she started setting up the table. "You are always such a big help. And I am sure, you being here will make it easier for Charlie to adjust to our new situation."

"Amy, please sit.", Raj demanded and grabbed the plates from her hands. "I can do this."

Amy looked like she wanted to protest, but by the look on everyone's faces, she must have realized there was no point.

She grumbled something about being a useless hippo and handed Raj the stack of plates before sitting down on one of the chairs.

'Pfffffft…'

A loud sound resonated through the room as she sat down, and everyone turned to Amy whose eyes had widened. Her face resembled a tomato.

"That wasn't… I did not…", she stuttered.

"It's okay, Amy.", Missy told her with a grin on her face. "When I was expecting Ellis, I stank up the place like a moose on a cabbage diet."

"But… but I haven't…", Amy stammered. "I promise, that wasn't…"

Sheldon looked at his son who was hiding behind him, giggling gleefully.

"Charlie.", he said sternly. "Please tell me you didn't…"

"He did.", Amy stated and retrieved a red, crinkled cushion from underneath her. "I told you it wasn't me. I guess we need to find a better hiding place."

"Where did you even get this?", Mary asked her grandson.

Charlie was still giggling and unable to answer. Sheldon knew he should probably scold the little boy, but he couldn't. Not when he knew who really was to blame for this.

"Where do you think he got it from?", Sheldon pouted. "I give you a hint. Said person was staying with us two weeks ago. And he just loves to provide your grandson with stupid, inappropriate gadgets like this."

"Georgie?", Mary asked, a smile spreading on her face as she lifted Charlie and sat him on her lap. "How nice."

"Nice?", Sheldon exclaimed. "You call that nice? Last week, Charlie put it on my desk chair as I was writing on my whiteboard during a conference with a group of scientists who are currently testing one of my theories at CERN. Imagine their faces when I sat down again."

"Well, what do you know, my nephew has found a way to make science fun.", Missy snorted.

Next to her, Raj seemed to have a hard time holding back laughter.

Sheldon sighed deeply and continued making waffles.

He had to admit though, it was hard to stay mad at his older brother.

A year ago, he had branched out and opened a tire store in Los Angeles. And while he still mostly resided in East Texas, he often came to stay with them, to check on his new business.

Georgie had made it sound like a simple business decision at first, but of course, everyone knew the true reason.

Like everyone in the family, he adored his little nephew. And Charlie loved the silly gifts just as much as the fun trips Georgie would take him on whenever he was here.

"So, Raj, Missy, tell me…", Mary said as she too sat down at the table. "How's the wedding planning coming along?"

His sister and his friend shared a loving smile.

It had taken a while, but half a year after Missy had moved to California with them, she and Raj had changed their relationship status from "friends who were courting" to "officially dating".

From there on, things had moved slowly but steadily.

A year ago, they had put together their savings and bought a small house, only two blocks away from him and Amy, and just a few months ago, they had officially become engaged.

Sheldon had never seen Missy or Raj as happy as they were now. And while it had taken him some time to get used to his sister dating one of his best friends, he had come to realize that he loved having Raj be part of his family.

And of course, Amy loved that she was finally getting to be her best friend's maid of honor. Even though, not surprisingly, Raj was doing most of the wedding planning.

"It's going great.", Missy answered, beaming at her fiancé. "We have finally agreed on a venue and a theme."

"It's going to be epic.", Raj added. "We'll be getting married Indian-Texas-style. We managed to book an elephant on which we will be riding to the aisle, wearing cowboy boots and hats. And during the reception there will be line dancing to the music of Arijit Singh. The bridesmaids will be wearing Saris, and the groomsmen will be dressed as cowboys. And also… oh, you'll see soon. I don't want to spoil all the surprises."

"I never thought, getting married a third time would be this much fun.", Missy added.

"Well, you know what they say, third time's the charm.", Mary nodded. "So have you decided yet, if you are going to take your husbands… interesting name? Kooth… Kootra…"

"Koothrappali, mother.", Missy reminded her. "And yes, we have come to a decision."

She took her fiancé's hand and smiled at him lovingly.

"Both of us are going to hyphenate.", Raj announced proudly. "Mr. and Mrs. Koothrappali-Cooper."

Sheldon turned off the stove and carried the waffles to the table.

"That's fitting.", he said as he put the first one onto his son's plate. "You'll be the Koo-coos."

He winked at Amy who started giggling at his comment, before he sat down next to her and grasped her hand under the table.

Even his mother seemed to be holding back laughter, as Raj and Missy's facial expressions turned from happy to mortify.

"I guess we did not think that through…", Missy finally spoke. "Maybe… we should just keep our names, like Sheldon and Amy did."

"But…", Raj protested. "We wanted a family name. You know… for our children…"

"For your children?", Amy asked. "So, the adoption went through?"

"Harvey has signed over his parental rights last week.", Missy confirmed. "We told Joshua and Ellis yesterday and they are thrilled. We will have the adoption ceremony during the wedding."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!", Amy exclaimed. "I'm so happy for all of you."

"Me too.", Mary agreed, although her voice sounded strange. "But… am I right when I am assuming that this is not what Raj meant?"

Only now did Sheldon notice his friend looking down at the floor slightly uncomfortable. He replayed the conversation in his mind. Family name… for our children…

His eyes shot to his sister.

"Missy… you're…"

"Oh my God!", Amy squealed and got up to hug her best friend. "Congratulations! Why didn't you say anything?"

"It's still so early…", Missy said sheepishly. "And also… I wanted to wait until you've given birth. This is your time. I did not want to steal your thunder."

"Steal my thunder? Missy, I couldn't be happier.", Amy told her. "Our children are going to have another cousin."

"Actually…", Raj chimed in proudly. "Your children are going to have two new cousins."

"T… two?", Mary croaked. "You… you are having twins? Oh, that's so wonderful. We have to celebrate. And… of course I can stay longer if you want me to. To help you with your pregnancy and… I know how to care for twins, so…"

"Yeah, I don't think she'll leave again anytime soon.", Amy whispered into Sheldon's ear while Mary and Missy kept talking about the pregnancy.

He did not know if Amy was right. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. After all, his mother had always been very adamant on staying in Texas.

But she wasn't getting any younger and with three new babies in the family… maybe she was starting to look at things differently.

They resumed eating breakfast and catching up on their lives.

After finishing his fourth waffle, Charlie, who apparently got bored by the adults talking, jumped from his granny's lap and went to play in the living room.

Sheldon and Amy told everyone about the new developments in their careers. Just recently, Amy had been put on the tenure track and Sheldon's new theory had caught quite some attention in the science community.

Raj and Missy talked about their impending trip to India, during which she was going to meet his parents.

And Mary updated everyone on what was happening in Medford.

Jared and Greg had adopted a little girl that was now filling meemaw's house with joy and laughter. Ruth and Daniel had become great-grandparents. The choir was still going strong.

Of course, none of this was new information. After all, Sheldon and Amy talked to their Medford-friends regularly and they still participated in at least one or two choir projects a year.

Raj got up and helped Sheldon clean up the table, when Charlie came running back from the living room, carrying his little plastic saw with him.

He ran straight up to Amy and interrupted the conversation that was still going on.

"I've got an idea.", he shouted. "I'm making Caesar salad."

With that, he put the plastic saw on his mother's belly and started "sawing".

"C… Caesar salad?", Amy wondered. "Baby, what are you talking about?"

"I want my sister now.", he explained and continued with his mission. "I'm getting her out."

"Oh…", Sheldon realized and grinned. "You mean you want to perform a Caesarian section."

"Yeah. Ceasar salad.", the little boy repeated continued with his mission.

"He must have remembered that from the book we've got him.", Amy explained, and patted her little son's head.

"Well, aren't you the smartest little boy.", Mary cooed and gently took the toy from him.

Sheldon went over to his son and picked him up.

"You know, Charlie, we are all waiting for your little sister. But she isn't quite ready yet. Until then… why don't we all go for a little walk in the park?"

The park was one of Charlie's favorite places, so of course he didn't have to be asked twice.

And so, that's how they spent the next couple of hours.

Despite her condition, Amy insisted on tagging along. So, he held her hand, making sure she would not walk too fast, watching for every sign of discomfort, ready to take her home again.

Missy was walking on her other side, and the two of them were talking about both their pregnancies, while Raj was walking in the front with his mother and Charlie.

Sheldon smiled to himself.

It was crazy, how much his life had changed over the past few years.

And even though here he was again, in California, working at the university… things had turned out so differently to what he had expected.

His life… it did not revolve about the same things it used to when he was living in Pasadena.

Of course, he still met his friends. Sometimes over lunch at the University. And about once or twice a month, they managed to get together to play board games, while and Amy and Missy met with Penny and Bernadette for a girls' night.

But more often than not, it was just the four of them. Him, Raj, Missy and Amy.

They had become their own little unit.

They had not planned for it to happen, but living in the same neighborhood, all of them raising kids… it just had happened naturally.

He and Raj had joined the local Dungeons and Dragons group that met up once a week. Amy and Missy had become part of a group of mothers who organized events for all the children in the neighborhood. And recently – he was immensely proud of it – Amy's reputation had gotten her elected on the school board.

And of course, there was Charlie.

Naturally, he was enrolled in the CalTech daycare, like all their friends' children.

But – and in a way, this was ironic, considering how hard he had fought for his office – very often Sheldon found himself standing in front of his whiteboard, missing his boy while working on theories. And so, whenever it was possible, he picked his son up and took him home to work from there instead.

And funnily enough… on many days, when he went to get him, he discovered that Amy had already picked him up. He would then find the two of them in Amy's lab where Amy would prepare for her classes, sometimes with a sleeping toddler wrapped to her body, sometimes with him playing with blocks or coloring as she worked.

He had moved one whiteboard to Amy's lab just for those occasions. So the three of them could be together.

It seemed that all the things that seemed so important a few years ago… his friends, his schedules, even his office… they weren't a real priority anymore.

He was thriving in this new life as a husband and father.

And although he would never forget those years he got to spend surrounded by his friends… and the deep, family-like friendship he had formed, especially with Leonard and Penny, he had to admit that this was another thing that had shifted.

They were still important to him. He would always love and cherish them. But lately, the almost unthinkable had happened.

Due to shared experiences, Raj had slowly replaced Leonard as his best friend.

After all, both he and Raj knew what it was like to feel abandoned. To be lonely. And also, what it was like to find love where they least expected it.

Today, they were able to talk to each other in a way that their other friends would never understand.

The same went for Missy and Amy.

And now, they all would be raising children that were born only months apart.

He couldn't wait.

After a few hours of watching Charlie play in the park, they all decided to head back home.

Mary was carrying the little boy who had fallen asleep in her arms while Missy and Raj excused themselves to pick up Ellis from pre-school.

And just as they entered the house, they heard happy voices from a few kids passing by their house.

Sheldon looked out of the window, his heart swelling in his chest.

There was little Joshua, walking home from school.

Technically, he wasn't that little anymore. At almost ten years old, he was now taller than most children in his grade.

He was walking with three other boys. Sheldon knew them all.

Sometimes, after school, the four of them hung out here, playing with his old video games.

They were good kids. Friendly and well-behaved. And most importantly, they adored Joshua.

Joshua turned his head and waved at Sheldon, a big grin on his face.

Maybe this was the best thing about moving here.

The little traumatized boy who had felt lonely and miserable almost all his life… he had friends now. A happy mother. A good father he could always depend on. And his favorite Uncle and Aunt in walking distance.

Sheldon waved back at him, feeling proud of being a part of this development.

Later, his mother made dinner for everyone and once they had finished eating, she insisted on putting her youngest grandson to bed.

"You two should head to bed too.", she suggested. "Amy, you look exhausted, and you, Sheldon, should rest too. You'll need all your energy once your little one decides she's ready."

And so, half an hour later, he found himself lying in bed, watching his beautiful wife as she was trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in.

"Do you still regret it?", he couldn't help but ask.

Amy looked at him, a hint of confusion in her gaze.

"Do I… regret what?"

"Our decision to move here.", he clarified. "We always said we were going to evaluate after a year. Well, it's been three years and we never did."

Amy turned on her side and looked at him thoughtfully.

"Sometimes… I find myself missing Medford.", she confessed. "I don't think that will ever stop. I wish there was a way to be there more often. But do I regret it? Well… no, I don't. I don't think I ever really did. Sheldon, I love our life here. All things considered… I think there's no version of our lives where we could be happier than we are now."

"I agree.", he nodded. "Although many things have changed and there is a lot that we had to leave behind… I wouldn't want to change it for what we have now. And also… thinking back to what we had isn't painful anymore. Not like it used to be. It's… wonderful… to think about all the memories we have made there."

"So wonderful.", she agreed. "And we will always have those memories. And with your mother and brother visiting as often as they do… and the times we still get to see our friends from the choir… it doesn't feel like we have lost all that much when we left."

"We haven't.", Sheldon said thoughtfully. "And we have gained so much."

"Connie would be so proud of us.", Amy whispered.

Sheldon looked at her carefully.

Thinking of his Meemaw always felt bittersweet for both of them.

She was the reason for all of this. For the way they had fallen in love. For the courage and the strength, it had taken to take the leap and move back to California. And of course, for the precious little boy she would have loved so much, if she had ever been able to meet him.

Even though, they did not live in her house anymore, her memory was everywhere. And of course, they had dedicated a corner of their living room to her. Decorated it with pictures and her favorite flowers. Even Charlie already knew her name.

And once he was older, they would tell him all the stories about her, and of course also about the man he was named after.

Sheldon wrapped both arms around Amy and pulled her close.

"I love you.", he said softly. "I don't know if I am telling you enough. With everything that has been going on. But I want you to know, I have never loved you more than I do right now."

"Really?", she said as she winked at him. "Even when I'm looking like Moby Dick?"

"I already told you.", he said and rolled her eyes at her. "You are not a whale. You are carrying our daughter. And you have never looked more beautiful to me than you do now."

"I love you too.", Amy croaked. "I love you so much, Sheldon. And ever since we've started this journey… I just love you more. With each and every day. And… you do tell me enough. And even if you didn't… I would know because… you show me. Always."

And then, she kissed him again.

Their next actions happened so naturally. Buttons were opened. Clothes were thrown on the floor. Fingers caressing skin. Moans escaping their mouths.

Sheldon was hesitant at first. Afraid to be hurting Amy. Or their baby.

But then, she climbed on top of him determinedly, and all he could do was revel in their deep connection. They gazed into each other's eyes as they moved together. Slowly rocking back and forth. Holding each other tight.

Their heavy breaths and pleasured moans filled the room and for a while, everything else was forgotten.

Oh, how grateful he was for this. For every aspect of this relationship.

For having found a woman, who was… everything to him.

His first love. His best friend. His life partner. His trust and comfort.

He loved her. All of her. And he would never get tired of this. Of holding her. Loving her.

Watching her fall apart with his name on her lips.

She was magnificient.

His vixen who had saved his life and given it so much meaning.

A little later, the room was silent again.

Amy was lying next to him, snoring lightly, just like she did in the morning.

He waited until he was sure that she fast asleep, then he sat up and bent over her belly just like he did in the morning. He smiled as he noticed that his little daughter was already awake and moving.

"So… now that it's just the two of us again…", he began. "Let me continue my story. As I told you, leaving our home in Medford wasn't easy. It was so… comfortable there. We felt safe and we were so content. We were scared of leaving and of the changes that it could bring. But as it turns out… change isn't always so bad."

He sighed and caressed Amy's belly lovingly.

"You know how I believe in the 'Many Worlds'-theory. And I assume you do to, after all, you are my daughter. So maybe… no, definitely, there is an alternative universe somewhere, where your mother and I stayed in Medford. Where you and your brother are growing up in meemaw's house. And I am sure, that version of us is very happy there. But… you know what? I am glad that I am not in that universe. Because… look at how everyone's life has changed for the better. And I don't just mean myself or your mommy."

Sheldon smiled fondly.

"Look at your Aunt Missy who has finally found happiness. Look at Uncle Raj who has gotten what he has always dreamed of. And look at your cousin Joshua. All of this… it would not have been possible if we had stayed. And of course… look at the life your mother and I have built for you and your brother. I realized that sometimes… you need to leave your comfort zone. In order to grow and to see what else there could be in life. As it turned out… the best things… the things that are worth fighting for… I always seem to find those, when I leave my comfort zone. So…"

He placed a gentle kiss on Amy's abdomen.

"So… now it's your turn, my dear little girl. I know you enjoy being in there. Floating around in Mommy's belly… always with her wherever she goes, listening to her voice. It's warm and cozy and you cannot imagine leaving. Maybe you are a little anxious about how your life will change. I mean, you are my daughter. Of course you are anxious about change."

He grinned at his own remark, then turned serious again.

"I cannot promise you that your life will be as comfortable as it is now. Maybe it won't be at first. There will be all these lights and new noises and smells. And it will make you feel overwhelmed at times and all you will want to do is cry, and cry. But I can promise you this. You will not be alone. You will have me, and your mother, and your older brother. We will protect you. We will hold you, when you get overwhelmed. We will always be there. And we will love you so much, oh you have no idea. Oh, if there's anything this family has in endless capacity… it's love. And once you have adjusted, you will see all the possibilities and you will embrace them, just as your mother and I have learned to embrace this wonderful life. So please. Don't be afraid. Don't let us wait much longer. Because you will see… all those changes… they are worth it."

He did not know it at this moment but on that same night, Amy would go into later and he would become a father for the second time in two years.

And hours later, when Amy was asleep in the hospital room and he was cradling his tiny little daughter to his chest, he couldn't believe his luck.

Sheldon Cooper. Physicist. Genius. One of a kind. Brother. Friend. Lover. Husband. Family man. Father of two amazing children. Still and forevermore the happiest man alive.

How did he manage to get to live this wonderful life? How did he get so lucky?

He did not know.

But he knew that everything he had gone through… every little decision he had made on the way… every experience… it had gotten him to where he was now.

Even if the journey had been hard at times, he would not change even one little thing.

"Thank you meemaw.", he whispered into the void, to the woman who had made all of this possible. "Thank you for everything."