A/N: DOUBLE UPDATE! READ CHAPTER 24 BEFORE READING THIS!

-YlvaBorealis

EPILOGUE

Amy had spent years imagining what this moment would be like.

She would wake up, with her hair flowing over the pillow, the sun kissing her eyelashes as it shone through the window. The scent of musk and after shave would tickle her nose, and strong arms would cradle her to a warm, masculine body, the sweet nakedness awakening her lust once more. Just like in those romance novels she liked to read in her bathtub after a long hard day at work.

Well, she was naked, so at least she got that part right, but she was also alone. Her hair, which she had tied up into a messy bun the night before, was tangled into her hair tie and she gritted her teeth in pain as she slowly pulled it out. She was in dire need of a shower and coffee. Coffee… What time was it? Where was Sheldon?

Amy looked at the alarm clock on the night stand. 6.20. She smiled to herself: he hadn't even made a sound when she sat in his spot last night, and still some things never changed. Her boyfriend was a creature of habit, there just was no changing that.

She got out of bed, feeling sweetly tender, debating with herself whether she'd put on her clothes (which were now neatly folded onto the chair, including her skirt and underwear that had previously been scattered on the floor) or search Sheldon's chest of drawers for something more comfortable. She opted for the latter, digging through the drawers and finding a pair of shorts, pulling them on along with one of Sheldon's t-shirts. She decided she'd wash up after breakfast.

Shorts, shirt, glasses… Sheldon.

Suddenly she felt insecure. She didn't know what awaited her in the living room. Sure, this wasn't the first time she had slept over, and it wasn't the first time they had been intimate, but they had never gone all the way before and Sheldon had been fragile last night. Maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to accept his invitation to spend the night with him.

'What if this was a bad idea? What if he thinks I took advantage of him? What if he never wants to do it again?' she thought as she made her way to the bathroom. As she turned the taps to wash her hands, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She looked just like she always did in the mornings: messy hair, droopy eyes, dry lips. How strange, considering how different she felt. Of course she was happy that they had spent the night together, but she was even happier that he had finally opened up to her. The things he had put himself through for their sake, for their relationship, for their future… It was still difficult to process.

'He did all of that for me. Because he wants me' Amy thought as she dried her hands on one of the guest towels, making her way out of the bathroom.

The sight that met her when she entered the living room was identical to the one she'd pictured in her head.

There was Sheldon in his spot, his eyes glued to the TV, happily shoveling milk and cereal into his mouth. He was in his Monday pajamas even though it was Tuesday. Amy smiled to herself as she realized it was because he hadn't been wearing any last night but he couldn't wear his Tuesday jammies because they were for the night that was coming. Ah Sheldon, you wonderful, compulsive fool. How she loved him, this strange creature that was her boyfriend.

All of her insecurities washed away as she sat down next to him. Why would she doubt him? He had put himself on the line for her, enduring all kinds of misery in order to give himself to her. He obviously knew what he wanted.

"I took out a bowl and spoon for you"" Sheldon said, not taking his eyes off the TV.

"Thank you" Amy softly replied, watching him as he kept munching on his cereal.

"I would have loved waking up in your arms" she added, unable to resist sharing her fantasy with him.

Finally, Sheldon took his eyes off of the TV, turning to her where she was sitting next to him to explain himself to her.

"Every Saturday and Monday morning I wake up at 6.15, pour myself a bowl of cereal, add a –"

"…add a quarter cup of 2 % milk and watch Dr. Who on BBC America" Amy finished softly, smiling as she turned to watch the show.

Sheldon's mouth hung open, a baffled expression on his face. This woman… This wonderful creature… she was his.

Tentatively, as if fearing she was made of porcelain, he leaned into her, softly pressing his lips against her cheek.

She threw him a glance out of the corner of her eye as he pulled away, returning to his show and his bowl of cereal. Smiling to herself, she reached for the bowl and the bottle of milk, deciding it was time for breakfast.

"These are really good" she thought to herself as she munched along with her boyfriend, laughing along with him at the Doctor's shenanigans. Really good indeed.

THE END

TO MY READERS:

Alas, this story came to an end. I want to thank you all for your love and support: This would never have been possible without you guys. I have laughed, cried, derived myself of sleep, worked so hard I've gotten writer's cramp in both my elbows... And it's been nothing short of wonderful. This is the first serious piece of writing I've ever done in my entire life, and to be honest I wasn't sure where I'd end up with this. But now I know where to go from here and this has sort of awakened my love for creative writing, after a 10 year hiatus. I will continue publishing on this site, and I hope you guys will be there for my next big adventure. There are still many more Shamy stories to tell and for me... the fun has just begun.

- YlvaBorealis