Author's note: Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you'll enjoy my latest story updates (just in time for a little holiday reading. :-)). I promise to update my stories after the holidays as Christmas is the time for family and friends. Have a safe and blessed Christmas and New Year and happy reading to you all!

Be safe.

Chapter 45

"I really don't know how you've manage to deal with him all these years Leonard and I'm beginning to regret my decision in dating him." said Amy as she sat on the couch in Leonard and Penny's living room.

Sarah walked towards Amy carrying a cup of tea. "Have some tea aunt Amy." said Sarah as Amy took the cup from the child.

"Thank you Sarah, you're very sweet." said Amy as she took a small sip of tea before setting the cup down on the coffee table.

"Tell us what happened Amy." Penny said as Leonard sat beside his fiance.

Amy took a deep breath before deciding to speak. "We were having dinner at this restaurant, you know, for date night as per our 'Relationship Agreement'." said Amy. "I was telling him about the good news that I had from work but then all of a sudden, he started talking about his stupid comic books and stuff as if my good news was nothing to him." said Amy, taking another sip of tea.

Penny and Leonard sighed, looking at each other, having an idea of what really happened. "What was the work-related news you told him?" asked Leonard.

"Well, my paper on the Study of Neuron-Forming Networks got featured in the Journal of Neuroscience the other week." Amy said. "I thought he would be excited for me but he just kept talking about his stupid comic books." she added.

"The Journal of Neuroscience? That is a big deal!" said Leonard.

"It is?" Penny asked.

"It is a big deal Penny. Not to mention that I'm the sole author to that paper." Amy said.

"That really is a big deal!" said Leonard.

"Then what did you do after that?" asked Penny.

"I got mad at him naturally. I told him he was being selfish and didn't care for other people's feelings let alone my own." said Amy. "And then I left him at the restaurant and headed straight home. He was calling and texting me for the past two days but I'm just ignoring him. I don't think I wanna see him right now." said Amy taking another sip of tea.

Sarah sat beside Amy and gave her a hug. "I wish you wouldn't be sad anymore aunt Amy." said Sarah.

Amy was touched by the child's gesture. "Thank you so much. You're very thoughtful." said Amy as Leonard and Penny smiled at each other, proud of their daughter's compassion and empathy.

"What do you want us to do Amy?" asked Penny. "I mean, it's not like we could change Sheldon overnight. For all I know, he's been like that even before I met Leonard." Penny added.

"I don't know Penny. I was already thinking of breaking up with him the other night." said Amy.

They stayed quiet for a little while when they heard a knock on the door. Leonard stood up and opened it seeing Sheldon standing on the hall. Penny, Amy and Sarah saw Sheldon as he walked into the apartment, looking a little distressed.

Amy stood up as Sheldon went near her. "Amy, I'm here to apologize for my behavior the other night." said Sheldon.

"I don't want to talk to you right now Sheldon. You were selfish and didn't care for anyone else but yourself!" said Amy.

"Mommy." said Sarah as she went to her stepmother.

Penny hugged Sarah. "It's alright sweetheart. Don't be scared." she said reassuring her stepdaughter.

"See what you've done!" Amy said to Sheldon. "Sarah's scared now because of you!" Amy added. "I'm so sorry about this Leonard."

"Okay, let's just take a deep breath, relax and lower the heat alright." said Leonard, getting in between the arguing couple.

"But I already apologized Leonard, social convention dictates that she should accept my apology." Sheldon said to Leonard.

"That's not how it works Sheldon. You need to mean what you say." said Leonard.

Penny then decided to speak, holding Sarah's hand. "Come on sweetheart, let's take your uncle Sheldon out of the apartment for a while, keep some distance between them." she said. "Come on Sheldon." Penny added as she went to the door with her stepdaughter.

Leonard turned to Penny. "Honey are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm sure Leonard." said Penny. "Are you coming or not?" Penny asked Sheldon.

Sheldon nodded. "Okay fine, I'm coming." he said as he followed Penny and Sarah out of the apartment.

XXXXXXXXXXX

After a few minutes, Penny was driving her car with Sheldon in the passenger seat and Sarah in the backseat.

"I really don't understand why Amy is still mad at me?" Sheldon said.

Penny sighed. "Sheldon, it's not that easy. Sometimes you have to give people some space in order for them to calm down before you could talk to them again." she said.

"And you taking me out of the apartment is gonna help?" Sheldon asked.

"Sometimes yeah." Penny said.

"How about getting aunt Amy a gift uncle Sheldon?" Sarah suggested.

"You mean like a bribe?" Sheldon asked.

"Not a bribe Sheldon, a gift! You know, to make her feel special." Penny said, slightly regretting her decision to take Sheldon out.

"Okay, what do you think I should get her?" he asked. "Oh, how about a limited edition Luke Skywalker action figure?" he asked making Penny shake her head.

"Are you kidding me right now? That's something that you would want for yourself!" Penny said as she steered the car into the entrance of a mall. "Let's go inside and maybe we'll find something in there that Amy might like." she said as she drove into the parking lot.

They got out of the car as Penny held Sarah's hand while they walk through the mall entrance. They walked around the mall for a while until Sarah saw a jewelry store, pulling Penny's hand.

"Mommy, how about a necklace or a bracelet for aunt Amy?" said Sarah as she pointed to the jewelry store.

"Sheldon?" Penny said.

Sheldon sighed. "I guess we could give it a try." Sheldon said as they went inside the jewelry store.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, back in the apartment, Leonard made tea for himself and another for Amy.

"You have to understand Amy, Sheldon doesn't usually mean what he does." he said.

'I don't know Leonard. I've been patient with him. I've followed the protocols of our Relationship Agreement, I try not to wear too much perfume, I don't use glossy lipstick or lip balm anymore. I mean, what else could I do?" Amy said while sipping her tea.

"It's his pathology Amy, he's a boy trapped in a man's body." said Leonard. "Did you try giving him the silent treatment?" he asked.

"Oh he loves that." said Amy. "One night we went without talking for two hours straight, he said it was a magical night." she said.

Leonard hung his head and sighed as he ran out of ideas. "Why don't we just wait for them to come back. Maybe Penny has some other ideas." he said.

"Okay Leonard. I'm really sorry for bringing this here." she said.

"No problem Amy. Just don't say we didn't warn you." he said as they both sipped their tea.

XXXXXXXXXXX

After a couple of hours, Penny, Sarah and Sheldon came back into the apartment. Penny was carrying a small paper bag when they stepped though the door as Sarah ran to her father, hugging him tight.

"Daddy!" Sarah exclaimed as Leonard hugged his daughter.

"So, how'd it go?" asked Leonard while looking at Penny and Sheldon while Amy wait for him to talk.

"Amy, Sheldon has something to say." Penny said.

"Yes." Sheldon said then turning to face Amy. "Amy, again I apologize and I promise I'll be more sensitive to your feelings." said Sheldon.

Penny decided to chime in. "Why don't you give her your gift?" Penny said.

"Oh right!?" Sheldon said quickly remembering the paper bag in Penny's hand. "I bought you this. I hope it will make you feel better." he said as he gave the bag to Amy.

Amy looked inside and was surprised, looking a little irritated at Sheldon. "Jewelry!? Really Sheldon? Do you think a cheap trick like this is gonna make me forgive you that easy!?" she said as she pulled out the item. Amy quickly became excited when she saw a diamond and silver tiara in her hand. "Oh! A tiara! A tiara! A tiara!" she exclaimed, becoming increasingly excited. "Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me!" she said as Penny put the tiara on her head.

"Amy you look beautiful!" Penny said, happy for her friend.

"Of course I look beautiful! I'm a princess!" she jumped and laughed then all of a sudden running towards Sheldon, giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

Sarah quickly covered her eyes. "Eww! That's gross!" said the child as Amy hugged Sheldon tight.

"I told you a tiara is too much!" Sheldon said to Penny who was laughing at the tender moment between them.

Sarah then ran to Penny. "Mommy, put mine on quick!" Sarah excitedly said.

"Oh right!" said Penny as she reached into the paper bag, pulling out a smaller tiara and putting them on Sarah's head.

"You bought Sarah a tiara too?" Leonard asked Penny.

"No daddy! Uncle Sheldon bought this for me!" Sarah said. "Don't I look pretty daddy!?" she added.

"You do honey! You look very pretty!" Leonard said smiling at his daughter.

"Don't worry Leonard, it's not as expensive as you might think." Sheldon said.

Leonard sighed. "Okay. It's fine I guess." he said.

"Mommy can I wear this on the wedding?" Sarah asked Penny.

Penny kissed her cheek. "Of course sweetheart. It will look perfect with your dress!" she said.

"So, I guess we're good now?" Sheldon asked Amy.

Amy couldn't help herself from smiling. "Yes Sheldon, we're good now!" she said hugging him again.

Sheldon turned to Penny. "Thank you Penny." he said.

"You should probably thank Sarah for that." said Penny.

Sheldon then turned and knelt in front of Sarah hugging her lightly. "Thank you princess." he said.

Sarah hugged Sheldon back. "You're welcome uncle Sheldon. Just don't upset aunt Amy anymore okay? She's pretty great!" the child added.

"I promise I'll try." said Sheldon.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Later that night, Penny and Leonard were already in bed, getting ready for sleep when they heard a knock on their bedroom door.

"Sweetie, is that you?" Penny asked.

Sarah slowly opened the door, popping her head behind the door. "Mommy, daddy, can I sleep here?" she asked.

"Of course sweetheart!" Penny said, motioning for Sarah to come near them. "Come here." Penny said as Sarah climbed up the bed, squeezing between her parents.

"I'm sorry daddy." said Sarah.

"Honey, you don't have to apologize to us, do you hear me?" said Leonard kissing his daughter.

Sarah nodded. "I promise I'll be brave next time." she said.

Penny kissed her stepdaughter on the cheek. "Tell me, what were you scared of?" she asked.

"I had a dream last night, and it's this scary man running towards me." said Sarah.

"A scary man?" Penny asked.

"Yes mommy. Good thing I woke up before he got to me." said Sarah.

Penny hugged her tight, kissing her again. "Don't worry sweetie, mommy's here to chase that scary man away. I won't let anyone hurt you." she said.

Sarah nodded and laid her head on the pillow, snuggling up to Penny. "I love you mommy." she said.

"Aww, I love you too sweetheart. Now let's get some sleep." Penny said as Leonard kissed his daughter and fiance goodnight while turning off the lamp on his nightstand.