The Game The Started the Change

Chapter 17: Telling The Coopers

The family all stared at Mary as she listened to the voicemail Sheldon had left on her phone. She was surprised as the tears ran down her face, that he had decided to call her instead of his MeeMaw.
"

What's wrong?" Rachel asked once Mary lowered the phone.
Mary put her phone on speaker and gestured for everyone to gather round her. She gestured to be quiet as she restarted the message.
"Mama," Sheldon's Texan twang was very prominent, causing him to sound more like his daddy then he ever had before. George Jr. smiled at hearing the emotion in his little brother's voice. "I am sorry for calling at dinner time. I know you won't get this until after you have eaten but I wanted you to be the first person I told. I gave Penny the ring. She said that we shouldn't label our relationship but I know she is my 0,0,0,0 constant in an ever changing universe. I know you don't understand that so I will put it simply. Penelope is my everything. She is my love, my partner, my challenger, my friend, and hopefully the mother of my children someday down the road. She is everything a strong Cooper woman has to be and should be. I know you love her already but I really hope you approve.
We aren't labeling anything. No contract as I don't need nor want one. I trust her with everything. She knew I had the ring and said if I gave it to her she would wear it proudly. So after she was done talking, I put the ring on her finger. I told her I wasn't asking, I know that. But she did say she would wear it. The ring symbolizes that she is mine and I am hers. Yes I do hope she will marry me someday when she is ready and take the Cooper name. But I am leaving that up to her.
"I love you mama. And I want to thank you for raising me right. And teaching me what kind of girl I want to have as the mother of my children. Now knowing you, you are either crying by now or praising Jesus," he paused a moment. "...or both. But I also know that you will play this for the others.
"That said, MeeMaw. You were going to be my second call. But I now understand what PopPop said all those years ago about knowing. I know MeeMaw. She is to me as you were to PopPop. And I will treat her as your man treated you. I hope to do both of you women proud.
"Missy.... Sis. Please wait until morning to call her and talk. We want... okay I want alone time with her. And yes sis you were right. She is a keeper. Also, I approve of you dating Rajesh. He is a shy but good man. He will treat you well. Plus his family is loaded. So I know you will be well off.
"Jr. please keep the women from calling before 11 am. I do not want to be punched in the throat again. It's an instant reflex for her that she is starting to grow out of, at least with me. But there is no telling if the Cooper women descend on her for this call.
"And finally Rachel, thank you for everything you have done and for sending those tickets to her. That was the best gift I have ever been invited to share and one I will cherish forever. And yes, with my memory, that is not a moment of whimsy. If you ever come to Pasadena, please let me know and I will make sure you have a blast here. And that Penny has plenty of shopping money. Yes she will still be working, but as I told her before. I take care of my woman. We Cooper men, not including my father, do everything we can for our women and yet let them stand on their own feet while we do it.
"I love you all, including you Rachel. As you are like a sister in law to me. And I will call again soon. Mama... please call me on Sunday after your church is over. I need to ask you about what kind of gift to give Penny for our one month anniversary. Google says this is important and I don't want to mess it up. MeeMaw, I will call at our normal time to chat. Good night everyone."
All the women in the room hugged and cried and hugged some more. Jr, got dragged into it but he wouldn't miss it for the world. No one ever thought Shelly would find a girl or ask "normal" questions about relationships. It was indeed a kodak moment. One he noticed Rachel's boyfriend snapping a picture off. Now if only the girls would just let him go.
A/N: I want to thank CTR69 for all his support and encouragement during the writing of this story. I also want to thank all my faithful reviewers. You guys made me smile, cry tears of joy, learn and expand as a writer, and keep me going when I needed it most.
As you can see, there is a few loose ends here like Penny's IQ test and such. This was done on purpose. I have plans of making a sequel to this story. I am about to embark on an hectic time of packing what little I have with me, and moving into an apartment. I hope to make the transition smoothly. But, alas, real life is not a story that we can make as smooth as we want. So in anticipation of this, I wanted to leave you a slight cliff hanger in the form of a few things left open.
I hope this ending helps you, my faithful readers, come to a satisfactory ending until I can write the sequel. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to PM me. I look forward to talking with you.
So for one last time, Happy Reading!