The What Happens in Vegas Complication

The Engagement

Sheldon stood in awe as Vanessa opened her apartment door and stood before him in a tight silver dress covered in sparkling sequins. The eccentric fabric fell above her mid-thigh and her matching stilettos made her eye level with him. "Hello darling." She said with a smile, kissing his gaping mouth before pulling him inside. Their once shared apartment was decorated to the max with glittering decorations and black, gold and silver balloons.

"Wow, V. This is very impressive. Everyone's going to love it." He assured, walking past her to the small kitchen where her homemade h'ordoeurves and large variety of alcoholic beverages were. He picked up a bottle of champagne and glanced at her. "Cristal?"

Vanessa danced over to him with a grin on her lips, placing them gently to his own. "New Year's is my favorite holiday. A time to start fresh. It's okay to splurge a little." Sheldon considered her words and smiled, returning her kiss. Perhaps New Years was the best time for a fresh start and to splurge.

"Listen, before everyone gets here there's something I want to talk to you about." V said suddenly, taking his hand and leading him back to the living room where she sat down beside him on the couch. Sheldon smoothed his hands down his slacks nervously and turned to face her; "There's something I want to ask you too, V."

"Okay, me first!" She squealed, the sparkles from her dress meeting her eyes and lighting up the room. She took his hands in hers and then a deep breath before starting. "I talked to Mrs. Walters (the culinary teacher) last week and her husband's brother is part owner of Bistro 45 in Pasadena. She told me that with my advanced skill in her class she felt comfortable allowing me to finish out the rest of the semester as an intern there. Plus if I do well I'm guaranteed the executive chef job once her brother-in-law retires in May!"

Sheldon searched her face, trying to process the information she was telling him. After three months away from one another she could come to Pasadena and live. Leonard had moved most of his things to Penny's apartment; she could live with him. They could be together.

"That's wonderful news." He assured with a smile, causing her excitement to dim a little. "This doesn't mean I have to move in with you. We're dating now I could see how spending that much time together might hurt our relationship. I could get an apartment in your building." He was still staring at her with a nervous, bewildered expression on his handsome face. "...or downtown. It's not set in stone. I told Mrs. Walters I'd let her know..." Sheldon took her hand again and gave it a squeeze. "V. I would love for you to move in with me. This is actually perfect news because there's something I want to ask you..."

Just then the doorbell rang and Vanessa leapt from her seat. "I'm glad you're on board with this, Shel!" She assured, that earlier excitement back with a vengeance. "Hold that thought ok? Our guests are here." Before he could protest she was gone; glisting to the door to let Penny, Leonard, Howard, Bernadette, Raj and Emily into their home. In her defense she had even invited Amy and Ian who had politely declined her evite, assuring that they had New Year's plans of their own and that things were going surprisingly well.

After they all said hello the doorbell chimed again and mutual friends from the culinary class emerged into the apartment along with the tattoo artist John who was doubling as a DJ tonight. Before Sheldon had the chance to talk to Vanessa they were being whisked away from each other to dance and celebrate the pending year.

x-x-x

"Vanessa! This is so much fun! You look amazing!" Penny assured loudly as they danced and laughed together; Vanessa's dress catching just the right amount of light that she shined like a star in her small living room. Sheldon was standing against the wall with Leonard and Howard, watching the two blonds intensely. "So, V's moving to Pasadena? That's great, Sheldon." Howard assured, smiling at Bernie from across the room as she got him a drink from the bar. "Yes. It is the ideal situation." He muttered, defeated as Vanessa's attention was only on Penny and their lighthearted conversation. "You guys will get to see a lot more of each other. Is she going to move in with you?" Sheldon glanced at Howard, idly wondering why he was full of so many questions tonight. "I guess that depends."

Howard looked at Leonard and shrugged. "Depends on what?" Leonard asked. "If she agrees to marry me." Howard and Leonard's eyes went wide as Sheldon finished his drink quickly and walked onto the dance floor to take Vanessa's hand. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, causing her to smile and nod before giving Penny a small wave. They could only watch as she disappeared out onto the small balcony with her possible fiancé.

x-x-x

"Hey." She said breathlessly, smiling at him as the excitement of the room buzzed around them. The music was perfect, the decor was perfect, everyone was having a great time - she couldn't imagine a more perfect night. "I'm sorry I haven't got to spend much time with you! What did you want to talk about?" She continued as Sheldon began to pace the small balcony.

"This past year with you has been amazing, V. My life was a black void before you. I owe you everything."

Vanessa smiled at him, reaching out so he would come to her. "Shel, I love you. We bring out the best in each other." She assured, hugging him tightly. Sheldon wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his chest as he summoned his nerve. Her usual perfume was intoxicating as ever and as distracting as her sparkling dress. "Vanessa, there's something I've wanted to ask you for some time now."

He pulled away from her just enough to look into her eyes, green orbs filled with excitement and wonder, looking at him as if he were the only other person on the planet. Sheldon touched her cool cheek with his palm - feeling a sense of calm wash over him. This felt right. He wanted to spend the rest of his life looking into her emerald eyes. "Vanessa, will you-."

"Hey guys." Bernadettes shrill happy voice broke their monumental moment as Vanessa's gaze broke from his and she turned to their friend. "Sorry to interrupt but it's almost midnight! Everyone's starting to count down and we didn't want you to miss it!"

Before Sheldon could protest Vanessa had taken his hand and whisked him back into the living room where everyone was gathered clapping and counting down the last seconds of 2014. She smiled at him still oblivious to his motives as she spun around the room clapping with the others.

4! He reach into his pocket, pulling out the small velvet box.

3! She was dancing with Penny and laughing with Bernadette.

2! She turned to find him for their midnight kiss - losing him as everyone crowded in. "Shel?"

1! "Happy New Year!"

Sheldon took her hand quickly, surprising her as he knelt before her his heart on the line and a small velvet box in his hand.

"Vanessa Reynolds? Will you marry me?"

It was his first act of the new year. Asking his girlfriend - the love of his life - to spend the rest of hers with him. Vanessa looked down at him in pure shock, realization of what was happening finally taking affect. Sheldon was on one knee looking up at her with nothing but devotion on his face, holding a small box with a large sparkling diamond inside. "Yes." She finally whispered, smiling as he smiled. "Yes! Of course!"

He stood to his feel quickly and wrapped his arms around her - placing his mouth to hers. Vanessa kissed him back passionately, running her hands into the back of his hair as everyone began to cheer around them. Confetti popped and champagne was poured. Leonard made a moving toast to the newly engaged couple, wishing them all the best in life and assuring Sheldon that he was proud of the man he had become.

"This is what you've been trying to tell me all night?" Vanessa asked as she took a sip of her drink, kissing Sheldon again before he could answer. "You didn't make it easy."

She couldn't help but laugh. "I never make anything easy. That's why you love me." Another kiss. "One of the many reasons, yes."