Hi, before you read this chapter, I want you to read with chill and relax situation. And if you have never listened to the song mentioned in the title, please listen to it first before reading. Peace.
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3rd POV – Adult Sheldon
Sheldon pondered what Leonard had said earlier. He was convinced that Raj and Howard weren't spies.
And most of all, he believed Leonard wasn't one either.
But that brought him back to his original question— .
"Who is the spy?".
Howard and Raj watched as Sheldon paced back and forth across the room.
"Dude, you're being paranoid," Raj said, stepping in to stop him.
"Yeah, you going crazy is already enough for us—don't add paranoia on top of it," Howard added sarcastically.
Sheldon turned to glare at them.
"I am not crazy—my mother had me tested!" he snapped, a bit frustrated.
Not because of their words, But because they didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. "My brother is overprotective. I can't keep living under his shadow—having him watching over me all the time!"
"Then just call your brother!" Raj suggested.
"I did! My call went straight to voicemail!", Sheldon held up his phone as proof.
"Are you sure there are no tracking devices or bugs in here?" Howard asked, skeptical.
Being an engineer, he knew his way around hardware—if there was a device, he'd find it.
"Yes, I already checked. But if you want to do it again, be my guest."
Sheldon waved dismissively.
He had already searched every corner of the apartment.
Behind furniture, inside vents, under the floorboards.
Nothing.
"Do you want me to bring my equipment from the university?" Howard asked, watching him closely.
Sheldon paused and turned to him.
"You can… Alright then, please bring your equipment here."
"What's going on?", Leonard's voice interrupted as he walked back into the living room, now wearing more comfortable clothes.
"Howard and I are heading to the university to grab some equipment," Raj explained. "Sheldon is still paranoid that his brother is spying on him."
Leonard sighed.
Tonight had already been exhausting.
His date with Penny had probably been a disaster—just as the others had predicted.
And now this?
"Sheldon, you're being ridiculous," Leonard muttered as he walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
"I am not being ridiculous!" Sheldon turned to him, offended. "I know my brother is spying on me, Leonard."
"Why?!"
Leonard's voice was louder than usual, frustration creeping in.
"Because I know!", Sheldon pointed at him. "I know you're mad because your date failed, but that doesn't mean you get to take it out on the rest of us!"
Howard and Raj exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Sheldon had hit the mark.
Leonard froze, his expression shifting.
He didn't know how to respond.
Instead, he looked away.
For the first time, he had nothing to say.
"Now shut up, and let's find the bugs first—"
"Then we can listen to you complain about Penny." Sheldon turned to Howard, "Please bring your equipment, Howard."
Howard and Raj both nodded before heading out from room 4A.
Sheldon let out a deep sigh and sank into his spot on the couch.
"Hufft… I'm sorry, Leonard. I yelled at you."
His voice was softer now.
Leonard glanced at him, "No… it's okay. You're right about that."
Sheldon didn't say anything else.
He simply looked down at his phone and dialed Georgie's number again.
Leonard watched him closely.
There was definitely something different about Sheldon right now.
Maybe Sheldon was right.
Maybe his family really was watching him.
"Why?" Leonard murmured.
Sheldon heard him and responded without looking up.
"Because… we're family."
He hung up as Georgie's voicemail played again.
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3rd POV
Tonight felt peaceful.
The air was filled with laughter and conversation as the Coopers and Sparks families gathered in the backyard.
The women sat at the table, chatting or gossiping.
While the men stood near the offset smoker, talking over drinks.
"Can you really sing, Georgie?", Herschel asked, watching as Georgie tuned his guitar.
"Hey, you saw the autograph from George S., right?", George grinned, showing off the signature on his shirt.
Even though he was answering Herschel's question—
He was also finding another excuse to show off.
Again.
"That doesn't prove anything, George!", Herschel groaned. Since the moment they had arrived, George had been bragging nonstop.
George just threw up his hands in surrender, shaking his head dramatically. As if he was giving up on convincing Herschel that Georgie could sing.
"Yes, I can sing, Mr. Sparks," Georgie finally answered, looking at him directly.
"Alright. I believe you," Herschel admitted, though his eyes still carried a hint of doubt.
Then, he turned to watch the kids playing, "…So why did you ask them that?".
Georgie followed his gaze, "You mean the dreams talk?".
Herschel nodded, his eyes landing on Billy.
He knew his son was special.
And no matter what—
He loved him.
When Georgie had asked the kids that question, Herschel had expected him to make fun of them.
He had braced himself for it.
Because that's what usually happened.
But instead—
Georgie had asked something important.
They weren't going to stay kids forever.
Someday, they'd have to step out of their parents' shadows.
And that terrified the Sparks family.
"Why?" Georgie repeated, "Because it's something you should ask."
"Even if they're still kids, they need to think about it."
"They need to imagine what they want to be when they grow up."
Georgie shrugged.
"That's just how it is."
Herschel looked back at Georgie, "Really?".
"What's your dream, Mr. Sparks?"
Georgie asked, meeting his gaze.
"Herschel. Just call me Herschel." Herschel sighed. "Dreams, huh… I haven't thought about that in years."
"I liked automotives."
"Maybe I wanted to be a mechanic? I don't know."
"I've honestly forgotten."
Georgie smiled.
"Well, it's fine if you don't want to talk about it."
"But forgetting a dream?"
"I don't believe that."
Herschel didn't respond.
He just took another sip of beer.
George chimed in.
"I wanted to be a professional football player."
"But I got injured—and I couldn't make the team."
"That's why I started coaching instead."
"Even if it's just for high school, I still get to lead a team to victory."
Herschel listened, watching George closely.
For a moment…
There was jealousy in his eyes.
"What about you, Georgie?" Herschel asked. "Is your dream to be a famous singer?"
Georgie grinned.
"I want to be rich."
He said it so casually.
Herschel and George fell silent, staring at Georgie with deadpan expressions.
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Georgie's POV
I want to be rich.
But what is rich?
Does having a lot of money make you rich?
Yes.
Is that all I want?
No.
I had that in my previous life.
So, is that the kind of wealth I seek now?
Yes and no.
Why?
Because I wasn't rich the way I am now.
The kind of wealth I want… is having a loving family.
Then, haven't I already gotten that?
Yes.
But why do I still want more?
Because I want to protect my family.
I want to protect the people who love me.
I want to give them a warm home filled with smiling faces, where they bicker over the smallest things, turn them into big arguments, then forgive each other with a warm hug.
That's what I want.
That's the richness I seek.
"Really? You just want to be rich?", George asked, looking at me. "You're becoming a singer just to get rich? I don't believe you." He snorted.
"What? Singers make a lot of money, Dad!" I pointed at his shirt. "Haven't you already benefited from what I'm doing?"
"Rich, huh… I want that too, you know," Herschel chuckled.
George just grumbled and took a swig of his beer.
He was about to chug it all in one go—
But my stare stopped him.
"Drink in moderation, Dad," I warned.
He grumbled even more. "…Didn't you already allow me to drink?" he muttered under his breath.
I just snorted and ignored him.
But still.
This is really nice.
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3rd POV
From across the yard, Brenda pointed at Georgie from the gossip table.
"What happened to him?" she asked Mary and Connie.
Mary smiled awkwardly, "I don't know, but… I'm glad he's become more mature."
Connie scoffed, "Mature? He acts like an old man! Spouting wise words like he's lived a hundred years!"
"If he had a beard, I might actually start listening to him!"
Mary chuckled, "Coming from someone who brought an apology to the table," she teased.
Connie snorted again and rolling her eyes.
Mary was referring to the earlier conversation—
The moment when Connie had apologized to George.
She had a strong feeling that Georgie had played a role in it.
Brenda who don't know anything, looked at them, confused. "What happened?"
"Just family matters." Mary replied, waving her hand dismissively.
Brenda nodded in understanding.
She wouldn't interfere in Cooper family matters.
But when Georgie spoke to her children—
That was her business.
Mary sensed Brenda's inner turmoil, She recognized it.
Because she had felt the same way when Georgie first changed.
Finally, Mary spoke up.
"Georgie has changed… but it's a good change for our family."
"Sheldon and Missy love the new Georgie. George and I love it too."
"Even my mom sees it." Mary smiled warmly.
"Yeah, right." Connie muttered, taking a sip of beer.
But she didn't deny Mary's words.
"Really?" Brenda murmured, glancing back at her children. "Bobbi definitely likes Georgie more than before. And Billy really likes him too."
"Yes," Mary said proudly, A warm smile spread across her face.
Georgie had changed.
And his change had only brought happiness to their family.
Brenda was feeling the same thing as Herschel, Billy was different—but he was her child.
And she was scared.
Scared of losing him.
But when Georgie spoke to Billy…
She realized something.
Billy would grow up.
She couldn't keep him under her protection forever.
Sooner or later, Billy would leave home.
Brenda wanted to say something again to Cooper's, but just then the sound of a guitar filled the air.
She turned around and saw Georgie was strumming his guitar.
"Billy! Come here!" Georgie called out.
Billy who hear Georgie called him, immediately ran over.
Missy and Bobbi followed with their smile on their cute little face. Of course, Sheldon trailed behind, wrapped in a blanket to keep the mosquitoes away.
"You wanted me to play you a song, right?" Georgie said to Billy, "Listen carefully, alright?" Georgie said and smile, focusing on them.
Billy smiled, "Okay!" he nodded.
Missy and Bobbi looked eager too, "Is this a new song, Brother?" Missy asked excitedly.
"Of course! Listen carefully, alright?" Georgie's words piqued the adults' interest.
Mary and Connie stood up from their seats, they carried their chairs closer to Georgie.
Brenda hesitated for a moment, but then, she stood and walked over to Herschel. She didn't set her expectations too high, but she was curious to hear Georgie's song.
Georgie turned to Missy, smiling warmly, "Missy," he said gently, "I hope that beautiful smile on your face never fades—no matter what happens."
Then, he shifted his gaze to Sheldon, his tone serious. "Shelly," he said firmly, "I hope you win a Nobel Prize in the future."
The sound of his guitar strumming softly through the night gave his words an almost poetic weight.
The night grew still, as if every word he spoke mattered.
Then, Georgie turned to Bobbi and Billy. His eyes were kind, yet filled with meaning, "Bobbi," he said with a small smile, "I hope you grow up to be a humble and beautiful girl."
Bobbi giggled, She quickly covered her face—her cheeks flushed pink from embarrassment.
Georgie then paused his strumming.
His eyes met Billy's.
His voice dropped slightly, filled with quiet sincerity.
"Billy," he said, his tone serious, "I hope you never stop chasing whatever you want to do in this world."
The four of them didn't quite understand why Georgie was saying these things.
But they listened.
Sheldon nodded, taking his words seriously.
Missy grumbled, irritated that Georgie had praised Bobbi.
Billy, however—
He just sat there, quiet.
Listening.
And when he looked at Georgie, It wasn't the same as before.
There was something different in his eyes.
For the first time, Billy felt something warm.
Something familiar.
It was the same warmth he felt from his parents.
(Rascal Flatts – My Wish)
"I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you wanna go
And if you're faced with a choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you"
The adults listened silently, smiling as Georgie sang, the warm sound of his guitar blended into the night, wrapping the cold air in a gentle embrace.
"And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' 'till you find the window"
Georgie looked at the four kids with a warm smile.
Herschel wrapped an arm around Brenda as they both watched Billy and Bobbi, smiles forming on their faces.
"If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile"
Georgie turned to Missy and Sheldon.
He imagined what the future would hold for them.
As long as he was alive, he would do everything in his power to give them the best.
Until his very last breath.
"But more than anything, more than anything"
Georgie looked at all of them.
He wished for them—prayed for them.
Seeing their smiles, seeing the joy on their faces—
It was the greatest gift he could ever receive in this life.
More than anything else.
"My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold"
-Howard and Raj returned to Apartment 4A, Sheldon and Leonard's apartment. They carried bug detection equipment. Sheldon grumbled, reminding them that he had already searched the place and found nothing. But then—Howard's device detected bugs, hidden cameras, and listening devices.
Sheldon fell silent—
Then reluctantly relied on Howard, who now wore a smug expression.-
"And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things, too"
- Missy, in an office, stood across from a man in his 30s, her face filled with frustration. She glanced at the blonde woman sitting not far from him, the woman's expression showing no sign of regret. –
"Yeah, this is my wish"
Georgie glanced at his parents.
Mary, George, and Connie sat quietly, sipping their beers.
Smiles lingered on their faces as they listened.
"I hope you never look back, but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left"
Mary and George froze for a moment.
Then, they sighed.
Brenda and Herschel did the same.
The four of them were simply grateful— Grateful that the day when their children would leave home was still far away.
"I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get"
Connie scoffed, taking a sip of her beer.
She felt like the lyrics were aimed directly at her.
Mary chuckled at her reaction—she felt the same.
George, on the other hand, smirked at both of them.
"Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take"
Mary pressed a hand against her chest.
She looked up at Georgie—Then at the night sky.
Her faith remained strong.
She could only hope that everything would unfold according to her prayers.
"But more than anything"
Georgie turned back to the children, singing softly.
Missy's bright smile never faded.
Sheldon, though expressionless, quietly enjoyed the music.
Bobbi stared at Georgie, starstruck and speechless.
But Billy…
Billy looked at Georgie differently.
Like the song had touched something deep inside him.
"Yeah, more than anything"
Georgie slowed his voice, letting the music carry the moment.
His eyes scanned their faces one by one.
"My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to"
His fingers plucked the strings softly, the sound filling the cold night with warmth.
More warmth than the usual cold night.
"Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small"
- Sheldon stared at Howard and Raj, who both wore smug expressions.
In Howard's hand— Four bugs and listening devices sat in his palm.
Leonard looked gloomy.
Now, he fully understood just how obsessive Sheldon's brother was. -
"You never need to carry more than you can hold"
- Missy, still facing the man in his 30s, continued scolding him for what he had done.
The blonde woman on the couch nearby got caught in the crossfire of Missy's rage—
Until another woman, a brunette, entered the room and calmly intervened. -
"And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to"
-Mary sat on the couch in her home.
Her gaze landed on a family photo on the shelf—
George, Georgie, Sheldon, Missy, Connie, and herself.
She stared at George's face in the picture.
A soft smile formed on her lips.-
"I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things, too"
-Rebecca entered the office, her eyes scanning the room.
Her gaze landed on the blonde woman Missy had just chewed out.
The woman hesitated—then took Rebecca's cue. She leaned in and kissed the man in his 30s on the cheek before giggling and walking out.
Missy's jaw clenched. She wanted to snap again, but she held herself back.
Especially when she saw the dumb grin on the man's face.
Rebecca sighed.
Then, she explained how Sheldon had already destroyed the bugs in his apartment.-
"Yeah, this is my wish"
Georgie strummed his final note and looked around.
One by one, he met the eyes of his family.
Then, he smiled warmly.
"…I have goosebumps" Herschel muttered, breaking the silence.
Brenda felt the same, but unlike Herschel, she didn't announce it like an idiot.
Instead, she simply watched Georgie, and she could feel the warmth from his song. She didn't know how is that possible but she felt it.
"What do you think, Billy?"
Georgie asked, looking at him.
Billy just stared at him.
A smile tugged at his lips—
And without realizing it, tears had fallen from his eyes, "I think it's great," Billy said softly, his voice warm.
Georgie chuckled.
Missy and Bobbi, on the other hand, grumbled.
"'Great'?"
That word was too simple for what they had just heard.
But they didn't know— That to Billy, the word meant something more.
To him, it was awesome.
Something he couldn't fully put into words.
Sheldon sighed and turned to Georgie.
"Really? You included God in your song again…"
Georgie laughed, looking at him, "It's okay. Mom likes it, right?"
"I suppose," Sheldon muttered.
He glanced at Mary— Who was smiling, her hands pressed against her heart.
The adults sat back, listening to them talk.
George had originally thought tonight would be boring.
But now…
It was one of the warmest nights he had ever had.
"Alright, kids. Let's go home and sleep."
"Let Dad smoke his brisket in peace without bothering him."
Georgie stood up.
George, who had been enjoying the moment— His face immediately dropped into a scowl.