As Stuart Bloom In TBBT

December 2010. Christmas morning. My penthouse.

Katie stayed over Christmas Eve. Woke up together.

Tree in the corner. Real tree. Her idea. "Fake trees are sad."

We're drinking coffee. Opening gifts.

"This one first," I tell her.

The package is flat. Wrapped carefully.

She tears the paper. Opens the frame.

"Oh my god."

It's original Wonder Woman art. George Perez. From the '80s run.

Diana in full armor. Lasso glowing. Iconic.

Cost me $2,000. Worth every penny to see Katie's face.

"Stuart. This is—"

"You said Wonder Woman was your favorite. When we first started reading together."

"I can't believe you remembered."

"I remember everything you tell me."

She's crying. Happy tears.

"I love it. I love you. This is—perfect."

"Your turn."

She hands me a wrapped box. Heavy. Square.

Inside: Vintage Action Comics #1 replica. Museum quality. Framed.

But there's a photo matted with it. Us at Comic-Con. Her booth. Both laughing.

"So you remember the moment," she says. "When everything was perfect."

I'm the one crying now.

"It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

We're both crying. On Christmas morning. Over comic book art.

That's—us.

December 27th. Holiday party. My penthouse.

The gang. Katie's industry friends. Both our families.

Forty people. Catered food. Open bar.

Leonard and Penny video-call from New York. They're there together. Visiting her family.

"You look good," Penny tells me.

"You too."

"Katie seems great."

"She is."

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. How's NY?"

"Cold. Amazing. I'm extending my contract another six months."

"That's great."

"Leonard's visiting more often now." She grins. He's blushing in the background.

"Good for you guys."

After the call, Katie asks: "Was that weird?"

"What?"

"Talking to your ex. While I'm here."

"Not weird. Penny and I are friends. Ancient history."

"Ancient history from eight months ago."

"Still ancient."

She kisses me. "I trust you."

"Good."

The party's success. Worlds mixing seamlessly.

Sheldon's explaining physics to Katie's producer friend.

Howard and Bernadette are talking weddings with Katie's parents.

Raj is hitting it off with Amanda. Katie's sister. Actually talking. No alcohol needed.

My mom pulls me aside. "She's lovely."

"Thanks, Mom."

"You seem happy."

"I am."

"Don't let this one go."

"I won't."

New Year's Eve. Midnight approaching.

Everyone's on my balcony. Champagne. Counting down.

Katie's next to me. Hand in mine.

"Ten... nine... eight..."

"This year was perfect," she whispers.

"Next year will be better."

"Seven... six... five..."

"We'll move in together."

"Four... three... two..."

"Maybe get engaged."

"One!"

We kiss. Champagne. Confetti. Cheering.

"I love you," she says.

"I love you too."

"2011 is our year."

"It is."

Fireworks over LA. The city celebrating.

Everyone's hugging. Toasting. Laughing.

I look around. My friends. Her friends. Our families.

This is it. The life I built.

Three shops. Six-figure income. Amazing girlfriend. Real community.

Everything I wanted when I woke up in Stuart Bloom's body.

Everything I dreamed of in the void.

It's real.

It's mine.

And I'm not letting it go.

January 1st, 2011. Morning. Hungover. Katie's still asleep.

I'm on the balcony. Coffee. Cold air.

My phone buzzes. Text from Leonard.

Leonard: Happy New Year. Katie seems great. You're lucky.

Me: I know.

Leonard: Still think the Tuesday thing is weird though.

I delete the message.

Don't respond.

Leonard's wrong.

Katie loves me.

We're moving in together in two weeks.

Discussing engagement.

Building a future.

She wouldn't cheat.

Not now.

Not when everything's perfect.

I go back inside.

Slide into bed.

Hold her while she sleeps.

And ignore the tiny voice in my head.

The one that sounds like doubt.

Note:

Please give good reviews and power stones itrings more people and more people means more chapters?

My Patreon is all about exploring 'What If' timelines, and you can get instant access to chapters far ahead of the public release.

Choose your journey:

Timeline Viewer ($6): Get 10 chapters of early access + 5 new chapters weekly.

Timeline Explorer ($9): Jump 15-20 chapters ahead of everyone.

Timeline Keeper ($15): Get Instant Access to chapters the moment I finish writing them. No more waiting.

Read the raw, unfiltered story as it unfolds. Your support makes this possible!

👉 Find it all at patreon.com/Whatif0