Chapter Seven
Amy hands Yates to Sheldon and sits on the arm of the couch next to Leonard. "Tell me what's going on."
Leonard repeats what he had just told his friend and roommate.
"She'll come back, Leonard, I'm certain of it."
"How can you be so sure?" Leonard removes his glasses and wipes his eyes.
"She has to come back. We're besties. She wouldn't leave without telling me goodbye."
Yates gurgles and Amy and Leonard watch for a moment as Sheldon plays with the baby's bottom lip saying, "Cootchie, cootchie, coo."
"How could Penny not want one of those? He's so cute," Leonard observes.
"I am cute, aren't I?" Sheldon grins.
There's a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Amy announces. "You're too full of sadness, Leonard and Sheldon's too full of something else."
"What?" he asks.
"Never mind, Sheldon."
"No, really, whatever do you mean?"
Amy smooths the front of her shirt and opens the door to find Howard, Bernadette, Raj and Penny. Penny's eyes are bloodshot, her nose running and red.
"Go on, you can do this." Bernadette nudges Penny into the room.
Leonard remains on the couch, staring at his wife but not saying a word.
"Howard, Bernadette, I have something I want to show you." Amy removes the camera from her forehead and moves to Sheldon's computer. "I want to prove to you that Sheldon and I are capable of taking care of your baby. Now we've had some mishaps but …"
"Amy, please, Penny has something she needs to tell Leonard," Bernadette interrupts.
"It can wait," Penny says, her voice trembling.
"No, it can't," Bernadette disagrees.
"Yes, it can." Penny's voice rises slightly.
"I'm with Penny. Yes, it can." Amy challenges.
"I have no idea what's going on but I hardly ever do." Raj looks at Leonard, Howard, and then Sheldon. "Oh, look, it's a baby."
"With all the overcrowding in India one would think you'd have seen millions of babies before."
"Why do you always have to tell me about my culture and my people, Sheldon? You are so annoying."
"You're both annoying, now shut up." Howard walks toward Amy as she taps on the computer keyboard. "Bernie, let's just see what Amy wants to show us and then we'll start the party."
"Howard!" Bernadette and Penny yell in unison.
Howard holds up a hand. "Sorry."
Leonard still sits silently on the couch but Penny moves toward the small group staring intently at the computer screen.
"Sheldon, aren't you coming to watch?" Amy asks, a bit of disappointment in her voice.
"Oh, no," he waves a hand in the air. "You go ahead. I starred in the show today, besides our little co-star has fallen asleep again."
Penny and Bernadette turn to see the baby sleeping on Sheldon's chest.
Bernadette grins. "How sweet."
Penny's face softens.
As they turn back to the computer a black-and-white video begins to play. Howard, Bernadette and even Penny laugh as little Yates' stream of urine hits Amy in the face. They all become misty-eyed as Sheldon talks to the baby during train play. And, they all gasp as the video reveals the panic Sheldon and Amy share at leaving the baby alone in the apartment. Laughter is again prominent when Sheldon's sense of smell is assaulted.
Penny turns to see Leonard standing beside her. How long had he been there?
Amy shuts the video off. "As you can plainly see, Sheldon and I have handled our responsibilities quite adequately if I do say so myself."
"Wow. I can say I am thoroughly impressed. I never dreamed either of you could do something like this." Howard turns to Sheldon, nodding his head.
"The baby seems so content. Taking care of children seems to be a hidden talent you two have just uncovered." Bernadette says.
Amy smiles.
"I would be happy to have you babysit our child. Please forgive me for doubting you." Bernadette hugs Amy.
"Me too?" Howard throws his arms wide.
Amy hugs Howard as well. "Thank you both. Sheldon and I accept."
Sheldon pats the baby's bottom as he gently rocks him. "I agree. This baby thing isn't half bad."
"If Sheldon and Amy can do this maybe I can too." Penny whispers.
"Really?" It's the first word Leonard has spoken in a while.
Everyone falls silent.
After a lengthy moment, Raj begins to fidget. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"
Penny takes Leonard's hand. "I found out yesterday." She looks at Bernadette who nods, offering encouragement. "I was really excited at first. I called Bernadette and we talked for a long time. We planned a party for tonight. I wanted to tell everyone together, all at the same time."
"Are you …?" Raj places his hands on his cheeks.
Penny ignores him and continues. "When I saw that baby this morning it all became real and I totally freaked out. I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet too much that Bernadette is having a baby because it's not here yet. It's like she's just fat."
"Hey!" Bernadette scowls.
"Sorry." Penny shrugs. "When I left you I went to Bernadette and Howard's. We had a long conversation. She told me she has had lots of doubts and fears. She told me once she calmed down though she realized the baby would be both part of her and part of Howard but it would be all of their love. I want that. I want something that is all of our love, Leonard. I can do this."
"We can do this," Leonard adds.
"So you are?" Raj asks.
Penny nods. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
The group bursts into cheers and chatter. Everyone hugs and laughs and high-fives.
Leonard pulls Penny away from the others. "Please, if you start having doubts or insecurities about this or anything else, tell me. Don't just run away. Talk to me, okay?"
"Okay, I'm sorry. I just got overwhelmed."
"Let us be overwhelmed together." He kisses Penny and then places a hand on her stomach. "I can't believe it." He looks to Sheldon who is rising from the couch, clutching Yates to his shoulder. "See, I told you one day our babies would be smart and beautiful. It's really happening."
"Speaking of smart and beautiful," Sheldon says. "Amy Farrah Fowler, would you consider being the mother of my offspring?"
"Oh, Sheldon." Amy trembles.
He hands the baby to Penny and then bends to one knee in front of Amy. "But first, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
Amy begins to cry. "Yes, yes, yes, Sheldon; a thousand times yes."
THE END
