Hello everyone. I know I say this before every chapter but I really appreciate everyone that's read my story, if you've reviewed or not. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and that you all have a great 2011! –Modern

…

Time flew by faster than Howard had imagined. In the blink of an eye, Howard was almost ending his fifth month. The baby was growing more and more active and it was hard for him to resist placing a hand on his stomach whenever he felt a kick during work. At work, Howard made himself as scarce as possible; not wanting to attract any attention. He usually showed up as the rest of the engineering team was leaving. When anyone asked, he simply explained that his mother was ill and she required extra care. So far, the lie seemed to work. However, it was becoming clear to both Howard and Raj that Howard would have to stop working soon, before his condition became too apparent. The last thing they needed right now was more stress.

Howard and Raj had talked and decided that Howard was going to request a leave of absence this week. If that wasn't granted, Howard would quit. It made Howard very nervous as he loved his job and did not want to have to quit. It was Friday afternoon and Howard sat in the lab trying to fix a mechanical joint on a new model of a fake leg. It wasn't as impressive as a space-toilet, but at least it paid the bills. There was only one other person working in the lab, but he was leaving soon. Using a pair of tweezers, Howard carefully picked up a tiny screw and began to reattach it to the leg. It was tedious work, but Howard loved it. With engineering, Howard believe, you could (almost) always make things work. There was always a clear end in sight.

The doors to the lab opened and Raj walked into the lab. He was carrying a few folders in his arms. Howard looked up and smiled. When Raj reached Howard's table, he bent down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. The other man in the lab shot Howard a weird look, making Howard blush. He was still getting used to being public about their relationship. Howard hated to admit it, but dating a guy was drastically different from dating a girl. It seemed that there was a different set of rules for dating a guy. Even more apparent was the societal view of same sex couples.

"Did you speak to Dr. Gablehauser yet?" Raj asked him as he sat down on the stool next to Howard. The engineer shook his head. Once he had the screw securely in place, he put the tweezers down.

"Not yet. I was going to do it just before we left. Didn't want to have to stick around for too long after that." he told Raj.

"I'd like to get going soon if you don't mind. I know you only got here a few hours ago, but it's Halo night."

"Okay. Just let me clean up my space and I'll go talk to Gablehauser."

Raj nodded and gave Howard's hand a gentle squeeze.

"It'll be fine." Raj said as he got up to leave.

…

Howard had been standing outside of Dr. Gablehauser's office for five minutes now, still trying to work up the courage to knock on the door. He'd been planning out everything that he wanted to say for days now, but every word seemed to elude him now. He'd hadn't remembered to dress nicely today, choosing an oversized batman sweatshirt and black sweatpants. Sure, he missed his bright colored clothes, but at this point in time, comfort was more important than style. It was just after he raised his hand to finally knock on the wooden door that Howard heard footsteps down the hall. A sudden rush of fear captured Howard and he ducked around the corner. What if it was Gablehauser? Howard wasn't ready to talk just yet. He'd talk to his boss tomorrow.

"Mr. Wolowitz?" a voice called out. Howard swore. He turned around to see Dr. Gablehauser standing at the door to his office. He was in the process of unlocking the door. Howard sighed in frustration, wishing he'd left just a second earlier.

"Hey Dr. Gablehauser."

"Dr. Koothrappali saw me in the hallway and informed me that you were looking for me." the doctor said. Of course it was Raj. He knew I'd chicken out, Howard thought. Gablehauser finally got the door open and motioned for Howard to join him in his office. The doctor took a seat behind his desk and placed the file folders he'd been holding in a drawer. Slowly, Howard entered the office. He sat down in an open chair. Howard made a point of focusing on his hands. It wasn't until Dr. Gablehauser cleared his throat impatiently that Howard realized that he should say something.

"I need to take a leave of absence." Howard blurted. Once the words were out, Howard felt relief wash over him.

"And why is that, Mr. Wolowitz?"

The relief was quickly shattered. Howard once again searched his mind for the words he'd rehearsed. Nothing came to him. He tugged at his collar, suddenly becoming warm.

"I don't have all day Mr. Wolowitz."

"Well Dr. Gablehauser, Sir, It's hard to explain." Howard began, slowly working out what to say. Staring at the younger man in front of him, Dr. Gablehauser frowned. The man had really let himself go, Gablehauser mused. He'd put on weight and often came to work at late hours, dressed in sweatpants and a large sweatshirt. Rumor had it that the man was going through family troubles. Gablehauser vacantly remembered hearing that Howard had moved out of his house and was residing with Dr. Rajesh. Apparently there had been a fight between Howard and his mother. To add to the drama, it seemed that Howard and Rajesh were something of an item. He wondered if that had anything to do with the fight.

"Just spit it out." Gablehauser finally snapped. He saw Howard flinch and he rolled his eyes.

"I'm requesting that you allow me to go on maternity leave sir."

"What?" the doctor spat. It had been a long day and he was not in the mood for some kind of sick joke.

"I'm pregnant. I don't want to be at work right now, given that I've been getting…bigger. I know this is really, really weird. Trust me. But I really can't handle work right now. I don't want to have to quit my job, I love it here. I just need some time off. I don't care if I get paid for it or not-"

"You expect me to believe this bullshit?"

Howard fell silent for a second. He hadn't expected Gablehauser to think this was some kind of joke. Howard wished that he had the ultrasound picture with him. It would have helped. His heart was beating rapidly. Howard knew that he had to calm down soon. He felt the baby move inside of his stomach.

"I can prove it to you." Howard said suddenly. He stood up and unzipped the gigantic hoodie, revealing a red t-shirt that was pulled tightly across his stomach. Howard saw Gablehauser's eyes widen. The engineer felt overexposed in the small office. It had been a very long time since Howard had shown his stomach in public. He looked… pregnant, Gablehauser couldn't deny that. However, in the doctor's eyes, an oddly shaped stomach was not proof enough.

"So you got fat, big deal. In case your mother never told you," he told Howard, noticing the man flinch at the mention of his mother, "men don't have babies."

"If I let you feel the baby kick, will you believe me?" Howard asked, shooting the doctor a pleading look. It was an awkward situation, bordering on creepy, but Howard was desperate. He couldn't stand being at work anymore. Everyone's eyes were always on him. He heard the whispers his coworkers tried to hide from him in the hallways. It was humiliating.

"This is highly inappropriate Mr. Wolowitz." Gablehauser began, studying Howard's face with much concentration, "However, it is very easy to tell when you are lying. But you don't seem to be lying now. But if this is some kind of prank, you're fired." Howard nodded meekly as he watched his boss stand up and approach him. Howard lifted up his shirt and glanced down at his stomach. The baby was growing bigger every day as did his stomach. Howard's bellybutton had popped out recently as well. Gablehauser swallowed and tugged at his suit collar. Slowly, he lifted up a hand and placed it on Howard's stomach.

Howard hissed, the man's hand felt cold. They stood still, both waiting for the baby to move. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor frowned. The baby had been motionless. Howard felt his heart constrict and an embarrassed blush creep across his face. He felt Dr. Gablehauser remove his hand from Howard's stomach. Not thinking, he reached out and pulled the hand back onto his bulging stomach.

"Please. Just give it one more minute. After that, if nothing happens, I'll go pack up my stuff." he said.

The second hand had almost completed another trip around the clock when Howard felt the tiniest of kicks. He looked at the doctor. He had felt it too, judging by his wide eyed gaze. The baby kicked again.

"Jesus Christ." whispered the doctor. Slowly, he removed his hand. Howard quickly pulled his shirt down and began to put his hoodie back on.

"I'm sorry for doubting you Mr. Wolowitz. Please, take as much time off as you need. According to university policy, we are not allowed to offer men maternity leave." Gablehauser noticed the odd look that Howard was giving him, "some men choose to go on maternity leave alongside their wives. However, I can give you three months paid break. After that, I won't expect you to return until you are ready, but I will have to stop sending you checks."

This news was like a godsend to Howard. He couldn't help the huge smile that was spreading across his face. Pulling his boss into an awkward hug, he whispered "Thank you so much." Try as he might to stop it, Howard couldn't keep his eyes from tearing up.

"Um… You're welcome. Now, I really must be going. Enjoy your break and do tell Dr. Koothrappali that I say congratulations."

Releasing the man from his hug, Howard thanked him once again before quickly slipping out of Gablehauser's office.

…

Raj was waiting patiently in the car when Howard finally left the lab. Howard waved and shot his boyfriend the biggest smile he could muster. Raj rolled down the window and stuck his head outside.

"How did it go?" he shouted.

"Great!" Howard yelled back. He got to the car as fast as he could. After struggling with the seatbelt, Howard got settled in and Raj pulled out of the parking lot.

"So, tell me what happened?" Raj asked Howard excitedly. Howard blushed.

"He felt the baby kick."

"What? Why?"

"He thought I was pulling some kind of prank on him. I didn't have the ultrasound picture with me so it was the only option. It shocked the hell out of him. I got three months paid leave, plus any extra unpaid time I need. Pretty sweet huh?"

They had reached a red light so Raj leaned over and kissed Howard on the lips. He bit down on Howard's bottom lip, earning the smallest of shudders from his lover. Behind him, a car beeped its horn. They pulled away quickly. The light had turned green. Raj chuckled as he drove off. It wasn't too long before they reached Leonard and Sheldon's house. Controllers were handed out and each of the nerdy men donned a look of utter concentration when the game began.

…

I know this was a tad short, but I felt that the chapter was drawing to and end naturally and didn't want to ruin it by continuing. The next chapter will be up soon!