A/N Well well well Sophie, you better not get too used to it, 'cuz boy, do I have a shit ton of angst for you coming up.
"Though it's been awhile now
I can still feel so much pain
Like the knife that cuts you
The wound heals
But the scar
The scar remains"-
Poison, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."
Chapter Fourteen
Knock knock knock.
"Leonard and Sophie."
Knock knock knock.
"Leonard and Sophie."
Knock knock knock.
"Leonard and Soph-"
I fumble for the lock, swearing under my breath, and swing open the door, nearly whacking Sheldon in the face with it. "What?!" I demand, rubbing my crusty eyes.
"Is Leonard home?" Sheldon attempts to shove past me into the apartment, but I blocked his way.
"Sheldon, it's three o'clock in the morning," I groan hoarsely. "What the hell are you doing here and what the hell do you want?"
"Oh, so you can tell time," Sheldon replies, appearing genuinely surprised.
"Just tell me what the hell you want!" I put my hands on my hips, restraining the urge to punch him in the face.
Sheldon pales. "Katie adopted a child."
I blink at him. "Okay, congratulations." I try closing the door in his face, but he props it open with his arm.
"You're missing my point," Sheldon says breathlessly, while I darkly glare at him. "Katie...adopted...a child."
I raise my eyebrows. "We've established that," I growl, whatever string of patience I had left finally snapping. "And the problem is?"
"The problem is," Sheldon begins to panic, "that I have no experience in rearing a child!"
I stare at him. "Oh, boo-hoo," I say apathetically. "Get over yourself, Cooper. You'll be fine." I point my finger at him. "Consider yourself lucky, Sheldon Cooper. As of now, I am unable to conceive. I cannot carry or birth a child. And it is absolute hell. I've been trying so damned hard. Leonard and I both have, and it's just not working. I would give anything to be in your position right now. So stop whining get your ass home, and spend time with that baby. You have a wife who needs you." He stares at me in shock. "Oh, and if you wake me again, I'll have no choice but to kill you."
Sheldon's eyes widen, and I slam the door in his face, sliding the bolt home.
I sink down to the floor, collapsing against the door, and run my fingers through my tangled hair before putting my face in my hands. "Oh, Lord give me strength."
*TBBT TBBT TBBT*
The next time my eyes open, I'm lying in bed. Which is weird, because last time I remember, I had fallen asleep on the living room floor after my slumber was oh so rudely interrupted by Sheldon. Maybe I sleep-walked, or just walked into the bedroom and couldn't remember. Other than Sheldon, the prior night's memories were hazy.
I turn on my side to see Leonard fast asleep, curled up next to me against my side. He looks like a happy puppy when he sleeps. I smile and get out of bed, reaching for the covers and tucking him in. I close the door behind me as I walk out and pad to the kitchen, still clad in my pink pajamas.
I put the coffee on and turn around, leaning against the counter. I nearly jump out of my skin when I see Sheldon standing in front of me. I grab the nearest thing I can defend myself with (a frying pan) and whacked him on the head with it. "What the hell?!" He doesn't move.
"Judging by your facial expression," Sheldon breathes, rubbing his head, "you aren't pleased."
"Aren't you a smart one." I lower the frying pan, my guard, however, still up, and he opens his mouth to answer, but I cut him off. "How long have you been here?"
"All night," Sheldon answers, and I glare at him.
"That's creepy." I jerk my thumb toward the front door. "Get out."
"But-" Sheldon begins, and I swing the frying pan at him. That's enough to get him to run to the door.
I follow him, standing on the threshold make sure he doesn't try anymore funny business. He steps outside, and I put my hands on my hips and stare at him.
He's halfway down the steps, but turns around. He must have caught me staring, because he says, "What?", with a hard edge to his voice.
I smile. "It's the chase, isn't it?"
Sheldon blinks at me. "The chase?" he echoes incredulously.
I smirk. "Men just love the adrenaline rush of chasing someone even after they've told you to go away, right?"
Sheldon shrugs his shoulders lazily, then clomps down the stairs.
"What's going on?" Leonard comes to my side. He looks- and sounds- sleepy.
I gesture to Sheldon. "This genius doctor," I inform Leonard dryly, "has been in our apartment literally all freaking night."
Leonard stares at me blankly. "You're joking, right?" he inquires, rubbing his eyes.
I shake my head. "I wish I was."
"What? Why?" Leonard's glare shifts from me to Sheldon. "Sheldon, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Sheldon pivots; whips back around to face us, a motion akin to the Michael Jackson dance. "Katie is adopting a child," he says, breathless again, with panic flickering in his eyes, "and I was confiding in Sophie about what should be done regarding the matter. As you both are aware, I, myself, have no personal experience with child rearing. However, I am aware that you and Sophie are attempting to conceive. Once you conceive and birth, I would like to…" He blushes, then fumbles and stumbles over his words. "I would like to babysit your child."
Leonard and I glance at each other, the news of Sheldon's true plight leaving us in stunned silence. Or at least, I'm stunned.
I feel my own face flame. "Sheldon-"
Leonard raises his hand, placing it gently on my shoulder. "We'll think about it, Sheldon," he vowed, squeezing my shoulder softly. "We'll get back to you when we can."
Sheldon looks relieved, nods. "Thank you." With that, he turns and walks out the building.
As the news begins to wear off, Leonard and I step back into the apartment and close the door.
I know what I have to do.
I take a deep breath, sit down at the computer, and Google "child/infant adoption process."