CHAPTER 25

"But, how did this happen?. I mean, it must be a test tube baby created at a laboratory in Stockholm, right?", Leonard asked, completely flabbergasted.

"Oh yeah, that's it!, you wanted to create a human being sharing your best genetic features. Don't you?. And if I remember correctly, you planned to hire a substitute mother", Penny exclaimed, trying to organize her thoughts. "Holy crap on a cracker! I didn't think you still have this crazy idea".

"While that's an idea that crossed our minds long time ago, I must admit that our offspring was conceived in the traditional way", Sheldon added.

"What do you mean by traditional way?", Penny asked.

"Oh, I mean intercourse! Isn't that obvious?" Sheldon replied casually.

"Yes Penny, in the traditional way. Missionary position. Sheldon on top. In short, it was a happy accident, as if we were a couple of teenagers. I thought you were familiar with these issues", Amy was pretty sure her bestie knew extremely well the process of baby making.

"Eww!, Amy!, I don't want know so many details", Penny was blushing at the thought of the scene that Amy described. "Thanks for the nightmares!".

"So, you're not kidding? You're pregnant?", Leonard asked them. He felt nervous and happy at the same time with the big news.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you. Why is it so hard to believe?", Sheldon questioned them, wearily.

"Well, first we weren't even sure that your species had some type of sexual reproduction", Leonard affirmed.

"My... species?, Please don't be ridiculous Leonard, I thought I'd find more support from you", Sheldon said resentfully. "I just learned today that I'm going to be a father, and this is how you react".

"Sheldon, Sheldon! Honey, don't be so angry!. Leonard is surprised by the news, as I am! We are actually, very happy." Sniff, sniff, "Leonard, tell them we're so happy". Penny started crying with tears of joy.

"Bestie, don't cry! If you start crying, I'll start crying and I don't want to do that." Amy was sobbing.

"Sheldon! Please understand, this is ... unusual!. You're having a baby!. Oh God, Penny! This is our first nephew or niece!". Leonard mumbled as he stood up, he was walking nervously from side to side of the room. "And this is Sheldon and Amy's baby!" he shouted.

"Oh my, a Shamy baby!. Amy, how far along are you?", Penny asked. She took Leonard by his arm, as he sat down in front of the computer.

"I'm almost two months pregnant, and you know I don't like it when you use that Juvenile amalgamation of our names: Shamy!", Amy replied. "If you'll excuse me, I have to pee; my bladder is going to explode", Amy rose from the couch and quickly walked to the bathroom.

When Amy left the room, Leonard took the opportunity to have a serious conversation with Sheldon. He had to know how his friend was feeling about this completely unexpected situation.

"Buddy, how do you feel about this… news?", Leonard asked Sheldon.

"I'm... happy!, Leonard this is indescribable. Just take a look at it! It's so little but it means so much to me. Amy and our baby are... all I ever needed, even when I didn't know I needed them. I honestly can't explain this with words." Sheldon whispered with complete sincerity.

"Aw, that's beautiful Sheldon", Leonard stated. "I'm so happy for you guys. Your baby will have the best uncle. Uncle Leonard! I'm gonna be the one who spoils your child". Leonard's eyes looked watery and bright.

"And Auntie Penny's gonna teach him how to play football, baseball, we can go horseback riding and do all the fun stuff together", Penny was laughing with excitement.

"Teach… him? What if it's a girl?", Leonard smiled at Penny.

"If it's a girl, we'll have even more fun", Penny replied, grinning from ear to ear.

Amy returned to the living room and sat next to Sheldon, who immediately took her hand. Amy yawned, and leaned her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. She felt extremely tired all the time. That was one of the "perks" of being pregnant.

"Look at them Leonard, they look so cute together", Penny giggled.

"Yes, but it seems that Amy has to go to bed. We'll call you in the morning", Leonard said goodbye to his friends.

"Bye bye bestie! Bye bye Leonard! I'll send you the pictures of the baby so you can show them to the guys", Amy added.

"Good night Uncle Leonard and Aunt Penny!", Sheldon had the sweetest smile on his face.

After the video call, Leonard hugged Penny, he felt really glad. This was one of the best news of his life. Although Leonard had a brother and sister, they weren't as close as Sheldon was.

Despite his eccentricities and foibles, Sheldon was the brother that life gave Leonard. The experimental physicist thought about this in silence.

"Leonard! Honey, you're very quiet", Penny told him.

"Well, I'm still in shock. Who knew that Sheldon and Amy would be the first ones in our group to have a baby", Leonard responded.

"And they're having a baby… together. It's ... amazing!", Penny shouted. "I know this is a cliché but Amy was glowing and Sheldon looked so happy".

"Penny ... have you ever thought that you and I could live something like this, one day?" Leonard inquired his girlfriend.

"What do you mean?", Penny asked, pretending she didn't understand him.

"You know what I mean. I'd like to be a father someday. Needless to say, I love you and I'd like to spend the rest of my life you and… start a family together", Leonard declared.

"Leonard, we've talked about this before and I'm not ready for such a commitment. But ... that doesn't mean I don't love you. You know it!, Penny gave Leonard a passionate kiss. "Do you want me to show you how I feel?"

When Penny just finished that sentence, Leonard took her hand and quickly led her to his room, slamming the door loudly.

Amy got up from the couch and stretched her arms while yawning. She felt a slight pain on her lower back and her belly; but just seeing Sheldon with her, she could forget about any discomfort. She rubbed her back gently.

"Sheldon, I think it's time to go to sleep, it's pretty late. By the way, where's the rest of your luggage? Don't tell me that you only brought that messenger's bag with you?", Amy asked him, she was afraid that Sheldon had planned to return immediately to Pasadena. She wanted him to stay with her.

"My luggage?, Aw, I'd forgotten completely! I left my luggage at the airport storage because... I didn't know if it was socially acceptable for me to stay at your apartment, just the two of us. Alone!" Sheldon said blushing, timidly.

"Sheldon, of course it is acceptable that my boyfriend, my baby's father, stays with me at my apartment", Amy gave him a tender kiss on his cheek. She was mesmerized by his aroma of aftershave lotion and baby powder.

"But… I don't have pajamas, and it's too late to go to the airport and get my luggage", Sheldon gulped.

"I guess you can sleep in your boxers and your white undershirt, you'll look very sexy", Amy grinned mischievously.

Sheldon's face flushed upon hearing his girlfriend's suggestion. "Amy... that sounds certainly tempting but, I must remind you that Dr. Martina Lundqvist, clearly specified that you should have some rest. And, I consider that coitus is not allowed under these circumstances", Sheldon suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Yes, you're right!, It's just that I'm so happy to have you with me. We've been far from each other for so long", Amy affirmed.

"I can't risk you… or our child. If something bad happens to you, I won't ever forgive me. I'm going to wait, all the time you need. For now, I'll sleep on the couch", Sheldon looked at the couch with resignation. It looked really small and uncomfortable.

"Aw, Sheldon you're so cute and sweet! I could eat you up in kisses!", Amy warmly snuggled into his arms.

Sheldon smiled at Amy. "Be careful, we know how it would end if we begin to eat each other up in kisses. Go to bed, I'll stay on the couch". He insisted.

"No, no way! There's plenty of space in my bed, for both of us", Amy added with a serious tone.

"Umm… alright! But we'll just sleep together. Nothing more! Well, I guess we can cuddle and an occasional kiss wouldn't hurt. " Sheldon told her, raising his right eyebrow in a mischievous way.

"Ohh, I have other things in mind that we could do, instead of... intercourse", Amy grinned. "Whoo!" Her hormonal changes were unpredictable. "I mean, we could just make out."; Amy blushed.

Sheldon looked at Amy stunned, with his blue eyes wide open. Without knowing why the image of a chicken pecking for corn, crossed his mind. "Ohh, God, I'll need Kolinahr meditation more than ever", he thought as he walked hand in hand with Amy to her room.

Amy leaned back on the bed and covered herself with the blankets; she turned off the lamp that was on the nightstand. Sheldon sat on the bed, and even though he still had serious doubts about it, he decided to take off his trousers and his Superman T-shirt. Sheldon was wearing just his boxers and white undershirt as he lay in bed next to Amy. She shivered when she felt the light touch of his skin.

Sheldon lay on his back, crossing his arms over his chest. Amy lay on her left side, as she slightly touched Sheldon's legs with her toes. He trembled with this contact.

"Amy, your feet are freezing!", Sheldon exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, the night is a bit cold, and I can't sleep with socks", Amy admitted.

With some difficulty, having his right hand in a cast, Sheldon put his left arm around Amy's waist and intertwined his feet with hers to keep her warm.

"Are you comfortable?", Sheldon asked Amy; her face lit up by the blue moonlight filtering through the curtains of the room.

"Yes, I am." Amy replied as she kissed him on his cheek. "And you?".

"I'm comfortable, but ... I think, I'll feel better if I do this…", Sheldon softly placed his left hand on Amy's belly in a protective way.

Amy closed her eyes and fell asleep almost immediately surrounded by Sheldon's arms. The theoretical physicist closed his eyes too and tried to get some sleep. Although he recited in his head, every digit of Pi, sleep was elusive.

His right hand hurt, but ... that wasn't the only thing that bothered Sheldon. His stomach growled. He was extremely hungry. He imagined the vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips that Amy had eaten a few hours ago, even with those black olives. He didn't want to wake Amy up, she needed to rest, but who could convince his stomach to stop making that incessant noise.

Carefully, Sheldon got out of bed, removing the arm he had around Amy. He went to the kitchen and checked the fridge. He was relieved when he found there was still some vanilla ice cream. And a few olives, they're indispensable.

When Amy sensed a cold draft on her back, she woke up immediately, realizing that Sheldon wasn't in bed. She got up and left the room, looking for him. "Sheldon, what are you doing?", she asked puzzled.

Sheldon felt embarrassed, being discovered by Amy. "I was a little hungry. Would you like some ice cream?", He offered her a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

"No thanks, I'm fine! Although I would like some olives" She smiled.

"At least, this craving isn't as unhealthy as one might think. Ice cream provides calcium and olives are rich in omega 3 fatty acids", Sheldon added. Amy gave him a little kiss on his forehead.

"Amy, I know that you can't travel now, because of your health and our baby's safety, but I only have fifteen days off", Sheldon sternly inquired.

"Yes, for now, it's not suitable for me to travel", Amy gulped. She had been trying to evade that issue.

"So, when are we going back to Pasadena?. I can't stay here in Stockholm for so long. I assume you're coming back to Pasadena with me, that's the logical approach. When are we coming back home?" Sheldon stared intently at Amy.