CHAPTER 28

"Amy, I'm starving!", Sheldon told her, when he went out of the shower. He thought his appetite was due to their strenuous exercise.

"Now that you mention it, that's not a bad idea. Let's go out for dinner!", Amy asked him, as she was reading some review articles that Mattias had sent her to catch up on her work. She was very excited about returning to the Institute of Neurosciences.

"Are you sure you don't have to rest after what we just did?" Sheldon thought Amy should stay in bed for a while.

"No, I'm perfectly fine. I want to go out, what would you like to eat?" Amy was tired of being home.

"Okay, today is Tuesday, and I'd like a BBQ cheeseburger, with pickles, onions and cheese, served on the side. Oh, oh, onion rings, I also want onion rings". This was his usual order when dining with friends, every Tuesday at Cheesecake Factory. Amy knew it.

"Aw!, Now you've made me think of Penny! I miss her so much. I miss them all". Amy suddenly saddened when she recalled her friends.

"I miss them too. Although Leonard often gets on my nerves and Penny always takes my food orders wrong, I missed them more than I expected." Sheldon admitted. "But, don't be sad! Soon we'll be reunited with them. What is more, we can go home tomorrow if you want. You only need to ask".

"No Sheldon, it's not that bad! I'm just homesick, and a little nostalgic. That's all!. In addition, I've talked to Mattias and some other researchers, and we agreed that I'd stay here in Stockholm for another month. I need everything to be in order so we can return to Pasadena.

"Yes, I know. I know! Evidently, they need you. What validity would that project have without your contribution?. Now, let's go! It's getting late and I'm hungry". For a moment, Sheldon wished that Amy decided to return to Pasadena that night. He knew he had to be patient. Furthermore, they were having an enjoyable time together, just the two of them. Sheldon smiled.

Sheldon and Amy found a place that met the expectations of the theoretical physicist. The Sheldon-approved restaurant was very close to their apartment and Martina'd recommended it a few days ago. It looked very neat and tidy. Martina had told them that, at this place they served the best burgers in Stockholm. Sheldon checked the menu before ordering his usual dinner, as every Tuesday. Amy didn't like red meat but they had other options.

"Look Amy, they have chicken burgers and veggie burgers too", Sheldon said pointing at the menu.

"Yes, I see. I think I might order a chicken burger or ... maybe I'll order the same as you. That's it!, I want a BBQ cheeseburger, with pickles, onions and cheese, on the side.. And a double serving of onion rings". Amy was extremely hungry.

"Amy, you never eat red meat. You don't like beef. Are you sure that's what you want for dinner?", Sheldon asked her, surprised by Amy's unusual choice of food.

"I think that's the only food I could eat right now. Definitely that's what I want!. Apparently your child follows the Sheldonian food schedule", Amy replied. She couldn't resist her BBQ cheeseburger craving.

"Let's see, that urge to eat red meat, could be a sign of iron deficiency anemia; we should call Martina and ask her, just to know if it's safe for you". Sheldon pulled the phone from his pants pocket and even though Amy tried to persuade him otherwise, he dialed Martina's number.

The phone rang and rang with no answer. Sheldon dialed two times more.

"Sheldon, the food is served. Your dinner's getting cold. Maybe Martina is busy, you can call her tomorrow", Amy said as she started to eat her delicious cheeseburger.

On the third attempt to reach her; Martina finally answered the phone. "Hello!", she greeted, surprised by that unexpected calling.

"Hi Martina, I'm Sheldon!. How are you?", Sheldon asked her very politely.

"Ahh, I'm… I'm fine, but I'm pretty busy at the moment", Martina responded. Sheldon noticed her breathing was somewhat agitated.

"I see. I want to ask you a question; it won't take me more than a minute. Amy never eats red meat because she doesn't like it, but now, she's eating a double cheeseburger. Do you think that might be a sign of iron deficiency anemia?", Sheldon asked Martina with genuine concern.

"Sheldon, I don't think Amy has anemia. Let her eat whatever she wants, that won't hurt!", Martina answered, she was somewhat exasperated.

"Could you please order new blood tests for Amy? Just to make sure she isn't anemic. Maybe you should quantify her serum ferritin levels. She's a little pale", Sheldon continued as he watched Amy eating her meal as if it were a real treat.

"Don't worry Sheldon, on the next visit I'll ask some other tests. Say hello to Amy". Martina said goodbye.

"What a hardworking doctor Martina is!. Although she was very busy; she promised me she'll ask new lab tests for you, to rule iron deficiency anemia", Sheldon smiled.

"Didn't she say we were her last patients today?" Amy thought it was a bit odd that Martina's so busy. "I guess, she must be attending an emergency", Amy finally said.

"Yes, I could notice in her voice that she was having a hectic night. Her breath sounded as if she were running. That hospital is huge. The first time I went there, I almost get lost"; Sheldon admitted.

"Yeah, I'm sure she was running down the halls of that huge hospital", Amy said, smiling mischievously. Sheldon was adorably naïve. Amy's sixth sense told her that Martina wasn't alone.

After an enjoyable dinner, Amy and Sheldon returned home. They both were exhausted, and they needed to rest because, tomorrow morning, Amy was going back to work. Amy was glad to go back to the lab, but it was a little sad, not being able to spend all day with Sheldon as she had done before.

On the lobby of the building, Amy and Sheldon waited for the elevator. It was taking forever; even more than usual.

"Sheldon, you know I can climb the stairs, that's not a problem. I'm pregnant, not ill!" . Amy tried to reason with her overprotective boyfriend.

"No Amy, let's wait for the elevator!. I think you've done enough exercise for today". Sheldon leaned in for a sweet kiss on Amy's lips.

When the elevator door opened suddenly, Sheldon and Amy watched in surprise as a couple of lovers were trying to eat each other up in kisses, completely unaware of their witnesses.

"Hey Mattias! Hey Martina!" Amy waved her hand lightly, greeting them with a smile. "Now, I see why Martina was so busy", Amy whispered in Sheldon's ear.

"Hello!"; Sheldon blushed, he held Amy's hand firmly.

Martina and Mattias left the elevator feeling very embarrassed. Sheldon and Amy went on their way to the third floor.

Our favorite couple was ready to go to bed, but this time only to sleep. Amy and Sheldon covered themselves with the blankets. As usual, Sheldon put his arms around her, and she placed her head on his chest.

"If I understand you correctly, you're implying that Martina and Mattias engaged in coitus" Sheldon was surprised by Amy's words.

"Well, if they didn't engage in coitus yet, they will do it; I'm sure!", Amy said with a naughty smile that lit her face

"Don't you feel a little disappointed by how quickly Mattias forgot about you?", Sheldon was grinning. He still didn't like the "Viking".

"No, of course not!, I'm happy for them. Besides, I have the best boyfriend". Amy replied.

"You're right! You won the lottery with me. I'm great! Ha ha!, the theoretical physicist laughed.

"And you're quite modest too". Amy giggled.

Abruptly, Amy felt sick again. She rose from the bed and quickly went to the bathroom. Her dinner of that night was expelled with the same speed as she ate it.

"Amy!. Are you okay?", Sheldon questioned her. "I told you, you shouldn't have eaten that hamburger; but you never listen. Why don't you listen to me?".

"Yeah, you told me!, You're right, you're always right!", Amy hissed angrily.

Knock, knock, knock, Amy!. Knock, knock, knock, Amy!. Knock, knock, knock, Amy!. Sheldon knocked on the bathroom's door. "Are you mad at me?"

After a few minutes, Amy finally opened that door. She looked sad, her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had cried.

"What's wrong Amy?. Were you crying?", Sheldon asked totally confused. He didn't know what to do with the unusual behavior of Amy.

"Sheldon, I'm a mess! I feel like crap! I'm hungry but I can't eat and I'm tired all the time. I hate these mood swings. On the contrary you've taken this… so well, you've been so good to me!". Amy couldn't stop crying.

"Amy, I don't understand! Are you crying because I've been so good to you?. That is illogical", Sheldon was in awe of her.

"Never mind! I don't understand myself!", Amy sobbed, as her tears kept falling down her cheeks.

Amy couldn't interpret her own sudden discomfort. Maybe she wasn't ready to be a mother. Maybe Sheldon would be a better parent than her. It was not the first time that this idea crossed her mind. To be honest, she was seriously considering that her baby will love him more.

Sheldon didn't say a word at that time; he only held her tightly. "There! There! Everything's going to be fine" That was all he could said.

While Amy finally fell asleep, lying on Sheldon's chest; he continued thinking of last night's events. "Only 30 weeks more. This will be worth it", he attempted to encourage himself

The next day Amy got up in a great mood. She could have orange juice and toast for breakfast, surprisingly keeping the food inside her stomach. Sheldon and Amy walked slowly to the Neuroscienes Institute, enjoying the landscape on that sunny morning. At the distance, they could distinguish Mattias riding his bike as usual.

When they reached the front door of the Institute, Sheldon affectionately said goodbye to Amy and their baby.

"I hope you guys have a great day!. Amy! Please don't manipulate lab animals, or anatomical specimens preserved in formaldehyde, or anything involving biohazard. You know it could be harmful to you and the baby. You should take several breaks throughout the day. Call me if you need me, I'll be at the library. We'll have lunch together, and at 5 o'clock we'll go home.

"Yes Sheldon!, Don't worry, we are fine!". Amy smiled sweetly, placing her hands on her belly, like she regularly did, even though her belly wasn't showing yet.

"I'll see you later, I love you!". Sheldon said goodbye with a kiss.

Throughout the morning, Sheldon was deeply focused on his work, catching up on various articles he had left unfinished. In short, it was a very productive morning; his ideas seemed to flow incessantly, as they always did when he was happy. And today he was extremely happy.

At noon, Sheldon went back to the Neurosciences Institute as he promised. He was already missing Amy and his little homo novus.

"Daddy's here!", Amy told her baby when she saw Sheldon.

A. N: You know I appreciate your reviews! =)