Short but then I'm really stressed and short for time.


Chapter 29

Logan FarmsDec. 23 Evening

The mall had been crowded and exhausting and Penny was sprawled across the couch with her head in Sheldon's lap. He was talking with Bernadette about the empty house and she'd agreed to check on it on her way back from work each day. She also took him to task for resigning without even 'consulting' his best friends.

'Sheldon, you just don't up and walk away from everything. We had no idea where you'd gone and Howie called your mom and she said she had no idea where you were since you hadn't talked with her in a while. Sheldon, define a 'while'.'

"It's a length of time somewhat longer than a few days but less than…"

'Damn you, Sheldon Cooper, she's worried about you and Gracie. She said – '

"Merry Christmas, Bernie. Make sure you and Howard open your gift from me when you're alone. I don't think Mrs. Wolowitz is quite ready for what I got you both. Any how, I hear Gracie and I need to take care of her stinky butt. Bye."

"Sheldon, did you just lie to Bernadette? Gracie's in the kitchen with my folks 'helping' to make gingerbread men. Did I hear Bernie right – you resigned from CalTech? Why?"

"Howard's mother was screeching at Howard about something and the woman gives me a headache. I did hear Grace and I do have a need, from time to time, to care for her stinky little butt. Selective parsing of phrases, Penny, not lying. I just do occasionally what politicians do constantly."

"And quitting your Chair at CalTech? Oh, don't look surprised. I've Google the hell out of you every chance I get. You're a famous prize-winning physicist and you deserve the honor. Why quit?" His resignation hadn't been announced. She'd overheard Bernadette's shrill voice taking him to task.

"Why not? It is just window dressing to attract grants and donations. It was all Gabelhauser and Sierbert's doing. Establish a Chair and shove me into it and keep me there like some prize on a shelf. I won the Nobel, not CalTech. Besides, I have offers from several universities to visit and lecture and there's nothing to keep me in Pasadena any longer."

The conversation was straying into territory she wasn't ready to explore – certainly not in the living room of her parents' home.

"Shel, we have a family tradition. We decorate the tree on Christmas Eve and then open one present. I know you bought me several but I only got you one but I think you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will."

"Sheldon, I have an appointment with my therapist on the 27th and…could you go with me? Please?"

"Shouldn't we talk about us and out situation before I meet your therapist? Shouldn't we have some idea of where we're going? Is she aware of our 'working week' arrangement?"

"Yeah, we should talk. Gracie sleeps the night through now so how about right after I put her down for the night?"


Gracie Cooper did not want to go to bed. There was too much happening in her new environment and she didn't want to miss a thing. Penny was nervous about talking about her life since leaving Pasadena and an uncooperative baby was not helping matters at all.

"Sheldon?" she called out. "I need some help in here." She wasn't certain just what she was supposed to do. Gracie was powdered and had on a fresh diaper and she seemed cranky.

"Here. I picked these up at the mall and put them in the freezer. She's teething and that's why you had such a messy diaper to deal with. I don't really approve of pacifiers but this serves a dual purpose and will ease the teething pains." He popped the cold pacifier into her mouth and then gently pushed Penny out of the room and closed the door.

Gracie started to wail and Penny turned to go back in but he stopped her. "Penny, she's teething. She's also excited in her own way what with all the activity and new people and she's overly tired. Let her cry herself to sleep."

"Sheldon! That's…that's cruel! She's hurting and – "

"This isn't my first rodeo, Penny. I learned the hard way and suffered from days of sleep deprivation until I finally talked with some people at work that have kids and more experience. If she's still fussy in an hour, we'll go to plan B."

"Plan B? Plan B? Plan B only works in the movies, Sheldon! Plan B?" She was getting aggravated and knew it was stress but still, she couldn't seem to ratchet down the drama.

"Soft Kitty, Penny, soft kitty, of course."