A/N: This has been a bit of a challenge for me. I loved the suggestion and I love writing of Jarod and Marie, but clearly the premise is a little sadder than my usual mood. I do promise however that the story is not. Sheldon is fine, everyone is fine in the end.
I was thinking of Amy comforting Jarod and Marie when they're scared because (based on an episode from "Young Sheldon") Sheldon had a heart attack and the three of them are waiting in the hospital. It would be so cute, the kids worrying about their daddy.
Amy sits in the crowded waiting room, staring at its entrance as she waits any of the doctors to show up. She wonders why it takes them so long. When they had visited Sheldon, they reassured her it is just a minor heart attack and appreciated they had arrived at the emergency room in such a timely manner. The perks of hypochondriac husband, Amy had observed with a tired smile. As soon as he had realized something was wrong, they asked their friends to remain with the kids, and rushed to the hospital.
She starts playing with her fingers, with her rings, with the hem of her cardigan. Anything in order to avoid staring at the hallway. At times, she thinks to just stand up and hurry back to him. Maybe if she promises to be quiet in a corner they would allow her to stay while they finish the tests.
Eventually, she needs to check again if someone is coming for her. She is definitely surprised to spot there is indeed someone looking for her, except they are not doctors: her children are standing in the entrance, holding hands.
"How have you two got here?" Amy exclaims going to meet them. Marie smiles as soon as she realizes her mama has noticed her and waves.
"Mom, I have an IQ of 189," Jarod answers calmly, "I do know how to distract Leonard and Penny, get Marie dressed, borrowing Leonard's phone and using it to call an Uber to get here."
Amy looks at the baby girl, perfectly dressed in overalls, pink floral shirt, and matching shoes. Apparently, Jarod has also good taste in child clothing. She can't reply a thing, because the boy anticipates her and goes all the way, "Ma' wants to see Dad," he justifies.
Amy feels her legs weak. She can be strong. She is a scientist who believes in medical science and in the competence of the doctors if they say her husband is fine. But she is also a mother who suddenly realizes her children saw their father leaving the house pale and with a hand on his chest. What's worse, being a prodigy eleven-year-old who perfectly understands what is going on, or a preschooler who barely does?
She kneels down to look directly to Marie, "Is it true? Did you ask your brother?"
The girl nods, "Where is Daddy?"
"Doctors are visiting him now, sweetie. But we can go see him later, don't worry."
"Can we go now?" her daughter insists, "He is sick, we have to sing Soft Kitty. It scares owie away."
Amy brushes Marie's cheek. Well, she is right - at least according to her father's logic he exposes every time someone is sick. It scares owie away. He tells Marie this every time he sings it to her. He says the same to Jarod, even if he is old enough to require a less juvenile language.
She takes her hand, "You are right," Amy concedes, "But we can't go right now. Why don't we go sit down while we wait?" She offers. As she stands back, the kids both nod. Amy and Jarod's stares meet briefly, and moving toward the chairs Amy delivers a warning for her son, "I'm dropping it for now, but you are not getting away with what you have done, mister."
They sit next to the other, and Amy lifts Marie to sit her on her laps. Turning to Jarod, she immediately realizes there's something stuck in his throat, something he doesn't dare to say.
"You can tell me that," Amy reassures him.
He stares back for a moment. Some things are scarier once they are said out loud.
"Is Dad really going to be fine? I heard you said it was just a minor event, but are you sure?"
Amy moves slightly to better face him. She needs him to read well in her eyes she is not lying, "He is. He really was a minor attack. And anyway, the exams he is undergoing now are exactly to be one hundred percent sure of this."
He still doesn't fully believe it. It's not the first time they tell him not to worry, that everything was going to be fine, "Maybe we should wait for these results to really say it's not a big deal," he insists. He foresees Amy's next question, and explains it himself, "My other dad said it was not a big deal all the time when he was sick."
He thinks of his other dad and mom every day. This doesn't mean he loves his parents any less. He can't imagine something bad would happen to them too. He looks away from Amy and Marie, feeling the sudden urge to cry. He must not. He clenches his fists fighting the tears back, and regrets to have told his mother about his irrational fear. What if has he only scared her too in vain?
"Hey," Amy calls Jarod, "Please, look at me," she asks softly.
When Jarod fulfills her request, he meets a reassuring smile. All of sudden, he recalls one time Dad commenting on how Mom can soothe him with her smile. Jarod sees what he meant now.
"I promise you, Dad is going to be fine, and I promise you I am not saying this just to reassure you. I really mean it," Amy says. She leans and kisses his forehead.
Jarod closes his eyes and lets himself enjoying his mother healing touch. "Okay. I believe you," he concedes, "Can we hug now?"
"Of course," Amy answers wrapping him with her free hand. Caught in between, Marie grins, "Group hug!" She exclaims. This makes Amy and Jarod crack a small laugh.
Jarod detaches, while Marie turns to rest her head on Amy's bosom. Realizing she's probably tired by now, Amy lifts the girl's legs to allow her a more comfortable position.
"Mama, your tummy is growling," Marie mutters as she closes her eyes.
"Sorry baby," Amy apologizes.
It doesn't take much before Jarod realizes that everything has happened before dinnertime, and his Mom most likely hasn't touched food during her waiting. He stands up and heads to a near vending machine.
"What are you doing?" Amy asks.
He puts some money in the machine and gets a bag of chips. "I am going to be grounded for the rest of the year. The least I can do is to use the last of my allowance to get you some food," he explains opening and offering her the chips.
Amy accepts them and immediately eats the first one. Jarod sits back next to her, and she offers chips in turn.
"You know, maybe your punishment will last less than you think," she suggests, "You did the right thing by coming here with your sister," she finally admits.
"Do you think Dad will agree?"
"I just think he will be really happy to see you guys."
Despite Jarod complains those should be all for her, they share the chips bag, while Marie is definitely asleep. They wait there a little more before the doctors finally call them to go see Sheldon.