December 2027

"What are you thinking about, Shelly?" Mary Cooper asked her son as he stood in the kitchen of her house in Texas, watching what was going on in the next room.

Pulled from his trance, Sheldon stammered, "Uh, sorry. What did you ask?"

"Just what you're thinking about? I know you've got something going on in that head of yours," repeated Mary.

"I was thinking about how amazing my family is. I never thought I'd find someone, Mom, much less someone like Amy. Iris is an amazing kid," Sheldon moved to make tea for himself and his mother.

"They are pretty great, aren't they? I know you, and I know there's something else on your mind. What is it?"

"I'm worried, Mom. I'm only a year younger than Dad was when he died. What if something like that happens to me? I can't imagine not seeing Iris grow up. She's only six. I don't want to miss anything. I want to see her learn to ride a bike and drive a car. Go to prom and start college. I want to dance with my little girl at her wedding. What if I don't get to do those things?" Sheldon looked at the cup of tea in front of him.

Mary put her hand on top of her son's. "I can't say you have nothing to worry about, because only God knows that. But I will say that you don't drink and you take care of yourself, so you've got that going for you. I know how scary it can be to think about what will happen if something happens. I thought about it a lot after he passed away. Don't stress yourself out over this. Enjoy every day you get with her. There will come a day when you wake up and realize that she's not a little girl anymore."

"Thanks, Mom. Do you think he would be proud of me? I regret that we didn't have the best relationship right before he passed."

"I know he's proud of you. He would think Amy is the perfect person for you and would want to spoil Iris completely rotten. After Missy's boys, he would be so excited to have a granddaughter. Sure, he was into sports and everything with Georgie, but he really appreciated the quieter chaos that you and Missy brought to our family. I'm really glad you guys were able to make it for Christmas this year. Iris has gotten so big since you were out here in the spring."

"Iris is already spoiled rotten; she wouldn't need him adding to that. Amy's mother wasn't happy that we wouldn't be able to come to their house for Christmas, but I'd much rather come here than go there," Sheldon shared.

Later that afternoon, Amy found Sheldon digging around in his mother's garage. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was talking to my mom earlier and I had an idea. I know it's still out here; I just have to unbury it from behind these boxes," Sheldon said, moving a few boxes until he saw what he was looking for.

"What are you looking for?"

Lifting a bike that had seen better days, Sheldon answered, "This. It's Missy's old bike. I rarely biked and it's been over thirty years since I've gotten on a bike, but I think now is the perfect time for Iris to learn. If she likes it, we can get her a bike when we get back to Pasadena. I'm going to run next door to see if Pastor Jeff has an air pump to put some air in these tires. You go get Iris. I think there's a helmet around here, somewhere."

Amy spotted the helmet hanging just out of her reach and motioned for Sheldon to get it down. "Are you sure about this?"

"Of course, I'm sure, Amy. Now go get Iris.

Amy stood in the front yard with Iris, waiting for Sheldon to return with the bicycle. When Missy heard what was about to happen, she joined them as well, for the amusement of watching Sheldon teach his daughter to ride a bike when he could barely ride one himself.

"Are you excited for this, Iris?" Sheldon asked as he clipped the helmet under her chin. "Let's get you on the bike." Sheldon helped her balance on the bike. "Now put your feet up on the pedals. Push down with the leg that's up higher." Iris moved forward a few inches and a smile spread across her face. "Now do it again with the other leg. Keep going up and down with your legs." Sheldon steered the handlebars for her so she didn't crash into the mailbox. "You're really good at this."

"I've ridden Michael's bike before. Halley's is too big for me. Can I try without the training wheels?"

Sheldon looked at Amy, who nodded. Seeing Iris's confidence in removing the training wheels, he agreed. "Sure, kiddo. Are you sure you're ready to try that? Let me get a wrench to take them off."

Missy snickered as she watched Sheldon struggle with the wrench on her old bike. "Need some help, Sheldon?"

"Actually, that would be great. Thanks, Missy."

Iris echoed back, "Thanks for letting me use your bike, Aunt Missy."

"Your daddy didn't exactly ask if he could use it, but you're welcome. I haven't used this bike since I was a little bit older than you are now."

Finished with removing the training wheels, Sheldon held the bike steady as Iris again got settled on it. "I'll hold onto it to keep you balanced. I won't let go unless you tell me to, okay?"

"Daddy, I can do this," insisted Iris as she began to pedal while Sheldon held onto the back of the seat and ran down the street alongside her. Focused, neither spoke again until they were halfway down the block. "Let go. I can do this by myself."

"Are you sure?" Sheldon was scared for her, worried she might fall and get hurt.

"Let go." Sheldon released the back of the seat and watched his daughter continue down the street.

Mary walked up behind Sheldon. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd be teaching your child to ride a bike, Sheldon. I have a feeling you aren't going to miss a single thing in that little girl's life."