December 2030

"Iris, do you have everything you're going to need for the next week? Penny and Leonard have a spare key, but I don't want them to have to come get something you forgot," Amy asked her daughter.

Nodding, the nine-year-old responded by patting her suitcase. "Yep. I've got clothes and pajamas for a week, plus several books and my backpack with all of my school stuff. Are you sure I can't go with you and Dad?"

"Sweetie, we've been over this every day for the past two weeks. You can't come with us to Stockholm. We're going for the Nobel ceremony and will be busy the entire time. You'd be bored out of your mind if you came with us. It's best for you to stay here and not miss a week of school."

"What if I miss you and Dad while you're gone? I can't call you and there's a time difference. I don't remember what it is exactly, but I know Dad said it will be dinner time there when I'm getting ready for school," Iris slumped on the end of her bed.

Amy sat next to her, "It's okay to miss us. Yes, you can't call us on the phone, but I'm sure Penny or Leonard can FaceTime us a few times while we're gone. Besides, your winter break from school will start a few days after we get back. Dad and I are both off the entire two weeks you'll be home. We can do whatever you want, so start thinking about what you want to do. Maybe include a lazy day or two, I'm sure Dad and I will be tired when we get back. You ready to go? Dad and I need to be at the airport soon."

"I guess," Iris shrugged. "I'm still upset that I can't go with you."

The Fowler-Cooper family loaded their suitcases into Amy's car and made their way to the Hofstadter apartment. Riding the elevator to the fourth floor, Iris decided it couldn't hurt to try one more time, "Is there anyway I can go with you?"

Sheldon knew she had been asking this since they had told her they were going to Stockholm and had had enough. "Iris Catherine Fowler-Cooper. We've explained dozens of times why you can't go with us this time. Please don't cause problems for Leonard and Penny because you're upset you have to stay here. Christmas is in two weeks. It's not too late for Santa to return your gifts."

"I know Santa isn't real, Dad," Iris rolled her eyes.

"Just behave for the next week, please," he asked again.

Entering apartment 4A, Jacob greeted Iris and helped her bring her suitcase to his room since they would be sharing his room while she was staying with them. Sheldon began telling Leonard about their trip while Amy pulled Penny aside to give her a heads up about Iris's recent feelings towards not being able to go. "She's been asking every day if she can go with us; even asking multiple times this morning. Sheldon used her full name in the elevator just now."

"Ooh, Sheldon must have really had enough of her asking, I've never heard him use her full name. She's stayed here before and not had a problem. What do you think is different this time?" Penny asked.

Amy glanced down the hallway to double check Iris was still in Jacob's room. "I think she's nervous about us being gone for so long this time and us being so far away. She's only ever been here a night or two before, not an entire week. I trusted her to pack what she needs and didn't double check, hopefully she remembered everything. I know you have to go right past the house to drop the kids off at school, but I don't want you to have to stop for something she forgot unless it's for school."

"Did you tell her when we can FaceTime you?"

Amy shook her head, "No. I told her you can FaceTime us a few times, but didn't say it'd be at a certain time. Just send me a text first so I can let you know what's a good time for us. I'm not sure when we'll have free time to call and we can make sure we're available if we have a head's up."

"I can do that," Penny noticed they had been talking awhile. "You guys had better get going. I don't want Sheldon to blame us talking for you being late to the airport."

Halfway through Iris's weeklong stay with them, Penny and Leonard were in the living room after Iris and Jacob had been in bed for a few hours. Leonard was at his desk while Penny lounged in the arm chair. Penny heard the door to Jacob's room open and leaned back to see who was awake. Iris slowly walked down the hallway and stopped when she got to the step leading to the living room.

"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" Penny asked.

Iris moved to stand next to Penny, "I can't sleep."

Penny outstretched her arm to pull the girl in for a hug, "Come here. Are you really missing your mom and dad right now?" Iris nodded without saying anything. "Do you want to cuddle for a little bit? Jacob likes that when he can't sleep."

Iris climbed into the chair with Penny before saying anything. "Can we FaceTime them?"

"I have to text your mom to see if now is good for them. Leonard, what time is it there?"

"It's a nine hour time difference, so about 7:30 tomorrow morning," he answered while watching his wife with their best friends' daughter.

Penny's phone chimed with a response fairly quickly. "Your mom said they can't right now, but they should be able to before you go to school in the morning. Is that okay? Or is it an absolute emergency to talk to them right now?"

Shaking her head, Iris answered, "No. Can tuck me in again? I'm sorry for getting up."

"I would love to come tuck you in again. You have no need to apologize. I know what it's like to be far away from your parents. It's okay to miss them when you're not with them," Penny walked down the hallway with Iris.

"Really? Do you miss your parents?"

"All the time," answered Penny.

Iris stopped when they got to Jacob's door and looked at Penny, "But you're a grownup. I didn't think grownups miss their parents."