Hello lovelies this was just a little one off idea I had based around the prompts (Amy, Sheldon and their daughter Emily) I was writing before I started the Infertility Issue.

Hope you enjoy!

Amy had always loved the sound of water, the gentle lapping of waves at the beach or the simple sloshing of water in a glass. Even at some of her lowest times she had found the sound calming and comforting, bringing her a sense of peace and tranquility, it helped clear thoughts and allowed her mind to refocus.

However, tonight seemed to be different. As she knelt on the bathroom floor and carefully dipped her fingers into the water she found herself almost getting lost in the sounds. Throughout her eight months of being a brand new mother, this was the first time she had found herself being struck by the dreaded 'mum guilt.'

Going back to work wasn't a decision she had made lightly. She had discussed at great lengths with girlfriends and Sheldon (although she wasn't entirely sure how much attention he paid) the pros and cons of doing this. Up until having children she was a strong believer in women having it all and in a way she still very much was, she just hadn't really thought about some of the sacrifices she would have to make. Some of the things she would have to miss out on.

One of the those being bath time and Emily's nighttime routine. It was one of Amy's favourite times of day, often just the two of them winding down from their busy day of baby's groups, playing, reading and snuggles. She loved nothing more than spending time with her daughter, watching her grow and learn new things was truly one of the best things she had ever experienced.

When she thought rationally, Amy was sure she would still be able to carry out their normal night time routine however, would she still fee the same. She wouldn't be able to reminisce on a day spent with her daughter because it simply wouldn't have been, would she be too tired to give Emily her undivided attention and enjoy the little moments. Then, of course, there would be the nights where she would have to work late. Where the job would be left down to Sheldon and she would miss out on tucking in their little angel at the end of the day. It all felt like a huge change and a huge step. Moments like this left her doubting whether she was doing the right thing after all.

"Are we ready for bath time?" Amy asked excitedly as she walked into the living room to see Emily sitting in her play pen, surrounded by her cuddly toys and soft, squishy books. Sheldon had recently bought a quantum physics book for babies that he would sit and read to her whenever he had the chance, Amy loved watching them together. The evident excitement on Sheldon's face as he shared his passion with his little girl and the look of sheer concentration and confusion that would descended on Emily's face was incredibly cute.

Like with most things, Sheldon was a little disheartened to find that when left to her own devices the book had found its way into Emily's mouth. With teething still very much happening, anything and everything found its way there and the quantum physics book always seemed to be her first choice. As Amy eyes landed upon her daughter tonight, she found that today was no different.

"Hey" she laughed. "Stop chewing this. It's your daddy's favourite book" Amy smiled to herself as she gently pulled the book away from her daughters mouth. A huge cheeky smile was present on Emily's face, a few teeth already making their appearance. "Oh it's a good job you're so cute" Amy spoke as she bent down and scooped the little one from the play pen, holding her carefully on her hip as she babbled something incoherent. "Oh, that sounds very interesting" Amy responded as she placed a kiss on her daughters chubby cheek.

"Oh, I'm going to miss this" Amy sighed from where she was kneeling on the bath room floor, resting against the tub. Emily loved bath time and was currently sat in her bath seat happily playing with her rubber ducks and various toys that squirted out water. "It's the right thing though and you're going to have the best time at day care" Amy smiled, she knew Emily had no idea what she was talking about but it made her feel better voicing it all out loud. "You're going to make so many new friends" the thought of her daughter forming friendships, even at such a young age gave her the warmest feeling inside.

Emily squealed loudly as she splashed around with her little ducks, her fists slamming against the water as she laughed contagiously. Amy couldn't help but laugh too, her little giggle was so infectious it could brighten the dullest of days. Emily loved the water, Amy had heard horror stories of babies that screamed the place down whenever it was bath time, she considered herself to be very lucky that her little girl was very much a water baby.

Pushing her worries and doubts aside, Amy began to play with Emily, acting out little scenes with the ducks and singing nursery rhymes. The bond they had created and the love that they had for one another was like no other. It was the definition of unconditional love in its purest form.

After bath time Amy dried Emily off, making her laugh by tickling her and pulling silly faces before putting her in her pyjamas. She knew she was biased and of course her daughter was beautiful all the time but there was something utterly adorable about Emily after bath time. The way the water clung to her eyelashes, making them appear darker and longer than normal, how the water made her skin shine, little droplets forming on her nose and cheeks. She was just a little bundle of perfection.

"Hello" Sheldon whispered as he appeared in the doorway of Emily's bedroom. Since placing her down in her crib, Amy hadn't left her side, she wanted to savour and soak in this moment while she still could. Despite the fight Emily had put up to resist her tiredness, Amy had watched her eyes gently close as she drifted off into a peaceful slumber, she hadn't quite found it in herself yet to leave her daughters side.

"Hi" Amy kept her voice quiet as she looked up at her husband and gave him a small smile.

"I bought Chinese food"

"Thanks" Amy's eyes never once left Emily.

"Did she have trouble getting to sleep?" Sheldon asked as he appeared at the side of the crib.

Emily had been a fairly average sleeper as a newborn baby, they couldn't be one of those parents that bragged about how much she slept through the night but then she also didn't have them awake every single hour. Once she hit about four months old the sleeping started to get better and Sheldon and Amy were able to have that little bit longer in bed however, over the past few weeks Emily's sleeping pattern had returned to that of a newborn. They were lucky if they got more than a couple of hours at a time, Amy knew this was common in babies but she couldn't help but worry it was because Emily knew that soon she would be off to daycare.

"No, I just can't stop watching her" Amy answered. "We are doing the right thing, aren't we?" she asked quietly. Sheldon knew Amy had her doubts and worries about leaving her, the closer the day crept the more vocal Amy became about how she was struggling. The thing had been all Amy's idea, she had expressed an interest in returning to work and Sheldon had one hundred percent supported her on that choice.

If anything, in the beginning, it was Sheldon that had his reservation. The thought of his daughter sat around with other children, children who had no sense of hygiene and put everything in their mouth set his germs aversion on edge. However, once he saw her there on her little taster day, the enjoyment and excitement etched upon her little face as she came into contact with new toys and new people. The way her eyes twinkled and the smile that pulled at her lips as she babbled with the other children warmed his heart more than he ever thought it would.

"Shall we go and eat?" Sheldon asked, he wasn't dismissing Amy's concerns he just knew that this conversation probably wasn't best had by their sleeping daughters crib. He carefully lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on Emily's forehead. "For the record" despite leaving the room, he kept his voice quite and cautious as he closed her bedroom door that led out into the living room. "I do think we're doing the right thing."

"You do? Because I don't" Amy explained as she grabbed the plates whilst Sheldon decanted the containers from the bag. "I don't have to go back to work, it isn't essential" she wasn't sure who she was trying to convince Sheldon or herself.

"No, but you wanted to" Sheldon stated as he sat down at the table with his General Tso's chicken. "Remember you said you wanted to get your identity back and not just be a mum and..." Sheldon remembered Amy's words word for word.

"I know what I said Sheldon" she sighed as she sat down opposite him and began tucking in to her vegetable lo Mein. "I'm just now second guessing it all" she explained waving her fork around. "She's still so little and I'm worried we're going to miss so much."

"We can't be there for everything"

"I know that, but what about the big things. What if she says her first words or takes her first steps and I'm not there to see because I'm too busy poking somebody's brain or what if she's hurt or upset and needs me to comfort her and I'm not there" it was clear from Amy's ramblings that she had thought about nothing else all day.

"Amy" Sheldon sighed as he placed down his fork. "I'm sure it's only natural to feel like this but she will be okay and if they need us for anything we're only going to be round the corner" he was trying to be reassuring but he wasn't entirely sure it was working. The truth was he had no idea what to say, no idea how to ease her worries.

"I know that, I do. I'm just worried..." she hesitated not wanting to say anymore. "I'm just worried that I'm being a bad mum" she could feel her lip quivering as she spoke. She was thrilled when she discovered she was pregnant, she couldn't wait to be a mother and watch her little baby grow, what kind of mother was she if she just left her at eight months.

"Amy, you're not a bad mum" he reached forwards and grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently. "She's the best little thing in the world and that's all because of you. Everything she is is because of you and she's perfect. You're the best mum and you mean the world to Emily" if Amy thought she was on the verge of tears before, hearing Sheldon's words almost tipped her over the edge.

"You really think so?"

"Of course. The way she smiles and lights up when she sees you, that isn't going to change because she's suddenly at day care" he explained. He had seen how Emily's eyes sparkled when she saw Amy, when she heard her voice, the little squeal of excitement that would leave her lips and the way she would kick her legs happily.

"I guess you're right"

"Listen, we can always trial it. If it's too much for her or you then it doesn't have to happen."

Amy nodded, thankful and yet slightly amazed for her suddenly very mature and logical husband. Someone that could completely understand her point of view and although the didn't completely agree he never once made her feel silly for thinking such things.

"You know she'll be just fine" Sheldon told her and just like with everything, Sheldon Cooper was never wrong as Amy collected Emily from day care the very next day, she was indeed told by a member of staff that Emily had settled in just fine.

Thank you so much for reading. As always reviews are always welcome :)

For now I am re-opening prompts so please send in your requests and I'll try my very best to fill them.