This takes place when Sheldon, Amy, and Max go to Texas for Christmas when they tell Mary that Sheldon is Max's son.
"You ready to go, Max?" Missy looked at the seven-year-old while attempting to keep her two-year-old son from pulling out all of his toys that are kept at Mary's house.
Amy helped Max with his jacket while giving him a few reminders for his shopping trip. "Missy has your money so you don't lose it. I'm sure the mall is going to be busy, so don't wander off. Be sure to hold her hand or hold onto Aiden's stroller. Missy's in charge; be sure to listen to her."
Rolling her eyes, Missy attempted to calm Amy's nerves. "We'll be fine. The mall ain't that big here, nothing like you got in California. We'll be back in plenty of time to go to Meemaw's to make cookies. I never miss making cookies with Meemaw, although I think someone else might get to lick the beaters this year."
"Of course, you won't get to lick the beaters. Meemaw always lets me do that," remarked Sheldon.
"I think she was referring to Max and Aiden," Amy replied before turning her attention to Missy. "If that's not enough cash, let me know when you get back and I'll give you the difference. Thanks again for offering to take Max Christmas shopping. I don't have a clue why he was so insistent on waiting until we got here to pick something out."
Lifting Aiden to her hip, Missy motioned for Max to head outside. "I'm sure you gave me plenty. I have a few last-minute things to pick up, so it's really no big deal for him to tag along. We shouldn't be gone more than a few hours."
The trio arrived at the mall not long after leaving Mary's house. Missy got Aiden settled in his stroller and Max grasped the side of it as they walked through the parking lot to the entrance. "What are you thinking about getting for your mom and Sheldon?"
"I don't know," the boy shrugged.
Missy was quickly realizing this wasn't going to be as easy as she hoped. "What does your mom like? I know she's a scientist like Sheldon, but what does she like besides science-y stuff?"
Max stared at Missy for a moment before replying, "Momma works with brains. Dad's a physicist. That's not the same kind of science. Momma likes monkeys, and her harp, and spending time with me and dad."
Missy steered the group towards the jewelry area of the department store. "Maybe we can find your mom a nice necklace or pair of earrings."
"Do you think they have monkey earrings?" Max excitedly asked. "Momma never had pierced ears, but Penny pierced them for her last year. Now she has a pair of earrings that look like little brains that dad got her for her birthday last week. I think she'd like monkey earrings."
Missy noticed this was the third time Max referred to her twin brother as 'dad' and didn't call him by his name. She chose to not say anything to the boy and wait until they return to Mary's house so she can question her brother directly. "I'm sure we can find something like that for your mom. They might not have them here, though. I do know there's another store that has a lot of fun earrings; I'm sure they'll have a pair of monkeys. Now, I know Sheldon a little better than I know your mom, but did you have any ideas for him?"
"Um," Max held his finger to his chin as he thought. "Penny got mad at him last month because he only has two ties and she doesn't like either of them. Can we find him a new tie?"
"Sure," Missy nodded while pushing her son's stroller toward the men's department. "What kind of tie were you thinking? He used to wear bowties all the time. Does Shelly still wear bowties or has he moved on to regular neckties?"
Giggling at the idea of Sheldon in a bowtie, Max answered, "I've never seen dad wear a bowtie. He only has regular ones, but he only wears them when he has to get dressed up for work or a special date night with momma."
Trying to see what kind of information she could get out of Max without flat out asking him why he's calling Sheldon 'dad,' Missy decided to question the boy about her brother's tie-wearing habits. "When was the last time Sheldon wore a tie? Was it for a really special occasion or just for a work event?"
The boy stopped perusing the rack of ties in front of him and turned to face his aunt. "He had one on for momma's birthday last week. I was having a sleepover with grandma and grandpa. Momma got all dressed up, too. I think they went to a really fancy restaurant. I never see them get dressed up like that." Turning his attention back to the ties, Max lifted one from the rack, "What about this one? It's perfect for dad."
"Let me see," Missy reached for the tie to take a closer look. Seeing it was covered with various trains running horizontally across the tie that just looked like stripes from a distance. "You know what? I think this tie will be perfect for Sheldon. Let's pay for this and go find your mom some monkey earrings."