In "Raj returns to Cambridge", part of my "Life without Penny" series, Raj meets Samina and they head off to India to get married. What happens next? Part 6 - Meet the Doctor.

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The next weekend Raj and Samina went to London to visit relatives, they were very happy to hear about Samina's pregnancy. Samina's cousin Deeba used to be a midwife and offered to come and look after her when it was time for the birth. There was a big family meal at their Indian restaurant but they had to make some pasta for Samina.

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Three weeks later Raj and Samina went to see their Doctor.

"Welcome Mr and Mrs Sharma, how are you feeling."

Raj said "Before we get started Doctor my name is Rajesh Koothrappali, my wife's name is Samina Sharma."

Samina said "We both have Ph.D degrees, I didn't take Raj's name when we got married."

"I see, there are lots of Ph.D Doctors in this town. I have had a series of emails from another Dr. Koothrappali."

"That's my father, he is a gynaecologist in India. He has a professional and personal interest in the birth of his grandchild."

"Well you can tell your father that he has got a professional and personal interest in the birth of his grandchildren, plural. We have examined the results of your scan Mrs Sharma, there are two babies in there, you are having twins! Here have a look at these ultrasound scans. So far everything is looking good for the babies, I don't envisage any problems but with twins we have to be extra careful. Have you started ante-natal classes yet?"

Samina said "yes we have, Dr. Koothrappali was very insistent on that. He has offered to fly out and help with the birth."

"Well that is very kind of him but I think we can manage to do that ourselves at the hospital."

Then Samina asked a question "We have been invited to a friends wedding in the USA in 4 months time, how safe would it be for me to fly?"

The Doctor replied "I wouldn't recommend that you fly all that way 7 months into your pregnancy."

"I didn't think so, Dr. Koothrappali said the same but I wanted a second opinion."

"So how are you feeling Mrs Sharma."

"I grew up living over an Indian restaurant but now I can't stand Indian food! I have had a bit of morning sickness."

"How about your work?"

"I am a lecturer in Chemistry at the University. I can still give my lectures and do supervisions but I am not doing lab demonstrations any more, too much time on my feet. I plan to go on maternity leave at the start of the summer term."

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By the summer Samina was on maternity leave. She tried to keep up with her Science the best she could. Her Ph.D students would come once a week for a cup of tea and to discuss her work and she worked on some scientific papers.

Raj did a lot of work from home during Samina's maternity leave, he would only go into the department a couple of days a week. He didn't have any teaching duties in the summer term. Just like his wife his Ph.D students would come to their home to discuss work. One day it was rather crowded at their home as all four of Raj's students and all three of Samina's students were there at the same time!

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Samina's cousin Deeba came to visit when Raj went off to Leonard and Alex's wedding. On the day of departure

"Here's the taxi for the station. Are you sure it is OK for me to go Samina?"

"Go and enjoy yourself Raj while you still can before the babies turn up. Don't worry about me, cousin Deeba is here."

"I love you."

"I know."