"Can you please pick up your toys from the living room that don't belong there and take them up to your room?" Sheldon asked five-year-old Katie.

Collecting an armful of dolls and stuffed animals, she sighed, rolling her eyes. "Why doesn't Leo have to pick up his toys?"

"Come here, Katie Beth," the physicist sat at the end of the couch, reaching out his arms to his daughter. Pulling her close, he spoke softly. "Momma is helping Leo pick up his toys in his room right now. Once they're done there, he'll come downstairs to get his toys that belong upstairs. Is everything okay? You seem a little upset this morning."

"Yeah. Why does Max get a party because he's leaving?" the girl relaxed into her father's embrace.

Sheldon smiled at his daughter. "Max graduated high school yesterday and today is his graduation party. He's not getting a party because he's leaving, he's getting a party because he finished high school and that's a big thing to celebrate. I had a party when I finished high school. It was the best graduation party I had ever been to. You've been excited about this party all week. Aunt Missy is here with your cousins. You've been talking about all the things you want to show them while they're here and how you want them to meet Halley, Michael, and Rory."

"But Max is leaving."

"Max is only going to San Diego. It's about a two-hour drive, so he'll be able to come home sometimes and I'm sure we'll all go see him at college. Plus he's not leaving until just before school starts; you've got all summer with him before he leaves. Did you know there's going to come a day that you're going to move away, too?"

Katie looked up at Sheldon, "Nuh-uh. I'm gonna live here forever."

Chuckling, Sheldon tightened his grip around his daughter, starting to tickle her, eliciting laughter from the girl. "You are, are you? Do you want me to help you take your toys upstairs?"


The rest of the group arrived early at Sheldon and Amy's request to assist with any last-minute setup for Max's party. Bernadette and Penny were helping Amy get the food together in the kitchen, while Leonard, Howard, and Raj were putting up tables and chairs in the backyard with Sheldon.

Arranging veggies on a platter, Bernadette watched Amy pass a few snacks to Leo and send him back outside. "You guys had another appointment for Leo the other day, didn't you?"

"Yeah. It was a consult for therapy. They want us to bring him twice a week, but Sheldon and I aren't sure we want to do that."

"Really?" Bernadette turned around from the counter. "Why don't you want him going to therapy? I've gone to therapy before, it really helped."

Amy shook her head, "Not that kind of therapy. This would be to help him with communication and life skills."

Setting the knife and cutting board she had been using in the sink, Penny asked, "Why would you wait if it helps him be more normal?" Seeing her best friend's face drop, she quickly continued, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I know everyone's different and no one is really normal. What I meant was why wouldn't you want to help him as much as possible as soon as possible?"

"He's starting pre-k in the fall and we've already started talking to his teacher. Rather than disrupt his routine now, it can be part of the school day for him. There are things we can do with him here at home until he starts school."

Penny lifted the plates she had been working on from the counter. "Just let us know if there's anything we can do to help you guys manage all of this, even if it's hanging out with Katie for a few hours or taking both kids once Max leaves so you and Sheldon can have some time to yourselves."


An hour into the party, Max noticed his grandparents sitting off to the side of the yard and made his way over to them. "Thanks for coming. Sorry I didn't get a chance to say hi sooner. Did you get food yet? Howard made brisket and it's amazing," the recent graduate shared, sitting on the ground, facing his mother's parents.

"We're fine, Max. You should be spending time with your friends and not talking to us old people," Larry smiled at his grandson.

Mrs. Fowler shot her husband a look. "Max, I'm glad you came over to talk to us because I have something I want to say. My relationship with your mother may have been rocky at times, especially when she told me she was pregnant with you, but I have loved you since your grandfather sent me that first picture of you. I want you to know I am proud of the young man you've grown into. You are brilliant and I know you are going to do phenomenal things in San Diego."

"Thanks, grandma," Max shifted to his knees to hug his grandmother.

"Now, young man," Larry interrupted the moment between his wife and grandson, "I know you're studying something sciencey, but remind me again what it is you want to do. One of my golf buddies has been asking."

Max chuckled, "I'm majoring in chemistry and pharmacology to be a pharmacist, grandpa. Dad wants me to study physics, but I think he's accepted that won't be happening."


"Do you want me to help you get some food, Leo?" Sheldon asked the four-year-old who had been sticking close to him most of the afternoon. Leo nodded and ran to the table of food next to the house. Sheldon added food to the plate Leo was holding before ushering the boy to a table. The four-year-old quickly ate the food and smiled at his father. "What do you think, Leo? Is this a good party?"

"My party?" He asked.

Sheldon shook his head, "Sorry, buddy. It's Max's party. Remember he wore that funny hat yesterday? This party is to celebrate his graduation."

"I want a party."

"We'll have the best party ever for your high school graduation, I promise," Sheldon stole a carrot stick from his son's plate and wondered what the future would bring for his youngest child.