Time seemed to be moving so quickly and it was becoming more real for the set of first time parents, that baby Wolowitz would be making his or her arrival in the near future. Howard couldn't believe his wife was already six months pregnant, she didn't look it. However, Bernie's belly was beautiful and the further this pregnancy progressed the more she glowed, well at least in Howard's eyes. That morning he found her relaxing on the couch using her bump as a kickstand for the iPad.
"Whatcha lookin at?" Howard pestered his wife with a little kid voice.
"Lookin up nursery ideas," she smiled using a similar voice.
"Hmmm," he replied, kneeling behind her and looking at the pictures, "Do you want to start that today?"
"Today? Really? Howie, we haven't bought or registered for anything!" Bernadette looked at her husband with an anxious gaze, "I just have no idea where to start!"
"Well, let's just go back to the extra bedroom and see if we get any flashes of genius or inspiration!" Howard grabbed his wife's hands.
"But Howie," she said as she struggled to get off the couch, "that room gives me heart palpitations."
The couple walked back to the little room they were currently using for junk. Howard led Bernie inside and flipped on the light, revealing a junk free, completely redone nursery. Bernadette's eyes widened as she looked over the room. It was turquoise, with gray accents, perfect for either gender. Over the dark wood crib hung a stuffed elephant mobile, which matched the bedding, curtains, and rug. In the other corner was a beautiful soft, gray glider, next to a matching dark wood dresser. She wandered into the area, touching every item in the precious little bedroom.
"Surprise," Howard smiled while leaning in the doorway, "I looked at the wish list you made, and the most reoccurring theme seemed to be elephants, so I hope that I didn't mess up any…"
"Stop," she cut him off, "it's perfect, absolutely perfect. When did you have time to do this?"
"Last weekend when you went out of town to visit your sister and you told me to clear out my junk. I thought I would do you one better, you know, since I'm not always the most grown up person," he smiled proudly at her.
"Howie, it's beautiful, I love it. It just makes me feel so prepared and ready! It just makes it all seems more real!" Bernadette rambled as she attempted to wrap her mind around what Howard had done.
"I wanted you to stop worrying," he began "this is happening, Bernie, it's really happening!" Howard had the giddiest smile on his face as he placed his hands on her belly puling her closer, giving her a passionate kiss. Then suddenly, Bernadette stepped back with a shocked look on her face.
"Howie, did you feel that?" she asked, eyes full of bewilderment.
"Was that the..." he too was amazed, as Bernie nodded in affirmation, "Hi little baby," Howard knelt before her, hands placed steadily around her tummy, their little baby kicked again, "It's mommy and daddy, sweet one," another kick.
"We love you…so much!" Bernadette spoke, jumping a bit every time the little person moved. "We can't wait to meet you, and bring you home to your beautiful new room."
"So many people are waiting for you to come out so they can meet you, but no rush, you've got three months!" Howard said as he got up, still securely holding on to his wife's belly. He looked into her eyes, "So real!"
Bernadette brought his face to her and kissed him. They were so close, Howard swore he could feel the little life jumping around inside his soul mate.
That evening they were going to meet up at Raj and Layla's house for dinner. Bernadette and Howard decided to go over early to help prepare the meal. Poor Layla was about ready to burst, she was already three days overdue. When Bernie arrived, the normally tidy home was in shambles and her friend looked at her with eyes of desperation, as two naked little boys ran past her, followed by a frustrated Raj.
"Please, save me, get them away from me and get her out of me!" she was annoyed and exhausted.
"Layla, Honey," Bernadette began calmly, "Why don't we take a breath, send all the boys out tonight and we have a girls' night and order a pizza. I'm going to take the boys to my parents ok?" Layla nodded vigorously, seeing a possible light at the end of the tunnel.
As soon as Bernadette returned it was time for the husbands to leave. Howard gave Bernie a kiss and felt their little baby kick one more time before venturing out on their last guys night before the births of the babies. They made their first stop at the comic book store. Stuart was at the counter aimlessly looking around the empty store.
"Haven't see you all in a while," he muttered.
"We've been a little busy," Leonard said hesitantly, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
"What have you been doing that's kept you all so busy?"
"We've all started families," Howard, like Leonard, responded with some hesitance.
"Oh, well congratulations…" Stuart sighed with the realization that they would soon be giving up all of their comic time for family time.
"Would you …uhhh…like to come grab a drink with us?" Raj asked, "you could just close up early."
"What!?" Sheldon looked at his friend, horrified, "he can't close early, what if I want to come back?"
"Then I'll let you in..." Stuart looked at Sheldon blankly.
"Oooh, after hours, rebellious," Sheldon thought for a moment, "Nope, no, I can't do that!"
It didn't matter what Sheldon said, then men still closed up shop and left to get drinks. Howard, feeling more grown up and responsible than usual, decide to be the designated driver, but still shared one drink at the beginning of the evening. Sheldon obviously did not want to drink due to his upset attitude form the comic book store closing early. Leonard didn't have much to drink, he was enjoying the evening looking at Howard's handiwork and talking with him about doing their second child's nursery as a surprise for Penny. However, Raj and Stuart had more than just a good time hanging out together, they hadn't been able to see each other as much since Raj was so busy with Layla and the kids. The guys thought nothing of their drunk friends until Howard's phone began to ring.
"Hello little momma," Howard sang happily.
"Hi Howie, don't panic, we are on our way to the hospital, Layla's in labor, so you need to get Raj and meet us there," his wife said calmly, as he could hear Layla's pain screams in the background. He looked over to his friend, who was currently spinning on a bar stool, 'racing' Stuart.
"We might have a problem with that…" Howard spoke timidly.
"Howard, what's wrong?" he could hear Layla moaning in the background becoming louder.
"Bernie, Raj is drunk," Howard spoke honestly with fear that all of his favorite hormonal women might kill him.
"He's what?!" the little woman on the other line screamed, "Howard Joel Wolowitz, I am very disappointed in you! You get him here at all costs and make sure he is sober!" she clicked the phone off.
"Hey Raj," Howard screamed from across the bar, "You're going to be a dad, Layla's in labor!" Raj turned to face his best friend and promptly fainted. This was going to take a lot of effort.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, the girls were trying their best to stand in Raj's place and comfort their friend.
"Where is Rajesh," Layla groaned in discomfort.
"He'll be here soon," Bernadette cooed as Penny placed a cool rag against her forehead and Amy timed contractions, "I made sure Howard would get him here!"
"Start breathing…now!" Amy interjected. Layla squeezed hers and Bernadette's hands and penny massaged her shoulders. The doctor came into examine her right after.
"Alright Mrs. Koothrappali, you are now able to receive an epidural, if you would like one," he smiled
"Yes, yes, BRING IT NOW!" the normally calm woman screamed
"You've got this," Penny smiled.
"Where is he" she turned to Bernadette "He promised I wouldn't be alone this time. He promised he'd do better than my ex."
Then as if on cue, Howard burst through the door with a tipsy Raj trailing behind him carrying a Starbucks coffee.
"Rajesh Koothrappali, are you drunk?" Layla screamed.
"Layla Koothrappali," he screamed back, "If I say yes, will you be mad?"
"Yes!" she looked back at him with a distraught expression.
"Dude," he turned to Howard, "you said she wouldn't be mad!"
"Raj," Bernadette scolded, "Get your tiny Indian tushie over here and hold your wife's hand, so you can support her! Now is not the time to be childish!"
Raj's face fell in terrified horror, he pushed Howard in front of him as Bernadette yelled. He did not want to go by her. She stamped her little foot and pointed to the ground, "March Mister!" she scolded again, and he slowly walked towards her, sobering up every step of the way.
"Layla, I am really sorry, I love you," he said pulling her hair in a ponytail.
"It's alright Raj, I love you too," she sighed, knowing it would be easier to just discuss this later. Their friends left to wait in the lobby, as they exited past the doctor.
"One down, three to go" He laughed turning towards them, "Who's next?"
The girls laughed along with him, rolling their eyes. However, little did they know, this was only the beginning of the rest of their lives.