A day later the friends were back in Pasadena and the anxiety was gone. Baby Lanie was settling well in to life at home and Peter was surely becoming the most attentive big brother, despite his jealousy. The boy soon realized that he couldn't keep both mommy and daddy to himself, which irked him more than anything. Peter wasn't good at sharing, but what child was at his age. The gang came together at Penny and Leonard's apartment, to bring them dinner. Each of their friend's wanted to hold the newest addition, however, when it came to Bernadette's turn, Peter screamed and ran to her lap, giving his mother the dirtiest look.

"No Lanie, MY Nee nee! Not for you!" he pushed his little sister back on to his mother's arms

"Peter Leaky Hofstadter! What has gotten in to you lately?" Penny scolded.

"Aunt Nee nee, can hold Lanie, if she wants too!" Leonard followed up.

"NOOOO! MY NEE NEE!" he scrambled into his aunts lap, sobbing into her chest, "I share mommy, I share daddy, I no share MY Nee nee! Go way Lanie!"

"Awe, sweetie," Bernadette couldn't help but coddle Peter.

"I no special to mommy, I no special to daddy, I special too Nee nee. I her favorite!"

Penny's eyes filled with tears, as she realized exactly how her son was feeling. Leonard scooped up his son and held him as he cried. Lanie was handed to her Aunt Amy as Penny hugged both her favorite men.

"You are always special to us!" Penny kissed her boy.

"We love both of you equally, and that will never change!" Leonard sighed.

"Really?" little Peter sniffled.

"Yes!" they replied at once.

After Peter's melt down, the dinner went by quickly and soon enough everyone was on their way home. Everyone was on their way back home, as to not disturb Lanie's sleeping schedule. The car ride was a silent on for Bernadette and Howard. He was still keeping his secret from her. However, being the intelligent woman she was, she caught on to her husband's odd behavior. Howard was distant, he didn't want to cuddle much and every time Bernie brought up the baby he would simply nod and agree with her. His excitement for the impending arrival of their child had vanished and what was left was quickly diminishing. He would never say much of anything to anyone, and more times than not their time together was like this, silent.

Bernadette looked over at her husband, who was staring blankly at the road ahead. Maybe Howard wasn't ready for this life change, she thought. Perhaps he's going back on his word. A nerve racking thought stuck out in Bernie's mind, were all of the Wolowitz men the same? Would Howard leaver her, like his own father left his family? A lump formed in her throat as she tried her hardest to push the thought away. Soon tears ran down her cheeks as she turned towards the window. However, Howard couldn't help but notice his emotionally distraught wife. He knew it was because of him. Howard still felt that his time was still inappropriate for his news. He couldn't do it on a car ride home, it needed to be discussed in the privacy of their home. He offered her a hand, which she didn't take. He remained silent, arm still extended.

Bernadette calmed down a bit and finally stared blankly, still gazing out the window, "You're leaving me, like your father did, aren't you! You don't want this, do you?'

After hearing these words, Howard slammed on his breaks and pulled in to the nearest parking lot. Dizziness washed over him, he felt hot and sick, like he was going to vomit. He threw open the car door, letting the cool air rush against his skin. He was going to faint, he could feel it coming. Howard braced himself against the car, letting what his wife said sink into his soul. How could he be so stupid? How could he let this happen? What horror had he done?

Despite her anger toward him, Bernadette's worry got the best of her. She too exited the vehicle and ran to his side, placing a tender hand on his shoulder. Howard spun around quickly to meet her gaze. His eyes were full of pain, pleading for her forgiveness. He embraced her, holding Bernie close, smelling her strawberry scented hair.

"Don't EVER think that! NEVER think that!" he sighed relaxing into her, "Bernadette you and our baby are my world. I would be NOTHING without the two of you!"

"Then why have you been so distant!" she snapped, her angry eyes looking into his, "You really have been hurting me."

"Bernie, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you!" he replied, still holding on to her, "I was trying to protect you!"

"Protect me from what?" the tiny woman spat.

"From the letter I received before we left for Christmas," Howard ran his hand over his face. He dug into his pocket to produce a battered sheet of paper, "It's from NASA, they need me to go back into space and help fix a component on the space station."

"So?" she looked at him like he was crazy. Howard handed her the sheet. Bernadette scanned over the document, her eyes finally resting on the reason for his secrecy. He would have to be gone up until her due date, "Can't you just say no? Or explain the situation to them?"

"Don't you think I've tried that?" He huffed, "I'm under a strict contract, and if I break I'll probably never be able to find work again. Bernie this has literally been killing me. I couldn't eat or sleep, because this is the worst thing that could happen right now. I am so sorry, Bernadette, I am the worst husband and father ever. I'm still trying to find loop holes, but its pretty air tight. I've even have…"

"Go," Bernadette spoke quietly, interrupting Howard's ramble.

"What?" he took a step back in shock.

"I said, Go! I want you to go! Howard I asked you to give up the next 18 years of your career to raise this baby, and you didn't even blink an eye before you agreed. Right now there isn't much you can do for the baby, our child just requires me. I won't let you give this up. Take this last adventure!" Bernie grabbed her husband's hands.

"But what if I miss..." he began.

"Shh…" she pressed her finger to his lips, "I'll focus on keeping this baby in. You focus on getting home safe."

"I can't just leave you two!" Howard scolded, "What would our baby think of me leaving and possibly missing his or her arrival!"

"Well, ask the little one," Bernadette replied motioning to her belly.

Howard placed his hands on her bump and as he knelt in front of it he asked, "Hey sweet one, its daddy. I have a big question for you. Do you think daddy should go back to space?" without hesitance, the baby began to kick and jump in every direction.

"See!" Bernie smiled.

"The baby kicks every time I talk, that doesn't count!" he shook his head.

"Ask a different question then!" she exclaimed.

"Alright!" Howard sighed with exasperation, "Baby, do you want me to break my contract and stay with mommy?" There was no movement.

"Do you have your answer now?" Bernadette helped him up of the ground.

"Ya, I do. You truly are the best," Howard pulled his wife into a passionate kiss. However, a loud honk was sounded in their direction, reminding them of their current location.

"Get a room!" a familiar voice shout as it sped by, it was Layla. Howard and Bernadette laughed and returned to their car.

"Hey, before I start driving, I've got one thing left to say," Howard smiled.

"Sure, what," Bernie replied happily.

"No, no, not to you" he laughed placing a hand on her tummy, "Promise you won't come out unless I'm here!" Their baby kicked once more. "Alright, good enough for me!' He chuckled as he started the car.

Was it good enough? Bernadette thought negatively behind her plastered smile. Worry consumed her. What had she done? She shook her head trying to erase the past fifteen minutes. The margin for error was so large and there were far too many variables. There was almost no chance this would work in their favor. It wasn't like her husband would be a simple plane ride away, no, he was out of the atmosphere. Bernadette sighed and reached into her purse, grasping the small strand of rosary beads. Then for the first time in quite a while she prayed.