It was a few days after the launch and Bernadette sat at her home with the girls. It was a lazy day because Bernadette was feeling extremely uncomfortable and heavily pregnant. She could not wait for her husband to return so this baby could be born. As the conversation died, and the children woke from their naps, Penny turned on local day time television. Bernie helped Amy feed Sheldon 2 a bottle, as the other mothers took care of their daughters. Peter, Lukesh, and Aadi ran around the apartment with their action figures.

"How are you doing?" Layla asked, noticing Bernadette staring at her wedding photo.

"Ok, I guess," she sighed, returning her attention to the baby boy in her arms.

"What's got you down?" Amy asked.

"Amy, she's due in two and a half weeks and her husband just went in to space. What do you thinks got her down!" Penny shook her head.

"Well, I was just thinking, that there could be something else," Amy added.

"I'm just really worried guys, something isn't sitting right with me during this mission and I don't know why," Bernadette said as she burped Sheldon 2 and placed him in his pack and play.

"Bernadette, Howard has done this before, I'd be more worried that this baby will come early!" Penny laughed.

"Oh, don't even get me started on that," she shook her head as she stood to get a bottle of water.

As Bernadette took a seat back with her friends a Breaking News sign flashed on the television. A reporter came on, a grim look was plaster on his face. He announced that unfortunately our Earth's moon had exploded, however, the biggest fragments were stopped by the space shuttle that was just sent to space, and the others were burnt in the atmosphere. The reporter continued saying that astronauts were the ones who decided to fly in to the moon pieces to save the rest of humanity. Horror washed over Bernadette's face, how could this happen! The women turned to her baffled as they rushed towards their friend. The television showed pictures of the crew, and there he was, her Howie, gone, forever. His body wouldn't even be returned to her, it would just float in space. Bernadette turned to her phone, one new email from Howard Wolowitz. She opened it.

Hey Bernie,

I know this isn't much, but it's the best I could do under these circumstances. If you're reading this, it means I'm gone, and that you've see the news. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, I love you more than anything. Thank you for being my world and allowing me to have everything I ever wanted. We did this to save you, well and the rest of Earth, but I'm doing this for you and our family. Bernie, I'm so sorry that I won't be there to hold your hand during the birth of our child, but I'll always watch over you both. Please let out little sweetie know how much I love him or her, and that I didn't abandon them on purpose. Goodbye, my little woman, don't worry you'll do great. I love you, for forever and always, and to infinity and beyond. Don't hate me, always remember, this one's for you.

Your Howie

Bernadette inhaled trying her best to remain stable for the baby, but the air choked her, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't will herself to do a simple, instinctual task.

Bernadette gasped for air as she abruptly sat up in her bed, drenched in a cold sweat. What had happened? Was it real? Was it a dream? She began to panic, unable process her thoughts correctly. Beside her, a groggy Howard flipped on the lamp to see his wife in a state of disarray.

"Bernie! What's wrong? Is it the baby?" he asked turning towards her in concern.

Without even saying a word Bernadette turned to him. She brushed her hands across his face and shoulders, finally she could breathe. However, that was short lived, for tears immediately sprung to her eyes. Howard sat up, bring her into his arms, as best he could, there was a bit more of her now. He stroked her hair as she sobbed into his tight hold.

"Bernadette, please honey, tell me what's wrong!" Howard begged.

"I…I had a…a dream…" she struggled between her tears, "that the moon blew up…and…and you died saving Earth!"

"Bernie, that's an awful nightmare! Look, if leaving for space is going to induce stress like this, I'll break my contract! It's not worth it!" he sighed pulling her tighter.

"No!" Bernadette yelled through sobs, "You have to go. This could be the last time you ever get an opportunity like this! Plus once the baby's born you won't want to miss a second of his or her life! Howie, don't let me hold you back."

"Bernadette, you are not holding me back. Your health, physically and mentally, is far more important than space, because if you're not healthy neither is the baby!"

"Howard, if you don't go I'll feel guilty. Please go. Just promise me the moon won't explode and that everything will be alright!" she sank into his grasp.

Howard nudged her chin up, he place her face between his chest and the palm of his right hand, "Bernadette, I promise you, the moon will NOT explode, and that everything will be just fine. Nothing in this entire galaxy could bring us apart, and nothing will stop me from missing the birth of our greatest gift," he placed a tender kiss oh her forehead and with a wink asked, "Feel any better?"

"A little, thank you," she sighed, "Howie?"

"Yes, my love?" he again turned his gaze to meet hers.

"Will you just hold me tonight?" Bernadette asked sheepishly.

"Why, I would love nothing more," Howard replied as his wife cozied up into his embrace.

Howard traced lazy patterns on her arms as he slowly lulled her to sleep. For about an hour he simply watched her drift in and out of dream and watched the patterns in her breath, wondering about the thoughts in her head. Howard wasn't stupid, he knew she didn't believe a word he said and that she was lying to herself and as well as him. Bernadette knew the risks of her husband going into space better than he did. As Howard's hand gravitated from Bernie's arm to her belly, he hoped and prayed that he could keep the promises that he made to her tonight.