The following week after the babysitting disaster, the friends gathered at Penny and Leonard's for a dinner party. It was truly the most laid back party ever, the babies were in bed, for once the boys played quietly in the back bedroom, and the parents were allowed to take a break. The main topic of conversation was Howard's impending launch and Bernadette's back up plan in case he didn't arrive home in time.

"So you leave the first of February for NASA, and the seventh for space…" Layla clarified.

"Yep, I do," Howard smiled uneasily.

"And you'll be gone until the twenty fourth and will actually be back here the twenty fifth…and Bernadette is due…" Raj rubbed his temples trying to remember all of the dates his friends had previously spoke.

"The twenty eighth," Bernie sighed, trying to hide her sadness with a bite of food.

"And you're sure you don't want to stay here until he gets back, just in case," Penny looked at her best friend sympathetically.

"Thank you, but I'm sure. I'll be more comfortable at home," she replied, placing a hand at the side of her belly.

"Braxton Hicks?" Leonard asked with a chuckle as she nodded in affirmation.

"I don't care how irregular they are, they make her uncomfortable and scare me," Howard shook his head as he rubbed small circles on his wife's back.

"Just think, soon this will all be over and your baby will be here!" Amy smiled grabbing Bernadette a bottle of water.

"Thanks," She smirked back, but before she could even take a sip, she looked to Howard, "I'm really sorry, but I think I just need to go home."

"Ok," he nodded understandingly, pulling her up from the chair.

"Feel better!" Layla gave her friend a tight squeeze, before they left the apartment.

"I can't believe this is actually happening!" Amy clapped her hands.

"What?" Leonard looked to her with a questioning gaze.

"They're finally having this baby, I mean in like a month, but still, it just seems like it's finally happening!" She laugh giddily.

"What do you mean 'finally'," Raj asked.

"Well, I couldn't have been the only one to have thought they would have been the first to reproduce, back when they first married," Amy sighed,

"But, Amy," Sheldon began, "you are forgetting that Bernadette did not want to reproduce."

"No, I remember, but five years ago, neither were we," Amy stated as everyone looked for her to continue, "The idea of a commitment scared Penny to death, Leonard was miles ahead of her in the relationship, Raj couldn't talk to women, Layla was in a different country, and even the idea of being where we are now, was light years away fir Sheldon and me. Five years ago it was only natural to think that they would be the first to have a baby. For me, it's kind of cool to think our group's natural progression has finally reached this peak."

"I agree," Raj stated with a smile, "especially everything it took for them to get to this point. That is a beautiful way of putting it Amy!"

"Thank you Rajesh," she grinned shyly.

"Wouldn't it be cool if they had a Valentine's Day baby," Penny mused as Layla helped her collect plates.

"Penny, that's like two weeks early," Layla shook her head, "Howard and Bernadette already need the baby to gain weight!"

"And Howard won't even be on Earth," Leonard laughed.

"I know, I know," Penny sighed, "But it'd still be cute. I also just really want that baby out so I can prove to you all that it's a girl."

"We all want to meet the little Wolowitz, Penny," Raj smirked, giving her a hug, "Except for the fact that he is a boy."

That night after dinner, Bernadette went straight to bed. Howard stayed up packing a couple of his belongings for the trip, it was going to be a long one. He soon settled into bed and cozied up next to his wife. However, only minutes later Bernadette woke up, contracting again. Stupid Braxton Hicks contraction, she thought, as she gazed at the clock, only nine thirty, well I guess some tea might help. She thought about waking Howard, but he looked so exhausted, even in his sleep.

Howard Wolowitz began to stir in his sleep, having an awful dream that he'd miss the birth of his baby. He flopped over to the other side of the bed only to find it empty. I was twelve forty five, where could she be. Howard nudged open their bathroom door, nope, not in here. The next logical place to look was the living room. The groggy engineer padded his way into the little room and found his wife cuddled on the couch, eye closed, rubbing her belly.

"Bernie, what are you doing up?" Howard asked, rubbing his eyes and taking a seat under her feet, massaging them gently.

"Braxton Hicks contractions," she wince, "and they will not ease up!"

"Honey, how long have these been going on," her husband looked at her with concern.

Well, off and on since last week, just more frequently since we got home," Bernadette took in another breath, closing her eyes, "But, it's ok Howie, Lenard said they were incredibly normal!"

"Bernadette!" he exclaimed looking at his wife in pure shock.

"It's ok, it's normal!" she smiled, finally easing out of her latest contraction.

"Whatever you say," Howard said with suspicion, she continued to rub her feet, "Just tell me when you have the next one."

The couple say watching television as Howard held Bernie's had, helping her through the false labor. Bernadette did as she was asked and told her husband when the next pain came on. Four minutes. Hoard asked her to do it again. Four minutes. He asked a third time. Four minutes. The first time father finally jumped off the sofa in fear and excitement.

"Bernie, this is actual labor," Howard ran and grabbed the suit case out of the bedroom.

"No its not, Howie, It's too early, I think I'd know when I was in labor," Bernadette giggled as she rubbed her belly.

"Bernadette, we took the classes, I think I know what's going on," he corrected.

"Howard, I think we're fine," she responded, a tad bit annoyed with his eagerness.

"Please, Bernie, just humor me. The worst thing they can say is its false labor and send us home. If that happens you can gloat you were right for the rest of our lives!" Howard pleaded.

"Fine," Bernadette rolled her eyes as he helped her off the couch, "I don't see why you're so worried, my waters haven't even bro…"

"What?" Another contraction?" he asked. Bernie nodded no, her face completely horrified. It was that moment Howard's eye fell to the floor, noticing the small puddle between them, "Do you believe me now?"

"No!" Bernadette began to panic, "It's too early Howie! This can't happen yet! What if something goes wrong?"

"Hey, hey," Howard brought her into his arms and gave her a kiss, "it's all going to be ok, I promise, nothing will go wrong. Now, come on momma, let's go have our baby!"

Bernadette relaxed and nodded as they left to start their newest adventure.