Howard drove as fast as he could to the hospital, trying to keep his composure. He knew the risks of the baby being born premature, but he had to stay calm for Bernadette. They arrived at the maternity ward only moments later. Howard wrapped his arms around his little wife, supporting her as she walked beside him. Before they knew it, the couple was checked into a room. This was actually happening.

"We'll probably be in for a long night, labor is always forever with your first kid…unless you're Penny," Bernadette laughed, holding Howard's sleepy head in her hand.

"Ya, very true," He chucked too.

"Hello Dr. Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, Mr. Wolowitz," the doctor walked in with a smile, "I wasn't expecting you until the end of next month!"

"I know, it was a shock to us as well!" Howard shook his head.

"I guess this little one was just anxious to meet Daddy, before he goes off to space!" Bernie sighed as took Howard's hand between hers.

"Well," their doctor began, "I know being four weeks early is a bit frightening," Bernadette tensed, "but it's not unheard of. I have delivered babies far earlier. I'm going to have a few extra nurses in the room, but don't let this scare you, it's all just a precaution, in case something were to go wrong. You are very lucky this baby has stayed head down and has a strong heartbeat. We can rule out a c section, and stick to your birth plan."

"Good," Howard exhaled, "That was one of our concerns. See, Honey, it's all ok!"

"Baby doesn't see to be in any distress, mommy seems just uncomfortable enough, so I'm not concerned," the doctor moved to his chair, "Now, let's see how much longer it will be, until this one makes an appearance."

Bernadette squirmed a bit during the examination, she smiled at Howard, who still wasn't too fond of their male doctor touching his wife's down stairs. Ignoring his other feelings, he turned his attention towards Bernie as he placed a tender kiss on her forehead, hoping to ease some discomfort. When the doctor had finished, he grabbed his charts, an odd look played on his face.

"What is it Doc?" Howard started to laugh, "We're in for a long ride?"

"No," he spoke in a shocked tone, "were close to the end, you're already eight centimeters dilated, and almost completely effaced. I'd start calling people now if you want them here, this baby could be here in the next hour, if you continue to progress this quickly! This is unexpected for a first time mother."

"You clearly, haven't met my friend," Bernie giggled finally calming down.

The doctor was not kidding, soon after he left, Bernadette's labor jumped into full gear. The contractions came faster and lasted longer, but she refused the epidural every time. On one hand Howard wished she would have one, his hands were killing him, but on the other, he didn't, it was amazing to watch her take this head on. Howard watched admirably on the side lines, in awe of his little woman's great strength, and not to mention her intense focus. He felt so useless, just standing beside her, he couldn't take her pain away, give her a break, or even convince her to take pain medication. On the outside, she was a lamb, but internally she had the strength of a tiger, and Howard couldn't have been more proud to be her husband.

On January thirtieth at 2:48 am, the doctor told Bernadette, she was ready. A nurse handed Howard a set of scrubs, just in case something were to happen and they had to deliver by cesarean. When he had finished changing, everyone was ready to finally get started. Bernadette looked so tired, Howard wished he could give her a break, just for a few minutes so she could rest. Howard took her hair and knotted it at the top of her head, taking a few pointers from his good friend, Raj. Bernie smiled weakly, the couple shared a kiss. This was the last moment where it would be just the two of them, Howard grabbed her hand, ready to finish his job as her coach. Although Bernie was exhausted, when the moment came for her to push, she was nothing but focused. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she pushed, stopping every few minutes to breathe. For a moment, Howard looked down at his hand, it was more pale than usual, thank god for paternity leave, he'd need the days off for his bones to heal. She clung to it as if we're going to fall off. Howard's love for the woman next to him grew immensely, if that was even possible. Bernie was doing this amazing act for them, which would result in an even more fantastic gift. Together they overcame so much, and together, they were bring their own baby into the world. Suddenly, the room went silent, the baby was here, but why wasn't their tiny infant crying?

Tears welled in Howard Wolowitz's eyes as he tried to get a better look at his child. Why wasn't his baby crying? What weren't they letting him see? Why wasn't the baby moving its little arms and legs? The doctor handed their precious gift a nurse, who promptly took the motionless child out of the room! Everything was moving so fast, Howard barely had time to process what even going, before Bernie pulled him down to her level.

"Howie," she looked so dazed, "Go…follow…the baby!"

"Are you sure? You want me to leave you?" Howard asked, "Bernie?"

"She's hemorrhaging," the doctor yelled to the surrounding nurses.

Bernadette's eyes fluttered and Howard felt her hand go limp in his.

"Bernie…Bernadette!" he gently shook her, "Please Bernie, please don't leave me! Please, just stay with me!" Howard began to beg. A nurse came over and swiftly guided Howard out of the room.

"What are you doing? She needs me! My wife needs me!" he yelled in a panic.

"Mr. Wolowitz, if you really want to help her, you'll wait outside. I promise we will do all we can, just remain as calm as possible," the nurse commanded as she left to tend to Bernadette.

Howard felt like his life was moving a thousand miles per hour and he couldn't find the breaks. His heart was beating so fast, if he didn't calm down, he would surely faint. But, how could he even begin to calm down, his baby was born lifeless, his wife was bleeding out just in the other room, and he was alone, trapped in a dimly lit hallway, unable to do anything. Only hours ago he promised her everything would be fine, but it wasn't fine at all, it was worse than any nightmare he had ever faced. Howard braced himself against the wall and took a few deep breaths before grabbing the phone out of his pocket. He looked though his contacts, he knew who he had to call, the only person who could make sense out of this senseless situation. He prayed they would answer until, he heard a click on the other line.

"Hey," Howard took another deep breath trying not to break down, "I know we said we didn't want anyone coming down here…but…uhh there are some serious complications…and I need you to be here…now."