A/N: Also a prompt from imagine-your-otp on tumblr.

Penny was particularly excited thinking about those next couple hours where they would be childless.

As they drove little Jude to school they shared little smiles and unneeded touches. Sheldon told Penny he wasn't one bit worried about Jude. Penny said if she was anything like him he should be.

Jude was excited. Daddy taught her a lot and Mommy helped too. But Daddy was a Gee-nis so that made him extra smart, and daddy said that made her extra smart too. Mommy said it might be hard to make friends but daddy said if Jude was anything like mommy she wouldn't have a hard time…then they started giving each other the 'kissy look'. So Jude practiced her sentences and math in her room until she got bored. Jude thought about this as they approached the school. She saw kids playing and adults watching. She saw some kids crying and others snacking. It looked so…exciting.

When the car stopped Jude fidgeted for a bit but waited obediently for mommy or daddy to get her out of her boo-ser chair.

Sheldon went to the back seat and got little Jude out of the car. He noticed her wide eyes and smiled at his baby girl.

"Are you feeling apprehensive, Jude?" Jude smiled at her daddy.

"No daddy, I feel excited." She paused for a moment in thought and then added, "and curious!" Penny laughed at her little baby genius.

"I'm glad. Granny said on my first day I cried like a baby." Penny said to her daughter.

Penny and Sheldon held one of her hands in one of their own walking towards her preschool teacher. Jude had her pondering look on then finally spoke.

"Mommy, why would you cry?"

Penny didn't expect that but in her mind she knew she should have. "Um, mommy was just scared to be away from granny and papa, I guess. I was little so I didn't realize how short the day would actually be. Granny said after the first day I was fine."

They made it to the teacher. "Mr. And Mrs. Cooper, hello." She smiled brightly.

"Hi Mrs. McClatchy." Penny said.

"Hi again Jude. Excited for your first day?" Jude nodded.

Mrs. McClatchy showed them her desk and told them the schedule. Jude was excited and ran off as soon as her mom and dad said bye.

Penny laughed and Sheldon managed his smile.

"I'll see you guys at two." Mrs. McClatchy said and they departed to the car.

Penny was bursting with excitement. Sheldon contained his, as he did with most of his emotions. When they were heading home Penny laughed.

"We can be as loud as we want! Anywhere we want! It's been so long."
Sheldon smiled at his wife, "not too loud though, remember Jude's conception?"

She blushed. She remembered that day well. They were going at it all day. She wanted a baby but she wasn't all business. Sheldon knew what to do and how to do it. So when they were enjoying some food (sex makes you so hungry! She thought) a knock came. Sheldon went to answer it. Penny came up behind him after slipping a robe on over her underwear.

"-so I would appreciate it if you guys would quiet it down." The woman noticed Penny and shot her a look before returning hee gaze to Sheldon.

"Sorry ma'am." She glared at him.

"I'm still a miss, Sheldon." She said his name with a knowing tone that made Penny blush.

She strode away and Sheldon apologized once more then shut the door.

Penny was still blushing at the memory. "We won't be that loud."

Sheldon just shook his head. They got home in a matter of minutes and as soon as they got into the living room they noticed how quiet the house was.

Penny looked at Sheldon, the living room seemed too big, and she sighed loudly.

Sheldon looked at her with a glum face as well. "It seems our house is empty…why am I not more excited about this?" Penny pouted and wrapped her arms around Sheldons midsection he returned the hug.

"I miss Jude already!" Penny said into his chest. Sheldon kissed the top of her head.

Her hair smelled like green apple and a hint of his own soap mingled with the smell. He realized he missed Jude too and even these things weren't of a lot of comfort.

"Would you like to watch some television? I'll make tea." Sheldon pulled away a little so he could assess her face.

She nodded with a look that made her look like a child…no, Sheldon thought, like Jude. Jude had perfected that mopey pout Penny was wearing now and Sheldons heart ached a little more but he smiled all the same.

"Thanks Shelly." Penny teased and Sheldon said nothing as he went to the large kitchen.

He heard the tv turn on and the awful show Bad Girls Club blare from the speakers.

Penny didn't feel like watching drama she quickly scanned the channels for something better. She stopped on The Aquabats Super Show. She and Jude always snuck and watched it when Sheldon was at work or busy.

Penny smiled at the thought and felt a little better. "Hey, honey, do you want me to order some food?" She shouted towards the kitchen.

Sheldon returned with the tea. He refused to yell any answer. He handed her a cup then sat down. "That would be wonderful." She pulled out herself and called the Thai place they had their order on file.

"Cuddling and movies until we pick up Jude?" Penny said and Sheldon nodded.

"I don't feel like doing much else." He answered. He finally watched the show on the tv. "Penny what is this?"

She couldn't hide her guilty smile. "Jude and I watch this when you aren't around."

Sheldon gave Penny a look that took her back to 2012, back to 4a. The one that she both loved and hated back then. And it made her want to cry because Jude perfected that very look.

"It teaches her some things…" Penny said and Sheldon merely shook his head and opted to say nothing.

He didn't mind her watching this… once in a while but was kind of disappointed Penny didn't tell him.

They snuggled on the couch and Sheldon actually enjoyed the show but he would never admit that to Penny.

The food arrived and Penny told Sheldon to relax. She got the food and set it up the way she knew he liked it.

They switched Aquabats to Firefly. There were reruns on SyFy. They ate and discussed the possibility of it returning. They knew it wouldn't. Especially now.

Snuggling and watching movies were a great way to get Penny's mind off the fact her baby is growing up. Sheldon was quiet and seemed to be thinking about a lot of things.

"I miss her so much." Sheldon breathed. He wasn't fond of emotions, even after Penny showed him the joy of it. He also caught on to the pain. So when he expressed them it was rare.

Penny and Jude knew Sheldon had his weird way of showing it. So when he says something like that Penny knew it was so overwhelming.

"Me too sweetie. I thought this would be easier." Penny smiled a small smile.

They mostly sat in silence, enjoying each other presence, and ocassionally would say something about the movie or the TV show that was on.

Before Penny knew it her alarm on her phone was going off. She reached to grab it on the coffee table and shot up. "Its time to get Jude!" She slipped on her shoes and Sheldon did the same.

They quickly made their way to the car. Penny was so happy to see Jude again. She didn't understand how you can miss someone so much when you knew they were going to be back in just a short while.

They asked Mrs. McClatchy how there daughter was. She smiled, a little hesitant, but it was still sincere.

"She is a ball full of energy. She's so smart and she's bossy and likes to be in control but we talked about it and she understands that I'm the teacher, not her." She laughed at this point then continued, "She's a good kid and she had a blast."

Jude came up to her mom and dad with a toothy smile. "I HAD SO MUCH FUN!" She said and Penny scooped her into her arms.

She kissed her face over and over. They said goodbye to the teacher and headed towards the car. Sheldon stole Jude away from Penny and placed little kisses all over her head.

Jude thought mommy and daddy were acting a little weird but she was still happy. She let daddy buckle her in, even though she could do it.

"How was your day sweetie?" Penny asked her adorable daughter.

Jude was talking animatedly about her day. She used grand hand gestures and big words. She was all smiles. When she finished she tried to look at both her mommy and daddy but she couldn't so she just looked at mommy because she was driving. "How was your day?"

Sheldon and Penny shared a knowing look and he chuckled.

"We missed you so much baby girl." He said and Jude smiled hugely.

"I missed you guys a little." Sheldon and Penny laughed.

She hoped in time it would get easier. Sheldon knew it would. They just had to be strong.

"I love you sweetie." Penny said.