Things are getting a little interesting for some of our friends.

Still own nothing

Penny and Dr. Johnson sat on a couch on the set with Penny holding Jenny and Dr. Johnson holding Max. Kris Snow sat to the left of the couch in an overstuffed chair. There was a large screen monitor to the left behind the host showing the TV feed so the audience could get a better view of the show. When they came out of commercial, Kris introduced Dr. Johnson, Penny and of course, Jenny and Max. The audience immediately responded with a large "AWWW". Dr. Johnson went on to explain the special circumstances of Penny's pregnancy and the potential dangers to the younger baby and the mother.

After the clinical descriptions of the pregnancy given by Dr. Johnson, the things Penny referred to as Jibber-Jabber, was completed. Kris turned to Penny for her explanations as to what it was like. "So, Penny, what can you tell us about your experiences through all of this?"

Penny looked a little dazed and then looked down to Leonard for reassurance. When she saw him sitting in the front row smiling back at her, giving her a little nod, she cleared her throat and smiled. "Well, it was all such a surprise. Being pregnant in the first place was a surprise, we just got engaged a short time before we found out and we just got back from Korea. Then to find out there were twins…. Hoo Boy…. Let me tell you… If it weren't for the great doctors and our friends, I don't know how I would have made it. The anxiety of being pregnant is bad enough, the Doctors keep telling you, we need to try to make it to 24 weeks. You try to do anything just to make it that far, and then they say "all we have to do is make it to 30 weeks", and then 32. I know they re trying to make things easier on you, but it just kind of makes you crazy. And then they were really honest about the differences in the ages of Jenny and Max and telling me why we had to make it to full term for Max. That was the hardest and most scary thing, knowing that Max would be probably OK and Jenny was in danger pretty much the whole time.

The delivery was really hard too... I needed a C-Section to make sure Jenny was going to be OK... They said there were complications, but I don't really remember too much about that except that I was in a happy place taking care of the babies. They say you can see you can dream while under anesthesia, and I kind of remember a few things but not so much now.

The Doctors were really great, and our friends were so supportive... Can I say hi to Bernadette and Amy?... Oh, I guess I just did...but really… the biggest thing that helped through all the worry, especially the last trimester, was my Husband Leonard."

Kris then made a note to the audience. "Yes, Dr. Leonard Hofstadter is with us here today in the audience". The camera then panned to the audience centering on Leonard who just sheepishly smiled and waved.

Penny was facing the Monitor which then showed a big picture of Leonard. Jenny, who was sitting on Penny's lap, saw her father and started waving her arms and cooing loudly. The audience then erupted into laughter. Kris took this moment to coax Leonard to come up to the couch and sit with his family. "Dr. Hofstadter, please join your family. It looks like Jenny wants you to come up. The audience applauded and pressed Leonard to get in set.

Begrudgingly, Leonard came on the set and sat next to Penny. Jenny reached for him and Leonard took his daughter. As soon as Max noticed that his Mother was unoccupied, he started to fuss. Dr. Johnson quickly handed Max to Penny and he immediately calmed down and started to pull at her shirt.

Penny looked down at her son and giggled. "Not now Max, we're on TV." The audience erupted into laughter. Kris could see that this was going to be a good segment and started to ask Penny questions about the stress of carrying twins of different developmental stages and how the birth went. Penny answered all the questions with ease and in a very comfortable fashion.

Dr. John remarked that it was not unnatural for any mother to blame herself for anything that might go wrong in any pregnancy. The fact that Jenny was six weeks behind Max in development was extra stress on Penny.

Kris asked, "Are there any lasting effects of Jenny's premature birth?"

Penny answered, "She does have some breathing issues from time to time, but Leonard is an asthmatic so we're used to things like that." The kids acted well and were no real problem. Leonard was a little nervous so only answered direct questions, preferring to let Penny handle any of the details.

The interview lasted for about a twenty minutes. Far longer than planned, but the audience was responding well and Penny was so fluid and comfortable, Kris had a hard time breaking the conversation. Kris stuck in a small question period for the audience. The interaction of Penny and the audience was really going well and the director prompted Kris to let things continue through her ear piece. When the interview ended, the audience gave a long applause.

When they broke for commercial, Kris thanked both Leonard and Penny as well as Dr. Johnson for coming. She was sure that Penny made a good impression.

She also asked Penny if it would be Ok if they did periodic updates on Jenny and Max as one of their human interest stories.

Bernadette's mother looked at her daughter. "Why so glum honey, You look so afraid. Like what I will tell you is somehow going to ruin what you have with Howard. Bernadette. Having children does change your life. It changes how you think, it changes the priority of what you do. There are so many things you feel that are different. Let me ask you a question. Before you met Howard, what were your feelings for your career and any relationships you were in?"

Bernadette thought, "Well, any of the guys I was seeing were kind of important for the time I was seeing them, but finishing my schooling was more important to me."

Bernadette's mom asked. "Would you have changed anything in your life or schooling or what you thought of as where your career was going to go for any one of them?"

Bernadette thought some more. "Not really, I thought some of them were pretty special, especially Glen, but No. I was pretty sure what I wanted and just needed to figure out how to get it. I don't think I would have changed anything if anyone asked."

Bernadette's mom then continued. "What about now? What about after Howard. What would you change for him?"

Bernadette was a little surprised by the question. "I don't know. Howie and I would talk about it. He has his job, and I have mine. There are a really big part of who we are. I guess if we couldn't agree, I would change my job so we could work it out. I love him, nothing is more important. He's sweet, and funny."

Bernadette's mother smiled. "Ok, take that feeling you have for Howard and multiply that by ten thousand. That is how a child makes you feel. There is a love, a closeness that cannot be measured. You see all those stories about mother bears protecting their cubs. You would do anything to protect them, anything to help them, anything to make them happy. It's kind of similar if you are a dad, but nothing is closer or means more that the bond between a mom and her baby."

Bernadette looked at her mother. "Mom, why did you have so many kids? I can say, from my point of view, it was a pain. I had to take care of them if you were not there, it's hard work".

Bernadette's mother looked sadder now. "Bernie honey, I'm sorry, I was away at work because we needed the extra money. None of you were planned. You were all born out of the love your father and I have for you all."

Dr. Jenson heard the voice on the other end of the phone and immediately felt concern for his daughter. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Alex broke down crying. She couldn't say anything until she got control over her fragile emotions. After a few minutes, she was calm enough to talk. "Daddy, I've ruined everything. It's all a mess". She started to cry again.

In the most calming authoritative fatherly voice he could muster Alex's father spoke softly into the phone. "Alexandra…., nothing could be that bad. Now calm down and tell me what is wrong".

Alex heard her father's voice. He almost never used her full name, only when he was mad or being understanding and supportive. "Daddy, it's Raj, I think that I hurt him and I don't know what to do. And my career is going to be completely wrecked."

Dr. Jenson spoke clearly. "Alex, I don't know Raj very well, but I sincerely doubt that you could have hurt him to the point that any potential long term relationship could be damaged. And your career is just starting. You have many years of productive endeavors.

Alex thought that she just needed to get it out. Without thing any further, she just blurted out the words. "Daddy, I might be pregnant….. She then started to cry and the phone on the other end went completely quiet.

Amy was completely aghast. Sheldon had admitted that she was a stimulating addition. She wanted to jump at him and give him a hug and a kiss. She was also sure that if she did, she would upset the delicate balance of advancement in their relationship. Amy needed some clarification. "Sheldon, just how would you categorize 'stimulating' in the context that you are referencing?"

Sheldon was again thrust into a thought process that would normally not been worthy of effort. He poured two cups of tea as Amy approached the breakfast bar in 4B. "Amy, what tea would you like tonight?" He then presented Amy with the box of assorted teas.

Amy pondered the possibilities. "I think that Peppermint Raspberry seem appropriate, this conversation seems to be quite stimulating in its own right".

Sheldon selected Earl Grey. "I'm not sure why you think that…. But I suppose, as with many of our conversations, this will undoubtedly at the very least be interesting".

Amy was getting a little annoyed at the extended banter. "Sheldon…. Let's get back to point… shall we? What did you mean by 'stimulating'?"

Sheldon looked to his tea, blew on it to cool it and took a sip. "Well… let's see…."