National S'mores Day (August 10th)
Sheldon grimaced as he tried to keep the gooey mess Bernadette had forced on him from dripping onto him. How was this enjoyable? He looked around the Wolowitz's backyard at the large gathering. Everyone was laughing and joking. If not for the sticky chocolate and marshmallow disaster currently oozing out of two soggy graham crackers he would be quite content. Penny was in the bathroom, and when she came back out, he intended to find a nice quiet corner for them to sit and talk. There were still a few wedding plans to finalize and he wanted to discuss their plans for the honeymoon. He was going to convince Penny to take a second train ride back from New York. He was certain she would love it, if it was presented to her in just the right way.
The back door opened and Penny stepped out onto the porch. Sheldon set down the sticky mess and stood with a smile. He had only taken a couple of steps when Penny suddenly doubled over.
He ignored their friends as they paced, worried, spoke softly or generally waited anxiously. His entire focus was on the double doors separating the waiting room from the ER. After an eternity, or maybe just 2 hours, the doors opened and an older man walked out.
"Sheldon Cooper?" he asked, looking around the room.
Sheldon stepped over worriedly. "I'm Doctor Sheldon Cooper."
The man held out a hand absently. "I'm Doctor Felty. Miss Queen is stable. She is being moved to a room at the moment. As soon as we get her settled, you can see her."
Sheldon fidgeted slightly. "What is wrong?" The others had gathered close, concern written on all their faces.
Dr. Felty indicated a group of chairs and they all sat down. "Doctor Cooper, your fiancée has a grade 1 placental abruption. She has a small amount of bleeding, but all our tests indicate there is no fetal distress, and Miss Queen is not in shock. Now, the baby is not large enough to survive outside the womb, so what we are going to do is keep her here. We will monitor her and the baby 24/7 until we can safely deliver the baby."
Sheldon's chest felt tight and he was having trouble focusing his mind. He looked at the doctor and cleared his throat. "I …I know I have questions…"
The doctor nodded. "I understand this is a shock for you. Miss Queen said this is your first child. I've been through this with other patients and in my own personal life. My wife had this exact same complication with our first child. So, let me just jump in here and hopefully I can set your mind at ease. This is mainly a precaution on our part. I would rather be safe now than sorry later. I could send her home and be fairly certain there would be no more complications. But the separation is still bleeding sluggishly. There is a low chance that the bleeding may increase. That would result in fetal distress and endanger the baby. If we can keep the bleeding down, or even stop it, and keep her from going into labor for another 6 to 8 weeks, we will be able to safely and confidently deliver."
Sheldon took a deep breath to help him focus. "Alright. Penny is bleeding, but it's not severe. Our baby is not in danger. Penny will have to stay here for up to two months so she can be monitored. Our baby will be delivered in two months. Do I have the facts?"
Dr. Felty nodded. "Yes, that's correct. Dr. Cooper, you really do not have much to worry about. Miss Queen is healthy and strong. She is a very determined young woman. Your baby is healthy. She is very active and her heart rate is strong and steady."
Sheldon's eyes widened. "She?"
Dr. Felty grimaced. "Oh dear. You didn't want to know, I take it? I apologize."
Sheldon shook his head slowly. "Our pediatrician was never able to tell. Does Penny know yet?"
Dr. Felty shook his head. "The results of the blood work came in after the pain medication kicked in. She is sleeping soundly."
Sheldon frowned and his hands clenched. "Medication? It won't hurt our daughter, will it?"
Dr. Felty grinned. "Dr. Cooper, I have been a practicing physician for over 30 years. I promise you that the medication will not affect your daughter at all. Now, I want you to go see your fiancée. Reassure yourself that she is fine, and reassure her that you are by her side. A positive attitude will go a long way toward keeping her calm and keeping the baby calm."
Sheldon stood and followed the nurse out of the waiting room without another word. Dr. Felty looked at the group with a smile. "It is wonderful that they have such a large support group. I will let the nurses know you can all go see her also, even though visiting hours are over. You can only stay an hour tonight, but you are very welcome to return tomorrow."
They slowly made their way to the room, wanting to give Sheldon time alone with Penny. When they got to the door, they eased it open. Sheldon was sitting on the side of Penny's bed, their foreheads pressed together. They tiptoed into the room hesitantly. After a second Penny held out a hand to the group. They hurried over and Penny grabbed Leonard's hand. Sheldon stunned them all by grabbing hold of Bernadette's hand. Instinctively everyone else linked up also.
Penny smiled wearily at them all. "Sorry for worrying you all." Sheldon rubbed Penny's free arm soothingly.
Priya shook her head adamantly. "Penny, you're talking nonsense. As if a silly holiday is more important than you, Sheldon, or this child," she tsked.
The others added their own reassurances, but it was Howard who really stepped up. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on Penny's cheek. "Penny, there is nothing that we care about more than each other. We're a family, right?"
Tears sprang to Penny's eyes and she smiled widely. She looked around the group and then to Sheldon. All her life she had searched for where she belonged. How could she not have realized that she had found it years ago? She blinked away the tears and blew Howard a kiss. "I love all you guys," she said softly.
Sheldon gave Howard a smile. "From treasured acquaintance to extended family all in the space of two sentences."
Howard blushed and looked down. Bernadette hugged him proudly. Before long the nurse came to tell them their visit was over. They promised to come back in the morning, leaving Sheldon and Penny alone. Penny moved over a bit and drew him down beside her.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Sheldon nodded, tucking her head under his chin. "I am as well as could be expected. I do have some news, though."
Penny looked up at him. "What is it?" she asked worriedly.
Sheldon looked at her calmly. "I've narrowed our baby name choices down. Instead of William, Simon, Sabrina or Caroline, we now have to choose between Sabrina or Caroline."
Penny gasped and placed a hand on her belly. "Are you sure?"
Sheldon nodded. "A daughter, Penny. We are having a girl."
Penny laughed happily. "Then how about we don't choose? How about Caroline Sabrina Cooper?"
Sheldon smiled and kissed her gently. "That sounds wonderful." They settled back into the bed and held each other close.
Sorry for not answering reviews more diligently. The last week of school for my son was pretty hectic, and this week has been filled with work. I really appreciate all the holiday suggestions, and encouragement. I'm ending this at 3 years, though, so only 4 more chapters to go. :)