The Smart and Beautiful Baby Journey

Chapter one

Leonard Hofstadter climbed down from the step ladder and admired his handywork. It had been 24 hours since little Megan made her way into the world and he was due at the hospital in two hours to bring them home. Leonard had to pinch himself. It had been twelve years since Leonard and Penny met, twelve years since he had stood in the doorway of that very apartment and told his friend, Sheldon, that 'our babies will be smart and beautiful'. Now, twelve years and a lot of badgering, arguing, proposing and getting married twice that prophecy had become reality, and Leonard was so happy.

When they returned home, Penny was pleased the elevator had been repaired nearly ten months ago, she couldn't imagine how she was going to carry a stroller up the stairs, it was hard enough just walking with groceries, shoes or clothes like she had done countless times over the last twelve years. When they got to their floor, Penny walked out first and nearly cried, the apartment was decorated perfectly, almost completely in pink. 'welcome home' and 'it's a girl' banners were hung from every wall, a beautifully drawn picture of Megan and Penny was propped up on the coffee table with 'lots of love, uncle Stuart and auntie Denise' signed at the bottom. Behind it was a hamper style blanket with lots of baby and new mom items in it. The note on that read 'we know what it's like, if we've forgotten anything, let us know, love Howard and Bernadette. Then there was a large toy monkey in 'Sheldon's spot' with 'we've got it all to come, congratulations' written on a tag attached to the tag on its ear. Finally, on the breakfast bar was a huge card, in it was a voucher for their favourite take away, the card read, 'sorry its not much, hope you enjoy it, Raj and Cinnamon'. Penny sat down, slightly overwhelmed by all the gifts, cards and decorations that filled the apartment, there were also flowers from her work, and $250 of vouchers from CalTech.

"it's lovely that so many people care" Penny thought out loud still admiring everything they had been given, "I can't believe it"

"it is" Leonard answered, hugging her as tightly as her full boobs would allow without leaking "we have some lovely friends"

"did you tell them they couldn't come until tomorrow?" Penny asked, reminding him of the agreement they had made even before Megan was born "I don't think I could face anyone today"

"I did" Leonard reassured her, "but Amy said if you need her to come at any point to give you a break, you know where she is"

"I do" Penny agreed "but I just want it to be us tonight"

they managed to have a lovely evening, just the three of them. Megan seemed to be a dream baby, waking only a couple of times for feeding and then going straight down again afterwards. At 5am when Megan woke up, Penny decided to get up and make herself and Leonard some tea after Megan's feed. Penny thought it seemed cold in the apartment, a throwback from when Sheldon had lived in the apartment, she walked across the room and turned it up slightly. As she did this, she thought about Sheldon, how far he had come since they met. Back then not even a hug was in the question. Now he was living with his wife in a different apartment and they were having a baby.

That morning, Penny sat at the window and watched as the sun rose above their apartment, Megan feeding from her as she did. Once the sun was risen and Megan had fallen asleep, Penny took a deep breath in preparation for the day. It was Saturday, and she had promised both Amy and Bernadette that they could come see them again. Even though they'd been at the hospital when Megan was born, this would be only the second time they'd seen the baby and neither of them could wait.

"Can we come in?" Amy asked, even though she was technically already in "god mommy needs her cuddles"

"Sure" Penny smiled, she didn't know she needed Amy until she came in "shall we let the boys go to the comic book store?"

"I suppose we could" Amy agreed, sarcastically before practically shoving both of them out of the apartment "girl talk time"

"so how's things, mommy to be?" Penny asked Amy, "how's my little god child?"

"fine, fine" Amy smiled, she still couldn't believe she was pregnant and had to remind herself almost twice a day "how's being a new Mom"

"lovely" Penny answered, staring into Megan's eyes "I can't believe I thought I didn't want this"

"what you've never had, you'll never miss" Amy shrugged, I didn't know what I was missing until I met Sheldon, and then met you and the others"

"true" Penny smiled as her daughter opened her big brown eyes "not long and you'll be in this position"

"six months and counting" Amy smiled "I still cant believe its actually happening this time"

"how are you feeling about it all" Penny asked "still nervous"

"still very nervous" Amy agreed "but I'm trying not to think about it"