I don't know what my update schedule for this story will be. I do have several chapters completed and even more outlined. I'm still finding that balance between my new work schedule and writing. Just a head's up that the rating for this story will be changing from T to M at some point. I'll add a note at the beginning of the chapter where it changes so you can make the decision if you want to continue reading.

I've had a few people question what happened to my last story. It was removed for "Content," despite not breaking any of the rules I've seen for the site and I've seen stories that were much worse in other fandoms. I've kept what I had written for that one. Maybe I'll try posting it elsewhere sometime or keep some of what I wrote and tweak it into another story, but I'm going to leave that one on the back burner while I focus on this one.

The POV will be switching between characters with each chapter, but it should be easy for most readers to figure out who's POV it is. I can add a note at the beginning of each chapter with the character if you'd like. Just let me know.

Saturday, Jan 29, 2022

I pull my car into the garage like I do every day. Grabbing my purse from the front seat, I pause to collect the bag of groceries from the back of the car before making my way inside. The sound of laughter meets my ears as I open the door leading from the garage to the kitchen. I smile, Sheldon hasn't gone upstairs for the night yet. The grocery bag is deposited on the counter as I make my way to the living room. I push open the door separating the rooms and Sheldon greets me.

"Look," he points at me, "Mommy's home." I kneel as he places the little one in his arms on the floor and they eagerly crawl toward me.

I pull the baby into my arms and breath in the smell of baby shampoo and baby powder. "It's past bedtime. What are you still doing up?"

Sheldon has moved across the room and helps me to my feet, kissing my cheek after I'm standing. "Someone had a bath but wanted to wait for Mommy to get home from girls' night before going to bed. Did you pick up milk?"

"Yes and a few other things," I nod, hoisting the little one higher on my hip. "Let's get you to bed while Daddy puts away the groceries."

I roll over, half awake, and sense I'm being watched. Slowly opening my eyes, I can see Sheldon laying on his right side. "You were smiling in your sleep. Did you have a good dream?" He asks as soon as he senses I'm awake.

"I think so." I sleepily smile and snuggle into his side.

He runs his hand up my arm. "Are you going to tell me about it?"

I shake my head, needing time to process the dream myself before I share it. Changing the topic, I ask, "It's Saturday. Why aren't you watching Dr. Who?"

"I was about to get up when I noticed you were smiling and looked extra adorable. I wanted a few extra minutes with you. I'll watch it later."

"That's sweet," I say as I realize what the dream might mean. "I'm sorry, but I really need to use the bathroom."

Sheldon pulls his arm back, allowing me to slip out of bed. I close the bathroom door behind me, locking the door as quietly as possible, hoping he doesn't hear the click. We don't usually lock the door, but I don't want him to decide this is the one time he comes in while I'm in here. Opening the cabinet under the sink, I extract the small box I concealed behind the tampons months ago. I rip it open and skim the instructions. Pretty simple, except I don't have my phone. Guess I'm counting the next three minutes in my head. My hands are shaking as I lower my pajama bottoms. I manage to do the test and slip the cover back on the test strip end of the plastic stick. I wash my hands, continuing to count.

I reach three minutes of counting and reach for the test stick on the edge of the sink. I turn it over and two very noticeable lines are waiting for me. I'm shaking again and place my hand over my mouth to keep from squealing and alarming Sheldon. I sit on the closed toilet, staring at the test still in my hand. How am I going to tell Sheldon? This was our third attempt at IVF after nearly a year of trying before we decided we needed help. We've wanted this for so long, but how is he going to react? After the last two times we tried this, Sheldon asked me daily how I was feeling and if I felt pregnant. I'd tell him I felt the same and didn't know what it felt like to be pregnant, and that was true. Until this morning, when it felt like that dream was telling me something.

"Amy?" Sheldon's voice calls through the door. "You've been in there longer than usual. Are you sick?" This is it. He's going to know the second I open the door. There's no way my face will keep from giving this away. "Amy?" I hear him getting out of bed.

"Not sick," I say, opening the door. Pulling the test from behind my back, I hold it out in front of me. "Just pregnant."

Sheldon stumbles in his rush around the bed, getting tangled in the sheets and landing on the floor. I stifle a laugh before helping him up. "What?" He reaches for the test. "It has two lines. You're sure that means positive?" I nod and leave him standing at the foot of our bed while I retrieve the box. He takes it from me and studies it. "You're pregnant." He inches backward until his legs run into the edge of the bed and he sits down.

I sit next to him. "I know it's been just over a week since the embryo transfer, but I didn't think it took until I woke up this morning and thought maybe I was. The doctor said to not take a home test before the follow-up appointment on Tuesday, but I needed to know."

"We're having a baby," he whispers with a smile that reminds me of when he saw me in my wedding dress before we got married.

"We're having a baby," I confirm before leaning in to kiss him.

While Sheldon's getting ready for the day, I prepare pancakes for breakfast, which Sheldon eats in silence. I excuse myself to get dressed and when I emerge from the bedroom, he's sitting at the table with his laptop. "What ya working on?"

"Huh?"

He's in the zone and probably won't hear me, but I tell him anyway, "Penny and Leonard asked if I would watch Ava for them today."

"What?" I'm surprised that got his attention. "You can't tell Penny. We have to wait to tell our friends that you're pregnant."

"I know, Sheldon. Penny and Bernadette don't even know we were trying. I want to wait until after the doctor confirms it before we tell anyone. I'll be across the hall if you need anything," I give him a wave and make my way across the hall. "I'm here," I call out as I enter the apartment that is my second home.

I hear giggles and footsteps coming from the bedrooms, "An Ame!" one-and-a-half-year-old Ava shouts, running toward me. She throws her arms around my legs and I lift her to my hip.

"Hi, Ava. You ready to play with me today?"

Leonard and Penny aren't far behind her, Penny greets me, "Hi, Ames. Thanks for watching her. You know where everything is. Call us if you need anything. Don't stress if she won't go down for a nap. We should be back in a few hours." I can't wait until my child is here and able to play with Ava. Watching Penny and Leonard grow as parents makes me curious about what kind of parents Sheldon and I will be. Living next to our best friends; raising our families together. I never could have dreamt my life would turn out like this. "Yoo-hoo! Earth to Amy!" Penny's waving her hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, got distracted for a second. We'll be fine, won't we Ava?"

"Yeah!" she shouts, waving at her parents.

We spend the next two hours playing and coloring. I'm looking for something to make for lunch when the door flings open, "Amy! I figured it out. Your due date should be October tenth."

"I know," I should have known he was calculating these details. I haven't told him that before each round of IVF, I've figured out what my due date would be if it were successful.

"We have so much we need to do."

"Can we talk about this later? You didn't want me to say anything, but you know Ava repeats everything lately."

I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes at me when he sets the notebook in his hand on the island. "We need to find a pediatrician, look at preschools, get life insurance, research car seats. How are we going to do everything?"

Ava laughs at Sheldon's exuberance, "Unc Shel cray."

"I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested. Our child will not be spending time alone with Leonard and Penny. I don't need my own offspring calling me crazy."

I abandon the lunch preparations and come around the island, reaching for Sheldon's hands. "Is this why you were so quiet after I told you this morning?" He nods, looking like he'd done something wrong. "We can talk about everything later. I know there's a lot to be done, but we have tons of time and you are the most organized person I know. I'm sure we'll have everything on your list done with months to spare." I see his shoulders relax and know there will be many moments like this in the coming months. "Do you want to join us for lunch?"

He turns his attention to Ava, who was standing next to us, watching the interaction, "Can I have lunch with you, Ava?"

"Yeah," she pulls his hand to the couch, climbing into his spot. He tickles the girl and lifts her into his lap. I watch them for a minute before turning my back to finish making lunch for the three of us. I know Sheldon's been worried since we decided to try starting a family a year ago, but he'll be a great father to our baby.