There's an issue with the site for the past few weeks not sending emails when a story is updated. The site displays a message that it's a problem with the user's email provider rejecting an email so alerts are disabled. You can follow the instructions in the message to "fix" the problem, but the message displays again the next time you log in.

I'm mentioning this so you can check your favorite stories for updates. I haven't updated as frequently as I had been since the problem started and I feel like some of the stories I follow haven't been updated as much recently.

Thursday, Aug 4, 2022- 30 weeks

It's been a while since I've had an evening home alone because Amy is working late. I heated some leftovers for dinner and am wandering through the house, unsure what to do for the evening. That's when I spot the basket of baby clothes sitting in front of the dresser in the nursery. I kneel next to it and rustle through it, noting the tags have been removed from everything. These are the clothes we were gifted that Amy and I have decided to keep for our son. They need to be washed and put away. I guess I could work on that. Check one thing off the list that needs to be done in the next two and a half months.

I'm pulling the tiny clothes from the dryer when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. "Leaving work now. Be home in a little while." Just Amy letting me know she's on her way. Glancing at the basket on the floor before the dryer, I determine I can have this folded and put away before she arrives.

Carrying the basket from the mudroom off the kitchen, I drop it on the end of the couch and reach for the remote before starting the task to my left. Ooh, The Flash is on. An episode I've seen. I've seen every episode, despite this show being the breaking point for my and Amy's relationship seven years ago. It took me many months to watch it after we resumed our relationship. It was only with Amy's encouragement that I was able to watch it. This is a good episode and I'm drawn in until I hear Amy's car turn into the driveway. The basket to my left is still untouched. I quickly pull it toward myself and begin folding the small clothes.

Amy lets herself in the backdoor and walks up behind me, she brushes the tips of her fingers along the back of my shoulders, pausing behind me. "Laundry on Thursday? Is everything okay?"

"Yes. I noticed the basket in the nursery and thought I could have it washed, folded, and put away before you came home. I'm running into a problem. The clothes are so small. They come unfolded as soon as I pick them up."

She's walking around the couch, positioning herself next to me. I watch her select a garment from the basket on my lap and carefully fold it in half before placing it on the coffee table with the items already folded. "I think you're overthinking it. Just fold everything in half. Once his clothes get bigger you can fold them your regular way." My wife always knows the answer. I'm working on refolding the disheveled clothes in front of me when the television catches Amy's attention. After a minute or two, she turns to me, inquiring, "What is this?"

"The Flash."

"The same Flash you asked me about during our anniversary?" I focus on the clothes in front of me, not wanting to discuss this. It's been years, but I can't help but wonder sometimes what would have happened had I not brought that up that fateful evening. Would she still have asked for time apart? Would I have not given her that time, still resulting in our breakup? Would I have proposed sooner, leading to us getting married and starting a family earlier? "It's okay, Sheldon," Amy's voice and the gentle touch of her hand against my forearm pulls me from my thoughts. "I'd say things have worked out pretty well for us since that night."

It's like she can read my thoughts. "They canceled it. It was announced a few days ago the new season will be its last. How was work?"

"I don't think we'll need many long days for him to be comfortable taking over my research for the next year." We spent most of the weekend discussing Amy's desire to stay home for the first year of our son's life. Lists were made and debates were had before talking to Mrs. Davis together on Monday afternoon. Amy is passing off her research to one of the grad students who graduated in the spring and is staying at Cal Tech for their post-doc. Officially, Amy will be taking a year-long sabbatical from the university once her maternity leave ends, allowing her to stay home until almost the end of next year. "He's already familiar with my work; it's been an easy process so far. I'm hoping to let him take the lead within the next two weeks and just be there for any questions for the last month before my leave starts."

"That's good, right?" Regardless of their abilities, I could never hand my work over to someone else. "You sound happy about it."

She eagerly nods, affirming my suspicion. "It's very good." I'm taken aback when Amy leans over, pressing her lips against mine. Her kiss is soft, carefully placing her right hand against my cheek. I rest my hands against her sides, deepening the kiss as she tangles her fingers in my hair. We've shifted, she's resting against the back of the couch, pulling me with her. She sighs in my mouth; that is more than enough to fill me with desire for my wife. The contact is suddenly lost as she pulls back, whispering, "I love you."

I silently study her face, my chest heaving. I'm sure my face is flushed as I lean in to continue what she started. "Let's put away the laundry and go to bed. It's not on my schedule for tonight, but I find you irresistible right now."

"Or we can leave the laundry for later," a smirk crosses her face. Damn this woman. I spring from the couch, heading toward the hallway leading to our bedroom. "You could help me up!" Backing up a few steps, I hold out my hand, lifting Amy from the couch before pulling her to our bedroom.

I just finished writing the second to last chapter for this story. I have 2 ideas for my next story. I'm going to work on the outline for them before deciding which one I want to tackle. I also have an idea for a Call Me Kat story, but I'm not so sure about venturing into a new fandom, especially when I feel that fandom isn't very active, especially with the show being cancelled.