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Her hands quivered as she held the test in her hands. She couldn't believe it.
She double checked the box. Yep, two lines meant positive.
Her heart suddenly began pounding out of her chest. What was Sheldon going to do? She knew he'd wanted children for a while now, but she wasn't sure if he was ready for all the changes that this news would bring to their lives, or if he was ready yet.
Hell, she wasn't even sure if she was ready yet.
They were both at a good point in their careers, having just won their Nobel Prizes, and both being happy living across the hall from their closest friends. But having a baby would change all that.
She'd have to leave work to go on maternity leave, and they'd probably have to move to a bigger apartment.
She put the test down on the counter and gripped the sink. Her breath started catching in her throat as her mind raced. Her whole world was dissolving around her so fast and she didn't know if she'd be able to handle it. What if she was a bad mother? What if she couldn't-
“Amy?” Her husband's voice calls, having just entered the apartment.
She swallowed and tried to compose herself, but the panic had already consumed her.
“Just a minute!” She calls back, trying desperately to regain her normal breathing pattern.
“Amy, good news!” Sheldon cries. “The university wants to-”
He stops as he sees Amy appear from their bedroom shakily.
“Are you alright?” He asks
“I'm fine.” She lies.
His eyes narrow in curiosity. “Are you sure? You're shaking.”
“I'm fine!” She says, a little too defensively.
He tilts his head and moves closer to her. “Then why did you shout at me?” he asks
“I'm sorry, I'm just a little stressed.” She answers.
“Why?” He asks
“Um …” She stutters, unable to think of a viable answer.
He waits patiently. “Is it something I did?” he asks naively.
“No! No.” She assures. “Although, actually, technically, yes.” She mumbles.
Sheldon hears her. “What do you mean?” He asks. “Please tell me what's wrong.”
She sighs. “Sheldon, do you promise not to freak out?” She asks.
His eyes widen. “Don't tell me they cancelled Doctor Who!” He cries.
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Oh good.” He sighs in relief. “Then, what is it?” He asks softly.
She takes a deep breath and sighs. “Sheldon, I'm pregnant.”
For a long moment, a deafening silence fills the apartment. Amy starts to worry even more. What if he gets too overwhelmed by the news? What if he decides to run away and ride the trains again? But before she can start imagining life as a single mother, he speaks up.
“Amy, that's wonderful.” He says earnestly.
Her eyes widen in surprise. “Really? I gotta say, I thought you'd be a little bit more scared.” She says, still shaking.
He nods. “I am.” he says quietly. “But that doesn't mean I'm not excited.” He pauses. “Are you scared?” He asks.
She nods. “To be honest, yes. What if we're not ready for this?” She asks. “I mean it's a lot of changes.” She says slightly fearfully.
He nods back. “I know. But if I hadn't changed my outlook on dating, I never would have made the best decision of my life.”
She blushes.
“I mean, who knows where I would be?” He continues. “Yes, I'd still be a physicist, but a much less accomplished one. I mean, I never would have figured out superasymmetry without you.”
She smiles and takes his hand. “Sheldon…”
“I mean it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be able to put things other than gloves in the glove box.” He smiles. “Amy, the truth is, you've helped me grow as a person. And now, you're helping me grow a whole new person inside of you! And we already know our combined DNA produces exceptional results. We did make those brain cells, remember?”
She beams, thinking back. “I do.”
“I'm not saying it'll be easy, but I am saying that these coming changes will be good changes. Just like you were a good change.” He finishes.
Amy squeezes his hand. “You're right. It will be scary, but we'll manage.”
He nods and touches her stomach.
“And if we have a boy I'm naming him Leonard.” He grins.
“Awe after Leonard?” She asks.
“No, of course not, after Leonard Nimoy.” He says as if it was obvious.
She shakes her head. “Of course.” She smiles and shuffles into Sheldon's arms, who hugs her warmly.
“I love you.” She whispers.
“I love you too.” He answers. “And our baby.”