The near future of the Big Bang theory

8: Babbling Babies

Screams were heard through the hallway. Even in the waiting room, they were hearable. It was from Penny. She screamed in pain. They were too late in the hospital for any pain medication so it would be done without.
"Poor Penny," Raj said when it was silent for a second. Another scream.
"Poor Leonard," Howard answered. Sheldon shook his head. He wanted to go home, he always hated hospitals. Zoey and Halley had fallen asleep and so together with Michael, didn't notice anything.
"I hope they're okay," Amy said nervously.
"I am sure they are," Bernadette added, but she was also nervous. Baby James would be a little too early. It should not be a problem, but still. They were all worried.
"Amy?" Zoey sleepily walked towards her. Amy turned around.
"Yes?" she patted Zoey back.
"Where can I find something to drink here?"
"A little back in the hallway is a vending machine, want me to come? you seem a little tipsy." Amy laughed.
"No thank you, I will be fine." She smiled.
"Cover your ears for the screams," Raj said. Zoey threw him a confused look.
"What screams?" She took everyone by surprise. It was silent!
"Oh my God? Is he here?" Bernadette shot up and tried to take a look through the doors into the hall. She saw Leonard coming.
"Act normal!" She yelled and ran back to the seats. Leonard walked in with the biggest smile on his face. Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
"He is here! Completely healthy. Penny is fine too, just very tired! James can't wait to meet his new aunts and uncles! Godfather, niece and nephew. You guys want to see him?" Leonard said, enthusiast.
"Of course we do!" Bernadette said.
"I'll stay here with the kids," Howard answered. They all followed Leonard towards the room. James was laying in a crib next to Penny's bed. She looked exhausted.
"Hey, guys!" She said. Amy went to hug her.
"I am so proud of you Bestie." Penny smiled slightly.
"He is adorable!" Raj said looking over to the sleeping baby.
"He looks like Leonard." Sheldon pointed out, although he kept his distance, he could notice easily.
"Curly hair, the futures of his face," Sheldon muttered, impressed.
"He has a lot of hair!" Bernadette laughed.
"Oh, he is wearing the star trek onesie!" raj said, enthusiast.
"Bernie and I said we would make it a thing so," Penny explained. She felt proud, but at the same time, helpless. Such a tiny human, she wasn't sure if she was ready for the responsibilities this all brought up. She shook the thought of and tried to smile again.
"So far for, smart and beautiful babies!" Raj laughed.
"I hope he is smart if he failed to do both that would be sad," Sheldon added. Raj laughed even more.
"He is cute," Zoey said staring at the little creature. It reminded her of when she first saw her baby brother.
"Come on guys, I think penny needs some rest." Amy stroked Penny's hair while saying it and creepily smiled.
"Thank you," Penny answered, hesitantly. They all decided to go home and leave the new parents alone. They would have all the time in the world to get to know the boy.
"So how is little Jaminator?" Howard said when they came back.
"Looking like Leonard," Raj answered.
"Auch!" Howard laughed while picking up Michael. Bernadette shook her head.
"Come on you two!" She waved goodbye to the others. raj picked up Halley and followed them.
Sheldon, Zoey and Amy also went home to sleep.

A few days later, James was allowed to come home. Penny was still unsure about everything. Leonard did most of the work. She did not really respond when he cried. Leonard was too happy to notice. He loved his baby boy with all his heart, James was his pride.
"So, They don't do anything?" Halley questioned, looking at him. It was the first time they brought him to dinner. Halley had never seen the baby, she was a little disappointed that she could not play with him yet.
"No, he will soon, but it takes time. He needs to learn." Bernadette answered. Halley nodded and kept staring at James.
"He is beautiful though." She smiled. James was making some noises, which made Halley squeal too.
"Mom, can I have one?" Howard almost choked in his food. Leonard laughed.
"Princess, that's not how it works." Raj giggled.
"Then how does it work?" She was so innocent.
"We'll explain one day." Amy threw in the conversation. Zoey whispered something in Halley's ear.
"Ooooh." Was the answer.
"Then why do we go to the hospital if the bird brings them?"
"It's cold up there, it's to check if they're okay." Zoey winked. Halley nodded,
"That makes sense." She turned back to James. He was staring around a little. Halley happily sighed.
"I guess this is good too." Zoey hugged the little girl while also staring at the baby. She hadn't felt like belonging to a family this strong in a while. It was nice.



The evening went rather fast, Howard and Bernadette were already gone. Leonard was down getting the car closer and Penny was on the toilet. Amy and Zoey were cleaning up. Sheldon saw an opportunity to inspect his godchild. The boy was asleep.
"Why do people want the insecurity of not knowing how a creature they made, will turn out. If everything they do is even to any use. Having the possibility to fail. I don't understand. Next to the fact that it is in our nature to procreate?" James snored softly. Sheldon shrugged.
"Just like Leonard." He stopped and put out his hand. Slowly but surely he got closer and touched James. He wiped away a strand of hair.
"You remind me of the blue jay I once had. Overcoming fears and opening up to new things. You'll be my blue jay, won't you? Oh, that is fun! I'll call you JayJay!" Sheldon smiled wide. The longer he stared at the boy, the more he saw Leonard, the more he liked it.
"Please be the best combination of my two best friends in the world possible!" He said.
"Sheldon?" He jumped up.
"What are you doing?" Penny asked. She just came back from the toilet.
"Penny! You scared me!" She looked at him suspiciously.
"Were you talking to James?" He straightened himself and went to sit in his spot.
"Of course not, I have no interest in a one-sided conversation." He said. Penny laughed.
"It's okay to like him." She picked him up and put James in the maxi-cosy.
"Say bye uncle Shelly!" Penny smiled. Sheldon hid his emotion, but he actually wanted to say bye back.
"Bye Ay-ay, bye Zoezoe!" Penny waved and left. They waved back. Zoey hugged Amy,
"I'm going too, tomorrow is a new school day!" She said. Amy laughed.
"True! Goodnight Zoey!"
"Goodnight! You too Sheldon!" He simply nodded. She left them alone.
"Now be honest!" Amy said.
"Were you talking to him?" Sheldon sighed and nodded again.
"I am glad you are building a bond with him." She kissed his cheek.
"Let's also go to sleep." She suggested, Sheldon gladly followed, he was surprisingly tired.

Although Leonard did not really want it, he could not forbid his mother to come to visit her grandson. And so the next week, Beverly stopped by. She was her well-known self and unimpressed with the baby.
"He looks like you." Was the first thing she said. Penny found it somehow amusing.
"You want to hold him, mother?" Leonard asked frustrated.
"Of course I do dear, He is my grandson." She rolled her eyes. Leonard ignored it, he gave James to her.
"Well look at that." She said stiffly and stared at James. James himself was playing around with his feet.
"You're a very active child," Beverly said and loosened up a little.
"Maybe you don't look completely like your father after all." Penny enjoyed the scene in front of her. Leonard, however, was offended and very tense.
"Okay, I'll put him back now, so he can nap," Leonard said.
"Yes please." Beverly gladly gave James back. She was never really a baby person.
"Have you decided on what parenting technique you are going to use?" She asked.
"No?" Penny said unsure.
"Do you have a plan in general?" Leonard shook his head.
"We don't need one."
"Oh boy," Beverly sighed.
"We can do this." Leonard defended himself and Penny.
"Leonard, Jamie will need some guidance, please read my books about you so you are prepared. At least do that!"
"Jamie?" Beverly gave Penny a confused look.
"You said Jamie," She clarified.
"It's James."
"I prefer Jamie, now, will you read those books dear?" Leonard threw his hands up and walked away.
"Well, that was rude," Beverly said. Penny started laughing.
"I'll go get him."

Beverly stayed for a couple of days. She was very intrigued by Zoey. It was like she could not get through and she loved herself a challenge. This was one she would invest her time in. She decided to prepare some things at home and to come back soon to figure this out.

Weeks passed. Alfred visited, Penny's father. The little boy grew, Sheldon still tried to hide that he liked him. But he admired the brightness and the speed of how fast James changed. The curly-haired, brown-eyed baby was a real smiley baby. Mary was also very involved. She called almost daily last 3 months. She wanted to stay up to date about James, or she said that was why. James was loved, by everyone. But Mary mostly used him to try and get Sheldon in having kids of his own with Amy. Whose mother feelings did not get any better by the way. Sheldon diplomatically avoided the subject with his mother. He had thought, as he said, James was his blue jay. He wanted kids, he wanted them now but he had some things he wanted to sort out first. Sheldon tried to talk about it with Amy, but he never got the chance. Penny called for help a lot and Amy gladly went to give it. Leonard also called Bernadette often for advice. But tonight was the night Sheldon finally saw his chance.
They were alone watching some tv.
"Amy?" She looked up.
"Yes, Sheldon?" She paused the DVR.
"I need to talk to you."
"I am listening."
"About kids." Amy nodded, encouraging him to go on.
"I have been thinking."
"About James?"
"No."
"Halley and Michael?"
"No."
"Oh, about Zoey."
"No, Amy!"
"Sorry, go on."
"About our kids." Amy did not know what to say or how to react. She waited. That was all she could do.
"I..." Sheldon started but he was interrupted by Amy's phone ringing.
"I"m sorry!" She said. She took her phone.
"I have to get this one." Amy apologized.

A few soft knocks came from the door. Raj frowned, he jumped out of his bed. Who the hell knocked on his door this late? It was 11 pm! He yawned shuffling towards the door. When he opened it, he saw nobody. He rubbed his eyes, was he dreaming? But there was no one. He shook his head and was about too close the door again when he heard soft giggling sounds.

A/N: Helllooooo! Missed me? How were your holidays? And how is the new year going so far? I hope it is going well. 
I drew a cartoonish picture of how I think baby james would look. What do you think? Does he look like Leonard? Like they all say?
Also, Who is at Raj door? You guys have any idea? Let me know what you think! I try to update as soon as possible! Thank you for reading, Hope you enjoy! Love you!