A/N: What is this? Is this a Tumblr prompt? Why, yes it is. It's been a while since I have done one of these. This one is a little odd, but it was, honestly, so much fun to write. It's a little short and fluffier than I usually go for, but I hope you all enjoy it! :)

Prompt: Sheldon's first diaper change

Sheldon rolled over and groaned into his pillow; the cries of his newborn daughter slicing through the air like a knife. Even after he lazily reached over to silence the baby monitor so as to not wake his sleeping wife, their little progeny continued to cry into the night.

After a moment of trying to get his bearings, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He checked the alarm clock. 4:36. Usually Amy would leap out of bed at the sound of their daughters cries, however, she seemed so wiped out that Sheldon couldn't bring himself to wake her up. Even if it was her turn, she hadn't got quality sleep in a few days.

Rubbing his eyes, he exited his shared bedroom with Amy and ventured into the darkness to see what in tarnation had his daughter screaming bloody murder.

As he tiredly approached the crib, Marie's cries softened slightly. Comforted by the presence of her father. He gingerly reached down to pick her up. He cradled her head to his chest and bounced her softly. "Shhh," he whispered. "It's ok."

The baby's cries intensified once more, troubling Sheldon. He did a quick run through in his head. Amy fed her a little over an hour ago, no way she could be hungry again. She didn't just want to be held otherwise she would have calmed down already. Then a thought entered Sheldon's mind that sent a shiver down his spine. She needed a diaper change.

Even though his daughter was already a mere two weeks old, Sheldon had managed to escape that parental duty on every occasion. Of course the first time he would have to tackle such a responsibility, Amy wasn't present.

Sheldon sighed and set Marie down on the changing table. She fussed a little as he set her down on the padded surface. He surveyed the squirming infant laying before him; so helpless with only him to help.

He excelled at many things, but changing diapers was not one of them. His daughter was only about a week old, and for the most part she never left Amy's arms. So, changing a diaper was still something he had to learn. Maybe he should have taken that parenting class like Amy had suggested.

Sheldon tried to remember what he had seen Amy do, it seemed simple enough. Maybe not a 4:30 in the morning, but he was a genius he could figure it out. Besides with the piercing blue eyes of his newborn staring up at him, Sheldon knew he needed to do something.

His movements were so methodical and calculated, not only did he not want to do something wrong, he did not want to hurt Marie. He replayed every time Amy had shown him how to change her diaper, what she did and how she did it.

Sheldon followed the memory of his wife in strides. All the necessary supplies were conveniently tucked away in the draws of the expensive changing table Amy insisted they buy. Sheldon was suddenly grateful for that. That appreciation increased tenfold when he realized that his wife had put a box of gloves in there for him.

Still following Amy's instructions in his head, he handled his daughter extremely gently. He didn't want to jerk her too much and get her crying again. The last thing he needed was a crying baby and an angry wife.

His gloved fingers gingerly cleaned up to the best of his ability. And when he finally secured the last tab on her diaper, Marie had calmed down exponentially. Something about his handwork looked a little wonky, but, honestly, he was too tired to care.

He pulled the glove off of his hands and threw them into the bag with the soiled items he would need to throw in the trash. Sheldon observed his daughter for a moment, trying to decipher if she would be ok if he stepped out for a moment to wash his hands and throw away the garbage. It seemed Marie was eager to get back to sleep as her eyes were opening a closing wearily. Sheldon figured he had a couple of minutes before she made a fuss about still being on the changing table. But still a part of him did not want to leave her. He had worn gloves, he figured it would be ok.

Scooping up the baby into one of his arms, she curled into a ball on his shoulder. She was so tiny against him, he could see why Amy never wanted to put her down, this feeling was amazing.

Finding a way to dispose of the garbage and maneuvering Marie a little so he would be able to wash his hands proved to be a challenge. But he managed. At least now he felt comfortable holding his daughter more securely in his hands.

Sheldon returned to her nursery to put Marie back to sleep. Sitting down in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, Sheldon hummed a lullaby softly. It was the one his mother used to sing to him and Missy when they were children. He couldn't really remember the lyrics of it in his sleepy state, but the melody came easily to him.

He draped a blanket over his sleeping daughter, now curled up in the center of his chest, and continued to hum the song tenderly until she finally fell asleep. He almost didn't want to put her back in the crib. She looked so comfortably laying across his chest, and he didn't want to lose the contentment he found holding his child in his arms.

So, he didn't. He stayed with her for a while, rocking gently, until he himself fell asleep as well.

He woke a few hours later to the sound of his name being called and a hand against his forehead. Sheldon blinked a few times to adjust to the morning light and looked up to see Amy smiling brightly at him. She looked disheveled but well rested. What time was it?

8:47

He'd slept in a chair for 4 hours and Marie was still out like light.

"I woke up and you weren't there, but this was a nice surprised," She chuckled, motioning to him and Marie. "Did she wake you up?" Amy asked, running her fingers across her daughter's head softly.

Sheldon nodded. "Yes, her diaper was soiled and I didn't want to wake you up. Don't worry, I took care of it." He knew he probably looked smug, but he had taken care of his child in her time of need. He was proud of himself.

Amy seemed to be as well as she beamed down at him. "Good job, dad," she praised.

They were both silent for a moment, observing the tiny child still curled up in her father's arms.

"Why don't you go lay down? I'll take care of her for a while," Amy offered, holding out her hands for him to hand her Marie.

He did so. The baby fussed a little at being jostled, but pretty much stayed asleep. "Are you sure?" Sheldon asked uncertainly. "I don't mind staying up with you."

Amy nodded. "Go, it's ok, really," Amy assured him.

He stood up, groaning slightly as his muscles protested the sudden movement. He pressed a soft kiss to Amy's lips and Marie's forehead before making his way back into the bedroom. Sheldon turned back before he exited the nursery. "Love you," he expressed groggily.

"Love you too. Now go sleep," his wife demanded. It was followed by a light chuckle, but her tone meant business.

Amy had made his side of the bed. How did such a simple gesture mean the world to him? He pulled back the covers, nearly falling asleep as he did so. Sheldon was almost out by the time his head hit the pillow. Instead, Amy's voice rang in from the hall.

"Sheldon?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is Marie's diaper on backwards?"

A/N: Thanks for reading!