This is my first time writing The Big Bang Theory, so tell me if you like it and think I should continue. I didn't know if it was the best idea to write a Howard/Bernadette story as my first one, since they have a grand total of four fanfictions, one of which is in Spanish and two of which are by the same person, but I got a plot bunny, and plot bunnies do not just hop away! So now I present: The Infant Aspiration. I hope you like it.

So…disclaimer time, yay. I don't own The Big Bang Theory, just so you know. Is that disclaimer satisfactory?

Prologue: The Public Displays of Affection Theorem

"Where is he?" Bernadette asked, pacing back and forth. Her, Raj, Leonard, Penny, Sheldon and Amy were currently sitting in the baggage claim of LAX while they waited for Howard to finish up with customs. They were all anxious to see him after his return from space (even Sheldon, who had not liked their social group being one person short) and Bernadette frequently cast a glance at the escalator where Howard would be coming down.

"He'll be here soon, sweetie," Penny said comfortingly, patting the seat next to her. Bernadette sighed and sat down, twisting the rings around on her finger. Penny gave Bernadette an awkward pat on the back, her eyes meeting with Leonard's. Both of them quickly looked away. Things had been weird between them, since they were both at such different places in their relationship, but they had not broken up, they were trying to be more mature than that.

"I still do not comprehend your need for Howard's constant companionship," Sheldon said to Bernadette. "I understand you have sexual needs, but Amy has explained to me that there is a simple way one can fill their carnal desires with the use of an electric toothbrush - owww!" Amy smacked him lightly on the arm, her face turning red. "What? Is that not what you said?"

"Yes, it's what I said," Amy replied, embarrassed. "But there's no need to go around telling everyone."

"Why? I do not see…" Sheldon trailed off. "Oh, do you not wish for our peers to know that you have resorted to using common household objects as sex toys?" Amy nodded. "Oh, okay." He turned to the group. "Never mind," Sheldon said quickly. Then he turned to Amy and winked, as if this would suddenly make their friends forget his earlier comment. Needless to say, they did not.

"I think I'm kind of scarred," Raj mumbled. "Now all I can picture is Amy, holding a toothbrush to her…" He stopped as everyone's stares became trained on him.

"Drunk already, Raj?" Penny asked, referring to the fact that he was now talking in front of three women.

"No, of course not, I'm simply excited to see my best friend again," Raj retorted. Then he paused. "…But I may have taken a swig of liquor before I left this morning, just to be safe." Penny snorted, while Leonard held back a laugh.

"Come on guys," The latter said, trying to bring everyone's attention back to the reason they were at the LAX. "We're here for Howard,"

There was a long silence before Raj said, disturbed: "I can't believe Amy provides her own orgasm with a toothbrush."

"Never speak of it!" The neurobiologist spat, sliding back in her chair and dropping her head onto Sheldon's shoulder, making him squirm a little before attempting to stroke her hair in a somewhat soothing manner. "Awww, who's a good Amy," He said as he performed the action.

Bernadette sighed and scanned the airport. When would Howard be there? She'd been without him for so long, she needed to see him, to touch him, to feel him, to kiss him, to be reassured her husband – yes, she could officially call him her husband now, and it felt so good – was alright. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. Bernadette looked around, her eyes drifting from the pale green walls by the bathrooms to the family reuniting across the way to Howard coming down the escalator, to the people waiting for their flight…wait. The microbiologist backtracked, turning back to the escalator, a bright smile dawning on her face. She jumped over and ran over, meeting her husband halfway and throwing her arms around his neck.

Howard laughed, reaching forward to wrap his arms around her waist. "Hey, you,"

"I missed you," Bernadette said, her face smashed against his chest. "So, so much,"

"I missed you, too," He tilted her chin up and their lips met. They kissed for a long time before finally coming up for air, only to start kissing again, while their friends looked on.

"Awww, that's so sweet," Penny said, grabbing onto Leonard's hand. She had tears forming in her eyes, and reached up to wipe them discreetly.

"That is a lot of kissing," Sheldon remarked, unamused by the events unfolding before him.

"They have been separated for a long time," Amy explained, smiling at Howard and Bernadette, who were now looking at each other intently as they made their way over. "I bet they've missed being able to do that…" I miss being able to do that, She thought to herself.

"So, are you saying that their public displays of affection were prompted by separation? They do say absence makes the heart grow fonder," Sheldon asked, cocking his head as if examining some kind of specimen. "Is that your theory?"

"Yes,"

Sheldon nodded slightly. "Fascinating,"

Amy looked up at her boyfriend, while next to them, Leonard and Penny were pressing chaste kisses to each others' noses and Raj dried the tears from his eyes. "Makes you want to join in, doesn't it?" She said.

"No, not really," Sheldon frowned.

"Okay then."

Do you like? Please review and tell me if I should write another chapter.