Secret of the Statue of Liberty
This story is co-written with my friend Lucy.
This is Bones/Castle crossover. I hope you going to like it. Please, comment. Whatever you have to say is more than welcome! I think my writing progressed since first story, but still any help is more than welcome. Thank you and enjoy! Natasha.
People who were living next to this specific house or passing by it from time to time could see how it has transformed from complete ruins to a beautiful family home. Neighbors were so happy to have a young, successful couple move in. For months after the house had gotten a new look and after so much work on it, you could tell it was transformed with love into a family home. But still, it wasn't completely finished. They needed to put a little bit more work in the backyard but everybody could already see that it was going to be a beautiful place for the couple's daughter to grow up in.
A car stooped in the drive way. It was a big black SUV. A man came out and took groceries from the back of the car. He was wearing a black suit, a white shirt and a tie. He had a belt with a funny buckle around his waist.
"Dad, you're home! You won't believe what I learned today!"
"Parker, come here and help your dad. Take this. It's not heavy. What did you learn?"
"I learned what separates us from the monkeys. It's called a har1f gene!"
The man and the boy entered the house and the front door closed behind them.
"Bones, I don't mind you teaching him stuff like that. But, keep in mind he is just a kid."
"I know that Booth, but it's never too early to start the process of intellectual development and give a child a point of view and show it what is the biggest benefit of having knowledge. And from what studies had shown, Parker is in ideal age for that. Did you buy eggs?"
"Yes, I bought eggs. I bought everything from the list. Bones, I want him to develop intellectually and be interested in science, but when he comes to me with stuff like that, which I don't know… You know…"
"You feel threatened? Don't worry, I'm here. And it's normal for kids to be better that their parents. Plus, he has me now in his life too, so his chances for developing increased drastically."
"Oh, boy. Just. Just don't teach him anything gross. I don't want his mom on my back because of his… Intellectual developments."
"Ok. I can accept that reason. Now, people will start coming in a few hours, so why don't you go and have a rest?"
"At least, to take a shower. I had to go to the dumps. I hate it when they do that."
"Did you have a break in a case?"
"Yes, and thanks for helping. I'll tell you later. I really need to take a shower. The little one is still sleeping? I want to spend some time with her and Parker."
"Yes. She will be awake soon. You have time for a shower."
The nice smell from kitchen soon spread through the whole house. Bones really did her best to make this dinner special. Everybody thought of her as a disconnected person but the truth was, she cherished these family moments more than anyone could imagine. She was alone all her life, she knew that everything could disappear in a second. She fought that through her life. To make memories, new memories, was important for her. No one knew her fears but after becoming a mom herself she understood the words her mom taped for her 16th birthday, but never got a chance to give to her personally:
"Everything I did, I did out of love."
Now she knew how that felt. Willing to do anything for that little creature you created with someone you love.
Food was almost done. Bones prepared mac and cheese, a fruit pie and a chocolate cake. She even baked bread. The house smelled wonderful and she was satisfied with the work she has done.
Bones and Booth invited all of their closest friends and family. Booth was having his brother, grandfather, Caroline Julian and there was Sweets with Daisy. Angela and Hodgins were coming with little Michael. Cam was coming in company of Wendell and Fisher. Also, Max said he'll join this dinner too. Bones wanted Russ to be there too, but he had to cancel in the last minute.
Parker was in the little one's room when Bones came in. He was sitting next to her crib and he was telling his little sister what he wanted to be when he grew up.
"I wanna be brave like our dad! Did you know that our dad catches bad guys everyday? He's very brave."
Bones stopped at the door. She found this situation more than adorable.
"You and I don't have the same mom but that doesn't mean I'm gonna love you any less. I'll always be there to protect you. And I love your mom. She is very smart. I'm learning so many cool stuff from her. You gonna love that too when you grow up."
Booth hugged Bones from behind and kissed her on the neck. He was smiling at the sight of Parker talking to his baby sister.
"She is awesome," Parker said.
"You really are awesome Bones," Booth said.
"They can be known as Booth siblings," Bones added.
Parker turned around. He looked a little bit frightened, obviously didn't hear them coming in or noticed them standing at the door.
"Sorry for scaring you, we were watching what you were doing. That's very sweet of you."
"I was passing by her room when I noticed she was awake. I just didn't want her to be alone. You were in the kitchen and dad was taking a shower."
"That's okay Parker." Booth sat with Parker next to the crib. "Come on Bones, sit with us."
"I need to feed her, Booth, and get ready for the dinner."
"Right. Parker, we will have family fun tomorrow. We could go to the playground all together. What do you say about that?"
"Thanks, dad!" Parker kissed his father on the cheek and ran out of the room.
Booth hugged Bones once again. Now they were both standing above their girl. They were standing in silence, looking at that adorable innocent face.
"Booth?" She stopped.
"Yes, Bones?"
"Do you remember that night after Vincent Nigel-Murray was killed?"
Booth hugged her even tighter.
"Of course I remember. Why?"
"Do you think we would have ended up together if he wasn't killed?"
"I think we would, eventually. I'm sorry for the reason which sped up our situation."
"Yes. I need to feed her."
Bones turned to Booth and gave him quick kiss before she took her daughter out of the crib. She sat carefully on a chair next to the crib and before she started feeding her, Bones landed a sweet, gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead.
"Bones, the house smells wonderful!"
"Thank you. You're going to like my choice of food for tonight's dinner very much."
"Dad! I broke my truck! Can you fix it?"
"I'm coming Parker."
Before he left room he cast a quick look at Bones and their daughter one more time. He was happy. For the first time after so long, he was truly happy. This was everything he ever wanted. A house, family, kids, good friends. Life was good to Seely Booth at this moment.
"Dad, where are you?"
Cam, Wendell and Fisher were the first ones to show up. She was wearing a tight black dress. Her hair was perfect as always and around her neck she had a beautiful necklace with a blue butterfly. Wendell was in jeans and a blue shirt while Fisher was all in black. At the moment he was claiming that black helps him feel less depressed. Others in the lab disagreed on this.
"Whoa, Cam, you know this is an informal dinner, right?" Booth said when he opened the door.
"Very funny Booth. I felt like dressing up."
"Well, come in, come in! Welcome to the Booth residence! Bones will be down in a few minutes."
Wendell and Fisher gave presents they were holding to Booth while Cam said she'll give hers to Bones when she gets down.
Three of them sat in the living room where Parker was collecting his toys to move to another room to play.
"You've done an amazing job on the house, Booth."
"Yeah... Still lot to do, but for now, we are satisfied how things are going. Excuse me, I have to open the door."
Next guests who came in were the Hodgins family. Angela was holding little Michael while Jack Hodgins was carrying a present. In a few minutes Angela, Hodgins and Michel entered the living room and Bones appeared with the baby in her arms.
"Welcome, I'm glad you came."
"Oh my God, Brennan, she's beautiful!" Angela got up to see this little precious person Bones was holding.
"I wanted to give this personally to you," Cam said. "Here is her first book about bones."
Cam gave her a picture book combined with a little skeleton.
"This is a very useful and practical present. Thank you, Cam. I see you have new reading material in your purse. Sorry, I just noticed while you were getting the present out. What are you reading?"
"It's a crime novel but it also has romance in it. Very interesting I must say. It's called Nikki Heat by Richard Castle."
"Booth, the doorbell, can you get it?"
"He was already on it, honey." It was Max. "Where are my two most precious girls in the whole world?"
After Max, as last arrivals came grandpa Hank with Jared Booth and Caroline. The night could start.
Angela and Bones were in the kitchen preparing to take the food out on the table. Angela was looking at Bones, analyzing her behavior.
"Yes, Angela?"
"This house life really suits you. How are you feeling now as a mom?"
"I'm thinking about the idea of 'internal love'. I think I can accept that there is something like that. I love Booth, but this is... This is something completely different."
"Now you can understand what I was telling you when Michael was born. And how do you get along with Parker?"
"Good. I'm working with him on his development. I want to buy him a book about human evolution. That is fun to read."
"Sweetie, you know he's 11 years old?"
"Yes, why?"
"Don't you think it's maybe more appropriate to buy him something for his age?"
"He knows how to read. I think that makes the book appropriate as a gift for him. It's useful."
"Sometimes I don't know why I even try. Being here in the kitchen reminded me of certain photo of Booth you have."
"What...? Oh, you mean the photo of Booth making omelets naked? Why?"
", can I get a class of water?" Fisher asked while standing at the kitchen door.
"Yes. While you are here, Mr. Fisher you could help us take this to the dinner table."
Angela didn't seemed to mind that Fisher has joined in the kitchen.
"Well, I would really like to take a peek at it." she continued.
"I promised him I wouldn't show it to anyone."
"But I'm your best friend, Brennan!"
"Okay, okay. But not tonight. I'll show you when I come to the lab. But you have to promise you won't tell Booth you've seen it!"
Across the town, in a different house, in a different dining room, two persons, a man and a woman, were having their meal. They were sitting across from each other. There were plates in front of them with microwave food. Kitchen was small, there was just a dinner table, four chairs and the necessary equipment but just by looking around, you could see whoever lives here doesn't really spend much time making meals. The whole kitchen was a little bit – spooky. The light was dim. Its purpose was just to make sure that you see what you eat. This definitely wasn't a very popular room in the house.
The man was wearing black pants, a shirt, had a decent haircut and he wore glasses. But there was something else he wore as well. Not visible at first sight because it was covered by his right trouser leg. On his right ankle this man was wearing an electronic bracelet. The woman who was sitting across from him had beautiful, long blonde hair. She also had glasses, but her glasses were stylish. You needed just one look at this girl to see that she was one beautiful doll. Yes, a doll. Her whole style completely resembled those of the 40's. This girl wore a casual, white dress; she had a red scarf and beautiful little red shoes. Only accessories which didn't match the outfit, was a watch on her hand. A massive male watch.
"So, it's clear? You know what you have to do?" the man asked.
"Yes, Christopher, I understand everything. But are you completely sure about this plan? You know I would do anything for you! I just want to be sure you're going be safe if we start this."
"Yes, Rosa, I'm sure."
The man stood up from table. His evil smile and cold eyes would stop your blood in your veins. But, this girl saw something completely different. She saw a genius, a fighter for justice, a man whose job is to show to world dirt, corruption, lies, evilness in the system.
"Finish your food. I'll be in the work space. I have to finish something."
Back in the Booth residence, kids were asleep and guests have gone home. Bones and Booth were done with cleaning for the tonight. The rest of it they would finish in the morning. They both took a day off and they were both looking forward to it. Bones never thought she would enjoy being at home than in the lab more. But since she gave birth to their girl, she felt how her priorities have changed. Work was still very important; actually she was finishing her new book at the moment. But for Bones for the first time ever, life wasn't just about her job.
Soon, the lights went out. It was peaceful in the whole house and not just the house. It was peaceful in the whole neighborhood. No cars, no sirens, just pure silence, ideal for a good night sleep.
"It was a successful night, wasn't it?" Bones asked her partner.
"Yeah, seemed like everybody enjoyed themselves. And Bones, you made a fantastic dinner! Just whoa!"
"I thought you would like it."
"You really need to try fruit cake Bones. You have no idea what you are missing."
"But I did try. I don't like them like you do. I think no one likes them like you do, Booth."
"Except, maybe, my brother. Speaking of brothers, are you ok with Russ' last minute cancellation?"
"Yes. It's reasonable why he didn't come. I know he feels bad."
"Yes. Let's sleep Bones." Booth yawned. "This was a long day."
Booth put her arm around Bones' shoulder and she placed her head down on his chest. She could hear his heart beating. After a very long time, she didn't have the feeling of not fitting in. Bones has found her place.