Chapter One: Introduction
Dr. Temperance Brennan-Booth, world-renowned forensic anthropologist and best selling author was having a bad morning. It started out promising, when her partner of 10 years and husband of four, FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth, woke her with soft, feather-light kisses along the nape of her neck, his arms snaking around her waist. He was well aware that morning sex was her absolute favorite, and judging by the erection that had been poking into her backside, he was a fan, as well.
Brennan smiled lazily as she remembered the way Booth had nipped at her ear, teasing her with his teeth and tongue, knowing exactly what made her go incredibly hot and wet for him in an instant. He had slipped one hand down between her legs, gently tracing circles along her thighs before using one finger to part her lips and slide inside her, making her whole body catch fire as if doused in gasoline. "God, you're beautiful, Bones." He had whispered in her ear, his own passion more than evident in his husky voice.
Then, both of their cell phones rang simultaneously.
The smile slid off Brennan's face when she recalled how their lovemaking had been interrupted by yet another case they had to solve, another body she had to examine and identify in order to bring yet another family some semblance of peace. While she loved her work with Booth and the satisfaction it gave her, she wondered if maybe it was nearing time for her to re-examine her priorities. Despite the contented face she presented to the rest of the world, including her husband, she still wanted more from her life. More than just a near-spotless record of case resolution with the FBI, more than 6 best-selling novels and much more than the respect of the scientific community and being acknowledged as the best forensic anthropologist in the world. And that more included a baby.
She wasn't getting any younger. In a few years, she would be 40 years old. And while current medical advancements made it more than safe for her to have a child at that age, she also wanted to be young enough to enjoy motherhood without having to use a cane at her child's high school graduation. And Booth…he was already a few years past 40. How long would he still want to participate in late-night feedings, Gymboree classes and t-ball practices before his already weakened feet and knees gave out and forced him to sit on the sidelines? It wasn't fair to him, either.
Brennan was forced to push her musings aside when she heard the tell-tale beep, indicating that someone was climbing the steps to the forensic platform. Looking up, she watched as her best friend, Angela Montenegro, stepped carefully towards the table to look at the body Brennan and Booth had recovered from the backyard of a home in Chevy Chase, discovered when the residents had decided to build an in-ground pool.
"Good morning, Bren!" Angela smiled. "And how is my favorite best friend this beautiful day?"
"I'm okay, Ang. How are you?" Brennan replied, not able to keep the returning smile off her face in response to her friend's happy demeanor.
"Just peachy, thanks. Neil and I had a wonderful weekend celebrating our anniversary. I can't believe it's been 3 years already." Angela grinned at the memory. "I'm absolutely exhausted."
"Well, then color me jealous." Brennan smirked. "We were interrupted this morning mid-coitus by a phone call about this new body. Booth had me more than ready at the time so I am currently extremely frustrated."
"Whoa, Dr. Double B! Too much information!" Dr. Jack Hodgins exclaimed as he jumped onto the platform. "Please refrain from any sexual references to our favorite G-man when I am anywhere in the general vicinity! Especially since the wife is out of town at a forensics conference and I can't do anything about my nasty, nasty thoughts!"
Brennan and Angela laughed at the frustrated look on Hodgins' face. "Look on the bright side, Jack,' Angela answered, "At least Michelle is away at college, so when Cam gets back you can welcome her home in every room of the house."
"Very, very true…" Hodgins leered saucily. "We still haven't christened the laundry room. Oh boy…the washing machine on the spin cycle…"
"Hodgins!" Booth's voice boomed from below the platform. "Please don't go there! No one wants to know!"
"Oh please, Booth." Brennan rolled her eyes. "You act as though we've never-"
"Bones! What have I told you about broadcasting the details of our sex life around the lab?"
Angela and Jack both laughed at the look on Booth's face as he glared at his wife. Some things never, ever change.