Disclaimer: I own nothing, Bones is all Hart and Fox.
So this story is set in season 6, where Booth is with Hannah and going strong, and Hodgin's and Angela are together. But, I made Parker around three years old. Rebecca (Parker's mother) and Temperance are friends, which Booth does not know. And after a falling out, Booth and Brennan are not really friends. This is after Brennan confesses her feelings to Booth and he rejects her. I kind of dramatized it a little though. Temperance's nicknames will be Bones, Bren, Dr. B, and Ren.
To my older readers: Thank you for keeping up with the story, even after my SUPER long hiatus. I did some small editing and took some stuff out and added some things in. Hope you guys like it!
" Hey Ren, can you pick up Parker tonight and keep him for the weekend? I've got a date with Brent, and I think we're going to be held up this weekend." Rebecca asked, giggling into the phone.
"Yeah, no problem, I'll pick him up from the Jeffersonian daycare and leave early from work. If anyone asks, I'm feeling a little sick. Have fun with Captain Fantastic!" Replied Temperance.
" Thanks Ren, you're the best!"
Once Rebecca hung up the phone from her conversation with Ren, another call came through, one that made her groan.
" Hey Becks! I'm taking off early today, can I see Parker? I haven't seen him in ages!"
"Are you kidding? You call now? What, you just forgot about your son when you started to date the blonde bimbo? And No, you can't see him today. I have a date with Brent for the weekend, and my best friend Ren is going to take him for the weekend." Rebecca retorted.
"That's not fair and you know it, I'm his father! And who's this Ren? She doesn't have a right to see him. I'm his father!"
" A father? Where was this so called father the last two weeks. The one that never called because he was too busy shacking up with the Blonde Banshee? Ren has more of a right than you!"
"For God's Sake! Is this mysterious Ren even real Becca? Or is she just another excuse for me not to see my son? For the past few months, all you do is talk about Ren. How perfect Ren is. Even when I see Parker, all he talks about is her. She's freaking brainwashed you two!"
" SHUT UP! YOU DON'T GET A RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT! SHE'S BEEN THERE FOR ME AND PARKER, WHEN YOU HAVEN'T! AND AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, I CAN'T TRUST YOU WITH PARKER!"
" AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE, WHAT HAVE I FREAKING DONE?"
" TEMPERANCE! DON'T YOU REMEMBER HER! FREAKING TEMPERANCE, SEELY! YOU BROKE HER HEART! AND ALL FOR THAT SAD EXCUSE OF A GIRLFRIEND! WHO THE HELL IS HANNAH! WHEN PARKER MET HER, HE CAME HOME CRYING, SAYING THAT HE HATED HER!"
"This is all about Temperance? You barely know her. And for your information, she is acting like a freaking child! Always ignoring me, and only calling me Agent Booth. You know what, WHAT THE HELL. If she wants to act like an ice queen, I could care less. And why should you care? You never held an interest in my love life before Temperance, and now you're meddling in it, now that I'm with Hannah. What the hell is your problem?"
" My problem is that you broke my best friend's heart" Rebecca replied in a whisper that was inaudible to Booth.
" What did you say?"
" You know what? This is a waste of time. If you don't know what you're doing wrong, let me spell it out for you. Parker needs to be around good role models, and the way you've treated your loved ones recently, is anything but. So no. You can't see Parker. And you know what else, Ren can see Parker as much as she wants. She's my best friend. And she loves Parker, and Parker loves her. She's even his legal guardian, and he calls her mom now too. So know this Seeley. That if anything happens to me, you won't even get Parker then, unless you start acting like the Seeley Booth that we know and love, you can't see him again."
"WHAT THE HELL DID I DO?"
" Goodbye Seeley" Rebecca replied with a soft sigh.
"FUCK!"
Meanwhile, at the Lab, Dr. Temperance Brennan walked up to the platform. There around the examination table stood, Cam, Angela, Hodgins, Wendell, and a very uncomfortable looking Sweets.
" Dr. Saroyan, I'm not feeling very well so I think I will leave the lab now. I also do not plan to come in this weekend, so if you need my expertise, please call."
With a shocked look on her face, Cam nodded her assent. Dr. Brennan usually never fell ill, and if so, never admitted it outright. But maybe it was for the best. She had heard about what happened between Dr. Brennan and Booth, and could not imagine the sort of pain she was is. She had secretly been rooting for Booth and Brennan, even putting in some money for the betting pool. But after the fallout between the two, Dr. Brennan had not fared well. She had become so sad, to the point of depression, and had receded into her old shell of antisocial actions and cold demeanor. Her eyes had dulled in color, her skin become pale, and her hair had grown out, left untended. Along with the dramatic weight loss of what looked to be around ten to fifteen pounds, pounds that she could not spare. The good doctor was wasting away.
" Sweetie are you okay? Do you want me to go with you?" Angela asked in a worried tone.
" No, it's okay Ange. I think I'm just going to stay at home this weekend and just think." Brennan replied, to the shock of those around her. Before Sweets could reply, Angela gave him a pointed look and replied.
" Alright Bren, but if you change your mind, all of are going out to dinner tonight. So if you want to come, give me a call."
" Okay Ange, I will. Thank you." Brennan replied tiredly.
And with that. Brennan retired to her office to gather her things. As she placed her book bag on her shoulder, Booth walked into the lab.
"Hey Bones! Got any news on the case yet?
" I am sorry Agent Booth, but we have nothing yet. And I wouldn't know from now on. I am not going to be at work for the rest of the day or this weekend."
"Oh, the great Dr. Temperance Brennan is taking a day off from work?" Booth said mockingly.
" I'm just feeling a little, how do you say it? Under the weather, is it?"
" Maybe your cold demeanor has finally sunk in." Booth muttered.
With a shocked look and unshed tears in her eyes, Temperance quickly muttered an excuse and ran out of the lab.
" Really? That wasn't necessary man. What the hell are you thinking, talking to her like that?" Hodgins asked angrily.
As Booth just glared at Hodgins for his outburst, Cam intervened.
" Seeley, why don't you leave. I think it would be better this way, just go. And don't Camille me, this isn't funny anymore. If you can't respect my team, then find other people to help you solve these murders." Cam reprimanded.
In the parking lot, as Temperance quietly sobbed in the driver's seat she started to wipe away her tears. Clearing her throat, she wiped her hace off with a napkin, and threw her book bag in the trunk. As she set up the car seat in the back of her car, she grabbed her purse and walked back up to the Jeffersonian. But instead of turning right at the corridor to the Lab, she turned left, to the Daycare center. She walked up to the front desk and approached the clerk, a young woman named Lila.
"Hi Lila, I'm here to pick up Parker."
"Of course Dr. Brennan. He's been running around all day. He's tuckered out. Parker just went into the napping room, I don't think he's fallen asleep yet."
As the two walked into the room, Parker's eyes opened and met Brennan's. He immediately closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
"Look at that! My little prince is sleeping. My baby boy is sleeping, and here I was, planning to go to Wong Fu's for dinner with him. Oh well. I guess we'll just go home then." Temperance teased.
" NO MAMA! I hungry. I no sleep. I's awake, I's am." Parker replied defiantly, despite the drowsy demeanor that he carried.
"Okay than, let's go." Temperance replied as she picked him up. Once in her arms, Parker snuffled and burrowed his head into the crook of her neck. " Okay, you can sleep until we get to the restaurant baby."
Watching this scene between mother and son, Lila smiled to herself. She had come to know Temperance Brennan for the past few months as she picked Parker up from daycare frequently. Temperance was not this cruel, cold-hearted person, as most people knew. To Parker, she was a wonderfully loving mother.
"Hey! It's the Bone lady, an baby squint!" Sid cheered. " How you doing Ren? Booth still ignoring you?" he inquired with a slightly angry look on his face. Sid was one of the few people that knew about her relationship with Parker and Rebecca, as well as what happened with Booth. And to say he was disappointed in the FBI agent, was an understatement. " One large bowl of Spaghetti for the lady and baby." Sid said, sliding the bowl towards them, as Parker barely budged. " You might want to feed the little one yourself Ren, it looks like he's gonna eat it animal style." Before Temperance could ask him what he meant by that, Parker's head slowly drifted closer and closer into the bowl, until she pulled his back with a grin on her face.
"Thanks Sid. Okay baby, let's eat quickly, and then we can go home, take a quick bath and go to bed, okay?"
"I no baby Mama. I big boy. I eat. Mama eat." Parker protested. As he slowly grabbed the fork and tried to maneuver the fork into his mouth with his eyes half-closed.
" I know baby, but this way, it'll be faster, then we can go to sleep." Parker finally nodded in agreement, and started to eat what Temperance fed him.
"Mama eat too. Mama eat wif Pawka. Mama too pointy, Mama eat wif Pawka!" Parker said, urging her to eat. Jeez, even her son noticed her weight loss, but to her she felt nothing. Before she could give him the old excuse of a lack of hunger, or a sad smile, Sid interrupted her.
"Hey, it's the Squint Squad!" Sid greeted, slightly apprehensive, as the group of Angela, Hodgins, Cam, Wendell, Daisy and Sweets slid into the booth directly adjacent to Brennan's. Fortunately, Brennan was sitting with her back towards the group. " Ren, if you want, I can somehow distract him and you go out through the kitchen exit."
"That's alright Sid, they were bound to find out eventually. If anything, it's better this way. If they notice me, I'll tell them, if they don't than I guess I'm lucky."
"Alright. But Ren. Please, eat some food. Even Parker knows you're sad about something, and that's why you're not eating. Every time he comes here with Rebecca, he always asks me why you're sad and so pointy now. Even if you're not hungry, just eat some so you can show Parker. You really are turning into a bone lady now."
As Temperance thought about what Sid had said, Parker tugged on her sleeve, bringing to her attention, the lack of food in his mouth. She gave him some, and then put some food in her mouth to the surprise and joy of her son. He started to clap, and urged her to eat more. But at the fourth forkful, she started to feel nauseous and stopped. Brennan went back to feeding Parker, and kept muttering sweet nothings into his ear, making him feel happy.
Behind her, at the Squint Squad booth, Daisy and Angela started to whisper to each other about the woman in the booth next to them. About how cute she and her son was.
" Jack, look at them, they're so cute" Angela said, nodding to the booth next to them. " I can't wait till this little one comes." She sighed in excitement as she placed her hands on her now five months pregnant belly.
"I must agree, whoever that woman is, she appears to be quite a dutiful mother. She clearly adores her child, comforting the child and feeding him in his drowsy state, instead of reprimanding him and demoting his self-esteem. From a psychological stand-"
" Okay, we get it Sweets. Supportive mom, cute kid, great family." Cam said with a playful smile, cutting off Sweets from his speech.
" Actually, that woman seems very similar. Her voice, and her build and hair color, is actually very similar to those of Dr. Brennan." Wendell pointed out.
"That's not possible, Dr. B doesn't have any kids. And she said she would be at home because she was sick." Hodgins said.
" Well there's only one way to solve this. Sweetie! Bren!" Angela said, tapping the woman in the booth next to them on the shoulder. Temperance sucked in a breath and slowly turned around to face her friends/colleagues. As they looked at her with confused and surprised looks, the Squints finally found their voices once again.
" Dr. Brennan, why are you at Wong Fu's, I thought you were sick? And why do you have Booth's son in your lap?" Cam asked, determined to get to bottom of this.
" And especially why Parker Dr. Brennan? We were all under the impression that you and Booth were not on good terms." Daisy inquired. Before Temperance could answer, a small tug brought her to Parker's face.
" Maw food Mama?" Parker asked, smiling up at her. All around the booth, gasps were heard, while Angela kept muttering that she thought Brennan did not want children.
" Alright guys, sorry to cut in. But I think you guys need to talk, so Re- Dr. Brennan, why don't you move to their booth and finish feeding Parker. This is going to take a while." Sid cut in, handing the Squint Squad their food, and Brennan a cup of coffee. The table stayed relatively quiet as Brennan finished feeding Parker, refusing the mouthfuls that Parker kept offering her. Once she gave him a drink of her milk, and wiped his face, Brennan turned Parker around in her lap. Now he was face to face with her. She could see the look of fear in his eyes, due to the amount of people around him. Parker was a relatively shy, and nervous child, and was very attached to his mother, more so than other children. As he cuddled his way into her, he wrapped his short arms and legs around her torso, and nuzzled his head into her chest, ear to ear with her chest. The rhythmic motion of her beating and sound of her heart beat, lulled Parker to sleep. As Temperance stroked his hair and face, Parker took her larger hand in his two small hands, and placed it on his cheek. The feeling of his mother's hand was enough comfort to put the small child at ease in a public place.
" Please sweetie. We aren't going to tell Booth anything, we just want to understand what's happening. I feel like this is the first time in a few months that I've actually talked to you. Please Bren." Implored Angela. Brennan opened her mouth to talk, but was quickly interrupted by a phone call from Rebecca.
" Hey Becca, no he's sleeping. We're at Wong Fu's. My friends and colleagues from the Jeffersonian are here too, yeah they caught me blue-handed. Are you sure it's red? Oh, ok. I'm going to tell them everything now. Yeah, have fun with Captain Fantastic; don't do anything I wouldn't do. Do you want to talk to Parker? Oh, ok yeah no it's fine. We'll call you tomorrow." Brennan said, with a grin on her face. Looking at Angela, she instantly felt bad. Spending time with Parker had helped her become more emotionally aware, and identify facial expressions with more ease. And at this moment, one of her best friends was feeling sad. " Ange, please don't look like that. You and Becca are my best friends. And it's not that I forgot about you, but Becca was able to help me in an area where you really couldn't. I still think of you as one of my closest friends, and nothing will change that. If anything I'll need you more than ever, once Becca leaves." Looking around at the others, she continues, " Let me explain."
Brennan explained to the others of how she and Rebecca had become good friends over her heartbreak with Booth, how Parker had been identifying her as his mother for the past few months, about her receiving custody of Parker, and her future.
"You're having a baby!" Angela shrieked
"No, I have no desire to become pregnant at this moment. But I do have a desire to continue my life as a mother, and by adopting Parker, I have realized this. Do you remember our last case? It was the one with the married couple who were decapitated by the psychopath babysitter. Well the child of those two, Katie was left all alone. She's only three; she's around the same age as Parker. And she's so small too, and I couldn't leave her alone, so I did some pinching around."
" It's poking around Dr. Brennan. And yes, I remember. Katie was so taken with you, never leaving your side. Until Seeley called Child Protective Service and had her taken away before the investigation finished." Cam continued.
" That's correct. And she has no family left, or no family that is willing to take care of her that is. She's been put in a group home. I have been visiting her almost everyday, and I have been signed off as her foster parent. And if all goes according to plan, I will adopt her in the following months to come." Temperance said, with a small smile on her face. As the people and the table commended her for her efforts and congratulated her, Sweets interjected.
" , how does Parker feel about this? He is obviously quite attached to you. Dr. Brennan, is he… what is Parker….?" And with that, everyone at the table turned their attention to Parker. He had in his sleep, ever so slowly, brought his mother's hand closer to his face. And with that had placed her thumb into his mouth, sucking on it.
" Oh, I don't really know. Ever since Booth stopped most contact with him, and Rebecca told him of her near departure a couple weeks ago, he started to do this. It's been going on for three to four weeks, and he always does this. He always takes my thumb and sucks on it, like a pacifier. And to answer your question Dr. Sweets, Parker is actually quite excited to meet his sister. I've brought him to the group home with me many times to meet her and such, and they have become quite close to each other. I have explained to them, that once Katie arrives, that they will be siblings. They are both three years old, and their birthdays are actually only one week apart. And the fact that they look quite alike, and have very similar bone structure to myself is a happy coincidence. Parker has been telling Rebecca that his twin sister will be coming to live with us soon. But I am a little worried about my capabilities. Both Parker and Katie are quite intellectually inclined, but by social and emotional means, they are both a little behind. Both of the children are extremely reliant on me, more so than other children. Some of the child psychologists I have talked to, have told me to ignore their baby-like behavior and try to spur on their independence. While others have told me to be more affectionate and feed into they're insecurities. And for now, I will just treat Parker, and Katie when she arrives, the way they act. I am just worried what others might think of my children. I do not want them to suffer like I did when I was growing up." Temperance finished, with tears in her eyes.
" Dr. Brennan, I know you do not believe in Phycology, but please, let me help. Would you mind if I meet you and Parker and Katie for just one, family therapy session? Maybe I could be of some assistance?" Sweets offered.
To his surprise, Temperance replied with a smile, " Thank you Sweets, I appreciate it."
" Wait, but I don't understand Dr. Brennan, why do you have custody of Parker?" Wendell asked.
" I actually don't have full custody of Parker yet. But I will soon. And on Sunday, I will have temporary custody of Katie as well." Temperance replied
" But, Dr. Brennan, why would you in any case?" Cam restated.
" Contrary to belief, Rebecca and Brent are not engaged. They eloped last weekend, and are already married. Unfortunately, Brent does not want children, already existing or soon to come. Frankly, they are more interested in each other and their activities together, than the wellbeing of Parker. Rebecca is losing interest in her son, as I am becoming more attached to him, and he to myself. So she listed me as his guardian for convenience. And Rebecca and Brent have received very prominent job offers in Los Angeles. They do not plan to take Parker, and so I will be taking care of him." Temperance explained.
"Sweetie, what does Booth think of this? And what about Parker, how does he feel about this? " Angela asked as she watched Brennan visibly cringe over his name.
" Parker took it surprisingly well. He has said that as long as I am here for him, he essentially does not care for his parents. But in truth he does care, but about something else. He does not care that his parents are going to be gone, but that they have left him. Parker feels as if he is being abandoned. I am the essentially one of the only people he will talk to or react to. After what happened with Booth and Hannah, he has been retrogressing emotionally, and I am the only one that her allows to take care of him."
" Dr. Brennan, what happened with Booth and Hannah?" Wendell asked, slightly angry over the behavior of his friend and Hockey teammate, Booth.
" A couple of weeks ago, Parker spent the weekend at Booths. That was the last time that Booth essentially spoke or talked to him. When Parker was there, apparently only spoke bout Ren, which is I. But Booth does not know that. Once he saw Rebecca they engaged in a very loud verbal fight. He told her that I (Ren) was brainwashing Rebecca and Parker. And that I was only her friend because she was a successful lawyer, and I wanted her money. Which makes no sense to me, because I am very well off financially. Once Rebecca 'let it slip' that I was Parker's guardian, he became enraged. He told Rebecca that he would take Parker away from Rebecca and myself, and rise with Hannah. Ever since then, Parker has been quite frightened over the prospect of talking or seeing his father, let along think about him. He has panic attacks and nightmares of his father taking me away from him, one time he had one where Booth was yelling at me, and I died leaving him with Booth." Brennan choked out, with tears filling her eyes.
" Dr. Brennan, how often does he have these panic attacks and nightmares?" Sweets questioned.
" He has nightmares twice or three times a week, and the panic attacks similarly, they all started after the argument with Agent Booth and Rebecca. When I went to his Pediatrician, she taught me some ways to calm him down, and lessen the stress. She told me that for now, I should try to keep Parker as close to myself as possible, that in stressful moments he refers to a baby-like way of thinking. That all he needs is food, sleep, and myself to keep him content."
" Hey Ren. We have a problem. Booth just called to pick up a takeout order, he's going to be here in less that 10 minutes. You might want to go now, hurry.
"Shit" Ren cursed under her breath. " Okay, thanks Sid." She replied, handing him the bill and placing the tip on the table. She stood up slowly as to not wake up Parker, as her friends also rose with her, to walk her out.
"Ren, here." Sid said while handing Wendell a large paper bag, filled to the brim with to go containers. Pointing to the bag he said, " There's enough food in there to last you and the two little ones for the weekend. Bring the new girl in once she's adjusted, I'd love to meet her. And for God's sake, eat some of the food Ren."
"Alright, thanks Sid." Ren replied nodding at his heart felt thinking.
" Hey Man! You got my food ready? Hannah and I are starved!" Booth exclaimed while walking into the restaurant, with a flushed face, and a loosened tie. Upon hearing his voice, Temperance turned her back to him, while the Squint Squad stepped closer to her, forming a small barrier between her and Parker, from Booth. As the Jeffersonian gang said quick hello's, Temperance all but ran out of the restaurant with Wendell close behind her while the group distracted her. But Booth could not miss the mop of curly bronze hair of his son.
"Hey Sid, was that… was that Parker? Who's that lady that carried him?" Booth questioned.
" Yeah, that was Ren and parker. They came in for dinner." Sid replied as he quickly eyed the Squint Squad.
"You guys met her too? So what's she like? If she's anything like I think, she's a complete psycho isn't she? I mean, why would some random woman take care of a child that's not even hers? That's my son! And that woman sees him more than I ever do! I bet she's just there, just to take Rebecca's money! I mean, what kind of cold-hearted bitch does that? Taking advantage of a child, for God's Sake!"
"HEY! You don't get to talk about her like that! You don't know her, you've never even met her! She's more of a parent than you are!" Hodgins yelled back, defending his friend.
" You're not even a parent, so you don't get to talk! You may be the expert on bugs, but you're not a parent yet. So you don't know what you're talking about!" Seeley screamed back
" Well I am a parent Seeley. So let me say this, that woman, Ren. She's a great person, a perfect mother to your son by the way. And Parker is lucky to have her, opposed to the way you and Rebecca are treating him!" Cam said, glaring at Booth.
" What do you mean the way Rebecca and I are treating Parker? What the hell, what has Rebecca done?" Booth exclaimed with an almost manic looking gleam in his eye. " Tell me Cam. Tell me now! What do you know? I have more rights to him than that Ren woman does. When I get him, I can finally stop hearing about her, and about how bad of a parent I am. Tel me Camille! What do you know?!" He continued while grabbing onto the pathologist's shoulders and shaking her.
As Angela looked at Booth in horror, she stepped up and struck him across his face. " What the hell Booth? Are you freaking crazy? What right do you have? Coming here, drunk as hell, and yelling at us and manhandling Cam? You know what, ever since you've been playing freaking 'twister' with Hannah, you've changed. And you know what, with they way you've been treating the people around you, I don't know why we stuck around. After everything you put Bren through, and now again with Bre- Ren! Ren is a good mother to Parker, better than you are Rebecca combined, tenfold! If you ever want to see your son again, I suggest you get off your high horse and reevaluate your life before you go around screwing up everyone else's lives!" Angela screamed.
As all the Squints followed Angela to the door, Sweets approached Booth as the rest of the group waited at the door. " Agent Booth, I understand that you never liked me, and probably like me less now that I am Dr. Brennan's side, and Ren's. But please, if you have any fraction of the man you used to be in you, think before you act. With the way things are unfolding these days, you should be more careful. Don't do anything you will regret in the future." And with that, the Squint Squad walked out the door to try and find Brennan, Parker, and Wendell in the parking lot.
In the parking lot, Temperance was holding a sleeping Parker in her arms, while silently sobbing. They could see Wendell trying to help, but confused as to what to do, utterly baffled at seeing his strong mentor in such a vulnerable state. Ren had heard everything Booth had said about her, as Brennan and Ren. And now, with her son in her arms, the final piece of her was broken. The only reason she was alive now, was for Parker and soon for Katie. As she was having her silent breakdown in the parking lot, the Jeffersonian gang surrounded her, trying to console the hurting woman. Even Sweets was at a loss for words. But as Temperance shook with body-wrenching sobs, Parker jerked awake. Somehow, in his young three-year old soul, he knew something was wrong. It was the same feeling he had in his nightmares. The same nightmares where his mom (Ren) was no longer with him, or worse, when she was hurting or when Booth was taking her away. As his young mind jumped to the worst conclusions, he blinked away the sleep in his eyes and solemnly stared up at his mother. He could see the tears in her eyes, and feel her shaking. But even more than that, he could feel her sadness, her anguish. Though many people did not believe Parker was very smart, he actually was quite intuitive. He had noticed the dramatic weight loss, the closed off personality (except with him), the way her eyes stopped sparkling, the way she was always sad.
"Mama."
She froze in her movements. The last thing she wanted, was for her son to see her in this state. She had tried to the best of her ability, to shield him from the pain she was constantly in. As she tried to assure him that she was not crying, Parker in his childish stubbornness would not acquiesce.
"NO!" he squealed. " Mama sad. Mama cwy. Mama cwy cause of Daddy again? Mama, why sad? No sad Mama. Pawka hea now. Mama no mo sad." Parker said, bringing his small, chubby hand to her cheek. Wiping away some of her tears, he beamed up at her. " I pwotec you Mama." He exclaimed. While everyone else watch in silence, and smiled at the young boy's action, Temperance stared into his eyes.
" Baby, it's ok. Mama's just a little sad. But one day, Mama won't be sad anymore. But for now, Mama's just sad. But thank you baby. My little prince is always protecting Mama." She replied with a sad smile on her face. "Come on baby, let's go home. Are you still hungry? You want dessert? We have ice cream at home!" Ren spoke. With a fake smile plastered on her face, she tried to deter Parker from the topic of her pain and sadness caused by his father. Unconvinced, Parker looked in his mother's eyes. But for some reason, he knew that he shouldn't push the subject. And so, the intuitive toddler just nodded and buried his face in the deep valley of her shoulder blades again. As Temperance strapped him in his car seat, she faced her friends once more. She gave them all a sad smile, and to their surprise, embraced them all once. She had finally given up. She and Booth were done. Then she drove away.
At Brennan's apartment, Ren quickly took a shower and gave Parker a quick bath. Then she tucked him in bed and went into her own room. For about fifteen minutes, she just sat there. Her back leaning against the headboard, a pillow in her arms, being constricted by her shaking arms. Her eyes, wide eyed and glassy, staring at the space in front of her. And for the first time in her life, there was nothing. Her mind was empty. No forensic battler, no plans on what to do tomorrow, not even any thoughts of Booth. It was empty. A soft knock at her door pulled her out of the trance. As the door open, there stood Parker in his black pajamas decorated with femurs.
" Mama. I no sleep. I sleep wif Mama? Pwease Mama?" Parker asked with puppy dog eyes that were so much like his father's.
" No! You are Ren Brennan. Dr. Temperance Brennan. You are not Bones. Only he calls you Booth. And he has made it clear that you are nothing to him" She thought. Ren then looked at her small son, smiled, and opened her arms wide. As he ran to her, she lifted him up onto the bed. Parker lay next to her. But as he tossed and turned, Ren knew the events of tonight was bothering him. " Baby, I promise. Everything is going to be okay. I promise. No matter what happens, we will be fine. I love you Parker." She sighed. " I wuv you too Mama." He replied. Ren then lifted Parker, and lay him on top of her, chest to chest. Just like mothers would with small babies. As she did, he placed his ear to her chest and popped her thumb into his mouth. As she stroked his hair, he spoke once more. "Wuwabye Mama?" With a small smile, she started to sing softly.
It's gonna be alright. It's gonna be alright.
I can tell, by your eyes, that you're not getting any sleep.
And you try to rise above, you feel you're sinking in to deep.
But I believe, I believe,
That it's gonna be alright.
Its gonna be alright,
I believe, that you'll outlive, this pain in your heart…
As she sang, Temperance looked down at her son. " Parker, it's gonna be alright. I promise, it's gonna be alright. One day you'll outlive this pain in your heart." She stated.
The Next Morning
"Mama! Mama! Wake up! Mama, Mama! OO MONIN!OO MONIN!" Parker exclaimed, trying to wake his mother up.
Ren groaned as she woke up. As she tested out her movements, her normal fluid joints popped and crackled. Her muscles, straining against her movements. " Yes, it is a Good morning." Ren replied.
" Oh! Goo Monin!" Parker repeated, giggling a little.
"Good job baby! You said your g! Oh that's wonderful my little prince!" She exclaimed joyously. Anything to try and boost her son's confidence. " Okay baby, what are we going to do today. You tell mama, and then we'll see if it's right."
" We gots to showa, cwodes, and bwekfas!" he answered, pumping his little fists in the air with the mention of food.
" Okay baby, that's all right! Do you want to shower with Mama, or do you want to take a bath by yourself?" She asked, already knowing his answer.
" Siwy Mama. Pawka showa wif Mama."
" Okay baby, then can you go into Mama's bathroom and turn on the water?" And with that, he ran into the large bathroom. And into the large shower and brought out his little stool. He stood on it and then turned on the hot water all the way, and the cold water just a little. He then took out his stool, and placed it under the sink once again. Ren smiled at the independent, and responsible behavior of her son. She then entered the bathroom and stripped herself of her clothes. And then helped Parker with his clothes. (Please don't think that this is awkward or inappropriate in any way. My brother and I would shower with our mom until we were around ten years old.) He then raised his arms, and Ren picked him up. With Parker in her arms, she entered the warm water. He burrowed his face into the hollow of her clavicle while she stepped under the spray of the warm water. As she and Parker were both good and wet, she placed him on the small bench that she put in her bathroom for him. As he sat down, she washed his hair and then made sure to not get any soap into his eyes and she rinsed it out. As she was shampooing her hair, Parker exclaimed " Mama! I waf for Mama too?" With a small laugh she kneeled in front of him as he placed his small hands into her soapy hair. But try as he might, all he did was manage to get bubbles all over himself. As he got frustrated, tears threatened to fall out of his eyes. " I do nofin wight Mama. I sorry. I sorry. I be goo. Pwease Mama. I sorry, no wet daddy take me away. I sorry Mama."
Ren's smile faltered over her son's low opinions of himself. She washed her hands off and cleaned Parker of his soapy body. " Parker, look at me. Look at Mama." She said sternly as he slowly raised his head and met her ice-blue eyes, with his teary brown ones. " Parker, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are not a failure. Everyone makes mistakes. And baby, you did just fine. I will never let your father take you away from me, okay? You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Okay baby?" As he nodded and smiled, she smiled as well. She then soaped up her hands again and blew a bubble with the soap in her hands. As he smiled, Parker soaped up his hands in his mother's hair and carefully blew a bubble. As they finished their shower, Ren noticed that her son was still a little down. " Baby, you want to take a bubble bath with Mama? I haven't taken a math in a while, and Mama doesn't want to take one alone. Will you take one with me?"
Parker's face lit up with a smile and ferociously nodded his assent. So, Ren washed both of them off and then turned off the water. She then stepped out of the shower and turned the knobs in the bath tub, and filled it with warm water and some bubbles. Ren then picked Parker up, and slowly entered the bathtub. As she crouched down to sit in the bath, Parker tightened his arms and legs around her. So Ren and her Koala-like baby sat in the bathtub. As she placed a rolled up towel under her neck as a pillow, Parker unwrapped himself around her and lay on top of her. As the two of them settled into the bathtub, she sat up and placed Parker into the water so they were separate. As she played with the bubbles with him, Parker started to sing the bone song. " Da weg boe conecuh to da knee boe, da knee boe conecuh to da tie boe, da tie boe conecuh to da ba boe"
" Good Job Baby! Oh my Little Prince is so smart!" Ren exclaimed, lifting her son into the air smiling up at him. "Come one baby, let's get out and eat some breakfast!" And with an excited squeal, Parker agreed. She rinsed them of with some water, and then dried them both off. Ren then walked to Parker's room and picked out his clothes. She took out some jean bermudas and a red/maroon color shirt with the words, Mama's Prince on it and smiled. Parker grabbed his clothes then followed his Mama to her room. He then ran into her closet, brought out his stool and picked a pair of Jean shorts and a dark red blouse. As he passed her, her clothes, she smiled at the matching colors. Once she put on her shorts, she frowned at how large they were for her. She brought out a belt and cinched it to the tightest hole. As she put on the shirt, she noticed how it was much looser than before. " Hmmm, looks like Mama has to get some new clothes. They are all to big on me."
" Nuh uh Mama. Mama too smaw fo cwothes. Mama wegs an awms too smaw. Mama gots to eat mo, no buy mo cwothes." Parker replied thoughtfully.
Surprised at his observation, Ren silently nodded. " Okay baby, let's go eat breakfast." The two then set off through the large apartment to the huge kitchen area. In the past months, Ren had moved to a different Apartment Building. She had left her previous one after her fallout with Booth, too many memories, and bought this one instead. It was in the most wealthy district of D.C in the largest apartment complex. She had gotten the Penthouse, which in itself, was not an apartment at all, more like a very spacious single story house. The apartment was painted in light hues of blues, purples, and greys. As the two finished breakfast, Ren put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and washed her and Parker's sticky hands covered in Maple Syrup.
After, Ren walked over to the living room area checking for calls from Rebecca, and beckoned Parker over. She sat in the large armchair and brought Parker into her lap, as she placed her cell phone on the small single/desk/cabinet next to her. " Parker, do you remember who's coming tomorrow?"
" Twin sistah! Kadee comin home!"
" That's right baby, Katie's coming home tomorrow, and so today, you and I have to go shopping today."
"No goo Mama, was minuh shoppin."
" Haha. I know baby, last minute shopping isn't good. But I talked to the owner's of the store we are going to, and we made a deal. Today, from two to five, I get to shop in their stores only, buy whatever we need, and then they will bring it to our home today. Good plan, yes?
" Goo Pwan!"
"Okay, so we'll call your Mom, and then we'll leave." Once she saw his look of confusion, she reiterated. " We'll call your mother Parker. We'll call Rebecca." And with that she dialed Becca's number. "Hey Becca! Yeah it's Ren. Why are you breathing so hard…. Hahaha Becca! It's still morning! No sorry, yes of course. Do you want to talk to Parker?" Once she heard the reply, Ren quickly stood up, leaving Parker in the chair. " What do you mean you're leaving today Becca? You were supposed to be leaving next weekend? Becca, how could you? Parker is still your son for one more week! Does he even know? You already said goodbye?"
" Ren, I'm sorry. I know that means nothing right now, but it's the last thing I can do for my son. You're his mother now. The new owners are going to move into the house tomorrow. I packed up all of Parker's things, and all the things I want him to have. They will be delivered to you tomorrow. I already said goodbye to him, I think he understands what's going on. Ren, you have to go to the courthouse today, sign all the papers to make him officially yours."
" Becca-"
" No Ren. I love you, you are my best friend and the mother of my son. There's nothing you can say to talk me out of this. Brent and I are leaving for the airport in half an hour. Tell Parker I love him. Take good care of him Ren. I'm going to tell Seeley today, so get ready for some Hell. I love you Ren. You're the best mother, and I can't thank you enough." She said tearfully.
"Becca!" and with that, Rebecca hung up on her. She threaded her fingers through her hair. Ren then walked into the kitchen and took out three small boxes from one of the kitchen drawers. With them in hand, she returned to the chair and placed Parker in her lap, face to face.
"Parker, baby. Rebecca's gone. She and Brent left for California already. She said you guys already said goodbye." She said, not really knowing what else to say.
Parker silently nodded as his eyes filled up with tears. His Mama seemed upset. Did she not want him anymore? Was she going to only take Katie and give away him? Did she finally hate him because of what his Daddy did? As his silent crying turned into sobs, Ren cradled Parker to her chest. "Parker, it's going to be okay. I promise. Oh baby, no. No sweetie, Mama's not upset with you. No no no Parker. I am so happy to be with you." But she said this all in vain. Parker could not hear a word she was saying over his sobbing. Not knowing what to do, Ren quickly grabbed her phone and called someone she never thought she would ask help for.
"Hello, this is Lance Sweets."
" Dr. Sweets! Please help, Parker, he's upset, I've never seen him like this. He won't stop crying and starting to hyperventilate! Oh my God, what do I do? Please, please tell me what to do! It's never been this bad!" she cried out
" Dr. Brennan? Dr. Brennan listen to me. He is probably having an anxiety or panic attack. The fastest way to calm him down is to show him that you are not leaving him. Hold him, give skin-to-skin contact, make him feel loved. Make him breathe evenly. You should try" and then she hung up on him.
Ren threw her phone down and took off her shirt and bra. She grabbed Parker and took off his shirt as well. She quickly picked him up and cradled him into her body as she sat down in the chair. She placed her hand on his head, calming him down. As his wheezing started to lessen in intensity, Parker nuzzled his way in between her breasts as she rocked him back and forth cooing to him. As he calmed down she put her clothes back on in a matter of seconds. As Parker whined at the cloth barrier in between them, he picked up the hem of her shirt, and burrowed underneath the shirt, to her chest. As he stopped at her bra, he whined in frustration over the loss of skin contact and started to tear up again. With wide eyes, Ren unclasped her bra and whipped it off. As she sat in the chair, she thought about what just happened. Some would call her perverted or eccentric. A woman that was not the boys biological mother, baring her naked body to her three year old boy. But to her, it didn't matter. She was always very comfortable with her body, and Parker was not shy about this aspect at all. At night he would always nuzzle his way under her shirts and sleep in the valley between her two breasts, it was a place of warmth, where her heart lay. He grappled for her hand, and once she gave in, he took her thumb and popped it into his mouth. It was now or never to talk to him.
"Parker, can you hear me?" As she asked she felt his head move up and down. " Okay, Parker, you don't have to talk just nod okay?" She said, as he nodded once more. " Baby, I will never leave you. I will never hate you. I will always love you. And I don't know how many times I have to tell you this until you believe me, but I will never stop loving you. You are my son. My little Prince. The reason that I am still here, living here. I will never let anyone hurt you. I will never let your father take you away from me. I won't make you see Rebecca or your father ever again if you don't want to. No one will ever leave you again. I love you too much to see you hurt again." As parker picked up his head, he stared into her blue eyes.
"Mama, Beca mama weave Pawka. Daddy weave Pawka."
" I know baby. And I'm so sorry for that. But I will never leave you."
" Nobody love Pawka but Mama. Evwybody frow away Pawka."
" Oh no, sweetie, they didn't throw you away. They just, they're, they're stupid baby. They don't know how good you are, how special you are. And you know what, that's their problem. And you know what? They will never take you away from me. You daddy can't take you away, and no one else can. Because today, when we leave we are going to this special place. And at this place, Mama is going to sign a piece of paper saying that you're mine forever. That you're my son and I'm your Mama, and no one, not even you daddy or God can take you away from me. Because you are my baby."
" Daddy no take Pawka away? Daddy say take me away fwom Wen. Take me away fwom Wen and live with Daddy an Hanna. I no wike them Mama. I no wove them."
" I know baby, I won't let him."
" Pwomise Mama? I be goo, I pwomise. Pwease, stay wif you." He pleaded
" I promise. No one will ever take you away. And if they try, I'll fight them. I will fight every step of the way."
" Okay Mama." And then he lowered his head to her chest again.
" Parker, look at this, and with that, she brought out two small boxes in a flourish. "Open it" As Parker carefully opened it, he gasped at what was inside. There were two dog tags on a metal chain. " It has where we live and how to find me in case you ever get lost. And the other one says, Parker Matthew Brennan; son of Temperance Brennan and brother of Katie Brennan. And on mine the first one is the same. And the second say Temperance Brennan, mother of Katie Joanne Brennan and Parker Matthew Brennan. And Katie has one just like these ones. Now, even if we get lost, we can always find each other."
" Mama name no Tempwance, is Wen!"
" I know baby, but Ren is just a nickname."
" Okay. Mama?"
" Yes Baby?"
" We's a family now."
" That's right baby, we are a family." As they placed their dog tags around their necks they smiled at each other. After, with Parker still clinging onto her, under her shirt, Ren got up and got ready. She took out a small messenger bag, and put her sunglasses, keys, wallet, snacks and Juice Boxes, and put them on the sofa next to the arm chair. She slipped her phone into her pocket, and wondered how she was going to pry Parker off of her. As the door bell rang, she tried to unhinge Parker from herself. But as he cried and whimpered as she did so, she stopped. Whoever was at the door was going to think she's crazy. As she opened the door with a confused smile, Angela, Hodgins, Sweets, Daisy, Wendell, and Cam all ushered themselves into her apartment. With a chorus of hellos, Sweets was the first one to speak.
" I see everything's okay now Dr. Brennan? I just came over in case."
"Of course Dr. Sweets, and thank you. I would greet you guys properly, but I'm afraid I'm a little preoccupied." As they all smiled at her and nodded, she spoke again. " But why are you here?
" We just thought you might need some help sweetie, with Katie coming home tomorrow and stuff." Angela replied
" Yes , just thought you might need some man power to lift things, you know." Wendell replied good-naturedly.
" Well thank you! Parker and I were actually going to head off to the courthouse to sign the adoption papers, and then to the mall to go shopping. Once I told them who I was, and the situation, the store owners were very gracious. They invited me to my own private shopping spree, and my personal bag carriers. They will drop off all the items I purchase, right to the apartment today."
As Cam smiled, " Well that's great. We can get out of your way for a little while though, for the courthouse meeting I mean."
" No! I… I would very much appreciate it, if you all were there. You are all my family, no matter what happens or I say. And I would love to have you there, as I welcome my first child into my home." Everyone smiled, and then Daisy broke the silence.
" Dr. Brennan, would you like to get dressed? If you want to head out soon?" As Brennan nodded, she asked everyone to turn around. She quickly lifted up her shirt, and unleashed Parker's grip on her. As she pulled down her shirt, she held him again. " Will you guys watch him, while I redress?" As everyone nodded yes, she ran to the chair, swiftly grabbed her abandoned bra, and ran to her bedroom. She put her bra on, and walked over to her vanity. As she applied some light makeup, she heard Parker start to cry. She quickly ran a brush through her hair, and made her exit.
" Ahhhhhh! I wan-I wan MAMA! Ahhhhh! (gasp) I wan MAMA! MAMA!MAMA!MAMA! MAMA! I be goo, MAMA! WAHHHH! MAMA!" Parker cried, while tugging on the dog tags around his neck. His face was no bright red, with tears and snot covering his face. As he started to hyperventilate, the group tried to calm him down. But every time they tried to speak to him or touch him, he would scream. By now he was hyperventilating, and that was when Ren entered the living room. She ran to the kitchen and dampened a soft cloth, and ran back to Parker. She scooped him up and sat in the arm chair. As he sat in her lap, he picked up the hem of her shirt again, and snuggled inside, feeling her warmth and heartbeat. As she looked down at him, she wiped his face of tears and mucous, and then proceeded to wipe off her now damp chest. As everyone stared in awe, Ren calmed Parker down in less than thirty seconds. As his breathing calmed, he slowly drifted off to sleep. All the crying had stressed him and tired him out for the day. Once he fell into a deep sleep, she lifted her shirt up and slipped him out, and then cradled him again, with the clothes barrier this time.
"I'm sorry. I should have known better. It's not your fault he cried, he just gets scared when I'm not there. Thank you though." She explained in a sincere tone. As the Squint Squad waved off her apology, Ren stood up. As Wendell grabbed her messenger bag, she told everyone of her plan for the day, and they agreed whole-heartedly. As they entered the elevator and went down to the basement level/parking garage, Ren stopped.
" I know I haven't been the most agreeable person in the past. I know I was cold and harsh, but I can not put into words, how much you all being here means to me and Parker. I promise that from now on, you will get to know me, get to know Ren. Dr. Temperance Brennan is only the mask I put on when working on remains. But from now on, I'm Ren. To all of you, friends, interns, colleagues regardless. And I hope that you all love me as Ren, even more than you did as Temperance." She said tearfully
" Dr. B, we will love you no matter who you are. Dr. Temperance Brennan is kick ass! She's the number one forensic anthropologist in the world. But Ren, she's pretty awesome too. I might say, that she's even better the Temperance. Leave the mask at work. The calm, cold , collected Tempe for the murderers and Booth to deal with. But to us, your family, you were always Ren. You were always our family. Let us help you, where we couldn't before, now we can. Let us help you Ren." Hodgins said.
With a smile, she nodded and led all her friends to her car. It was a large yellow Humvee. " I hope we all fit in here. Ever since my latest book has gotten to popular, and the movie started filming, I'm afraid I've gotten quite popular. This is my driver, Eric, he will drive us around today. I don't drive much ever since the quick rise of popularity, too many paparazzi follow me."
" OMG! Dr. Brennan, I mean Ren! This is amazing!"
" I suppose it is, Daisy." She smiled. " All right, everyone in. Eric can you take us to the courthouse please?" She asked, as she buckled herself and Parker into his car seat.
" Of course Ms. Brennan. That will be no problem."
As they drove to the courthouse, Ren looked around the car. She had a family, she was part of a family. The only one missing was Boo-. No, she thought. You can't think about him. You said you were done, remember? He broke you. No. Booth is done. She looked at Parker. Even though Booth had broken her heart and her spirit, he had given her one thing. In a unconventional way, he had given her Parker. And Parker was the one thing that Booth could never take away or break from her.
