Hello! This is the long awaited (maybe only by me) sequel to my previous fic "Nine", probably best to read it first. It takes place after Brennan asks Booth to father her child but there is no brain tumor & no brain surgery. This is what happens after they have had the baby. This chapter is mostly fluff. Thanks for reading! :)

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"Home sweet home..." Booth announced as he held open the apartment door for his partner and their four-day-old son which she held in her arms.

"You didn't have to drive so slow." Brennan commented seemingly amused.

"Hey, it's been a long time since I've had a newborn in my car, gimme a break, huh?" Booth said. He set his partners overnight bag down by the door then moved to her side and peered down at their sleeping son she held. "Yep, he is still perfect," he said with pride. He looked up to meet his partner's eyes.

"I agree," Brennan said, her eyes twinkling. "Did you see his toes? I've never seen a more perfect hallux."

"Me neither." Booth agreed, even though he had no idea what a hallux was. He was pleased Brennan was as biased as any parent was when it came to their child.

"I guess I should put him in his crib..." she said hesitantly interrupting his thoughts, but she stayed rooted on the spot in the middle of the living room, gazing down at her son.

"You should sleep, when he sleeps...isn't that would the experts say?" Booth knew she had read every baby and child rearing related book she could get her hands on over the course of the last nine months, and he also remembered her spouting information day and night to him every time she learned something new. Apparently some of it had sunk in.

"That's what all the books say, yes, however, I'm not sure I am ready to put him down just yet. Is that strange?" She looked up at him shyly. "I just want to watch him."

"No, it's not strange." Booth assured her, with a soft chuckle. "I want to do the same." He guided her over to the sofa and helped her sit down, not missing the grimace of pain as she settled against the cushions.

"You're in pain." Booth said, as he took a seat beside her.

"A little. My incision..." she trailed off.

"Here let me take him." Booth held out his arms for the baby.

Brennan hesitated and Booth couldn't help but grin at her reluctance to let her child go.

"You can still stare at him, I promise." Booth winked playfully at her.

Brennan blushed and handed the baby over to her partner.

"See? That wasn't so hard." Booth said, continuing his teasing.

Brennan smiled, and Booth knew she was enjoying his light-hearted teasing. She leaned over and watched Booth cradle the baby in his arms.

"What now?" she asked him suddenly after a few moments of contented silence.

Booth looked up from the baby. Her question reminded him of one she had asked him just hours after giving birth. He hadn't really answered her then, she had been to exhausted and distracted by the new life in her arms that the topic had been dropped quickly. She had wanted to know what was to happen next in their life together. And he knew she was asking the same of him now.

"Nothing." Booth said quietly. "Nothing changes...and everything changes."

"That makes no logical sense," she responded.

"I know. Good isn't it?" He grinned.

"Booth," she warned.

Booth could see she was growing impatient with him.

"What do you want to happen next?" he asked her.

"I'm not sure. I want you to tell me," she stammered uncertainty written all over her face.

"You trust me right?" Booth asked, his tone softening noticing how vulnerable she suddenly looked.

"Booth!" She looked offended by the question.

"Then stop worrying about the future, huh?" He nudged her playfully.

His attempt to lighten her mood did not work and she frowned at him, her lips set in a straight line.

He had to choose his next words wisely.

"Bones, I know what you're afraid of. I'm not going anywhere," he said finally, watching her carefully. He knew what she feared.

She was quiet for several moments watching him closely, and Booth could see her contemplating his words.

"Okay." She nodded finally.

Booth nodded relieved that she seemed satisfied with his answer. At least for now.

"So...may I hold him again?" Brennan asked him after another few moments.

"But Bones....you carried him inside you for nine months, it's my turn!" Booth pouted playfully.

"Yes, I carried him inside me for nine months which is why I feel very attached to him."

"Hey! I'm attached to him too!......Look, see, he has my finger!" Booth whispered excitedly.

"How did you get him to do that?" Brennan asked curiously, leaning in closer to Booth to get a better look.

"Just a little father son bonding, Bones."

"I don't think so...."

"Just let me have my moment." Booth winked at her.

"Okay, have your moment, but then it's my turn again."

"Okay, alright."

The baby opened his eyes, yawned at his parents, then closed his eyes again.

"Best yawn ever!" Booth declared wide-eyed with amazement. Brennan shifted closer to him cuddling into his shoulder and he automatically wrapped his arm around her and kissed her hair.

"I agree."

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