Ok… so I'm not really sure where this one came from… I was attempting to sleep when this idea popped up into my head and couldn't get it out… I don't think something like this has been done before either so I had to type it up… let me know what you think…

Right now it's a one-shot but it's open to more chapters… I explain in a bottom A/N… let me know if there's interest.

Spoilers as to baby's gender and reference to the conversation held in Booth's kitchen.

Disclaimer: I may own the DVDs, some shirts, and a few posters, but unfortunately since I'm broke it's quite obvious I don't own them.

Summary: He told her one day she'd ask him… he didn't know how or when but he knew it would happen.

The Message in the Circles

It had been a long and really crappy day for Booth at the office. He didn't have a case with the squints and Brennan, so he was stuck in the office all day. He was at least going to go pick up Brennan and their daughter for lunch, but Hacker called him in for a "quick" meeting just before he was getting ready to leave. Three hours later and he was finally free of Hacker and the pointless meeting he was called to. Nothing discussed had any bearing on his work. Hell, none of what was discussed even had anything to do with the homicide division. He already didn't like Hacker and this little stunt just made him even more annoyed with the waste of skin.

When he finally got back to his office, he picked up the phone to call Brennan at the lab. He found that she and their daughter already took their lunch break. She apologized but told him that it was his fault because it was his genes that make his daughter very cranky when she's hungry. He smiled at her blaming him for their daughter's eating habits and told her that he'd see them at home later. Brennan asked him what he thought of it just being the two of them tonight, that Angela was being insistent on taking her for the night like they had taken Michael for the night a couple weeks ago so that Hodgins and Angela could have some alone time together. She told him Angela really wanted to spoil her niece.

Booth was a little hesitant, mostly because of his over-protectiveness, but ultimately gave in knowing that she would be safe with them and looking forward to having some time alone with Brennan. He warned her that she would probably make it home before him because he still had a lot of paperwork to finish before he left for the day. She told him that was good because she wanted to surprise him with something. She said she was even planning on leaving early. Booth grinned at hearing that. He was really starting to rub off on her. He told her he was looking forward to seeing her later, she agreed, and they hung up.

Booth figured he could go get a quick bite to eat from the diner before getting back to his paperwork when Caroline burst into his office complaining about something. He had sunk into his desk chair knowing that going to get food now was out of the question. He had really wanted to start smacking his head on his desk at his horrible luck too.

Most of Caroline's statements were met with a standard "Yes, Caroline," "No, Caroline," or "the squints have that covered, Caroline." When Caroline was at least mostly pacified by Booth's responses to the problems she brought him, she left his office telling him that he better bring that adorable baby of his into the office again soon. Booth had a small smile form at her parting comment. It didn't stay for too long though as he saw the huge stack of paperwork still sitting in front of him.

Booth had finally made it about halfway through the stack when he had put his pen down briefly to rub his eyes. He glanced at the clock briefly and wished he could be home already. As he picked up his pen to get back to work, Hacker came in looking for the paperwork. He wasn't happy that it still wasn't done and was complaining about the work not being done yet. Booth wanted to point out that it was because of his damn pointless meeting and ended up grinding his teeth to avoid actually saying it. Instead he just growled that it would be finished before he left for the day. He added a sarcastic "sir" to the end. Hacker nodded and left.

Booth hadn't done much when he was being interrupted by a knock on his office door. He looked up and saw that it was Sweets. Turning his attention back to his paperwork, he growled to Sweets to go away, that whatever he wanted from him could wait until tomorrow. Sweets didn't get the message that Booth wanted him gone and came into the office anyway asking Booth why he was in a foul mood. Booth growled something about Hacker being a waste of skin, Caroline harassing him about cases that aren't due in courts for months, the large stack of paperwork, and now his harassment, and wanting to get home to Brennan. Sweets quickly got the message and fled the office as quick as he could before he found himself being the target of Booth's anger.

Booth went back to the paperwork after Sweets had fled the office. A little while later, he was actually finished without any other interruptions. He got up from his desk and picked up the paperwork he finally finished. He brought it to Hacker's office and dumped it on his desk, not caring if it was neat and organized anymore. He left the office and was quite happy that he was not stopped on his way out.

He finally made it home fairly late. He strolled through the door kicking off his shoes, loosening his tie and putting his keys and stuff in their normal spots.

"Bones!" he called, happy that he was finally home. He was met with silence. "Bones?" he questioned, not hearing anything anywhere in the home. He smelt something that smelt great though and followed the smell into the kitchen. He was met with the sight of an apple pie sitting on the counter. He went over to it noticing the paper next to it. He picked up the paper and read it:

Booth

I'm sorry, the lab called and there was a major problem with one of the shipping orders we were supposed to get tonight so I had to go in. Enjoy the pie I made for you this afternoon; I know you're probably starving by now. I'll be home as soon as I can.

I love you.

Bones

Booth smiled at her note, especially the "I love you," that she added at the bottom. He took the pie from the counter and went over to the couch. He turned on the TV and started to eat the pie. It tasted amazing, even better than the apple pie he normally got at the diner. He hadn't realized just how hungry he had been until he looked down at the tray and found it completely empty. He put it on the table in front of him. He watched the sports highlights that were on the TV for a few minutes before looking at the clock. He saw that it was just after nine. He decided to call Brennan's office to see if she was still at the lab. He picked up the phone and dialed the number. After a couple of rings the answering machine picked up. He hung up figuring that she was on her way home.

He propped his feet up on the coffee table in front of him waiting for her to get home and turned his attention back to the sports highlights. He wasn't planning on it, but he quickly fell asleep with his head tilted back on the back of the couch.

Brennan arrived home a short time later to the sight of Booth sound asleep on the couch with his feet on the table. She smiled at the sight, kicking her shoes off, and putting her things in their normal places quietly. She made her way over to the couch quietly and carefully leant over him giving him a quick kiss as she sat sideways on his lap.

Booth lifted his head at the quick kiss and smiled as she settled herself in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a proper kiss. She saw the empty pie tray.

"So?" she asked, sounding slightly nervous, but laying her head on his shoulder.

He saw that she was asking about the pie. "It tasted amazing." He could see the confusion on her face. "What?" he asked, confused by her confusion.

"You ate everything on the tray?" she asked.

"Yeah, sorry," he said sheepishly. "I didn't realize how hungry I was until it was gone. I can always attempt to make one for you if you had wanted me to save you some."

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't like my fruit cooked."

"You seemed to like my pie a lot when you were pregnant."

"That was your progeny. I still don't like my fruit cooked. But, you seriously ate it all, and I mean everything?"

"Yeah, and as I was saying it tasted amazing." Now, he saw that she was looking between him and the tray and could tell she was trying to find a way to ask something.

"Just ask, Bones," he told her.

"You didn't find anything?" Now he was just plain confused.

"Nooo," he said hesitantly. "Should I have?"

She buried her face in his shoulder and mumbled something that he couldn't tell into it. He lifted her chin to look at him.

"What?" he asked softly.

"That's the last time I take an idea from a website," she said slightly embarrassed that her plan failed so greatly. "You ate the ring I had engraved, too. I got the idea from a website." Booth thought he knew what the ring was engraved with, but had to hear her say it.

"And just what was engraved on this ring?" he asked letting go of her chin. She buried her face in his shoulder again and mumbled something again.

"What?" he asked chuckling lightly at her mumbling. She lifted her head slightly and answered him, still somewhat mumbling.

"It asked 'Marry Me?'." She buried her face in his shoulder again and didn't see his face break out into a wide smile. He lifted her chin again giving her a huge and long kiss. When they finally pulled apart, he was still grinning like a mad man and rested his forehead against hers. She looked at him, still slightly concerned about his answer.

"Of course!" he told her, causing her to smile as well. She leant against his chest again and he planted a kiss on top of her head. "Hang on, could you get up for a second?" She moved off his lap. He quickly got up and went into their bedroom. She was a little confused and decided to follow.

She watched him pull a small box out of one of the pairs of socks in his draw that he never wears because they aren't colorful enough for him since they were just plain white. Booth saw her standing there.

"I wanted to be prepared," he explained, handing her the box. She opened it and was stunned. Inside was a gorgeous ring. It was very simple and flat which was good because it would be able to fit under her gloves at work. It wasn't your standard engagement ring, but a simple silver band with a picture of two dolphins kissing carved into it where a diamond should be.

"It's engraved, too," Booth told her softly, pulling her out of studying the ring. She pulled the ring gently out of the box and looked at the engraving.

She looked up to Booth to see him smiling and she had to laugh as she read it again.

Told u ud ask me

He gently took the ring from her and slid it onto her finger. "It was too long to spell out properly… It looks good on you."

"I know it's completely illogical, but it looks perfect," she said laughing lightly, pulling Booth closer and kissing him hard. She started to undo his tie and they quickly made their way to their bed, collapsing on it together.

After they lay together for a while, completely spent and satisfied with Brennan draped over him her hand on his chest looking at the ring with a soft smile, Booth spoke.

"So…" Booth started while looking down at her head. She could hear the question in his voice and looked up to meet his eyes. When he saw he had her attention, he continued, "How worried should I be about eating a ring?"

"Well, if you actually ate the ring, you would have bitten it, so you didn't actually eat the ring. You just swallowed it. As for your concern, Daisy had to swallow her engagement ring when we were in Maluku. It will make its way through your digestive track and—"

"Yeah, ok, I get it… so no need to worry?…"

"No. It'll probably do more damage to the toilet though if it accidently gets flushed, so be sure to find it before you flush it."

"Right…" he said, not really sure he was excited to be searching for it, but happy about there being a ring in the first place. "As much as I'm sure I'm going to love the ring, when it finally does… you know, you're not gonna have me wear that one, right?"

"Of course not. That would be very unhygienic even after properly cleaned. There will still be the wedding ring anyway, and I doubt you'd want to wear two."

"I love you," he told her simply.

"Love you too," she responded, laying her head back down on his chest. As she was starting to drift off, she was startled by Booth's light chuckle.

"What?" she asked, not moving from her position.

"I'm just trying to figure out who will be more amused by this proposal story: one of the squints? Parker? Pops?..."

"Maybe Caroline or my father?" Booth groaned slightly at the thought of Max finding out. "What? He likes you."

"And I like all parts of my anatomy still attached."

"He's not going to hurt you."

"Just humor me and make sure our daughter is with us when we tell him. I'd prefer the extra protection just in case and she's already got her grandpa wrapped around her finger."

"Goodnight, Booth."

"Night, Bones."

When it finally came time to pick their wedding rings, they kept them simple again. They really did think alike because the ring Booth swallowed even matched the engagement ring he gave Brennan. After it was recovered though, it was cleaned, placed in an evidence bag, placed back in its box, and placed carefully in Brennan's jewelry box away from her other pieces of jewelry.

Those wedding bands matched the engagement rings well. Booth's ring was a simple silver band. Brennan's ring was similar, except instead of it being completely silver, just the edges were silver and the center of the ring was a shade of blue that matched her eyes. They decided they didn't want the usual diamond type thing for their rings and that these rings were good because they would fit under Brennan's gloves.

They wanted to surprise each other with the engravings for the rings.

Booth just had a simple 'I love you Bones' engraved on Brennan's ring knowing that the most significant part would be the 'Bones' would probably be the most significant part to her because the name grew on her.

Brennan's engraving shocked Booth when he finally saw it, but he had to smile. She had 'You were right' engraved on it.

Who would have thought the engagement would begin with cooked fruit and a swallowed ring, but then again they never did anything normal.

Ok… so right now I have this listed as complete but if people want to see the reactions of the squints or other characters I have some loose ideas. If you want to see the reaction to someone specific ask for it in a review or PM me. If you want to see reactions in general just ask for that as well. I'd do requests first though. If no one requests to see reactions though I just won't write them. I'll add the reactions as chapters to this one so put the story on your alerts if you want to read them.

Let me know what you think.

And if anyone is interested with Brennan's wedding ring this is something similar to the ring I had seen… it was just a slightly different shade of blue: http:/www(dot)unusualweddingrings(dot)com/products/blue-acrylic-wedding-ring(dot)html