Fluff, fluff, fluff. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Just for fun.
******
"Our Village"
Booth gave the waitress his best charm smile, and handed over the money to cover their bill. He glanced back at the table, the view partially blocked by a woman with an elaborate stroller. Smiling at the baby in the stroller, Brennan waggled her fingers and said,
"Dancing phalanges!! Look at the dancing phalanges!"
Booth chuckled. He could hear the baby laughing with delight at Brennan's antics. The baby's mother smiled at Brennan and then turned to leave the diner. Brennan watched them with a wistful look and then blushed when she saw Booth watching her. Booth smiled at her and returned to the table.
"Ready to go, Bones?"
They walked down the street, enjoying the summer heat, and each other's company. Booth looked over at Brennan and noticed that she still had that wistful look. He knew what that look was about. Before his surgery, he'd agreed to donate his 'boys' so that Brennan could have a baby, on her own, she'd promised. He'd changed his mind, thanks to a hallucination brought on by his yet undiagnosed brain tumor. As they wheeled him into the operating room, Booth had asked to stop and told Brennan that she could have his "stuff", if he didn't make it through the surgery. Booth had, of course, made it through the surgery, but since then, neither of them had brought up the issue of her wanting a baby. His baby.
The life he experienced in his coma-dream further confused the issue. He remembered the utter joy that washed over him when Bren told him she was pregnant. But things were different in real life. They were not married, and Bones had made it clear that she wished to have the baby and raise it on her own. Booth spent many a sleepless night dwelling on the possibility of consenting to her use of his 'boys'. Being a father counted as one of the greatest joys in Booth's life. Sure, he wished things were different and that he and Parker's mother had been in love and raised the boy together, but it just wasn't meant to be. Booth relished every second he got to spend with his son and always wished for more. He just didn't think he could go through all of that again.
Booth recalled the session they'd had with Sweets, shortly after Brennan had expressed her wish to have a baby. Sweets had pointed out that although Brennan could have used an anonymous sperm donor, which could cater to the specific characteristics she wanted for her child, she'd chosen Booth. Brennan had pointed out that Booth possessed certain traits that a sperm bank wouldn't catalog. Although flattered by this, Booth couldn't help but wonder if Brennan would choose an anonymous donor, if he decided he could not go through with it. Booth considered that - Bones having someone else's baby - and realized he didn't like the idea one bit. He decided to see if she was still considering going down that road.
"Wanna go sit by the water for a bit, Bones?"
Brennan smiled. "That sounds nice."
Booth led them to a quiet bench overlooking the water. Keeping his gaze diverted to the water, he chose his words carefully.
"Bones, are you still thinking about becoming a mother?"
Bones replied in her ever-practical way,
"Yes, I have a lot to offer a child. Motherhood is something I look forward to," she paused, "but..."
Booth turned to her and said,
"Are you having second thoughts?"
Brennan didn't reply right away. "No, I'm sure I want to have a child. I'm just not sure I want to have any child. Although I hate to admit it, I think Sweets is right. There are certain emotional considerations here. I guess I realize that part of my desire to have a child by you is because I've seen your dedication to Parker, and, well... I guess, deep down, I hoped you would want to be involved with our child. But I understand your reservations - it's not fair of me to ask that of you."
Booth's heartskipped a beat as he tried to process what Bones was saying. Did she really want his involvement? Booth had to find out. He took a deep breath, and presented his idea.
"Bones, remember when I asked you to be my 'village'? With Parker? That it takes a village to raise a child?"
Brennan nodded, a perplexed look on her face.
"Well, listen, Bones. When you decide you want to have a baby, I want to be your village. I mean, we're close... very close, even. I figure we're going to be a part of each others' lives anyway. I would be there for you, anyway, so..."
Booth looked sideways at Brennan and raised his eyebrows. To Booth's surprise, Brennan looked crestfallen.
"So, you're saying no? You're right, I should pick an anonymous donor. It's the logical response. You could be involved without the commitment. I'm sorry, Booth. I didn't mean to..."
Booth interrupted her, his voice soft,
"Bones, you misunderstand me... I mean I want it to be our village... our baby. I want us to do this together! I just... want to be a part of our baby's life. I need to be."
Tears flooded Brennan's widened eyes as she pulled Booth into a tight hug.
"I want that, too, Booth. I have a lot to learn about parenting, and I hold your skills in high regard."
Booth laughed good-naturedly at the high praise from Brennan.
"Thanks, Bones. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Brennan took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. Booth thought he had probably never seen her happier. She's not even pregnant, yet, and she's already glowing! Booth's heart swelled as he thought about the future. OK, so maybe it's not quite perfect, but Booth figured it was a good start.
-fin-
