The Families in the Day Off
Author Notes
Words in italic are Zack's thoughts. Underlined words are Seeley's thoughts. Words in bold are Parker's thoughts. This takes place after S01E05 – A Boy in a Bush. Enjoy!
I'd like to thank my faithful readers/reviewers All Fall Apart, Arieru-chan, Ash Strachey, crazylove1980, Excalisnake, Fern Rose, grimmich, KSIJ, Reader's Daughter, Silia, star1the2friend and UrbanBorn for being so awesome and supportive. Keep on rocking!
Happy Holidays! The next part will be out before New Year's Eve.
The song used in this part (01/03) is 'Blue Skies' by the American First Lady of song, Ella Fitzgerald.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bones (or any of the characters). I also do not own Ella Fitzgerald or any of her songs. (I do however, own 22 of her CDs.)
Part One
In the night of the Jeffersonian gala, Rebecca Stinson was putting her son, Parker Booth, to bed:
"You have to sleep early today, Parker. Your father and his boyfriend… What's his name again?"
"Zack."
"Your dad and Zack will be here in the morning to pick you up."
"Yay!"
She sat down on Parker's bed:
"So, what is Zack like?"
"He's very fun! And he makes dad so happy!"
"Oh. Is he smart too?"
"The smartest, mom! He taught me psychology."
Rebecca smiled at her son:
"He did? That's great!"
"It is!" – Parker yawned. – "I can't wait for tomorrow!"
She covered him with his sky blue sheets and kissed his forehead.
"For now, just sleep, my little man."
First line
Seeley Booth and Zack Addy were still sleeping when the clock hands passed 8 AM. The FBI agent was the first to wake up; but he stayed in bed, feeling his squint's heartbeat against his own chest and relishing on the feel of their entangled legs.
"How long have you been staring at me, Seeley?"
"I have no idea."
"What time is it?"
Booth turned his head to look at his alarm clock:
"8:12."
"We have to get ready to pick up Parker."
"You may have to convince me."
Zack shook his head before bribing his lover with kisses.
"Now let's get up."
The FBI agent grunted at the loss of contact:
"Fine."
"Lighten up, Seeley. You have a whole day with me and Parker." – Zack opened the curtains, only to reveal a cloudy sky. – "Besides, I believe that if either of us has any reason to be something other than happy, that would be me. I have to meet your ex."
I am very nervous about that.
"Don't worry about Rebecca. Her bark is far worse than her bite."
I would know.
"Alright. I'm going to take a shower." – Zack said and left. Moments later he was back. – "You are not accompanying me?"
Booth raced to the bathroom.
Second line
Zack and his lover were standing outside of Rebecca's home.
"In for a penny, in for a pound, right?"
"Right."
They knocked on the door (the doorbell was broken) and Booth's ex was quick to open it:
"Seeley."
"Rebecca. How you've been?"
"I could kill for a good cup of coffee. You know how Parker is when he gets excited about something."
The FBI agent nodded:
"Yeah. Anyway, this is my lover, Zack Addy."
The squint waved a little before being tackled by Parker.
"Zaaaaaaaaack!"
"Hey, Parker!"
"Where are we going today?"
"We'll figure it out later. Seeley, help us up?"
Booth lifted his kid, offered a hand to his lover and helped him.
"Parker, why don't you go show your room to your father? Zack and I have to talk." - The younger man gulped. – "Would you like some coffee?"
Booth understood the context and carried his son to his room.
"Sure."
She served Zack then, with a serious face, she asked:
"What are your intentions towards Seeley?"
"Well, I know I love him. I also know that he holds the institution of marriage in high regard." – I also know that he is able to hear this conversation, thanks to his bat-like hearing. – "I hope to marry him someday."
She smiled and nodded.
Third and Fourth lines
"How about we go to the park?"
"Okay!"
Zack smirked as they walked:
"Otherwise you will not last the night?"
"Isn't that a poem?" – The squint's jaw dropped a little. – "I'm not a complete philistine!"
"I know you are not. It's Edna St. Vincent Millay. 'My candle burns at both ends. It will not last the night. But, ah, my friends, and oh, my foes, it gives a lovely light.'"
Parker's voice called out to them:
"Can we get ice cream?"
"Not yet. Go play with Zack first."
Fifth and Sixth lines
Booth sat in the same park bench and watched his son and his lover play. He just watched as they played tag but decided to join them for hide-and-seek.
Not even the sun could stay away today.
He found his lover hiding against a tree:
"Why are you smirking? I found you."
"Parker, now!"
Yay!
Parker had climbed the tree and jumped on his father at the command.
7th and 8th lines
This reminds me of that song mom sings when she is happy.
When the squint 'zoned in' again he found twin pairs of puppy dog eyes staring back:
"Sing?"
Please?
Zack shook his head affectionally and started.
9th, 10th, 11th and 12th lines
"What now, Seeley?"
"I was thinking lunch?"
"What do you say, Parker? Are you hungry?"
"Always!"
Booth chuckled and picked up his son.
"How about Sid?"
"I would like that, Seeley."
13th and 14th lines
After they ate ('If it isn't Seeley's man and the FBI agent. Who's the kid?' 'My son, Parker.' 'Well, you are very welcome here, Mini-Booth.' 'Thanks!').
"Where do you want to go now?"
Parker mumbled something only his father could hear.
"The National Air and Space Museum?"
Zack's pupils dilated:
"Really? I love going there!"
"You like rockets too?"
"I'm getting a doctorate in engineering." – Parker tilted his head. – "Building things like airplanes, rockets and houses."
"Then you know everything!"
"I try."
15th and 16th lines
"This was the first American airplane made."
"My teacher said it was the first to fly."
"Did you know that they had help? This airplane was thrown into the air using a catapult."
"Then which one was the first? Without help?"
"Three years after the Wright brothers, there was this Brazilian, Santos-Dumont, who managed to fly without any help."
"Cool!"
Booth just stayed in the background while Zack thought Parker all about the exposition pieces.
A family. I can just picture us living together, with Parker and maybe another kid.
Maybe in the future.
17th, 18th, 19th and 20th lines
Zack and Parker were admiring the newest addition to the Smithsonian Institute, the Apollo 11.
"You two look like kids in a candy store."
"Seeley, this is a piece of world history. This is the first piece of engineering that actually carried humans to the moon. It's…"
"A notch in the Cold War bedpost?"
"Very funny, Seeley."
"You know, you are unbelievably cute when you get your squinty mode on."
Zack blushed at the compliment.
21st, 22nd and 23rd lines
They left the museum and Booth insisted they'd stop for a moment or two. Add in Parker's perennial hunger, they decided to stop for a quick snack.
"Hodgins told me of a lovely place around here…" – He stopped in front of a small door. – "Ah, there we go. Welcome to the 'Rabbit Hole'. It is a Wonderland-themed tea house, Seeley." – He explained.
"This place is awesome!"
"Where do you want to seat, Parker? The forest, the courthouse, the mushroom or the other room?"
"What do they have in the other room?"
"The flower garden, the train and the palace."
"Train?"
"You know Alice in Wonderland, right?"
"Right." – He nodded enthusiastically. – "The book too!"
"Did you know there was a continuation?"
Parker's eyes glistened and he smiled:
"Really?"
"Really. It's called 'Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There'. We can run to a bookstore later."
"Okay! Where's the garden?"
Zack smiled and led the other two to the other room. Soon after a costumed waitress came by to take their orders.
"Who are you?"
"I am the Red Queen, little sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
They ordered and Zack turned to his lover:
"I know you heard me and Rebecca, Seeley." - I didn't mean to. - "I know you couldn't help it with your bat-like hearing."
"Psychic powers."
Parker decided to join the two:
"Not psychic; psychology!"
Zack ruffled the kid's blond hair:
"That's right." – The older man watched the exchange and smiled. – "The ball is in your court now, Seeley. You know what I want."
Booth only said 'I want the same things.' before kissing his lover. Parker clapped his hands. The food came and they ate, talking like the family they were.
24th line