In a random series of events I end up watching Parker one afternoon

In a random series of events I end up watching Parker one afternoon. I have never been good with children…I've never even wanted them. But, there is something about Parker that puts me at ease. Instead of questioning my lack of knowledge about what a child his age like he embraces it. He listens to me instead. I don't know if he's acting or not, but he seems amazed when I talk about dinosaur bones. I guess kids like dinosaurs? He is like his father in that sense. Booth always had seemed amazed at the little things I said that to me were common knowledge. I realize that I feel so at ease with Parker because he is so much like his father. I've been counting the day's (9) since I've last seen Booth's smile, but sitting across from this little boy I can see that charm smile plastered all over his face, and I think of Booth even more. I say something about how dinosaurs and humans may have lived together, which elicits a laugh from Parker. It sounds so much like his fathers. It has been 9 days since they told us he hadn't made it. The shot he sustained from Pam killed him…and it was my fault. Yet, Rebecca and Parker seemed to be doing very well, and when Rebecca had been called into for a meeting she had no one to leave Parker with but me.

After we finish our shakes Parker asks if we can go across the street to the park. I get up, and he reaches his hand towards mine. For a split second I think it will make its way to the small of my back just like his fathers always did. I hold onto his hand like a lifeline as we make our way over to the park. Parker asks if I'll push him on the swings, which I happily agree to. He is gaining momentum and puts his head back as he swings higher. I crack a smile to see how after loosing a father he can still be so carefree. His father. I start daydreaming of Booth again when suddenly I hear Parker call out saying he wants to see how far he can jump. Before I can stop him he jumps and lands on his stomach in the sand. I rush over to him and turn him around to see him smiling and giggling with a face full of sand. I finally breathe…letting loose the air I had been holding. Then he sits up and looks me straight in the eyes and asks why I am so sad. I am taken aback by this. I know he is only five, but it has only been nine days since his father has died. He hasn't even been buried yet. I tell him that I miss Booth very much. And to my surprise he looks shocked and starts eyeing me curiously. So I continue to talk, and knowing that Booth is Catholic, I ask Parker if he knows where his daddy is now that he's gone. Parker looks at me and replies "don't you? They said your name was at the top of the list." I become very confused. I don't understand what this five year old is saying. Does Heaven have lists? Parker must see my confusion and throws himself onto me in a big hug. Then he whispers, the most amazing thing I have ever heard, "Daddy was afraid this would happen. He says the FBI doesn't do anything right. He's okay. He just has to hide for a while, but he said he'd come back for us." I look Parker in the eye questioning what he's just said, but he just goes on…"Daddy said he'd come back for me and his Bones."