Welcome to the latest series of oneshots that I am currently working on. It's a look at all of the Booth anniversaries from 5 through 45. The 50th anniversary is written in Wedding Vows: A Series of 12 Oneshots. Hope you enjoy. Comments are always welcome!
Gum
Five
"Bones!" Seeley Booth bellowed up the stairs, "Angela and Hodgins are here. Are you ready yet?"
He could hear his wife, Dr. Temperance Brennan-Booth, as she scurried around their bedroom, making sure that she was not forgetting anything. He could picture her in his mind as she slipped into her heels, wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, and walked- fully composed- to the top of the stairs.
"Ah, Bones," Booth breathed, a grin spreading across his face, "You look beautiful."
He watched her, mesmerized, as she floated down the flight of stairs, holding his elbow out for her as she reached the bottom. She took it. One part of his mind registered that she was rattling off a long list of dos and don'ts for Angela and Hodgins to adhere to with the girls; however, most of his mind was completely transfixed by his wife's appearance.
She had selected a light blue dress which, though floor-length, was cut tantalizingly low up top, and clung to her curves like a second skin. Her hair was done up in a French twist behind her head, a few strands loose on either side to frame her face. One of her multi-stranded necklaces accessorized the outfit, along with a pair of dangling earrings- one of which he had recovered from a crime scene in New Orleans a lifetime ago.
"Taking in the scenery?" Jack Hodgins grinned, slapping Booth's shoulder.
"They don't make it hard," Booth returned the grin.
"Nope," Hodgins shook his head, taking in his own wife.
At just over four months along, Angela's face was radiant with the glow of pregnancy. Booth thought she looked content as well as five year-old Jack Junior, who was running around at her ankles. The Hodgins' daughter, Kayli, was enjoying the view of things from her father's arms.
"Know what, Unca Boof?" Kayli asked him from her perch.
"What, Short Stuff?"
"I'm gonna be two in two days," she grinned.
"You sure are," Booth smiled, "Are you going to have a party?"
"No, Silly," she giggled, "I'm gonna have cake and ice cream! And lots and lots of presents too!"
"Cool."
"Uh huh," her whole body rocked as she nodded her head, "Did you get me a present, Unca Boof?"
Booth stifled a laugh while Jack reddened and explained to his daughter how that was a rude question to ask.
"But he's got a present right there," the little girl pointed to a bulge under Booth's jacket, "I just thought it was for me."
"Nope," Booth shook his head, patting the bulge, "This present is for Auntie Bones."
"Are you ready to go, Booth?" the topic of their conversation asked, oblivious to the talk between her husband and Kayli, "We would not want to miss our reservation."
"Just waiting for you, Bones," he smiled.
All eight of the Booths' foster daughters lined up to see them off. Goodbyes were exchanged and soon they were seated at an expensive Italian restaurant that had just recently opened. The tables were arranged in tiers that circled a large dance floor. A live band played unobtrusively in the background. They selected their entrees and Booth began munching on the garlic bread sticks that had been provided. Brennan laughed softly.
"What?" Booth mumbled around the food in his mouth, "I'm hungry."
"Apparently," she smiled wide, reaching over to brush a large crumb off of his lips, "Though it would appear that you are dropping nearly as much as you are eating."
"You are welcome to come and lick me clean, Bones," he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Seeley Booth," she smacked him lightly on the shoulder, "You are an enigma."
"An enigma?" he feigned a look of horror, "Is it contagious?"
She shook her head, "It's just that for the longest time you would redden or try and change the subject when I would attempt to bring up sexual relations," their waiter picked that moment to arrive with their appetizers and beat a hasty retreat back to the kitchen on hearing what they were discussing. Booth chuckled as Bones continued, unaffected, "Once we married, however, you became very candid on the subject, at least in regards to our marital relations. You are still a bit prudish when it comes to-"
"Yeah, let's not go there tonight, Bones," Booth cut her off.
"Truly?" she looked at him, confused, "I thought you would have wanted to celebrate in that manner."
"Oh I do, Bones," he assured her with a teasing leer, "I do! But it's not exactly dinner talk, ya know?"
"I don't see why not," she countered, "It is a perfectly natural occurrence and a socially acceptable activity- especially amongst married couples."
"Socially acceptable, yes," Booth agreed, "But not at an exclusive restaurant. When the prices aren't listed on the menu, there is a certain code of conduct when it comes to conversations."
"Oh," she sipped her wine, "I was unaware. I apologize."
"No problem, Bones," he smiled to show her it didn't bother him.
The rest of the night progressed smoothly. It was refreshing to have a break from the normal chaos of their lives. The couple both agreed that the food was well worth whatever price they would end up paying. They also took several turns around the dance floor, enjoying the live music. Booth reveled in her nearness, drinking in her daffodil perfume, and marveling at what a lucky man he was. It never ceased to amaze him that this beautiful, highly-intelligent woman had chosen him out of all of the other men who had clamored for her. He kissed the top of her head as it came to rest on his shoulder as the music played on.
After the dinner and the dancing and a shared piece of cheesecake smothered in strawberries, the couple left the restaurant sated and content. Wanting to savor the night a bit longer, they decided to stroll through the gardens that surrounded the restaurants. A lighted path guided them past rows of rose bushes and walls of ivy. The path ended in a cul-de-sac that circled a small pond. Iron-wrought benches were spaced around the outer edge of the cul-de-sac and they sat down.
"Booth," he watched her regard him with caution and reached out to stroke her arm, "Why are you so much more open when it comes to discussing sexual relations now?"
"Well," he was relieved to see that no one else was in the gardens at the moment, "I guess 'cause back then you were talking about you and other guys, and now- well- now we talk about us. I like teasing you too."
She considered his words and frowned, "I suppose I did- however, to be fair you shared stories from high school that were meant to convey sexual prowess."
"Guilty," he grinned.
"Booth," her eyes sought out his, "Did it injure your spirit for me to flaunt my sexual exploits with other men so blatantly in front of you?"
"Sometimes," he admitted, stroking her arm, "But after three years I kinda got used to you treating me like your girlfriend."
"Oh, Booth," her hand flew to her mouth, mortified, "I never intended to emasculate you! I simply wanted to share my experiences with you and receive guidance- though I see now that perhaps I should have gone to Angela for the sexual questions. I apologize, Booth."
"Don't worry about it, Bones," he smiled kindly at her, "I never held it against you."
"Thank you, Booth," she sighed with relief, "I truly do see you as a prime example of masculinity and I'm pleased that you're such a large part of my life now. A true partner."
"You're welcome, Bones," he was touched by her opinion of him, "I just feel lucky that you settled for me."
"Booth," she pulled back, "I did not 'settle,' as you put it, when I married you!"
"What did you see in me?"
She thought for a moment before replying, "You are kind, Booth- even with the criminals that we arrest you do not resort to beating them simply for sport. You're supportive and make sure that everyone else's needs are cared for before you care for your own. You're also wise when it comes to navigating the often treacherous waters of interpersonal communications. I cannot think of anyone else whom I could fully rely on for prudent advice. You are also strong and brave- a true warrior in every sense of the word.
"On a more personal level, you are the first person since Russ to care about me. Where I am, what I am doing, if I am taking proper care of myself. I lost all of that when I was fifteen and, while it was difficult to adjust to at first, I have found that I truly love having someone in my life who takes the time to watch out for me. You also listen to me when I want to talk and allow me to stay silent when I need that as well. You are not intimidated by my intelligence and you challenge me to personal growth in areas where I am weak. And too-" she blushed deeply and halted her monologue.
"What, Bones?" Booth raised his eyebrows.
"Well," she said slowly, "You are a very nicely put-together man, Booth," he grinned; she continued, "And you were one of the first men that I remember who was not interested in getting to know me by engaging in sexual intercourse. In fact, your insistence on chastity before the wedding had me doubting that you valued me physically at all."
His wife paused, and again Booth was thankful that no one else was in the vicinity. Silence pervaded.
"I valued you physically from the first time I saw you in that dress before you went to the donor's banquet," he started gently, "You were so beautiful, Bones. Took my breath away, literally. Call me a Puritan, but it was partially because I found you so attractive that I wanted to save our intimacy for our wedding night. I also wanted you to know that I was in this for a real relationship- not just two people acting on their 'biological urges' or anything like that. You can't build a relationship on pure hormones alone," he dug the package out of his breast pocket and handed it to her, "This is for you, Bones."
She turned it over in her hands several times before carefully peeling back the wrapping paper. Inside the box was a framed photograph of Special Agent Seeley Booth and Dr. Temperance Brennan, dressed to the nines- no doubt on their way to one of the formal banquets at the Jeffersonian. It was taken long before they had become a couple, but she could see the love that shone in Booth's eyes, and the admiration in her own. They were both smiling. Inscribed on the frame was a silvery script that read, "To my Bones: then, now, and always. Love, Booth".
"Oh, Booth," she gasped, "Thank you."
"There are two matching frames to go with it," he explained, "I'd like to get our picture taken sometime soon and put that in one of them. Then the other one is for when we are old and gray."
She laughed at the thought of an old, gray Booth and gave him an impulsive hug. He grinned, holding her tight; pleased that she approved of his gift.
She let go and produced an envelope from her purse, "It's not nearly as personal," she apologized.
He smiled, assuring her that he would love it no matter what, and tore into the envelope. A card was inside and something fell out of the card and onto his lap. He read the card first, "Dear Booth, I am enjoying marriage more than I ever thought I would. No doubt that is thanks to you. Thank you for loving me. Happy 5th Anniversary! Love, Your Bones."
He glanced down at his lap. Three tickets lay there.
"The NBA Playoffs?" he gasped, "Courtside? Bones, do you have any clue how hard these are to come by?"
She shrugged, "I simply called my publicist and told him that you enjoyed basketball. He helped me procure the tickets. Do you like them?"
"Like them?" he gave her a resounding kiss on the lips, "I love them, Bones! And I love you! Though I have to ask, why are there three tickets?"
"One is for you," she explained patiently, "The second one is for me, so that you can explain the game to me. And the third one is for Parker. I have already spoken with Rebecca and she has granted him permission to join us. Also, Angela and Hodgins have agreed to watch the girls again."
"You are the best, Bones!" he stood up, picked her up off of the bench, and twirled her around in a large circle before setting her down and kissing her deep and long.
"Booth," she breathed pulling back slightly, "Perhaps we should go home and finish this."
"I'd like nothing better," he said with a wide grin.
And that's exactly what they did.