Disclaimer- Still not mine, I make no profit from this story.
A/N- Thanks to all those that reviewed, I'm very grateful.
By five thirty the following morning, Booth was knocking on her front door. Coffee from the bakery in hand, along with her favorite, blueberry bagels with cream cheese. The door opened revealing a sleepy, albeit mostly dressed Temperance Brennan.
"Booth... you're early."
He smiled, his eyes quickly taking in her appearance all the way down, to her cute little bare feet poking out from beneath her jeans.
"Yeah couldn't sleep."
Brennan frowned, gesturing for him to enter into her apartment.
"Did you have a bad dream Booth?"
He placed their breakfast on the table and turned to face her. She was makeup free at the moment and looked so much younger.
"No, I didn't have a bad dream... you see my best friend rang me last night, she seemed a little upset and wanted to know if I thought she'd make a good mom..."
Brennan watched him with a shy smile.
"Now normally, my best friend is pretty sure of herself, but last night, she sounded like she was carrying the weight of the world and I was worried about her, but then she hung up on me..."
Brennan looked at him a little guiltily as he continued.
"Now don't get me wrong, I love my best friend and I'm so glad she called me, but I really wished she could have explained what was going on in her beautiful genius head."
Bones stepped forward timidly.
"I'm assuming, I'm still your best friend..."
She watched him nod slowly with his brows raised.
"I'm sorry I worried you, it wasn't my intention, it's just... well, your opinion is important to me and I really needed to hear your assurance."
Booth smiled broadly, he didn't miss the 'I needed your assurance' in her apology. He had really noticed, how much more open she was with her feelings since they returned from overseas, especially in the last few months, she was really making an effort.
"Bones you will always, be my best friend and it's alright... I forgave you two seconds after you hung up on me, but are you going to tell me what it was all about?"
She looked up shyly; her bottom lip caught between her teeth in what he knew, was a nervous gesture.
"Not yet... there's just someone I really want you to meet and then I have some more questions for you."
Booth handed her a bagel and shook his head amused.
"Not helping the worry factor here Bones."
She watched him, unsure what to say. Booth chuckled.
"Go on, go get ready."
He tipped his head in the direction of her bedroom and watched her set off down the hall.
Booth listened quietly to the sounds of Temperance Brennan rummaging through her room, the click of a light switch, the squeaky sound of a cupboard hinge, the slide of a drawer and then the clippity clop of her high heels hitting the floorboards as she approached him. Looking up with a smile, Booth handed her a cup of coffee already in her travel mug.
"Ready?"
She took the coffee and with a glance around her apartment, she nodded nervously.
"Yep, just let me grab my things and we can go."
Booth watched her, as she picked up her bag, throwing her cell and keys into it and sliding a large yellow envelope into the side.
"Ok let's go."
They exited her apartment, Booth scooping up their uneaten bagels on the way.
"So Bones, where are we going?"
She stepped into the elevator car with him and gave a nervous smile.
"Umm... well... ahh..."
Booth raised his brows, feeling his own apprehension kick in, although he took pity on her, it wasn't often she was lost for words and it was adorable to witness. Reaching out, he placed a warm hand against her forearm.
"How about you drive?"
She flicked her gaze up at him, surprised at his offer; he dangled the keys in front of her and smiled as she took them gratefully.
The ride was silent, Booth was concentrating on where they were going and despite her driving, his best friend seemed deep in thought. They pulled up outside a brick building that Booth didn't recognize, he turned to his partner and gave her a questioning look.
Brennan turned slowly to face her friend, she could feel his intense gaze fixed on her, she knew he had questions and was trying to give her time to sort things out and for that she was grateful.
"Booth I..."
She visibly swallowed, silently telling Booth how nervous she really was.
"Hey Bones? Whatever this is, you can tell me."
Her gaze dropped to her lap, where her fingers were twisting together anxiously, she raised her eyes once more as a warm hand encased both of hers.
"This is the District Children's Home, I... I came here yesterday to talk to Hilda Stenning. I needed some answers in regards to Tabitha Moore's case, I needed to know how she was forgotten, I needed to hear why they deemed her unimportant, why no-one noticed her gone..."
Booth watched his partner's saddened face.
"Did you get the answers Bones?"
She shook her head.
"No, the woman is uncaring, but I met someone and..."
She hesitated.
"Booth, no matter everything that's happened in the past year, you're still my best friend, you're my family and you're still the person I go to, when I'm confused or..."
She hesitated again and Booth knew how hard this was for her. In truth his partner had gone through a lot of changes personally and although he hadn't been around for most of them, he was catching on pretty fast. She was more emotional now and generally fought harder to hide it, but she had stopped compartmentalizing and instead faced her feelings and tried to sort through them, despite the consequences.
"Booth..."
He watched her struggle and sigh, as she tried to focus her thoughts.
"Let's just go inside, I'll try to explain later."
He nodded and watched her jump from the car, running for cover from the still heavy skies, he followed.
They had been granted access to the waiting room and Brennan silently wondered how long it would take Hilda to show herself this time. The partners were silent as they sat; Booth wrinkled his nose at the smell of stale air.
"Jeez, do think they could crack a window or something."
Bones smiled slightly.
"These places all smell the same, the dorms are worse, especially when all the windows are sealed shut."
Booth looked horrified.
"Bones, I've been in jails that don't smell this bad."
She raised her brows.
"Our prison system gets substantially more funding than children's shelters. Always have. Televisions, entertainment products, individual meals for health requirements, educational resources..."
Booth shook his head in disapproval, glancing up as he heard a scream and then the wailing of a child.
"YOU CAN DAMN WELL STAY THERE UNTIL YOU LEARN TO OBEY THE RULES!"
Booth stood, his jaw set as the woman's voice continued to echo down the hallway.
"AND YOU, YOU ROTTEN LITTLE BRAT, I OUGHT TO SLAP YOU SILLY, THREE SHEET CHANGES IN TWO DAYS, I'LL TEACH YOU ONE WAY OR THE OTHER NOT TO PISS IN YOUR BED, GET OUT OF HERE... GO ON GET!"
There were sounds of little footfalls running on the hard floor, they got closer and closer the door opened and Booth watched as the spitting image of his partner, at a much younger age scrambled through the heavy door. Tears streaming down her pale skin, her brown locks plastered to the side of her face, just the way Parkers did after a nightmare. The little girl was wearing a gray sweatshirt and not much else; she was dragging a brown teddy in her left hand and blue sheet in the right.
Brennan stood up, seeing the child she had thought of all night, she stepped forward and smiled as the little girl looked up to her, Booth saw the recognition in the little girl's blue eyes, his partner bent down and the little girl ran into her arms, instantly engulfed in a warm and tight embrace. Seeley Booth watched on in awe, he was stuck by the similarities. By all outward appearances, he was watching mother and daughter.
The little girl held tightly and buried her face in Bone's neck, her little hands clawing at his partner's jacket, in a desperate attempt to get closer. Brennan cooed to the child softly, assuring her of her safety and giving her the comfort she needed.
Bones stood up, and Booth watched as two little legs wrapped around her waist, as if they had done it a thousand times before.
"Booth... this is who I wanted you to meet... her name is Molly."
Booth searched his partner's eyes, as if seeing her for the first time; he smiled and glanced at the little girl who made no attempt to move. He looked back to his partner, suddenly understanding why she had brought him here. He nodded to himself, leaned forward and kissed his best friend's forehead.
"I can't make this decision for you Temperance, but... no matter what you decide; I'll support you one hundred percent."
She saw the understanding in his eyes and nodded, swaying slightly with Molly in her arms.
The partners left the shelter some two hours later, Brennan finally getting fed up with waiting, after a woman had come to collect the forgotten Molly. The little girl had fallen asleep in Bone's arms, her stuffed up nose making her snores sound more like snuffles, but she woke quickly when the door slammed into the wall and Booth watched as both Molly and Brennan held each other little tighter.
Booth and Brennan went to the diner for coffee and then headed to the cemetery for Tabitha's funeral, meeting everyone else on the lawn. She had spared no expense for the child's final resting place, the white coffin and beautiful wreaths and bouquets, an angel headstone that spoke of a life too young, to be extinguished and soul the world had forgotten. Booth dropped his partner at her beloved lab afterwards, promising to return to take her to lunch at one. She had smiled and nodded, thanking him for his company that morning and apologizing for taking up his time.
They didn't speak of Molly again, Booth instinctively knowing she had to sort through the decision on her own, in her own way, in her own time, she would speak of it when she was ready.
The week progressed slowly, no cases to solve, so Booth didn't pop in unless it was to take his partner to lunch. Angela had noticed her friend was extremely preoccupied lately and had questioned her about it, to which she had received the standard 'I'm fine Ange'. Angela also questioned Booth, but he had given the standard 'Ange it's not my place to tell you her personal business, she'll tell you when she's ready'.
Suffice to say, Booth was a little surprised when his cell rang at nine AM on Sunday morning. He was just walking out his apartment door to head to church.
"Hey Bones, what's up?"
"Are you on your way to Mass?"
Booth frowned, she sounded odd.
"Uh yeah, Bones are you ok?"
"Yes... I... I was wondering if you're free for a little while after Mass, if you're busy with Hannah I understand and I..."
He answered quickly.
"Bones it's fine, are you at the lab?"
She was quiet for a second before answering.
"Umm no, at home."
"Ok, I'll see about eleven-ish."
Bones smiled.
"K... thanks Booth."
And she was gone. Booth looked at his wrist watch in anticipation, he hadn't been able to see his partner Friday, due to staff meetings with Hacker and co and felt uncomfortable calling her, while Hannah was hanging around.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Booth bounded excitedly up to his best friend's apartment door and knocked three times in succession. He listened to the sound of footfalls and watched the shadow under the door. The locks slid out of position and the door opened wide.
Booth smiled at the image before him. There stood his beautiful doe eyed partner, her head tilted to the side slightly, a shy smile on her face accompanied by a nervous arched brow and a very comfortable, albeit apprehensive little girl, perched on her hip. Booth nodded, stepping in as he was silently invited.
"So... you did huh?"
He smiled his grin widening as he watched her realize, he thought she had made the right decision.
"You're a Mom."
Her eyes filled quickly and she ducked her head shyly. Booth stepped forward placing a gentle kiss to her forehead, he whispered.
"I am so proud of you Bones."
She smiled and hitched the little girl higher on her hip. Booth tipped his head to the side and spoke quietly.
"Hi again Molly."
He wasn't expecting an answer and so wasn't disappointed, when none was forthcoming. Brennan spoke to her quietly.
"Molly, do you remember Booth? He came with me to visit you the other day."
The little girl snuggled closer but turned her head to face Booth. He watched her sneak a glance at him and quickly scrunch her eyes shut when he caught her, making the FBI Agent chuckle. Brennan silently apologized for the child's shyness, before offering him a cup of coffee.
They entered the kitchen and Bones settled Molly on the bench while she prepared the percolator.
"Molly and I made some cinnamon rolls Booth, would you like one?"
Booth raised his brows and looked to Molly as she sat timidly next to Bones, her little legs hanging off the edge of the marble surface, as her fingers played idly with the hem of Brennan's shirt.
"Wow, is that true Molly? Did you guys really make those buns? I bet you got them from the store."
Brennan was about to protest, when she saw Molly was going to respond.
"We did maded them."
Booth gave the girl a playful squint.
"Are you sure? They look way too good; I think you guys are tryin to trick me."
He stepped a little closer with a smile in place, chuckling at the insulted look on Molly's face.
"We did maded them, we mixed all the gredients up, it took a re...eally long time and den the cooker went DING..."
Molly's arms flew up into the air, emphasizing the 'ding' noise, making Booth and Bones smile.
"And then we gotted em out and waited longer, so I don't get a hot licker."
Booth loved listening to the little girl's ramblings; she was adorable and reminded him so much of pictures he'd seen of his partner at that age. Booth now stood next to her, leaning on the bench alongside her, keeping still so as not to startle her.
"Well I think they look really yummy, do you think it would be ok, if I try one too Molly?"
The little girl's blue eyes shone brightly as she nodded shyly.
"Ah huh."
Brennan smiled at the speedy way Booth was able to gain the girl's trust. She was glad they seemed to get along and was thankful for their easy interaction.
Brennan plated the buns and placed two coffees on the table.
"Molly would you like milk or water to drink?"
The child's head tilted in thought and Bones watched as Molly turned to Booth, who was whispering 'milk' and making muscle man gestures. Molly giggled at him, before turning back to Brennan herself.
"Please can I have milk?"
Bones shook her head at her partner's playful antics and watched from the corner of her eye as Booth held his palm out to high five Molly; she obviously didn't understand and simply frowned at him. Brennan poured the liquid and placed it on the table with everything else.
"Ok, come on Missy, down you get."
Bones reached out taking Molly under the arms and lifting her gently to the floor.
"Go pick a seat Sweetie."
Molly climbed up onto a chair and waited as patiently as a three year old could, her legs swinging in anticipation for the treat and her little torso practically vibrating, as she watched the adults take their seat. Brennan served her quickly, unable to deny her any longer and smiled as she took a big bite, barely able to fit the chunk of sweet in her mouth.
"Molly, small bites Sweetheart, I don't want you to choke."
Molly looked up guiltily, she had stopped chewing and was wondering if she was supposed to spit it out, her little eyes were filling with tears, as she waited for the usual slap whenever she got into trouble. Her small hands released the bun she was holding, back onto the plate, watching Brennan approach her, she visibly shrunk in her seat.
"It's alright Molly, no-one's going to hurt you Baby, I just want you to take little bites, nobody is going to take it away from you."
Booth watched as Bones knelt beside her daughter, wiping the tears that had broken free with her thumbs. He smiled as he looked on, Molly slowly begun to sit up straight again and she began to slowly chew the mouthful she had. Bones stood up placing a kiss on Molly's forehead, before serving Booth his cinnamon bun and coffee.
Booth silently admired the way Bones had slipped into her new role as a mother; she was so at ease in the position. He had witnessed her mothering instincts many times before toward his own son, just not to this extent.
The friends spoke quietly, Brennan telling Booth of her intention to take a week off work, to get Molly sorted out here at home and for them to bond, she didn't want anyone else knowing of Molly just yet, she wanted time to settle. Booth was supportive and told her if she needed anything, not to hesitate in asking him.
"Well there is one thing Booth."
He nodded.
"Parker has a tutoring lesson on Friday after school..."
"Yeah don't worry about it Bones, he'll understand."
Brennan frowned.
"Understand what?"
"That you've gotta cancel."
Brennan looked horrified.
"What? No! Why?"
It was Booths turn to frown.
"You've got Molly and..."
"Booth I was going to ask if you could bring Parker here, once you pick him up, I have no intention of stopping Parker's lessons now, or in the near future."
Booth smiled, an overwhelming sense of affection running through his veins.
"Thanks Bones, that means a lot, to me and Parker."
She smiled and nodded.
"So you'll bring him here?"
"Sure, about... three thirtyish?"
Brennan nodded.
"I'd like for him to meet Molly also."
The little girl looked up hearing her name mentioned the adults smiled, her face was covered in sticky icing sugar and cinnamon and she was licking her hands enthusiastically. Brennan got up grabbing a dish towel and wetting it in the sink, she returned to Molly and begun cleaning her up gently.
"Look at you messy girl..."
Molly smiled as Bones gently eased some icing from her hair and kissed her nose.
"So when did you pick her up Bones?"
Brennan looked up from her position on the floor to her partner.
"Yesterday afternoon, I was already a registered foster parent, so the process was relatively painless, I put the paperwork in on Thursday morning and here we are, I have plans to adopt Molly in coming weeks."
Booth raised his brows in surprise.
"Wow, that's fast Bones."
She looked up to her partner.
"Well I have no intention of giving her back, so it seems like the logical next step."
Booth understood, a child was not something you should be able to get a refund on, if he or she isn't what you thought they'd be, Bones was effectively saying that, no matter what, she would stand by Molly.
She stood up and smiled. She looked to her best friend seeing his immense approval of her decision and felt undeniably proud of herself. Holding up the dish towel she spoke quietly.
"I'll just put this to the wash, won't be a moment."
She turned and walked off toward her laundry, it was only a couple of seconds, before she heard little footfalls on the floor chasing after her and then two arms wrapped around her leg. Temperance Brennan knew all too well, how being in a new home could be frightening and overwhelming and to a three year old, she assumed it would be more so. She scooped Molly up into her arms and rested her against one hip.
"Come on Baby."
Brennan threw the towel into the machine and started the load she had begun before Booth arrived. Leaving the room she turned to close the doors.
"Can you pull the door shut for me Molly?"
Molly nodded and leaned down grabbing the handle and pulling till she heard a click.
"Good job."
Molly's sweet smile took over face, obviously proud she had been allowed to help.
"Come on let's go back and see Booth."
When Brennan and Molly re-entered the kitchen Booth was on his cell, his eyes closed, an increasing frown in place and his frustration clearly evident in his tone. Brennan assumed he was talking to Rebecca, so she was startled to hear his next sentence.
"Hannah, I said I couldn't go, I have Parker next weekend..."
"No I will not find a sitter, look I'll be back later, but I'm not backing down on this Hannah, you can go on your own or whatever, but I already gave you my answer..."
"Yeah... right, bye."
He ended the call and replaced his cell back in his pocket with a sigh. Looking up he saw Bones and Molly, two sets of matching blue eyes watching him, he couldn't help but smile the image was too sweet, they wore similar expressions of wonder and each was showing the beginning of a pout on their rosy pink lips. In a split second decision, Booth whipped his cell back out, set it to media and snapped a photo of the two.
"Booth?"
He looked to the picture and smiled, before redirecting his gaze back to the two onlookers.
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
He approached them and showed Bones the photo, making her quietly gasp. She hadn't realized how alike they looked, until staring down into the captured moment, a small grin slowly spread across her face, as Molly reached out and touched the image with her finger in amazement. Both adults knew it was highly likely that Molly had never seen a photo of herself and from the expression on her face, she was intrigued.
Booth smiled as he was struck with an idea.
"Should we print some pictures of her out on your computer?"
Brennan smiled and nodded. They sat on the couch in the living room and Booth snapped some more stills on his phone, most were of Molly by herself because Brennan, despite being in photo shoots, was actually camera shy, which Booth also found adorable. Bones snatched the cell from his hand and walked over to her home computer, she connected all the cords and adapters and begun the process of printing the images out.
Molly sat on the floor surrounded by images of herself, she was completely fascinated and awed, her little mouth held open in a surprised fashion. Booth announced he should go, although it was easily seen that he didn't want to.
Bones got up, intent on walking him to the door, while Molly was preoccupied with her photos.
"I hope everything is alright between you and Hannah."
Booth gave a tired smile.
"Who knows Bones..."
Brennan raised her brows, she hadn't realized things weren't going well for him, he seemed happy enough at work and the occasional times she'd seen him out of work.
"She... she just thinks my time with Parker is up for discussion or something... he's my son you know, he has to come first and she wants me to brush him off to go to some journalist banquet or something."
Bones gave a sad smile.
"Could you perhaps take Parker with you? He's very well behaved and polite; I can't imagine he would pose a problem to the evening."
Booth smiled.
"I suggested that... she scoffed and said the night was for adults not for children, besides that's not the point anyway, I told her weeks ago I had Parker and wouldn't be attending but she accepted the invite for two anyway and told everyone I was coming, as if she thought all along she could persuade me, she just doesn't get how important my time with Parker is, how much I've had to fight for the time I've got and if she's going to make me chose, she's not going to like the outcome."
Brennan nodded in understanding and ran her fingers through the brown curly head of hair that had just crashed into her legs.
"Anyway Bones, I better get a move on, wanna meet for lunch tomorrow, somewhere that's not the diner?"
Brennan smiled.
"Well I was thinking of taking Molly to the mall, so perhaps we could meet at 'Pollyanna's'?"
Booth nodded.
"Sure, say about one, I'll call if I'm held up on a case or something."
Bones nodded and watched as Booth knelt down to Molly and held his hand out to her.
"Thank you for the cinnamon bun Molly, you're a good cook."
The little girl smiled and raised her brows at his offered hand, unsure what to do, she looked up to Tempe who smiled. Crouching down, Brennan slid her palm into Booth's and shook his hand, her pulse quickening at the contact. The best friends released each other and watched as Molly hesitantly repeated the gesture.
Booth's hand engulfed the little girl's and he had an overwhelming desire to protect her from the evil, she probably had already seen too much off.
"Bye Molly."
Booth let go of her hand and stood to his full height again, joining Bones, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek, lingering just a little longer than necessary, not that either of them complained.
"I'm so proud of you Temperance, it's a big step you've taken, but I know you'll be great."
Brennan smiled, a silent thank you reflected in her eyes.
"I'll see you tomorrow Bones."
"Bye Booth."
He turned and walked off down the hall, disappearing down the stairwell and out of sight.
Another chapter down please review.
