This takes place a few days after the first chapter. This one was already written; unfortunately, future chapters wont be posted quite as quickly. I hope to update once a week, but life gets in the way. Hope you all enjoy
~AG13
Brennan lies on her bed, staring at her stomach. It doesn't look any different, but she knows the immense changes taking place just beneath the skin will change her life forever. Sighing, she turns on her side and curls into a ball. Picking up her phone, she presses speed dial.
Her friend picks up on the first ring.
"Oh my god Brennan get me out of here!"
The scientist laughs. "Ange you've only been out of the hospital for 3 days. Is it really that bad?"
The artist groans. "Hodgins won't let me leave the bed!"
Brennan smiles then grows serious. "Ange if I come pick you up, can we talk?"
Angela hears the note of apprehension in her friend's voice and sits straight up.
"Sure sweetie. Hodgins took Michael for a few hours so I could get some rest. Why don't you come pick me up and we can go back to your place."
Although it's more work, Ange knows that Brennan always feels safer in her own home.
The anthropologist nods. "Okay."
Angela walks in and immediately heads for Brennan's alcohol stash.
"Two reds?"
Whenever they had a serious talk, they each had a glass of red wine. But this time, the scientist shakes her head. Angela narrows her eyes but doesn't question.
Brennan sits on the couch and the artists joins her.
"So sweetie. What's wrong?"
Temperance traces circles on the couch with her finger.
"Ange, I'm pregnant."
The artist calmly leans forward and sets her wine on the coffee table.
Brennan looks at her friend warily. "You're not going to scream?"
"Oh I'm going to; I just didn't want to spill the wine."
Squealing, she lunges forward with a hug that knocks Brennan flat onto the couch.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"
Brennan smiles and pushes Angela off of her. But she can't hold the smile, and the scientist's face slowly darkens.
Noticing her friend's demeanor, Angela's grin vanishes. She slides closer until she's sitting right next to Brennan.
"Honey... Who's the father?"
Temperance hangs her head. "Boo-"
The artist screams and pulls her friend into a bear hug.
"This is wonderful!"
Brennan pulls out of the hug and smiles sadly. "No. It's not."
With a heavy heart, she recounts her previous conversation with Booth. With each passing moment, Angela's expression grows darker and darker.
Finally, the scientist looks up to meet her friend's dark gaze. "Hannah arrives tomorrow."
Angela stands furiously. "I'm going to kill that man!"
Brennan reaches up desperately and pulls her friend back onto the couch. "No! Angela, this is my decision, not his."
"Brennan, why?! You love him!"
Temperance looks away. "But I don't need him. Hannah needs him."
She finally glances back at her best friend. "And we both know they will get together again. I'm not ruining his happiness. Or Hannah's life."
Angela stands up again, pacing the length of the apartment.
"No. You're going to tell him and you two will be a couple and Hannah will go live on her own once the baby is born."
Brennan shakes her head sadly. "No Ange. I've made up my mind. I will keep this child and raise it alone. Booth has his own life, and I'm not part of it."
Sighing hevaily, Angela sits down and takes the doctor's hand.
"I don't approve of this you know that?"
Temperance nods.
The artist continues. "But you won't be alone...I will be here for every wave of nausea, for every early morning craving, for every aching muscle, and for every bout of tears. You won't be alone Brennan."
The anthropologist smiles through glistening tears. "I love you Ange."
Angela pulls her friend into a much needed hug and rubs her back as she lets herself cry. "I love you too Brennan."
I hope to have chapter three up between now and next weekend, although I make no promises. The first few chapters will follow the first days and weeks of Brennan's pregnancy, but the later ones should progress a little more quickly. As always, I love reviews
~AG13