A/N: Thank you again for your kind reviews. They are really appreciated; they tell me I am going in the right direction with this story. Keep 'em coming! ;)
At the moment, Booth hated all technology. His partner's cellphone had interrupted their conversation and Booth had taken it as his cue to leave. Grabbing his jacket, he had mouthed goodbye to his partner before leaving her apartment. Down on the street, it had started to rain, as though the weather had been in sync with his emotions.
Turning on the ignition, Booth made his way to his apartment building feeling lonelier than ever. What was it about women never wanting what he had to offer? First Rebecca, then Hannah, and now Bones; twice, she had rejected. He had thought that, after their night together, that things had changed. She seemed more open to him, less scared of being affectionate with him. He had thought he'd seen something different in her eyes, a form of love that hadn't been there before or that he hadn't allowed himself to see. She'd been so frank with him in the past, telling him she had feelings for him. What had happened? Was the pregnancy scaring her so much that she had reverted back to her former self?
Or maybe God was sending him a sign to move on for good this time. It was possible Bones might not be the woman for him. After all, she was his complete opposite: he believed in God, and she didn't; he was the marrying type, she wasn't; he always followed his gut, she was the rational type who only based her decisions on facts. Right now, his gut was telling him they belonged together, while her head was telling her, once again, that it was irrational.
He didn't want to raise that child without her; not this time, not with this child. He didn't want to see it leave at the end of every weekend and have to wait for the next time he would get to spend some time with it. He wanted to be there 100% of the time, helping his partner as they both struggled to be full-time parents. There would be disagreements at times, but there always was. At least, they would be doing this together.
He didn't feel like he was asking for much. He knew marriage was out of question, at least for now. That was why he would have settled for just them living together. At least, while they lived together, there would still be the possibility for a relationship.
The ad for the house he had found for them was still folded in his pockets. He hadn't even had the chance to take it out and show it to her. He was sure that would have made her change her mind. The house was perfect: it was located in a safe neighbourhood, not too far from the Jeffersonian and the FBI headquarters. It had enough bedrooms for all of them (four, to be exact, if Bones decided she didn't want a relationship after all), it had a backyard where the kids could play, and the inside was fairly new, no renovations needed. A little paint here and there would have made the trick. They would probably lose their chance to make it their own, especially since she had asked for time to think.
Rebecca's car was already parked in front of his building. Booth immediately knew he would be in trouble. His ex-girlfriend hated to wait around for him.
They were both waiting for him in the lobby, Parker carrying a small sports bag, Rebecca carrying an angry look on her face. He walked quickly past them as Rebecca whined about him being late for Parker's drop-off. Parker trailed behind them, hating to see his parents arguing once again.
"Can't you guys quit it?" he asked, frustrated.
"Don't talk to me that way, young man," Rebecca replied angrily. "See what I have to put up with?" she added, turning to Booth. "He's been having this attitude with me for the past month. I don't know what is wrong him."
In Booth's apartment, Parker went straight to the living room and turned on the TV, leaving his bag and parents at the front door.
Booth could feel the blood boiling in his veins as Rebecca continued to give him a blast for being late.
"Bones' pregnant," he snapped, unable to stand being talked down like a child. "We had our first doctor's appointment today. That's why I'm late."
Rebecca, dumbfounded, stared at him blankly for a few seconds.
"Your doctor's appointment?"
"Yes, our appointment. Bones is pregnant with my baby."
Rebecca nodded slowly, as the news settled in. She had always known something was going on between his ex-boyfriend and his partner, but when Hannah had come along, she had thought that ship had sailed. Even Parker had stopped talking about his father's "lady-friend", as he called her.
"Wow! I mean… I don't know what to say."
"How about congratulations?" Booth offered.
"Of course. Congratulations, Seeley!" Rebecca said, pulling him into a courtesy hug. "This is big news. Does Parker know about this?"
How could he? I haven't seen him in three months. Booth thought to himself.
Instead, he shook his head.
"We haven't told anyone yet. You're the first person to know."
"What gives me the honour?"
"I don't know. I guess I just needed someone to talk to about it."
Then, feeling confident, he added:
"Can I walk you back to your car? I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Sure, let me just say goodbye to Parker."
They walked down the stairs and out the building silently, Booth gathering courage to say what was on his mind. He had given this a lot of thought in the last couple of weeks and he was sure, today, that Rebecca wouldn't be able to deny him his request this time.
"What did you want to talk about?" Rebecca asked when they had reached her car.
Booth took a deep breath.
"I want to see Parker more often."
"Seeley…" Rebecca began.
Booth immediately interrupted her.
"He's my son. What have I ever done to you, for you to keep me from seeing him? If my job is your only argument, you need a better one. I'm a good father, you said so yourself. Parker needs male role models in his life, Rebecca."
"I have a boyfriend."
He could tell she was about to walk away from the conversation. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to a stop.
"He needs his father. This attitude he's been given you lately, have you ever thought it was maybe he missed me? Maybe he blames you for not spending enough time with me."
The former couple stared at each other aggressively. Remembering the firm grip he had on her, Booth let go of her arm.
"He's just a kid. He doesn't think that way."
"You don't know that."
Temper flaring, Booth took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Parker is going to have a little brother or sister," he went on, in a softer tone. "I want them to know each other. I want them to have a bond. Rebecca, you can't deny me that. I've been good enough since Parker was born. I always respected your wishes to have Parker just for you. Now, it's my turn. Maybe we were never married, but he is still my son. I signed the birth certificate."
Rebecca let out a frustrated sigh.
"What do you want, Seeley?"
"Every weekend."
"So, what? I'll only get him for homework and bedtime?"
"That's still more than I've gotten over the last ten years."
Rebecca glared at him.
"Three weekends a moth; the fourth one, he's with me."
"Fine. I want holidays, too. I haven't had him for Christmas in two years now."
"I'll think about it. Start with this summer. Rick and I are going on a trip in Europe for three weeks, in July. I was going to send Parker to my parents', but I guess he could spend the three weeks with you."
A smile tugged at Booth's lips. He had never had his son for more than a week before. This was going to be a first.
"Thanks, Rebecca. I really appreciate it."
Fetching a pair of sunglasses from her purse, she put them on.
"I'll pick him up Sunday night."
On that, she climbed in her car and drove away.
Booth watched her go until she had turned the corner and had disappeared from his sight. Walking back to his apartment, he grinned. For the first time in his life, he felt proud of himself. He had stood up for himself, asserting confidently what he wanted, and he had seen his desires granted. From now on, he would have his son by his side more often. Rebecca had unwillingly given him the world. Now, he only needed to convince his partner to move in with him. Together, Bones, Parker, the baby, and himself, they would form some sort of family. The last time, he hadn't fought for her. He had given up at the first rejection. This time, he wouldn't give up. No matter how long it took, he would wait for his partner to come around. He just knew she would.
Just thought I would give Booth some spotlight time. After all, he has his own issues to resolve too.
