Our readers are obviously the smartest. Please enjoy the next chapter, we'll try to upload more quickly from now on! Thanks again for all of your reactions. This chapter is M-rated, just so you've been warned. It's tasteful, though, and loving :).
Chapter 4: The Child in the Anthropologist
Luckily, the cafeteria wasn't as crowded as it could be. Angela got coffee, tea and orange juice as Booth found the cutlery. Together, they carried everything upstairs and entered the room.
"Oh my God, Bones!" Booth exclaimed as he saw his partner lying motionless on the floor. He quickly put the drinks on the table and rushed to her side.
In the bed, Isobel was looking wide-eyed at the woman on the floor.
Booth kept saying her name, quickly felt for a pulse, which was there. He loosened whatever clothing he could and cupped her cheek in his hand. "Bones, come on!"
She blinked a few times and frowned as several images of Booth swarmed above her and all faded into one. She looked around and realised she was on the floor. "I'm okay, Booth. Just a little light-headed."
Angela walked over to them and gently caressed the young girl's hair, offering comfort, which the girl willingly accepted.
"Hush, Bones, no more of that. Stay down," he told her as he reached for the nurse's button next to Isobel's bed. In about twenty seconds, a nurse appeared. She called something into the hallway and her colleague appeared with a bed she was apparently just moving. "Can you get on the bed, honey?" the nurse asked Brennan.
"I'm just a little light-headed from the lack of food, that's all. I just need to eat," she tried to explain herself as she stood, not getting on the bed.
"Bones, would you get on to the bed, please?" Booth urged her. She'd just given him a heart-attack for which he'd need a triple bypass. He had to know what was wrong with her.
"Booth, it's just a little fatigue and hunger. It's nothing some food and a bit of sleep won't heal."
He took a step closer to her and held her hand. "Bones, please?"
"Brenn, sweetie, just get yourself checked out. I will take care of this one. Just go," Angela encouraged her. With a tired sigh, she did as she was asked and sat down on the bed. She was wheeled out of the room and into an empty adjacent one.
The nurse measured her blood pressure and asked a few questions. "Your blood pressure is way too low. I don't think there's anything gravely wrong with you, except... when was your last period?"
Oh no. Not now. "I'm not sure," she responded vaguely, although she knew. It had been too long ago. Longer than the usual four weeks.
The nurse realised her mistake. "We can talk in private if you want," she offered.
She nodded, making sure not to look Booth in the eye. She'd been feeling so upset over this case and the way that Isobel and the other children had been treated that she had once again experienced serious doubts about parenthood. If she would turn out to be pregnant now... she had no idea what to do with that information. Or how to process the fact that their child might already be growing inside of her womb.
Booth watched her nod tightly and purposely avoiding his gaze before the nurse guided her out of the room.
Angela approached him. "I'll stay with Isobel. You should take her home. Talk to her, Booth."
Brennan was wheeled into an examination room and looked at the nurse. "You believe I'm pregnant, don't you?" When the nurse nodded, so did Brennan. "I'm afraid you're right."
"I can do a pregnancy test now, if you'd like to be certain."
"Yes, please." Brennan agreed. She had ignored the possibility she realised now, because she didn't want to face the consequences, but she no longer had a choice. She had to know.
The nurse opened a cabinet and got a syringe and other supplies. "I'm just going to take a small amount of blood and this strip will give a temporary answer," she said as she showed her patient. "The lab will take a bit longer, but at least you'll have an indication."
She nodded, but Brennan already had an indication, based on her body and how she was feeling. The strip agreed with her a few moments later. "How long before the results from the lab are back?"
"I can get them for you tomorrow," the nurse smiled, "since you're not an official patient. There will be hardly any paper work."
"I would appreciate that. Anything else? Or can I return to my friends?" she asked as she got off of the bed.
"Yes, here are some phone numbers you may want to look at. And you must take care of yourself, especially in the first trimester. Not a drop of alcohol, rest, and good nutrition."
She looked at the phone numbers. There were numbers of OBGYNs, but also a number for prenatal classes and another number for an abortion clinic. She put the numbers in her pocket and nodded. "Thank you, I will." She left the examination room and returned to Isobel's room.
"Any news?" Booth asked as Brennan came back in. He and Angela had sat with Isobel, but he couldn't think of anything but his partner. Obviously, the nurse had suggested a pregnancy, and Brennan had fled the scene. He needed to know what was going on.
"No. I was advised to go home and rest. I would like to do that now," she told them matter of factly as she started to pack the food back up.
Booth caught her wrist. "Yes, but first - we eat," he insisted.
She looked up at him, but quickly looked away. She sat down and reached for her knife and fork. She hated being dishonest with him, especially because he always seemed to know, but she didn't want to talk about this. Not yet. Not while she still had to figure out what she wanted.
Booth sat down, too, and Angela gave Isobel a reassuring smile and joined them. Booth felt the tension as they ate, and yes, he was going to go home and talk to her tonight.
They ate quietly and quickly. She couldn't finish her plate, but she felt stronger, more focused. "Ange, will you be okay spending the night here?" When her friend nodded, she stood and looked at Booth. "I guess it's time to go home then."
They cleared the table and Booth went to Isobel. She was frowning worriedly at him, and he took both of her little hands in his. "I'll be back tomorrow, okay? Angela's going to stay with you tonight. You won't be alone."
Isobel nodded as she looked at him. Angela was kind and had a beautiful smile. She bravely squeezed his hands and closed her eyes.
Brennan was already putting her coat on and gathering her things. She nodded at Angela, who understood and nodded in response.
Then Angela's gaze shifted to Booth. "I'll take good care of her. We'll see you tomorrow."
Booth quickly pecked Angela's cheek. "You're the best, Ange." Then, he put his hand on Brennan's lower back and guided her to his car.
The ride home was a silent one as she played with the cards in her pocket, trying to decide what to do. Trying to figure out what it was she wanted.
Once inside, Booth took her coat and handed her two vitamin pills. He took a deep breath. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"
"Most likely, yes," she answered him honestly as she took the pills with some water.
His face broke into an elated smile, and he took a step closer to her, wanting to pick her up and spin her around and kiss her. But then, he noticed the look in her eyes, and he stopped. "How - how do you feel about it?"
"I don't know." Another honest answer. She looked up at him. "I meant it that night, Booth. The world is apparently filled with people who won't think twice about abducting children and using them as organ donors... who would want to bring new life into such a world?" Slowly, she shook her head. "I don't think I want that."
He swallowed. "That wouldn't happen to our child. We can protect our children, educate them. It's us, the parents, who make sure they're all right. We can do that, Bones."
"And what if next time you get shot the bullet enters your heart?" she looked at him. "What if the next time I'm abducted you're not there to save me? What will become of him or her then? Will you risk it? 'Cause I don't know how," she told him honestly, tears burning behind her eyes.
"Well, that would be horrible, but we could make back-up plans. Angela and Hodgins, your Dad, even my brother..."
"I simply don't know if I want children of my own anymore, Booth," she told him quietly as she put the phone numbers down which she had been given. "I need time to think."
He took the steps forward now and enveloped her in his embrace, holding her tightly. "Of course, Bones," he said softly as he rubbed her back. "And I'll always be here for you."
"Even if this is the number I end up dialling?" she asked him quietly, but calmly as she looked into his eyes, needing to see, more than hear, his response, holding up the phone number of the abortion clinic. The moment she picked it up though, she felt slightly nauseous, as if she was sickened by the idea itself.
"I couldn't do anything but support you on that, also," he replied honestly, "However difficult it may be for me."
She nodded and tightened her grip on him. "I know," she whispered as her tears slowly started to fall.
"Hey, come here, you," he said as he swept her off her feet and carried her to the couch, where he held her to him and caressed her as she let go of some of the tension. He kissed her tenderly and held her, his heart filled with love.
She wrapped his arms tightly around his neck as she fought for control over her emotions. Gradually, she calmed down. "Can we go to bed? I'm tired," she whispered softly.
"You're so tense, Bones. Maybe we should take a bath first. Just to relax," he suggested as he continued stroking her back.
She thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "A hot bath would be nice," she agreed.
He kissed her cheek and shifted her so she was settled on the couch. He went into the bathroom and turned the faucet all the way open. Then, he adjusted the temperature and let the water fill the tub. "Come, let me take care of you," he told Brennan a few moments later as he offered her his hand.
She took it and followed him into the bathroom. She walked over to the sink and opened the cupboard underneath it, pouring bath oil into the pouring water. The scent was relaxing and she stared at the water as a layer of foam formed slowly but surely.
Behind her, Booth took her jacket off her shoulders and hung it over a stool. Then, he rounded her and unbuttoned her blouse, which he also slipped off her body. Her top was next, followed by her boots, socks, and jeans. He kissed her shoulder as he took off her bra, and kneeled as he pulled down her panties. Subsequently, he quickly got rid of his own clothes. He turned off the water and stepped in, holding out his hand for her to follow.
Her eyes were still on the foam as he undressed her slowly and with care. She still didn't look at him as he undressed himself and stepped into the warm water, disrupting the foam. Brennan looked up at him then and lay her hand into his. It was only in contrast with his warmer skin that she suddenly realised how cold she was. She stepped into the bath and winced at the heat as it seemingly sunk into her skin.
Booth tucked her hair behind her ear before tenderly kissing her lips. God, she was gorgeous. She was quiet, but her stunning blue eyes told him everything he needed to know. He lowered himself into the water first, and got settled as she took her time adjusting to the warm temperature.
It took her longer than Booth, but eventually, she sat down in the bathtub, between his spread legs and rested her back against his chest, her hands protectively laying over her lower abdomen, not sure who she was trying to protect, the baby inside of her or herself.
Booth placed soft kisses along her neck as he placed one hand over hers on her lower abdomen and intertwined their fingers with his other hand.
"I feel..." she thought about it for a moment, before she continued, "confused. And upset. And -," she swallowed before admitting the rest, getting to the heart of the problem. "And scared."
He brought their hands to his face and kissed her knuckles. "You're not alone, Bones. And I understand that it's scary, and very ill-timed."
She nodded and slipped a little lower in the tub, so that only her head and shoulders were above the water. "You're right, but that's not what I'm scared of. I'm scared to make the wrong decision."
"It's true, it's an important decision. Life changing, whatever you choose. Which is why we should take our time and talk about it. You're not alone in this, Bones."
"Okay... We can talk about it. You want to keep it, don't you?" she asked softly, knowing that he had always wanted more children.
"What I want is, first of all for you to be happy, second, that we're together, and third, yes, I really want to keep it, but it's not my choice to make. It's your body."
"It's yours, too. Do you really think it gives me the right to end this pregnancy, because I'm the one carrying it?" she asked him quietly.
"Yes," he told her calmly. "Of course I could suggest a compromise where I would raise the baby, but in the end, if you don't want to have a child, I'm not going to force you. It wouldn't be right."
"I need to think, Booth." She looked up at him and smiled at him, seeing the sadness in his eyes. "I'm not saying yes or no, I just... I need to re-evaluate the facts."
He nodded his head once. "I'll accept that," he told her and caressed her cheek.
Slowly, she turned in his embrace and cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand. She pressed a kiss to his other cheek, then closed her eyes and relaxed her body against his, eyes closed, her head resting on his shoulder.
It felt so great to have her body against him, skin to skin, her warmth, her life against his. Her bare breasts pressed into his chest. He loved the softness of her body, and wrapped his arms around her waist and back.
She stayed close to him until the water began to cool. "Booth?" she spoke up softly.
"Hey, I began to think you were sleeping," he smiled at her.
"No," she told him, "I was merely thinking. Could we - I would like to wait to tell anybody about this pregnancy, at least until I've made up my mind. Can we do that?" She needed it to be her choice, so she wouldn't have anything to regret later.
"Sure we can," he assured her. "We should go to bed before we get cold."
She nodded and stood. Brennan stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around herself, drying her body.
Booth dried himself as well and let the water flush away. They walked to the bedroom naked, and he couldn't help but admire her way of motion, her muscular but feminine physique. Like a true super hero, he smiled to himself, and she'd chosen to be with him.
She pushed the blankets to the side and lay down in their bed. She smiled up at him and held her hand out in a silent invitation to join her in their bed.
"No PJs? I like it," he grinned and jumped into bed, quickly gathering her in his arms and kissing her face.
"I know you do," she smiled what felt like the first happy smile in days. She sighed a tired, yet relaxed, small sigh and closed her eyes as she settled in his embrace. "Thank you, Booth."
"For what?" he mumbled, snuggling his nose into the crook of her neck.
"For being you. For loving me. For being patient." Brennan entwined her fingers with his. "I love you, Booth," she told him for the first time. He knew of course, but this was the first time she'd actually said those words to him and even though she felt very self-aware, she knew it was the right thing to do. To say, so he would understand just how grateful she was to have him in her life.
His heart beat a little faster and he looked at her with love in his eyes. He tipped up her chin and kissed her with gentle intensity. "And I love you, Bones."
She closed her eyes and cupped the back of his head in her hand, holding him close to her as she deepened their kiss.
He returned her kiss with a passion coming straight from his heart. His hand slid firmly over her ribs, her waist, her hip, until he met the softness of her buttock.
She smiled against his lips as she entwined their legs, anchoring herself to him. Brennan's hand followed the same path, resting her hand on his bare lower back.
When she arched her back, pressing herself into him, he felt his body react and slowed down. "Darling, I understand if you're tired..." he began to say.
"Shh," she whispered, silencing him with another kiss, pressing her breasts firmly against his chest as she felt his penis harden against her thigh. Her hand slid back up, gently caressing his vertebrae, preventing him from moving away from her. She needed him to remind her of the good things in her life.
She felt needy, somehow, and he was eager to distract her mind. And body. He turned more serious as he kissed her, and his hand travelled to her mid-section, gliding over her ribs to finally cup her breast in his hand. He massaged the supple flesh for a while, then her other breast.
Her fingers slipped higher, gently massaging his scalp as she relaxed underneath his skilful touches. It seemed as if every one of them was designed to calm her down and replace the nervous anxiety she'd been feeling for days with calm and loving feelings. Her lips sought his again and she poured all the love she felt for him into her touch.
He knew she had a big heart, but she didn't always open it up to him. Now, though, he could feel everything of her and he offered her everything of him. His hips began to move slowly, rhythmically against her hips, building her arousal as well as his, and he kissed down from her lips to her heart, then closed his mouth around her nipple.
"Booth," she gasped his name softly as she clutched his body to hers. Her nipples already seemed to have heightened sensitivity due to her pregnancy, but she closed her eyes and focused on the feelings he was creating and stirring deep inside of her, for once preferring not to think.
He took his time sensitising her to his touches, heightening her pleasure. Then, he kissed back up to her lips and thrust his hips more forcefully into hers as his hand massaged her bottom. He gently lifted one of her legs and stroked her for a few moments before slipping one finger inside of her, testing her readiness.
"Oh," her breath hitched in her throat and she buried her face against the crook of his neck, rocking her hips against his hand. She swallowed and kissed the side of his neck, then whispered. "Please, Booth..."
"Guess we won't be needing a condom," he smiled softly and kissed her as he positioned himself and slowly pushed into her body.
She wrapped her arms around him as he penetrated her body with his, but it was more than that. He connected to her in a way that was uniquely them. She focused on the feeling of having his body inside of her once again, choosing not to linger on the fact that an embryo was forming and developing inside of her already. She stilled for a moment, but as she allowed her mind to focus on the present, she surrendered to his touch and relaxed again.
He ran his hand up and down her waist, over her ribs and her hip, squeezing her breast, as he thrust into her. He was still in control of his urges, warming up her body so that they'd both experience the most pleasure they could. This was one of their first times making love, but it felt so familiar already, yet so exciting and special. In this moment, they completely understood one another. They were one, impossible or not.
Brennan wrapped one arm around his neck as she wrapped the other around his waist, her feet on the bed, next to his knees, deliberately placing herself in a vulnerable position, granting him access to the deepest parts of her. She looked up into his eyes and as their gazes locked, she saw love. Adoration. Friendship. Passion. But there was also a hint of concern. She leaned up and kissed his throat, humming in pleasure against his skin.
He finally felt like they were connecting, communicating again. Her unexpected touch made him groan in pleasure as his hips shot forward, forcefully burying his erection in her soft, yielding body. "You're amazing," he moaned and cupped her cheek in his hand, taking the time to kiss her thoroughly, distracting himself from the sexual pleasure for a few moments. He wanted this to last forever. He slowed down and tightly rolled his hips over her pubic bone, rubbing her clitoris as he did so.
As he added the extra touch and care, she panted softly against his lips, controlling her body, not ready to give in yet. "I love you," she whispered again, looking into his dark brown eyes as her hips started to roll with his, letting him take the lead and trusting him to guide her - them - to where they wanted and needed to go.
He smiled. "I love you more," he said teasingly, yet truthfully, speeding up a little. "You're truly a unique person, Temperance Brennan, and I'm the luckiest guy on earth because you chose to be with me."
She let his words wash over her, healing little insecurities and doubts, chasing away small fears she hadn't been aware of before. Her fingernails gently trailed over his back as she kissed his chest, right above his heart.
He felt an urgent tightening of her inner muscles - and god they were strong - so he gave in and gently massaged her breasts as he thrust into her, faster, harder, until he felt her muscles tightening irregularly.
She clung to him and closed her eyes as her orgasm started deep within her and spread through the rest of her body as wave after wave of pleasure robbed her of her strength. Slowly, her grip on him lessened and she sank into the pillows, her body deeply satisfied and her mind finally at ease.
He came with her, her strong female body pulling the orgasm out of him. He rode out their orgasms, moving slower and slower within her, letting her down gently, until eventually he stilled and brushed the hair out of her face. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, her chin, and then, ever so softly, her lips.
Slowly she opened her eyes and somehow she managed to wrap her heavy limbs around him, holding Booth as close to her as humanly possible.
"It's okay," he smiled at her neediness, and stroked her hair, "I'm here for you, Bones. Always," he promised.
She nodded, "I know. You're always here when I need you. Even if I have yet to realise I'll need you. That's why I... I guess that's one of the reasons why I love you as much as I do. I know this is highly irrational, but I wish this moment could last."
"Wonderfully irrational," he agreed, and kissed her again.
"I don't understand why you love irrational things as much as you seem to, Booth." She was silent for a few moments, "I wish I could though. It would be irrational to have this baby, but maybe it could be wonderful as well..." she mused out loud.
"You'd be an awesome mother, Bones. I know you think having kids is complicated, but their one basic need is what you have enough of. Love."
She swallowed the lump in her throat down and whispered, "We'd be a family. A real, normal family."
"Ehm, not totally normal, Bones. But we'd be an amazing family nonetheless." He rested his hand over her lower abdomen and kissed her cheek.
"But so many things could go wrong..." She pressed his hand more firmly against her skin, seeking out his reassurances, now being open to listen to them and accept what he was saying.
"And it could go so right, and we'd love that baby so much, that everything can be overcome. You could finally have a family of your own. We could, together."
"You really believe that, don't you?" she whispered as she looked into his eyes.
"I'm convinced," he chuckled and intertwined their fingers.
"Do you think we'd be happy?"
"Very much so," he said seriously as he looked into her eyes. "Just promise me you'll give the baby your eyes."
She smiled. "Actually, chances are higher that he or she will have your eyes, but..." In the warmth of his embrace, the heat of his gaze and the love in his words, she could no longer think of a single reason to end the pregnancy willingly. " I'll do my very best," she whispered, her heartbeat elevated, hoping he would catch the deeper meaning of her statement.
"You'll do your best?" he repeated, insanely happy because he knew this was basically a yes to the pregnancy. "What about the toes?"
Her smile widened, "There will be ten of those hopefully."
"Fingers?" he asked, his voice a bit high with emotion.
"Eight," she answered determinedly, then added softly with a loving smile, "and two thumbs of course."
"I'd like to have a little Bones. A tiny scientist," he fantasised. "What about you?"
"A sweet little daddy's girl, with your kind heart and good soul. An artist perhaps, like Angela or a writer, like me..." she indulged in this little game, which was making her insanely happy. "What if it's a boy?"
"He'd be smart and abusing the fact. But he'd always return to his mother," he chuckled. "What do you think?"
"I think he'd be just like his father. Loyal. Kind. Loving. The kind of person everybody wants to be friends with."
"If I had a little girl, I'd spoil her to death," he admitted. "I've always had a weak spot for girls. Yeah, I'd love for her to be Daddy's little girl, but in the end, I'd want her to become more like you. Independent. Proud. Tough as nails."
"If I could choose, I wouldn't want her to be as hard as me. It can make for a lonely existence. But she - or he - is not me. Our baby would be a unique person. Booth," she sighed and kissed his cheek, resting her cheek against his. "Are you sure about this? And I mean, 100% sure?"
"I've been sure for a long time, Bones," he told her seriously.
"Will you help me? Remind me that - how did you put it - some things in life are wonderfully irrational?"
"Every day, Bones," he promised. "Whenever you need me to. Life can be beautiful. It's harder to see given what we do, but kids keep you grounded in that respect. Their innocence. The excitement of them growing up, becoming their own person - it's my favourite thing in the world. Besides you, of course," he winked at her.
Having all of her doubts taken away or at least put into perspective, she took a deep breath and sat up on bed. She sat on her knees and held his hand to her lower abdomen. "Booth, there is something I have to tell you," Brennan told him, feeling happy and excited about the news for the first time.
His eyes lit up. "What is it?"
She caressed the back of his hand with her thumb and held it firmly against her, as close as he could get to the embryo that had already evolved into a baby in their minds. A son or a daughter. "I'm pregnant," she smiled at him. "You're going to be a father."
His face broke into a smile, and he was drugged with happiness. "Best news I've ever had," he told her, then pulled her against him and kissed her silly. "God, I love you, Bones. Amazing woman that you are."
Brennan wrapped his arms around him and softly whispered a heartfelt thank you into his ear as they slowly settled back down in bed.
He knew that the next day, their moods would return to darkness because of the horrible case they were working on, but for now, they were in a beautiful place filled with love, where no darkness could reach.
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