Sorry this one is a little short but I struggled a bit with this chapter :(
"Come on Kiddo up you get, we've got to get going."
"But Dad I don't feel too good."
"Parker don't try pulling a fast one on me. I can not miss work today."
"But Dad."
"No buts."
A little head peeks round the door and giggles.
"Parky's faking, Parky's faking!!"
"Chelsea Angela Booth!!"
"Uh-Oh." She pulls the best innocent face she can.
Booth smiles at his daughter knowing he can't be mad at her for too long. He wants to be mad at her but her innocent little face denies him of that feeling. So he decides to be a little more understanding towards Parker as he knows the situation is hard for him and the last thing he wants is to treat his two children differently. Of course because of their age and sex he has to treat them differently in some ways but he loves them equally, is equally proud of them and hopes that they will never think differently.
"Come on lets get you dressed and Parker I'd appreciate it if you were dressed by the time we're ready, ok bud?"
"Ok."
"If you don't feel better once you're at school all you've gotta do is give my cell a call and I'll come get you. I know it's difficult buddy but it will be better in time and everything's going to be okay."
"I know."
"Good kid." He ruffles his son's hair and follows his skipping daughter from the room.
A traffic jam was not what Booth wanted, not today of all days. He had to get Parker off to school and himself accompanied by Chelsea into work on time for an important meeting. He looks in the review mirror to see Parker engrossed in a comic and then to his baby girl in the seat next to him, her head resting against the seatbelt, her eyes closed tight and her thumb placed neatly in her mouth. He smiles and remembers the first time he had to take her to work with him.
"Daddy take me with you.""I promise I'll be good."
"Next time sweetie, I promise."
"Daddy, this is next time."
"Right, this is next time." He sighed.
"And momma said I could."
"And Momma said you could."
"Uh-Huh."
"Come on then, let's go to work."
"Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!"
Booth laughed at his daughter's enthusiasm and relished in the fact that when she started work her attitude would not be the same. He walked into the kitchen and gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek, silently cross with her promise to their daughter. He lifted his daughter up into the truck and buckled her in, the little girl was still beaming, so much so Seeley was sure that she'd explode.
"Daddy?"
"What's up kiddo?"
"I'm hungry."
"You're hungry? You just had breakfast."
"But I'm still hungry Daaaaddddyyyy."
"Well when we get to work, we'll find something for you."
"But I want ice cream."
"Chels it is far to early for ice cream!"
"Momma says it's never too early for ice cream."
"Right, Momma says…"
"Pleeeeaaaasssseeeee."
"No Chelsea. Daddy is holding his ground for once."
He didn't get a reply and turning to look beside him, he saw his baby's face screwed up and tears pouring down her red cheeks. He rolled his eyes knowing that today Daddy wouldn't be holding his ground.
Sitting in the front seat riding down town
An ice cream cone I'd rap him around
My little fingerTighter then my baby curls
You can make a tear go a long long way
When you're daddy's little girl
Ring Ring
Ring Ring
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
"Huh?" Booth replies to the sound of his son's voice.
"Isn't that your cell?"
Ring Ring
"Yes, good spot Bud."
"Booth."
"What??"
"When did this happen?"
"I can't miss work today."
"I know but that's life."
"Look give Angela our love and we'll try pop in later."
"No, don't….hang up on me." He sighs into nothingness.
"What's wrong Dad?" Parker yells from the backseat.
"Looks like your little cousin is on their way."
"Cool. Does this mean I get the day off school?" He says a little too enthusiastically for his Father's liking.
"No it does not, you'll go to school as normal. We'll go see them later."
"Awww but Dad."
"Awww but Daaaadddyyyyy." Chelsea whines.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"I'm awake now." She smiles.
"I see that cheeky. You begged Daddy to come to work with him and now you want to go to the hospital?"
"Yup."
"Awww man you've broken Daddy's heart." He pulls the best sad face he can.
Chelsea leans forward and rummages through her Barbie rucksack, throwing most things over the floor until she finds what she's looking for.
"Daddy lean over."
"Daddy can't, he's driving."
"But we've stopped."
"Ok but be quick."
Booth leans over and Chelsea pulls his shirt aside and slaps a plaster onto his chest, looking more than proud with herself she looks him in the eye and says…
"There ya go Daddy, I mended your broken heart."
Booth smiles at his daughter's good will gesture.
"I wish it was that simple baby….I wish it was that simple."
