Let's be us again

By Marie T. Brennan

Chapter 3: Whispers in the Night

Brennan and Booth both sat bolt upright out of their sleep at the loud thunder crash. Suddenly, they looked at each other.

"Natalia" they both said in unison. Yes their daughter was terrified of storms and a second later she was rushing inside Brennan's room.

She clambered up on the bed. Booth got off the floor and sat on the bed with Temperance situating Natalia between them. Tonight they weren't two ex-lovers in an awkward position. They were just parents calming their child's fear.

Booth knew she was a good mother. There was no doubt in his mind. Though he'd never really seen Brennan with Natalia. It was mesmerizing to watch. As their daughter cried Brennan rubbed her back.

"Natalia calm down. Please look at mommy."

So she looked up at her mother. Her eyes were red rimmed from crying. "Natalia I think Daddy's scared."

Booth was about to deny it when he realized she was trying to distract their daughter and not tease him.

"Yeah, your mom's right baby girl I'm scared." Brennan smiled victoriously.

"Natalia it might make Daddy feel better if you tell him the storm story I tell you."

Oh great she taught our kid a scientific lecture already ? she's only six.

"Okay Mommy. Well, Daddy there are these three families the Watt's, Gray's and H2o's. Sometimes they get mad at each other. When they get mad they fight really loud. They live in the sky so it affects all of us. When the Watt's get mad they shoot really bright lights which is lightning, then the Gray's makes really loud booming sounds called thunder behind the clouds and the H2o's just throw rain everywhere."

"Wow Natalia I never knew that."

Natalia turned and faced Brennan with her hands on her hips. "You mean you never told Daddy that story before when he was scared?"

Brennan panicked. Natalia could very well bring up an awkward question to her.

"I never told your Mom when I was scared."

Their six year old seemed to think for a few moments. Then it was like the embarrassment light bulb went on.

"Daddy you should sleep with Mommy."

Booth and Brennan's eyes both widened.

"When I'm scared Mommy lets me sleep with her."

Unfortunately, neither of them wanted to argue with her. Once Natalia had tucked them both in and kissed their cheeks she pranced back to her room. Brennan was turned facing away from him.

"Booth, you awake."

"yeah."

"I'm sorry I did-"

"Don't worry it's okay." He interrupted then squeezed her hand to reassure her.

"It isn't though because I wanted you here next to me regardless of what our daughter said."

Booth was shocked. She wanted him here? So he did something he hadn't thought he'd ever get the chance to do again. From behind, he pulled her closer and against his chest. Then, he put an arm around her.

"And I wanted to be here." He confessed quietly.

She took his hand that was holding her and placed it over her heart.

"I always kept you right here."

Then she looked at him with tears glistening her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he told her.

"Why?"

"For not trying hard enough on our relationship."

He started to stroke her cheek softly. A couple minutes later she looked up into his eyes.

"Booth?"

"Yeah?"

"Tonight. Hold me just to remind me what it's like to be loved."

She buried her face in his neck as her words brought tears to his eyes. He pulled her to him and placed a gentle kiss on her exposed neck.

"God I'll never leave you again." He whispered to her.

Only hoping she'd believe him enough to forgive him.

-MTB