Chapter 4 A Burns Turns One

Glaring at the stack of case files he had yet to review and sign off on, Charlie Burns checked his wrist watch and sighed. 3:45 p.m. Booth and Brennan were conducting a training seminar at Quantico and Camp Peary for the FBI and CIA respectively, and their month-long series of lectures meant that Charlie was stuck doing paperwork his boss normally handled.

Today was his son's first birthday, and the senior agent didn't want to be later for dinner. Granted, the little boy was unaware of the day's significance to his parents, and would happily squeal at his daddy's arrival home, and gum his way through his evening meal as he always did. Prentice had been concerned that Tommy only 4 teeth, but their pediatrician assured her that each baby's development schedule varies slightly from the norm, and her child was progressing very well.

Prentice….

Charlie gazed at her picture on the corner of his desk, and smiled to himself. He was still awe-struck that he'd found happiness with such an amazing woman, and gained a wonderful family life he'd never envisioned being possible a few years earlier….

He rolled his shoulders, and straightened in his chair. Reminding himself that pleasant day-dreaming was counterproductive at this point, Charlie grabbed the next manila folder on the pile and flipped it open. Agnes Hannaford was a newbie, but had excellent potential. Her mentoring partner, Fred Thompson was doing a great job of guiding her.

The status report Aggie had filled out was concise but detailed, and the pair's investigation was progressing well. Charlie scribbled a few questions on a yellow post-it, and stuck the square note on the top page for Thompson's review with his junior agent the next morning before their weekly staff meeting, so that the pair could provide him with answers.

Working his way through the next several reports, Agent Burns alternately smiled and grimaced in response to what he read. He'd have a few commendations, suggestions, and chidings to deliver early tomorrow. Better alert Prentice they'd need to leave the house a bit sooner than normal, and bring in some donuts from Heaven Scent for his people. Warm, delectable pastries always encouraged team effort….

Vaguely aware that the elevator chimed down the hall, Charlie reached for the last folder and scanned its contents. Each pair of partners had two or three assigned cases and this one of Hannaford's and Thompson's was developing as well as their others. He reached for his miniature pad, made a few notes, and slapped the sticky note onto the page. Done at las…

A merry chortle interrupted his thoughts. Filling the office doorway was Prentice with Tommy in her arms.

"Dadadadada!" the little boy crowed, and leaned forward, reaching his tiny arms as far as they'd stretch. His mother bent down and set him on his feet. With lurching steps too fast for his recently-acquired walking ability, Tommy toddled toward his father's desk, trippeda and landed on his tummy. Undeterred, he looked up with a wide, drooly grin. "Dada!"

Quickly, Charlie flipped the folder shut, grabbed and straightened the stack, opened his file drawer, slid the paperwork inside, and locked his desk. Rising from his office chair, he stepped over and scooped up his son.

"Hey, Big Fellow! Mommy already picked you up from daycare? You two are moving too fast for your old man!"

Prentice watched her husband and son proudly, and leaned in for the kiss Charlie delivered.

"I thought we could stop at the Royal Diner for a quick bite, and take him to the park before bedtime," she said softly.

"Good idea, Pren! He'll enjoy the swings and the ducks more than presents today. Mema and Poppy will enjoy watching him rip into the paper when they arrive this weekend. Kid's gonna relish the boxes more than their contents anyway!"

Pulling his suit jacket from the coat tree behind the office door, Charlie slung it over his shoulder and kissed his wife again.

"Which do you think he'll enjoy more? The workbench or the Mega Bloks set?"

I think he'll love both. Dr. Fenton said his motor skills are ahead of the curve."

"Good thing we got his shots done last week. No reason to mess up a boy's big day, right?"

"Nope, his arms aren't sore any more, thank goodness. So many shots for little kids these days!"

"Yeah, Peyton said the immunization schedules are earlier than what her kids experienced."

The family entered the elevator, and Tommy leaned toward the control panel. His parents had let him push the floor buttons as soon as he showed interest, and it was his favorite activity at Dad's office. Dr. Brennan had remarked that the boy seemed very bright to notice them so early, and Charlie had beamed with delight.

"Shall we walk over to the diner? The weather's pretty mild for April."

"Sure, I need the exercise. Being stuck behind my desk all afternoon has been no fun at all!"

Helen greeted the couple and patted Tommy's shoulder as she came over to take their orders.

"You two want your normal burgers?"

"Yes, Helen, please."

This little dude is really growing; how old is he now?"

"One year old today, in fact"

Really? That's a milestone! Can I bring him a cup of chocolate milk to celebrate? My grandkids love that better than cake!"

"That would be perfect, Helen. He loves milk, and chocolate Teddy Grahams. My sister's kids love those little crackers, and Tommy swiped a handful the last time he played with his cousins!" Prentice agreed, handing Helen her son's sippy cup.

"I'm sure Peyton's copy of Fearless Feeding probably proclaims that a 12-month old child is too young for chocolate milk consumption with every meal, but a kid only has one first birthday, and even a toddler's gotta live a little, right?" Charlie chimed in.

Once the kindly waitress returned with the birthday treat, Tommy Burns inhaled its chocolaty goodness, and waved the cup at his parents.

"Mo, Mo, Mama!" he chirped.

"You've had your limit, little boy," Prentice told him.

Once their burgers were gone, Charlie and Prentice ordered pie to go; chocolate for him, pecan for her. They would relish their desert at home with some wine once Tommy was asleep for the night.

The couple walked the few blocks back to the Hoover parking garage, with their son piggy-backed in his carrier, which Prentice kept in the backpack they used as a diaper bag. Driving home, the toddler dozed off so they dispensed with bath time and tucked their growing baby into his crib.

Standing side by side, peeking over his crib, they watched Tommy sleep.

"Can you believe he's already turned one; where has this year disappeared?" Prentice whispered.

Charlie put his arm around her shoulder, kissed her soundly, and answered softly, "I don't know, Pren, but you've made me the happiest FBI agent in DC."

"That goes double for me, Mr. Burns," she assured him.

"Now about that pie..."