I almost didn't have time to post this chapter. I'm swamped with work! Thank yous as usual to those who reviewed and added me to their faves and follows. Thank you especially to: kareneb, FaithinBones, 554Laura, GalaxieGurl, Brennanite2 (we'll get there eventually), LoveShipper, Monique Sampson, 50 Shades Of Booth, mendenbar, nourseholly
Aubrey was on the couch, watching a muted TV show while chewing on a grilled cheese sandwich when Brennan and Booth walked in the front door. Empty food wrappers and bags of eaten snacks provided ample evidence that he had indeed helped himself to the food and beverage available in the fridge.
"How'd you find my stash of beef jerky?" Booth asked annoyed as he held up the now empty packet.
"It wasn't that hard. It was hidden with your stash of potato chips and chocolates. Beef jerky goes well with Dr Brennan's avocado dip by the way."
Booth felt a little nauseated by the thought.
"You're replenishing my stash."
"Yeah of course, I'm not a freeloader."
"Booth and I have a favor to ask you." Brennan got straight to the point.
Aubrey somewhat shocked by the seriousness in her voice stopped mid-chew. He stood up, looking from Brennan to Booth. "Is it something bad?"
"No." Booth held out his hand, indicating that Aubrey should stop talking and listen. "Just… listen to what Bones has to say."
"It occurred to me that if Booth and I were to meet with an untimely demise simultaneously, Hank and Christine might be put into foster care."
"Is this about the case?"
"Aubrey let her finish."
"After careful consideration, Booth and I have come to an agreement that rather than have our children in possibly end up in foster care, we would like them to come under your care. I realise that it is unfair to expect a bachelor like yourself to bring up two small children on your own so I would also be asking Angela if she is agreeable to this responsibility as well. It might be difficult for Hodgins and her to raise four children, hence my suggestion on joint custody between yourself and Angela. I would leave it up to the both of you to decide on our children's living arrangements and how they would be jointly cared for. My only condition is that Hank and Christine must never be separated. I'm fairly certain Anglea and Hodgins would agree to my request but I am uncertain as to your response."
Aubrey downed his sandwich with a gulp of beer. "I'm honored. I'm kinda like their Godfather or something."
"Yeah something." Booth added, a little taken aback by Aubrey's enthusiasm.
"Wow! Yeah of course."
"Look Aubrey, don't let it get it to your head, it's not a big deal okay? I'm not planning on dying anytime soon. And neither is Bones."
Aubrey threw his arms around Brennan. "I'm really honoured Dr Brennan. I would do my best to bring up Hank and Christine to be outstanding citizens like their parents. I promise."
"Hey like I said, we're still here." Booth was now getting annoyed.
"Good. After I've obtained Angela's consent, I'll see to it that this is added to my will." Brennan said as Aubrey released her from his hug.
Aubrey moved to hug Booth but Booth held out his hand, shaking his head. "No hugs Aubrey. Are you drunk or something?" He turned to Brennan. "Maybe we should ask him again tomorrow. I don't think he's sober."
"I'm insulted you'd think I'd be so careless. I'm babysitting your kids Booth. I wouldn't dare get drunk on this watch."
"Oh and other than Hank and Christine, this applies to any other children Booth and I might have."
"Other children?" Aubrey eyed Booth suspiciously. "Oh, I get it! There's another mini-Booth on the way."
He broke into a smile then patted Booth on the back. "Congratulations man!"
"Bones!" Booth glared at his wife.
"He has a right to know Booth, especially in light of what we just asked of him."
"Look Aubrey, we aren't even sure yet okay?"
"Booth and I are trying for another child."
"Wow okay, so I'm lovin' this. You're both so open to sharing personal information with me tonight."
"Don't get used to it. And the tryin' for a baby thing, it's just between us okay?"
"I get it. You don't want to jinx anything."
"Just- keep a lid on it alright? And when we're sure and ready to tell everyone you'll know."
"Yeah yeah sure."
Booth reached for Brennan, who took his hand. "We're going to bed." As he started to lead Brennan to the bedroom, he gestured to the array of food packages and empty cans on the coffee table.
"Make sure this mess is cleaned up, I don't wanna see any of this when I wake up in the morning."
That night Booth was again woken by his wife's nightmares. She whimpered in her sleep again and this time he thought he could make out the words Let me out! Booth's heart broke as he held her to him, wondering how he could make the nightmares stop.
… …
The realisation that her children could end up in the foster system upon her demise spurred Brennan on. As a mother, she had no wish that her children experience what she had and she found it odd that this epiphany did not strike her earlier when she first had Christine. The next morning, Brennan found Angela in her office working on the victim's laptop. She wanted to make sure that what was decided would be put into her will as soon as possible.
"For a teenage girl, Lindsey wasn't as active on social media as you would expect." Angela remarked as Brennan walked in.
"I have something to ask of you."
Brennan choosing to ignore the case made Angela concerned. "Okay."
"Booth and I have decided that Hank and Christine should come live with you, Hodgins and Aubrey in whatever arrangement you see fit, should we come to an untimely demise."
"Okay?" Angela knew Brennan well enough to know that she should give her best friend time to explain her thoughts.
"This case had made me realise that because of the nature of our jobs, Booth and I could very well be killed in the line of duty or we could meet with an accident like Lindsey's parents. If it should happen, my children could go into foster care."
"Sweetie, you know that would never happen. I hate to think of a world without you and Booth and if it did happen, the both of you have enough friends who love you to make sure Hank and Christine are well looked-after."
"So you're saying yes? I'd like to make it official. Put it into my will."
"Yes of course." Angela pulled Brennan in for a hug. "This case is really getting to you huh?"
Brennan took in a breath. Booth had taught her that people asking about how she was feeling meant that people cared for her. But at the moment she didn't want to repeat what she had said to Booth the night before.
"I know you're concerned for me Ange. Booth is too. I'm okay. This case simply highlighted something I overlooked in planning my children's future. Also, Booth and I are trying for another child."
Angela's jaw dropped before she broke out into a wide smile, a small squeal escaping her lips. She pulled Brennan to her for yet another hug.
"I thought it would be fair to inform you considering the request I just made."
"If you and Booth had a dozen kids I'd still take them all in."
"A dozen would be quite impossible since I might be past my reproductive years before I can have another ten children."
Angela laughed at her best friend. Some people found it annoying but to her, being literal was one of Brennan's more endearing traits.
"So you're pregnant?"
"Given Booth's virility, I could be. But I'm not sure yet."
"But you'll tell me if you are."
"Yes. Although Booth wishes that we keep the fact that we're trying a secret for now."
"My lips are sealed."
"Thank you."
"And anytime you need to talk? I'm here."
"I know. Thank you Angela." Brennan offered her a smile. "Any progress?" Personal matters settled, she was once again anxious to find Lindsey Sutton's killer.
"Lindsey spent a lot of time online with one of the boys she met at the skate park. A boy by the name of Darren Colson."
"Aubrey's bringing him in for questioning."
"Other than that, I don't see anything that might have gotten her killed. Other things on her laptop are mostly homework. She also has a folder with pictures of her parents and her time with her grandmother." Angle flashed them on the screen and the mood in her office grew sombre as the two friends stared at photos of happier times from the victim's past. It was a chilling reminder of how things could change in the blink of an eye. Lindsey looked so happy with her parents and grandmother.
"Poor thing." Angela remarked. "She had a loving family before she ended up in foster care. It's so sad that her life was just ended like that. She didn't even get to grow up and try to make a better life for herself."
"We'll find out who did this to her." Brennan replied, her voice filled with determination.
Had to give Aubrey and Angela some air time. I know this chapter's kind of slow going but things will pick up next chapter.