Once again a HUGE thank you to everyone who has reviewed, alerted, or is still following this little story. Hope you all enjoy!!
Chapter 7
"Booth," she shook her head slowly, "I can't intrude on your family."
"Bones," his voice soft but determined, "this is your family too."
She only shook her head as her lips pressed together.
"No, Booth," her voice soft and low, "my family is made up of criminals, not a wonderful little boy and a FBI agent."
"Bones," his protest cut short by her hand on his cheek.
"It's really time for me to be going, Booth," she began. "Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner and for being such a good friend."
She pushed her chair away from the table and stood to leave, but her movements were halted as he wound his fingers around her wrist.
"Where are you going?" he asked; his eyes fixed on the opposite wall.
"It's getting late," she stated. "I'll just get a hotel for the night. Don't want to bother Angela."
"If I could take it back, I would," his voice firm as he finally met her gaze.
She tossed him a look of misunderstanding as he immediately continued.
"Last night," he explained.
"You were tired," she finished for him.
"Yes, but that's no excuse," he began again. "I gave a half truth reason for my worry. Actually…a two thirds truth."
Brennan shot him a quizzical look; uncertain where he was going with this confession.
"I told you I was concerned for my family's safety," he clarified.
"And you should be," she agreed. "Parker means the world to you and he needs his daddy."
"Yes, Parker and I need each other, but I was also very concerned about another part of my family….you," he confessed.
Temperance's eyes dropped to the floor willing her brain not to remember his words from the previous night.
Cupping her chin, he brought her eyes to meet his.
"Talk to me, Temperance, please," he begged. "Yell, shout, scream, anything."
There was a long pause and then…
"Are you sure?" her voice hushed.
Tilting his head, he voiced his confusion, "Am I sure?"
She nodded, "I don't want to ruin a perfectly good family."
"You're what makes this a perfect family," his reply was immediate.
And for the first time since the barbeque, he saw a smile sparkle in her eyes.
ooOooOooOoo
Both wished for time to stand still; to let them enjoy the moment they had been caught up in. However, time standing still was impossible with the impeccable timing Rebecca possessed. Dropping his hand to hers, Booth gave a slight tug indicating her to follow.
"Parker is going to be so excited to see you," he said as they approached the living room.
She let out a nervous sigh, "It's not Parker I'm worried about."
She wasn't completely sure if Booth heard her comment or if he was simply choosing to ignore it, either way it was too late to find out.
"Hey Bub!" Booth's enthusiasm filled the space as he hefted his five year old son into the air.
Parker's usual squeal was absent and Booth immediately began to worry as the little boy made his way into the living room couch.
"Seeley," Rebecca's happy tone lessened with the next greeting. "Oh, and Dr. Brennan."
Booth caught onto Rebecca little charade and wasn't afraid to play hard ball.
"Rebecca," he mimicked her tone. "Oh….and…Drew."
Both secondary parties excused themselves from the situation. Drew retreated to the car and Temperance joined Parker on the couch allowing the parents to further their discussion.
"What's wrong with Parker?" Booth questioned; throwing a glance over his shoulder to the pair.
"He's been complaining with his stomach," she indulged his questioning, "but I've just chalked it up to us leaving for this trip."
"That doesn't sound like Parker," he pushed.
"Come on Booth," her frustration showing. "That sounds like every five year old in America. Besides, I'm sure he's fine."
Refusing to argue the point, Booth relented, "Fine."
"Well, Drew's waiting," she announce.
"Bye Parker," she waved from the doorway and gave a nod to Brennan. "Thanks again, Seeley."
Booth closed the door and turned to observe the scene before him. Making his way to the living room couch, Booth was still suspicious about Parker's behavior.
"Parker?" requesting his son's attention. "Is it alright if Bones stays with us for awhile?"
"That'd be great," his voice flat.
"Is something wrong Parker?" Booth questioned further.
Tears filled the little boy's voice, "I just don't feel good. My tummy hurts."
"You hungry?" Booth hoped it would be an easy fix.
Parker simply shook his head.
Ruffling the blonde mop of curls, Booth's eyes meet Temperance's stare.
"Tell ya what, Bub," Booth began. "Why don't we watch a movie together? Just the three of us. Maybe that'll make you feel better. What ya say?"
"Okay," Parker agreed with a nod.
ooOooOooOoo
Temperance was left completely out of the movie discussion with her Why would children watch a movie about French food? comment concerning Ratatouille. After several suggestions, the boys decided on Ice Age.
"Now Bones," Booth stated after popping the DVD into the player, "you're gonna have to turn your scientific mind to off or else no one will be enjoying the movie."
Meeting Parker's big brown eyes, she relented, "I think I can do that."
Booth smiled as he sat down; draping his arm across the back of the couch. He watched as Parker snuggled further into the cushions; resting his head against Temperance's side as she ran her fingers through the mess of blonde curls. Booth knew that if he had one wish it would be this – his family.
Turning her scientific brain off just as asked, Temperance actually took a liking to the movie, especially Sid. She seemed to identify with him on many levels in comparison to her own life. Even though Booth had seen the movie several times with Parker, he was enjoying watching her reactions to the animated creatures. He was also watching her interaction with Parker. The little boy's head was resting on her lap, eyes heavy; her fingers still intertwined in his blonde locks. They seemed so natural together; so much like a family. Booth couldn't help but smile.
His smile turned to a frown of frustration as his phone began its all too familiar ring. Leaning forward, he plucked the offensive object from the coffee table.
"Booth"
"Oh, yes sir."
He gave Temperance an apologetic glance before pulling himself from the couch and moving toward the kitchen. Brennan watched his retreat knowing the phone call had to be important.
"Daddy's gotta go to work," Parker's tender voice interrupted her over active mind.
Furrowing her brows, she questioned his insight, "What makes you think that?"
"Cause, Daddy always leaves the room when his boss calls," disappointment creeping into his voice.
Temperance had an overwhelming urge to comfort the saddened voice that spoke volumes above his age, but knew those words would be hopeful at best and more than likely a lie. Her internal argument was short lived as Booth's heavy steps led him back to their side.
"Parker," came Booth's frustrated tone, "I've got to go to work for a few minutes, but I'll be back soon. Okay, Bub?"
Parker nodded.
Booth gave Parker's knee a squeeze before turning in the direction of the door; Temperance watched his retreating form. Pulling on his shoes that were resting haphazardly by the door, Booth's eyes found hers as he motioned her over.
"I'll be right back," she whispered softly in Parker's ear as she lifted his head from her lap.
"What's wrong?" she quietly questioned once she was standing beside Booth.
"That was Cullen," he explained; keeping his voice hushed. "They've brought one of the intruders in for questioning. Cullen wanted me there. Would you stay with Parker?"
"Sure," she replied; looking over her shoulder at the little boy.
"If you need anything, call," his voice suddenly worried as his eyes rested on Parker. "I don't like leaving him like this. He doesn't seem himself."
"If anything changes, I promise I'll call," she reassured him.
Booth reached up, cradling her jaw in his hand as he tenderly brushed his thumb under the evident bruise.
"I don't like leaving either of you," he sighed as his eyes caressed her features.
"We'll be fine," she stated.
Giving a slight nod, Booth turned, opening the door. Temperance followed him to the threshold, leaning against the door fame as she watched him leave.
Closing the door, Temperance fastened the locks before returning to the living room. Sitting on the end of the couch previous occupied by Booth, Temperance hoped she wouldn't disturb Parker. However, the actions of the five year old surprised her. Pushing himself up, he tucked his legs to the other side as his head once again rested in her lap. This was going to be hard habit for both of them to break.
ooOooOooOoo
Long after the movie ended and a sleep walking Parker was put to bed, Temperance found herself with nothing to do. Her laptop had been left at her apartment along with anything else she might need or want. She stood in the middle of Seeley's apartment wondering what to do when she spotted the dinner dishes that still decorated the table and cluttered the kitchen. After loading the dish washer, she filled the kitchen sink and began washing and rinsing the remaining dishes.
Half way through her self appointed task, Temperance heard a commotion coming from the opposite end of the apartment. Wondering why Parker would be up, she padded down the hallway to check in.
"Parker?" she softly questioned as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room.
Hearing a muffled cry from the far corner, she carefully felt her way across the room.
"Parker, what's wrong?" she asked crouching beside his huddled figure.
"I…I…got sick," his voice thick with tears.
"Shh," she soothed gathering him in her arms. "It's okay."
Lifting Parker from the floor of his bedroom, she made their way to the hall bathroom setting Parker atop the marble vanity. She swiped away the wet locks that clung to his forehead instantly noticing the fevered skin. She silently debated her next move and calling Booth seemed to be the best choice.
"I'm gonna grab my phone from the living room and give your daddy a call," she explained. "Just sit here. I'll be right back."
Parker nodded as he wrapped his arms tighter around his stomach.
Grasping her phone from the end table, Temperance heard Parker cry out just as she flipped the phone opened. As she raced down the hallway, Parker's cries became louder.
"Shhh," her voice pleading. "Where does it hurt, Parker?"
"My tummy," he cried.
"Has it ever hurt this bad before?" she questioned.
"Nnnnoooo," he stuttered between tears.
Temperance released a worried sigh, "Can you show me where it hurts?"
Parker lifted his shirt, rubbing the throbbing area.
Brennan knew this wasn't an ordinary stomach virus, but rather showing signs of appendicitis. She knew she had to get Booth home and fast. Pressing the speed dial, she waited patiently for the connection only to be transferred to voice mail.
"Booth," she attempted to steady her voice. "Parker's sick. You need to get home right away."
She snapped the phone closed, meeting the stare of a scared five year old.
"Is Daddy coming?" he sniffled.
"Of course," giving an air of confidence. "Your daddy will always come."
ooOooOooOoo
It had been five minutes since Brennan's first message to Booth. Since then she had left a grand total of ten messages. Her worry was growing along with Parker's pain. She had to make a decision. Trying Angela's cell, her frustration mounted as once again she was hearing a voice recorded message. This was not her area of expertise. She knew the medical aspect of the problem, but not the child aspect of the problem. She had no experience to draw from; not even her own childhood. Help me, please she pleaded to herself, and as if on cue, all the right actions feel into place.
"Parker," her patients depleted, "you need to go to the hospital. Would you let me take you?"
Parker nodded; tears slipping down his cheeks.
Brennan hoisted him onto her hip and made all the necessary phone calls.
By the time she and Parker made it to the lobby of the apartment building, a cab was already waiting to take the pair to George Washington University Hospital and an urgent message had been left for Booth to meet them there.
The cab ride took fewer than ten minutes, but to the back seat passengers it seemed like an eternity. Pulling up to the emergency entrance, Temperance chucked the driver his fare and proceeded into the hospital cradling Parker in her arms.
"I need some help over here!" she shouted to anyone who would listen.
She was quickly approached by a resident doctor and nurse to whom she spouted the needed information. Parker was quickly wheeled to an examining room leaving a bewildered Brennan in the gurneys wake.
"And your relation to the boy?" the nurse repeated.
The bewildered look refused to fade as Temperance tried to process the question.
"Ma'am?" the nurse clarified, "we need permission from a guardian to treat the child. What is your relationship to the child?"
"I'm…" she paused trying to come up with the smallest lie, "his stepmother."
Okay, so I was feeling quite guilty about the long time span between updates for Chapter 5 and 6. Not too bad of a wait this time, huh? I'm getting better and you know what speeds me along?? Reviews. Yep, they do!! :)