Alrighty. Here it is…the last chapter. No smut (thank you for the wonderful reviews btw. I enjoyed them immensely) but lots of fluff. Thanks for everyone who's read and especially those who have reviewed. Believe it or not, your opinion does matter! Happy Holidays!
PS - Sorry this is so late in the day. Events have conspired against me. But here it is nonetheless.
She woke up completely disoriented staring at an unfamiliar wall. Suddenly it all came rushing back to her and she smiled widely. She was in Seeley's childhood home, currently sleeping nearly on top of him in his childhood bed. Checking the time she noted it was only nine in the morning and she wondered what had woken her. Then she heard it again; a door downstairs opened and shut, then a woman's voice called out.
"Seeley!"
"Damn!" Temperance whispered fiercely as Seeley started awake. She watched his face as he processed all the current stimuli. He smiled lazily at first, his arms tightening around her body. Then the woman's shrill call passed through his sleep-filled haze and his eyes widened almost comically. Then he realized they were both completely nude and his jaw dropped and his face flushed red. They jumped up at the same time, scrambling to throw on clothes as they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Seeley managed to get boxers and a t-shirt on quickly and he stepped out to meet his mother in the hall.
"Mom!" he said, enveloping her in a bear hug. "I didn't know you and Dad were coming back today."
"We caught an early flight," she said, pulling back to arms length to look at her youngest son. "You've lost weight," she said disapprovingly.
"Mom," he whined. "Hey, I want you to meet someone," he said. "Temperance is here." He could see her in his mind with a furious look on her face and he stifled a smile at the image.
"Well where is she?"
"She's still sleeping," he said, gesturing to the closed guest room door. "I'll wake her up. Could you go get some coffee started?"
"Sure honey," she said, patting his arm. Only when her back was turned and she was on her way down the stairs did she allow herself a small smile. Her boys never could lie to her very well.
Seeley sighed in relief and waited until he heard his mother tinkering around in the kitchen before he walked back into his room. Temperance whacked him solidly on the shoulder and he rubbed it with fake irritation.
"Ow!"
"How could you! You're mother probably thinks I'm some kind of trollop who –" She never got to finish her sentence as Seeley kissed her soundly.
"Good morning," he whispered. "This is the third time I've woken up with you in my arms. I have to say I could definitely get used to it." She smiled and fought a blush as she looked around. He quickly grabbed some clothes from his bag and changed as she did the same. Once they were both presentable he led her down stairs.
"Hey Dad," he greeted the older man with a hug.
"Seeley, we were wondering who's car that was. But with DC plates it can only mean our prodigal son has returned. And who is this?"
"Dad, Mom," he said, turning to pull her against him, "This is Temperance Brennan. You know, my partner?"
"Oh so this is her," the older Booth said. "Temperance, it's a pleasure. I'm David and this is my wife Sarah."
"Pleased to meet you," she replied only somewhat awkwardly before wheeling on Seeley. "What lies have you been telling about me?"
"Nothing unflattering," he returned, kissing her cheek quickly. "Mom, is that food I smell?"
"I figured the two of you haven't eaten yet, since you just got up. Why didn't you call and tell us you were staying?"
"Just last night, Ma," Seeley corrected quickly, not wanting his parents to think he'd used their house for some illicit affair while they were away for Christmas. "We were out at Chaz's cabin and decided to head back a little early. I wanted to show Temperance Philadelphia since she's never been."
"Well sit down," Sarah said, shooing them to a half-bar. "What to drink dear?" It took only a second to Temperance to realize she was being addressed and she cleared her throat.
"Oh, water's fine," she said quickly, but Seeley shook his head.
"Orange juice," he corrected, earning him a glare from one side and a dish towel across his head from the other. "Or water's fine, I guess."
"Fine line, young man," Sarah said, pointing a free hand, and some old conversation must have been referenced for Seeley just nodded sheepishly and apologized. Temperance made a note to ask about it later.
Breakfast was even better than at the cabin as they sat around the bar and talked about trivial things. Sarah asked briefly about her books, but made no mention of being a big fan or demanding an autograph. Seeley and his father talked a while about cars and (to Seeley's chagrin) what Jared was doing with his wife and kids these days. When the topic turned to Parker Sarah joined back in and sang praises about her grandson.
With the formalities out of the way Sarah moved to clean the dishes while David checked on the upcoming football games and scores from the previous week. Seeley took Temperance back upstairs to clean up a bit before joining his parents in the living room.
"Thanks for the hospitality," Seeley said as he pulled his mother into a hug. "Bye Dad."
"Have a safe drive, son," David replied, pulling his youngest son into a bear hug. To Temperance's surprise she was pulled into a hug by each of Seeley's parents, and his mother even elicited a promise from her to visit soon, surprising both herself and Seeley.
"And send me pictures of my grandson!" Sarah called after them as they climbed into the Trailblazer for the last time. Seeley nodded and waved as he pulled out of the drive and back onto the road that would lead them to Washington.
"What did your mother mean when she said 'fine line?'" Seeley smiled sheepishly and rubbed the spot where his mother had whacked him with the towel.
"Apparently there's a fine line between being chivalrous and domineering."
"And you dance across it all the time," Temperance added with a hint of a tease in her voice. He feigned offense before patting her knee.
"Oh come on, admit it. You love my 'alpha male' side sometimes." She shrugged and pushed his hand away.
"It's useful on occasion," she admitted. "But there are times when it just makes me want to punch you. Will that 'fine line' thing work for me too?"
"Hopeful?" he chuckled, but straightened his face when he saw that she was serious. "Sure, if it's really getting on your nerves, I guess you have the right to tell me. Though I don't know why you asked - you usually tell me anyway." She nodded her head in agreement and they let the matter drop. "It's only Thursday," he said finally, as if the fact had somehow escaped her attention. "I'm not due back at the Bureau for a week. What about you?" She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, staring absently out the window.
"I was supposed to be in Peru until the fifth," she said. "So I'm not due back at the Jeffersonian until the seventh. But I suppose I could go in and get some limbo cases done."
"Oh come on, Bones, it's Christmas!" he cried, shooting her his most charming smile. The use of her nickname didn't go unnoticed by either of them and she returned his smirk with one of her own.
"Technically, Christmas is over. You'll have to wait a whole year." Quickly he reached over and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss before setting them in his lap.
"As long as you're with me, I'll gladly wait." He waited for the expected eye roll at his cheesiness but it never came. Deciding to press his luck he continued, "What do you say we make this trip annual?" She thought about it for a moment – thought about the seriousness of setting a tradition with him. But the more she thought the more she realized that there was no one else who knew her better, no one else who could make her laugh on her worst days or her best. He knew exactly what to do to make her cry, but she knew he never would. Meeting his eyes for a split second before he returned them to the road, she squeezed his hand as she responded.
"I think I can squeeze that into my schedule. Though there is a site out in Death Valley that's supposed to have remarkably intact remains. A museum in California's sponsoring the dig, but they've asked for my input." She was really only half-serious, but curious as to his reaction. As predicted his eyes widened and he shook his head.
"No. No skeletons at Christmas!" There was a beat of silence, then:
"What about New Year's?"
Well that's it. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I will be getting back to Heaven's Love in a while, so if you haven't checked that out please do so and let me know what you think. I'll probably be getting to that just after the new year starts, maybe sooner if inspiration strikes.
