A/N: Hello Everyone! Here's is the next chapter of Moments! In fact I'm posting another chapter tonight after this one, so stick around. It should be up in a while! I hope you like this! Thanks for all the reviews!
"Ready?" Booth asked, seeing the hesitation on her face.
She nodded. "I can do this."
As they went into the check in, Booth squeezed her hand reassuringly. It had been a while since she had come to visit her father. Everyday life had got in the way, but the real reason was that she hadn't wanted to come. It was only through Booth's persistence that she was here right now.
They were ushered into the 'visiting room', a perk set up by Booth and Caroline. Finally he came in. Max looked run-down and more than a bit tired, but he still smiled at them broadly.
"Hi Temperance." She smiled back. Other than Booth, her dad was the only one who called her by her full name.
"Hi. Dad." She replied. She felt another squeeze to her hand and she moved towards him, giving him a hug. Max hugged her back and she couldn't help but feel loved, among the swirling emotions that were in her. She withdrew and stood back, next to Booth.
"Booth." Max said, holding out his hand and giving him a serious glare.
"Max." Booth replied, just as serious, shaking his hand with a tight grip.
She rolled her eyes at their male posturing. They sat down across from each other.
"So…." Max said.
"Would you like to meet her?" she blurted out.
He nodded.
She reached down into the infant carrier and unstrapped the stirring baby. Pulling her out, she cradled her in her arms.
"This is Ella." She said, avoiding her father's gaze.
"Ella." Max repeated reverently, his eyes shining with tears. "She's beautiful Temperance."
"Thank you." She replied, shifting her daughter in her arms.
"Do you want to hold her?" Booth asked, receiving identical gazes of confusion.
"It's okay." He said, addressing Max. "I can't guarantee she won't cry though. She's a bit of a momma's girl."
Max nodded and Booth took Ella from Brennan and placed her in Max's arms. Ella let out a soft cry and Max stood, bouncing her softly as he paced the room.
Brennan's fingernails were gripping into his skin and she pale.
"It's okay." He whispered. "They'll be fine. See?"
She loosened her grip slightly and Booth reached into his pocket and pulled out his camera and started snapping pictures.
Max was murmuring words while Ella looked up at him with her big, brown eyes.
"I'm your Grandpa." They heard him say. "I've done a lot of stupid things in my life but I want you to know I'll always love you."
Brennan blinked back the tears and turned to Booth, her heart pounding rapidly.
"I can't do this." She said tearfully. "Can we go?"
This was the reason she hadn't come since she found out she was pregnant. She didn't want her daughter to be disappointed like she was.
"Give him a chance." Booth pleaded. "He should be allowed to get to know her."
"Please, just not now." She choked out.
Seeing the despairing look in her eyes, he nodded.
"Max we have to go." Booth said.
Max nodded soberly and handed over Ella to Booth, who put her back in her carrier.
"Thank you." Max said earnestly.
Brennan said nothing, just turned and walked out with Ella.
"Sorry." Booth said.
"No." Max replied. "Thank you Booth. I can't…" he choked out.
"You're welcome." Booth replied. "We'll come back."
Max nodded and Booth turned and made his way out of the room. Making his way out of the jail, he found his partner, the love of his life, sobbing beside the car, Ella in hand.
"Hey." He said, jogging up to her and enveloping her in his arms. "It's okay."
"I'm sorry Booth, I tried."
"I know."
"I do want her to know him but I don't know how to protect her from him." She said, as he brushed the tears away from her cheeks.
"We start slow." Booth said firmly. "Now come on, let's go home."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Max sat in his cell, holding the envelope as if it was treasure. He didn't usually get mail and this envelope held the handwriting of his daughter. He thought after the incident last week, she would never want to talk to him again.
It was clear that she hadn't forgiven him and he hoped that wasn't that last time he would see his precious granddaughter. Although he knew Booth would arrange to have him see her again.
The moment he met Booth he knew he was the right man for his daughter. He was only glad that she had finally figured it out too.
He opened the envelope and pulled out the contents, a single photograph, no letter attached. It was of him looking down at Ella and her staring right back up at him. He flipped over the picture and read: Ella Christine Brennan-Booth meets Grandpa Max for the first time.
He traced the letters of his daughter's handwriting, a tear slipping down his cheek.
He had his family back.
