Okay guys. First, a big thank you to all who reviewed the last chapter. Ya'll ROCK! Secondly, let me apologize for the lenghth of my absence in updating this story. In the past 4 weeks my life has been turned upside down. From the loss of a good friend and my twins being sick, I haven't found any extra time. I know that most of you will probably have to reread previous chapters to even remember what this little story is about. I'll go ahead and extend my gratitude for you taking the time to do so. Eight weeks ago, I thought I was entering a summer break filled with writing opportunities. Turns out my summer has been filled with anything other than a break. Hopefully with the new school year approaching, I will settle into a more scheduled routine, including a writting and updating routine. Anywhoo...I'll let you get to the chapter. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9
Booth's purposeful strides became frantic as he took in her appearance. Her shoulders were slightly slumped as loose locks of hair framed her tired face. His heart was filled with worry; so afraid she had bad news concerning Parker. And then the light shifted, highlighting the darkening bruise that marred her delicate features. At that sight, his heart fell.
"Temperance," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I didn't know what else to do," she mumbled against his chest.
As she rested her weight against him, she suddenly realized how exhausted she felt.
Gently pulling away, he asked, "What's wrong with Parker?"
"His stomach ache worsened," she explained through tear filled eyes. "He was running a fever and the pain.. the pain was awful, Booth. When I couldn't reach you, this was the only thing I knew to do."
"What's the doctor saying?" his words laced with worry.
"It's his appendix," she continued as she handed him the clipboard. "They're prepping him for surgery now."
"What's this?" he questioned.
"I lied," she stated.
His eyes widened seeking clarification, "What?"
"I told the nurse I was Parker's stepmother," she admitted quietly. "They needed parental consent for the surgery. I didn't know what else to do."
Brennan's eyes searched his in hope of approval or at least understanding, but the emotions were new and lost to her. Immediately she began to worry; adding to the pain her body was unsuccessfully ignoring.
"Booth, I'm sorry," she trembled under his stare. "I crossed the line. I should have…."
Cupping her chin in his hand, he effectively interrupted her apology.
"Don't ever apologize for being the best thing in mine and my son's life," he corrected.
Closing her eyes in relief, Temperance allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace once more. She relaxed in the comfort of his arms as his lips rested in a kiss on her forehead.
"Are you okay?" he mumbled; his lips never leaving her skin.
"I'm fine," she sighed.
Pulling back, he searched her eyes for the truth to his question.
"I'm fine," she repeated before continuing. "Besides Parker needs your undivided attention."
Turning back in the direction of the elevators, Temperance resumed her previous journey now with Seeley at her side.
ooOooOooOoo
Upon their arrival to the waiting room, Booth immediately began filling in the absent information on the hospital forms while Brennan poured two cups of the scorched coffee. With a steaming paper cup in each hand, Brennan weaved her way through the sea of maroon upholstered chairs. Booth glanced up to see her approach, gladly accepting the warm liquid offering as she settled into a seat beside him.
"You did pretty good on these," he nodded toward the clipboard before taking a sip from the cup's brim.
Huffing out an argument, "No, I didn't. I didn't know half of the needed information."
"But you tried," he countered, "and to me that means everything."
Her gaze retreated from his to the geometric patterns woven unto the carpeted floor; turning her swollen cheek to his line of vision. His hand drifted to her face tracing underneath the lump that was more pronounced with the deepening colors. She winced at the gentle touch alerting Booth to the pain she was enduring.
"Hey," he whispered as he eased her faced toward him. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, "Just hurts somewhat."
"You don't have to stay here," his voice made a futile attempt at seeming detached.
"I told Parker I would be here when he woke up," she stated. "I won't break my promise."
His heart swelled with her words. So many words choked in his throat as he stared back into the depths of her eyes.
"I…" he fought back words and emotion that threatened to spill, "I…need to get these back to the nurse."
Standing, he felt her eyes watch his movements, but his gaze would not meet hers. Instead he allowed his hand to brush across hers as he walked by her sitting form and toward the waiting room door.
Tilting her head to rest against the wall, Temperance spotted the clock on the opposite wall. Another day had come and gone as the clock read 12:15am. The nap her body stole on Booth's couch was now a distant and yearning memory as her eyes fluttered; fighting her conscious mind.
Returning from the nurses' station, Booth was offered a clear detached view of Temperance through the large windowed walls that encompassed most the waiting room. Her head rested against the rose colored wall; her eyes closed. His eyes caught the unsteady rise and fall of her chest, indicating that she wasn't asleep; at least not yet.
He remained outside the glass barrier for several moments simply watching; trying to figure out what all of this meant. Temperance would rationalize her actions through some innate biological need to protect the young of the species. Booth was certain her actions went far beyond her simple yet complicated explanations.
A strange sensation swept over Brennan as she sat resting her eyes and willing some relief from the dull throbs that racked her body. Instantly on guard, her eyes flew opened seeking out her cause of worry. Much to her relief, the only worry she found was lingering in his eyes and etched in a frown as her eyes locked with his.
Their moment lingered through the clear glass pane; both seeking the answer they weren't ready to hear to a question neither were ready to ask. The longer he took her in, the more content he became with the emotions that filled his soul. He watched her eyes waiting for the inevitable; the rising of the infamous Brennan barricade. Instead he witnessed a sight so rare. The indestructible barriers she'd spent value time constructing and reinforcing began to tumble.
He acted on his first instinct. Moving toward the waiting room door, his strides were determined, making quick of the distance between them. Her face had sought refuge in the palm of her bandaged hand as her defenses began to tatter at the seams. The tears that had been held hostage, forced back to their origins, were trickling down her cheeks as he gathered her into his arms.
"Shh," he soothed; his hand cradling the back of her head.
"I'm…sorry…" she sobbed.
"What could you possibly have to be sorry for?" his lips mumbled against her ear.
She slowly pulled back from his embrace, wiping at the lingering tears, "I didn't mean to cry."
He raised his hand to cup her face. As he spoke his voice was soft, "If anyone has a right to cry, it would be you. You've gone through hell in the last 48 hours and mostly because of me. The bruise on your face is still swollen, the bandage on your hand needs changing, it's obvious both still hurt like hell, and let's not forget the gash just above your brow. You've had maybe a couple hours of sleep, but here you are, sitting in a hospital, waiting for news about my son whose life you probably saved. What I, along with the rest of the human race, want to know is how you held it together this long."
He paused as he searched her glistening eyes, "Temperance, it's alright to cry. It's alright to be human."
The swishing of the waiting room door caused their heads and attention to turn in its direction.
"Mr. and Mrs. Booth," Dr. Williams spoke with ease and confidence as he made his way toward the now standing pair. "Everything went just fine."
"Thank you, doctor," Booth stated stretching out his hand.
Tad returned the firm grasp as he continued, "You're very welcome, but I can't take all the credit. If your wife hadn't gotten Parker here as soon as she did, things could have been much worse."
Booth gave a lingering look toward Temperance has his hand snaked around her waist.
"When can we see him?" Temperance asked; uncomfortable in the attention being given to her.
"You can see him now," Tad continued as he motioned for the pair to follow. "He should be waking up shortly."
Booth and Temperance followed Dr. Williams until reaching Parker's designated room. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Booth was relieved to hear the soft snores that were filling room. He continued further into the room with Brennan in tow. Rounding the corner of the bed, Booth made his way to the light blue pillow that cradled Parker's sleepy head. Temperance remained planted at the foot of the small bed.
"Parker?" Booth whispered as he kissed the forehead barely peeking out from under the circus print sheet.
Giving a slight stir, Parker mumbled something incoherent as a smile engulfed Booth's face.
"Hey, bub," Booth continued. "Daddy's here and so is Tempe."
At Booth's words, Parker's eyes fluttered opened.
"Daddy?" Parker's voice was scratchy and sleep filled.
Temperance reached for the small Styrofoam cup. Filling it with water from the accompanying pitcher, she reached toward Booth handing him the child sized cup.
"Yeah, bub," Booth answered as he bent the cup's straw offering Parker a drink.
"Is Tempe here?" he asked.
"I'm right here," Brennan spoke up as she place a gentle hand on his blanket covered feet.
Parker smiled as his eyes found her at the end of the bed.
A small knock filled the room before the night shift nurse and Dr. Williams proceeded into the room.
"How are you feeling, Parker?" Dr. Williams asked approaching Parker's bedside.
"Tired," he said through a yawn as his eyes fought to stay opened.
"That's to be expected," the nursed smiled at Booth as she took notice of the different readings on the machine.
"Everything looks great," Tad commented to the pair and then turned to notice a sleeping Parker.
"How long will he sleep?" Booth asked; his voice laced with worry.
"Probably for several more hours," Tad explained. "His body needs as much rest as possible to heal."
Tad glanced from Booth to Temperance and back to Booth.
"You are more then welcome to stay," he continued, "but if I were you I'd take my wife home. She's looking worse for wear and if you're not careful you may have both of them in the hospital."
Booth's gaze fell on his exhausted partner, who was now relying heavily on the foot board for support; her eyes trying to mask any weakness.
"I'm fine…."
"I agree," Booth interrupted. "Some much needed rest is exactly what my wife needs. If anything changes with Parker or he wakes up, please give me a call."
Tad nodded in agreement, leaving the couple to say their good nights.
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