B/N: The Birth comes...the arrival of the newest squint.


It was nearing Christmas, two days to go, when Brennan woke to sharp pains and knew something was wrong. She ran Daisy's room, "Daisy, I need your help…my contractions have started. Yes I need a ride so can you please get dressed and meet me downstairs."

After hanging up with Daisy, she write and email to Booth despite the pain in her back.


To: Sgt. Maj. S. Booth

From: Dr. Temperance Brennan

Message: I'm in premature labor at 36 weeks, unsure what will happen once I get to the hospital. Please hurry as soon as you get this message.

I may not believe but please do so in your faith, pray for Elizabeth's safe delivery into this world. She has a good chance of survival but she also has a chance of medical complications.

I love you Booth, never doubt that.

Bones


She packed her computer and grabbed her purse, heading to the door. Not knowing when she'd return or if she would.

They arrived at the hospital and it wasn't long before Bryers saw her. "How are you feeling?"

"The contractions have stopped."

"We gave you a drug, Indometacin to stop the labor because you've dilated two centimeters. We want to keep that little girl in there a bit longer. She's perfectly well developed but staying in the womb will do her some good." Bryers looked at her, "try to relax and stay calm, I see you brought your computer to do work so relax and do that."

She relaxed as she went through photos on her computer of the dig site, looking them over and writing notes. Checking her email, she found a message waiting for her.


To: Dr. Temperance Brennan

From: Sgt. Maj. S. Booth

Message: I'm hopping the next plane out so I'll be there in time…we hope.

I'm praying Bones, for you both not just Elizabeth. I'll see you when I get there so just stay strong.

I love you both.

Booth


After reading the email she went back to work. The dig site photos would keep her busy for a decade if she was to work her normal work hours but being on bed rest has its advantages.

Daisy and Sweets made it up to the floor to visit the next day, both baring gifts. "How are you doing Dr. Brennan?"

"I'm good, I'm almost finished with the excavation work, it can be sent back to the Jeffersonian once I'm finished."

Sweets looked at her, "how are you doing, have they said anything about the baby yet?"

"Bed rest for now, the had to give me medication to stop labor. Although she'll live if delivered at present gestation, it's best to keep her in the womb to prevent medical issues."

"Well if you need anything at all, just call the hotel and we'll get it for you."

They left and after they did, Brennan noticed her contractions had begun again and Bryers concluded that the labor couldn't be put off so she stopped the Indometacin.

Brennan looked at her belly and smiled, "just a few more hours and you'll enter the world."


Within five hours she was in full labor, contractions and dilation…even if the latter was coming slowly. It was midday on Christmas Eve when Booth arrived to find her resting and asleep, the nurse checking her vitals.

"How is she?" He looked at the nurse and the woman smiled.

"She's halfway there, you're the dad?" Booth nodded and placed a hand on Brennan's head, pushing back hair. "Good luck, she's stubborn and refuses an epidural. She says she wants it natural."

"Yeah, she's like that." The nurse left and Booth sat in the chair beside the bed, allowing a hand to rest on Brennan's belly. "Hey there baby girl, Daddy's here."

Brennan opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Booth, "Booth?"

"Hey baby," he leaned down and kissed her head, "how are you feeling?"

She shrugged and tensed as a contraction ripped through her, she grabbed Booth's hand and squeezed it. He nodded and watched her, she finally released his hand and eyed him. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay…you break my hand if you want, you're the one in pain." He brushed back her hair and smiled, "looks like Elizabeth is going to deliver on Christmas…we'll never be able to forget it now."

"I'm worried about her health, she's going to be born a full month ahead of her original delivery date."

He shook his head, "no, she'll be fine…she'll be fine and if she does have a medical condition, we'll handle it together. I promise you, we'll get through this together like we have everything else."

"I love you Booth." She smiled and looked down to see his hand on her belly, she placed hers over his.


The contractions and dilation continued for hours, it was around midnight that Bryers said she was prepared to push. Booth held her hand as Brennan laid pushing.

"Good Temperance, push, good. Ten, night, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and one." Bryers smiled and grabbed the suction bulb to suction out the nose and mouth. "Good, let's get these shoulders past. Big push, very big push."

Brennan was mildly silent through the entire process, something that surprised everyone…even Booth. "Come on baby, you can do it."

"Good Temperance, big push…that's one shoulder so let's get the other out."

Within seconds the room was filled with the sound of a newborn's cries. "You did it baby," Booth looked at Brennan and she laid her head back, "you did it." He kissed her head and took the scissors that Bryers was handing him.

He watched as his daughter was weighed and measured, Bryers began the process of removing the afterbirth.


Later after both mom and daughter were cleaned up, Booth went to make a few calls while Brennan got a few minutes alone with their daughter.

"I've been told that perfection does not exist but I must disagree with science…you are perfect in my eyes. You're my daughter, your father and I had a name picked out for you but we decided to change it at the last moment. Your father and I both agree you are too small to hold the name Elizabeth so we decided to call you Amanda…Amanda Christine Booth but we'll call you Amy."

A knock came and Daisy entered with three balloons and a bear, "hi Dr. Brennan, we won't be staying long but we wanted to come by and see the little one."

Sweets looked at Amy and smiled, "she's absolutely adorable, what's her name?"

"Amanda Christine but we'll call her Amy."


After a while, both left and Booth came back, he quickly set up the computer and turned on the webcam. Parker and Rebecca were soon seen, he looked at them. "Hey guys."

"Hi Dad."

Booth looked at them, "I want you to meet someone," he turned the screen towards Brennan and the baby, "Parker I'd like you to meet your new baby sister, Amanda Christine Booth but we call her Amy."

"She's so tiny."

They all laughed and Brennan repositioned Amy for Parker to see better, "can you see her better?"

"Yeah, what color eyes does she have?"

Booth looked at Brennan and she answered, "she has blue eyes like me."

"When do I get to hold her?"

Brennan looked at Parker, "my dig is still under a heavy storm called a monsoon so I'm coming home in a week. You can have your mom bring you by and see her if you'd like."

"Yeah, can we mom please can we?"

Rebecca nodded, "I'll call you for a good time to come over."


The session soon ended and Booth looked at Brennan as he took Amy in his arms, "I have to go back in two days. You're returning home?"

"It's unlikely the rain will let up and when it does, we will be removing water and mud for months so I have no reason to stay."

"Alright, I'm going to miss you guys, four months to go, just promise me you'll keep safe till I get home."

"I promise."

He leaned down and kissed her, "I love you Bones, so much and I love Amy."

She looked at the baby in his arms, "we both love you, even if she can't express it yet, I know she loves her father."

"Do me a favor and send out birth announcements after I leave, so I receive one."


Two days later Brennan held Amy as they saw Booth off, he hugged Brennan and kissed Amy's head. "I love you…both of you. I'll see you when I get home."

"We'll be waiting for you, at the Mall by the coffee cart."

He kissed her and pushed her hair back, "I'll look forward to seeing you there."

He picked up his bag and kissed them each one more time. Brennan pushed back her tears as she watched him leave. "I love you."

"I love you too, both of you."

She headed towards the exit and smiled, knowing going home was going to be a breeze.


A/N: Now comes multiple views as each of the team receives birth announcements and they know who the father is.