IX. A Bump
Telling everyone that you are in a relationship with the woman you have not-so-secretly loved for the last years is big. Adding to it that you are expecting a child with her is bigger than big. Admitting that said child wasn't exactly planned is almost a little bit embarrassing for two people who were usually so very good at both planning and procrastinating.
Pick one reason, and it alone would explain why Seeley Booth and Temperance Brennan were nervous and thrilled at the same time to reveal the change in their relationship to everyone. They talked about it a lot. She had something like, "Here are your results, Dr. Saroyan. And, by the way, I'm pregnant," in mind. He had the suspicious feeling that there had to be betting pools. Hell, a few years ago he would have run one by himself. Even though he believed strongly in theirs, Booth knew that a lot of people had witnessed their love story unfold, that there were more observers than he really liked.
Two more weeks passed by while they couldn't really make up their mind, but, truth be told, it didn't weigh too heavily on them. Brennan was blooming. To him who knew it was obvious that she was pregnant; not only had her body gained a few pleasant curves, she was also surrounded by a dazzling glow. Of course, he wasn't really objective when it came to her beauty, but Booth found himself more and more enchanted by her.
Brennan was just... rolling with it. After the morning sickness had subsided, she wasn't really bothered by her pregnancy, and for most of the time she simply enjoyed being a woman in love. It was still unfamiliar at times, but oh so sweet. Last week, shopping for groceries, she had experienced a moment of awe right between the dairy aisle and the ice cream freezer cabinet. Her shopping list had been neat and organized as always, but right on the bottom she had found his carefree handwriting.
Oreos.
Toothpaste.
Not exactly the most romantic words ever written, but they had been proof of the new reality she was living, and her face had lit up in innocent glee. They were sharing a life. Even though there were still his place and her place, both had become kind of theirs.
On her way to the checkout counter a daringly colored pair of socks had caught her attention, and, without thinking twice, she had added it to her cart. Thinking about the significant other without really thinking about it – it was exactly what women in love do, and Temperance Brennan had always had an exceptionally steep learning curve.
Lolling on her couch one quiet Saturday afternoon, Brennan was partly waiting for Booth to return from the gym and partly doing nothing at all. A little wrapped gift was resting on her belly, and she watched it rising and sinking with every breath she took. Not so long ago she had always been busy, vibrating with energy like a humming bee. Now that she was about to turn into a bumble-bee – Brennan chuckled silently and congratulated herself on the simile; she was really becoming quite amusing – she had learned to see the purpose in being, at first glance, purposeless. In fact, her life felt even fuller since she allowed herself the occasional hour of laziness.
She had always been a morning person. He loved to sleep in and could be quite grumpy after a few nights of sleep deprivation. She needed a tidy apartment to relax, while he had an undeniable tendency to messiness. They had managed to meet somewhere in the middle. It wasn't as if he had adopted her rhythm or she his, somehow they had created a new one. And the rest... the rest were compromises of love.
Once he had asked for "forever". She still couldn't give him that promise, she simply didn't believe in it. But she could give him moments, and if they summed up to "forever", Brennan would be the last to object. She had learned that they both yearned for the same thing; they just had different ways to label it. They spoke different languages, but it didn't mean that they couldn't understand each other. Plus, there was one language they had in common: the promises of kisses, the unspoken commitment that lay in a touch, in a caress.
One way or another, they had always understood each other. Because he knew her, and she knew him.
A key in the door – his very own key – alerted her to his approach, and she smiled down at the little gift.
"Hey Bones."
His voice vibrated through the apartment, followed by the man himself. Booth strode the room with the elegance of a warrior, bending over to place a soft kiss in her hair. And another one on her lips.
"Hey yourself," she answered, looping her arms around his neck.
He withdrew quickly.
"I'm all sweaty."
"I know," she said, pulling him closer again, her tongue trailing the salty path to the column of his throat.
"Hmm," he hummed in appreciation, his hands clasping her shoulders.
Finally his gaze fell to her midsection, noticing the wrapped little something.
"You have a gift for me?" he asked, sounding hopeful and childlike at the same time.
"I believe I do."
Booth brought himself at eye level with her by dropping to his knees next to the couch. She looked so soft and relaxed, only one thing tensed about her, and that was the thin shirt hugging her belly. Tilting his head, he placed a quick kiss on top of the little bump.
"Hi baby."
"He cannot hear you, Booth."
"You keep saying that."
"You keep ignoring it."
"Don't listen to her, baby. Sometimes your mommy is way too rational."
Brennan rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a smirk.
"You're starting showing," he stated, his gaze wandering from her abdomen back to her face, surrounding her with chocolate-brown warmth. "So beautiful," he murmured close to her lips before claiming her for a sweet kiss.
Lips locking, tongues sweeping over each other. Her scent whispering, "Welcome home," her taste so utterly familiar. He sighed into her mouth and could feel her smile. They broke apart after a while, foreheads resting against each other. Finally, he remembered something.
"Ahem, about that present..."
She laughed that kind of throaty laughter he loved so much and gave him the small gift.
"It's nothing. I just saw it the other day and had to think of you. You wanna open it?"
"Absolutely," he beamed, ripping off the blue gift wrapping.
A pair of socks fell into his open palm, and he had to chuckle at the bright colors. Then he recognized the pattern because on the socks themselves there were a lot of tiny shoes, and right in between he could read a five-letter-word that caused his heart to clench. He swallowed quickly.
"Aw, Bones, you bought me 'Daddy' socks?"
She nodded, sporting an almost shy smile.
"They were calling out to me somehow. And I know that this gesture is overly sentimental," she stated with a frown, "but I couldn't help myself."
"I love them," he exclaimed, peppering soft kisses along her arm. "And look, you chose gender neutral colors," he chuckled, taking in the yellow and green yarn.
She nodded vehemently.
"Of course. Despite your tendency to pretend otherwise, we don't know the sex yet."
With one swift move he scooped her up in his arms and plopped onto the couch with her in his lap. His nose brushed hers while he cradled her lovingly.
"You know I'd be over the moon about a little boy as well, don't you?"
"Yes," she answered without a hint of doubt.
"It's just... I'm so happy, and if it makes us 'overly sentimental', I don't care. I love my socks, Bones."
"I love your socks as well. You could wear them tonight."
They were supposed to attend an exhibition opening at the Jeffersonian that night, but, truth be told, he had already forgotten what the exhibition was about, and even though the squints could be fun, he wasn't overly eager to spend a Saturday evening in the museum. On the other hand, she would be next to him, probably wearing a beautiful dress, and he would make sure to hold her hand all evening long. They were done pretending and hiding, and while he patted the soft swelling of her belly, Booth pondered if they could kill two birds with one stone.
"What are you gonna wear tonight?" he asked, his lips caressing her auricle as he spoke.
"I bought a new dress. It's black, very elegant, Empire cut. I won't look pregnant."
"You know, Bones," now he was nibbling her earlobe, and she moaned barely audibly, "maybe you should wear something very tight instead."
"You really think so? Shouldn't we talk to them at first?"
"Let your body speak, Baby."
She giggled, partly because of his words and partly because of his weekend stubble tickling her neck.
"Fine, but I have to call Angela beforehand. She'll kill me if she isn't the first to know."
"Fair enough."
His mouth slanted down on hers anew, and they kissed each other for a few timeless heartbeats. Finally her face nuzzled in the crook of his neck, smelling fresh sweat mingled with his natural scent. So delicious. So intoxicating. He held her in his arms as if she was a dainty doll, weighing nothing, and she admired his strength.
"You wanna take a shower?"
Brennan surprised him by jumping to her feet and tugging at his hand.
"Are you telling me that I stink?"
"No, I merely want you naked and slippery under my hands," she answered honestly.
His pants got very tight at her blunt words, and one more time he was amazed by the power she held over him.
"Okay," he croaked, following her lead enthusiastically.
Her shower stall was big, providing more luxury than his tub/shower curtain combination, and five minutes later Booth found himself under the warm spray. She was lathering him with shower gel right now, not missing one inch of skin, and being the center of her undivided focus gave him a ridiculous kick. She even had that little line of concentration between her brows.
He was so helplessly in love with her.
His body was hard under her hands, had been hard since she had first touched him, and he was burning so softly from the inside out.
"Bones," he whispered, taking the sponge out of her hands, spinning her around until he was pinning her against the tiled wall.
"Booth," she pouted," I wasn't ready yet."
"I was," he answered, and without preamble his mouth lowered to her neck while two of his fingers plunged into her.
She gasped, and then he gasped as well because she was already so wet. He pumped in and out while her own hand grasped his velvet-hard shaft, stroking in a rhythm that matched his own. Eyes wide open, he searched her gaze, meeting her dazed blue. She nodded at his unspoken question, and when he lifted her, Brennan's legs tightened around his hips in a secure lock. Tilting his head, he captured one dusky nipple, sucking the stiff bud into his mouth.
Her head fell back on a whimper, and, rocking his pelvis, he entered her with one simple stroke. The sensation made her almost delirious, and she held on to him with every limb she owned.
"Oh, Bones," he moaned, shivers running down his spine at the silky sensation of the perfect fit.
"Love me," she whispered against his lips.
The sound of the spraying water carried away their sighs and groans; the steam in the shower stall almost as thick as the heat they were creating between themselves. It would be over fast, they both knew it, but they weren't in a hurry, and he moved deliciously slowly inside of her. This woman who was so soft and heavy in his arms right now – she was still the same woman he had laughed with, drank with, chased murderers with. He had always suspected passion and vulnerability underneath her cool appearance, and over the years he had gotten a few glimpses every now and then. They had gone straight to his heart, every single one.
There was nothing cool about the Temperance Brennan who was clinging to him in this very moment, trembling in his arms. She was open, so open, and, as always, the realization ran like alleviating fluid over his old scars.
"I love you, Baby," he uttered, and her head fell to his shoulder under tiny kisses.
"Love you, too," she panted, "so, so much."
Brennan felt weightless, as he rocked her in his arms. She trusted him infinitely. This man – he was still the same Booth she had shared meals with, bickered with, worked with. For so long she hadn't allowed herself to love him; she simply hadn't been able to believe that she, Brennan, could treat him like he deserved it. She had wanted to protect him, but, by doing so, she had hurt him the most. And even though she had always trusted him, she had had to learn to trust herself as well.
His love washing over her, his devotion palpable in every kiss, every caress, she knew that she was worth it, that she did indeed make him happy. She could feel his pure bliss, and it was her own.
"Close," he murmured, thrusting deep into her soft body, and she nodded.
"Come with me."
"Yes."
He moved faster, harder, and very soon they were both teetering on the edge, and then they were falling. She gasped into his kiss, clutching him with her arms and her silky inner muscles, and he was drowning in her until nothing but the sound of running water remained.
Nothing but the sweet aftermath of fulfilled love.
-BONES-
The dress she had chosen to wear was mauve, and while the hem waved fluffily around her slender ankles, it hugged her upper body in a tight caress, emphasizing her full breasts and, well, every other curve of her body – inclusive her slightly rounded belly. Her mahogany hair was falling freely onto her creamy shoulders, her face showing just a hunch of make-up.
She looked freaking fantastic, and Booth couldn't tear his eyes away from her – which was turning into a problem since he was driving. He himself wore a tux, and he knew that they looked spectacular together. In fact, he had seen exactly how spectacular when he had hugged her just a few minutes ago in front of her big mirror.
"Tell me again what the exhibition is about, Bones."
"The possibility of extraterrestrial influences on the Mayan culture."
"I cannot believe Hodgins is missing this," he chuckled. "It doesn't really sound so scientific."
"Well, it's controversial."
"Speaking about Hodgins..."
"Angela! You're right, I have to call her."
Opening her tiny purse, Brennan took her cell and hit the button which stood for her best friend. It rang a few times before it went to voicemail.
"Angela, this is Brennan speaking. I want to inform you that Booth and I are expecting a child. I'm pregnant. Please check the time code of this message to be reassured that you knew it before anyone else did. Bye."
She ended the call, and he erupted in laughter.
"She will kill and grill you."
"Metaphorically speaking, I hope."
Five minutes later they entered the museum, and even before he had had a chance to reach for her hand, it already slipped into his bigger one. He could hear her shuddered breath and squeezed her fingers tenderly.
"It's show time, Honey," he whispered, and a tiny smile played around her lips.
Camille Saroyan had just finished her talk with the director of the Egyptian department when a beautiful couple at the entrance caught her attention.
"Oh my God..."
Her jaw dropped to the floor, as she registered the change in Brennan's silhouette.
Seconds later an overexcited Daisy Wick rushed in her direction, one dumbstruck psychologist on her trail.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," Daisy squealed, grabbing Cam's arm.
"Exactly my thoughts," Cam stated drily.
"When... how... why?" Sweets stuttered, his cheeks pale, his eyes as big as saucers.
"I have no idea, but evidence suggests about three months ago," Cam answered.
"How could you have missed this?" Daisy screamed, her breathing exercises long forgotten.
"Hey," Wendell made his appearance – Clark Edison following shortly after – pointing in the direction of his boss and her partner. "You've seen that?"
"Absolutely," Cam said but shook her head.
"What do we do now? Dr. Brennan cannot abandon us. I mean, usually when I need advice I think WWBD, but considering what she has very obviously done, I mean..."
"Breathe, Daisy," Sweets croaked, unable to hide his shock.
"She's pregnant. He has to be the father."
"Well, he's holding her hand."
"Now she's laughing."
"Look how he's looking at her."
"She's kissing him."
"Awwwwwww..."
"I so hope that this is his baby."
"I hope she conceived it the old-fashioned way."
"What do we do now?"
"Drink. Now. Fast. Hope that we're over the shock once they're coming to us."
Five coworkers slash friends turned around to the bar, seeking help in golden spirit, while Booth and Brennan shook hands, made small talk, accepted some congratulations. The room was thick with unasked questions, and sometimes it was very hard to hide a smirk faced with a particularly shocked face. People with cameras were lingering suspiciously close to them.
'Yup, definitely betting pools,' Booth thought.
After a while they spotted their friends draining the bar.
"You think they haven't seen us, yet?" Brennan whispered, leaning close to Booth.
"No way. Bones, could this be the very first time we rendered our friends speechless?"
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," she said, gnawing her lip.
He cupped her chin with his fingers, his thumb brushing her bottom lip.
"Hey, Honey, look at me. I don't even care. You and me, that's what's important."
Tilting her head, she pressed her rosy lips to his. Some cameras were clicking unbeknownst to them.
"You are wonderful," she stated seriously.
"So are you," he answered equally touched.
"Shall we say hello to our friends?"
"We shall."
Hand in hand they walked towards the bar, and five heads tilted to swallow some more liquid courage.
"Hi everyone," Booth greeted, and, finally, the others turned around.
"Seeley, Dr. Brennan... congratulations," Cam managed to say, not a blink betraying her feelings.
"That was quite an entrance," Clark blurted out, stepping forward to envelop his boss in an awkward embrace.
Booth glared at the squint but the latter chose to ignore it and wrapped his arms around the bigger man as well. It felt like hugging a rock, Clark realized and hurried to retreat.
"You're having a baby!"
Daisy clapped her hands enthusiastically and took a step in Brennan's direction who outstretched her hand in a dismissive gesture.
"A hug won't be necessary, Miss Wick."
Wendell cleared his throat.
"Congratulations, both on the romance and on the baby, if I interpret the signs correctly."
"You do interpret them correctly, man," Booth answered with an amused grin.
"And thank you," Brennan added, nuzzling up closer to her partner.
They were oozing happiness and intimacy, Sweets realized, and something hit his guts like a punch.
"Congratulations from me as well," he managed to say politely, and Booth arched an eyebrow at him.
"That's all you have to say?"
"Is there more to say?" Sweet deadpanned while his mind was screaming, 'How? When? Why?'
Booth shrugged, wrapping his arm closer around Brennan.
"I guess not. Nice party, huh?"
Five heads nodded half-heartedly, and Booth felt almost pity for them.
"Hey, guys, it's not as if we didn't want to tell you."
"He's right," Brennan nodded, "it just... never came up."
Cam outstretched her arms dramatically.
"It never came up? How could that happen since I ask questions about your sex life so regularly?" she exclaimed, and even Brennan didn't miss the irony in her words.
"In fact, Dr. Saroyan, you've asked me those questions several times over the last years. But I understand your reaction."
Cam shrugged it off.
"Sorry. I'm just... kind of speechless right now. But I'd like to discuss details on Monday."
"Details?" Brennan asked with an almost panicked expression, and Booth couldn't suppress his chuckle. Yup, he definitely loved this woman.
"Details such as maternity leave," Cam added drily, and Brennan exhaled in relief.
"Oh."
"So, you're in a relationship? Really?"
Booth and Brennan exchanged a glance and a smile.
"We are."
"You don't deny that you're in love with each other anymore?"
"Nope."
"And you're having a baby?"
"That's correct."
"I need another drink."
-BONES-
Half an hour later a couple in love was swaying on the dance floor, her head on his shoulder, a flimsy mauve dress waving with every move. At the bar a miserable psychologist was clutching his glass, and even his bubbly girlfriend couldn't lighten his mopey mood.
"Lancelot, I don't understand you," Daisy exclaimed. "This is what you've always predicted, what you've always hoped for. Why aren't you happy now?"
Sweets shrugged and gulped another drink.
"Baby steps. More baby steps. Backward steps. And baby steps again. I've been there, we all have. We've watched this love story for years, and it has been epic and wearing at the same time. It has been our very own soap opera. The eye sex, the trust, all those little touches. We saw them breaking, but we came back. We've survived the Hannah time. We noticed her changes. Then, suddenly, the little touches were back. And now? Pang! Just like that they're a couple, and she's pregnant? We've missed it, Daisy, we've missed the most important part! I feel cheated."
One more drink. Daisy rolled her eyes impatiently.
"What? Did you expect an invitation? Or an email afterwards? Subject: Agent Booth and Dr. Brennan just had sex?"
Sweets pouted, his eyes already glassy.
"No... 'f course not. Just, I don't know... it feels as if we've missed the big finale."
Tugging at his arm, Daisy turned him around on the bar stool, pointing at two people on the dance floor. Booth had just said something, and Brennan threw her head back in laughter. They were a stunning couple, surrounded by elegance and a glow of happiness, and right between their swaying bodies, there was the soft curve of her belly.
"Lance, look at them. They're so cute. You miss even more by staring into your glass."
"Look, Daisy, I will be happy for them, I know it. God knows they deserve it. But right now... right now I have to deal with the loss."
"The loss?"
He shrugged again.
"We've always kind of known that, at some, point something would have to happen. It was wishful thinking, faith, hope, fate... everything. A whole bunch of good things. Now it has happened. What do we hope for now?"
"Aw, that is sweet but stupid. You can always wish for more happiness, for a healthy baby. But I get it, your lab rats have outgrown their cage, and it makes you sad."
He turned around almost furiously.
"Don't put it like this. They are my friends, not my lab rats."
Daisy hurried to back-pedal.
"Okay, be stupid then. Whine into your drink. I'm gonna dance now."
Turning on her heels, Daisy disappeared, and Sweets let his gaze wander back to Booth and Brennan, dancing cheek to cheek, soul to soul.
A soft sigh escaped his lips.
He would be happy for them.
Tomorrow.
To be continued...
1. No Bones until November? Sigh...
2. Because I totally felt like Sweets.
3. Mistakes are to blame on the good Italian wine.
