Thanks you for reading and reviewing my story. The response to my little stories have been very encouraging.
Because I split out chapters 9 through 11 and moved them to "A Broken Wing", those of you who reviewed those chapters here won't be able to review chapters 9 through 11 again if you are logged in. Even though chapters 9 through 11 are new stories FFN doesn't know that. That's disappointing for me but that's the way it goes.
I don't own Bones.
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Brennan had been editing an article she'd been working on for the journal "The American Journal of Physical Anthropology" when she heard a knock on the doorframe of her office. Looking up, Brennan saw her father standing in the doorway.
Smiling, Brennan said, "Hi, Dad. What brings you here?"
Walking across the room, Max said, "Oh, I thought I'd drop by to see how you're doing?"
Saving her file, Brennan said, "I'm fine. I'm working on that article Dr. Reid wanted me to write for The American Journal of Physical Anthropology."
Sitting down on the chair across from Brennan's desk, Max looked around at the shelves behind his daughter's desk and said, "You know Honey. I've been thinking and I wanted to ask you a question."
Nodding her head, Brennan folded her hands on the desk and said, "What do you wish to ask me?"
Clearing his throat, Max said, "Ok, bear with me. I was talking to Russ last night and he wants to ask a big favor of you; but, he didn't know how you'd take it; so, I told him I'd feel you out."
Frowning, Brennan asked, "Wouldn't it have been better if he'd just asked me?"
Smiling, Max said, "Well, you know Russ. He doesn't like to make waves and I don't care one way or the other way, so anyways here goes. Russ's new job requires him to fill out a will and he and Amy were looking over the legal forms and they both realized that they haven't really protected their kids like they should. They haven't named a guardian for their kids in case they both get killed; so, they were thinking that maybe you'd agree to be the legal guardian of the kids if Russ and Amy die before the girls are of legal age."
Staring at her Father, Brennan said, "I will of course have to talk to Booth before I can give Russ my answer."
Frowning, Max said, "These are your nieces we're talking about. What's to think about?"
Sighing, Brennan said, "I'm in a committed relationship with Booth. If I were to agree to Russ's request and then something were to happen to me then Booth would be obligated to become their legal guardian. I cannot answer for him. That wouldn't be fair. We're partners and we make major decisions together. I will have to talk to Booth and find out if he would be willing to be named as their guardian."
Shaking his head, Max said, "If you don't take them then they would end up with either me or Amy's parents. Her parents are older than I am. We might not live long enough to raise those girls. They could end up in Foster Care. Are you telling me you'd allow those girls to end up in Foster Care?"
Frowning, Brennan said, "You cannot force me to make a decision for Booth, Dad. I won't do it. I will talk to Booth and then I will give Russ my answer."
Angry, Max said, "Family comes first, Tempe. Even if Booth isn't willing you should be. You've been in Foster Care. You know what it's like. I can't believe that you'd actually have to think about this."
A little angry herself, Brennan said, "Since when does family come first with you, Dad? Yes, I know what Foster Care is like. I know what it's like because you and Mom abandoned me. Then Russ abandoned me. The only time family comes first in the Brennan family is when it's convenient. Well my family is very important to me and I will not make a decision that will cause friction with Booth. If he says yes then the answer will be yes. If he says no then the answer will be no. It's his life too and I will not do anything to make him unhappy with our relationship. I've done enough of that."
Standing up, Max said, "What the hell, Tempe. I was there for you when Pelant was after you. I kept you safe. I kept your baby safe. I didn't have to do that. I did it because I love you and you are my family. I did not abandon you when you were a child. Your mother and I fled to keep some very evil men away from you. We did what we did to save your life. If we'd have taken you with us you might have died. Your mother died. You could have been killed too."
Sniffing, Brennan said, "Well we'll never know will we and as far as your claims that I wasn't abandoned then why did I end up in Foster Care? Well taken care children aren't put into the system. Abandoned children are put into the system. You did help me when I ran from Pelant; but, running away caused a lot of problems for my family and I'm not so sure you did me a favor talking me into leaving Booth like I did. You cannot make me feel guilty for consulting with Booth about this decision. I will not force him to do something he wouldn't want to do. I will talk to him and then I will give Russ my decision."
Shaking his head, Max said, "Booth is more important than Russ and his kids, more important than me? We're blood, Tempe. Hell, you aren't even married to Booth. If he's so important to you then why aren't you two married? Huh, why?"
Nodding her head, Brennan said, "Of course, Booth is more important to me. As for why we aren't married, that is none of your business."
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That evening, when Booth dropped by to pick up Brennan, Brennan had been very quiet. Driving home, Booth had tried to get Brennan to talk to him; but, after awhile he realized that she wasn't listening to him. Booth, thinking that he'd done something to upset her, said, "Everything ok there, Bones?"
Reaching over and putting her hand on Booth's right arm, Brennan said, "Everything is fine. I'm just thinking. When we get home we need to talk."
Glancing at Brennan and then at the road, Booth said, "Why can't we talk now? I'm game."
Sighing, Brennan said, "Russ wants to make you and I the legal guardians of Emma and Hayley if anything should happen to Russ and Amy. I told Dad that I would have to talk to you before I agree to that arrangement."
Glancing at Brennan again, Booth said, "Do you want to do it?"
Frowning, Brennan said, "I want this decision to be a mutual decision, Booth. It will affect you just as much as it will affect me. I want to know how you feel about it. Do you want to agree to the arrangement?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Booth said, "Ok, sure. I don't see why not. Amy doesn't have any brothers or sisters and Russ only has you. There isn't anyone else; so, yeah, I think I'd be fine with it."
Sighing, Brennan said, "I don't want you to make the decision based on Russ's and Amy's lack of relatives. I want you to base your decision on whether or not it's the right thing for you and me."
Afraid he was walking into a Brennan mine field, Booth said, "You know Bones, I'm fine with it. I'd rather not have Hayley and Emma in the system, not if I can prevent it. If you don't want to do it; then, that's between you and Russ; but, I said I'm fine with it and I am."
Nodding her head, Brennan smiled and said, "Thank you Booth. I didn't want to force you to do something you didn't want to do. We're partners and it's important that we make all major decisions together. The last major decision I made affected you and I didn't allow you to have any say. I promised you that I'd never do that again and I wanted you to see that I'm keeping my word."
Smiling, Booth reached out and touched Brennan on the shoulder and said, "Thanks, Bones. I got that. You tell Russ that we'll do it."
Clearing his throat, Booth said, "You know we really don't have a guardianship paper filled out for Christine. We need to talk about that one ourselves. I will tell you that there is no chance in Hell that I would want Jared named as my daughter's guardian. Pops is too old and right now, Parker is too young. Max is out of the question too. We don't have a lot of choices. It would have to be Russ or one our friends."
Nodding her head, Brennan said, "Yes, I know and I agree with your summary. I would like to ask Hodgins and Angela to be the guardians of Christine if something were to happen to us."
Smiling, Booth said, "Well, that was easier than I'd thought it would be. Of course, they have to agree to it; but, I don't see Angela saying no."
Looking at Booth, Brennan said, "I will ask them tomorrow. Thank you Booth."
Puzzled, Booth said, "For what?"
Patting his knee, Brennan said, "For being my partner and my friend. I love you Booth and I appreciate your qualities that make you who you are."
Glancing at Brennan, Booth said, "Thanks Bones. I love you too and I like your qualities too."
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Interesting? Not interesting? Reviews would be appreciated.