Disclaimer: See Previous Chapters.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brennan entered the waiting room timidly, allowing Booth to lead her by the hand to the check-in desk. "I'm Temperance Brennan, I have an appointment with Dr. Kent," she told the receptionist, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

"He's running a little late today. Have a seat and we'll call you when he's ready," the woman told her with a kind smile. Bones smiled back hesitantly before taking a seat in the chair that was the furthest away from the other occupants.

"Embarrassed?" Booth asked, obviously amused.

"No, of course not. It's an anthropological---Yes."

"It's all right, Bones. Everybody gets scared."

"Even you?"

"…Except me."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Booth. Everyone experiences fear at several points in their life."

"Well, I don't, OK?"

"If you're sure you don't want to talk about it…"

"I'm sure."

They drifted into silence, Booth playing with Brennan's fingers absently while she flipped through a magazine spread on her lap with her free hand. When they were finally called back into the exam room, Brennan surged to her feet. She tugged Booth after her, eager to get the appointment behind them so she could return to the lab. The nurse led them into their examination room, saying cheerfully, "The doctor will be with you in a moment," before bouncing away. Booth grinned at Brennan, eyeing the gown on the back of the door. However, his sly grin slipped from his lips when he saw her hands gripping each other tightly, knuckles white. Gripping her waist, he lifted her onto the exam table and lightly grasped her face in his hands. "I love you, Temperance, and I know that you love me. This baby is simply proof of that love. All right? There's nothing to be afraid of."

"I realize that, Booth. It's just difficult for me to plan ahead when I have no prior experience with infants."

"What about Andy?"

"That was a temporary situation, Booth!"

"And you did wonderfully, sweetheart."

"I believe that it is time for you to come to terms with the fact that I have no maternal or spousal instincts. I will do my best for this baby, and for this relationship, but without any true experience on which to base my actions, I fear that my efforts will be lackluster."

"Nothing you do is lackluster, Bones. I doubt you could ever do anything other than your best. And as long as you love me and our kids, nothing else matters. Deal?" He grasped her hand lightly in his, shaking it firmly when she nodded in agreement.

"Hello Temperance, Seeley!" Dr. Kent stepped into the room, a middle-aged man with a head full of blonde hair and dark eyes surrounded by laugh lines. "And how is everything? Any more queasiness?"

"I have managed to retain the contents of my stomach for several weeks now, Dr. Kent."

"Well, except for the shrimp the other night. In her defense, they weren't very well cooked--" Booth injected, taking a seat in the chair next to the exam table.

"Ah." Dr. Kent picked up her chart from the folder-bin on the door, studying it before writing a note in the margins. "Good. Normally the nausea ends after the first trimester." After a few more questions, a quick exam and some diet tips, it was time for the scan.

Brennan watched on in disbelieving wonder as their baby's form came into view on the monitor. Booth held one of her hands, rubbing his cheek against her knuckles affectionately as they watched.

"And it's a…."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

Yes, I did it. However, it is really hard for me to choose a gender! What's say we have a vote? Most votes wins, of course. The end date for the vote will be…April 27th, 2009. I wish I could get the next chapter done sooner, but my birthday is April 23rd and I have tons of studying to do next week. I love you all! Thanks ever so much for all of your support and especially your comments.

Whisper