AN: Just a quick thank you for being patient while I worked out some personal stuff and took a hiatus from posting this story. I've decided that writing while working out the remainder of my life is easier than not writing while working out my life. So here I am, writing. Oh and the song is by Bobby Darin.

Chapter 10 Splish Splash

Temperance slid out of the Mustang and walked slowly to the house, Booth following at his own languid pace.

"I'm stuffed," she complained, her stomach aching from the plethora of cake and entrée samples consumed at the tasting.

"But it was so good, Bones. Wasn't everything good?"

"Sure. And now, I don't have to eat for a month!" They reached the front door and entered. Soon Temperance had curled up on the couch, pulling a blanket over her shoulders. The shopping, eating, and then selecting the food for the wedding had exhausted her.

"Take a nap, Bones. We'll work some more on the plans when you wake up." Temperance responded with a soft snore as she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of wedding dress whites and toppling cake tiers.

Booth was buried in papers at the kitchen table, sorting through the caterer's estimates and contracts when Temperance awoke.

"Hi, how was your nap?" He asked as she blinked the sleep out of her eyes and yawned.

"Fine. I need to go back to the dress shop…" Booth smiled at his fiancée and broke the news as gently as possible.

"It's seven o'clock, Tempe. They're already closed." Temperance gasped.

"Oh, Angela, I was going to-"

"Angela called; she found her dress and extended the hold on the dresses you reserved. Four dresses, Bones? Really, four?" She glanced away, sheepish, before sliding into the bench seat next to him.

"Yeah. I can't decide."

"You know you can come down that aisle wrapped in cellophane, or nothing at all, and I'd be happy." His arm draped over her shoulder and squeezed her gently.

"Save that thought for the honeymoon, Booth. By the way, how are the plans coming?"

"You've asked me that already. Everything is done, no worries."

"When do we pay for the place or whatever?"

"It's already paid for and taken care of. I told you, everything is done."

"Well, answer me this: Did the arrangements, whatever they are, cost money?" Booth sighed at her perseverance and answered as vaguely as he could. I knew she wouldn't like this but I've made up my mind, we're doing this.

"Yes. Now please drop it."

"I thought we agreed we'd pay for everything with the proceeds from my last book advance. Why is this different?"

"It just is, Bones." Temperance frowned and continued, aided by the drowsiness of sleep and her confusion.

"Seeley, we agreed. This isn't about my money or your money, it's ours. And you were the one who said you deserved to spend the proceeds since Andy, and his sexapades with Kathy, are so evidently based on you. Why won't you use that money? I don't have to know where it's going, it can still be a surprise."

"Temperance stop." Booth pulled away and turned until he was facing her, trying to convey his seriousness without letting anger rule his face.

"This is something that I needed to do, by myself, for me. You will have a great time, I can promise you that. But I chose it, I paid for it, and I will explain it all to you after the wedding. Well, after the wedding night. This is not up for discussion." And he scooted round the table, leaving her staring after him, incredulously.

Temperance yawned, stretching like a lazy cat in the sunshine. Her afternoon nap did nothing but drain her remaining energy and enthusiasm for planning the wedding. Flowers were purchased, dresses reserved, food selected and invitations sent. Now all she wanted to do was cozy down in a tub full of bubbles and relax.

And that's exactly what she was doing when Booth found her. Sitting on the tub's edge, he tucked a strand of wet hair behind her ear.

"Hey." His voice was gentle and soft.

"Hey." Her blue eyes held a mix of confusion over his fuss with the honeymoon and shame for badgering him about it.

"I know this isn't the best time but I've got to go take care of some things tonight."

"Okay, just don't wake me when you get home. Or, sleep in Parker's room and I'll wear some normal pajamas." Her attempt at a joke fell flat as his face remained guarded.

"I have some things to do and it's going to take most of the day tomorrow. I'll probably be home late… Sunday." Temperance digested the information, rolling it around and wondering when he'd planned this excursion and when he'd planned on telling her.

Calm down, Temperance, she lectured herself, don't become to clichéd nagging wife before you're even married! She steadied her breathing and replied evenly.

"That's fine. Have a good time." Booth was confused by her apparent apathy. She already mistrusts the honeymoon plans I've made-not that I blame her- but she's okay that I take off for a day? Something's not right… should I…? No, I have to do this, my last completely autonomous decision as a single man. Really, I'm doing it for her, she'll see that eventually.

"I love you. One of the things I need to do is pick up presents for the groomsmen; do you want me to get something for Zack?" Her smile was now completely genuine.

"No, I'll take care of that. I love you, too." Booth leaned in for a kiss, allowing his eyes to drop to the water that shrouded her gorgeous figure. He groaned softly, bad idea to see what you can't have. Before releasing him, Temperance placed gentle kisses along his jaw, stopping at his ear.

"I trust you." She whispered, soft as a feather. Booth smiled tightly and left before he did something he'd regret.

Temperance waited for the sound of his car leaving the garage before reheating the bath's tepid water. Lazily, she ran a loopha loaded with suds over her naked arms. The last thought in her mind before she dropped the loopha and dissolved into tears was, This bathtub is entirely too big.

END Chapter

AN: Okay, I know that some of you want more detail on the wedding plans but I've got a system here. I'm saving some descriptions for the wedding itself, such as Booth's surprises, the men's suits, all that good jazz. For those of you who didn't read the prequel (Shame on you!) or have forgotten, Temperance muses, while in the tub with Booth at his apartment, that they need a place with a bigger bathtub. Big bathtubs are only good for wild children and sharing.

BN: They're also good for sailboat races :) Sorry for the delay on this chapter, y'all, but here it is! This entire week I've got a two-day long volleyball clinic and then I've got tryouts. Lucky for y'all, there isn't much of a chance I'll make it, 'cause there're only two spots on varsity and only a couple on JV. And there're about 40 sophomores, juniors, and seniors and about 30 freshmen all competing for these spots. What fun. At least we don't have to run as much as last year—it's about 100 degrees here, even at 6:00 at night. One of the hottest summers we've had in a long time. So now I'm going to quit complaining and remind you to review this marvelous chapter before I go get some ice cream and watch CSI: Miami.