Of Jolly Ranchers and Fertility Statues
AN: I know that Valentine's Day has passed, but I must write more for it… For all who reviewed, I am grateful. Wow. That last sentence sounded like Yoda. I'm not a nerd? LOL.
After the bread ran out, they drove to Baskin Robbins. Bones happily paid for the cones. Booth and Parker licked at chocalate scoops, and she had vanilla.
It was wonderful to spend time with them like this. Typically, she got restless on days off, but she was liking having this weekend. Once the three were fueled, they wanted to keep going. Or at least Parker. A morning with duck feeding, ice cream and a busy night the night before was obviously not too much excitement. Parker obviously had had an intense weekend, what with vomiting on Perotta, having Booth spoiling him so… Booth obviously treasured every moment with him, and she did too.
Parker's hand was in hers, sweaty as a child's hands tended to be. Booth's was warm and calloused, a true natural comfort to her.
Despite all the buildup, they had fallen into step as an established couple with ease. She had always thought they would jump over that line quickly and be confused and need time. It seemed they had been tiptoeing the boundary since they met, skirting it a few years and living beyond it without knowledge for eternities.
"You in there babe?" Booth asked.
"What?" She was surprised that she didn't mind the pet name as she tended too. He made it kind of cute.
"I thought we could go to the mall. Mr. Ants in His Pants…" This earned a snicker from the shortest male of the trio, "Wants to keep doing fun stuff."
"I don't typically shop without needing to, but I think that sounds nice." She said. Parker whooped.
Seconds later Booth spoke into her ear.
"You are fantastic with him."
Speechless, she only squeezed his hand a bit tighter.
The mall was crowded and loud, as they tend to be on weekends. Parker was already going twelve different ways.
"Okay, Bud, what are the rules?" Reminded Booth gently.
"Stick with you." Sighed Parker.
"Where do you typically go?" Asked Bones.
"We don't usually go here. Daddy gets bored here, but I like to get a pretzel at the food court. He probably took us here so you could be all girly and shop." Explained Parker.
"Booth!"
"I thought it would be a nice change." He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.
"Just because I'm female, doesn't mean that I feel a need to purchase items at a trendy outlet."
"So no pretzel?" Whined Parker.
"Bones just feels silly when she is a girl. Ow!"Booth winced as she smacked his rear end.
"Daddy is stupid huh, Bones?" Laughed Parker.
"My own son!" Booth mock pouted.
Soon both boys were swallowed by the pull of a specialty sports store. She didn't see much of interest. They went into a comic book store next.
"Let's let Bones pick the next store."
"It's alright Booth."
"I'm tired." Announced Parker, with solemnity, radically different from the boy that dragged them around that morning.
"Let's get pretzels and head on home."
It was late afternoon when they came home. Parker was doodling and Booth was remaking his bed.
"Hey Bones."
"Yeah? What's up?" She asked. He turned to face her.
"I know you think Valentine's day is an unessecary commercial holiday."
"Okay." She raised an amused eyebrow at him.
"I do have something for you though."
He went to get a bag and pulled out a rectangular box, and handed it to her.
"Open it. It won't bite."
It was a charm bracelet, in relatively inexpensive sterling silver. The charms were expertly made: a tiny piglet, a skull and crossbones, a dolphin, and a delicate daffodil.
"It's pretty."
"It's not gemstines or practical.."
"I love it." She really did. It was personal. "Was it specially made?"
"Yeah."
"I can't believe the store could have gotten a specially made bracelet in such short time. I never saw you leave Parker and I to buy it."
"I didn't. Those take about 3 weeks to make."
"That's roughly when we had that really sad case with the foster kids."
"I got it made then. I decided I would tell you on the nearest Valentine's day that I loved you and give it to you."
"Thank you Booth."
AN: R/R