"So, did you like the surprise, sweetie?"
"I said no..." Tempe bit her lip as she looked at the little boy who started to stir beside her.
"You didn't! Oh sweetie, why would you say no? I mean, I know it's a huge step, but you love him! And you know he loves you..."
Tempe had already moved into the living room, gesturing to her fiance not to make any noise, or comment at all. "I do love him, you're right. But you know I don't believe in marriage, and that I don't want to be a mother, Angela. It was the best decision for everyone..." She smiled at Booth, covering her mouth with her hand.
"But I thought... I thought after living with him and spending all that time with Parker..."
"That I'd change my mind? A zebra can't change it's stripes, Angela..."
"How'd he take it, Bren? Was he crushed?"
"Well, if I wouldn't have said yes, I'm sure he would've been very upset with me..."
"WHAT?" Angela yelled into the phone, startling her so badly she let the phone slip from her grasp. "Brennan, are you there? How could you do that to me? I can't believe you!" Angela continued her rant before Booth picked up the phone for Tempe.
"Ang, it's Seeley... I know you're upset..." He paused, letting her interrupt him on occassion, "I know, it wasn't a nice joke, but she was just getting you back for helping Parker and me with the surprise. No, she did really like it, and she really did say yes. Why don't you guys come over for lunch today, and we'll watch a movie or something. I'll even let you kick my fiancee's ass..." He laughed as Tempe folded her arms and frowned. "Speaking of my fiancee, I've gotta go finish her breakfast. Call us later, Ang!" He closed the phone and kissed her pouting lips.
"Ew..." Parker whispered, looking distastefully at the unfolding scene, "Is this how it's gonna be all the time now that you're my other mommy?"
Tempe laughed and scooped the approaching boy into her arms. "Nope, sometimes it's going to be like this-" She and Seeley each kissed a side of the boys face as he erupted into a fit of laughter.
"I don't think I mind those too much... even if you are silly!" Parker squealed, escaping from her lap and opening his bag.
"Bub, what are you doing? I told you yesterday you can't play with your toys until after breakfast!" Booth muttered, his back to his son.
Parker stuck out his tongue, and Tempe tried to give him a stern look, but quickly changed her goal to not laughing. "Daddy! I'm not playing with my toys--I'm just getting my Christmas presents for you and Tempe under the tree, now that it's set up!" Parker grabbed a small box and a letter and placed them under the tree, before returning to his bag to get another small box and letter combination.
"Ooh, what'd you get us?" Booth asked, his voice as innocent as a childs.
"I can't tell you, then it wouldn't be a surprise!"
"Speaking of surprises..." Booth turned off the stove and turned to his fiancee, "Parker, you should go wash up before breakfast while I talk to Tempe..." The little boy ran off for the bathroom, and Booth's eyes stayed focused on her. "There's a little something you should know... When I bought your ring, I didn't go alone. Jack came with me."
"Okay, I fail to see the point..."
"He needed to get a ring too..." Booth smiled as he put the pancakes he'd made onto the plates. "He's proposing tonight, and we have to distract Ang while he prepares."
"So that's why you invited her for lunch. But wait, didn't you invite Jack, too?"
He nodded, carefully carting the three plates to the table, "Yup. But I did so fully knowing he would have to "Work through lunch". I expect her to call and say she can't come because she's going to keep him company, but we can't let her get away with that... so we've got to plan something good to get her to come."
"We can tell her I'm going to be a mom..."
Booth drops the plates, the food bouncing off the hardwood floor and the plates she adored splintered into a million pieces. "You're what?"
AN: I know it's short...but I thought you'd like it! I'll try to update a little later--hope you enjoy that cliffhanger!