Hey readers, just as I promised, this is a happier chapter. And there's a little surprise for you all too. I apologize for how long the last chapter took, but I'm sure you'll like this one. Happy Holidays everyone!

~AG13

Brennan stands in front of the mirror, running her hands over her belly.

"18 weeks. You're really starting to show now."

The scientist turns her head to see Booth standing behind her. "That's preposterous. I've had a larger abdomen for weeks."

Booth just smiles and slides his shirt over his head. "But to the rest of the world, it was mostly hidden underneath your clothes."

Booth slips on his pants and walks up behind her, softly massaging her neck. "That shirt looks beautiful on you."

Brennan smiles and turns around to face the agent. She leans in, and Booth closes the distance. The kiss lasts only a few seconds before Booth pulls away.

"What are we Bones?"

Brennan's piercing blue eyes flick between his chocolate brown ones.

"You've spent several nights here this week, and we have kissed multiple times. I think it's obvious what we are Booth."

Booth hold his scientist at arm's length. "Is this what you want Bones?"

Her breath catches in her throat. He had asked her the same question the week before, and she still can't give him an answer. She's still afraid of what he's offering. Even though she won't acknowledge the feeling, their every touch sparks a little of that instinctual fear. This won't be a causal relationship, and the closer they become, the more it will hurt when they part. But she wants this, she has for years. So the anthropologist steadies her racing heart and takes a breath. She can't give him the answer he wants, but she can try.

"I want you to stay Booth."

The agent's heart sinks just a little, but he knows that is all she can give him. So he smiles and leans in for another kiss, but Brennan pulls away laughing.

"Come on Booth. We'll be late for Angela's."

He groans. "Do we have to go?"

Temperance grins as she runs a brush through her auburn hair.

"Yes we do. She invited me for a New Year's Eve party and I'm taking you with me. Although I don't understand the significance of this day, and I won't be able to drink alcohol, I agreed to attend."

Booth moans then slowly smiles. "I know how I want to tell everyone that we're together."

Brennan narrows her eyes skeptically. "You want to tell them now?"

Booth saunters forward and runs his hands down onto her hips. "I want to kiss you at midnight."

Brennan smiles mischievously. "I think that can be arranged."

Booth raises his eyebrows in surprise. "I thought you would have refused."

The scientist shakes her head. "A kiss at midnight on new year's Eve is a cultural norm. I can appreciate the tradition."

The agent grins and pulls her close. "Shut up Bones."

Brennan stands outside her friend's house and knocks on the oak door. Booth stands beside her, itching to hold her hand but sticking to their plan. Angela flings open the door and squeals, grabbing her friend in a hug.

"I didn't think you would come!"

Brennan knits her brow. "But I said I would."

Angela just grins. "Yes I know sweetie."

She gestures them into the house and closes the door.

"Cam and Arastoo are already here. The others will arrive soon."

Booth looks around the huge house and notices the distinct absence of crying. "Where's Michael?"

"Angie's dad took him for the day. We slept for hours so we could host everyone tonight."

Hodgins emerges from the kitchen wiping his hands on a towel.

Booth glares skeptically at the entomologist. "I'm not eating whatever you cooked bug boy."

Brennan lightly slaps his arm.

"Booth! Be polite!"

Angela laughs. "I'm glad to see you guys seem to be happier."

Booth and Hodgins quickly exit as the artist pulls a blushing Brennan into the kitchen.

"Sweetie how was Christmas with your dad?"

The scientist laughs slightly.

"I didn't go."

"Huh?"

"At the last minute, I just couldn't go. I don't know why." She lies. She knows exactly what set off her fear, but it's not the right time to share with Angela.

"Do they know about the baby?"

"Yeah I told them a while ago."

Angela narrows her eyes. "Then why didn't you go?"

"I-I don't know. I just...I would have been so out of place."

The artist reaches over and takes her friend's hand. "You're not used to spending Christmas with anyone."

Brennan shakes her head. "No. I'm not. This was my first Christmas in the country since the valley fever lockdown."

Angela nods knowingly. "Honey you don't have to be afraid to be with people. I know you've always been on your own, but you'll never be alone again. That little bump you've got is just the beginning."

The scientist is silent. Angela always seems able to dissect her motives, fears, and hopes even better than she herself can. Can she sense that she's not telling the truth? But everything worked out, and now she has what she's always wanted. The artist's eyes search Brennan's face and the anthropologist quickly stands.

"I'm fine Ange. I don't want to talk about it." She hurries from the kitchen to join the others in the family room.

Angela sighs, shaking her head in exasperation. Will her friend ever learn? Will she ever realize whom she belongs with?

The huge flat screen T.V. shows the lowering ball in explosive color. As everyone else counts down, shouting and laughing, Booth turns to Brennan. They stand alone at the back of the group.

"You ready?"

The scientist turns nervously from the T.V. She isn't sure if she's ready for everyone to know yet. She's not certain if she wants to let Booth into her life yet. But as her eyes make contact with her agent's, all her fears melt away. His cocky smile adorns his face and those chocolate brown eyes of his sparkle from the reflections of the T.V. Brennan grins, the smile making her eyes twinkle.

"5...4...3…" The group shouts, staring at the live footage of Times Square.

Brennan reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck. "Ready."

"...1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone shouts and laughs loudly.

Booth gently presses his lips to his scientist's and encircles her waist in his arms. Temperance kisses back passionately, allowing her every hesitation to disappear.

CRASH

Angela's squeal is cut off by the shatter of glass on hardwood. But no one picks up the broken champagne glass, they all stare open mouthed at the Lab sweethearts. But not even this breaks their contact. After a moment of complete silence, Booth pulls away, resting his forehead on Brennan's.

"I love you." He murmurs quietly.

Brennan's heart skips a beat. She is thrown completely off guard by his statement. But before she has to make a choice, a familiar fluttering turns in her abdomen.

Grinning, she takes one of Booth's hands from her waist and places it on her belly. She positions his fingers so that he can feel the light tapping as well. A huge grin spreads across his face, lighting up his eyes.

"Is that her?!"

Brennan nods, smiling widely. She gestures to Angela who practically sprints across the room. Taking her friend's hand, she guides it across her belly until Angela gasps.

"Oh my god I feel her!" Angela breaks the contact and crushes the anthropologist in a hug, knocking Booth out of the way.

Booth laughs and turns to the group. All the squints stare at him open mouthed. Only sweets don't seem surprised. He flashes the agent a bemused smile and releases Daisy's hand. Everyone rushes forward to congratulate the couple and feel the baby. Brennan accepts the attention gracefully, knowing her friends are happy for her. But Booth stands uncomfortably in the midst of the crowd. As soon as their friends separate, he escapes the little circle. Angela seizes the opportunity to whisk Brennan into private.

"Sweetie that was amazing! When did you first feel her move?!"

Brennan hesitates, contemplating her answer. She really doesn't want Angie to get overly

supportive.

"Um well looking back on it, I've felt the fluttering for a little while. But it was a few days before Christmas before they really became noticeable. That's when I realized it was her moving."

Angela grins from ear to ear. "That's wonderful! I've never felt quickening* from the outside. I remember when I first felt Michael move, it was amazing! There was this little…"

The artist's voice trails off and she squints at her friend. Brennan squirms under the glare.

"...a few days before Christmas? That's why you didn't go to North Carolina?!"

Brennan sighs, wrapping a hand underneath her belly. She doesn't want to talk about this. "It just felt real. All of a sudden, it was... real."

Angela takes her friend's hand and they both sit down on the small loveseat.

"Once you felt her, there was no denying it anymore. You couldn't just ignore the belly like it wasn't happening."

The anthropologist nods and covers her face with her hands. "I'm scared Ange. I act like I'm ok with this, but in truth I'm terrified."

The artist smiles and carefully pulls away her friend's hands.

"I know the feeling. She's not just a bundle of cells anymore, she's a person." She hesitates, then continues. "Maybe you should give her a name. You don't have to tell it to anyone, just give yourself something to call her by. That will make it real. You'll realize how much you want her."

Brennan rests her elbows on her knees and hangs her head.

"I can't go home with Booth tonight. He wants something that I can't give him right now."

Angela nods. "Stay here. It'll be like old times. Studly will understand."

Brennan looks up at her friend and smiles sadly. "Thanks Ange."

The artist smiles and wraps an arm around the scientist's shoulders. "It's all gonna work out Brennan. Actually, it's going to be awesome. We're going to have kids growing up at the same time!"

The anthropologist laughs and hugs her friend. When she pulls away, she looks into Angela's eyes with grave seriousness.

"Do you have strawberry cheesecake flavored ice cream and pickles?"

Angela throws her head back and laughs loudly.

"I've missed that about you. Your to the point attitude. No I don't think we have that, but it can be arranged."

Brennan smiles. "Thanks Ange. You're the best."

The artist grins and pulls the scientist into another hug. "I know."

Brennan rests her head on Angela's shoulder, knowing she'll never truly be alone.

*Quickening: The first noticeable movements of a fetus. Usually occur between weeks 16 and 25 of pregnancy

Surprise! The baby started moving! Like I said, this was a happier chapter. But our sweet scientist isn't able to tear down her walls just yet. Wait and see how it all plays out. I hope you're all enjoying the story! Please review!

~AG13