Disclaimer: Not mine. It makes me sad to admit it.
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"Come on, Bones! Just one?" Booth wheedled, holding the object of Brennan's disgust on one finger.
"No, Booth. It is the ultimate symbol of the antiquated ritual that I abhor."
"It's a dress, Bones. You're a girl, aren't you supposed to love dressing up?"
"Well, I do enjoy--"
"Good! Now, go back there, put it on, and come show me. All right? Not hard, now is it?" He lightly nudged her in the direction of the changing rooms, laying the dress across the arms she somewhat reluctantly extended.
"Just one dress, Booth. I refuse to be a mannequin for you to dress up." Ducking into a dressing room, she quickly began shedding her clothing before turning a dubious look on the white dress. "Are you sure it will fit?" she called to Booth, eyeing the tag.
"It's the same size as your other dresses."
"And how would you know what size those are?"
"Angela told me, Bones. This is actually all her idea, you know." Booth was eager to toss the blame on someone else's shoulders should this end badly.
"All right, I put it on. Now can I take it off?"
"No! Bones, lemme see!" Booth whipped around, waiting excitedly for her to emerge.
"Booth, I look ridiculous!" Brennan warned him as she entered his line of sight. Her hands were on her hips, one foot tapping in agitation as she waited for him to finish looking. The pearly white dress hugged the top of her body before flaring into a tea-length full skirt, giving emphasis to her slowly growing baby-bump. The thinner-than-paper lace extended from just under the bust to the hem of the skirt.
"Wow, Bones…" Booth breathed, slowly circling her.
"You like it?" Brennan asked hesitantly, turning to follow his movements.
"I love it."
"I doubt they have your size, but we can always ask."
"Very funny, Bones. Seriously, do you like it?"
"It is aesthetically pleasing, yes. It is comfortable, and it fits well enough."
"Do you want it, Bones?"
"Why would I? I don't plan on ever marrying, therefore I don't need a wedding dress."
"It doesn't have to be used for a wedding, you know. You can wear it to one of your Jeffersonian ball-things."
"That's very true. Can you tell me what the tag says?" She turned, presenting her back to him.
Booth gulped, hand shaking as he dipped it into the top of the dress's back and digging for the tag. Grasping it, he struggled to give it all of his attention. "It says it's, um," he cleared his throat before continuing, "five hundred dollars, before sale price."
"What is the sale percentage that will be deducted from the original price?"
"Uh, 45%," Booth confirmed after looking at a nearby sign.
"In that case, I think I will purchase this."
"Atta girl!"
"And maybe, one of these days you will build your courage to the point of proposing to me, rather than convincing me to buy the dress beforehand?"
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Author's Note:
Who else completely loved "The Cinderella in the Cardboard."? This is supposed to take place after the episode, in the shop where they saw Daisy and the murdered bride purchased her gown. I couldn't remember the name of the owner or the shop. I know this thing is skipping around between episodes and seasons, but please try to forgive me for it? I couldn't resist the temptation of this! We can just pretend that they can solve cases in days, rather than weeks. LOL. Thank you for all of your support! I love you all!
Whisper