Brennan's eyes slowly blinked open as the sunlight streamed into the cozy bedroom she shared with Booth. She yawned and stretched before glancing at the clock on the bedside table. 9 AM. Normally, she'd be shocked that she'd stayed in bed so long, but this morning she smiled to herself as she realized that she and her husband hadn't actually spent that much time sleeping in their bed the night before.
Sighing deeply with contentment, she turned to look at her sleeping husband. The stress lines that often creased his face when he was awake had softened while he was sleeping. Brennan had always thought Booth was an incredibly handsome man, but when he was totally relaxed like this, his face took on a boyish quality that she found almost irresistible. She watched him sleep for a few minutes, enjoying the peaceful morning as her husband snored softly next to her. He mumbled softly in his sleep before reaching out to put his arm around his wife.
"Mornin', Bones…" He gave her a sleepy smile as he caressed her cheek. "What time is it?"
"9:15. Did you sleep well?" Brennan giggled as he pulled her closer. "I know you must've been tired…"
"And with good reason, right? You really kept me hopping last night...first the laundry room and then the couch before we ended up here for the rest of the evening...I'm glad I took today off to recuperate from our day of rest." Booth kissed Brennan gently and closed his eyes. "I'm going back to sleep…"
"That's fine. I'm going to go make us some breakfast…"
"Nope. You're gonna stay right here with me. We can eat later…" He wrapped his arms around his wife and gave her a squeeze. "I need you to help me go back to sleep…"
Brennan giggled as she snuggled against her husband. "I'm glad we took today off, too, but I hope you won't find things in disarray when you return to work tomorrow."
"Nah, I left Aubrey in charge for the day, and he knows what he's doing. That guy's gonna be an FBI director some day." Booth chuckled as he pulled Brennan over on top of him. "In fact, I think we need to take off a day like this every few months or so...you know, so we can practice for our retirement, and he can practice running the asylum..."
"An excellent plan, Booth..." Brennan laughed as she quickly straddled Booth and began to stroke her husband's bare chest. "...but I don't want to talk about the future right now. We need to use our time more wisely today…"
Grinning as he massaged her breasts, Booth nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's get busy..."
Oooooooooo
Agent Aubrey glanced nervously at his watch one more time. It was late in the day, and he'd be getting off work in approximately an hour if everything according to his plans. Much to his relief, there hadn't been any new cases while Booth was gone yesterday, and today there was just a very large pile of paperwork to catch up on. A new case within the next hour would certainly damage his plans for the perfect Valentine's Day dinner and the marriage proposal that was to follow, and he was praying anxiously that nothing would happen within the next few minutes to ruin those plans.
Everything was ready to go. Aubrey couldn't help but smile as he thought about the dinner menu, knowing how pleased Jessica would be with the plump lobster tail he'd impulsively purchased to go with their steaks. He figured it'd take him about 45 minutes to get home, a few minutes to change clothes and straighten things up around his place, and then he'd start putting the finishing touches on dinner. Jessica's gift was wrapped and sitting in his dresser drawer, just waiting to be placed on her hand after dessert. Now all he had to do was get away from work on time.
Glancing at his watch again, he wondered how time could crawl by so slowly. He willed himself to be calm, inhaling deeply. In his line of work, his time was often not his own, but tonight was so important...he couldn't imagine what he'd do if he had to call Jessica to postpone their date. Could he really wait one more day to ask her to marry him? Jesus...I gotta get home…soon...
"Hey, Aubrey…" Aubrey's stomach flipped uncomfortably as he saw Booth standing in his office doorway. Puffing out a sigh, he surreptitiously gripped the edge of his desk, hoping to respond appropriately to his boss.
"Do we have a new case, Booth?" Please say no….please say no...
"Nope...it's been real quiet around here the last day or two, hasn't it? I guess that just means all hell's gonna break loose over the next week or so." Booth grinned at his flustered partner. "In fact, it's been so quiet that I wondered if you'd like to leave a few minutes early today. You know, to get ready for your big date? I mean, if you're gonna pop the question, you gotta make sure things are just right, don't you…" Booth chuckled as Aubrey tried to hide how nervous he was. "Listen, it's gonna be fine, alright? Anyway, why don't you head for home so you can get control of your nerves...think of it as kind of a thank you for taking over for me yesterday."
"Yeah, okay. Thanks, Booth…" Aubrey wasted no time shutting down his computer and gathering his belongings. "I appreciate it…"
"No problem. So you're out all day tomorrow, right?" Booth watched as Aubrey raced around his office trying to clear things away.
"Yeah…" Aubrey piled some files on his desk before moving towards the door. "Thanks again, Booth. I…" He was interrupted by Booth's phone ringing.
"Booth...really? Great...just great. Where? Yeah, okay. Twenty minutes…" The Special Agent in Charge shook his head at Aubrey as he dropped his phone in his pants pocket. "Well, what do you think about that? Bad news, I'm afraid..."
"Oh, no...we have a case, don't we…" Aubrey thought he just might cry, wishing he'd left five minutes sooner. Gritting his teeth, he nodded. "It's okay, Booth...just let me call Jessica and tell her what's going on…"
"No, we don't have a case. Bones has a flat tire." Laughing at Aubrey's annoyed expression, Booth slapped his colleague on the back. "Go home, have a nice dinner, and get engaged, okay? See you in a couple of days…"
Aubrey smiled broadly as he turned to leave. "Yeah...see you in a couple of days…"
Oooooooooo
Glancing at the clock as he buttoned his navy blue shirt over his dark wash jeans, Aubrey ran through his checklist again. It was 6:15 and the dinner preparations were moving along smoothly. After checking on the progress of the potatoes, he decided it was time to set the table. He pulled some white china from one of the upper cabinets and set it on the table, running his finger along the silver rim of the dinner plates. The plates had been part of his mother's set of wedding china. When he cleared her house after she passed away, he couldn't bear to part with them, so he'd boxed them up and carried them from city to city as he moved from one FBI posting to another. Maybe it's silly to keep these things...why does a guy like me need such fancy dishes? He knew not many men would want to keep a set of old plates, but he had fond memories of the meals his mother had made for special occasions and holidays, all served on her good china. She was the one who had sparked his love of food, and those plates had helped him retain the happy memories of his mother laughing and humming as she bustled around her tiny kitchen.
Shaking off his melancholy reverie, Aubrey set the plates and silverware out on the white linen tablecloth, pausing to make sure the napkins were folded correctly. A crystal vase with a single dark red rose was sitting in the middle of the table, flanked by three silver candlesticks of various heights, each with a creamy white candle waiting to cast a mellow glow across their meal. Satisfied that the table was ready, he started to put the finishing touches on the salad, thinking once again of his mother as he did so. The only regret he had about his relationship with Jessica was that she'd never been able to meet his mother. Aubrey knew they would've become fast friends. He remembered his mother's advice about a failed college romance as he added the dressing to the tossed salad. Don't ever settle for second best, Jamie...wait until the right one comes along… Humming happily to himself as he finished cooking dinner, he knew he'd done just that. The right one had finally come along, and he was going to make sure she didn't want to go anywhere else.
6:45...Jessica would be arriving at Aubrey's apartment any minute. Her gift was hidden in the spice cabinet, waiting for the perfect reveal. He rehearsed his proposal one more time as the steaks and lobster broiled. Even though Jessica wasn't quite as black and white in her thinking as Dr. B, she would still need facts and evidence to convince her that their marriage would be a practical step as well as a romantic one. They'd have enough money for her to finish her degree because they'd only have one rent to pay instead of two. Aubrey didn't care where they lived as long as he could keep Skinner. When Jessica got her degree, if she wanted to move away from the DC area for a career opportunity, he would follow, knowing that he'd be able to transfer to another FBI office easily. She could keep her own last name if she wanted. Yep...I think all the bases are covered. Oh...there's the doorbell. Here goes nothing…
He opened the door and smiled with pleasure as he ushered his girlfriend into his apartment. She looked beautiful in her turquoise sweater and dark slacks, and for a minute he almost forgot that his attention was needed elsewhere. The oven timer went off as he took her coat and hung it up on the rack by the door. "The steaks are ready...here, let me help you with your chair." He pulled the steaks and the lobster tail from the oven and got the food ready to bring to the table. "Here we go...and a nice red wine to go with dinner…"
"Everything looks wonderful, James…" Jessica took a bite of her steak and grinned happily. "...and it tastes as good as it looks. Where did you learn to cook like this?"
"When I got my first real job with the FBI, I figured out pretty quickly how much it cost to eat out all the time, especially the way I like to eat." Aubrey shrugged as he added a big dollop of sour cream to his potato. "I had some recipes from my mom, and after a lot of practice I learned to make those pretty well, so I branched out to cooking other things. It's cheaper than eating out, and I like to experiment with different combinations of stuff." Dipping a piece of lobster into some melted butter, he smiled across the table at his girlfriend. "You're a good cook, too. I love your fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, and that goulash...wow! Amazing stuff!"
Jessica grinned at his compliment. "Well, I guess it's kind of expected that women know how to cook, but I have to say, Aubrey...I think a man who can cook like this is very sexy…"
"Really? So you just love me for my home cooking? That's kind of disappointing…" Aubrey smirked as he sipped his wine. "I thought it was because I was such a great lover."
"Well, there is that...but my grandmother used to have a plaque in her kitchen that said 'Kissing don't last...cooking do'. Since she and my grandfather were married over 50 years, I thought she must know about those things." Jessica giggled as Aubrey narrowed his eyes in a pretend glare. "However, you seem to have both aspects of a good relationship down pat, so I guess that means you're just an exceptional man…"
"If you say so. At least I hope I proved it with our dinner...and maybe I can prove the other part later." He winked at Jessica as she ate another bite of steak. "What do you think? Want some of that proof after dinner?"
"I think we might be able to arrange some time to test your theory, although it seems that I did forget to bring my pajamas with me this evening." Jessica wore a sultry smile as she ate the last bit of her potato. "I hope that's not a problem…"
"It's definitely not a problem for me…", Aubrey said, laughing as he began to clear away some of the dishes. "Would you like some dessert first?" He pulled the cheesecake out of the refrigerator. "It's your favorite...white chocolate and lemon…"
"Ooh...that sounds good. Yes, go ahead and cut me a small piece." Watching Aubrey out of the corner of her eye to make sure he couldn't see what she was doing, Jessica put a small gift wrapped box next to his wine glass, smiling as she anticipated his surprise. She turned to sip her wine, and didn't see her boyfriend get the small box out of the spice cabinet and put it in his pocket.
Aubrey brought the dessert plates to the table and sat down. "Here we go...oh, what's this?" Aubrey picked up the box and inspected it carefully. "Is this for me?"
"Of course. It's your Valentine's Day gift from me." Jessica giggled at Aubrey's suspicious expression. "Go ahead and open it. It won't hurt you, I promise…"
He tore the red paper from the small box and lifted the lid. "Wow, Jessie...this is so cool." He lifted a silver tie bar out of the box, inspecting it closely. It was intricately engraved with a reclining skeleton. The grinning skull was propped up on a bony arm, and the rest of the skeleton was laid out along the flat surface, stretched out comfortably all the way down to its crossed bony ankles. "I've never seen anything like it."
"I got it at an antique store in Heidelberg. I guess it used to belong to a rich funeral director or somebody like that, but when I saw it, for some reason I thought of you." Seeing his confusion, she continued quickly. "You're always fidgeting with your tie, smoothing it down in front, and I thought a tie bar might help keep it in place...and then when you run your hand over it, maybe you'll think of me, especially since it has bones on it." Hesitating slightly, she ate a small bite of her cheesecake before she spoke again. "And if you really like it, maybe you can wear it on our wedding day. That would mean a lot to me…"
"Our wedding day?" Aubrey sat stunned as he realized what she'd said. "Jessica…I don't know what to say..."
"Oh…" Suddenly embarrassed, Jessica stared at her plate for a few seconds, biting her lip before she began to stammer out an apology. "I'm sorry, James. I guess shouldn't have said anything about us getting married this evening, but I didn't want to wait any longer. I know you said you like things between us the way they are, but I really want to keep you in my life...I don't ever want to let you go. While I was in Germany, I realized how much I love you...more than I've ever loved anyone...and I want you in my life forever...but I realize that may not be what you want from our relationship…" A tear trickled down Jessica's cheek as she lay her crumpled napkin on the table next to her plate. "This is really awkward, isn't it? I'm so sorry that I ruined our evening. I think I'll just go home now, if that's okay with you…"
Shaking his head, Aubrey reached over and put his hand over hers. "No, of course I don't want you to go home. I was just really surprised, that's all. You just caught me off guard, okay? Here, open your gift, and then we'll talk about it...about what we want to do." He shyly held out the small box for Jessica. "I hope you like it…"
Quickly tearing away the silvery paper, Jessica gasped in delighted surprise as she took the dainty ring from its box. "Oh, James...it's beautiful…"
"It's...um...it's your engagement ring...that is, if you want it to be. I was going to propose to you this evening after dinner...you know, get down on one knee and the whole bit, but you beat me to the punch…" He laughed softly as he slipped the narrow diamond studded band onto her ring finger. "So I hope your answer for me is yes, because I know my answer for you is...yes…"
Her eyes shining with tears, Jessica threw her arms around his neck. "Yes, definitely...yes!"
"So we're getting married, right?" Aubrey grinned from ear to ear. "When? Next weekend, right?"
Jessica rolled her eyes as she sipped her wine. "I don't think so, Superman. I think May of next year, when the semester is over. We'll have a simple ceremony and then go on a two week honeymoon to Germany…"
"Germany? Are you taking another class over there? That doesn't sound very romantic to me…" Aubrey pretended to glare at her as he ate a bite of his cheesecake.
"Of course not. I really enjoyed the area, and I know you'll love it there. There's apple strudel on every corner…" Jessica admired her ring as she ate another bite her dessert. "This ring is so perfect…"
"Just like you, Jessica." Aubrey grinned as he sighed in relief. "Easiest proposal I've ever done."
A look of concerned interest crossed Jessica's face. "Just how many times have you proposed to someone, Aubrey?"
"Well, if you count Jennie Halverson in first grade, and Katie Talbot in fifth grade, three times…"
"Third time's the charm isn't, Aubrey?" Jessica giggled as she shook her head at her silly fiance. Fiance...I really get to call him my fiance….
"Yep. I'm glad those other girls said no. I definitely got the best end of the deal." Yeah, I really did...
"And we're really going to get married, right? No more of that worrying about being like your father and then chickening out on me, right?" Jessica shook her fork at him to make her point. "Because you're nothing like him…"
"We are really gonna get married, Jess. This apple fell really far from that tree, and now I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you…"
"I love you so much, James Aubrey." Jessica smiled broadly as she clasped Aubrey's hand.
"I love you, too, future Mrs. Jessica Aubrey…" He grimaced slightly. "Or is it future Dr. Aubrey? Or future Dr. Warren?"
"Let's worry about that next May. Right now we have other things to worry about, don't we, James?" Jessica got up and put her plate in the sink. "I think we need to get in some practice for our honeymoon."
"Why? It isn't until next May..." Aubrey gave Jessica a teasing smile as he rose and took her in his arms. "But you're right...practice makes perfect. I think we need to get lots of practice in, starting right now…" He kissed her gently and caressed her cheek. "I'm so happy…"
"Me, too, Aubrey...me, too."
One more chapter to go...