(A/N): Fast response for me, am I right? Whew, this was awful to write, as I get so far in descriptions and get annoyed with myself or change everything, but this time, I decided to just post it and be done with it, rather than obsessing over it for weeks. Yeah, I am that bad haha. But yeah, anyway, let's go onto review time:
Tsubasaiscool: Thanks
LoveShipper: Yeah, I know, Max always put his kids first even if it was slightly skewed the way he did it, and I just had to include Bones' rational nature but put in the way of protecting what means most to her. Glad you liked it.
Pauchacottle: Mine too!
Allthingstvshows: Yup, me too. And right now, though don't expect everything this quickly haha, real life will interfere again at some point.
Kareneb (1): Yeah, the twin thing was the best way to explain everything and still allow Bones to be right, and yes, now one mystery is solved, another is afoot… cue dramatic music haha
Kareneb (2): Here's the next chapter, though I don't think you'll get many answers. This chapter needed to happen though.
ZinaR: Yeah, even I didn't see it coming until I'd finished writing that chapter. I was just going to have them go and clear up the twin thing and go home, but my muse was like 'no, let's see just how twisty we can make this story', and thanks, I'm happy you enjoyed it.
Mockingprettygirls: Aww thanks so much! I know, I think everyone had that moment where the penny dropped and we were all like 'How did we miss this?' Can't wait for next season, even though it will be the last. And hopefully, you will continue to enjoy this story!
Matt: Alright, well, my brain was convinced that she had a couple of times, though admittedly rarely, so yeah, I accept that, I'm going to keep it in though because I thought it fitted. Thanks though, for letting me know.
Jsboneslover: I know, she talked him out of it all on her own, because I was going to have him show up at the hotel room regardless of what she said, and then next thing I knew, he was staying home haha and no problems on not disclosing it, I would've hated for it to be spoilt before I'd managed to watch it for myself. And I think I'll consider writing a fanfic about it, but I'm still kicking ideas about on how to take it. Enjoy this chapter too!
Whew! So, yeah, I love all you butterflies! Hopefully the next chapter will be up as quickly as I managed to get this one up, all depends on my free time I'm afraid. Yeah, well, I don't own a thing, and as always let me know what you think. I always love your reviews, favourites and follows. They make me so happy! Yeah, see you next time.
Heaven Can Wait
Chapter 12
Brennan walked briskly into the medico-legal lab carrying Christine on her right hip, the blonde child's head resting heavily on her shoulder, fast asleep. She had been awake for breakfast but had fallen asleep in the SUV on the way over to the Jeffersonian. Neither Brennan nor Booth had had the heart to wake her. Parker walked protectively on Brennan's free side, even though he'd slipped his hand into her left one, holding on tightly despite wanting to portray that of a tough man rather than that of a worried boy. Brennan held his fingers just as tightly as Parker did hers, appreciating the support the boy was attempting to give her. Booth followed the rest of his family, lugging two suitcases behind him, one containing his clothes and his wife's, the other containing their children's clothes and a few toys that Christine had all but begged them to include and Parker had agreed to include them. He also had a medium sized holdall slung over his shoulder that belonged to Max. Brennan and Russ had packed it after they'd finished packing everyone else's things, so Booth didn't have a clue what was in it. Parker had brought a backpack with his own toys and games in, though both adults suspected that at least half of it was filled with more of Christine's things, both fully aware that Parker was as pliable as putty when it came to his little sister, acquiescing far too easily wherever the little girl was concerned. Behind the Booth family walked Russ and Amy, both lugging a suitcase each, their free hands held tightly by Haley and Emma respectively, both of whom were carrying a carry-on bag each of their more personal things. No-one had brought everything with them, just enough items to last them all approximately a week. They were all hopeful that that was all they'd need, that everything would be over by then.
Max met them by the platform with a rueful smile, hands thrust deep in his pyjama pockets, having not been able to change into anything else after the FBI had released them from the hotel room. "Hey guys. Dr Saroyan let us have free reign of the third floor. There's a mummy exhibit, I think."
"It also has reinforced windows and an internal alarm and security system. Unhackable, as far as Angela tells me. Fully controllable for personnel with the correct clearance, which would consist of Cam, Angela, Hodgins, myself and yourself. The interns do not have that level of clearance." Brennan murmured to Booth, who nodded his thanks to Brennan's knowledge, knowing those details would allow him to relax more in letting the children more than arms' length away. He reached Max and handed the older man his holdall before clapping a hand onto Max's shoulder.
"Thanks. For making sure she was alright." Booth clarified with a grateful nod. He'd been grateful before his wife had told him how her dad had shielded her from most of it at his own expense. Booth could appreciate the other man's actions. He'd do the same for Christine and Parker.
"She's my little girl; there was never a question in it. I'd do it again without a second thought." Max returned with a small smile. "But you're welcome. You know what Tempe? He's not so bad."
"Keep telling yourself that, Max." Booth returned with a snort as Brennan simply rolled her eyes at them and directed everyone else towards the elevator that would take them to the third floor.
"Oh, yeah, Cam's already on the third floor waiting for us, but uh, so is Ruth." Max confessed sheepishly, causing the party to halt in surprise. Brennan tightened her hold on Parker and Christine protectively as Booth stared at him incredulously. Russ glanced at Haley and Emma to check their reactions whilst Amy raised an eyebrow, questioning Max's decision silently. "I couldn't really claim protection for myself and not her, plus Cullen kinda insisted on it…"
"Well." Russ cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Let's go and face the music. Rather now than later, right?"
…
The large family of nine practically tumbled out of the elevator with their luggage to find Cam waiting for them with a tense smile covering her features in the foyer area. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she looked much the same as she did whenever Hodgins tried another unauthorised experiment in the lab. She managed a genuine twitch of her lips in their direction. "Hi. This was the best we could do on short notice. Security's tight on this floor, at least, as this is usually where we put the most valuable artefacts and exhibit pieces before they have been authenticated. We've moved those items to the basement for now, where the gormogon stuff used to be. No-one will look there for them." Cam led them over to a large room, pausing in the doorway to allow everyone to get a glimpse before entering.
The room was about four times the size of the main lab, sectioned into three main areas; a bedroom area, a bathroom area and a main function living room/kitchen area. The bedroom area had several queen sized beds and four single beds, so the children would get a bed each. There were also a couple of sets of drawers, though the adults knew they would most likely just live out of the suitcases. The bathroom area contained both toilets and showers, though no bath tubs, looking a lot like a decontamination suite, though an attempt had clearly been made to make it seem more domestic. The third area held a large flat screen tv, three large black leather couches, a bunch of brightly coloured beanbags, a slightly small kitchen range and a fridge freezer. All in all, it would fit them comfortably and possibly allow the children to forget the reasons they were there in the first place.
"Wow, this place is…" Booth began with an open mouth. He'd never seen that room before, despite his many explorations of the lab and surrounding buildings when awaiting his partner or even looking for her. Even on the few times he'd taken Parker to the museum itself, he'd never even had an inkling that the room existed.
"…Awesome." Russ finished for him, just as slack jawed. Amy and Brennan shared a look before taking the children over to one of the couches. Parker sat down willingly on one end of it and silently told Brennan to place Christine in his lap, cuddling his little sister close as he grabbed his handheld console from his backpack and turned the sound off, lest he accidentally disturb her. Amy handed a colouring book to Haley and Emma found her phone and a pair of headphones from her own bag. Both women made sure they were settled before re-joining their other halves, Max and Cam.
"Where's Ruth?" Booth couldn't help but ask, wincing internally as Brennan stiffened automatically at the name.
"In the bedroom part." Cam replied shortly. "If the kids want to explore, the other door from the landing will enter the mummy exhibit and it's not open to the public yet, so they can go round safely as long as they promise not to break anything." She glanced down at her wristwatch. "I've got to go. They're shipping in the evidence from the hotel room for us, and Hodgins and Angela will be on a plane home tomorrow."
"What? Why would they do that?" Brennan cried.
"Because Angela insisted on being here to help. She said, and I quote 'if Bren thinks I'm not going to be with her every damn step of the way then she's got another thought coming. I'll be there as soon as we can make it.'" Cam shared an amused glance with Booth, who rolled his eyes at Angela's comment, though he was thankful that his wife's best friend would be back in town to help out, and Hodgins, who was really their expert on anything microscopic, which would most likely be useful for them in processing the scene.
"Oh."
"Bones, just take it. They're coming back for us, alright?"
"Alright."
"I really have to go now." Cam left quickly, her heels clicking on the wooden floor as she did. Almost as soon as the elevator doors closed behind her, another voice made all heads fly towards the bedroom area.
"Oh my gosh." Ruth stood a little away from them all, watching the children with wide eyes and a hand covering her mouth. Brennan made to move in between Ruth and the children, but Booth grabbed her arm, silently warning her that it wasn't a crime to simply look at the kids, even if they still didn't trust her. "Hi."
"Hi." Parker, Emma and Haley replied with varying levels on enthusiasm, though none sounded all that pleased, nor did they make any move towards her.
"Wow. You're all so big. I expected little kids, but, wow…"
"Uh, mom, these are Amy's and my kids, Emma and Haley." Russ introduced after his wife nodded slightly to him. Emma and Haley waved respectively as he stated their names. Parker glanced at his father and step-mother before turning back to look at Ruth, his little face unreadable to the older woman.
"I'm Parker. This is my sister, Christine." Parker indicated the sleeping toddler with a jerk of his head.
"I'm Ruth, but you can all call me Grandma, or Grams, I guess."
"I'll stick with Ruth, thank you." Parker replied politely, though Booth and Brennan both had to fight smiles at his response. It was clear where the preteen's loyalty lay, and it filled Booth with pride to know that his son would go to any length to protect his wife and daughter, despite his age and slight stature.
"Yeah, us too, thank you." Emma decided for both herself and Haley after the sisters shared a silent conversation, both concluding that they would take their cues from their parents and aunt and uncle, even their grandfather, over whatever the newcomer said to them. They'd protect them as much as Parker would.
"Oh. Well, I suppose I can live with that."
"You'll have to." Max informed her, not bothering to hide his own amusement. "Alright kids, do you want to come pick which beds you want?"
"Dad, Amy and I just got them settled there." Brennan protested.
"Just put me next to Chrissy's." Parker requested, not getting up in case he jostled Christine, who was still sleeping. Haley and Emma simply shrugged.
"We'll have whatever. We don't mind." Haley answered before they returned to their activities.
"Alright, well, be good whilst we get everything sorted, okay?" Amy told them firmly, only moving away once she received three nods. All the adults moved to the bedroom area, finding the kids' beds placed close together in between two queen sized beds, with four queen sized beds placed opposite in a dormitory style. Brennan and Booth placed their suitcases on a bed one side of the single beds whilst Amy and Russ did the same with the bed on the other side of the singles. Booth placed Christine's favourite stuffed dog on the single bed closest to them, and Parker's flyers blanket on the bed the other side of Christine's. Russ placed Emma's purple pillow on the other side of Parker's bed and Haley's secret stuffed teddy bear on the last free bed. Max had chosen one of the middle queen sized beds on the opposite side so that he could get over and protect them quickly if necessary.
They'd been so busy that they hadn't seen Ruth slip back out and make her way over to the children still sat on one of the couches.
To Be Continued… (I know, I'm mean)
