Pieces of a Family Trip
A Bones Fanfic
By Amanda
Sequel to Falling to Pieces, Picking up the Pieces,
Putting the Pieces Back Together, Bits and Pieces,
Pieces of My Heart, All the Little Pieces,
The Date, Pieces of a Case, and Pieces of a Week
Spoilers for all four seasons (I think), but most are vague.
No copyright infringement intended. I only own the story line.*~BONES~*
Even with the early start and the fast food dinner, it was still 10:30 before the SUV pulled up outside the hotel. Bones had fallen asleep about fifteen minutes before, despite her great efforts not to, and Parker had been sleeping for at least the past hour. Parking in an open spot near the door, Booth quietly left his sleeping family in the car to go check in and get the room keys.
"Bones, time to get up" Booth whispered ten minutes later.
"We there?" she asked sleepily.
"Yeah, I already checked us in. Parker's out like a light. Do you want to carry him or the bags?"
She considered it for a moment before finally deciding that the bags would be lighter and that being half asleep as she was, she was liable to hurt Parker or herself. "I'll get the bags" she informed him. "What room are we in?"
"208" he said, his voiced muffled from inside the car. "I checked and Russ and your dad are already in for the night" he voiced as he emerged with his son in his arms.
She merely nodded and made her way to the side door with the key in hand.
*~BONES~*
As Booth settled Parker in his bed and started taking off his shoes, Bones' phone rang. "Brennan" she answered with a yawn from her spot on the other bed.
"Tempe, it's me. Did you guys get in ok?"
"Yeah, Russ, we got in ok. Booth's putting Parker to bed now. The girls asleep?"
"Yeah, so is Amy. I just wanted to make sure that you all got in, and let you know that we're meeting with Dad in the lobby at 8:30 for breakfast. You are invited to join us, of course."
"Thanks Russ. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight" she replied smiling as she closed the phone.
By the time she finished her conversation with her brother Booth had finished putting Parker to bed and had already gotten ready for bed himself. "What did Russ want?" he asked as he settled under the sheet beside her.
"Just to make sure that we're here and invite us down to breakfast tomorrow" she relayed as she moved to her overnight bag. "He said they're all meeting down in the lobby at 8:30" she continued from behind the partially closed bathroom door. "The park doesn't open until 10, so that gives us plenty of time to eat, get there, and get tickets before it's too busy. We should probably all try to fit in one vehicle," she mumbled around her toothbrush, "but there are eight of us, aren't there? I guess we'll have to take two, I don't think Russ's van is big enough. You don't mind my dad riding with us do you?"
"Of course not, Bones. You know I like your dad" Booth returned.
"Respect," she corrected walking to the bed. "I know you respect my dad for what he did for Russ and me, and I understand that, sort of. But you've never said that you like my dad. … I don't even know if I like my dad" she confessed.
Wrapping his arms around her, Booth tried to reason with her. "Max is a good guy, Bones."
"He's a criminal, Booth!"
"Shh, keep your voice down, Parker's still sleeping" Booth admonished.
"Sorry" she whispered back sheepishly. "I still don't really understand how you can say that my dad is a 'good guy', Booth. He was a bank robber and murderer. He killed at least two people and burnt their bodies. How does that translate into a 'good guy'?"
"It's not all black and white, Bones. There are shades of grey, and Max Keenan lives in those shades of grey. Yes, he did some bad things," Booth conceded, "but he also did what he had to do to protect his family. And those people he killed, Bones, those people were by no means innocent."
"That's why I prefer science" she said quietly. "In science, there are no shades of grey. There is right and wrong, positive and negative, truth and falsehoods. Things are much easier when they are black and white."
"I know, Bones, I know. Now get some sleep, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, and it starts about 7:00."
"We won't need an hour and a half to get ready Booth. Especially since that doesn't count breakfast."
"You've never had to get Parker ready for the day" he reminded her as he set the alarm.
*~BONES~*
"Alright Bones, time to get up" Booth announced in a sing song voice when the alarm went off the next morning.
"I'm awake" she replied groggily. "I'm gonna jump in the shower, why don't you get Parker up?" she suggested as she made her way to the bathroom.
"Parker buddy, it's time to get up!" Booth called as he shook his sleeping son.
"But dad, I don't wanna" the younger Booth complained not even bothering to open his eyes.
"I thought you wanted to go to Kings Island, but maybe I was wrong" Booth taunted.
The young boy's eyes flew open. "No, I'm up. I'm going!"
"Well, when Bones gets out of the bathroom you need to get ready so that we can go eat breakfast with her family. Why don't we get dressed while we wait for her?" the older Booth suggested.
By the time that the two Booths had managed to get dressed, Bones was done showering and dressing and had just stepped out of the bathroom attaching the back to one of her earrings. She was dressed simply – a pair of kaki Capri's, double tank tops (one white, one a pale blue), her hair in a pony tail and just a hint of make-up. Booth still thought she was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. He didn't know why, but the sight of her always made his breath catch for just a moment, even when they were at a crime scene.
Looking up at the room, Brennan's heart stopped momentarily. Booth always looked good whether he was in a suit and goofy tie or dressed as he was now in a pair of olive shorts and a white t-shirt. When her heart once again regained its normal rhythm, she felt a tug at it taking in the sight of her partner with his little boy, who like him was wearing shorts and a t-shirt (which proudly proclaimed FBI across his chest).
The mood in the room was instantly lightened as Parker noticed her entrance. "Hi Dr. Bones! You look pretty" he proclaimed.
"Thank you Parker, you look pretty good yourself" she replied sending a smile his way. "Bathroom's free; why don't you and your dad brush your teeth?" she continued as she made her way to where her laptop set.
"Bones, what are you –" Booth started but was cut off.
"I know we are kind of on a vacation, or whatever, but that doesn't mean I can't check my email while you two finish getting ready" she reasoned easily.
Realizing that that was probably the best he would get out of her even if he were to argue the point, he gave a resigned sigh and followed his son into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
*~BONES~*
Russ was standing in the lobby looking for his sister when a seldom heard but familiar laugh caught his attention. Swinging around to the source of the laughter, he couldn't help but note just how happy and relaxed Tempe looked with Booth and his son. Walking into the lobby, one would never know that they weren't really a family. Tempe was walking between her partner and his son, Booth's hand, as always, at the small of her back and one of hers held tightly by the curly headed boy, listening intensely to whatever it was that the boy was saying, trusting her partner to guide them through the room. He was glad to see that she had seemingly finally found the family and happiness that his little sister deserved. Noticing Booth's eyes scanning the congested room, he called out to him, waving a hand in the air. "Booth, Tempe over here."
Glancing up briefly from the chatting boy to spot her brother, Brennan spared a wave and a bright smile before returning her attention back to the immediate conversation. Booth, ever the observant one, had actually spotted Russ before the greeting, and was already steering the small family towards him. As they reached the waiting man, Booth was the first to extend a greeting. Shaking the other man's hand he said "It's good to see you again, Russ. Thanks for inviting us."
"It's no problem, besides I learned a while back that you and my sister come as a package deal," he joked. "So how are you doing? Are you back to work yet?"
"Yeah, I was just reinstated Monday, which is a good thing. I was going stir crazy not being able to do anything" the FBI agent confessed with a bright smile.
By this time, Parker had finished telling Bones his story and she took advantage of the break in chatter to greet her brother properly. "Russ, it feels like it's been forever!" she exclaimed as she gave him a big hug. "How are Amy and the girls? Where are Amy and the girls?" she added looking around.
"They're waiting at our table with Dad, and why don't you ask them yourself?" he responded laughing. "And who is this?" he asked turning his attention to the little boy with big brown eyes and curly blond hair half hiding behind his sister.
"This," she answered bringing him around to stand in front of her, "is Parker, Booth's son. Parker, this is my brother Russ" she introduced.
"Hi" Parker answered shyly.
"Hi" Russ answered holding out his hand "it's nice to meet you. Are you hungry? My wife and daughters are saving a table for us."
At the mention of food and the possibility of other people his age, Parker brightened considerably. A smile, reminiscent of his father's lit his face. Grabbing hold of one of Booth's and one of Brennan's hands he eagerly asked "Where are we going?" causing all three adults to laugh before Russ turned to lead the way towards the dining room and the rest of the family.
*~BONES~*
"Daddy! Aunt Tempe!" a clear voice rang out across the room as the small group entered the dining area. The child was out of her chair and sprinting towards them before anyone at the table could stop her.
"Hi Haley, I missed you too" Brennan answered on a laugh as she bent to hug the girl. "Why don't we go back to the table and I'll introduce everyone OK?"
Haley nodded happily and grabbing her dad's hand, quickly led the way back over to their table. Once there, Brennan took a minute to figure out the best way to make introductions. Booth and Russ shared a look and had to bite back a laugh when they saw the puzzle-solving look on her face. Within seconds she had made a decision and started the introductions. "This is Booth, my par – boyfriend," she amended waving a hand towards the man in question, "and his son Parker. Parker, Booth you already know my dad. This is Amy, Russ's wife, and their daughters Haley and Emma" she concluded with a decisive nod. Once the introductions were made, she walked around the table to hug the rest of her family before taking a seat between Booth and her brother.
Breakfast passed with quiet conversation about Booth and Haley's health, catching up on each other's lives, and plans for the coming day. "So, are we just doing the main park, or are we going to the water park too?" Booth asked while the kids were preoccupied in a conversation of their own.
"There's a water park? But I didn't pack a swimsuit" Brennan interjected.
"How could you not bring a swimsuit Bones? That's like an essential no brainer, even if you don't plan on going to a beach or whatever, most hotels have pools" he responded seriously.
She was taken aback for a moment before she registered the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. When she did notice it she responded with an equally serious sounding, "Well we can't all be as smart as you, now can we? Especially those of us who rarely take a 'real vacation'" she added remembering a time years ago when he had been planning a vacation with Tessa and had criticized her idea of a vacation. By the time she got to the end of her spiel she was having a hard time controlling the twitching at the corner of her lips. Finally they both broke down and shared teasing smiles.
"Anyways … we figured that if we are only going to have one day, we probably won't make it to both" Amy answered the original question a little uncertainly. "The girls and I thought we'd just wear our suits under our clothes and we'd see how the day went."
"That sounds like a great plan. Bones, we need to go back up to the room and change before we leave."
"But I told you I didn't bring a swimsuit" she countered.
"I figured you wouldn't think about it, so I packed one for you" he informed her with a smug grin. She simply glared for a moment before grudgingly giving him a kiss on the cheek and a 'thank you'.
Meanwhile, Max and Russ looked on with happy smiles on their faces. They were glad that Tempe had finally found happiness. She deserved it. Besides Booth seemed to be a great match for her – not that that was a surprise for either man. They had both noticed how well the two worked together in the past and had felt better leaving her behind knowing that she had a man like Booth watching over her. They were just glad that the two of them had finally gotten their act together and given a real relationship between them a chance.
Turning his attention from the new couple, Max took in his grandchildren. Granted, none of the three were technically his children's, but they were close enough. He had given up really having any kind of relationship with his kids years ago when he and his beloved Christine had left them behind. And he had never in his wildest dreams thought that he would actually get to spend time with his grandchildren. Just the thought of being able to see these beautiful youngsters grow into the amazing man and women they were bound to be brought a smile to his face. Maybe one day he would have a grandchild that actually sprang from Russ or Tempe, but until then, he was glad that they had both managed to find such wonderful families for themselves. Bringing himself back to the present, he smiled again at how well the three of them were getting along. Maybe he would be able to have the big, happy, united family after all, he mused.
His musings were interrupted as the other adults at the table began to get up. "We'll meet you out front in … ten minutes. That should give us all enough time to change right?" Bones asked looking to Booth.
"Yeah, ten minutes should be fine" he reassured her. "Hey Bub, we gotta go back up to the room for a couple of minutes. Let's go."
Once they had gotten back to their room, Booth sent Parker to the bathroom with his swimming trunks to change while he dug out his own and Bones' swimwear. Taking in the sight of one of her own suits hanging from her boyfriend's fingers Brennan was stunned momentarily. "Booth, that's one of my suits."
"Thank you for pointing out the obvious Bones" he countered lightly.
"But, I haven't been back to my apartment, except to pack for this trip, in close to a week. And I know that you haven't been there without me because you don't have a key" she pointed out with an adorably confused face.
"I could have just picked the lock," he reminded her "or gotten the super to let me in. He knows I'm there a lot, probably thought we've been dating for months. And if that didn't work, I could always just use my badge."
"But you didn't do any of those things" she protested.
He let her wait in suspense for a moment before answering with his infamous charm smile. "You're right I didn't, but I could have."
"Then how in the world did you get my suit?" she asked exasperated.
"I asked Angela to pick one up for me, just in case you didn't think to pack one." Just then the bathroom door opened and Brennan grabbed her suit and ran for the other room glaring daggers at her partner the whole time to keep her own smile at bay.
*~BONES~*
Ten minutes later, all eight of them met in the parking lot trying to figure out car arrangements. Since the kids wanted to finish planning their day, it was agreed that Russ and Amy would take the three in their van, and Booth, Brennan, and Max would follow in Booth's SUV.
Conversation in the second vehicle started out on an awkward note when the first thing out of Max's mouth was, "It's about time the two of you got your act together. When can I expect more grandkids?"
Booth, flabbergasted, almost missed the turn off for the highway while trying to come up with a response. It wasn't the first time Max had thrown a comment at him from left field, but 'grandkids' weren't exactly the kind of thing you expected to hear from a man like Max.
Brennan on the other hand, just shook her head at her father's comment before responding. "We have only been dating for two weeks Dad, it will be a while before we even think about kids."
Booth met her eyes in the rearview mirror with a smile. She hadn't blown the idea out of the sky, simply deferred it for a later, more appropriate time. His day was looking up already.
The rest of the short trip was made in a mostly comfortable silence while the three soaked up the peace before the amusement park frenzy. "At least," Max thought to himself, "it's not raining this time."
*~BONES~*
The line for tickets was expectedly long, but the time was passed in pleasant conversation by the adults and an impromptu game of tag by the children.
Shortly before the group reached the ticket window, Amy dug into her backpack and passed out a walkie talkie to Booth and another to Max. "Trust me, you will appreciate these in about an hour. Cell service is notoriously spotty in some parts of the park, and with three kids, we'll all want to know where everyone else is" she explained.
"Thanks. So what exactly are the plans once we get in?" Booth asked pocketing the walkie.
"Well, I figure we can head straight to the back of the park and work our way towards the gate. That way we don't have to walk all the way back at the end of the day" Russ suggested.
"That's a good idea Russ. And it should bring us back to the Eiffel Tower and the International Fountain for the fireworks show" chimed in Brennan. At the look she received from Booth she just shrugged. "I grew up in Ohio, Booth. I have been here a time or two, although I imagine they have changed the park quite a bit since I was last here. Oh, and we are having lunch at La Rosa's if it's still here."
"Whatever you say Bones" was the cheeky response.
The next order of business was to corral the children and go over the ground rules. Leaving Russ and Max to hold their place in line, Amy, Booth and Brennan pulled Haley, Emma, and Parker out of the way for a talk.
"Alright Bub, I want you to have fun, but you have to make sure you stay with Amy, Russ, Max, Bones or I all the time. If you are with them and not me, you have to do what they say, alright?" Booth asked crouching down to be at eye level with his son. After securing the boy's promise he smiled before adding, "And not too many sweets, alright? I promise you can take some home with you, you don't have to eat it all today."
Laughing lightly Amy turned to her girls and issued very similar instructions before reminding them that they were each allowed to pick one souvenir for the day, and so to pick carefully.
The group arrived back in line just in time to buy the tickets and enter the park with the Brennan men.
*~BONES~*
Upon actually entering the park, Booth was amused to find that the excitement on the children's faces' was rivaled by that on his partner's. She looked so happy and carefree, just like she had in the picture of a teenaged version of herself in her parents' file. Her excitement only rose as they walked down International Street and she noticed La Rosa's Pizzeria as well as Graeter's Ice Cream. Tugging on his arm, much like Parker would, she pointed out the ice cream shop with huge smile announcing that she was definitely going there before heading home.
Enjoying this new side of his girlfriend's personality, he sent Parker ahead with the others and slowed his pace a bit to prolong the experience.
Noticing the growing distance between them and the rest of her family, Brennan tried to up their pace, but Booth simply took her hand and with a charming smile told her to, "Relax, Bones. We'll catch up. Just enjoy this."
And, as predicted, they caught up five minutes later when Amy stopped the group for a family picture before anyone really had a chance to mess up their appearance too much with roller coasters and water rides. After finding a security officer that was willing to take the picture, Amy quickly arranged everyone and the picture was taken.
That 'official' business out of the way, the group finished making their way to the farthest ride the park had to offer, the world's longest wooden roller coaster, The Beast. The early start to the day meant the shortest lines for the record breaking coaster and 20 minutes after reaching the line, all eight people were fastened into their seats. Brennan felt a familiar mix of nerves and excitement as the ride started, one she remembered from the last time she had ridden this ride. She closed her eyes and tried to remember every twist, turn, and drop hidden from view by the trees. At one point, years ago, she practically had the course of the track memorized – the product of spending an entire day simply riding this ride over and over again with her best friend. Russ had called her crazy for ignoring all the other amusements the park had to offer, but there was just something about the unknown on this ride. As the car clinked up the first hill, she held tight to Booth's arm and held her breath; this was going to be the best four minutes all day, she just knew it.
The ride was an overall success with the family. Well for everyone but Emma, who exited the ride with a hand to her face shielding her nose. "Stupid wooden roller coaster," she mumbled under her breath.
"Emma, what happened?" Bones asked genuinely concerned.
"I dropped my sunglasses and when I bent down to grab them, there was a bump in the track and the lap bar tried to break my nose!"
The adults offered the proper amount of fuss over the incident while trying to hide their smirks of amusement. Parker and Haley, on the other hand, let loose with peals of laughter all the way to the line for the next ride, The Crypt. Upon entering the building and seeing that the ride was almost entirely in the dark, Haley declared that she couldn't ride it and Max readily agreed to sit this ride out in favor of waiting with his youngest granddaughter. Max and Haley used the time to scout out nearby rides and decide which would be next. Half an hour later, they met up with the group getting off of the ride and led them over to the relatively short line for the first water ride of the day.
"See Bones, aren't you glad I thought to bring your suit? Every good amusement park has at least one water ride" Booth teased lightly.
Instead of answering him, Brennan took Parker and Haley's offered hands and ran the short distance to the next available boat. "Sorry Booth," she called, not sounding the least bit genuine, once she and all three children were settled, "it looks like you'll have to ride in a different one." Russ, Amy and Max just laughed at his disbelieving face as he fastened himself into his seat in their boat.
At just past noon, the adults agreed to ride one last roller coaster in an effort to dry out before stopping for lunch. The candidate chosen for this purpose was the Diamondback, the newest and fastest coaster in the park. Upon hearing her parents' plan to dry off on the ride Emma started laughing and called Haley and Parker over before whispering something to the two, which set them off in a fit of giggles as well. All of the adults noticed, but none put any thought to it other than to be glad that they were getting along so well. Once they crested the last hill in the ride, however, all five wished they had asked to be let in on the joke. They were speeding towards a pool of water and would get soaked once again!
*~BONES~*
Suitably dry after a quick lunch of deliciously cold smoothies from Paradise Island and hot pizza at LaRosa's, pepperoni for the adults and cheese for the kids, the family took the short two minute walk to the Backlot Stunt coaster. After starting relatively lightly to allow their food to settle, the group proceeded to the Shake, Rattle and Roll.
"I'm not sure going on a ride that's primary function is spinning so soon after eating was the best idea you two have ever had" commented Max as they made their unsteady way to a shaded bench to sit a moment.
"Oh, come on Dad, you're just getting old. It wasn't that bad" Russ argued.
Max countered with a rueful "Then why do you look so green?"
When it was obvious Russ had no defense, he turned on his sister. "Tempe's the one who wanted to go on it in the first place. I've never really liked those kinds of rides."
"You were the one who insisted we ride the spinning tea cups when we went to Disney, Russ. And no one forced you to go on this, so I don't see how your weak stomach is my fault" was the childish taunt from the woman in question. Booth and Amy wisely decided to stay out of the impending argument and instead focused on making sure the kids weren't about to lose their lunch.
Once everyone was sufficiently recovered, they continued down the path towards their next target, the Vortex. One look had Russ shaking his head slowly. "There is no way I'm going on that thing. I just got my stomach unknotted" he practically whined.
"Come on dad, it's not that bad. It looks really fun," tempted Emma.
"Yeah, daddy, I'm going," chimed in his youngest.
"Alright girls, leave your dad alone, he'll ride the next one with us," Amy cut in knowing that Russ wouldn't be able to stand too much pleading or sad eyes.
As they neared the front of the line, Brennan noticed nearly identical dubious looks on her partner and his son's faces. She slowly removed her camera from her bag and snuck a picture of the two before addressing their apprehension. "It's ok if you two don't want to go on this. I promise I won't tease you too much if you would rather stay here with Russ." At the suspicious look from her partn – no boyfriend, she rolled her eyes and turned to his son, "I cross my heart Parker that I won't think any less of you if you don't want to ride this."
Studying her face a moment, the boy then turned to his father with a smile. "You can stay, dad, I'm gonna ride next to Dr. Bones! If she's not scared, I can be brave."
"I know you can Bub," Booth affectionately ruffled the blonde curls. "But, if you can be brave enough to tackle this monster, I think I can too. What do you think Bones? Do you think I can be as brave as you and Parker?"
"I don't know," she played along, "I think Parker may be braver than you, but you never know until you try."
Max just looked on with a soft smile. This was the closest Tempe had been to the little girl he remembered before he and Christine had had to leave. It gave him hope that not all was lost and that she could happily have a family again. He was shaken out of his head when Haley pulled on his hand announcing that it was their turn.
Six inversions and three minutes later, Booth was starting to question his son's sanity and his own decision making skills. He wasn't one to balk at fast speeds or steep drops, but he preferred to keep his feet below his head, thank you very much. Parker and Bones on the other hand had face splitting smiles and horse throats.
The next ride on the list, Firehawk, had a height requirement that was too high for all three kids, a fact for which Booth was secretly happy about. Taking in the sad faces on all three youngsters, and the fact that the others would be in line for at least 45 minutes plus the three minute ride, an idea started to form. "Russ, Amy, do you mind if I take the girls over to the carnival rides? I promise to keep them away from the ice cream," he added with a smirk.
"Sure, why don't I go with you? I'm not a huge fan of roller coasters anyway. That's more Amy's thing."
"It seems to be Bones' thing too. Maybe it's just a woman thing?" Booth suggested.
"Or even just a crazy person thing?" countered Russ.
Amy and Temperance looked at each other and rolled their eyes each thinking the same thing, "Men!" Contemplating his choices and taking another look at the track towering over them, Max decided that he should probably go with the kids and their fathers. After all, if he wanted to experience flying, there had to be safer ways, like hang-gliding or base jumping.
Bidding the two women goodbye, the other six members of the family walked the short distance to the carnival rides on the Cooney Mall. Once there, the men handed off one of the walkie talkies to Emma and instructed the kids to stay together before letting them wander the area on their 'own' while keeping them in sight. After a few minutes of slightly awkward small talk between Booth and the two men that he had previously arrested, the conversation finally settled on the two topics all three had in common: the kids and Temperance Brennan.
"Daddy, meet us at the bumper cars!" came over the walkie startling the men out of a comfortable silence. Quickly sending an affirmative reply, the three made their way towards the youngsters and into a competitive round, or four, of bumper cars. As they were getting ready for round five, a familiar laugh caught Booth's attention. Swiveling around, he spotted her and Amy, both laughing so hard they had to lean on each other for support, making their way through the crowd towards him.
"Wonder what's so funny," he commented, mainly to himself.
Hearing him, Russ followed his gaze to see his wife and sister and smiled. He was happily surprised to see them getting along so well, not that they didn't get along from the beginning, but Tempe was a tough one to get close to. Watching them now, you would never have guessed they hadn't been best friends since childhood.
Max had also noticed the diverted attention of the younger men and took a moment to enjoy the fact that both of his children seemed to be happy and had found themselves such amazing families. Starting to feel himself get emotional about his family regaining the closeness he had feared would be lost forever, he turned his attention quickly back to Parker and the girls and challenged them to one last round of bumper cars before they had to move on.
*~BONES~*
Brennan was barely able to make out the "I hope this is worth it" her boyfriend muttered as they were seated in the car of the Red Racer a half hour after they had first gotten into line. "Of course it will be," she chastised. As the train started to move, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was exhilarating to feel the wind whip by and even the feeling of her stomach in her chest as they crested the first hill. She wondered for a minute how she could have possibly forgotten how much fun it was to just let go and … have fun. The longer she spent here with her family enjoying the freeness of not having to worry about work or her reputation or other's opinions of her actions, the more she felt herself relax. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so … happy.
Before she knew it, the ride was over and Booth was getting out of his seat. Jumping up to follow him, she grabbed his arm and led him back to the line, this time for the Blue Racer. "Bones, we just did this one," he teased with a smirk on his face.
"No Booth, we just rode the Red racer. Now we're going to ride the Blue racer, and if we're lucky, it'll go backwards."
"What do you mean go backwards?"
"They sometimes run the trains in reverse so that you can't see what is coming next. That's the best way to ride. I remember once the finale of the fireworks show started just as we got half way up the first hill. We had the most spectacular view!" enthused the usually reserved scientist. Booth wasn't sure how he felt about riding a roller coaster in reverse, but there was no way he could say no and take away from the look of innocent bliss on her face. And her squeal of childlike glee when the car did in fact start moving in reverse put a smile on his face that had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she was right, this ride was definitely better in reverse.
Next on the agenda for the day was the Adventure Express. Upon finding out that the theme for the ride was Indiana Jones, Booth and Parker started quoting lines from the various 'Indie' movies. Before long, Russ had joined into the conversation and they started debating which of the four movies was the best.
The longest line they had encountered all day was over an hour long, but Brennan, Amy and the kids were determined that Drop Tower was worth every second of the wait. While they waited, Amy took the opportunity to make the family pose for several photos. The first time that they saw what the ride actually involved, the women's faces lit with expectant smiles while the men's faces paled a shade or two. Walking over to read exactly what he was in for, Booth once again had to question his girlfriend's sanity. She was seriously excited about a 26 story free fall? It was moments like this that he realized, as much as he knew about her and understood her, she would never fail to surprise him. No, life with this woman would definitely not be boring. … The last thought he had before the world dropped out beneath him was that the view from 315 feet up was breath taking. Seconds later he was reminded what breath taking really was.
By 5:30 they were standing in line to ride Flight Deck, formerly Top Gun, which once again set the men, Max included this time, into quoting and debating various aspects of the movie that inspired the ride they were about to embark on. The girls, after realizing that the conversation wasn't likely to involve them anytime soon, took the time to catch their Aunt Tempe up on all the goings on in their lives as well as plans for a visit to DC soon for a 'girls night'.
After they got off of Flight Deck, the debate began. It was close to six and everyone was getting hungry, but there were really only two more rides they wanted to go on for the day and they would have to pass them to get to the food anyways. Eventually Brennan's logical argument won out over the protests of some of the others. They would ride the last two rides while the lines were thinned for dinner time and eat afterwards. By the time the debate was settled, they had reached the line for Congo Falls and a new one began. The adults were reluctant to get wet again so close to dinner and the kids were determined that if they were going to get wet, everyone should. Emma, having once again noticed something the adults seemed to overlook, came up with a plan to get them wet whether or not they actually got on the ride. She slowly moved the group towards the bottom of the waterfall and when the next car passed by, all eight were soaked by the resulting spray. Figuring that they were already wet, the adults decided they may as well enjoy the ride. Booth, having noticed Emma's actions silently applauded her and idly hoped that she would use her intelligence and powers of observation for good, and not follow the majority of Bones' family into a life of crime.
They made their way through the line for the final 'new' ride of the night ringing the water from their clothing and hair. Since the kids weren't tall enough to ride this one either, Max offered to take them on Congo Falls again and let the two couples enjoy Invertigo.
*~BONES~*
Dinner was a nice chance for all to sit and relax in the air conditioning of Stunt Crew Grill. They were seated at their table and had ordered by a quarter to seven. Three beers, two salads, four burgers, two BBQ pork and one chicken sandwich later, the group exited the restaurant and headed back towards International Street and the shops to pick out souvenirs and pass the time until the firework show.
Once back up towards the front gate, Amy once again felt the need to document the first real family trip and spent several minutes arranging various groupings of family in front of the fountain and King's Island sign. Eventually Russ managed to distract her enough for Booth and Brennan to make their escape to the Eiffel Tower.
The view from the top of the tower was amazing. There was a clear view of the surrounding park and forested area through the deepening twilight. Booth and Brennan found a spot overlooking International Street and the fountain and simply watched, her back to his chest, as the people below ambled around and the sun sank behind the horizon and the colorful lights of the fountain sprang to life. Just as the last rays of the sun disappeared from view, Booth turned Bones around and kissed her. As they broke apart for much needed air, she chastised herself silently for thinking that the best four minutes of the day would be that first ride on The Beast. This was so much better than any roller coaster.
When they finally made their way down to the ground, Booth called the others on the walkie talkie to meet up with them to watch the fireworks. Before they got very far though, Brennan was pulling him into a store front. He stood amused and watched as she analyzed the choices of treats before her much like she did remains in her lab. Finally nodding once to herself, she bought an assortment of the mouthwatering fudge.
"You gonna share any of that or do I need to buy my own?"
"Of course I will share," she countered in her ever logical tone of voice. Seeing the hopeful look in his eye, she barely managed to keep a straight face as she continued with, "Angela, Hodgins, Sweets, and Cam should enjoy this much better than some overpriced knickknack."
Booth was shocked for a moment before he noticed the teasing glint in her eye and the minute way the corner of her lips kept creeping up, just slightly. "You're just evil, you know that Bones?"
As the couple exited the store, Brennan sprinted across the street into yet another store front. Before Booth even had time to register that it was an ice cream shop, Brennan was asking what flavor she should get for Parker. She would never cease to amaze him. As much as she protested to the contrary, she was a natural with children, his son in particular, and he could close his eyes and picture the way she would be with their kids. Shaking himself from his fantasy, he answered and helped her carry the eight servings of ice cream to the spot her family had found to sit and enjoy the show.
The treats were distributed not a minute too late, as the sky exploded into noise and light just as Brennan settled herself between her brother and partner. All watched in awe, their melting treats momentarily forgotten, as the brilliant reds and blues, greens and whites reflected off their upturned faces.
Once the show was over and the now half melted ice cream was eaten, the tired group wearily made their way back to the cars and the hotel for the night. Once there, Booth once again carried a sleeping Parker to the room and settled him in bed while Brennan changed into her pjs in the bathroom. When she returned, Booth was curled up in the middle of the bed half asleep. With a not so gentle shove and mumbled "move over" she crawled beneath the covers and was practically unconscious by the time her head hit the pillow. She didn't, however, miss the half garbled "love ya, Bones" uttered by Booth as he pulled her against his body and rested his head against hers, and was too far gone to notice she didn't feel the customary fear at hearing those words directed at her.
*~BONES~*
Author's Notes: I would first like to apologize for it taking this long to get this written and posted and thank those of you who have been looking forward to this for reading it. I would also like to thank everyone who gave me Emma's name.
I want to specifically thank kaylee-jane-potter for giving me ideas about Kings Island for the story specifically (the Eiffel tower kiss, LaRosa's, and Graeter's ice cream).
Next, I know Russ and Amy probably aren't really married, but I figured they live together and probably consider themselves practically married.
Oh, and the part about Emma busting her nose on The Beast … it really did happen, to me, when I first rode the ride. It was still an awesome roller coaster though.
