CHAPTER 12

Brennan reached her hand behind her back and tried to grab hold of the zipper. She tried again and failed.

"Here, sweetie, let me do that," Angela appeared in the small tent. She was dressed in a strapless, emerald green satin dress that reached her ankles.

"Thanks, Ang," Brennan said as she turned her back to Angela. Angela pulled the zipper all the way up and began to turn Brennan to face her.

"Bren, wow! Look at yourself…you look absolutely beautiful," Angela told Brennan.

Brennan smiled and walked a few feet to the floor length mirror that had been placed on the grass. Angela stood behind her as she shifted from one side to another. After a few moments of shifting, Brennan stopped and stared at herself in the mirror. The white gown was strapless, perfectly framing Brennan's slender upper torso. It had a chiffon overlay which hung delicately from Brennan's waist. The fabric on the bodice was gathered in certain spots, which only added to the elegance. To top it all off, Swarovski crystals delicately adorned the left side of the gown, from the bodice all the way down to the bottom of the skirt. The A-line cut of the dress gracefully outlined the curves in her hips. Her deep brunette hair cascaded in spiral curls down her neck as a strand fell smoothly across the side of her cheek. She was absolutely breathtaking.

"I'm glad we chose this dress," Brennan told Angela after a minute. "You have the best taste, Ang."

"Sweetie, you chose it. I just gave you my valuable input," Angela replied. "Veil time."

Angela stepped over to the table and took the waist-length veil in her hands. It was embellished with Swarovski crystals that matched Brennan's gown.

"I honestly cannot believe that I am getting married," Brennan said as Angela searched Brennan's head for the perfect spot to place the veil.

"I can't either, but I meant every word of what I said last night. I have never seen you as happy as you are with Booth, Bren. You two were meant for each other," Angela replied, still fidgeting with the comb and the veil.

"How excited were you when I called you from Phoenix?" Brennan asked her, grinning.

"I did a happy dance. I knew Aunt Wendy would succeed," Angela said.

"She's here, right?" Brennan asked.

"Yup, sitting in the third row. She's the one with the peacock on her head," Angela said, smirking, "On top of the bright red flames, that is."

"She is quite the character, isn't she?" Brennan said.

"Yes, that she is. But hey, look what you're wearing; she definitely does her job…matchmaking and all," Angela replied. "There, I think that's just right."

Brennan looked back in the mirror and raised her arms underneath her veil, lifting the sides so it framed her body. She smiled softly.

"I think I'm ready for this," Brennan said.

"You've got your baby blue garter on, right?" Angela asked.

"Yes, right here," Brennan replied, pointing to her thigh.

"Just one thing left, then," Angela said as she brought over the black and gold box. She took the dolphin necklace out and Brennan pulled her hair up so Angela could clasp it. "There. Now, you're ready."

Brennan grasped onto the tiny dolphin and she thought of her mother as a tear came to her eye. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Brennan turned around and Angela stepped forward and embraced her best friend and Brennan returned the gesture.

"Booth's jaw is going to hit the floor when he lays his eyes on you," Angela said, grabbing Brennan's hand and squeezing it.

Brennan smiled. "You've got the ring?" she asked her.

"Right here," Angela replied, wiggling her thumb. "It's still a little big for my thumb, but I figure that's the best way to carry it. Geez, Booth has big hands."

"Yes, he does," Brennan replied, snickering slightly.

"We're ready to get started," the minister announced from outside the tent.

"Okay, we're coming," Brennan replied.

"Alright," the minister replied as his shadow disappeared.

"Just remember to breathe. I think I was already at the altar before I took a breath…bad idea," Angela told Brennan.

"Breathe. Got it," Brennan replied. "Flowers?"

"Right." Angela walked to the table and grabbed the two bouquets of flowers. "Here you go," she said as she handed Brennan a bundle of white roses and lilies. Angela took her own bouquet of crimson and white roses. She grabbed her white shall and wrapped her arms in it.

"I wish I had a shall," Brennan said, envious of the matron of honor as it was 40 degrees outside.

"Space heaters, remember. Hopefully it will be toasty," Angela said as she took Brennan's arm. "Let's get this show on the road."

Brennan's brow furrowed. "Let's get this what on the what?" she asked.

Angela laughed. "That's my Bren," she replied as she led Brennan out of the tent.

The three tents were all connected and the women followed the covered path to the entrance to the big tent and stopped. Hodgins and Parker walked up a moment later.

"Just wanted to drop the munchkin off," Hodgins said, hid hands over his eyes.

"Hodgins, why are you covering your eyes?" Brennan asked.

"Because I don't want to see the bride yet," he replied.

"Aww…that's so cute. Love you, now go sit down so we can start," Angela said, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"See you soon. Bye Parker," Hodgins replied, his hand glued to his face.

"Bye, Dr. Hoggins," Parker said as Hodgins made his way into the tent.

"You ready, Parker?" Brennan asked him.

"Yeah. Dr. Bones, you look really really pretty," Parker told her.

"Thank you. You look very handsome," she told him.

"Are you gonna tell me when I'm supposed to start walking?" Parker asked Brennan.

"Yes, I will, I promise," Brennan replied.

"Sweetheart, you look…dazzling," Max told his daughter as he appeared next to her.

"Thanks, Dad," Brennan replied. Max gave her a kiss on the cheek.

The minister's assistant popped his head out of the tent. "The men are taking their places. Mrs. Hodgins, I will motion to you when it is time," the man informed them.

"Alright, thanks," Angela said.

Brennan couldn't see through the tent flaps, which she found quite irritating. She was dying to see Booth; he had left around 5 o'clock in the morning to go to his apartment. Being the traditionalist that he was, he didn't want to see Brennan until the actual ceremony.

After what seemed like only seconds, the minister's assistant opened the flaps and nodded to Angela as "Canon in D" began playing.

Angela smiled back at Brennan and turned to walk. She looked beautiful in her green dress and red and white roses. Hodgins watched as she walked, smiling like a little boy. She reached the front of the tent, smiled at Booth, and took a step to the left, turning to the entrance of the tent.

Brennan, standing to the side of the opening, tapped Parker. "Okay, it's your turn," she told him.

Parker smiled and raised his pillow with the fake rings attached. He strutted into the tent, a bright smile on his face.

Brennan watched him walk, trying to peek around the flaps to see Booth.

"This is it, honey," Max said to her.

"I know," Brennan replied.

"Are you nervous?" Max asked.

Brennan thought for a moment. "No…I'm not," she replied, smiling to herself at the realization.

"You do look beautiful, Temperance," Max told her, smiling softly.

Brennan looked to her father and stepped forward and hugged him. "Thank you…for everything you've done," she told him.

"I know you'll be safe in Booth's hands. And like I said, I'll find a way to keep in touch," Max replied, squeezing his daughter gently.

"It's time," the minister's assistant told them.

Brennan locked her right arm with her father's left as they took their places at the opening of the tent. "Here Comes The Bride" began to play and Brennan watched as the 50 people rose from their chairs and turned towards the opening.

"You ready?" Max asked.

"Definitely," Brennan replied.

Brennan stepped forward, grasping her white roses and lilies in her left hand, clutching on to her father with her right.

Booth's breath caught in his throat. He watched Brennan walking towards him and he was absolutely blown away…she was even more beautiful than he could have imagined…and he had imagined this moment hundreds of times. She was walking towards HIM; she was about to marry HIM; she would be HIS from this moment on…forever. He could not believe it. This moment had been floating around in his head far before he and Brennan had ever become a couple. And now it was real and Booth found himself staring at her, his heart ready to burst with love and adoration. He was the luckiest man in the entire world.

As Brennan and Max reached the altar, the minister began, "Who gives this woman to this man?"

"I do," Max replied. He kissed Brennan on the cheek and gave her right hand to Booth. Booth shook Max's hand and grasped onto Brennan's. They both smiled at each other and then turned to face the minister. Parker stood close by, looking up at his dad and his soon-to-be stepmother.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two hearts, two people, Seeley and Temperance. They have made a commitment to each other and to God to join together in the state of holy matrimony. Seeley, if you would, face Temperance and repeat after me," the minister began.

Booth turned to Brennan as she turned to him.

"I Seeley, take you Temperance…"

"I Seeley, take you Temperance…" Booth began.

"…to be my wife…"

"…to be my wife…"

"…my partner in life and my one true love…"

"…my partner in life and my one true love…" Booth continued as he gazed at Brennan, grasping her hand tightly.

"…I will cherish our union and love you more each day…"

"…I will cherish our union and love you more each day…"

"…than I did the day before…"

"…than I did the day before…"

"…I will trust you and respect you…"

"…I will trust you and respect you…" Booth said, his voice steady and clear.

"…laugh with you and cry with you…"

"…laugh with you and cry with you…"

"…loving you faithfully through good times and bad…"

"…loving you faithfully through good times and bad…"

"…regardless of the obstacles we may face together…"

"…regardless of the obstacles we may face together…"

"…I give you my hand, my heart, and my love…"

"…I give you my hand, my heart, and my love…" Booth repeated, squeezing Brennan's hand as he stroked her knuckles.

"…from this day forward…"

"…from this day forward…"

"…for as long as we both shall live."

"…for as long as we both shall live," Booth finished, not taking his eyes off of Brennan's.

"Now, Temperance, if you will repeat after me…I Temperance, take you Seeley…"

"I Temperance, take you Seeley…" Brennan began, barely above a whisper.

"…to be my husband…"

"…to be my husband…" she said, a little louder.

"…my partner in life and my one true love…"

"…my partner in life and my one true love…"

"…I will cherish our union and love you more each day…"

"…I will cherish our union and love you more each day…"

"…than I did the day before…"

"…than I did the day before…" Brennan continued, a tear forming at the corner of her eye.

"…I will trust you and respect you…"

"…I will trust you and respect you…"

"…laugh with you and cry with you…"

"…laugh with you and cry with you…" Brennan said, her voice quivering as she stared into his eyes.

"…loving you faithfully through good times and bad…"

"…loving you faithfully through good times and bad…"

"…regardless of the obstacles we may face together…"

"…regardless of the obstacles we may face together…"

"…I give you my hand, my heart, and my love…"

"…I give you my hand, my heart, and my love…" Brennan said, smiling and tilting her head as a tear trickled out of her eye.

"…from this day forward…"

"…from this day forward…"

"…for as long as we both shall live…"

"…for as long as we both shall live…" Brennan finished, squeezing Booth's hand.

"May I have the rings, please?" the minister asked Angela and Jared. Angela pulled hers off her thumb and handed it to him. Jared reached into his tux pocket and handed the minister the ring. He took them both in his hands. At that moment, Parker went and sat next to his grandparents.

"Seeley, if you would," he said as he motioned to Booth. Booth took Brennan's ring as the minister continued, "Repeat after me…I give you this ring…"

"I give you this ring…"

"…as a symbol of my love and faithfulness…"

"…as a symbol of my love and faithfulness…" Booth repeated, his eyes fixated lovingly on Brennan.

"…As I place it on your finger…"

"…As I place it on your finger…"

"…I commit my heart and soul to you…"

"…I commit my heart and soul to you…"

"…I ask you to wear this ring…"

"…I ask you to wear this ring…"

"…as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today…"

"…as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today…" Booth continued, holding the ring between his thumb and index fingers.

"…our wedding day…"

"…our wedding day." Booth finished as he smiled brightly, sliding the ring onto Brennan's left hand. Brennan looked down at her hand and then back at Booth.

"Temperance," the minister said. Brennan took the ring from his hand. "Repeat after me…I give you this ring…"

"I give you this ring…"

"…as a symbol of my love and faithfulness…"

"…as a symbol of my love and faithfulness…"

"…As I place it on your finger…"

"…As I place it on your finger…" Brennan continued, her breath catching in her throat as she spoke.

"…I commit my heart and soul to you…"

"…I commit my heart and soul to you…" she said as she took a deep breath in.

"…I ask you to wear this ring…"

"…I ask you to wear this ring…"

"…as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today…"

"…as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today…"

"…our wedding day…"

"…our wedding day." Brennan beamed at Booth as she slid the white gold ring onto his finger. Booth continued to gaze into Brennan's beautiful blue eyes.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister said, smiling.

Booth leaned forward and kissed Brennan softly on the lips. He couldn't resist kissing her a second time before he placed one hand on her back and the other on her waist and dipped her, their lips connected the whole time. Brennan laughed through the kiss as she grabbed onto him. He pulled her back up after a few seconds and kissed her one more time.

Angela clapped with flowers in hand while Hodgins let out a whistle. Zack hooped and hollered as he threw his hand in the air.

"Dude, don't do that," Hodgins informed him. Zack glared at him and hooped and hollered one more time. Hodgins then glared back at Zack, who was smiling triumphantly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Seeley Booth," the minister announced as Booth and Brennan turned to the crowd and "The Wedding March" started playing. They clasped hands and started back down the aisle. "Please join the newlyweds in the Jeffersonian conference room for dinner and dancing," the minister announced as Angela and Jared walked down the aisle.

Booth and Brennan made their way to one of the small tents as the crowd walked across the Jeffersonian garden to the main building. Once safely inside the tent, Booth pulled Brennan close to him, kissing her deeply.

"How are you doing?" Booth asked her.

She smiled at him. "I'm perfect," she said breathlessly.

"Good. So am I, Mrs. Seeley Booth," Booth said, smirking.

"Don't even start with me," Brennan told him, pointing a finger in his face.

"Don't point your finger at me," he replied as he took her finger and kissed it.

"We make quite a pair, don't we?" she asked, rhetorically.

"We always have," he replied, smiling widely at his wife.

This is NOT the end yet! But I will out of town for a few days and I don't know how much internet access I will have. So, enjoy and I will be back on Monday!