Disclaimer: I do not own Bones
"Mom went back to Wyoming," Ryan told Parker, who was sitting next to him eating his lunch; tenderloin and a baked potato. "I told her not to, but she still went."
Parker took a bite of his sandwich and said, with his mouth slightly full, "well you know your mother," he swallowed his bite and continued, "She will do whatever she wants. She is an independent woman. No one could ever hold her where she did not want to be."
"I know," Ryan sighed, "It's just she is going to push everyone away because she feels insecure."
Parker put his hand on his brother's shoulder, "everything will turn out fine in the end. You wanna know something?"
Ryan looked at Parker intently, "What?"
"Dad is with your mom right now." Ryan's face furrowed in confusion.
"What?"
"Well," Parker grinned, "Cam and Angela went over to dad's house last night and knocked some sense into him. They let his know that your mom was leaving and that if he didn't get his act together very soon she would be gone forever."
"It worked?" Ryan questioned.
"He's with her now."
"Do you think they will actually work things out over there?" Ryan asked, doubtful that any amends could be made any more.
"Ryan, Ryan, Ryan," Parker said, "you have to remember that I knew those two before you were born. I saw how much in love they were. Yes, twenty years will put up somewhat of a road block between them, but I am positive that they will work it out."
"My mom can be very stubborn," Ryan said, still doubting Parker's words.
"Oh we all know that!" The boys looked up and saw Angela enter the room. "Your mother can be very infuriating at times." She walked over to Ryan and kissed him on the forehead. Ryan couldn't help but feel slightly awkward at this, but he knew he better get used to it, he was Angela's best friend's son. "How are you feeling Sweetie?"
"I'm fine," he replied, "at the moment I am on so many painkillers that I can't really feel anything; not that I'm not thankful, I am well aware that I am going to be in pain for quite a while with my injuries."
"Oh god," Angela said, "Please no details, you'll make me feel the pain if you go into details."
Ryan smiled in understanding. "So what took you so long to come visit?" Ryan asked.
"The doctor just let non family member in, one at a time." Angela looked at Ryan, "Now that I think of it, how did Elaina manage to get to come in and see you?"
Ryan shrugged and smiled, "I honestly have no idea, but knowing Elaina, she probably just walked right on back when nobody was watching."
Angela smiled, "You have to admire people like her!"
Ryan smiled back. He couldn't help but think that he should ask Angela and Parker's opinion on the question he planned on asking Elaina. It would be good to get a few other people's opinion on the matter. Clearing his throat he said, "I want to marry her." Shit, that came out too directly.
Both Parker and Angela stared at him for the longest time. It was Parker who finally said, "Who?"
Ryan replied, "Elaina, duh!"
Angela broke into a wide grin, "Oh my god! I think that is wonderful! You two are so cute together."
"But they're also very young," Parker cut in.
"Young love," Angela said happily.
"They are still developing," Parker countered, "They could change their minds in a few years."
"Even people who wait to get married can change their mind in a few years."
"School," Parker argued.
"Why wait when there is no time like the present. They obviously love each other, why shouldn't they get married." Angela said.
Ryan watched the two of them like he was watching a tennis match. The arguments kept bouncing back and forth and back and forth. Finally, it became too much, "Guys stop!" Ryan yelled. They both turned to look at him, "I haven't made up my mind yet, mom made me promise to think about it for a least a week before I make any decisions."
"That is the rational choice," Parker told him.
"The human heart is not rational," Angela said, "Sweetie," she turned to look at Ryan, "I agree that you should think about it, it is a huge decision after all, but don't let logic get in your way of what your heart is telling you to do. I know you will think rationally about it, you're your mother's child; but I also think you will have the sense to listen to your heart on this one, after all, your father is Booth."
Parker rolled his eyes, "Booth is my father also, but I will make the rational choice in any decision."
Angela sighed, "If I am correct, you followed your heart with-" she quickly cut off with the death glare Parker was giving her.
"With what," Parker asked curiously.
"Nothing," Parker said, getting up. "Please excuse me," he said mostly to Ryan as he walked out the door.
"What was that about?" Ryan asked Angela, who was sitting there looking as if she had just broken a million dollar vase.
Angela sighed. "Parker followed his heart with Renee." She said quietly.
"Renee?"
"About two years ago Parker was crazy in love with a girl named Renee. He finally worked up the nerve to ask her to marry him. She said yes." Angela stopped for a moment here, better to just get it over with she rationalized to herself. She continued, "About three weeks before the wedding, she left Parker saying there was someone else. He found out later that she was cheating on him and was pregnant with the other guy's baby. Parker has never loved anyone since. He's afraid to."
"Wow," was all that Ryan could say.
Angela nodded sadly. "But that shouldn't stop you with Elaina. She is a good girl. Not everyone in the world is Renee! Now if only we can only get Parker to see that."
"So," Ryan asked Angela, "You still think I should ask Elaina to marry me?"
Angela smiled softly, "Only if that is what you want."
Before either person could say anything else, Elaina stormed into the room, wearing an extremely shocked look on her face. "What did you just say?" she demanded!
Sorry I didn't update yesterday, but one of my friends had an urge to make a Wal-Mart run! I hope nobody is angry about what I made Parker go through. I am thinking of maybe making a parallel story about Parker and Renee, but I still have no idea if I want to write something like that! If I did write it, it would be at the same time as the prequel, that way we can learn about Ryan and Brennan's life as well as Everyone else's life back in DC. Let me know if you like that idea, and also please review this chapter!
