I own nothing but a deep and abiding fan based obsession with Bones.

Chapter 12 – Beth and Bears, Oh My

Sunday morning came and Booth and Bones were on their terrace to watch the sunrise. Bones was sitting in Booth's lap, one arm draped across his shoulders, and with her free hand she held a cup of coffee. Booth was holding her close and his hands were clasped together just at her hip. She shared a sip of coffee with him and he wrinkled his nose at the sweet taste.

"I brought you a cup of black coffee Booth, but you let it get cold. Do not complain because I take a little sugar in mine."

"I had other things on my mind Bones. Ummmm, I love to see you in this light."

"I'll get you another cup, she said as she started to move from his lap."

"Nope, not gonna let you go, I want you right where you are, Booth said, pulling her back down close to him." She placed her cup on the table and leaned back into his neck, brought her hands up to lace her fingers together on his shoulder and started placing feather kisses along his jaw line, until he turned his head toward her for a long, deep kiss of lips and tongue and surrender.

Hearing noise from the baby monitor brought them back to the present and Booth reluctantly released Bones from his embrace. Before he let her go he whispered, "I love you, more than you will ever know."

Baby Booth was beginning to make a racket that you could hear even without the baby monitor, so his mom quickly went to check on him. He was ready to start his day and was standing in the crib, holding his arms wide for his mom to pick him up. Christine heard her baby brother and joined them in the baby's room. Booth in-the-mean-time knocked on Parker's door to roust him out of bed for church.

Booth, Parker and Christine dressed for early mass and were on their way by 6:40. The baby alone in the kitchen with his mom, was testing all the cupboard doors for access to enjoy his favorite pastime, empty the cupboards. Bones laughed and turned to her dad who had just come up from the guest house.

"Good morning, Tempe, how are you and my favorite grandson, this morning?''

"We're good dad. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Sure would, thank you," said Max. "It is really nice here Tempe, I do not think I have ever been this relaxed or slept better or felt better than I have this past week, I will hate to leave this place."

A little alarm in her voice, "Why do you have to leave dad, I like you being here with us. Booth and the kids really like you here too. Why would you think you need to leave?"

Max quickly understanding his statement had caused his baby girl to leap to a conclusion that was not intended. "No, Tempe, I am sorry I didn't mean, leave leave. I have some business in town this week and will be away for a few days. Then I was going to drive up to spend the weekend with Russ, Amy and the girls. I would be back next week."

"Oh," said Tempe. "I have an idea, why don't you invite Russ, Amy and the girls here for the weekend? We can make room and I'll bet Parker would love to sleep in the tree house. Russ and Amy could have his room and the girls can sleep with Christine in her room."

"Great idea, Tempe, I'll call Russ later this morning." "We will need to make arrangements for the kids while you and Booth work on your book. What do you think you would like to do?"

"Well, we are at a place in our story, we do not have to be together to write. Andy is working with FBI offices in other parts of the country and Kathy is in the lab working on another set of remains discovered, they believe to be a victim of the same killer."

"We'll work it out dad. We never meant for you to be our resident baby sitter, but the kids just love you so much." Max interrupted, "and I love them too Tempe."

Tempe looked at her dad with a smile. "Booth and I really appreciate how you do experiments with Parker and Christine. They learn so much from you. We never intended for this arrangement to be permanent or to take advantage of your kindness."

"When we discussed how we would manage our time, we had discussed getting a nanny. Maybe Martha could recommend someone from town that would like to work on the weekdays."

"Booth, Parker and Christine will be home soon, would you like to help me with breakfast? We'll eat outside this morning." Said Bones. "We'll talk more later about the children. Just remember, we like having you here and we do not want you to feel like it is just for the children. Booth and I like you being here, just because… well, just because we love you dad and I like having you in my life." Max was touched by her words. He knows it is hard for her to show him that side of her. He can see the hurt is still there, but maybe, just maybe not as raw as in years past.

They heard Booth's truck pull up, doors opening and closing, then voices Parker and Christine coming up the stairs. "Did you see that?!" exclaimed Parker, the melons were rolling off the back of that farmers truck and he didn't even know it." "Christine chimed in, "yeah and if dad hadn't got his attention and stopped him, he might not have any left when he got to town." Booth handed two melons to Bones, "a gift from Mr Henry for saving his melons."

Mr Henry a local farmer was on his way to town to sell melons. When Booth saw what was happening to his load, he got his attention and signaled for him to pull over. Mr Henry explained, every Sunday, he would bring his fresh picked produce to the Farmers Market and this week his melons were ripe and ready for market. Mr Henry had been very happy and in appreciation had given Booth two melons to take home.

Parker giggling said, "It was kinda funny mom, we were on our way from church and we passed this pickup truck and we saw melons falling off the back and making a splat, sometimes two or three would roll off at the same time. Dad made a U-Turn and blinked his lights and sounded his horn to get the pickup to pull over. The guy seemed a little mad at first, but when dad told him why he signaled him over, he didn't look mad, just a little embarrassed."

Both Booth and Bones took a quick glance at each other when Parker used the title mom. He had called her mom before, but now it rolled off his tongue in a way that seemed more permanent. Bones liked the idea and took a few steps toward Parker. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and gave him a squeeze.

Booth rolled his eyes up, as if thinking of something important, said "I miss having lights and sirens on my truck."

000

Beth arrived late morning on schedule. "Dr Brennan," called Beth "so how do you like the place now that you have your family here?" "Beth, we love it, we simply love it," responded Dr Brennan.

Beth pulled out a packet of papers and said, "Where would be a good place to review the highlights of the contract? Oh and I have your advance, or at least the confirmation of deposit to your account, yours too Agent Booth."

Booth corrected Beth, "just Booth is fine Beth." "Sure Booth," continued Beth, "your deposit was made to the joint account as previously discussed with Dr Brennan."

Booth looking at Bones a little puzzled, but didn't interrupt Beth as she continued, "Due to the competition for publishing rights for your books Dr Brennan, the publisher has advanced your normal sum, with the anticipation of a movie deal and worldwide distribution of the book to be published in paperback and translated in 30 languages."

Booth took the confirmation of deposit to his account from Beth, while his face seemed to turn to stone; he took an inaudible gulp of air as he read the 7 figure sum printed next to his name. Beth not understanding the stone cold look on Booth's face took it to mean he was displeased. She quickly spoke up to remind the co-authors they had agreed to 50/50 split and she was sure the publisher would not renegotiate at this late date.

"Beth, don't worry" said Dr Brennan, "everything is fine. The contract is very fair and we are happy with the terms." Bones reached out and laid her hand on Booth's to reassure him everything was in order.

Beth's clients, Dr Temperance Brennan and Mr Seeley Booth, asked her to stay for lunch and say hello to Frank and Martha before heading back to town.

000

After Beth left, Booth had lots of questions, but couldn't seem to find the words. "Bones, I don't understand. Why are there two checks?" Bones started to explain, but Parker came to ask if he could take his little sister and baby brother to the pond and pretend fish. Christine had been asking to fish in the river, but Booth said only if he was with them. This was Parker's compromise.

"Okay," said Booth, "but let's all go. It's a warm day and we could use the fresh air and sunshine." "Hey Bones, you want to go too."

"I'd love to join you; I'll get some treats for the ducks."

Booth had cane poles for just such an outing. They were light enough for little hands and with attention spans being what they are for a toddler and a 5 year old, cane poles were just the ticket. He and Parker had a proper rod and reel, but they wouldn't use serious fishing gear today.

They walked to the pond, for the exercise. If short legs got tired daddy Booth would happily give a lift on his shoulders. Coco and Puff were right by their side as they made their way to the pond.

Spreading a blanket on the ground, Bones set out the duck treats and a few snacks for the fisherman. Funny the ducks were not on the pond today. That seemed out of the ordinary, but then they had not visited the pond during the afternoon before. Coca and Puff seemed a bit agitated, and went to high alert. Their hackles rose and they took a defensive posture between the tree line and the family. Coco started to growl, a crouch low a few yards from where Christine and the baby were on the blanket. Coco started barking, a loud, alert bark they had not heard from her before. She was about 30 feet away from the family and positioned closer to the trees. This went on several minutes and Booth recognized something was very wrong and they were exposed to an unknown threat.

George appeared, driving up in the cart. He was making a lot of noise, beeping his horn as he came to a stop near the dogs. He gave a command and both Coco and Puff started a slow retreat, but still facing the trees. Mrs Booth would you and the children start back to the house, walk slowly, and do not run. George handed Booth a rifle and asked him to begin backing away slowly.

The dogs, now quiet, stayed between Booth and the tree line. As they were retreating they spotted a momma bear that had sent her cub up a tree when she heard the family approach. Having a sufficient escape route the black bear was just waiting to bring her cub down and leave the area.

George and Booth were talking as they made their way to Bones and the children. George said, "I will call the Department of Wildlife tomorrow. They can let us know what attracted the bears and we can remove the attractant. We had a problem when the workmen were here, they left food out. This is the first sighting since the house was finished."

Booth said, "We will have a family meeting and discuss bear safety precautions. We moved into their territory, we will just need to be aware that we coexist and do what we can to avoid human, bear contact. "

000

The Booth family stayed near the house the rest of the afternoon while George made sure the bears cleared of the area and had returned to the National Park land that bordered the cabin. Parker asked if he could go along with George and Booth thought it a good idea to spend some time with George learning about the wildlife in the area. He said yes, but everyone kept their walkie-talkies on while the pair was out. George left the dogs at the main house to avoid threatening the momma bear's cub.

As the day came to a close, Booth and Bones were in their favorite evening spot on the front porch, listening to the sounds of country, when Booth asked about Beth's visit. "What the hell Bones, what does it mean? I thought your contract would be, well, just your contract with the publisher. I mean I knew my name would be on the book and they needed my release to publish, but I didn't realize you would have to share your earnings with me." Booth was somewhat alarmed. He didn't pay much attention to the negotiations. The agent and attorney took care of the contract and as long as Bones was happy, he was very content to sign the agreement.

"Booth, you agreed to the partnership. We share everything 50/50 and this is no different. I am extremely satisfied with the arrangement. At some point you will need to decide if you will join me on the board of the foundation."

Bones leaned into Booth; "We are partners, equals in every aspect of our lives together. Money has never been a factor and in that sense we should not let this have any affect on how we conduct our lives."

Booth was thinking about what this change might do to the status quo. This life he was building with Bones was too important to him. He would not let anything ever come between him and His Bones.