This is how the Booth men found them that night

This is how the Booth men found them that night. Cara and Brennan were flipping through photo albums and laughing while Caroline told them funny stories about what had been going on when the photos were taken. They hadn't realized the sun had gone down, but it was almost 11 pm.

"Hey Bones, see anything good?"

"Yes…but you might not like it…Booth, what ever made you dress up in a cheerleader's uniform?"

"Bones…give that to me. He sprung over the couch, but she was too quick, and she moved to put the piano between them.

"Seeley…leave Temperance alone…and go wash up, you guys smell like fish."

Ben picked Cara up and gave her a huge hug.
"Gross!" she squealed, but it was clear she secretly liked it. She looked at Booth to find him looking back at her. Her insides warmed. She immediately pictured a world where Booth would come home from something and pick her up in a huge hug. For the first time, she didn't feel anxious at the idea of being with someone. 'You have love to give' Caroline's words popped in her mind… 'You deserve love'…she could feel her heart overflowing and wondered if Booth was able to read her thoughts.

Everyone else in the room could clearly see the connection between them. Ben took Cara and Johnny out of the room and Jared followed them.

Brennan's attention was turned when Caroline spoke up.

"How was the fishing trip, John?"

"Caroline, it was nice. What did you ladies find to do here?"

"We talked. Temperance found your letters. She read some to me and Cara. It was very nice, and then we started looking at pictures."

"Ah…the letters…"

'Um…I think I'm going to go ahead and go to bed." Brennan was anxious to sort through some of her feelings.

"Okay, Bones, good night."

She made it out the door and leaned up against the wall. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but she couldn't move when she heard Booth start talking with his parents.

"Mom, it sounds like you had a nice day."
"We did, Seeley, very nice. How about you?"

"It was great. I wish Parker could have been here. I miss him"

"Yes, I know you do son."
"Dad, he's so amazing. If you felt even a speck of what I feel for him, I owe you so much."

"Seeley, I did feel that way the day you were born, and I still do. But you don't owe me anything; you owe it all to him."

"Yeah, Dad, yeah. Thanks."

"Seeley, you have a very special partner."

Booth laughed

"I know Mom, trust me I know. She's too good to me."

"Well, you should know that if you ever do something to make her mad, we might just choose her over you."

In the hallway, Brennan gasped. No one had ever chosen her.

"Bones…are you out there?'

She ran to her room as fast as she could.