"Ang!" Bones shouted, jumping up from the couch, her laptop falling to the floor.
She threw her arms around her best friend. When Bones released Angela, Angela took an appraising look at Bones.
"You look great, Bren. Really, you have that pregnant glow."
"I don't know what that means."
"Sit down, you should stay off your feet," Angela said, directing Bones back to the couch.
"Wait," Bones said, stopping in her tracks, "did Booth call you and ask you to come?"
"No! I called your cell, and Booth answered. He said that you were napping. I asked if everything was okay and he told me about your trip to the hospital earlier that day. I just mentioned that I might come home, you know, to see you. Booth said that you would probably like that but you wouldn't want me to cut my honeymoon short on your account."
"He was correct," Bones replied, not completely convinced that Booth didn't have a hand in her best friend's return.
Angela reached for Bones' hand, "You didn't think I would miss my best friend's entire pregnancy, did you?"
Bones shrugged, as she hadn't really considered that fact that by the time Angela returned the babies would be three to four months old already.
"Is Hodgins home as well?"
"No, I just took the first flight to Dulles. Hodgins is going to pack up all of our things and fly back on Cantelever's private jet tomorrow."
"Have you even been home?" Bones implored.
"No, I haven't," Angela confessed.
"You must be tired. You could take a nap in my guest room if you want."
"You're sure Booth wouldn't mind?" a suspicious Angela asked.
"Why would Booth mind? Oh!" Bones exclaimed, clapping her hand over her mouth.
"Ah ha! I knew you two couldn't live under the same roof for too long without realizing you should be together," Angela said with a contented smile.
"We just starting being "together", as you say."
"That's great! I am so happy for you, sweetie!" Angela squealed.
"Yes, I know. You already said that. How was Paris?"
Angela sighed, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Hodgins got us a suite on Avenue des Champs-Élysées. I spent a week just shopping there alone! I have souvenirs for everyone, of course. Including you guys," Angela said placing her hand on Brennan's stomach.
"I went to the Louvre four times. We spent two weeks in Tuscany in a villa with the most breathtaking view."
Angela was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening, "Hey, baby, I'm home."
"Baby?" Angela said with a laugh, "I never thought I would see the day when a man called Temperance Brennan 'baby' without getting kicked in the family jewels."
Booth blushed and mouthed "sorry" to Bones.
"Ang, it's great to see you!" Booth said, enveloping her in a hug.
"You too, G-man," Angela said, giving Booth a kiss on the cheek.
"How long have you been back?"
"About an hour. After my flight got in, I called one of Jack's drivers to pick me up and bring me here."
"Wow, do you want something to drink or eat?" Booth asked.
"A diet coke would be great, thanks!"
Booth headed into the direction of the kitchen.
"Booth makes quite the house husband," Angela said with a wink.
"I don't know what that means, but he has been great – especially these last few days," Bones admitted.
Angela smiled, and Bones continued to elaborate.
"Even though I usually prefer to take care of myself, I admit that it is nice having Booth pamper me a little. This morning, he brought me breakfast in bed. No one has ever done that for me before," she said softly.
Booth stopped in his tracks on the edge of the kitchen, straining to hear what Bones was saying. Bones admitting that she appreciated him brought a smile to his face. His smile faded when he heard Bones say that no one had ever brought her breakfast in bed. Once again, Booth found himself wondering how any man who'd been lucky enough to be invited into her bed could treat her like anything less than a queen.
Booth re-entered the living room holding Angela's diet coke and a glass of water.
"Here you go, ladies," Booth said with a smile.
He set down the drinks and took a seat next to Bones. Angela regaled them with stories from her travels. Later, the three friends enjoyed an early dinner at Founding Fathers. Angela noted every touch between the new couple, his hand on her thigh, her fingers loosely linked with his beneath the table. Angela found the subtle loving gestures between the two as further evidence of what she'd always known: they belonged together.
As Booth and Bones bickered over who would pay the check, Angela stated that she would get a cab home from the restaurant.
"Of course, you must be jet lagged," Bones commented.
"Booth, may I borrow your girlfriend for a moment?" Angela asked.
"I am thirty-three. I can hardly be considered a girl."
"Would you rather be called Booth's "lady friend"?" Angela said with a laugh.
Booth chuckled as well.
"I don't see why that is funny. It seems to be more appropriate nomenclature than "girl" friend."
"It's funny, because old men called their girlfriends 'lady friend', sweetie," Angela explained.
"Yeah, that's what Hank calls his girlfriend," Booth said with a grin.
"Anyway, I am going to borrow Bren for a few minutes," Angela pronounced.
When Angela and Bones walked away from the table, Booth subtly removed Bones' credit card and replaced it with his own.
"What it is, Angela? Is everything okay?" Bones asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Everything's fine. I just wanted to tell you again how happy I am for you."
Bones laughed, "Thanks, Ang. You have already said that several times."
"I know, but seriously, sweetie, I don't think I have ever seen you this happy. I am just so glad that you didn't give into your fears."
"Fears? You mean of being in a relationship?"
"Yes, that's what I mean," Angela replied, "You don't have to worry about Booth leaving or it not working out, because that man is definitely in it for the long haul."
Bones just nodded, and they returned to the table.
"Thanks for dinner," Angela said to Booth.
"But I paid," Bones stated.
"No you didn't," Booth said with a sly smile.
Bones rolled her eyes in response.
Angela laughed and gave Booth a hug, "Take good care of her," she whispered into his ear.
"You know I will," Booth replied sincerely.