I own nothing but a deep and abiding fan based obsession with Bones.
Chapter 21 – Does a Mouse Love Cheese?
Saturday at Sunrise Cabin was full of activity. Frank and Martha had decided they would not take their normal weekend off and help out with the visitors. Max arrived about 10 and settled into the guest cottage before coming to the main house for a cup of coffee with his girl.
Booth was laid out on the floor with l'il Hank and Christine in a mass of arms, legs, giggles and tickles, while Bones and Martha prepped in the kitchen for meals for the two days.
The walkie-talkie squawked and George advised there were visitors at the gate. "Mrs Booth, there is a Jack, Angela and Michael here to see you. Shall I show them to the main house?" Bones with a look of surprise said, "Yes, yes of course send them right up!" Bones wasn't expecting them, but was delighted their friends were here.
Max was on the morning porch, with his coffee. Jack, Angela and Michael parked and climbed the back stairs to the kitchen. "This is gorgeous," said Angela "Wow, I cannot believe how beautiful it is here." Brennan drew her dearest friend in for a hug and said, "What are you doing out this way?" Jack offered the explanation, "When you told Angela about the artist fair, we thought it would be a great day for a drive. We saw your sign for Sunrise Cabin and decided to drop in before going into town."
Booth was alongside his Bones now and with a grin he said, "We're so glad you did! We'd really like it if you stayed for lunch with us too. That is if it doesn't interfere with your plans."
"We really didn't plan the day; we just decided to get out of the city. Of course we'll stay for lunch!" Angela smiled and hugged Brennan again.
Parker hearing the arrival of guests and thinking it was Russ, Amy, Haley and Emma, came in to the room saying, "Hey guys we have been waiting for….you?"
Jack looked a little puzzled and then Parker quickly corrected, "Hi Aunt Angela and Uncle Jack, I didn't know you guys were coming today."
Bones started to explain, "Russ, Amy and the girls are coming for the weekend. They should be here soon."
Jack and Angela looked at one another and feeling a little awkward, Jack said, "We're so sorry, we'll head into town and look around before going back to the city."
"Nonsense." said Booth. "As a matter of fact, why don't you stay the weekend with us too? We have lots of room. Martha has made sure we have enough food for an army and I know Christine will love having Michael Vincent here." When Booth looked around for his daughter, there was no sign of Christine or Michael. Wasting no time at all, Christine had taken Michael to the upstairs landing to look at all the games they could play while he was here.
They heard tires on gravel announcing the arrival of Russ and his family. Then banging of car doors and shouting as they spotted Max on the morning porch. "Hi dad" said Russ, "Hey Max" and "hellooo grandpa Max" from Amy and the girls as they climbed the stairs.
Parker was first to greet them from the house and Bones and Booth were right behind. "Welcome to Sunrise Cabin," said Parker, grinning widely
While Booth and Parker greeted everyone and took requests for drinks and pointed directions to the powder room, Tempe looked at her dad with a question in her eyes. Max leaned in and said, "Everything is going to plan. I have it on good authority Jimmy extended a very large sum of credit to one of the poker players on Thursday. The money was guaranteed by his financiers in Las Vegas. The hand that couldn't lose - lost. I hear he is having trouble collecting. Jimmy will be in the mood for cheese soon. You relax now, okay. Everything is going to be fine." Not understanding her dad's reference to cheese, but not having privacy for a discussion, Tempe decided to wait to ask her dad what he meant later.
XOXO
Booth called George, "We are going to need 3 carts for the tour of the grounds, is that okay George?" "Sure, Mr Booth, I'll bring the carts right up." "Call me Booth, please George." "Okay Booth, I will be up in a minute."
Bones walked up behind her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist; he laid his arm across her shoulders. She leaned in and raised her head to kiss him on his jaw. Booth looked down into Bones eyes and then kissed her gently on the lips, pulling back to her ear he said, "I love you more than you will ever know." This small show of affection did not go unnoticed by one dear sweet friend, Angela and she cooed to Jack, "I am so proud of my friend and what she and Booth have built here, magic, simply magic."
Organizing the group, Booth said, "Angela and Jack you can take the downstairs guest room." Booth standing next to Parker said, "Would you mind if Michael stayed with you in the tree house tonight?" "Not at all dad, that could be fun. Did you ask George about Coco?" Booth turning back to Angela and Jack, "Would you be okay if Michael Vincent bunked with Parker in the tree house tonight? We have plenty of room in the house, but a little adventure sleeping might be fun for the boy."
"Yeah man, we're okay with that, are you okay watching out for Michael?" Jack turning to look at Parker "It'll be great uncle Jack; we'll play games until breakfast!" Angela nudged Jack and said smiling, "That probably means Michael will sleep all the way home tomorrow."
All sleeping assignments arranged, Parker led the way to the carts. Booth and Bones stayed behind to help Martha with lunch. Parker took the first cart with Russ and Emma, Max took the second cart with Amy and Haley, Jack was in the third cart with Angela, Michael and Christine.
Before pulling away, Parker's mom handed him a bag with water for everyone and treats for the ducks.
"Come on guys, this way!" shouted Parker. Parker took them along the river to the back side of the property, past the practice range and then circled around to the pond. Frank had been very busy with the memorial. With the trees planted and flower beds tended, the last resting place being prepared for Mr and Mrs Hank Booth was almost complete.
Parker offered everyone water and then turning to Haley, Emma, Michael and Christine asked if they would like to feed the ducks. "That would be great Parker, what do we feed them?" Asked Emma
Parker passing the treats to each child and the adults watched the excited ducks swarm the children. About that time George showed up with Coco and Puff. The protective dogs chased the ducks back to the water before sitting at the side of their master. George made the introductions as each child and adult said hello to the dogs. As if they had always belonged Coco and Puff welcomed the visitors with tail wagging and sniffs, begging for a head scratch.
Emma spotted the horseshoes and said "can we play Parker?" "We have games planned for this afternoon Emma." …answered Parker… "Is it okay if we wait a little while….maybe after lunch?" Emma nodded her head and was excited there were activities planned for the afternoon. This was promising to be a really fun weekend.
Parker continued the tour by following the jogging path and then circling back to the vegetable garden. "Would you guys like to pick a few vegetables before we go back to the house?" Everyone nodded. Parker keyed up the walkie-talkie, "Martha what vegetables would you like from the garden?" Martha's voice came back, "I could use a few cucumber, several carrots, some of the leafy lettuce and a bunch of radish. Oh and if any of the cherry tomatoes are bright red I could use a couple of dozen. In the herb garden some sprigs of peppermint for the tea would be nice. Thank you Parker."
Parker assigned cucumber collection to Haley, carrots to Michael, lettuce to Christine and radishes to Emma. He then looked to Angela and asked if she would mind picking the ripest tomatoes and he turned his attention to the herb garden.
Max stepped to the flower garden and picked a bouquet of flowers for his baby girl. Russ and Jack gathered up the bounty from the garden and loaded it in Parker's cart.
Back at the house, Parker said, "The rest of the tour is on foot. Who would like to see the tree house next?" Everyone but Max raised their hand and shouted me, me, me. With Parker in the lead, Emma, Haley, Michael and Christine close to his heels, they were followed by Russ and Amy, Jack and Angela as they made their way to the tree house.
Haley's eyes wide said "Can we play with the croquet set this afternoon too Parker?" "Absolutely and we are going to swim. Tonight we are going to watch a movie in the man cave."
"Man cave, what's a man cave?" asked Emma. "You'll see Emma. I will take you down after lunch."
XOXO
Lunch was served from the dining room, with all the doors were open for easy access to sitting areas on porch. Haley was first to spot the swing in the tree outside and looked around for her dad. "Dad will you give me a push in the swing?!" Russ seeing his little girl, bouncing on the balls of her feet, could not resist. As they made their way to the tree swing, Emma and Christine followed "me too, me too, please" they said in unison. Parker took Michael with a wink and said, "Let's go help Russ out, whatcha say?" Michael nodded.
Each little girl in succession had a turn with Russ providing the energy necessary for proper height and speed. Giggling, they all asked for more please. Russ looking at Parker for a reprieve got his answer. Parker stepped up and said, "Can I have a turn pushing Uncle Russ?" "Sure, here ya go." Russ stepped back in the house to help with lunch.
After each girl had another turn, Parker said, "let's give Michael a push" Michael climbed aboard for the final turn. "Come and get it," called Booth
A full afternoon of croquet, horseshoes and an impromptu game of touch football, left everyone ready for a dip in the pool.
L'il Hank loved all the attention he was getting from Angela and Amy. He was a Booth after all and did not shy away from the attention of pretty girls. Emma and Haley, when not otherwise occupied had spent time on the floor laughing and playing with the little guy. Emma whispered to her mom, "This is so great; it's like a mini vacation."
While Booth was changing to his swim trucks, he felt a piece of paper in his back pocket. He smiled when he saw the familiar hand ~My darling Booth, at lights out come join me in a warm bath followed by a head-to-toe massage to sooth away the cares of the day.~ Booth didn't have a care in the world, but that was an invitation from his Bones he would always accept. With a chuckle he wondered, just when did she slip that in his pocket?
XOXO
Booth lit the fire pit and the dessert tonight was smores. Bones laid out all of the ingredients and as they sat around the pit they started to recount the fun they had throughout the day.
"What are we doing tomorrow" asked Michael? "I think we will launch the canoes and take a trip up river, how does that sound Michael?" asked Booth "Great Uncle Booth!"
Bones said, "We will have a picnic lunch set up by the river and if you want to fish the tackle is in the boat house. "However, you will have to dig your own worms!"
The fire pit was roaring and the kids were enjoying the challenges of keeping their hot treat together long enough to get it to their mouths. Booth was holding L'il Hank and he was covered in marshmallowy chocolaty goodness.
Jack started a round of daddy jokes, "What did the officer molecule say to the suspect molecule?" The kids looking at one another with a question in their eyes, replied, "I dunno Uncle Jack what did the officer molecule say to the suspect molecule" Michael started giggling, he knew his daddy's jokes. Jack said, "I've got my ion you!" Parker and Emma groaned and Haley and Christine chuckled
He offered a second joke, "Why do bees hum?" Christine jumped in with the answer, "Because they don't know the words!" Christine shouted happily knowing the answer.
Wait, wait, I have one said Parker, "How many apples grow on a tree?" Not waiting for an answer, "All of them!" Everyone groaned
Bones hearing the jokes said I have one, "Why can't you have a nose 12 inches long?" Really Bones, that genius mind and you… Emma interrupted and had the answer, "Because then it would be a foot!"
"Okay, okay enough of the bad jokes." Booth said, "Who would like to see a movie?" "Can we see Boris and Natasha?" Parker asked grinning "Another time Parker." Growled Booth. "Parker you want to show everyone downstairs. I will get the drinks and popcorn."
Bones excused herself and said it was bath and bed time for Hank.
XOXO
The house finally quiet, Booth met Bones in their room. Bones had already filled the tub and was waiting for Booth. Booth was fretting, "Do you think Parker and Michael will be okay in the tree house?" "I do Booth and Puff is there to raise the alarm if anything comes around to bother them. George is on duty too, so I think they will be just fine."
Bones cooed, "Come get in the bath; let's get the kinks worked out so you can sleep well tonight." "Yes, let's get the kinks out, come in here with me and we will work the kinks out together." Booth saying, with a twinkle in his eye and a seductive grin. "You promised me a massage Bones." "Yes I did and I may be looking forward to it even more than you Booth." Bones said settling down behind Booth in the warm water with her arms wrapped around his shoulders and legs hooked on either side of hips.
Next up: Game On Jimmy