XXV
Before leaving the Jeffersonian that night, Hodgins walked into Angela's office. There, he found her sitting at her desk, hard at work on a sketch.
"What are you up to?" He asked as he sauntered in.
Angela looked up and quickly pressed the sketch pad to her chest. "Hey, Hodgins. What time are you picking up Cam?"
"I'm just meeting her there. I offered to pick her up, then she offered to fire me, so--"
"She didn't." Angela tipped her head to the side.
"Nah, she didn't. I'm just escorting her. Didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. So..." He tried to peek at the sketch, which Angela pushed closer to her chest again. "What's that, Angie?"
Angela sighed, "Fine. Promise you won't laugh?"
"I won't laugh," he promised.
Angela sat the sketch pad on the desk and Hodgins moved closer so he could see it. The sketch was of Claire and Amanda Spybuck smiling, arms wrapped around one another, dressed in ear muffs, scarves, and knit hats. "I just... I couldn't stand the thought of... Claire didn't look happy at all and Amanda--Amanda... She'll never get a chance to have another picture taken with her mother. I kinda know how that feels. I just wanted her to have one happy picture, you know?" Angela looked up at Hodgins.
Jack looked at the sadness in Angela's eyes, then took her quickly into his arms.
"I just don't understand how my mom could have left like that. She might as well be dead. Sometimes I think that hurts more--knowing she's alive, living a different life in an entirely different country..." She trailed off.
Hodgins smoothed Angela's locks against her back, "You are an amazing woman, Angela. I think that your mom was the one who missed out. She missed out on knowing an exciting, intelligent, funny, caring woman."
Angela pulled back and smiled at Hodgins, her arms still around his neck. "You're not... just saying that because you're gonna get some tonight, are you?" She smiled, one eyebrow tipping up.
Hodgins grinned, "No. I said it because I meant it."
She leaned in and kissed him. He pulled her tighter to him and they stood that way, arms entangled for what seemed like an eternity, trying to make up for lost time.