"And I told you before Booth, I'm fine. I haven't been sick for 4 days now. Seriously, honey, it was just food poisoning." Booth opened his mouth to speak again, but Brennan raised her hand in his face. "You seriously did not just do that!" Booth exclaimed, looking around the palm of her hand. "Yes, I did. I saw it on one of those documentaries about young people" she replied looking quite smug. Booth smirked and kissed the palm of her upraised hand. "You do learn the most interesting things from those documentaries" he said using his fingers to make little quotation signs in the air. He smirked because he had caught her watching an episode of Friends the other night. Then in all seriousness "As long as you are telling me the truth Bones. Don't try and pull one over on me OK?" She looked confused, but said nodded her agreement.
The doorbell rang. "Great!" Booth clapped his hands together. "That will be Parker!" He jumped up and ran to the door. He had not seen Parker for weeks, having cancelled his last visit with him due to the whole Angel thing.
"Dad!" The boy launched himself at Booth as soon as the door opened. "Wow, I swear you have gotten taller!" he exclaimed. Rebecca was standing there holding his bag. "Hi Bec" Booth acknowledged her over his sons head. "Seeley. Here are his things" handing him the backpack. Booth stepped outside pulling the door to. "You still aren't going on about our last visit are you?" he asked. Rebecca sighed "No. I suppose not. But Seeley, you hurt him last time. I just want you to know that you can't just do that to him. He is your son. He's nearly 14 now. OK?" Booth closed his eyes and shook his head "Rebecca. It just couldn't be helped. I was sick! If I'd had him and then sent him home ill, you would have jumped on me for that too. I can't win with you sometimes!" Rebecca shrugged "Sorry" .
Booth shuffled on the spot. "Look Bec, there's something Bones and I want to tell you, and Parker. Can you come in for a minute? Please?" he asked. Rebecca narrowed her eyes and nodded "OK, but I can only stay for a minute. I have a date." She walked past Booth and entered the apartment. Parker was sitting with Brennan showing her one of the cd's he brought with him. Brennan looked up and smiled brightly at Rebecca "Oh Hi! Nice to see you Rebecca. Can I get you a drink or something?" she started to stand but Booth motioned for her to stay seated. "She can't stay long honey." Rebecca visibly flinched at his easy use of the term of endearment. Brennan settled herself back into her seat and looked at Booth expectantly. Booth cleared his throat nervously. He had never been so scared to tell Parker something before. There was no telling what his sons reaction was going to be.
He stood in the middle of the room, sweating. His hands were wringing together. "Umm. Ahhh. Well, Bones and I. Temperance and I would like to tell you. Advise you? Announce." he decided nervously "that we are getting married!" He grinned broadly, hoping that it would be infectious. Nobody spoke for a moment and he thought he'd blown it. He should have told Parker on his own. Not brought Rebecca in to tell her. "DAD! Brennan!" Parkers voice drowned out all doubts ringing in his head. "You mean Brennan is going to be my other mom? That's awesome!" the teenager wrapped his arms around Brennans neck and hugged her tightly. Parker had never made any secret about his love for Brennan. He had adored her from the day he met her. She was a little overwhelmed by his reaction and burst into tears. Booth panicked of course. Looking at Rebecca for some help. He went over to her, squatting down in front of her "Baby, what's wrong? You didn't want me to tell them?" he asked worriedly, holding her hand. "No" Brennan shook her head "I'm just. So. Happy" she managed to say inbetween sobs.
Rebecca looked at Booth quizzically. "Well, I guess congrats are in order then" She came over to Booth and gave him a heartfelt hug, and whispered in his ear "I really am happy for you Seeley. You deserve someone that loves you the way she does" and gave him a hard squeeze. "OK, well I really must go! Temperance, congratulations" she walked over and took Brennans hand and bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek, "Look after him OK? He really is a great guy" she said to her. Rebecca thought that she might have felt differently, bitter, angry, but she really didn't. She truly was happy for them. She gave Parker a kiss on the cheek "See you in a few days honey, OK? Have a great time with your dad and Brennan". Rebecca waved her goodbye and left the apartment.
Booth was still a bit shell-shocked by Brennan's reaction to his announcement, but she was settling down now, and wiping her face on the sleeve of her cardigan. "God I feel so foolish right now" she said. "You could have warned me Booth. Rebecca must think I'm strange now." Booth smiled his relief, "Now?" he joked. Brennan glared up at him. He stepped back, mocking fear. His hands raised to protect himself "Just joking Bones." Parker joined in, and they soon had Brennan laughing too.
"So. Who wants pizza for dinner?" he asked. "Sounds great Dad" Parker replied. Brennan nodded and got up to find the take-away menu. There was a veil of pure happiness settling over them at that moment. They were a real family.
Booth stopped for a moment and looked, truly looked, at what was in front of him. A beautiful woman, his partner, his soulmate, his lover, his best friend, his soon to be wife. A son, tall, strong, smart, good hearted, funny, one any father would be proud of. A nice apartment, comfortable, warm, welcoming, a home. He had so much to be thankful for.
Booth bowed his head for a moment and sent up a silent prayer of thanks.