Thirty

Brennan walked into the Jeffersonian with her 24-year-old daughter, who was back from another trip to the other side of the earth. This time it was a month in Morocco with her boyfriend of three years. "My boss said that I took some of the best pictures he's ever had the pleasure of putting in his magazine." Brennan smiled. At first when Chrissy decided to become a freelance photographer, she had to admit that she was slightly disappointed. Chrissy was such an intelligent girl, she could do anything she wanted. It, of course, had taken Booth to explain to her that taking pictures was what she wanted to do. And Brennan had to admit that Chrissy captured emotion in a camera in way she couldn't describe.

"I'm very proud of you," Brennan told her sincerely. Chrissy gave Brennan a look. There was more she wanted to say and she knew it. Brennan sighed. Between her and Booth she couldn't hide a single thing. "It's just that this is the third extended trip in a year. Your father and I miss you."

"I know, but this is my job, Mom," Chrissy explained as they walked across the lab toward her office.

"And what about Daniel?" Brennan inquired.

"What about Daniel?" Chrissy asked. "He usually comes along. The only ones he doesn't come to are the trips that only last a week or two. He understands how important this job is to me. Besides, when he comes with it makes for some great togetherness time."

"I just wonder if you aren't giving too much attention to your career." Chrissy sighed heavily. She had this conversation a million times with her mother; she could practically play it back word for word in her head. Chrissy stopped her mother with a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Mom, why do we have to have this same fight every time I come home from a trip?"

"I didn't realize it was a fight," Brennan said earnestly. "I don't want you to make the same mistake I made."

"Mom, you don't honestly expect me to believe that you wish you had married Daddy when you were 24." Chrissy crossed her arms indignantly.

"I didn't know your father when I was 24."

"You know what I mean." Brennan nodded.

"Yes, I do. And you're right. I had important things to do before I married Booth. And you have important things to do before you settle down with Daniel. But I don't want you to think that photography can be or should be your whole life. You have something wonderful with Daniel. I don't want you to be blind to that like I was."

"I'm not," Chrissy promised. "We're in love with each other. Right now we're both focused on our work. But that doesn't mean that down the line we won't want to settle down, get married, have two point four kids, all that wonderful average stuff. No matter what happens, though, I'm always going to love him. I learned enough about love by watching you and Daddy my whole life. I have a pretty good example to follow." Chrissy smiled at her mother and the pair of them walked toward her office. "Oh, speak of the devil," Chrissy said when she saw the bouquet of flowers on Brennan's desk. Brennan opened the card and grinned.

Bones,

Happy anniversary! It never, ever gets old, Baby.

All My Love,

Booth

-BONES-

"Hey, Bones," Booth greeted when he got home later that evening. He gave his wife a quick kiss and took off his jacket. "Did Chrissy get home okay?"

"Yes," Brennan answered. "Thank you for the flowers." Booth gave her a charm smile and another kiss.

"You're very welcome," he said as he plopped down on the couch. Brennan joined him and he draped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm confused, though," she admitted. "What exactly is this the anniversary of? I know when our wedding anniversary is. I believe it's the wrong time of year for the anniversary of our first date, or our first time engaging in intercourse with each other, because those two things were actually the same day…"

"Bones," Booth teased, blushing slightly. Then, simply, "Partners."

"Partners…" Brennan repeated, not entirely sure what he was getting at. Booth took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.

"Thirty years ago today, Angela picked you up from the airport and I set up a little run-in with a Homeland Security Officer. One case of blackmail later, a beautiful partnership was born." Brennan smiled through the tears that were forming. She leaned over and kissed Booth softly.

"We're not partners anymore, Booth," she pointed out when they parted. Booth shook his head and his grip on her hand tightened.

"Maybe not the way we were back then," he admitted. "But we're still partners, Bones. We're partners when it comes to our kids, and when it comes to our marriage. The meaning of the word has changed, but you'll always be my partner."

"Do you know that I love you?" Booth pretended to think about it for a minute.

"Yeah, I seem to remember you saying something like that once or twice," he joked. "Come to think of it, I've said that about you a few times. But I don't think I'll ever be able to say it enough. I love you."

"Mmm, I think I've said it a sufficient amount," Brennan teased. Booth rolled his eyes but he wore a wide grin on his face.

"Funny, Bones, real funny," he said sarcastically. "Come on, don't leave me hanging here!" Brennan snuggled into his shoulder.

"I love you," she said quietly, as if it was a secret just for him.

"Come on," Booth said, standing up. "I'm taking my gorgeous wife out to dinner." He offered a hand to help her up.

"Where?" she asked as she was pulled up to her feet. Booth shrugged.

"At the fanciest place in DC. We're partners, I'll put it down as a business expense." Brennan laughed as Booth grabbed her coat and ushered her out the door.

Tell me what you think, just like always! Only two days left. I'm going to miss this so much!