Last chapter, guys. But I will be doing an epilogue. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me on this one.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Two hours later, the reception was in full swing. It was being held in a lavishly decorated banquet room at one of the best hotels in downtown DC. Champagne and caviar flowed freely, as well as almost anything else you could possibly want to eat. Angela had opted for a sumptuous buffet rather than a sit down meal to feed their guests. She and Hodgins had opened the dancing and she had danced with Chris in his role as father of the bride and so many other people that her feet hurt. She was now sitting out a few dances and watching the people around her to make sure they were having a good time. She felt arms slip around her waist and smiled over her shoulder as Hodgins sat down in a chair at her back and scooted her from the seat of her chair onto his lap.

"Hello, Mrs. Hodgins." His smile was ecstatic. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying that." Angela kissed him tenderly.

"Hello, Mr. Hodgins. And I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing it." He rested his chin on her shoulder as she turned back to people watching on the dance floor.

"Whatcha doing?" She nodded her head and Hodgins saw Booth and Brennan on the dance floor wrapped around each other slowly swaying to the music.

"Bren told me this morning that she wants to get married." His head jerked back in surprise.

"Really?" Angela nodded and patted the arms that were locked around her waist.

"Do you think I should tell Booth or just let him figure it out on his own?" Hodgins studied the couple and saw Booth lift Brennan's hand to his mouth and place a soft kiss in the palm, then place her hand over his heart and cover it with his own. Brennan looked up at him with love shining from her face. Hodgins returned his attention to Angela.

"I don't know, Ange. Maybe you should just sit this one out; they seem to be doing pretty well on their own." Angela thought that Hodgins was probably right and her eye and attention were caught by Chris sitting alone at the bar, nursing a drink. Angela drew Hodgins attention to the older man with a jerk of her chin.

"Bren and I decided that it's time for us to find someone for Dad." Hodgins almost choked and burst out laughing. He and Chris liked and respected each other. They had met for dinner or drinks several times and Chris' affection for Angela was clear and had earned him a place in Hodgins' heart as a friend, even though he had plainly stated that if Hodgins ever hurt Angela there would be some form of retribution. Hodgins figured that two overprotective fathers looking out for her should be enough to keep anyone from ever hurting Angela. Not that he ever would, but that was sure some motivation to watch it. He was also thankful to Chris for helping Angela and Brennan to put their pasts to rest over the last few months and personally felt that the man was one of the reasons he was here today with the love of his life now his wife.

"And what does Chris have to say about that?" Angela shrugged nonchantly.

"Nothing, but if Bren and I find someone good enough for him, I'm sure that he'll give them a chance." Hodgins was sure that if Brennan and Angela wanted Chris to run through the FBI building naked that he would give it a shot so he had no doubt that if the two showed up with the Bride of Frankenstein and told Chris to go out with her that he would, just to keep his girls happy. He chuckled again until another thought hit him. What if they found someone and she broke Chris' heart. Holy Crap, he wouldn't want to be that woman when these two got a hold of her. He remembered the pranks they had played on people that were just being mean to them, he hated to think what they would do to someone that hurt their dad. He frowned and tugged on an earlobe as he struggled to find words to say what he wanted to say without pissing off his bride of less than three hours.

"Ange, sometimes things don't work out with people and it's no one's fault. You and Brennan need to understand that before you start this quest to fix Chris up." When he got no response, he realized that she hadn't even heard him and looked to see her regarding the wedding planner assessingly with narrowed eyes.

"How old do you think she is?" she threw over her shoulder when she saw Hodgins was also looking at the woman. Hodgins shrugged.

"Late forties maybe. Why?" Angela continued her regard.

"Do you think she's pretty?"

"Yeah, I guess. For an older woman, she's very attractive. Ange, you're not thinking of fixing Chris up with the wedding planner, are you?" Angela scoffed and turned sideways in his lap, slipping her arms around his neck.

"Of course not, Jack. At least not until Booth runs a background check on her." She smiled at his shock. "Come on, Hodgins, you don't think we'd fix him up with just anybody, do you?" Hodgins gave up. He just smiled and thought of all the amusing moments to come as Brennan and Angela looked for the perfect woman for Chris. That man had so much trouble coming his way that Hodgins felt a little sorry for him. He also got a good chuckle out of the thought of the two women making Booth run background checks on any possible candidates. Hell, they would probably hire private detectives to follow them. He decided that he didn't want to know how far they would go to verify they had found the perfect woman before his imagination really got carried away.

Chris sat at the bar, feeling happy and sad at the same time. He was very happy for Angela and Temperence, but he was sad that he had been usurped in their lives. He knew that he had a permanent place in their hearts and didn't begrudge Hodgins or Booth one iota of affection that the girls gave them. He figured that this was how all fathers felt when their little girls grew up and didn't need them quite as much anymore. Angela and Brennan had come to him separately and together and reassured him that he would always be a part of their lives and their feelings for him would never change. He thought his girls worrying about his feelings being hurt was just about the sweetest thing that he'd ever seen.

Someone sitting beside him at the bar drew his attention and he looked over to see Dr. Lance Sweets take a stool. Angela had introduced them earlier and gleefully told Sweets that Chris was her and Brennan's therapist. Sweets had regarded Chris with a narrow eyed glare as if he had personally offended him somehow and Chris had been expecting Sweets to seek him out ever since. Sweets smiled at Chris and ordered a drink. The bartender carded him and Chris hid his amusement. Sweets' face flamed but he held onto his composure, turning to Chris to start the questioning that he was expecting.

"So, Mr. Murphy, you're the therapist that Dr Brennan and Angela chose?" He sounded a little hurt and confused. Chris nodded and Sweets plowed ahead.

"Do you mind if I ask what school you graduated from?" Although his tone was still pleasant, Sweets voice rose a little. Chris shrugged at the question.

"The school of life, son." Chris turned to face the young man fully. He wanted to see his reaction. A look of horror crossed his face, but was quickly replaced by an impassive expression and a raised brow.

"I'm sorry? Are you saying that you don't have any formal training as a psychologist?" Chris eyed the young man closely. He had been fully prepared to dislike this young man after he had been so intrusive with his girls, but the bottom line was that they had sought to face the past partly because of Sweets' interference and Chris was an excellent judge of character. He didn't see a malicious, nosy, busybody with freakishly large lips as Angela had once described the kid. He saw a young man uncertain about himself and his abilities and trying to hide it behind a wall of superiority. A young man that would probably be excellent at his job once he had some life experience under his belt and could rely on his gut instead of his books to help people. With a sigh, Chris decided to give the kid a chance.

"No, I don't have any formal training. But I've interacted with every type of personality out there over the years and after a while, you just learn how to deal with them all." Sweets reached over and patted Chris' arm condenscendingly. Chris' eyes narrowed and he picked up his drink.

"I understand that you feel qualified. I'm just questioning if you actually are qualified to counsel Dr Brennan and Angela, cause, Dude, I gotta tell you those two are seriously messed up." By the time Sweets finished his sentence, he sounded like the twelve year old that Brennan claimed him to be, and even though Chris' hackles rose at Sweets saying that his girls were seriously messed up, he had to acknowledge that from a professional stand point it was true. He raised a brow at Sweets.

"Seriously messed up? Is that a clinical term, Dr. Sweets?" Sweets' face flamed then he grinned and raised his glass to Chris.

"Touche, Mr. Murphy." Chris relaxed. Damn the kid was getting to him. He never couldstand to see anyone be an outsider. He knew too well what that felt like.

"You can call me Chris." Sweets looked like he had just won the lottery.

"Really? You can call me Lance. I can't seem to get anyone else to." Chris choked back his laughter. Now the kid sounded like a whiny five year old as his eyes darted around the room, lighting on Angela and Hodgins and Brennan and Booth. Sweets turned back to Chris.

"Why wouldn't they talk to me?" he was genuinely bewildered, Chris saw and realized that it looked like he had just adopted another stray. Not that he would ever choose Sweets over Brennan or Angela or betray their confidences, but the kid obviously needed guidance from someone and Chris knew himself well enough to know that he needed someone to guide.

"Look, Lance, some people you just can't push and they happen to be two of those people. Maybe, you take a little too much interest in them for it to be healthy." This was Chris' personal opinion. Angela's was that the little perv needed to be locked up somewhere dark and damp. Brennan's was that Sweets really "creeped her lately" and he might benefit from a little therapy of his own. Sweets face turned very red but he appeared to be considering the advice and Chris threw in the rest of what he needed to say. "Now listen closely, Lance, because I'm going to give you the best piece of advice that you've ever received." Sweets leaned forward like an eager puppy begging to be scratched behind the ears. Chris turned on his barstool to face the room as did Sweets. "Do you see those two women?" Chris pointed out Brennan and Angela. Sweets gave him a funny look but nodded and Chris continued. "I love both of them like daughters and if you ever mess with them again, intentional or not," Chris held up his hand to stall Sweets' interruption to protest his innocence, "you will answer to me and I would guess that Booth and Jack will want a piece of the action." Sweets' eyes were the size of saucers and Chris was glad to see that the kid seemed to be taking him seriously because he was deadly serious. "But, the thing is, Lance, that it's not really us that you should worry about." Sweets' swallowed hard.

"It's not?" he squeaked. Chris placed his elbows on the bar behind him and leaned back on the bar.

"Nope. It's them." He again pointed to Angela and Brennan. "Because what those two do to people that seriously piss them off is not pretty." Chris' shudder was real as he vividly recalled a life sized smurf and bald artists and they had only been children then. He couldn't even imagine what they could come up with now. He clapped Sweets on the shoulder. "Trust me, son, you don't want any part of that. So, back off and let them come to you if they ever want to." Sweets nodded and sagged dejectedly on his stool. Chris laughed and turned back to the bar signaling for another drink.

Booth and Brennan had been on the dance floor for the last half hour and neither felt the need to leave it anytime soon. They were pressed against each other with Brennan's head resting on his shoulder and her arms around his waist as she burrowed into him almost as if she was trying to crawl inside his skin with him. His arms were locked around her waist as they swayed to the dreamy music being played by the orchestra. Walking down the aisle after Angela and Hodgins, they had both realized that they felt different. Almost as if this had been their wedding and they were both savoring the feeling and dreaming about when they would be walking down the aisle for real, communicating with their bodies rather than talking.

"Booth?"

"Hmmm."

"When we get married, can we have a small, private ceremony? I really don't want to turn into Godzilla." Booth didn't correct her or even laugh because he had the feeling that if Brennan turned into Bridezilla she could cause just as much destruction in the form of chaos and fear and Godzilla sweeping through the city.

"Yeah, Baby, we can do that." He dropped a kiss on her head.

"Booth?"

"Hmmm?"

"How much vacation time do you have?" He glanced down at her curiously, but she remained relaxed against him.

"About eight weeks. Why?" She shrugged and he tipped her chin up with one hand, bending his head to look directly into her eyes. He could see the wheels turning, she was definitely thinking hard about something.

"What's going on in there, Baby?" he nudged her forehead with his. She looked a little hesitant to tell him. "Come on, Bones, you can tell me anything."

"Well, I was just thinking that Hawaii is really nice this time of year and Parker would like it over there. Plus, Angela and Hodgins always like to visit and Maestro has been working too hard. He could use a vacation." Booth's eyes narrowed as he attempted to read the subtext of her words and then it hit him. A smile of incredible joy lit his face and both hands came up to cup her cheeks.

"Are you serious?" He barely waited for her nod, before leaning down and taking her lips in a passionate kiss. Her arms slipped around his neck and she responded to the kiss. Booth finally remembered where they were and pulled back to find several people looking at them. Neither one of them cared but he thought they should take this somewhere a little more private. He took Brennan's hand and led her from the dance floor heading for the exit. He was stopped by Angela moving to plant herself directly in his path.

"Where are you going, Booth? You know, it's just rude to leave the reception before the bride and groom. And I want Bren here when I throw the bouquet." Angela was laughing at their haste to leave the room. She had seen the kiss on the dance floor and had a good idea that they weren't going any further than upstairs, but she wasn't going to miss the opportunity to give Bren a little push by making sure she caught the bridal bouquet. Booth gave her a shrug and a sheepish smile. Brennan knew why Angela wanted her to catch the bouquet because Angela had explained every single ritual associated with a wedding to her ad nauseum. And she had a very big surprise for Angela.

"Angela, although I understand that these rituals are important to you, catching your bouquet in no way influences who among your guests is the next to get married." Angela narrowed her eyes at Brennan and Brennan grinned at her. "Besides, I don't need it." It took Angela a moment to catch on then both hands flew to her mouth to muffle her squeals. She looked from the radiantly happy faces of the couple standing before her and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She was so happy for all of them that she couldn't speak so she just went to Brennan and hugged her tightly. Hodgins stumbled into this scene and was concerned when he saw that Angela was crying until he saw everyone's faces and realized that they were tears of joy. He pulled Booth aside to get the scoop. He didn't even have to ask. Booth was eager to share.

"Bones and I are getting married." A wide grin split Hodgins face and he held out his hand to his best friend. A man that he respected and admired greatly.

"Congratulations, man. That's great. When?" Booth shrugged.

"Not sure yet, but soon. We were headed to discuss it when your bride interrupted us." Booth cast Angela a disgruntled look. Hodgins crossed his arms over his chest and laughed.

"Oh, please, Dude. I saw the way you were kissing out on the dance floor and you weren't heading out to "discuss" anything." Hodgins looked on in interest as Booth blushed at the truth of his friend's statement. Booth was saved from coming up with an answer by Angela throwing her arms around him, blubbering her congratulations. He was saved from a blubbering Angela by the wedding planner approaching and reminding her that it was time to throw the bouquet.

Angela dried her tears and grabbed Brennan's arm. Booth could tell from the eye movements, raised brows and head nods and shakes that the two women were having a conversation, but he and Hodgins had no idea about what. The wedding planner turned to lead Angela to her place for the coming ritual. The women fell into step on either side of her and Hodgins and Booth laughed as they heard their conversation.

"So, Julie, I notice that you're not wearing a wedding ring. Are you married?" Julie looked startled at Angela's question but answered.

"No, Mrs. Hodgins, I'm not married." Angela and Brennan shared a look over the shorter woman's head.

"Are you involved in a relationship of any kind at this time? Please include any casual sexual relationships that you currently enjoy." Brennan apparently needed specifics. Julie did a double take at the question and looked like she might just make a run for it. Angela and Brennan both reached out and took hold of one of her arms, Brennan gripping firmly and Angela patting reassuringly. Julie looked over her shoulder pleadingly, but the men were laughing too hard to be of any assistance. Angela recalled Julie's attention to the question currently on the floor.

"So, Julie, is that a yes or a no to Bren's question?" Julie knew that she wouldn't be able to break Brennan's grip. The woman wasn't hurting her, but she wasn't going anywhere until the good doctor released her. She decided to just answer the question, then maybe these two crazy women would let her go.

"No, I am not currently involved in any type of relationship." Brennan and
Angela smiled at each other.

"Excellent." Angela was finding the woman's answers pleasing but she also found the look on her face quite humorous as did Brennan.

"Do you have a criminal record?" Angela asked and Brennan stirred the pot.

"You really should tell us the truth because my fiancée is an FBI agent and I can assure you that the background check he will be running will pick up any criminal offenses." Julie was looking at the two women as if she was wondering where the men with the straight jackets were but they continued, oblivious to her reaction and, apparently, unaware that personal boundaries existed.

"How old are you?" Hodgins and Booth were both bent over holding their stomachs with tears streaming down their faces when the three women passed out of earshot. Both men felt a little sorry for Chris, but they felt damn sorry for the women that were about to become the focus of Angela and Brennan's attention. The rest of the reception went off without a hitch, although Julie quickly disappeared if she even thought Brennan or Angela was heading her way. Hodgins and Angela left the reception in a shower of confetti and good wishes to begin their life together, both knowing that they would have to work to maintain their relationship, but when the relationship is with your soul mate putting in a little work isn't so much to ask. They would be more than ok. They would be great.

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THREE WEEKS LATER ON ONE OF THE BEACHES OF OAHUA AT SUNSET

Booth and Brennan stood nearly at the water's edge surrounded by an island minister, Angela, Hodgins, Parker and Chris. Today was their wedding day. Brennan would have been perfectly happy with a civil ceremony in DC or here on the island but Booth insisted on something more romantic and Brennan gave in easily when she saw that this was important to him. So, here they stood all seven of them barefoot, thought Brennan and she swallowed a giggle. She knew that she didn't want to be anywhere else at this moment and that she wanted to marry Booth, have a child with him and build a life with him but she was nervous. Until he took both of her hands in his and smiled gently at her. It calmed her nerves instantly and she smiled back. It was time for them to recite their vows to each other.

Temperence Brennan, from the moment I first saw you, I knew that my life would never be the same. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspired me to be the best person I could be and I fell more in love with you every day. I've loved you for so long that I don't even remember when I didn't. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side building a home and a family. I can only offer you all my worldly possessions and my son today because you already hold my heart. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. This is my solemn vow. Tears were streaming down Brennan's and Angela's faces. Booth lifted Brennan's hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss into the palm then guided it to lay over his heart placing his over it. Angela sobbed openly at the romanticism of the gesture and the obvious love between these two such special people. Brennan got herself under control enough to repeat her vows.

"I love you, Seeley Booth. When I met you, I certainly never thought I would say those words to you. I didn't think I would ever say those words to anyone. I liked living in my world of science and reason but you wouldn't let me stay there. You dragged me out of my world and into yours and I thank you for it. You made me start seeing the people around me and I'm a better person for it. You made me start caring about people again and you made me feel safe and I love you for it. You gave me back things and people that are precious to me and I can never repay that, but I will spend the rest of my life standing by your side, loving you, being your partner in every way. I accept the offer of your son and promise to make him my own." A single tear slipped down Booth's cheek as he reached out and wiped the tears from Brennan's face with the thumb of his free hand, the other still resting over his heart. They shared an intimate smile and Brennan turned to Parker.

"It's your turn now, Parker," she prompted the nervous little boy. He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. Booth and Brennan had both offered to help him write his vows but he had insisted on doing it on his own. He took a deep breath and began.

"I, Parker Booth, promise to love, respect and obey Bones as my stepmother. I promise to be the best big brother in the world if anybody ever gets around to getting me a little brother or sister." Everyone giggled at this one. The little boy ignored them and continued. "And I promise to never, ever go into Dad's and Bone's bedroom again without knocking." Parker looked up at the guffaws of laughter that greeted his last promise and saw everyone but his dad and Bones bent over in laughter. They were both blushing profusely. Parker looked at them in confusion. "Did I do something wrong, Dad?" Brennan reached out and softly brushed the blond curls off of his forehead.

"No, Parker, you didn't do anything wrong. You were perfect." Parker beamed at the praise and the adults got themselves under control enough to finish the ceremony. The minister gave a blessing to the union, pronounced them man and wife and told Booth that he could kiss the bride.

Booth reached out and slowly drew her into his arms as her arms slid up to encircle his neck. His head bent, but he was taking his time. He wanted to remember their first kiss as man and wife for the rest of his life. His lips touched hers and lightly rubbed against them a couple of times before he increased the pressure and parted her lips. He was startled when the tip of her tongue darted into his mouth and the kiss instantly turned passionate with his tongue following hers as it retreated and slipping past her parted lips to tease and explore. His arms tightened and she pressed herself against him. Damn, it turned him on to be kissing his wife, he thought hazily just as Hodgins grabbed his hand before it went somewhere it shouldn't go in front of his son. Hodgins jerked on his arm twice before he got Booth's attention. Booth and Brennan separated both breathing hard and stared into each other's eyes, having one of their silent conversations.

Booth: We'll finish this later, wife.

Brennan: Oh, yes, we most certainly will, husband.

Booth: I love you, Bones.

Brennan: I love you, too, Booth.

Hand in hand they followed the others toward the beach house where they were all staying. Both happier and more content than they had ever been as they walked into their future.