A/N – Thanks to MickeyBoggs for checking this one over. And everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. I go on holiday on Friday, so I'll try and get another chapter out before then. But if I don't then that's why I'm quiet for a few weeks. : ( Sorry.

Disclaimer – Not mine in any way, shape or form. Pah! They would have such a good time if they were mine!

Enjoy


"Wow, Bones." Booth slid into his seat at the Royal Diner. "Just imagine if we're having twins."

"I'd rather not. It isn't the scenario I had in mind."

Booth cocked his head with intrigue. "You don't think it would be cool? Blessed with two, but only having to go through labor once?"

"I only considered the viability of one child. The prospect of two will require further thought." She exhaled loudly. "Although I was foolish to disregard the possibility as one in eighty human births are multiples."

He waved the waitress over as she continued.

"And I don't think labor will be as terrible as everyone makes out. Women have borne children for millennia. It's completely natural, and essential to the survival of the species." Temperance glanced down at the menu, conscious of what to order. "Plus, I have a very high pain threshold," she added, after a moments thought.

Booth snorted at her naivety. "Whatcha havin' Bones? Gotta be something fattening. Doctors orders, remember?"

"Yes," she chided impatiently, scanning the list for anything that didn't make the nausea rise. "Can I get a garden salad with a side of fries?"

"Sure honey, and…" The waitress looked at Booth expectantly.

"My usual," he grinned.

"Comin' right up."

Watching the waitress go, Booth leaned in toward Temperance. "Is that the best you could do? There is good stuff comin' out of that kitchen and all you can ask for is salad and fries?"

"Everything else makes me feel ill," she rationalized.

Booth sat back and looked at her. He hadn't realized until they were sat in the doctor's office just how thin she was. Scratch that. Until she was lay on the bed, half dressed and he could see the shape of her own skeletal frame. The baggy tunic and peasant skirt she wore today had done their job well, hiding her changing shape. But still, as she'd lain there, Booth had noticed the slight bulge of her stomach. He'd resisted the urge to touch it then, now knowing that life was growing inside her. How he longed to hold her to him, to protect her… them… to keep them safe.

"Bones, we need to talk about this properly, about everything. You asked me for an amnesty. And I tried my damndest to make it happen. But I don't see how we can forget everything that's happened now you're actually pregnant." Booth paused as she absorbed his words. "Unless you're willing to reconsider your stance on Immaculate Conception that is?" he added with a sly grin.

Temperance frowned at him.

"Exactly," he continued. "We made a baby. And I just don't understand why you would want to forget that?"

"I…" She looked at him as she tried to find the right words. "A lot has happened today and I have already had considerably longer than you to process my current state. It wasn't working between us before I left. Why should it be any better now that I'm pregnant?" she argued. "You need to sleep on this and see how you actually feel in the morning."

"You were the only one who thought we were a bad idea."

"It wasn't just me…"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

"Nothing." He tone was clipped, blunt, brutal.

"This was not what I wanted for us Bones. Snapping at each other every five minutes. I already went through all this shit with Rebecca. It's like you're deliberately trying to push me away. Why are you so afraid of this, of us?" A look of sadness overwhelmed his features. "Am I not good enough for you? Is that it? Because don't you think I already know that? How lucky I am that you gave me the time of day to begin with."

"Stop it, Booth," she croaked, visibly upset by his words of adoration. "You are the person I trust more than anyone. You are the only one I wanted to conceive a child with. But I'm not the person you want me to be. I can't change who I am."

Booth stood up and leaned towards her. "I never asked you to!" he yelled. The diner fell into silence at their heated discussion. Conscious of his actions Booth sat back down and murmured an apology.

"I think, Booth, that it would be foolish to force the situation."

"Yes, but what I had pictured for us… planned… In my dreams, Bones…"

"Exactly, Booth," she interrupted forcefully. "Dreams. As in, not real."

**********

"Ah, Caroline. I have a favor to ask." Temperance caught the elevator just in time.

The prosecutor looked her straight in the eye. "It'll cost ya."

"I do have the means financially to cover any necessary costs" Temperance confirmed confidently.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Just spit it out already."

"I am expecting."

"What? A body? Some freakish mutilated corpse?"

"No. A baby."

"Cherie?" Caroline froze and looked Temperance up and down with fascination. "My, oh my. I never would have thought."

"And I would be appreciative if you could organize for the father to have full parental rights. I imagine some sort of legal document will be necessary."

"Well of course I can do that for you both, Cherie."

"Thank you." Temperance sighed with relief. She was already conscious that Booth was viewing their situation as 'Rebecca, take two'. The sooner his parental rights were established the better.

"And you can reassure Booth he has nothing to worry about." Caroline waved her hands confidently.

"How did you know Booth was the father?"

"Pur-lease." Caroline raised her eyebrows at her. "I was not born yesterday."

***********

"This came while you were out." Angela handed a thick envelope to Temperance as she walked back towards her office. "Anything interesting? That your best girlfriend should know about maybe?"

"Perhaps." Temperance stopped abruptly and turned to face the artist. "I should say thank you for letting Booth know about my prenatal appointment. It was nice that he was there. Although I don't think he approves of my choice of obstetrician."

"And where is the adorable daddy?"

Temperance sighed. "We had an argument."

"Oh, well, you guys will make it up," Angela assured her dismissively. "You always do. And you're bound to have the odd disagreement anyways. So what's in the envelope?"

"Property contracts. I bought the house."

"THE house!" Angela's jaw dropped. "The one that had the dead woman in the wall?"

"I inquired if it was still available when I returned to DC." Temperance continued walking towards her office.

"Are you surprised? Given that it had a dead woman in the wall?"

"Yes, actually. The price I've negotiated does not reflect the size of the property at all. My lawyer believes it to be a rather shrewd investment." She sat down and pulled the documents out, ready to sign them. "Besides, you were the one who said I needed a house if I was going to be a good mother."

"And what does Booth think?"

Temperance regarded Angela with curiosity. "He doesn't know. Why? Would he not be happy for me to raise our child in a proper home?"

"Sweetie," Angela wrapped her arm around her friend. "A nice house does not make a home. It's what you put in there. Like a family."

"Oh."

"You understand what I'm saying?" Angela asked hopefully.

Temperance dropped the pen she was holding down on her desk and looked straight at Angela, as her tears began to fall freely. "No, Ang, I don't. I don't understand at all."