A/N: Sorry there was such a delay on this. I'm winding down with school, and don't have as much time to write,but I'll try, and to better! XOXO- Mary

It was much later when Booth finally came home. His back was sore, and his feet were aching. It was around eleven o'clock at night, and the house was quiet. He crept into the living room where is saw his son sound asleep. He walked over, and stroked the hair out of his eyes. He noticed another faint bruise on his forehead, where his hair was covering it, and closed his eyes.

"You don't have to worry anymore, Buddy. Daddy's here." He whispered, kissing his hairline.

He walked over to Kasey's room and saw that she was sleeping, but when the light shined on her, she turned over to face the door.

"Daddy?" She mumbled sleepily.

"Yeah, Baby. It's me." He said, walking towards her bed. He leant down to kiss her cheek, and tucked her into the covers.

"Go to sleep, Princess. I'll see you in the morning." He whispered.

She nodded, and closed her eyes again.

He walked out of her room, and made his way to his oldest daughter's room. He knocked quietly before entering. She had some soft music playing, and she was painting her toe nails. She looked up, and quickly put the top back on the nail polish. She got out of bed and hugged him tightly.

"What happened? Is Ms. Rebecca going to jail?" Christine asked.

Booth held her tightly and said, "I'm sorry that this ruined your birthday, sweetheart. I thought... I thought it'd turn out differently." He said, sadly.

She shook her head. "I don't care about that. What happened? Please tell me."

He sighed, and pulled away to face her. "Ms. Rebecca died. She, uh... she died of alcohol poisoning... and an overdose on prescription medication." He said sadly.

Christine was so shocked, she didn't know what to say. She looked up at her dad questioningly.

"I don't know why." He said.

Christine nodded again, and looked down. "I... I don't know what to say." She said.

He shrugged. "There isn't really much to say." He said. "I just wanted you to know why I was back so late. I really didn't want to miss your birthday." He said.

Christine shrugged. "More than my biological father ever did. I don't care if you missed some of my was out of your control. I understand. We can do my presents or whatever another day. Parker needs the attention right now." She said.

Booth smiled at his daughter and kissed her forehead. "I'm so proud of your maturity, sweetheart. I know it's not easy giving up your birthday, especially your sweet sixteen."

She smiled at him and nodded.

"Now go to bed and get some sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day. I love you." He said, kissing her forehead. "Happy birthday."

She smiled and thanked him, closing the door. As soon as it was closed, she leant against it, and sighed. She picked up the phone, and called Kevin.

"Hello?" The other line said loudly, over the music blasting.

"Um... hi, Kevin. Can you talk now?" She asked.

"Oh, so now you wanna talk?" He asked.

Christine rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry that I couldn't hang out tonight, but my family is going through something right now. I wanted to talk to you about it."

Christine heard a few girls in the background, and then Kevin. "Listen, hun, I', busy right now. I don't have time for this." He said.

Christine was shocked by his words, but nodded. "Sure. But Kevin?"

She heard giggling, and then Kevin again. "Yeah?"

"Don't ever call me again." And with that she hung up.

Christine threw her phone on the bed and huffed. Tears welled in her eyes, due to her anger, and she sniffled. She walked over to the bed and picked up her phone again. She dialed the only other person that she wanted to talk to and waited for them to answer.

"Hello?" She finally heard.

"Zack?" she questioned.

"Yes, hi, Christine. Is everything alright?" He asked, hearing the distress in her voice.

She shook her head and said, "No, everything's not alright." She said.

"Would you like to meet me somewhere?" He asked.

"No, no. It's late, but will... will you just talk to me for a little while?" She asked.

"Oh course, Chrissy. You don't even have to ask. What do you want to talk about?" He asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know where to start."

Booth saw the light on in Brennan's office, and walked in. He was Brennan holding a measuring tape up to the wall, and writing down the measurements in a notebook. Booth closed the door behind him, and walked over to Brennan, who hadn't even noticed he was there.

"Bones?" He said, walking closer to her.

She jumped and turned around quickly, meeting his eyes.

"Oh, Booth. You're home." She said, she said in a relieved tone.

He nodded. "What's up with the measuring tape?

She looked around the room, and then back at him. "Just getting a head start on the remodeling for Parker's room. We need to start soon. This is his home now, and I want him to have a nice room." She said, her voice breaking. She turned around quickly, and went back the her measuring.

"Rebecca is in custody, I assume?" She said, her back to him again.

"Not exactly." Booth said.

She turned around abruptly, and said, "What is that supposed to mean? You didn't arrest her? She hit her son, Booth. Your son!"

"Bones, I-" He began.

"No. Parker needs to be here with us. He can't go back to her, Booth. I won't sit around and watch this. No, Parker belongs here with us." She said.

"Rebecca is dead, Bones." Booth said quickly.

The next moment was followed by silence. Brennan looked up at Booth incredulously.

"Wha- how? Rebecca is dead, as in decesed? No longer living?" She said, in utter shock.

Booth nodded. "Alcohol poisoning, and prescription medicine overdose." He explained.

Brennan walked over to Booth and wrapped her arms around him. "Are you alright?" She asked.

He nodded. "I'm a bit in shock, but it'll wear off." He dismissed.

"I'm sorry, Booth." She said.

"Why?" He asked. "You said it yourself. She hit Parker. Why should I be sad that she's dead?" He said, anger rising in his voice.

She rubbed his back and whispered into his chest. "Because she was the mother of your son, and no matter how cruel, and undeserving she was, Parker still loves her. His mother is dead, and he's going to need comfort, not matter how much she hurt him.."

Booth was quiet for a moment before he nodded. "You're right."

She took his hand, and pulled him out of the room. "Let's go to bed" She urged. "We can deal with all of this tomorrow."

He nodded and followed her out the door. They passed the couch where Parker was sleeping on the way to their bedroom, and stared at him. "He has no idea." Brennan said. "He's going to be heartbroken."

Booth tugged her again. "Like you said, we can deal with it all tomorrow." He said.

"You're right, let's go get some sleep."

When the door closed, Parker's eyes opened, and he squinted his eyes. "Why would I be heartbroken?"

A/N: Please review!