I'm skipping straight to Gradation. I might be skipping forward in time a lot for the rest of the story. I have a vague outline for where I am going to end this (within a handful of chapters unless my muse goes crazy) and chances are there is going to be a sequel (unless no one wants that).
Chapter 37
Brennan smiles softly into her pillow, reliving prom in her dream. With a contented sigh she turns over to snuggle into Booth's warmth. When all she encounters is empty space she opens her eyes. She sits up and looks around the early sunlit room, frowning in sleepy confusion. She rises from the bed, grabbing Booth's discarded shirt from the floor and putting it on. Rubbing the traces of sleep from her eyes, she quietly walks out of her bedroom toward living room.
She stops in the entry way and leans against the wall, wrapping her arms around her middle as she watches Booth's body rise up and down as he performs pushups in front of the silent TV. She is glad that Angela is staying at Hodgins for the night, though of course if she weren't this would be happening at Booth's apartment and Angela still wouldn't know. Brennan shakes her head with a small frown to dispel the sleep confused thoughts when she hears Booth give out a small grunt of effort.
The sight of his bulging biceps starts a tingle in her belly that wipes away the last of her sleep. She lowers her arms and pushes from the wall to walk further into the living room. The movement and soft sound of her feet catches Booth's attention and he pauses with his arms almost straight, looking up at her. The tingle in Brennan's belly is even stronger as he smiles at her, oblivious to the sheen of sweat over his face.
"Hey, Bones," he pants, his dark eyes traveling down to her legs and back. He performs one more push up and starts to rise.
"You don't have to stop," she tells him quickly, blushing as her tone gives away how much she was enjoying watching him. "I know that you have a routine. You should continue."
"Have you been watching me, Bones?" he teases, shifting into position for sit-ups.
"No. I've just…noticed," she says distractedly, watching his abdominal muscles contract.
Booth grins as he continues, mentally counting even through his amusement. Brennan watches him transfixed for a few moments, before catching his highly amused and smug expression. With a small smile and roll of her eyes, she passes by him into the kitchen. As she grabs the necessary items for a bowl of cereal, she chastises herself for being so affected by his exercise routine today, its not like she hasn't watched him before. Of course he wasn't aware of her watching then, so maybe that is the difference. She is brought out of her musings by the sound of a key in the lock of the front door.
At the sound, Booth halts his sit-ups and rises to face the woman walking into the apartment. Angela freezes in her steps, allowing the door to swing shut behind her. At her surprised stare Booth smiles sheepishly, rising his arm to swipe the sweat from his brow. Both look at Brennan as she enters the living room and Angela starts to grin widely, one brow arching as she turns back to Booth.
"Well, good morning, Seeley," she says in a flirty yet teasing voice, very obviously eyeing his bare chest. Booth chuckles slightly, looking uncomfortable and running a hand through his sweaty hair.
"Morning, Ange. Um, I'm just going to, you know, take a shower," Booth says to Brennan, gesturing to the bedroom as he walks towards it. "Be right back."
"Been having yourself a little pre-graduation party, Ms. Brennan?" Angela teases, walking over to her friend.
"I thought you knew," Brennan frowns with worry. "You've commented on his belongings in my room. I wasn't aware that it would bother you-"
"Sweetie, I'm kidding," Angela assures her, walking into the kitchen with her. "I don't care if you have spend the night. Does it bother you that Jack does?"
"I wasn't aware that he has," Brennan says, taking a bite of her cereal as Angela grabs an apple from the fridge.
"Well, we were quiet," she smiles, laughing as Brennan's eyes go wide. "Joking, Bren."
"Angela," Brennan says dubiously.
"I swear, he has never spent the night while you were here," Angela chuckles. "As if he and I could be quiet."
"Angela," Brennan chastises through a chuckle. Angela just winks and takes a bite of her apple. "I am surprised that you are home so early. Our graduation ceremony isn't for hours."
"Yes, but we have to get beautified first," Angela says, giving Brennan a non-nonsense look. "And I don't care what you say, I am doing your hair."
"Ok," Brennan concedes, knowing it is useless otherwise. "We are all going to Hodgins' after the ceremony, correct?"
"Yep, pool party. Bren," Angela smiles widely, hopping slightly in place. "It's our graduation."
"I know," Brennan smiles back, walking over to deposit her bowl in the sink.
"No more high school," Angela continues in a happy and excited voice, a small squeal sneaking in.
"We haven't had a real class in a few days," Brennan points out, though her face is bright with her own happiness. "But I know what you mean. I am very excited for college."
"Not exactly what I meant, sweetie," Angela shakes her head, smile still in place.
"I'm going to get dressed," Brennan says, walking out of the kitchen.
"Sure you are," Angela says to her retreating back. "Just remember that the walls are thin, so I can hear you!"
In Brennan's bedroom, Booth chuckles as he pulls a shirt over his head. He grabs his socks from the drawer Brennan had cleared for him just as she enters the room. He smiles sexily at her, again eyeing her body clad only in his large T-shirt. She seems to ignore him as she walks to the dresser next to him and starts pulling out clothes.
"You know, I already gave you my Flyers shirt," he says teasingly into her ear, wrapping one hand around her waist. "I'm gonna want this one back."
"Too bad," she turns her head to smile at him, tilting her chin up to accept his kiss.
"Thief," he mumbles, moving to sit on the bed and put on his socks and shoes.
"Are Pops and Grams coming to Hodgins' later?" Brennan asks him.
"Yep. Pops is going to make his blue cheese and mushroom burgers. Oh, I cant wait," Booth says enthusiastically. When she walks into the bathroom to turn on the shower, he stands and walks over, leaning against the doorjamb and suddenly looking nervous. "Hey, do you have plans next weekend? Do you think you can get Friday off?"
"No plans. And because of the low number of students during the summer, Mr. Giles has us working only three or four days and occasionally doing other work at the library," she explains, grabbing a towel from under the sink. "Why?"
"Well, I um, I was wondering if you might want to come with me to Philly," he asks, sounding tentative.
"With Pops and Grams?" she asks, feeling the water and adjusting it.
"No, you and me," he says, smiling through his nerves when she pierces him with her eyes. "We'd leave on Thursday and be back late Sunday. What do you say Bones?"
"Yes," she smiles, her eagerness lighting up her eyes. "Can we see a Flyers football game so I can understand the rules you explained?"
"No, Bones, no," he sighs in exasperation, though he smiles at her.
Her face falls into a frown. "Why not?"
"First, because the Flyers are a hockey team and though I would love to see the Eagles play football, both seasons are over," he explains with a smirk. "But we can see the Phillies if you want."
"Oh wait, I know that one!" Brennan says with a return of her smile. "Baseball, correct?"
"That's right, babe," he chuckles. "So you're going?"
"Yes. And I find that I am very excited about it," she smiles, stepping forward to kiss him.
"Mmm, I'm glad," he says against her lips, though he feels a small twinge of unease in his stomach. "I'll, um, I'll get out of your hair. Let you get ready for the big day."
"You can stay," Brennan protests, sending him a seductive smile. Booth groans softly, sending a surge of feminine pride though her.
"You have no idea how tempting that is," he says gruffly, unable to resist the call of her lips. "But I have a feeling Angela can be kind of scary when she wants."
"You have no idea," Brennan sighs, moving out his embrace to his disappointment. She tilts her head in puzzlement at his expression. "Why are you frowning? I thought you were going to leave?"
"I don't want to now," he pouts, causing her to laugh.
"Bye, Booth," she says, leaning up to peck his mouth. "I love you."
Instantly his expression clears into one of his dazzling smiles. He steps out, leaving just his head in the doorway for a second. "I love you too."
"Excuse me. Sorry, excuse me," Booth apologizes as he squeezes past already seated people to reach his grandparents.
"Hey, shrimp," Hank greets him, removing his wife's overly large purse from the two empty seats they are saving for Booth and Hodgins.
"Hi, Pops. Hi Grams," Booth leans past Hank to kiss Lizzie's cheek.
"Mr. Booth, Mrs. Booth," Hodgins waves to them from his spot next to Booth.
"Where's the little guy?" Hank asks, looking past them.
"Spending quality time with his girlfriend," Booth chuckles. "They'll both be there later. Speaking of which did you…"
Hank leans forward and speaks in a low voice. "Best ground beef money can buy."
"Aha! Alright!" Booth smiles widely, rubbing his hands together.
"Oh! They're starting!" Lizzie breaks in, bringing a camera up to her eyes.
Booth leans forward, balancing his weight on his knees as he watches the graduation proceedings. He feels a surge of pride and knows a huge goofy smile is on his face as he takes in his first sighting of Brennan. Her eyes are sparkling brighter than he has ever seen them as she looks through the crowd. He raises his hand to get her attention but is too late as she changes direction to claim her seat.
"Its weird," Hodgins muses next to him as they music ends and the graduates take their seats. "I was down there last year. And you, you were-"
"Shut up Hodgins," Booth says evenly without looking at him.
Booth keeps his eye on the green cap that belongs to his love, his mind wandering as the speeches start. He knows that she is relieved to finally be done with school, to be moving on to college and being challenged while attaining her goal. And from the stories she has shared of her interactions with her fellow students, he knows there is more to her relief than she probably consciously allows herself to consciously realize.
Slowly his thoughts travel to the upcoming trip to Philadelphia. He feels a stab of guilt that she might think the trip is a graduation celebration, though he will now do everything he can to make it so. The truth is one night he had dreamed about his mother and woken up, alone as Brennan insisted he get as much sleep as possible for his finals, feeling lower than low. He hadn't been back to visit his mother's grave in months and her birthday was coming up. Every year on her birthday, he went to visit her or said a special prayer just for her and he knows that if he doesn't go it will eat at him.
But the thought of going alone is unbearable. He is afraid of facing those demons he left behind, afraid that they'll swallow him up again and he won't be able to fight his way out this time. But now that she is going with him, he can't help but feel a conflict of emotions. He is glad and excited about spending a full weekend with Brennan without interruptions from the squint squad, especially since she is so excited too. But he is worried about how he will behave, if he will be able to keep his cheer up when he passes by the bars and pool halls that he frequented less than a year ago.
"Then don't take her there," he whispers to himself.
"What?" Hodgins asks.
"Nothing," he shakes his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts.
"Alright, the good part," Hank says, sitting on the edge of his seat.
Booth shakes off his mood as the graduates' names start to be read. Waiting for the Brennan's name he casually scans his eyes over the crowd around him. To his left and down two rows an older man is looking up at him. For a fraction of a second their gazes lock and Booth swears he has seen the look of warning and appraisal before. The connection is broken quickly and before he has time to really think on the man, Lizzie is standing as Brennan steps up to the stage.
"Temperance Brennan, Valedictorian," the principal calls out.
The Booths and Hodgins stand, calling out as she steps across the stage to receive her diploma. Brennan shakes the principal's hand and turns towards the crowd with a large smile, her eyes raising up to finally connect with Booth's. Instantly absorbed by her gaze, Booth doesn't notice the man who was once known as Max Keenan also standing and clapping as he tearfully watches his baby girl graduate.
Soon, after yelling their congratulations for Angela, the ceremony concludes. After exiting the auditorium, the small group pushes their way through the crowd to find the two girls. Keeping one hand around Lizzie's, Booth leads the way through, mentally cursing himself for not establishing a meeting point with Brennan. He feels a vibration in his pocket and halts to dig it out, smiling at the caller id. Of course she would have kept her cell with her.
"Hey, baby. Where are you?" he answers, still looking around.
"Hank's car," she says over the phone. "He found a very good parking spot."
"Yeah, he always does," Booth chuckles turning to face Hank. "Pops, they're at your car."
"Alright, move aside Shrimp," Hank says, moving to lead the way.
"Congratulations, Angie!" Hodgins says as they reach the girls, moving forward to swing her into his arms.
"Tempe, dear, congratulations!" Lizzie embraces Brennan, tears on the edge of her eyes.
"Thank you Grams," Brennan says softly as she returns the hug, the moniker finally rolling off her tongue with ease.
"I'm proud of you Temperance," Hank says, pulling her into his strong arms.
"Yeah, go ahead guys," Booth complains with a smile. "Don't mind me. I'll just wait to congratulate my girlfriend."
"Good," Hank says with a nod, causing everyone to laugh. "So, Jack, could you give me the directions to your house or should we follow you?"
As Hodgins explains how to get to his estate to Hank, and Lizzie who knows how badly her husband takes directions, Booth takes the last few steps to Brennan. She has her gown zipped open to reveal her beautiful red dress but his eyes are transfixed on her glowing face. He cups her chin and lowers his lips to softly brush over hers, his eyes focused on hers. Eyes still open, he softly kisses her cheek and across her jaw until he reaches her ear.
"Congratulations. You did it Temperance," he whispers into her ear, pulling her close to his body. "You should be so proud of yourself, baby."
"I am very happy," she says softly, pulling back to smile at him. "You should congratulate Angela or she will annoy you for the rest of the day."
"Angela! Congratulations!" Booth turns to their friend with a wide grin, Brennan chuckling behind him.
"Thanks Booth," Angela smiles, hugging him, her voice teary. "I can't believe it's over."
"But you get to study art full time now, right?" he says while pulling back.
"Right." Angela looks past him and her smile falls into a concerned frown. "Bren are you okay?"
Booth turns to find Brennan staring off, her face white and her mouth tight. "Bones, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she says in a monotone voice, turning away from what she was looking at and walking over to the group. "I would like to go now, please."
Booth looks back at the direction she was staring and sees a man about Booth's age with brown hair trying to walk towards them. His sad and hurt face stands out from the laughing crowd, his eyes focused on Brennan. Booth looks back at Brennan to inquire who the man is but her expressionless face and tight grip on his arm stops him. Whoever the man is, Brennan doesn't want to talk to him.
"We'll meet you guys there, okay?" Booth says to the rest, taking Brennan's hand to lead her away.
"Don't forget your bathing suit, Brennan, I didn't pick it out for nothing," Angela reminds her, trying to coax a smile out of her friend, dissatisfied with almost grimace she receives as Brennan walks away with Booth.
"Are you going to tell me who that was?" Booth asks her a few moments later as they reach his car, parked on the outskirts of the parking lot.
"Russ," she says in a low voice. "My brother."
"Your brother?" Booth stops next to his car to stare at her.
"I don't want to talk to him," she says fiercely, emotions finally creeping into her face and voice.
"I'm not going to make you, its okay," he nods, pulling her into a hug. "But he came Bones. He took the time to find you. That means something."
"He shouldn't have left in the first place," she mumbles bitterly.
Booth doesn't say anything, mentally agreeing though that would have meant that he wouldn't be with her now. Not wanting her day to be ruined, he kisses her head and puts as much playfulness into his voice as he can.
"So, exactly what kind of bathing suit should I be expecting?" he asks, pulling back to open the car door and smiling at her. "Please tell me the words 'skimpy' or 'bikini' are in there somewhere."
Brennan chuckles as she sits in the car, knowing what he is doing and loving him for it. "Possibly. I'm surprised that you're not bothered by Hodgins or Zack seeing me like that."
"Wait, what?" Booth frowns through the window when she closes the door.
"A four day weekend in Philadelphia?" Angela says surprised as she and Brennan lounge by Hodgins' outside pool in their bathing suits. "Wow, I didn't think Booth would move to stage four so quick."
"What's stage four?" Brennan asks confused.
Angela turns to smile at Brennan. "One, spend the night. Two spend the weekend. Three, exchange keys. Four, sexy weekend getaway. Five, extended vacation, inevitably followed by six—move in together."
"You made those up," Brennan protests, a strange knot in her stomach.
"Nope. Don't worry about stage six sweetie," Angela says in a soothing voice. "Booth will get to stage five and balk, at least once."
"Not Booth," Brennan shakes her head. "Booth doesn't balk."
"Bren, the guy always balks," Angela says confidently.
"Booth is not a balker," Brennan defends.
Angela tilts her head and stares at her friend for a moment. Slowly an astonished smile crosses her face.
"You want to get to stage six," she says, pointing at Brennan. "You want to live with Booth!"
"I didn't say that," Brennan denies turning her attention to Zack and Sally play in the pool, cursing the blush on her face.
"You didn't not say it," Angela continues gleefully.
"Hello, girls," Lizzie smiles at them, taking a chair next Brennan.
"You could have told me it was a damn mansion," Hank grumbles, standing next to Booth at the large barbecue
"I didn't think you would believe me," Booth chuckles, digging the hamburger patties out of the ice chest and his eyes traveling over his girlfriend's exposed legs. It's a far cry from a skimpy bikini for which he is grateful but it still looks damn good on her.
"Alright I got vegetables and vegetarian approved burgers," Hodgins calls, walking to toward the other men with a large tray in his arms. "And a few chilled beers for our dear cook."
"Okay, lets get this party started," Hank chuckles, taking a bottle from the bucket of ice. He takes a swig, waving his tongs towards the younger men. "Get out of here. Go swim with your girls."
"Yes sir," Hodgins grins, taking off his shirt and walking with Booth to the girls.
"What did I tell you?" Angela grins at Brennan, nodding towards Hodgins' surprisingly muscular chest.
"What about you Grams?" Booth smiles at his grandmother as he takes off his shirt and sets it on Brennan's chair.
"Oh no, I'm going to make sure Hank doesn't grill his hand off in a drunken stupor," she says, sending a teasing smile to her husband.
"Dude, where's your chest hair?" Hodgins asks as the girls stand and they walk to the edge of the pool. "Do you-"
"I'm highly evolved," Booth cuts him off with an edge to his voice.
"It's true," Brennan says, turning her back to Booth to speak to Hodgins. "Though he doesn't have chest hair, his pubic extension is entirely within normal-"
"Whoa! Hey look at that pool, huh?" " Booth exclaims turning Brennan to face the pool and ignoring Angela's laughter.
didnt turn out like i wish but tell me what you think?