Thanks for the terrific reviews of the last chapter. You guys make it a pleasure to write.
Booth arrived home later than usual to find that not only had the tree limb been cut into a nice rick of wood, his SUV was gone and a smaller crossover sat in its place. Hodgins, he thought, he had to have taken care of things. Booth owed the man a drink.
He stepped into the house and found Bones sleeping soundly on the sofa with Christine cradled on her chest. He took out his phone and took another picture of the two girls in his life. He wondered through the house searching for his perpetual house guest and was surprised to find Angela gone. He had expected the Hodgins' to stay the night. Happy that he was alone with his family, he changed out of his ACU's and hopped into the shower to wash the grime of the day away.
Bones came awake as she heard the door to the bathroom close. She had only meant to sit for a few moments, holding Christine, but after the events of the previous night, she had fallen asleep. She slowly rose from the sofa and placed Christine into the bassinet before making her way down the hall to greet her husband. She knocked once on the bathroom door before entering to find her very symmetrically pleasing husband naked. Her eyes gave an appreciative glance which earned a smirk from Booth.
"Like what you see Bones?" Booth loved the way that Bones didn't hide her appreciation for his body.
"If I didn't, we wouldn't have a newborn currently sleeping in the living room." Booth took a step forward and kissed her on the forehead.
"How did she do today and where are Angela and Hodgins? I expected them to be here when I got home." Booth turned the hot water on and held his hand under the faucet until it got hot.
"They left about an hour ago. I sent them away. I wanted to have this time with you. They will be returning to D.C. tomorrow, meanwhile, they are staying at a hotel." Booth's expression was full of concern.
"Bones, you said that you would let them help you today." Bones planted a kiss on his cheek, soothing his irritation.
"I did. But tonight is our first night with Christine. I didn't want to share it with them." She turned her head when she heard Christine's cry. "Take your shower, then we will talk." Bones didn't give him a chance to answer before she left the bathroom to tend to their daughter. Confused and amused, Booth took a quick shower and then returned to the living room.
Bones held their daughter to her breast as she nursed and patted the sofa for Booth to sit beside her. Rebecca didn't breastfeed Parker so this was a new experience for him, one that he found mesmerizing. Bones' smile was angelic as she held Christine tenderly against her. His eyes couldn't look away from either. Bones repositioned the baby to her other breast and smiled contentedly as their daughter hungrily nursed.
"She's hungry isn't she?" Booth asked as he stroked Christine's baby foot through her stripped sock.
"Yes. She is very good at nursing." Booth gave a small laugh, of course his daughter excelled. She was barely a day old and Bones found her to be exceptional. "You can burp her when she finishes." Booth hadn't gotten to hold his daughter as much as he would have liked and he couldn't wait.
"Oh yeah? So, why are Angela and Hodgins leaving? He took care of the SUV didn't he?" Seeing that Christine was satisfied, Bones readjusted her top and handed the baby to her daddy. Booth scooped her up and held her against his chest while gently patting her back. He was rewarded with a small burp. "That's my girl." He said as he continued to gently pat her back while alternating circles. Christine soon fell asleep cuddled against her father.
"Yes, Hodgins took care of everything while I was sleeping. Angela cooked several meals for us and put them in the freezer. Angela just wanted to be here when her Goddaughter was born. Now, it's time for her to go home and be with her husband." Booth planted a light kiss on his daughter's cheek and sighed, content.
"Thank you Bones. I know how much Angela means to you, I'm glad she could spend time with you. But, I'm glad that it's just us." Bones leaned against him.
"I think that it's time for the three of us to go to bed. She'll be up again in a couple of hours." Booth nodded in agreement. He struggled to get up supporting the infant and Bones scooted off of the sofa and reached for Christine. He gave her a thankful look and she grinned, rubbing her hand along the baby's back. "Team work Booth. We can do this." Booth stood and kissed her forehead.
"You bet we can baby." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they made their way to their bedroom.
Booth came out of the bedroom the next morning to see Jack Hodgins holding the baby. He gave Booth a broad grin before returning his attention to Christine who was wide awake.
"Booth man, she is incredible. I always knew that the DNA combination of you and Dr. B would make something fantastic, but I gotta tell you, she is gorgeous." Booth's lips turned up in a large grin and went to fill his cup of coffee and joined him in the living room. He let the scientist enjoy holding Christine. It would be good practice for the bug man who would be having his own baby in a few months. Jack's ease with the baby really surprised Booth. The man was ready to be a father and Booth knew that he would be a great one. He took a sip of his coffee.
"So, where are the girls?" Booth was curious. It was odd that Bones' wasn't fussing over the baby. Jack rubbed Christine's back and inhaled her baby scent.
"They just went to the car. Angie had something she wanted to give you and Dr. B. I don't think that either of them would leave me with Christine for very long." Booth gave a half laugh.
"You're right about that. Thanks for having my back yesterday and taking care of the SUV and the tree." Jack gave Booth a shrug.
"No problem, I was happy to do it. So, do you have to go in today?" Christine began to fidget and Booth automatically reached for her. Jack handed the baby over with a sigh.
"No, I've got a few days leave. I hated to go yesterday, but I had to take care of some things." Jack nodded and reached for the cup of tepid coffee he had abandoned. His face grimaced, but he took another sip anyway.
"Good. She needs you at home, for a little while anyway. Did either of you sleep last night?" Booth kissed his daughter's cheek and placed her in the bassinet.
"She only woke up twice, I think. Bones had her before I could even roll over." Jack smiled while nodding his head.
"She's going to be a great mom." Booth watchful eye turned to the door
"Yeah, she already is. She was so calm having Christine at home with just me to help. That woman amazes me every single day." Booth glanced at his daughter, who had fallen back to sleep. His entire aura exuded happiness. "So, you guys heading back to D.C.?" Jack gave a little laugh.
"Yeah, as soon as Ange…" Jack was interrupted by his wife and Bones coming through the door. Bones walked straight to the bassinet to check on her daughter, then she bent to drop a kiss on her husband's lips.
"Good morning baby." Booth said, forgetting that they had company. It had been months since Bones' had admonished him for calling her baby, but it was the first time he had said it in front of others. Angela and Jack exchanged amused glances with one another.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Booth wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her to him.
"Yes, but I know that you didn't. You are going to go back to bed and let me handle Christine today." It was a testament to how fatigued Bones was because she didn't argue. She yawned and nodded. Taking that as their cue to leave, the Hodgins' stood and Angela held out her arms to her best friend.
"Listen you. Call me every day and send me lots of pictures. I love you." Angela squeezed Bones tightly causing her metaphorical sister to laugh.
"I will. Take care of her Hodgins." Jack pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheek.
"I promise Dr. B." Bones stepped away and Jack extended his hand to Booth. "When will you guys be back in D.C.?" Booth gave Angela a hug and a kiss on the cheek before returning to his wife's side.
"Booth's contract is up in May, but we haven't heard anything about our partnership yet. The director seems to be dragging his heels." Jack looked surprised, he hadn't thought about the best team in the history of the FBI being split up.
"I'm sure that no news is good news, after all, you make the FBI look good." Booth's folded across his chest and Bones leaned into him, offering her silent support as their friends made their way to the door.
"No man, we all make the FBI look good. We couldn't do what we do without any one of you. We are at team, the best team." Booth said as he followed the pair to the door.
"That we are Booth. We'll see you soon, and Dr. B, don't think that you are Wonder Woman, take it easy for a few days, let your husband help you." Booth and Bones exchanged glances which left Bones with no doubt that Booth was going to be very insistent for the next few days.
"I'll make sure if it. Travel safe." Booth closed the door and sat on the sofa, patting the cushion for his wife to join him. Bones settled against him, struggling to fight of the tears that threatened to fall. She hated being hormonal.
"It's okay Bones. We will all be back together before you know it." Booth wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. Bones wiped at the tears with the back of her hand.
"It's just my body trying to adjust to the shock of delivery. My hormones have made me hypersensitive." Booth rubbed her back in small circles, trying to comfort her, much like he had with Christine earlier.
"It's okay baby. I've got you." Booth cooed as he continued to rub her back, comforting her from the latest onslaught of hormones. Bones lifted her head brought her lips to his.
"I know you do. That's why I love you." Booth squeezed her tighter and closed his eyes, reveling in his own personal Heaven. Their moment of quiet was interrupted by the loud voice of their daughter. The pair glanced at each other and suddenly they realized that this was only the beginning. With a laugh, Booth stood and brought their hungry daughter to Bones' waiting arms.