CHAPTER 38. Cardigans & Costumes
It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.
- Agatha Christie
"Bones, are you ready yet? We're going to be late," Booth shouted up the stairs.
"I'm just coming," called Brennan, snatching up a gold shoulder bag, before heading downstairs.
When Brennan came into view, Booth's mouth hung wide open in shock.
"Bones, what are you wearing?" he asked, looking up at her.
Brennan laughed. "Are your eyes not functioning properly? As far as I am aware your retinas are in perfect condition," she teased, walking down the steps slowly.
"Well, yes, but… why? Not that I'm complaining of course. You know how much I love this outfit," he grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist as she reached the bottom.
"I made a deal with Parker. He'll come to the barbeque, as long as I wear this," she explained, sighing.
"Wow, maybe I should try making deals with you more often," he smiled, kissing her neck tenderly.
"In your dreams," she said smirked.
"You're such a great mom," Booth smiled, moving his lips to her collarbone.
"Thank you. However, if you dare to give me a hickey when we are about to go and see your mother, then…" she warned. She shook her head, trying to think of a suitable threat.
"Relax, Bones, I won't," he smiled. Her arms snaked their way up around his neck and she grinned, pressing a kiss onto his lips. They pulled apart when they heard Parker entering the hall.
"Gross!" Parker squealed, his hands darting up to shield his eyes.
"Sorry, squirt," Booth laughed, ruffling Parker's hair.
"Mommy, you're wearing it!" Parker beamed, hugging her tightly.
"Well, we made a deal, didn't we?" she grinned.
"So grab your jacket, we have a barbeque to get to," she laughed, running into the study to fetch Violet in her carrier.
"Daddy, you shouldn't kiss mommy so much you know. It'll make lots of babies," Parker announced.
Brennan let a titter escape from her lips. "Parker, that isn't how…" she started, but Booth wisely cut her off by placing his hand over her mouth, and shaking his head at her.
He had to stop her before she said something that would scar Parker for life, or at least evoke unwanted questions. Parker was definitely not the right age to be having that conversation.
"Don't worry, Parker. Bones and I won't be making any more babies," he laughed.
"We won't?" Brennan whispered, looking up at Booth.
He searched her face. "What? Do you want to?" asked Booth, shocked that Brennan would even be open to the idea.
Brennan and Booth stared at each other silently, holding each other's gaze for a few moments, but then Violet reached up and touched Brennan's nose, snapping the tension.
"We can talk about this later," Brennan whispered, smiling, slipping Violet into a cardigan and fastening the buttons.
Booth nodded and grabbed the car keys, heading outside.
"Hey, Booth," Brennan asked, "can I drive?"
He laughed to himself and shook his head. "Not a chance," he smirked.
"Seeley!" Delia smiled, rushing over to greet her son.
"Hey, mom," he laughed, hugging her loosely with one arm as he positioned Violet onto his hip.
Delia beamed, taking Violet into her arms and kissing her. "Oh, I've missed my grandbabies," Delia chirped, stroking Violet's cheek.
"Hello, my little sweet pea," Delia grinned, tickling her under the chin. Delia smiled as Violet giggled, before turning her attention back to Booth.
"Where's Parker and Tempe?" she asked, frowning.
"Oh, don't worry, ma, they're around here somewhere. I should warn you that Tempe…" he spoke, his words drifting off as they averted their gaze to the direction of the squeals.
"Mommy, do the Wonder Woman twirl," pleaded Parker, his voice oozing with excitement.
"Okay, buddy," Brennan laughed, swinging Parker onto her hip and spinning over towards Booth and his mother.
Parker shrieked with laughter and Brennan beamed; today wasn't turning out to be so bad after all.
Brennan stopped when they reached them, and Parker tightened his arms around her neck, kissing her cheek.
Brennan lowered him to the ground and laughed, slightly dizzy from the twirling. "That was so much fun," Parker grinned, looping his arms around Brennan's middle, "you're the best mommy ever!"
Brennan squeezed him gently to her, before glancing up and noticing Delia.
"Hello, Dee," smiled Brennan, lifting her hand above her eyes, using it as a visor.
"Hey, Tempe," Delia grinned, winking at her affectionately, "do I want to ask about the costume?"
Delia chuckled to herself and Brennan laughed. "I made a deal with Parker," she explained, glancing down at him. He was being abnormally quiet.
"Hey, Park. You aren't going shy on me, are you?" Delia teased, tugging his cheek softly.
"Hey, grams," he smiled, before looking past her warily.
Brennan followed his gaze and she became aware of another boy stood with his back to them; Joe.
Parker's fingers clawed at Brennan's stomach and she hoisted him back up. Brennan gestured to Booth with her head; letting him know that Joe was around.
"It's okay, Park," Brennan whispered into his ear, "he can't hurt you." Parker nodded his head.
"I know he can't, 'cause you're a superhero," Parker murmured.
Suddenly, Brennan found the answer to a question that had been buzzing inside her head for the past few hours; the reason why Parker wanted her to wear the outfit.
Booth draped his arm around Brennan's shoulder and pulled her in closer to him.
"Where's dad?" Booth asked, surprised that he had not yet put in an appearance.
"Oh, he's probably off raiding the buffet," laughed Delia. Booth anticipated Brennan's actions and he could hear the words about to fall out of her mouth, as a smirk played on her lips.
"Don't even think about it," Booth whispered, narrowing his eyes at her and pressing a chaste kiss onto her temple.
All of a sudden, Parker's face lit up, pointing behind Brennan into the distance.
"Grandpa Harry," Parker squealed, excited.
"Go say hello," Brennan smiled, setting him back down on the floor. Parker raced over to see his grandfather.
"Let's go and find somewhere to sit," suggested Booth, guiding them over the the picnic benches that had been set out in preparation.
Violet lay sleeping across Delia's chest as the adults talked, making tiny purring sounds as she dreamed.
"I don't know how you did it, Tempe," Delia smiled happily.
"Did what?" asked Brennan, her brow wrinkling in confusion.
"Parker doesn't take to many people, but he is besotted with you. You've really captured his heart," Delia explained.
"Well, I do live with him, so naturally he is going to develop some attachment to me. It is an anthropological probability," Brennan stated, nodding her head.
"Uhm, well…" Delia mumbled, unsure of how to respond.
"Bones, that isn't what she meant," Booth spoke, cutting over the top of his mother.
"Oh," Brennan frowned, "well what does she mean then?"
"She means, that although Parker is generally quite an affectionate and conversational boy, he doesn't give people his trust easily," he smiled.
"Like someone else I know," he added, quietly, so that only Brennan heard it.
"However, when it comes to you… well, I've never seen him care so much about anyone. Probably not even me," he explained softly, "he'd do anything for you."
Brennan blushed. "I'd do anything for him too," she smiled.
"We can see that," laughed Delia, gesturing to her costume.
A flush spread from Brennan's cheeks to the point where her costume met her chest. Booth was beginning to fear that his mother had offended Brennan because for a few moments, she remained completely and utterly mute.
Suddenly, out of the blue, Brennan started to laugh. Uncontrollable, indescribable, hysterical laughter that shook her body, before it melted away, leaving Brennan hunched over and sobbing bitterly in its wake.
This chapter is dedicated to: 0Infinite0Possibilities0
Marshmallows for everyone. :D
A review would be refreshing.