Authors Note - Thanks for waiting. Real life can be a… well. Thanks to MickeyBoggs all the corrections. And to everyone who read and reviewed so far. Hope you like this one.
Disclaimer – not mine.
"Booth?"
The agent closed the front door and headed towards her anxious voice in the bedroom. He'd hoped a 10k run would help clear his head this damp fall morning. Instead his issues with Jared only tormented him more. After today, Seeley resolved, his brother was not his problem anymore. He had his own little family to think about now.
"Can you help me?" Temperance indicated for him to fasten the zipper on her cobalt-blue jersey knee length dress. "This feels a little casual for a wedding," she complained, "but I didn't expect to have such a limited wardrobe already."
"And who's fault is that?" He asked, forcing the zipper up.
She sucked in a breath as the dress pulled taut across her tender breasts. "My own."
Booth smiled. Sometimes her literalness did work to his advantage. "I thought you might have picked out something new from one of those fancy shops."
"I was too busy to go. And I saw little point in investing in a new wardrobe for a matter of months." She turned to the mirror to check her reflection and her posture sagged.
"Hey!" Booth stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders. "What's up?"
"I look fat and frumpy and more suited to shopping at Wal-Mart than attending a wedding."
"You look beautiful." He kissed her neck, watching her soft smile through their reflection. "And you'd still look amazing if you wore a garbage sack."
"I'll just have to dress it up with a little jewelry, I guess," she suggested optimistically. "And then, Sunday I'll purchase the requisite amount of new outfits."
"You want me to come along and tell you how beautiful you are?" Booth asked, heading off to take a shower.
"As nice as that sounds, you have Parker to entertain," she called out. "I doubt he'd enjoy shopping for maternity clothes." Sadly, Temperance reviewed her reflection once more. "I doubt I'll enjoy shopping for maternity clothes," she whispered.
"Sorry, what?" Booth asked, peering back around the doorway. "I didn't catch that last bit."
She forced a smile. "It was nothing. But you should hurry showering. We need to pick up Parker soon. And we can't be late for your brother's wedding. You have groomsmen duties remember?"
"Aww," he grumbled mockingly. "And I was hoping you'd join me in the shower."
BBBBBBBB
"Bride or groom?"
Temperance looked at Booth in utmost confusion then bent carefully down to the little boy's level. "I am neither, Parker. I was invited as a guest."
Booth laughed. "He means are you a guest of the bride or groom."
"The invitation implied both parties requested my presence."
"Just go sit next to Cam and Michelle, Bones. We'll join you soon." Lovingly, he placed his palm at the small of her back and guided her though the oak doors of the church.
Temperance greeted their friends, who she now regarded as her extended family and sat, watching the events unfold with interest.
Finally, a hush descended over the congregation and Booth and Parker quickly sidled in beside her.
As they sat, Booth took her hand into his own, caressing her soft skin tenderly. The words being spoken drifted over him as he watched her intently. Temperance however was transfixed on the couple standing before them.
"A circle," the priest spoke, "is the symbol of wholeness, perfection, and unity. Like circles, their rings have no beginning and no end. They are tokens of the growing relationship that Melinda and Jared have come here to celebrate and confirm."
Booth smoothed his finger across her mother's ring. Temperance briefly glanced at him with slight confusion.
"Melinda and Jared are going to light their Unity Candle, a symbol of their relationship and love. The candles from which they light it have been lit by their parents to represent their lives to this moment."
"It's a beautiful ceremony," Temperance whispered. Booth continued gazing at her in adoration, pushing a few stray tendrils of hair away from her face. She turned her head briefly, flashing him a bright smile. "Don't you think so?"
"Beautiful," he echoed.
"The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received from their parents, are distinct, each burning alone. Melinda and Jared will light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one."
Temperance pulled Booth's palm rest on her abdomen where their unborn child was more than making its presence felt.
"May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of their unity. May these candles burn brightly as symbols of their commitment to each other, and as a tribute to their parents' everlasting love for them."
As the congregation stood for the hymn Booth could hold back no longer.
"I meant every word."
"What?" she whispered.
"When I said I want you as my wife."
"Booth, your brother is getting married," she retorted dismissively. "This is hardly the time or the place to discuss this."
"Exactly, Bones! This is the perfect place to tell you how much I want to marry you." Booth turned to face her with a steely determination.
She stared back. A vacant expression, humanized only by the quiver of her lip and the rapid dilation of her pupils. Before her thought processes had chance to evaluate the situation her legs were carrying her pregnant form out into the wet churchyard. The cold hit her immediately, but inside she couldn't think over the chorus of the congregation. Out here there was a peaceful calm. The hymn was muffled by the solid structure of the church. Slower now, she headed toward a bench heavily sheltered by a willow tree.
Inside, Booth swallowed hard, biting back tears. It was time for him to accept that Bones would never want to marry him. He glanced around. The wedding party wouldn't notice his absence for a few minutes if he left while they were still singing. Just as he was ready to slip away to find her, Booth felt a sharp jab in his rib and jerked his head sideward.
"Spill." Camille Saroyan had her serious face on.
He snorted. "It's my problem Cam. I'll fix it."
"You don't think that I know how to handle Dr. Brennan already? Trust me Seeley. Now, what did you do?"
"I asked her to marry me."
Cam smiled sympathetically. "And you wonder why she ran! Hell, even I'd shudder at the thought of doing your laundry for the rest of my life."
"What? No, that's not what I…"
"Relax, I'm kidding!" She pulled him into a warm hug. "Don't worry, she'll come around." Cam pursed her lips in deep thought. "You can't rush her. You know this better than anyone."
"I need to go fix this, Cam."
"Let me, Seeley."
BBBBBBB
"Dr. Brennan?" Cam walked towards the bench that Temperance sat solemnly on. "It's cold. I brought your jacket out." Carefully, she sat beside her.
"You are missing the wedding."
"So are you," Cam observed. "Although I don't think it matters really. The spectators are irrelevant. What's most important is the couple standing together down front. That they love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment."
"I… don't understand how someone can know what - who - will make them happy for the rest of their life. It's illogical."
"You're right. You can't possibly know that. What's important is that we try."
Temperance choked out a weak smile. "You sound like Booth."
"So tell me, Brennan, who doesn't long for that one person who instinctively knows how to make you feel amazing? And when that person is right there in front of you have to seize hold with both hands. Hard! Because there are so many women like us, just… waiting. Hoping. And not everyone will get their happy ending"
"Happy endings are relevant only in fairytales."
"Fairytales always have their roots in reality," Cam quipped back.
Temperance sat back and contemplated. "That is true."
"Maybe we could go back inside? Forget anything Booth said, for now at least, and enjoy this wedding?"
She shivered as a cold breeze washed over her. "That would be an acceptable course of action," Temperance nodded.
BBBBBBBB
The first thing Temperance noticed as they reentered the church was that neither Booth nor Parker was no longer seated where she'd left them. Frantically she scanned the congregation. Taking a few steps forward, she heaved a sigh of relief as they both came into view, kneeling before the altar with heads bowed taking communion. For all the strength she saw in Booth, there was a vulnerability to him here. And Parker idolized his father. She watched as the young boy repeatedly glanced up at Booth for reassurance. The image made her smile. So when Booth stood and turned suddenly, looking straight at her, she jumped, clutching her palm to her hip at the sudden pain.
"Are you alright?" Cam asked with concern. "Maybe you should sit down a while?"
"I'm fine," she dismissed, not once losing eye contact with Booth who was heading directly towards them.
"Bones?"
She nodded slowly, unsure of how to answer his unspoken question.
"I'm sorry." He reached out for her. "I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that."
Temperance looked away, not wanting to see the inevitable hurt. "I'm concerned that my judgment is impaired by the hormones cursing through my body. I can't change my mind about this. Not now." She sucked in a sharp breath. "Not yet."
"Wait…" Booth placed his hands gently at each side of her face, pulling her gaze back into his own, caressing her temples with his calloused thumbs. "Are you saying that, in time, you might reconsider?"
"I'm saying that in the here and now, my answer is no."
"The way I see it, Bones, that's not a no. That's a maybe." Booth leaned forward, resting his warm lips on her forehead.
"I love you," she whispered. "Isn't that what matters?"
"Yes." She could feel his smile against her skin. "And I love you too. More than I ever imagined possible."
BBBBBBBB
Temperance shifted in her seat and looked around the elegantly decorated hotel. It really was a beautiful venue for a wedding reception. "Shouldn't we be conducting some form of social intercourse?"
Booth spluttered. "Bones! Here is not appropriate for any exhibitionist tendencies you might be experiencing!"
"What? I meant that we should be conversing with other guests."
"Oh. Yeah." He flushed at his mistake. "And no."
"Why"
"If anyone wants to talk they can come to us. For a start you shouldn't be on your feet too long…"
"Is this because your father is here?"
"No. I just think… we should stay out of the spotlight for a change.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"I've decided that I'm not gonna drink today," Booth blurted.
Temperance cocked her head. "Why?"
"First in solidarity," he explained. "Because you can't. And second, I need to keep a really clear head. We have Parker."
"…who is very adept on that dance floor," she interrupted, watching Booth's young son slide and spin across the parquet floor.
"And…" His expression was pained as he watched his father and brother prop up the bar. "I'm thinking of you. You've been getting a few twinges today." Suddenly Booth waved vigorously as he spotted his grandfather. "Pops!" He grinned. "You're gonna love him, Bones!"
Booth wasn't wrong.
"So you found a woman who wants to have your babies?" Hank Booth observed, once the formal introductions were out of the way.
"Baby. One progeny should sate my maternal inclinations," Temperance corrected.
"As long as it doesn't sate anything else, huh shrimp," Hank muttered under his breath, nudging Booth teasingly.
"Pops!"
"What? A good sex life is important. You don't connect in the bedroom you might as well not bother."
"We connect very well, thank you," Temperance confirmed. "In fact, last night…"
Hank laughed. "I really should say hello to the other happy couple. But I'll be back around later on. Without fail. Because you my dear, are simply enchanting."
As he stood Hank leaned down and whispered in his grandson's ear. "She's a keeper. Never let her go. Ever."
Booth grinned. "I don't intend to."
"You know," Temperance began, changing the subject now they were alone once more, "it looks like the contractors will be finished so we can move in before Thanksgiving. Perhaps you could give notice on your lease this week?"
"Sure," Booth nodded. "No point paying rent longer than needed."
"And we should start deciding which of your possessions we want to keep."
Booth's jaw dropped. "Just mine?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "What? I have nicer stuff."
Booth groaned and gently banged his head down on the table in mock frustration. When he looked up, Booth found his father standing directly behind Bones, his mother by her husband's side. "Mom," he greeted, not acknowledging his other parent.
The older man spoke. "So I couldn't help but notice you both causing that little drama during the ceremony."
"It was the incense," Booth insisted. "A little too overpowering with Bones' pregnancy-induced super-sense of smell."
"That's not entirely…" Temperance silenced herself at Booths insistent nod.
His mother pushed forwards. "Pregnant?" She looked between them both. "Since when?
"I conceived in April," Temperance confirmed.
"But… but… it's October?" she added in shock. "Why wouldn't you tell us something like this? This is my grandchild."
"Illegitimate," his father added. "And isn't it obvious? He's humiliated by the fact Jared found a good wife. This is his way of diverting all the attention back on to himself, on Jared's and Melinda's day. Well it's not going to work. C'mon. We have guests to attend to."
Temperance reached across the table taking Booth's hands in solidarity, but neither one of them spoke a word.
BBBBBBBB
"I thought you weren't drinking alcohol?" Temperance commented as the wedding meal drew to a close.
Booth frowned. "What?"
She nodded towards the champagne flute.
"This? This is the toast. That doesn't count." He tipped the glass to his lips sharply, downing it in one.
"Were you not supposed to wait until a toast was proposed?"
Booth didn't answer.
"I am not so oblivious to realize there is something wrong. Booth," she pleaded, "why won't you tell me what's wrong? Is this about what happened during the ceremony?"
"It's not you, Bones. We're good. It's nothing for you to worry about."
"I hate when you close me out."
"I'm not shutting you out. I just need…" He bit his lip to stop himself. "I have faith in God and man, Bones. God and man."
"I don't understand what that means."
"You will."
BBBBBBBB
The day seemed to drag for both of them. Several family members enquired about their pregnancy, and Temperance remained polite and courteous throughout. Only Parker seemed to be really enjoying himself. Finally the reception became quieter as the older family and friends said their goodbyes.
Temperance Brennan had had enough.
"Booth? Talk to me, please. I can't stand this any longer."
He sighed as he watched his brother play the doting husband. "Jared. He set me up to protect himself."
"What!" She looked aghast. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"
"I don't know," he replied, twisting his hands together. "I suppose it depends how you react."
"Me? But you said…" Temperance looked at the sadness in his eyes. "Tell me."
Booth explained the events of the bachelor party.
"You received a lap dance? By a woman pretending to be me?"
"Uh huh," he confirmed nervously.
She pondered his confession for a moment. "Well... it seems it wasn't by your own instigation. So while I still feel the slight sting of jealousy that you experienced a sexually motivated encounter without me, I also believe that I would have been intrigued to witness the event.
Booth looked across to his brother and scowled. "Guess what! You can!"
"What?"
"They recorded it. On a cell phone."
A few minutes later they were standing with Jared and his other groomsmen, with Temperance reviewing the footage that had been taken. Melinda watched on from the sidelines unnoticed.
"Is that one of my grad students?" Temperance commented. "She is obviously not committing enough time to her studies. Although from an anthropological perspective I find all of this fascinating. Are there any other videos from the bachelor party that I might review?" she asked, searching the cell-phone's video library. "Oh, I found one of Jared…"
Melinda snorted. She really didn't have the patience to deal with this woman. And certainly not on her wedding day. "I'm sure we're all really interested to know what prank they pulled on my husband," she drawled sarcastically.
Temperance moved about watching the video from different angles, as though it would give her a better perspective. "It looks very much like he engaged in full intercourse with another woman."
Everyone froze.
"I'm sorry," Temperance added. "My mistake. There are two women participating here." She looked up at a crowd of shocked faces. "Tell me, does three constitute an orgy, or is that term reserved for four of more parties?"
Melinda snatched the phone from Temperance.
Temperance scowled. "I would have happily handed it across had you asked politely."
"Time to go Bones." Booth placed his hands on her shoulders and led her away. "Parker's tired."
"No I'm not," the little boy objected.
"Yes you are. Don't argue back."
Temperance glanced back just in time to see Melinda floor Jared with a perfectly executed right hook.
"Dad?" Parker asked as they stepped out into the night air. "What's an orgy?"
BBBBBBBB
Booth closed the bedroom door quietly. "I doubt we'll hear a peep out of Parker 'til morning." He slipped under the sheets and pulled Temperance towards him. Slowly, tenderly, he traced along her shoulder with his lips.
"Mmn," she murmured, reaching back to stroke his already prominent erection.
He shuddered at her touch. In retaliation Booth walked his fingers suggestively across her thigh, then like lightning he was teasing his fingertips on her swollen center, slipping inside her heat, using her own arousal against her.
She whimpered and twitched, determined to hold back the impending orgasm. He knew her so well, in and outside the bedroom. Always awakening her senses beyond anything she'd experienced before.
Booth knelt up and pulled her over so she was laying on her back. Her expanding breasts jiggled at her every move. He licked his lips. This really was a sight to behold. The electricity between them was sparking. He leaned forward and grazed the tip of her nipple with his tongue.
"Booth!" Temperance cried out in agony. "That's just too sensitive. Please! You can do anything, but my breasts are so sore right now."
He didn't need to be told twice. In a flash he'd relocated himself between her legs, spreading her wide as he latched onto her core, lapping enthusiastically at her warmth. Temperance couldn't hold back a second longer and the orgasm rushed though her. She sighed blissfully and indicated for Booth to lie by her side. As he did, she straddled herself over him, guiding his arousal inside her still pulsing core. Temperance moved slowly, extracting maximum pleasure from every stroke. Their fingers interlinked as she rode him carefully and before long it was Booth's turn to pulse against her.
Both satisfied, they lay on the bed, face to face, each taking the time to capture this moment.
"Do you think you'll ever stop loving me?" she asked quietly.
"Never."
"How can you know?"
He smiled warmly at her. "Gut feeling. When am I ever wrong?"
BBBBBBB
They were barely asleep when the phone rang. Temperance fumbled around in the darkness and brought the phone to her ears.
"Tempe?"
She pushed herself up and flicked on the lamp. "Dad? Is everything alright?"
"No honey. No it's not." Temperance could hear the vulnerability in his voice. "Amy gave birth a few hours ago. There were some complications and the doctors say they aren't hopeful. The baby's not going to last the night."
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