Disclaimer- not mine.
A/N- Ok so I'm really annoyed right now, for three days I have had the song from Lady and the Tramp in my head, you know the one the cat's sing... We are Siamese if you please... we are Siamese if you don't please... we are former residents of Siam... there is no finer cat than we are... REALLY starting to bug me now.
I also want to thank Team Tucker for your help regarding the social worker details and the protocol involved.
It was Tuesday morning and the Brennan/Booth residence was a buzz of movement. Parker was helping his Dad in the kitchen with breakfast, while Brennan helped Molly get dressed.
"Mommy I wanna wear dat one."
Molly pointed to a green tee that had the appearance of having a white long sleeved shirt under it.
"Ok."
Brennan grabbed the shirt down from the hanger and smiled as her daughter put her arms up and waited for the shirt to be pulled over her head. The little girl had also chosen denim shorts, one white sock, one green and white tennis shoes. Brennan smiled, her daughter even at three, seemed to have a good sense of style and no one could say she didn't match.
"BREAKFAST IS READY!"
Came a shout through the apartment, Brennan smiled as she heard Booth reprimand his son for screaming. Molly looked up to her Mom and smiled.
"Mommy can we have food now, I is hungry."
Brennan smiled, nodding as she stood up.
"Go, go eat."
Molly ran out, leaving her mom to watch her go. Brennan cleaned up in the bathroom, and picked up a few items off Molly's bedroom floor. They were a little more rushed than usual, Brennan had received a call this morning form Molly's case worker, asking if it was possible to make their meeting today rather than Thursday, Brennan had agreed and in turn made herself feel ill with nervous tension. She closed the bedroom window before walking out and joining her family. Booth was standing at the bench sipping at his morning coffee, the kids sat at the table eating toast and eggs. Brennan smiled walking up to her boyfriend, she leaned against his torso and hugged him, she was feeling tense and nervous and knew the best place to be was Seeley Booth's arms.
Booth smiled as his love crashed forward into his chest, he placed his coffee on the bench beside himself and wrapped his arms around her torso.
"Hey Baby."
She smiled and sighed into neck. Booth turned his lips to her cheek and kissed her softly whispering between kisses.
"You ok?"
Brennan nodded against him; she didn't feel like talking, she just wanted to rest against him for a while.
"You worried about today?"
She shrugged and he had his answer. Booth pulled her tighter to his body and kissed her head.
"I love you and it's going to be fine, I'm going to come in early ok, I'll bring lunch..."
He kissed her again.
"Try not to worry Baby, she's yours."
Brennan watched him flick a glance to Molly and then back to her again, Brennan hesitated before responding.
"Ours."
Booth's eyes widened in surprise, before a smile broke out across his face.
"I... I'd like you to adopt Molly once I've adopted her, it means in the eyes of the law, you'll be her father... if... if you want to of course."
Booth leaned in, landing a hard kiss to her lips.
"Oh Bones..."
Brennan smiled at the tears in his eyes.
"I've been waiting for those words to fall from your lips, since you told me to go bathe our daughter."
Brennan reached up and captured a rolling tear.
"Why didn't you just ask?"
"This was your plan and I didn't want to take that away from you."
Brennan frowned, she wondered if he realized that the reason her plan existed was because of him.
"Booth I simply assumed that you've been treating her as 'ours'."
Booth nodded.
"I have, but not in my head, I didn't want to take it for granted, until you asked me to legally be her father."
Brennan sighed and dropped her head back to his chest.
"Oh Seeley."
Booth smiled at the use of his first name and kissed her head with a chuckle.
"So, its official, I'll sign as the Father after you've signed as her Mother?"
Brennan smiled and nodded.
"Yep."
Booth looked down into her eyes and smiled. The bright blues staring back at him had no idea how happy their owners had just made him.
"I have a daughter."
Brennan nodded slowly at his whisper, the revelation washing over her too, she had literally asked Seeley Booth to be the father to her daughter, they were taking a huge step and she couldn't be happier about it.
Booth took Parker to school and headed into the Hoover, he was ecstatic, the grin on his face was ear to ear and nothing would be able to remove it. Walking down the hall after riding the elevator up, Booth strolled into his office and shut the door. He had no desire to work today, he simply wanted to sit and revel in his own joy.
Bones had asked him to be a Dad, granted it wasn't in the typical way, but she had placed a three year old shaped knot around them and she knew how seriously he took parenthood.
He had a daughter, after all these years he could finally say he had a son and a daughter, he was head over heels in love and things were getting far more serious than they had ever been before.
Booth looked down as his cell buzzed; opening the text message he smiled.
'It means so much to me that you have allowed Molly into your heart like you have. I'm so joyful you have agreed to sign as her father, we both love you, I cannot express my happiness at the fact we are finally making a life together. I love you Booth, more than I ever thought I was capable of loving anyone. Xxx'
Booth read the message over and over, his smile growing wider each time he finished; he dialed her office and waited for her to pick up.
"Doc... doctor Temperance Bre...Brennan."
Booth frowned.
"Baby, what's wrong, you're crying."
Brennan wiped her tears and smiled at the sound of his voice.
"Booth, I... I'm fine."
"Temperance, I know you and I know you've been crying, is Molly ok?"
"Yes, she's fine; I'm ok Booth, I just..."
Booth waited, as his girlfriend paused.
"You just what Bones?"
Brennan sighed at her own behavior, she had never been this emotional before, her chest was tight and her fingers were shaking.
"I miss you Booth."
Booth smiled, trying to keep any trace of glee, out of his voice.
"That's why you're crying?"
Brennan winced.
"I... I know its stupid Booth, I just... I was writing the text message to you and..."
"Whoa, hey, hey, I never said it was stupid..."
Brennan dropped her head into her hand and huffed, she was frustrated with herself for letting her emotions take hold like this.
"Do... do you ever feel like this?"
Booth smiled and let out a small chuckle.
"Oh Baby, every damn second of the day, why do you think I hug you when I get out of the shower or when I see you at lunch, or after work or any time in between. I'm constantly missing you, sometimes I think it's so overwhelming, I just need to stop everything and go and find you, it's ok Baby, its normal."
Brennan smiled hearing his words.
"I've never... this the first time I've ever had this Booth, I'm used to being on my own but... but now I want you with me all the time, it... it's confusing, I feel like you're going to tell me to... I don't want you to..."
Brennan couldn't stop thinking about all the times in her life; admittedly mainly when she was younger, that she had wanted someone and they pushed her away, she didn't want to Booth to grow tired of her and push her away too, she wasn't sure she could cope with his rejection.
"Baby shhh, I want you to stop ok..."
Brennan nodded, not minding the fact he couldn't see her; listening to him intently she wiped her eyes.
"I love you, I'm not going to leave you, I'm not going to pull back from you, you can lay it on as thick as you want and you're still going to be stuck with me."
He chuckled.
"I don't know what that means?"
Booth smiled imagining the confused furrowed brow on her forehead.
"It means Gorgeous, that you can get as clingy and as needy as you want and I'll lap it up Baby..."
Brennan giggled into the phone, music to the Agent's ears.
"I'm not going anywhere, but straight back into your arms again."
Brennan blushed and smiled broadly.
"Thanks Booth, I'm sorry for..."
"Shhh, no apologies, this is big for us Bones, a long time coming, both of us are going to have fears."
Brennan's voice traveled over the line softly.
"You seem to be fine."
Booth smiled.
"You think huh, did you know this morning before we had the chat about me adopting Molly as my daughter, I was wondering if you would ever ask, and the fact that you hadn't, was it possibly because you didn't want me to be her Dad."
Brennan sat up straight.
"What? Booth I..."
Booth chuckled.
"I know, I know Bones, you've always told me you think I'm a good Dad but..."
"Good?"
Her voice was incredulous.
"Booth I never... you are a fantastic, wonderful, amazing father, and Molly and Parker and any other future off sprin..."
She stopped herself and groaned at the fact she had voiced her inner thoughts, wondering if he would say anything, so far nothing and she thought that perhaps, he hadn't heard her.
"I would be stupid not to want you as a father to Molly Booth, you are exceptional and I am not a stupid woman..."
Booth was smiling brightly; he had heard every word loud and clear.
"Booth why would you think that?"
Booth tilted his head in thought.
"This is all new to me as well Bones and my feelings and concerns are just as irrational as you thinking I'm ever going to reject you."
Brennan nodded understanding his point and suddenly feeling better about her desire to see him.
"Now, I'll be in to see you soon Baby, I have a meeting with a couple of witnesses at ten thirty and once I file the paper work I'll grab lunch and come to the Lab."
Brennan smiled.
"Ok."
"Oh and Bones?"
"Mmm?"
"I miss you too; I started missing you the moment I stepped out of the kitchen this morning."
"I love you Booth."
"And I love you Bones. I'll see you soon."
They each hung up, sitting back in their chairs, both feeling a little calmer and secure in their personal relationship.
"Shhh Auntie Angie, is Mommy sleeping?"
Brennan smiled as her daughter and Angela entered the office. She was sitting at her desk, waiting for an email to come through, before she could finish a report she was doing. Brennan had closed her eyes seconds prior to Angela showing up, she opened her eyes making Molly smile, as she ran to her Mommy.
"Hey Baby, did you have fun?"
Molly nodded with a happy smile, as her Mom pulled her up into her lap.
"I got you thems flowers Mommy."
Molly handed her Mom a small bunch of pink dahlia's with a bright smile.
"Oh thank you Baby, they're lovely."
Molly nodded and instantly set about playing with her Mom's necklace.
"You ok Sweetie?"
Angela gently inquired. Brennan looked up and smiled.
"Yes I'm fine, thank you."
Angela nodded, though continued to watch her friend closely.
"Hey Molly, why don't you tell your Mom what you did in the gardens?"
Brennan raised her brows to Ange who silently told Brennan she would be happy. Molly looked up and smiled.
"I played wif a... wif a girl."
Brennan's brows shot into her hairline, she looked to Angela for confirmation. Angela grinned and nodded.
"Wha... did you?"
Molly nodded.
"Her name is umm..."
Molly frowned trying to remember.
"Blinda."
Ange nodded.
"That's right Belinda's Mom is in the Botany Department and had just taken her daughter out for lunch before taking her back to the Jeffersonian day care."
Brennan smiled.
"Blinda played wif me Mommy, she... she's got lellow hair like Parka."
Brennan listened to her daughter describe the girl she had met and smiled realizing Molly may have made her first friend outside her family.
"That's wonderful Baby; do you think you would like to play with Belinda again?"
Molly eyed her Mommy and then Angela, almost as if she thought there was a conspiracy.
"Maybe."
She shrugged.
"But I still like you and Daddy and Parka and Auntie Angie and Hodgie and Camie and, and..."
She took a deep breath before continuing.
"And Wendle and Auntie Becca and Drew betta."
Angela giggled as Brennan raised her brows at her daughter's long response.
"Ok, but you wouldn't mind it, for a little while?"
Molly didn't answer, just rested her head back on her Mom's chest and frowned gently as she tried to work out if it was a trick question. In the past, previous such questions meant going to the bad place with all the other unhappy children and Molly didn't want to go back there.
Angela left quietly, knowing it was time for Molly and her Mom to have a chat; she closed the door and stopped the approaching intern from entering.
"Molly, Baby, can we go sit on the couch?"
Molly shook her head and clung tightly to her Mom.
"Sweetheart? What's the matter?"
Molly buried her face deeper into Brennan's neck.
"Are you upset at Mommy?"
Molly shook her head.
"Will you please tell me what's wrong, if I don't know what's upset you, I can't fix it?"
Brennan watched her daughter for any sign that she was about to speak. A small inhale told her to give it a little longer.
"I... I don't wanna go back to the bad place Mommy."
Brennan frowned.
"Baby why... why would you think you're going back there."
Molly sat up.
"Dat's... dat's what da lady said, she said, does I wanna play wif da other girls and boys and... and, and then I was at da bad place for long time."
Brennan pulled her daughter close and rubbed her back.
"Oh Sweetie, Mommy's not going to send you to the bad place, Mommy just wants you to have fun with some other children, you can play games and learn lot's of new things. You know how Parker goes to school and comes home every day and talks about how much fun he had?"
Molly nodded.
"Well, there's also schools for little people like you Baby and you can go there and play and then Mommy and Daddy come and get you, and we can have lunch, then you go back and play some more and then you come home again."
Molly raised her brows, she was intrigued and Brennan knew she had at least sowed the seed of possibility.
A knock at the door told Brennan, Booth had arrived.
"That's your Daddy."
Molly smiled and slid off her mom's lap trotting toward the door as it opened slowly.
"Daddy!"
"Hey Princess."
Booth placed their lunch on the coffee table and raised the little girl high in the air, making her giggle. Brennan watched them adoringly, a smile on her face as her chin rested in her palm. Booth glanced over at his girlfriend and smiled, she was watching them calmly but Booth knew her brain was running a million miles an hour. Booth placed Molly on the couch and smiled; he squatted down and removed a juice box and some chicken fingers from the bag.
"Look what Daddy got you Princess."
Molly licked her lips in anticipation and smiled when she saw the food.
"Fanks Daddy."
He ruffled her hair lightly and whispered to her.
"You stay there and eat, I'm gunna have a chat to your Mommy."
Molly nodded and chomped down on the first chicken strip.
Booth walked over to the desk, where his girlfriend was still sitting.
"Hey?"
She looked up and smiled as he sat in front of her, on the desk. Brennan smiled as his gentle fingers combed through her hair, his thumb caressing her cheek.
"Hey..."
Booth gave her an easy smile as her blue eyes met his.
"I missed you Bones."
Brennan smiled as she slowly leaned forward, her cheek against his abdomen as his hands held her closely.
"I missed you too Booth."
Seeley crunched over dropping a kiss to the top of her head.
"You thinking about this afternoon's meeting?"
Brennan shrugged; lifting her face to meet his, she glanced over at Molly who was completely absorbed in the task of eating. Brennan looked back to Booth.
"I haven't told her yet, she... she met another little girl today and according to Angela they interacted quite well, this child is the daughter of a member of staff in the Botany Department, the little girl attends the child care facility down stairs and when I asked our daughter if she would like to play with this little girl again, Molly was under the impression I was going to send her back to the shelter if she said yes."
The tears in Brennan's eyes were evident and Booth knew she felt the pain and confusion that Molly felt. He pulled her back in against his body.
"Oh Baby."
"I... I just don't know how to get through to her Booth, I... I keep trying to remember what words I wanted to hear most when I was in her position but..."
Booth felt the tear drop onto his forearm, where he'd rolled his sleeve up, he ached for her. Knowing your child was hurting and not being able to help was an unpleasant feeling at the best of times but this situation seemed worse somehow. Not only was Molly in turmoil, but her Mom was reliving her own pain, in an effort to help her daughter heal.
"Shhh, it's just gunna take time Temperance, think about how far she's come so far, Baby you've been amazing with her and she's so much better than that scared little girl you met for the first time..."
Brennan knew what Booth was saying was true, Molly had progressed remarkably well and that was thanks to the loving and nurturing environment she was now in, but she wanted so much for her daughter to be able to forget about the torment she had suffered and just be a normal little girl.
Booth felt his girlfriend nod against him.
"We'll help her together Bones and you know one day, we're going to wake up and she's going to have forgotten what her past was because all she'll have is happy memories."
Brennan smiled at the thought, her arms wrapping around his hips and squeezing him in thanks. She pulled back and smiled into the worried chocolate orbs staring down at her.
"Thank Booth."
They shared a brief kiss, before Booth took her hand and pulled her over to join the three year old on the couch.
The sun was shining brightly outside and Molly was enjoying being out in it twice in one day, Booth was currently chasing the little girl around the green lawns.
"Rarrr, I'm gunna get you."
Brennan laughed as Molly giggled and ran, trying continuously to look behind her without slowing down or falling over.
"Baby don't look back, run, run."
Molly squealed as she headed straight for her mom. Brennan laughed seeing the gleam in her boyfriend's eyes. Molly crashed into her, followed a moment later by Booth, wrapping both girls in his arms and jostling them about playfully.
"Ha hum."
All three heads popped up at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Ms Greer."
Tiffany smiled walking forward and watching the little girl duck behind both adults.
"Hi, looked like fun."
Brennan smiled and brushed her fringe from her eyes while Booth blushed slightly.
"Umm Ms Greer, this is my partner Seeley Booth."
Tiffany held her hand out happily to the handsome man in front of her.
"Hi, and please call me Tiffany."
Booth gave a polite smile and shook her hand.
"Hi, Booth."
She nodded before looking down to where she had last seen the little girl that never wanted to see her.
"Hey Molly, still don't want to talk to me?"
Booth held his tongue as he watched Molly. He wondered how the woman could expect the three year old to act any differently, this was a woman who had subjected her too years of suffering and then dropped her in a shelter to be ignored or yelled at. Booth turned slightly and held his arms out to his Daughter, Molly instantly reached for him and pulled herself as close as possible.
Tiffany was slightly surprised at the child going so willingly into this man's arms, she had only ever seen Molly cower in a man's presence and this particular man was all kinds of intimidating.
"Wow that must have taken some bribery."
Booth narrowed his gaze.
"Nope, just patience."
Brennan smiled at the barely discernible tone in her boyfriend's voice, he was on edge, she placed her hand on his lower back and let her fingers run circles across his muscles.
Tiffany gestured them all to a bench to sit, she was eager to get this meeting done.
"Ok well, firstly, I guess... any questions or problems?"
Brennan was about to say no but hesitated.
"Do you know how much longer it will be, until the adoption papers come through?"
Tiffany checked her file and smiled.
"They have been sent and we received confirmation of arrival, unfortunately Temperance it is a slow process, have you got a lawyer pre arranged?"
Brennan shook her head.
"No but it won't be a problem."
Tiffany nodded.
"The paper work I gave you on my last visit, did you fill it out?"
"Yes it's ready and waiting for the adoption papers to be approved."
Tiffany ticked off a couple of things on her paper work and smiled, she looked up to Booth who was smiling down at Molly's big blue eyes and pulling faces while the little girl laughed quietly.
"Ok, well once the paper work for approval comes back, it can either be a slow process or fast, having finances set aside can speed the process up and if you know a judge, that can add to your favour. Social services is recommending you as Molly's adoptive Mother Temperance, it's just paper work and details."
Brennan smiled.
"Unless something happens before the court appearance is done, Molly will be yours."
Booth took Brennan's hand as her fingers scratched nervously at her thigh. Tiffany looked to Molly and smiled.
"Have you got any questions regarding Molly?"
Brennan shook her head.
"No, we're working everything out."
Tiffany nodded.
"How's the bed wetting going?"
Brennan looked to her daughter and smiled.
"Almost non-existent now."
Tiffany smiled.
"Fantastic and the nightmares?"
"She has dreams, but they're not as violent as they were."
"That's good."
Tiffany looked to Booth and then back to Temperance.
"My paper work indicates you're single Temperance, is this no longer the case?"
Brennan gave a nervous smile.
"Ahh, I have the paper work in my office, I'll fax it to you, and my status has changed, yes."
Tiffany made a note on her file.
"Well firstly congratulations, you both look pleased and I can tell, you Booth must spend quite a bit of time with Molly..."
Booth nodded, cuddling the girl on his lap a little tighter.
"As current rules dictate, I will need your personal details Booth and you need to be aware that a background check will be run on you, is there any reason that this could be a problem."
Booth looked to Brennan and smiled before turning back to Tiffany.
"Umm, well, you may need to speak to the director of the FBI, my records and files are sealed, you'll need clearance."
Tiffany raised her brows, thinking the man in front of her had a criminal record of terrible proportions. Booth held his badge up and smiled.
"Special Agent Seeley Booth, Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Tiffany exhaled in relief, her worst case scenario mind, pausing to process the information.
"Oh, well... that's great."
She made another note as she asked a few more questions, before looking to Molly.
"Molly I'd like you to ask you some questions."
Molly sat and quietly and gave Tiffany a fleeting glance.
"Molly I'd like to know if you're happy staying with Temperance."
Molly frowned, looking around curiously.
Booth interrupted.
"Molly doesn't know her by that name."
Tiffany frowned and Molly answered the unspoken question.
"Mommy?"
Tiffany smiled and decided to try again.
"Molly is you happy to live with Mommy?"
Molly's bottom lip trembled.
"I stay, I stay wif Mommy, I be good."
Molly reached for Brennan possessively, crawling from Booth straight across.
"I not go Mommy, Mommy please keep me."
Brennan hushed her daughter softly, reassuring her and giving comfort.
"It's ok Baby, You're not going anywhere, Ms Greer was just asking you if you were happy."
Molly looked to everybody, with confusion.
"Home now please?"
Booth chuckled and leaned into his daughter with a smile.
"Soon Princess, can you answer Ms Greer?"
Molly looked up.
"I stay wif Mommy and Daddy and Parka."
Tiffany frowned.
"Parker is my son; he and Molly get on very well."
Tiffany jotted down a few more notes and closed her file.
"Ok, well I think we're done, Molly also has her yearly immunization coming up and I shall email you the details."
Brennan nodded and stood with Tiffany, Molly still in her arms.
"Well Temperance, hopefully next time I see you, it will be in court."
Booth women smiled and after Tiffany said her goodbyes she left.
Booth looked to Bones and smiled as she fell into his arms making Molly giggle as her Daddy hugged her and Mommy together.
"That went well."
Brennan giggled and kissed Booth's shirt clad chest.
"Yes it did."
"Thank you for being here."
Booth kissed her temple and smiled.
"Always."
IMPORTANT**** Does everyone know the song 'Do your ears hang low'? If not, please look it up, it's important for the next chapter, that you know the tune, not the words just the tune...
Done, for this chapter. Please review.
