SORRY FOR THE DELAY, FAN FICTION WOULD NOT LET ME UPDATE TILL NOW... GRRRR. I have been trying for 10plus hours so...
Disclaimer- I make no profit from the borrowing of HH's characters, I intended no harm and claim no right to them.
A/N- Thank you all who reviewed, hugs to you all. *** Ok remember the tune I asked you all to know... well it will come into play later this chapter. When you see the ***** get the tune in your mind.
Parker stood on the steps that led to the Jeffersonian gardens; he looked out seeing his family and smiled. His Dad was swinging Molly around in a circle by holding her under her arms, the squeals of delight carrying over on the light breeze.
His Mom had her back to him and was sitting on the grass, her legs out in front of her, her arms supporting her weight as she rested back slightly. Parker stepped down off the concrete steps and felt his sneaker clad feet sink slightly in the fresh grass.
He walked quickly and quietly over, sneaking up behind his Mom, as he got closer he smiled. His Mom's hair was blowing in the breeze and Parker was certain he could smell her shampoo, something flowery, maybe jasmine.
Parker dropped to his knees behind her, his arms wrapping around her shoulders.
"Hey Mom."
Brennan turned quickly and smiled, taking the two hands at her collar bone and holding them tightly.
"Hi Sweetheart, how was school?"
He shrugged.
"Annica wasn't there today; we were supposed to have our first day to work on our project. I emailed her last night, she said she was coming."
Brennan brushed his cheek softly.
"Perhaps she fell ill overnight?"
Parker nodded.
"Maybe, can I call her tonight?"
Brennan smiled.
"Sure, you can use my cell phone and take it into your room."
Parker smiled.
"Thanks Mom."
Parker sat down beside her and watched as his Dad put Molly down and they both fell down with dizziness, laughing and rolling around.
Parker shook his head amused by their play.
"They're gunna feel so sick later."
Brennan smiled and nodded.
"Yes, you are probably right."
They watched for a few more minutes before Brennan tapped Parker's knee and smiled.
"Are you ready to begin the skeleton recovery, from the remains in the pit?"
Parker grinned broadly.
"Yep, all my stuff is in your office."
Brennan nodded.
"Ok, I'll tell your Dad where we're going and we'll get started shall we."
Parker stood quickly holding his hand out to his Mom and attempting to pull her up, Brennan helped him though she gave him the impression he had countered the majority of her weight. Booth noted Brennan standing up out of his peripheral line of sight, looking over he smiled seeing his son had had joined them at some point.
"Hey Buddy."
Molly looked up and squealed.
"PARKA IS HERE!"
Parker couldn't help the bolt of excitement that shot through him at his sister's overjoyed expression.
The little girl came running toward him.
"Play wif me Parka?"
Parker knelt down.
"I can't play with now Molly, I have some work to do, but I promise I'll play with you later."
Molly gave him the saddest set of puppy dog eyes he'd ever seen and he looked to his Mom for strength.
"I'm sorry, but the quicker I get to work, the quicker I'll finish and can play with you."
Booth walked up to Brennan and smiled.
"Hey Beautiful."
She smiled.
"Hey yourself."
Booth's face was bright and happy, he looked younger somehow, the frown lines on his face had vanished and his eyes were wide and excited. Brennan looked up at him and smirked playfully.
"Having fun?"
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
"Yep, though I get the feeling I'm about to get traded in for the newer model."
Brennan looked down as Molly continued to try and persuade her big brother that the time for play, was now and work could be done later. Brennan giggle at her boyfriend's comment and looked back to him.
"How about you amuse your daughter again, so Parks and I can begin his assignment."
Booth saluted her and released her waist; he leaned forward and kissed her lips, before spinning around and scooping Molly up into his arms.
"Come on Princess, let's go."
Molly yelped as she was carried away, laughing as she was held over her Daddy's shoulder.
Parker pulled his latex gloves on, as he moved around the clay and soil bound remains. They were in the Ookey room, Zach's old room and the remains had been left on the stainless steel table, the appropriate tools left beside the screen and ready for use.
Brennan watched him circle the table, she assumed he was looking for the best possible starting point; he picked up a brush and pulled his mask up. Glancing to his Mom he nodded as he watched her take a seat.
"Are you ready to begin?"
"Yes Dr. Brennan."
She smiled.
"Proceed then."
Parker placed the brush to the loose soil on the top of the specimen, he made gentle swiping motions with his hand, just as his Mom had shown him, many times. Parker enjoyed the sensation of uncovering something that hadn't been seen for years, it was sort of like unpacking a box in Grandma's attic that had been forgotten, only without the old person smell.
Brennan watched Parker work steadily but surely, he was confident in his movements and seemed unperturbed by her presence. A lot of her interns made excuses about being nervous around her, she had never understood and was under the belief that, if they knew their work, they had no cause to worry. Parker was proof, if a twelve year old could work with confidence under her gaze then certainly those students in their twenties and thirties could.
"The left side of the skull is free to view, Dr. Brennan."
Brennan smiled getting up off her stool and walking over. She leaned toward the specimen and then stood back again.
"What can you tell me Mister Booth?"
Parker smiled.
"Not much except there is the possibility of cranial damage but that's speculation. The skull shows no obvious signs of damage and I should continue carefully."
Brennan nodded giving him a gentle and encouraging smile before turning to take her seat again.
Parker worked diligently for two hours and progressed along the top of the remains working his way to the fourth rib and exposing it. He stood up straight to stretch and Brennan thought that she would finish him off for the day.
"Mister Booth, please record your findings, clean the instruments and tools and report to my office. You may leave the remains where they are, switch off the light and lock the door."
Parker nodded and picked up the folder beside the instrument table.
"Yes Dr. Brennan."
Bones walked to the door and looked back at her youngest student.
"Parker?"
He looked up and removed his mask.
"Well done."
A smile broke across his face.
"Thanks Mom."
Brennan nodded and walked out, leaving him to carry out the last of his duties.
When Brennan entered her office she smiled, on her desk was a pot of yellow and white daffodils, she smiled and walked a little closer. Plucking the card from the center of the blooms she opened it and read silently.
My dearest Bones,
Like the daffodils before you, my love is perennial and will not fade with the seasons.
Booth xxx
Brennan smiled, wiping the tear from her cheek.
"Too cheesy?"
She spun hearing his voice and smiled, as he leaned in the doorway.
"No... It's lovely Booth."
Booth grinned, he loved that she accepted his soppy side along with his alpha male side, she never commented on the two colliding and seemed to be at ease with his doting ways. Brennan noticed their daughter was missing and frowned slightly.
"Where's Molly?"
Booth walked closer, bringing his hands up to settle on her hips.
"Angela had something to show her."
Brennan nodded and smiled happily making Booth grin at her.
"Hey, I know that smile, what's got you so proud?"
Brennan tilted her head.
"Your Son."
Booth raised his brows.
"Oh yeah?"
Bones nodded.
"Yep, he was exceptional Booth, confident and well versed, I didn't have to prompt him or reprimand him. He went in, knew what had to be done and carried out his task fluently, I enjoyed watching him very much."
Booth chuckled.
"I'm so glad you turned my kid into a squint Babe."
Brennan picked up on the jovial tone and smiled.
"Parker is a wonderful student Booth. He has greater potential now, than many of my current grad students, I think with the proper guidance he could be brilliant."
Booth nodded.
"Ah huh, brilliant... like you?'
Tilting her head Brennan smiled.
"Yes, he's a very bright young man Booth."
Booth was proud; proud of his son for being himself and proud of Bones for taking his son under her wing.
Parker strolled up to his Mom's office he could see his Dad was in there holding his Mom and he briefly wondered if she was ok, until he heard her laugh. Parker smiled as he watched his Dad hug her tightly and lift her up off the ground. She sounded a lot like Molly and he couldn't help but stand and watch them. His Dad looked so happy, the happiest he ever remembered seeing him and his Mom; well he'd never seen her smile as much as she did now.
Stepping a little closer he felt bad for interrupting, but Dr. Brennan had asked him to report to her, after cleaning his work room and he didn't want to fail her or cause her to think he couldn't follow simple instructions.
Knocking gently on the door frame he waited to be addressed before raising his eyes to his mentor.
"Hey Pal."
Parker looked up and smiled, giving his Dad a quick nod before turning to Brennan. Booth frowned at his son's behavior, not understanding the odd brush off until he heard the professional tone of his twelve year olds voice.
"Dr. Brennan, here's the report you asked for and the key to the Ookey room."
Brennan smiled and motioned him to a seat. Booth watched as his son waited to be invited to sit, before doing so; it was almost like watching Brennan interview her actual interns.
"Ok Mister Booth, everything seems to be order here, tell me, have you ascertained any cause of death yet?"
Parker shook his head.
"No Dr. Brennan, the skeleton hasn't got any damage to it, there is no trauma or signs of disease on the bones that have been uncovered, I think further uncovering is needed to find any injuries to the skeleton."
Brennan closed the folder. She typed for a moment on the computer before turning it off and smiling.
"Excellent first day Mister Booth, same time tomorrow?"
Parker stood up and grinned.
"Yes Dr. Brennan."
She walked around the table and pulled him into a warm hug.
"How'd I do Mom?"
Brennan giggled and kissed both his cheeks.
"You were outstanding."
Booth smiled as they both grinned at each other happily and then turned to him with the same proud smiles. Booth felt his pulse quicken at the sight of them, he had always admired their closeness, right from the beginning, his son had more than accepted Bones into his family ideal. In fact on more than one occasion, Parker had demanded she be allowed to attend social functions and dinners with them. When Parker was six he had decided that all he wanted from Santa was for Bones to be a part of their family, she had been dragged to Christmas Dinner, though Booth suspected that despite outward appearances, his partner was extremely touched to be included, especially when Parker had presented her with her own tree decoration, he'd made at school.
Brennan had always said she wasn't any good with kids, Booth knew differently. He understood that having to grow up the way she did, had hindered her ability to relate, she had been literally starved of human connection, unless it was for bullying either at school or home. However instead of pining for love and affection and simple contact she had found solace in books and intellect, these things came to comfort her in a world where she didn't seem to belong.
Booth was sure the way her fellow class mates shunned her, had hurt and he knew it was for that reason, she learned to pretend it didn't matter; she learned to place her feelings in a box and hide them, pretend her emotions bared no significance on her life, instead she covered herself in a thick layer of logic and reason and locked that scared and lonely young girl away, replacing her with an independent, strong and goal oriented woman; who accepted nothing short of perfection from herself, to prove she was a somebody and not the girl, her own parents forgot to come home too, not a girl who's brother forgot he had a sister, not a girl who no one wanted.
Booth wished he could wipe the pain from her past, he wished she never knew what feeling alone felt like but he also knew, that if he took take that hurt away, she would not be the same amazingly brilliant and accomplished woman she is today, she wouldn't be 'his' Bones, his love, his soul mate, she wouldn't be adopting a little girl, they wouldn't be living together and his son wouldn't be standing in her arms before him, looking as though he was having the best day of his life.
Booth pulled his cell out and snapped a picture of them; he smiled when two heads turned his way, both with matching raised brows and a questioning expression. He snapped another shot and laughed at their groans.
"Hey guys, you've got to see this."
Three heads turned to see Angela at the door. Wondering what had the artist smiling, they followed her out of the office and across the lab floor toward Hodgins' office. Angela turned and placed her finger to her lips in a shushing motion, she pushed the door gently and Molly and Hodgins's voices filled their ears.
***********************(song)
'Can you wiggle like a worm?
Can you squiggle? Can you squirm?
Can you flutter? Can you fly, like a gentle butterfly?
Can you crawl upon the ground?
Like a beetle that is round?
Can you move with me?'
Molly was jumping around doing the actions and singing to every second or so word of the song, while Hodgins sung and spurred her on by clapping for the three year old. The tune to the song was easily recognised as 'Do your ears hang low'. Stepping into the room, Brennan covered her mouth with her hands, she loved seeing her little girl acting so carefree and comfortable, Booth's cell was out again, snapping away quietly as they continued.
'Can you flip? Can you flop?
Can you give a little hop?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you give a little shake?
Can you dance like a bee?
Who is buzzing round a tree?
Can you move with me?'
Molly skipped forward to where Hodgins was sitting, she stood directly in front of him, a happy smile on her face as she huffed and puffed from the exercise.
"Did you have fun Mouse?"
Molly nodded and placed her hand on Hodgins knee without thinking. Hodgins reached up to press stop on the recorder, inadvertently scaring Molly. The little girl squealed and dropped to the floor under the table.
"I SORRY, I sorry!"
Brennan moved to rush forward but Booth stopped her, holding her against his chest.
"Just wait, let Hodgins gain her trust again."
Brennan swallowed visibly but nodded slowly. Hodgins pressed stop and dropped to his knees.
"No, Mouse, I... I wasn't gunna hurt you."
"I sorry Hodgie. I sorry..."
She repeated her words over and over. Hodgins sighed; it broke his heart to see her backed into the corner, her knees up to her chest and her hands covering her face.
"Mouse, come on please, please come out, you're not in trouble, I just wanted to turn the music off, so I could hear you speak, you're so quiet, I can't hear you."
Molly looked up, her furrowed brow looking up at him with sad and confused eyes.
"Like a mouse?"
Hodgins smiled.
"Yeah, quiet like a mouse, remember, that's why I call you Mouse."
Molly nodded and stared up at him.
"Mouse, I could never hurt you."
Molly slid forward on her bottom a little, watching Hodgins for any sign of anger.
"You know Molly, there's a reason I asked Angie to bring you in here."
Molly moved a little closer to him.
"Do you remember when we were out in the garden the other day?"
Molly nodded, listening intently but never relaxing her posture, in case the man before her snapped. The three year old knew it could happen, someone could be very happy one moment and then yelling at her and hurting her in the next; she would stay cautious.
"Well, when I came back inside, I started something for you, would you like to see?"
Molly's eyes searched the shelves quickly, from her place on the floor. She couldn't see anything and looked back to Hodgins.
"I promise you Mouse, I won't hurt you."
Molly came out the remainder of the distance. Hodgins stayed sitting on the floor as Molly stood up.
"It's over there."
He pointed to a shelf but didn't move, Molly walked over trying to see, she jumped a few times, before looking back to Hodgins.
"Hodgie?"
He looked up and smiled at the name.
"Would you like some help to see?"
Molly nodded.
"Yes please, I too little."
Hodgins stood up and walked slowly, keeping his hands by his side, he walked up next her.
"You'll grow Mouse, would you like me to lift you?"
Molly nodded.
"Alright, ready?"
He placed his hands at her hips and lifted her easily.
"Up we go."
Molly's hands reached out to grab the shelf.
"Do you like it?"
Molly's eyes grew wide as she stared into the tank, of mini trees. There were brightly colored beetles walking around, digging in the dirt and one was shaking his wings.
"What's their names?"
Hodgins smiled.
"I don't know Mouse, that's up to you, they're your pets, you get to choose their names."
Molly grinned.
"Me?"
Hodgins chuckled.
"Yep, you."
Booth groaned realizing his little girl could end up being a bug collecting kid; he looked to Angela and whispered.
"If she turns into Hodgins, you owe me your first born."
Brennan smiled as Angela wrapped her hands around her belly and smiled.
"Get your own hot stuff."
Booth blushed at the artist's comment and dropped his eyes quickly to avoid embarrassing his girlfriend; what he failed to see, was the shy but happy smile on said girlfriend's face.
Molly was soon chatting happily to Hodgins again, her scare forgotten as the bug and slime dude made imitation noises of beetle mating clicks and calls, Molly giggled as Hodgins pretended to rub his wings together in an attempt to call a mate.
Booth squinted at the man, unsure if he was actually seeing what he thought, he shook his head in disbelief, as Angela covered her face, a little embarrassed for her husband. Brennan and Parker smiled, both somewhat interested in learning something new but bewildered by the Doctors methods of connecting.
"Mom?"
Brennan looked down at Parker's whispered call.
"What are we going to do if Molly starts bringing bugs home?"
Brennan frowned, she had nothing against bugs, they were an important part of the eco system, but she didn't particularly want them in her home nor did she want her daughter invested in collecting specimens; dead or alive. Stepping forward Brennan spoke.
"Hey Baby, are you ready to go home?"
Molly looked up.
"Look Mommy, Hodgie said I could keep em."
Brennan gave Hodgins a tight smile.
"Did he now? Well, so as long as they stay here at the Lab, in this room, that's fine."
Hodgins nodded, catching the serious tone to his boss's voice.
"Oh yeah Dr. Bee, the tank can't be moved, they'll stay right here till they breed and then Molly can let them go outside."
Molly smiled, liking the idea of letting something free.
"Daddy, Parka come see."
Booth scrunched up his nose, he wasn't overly fond of insects and other creepy crawlies, he found most of them like to bite or sting. The Booth boys walked closer, Parker unfazed by the notion of the critters, having spent many afternoons in here playing with the beetles and racing different bugs.
"That's great Princess, are you hungry?"
Booth tried to sidetrack the little girl. Knowing that like his son and himself, she tended to always be at least a little hungry.
"We're gunna have spaghetti for dinner."
Molly's brows rose.
"I like p'sketti Daddy, dat's my favorite."
Booth grinned knowing all too well how much spaghetti was enjoyed by the three year old.
"Really, well, we better go, we have to cook it all up before we can eat it."
Molly held her arms out to her Dad and was pulled off the bench quickly and placed on the floor.
"Fank you for the bugs Hodgie, I'll take good care of em, I promise."
Hodgins smiled he was totally smitten with the little girl and couldn't wait to teach her about the food they eat and the different species.
"No problems Mouse, you can come visit them whenever you want ok?"
Molly smiled and nodded. Brennan walked over to her family; she slowed as she passed by Hodgins.
"You better make sure they do stay in here, I don't want to be the horrible one that squishes anything that could be a pet."
Hodgins smiled and saluted his boss playfully.
Booth held his hand out to his girlfriend unsure if she would take it or not but extremely happy when she did. Angela walked over to her husband and kissed his cheek, seeing the way he had been playing with Molly, had made her fall a little further in love with him.
Booth and Brennan followed Parker and Molly out of the entomologist's work room and made their way back to Bone's office, ready to grab all their belongings and head home for another evening.
Another one down, please review.
A/N- The song sung by Hodgins and Molly is called, 'Can you move with me'. I found it on a preschool songs website, I claim no rights to it, and make no money by using their words.
Once again sorry for the delay however it was totally not my fault, this puppy was ready over 20 hours ago, sorry for any editing mistakes, I just loaded and pretty much got it out, I was too scared FF would go down again. Thanks for your patience.
