The next morning Joy woke up in her mother's bed

She frowned, a little confused, but sank into the warm covers.

She was alone in bed and heard noises coming from the kitchen.

Three distinct voices.

One of your mother ..

She sighed and got up from the bed and went to the kitchen.

—Tempe stay calm.

—It's Bones, I asked Stark to assign someone to keep an eye on the They.

They? who were "they"?

Joy walked a little further and entered the kitchen.

"I'm a little scared.

"Why, Mom?"

The three adults turned to her, who was standing at the kitchen door in her pink unicorn pajamas.

-Hey princess .. (Booth said and went to her holding her) Did you sleep well?

—Yes, because Grandpa Max taught me a technique against nightmares. (She said and winked at the man)

-Good morning cute, then no more nightmares? (Max asked)

—No one,Thanks Gramps,again.(Joy stated as she was seated next to Max and Temperance)Look Daddy, Grandpa Max gave me a really cool gift.

—Wow.(Booth said after looking at the necklace on her neck) It's a really cool gift.

—I know! (Joy said) What's going on? You don't come Sunday morning, you go to Mass. (She looked at her mother) Is something going on?

—No baby,Only some difficult things are happening (Temperance said and kissed her head)

—What difficult things? I want to know!

The three faced each other, each trying to find a good excuse.

They couldn't tell Joy that someone was chasing her.

—Has your mother ever told you about the The Gravedigger?" (Booth asked as he stood in front of her)

—Taffet. (The girl said the name with disgust) She buried Mom and Uncle Hodgi alive, I know. (Joy said and took Temperance's hand) What is it?Isn't she in prison forever?

—She's appealing the sentence. (Booth said and looked at Temperance who shuddered) Do you know what that means?

—No, but it doesn't look good .. (Joy murmured and jumped onto her mother's lap)

"—You mean she wants the judge to say that her sentence should be reduced or changed.(Max explained)

—She wants to be released, is that? (Joy said and the men nodded)

—You understand why we are all a little nervous (Temperance said while stroking the girl's hair)

Joy nodded and sat facing Temperance, placed both small hands on the woman's face, stroking and said:

—Mom need not be afraid of this woman, she will never hurt you again, I promise.

Temperance gave a small smile, but it was enough for Joy to hug her.

—I know baby, thank you.(Temperance said as he hugged his daughter.)

—I love you so much. You are the best mommy!(Joy said and kissed her cheek.)Now can we have coffee?

—of course baby.(Booth said and filled a bowl of cereal)

—And then I'll meet my grandpa Max! (Joy said excitedly and looked at Max) Right Gramps?

—Sure cute.(Max said and winked at her) I'll teach you some valuable lessons.

—re you going to teach me science things?Mom said you know how to do scientific things! (Joy said excitedly)

—Also, let's do a little bit of everything.

—Cool!(Joy shouted loudly)

—But first breakfast, After fun. (Booth said the girl as she placed the bowl in front of her) capisce?

—Capisce. (She nodded and started eating.)

Temperance looked at Booth, she looked even more concerned than before.

He stood beside her, hugged and kissed her forehead.

Max looked at the two while eating his cereal, they should be together.

They really made a beautiful pair.

•••••

•••••

After breakfast, Joy and Max stayed in the living room playing, while Temperance and Booth stayed in the bedroom discussing what they would do.

—I had completely forgotten about Taffet. (Temperance said and sighed as she dropped the phone on the bed) Will she get an appeal? (She said anxiously)

—I doubt it, Bones, no judge will even loosen her sentence. She is a monster!(Booth said and approached her, who was sitting on the bed)

—Why is this happening now? (She murmured) I was so happy, I was working, I have a daughter who loves me and that I love very much and was starting to adapt to lost you .. (She said then lowered her head) I can do it,I can't !!

—Bones, you are the strongest woman in the world!(Booth told her, sat down next to her and hugged her) everything will be fine, let's get out of this.

—The center must hold, right? (He said with his eyes with unshed tears)

—The center must hold.(He confirmed and patted her arm) and will hold, we will.

••••

••••

Lindsay chewed the gum while waiting for the man Tony had indicated.

They had talked on the phone and now they were going to meet.

—Well, you said you already bring a photo of the target. (The man said as soon as he arrived)

—So I like it, straight to the point." (She said and handed over the photos)

She had taken some pictures of Temperance and Joy at the museum and at the Royal Dinner.

—I'm not going to do that (the man murmured) Don't you know whose woman this is?

—The famous writer, Temperance Brennan, I'm not stupid. (The woman said and took the pictures.)

—No..She is the daughter of a very famous criminal, they call him Columbus .. (He put his hands in his pockets) I'm sorry, but I don't do anything against that man, I love my life.

—Right scared! (She said irritated) I can't believe you're scared of an old man.

—The guy killed the FBI vice president alone, he would kill me without hesitation. (He said) I doubt he finds anyone crazy enough to kidnap his granddaughter."

—You don't know anyone?

—Actually, I do. But he's crazy.

—I don't care, I just want the girl and someone to help me.

—Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you.

••••

Joy was delighted with Max.

She seemed to be in heaven beside him.

She loved Grandpa Max.

—Grandpa Max? (She called as she stopped painting her sheet)

—Yes, cute, what's up? (Max asked as he dropped his own pencil)

—Mom is scared of this Taffet, I don't like it when she's scared.

—That woman did something horrible to her mother (Max said and approached her) But she will never hurt anyone again, I'm sure.

—Do you promise? Promise that no one else will hurt us.

Max turned to Joy and took her hands.

—I promise. I promise for your grandmother's soul, Christine. (He said and shook her hand slightly) No one is going to hurt you or you mom.

—Grandpa Max I know is early, but I love you.(She said and threw herself into Max's arms and hugged him)

—It is never too early to love and I love you too, Joy.

— trust you, I know that just like Daddy you will protect us. (She said and looked at Max, while keeping her hands on his shoulders)

—Always and always, and even with my life if need be.

Joy nodded and hugged him tightly.

She knew that there were several people who loved them around her.

And that with them she was protected.