Chapter 1.
'Bones, are you sure you we don't need to call your midwife?' asked Booth for the third time today.
It's been two weeks since they retired from their jobs and it felt really, really good. He hasn't realized how exhausted he was, Bones was right, they needed a fresh start, they needed to take a step back and for once just enjoy life. Honestly, they deserved it, they did more than most people in their lives and they earned this break. At some point Booth will definitely get back to work, he was already thinking that it would be nice to train agents, after all he had a lot of experience and he knew he was one of the best. Bones wanted to focus on her writing for now, but knowing her, sooner or later she will want to get back to work, she was talking about becoming a full-time lecturer, which was perfect for someone like her.
But that was all planning for the future, right now they needed to focus on their family and a new baby. Booth knew that from now on he will spend the rest of his life making up for his relapse. He hated this weakness he had, it almost cost him everything. When he truly faced what he had done, he was horrified and disgusted with himself. He put his wife, his daughter and his unborn child in danger, with his own hands! He, who was a natural protector, traded the safety of his loved ones for a meaningless and empty pleasure of winning and then losing, again and again, to the point he owed the money he didn't have. Bones paid his debt without any question, but she kicked him out and she was right to. He should have listened to her and Aubrey, they all warned him, but he didn't. He knew Bones very well, he knew she wouldn't forgive him if he ever screws up again, as much as he knew it would pain her, she was also the strongest person he ever met. Nothing will stop her, not their love, not all the deep roots they shared, not even their children, if he messes up like this again, she will never take him back and Booth couldn't let it happen. He will fight this weakness he had to the death, if necessary.
They were now sitting on the couch; Booth was massaging Bones' swollen feet. Her second pregnancy was tougher than the first one, both emotionally and physically. With Christine he never, not once, left Bones' side, but this time round she had to spend the last, most exhausting month, on her own. One other thing he would never be able to make up for. She was now clutching her swollen belly. She insisted on home birth this time around, as much as he wanted for her to be at the hospital, he wasn't going to fight her on this. In the end Christine was born in the barn because they couldn't agree on the subject. The midwife was a twenty minutes drive away from them and Bones was about to pop any minute now.
'I told you, Booth, it's just Brexton-Higgs, I have one more week at the very least,' Bones looked away from the book she was reading.
'Yeah, that what you said the last time and bam! An hour later your water broke,' as much as he loved Christine, he surely hoped that he wouldn't be forced to deliver this child too.
'Maybe you are right, I will call Susan now,' she was clearly thinking the same thing.
Two hours later, Bones' water broke and Booth rushed to drop off Christine at Max's place while his wife went into labor. Susan, the midwife, was already massaging Bones' back when he got back, he didn't want to deliver the baby, but no way in hell he is going to miss it. And besides Bones needed him, he hated to see her in so much pain and not being able to do anything, the least he could do is be there for her and sacrifice his hand like the last time.
'You are doing great, Bones, just like the last time,' he was now holding her from behind while Bones was doing her best to push the baby out.
'I can already see the head, Dr Brennan, just a couple of more pushes and your baby will be here,' said Susan encouragingly.
'I need some water,' asked Bones, she was so exhausted, the labor was going well and it went much faster than with Christine, but it was still a lot.
'First, we will get the baby, then I am sure your husband will bring you anything you want. One more push, Dr Brennan!'
A few minutes later the house was filled with a newborn's cry. Bones moaned with a relief while clutching Booth's hands. He was whispering sweet things to her, telling how great she was, how much he loved her, how grateful he was to her. Booth was so concentrated on Bones that he forgot to ask what sex does the baby have, this time round they wanted it to be a surprise.
'Here you go, you have a healthy baby boy,' Susan already washed and wrapped the baby and handed it to Bones.
'Hi,' she smiled holding their newborn son. 'Welcome to our family. Thank you for finally getting out of me,' she laughed watery and looked at Booth. 'This is your daddy.'
Booth kissed the baby's head, his grandfather passed away a few months back and they agreed that if they will have a boy, they will name him after Pops.
'Hi, Hank, come to daddy,' he took the baby in his hands, so Bones could get cleaned up and relax just a bit. He was going to be on the baby duty for now, no way he would let Bones do anything until she feels better. Max promised to take care of Christine for a few days until they adjust. He looked at Bones and a new child they created, his heart was full of warmth and love and he never wanted it to stop.