Dr. Temperance Brennan was known worldwide for her many historical contributions to society, her involvement with the FBI, and her books. What the world did not know about her concerned her first child, with Dr. Michael Stiers. Her Northwestern professor whom she had an affair with. She was 20 years old when she found out she was pregnant and definitely did not want to become a mother. She disclosed her 'condition' to Stiers and he was….thrilled. He never thought he'd become a father but when Brennan informed him she would be terminating the pregnancy he was devastated. He managed to convince her to keep the fetus and go through with the pregnancy. He wanted to keep the child and in exchange for developing the fetus and giving birth he would financially support her as she continued her education/career until the baby was 3 years old. Brennan found those terms to be satisfactory and continued with the pregnancy. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl, held her for about 5 minutes, and handed her over to Michael. Michael had named her Erin Grace Stiers.
Brennan was known to compartmentalize every aspect of her life and she did just that when she left the hospital without her child.
As the years went by Brennan had established herself at the Jeffersonian Institute and Michael was raising his daughter and occasionally sent Brennan pictures of her with the occasional update. She never replied. She found it too difficult because her child had her striking blue eyes and wavy brown hair. She's better off without me, she would say to herself. Her partnership with Booth eased the pain and the memory of her. Every year on her birthday she would buy a cupcake and light a candle for her. Not only honoring her accomplishment of giving birth but Erin as well. On Erin's 12 birthday the picture that Michael had sent her brought her to tears. She had a young daughter, a gorgeous daughter, with her unique features, and according to her father, her IQ as well. She was happy for the father and daughter and their child seemed so happy. 3 years pass by with Dr. Temperance Brennan following the same routine she has for years.
At 5:00AM in DC, Brennan was awoken by her cell phone. She assumed it was her partner calling to inform her about a case, "Brennan," she said. She expected to hear Booth's voice but was surprised to hear another males voice on the line, "Dr. Temperance Brennan, I'm sorry to disturb you at such an early hour. However, I'm Dr. Michael Stiers attorney…" as Brennan heard her former lover's name she immediately jumped out of bed, "What happened?" she asked as she began to get dressed, "I'm sorry to inform you Dr. Brennan but Dr. Stiers was killed this morning in a car accident on Lake Shore Drive."
Killed. Michael's dead. ERIN.
Her mind began to race. "Was Erin with him? Is she okay?!" she yelled. Michael's attorney sighed in relief, "Erin was not with him. She is physically okay. Dr. Brennan, Michael had placed you as a guardian for your daughter in case he died. I'm assuming you understand where I'm headed with this." he said. Brennan was fully clothed, she sat on her bed, astonished. "Y-es, Yes. I do know. I'll be on a flight to Chicago very shortly. Does Erin know about this? About..me?" she struggled to ask. Brennan expected to hear No, she doesn't know who you are but heard the exact opposite. "Yes, she knows of the arrangements her father made and yes, she knows who you are." The attorney responded. Brennan made an audible "Oh." And continued to speak, "I will be there soon. Thank you." and hung up the phone. In a matter of hours Brennan would be meeting her 15 year old daughter.
She left Cam a voicemail, letting her know of Michael's passing and that she would be taking off work for his funeral services. However, she did not inform her of her child. At least, not yet. She called Booth and to her surprise his phone was dead. She had no other choice to let him know about the passing and her taking off work in a voicemail. She knew that would make her partner upset, but she was more concerned about the fact that he and everyone else she knew would find out about the child she had kept secret for years. In her message she placed a special emphasis on letting Angela know right away because she had to catch the first flight out to Chicago.
Dr. Temperance Brennan had imagined meeting her child before, but when her daughter was an adult and Michael would definitely be alive. She only allowed herself to shed several tears for the man she once loved a long time ago, for the father of her only child. She wiped those tears away as she took her seat on the flight. She took out her laptop and began to write an email with her own attorney. She needed to make sure her daughter, Erin Grace, would be involved in her Will and Estate. She wanted to make sure she was protected if anything happened to her. As she sent her email, she felt the maternal instinct she had always hidden. She felt that instinct arise when she was with Parker and even Michelle. But, knew well to hide it to prevent any suspicions or comments from her colleagues. She didn't want to hear, "You'll be a great mom, one day!" because she knew deep down that she had already abandoned her first child. Abandoned. Just like she was. She didn't forgive herself, in that regard, but she knew she didn't know how to be a mother. Brennan knew how to identify ancient remains, knew the traditions of a tribe down in the Congo, but she didn't know how to love a child. She didn't even love herself as a child.