The trio sat down at the table in the diner and Erin finally was able to see why her mom and her friends frequented the establishment. It was cute and family friendly. They ordered fries and Erin happily dipped her fries, "You need to try the burgers. They're fantastic!" Booth said with a mouthful. Erin smiled at her mother, "I'm sure they are, but I won't be trying it. I am a vegetarian, I have been since I was 5." Erin said awaiting Booth's reaction. Booth swung his head around to his partner sitting next to him. "Are you sure you didn't raise her, Bones?" he asked with amazement. Brennan frowned because obviously she knew she didn't raise Erin. She couldn't and Booth noticed the change of expression in his partner's face. Booth placed his hand on top of Brennan's, "Oh, I'm sorry Bones. I'm sorry too Erin. I didnt think-" he began to say, Erin swooped in to try and save Booth, "It's okay, Booth. While my mother and I are aware of the situation, it can be sad sometimes recalling the past. But, the past is the past. She didn't get to raise me but it truly feels like she did." she said smiling and giving her mother a loving look. This seemed to remedy the tense situation because Brennan smiled, "It's okay Booth. Erin is correct. The past is the past. It is remarkable how similar we both are." she said smiling. Booth took his hand off of Brennan's and they soon ordered their food.
Booth dropped off the pair at the parking structure and waved goodbye to his favorite people. Bone's looked at her daughter and then at her keys, "Would you like to drive, Erin?" and Erin's smile grew wide, "Really? You're trusting me just like that?" she asked her mom. Brennan chuckled, "Of course, I trust you. You've made it clear that you trust me and my colleagues. And..if you can drive in Chicago, you can drive in DC. I can tell you the way." she responded and handed Erin her keys. Erin wanted to cry. She felt the trust and the acceptance from her mom. She felt the love she always wanted to feel from her mom. To be able to feel it after 15 years was overwhelming. Erin took the keys and hugged her mom tight. "You're the best. It's hard to not trust you or your friends. I'd love to drive." she said in her mother's chest. Brennan chuckled and kissed her daughter's head. "Let's go then, sweetheart." she said letting Erin go. Erin quickly got in the driver's seat, adjusted the seat, put on her seatbelt, and checked her mirrors. "Very good, Erin." Brennan told her daughter. Erin smiled and began to reverse out of the parking spot, checking her surroundings, even though the parking garage was nearly empty. Brennan smiled at her daughter's cautiousness. Erin made her way through DC with ease and remembered her way home. "You have a very good memory, Erin. I didn't have to inform you of any directions." Brennan said. Erin looked at her mother as she parked the car at the apartment building. She smiled, "Yes, I do. How did I do?" she asked her mother, expecting pure honesty. Brennan smiled as she began to get out of the car and Erin followed suit. "You did perfect, Erin. You will do just fine acing your drivers exam." she said as Erin gave her mother back the keys. Erin threw her hands in the air, "Yes! I can't wait for my Jeep to come in!" Erin exclaimed. Brennan smiled at her daughter's excitement. The young child liked the excitement she missed out on. They both made their way to the apartment, "Yes, it will be here in about a week or two." Brennan stated. Erin smiled and she took out her cellphone as it was ringing. "Is it okay, if I answer?" she asked her mom and Brennan smiled. Brennan chuckled, "You do not have to ask for permission. Go ahead! We're home anyways." Brennan said as she opened the door. Erin answered her phone, "What's up, Ellie!!" she replied back with excitement. Missing me too much?" she asked her friend. Brennan assumed it was one of her friends from back home. Brennan walked over to her mail pile and laptop in the living room as she heard her daughter having an animated conversation in her bedroom. "He did not like me like that Ellie! Besides, I'm in DC. I have no interest in having a long distance relationship or any relationship for that matter….Have you walked by the old apartment recently?" Erin asked her friend. Brennan couldn't help but to eavesdrop. Erin did have her door opened.
"How many trucks did you see? Two?! A well that makes sense. One was for donations and the rest will go into storage. You saw my Jeep on a flatbed?! Was Tony there?" Erin asked concerned about her precious vehicle. Brennan laughed a little too loudly as they were just discussing Erin's car. Erin heard her mothers laugh and walked towards the living room and playfully threw a pillow at her mom. Brennan caught it and smiled. "My mom is laughing because we were literally just talking about my Jeep. How long ago did you see it? 4 days ago, merch. Listen, Ellie i'll call you later, bye!" Erin said. Brennan raised her eyebrow, "Merch?" she asked. Erin laughed because 'merch' was Chicago slang and clearly her mother never heard the word before. Erin sat down and hugged a pillow, "Merch, is Chicago slang mom. It means to be able to provide factual evidence to your recent statement." she said. Brennan was clearly intrigued, "That's very interesting. I've always found Chicago to be a very unique place." she said. Erin smiled. Brennan chuckled, "Tomorrow, would you like to go swimming? Booth likes to bring Parker, his son, to swim. Would you like to join them?" she asked. Erin smiled, "Booth has a son? That's so cute. How old is he? I'd love to go!" and asked her mother. Brennan nodded, "Yes, he's 5 years old. Very cute. He reminds me of you at that age." she said as she continued perusing through her files on her laptop. Erin turned her head slightly to the side, "You've seen me when I was 5? When?" Erin asked. Brennan stopped looking at her laptop screen, "Yes, your father would send me a picture every year. I've kept and printed all of them. I have a few in my wallet." Brennan said as she pulled her wallet out of her purse and handed it to her daughter. Erin opened the wallet and looked at her childhood pictures. She chuckled, "You know, my dad would cut my bangs. That's why they look like that." Erin said as she handed the wallet back. Brennan smiled, "Of course he did." as she placed her wallet back.