It was the morning of the adoption and Alex woke up early and the sun hadn't even risen. She yawned and looked over to the dress hung up on her closet door. On the outside she was smiling but on the inside she was feeling some sort of grief for the loss of the old life she used to know. She would never hear her biological mother's voice again, she would never hear her whisper "Las Mañanitas" to her at midnight on December 23. She would never smell the Carne Asada and burning coal coming from her grandfather's grill. She was grieving the loss of the good moments of her old life. Alex was smart but she was still a child. A child now emerging into a new world, a new life, a cultural divide. She whipped the one tear she allowed herself to cry. Took a deep breath and pulled out her book bag filled with memories and pictures. She took one picture out of the woman who gave her life, she kissed it, "I hope you're happy for me. Yo si. I won't forget you. I promise." her tiny voice was a whisper. Barely audible as if she was afraid the universe could hear her and put her on trial. She put the pictures back and walked over to her closet. She placed the bookbag in the far corner. She didn't think the bookbag should stay under her bed, she didn't want to "hide" anything. Alex decided to get in the shower and get dressed into her usual clothes. She tiptoed to the kitchen and made herself a bowl of cereal, she didn't want to wake up her mom. She sat in the kitchen and was startled when she saw Booth appear in the kitchen in his PJ's. "I didn't mean to scare you mini bones." Booth whispered. Alex smiled, "It's okay, I didn't even know you were here." she said and continued to eat her cereal. "Are you excited?" he asked her as he poured himself some coffee. Alex nodded very enthusiastically, "Yes, I got up really early. I couldn't sleep. It's like waiting to open presents." she said, "but this is much better. Much better than that." she said as she put her bowl into the sink.
Soon Brennan emerged in her robe, "Good morning," she said smiling. Booth smiled at the sight of his girlfriend and Alex smiled to, "Good morning mama," she then walked over to Brennan and gave her a hug. "Did you have a nightmare? You okay?" she asked her daughter who had gone back to her seat next to Booth. "No, I'm just excited. I'm perfectly fine." Alex said while unconsciously placing her head onto Booth's arm. Something her mother has done multiple times. Booth was surprised but didn't want to startle Alex. He just smiled and Brennan smiled as well. Brennan poured a cup of coffee for herself, "I am excited too. So excited. We all are." she said as she sat down next to Booth. Booth enjoyed that moment, he felt as if they were family. A small happy family. Alex was coloring next to him while Brennan was reading the paper in one hand while the other hand was rubbing Booth's shoulder. Alex looked up at the clock, "We have to start getting ready!" she yelled and hopped out of the chair and ran to her room. Only to come back and pick up her crayons and look at her mom and Booth just staring at her smiling. "C'mon now!" She said again. All Brennan and Booth heard was her door closing. Brennan took her hand and placed it on Booth's face, he turned towards her and kissed her. "You know, Alex didn't mind that I spent the night," Booth said slyly. Brennan laughed, "Oh, how I love that girl. But, we do have to get ready! Angela texted me telling me everything is ready to go." she said. The couple got up and also began getting ready for court.
Brennan and Alex were sitting across the judge while the rest of their family was sitting behind them. Everyone was there for the much awaited happy day. The judge continued with the proceeding, "So, everyone agrees that this adoption should go forward?" he asks the gallery full of scientists. "Yes!" the crowd answered. Alex giggled and placed her hands on her cheeks out of excitement. The judge then turned to Brennan, "Dr. Temperance Brennan, are you ready to make this life long commitment? To provide, to protect, to raise Alexandra as your own?" he asks seriously. Brennan spoke clearly, "Yes, I've already had," she spoke confidently and her answer had made Alex giggle. Judge smiles and turns to Alex, "Now, Alex, do you consent to this adoption?" he smiled. Alex smiled, "Yes! Yes, I do! She's already my mom." she squirmed in her chair and put her arm around her mothers. "Then I don't see why not!" The judge clapped his hands and began to sign the adoption papers. Booth began to clap and so did the rest. The judge then handed the papers for Brennan and Alex to sign. Brennan looked at Alex and kissed her forehead and signed the papers. "It's your turn my love," she said as she slid the papers to Alex. Alex held the pen in her hand tight and stuck out her tongue just a little when she signed. Temperance and the judge chuckled and once Alex was done she felt the need to let everyone know. "I'm done!" she said smiling. "Well, I'm happy to introduce Dr. Temperance Brennan and Alexandra Brennan to the District of Columbia, Congratulations!" the judge said. Alex immediately jumped into Brennan's arms and began to sob. She was happy. "Oh, honey. I know. I love you." Brennan whispered into her ear.
Booth walked up to them and placed his arms around the mother and daughter. Brennan looked up at Booth and kissed him. In front of their entire friends revealing their relationship. Angela gasped, "Oh, I knew it! You all owe me, I win!" she said. Brennan and Booth begin to laugh because they realized that their friends had run a pool about them. Booth placed his hands together, "C'mon guys, we got somewhere to be!" he said. The Jeffersonian gang wooed and yay'd their way out of the courtroom. Alex tugged on her mothers dress, "Where do we have to be, Mom?" she asked, confused. Brennan gave her a bright smile, "You'll see!" and she took her daughter's hand and Booth's as well. They arrived at Alex's favorite park where there were tables covered in pink table cloths, white balloons tied with golden strings, bowls filled with candy, and a big cake in the middle. Alex gasped as she saw all the decorations and her mothers friends. "It's a party. Who's the party for?" she asked. Brennan kneeled down and tucked Alex's hair behind her ear, "It's for you, for us. We're all celebrating that you 'officially' became my daughter." She stood back up. Alex was in awe. Angela walked up to her niece, "We're so happy that you're a part of us. From now on, everyone here will always be here for you. We're your family. You can call me Aunt Ange if you want." Alex smiled and Angela gave her a kiss on the head. Hodgins stepped forward, " And I'm your Uncle Hodgins. My lab, my home, my microscopes, are all open to you." he said. At the sound of the microscopes Alex placed her hand on her mouth to cover her excitement. Cam spoke next, "We're all your family. We already love you so much." Alex smiled and put her head down for a second. She couldn't believe that her mothers coworkers, her friends, were telling her that they loved her. Booth took Alex's hand, "You want some cake, my girl?" he asked and Alex smiled and nodded, "Yes, please!" she then turned to Brennan, "Come on mommy." Brennan smiled, "I'm right behind you baby."
[ let me know if you guys wish to see this story continue, not sure if i should leave it like this. Also, thank you for reading and sticking along. The traffic stats on this story make me so happy I could cry. Thank you for being here.]