Thanks to everyone reviewing and reading: RobinAngelena, LoveShipper, mphs95, jsboneslover, hushedgreylily (everyone's re-watching, that's good, I like then domestic and long-term too), 554Laura, topaz270, GalaxieGurl (you're most welcome), ZinaR, kareneb, mendenbar (agree), FaithinBones, regbride12 (yes theirs was a sometimes painful but beautiful journey).

Because I was in the mood for something sweet and fluffy. Who doesn't love the image of Booth with a baby? Set in between seasons 10 and 11.

Miracle

It was the first night after baby Hank Booth had been born. Cradling the tiny bundle in his arms, Booth rocked gently back and forth on the rocking chair in the newly painted baby's room. He glanced round at the fresh coat of paint on the room's walls. For a time, he had worried he wouldn't have been able to get the room ready in time. Brennan had kicked him out of the house and he wasn't sure when he would be able to come home. But even though separated, she had eventually allowed him to visit, and he took the opportunity to work on the baby's room. He had worked hard, getting the room ready and proving to her that he was worthy of being in her and his childrens' lives again. He had come home just in time for him to finish getting the room ready, in time to be there when his son was born.

His attention refocused on the infant in his arms. His calloused finger gently smoothing his son's cheek, looked gigantic against the newborn's tiny face. Less than twenty-four hours old, Hank Booth began to stir and stretch.

"Hey there little Tiger."

Hank scrunched up his face. Booth rocked him, wanting to sooth his son.

"Shhh… it's okay. You're okay. It wasn't easy for Mommy to bring you into this world and she's tired out, so let's give her some time to rest okay? I know it's kinda scary to be here. You're not in the warmth and safety of Mommy's belly anymore, but Daddy' here. I love you. I'm never gonna let anything bad happen to you."

Seemingly soothed by his father's voice, Hank settled, drifting back into sleep. Seeing that his talking worked, Booth continued to speak. He wanted to let Brennan sleep for as long as it was possible.

"You know, Hank? You're named after my Pops. Too bad you'll never get to meet him but you got some pretty big shoes to fill. Pops, he raised me and he made me the person I am today. I know you don't understand what I'm saying but one day you will. You're my little miracle Hank." Booth pressed a kiss to the baby's head.

"I love you so much. I love your big brother and sister too and I'd die for the three of you, but you… you're my miracle. Because there was a time not too long ago, I thought I blew it. I messed up, I gambled. I put everyone in danger. Your Mom threw me out and every day I was away, I was so scared I wouldn't get to be here when you came into this world. I thought Mommy would have to give birth to you without me, I hated the thought of not being there for her, for you. But your Mom… she forgave me. She's an amazing woman, your mother. Don't you ever forget that. When I first met her, never would I have thought I'd one day be her husband and father of her two children."

Little Hank opened his eyes as Booth blinked back tears.

"Hey there you are!" Booth smiled warmly down at his son. "Those are some beautiful eyes you got there. Just like Mommy's."

Hank stared at his father, as if understanding what he was saying.

"We're gonna have so much fun when you get older. I'm gonna teach you how to play football and hockey. You're gonna play for the Flyers aren't you? You're gonna be the big defenseman. And I'm gonna be at your every game."

Hank began to fuss. His face scrunched up and he let out a loud cry.

"Hey, hey it's okay. If you don't wanna play hockey. How about football huh?" Booth stood up pacing back and forth, rocking the infant in his arms, trying to pacify him. Hank continued to wail at the top of his lungs, refusing to be soothed.

"Don't think you need a diaper change yet. You must be hungry huh?" Booth sighed. "I'm sorry Tiger, can't help you there. Looks like we need to go wake Mommy."

Booth carried the crying infant into his bedroom. On the bed, Brennan woke. She pushed herself up to sit in bed.

"I'm sorry Bones. I think he's hungry."

She still looked tired as Booth handed their son to her. He reached to brush a strand of hair from her eyes.

"Nothing to apologize about. Unlike me, you don't have breasts. You lack the ability to feed him."

"Thanks for the reminder." Booth teased.

Booth rounded the bed, gently climbing in next to Brennan. The couple sat in silence, watching their son nurse at his mother's bosom for some time, both marvelling at the life they had created together.

"He looks like he's starving."

"He's apparently inherited your appetite."

"Yeah he's a growing boy."

"He's barely a day old Booth. Not yet a boy."

The couple shared a smile before Booth's gaze dropped to Hank again. "He's amazing."

"I know." Brennan smiled. "I never knew I could love another human being so much."

"Yeah."

"And yet it doesn't diminish my love for Christine at all."

"The mysteries of life Bones." Booth leaned over to gently brush a kiss to Brennan's cheek, careful not to disturb his son.

"Thanks."

"For?"

"For giving me the chance to be a Dad again. When you had Christine, I thought I was the luckiest man alive but now I think I'm doubly lucky. If there's such a thing. Thanks for taking me back, for giving me a chance, for having faith in me."

"You're welcome."

"And I won't ever let you or Hank or Christine down ever again."

"I believe you."

His hunger sated, little Hank drifted back to sleep.

"Here, let me take him back to his room. You need your rest."

"I'd like to hold him for now."

"Then I'll hold the both of you." Booth wrapped an arm round Brennan.

"Christine would be so happy to finally meet him." Brennan commented.

"Yeah, Max is coming home with her in the morning."

"She's going to be a great big sister."

"She already is."

Noticing Brennan yawn, Booth reached out for Hank. "He'll be hungry again soon. You really need to get some sleep."

"So do you."

"Yeah I'll put him in his cot, make sure the baby monitor's on, then I'll come right back."

Brennan pressed a kiss to her newborn son's head, then handed him back to Booth. She felt a sense of loss immediately as Booth left the room. He returned shortly after.

"He's sleeping like a baby."

"As he aptly should."

"We should try to get some sleep." Experience had taught them that sleep would be a rare commodity in the months to come. "But I kinda feel like I wanna watch him sleep."

"Me too Booth."

Booth chuckled. He held out his hand to her. She took it, allowing him to help her to her feet. Hand in hand they slowly walked across the hall to Hank's room. Booth wrapped an arm round her shoulder as the couple stood in silence by the baby's cot, watching their son in blissful sleep.