BOOTH

EPILOGUE

Father's Day 2011

It's taken some creativity to make it happen, but Bones and I have pulled it off. Sitting here in Founding Fathers with Parker on my left and Bones on my right, I look at everyone we've gathered here.

After we'd picked up Pops at the home yesterday, Parker had volunteered to bunk with me last night so Pops could have his room to himself. Bones had been on her own, something I hope will change after today. Max had been easy enough: Bones had swung by his place on the way here and picked him – and his wheelchair – up.

With some careful planning, Max, Pops, Parker, Bones and me had arrived a half hour before everyone else, so they would be first to know. Max had been smug at the announcement Bones and I were now a couple, then completely bowled over when Bones had announced we were going to be having a baby. Pops had been happy for both of us, leaning over at one point to tell me in an undertone I'd finally gotten it 'right.' Parker, as I'd predicted, had been thrilled at the idea of being a big brother and Bones and me had included him in the next part of the luncheon.

We'd gotten our friends here under the guise of celebrating Hodgins' first Father's Day, something Bones had cleared with Angela before we put it into action. They'd trickled in a little at a time. Angela and Hodgins had arrived first, with their newborn son, Michael Vincent. Seeing the look of fascination on Bones' face as she held the baby had my stomach doing flip-flops. She is going to be a great mother. Cam and Caroline had walked through the door next, then finally Sweets and Daisy. Once everyone was seated, their drinks served and orders placed, I reached under the table and gave Bones' hand a squeeze, then we stood.

I wait until everyone's attention is focused on us.

"Bones and I want to thank all of you for coming out today to celebrate Hodgins' first Father's Day—"

"Allegedly to celebrate Hodgins' first Father's Day, Booth means," Bones chips in. "We lied and, I have to say, I did a very good job convincing all of you it was the truth." I duck my head down and speak low near her ear.

"Lying's not exactly something you want to brag about being good at, Bones."

"You and Sweet said white lies are fine. In fact, Sweets said…"

"…the small fictions that we call white lies play a crucial role in interactions."

"…and you said, those white lies are 'the glue that holds us together.'"

"Yes, but you don't just blurt out—" I stop when I see all eyes are on us. "I'll explain later, okay. For now, let's just focus on what we're here to do."

"Fine, although I don't know why telling everyone we're a couple now would require us to focus—" I roll my eyes heavenward and she looks confused when conversation erupts around the table.

"I'm sorry, did I hear that right?" Cam asks Angela.

"Yeah, you did," Angela confirms.

"You knew?" She doesn't even bother to wait for Angela's reply, instead looking at Hodgins. "Did you?"

"Well, in all fairness, only because I walked in on—" He stops cold when he sees the warning on my face, then stumbles through an excuse, "Uh, I think Michael Vincent needs to be changed. We'll be right back."

"Walked in on what exactly?" Cam asks, turning to Angela.

"Talking, just talking," Angela fibs. Cam's not buying it.

"Like you and Hodgins used to 'just talk' in the Egyptian Room?"

On the opposite side of the table, Daisy squeals while Sweets stares at us, dumbfounded.

"What?" he draws the word out. "Why am I always the last to know?"

"I didn't know until just a few minutes ago," Pops volunteers.

"Well, I didn't know or Cam," Daisy points out, "So you're not the last." She squeals again and claps her hands, while bouncing in her seat. "We should double date!"

I wince at just the thought.

Then, there's Caroline, who keeps it honest and direct as always.

"And it's about damn time you said something, too! Making me walk around with this big secret, all worried I might slip and—"

"You knew, too?" Sweets interrupts to ask.

I pick up my champagne glass and tap it with my spoon to regain everyone's attention.

"Caroline," I clarify, "Twisted the arms of the muckety-mucks at the FBI to get Bones and me an exception to the Agent-Consultant rule. Bones and I have agreed to keep our private relationship under the radar," I smile at Bones, "Although that may not be so easy to do soon."

"Now?" Parker asks me from where he is squirming in his seat. I slide an arm around Bones' waist and look to her for the go-ahead.

"Parker has something he would like to say," she announces. As Parker stands, I steel myself for what's about to happen.

"My Dad and Bones are having a baby!"

And the table erupts. Daisy squeals. Sweets sits wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Angela leaps to her feet and goes straight to Bones, grabbing her in a hug.

"Oh, Sweetie, I'm so happy for you!"

Hodgins wanders back into the scene with Michael Vincent and looks around, confused.

"Did I miss something?" he wonders aloud.

"Dr. Brennan and Booth are going to have a baby." Cam provides, sounding as stunned as Sweets looks.

"There's going to be a little Booth running around? That's awesome!" Bug Boy replies, while walking in my direction. He stops in front of me, offering a hand. "Congratulations!"

"How great is it that our kids will grow up together?" Angela asks Bones, swiping at the tears running over her cheeks. "Don't mind me, it's the hormones" She pulls Bones into another hug. "I'm just so happy!"

"A big brother, huh?" Hodgins says, turning his attention to Parker. "I always wanted a little brother or sister, but it wasn't in the cards. I bet you're excited."

"I can't wait! My Dad says—" I don't get a chance to hear what I said, because Caroline steps in front of me and starts lecturing.

"Seeley Booth, what did you and that doctor of yours not understand about 'keep a low profile?' Now, how are you going to do that when she's all big and pregnant?" Her face falls and her eyes grow wet. "No one deserves to be happy more than you, cher."

"Thanks, cheri," I smile. She turns towards the table where Max is seated.

"They're not going to have time to run around and save your hide once this baby comes, so you better behave," she scolds. Max's eyes widen and he feigns innocence.

"You and Booth, no trust! I'm a reformed man," he protests. I silently laugh. I doubt Max will ever be completely reformed.

My eyes are drawn to Bones. Surrounded by Angela, Cam, Sweets and Daisy, she is listening more than she is speaking, but she glows with happiness. At the table, Pops, Max and Caroline are chatting on one end and at the other end, Hodgins is showing Parker how to hold an infant. My gaze returns to the group with Bones and I catch Sweets eyes with my own and with a tilt of my head, invite him to a quieter part of the room so we can speak.

"Congratulations, Booth," he says, holding a hand out to me. "I like to think I know you and Dr. Brennan well, but I have to admit, I had no clue."

"Yeah, well, we wouldn't have said anything for a while still, if she wasn't pregnant. We were enjoying our time alone without any well-meaning questions or advice," I share, looking at him pointedly. He holds up both hands in self-defense.

"No questions or advice here," he vows.

"Maybe not right now, but we both know you can't help yourself, just like you couldn't resist using your shrinky powers on me with Hannah." He looks at me nervously.

"You know about that?"

"About how you manipulated me into proposing? It took me a little while and the help of Gordon-Gordon to see it, but yeah, I know." Now, he's positively wary. Good. Let him squirm.

"Gordon-Gordon's a good man. He advocates peaceful resolution of conflicts, you know." I take a step towards him and he backs up two.

"Relax. I'm not going to beat you up, Sweets." I turn to stand beside him and look at Bones across the room. Seeing me watching her, she gives me a dazzling smile reminding me of all I could have lost. Facing him again, I offer my hand. "Thank you," I tell him, sincerely, as I shake his hand and clap him on the upper arm. He gives me a single nod. "Now, that doesn't mean I'm giving you permission to stick your nose into mine and Bones' business. Pull something like that with us, if I don't beat you up, she will." He laughs and nods his head again.

"Understood."

"Now, let's go corral these people and eat. I'm starving…"

I drop my keys in the bowl on the entryway table that Bones had put there a couple of weeks ago for my convenience. I'd dropped Parker off at Rebecca's then had taken Pops back to the home before stopping by my place where I'd packed a suitcase and garment bag. On the way to Bones' apartment, I'd called to let her know I was on the way. When I arrive, she's in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. She eyes the suitcase and garment bag that has come with me.

"I think it's about time we start leaving clothes at each other's place, don't you think?" I'd prepared multiple reasons for doing this anticipating an argument. She tilts her head and considers the suggestion.

"It's logical," she shrugs. I round the island, slip an arm around her waist and lean in to kiss her. She smiles at me and steps out of my embrace.

"What are we having?"

"Roasted vegetables and feta over pasta. Why don't you unpack while I finish up here? You should have time." The way she shifts on her feet and her eyes flirt downwards tells me she's nervous about something. My eyes narrow slightly.

"You okay, Bones?" Her eyes slant upwards to look at me.

"I'm a little tired," she admits. I step close again.

"Sounds like an early night is in the cards." I brush my lips against her neck, enjoying the way she leans into the gesture.

Grinning, I grab my bags and head to the bedroom. Dropping my suitcase inside the door, I walk directly to the closet. Flicking the light on, I unzip the garment bag and hang my suits in the space Bones had cleared for me to use during the time we stayed here. The difference was, these clothes wouldn't be going home with me on Wednesday and that made me feel good. Real good. I fold the garment bag and stash it on the shelf then leave the closet. Crossing the room, I turn on the lamp that sits next to what has become 'my' side of the bed.

It's then that I see it. I glance towards the bedroom door then back to the bed. The red ribbon and bow makes it clear it's a gift and since I'm the only one other than Bones here, I figure it has to be for me. Moving to the end of the bed, I lean over and look at it.

Smiling, I sit down and pick it up, already knowing what it is: Bones' latest book. I pull off the bow and ribbon. Tossing them aside, I'm willing to lay odds she's dedicated the book to me. Why else she would give it to me this way? Unless… Do Reichs and Agent Andy finally do the deed? Either way, I'm feeling pretty good about what I'll find.

I turn a couple of pages until I reach the dedication.

For Booth, the man I love… I think I knew, too.

I read what she's written once…

Twice…

Three times…

I find it hard to swallow around the lump in my throat. I don't need an explanation for what she means by 'I think I knew, too.' With my heart hammering against my ribs, I tentatively turn the page and read the first lines written.

People say you only live once, but people as wrong about that as they are about everything. In the darkest moments before dawn, a woman returns to her bed. What life is she leading? Is it the same life the woman was living half an hour ago? A day ago? A year ago?

Who is this man? Do they lead separate lives or is it a single life shared?

I run my tongue over my dry lips. No one has ever done something like this for me. No one has ever given me a gift like the one I'm holding and what it represents.

I sense Bones more than I see or hear her.

"Is this…?" I ask, still staring at the manuscript on my lap.

"The story I wrote while you were in the coma? Yes," she confirms. I swing my head in her direction and look at her.

"You said you deleted it."

"I did…but, as Angela says, that doesn't mean it's gone forever. I added the dedication while I was in Maluku." I turn back a page, running my thumb over the words of the dedication as I reread it. It takes me a couple of seconds but I'm stunned a second time when what she said sinks in.

"While you were in Maluku?" I don't even remember to muck up the name. Her eyes grow wide and she shifts from foot-to-foot. "What is it, Bones?" She stares at me for a few more seconds, then finally speaks.

"I'd planned to give it to you the night we came home." For a moment the familiar slash of regret and guilt for what she'd gone through return, but I quickly shake it off. We've moved far past those days and all I want now is to focus on how happy we are… together… now. I sit the manuscript aside and stand, strolling towards her with a smile on my face.

"You had?" Seeing my smile, she relaxes.

"Yes." I slip my arms around her waist and turn serious.

"No one's ever done something like this for me. I love it." I lean my forehead against hers, our eyes meeting. "I love you." The smile on her face is one I want to put there every day for the rest of our lives.

"I love you, Booth." I seal my lips to hers and we share a lingering kiss. I'm tempted to turn her around and walk her backwards so we can tumble into bed, but as much as I want to do that there's something more pressing on my mind.

"Why don't we get the little guy fed," I suggest, laying my open hand on her stomach, "Then once we get Mommy to bed, I'll finish unpacking." She looks at me warily.

"You're not going to start hovering because I'm pregnant, are you?" I can't stop my smile but put on my most innocent face.

"Me? I would never," I insist as I ease her towards the kitchen. "I'm just really, really hungry." She looks at me suspiciously.

"If you were to, I'd be very displeased," she warns. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." I laugh.

"Oh, I know." Of course, that won't stop me from doing whatever I can to protect Bones and our child. "How's the queasiness? I can make you some tea—"

"You're starting," she scolds. And I am.

"No," I draw out the word. "No, I'm not. I'm just being polite. You made dinner so it seems only fair that I make you some tea."

"I have a cup of tea already made," she dismisses, but I'm not finished. I grab the plates off the kitchen counter.

"Let's eat in the living room tonight. You can relax and kick your feet—"

"Booth…" she warns again.

I just smile. How can I not? On the heels of one of the most difficult years of our lives, here we are: Happy, in love, with a child – our child – on the way. In the blink of an eye, I've gone from no hope of ever fulfilling my dream of a wife, children and a home to being close to having it all. The last is a foregone conclusion. Bones believes in family as much as I do, even if she is afraid to admit it. Sure, I'll have to ease her towards the idea, but I am absolutely confident that by the time the baby is born, we'll be living under the same roof.

As for marriage? Yeah, Bones says she doesn't believe in marriage, but there was a time when she didn't believe in love either…

Yet, here we are.

You see two people and you think they belong together but nothing happens. The thought of losing so much control over personal happiness is unbearable. That's the burden. Like wings, they have weight. We feel that weight on our backs, but they are a burden that lifts us, burdens that allow us to fly…