Here we are, then. The last part of the story! I never expected it to be this long, honest. But thanks for sticking with me.

Epilogue. The next evening.

Brennan was nervous. She knew how important this dinner date was. If anything went wrong… She could not think of that. She could only do her best, and trust that things would go okay.

She slipped into the booth and smiled a greeting. The answering smile looked just as nervous. They ordered drinks, and began talking, tentatively at first, then as they both relaxed the mood lightened slightly and they both began to enjoy themselves.

It was only a few minutes later that she glanced up and saw Booth walking into the restaurant. Her heart sank. This was it. The moment when the truth would come out. So much of her future could ride on the next few minutes.

She stood up, her knees trembling slightly, and waved to him. He saw her and changed his path, sending a huge smile in her direction. It faded abruptly as he saw her companion. "What the hell are you doing here?" he snapped.

Brennan put a calming hand on his arm. "It's okay, Booth. Just sit down," she soothed him.

Booth reluctantly slipped into the seat beside her, glaring across the table. "What the hell's going on?" he demanded.

"We thought it was about time you two had a proper talk," Brennan explained. "I'll stay if you want, but it's up to you. I don't want to get in the way."

Booth looked from one to the other, still looking extremely suspicious. "This is a set-up, isn't it?" he said. "You planned this, both of you."

"Yes." Rebecca spoke for the first time. "Seeley, we need to talk. I mean really talk, not yelling like we usually end up. It's important, for all our sakes. For you and me, and for Parker."

At the sound of his son's name, Booth's face darkened. "You're taking him away from me," he accused her. "You're moving out of town, remember?"

Rebecca shook her head. "No, I'm not," she said calmly. "I – I've been thinking. Maybe it's not the best thing for him." She exchanged glances with Brennan, who remembered the relief she had felt when Rebecca had first told her the news. Her words to Booth's ex-girlfriend had had an effect after all, it appeared.

Booth's face lost some of its thunder, but he still looked unsure of himself. "Then – what is there to talk about? We're just going on as we are, aren't we?"

"Perhaps," said Rebecca. "But Parker's getting older now, Seeley. We can't just hand him over and back like a toy. We need to sort out exactly what's going to happen about school, and about my job. I want to work out a new arrangement with you."

Brennan sat back in her seat, listening to the discussion, her hand firmly clasped in Booth's hand. He and his ex-girlfriend were talking properly, for the first time since Parker had been born, according to Rebecca, and maybe, just maybe, they could come up with some arrangement that would suit them both. But more importantly, they had to find some way for Parker to spend time with both the father and the mother he loved dearly.

Thanks for reading; I hope you've enjoyed it! I've enjoyed reading all your comments as you read through the story. And now it's time for me to concentrate on the other stories I have in the pipeline. And to finish reading all the updates you guys did while I was away a couple of weeks ago!