And here another chapter finally is. I'm sorry it took me so long, I was just struggling to get this chapter out. Plus, life has been up and down lately, though mostly up. Granted, I currently have a head cold, so I'm amazed I got this out with how bad my head is. Bad headaches suck. But still, hope you all enjoy.
Christine's Pov
The new year came and went fast, meaning we were now in 2029. My parents had gone to a party on New Years Eve, along with Michael's, so I had gone to stay with the night. I slept on the couch, which was fine, and we had spent most of the night watching kid's movies and playing games with Katherine, until we turned on the fireworks display. We ate junk food and played games.
Now I sat beside Kate in the hospital, Amanda also present beside us. Kate had an ultrasound today and was going to find out what the sex was. After that, I was heading home and making sure Katherine's presents were perfect, as Michael had dropped the second one for me to paint and detail a week ago. Her party was tomorrow at the rink, which despite the fact that it was going to be full of kids, I was kinda looking forward to.
"Kate Madison." Someone called and all three of us got up. Kate had asked me to come, as I was the future godmother of this child.
We were taken into the room they were using and Kate laid down on the bed, pulling up her shirt to reveal her rounding stomach.
"Alright, this is going to feel a little weird and you'll feel a little pressure." The doctor who was using the ultrasound machine said, before she put the gel on Kate's stomach. "Now, do you want to know the sex?"
"Yes, I really do." Kate said.
On the screen, as the doctor moved the device around Kate's stomach, appeared Kate's tiny baby, which had Kate smiling and Amanda nearly crying. We could hear the heart beat coming from the monitor.
"Well, there's a nice strong heartbeat. I can see ten fingers and ten toes, nice growth." The doctor said, before smiling at Kate. "You have a healthy-looking baby girl in there."
"So, I was right, it's a girl?" Kate said, before grinning at me, making me smile at her and take her hand.
"Yes, it is." The doctor confirmed.
"I'm going to have a granddaughter." Amanda smiled.
"I know it's still a little early, but have you thought of a name yet?" The doctor asked and Kate grinned.
"Yeah, Isabelle. Her father loved the name so much." Kate said and I saw the doctor was going to ask something, but I shook my head and she seemed to get not to ask about Darius.
"Well, I'll print out the ultrasound for you to take home." The doctor smiled.
Soon enough we were ready to go and Amanda and Kate walked out, while I looked at the doctor.
"Thank you for not asking about the father." I said and she looked at me.
"I was going to, but then I saw the look on your face and replayed her words in my head, and I came to the conclusion that the father is dead." She said and I sighed.
"Yeah, and it's been really hard. I just, I didn't want you to ask in front of her, and the woman is his mother." I explained and she nodded.
"I understand." She said and I nodded, before stepping out of the room and going over to Kate and Amanda, hugging Kate.
"I'm glad you wanted me to come, but I really need to head home and make sure everything is ready for Kate's birthday tomorrow." I said, pulling away from her.
"Don't worry, I get it." She said, before grinning. "But, do me a favor and make me something for the baby for my baby shower gift, whenever I have one."
"I was planning to do that anyway." I said, because making things for people's birthdays or as gifts was something I did like doing. "I'll see you at school."
"Wish Katherine happy birthday for me." She said and I smiled.
"Will do." I said, waving bye to Amanda as I did.
X
I got home and headed straight up to my room. I was happy Hodgins and Angela had decided to do Katherine's birthday party on the weekend, so it was actually going to be on the 6th. I was not wearing an ice skating dress, but I had a nice outfit for the party, and I was hoping Katherine was going to love the gifts that we had made, which I was sure she would. There was a jewelry box, which Michael had built, getting me over to put in the fabric on the inside – both in the draws and all other compartments. He then gave it to me to detail, and I added a mirror on the inside of the lid. I painted it white and did one hell of a detail on the front of it. Another gift as a charm bracelet that I had made, and I just had to finish off the picture I was drawing, which would go in a frame. It was going to be of Katherine figure skating, though very detailed. I was going to do a painting, but I was still learning with paint, but could do a lot of detail with pencil.
"Christine?" I heard Mom call.
"I'm upstairs!" I yelled, as I sat in the middle of my bed, my artbook on my lap and colored pencils beside me – I was mainly using grey's, white's, black's and blue's for the background of the picture. I had already drawn Katherine, who was in a multi pink and silver skating dress, with white skate's and a tiara in her hair.
"Mind if I come in?" Mom asked and I looked up at her, nodding. She came over to me and sat on the side of my bed, looking at what I was drawing. "Is that for Katherine?"
"Yeah. Michael and I wanted to give her handmade things, and I just wanted to add this." I said.
"Well, it's very beautiful and detailed already. And the jewelry box and bracelet are too – you and Michael are very talented." She said and I was a little surprised by her words, though I was happy to hear them.
"Thanks Mom." I smiled, because I didn't get complements like that often. She complemented me, they were just normally longer and Mom style.
"I wanted to ask you how Kate's ultrasound went. I know you've been worried about her." She said and I smiled.
"It's a healthy baby girl, and she's very happy." I said cheerfully. "I'm going to have to think of something to make now, which should be easy."
"I'm happy to hear that." Mum said. It was a little weird hearing her being so casual, well for Mom anyway, but she did do it.
"Mom, is there anything else?" I asked, placing down my art book.
"Why are you asking me that?" She asked, and I swung my legs around to sit beside her.
"You seem to forget that I'm also Dad's daughter, and I'm good at reading people, so out with it." I said, because I knew there was something wrong.
"Since you've become a teenager, though more since you've started high school, I just feel like things have changed between us." Mom said and I took her hand.
"You mean because I'm not into science and bones anymore?" I asked and I knew I was right. "Mom, I know we're not as close as we were when I was a child, 'cause I'm not into that stuff as much anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't care about it or that I hate it. I'm just learning more about what I like, and while I don't hate anthropology, it's just not my main focus for now."
"I know that, and Angela is constantly telling me that you finding yourself just means you're growing up." Mom says and I smiled at her, resting my head on her shoulder.
"Mom, it doesn't matter how many times we fight or don't agree on something, which is bound to still happen in the future, you're always going to be my Mom and I'm always going to love you." I said, before moving my head away so I could look at her face. "If you want to know something, just ask – I'm just not used to talking about things like art with you. However, please never ask me about me and Michael in front of Dad ever again."
"Alright, but Booth shouldn't be such a prude about it. You are a growing girl, so he should know that one day you and Michael will have sex." Mom said and I shook my head.
"Mom, he knows that; trust me, he's talked to me about it a few times." I said honestly. "But there's a difference about talking loosely about it and how you talk about it. Dad doesn't want to know if and when Michael and I sleep together, and I never plan to tell him." I said, before deciding I wanted to add something. "Also, I never want to have the sex talk with you… ever. I already know what I need to know, and if Michael and I do do it, I'm not bringing it up. I'm telling you outright right now, though I was probably blatantly obvious about that last time you brought it up."
"Most mother's talk to their daughters about that." She said and I shook my head.
"True, but you're not most mother's, and we both know you won't be able to talk to me without being scientific." I said bluntly and she sighed.
"Alright, I'll reframe from bringing it up, but only because I know you're smart enough to know everything." Mom said. "But if you ever do need anything, you can ask me. I won't tell Booth, and I'll try to be more of a mother instead of a scientist."
"Thanks Mom." I said and she stood up.
"I'll leave you to your art and go make dinner." Mom said and I turned to get up.
"I'll help you." I said, getting up.
"Don't you have to finish your drawing?" Mom asked and I smiled.
"I can do it later. Right now, I want to help you make dinner." I said and I saw her smile as she walked out of my room, me following behind her. I had to start spending more time with her, doing things that had nothing to do with science.
X
Dad arrived home as Mom and I served up dinner, seeming tired as he took off his tie.
"Welcome home Dad." I said as Mom poured him a wine, and I placed the plates on the table.
"Hey sweetheart." He said, kissing my head as he walked over to me. "Dinner looks good."
"Christine and I had fun making it." Mom said and I smiled at her. "Christine also made brownies for later."
"See, this is why I love you so much." Dad said to me as he sat down and I laughed as I did the same. "Did you get Katherine's presents finished?"
"I still have one to finish, but I'm just going to bring it down while we watch a movie later and finish drawing it then." I said, because we'd decided we were going to watch a movie while eating dessert later. "So, Dad, how was work?"
Dad groaned. "Don't get me started!" I had a feeling he had a stressful day.
The next day
I sat in the chair, looking into my mirror as Mom finished putting my hair in a waterfall braid. It was one of the styles she'd asked Angela to teach her, as Angela had once done it on my hair and I loved it. It was like half up, half down, but even better. Mom knew how to do this and a French braid, and that's about it with braids. I knew a few, being friends with Kate. It was a bit hard doing braids on yourself though.
"Thanks Mom." I said, standing up. I was dressed in a white long sleeved, scoop neck dress the went to my knees and had a black belt around the waist. I was wearing black, sheer stockings and black knee-high boots with small heels – I had hidden socks on too, which would be hidden by the boots, then skates, as I didn't want to skate in just the stockings. I also had in a long-chained necklace with a decent sized love heart charm on it and hooped earrings. I also had a charm bracelet on. And, I was wearing makeup, but light makeup.
"Of course." Mom said as I stood up. "I'm glad I could help."
"Hey, you two?" Dad asked as he came to my door while I grabbed my white knee length coat and put it on, slowly buttoning it up. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, we just finished." Mom said, while I grabbed my bag and Kate's present bag.
"Katherine's going to get a shock when she finds out you and Michael made all of her presents by hand." Dad said as we headed downstairs.
"She's Michael's little sister and since he's discovered his carpenter talent, he's wanted to make her something, and with my discovered artistic talent, we managed to work something out." I said, because I really did enjoy art.
We left the house and climbed into Dad's SUV, me in the back seat. That's when my phone went off.
Michael 11:36am – Did you get the picture done last night?
Christine 11:36am – I'm insulted you even had to ask me that. Of course I finished it.
Michael 11:37am – You're right, what was I thinking?
Christine 11:38am – You weren't.
Michael 11:38am – Okay, ouch. Why do you have to be so mean to me? It's my sister's birthday party today.
Christine 11:39am – That's got nothing to do with you honey, but her. I promise I won't be so mean to you on your birthday. And that wasn't mean, it was me being a smart ass to you – you should've known that.
Michael 11:40am – Can't fight you on that one. But I'm keeping you to that promise. See you when you get here.
Christine 11:41am – We'll be there soon.
"You know, you're about to see Michael, you don't have to text him." Dad said and I looked at him. He was looking in the rearview mirror.
"He was asking me a question, and I can text him if I want." I said. "I used to text him all the time when we weren't dating anyway. Granted, a lot of those times we were bickering about things, so this was actually kinda like old times."
"What were you bickering about?" Mom asked.
"Nothing too big." I said simply.
"Are you looking forward to the championship game Christine? You might actually lead the girls team to victory for once." Dad said. The girls team at my school had not won a final in 15 years.
"Yeah, I am." I admitted, though there was a lot of pressure on us to win.
We talked about that for a while as Dad drove, and I have to admit that I was surprised he was so into soccer right now. He never used to be into soccer, but I guess with Parker and now me playing it, he had to get used to it. I mean, it wasn't like he was ever going to let me play football.
As we arrived at the ice rink, I climbed out of the car and was surprised to see Ford getting out of his car.
"Hey." I called and he looked up at me as I walked over to him. "Did you bring Lana?"
He nodded. "Yeah, my Dad's working and Mom got called into work to cover a shift for someone else." Right, Ford's dad was a business man – I wasn't sure what kind 'cause that's all Ford ever called him, and his Mom was a nurse at the hospital.
"Christine." Lana said as she got out of the car and I looked at her. She had the same eyes as her brother, hazel, but her hair wasn't ginger – it was light brown, which she got from her dad because her mother was ginger with blue eyes. She was wearing a red skating dress.
"You look beautiful Lana." I said, and she grinned, before turning and heading to the door to the rink, where my parents were already heading. I looked at Ford. "I'm surprised you didn't bring Stacey with you too."
"Oh, don't start." He said and I shook my head.
"Oh no, I get to. You guys made a bet about Michael and I, and constantly went on about it and on about it." I said and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Ford, you went to the dance with her, you spend a lot of your time with her and everyone knows you like each other. Just make it official already you moron. Life's too short."
"I can't argue with that." He said. "The only reason I haven't is because of all the crap that's happened, but that's probably the best reason for me to."
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, I'd say so."
"We better get inside." He said and I nodded.
We headed across the carpark and through the front doors of the center, and it didn't take us long to find where the party was. There was a party area and I saw Katherine bouncing on her seat. She was wearing the dress I had drawn her in, partly – I had added a bit more silver, but I knew what it looked like because I had asked Angela to see it. It was her birthday present from her parents.
"Well, look at you." I smiled as I walked over and she grinned at me, looking at the present. "You can open it later."
"Please." She said with a grin and I smiled.
"I'm not Michael, which is why I have it. You can open it when it's time to open the presents." I said and she pouted a little. "I promise it'll be worth it. And besides, you should be out there skating."
She grinned. "I wanna wait till everyone's here. Lana's getting skates with Michael."
"Nope, Ford traded with me." Michael said as he came up behind me, holding two pairs of skates in his hand. He kissed my cheek. "I got you a pair of skates while I was over there."
"Thanks hon." I said as Angela came over.
"Here, I'll put that with the rest of the presents." She said and I handed it to her. "I'm looking forward to seeing them." See, we'd told Angela and Hodgins what we were doing.
I went over and sat at one of the tables, and Michael sat beside me.
"Aren't your feet going to hurt, just wearing stockings?" He asked and I smiled.
"I'm wearing socks too. I remember how much skates can hurt without decent socks." I said as I pulled my boots off, grabbing my skates from Michael.
"Yeah, I still remember the time I had to carry you on my back when we were thirteen because your feet got hurt. We'd already skated before that, at least you had more than me anyways 'cause your dad was and still is so into hockey." Michael said and I smiled.
"There was also the time I had to help you because you slipped and hit your head, because you and Darius were fighting on a school trip." I said and now it was his turn to smile.
I laced up my skates, noticing that Mom and Dad were talking to Hodgins, while Angela was greeting people with Katherine.
"Up we go." Michael said as he stood up and helped me up with him. I placed my bag down onto one of the party tables and slowly unbuttoned my jacket, slipping it off and placing it beside my bag. "You look gorgeous."
I smiled. "You know, you don't have to say that whenever I dress up a bit." I said and he grinned.
"I know, and I won't, but I only got to think it more than say it for ages, so I'm just catching up on all the missed opportunities." He said.
"You're such a romantic." I said, touching his cheek as we made our way to where we got onto the rink.
"Get it from my Dad." He said.
"With less expensive taste." I said.
We made it onto the ice and begun skating together. We'd done it quite a few times growing up and I have to admit, being on the ice was something that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Michael spun me around and I smiled, laughing a bit. Not a few minutes later, as we skated to the music that was playing, Katherine joined us on the rink with her friends. Apparently, we were going to be playing some ice games at some point – I'd done that at a roller-skating rink once when I was younger, but never an ice rink. I saw some of the kids were having trouble on the ice, but they were doing okay. Katherine was skating around like a pro – she loved it so much. I saw Angela taking photos from the outside of the rink of all of us.
X
After a while, Angela called lunch and we all sat down to eat, with the younger kids being up and down the whole time. I enjoyed the hot chips, but Katherine, being impatient, asked to open her presents immediately after we had lunch. She wanted to wait for her cake and open her presents.
She got a lot of them. Some clothes, a jewelry making set, a few toys and a couple of things that I didn't see. Then, she was given the presents from Michael and I, which made her grin. We stood there, watching her opening it. She had a grin on her face as she pulled out the picture of her skating, looking at us and smiling, before she handed it to Angela, who looked at it. Katherine then pulled out the jewelry box we had made her, though mostly Michael. She was looking at it in awe.
"This is amazing, where did you buy it?" Katherine asked.
"We didn't, I built it and Christine did all the detailing." Michael said from behind me, as he had my arms wrapped around my waist.
"There's something inside it that I made too." I said with a smile and she opened the lid, but when she didn't see anything, she pulled open the draw to reveal the bracelet I'd made.
She took it out and played with it. "It's so beautiful." She said, before placing everything down and coming over to us, hugging us. "Thank you so much, I love them."
"I'm your big brother, I wanted to give you a homemade gift once, and Christine's just amazing." Michael said.
"I'm glad you like them." I said as she pulled away from us. She seemed so happy as she turned and ran back over to all her gifts.
"You two are really talented." Angela said, coming over with Katherine's picture in hand. "I really love this Christine, you've got an artistic eye."
"Thanks Angela, coming from you, that means a lot." I said. I'd grown up watching Angela draw and paint and she was one of the people who inspired me to. I had only been drawing, but I wanted to start painting.
After the presents, it was back out onto the ice and playing games. It was a ton of fun and once, Michael and I slipped and I landed on top of him, causing us to laugh. Katherine was laughing so much and I could tell the Michael was happy that she was happy. We were called back for the cake, which was an ice-cream cake (A weird cake for winter, but I wasn't going to argue) and in the end, it turned out to be an awesome birthday for Katherine, which is what everyone who loved her wanted for her. She was grinning all day. Plus, I had an awesome day because I got to skate with Michael to amazing music, though we did have to listen to "Let it go" from Frozen, which is a song that gets stuck in your head, and songs from Ice Princess.
