A/N: Just as a recap, we're still on the same day. Booth and Brennan were on the back porch watching their kids play with Shepsky while Lily slept. Also, almost to 50 reviews!? You guys are the best! Thank you so much for reading this little story of mine and supporting it!
Booth ushered the kids inside the house, sending Christine to go take a shower and for Hank to get his pj's out so he could go take one too. Brennan walked in behind them with Lily still fast asleep in her arms. She put her down in the bassinet and brought the other baby monitor out with her so she could be in the kitchen helping with dinner.
Booth smiled as he walked into their room to wash up. Lily was sleeping soundly, her favorite elephant still clutched to her chest. He quickly washed up and ducked back outside, pulling their bedroom door closed slightly so that Lily could rest peacefully.
"Daddy, I got my clothes!" Hank shouted, running into the hallway. Booth spun around shushing his son gently.
"Shh buddy, that's great but Lily is sleeping right now so we have to use our quiet voice, okay?"
Hank dropped his clothes on the floor, his hands going to his face in an Uh-Uh manner. Booth chuckled and rubbed his son's head. He picked up the clothes Hank had brought out and then took him to the bathroom where Christine was finishing up.
Brennan stood in the kitchen quietly humming to herself taking everything out for dinner. She decided she'd cook her favorite spinach lasagna with oven-roasted chicken for Booth and the kids. She took out the organic chicken they got the last time at the grocery store so it could defrost and set about preparing everything else.
She stood by the sink checking the chicken when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She smiled. Every time her back was turned, and she was in the kitchen, Booth always snuck up behind her. He kissed her neck softly and she squirmed at his stubble that tickled her skin.
"Whatcha making tonight Bones?"
"Spinach lasagna and oven-roasted chicken. We still have some of the organic chicken breasts we got last time."
Booth shook his head, "I still can't believe you pay so much for the chicken Bones."
"Booth, we've had this conversation before. Do I need to remind you of the effects all that non-organic food is going to have on your-? "
"Woah-ho! No. Stop. Right there." Booth wrapped his arms around Brennan tighter. "Do I need to remind you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that part of me?" He asked, his voice a few octaves deeper. He ground himself into her for emphasis. Brennan gasped feeling the rather telling bulge pressed against her.
"You know I'm only trying to look out for you," she tried to keep the conversation going but was already a little hazy given that her husband was still pressed up against her, his breath heavy. Booth bent his head and kissed her hand on the neck.
"Mmmhmm, sure you are babe." He nipped her and released her at the sound of little footsteps running down the hallway.
"Mommy, can Hank and I have some juice, please?"
"I- Yes, let Daddy get it for you sweetheart…" Brennan trailed off. Booth chuckled at his wife's out-of-it response. After giving Christine two apple juice boxes and helping her open them, Booth turned around to his wife. "I love you Bones."
Brennan smiled at him, "I love you too Booth. Now, are you going to help with dinner or continue your effort to prove your penis is in remarkable condition?"
"Bones!" Booth sputtered, almost dropping the container he was holding. Brennan simply looked at him and smirked knowing her candidness would get to him. Booth recognized his wife's playful tactics and could nothing but laugh. Yeah, this was the life he'd wanted for so long. He remembered when he first met her, her blunt nature had set him off, but he grew quick to love it. It made her who she was, and he wouldn't change her for anything.
He loved her in all her awkward blunt candidness. He also knew how much it meant to her for him to accept her. Her past had left a lot of insecurities and fear in her but him fully accepting her, not wanting her to change at all made all the difference in his wife. And he was grateful that he got to do life with her.
They finished preparing dinner in no time. Booth set the table while Brennan went to go get the kids and check on Lily. When she walked into her and Booth's room, she was greeted by silence and one still sleeping baby. Brennan leaned over, kissing her forehead lightly. She turned on one of the bedside lamps to keep a soft glow in the room and then left to eat dinner.
"She still sleeping?" Booth asked as she sat down next to him.
"Yes. She's sound asleep. I'll keep this here so we can hear when she begins to stir." Brennan said motioning to the baby monitor.
"So, why do you guys think of Lily?" Booth asked. He wanted to get a read for where his children were and how they were feeling after their first full day together.
"I like her. She's cute!" Christine remarked.
"Yeah, she laughs at my funny faces," Hank added.
Brennan shared a look with Booth and smiled. "So do you think still want her to stay with us?"
Both kids nodded vigorously, mouths full. Christine and Hank had enjoyed playing with Lily earlier, she was still small so they couldn't play their normal games with her. But she was old enough to still be able to play with them and engage with what they were doing. At their age, that's all that mattered to them.
About halfway through dinner, Lily stirred, and her little whimpers came through on the baby monitor. Brennan excused herself and went to get her. She changed her diaper and brought her outside to make her a bottle. Lily's bright, alert eyes were wide, taking in everything. Especially Booth who made a funny face at her as he saw her.
He quickly finished up and took over feeding from Brennan so she could finish her dinner before it got too cold.
"Booth, you should have taken your time. It's okay."
"Nah, it's fine besides, Lily and I have some bonding to do, don't we," he cooed at Lily who squealed in response. Brennan still had Lily perched on her hip, and as she finished making her bottle, Booth played a quick round of peek-a-boo using Brennan's back as a hiding spot. His hands held on to her waist, so he didn't throw her off balance.
"Here you go Booth," she gave him the fresh bottle.
"Alright, it's din-din time Lily" he took her from Brennan's arms, and she once again admired how much see loved seeing him with such a small baby in his arms. The size contrast was too much and had to turn away, so Booth didn't see her face flushing.
Of course, he did see it but chose to let it go at that moment. Brennan and the kids finished dinner and went to join Booth and Lily who was just finishing her bottle. The parents allowed them a bit more time talking and playing and watching one of their shows on TV before sending them to get ready for bed. Whereas miss Lily was still wide awake.
"I should have seen that her constant naps during the day would be keeping her awake now," Brennan said.
"Ehh, she'll be fine."
Brennan raised her eyebrow at Booth. "Will you be fine? You on the other look tired."
"I'm fine, baby. Just been a long day."
"Daddy! Come read us a bedtime story please!" Hank's voice sounded out from down the hallway.
"Coming bub!" He turned to his wife, "You gonna come with?"
"Yes. I'll come and kiss them good-night and leave you to it."
They'd formed a nighttime routine with the kids that both looked forward to every night. They would get ready for bed and then Hank would join Christine in her room for story time so that if he fell asleep, Booth could carry him back to his room. Brennan would come in and give them each a good night kiss and hug and braid Christine's hair to prevent it from tangling.
"Daddy, is Mommy coming?" Hank crashed into Booth's legs as he ran to give him a hug.
"Mommy's right here sweetie." She called out as she walked in. "Christine, sweetheart, do you have your hairbrush and hair ties?"
"Right here, mommy!" Christine lifted the items. Booth took Lily from Brennan as she settled in behind Christine, sitting lotus style.
"Mommy, can Lily sit with us for story time?"
"Do you want her to join you and your sister?"
Hank nodded as he sat down on the other side of the bed, leaving space in the middle for Lily. Brennan looked to her husband and smiled. Booth helped to prop Lily up and got the books his kids wanted for the night. It normally took about two stories before either of them started getting sleepy so Brennan typically braided Christine's hair during the first one.
She ran her fingers through her daughter's hair, gently massaging her head as she went and then sectioned her hair to do the two French braids. Booth sat on the edge of the bed beside Hank holding the book open so the two of them could also see the pictures.
By the second story, Brennan shifted to turn off the overhead light and turn on the bedside lamp. She settled right back beside Christine who cuddled into her. She looked over at her husband admiring what a great father he was. She couldn't imagine a better one for her children. Even with the little things like story reading, he was so attentive, making the different voices, reading with expression, keeping the kids engaged.
Booth also had a deep voice, and it was soothing especially reading such rhythmic children's stories. He'd also mastered when to speak softer to them, knowing that the kids were falling sleep. Halfway through the third, Christine and Hank were fast asleep while Lily was still awake, somewhat. She'd quieted since Booth began reading. Booth finished up the story for her.
"Well, looks like they're out."
Brennan smiled and nodded. She kissed the top of Christine's head and slowly extracted herself from beside her, carefully so as to not wake her up. She reached over and picked up Lily who was now trying to suck on her little feet. Brennan giggled quietly.
Booth's heart soared at the sound; it was one thing he would never be over. The sound of his wife laughing always brought him a smile. He picked up Hank and making sure Christine was comfortable and set, they both left her room, turning off the bedside lamp and pulling the door slightly. Booth took Hank into his room and settled him in bed.
Then, the two of them and Lily made their way into their room. Booth went to turn on the other bedside lamp. "How much longer do you think she'll be awake for Bones?"
"Hmm, not long, I think the soothing quality of your voice while reading has already lulled her to sleep a bit so, as long we're quiet and not disrupting her with sudden movements, she'll go back to sleep."
"M'kay." Booth moved over to quickly change her diaper while Brennan started folding the various baby clothes, they had in the laundry basket. Booth looked at her, eyebrows quirked, "Soothing quality, Bones?"
She blushed. "I… yes. When you read to them, your voice takes on this gentle, soothing tone. This is not a bad thing, it definitely helps the kids to fall asleep. I also find that I like it." She looked at him with a shy smile.
That shy smile of hers would be his undoing. He leaned over to give her cheek a sweet kiss. Booth finished up with Lily and took her to sit with him on the bed. He brought his knees up, feet planted firmly on the ground and resting Lily's back along his upper legs. Her little legs rested on his torso, her feet on his chest. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. Lily cooed in response and brought her little hands up and patted his cheeks.
Brennan and Booth talked quietly between themselves as Brennan folded Lily's clothes and placed them in the drawer that she had. She'd taken out the few sleeping tees she had and put them in Booth's drawer. He saw when she did it but chose to not say anything but smile. When he was back home from being in prison and he and Brennan had gotten around to talking about it, she shared that she'd spent the night wearing his shirts and she refused to wash them.
When he asked her why she had admitted that she found comfort in his familiar smell. And it was a way for her to be close to him. So, he knew that her keeping her shirts with his was drawn from a comfort perspective also. He started rocking his legs slightly and Lily's eyes starting drooping.
"Shhh, it's okay bub, sleep." Booth cooed to her, and she drifted off. He kept her in his lap for a little while longer but when he was certain she was asleep, he moved her to the bassinet. Brennan had just finished up putting everything away and went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Booth smiled as he walked by their dresser. Brennan had also grabbed a wicker basket from her closet to put all of the headbands he'd gotten Lily. She'd placed it on her side of the dresser alongside her things.
When he walked in, she was standing in front of the vanity brushing her hair out. He walked up behind her and eased the hairbrush out of her hand taking over. Brennan relaxed into his ministrations. He'd done this before, and Brennan knew it was just another way for him to show his love for her.
"I think today went really well," Booth commented.
"Mmmmhmmm." She hummed in response. She was really relaxing under his touch.
Booth placed the hairbrush down on the vanity and gently turned her around to him. He held her waist and lifted her, setting her on the free space. Before she could question him, he stepped further into the v of her legs and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned forward and met her for a sweet kiss. She hummed in response.
They gently kissed each other, no one battling for dominance, just simply reconnecting with each other. When the need for oxygen became too much, they pulled apart and rested their foreheads against each other.
"What was that for?" Brennan asked in a low whisper.
"Just because… I love you… I wanted to, you're my wife. The mother of my children… my partner… my everything… because kissing you makes my head spin in the best possible way…" he punctuated each reason with a kiss. Brennan giggled.
"What'd you want to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Bones, there are a few other things we could be doing in here." Booth wiggled his eyebrows.
"Booth," she admonished. "Lily…"
"Is sleeping soundly and okay. Besides. I didn't bring the baby monitor in here just in case for no reason."
She shook her head at him. "You're insatiable."
"Only when it comes to you, babe. Only with you." He leaned in for another kiss, this time showing her just how insatiable he could be.
Booth woke up around five the next morning so he could call his son and check-in with Parker. He slowly extracted himself from Brennan's arms. She grumbled when he moved. He quietly cooed her back to sleep, but she wasn't having it with losing his warmth against her.
"Where are you going?" she grumbled, her eyes still closed.
"Going to go give Parker a call babe."
She nodded and let him go, "Tell him I said hi and that I love him."
Booth smiled, "Of course, baby. Now go back to sleep." He walked out and went into the living room. He set up the tablet and went to brew some coffee before calling. He really missed Parker and wished he could see his son and give him a hug. It was his turn this Christmas to have had Parker but with the pandemic, he couldn't have Parker traveling and risking his health.
He'd been frustrated and sad and when he told Brennan, she'd also gotten upset. She loved Parker like he was her own and was always looking out for him ever since they met that Christmas at Sid's. At first, he was surprised at how quickly he'd taken to Brennan and how often Parker had asked for her or to spend time with her when he was with Booth. But he couldn't blame his boy, I mean after all, he was a Booth and the Booth men – Pops included when he was alive – all had a soft spot for Brennan.
He sat down with his coffee and video-called Parker.
"Hey, Dad!"
"Parker! Hey bub, how's it going?"
"Ehh, I mean things could definitely be better." Parker grimaced. He'd started his first year of university and had been doing it remotely on zoom which was not the best experience.
"I know bub. I know. How have your classes been?"
Parker filled his dad in on how his first semester had been going, the things he'd been doing and the extracurriculars he'd been a part of. After his creative writing program at Oxford, Parker had really taken off with his writing career. He'd applied to their program his senior year of high school and had gotten in – full scholarship. Since then, he'd been writing articles for his student newspaper and building his portfolio some more.
Booth was extremely proud of his son for the hard work he was putting in. Not to mention, supportive of everything Parker wanted to do. He never got why other parents would try to control what their children did. All he ever wanted was for Parker to be happy and if going to school for writing was what he wanted to do, Booth would stand beside him. Brennan had also been extremely supportive of Parker's decision.
He'd called her multiple times since being accepted into the program running story ideas by her and getting her opinion on them. He'd sent her drafts of stories he'd worked on for her to look at and Brennan was impressed. His writing had strengthened since the summer program and the more he practiced, he improved.
"Could you believe it Dad? Me, they want to feature me in next year's magazine issue!"
"I'm not surprised Parks. You've done such a good job so far. I'm really proud you, bub. I know… I know I might not always say it, but I want you to know how proud I am of you. Really."
"Thanks Dad, that… means a lot. I'm sorry I can't come there this Christmas. I was really looking forward to it."
"It's okay Parks, don't apologize. We'll just do something big next year," Booth sent up a silent prayer to the Big Man upstairs that this all blew over by the following year so they could get back to some semblance of normality.
"How's your mom?"
"She's okay… she got another job last month so she's excited about that."
Booth nodded, "Yeah, she texted me to let me know she did." Rebecca had unfortunately lost her job when the pandemic hit, being one of the few employees furloughed. It'd been a rough time but luckily her parents were still alive and supporting her with their savings. Booth had also been sending them money supporting them. The last thing he wanted was his son or ex suffering.
Brennan had stood by him and even offered to help him, but he declined. As Parker's father, it was something he wanted to do on his own. Brennan didn't quite get his decision but supported him anyways letting him know that she was there and would be there should he ever need. When she married Booth, she'd started a trust fund for Parker which Booth had almost freaked out about. Rebecca had even been shocked, but Brennan insisted.
She'd had to go through college alone, figuring it out on her own. Ensuring she kept her scholarship as well as working the necessary hours to earn extra, so she had pocket money was not easy. It wasn't a struggle she wished on any of her children. Yes, she wanted them to work hard but if she and Booth had the means to financially support them, she would.
At that moment, a still sleepy Brennan came around the corner. She'd donned her robe and the bunny slippers her kids got her last Mother's Day. Booth motioned her over to say hi. She plopped down on the couch yawning; Booth kissed her temple and excused himself to get her a coffee.
"Hi Bones!"
"Hi Parker! How are you, sweetheart?" Brennan loved Parker like her own and was happy every time she got to check in with him.
"I'm okay. I was telling dad that the school magazine reached out to me and wants to feature me in their next edition."
"Sweetheart, that's wonderful! Do you know what prompt you'll be following?"
"I'm not sure yet. They sent an email saying they'll release the theme of the issue over the break."
"Okay, well, if you need to brainstorm anything with me or need me to send you any resources, let me know."
"I will, thanks Bones." Parker had always appreciated Brennan's endless support. She was a ten-time New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned for her anthropological career, but she never flaunted her success. Instead, she used it to help her family and in Parker's case, had used her resources and success to help him along with his studies.
Booth came back with her coffee a couple of moments later and the three of them spent more time talking. Brennan had also brought the baby monitor outside so when they heard Lily's cries through it, Parker's eyes shot up.
"Woah-ho! Is there anything you guys need to tell me? Cause I know that was not Chrissy or Hank." Booth and Brennan shared a look and Brennan nodded as she went to go get Lily.
"Alright Parks, we do have something to say but it's not what you think." Booth explained to Parker what had happened and how Lily came into their care. Parker was shocked but also proud that his Dad and Step-Mom did what they did. Brennan came out with a still slightly fussy Lily.
"She's hungry. Here, you hold her while I go get her bottle." She handed Lily to Booth who turned her around to see Parker.
"Hey princess, can you say hi to Parker. Parks this is Lily."
"Aww, she's adorable. Hi Lily." At the familiar sound of her name, Lily turned and looked at Parker with a curious stare. Booth rocked them gently and Parker kept cooing to her.
"Are you guys going to adopt her?"
"We would like to Parks, but it all depends on how the case progresses." Brennan spoke as she came back in with the bottle.
Booth and Brennan once again did their hand-off routine they'd mastered in literally a day and as Lily was situated in Brennan's arms, her face immediately turned into Brennan's chest, her mouth opened as if to latch on to her breasts.
"Oh, sweetie, here," Brennan brought the bottle up to Lily's lips and she immediately latched on suckling her milk.
"She was breastfed," Booth recognized the action from Christine and Hank. Brennan nodded sadly, this was the one thing she couldn't provide Lily with and while it was a small thing in the grand scheme of everything else, Brennan was upset. Having breastfed her own two children, she knew how much of a bonding moment it was for both mother and child, and the fact that Lily's was cut short upset her.
Booth sensed the mood switch in his wife and placed his hand at the base of her neck and squeezed gently. She looked at him with a small smile before refocusing on Lily, intent on maintaining eye contact with her. If she couldn't bond with Lily through nursing, she'd do it the way she could.
Parker stayed on for a bit longer, chatting about random things with his parents before ending the call to go for lunch; it was already midday in London.
"Alright, take care of yourself bub. I love you," Booth smiled at his eldest son.
"I love you too, Dad, thanks for calling. I'll see you Bones; I love you."
"I love you too Parker. Be safe, sweetheart, and tell your mom we said hi."
"Okay, I will. Bye guys." Parker waved one last time before disconnecting the call. Booth sighed and leaned back. He was grateful for the time he got to talk to his son, but it still pained him every time he had to say goodbye. He looked over to Brennan and Lily. His wife was looking down at the baby in her arms with such love, cooing to her softly as she finished her bottle.
"I love you Bones. So much."
Brennan's gaze touched his and she smiled. "I love you too Booth. More than I'll ever be able to express."
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