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It took Booth a while to fall asleep that night. He spent most of it trying to remove the images of a young Brennan stuck in that basement from his mind. As well as trying to think of ways he could make this a good Christmas for her. Having heard that part of the story last night, he knew now why Brennan hated Christmas so much and didn't particularly want to celebrate. But Booth being who he was, couldn't help the urge to want to fix that for her.
Growing up in a broken home too, he had his fair share of traumatizing moments but until his mother had left, Christmas was the one time a year that he could count on his family to be a family. Then when he had been taken in by Pops, Christmas continued to be a magical moment. He wanted that for Brennan. The severity and dangers of their jobs made life pretty heavy on the daily by itself, combined with their childhood traumas, they deserved to have one time out of the whole year to forget about all of that.
He'd also been unable to fall asleep because he was watching Brennan, making sure she didn't wake up with any nightmares. While she did whimper here and there, it wasn't anything severe that couldn't be fixed by a few soft words and reassuring rubs.
When Booth woke up the next morning wrapped around Brennan, he was surprised that he'd gotten any kind of sleep. Feeling her warm body snuggled against his gave him a sweet sense of comfort. He kissed her shoulder and watched in amusement as she snuggled more into him and the covers. One thing he'd been amused to learn was that she wasn't much of a morning person unless they had something to tend to. But when they could lazy around in bed, she loved sleeping in.
Reaching for his phone on the bedside table, he saw that it was just after 7 in the morning. He slowly pulled his hand out from under her head and got out of bed. As he was washing his face, he remembered that Frank had told him last night that they would have breakfast ready by 7:30. Booth peeked out from the bathroom door and saw Brennan still sleeping soundly. He quickly finished up in the bathroom and changed into a T-shirt and joggers before heading downstairs.
The smell of freshly baked bread met him as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Mmm, it smells good in here," he commented wandering into the kitchen.
"Oh, thank you, dear! How did you both sleep?" Mary-Anne asked, her back still to him.
"It was an okay night," Booth replied, not wanting to dive too much into their discussion.
"That's good dear," Mary-Anne turned around, "Where's Temperance?" she asked in concern.
"She's still sleeping. With the pregnancy she gets tired during the day more easily so, I normally let her sleep as late as she can."
"Ahh, well, she's lucky to have you." Mary-Anne smiled at him. "Frank is outside shoveling the snow from the porch. Local radio said that most of the storm has passed through here last night and it's the tail-end of it we're getting now."
"Do you know if – "
"I'm sorry, dear. The storm is heading right for D.C., if you leave today, you'll be caught right in the middle of it." Mary-Anne knew that they wanted to be back home for the holidays. And she didn't blame them.
Booth nodded, thanking her. "There is one thing I came down to ask you."
"Of course, dear."
Booth told Mary-Anne what his plan was and she was immediately on board. Alongside her, Booth flitted about the kitchen preparing things and making small talk.
"Oh here, I have the perfect thing for you to use." She brought out a big enough collapsible breakfast tray and a small vase filled with fake daffodils. Booth had to laugh at the miraculous coincidence that she had a vase filled with Brennan's favorite flowers. He thanked her and took the tray to the dining table and began setting up the spread. Frank came in shortly after and patted Booth on the back smiling.
Once he had everything and was satisfied, Booth thanked Mary-Anne again for her help.
"Oh, don't thank me, dear. You both deserve something nice. Whenever y'all are done, just bring everything down to the kitchen, I'll take care of it."
"Are you sure? We can help clean up."
Mary-Anne waved him off, "Nonsense, you just worry about enjoying breakfast."
Booth chuckled and thanked her again. He made his way up the stairs. Luckily, there was a small table in the hallway where their room was so he set the tray down on it, opened the door, and brought it in. He was happy to see that Brennan was still asleep because it meant that she didn't have any serious nightmares between when he woke up and was downstairs and that he'd be able to surprise her.
He placed the tray on the desk in the room and went to wake her up. She was still curled on her side, hugging the sheets to her chest, her face cushioned on the pillow. Soft strands of hair were draped over her face and she looked so peaceful. Her shoulders were still bare so Booth reached out and grabbed her discarded t-shirt from the night before for her.
He knelt by the bed and gently shook her. "Hey, sleepy-head. Wake up beautiful."
"Mmmm… Booofff" Brennan shoved her face more into the pillow trying to block out the voice pulling her from sleep.
"C'mon Bones, wakey wakey. I got breakfast," he sang out. At the mention of food, Brennan shifted her face so she could peep one eye at him.
"Food?" she muttered.
Booth laughed at how adorable she looked at that moment. "Yes, food. Your favorite bird-seed plus some more. Baby girl Booth must be hungry too so c'mon." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and handed her the t-shirt. Thinking they would be getting ready to go downstairs, Brennan pulled on the shirt ready to get out of bed but when she saw Booth standing there with the tray, she was taken aback.
"Oh Booth! What is this?"
"Breakfast in bed, Bones. It's Christmas Eve both an eve and a day."
"A Christmas miracle," she finished. She smiled at him remembering the first time Booth had surprised her with breakfast in bed at his apartment. She'd gotten irrationally emotional and teared up but it seemed like the pregnancy hormones had her doing the same right now.
"Thank you, Booth." She told him softly. "But I do need to go to the restroom first. Seems like your child is already intent on messing with my bladder."
Booth laughed, "Go, go. Breakfast will be here."
Brennan came back soon after and climbed back into bed. Booth brought the tray over and placed it in the middle of the bed.
"This all looks so good, Booth. Did Mary-Anne do this?"
"Well, she helped. She had the ingredients to make your oatmeal and well since I know how you like it prepared, I helped her in the kitchen," He smiled his charm smile at her.
Brennan smiled. She looked down at the tray. There was oatmeal with blueberries on top and brown sugar, freshly baked bread with a few types of jams to use, eggs, and some natural juice that she figured Frank had made. The small vase with the daffodils didn't miss her attention either. The only thing she didn't see – "Booth, didn't you want bacon?"
"Ha-ha, I'm fine, Bones. I'd rather not have meat so early in the morning right now." When she looked at him quizzically, he explained. "I don't want to risk you throwing up and being set off by the smell. I remember how bad it got with your morning sickness."
"Thank you, Booth." Brennan appreciated his thoughtfulness. In all honesty, she'd forgotten about how upset she'd be at the smell of bacon cooking so early in the morning.
The two ate breakfast while making small talk here and there but mostly in silence enjoying their meal. Once they were done, Booth piled the plates and cups back on the tray placing them once again on the desk. He'd take it down to the kitchen in a few. He turned and found Brennan on her phone.
"Everything okay, Bones?"
"Yes, I'm just checking the weather and messaging Angela. She says that they've locked down the Jeffersonian and are home right now preparing to weather the storm. Apparently, it's getting a little stronger before it hits D.C. later this afternoon."
Booth nodded. Mary-Anne and Frank had pretty much told him the same thing earlier. He felt a little better about being with Brennan but after last night's talk, he wanted to check in with her. He waited for her to put down her phone before he crossed the room and sat down beside her on the edge of the bed.
"How are you doing?" he asked, cutting right to the chase.
"I'm okay, Booth. I still feel… it's hard to describe it. The best way to describe it is still being emotionally raw. I don't feel the exact feelings of anxiety and panic that rose up in me last night. That immediate pain of it… it…"
"You still feel hurt."
Brennan placed her hand on his knee and squeezed as she nodded.
"That's normal, Bones. Okay? It'll take some time to fully recover from it but I want you to know that I'll be here for you."
"Thanks, Booth. I think I just feel emotionally heavy."
"Well, how about we lighten your load."
"I don't know what that means."
Booth smiled at the familiar statement. "It means why don't we go find something to do. The storm's pretty much passed Philly, it's Christmas Eve. I'm sure we could find something to do. I mean as much as I do love it here, I don't think neither of us wants to stay locked inside."
"Oh. Well, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Booth. I'm sure Mary-Anne and Frank also have some tourist maps we could take a look at as well. See what's around."
Booth leaned in and kissed her. "That sounds like a plan Bones. But uh I do have one more question."
"What's that?"
"With it being so cold and whatnot, would you care to join me in the shower?" he waggled his eyebrows playfully at her and she laughed. She shoved his shoulder playfully and swung her legs yelping when Booth picked her up bridal style.
"I can walk you know."
"Yes, yes I know but indulge me for a bit." He looked down at her in his arms and smiled, walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind them.
B/B/B/B/B/B
As they got ready for the day, they definitely spent time indulging. Booth not leaving Brennan for more than five minutes. Constantly kissing, teasing, and playing with her. Brennan took it all in stride, but she didn't leave herself to his mercy as she teased him back.
After getting ready and finally leaving Brennan alone long enough for her to also get ready, Booth quickly took the breakfast tray and dishes down to the kitchen. Despite Mary-Anne telling him it was okay to leave them there, he still stayed downstairs and helped her. He got a few ideas from Frank about what would open for them. Since the brunt of the storm had passed them and it'd only be lightly snowing and overcast, there were a few things they'd be able to do.
And since they were close enough to downtown, there were enough little stores for them to check out. Booth also took the time to arrange with Mary-Anne and Frank that they'd be staying an extra night.
Once he got that sorted and got them some brochures and maps, he went back upstairs. He found Brennan sitting on the bed putting on her socks.
"Hey! Look who finally got ready," he teased.
Brennan rolled her eyes, "I would have been ready if you left me to actually take a shower." She laughed at the memory of Booth tickling her every time she reached for the soap. "Did you get the things?"
He held up the documents he had and went to go sit by her. They looked through them and decided on a few things to do during the morning and then a few more during the night. Frank had told Booth that there was going to be a Christmas tree lighting later that night. It was a huge tree that was placed in one of the nearby squares and every Christmas Eve, it was a town celebration to light it at midnight. He decided on keeping that tidbit a secret and surprising Brennan with it.
"Okay, so are we going to walk around and see the neighborhood first?"
"Yep, then once we hit 34th St. we'll be in the downtown area. It's only three blocks from here," Booth confirmed. "But let me know if you need to stop and take a break at any point."
"Booth, I'm pregnant, not handicapped." Brennan huffed.
"I know Bones. Just, don't overexert yourself. We can stop at any point and take a quick break." Booth knew that she wouldn't admit it but she was already getting tired being her feet for long and her ankles were prone to swelling. He'd seen evidence of it last month when she spent all day on her feet in Limbo and came home to his apartment immediately putting them up.
Brennan made sure they had everything they needed for their morning out and once she was sure, she nodded to Booth. Booth opened their door and led her downstairs, his hand on the small of her back. While he knew he'd enjoy doing anything with her, he really hoped Brennan enjoyed the impromptu day.
I hope you enjoyed! As always, please leave me a review! They do help in motivating me to write quicker haha!
