Title: This is Life

Disclaimer: Not mine. From chapter one to what is now chapter thirty six – I have never had any claim over any character. Even the ones that are mine, I cannot copyright so, hey! No money made here!

Rating: I am going to rate this chapter an T.

A/N: I think this would be an astute place to end this story. I have the characters where I want them, which means I cannot ask for much more. I have topped my maximum word count, got four hundred and eighty reviews, thus far, and have had so much fun writing this. The two people I would most like to thank is BonesDBchippie for reading every chapter and correcting all my mistakes – she's been amazing and patient and so reliable. Plus when it comes to a shrewd eye, there isn't a better lady for the job, even when it takes me a million years to update my chapters. Second is fellow fan-fic writer, Jaed, who has become something of a kindred spirit for her understanding of what it feels like to write and how, even when the characters are owned by someone else, for the words we do write, they're ours. Good luck in the rest of your story, babe.

A final word for an anonymous reviewer whose name consists only of: B 3B – This chapter is, is set on their honeymoon as requested, however I thought the last chapter was fitting for my final sex scene.

Anyway – for the final chapter…

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Star light… star bright…

The sky over Antigua looked like velvet.

Velvet that was sprinkled with fine, dusty glitter.

The mesh hammock, strung between two curving palm trees, swung in the sultry breeze, rocking with a motion that almost made her sleep, a colourful, non-alcoholic cocktail in hand. With an arm draped around her shoulders, a soft hand brushing over her bicep, any concerns she might have had, evaporated away, lost amidst the stringed guitar and heavy brass drums in the distance.

Ten feet away, the ocean, foamy and whispery, brushed against the sand with a predictable and constant lull. She shifted, rocking the hammock, the enormous palms creaking beneath the strain.

"It's almost New Year," she said, lifting her hand to stroke the dark, warm length of his arm, surrounding her like a protective barrier. "I couldn't have imagined, when I was talking with Angela only a few days ago about her New Years Eve party that I'd be in Antigua, on a beach sipping…" she dropped her eyes to the tall, slender glass, peering into the scarlet red depths, "I don't actually know what this is," she admitted. Behind her, a low and titillating rumble rose within his chest.

"Does it taste good?" he asked, the sound of his humour and the honeyed smoothness of his laughter proving to be an instant aphrodisiac.

"Amazing," she confirmed, nodding her head.

"Then it doesn't matter." Brennan murmured her agreement as his lips touched her head, stroking the smooth milky skin. "Do you like it here?" Booth asked, his fingertips moving along her arms sent a network of goosebumps prickling along her flesh. She trembled beneath the slow, deliberate caresses.

"Is this where you suggest we never go home?" she joked, tilting her head far enough to press a kiss to his jaw. Booth listened to music for a moment, the local beats cascading through the air, surrounding him, drawing him further and further away from the city he called home. He shrugged.

"No. That would be illogical, Temperance," he said, a small jest evident within his voice. "It's nice being here, that's all." She hummed, draining her glass and plucking a ripe, glossy cherry off the top. "I've been on vacations before… but never like this." Brennan chuckled, sucking the cherry between her lips and biting into the sweet, juicy flesh.

"That's reassuring. I'd be concerned if you'd been on a honeymoon before." Booth passed his palm over her hair, smoothing the vibrant tresses, the silky curls flattening beneath his attention. "It is very nice," she conceded, passing her hand over her torso, imagining the baby that grew within. Her husband's baby. Her heart began a series of rapid palpations each time she thought about it.

"It's four minutes to midnight," Booth whispered, tilting his watch, catching the light of the flaming torch that was dug into the sand. She watched the sands slide forth, moving towards the start of a new year. Booth seemed to read her thoughts. "It's been quite a year for us, huh?" he said, his arm tightening around her for a moment.

"The hardest twelve of my life," Brennan said, mentally replaying the agonies they had endured and the limits to which their love was tested. They kept swimming and surfaced at the other end – sometimes it felt as though they might drown completely, but it seemed so perfect that, when they were finally washed ashore, however metaphorical it may have been, they landed in a place as beautiful and as wonderful as Antigua.

"We're happy now, right?" Booth tasted the corner of her eye, his tongue touching upon a rogue tear.

"More than ever."

Above their heads, a white chalky line smeared the sky and Booth pointed. "Look Bones," he said as the star sparkled, fading into the velveteen blackness – exquisite and brilliant. In the city it was extremely rare to see something of such stunning beauty. It was far too bright, but lying beneath the pin-pricked sky, there were many spectacular sights to be seen, now. "Make a wish…" she smiled, wondering at the age old tradition and where something so irrational as wishing upon a star or dropping a quarter into well came from. Where did the rumour originate from?

As the fine dust of the meteorite disappeared completely, she shook her head.

"No," she said, "I don't need to wish. I have everything I want." Brennan felt him smile against her cheek and the emotion choked her throat. For once in her life, she had no unfulfilled desires because everything else faded into obscurity since Booth had put her life into perspective. She had love. She had him. A falling star was not likely to offer her anything else.

"Amen to that," Booth replied as the sky exploded in a contrast of colours; red and orange, pink and yellow, showering the pretty little island with bright sparks as a drum beat chimed out twelve distinct beats, one after the other.

When all that remained of the celebratory fireworks was the smoky trail, Brennan turned her cheek to his chest, his breath brushing her skin like an erotic kiss. She touched her lips to his, the taste of him lingering against her tongue; spicy and distinct.

"Happy new year, Seeley," she said.

"Happy new year, Temperance," he replied, his eyes falling closed in perfect, unadulterated contentment as the Caribbean drums continued to beat a song of love.

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Well, there we go. All done.

Since this story began, Brennan and Booth have been to;

Vermont,

Ireland,

Philadelphia,

Virginia and

Antigua

Please forgive any inaccuracies and I hope everyone enjoyed. I might do a stand-alone for when their little baby is born. Let me know if it appeals to anyone. Until then, thanks for all your support.