I Love You More

Wind is to fire like distance is to love; it extinguishes the small and enflames the great.
-- Anonymous

Author's Note: I was hoping to have this finished before now, and I apologize for that. School started, my freshman year at college, and I haven't had much time. Anyways, enough about me, here's the second and final (probably) part to tie up some loose ends. Enjoy!

I leaned against the wall in the concourse, lazily sipping from my coffee cup, and kept my gaze glued to the security gates. Booth's flight had landed and I couldn't wait to see him. True to his word, he had remained gone for three weeks, three agonizing weeks.

Now it was time to start over.

The passengers were beginning to emerge from the terminal, bags slung over their shoulders, some wearily searching for their next connections, others happily greeting family and friends who waited for them.

I strained to locate Booth, inching along the wall to move closer to the gates. What happened next was imprinted in my memory forever. A short man, fairly round about the middle, two small carry-on bags in his hands, was coming towards me and I moved to let him pass. Curiosity, for some reason, captured me, and I turned to watch as he met his family; his wife, two boys, and a young girl.

He dropped his bags on the floor, heedless of the passengers forced to step around him, and reached for one of the boys. The man knelt down and wrapped the boy into a hug, and I caught some words.

"Hey little man, did you miss me?" he questioned.

"A whole lot, Dad!" the child replied enthusiastically, eyes shining.

Next, the man turned to the older son, who appeared to be around ten years old. He shook the boy's hand and pulled him into a hug as well.

"Hey bud, I missed you tons."

"Me too, Dad," the second son said.

While all this was going on, I didn't fail to notice his daughter, squirming in her mother's arms, round blue eyes glued to the scene of her returning father. The man noticed this as well and took the girl from his wife.

"Hi baby, Daddy's home," he cooed to the toddler.

He kissed her forehead and rocked her against his chest. I watched as the little girl closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder. After a few moments, the man passed the girl off to his oldest son and smiled brightly.

"The best for last!" he declared, proceeding to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing in public.

They pulled apart and he reached for her hands, gazing into her eyes.

"I love you so much," he said to her.

They reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't be. I was puzzled, but suddenly realized how engrossed I was in the display of unconditional love in front of me. Immediately I felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading their privacy, but I couldn't help but to ask.

"Uh, how long have you two been married?"

"Been together fourteen years, married twelve," he stated without a second thought.

"Well, how long have you been away?" I thought I had what Booth called 'diarrhea of the mouth'.

"Two whole days," he replied, finally looking at me.

I was shocked. I thought for certain, based on the intensity of the greeting I had just witnessed, that he had been gone for weeks at least, maybe months. My expression must have betrayed my thoughts, for the man was looking at me strangely. I wanted to get away, to end my intrusion with some impression of grace, so I added an offhanded comment.

"I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years," I said.

This got the man's attention. His smile decked down a notch or two and he turned to face me. He looked me straight in the eye, and with extreme intensity, told me something that I would never forget.

"Don't hope, decide."

With that, he grabbed my hand and shook it, flashed me a smile, and began to walk away. He tossed a happy 'have a good day' back over his shoulder. I watched, thinking, as the content family meandered slowly into the crowd.

"Hey there, Bones, did you miss me?"

I smiled, wheeled around, and launched myself at Booth. He chuckled and caught me in his arms, spinning me around before holding me tightly. His hands smoothed over my hair and I sighed against his neck.

"A whole lot, Booth," I said.

Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of the family from earlier that was just now beginning to vanish through the airport doors. I lifted my head and stared until they disappeared. Booth, sensing my silence, released me and turned his head to follow my gaze.

"What'cha looking at?" he inquired

With a strange sense of certainty and no hesitation, I replied.

"Our future."

And then I kissed him.

Author's Note: I apologize for this second part. It needs a part three, but I can't deal with that right now. I'm not totally sure that I like this, but it'll have to do. Strangely different from anything else I've written, but oh well. I also apologize for the length. Seriously, someone gimme back my muse! Gah! I'd love reviews, if there's a miniscule chance that any of you liked this.