(After 'The Hole in the Heart')

I don't own Bones, not even a little bit.

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

Booth was feeling nervous. He wasn't sure why. He knew that Parker loved Brennan, but things were changing and as far as Booth was concerned these changes were permanent. There was no going back to the way things were before he started to sleep with his partner and he wanted Parker to accept these changes.

Not willing to put off the call, he picked up the phone and dialed. He wished he could talk to the boy in person, but Parker was in England and he'd have to settle for a phone call.

Hey Dad, I'm glad you called. My school is really cool and Mom and I went and saw Buckingham Palace and we saw the guards change and it was awesome.

The excitement in the boy's voice helped Booth accept that the boy was happy. He had been unsure about Rebecca moving to England and taking his son with her, but she had assured him that she had researched schools and found one that she thought Parker would like. She had also promised that if the boy hated the school, she'd find one he did like. Booth knew he could trust Rebecca. She loved their son and she would never make the boy unhappy. "I'm glad you like it Buddy and Buckingham Palace is cool. Me and Bones saw it a few years ago."

Cool. Mom says we're going to go see some castles. I'm going to take pictures for you.

"Thanks." Still nervous, Booth cleared his throat. "Um, look . . . I called you because I have great news. Well, I think it's great news . . . Um, Bones and me . . . well, we're um, together now. Do you understand? We're a couple."

Oh boy, that's great Dad. Are you getting married? Can I come to the wedding?

"No Parker, we're not getting married." Booth wasn't sure how to explain the situation to his son. "Um, well, Bones doesn't think getting married is important and I don't want to make her unhappy asking her to marry me. She loves me and I love her and that's enough . . . Maybe it will happen someday, but not now. Okay? Do you understand?"

Sure Dad. I think Bones is great and even though you're not getting married can I call her my Step-Mom? I've always wanted her to be my step-mother. She's so cool."

"Sure you can. She loves you, Parker." Booth was relieved that this was going well. He knew Parker loved Brennan, but changes like this could upset children. "I'm going to set up something so we can talk and see each other. Hodgins or Angela probably can show me how. We have it at work, so I don't see why I can't do it at home. When I get that set up, maybe I can get Bones to talk to you. How about that?"

Awesome, Dad. I miss not seeing you, but Mom says I can stay with you during Spring and Summer break . . . She needs me Dad. I have to live here so she won't be lonely.

Booth knew that Parker had not wanted to move away, but he loved his mother and he would never abandon her. "Sure, it's okay, Parker. You're the man of your household. You've got a big job to do, but I know you can do it and your Mom knows she can count on you."

Thanks, Dad. I got to go. Say hi to Bones for me.

"I will. I love you, Parker."

I love you too, Dad.

Ooooooooooooooooooo

Standing at the door of Brennan's apartment, Booth held a small bouquet of flowers behind his back. He wanted to show her that he appreciated her and he hoped the flowers would assure her that what they were doing was the right thing for them. Hesitating for the moment, Booth shook his head and knocked on the door. I'm putting too much meaning into the flowers. Lighten up.

Surprised Booth was so early for their date, Brennan opened the door and smiled. "You're early."

"Yeah, I got off work early for once and decided to spend the time with you." He held out the bouquet of flowers. "I know you like daffodils."

"The flowers are lovely." She took them, placed the flowers close to her nose and smelled their perfume. "They are my favorites, thank you." She wasn't used to Booth giving her flowers, but he had given her small gifts in the past and she appreciated the thought behind them. "Come in." Once Booth was in the apartment, she pointed at the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink or would you like to wait until we get to the club?"

Following her into to the kitchen, Booth watched her find a vase and place the flowers in it with a little water at the bottom of the vase. "No, I'm good for now."

The vase now on the kitchen table, Brennan turned to face Booth. "Did you call Parker?" She was a little nervous and she knew why. She'd had a restless night after Booth had told her he was going to call Parker and tell him about their new relationship. She loved the boy and she knew Parker liked her, but she worried the child might think she was coming between his father and mother. Booth didn't love Rebecca and had no intention of ever getting back into a relationship with her, but did Parker understand that?

Her partner loved his son very much and if Parker hated the idea of them being together, well, Brennan wasn't sure what Booth would do about that.

Moving over to where Brennan was standing, Booth took her hands in his, leaned over and kissed her. "Yes and stop worrying. He's excited about us being together now. He loves you, you know that."

She didn't know if the boy did love her, but she had loved Parker for a long time. He was sweet and he thought she was cool. Something no one else in the world believed, of that she was certain. "I . . . I wasn't sure how he would react."

"To tell you the truth, I didn't either, but I know he loves you and me and . . . well, I was sure he'd be happy once I told him what was going on." Booth hugged Brennan. "Hey, we're a family now. You and me and Parker." Releasing her, he smiled at her. "He even asked if it was alright to say you're his step-mom. I told him it was. Is that okay?"

"His step-mother? We aren't getting married, Booth." Brennan hoped Booth wasn't going to ask her. She would have to tell him no and it made her feel sick that saying no would ruin everything. "You know I can't do that."

He could see the worry on her face, the stiff way she held her body and he knew he had to assure her. "Hey, I told him we weren't getting married and he was okay with that . . . I'm okay with that. Really. I'm not going to ask you. I promise and I never break my promises to you." He saw her nod her head, but she still looked sad. "We're together, Bones. It's what I've wanted for a long time. I don't need a ring to prove we're together. We're good. Really."

Relief flooding her body, Brennan smiled. "Parker may call me his step-mother if he wishes." So far, this date had been a little too intense for both of them. "Let me get my jacket and we can leave for the club. I checked and they serve some vegetarian dishes, so we should be able to find something we like on their menu. Oh, they do have a live jazz band tonight."

"Great, I'm hungry." Booth rubbed his stomach and smiled. The hardest part of the night was over and it would be smooth sailing from now on.

"You're always hungry, Booth." Leaving the kitchen, she knew Booth was following her. "I hope we don't have a case tonight. I plan to have a lot of sex when we come back from the club."

Blunt as ever, but Booth loved that about her, well most of the time. "That sounds like a great plan, Bones. A great plan. Count me in."

Oooooooooooooooo

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