Time looked like a blur.
From the moment Booth walked out of the basement with Joy in his arms, things got out of hand.
Temperance only remembers seeing the paramedics putting Joy in an Stretcher, Booth telling her to follow the ambulance.
There were a lot of people talking around, a lot of sirens… All she wanted was to see her daughter.
Inside Booth's car it was quiet. He drove while she was sitting in the passenger seat.
She didn't even remember getting in the car.
—She's going to be fine Bones, she's strong. (Booth said in an anxious tone) Our little girl is going to be fine.
—How was she? (Temperance muttered) You wouldn't let me see her.
—You didn't have to see her like that.(He swallowed hard.) We'll see her at the hospital when she's okay.
—That means she was bad, I want to see her, I can help! (She said annoyed) She's my daughter!
—And mine too and I don't want you to have that image of her.She looked dead bones!
Temperance took a deep breath and felt tears fall. She was a woman who dealt with death up close every day, who saw bodies of various ages.. but Joy was her daughter and it really wasn't an image she wanted to have in her mind. .
—How do you know she's not…
—She said "Daddy, you found me." and then passed out..(He took her hand) If something happens..I want you to remember her happy, her well..just good memories.
She nodded, understanding what he wanted to tell her.
He was protecting her. As usual.
She squeezed his hand gently and wept softly on the way to the hospital.
She really just wanted her daughter back.
•••
Waiting was without a doubt the hardest thing to do.
As soon as they arrived at the hospital, they received the news from the doctor, that Joy's case was serious, but she was a strong girl and they had a good prognosis for her.
And then they were sent to the waiting room.
They sat side by side while waiting for news.
One holding the other's hand.
Soon the laboratory staff came to stay with them.
Angela and Hoddings being the first to arrive, soon Cam also came along and some interns.
Even Max came to stay with them.
Rebecca didn't go to the hospital, but called Booth to get him to calm Parker down.
As Booth spoke to Rebecca, Max sat next to his daughter.
—Do you think she's going to be okay?
—Of course dear, soon she will be back to her form.(Max said and took her hand)
—I don't believe in God, angels and stuff, but this girl could only have been sent by someone…I don't want to lose her, Dad.
—And you won't, she's just as stubborn as you are. (Max said and hugged his daughter.)
It took 4 hours for a doctor to come talk to them..
—Jolene Joy Booth's parents.(The doctor called as he entered the room.
—It's us. (Booth said after getting up, along with Bones) How is she?
The doctor looked at the two and then looked at the clipboard.
—Well, Joy had some fractures from the beatings, she had a broken wrist and internal bleeding, which we were able to stop. Plus she was dehydrated and tired. (He smiled) She'll be fine.
They both sighed and hugged each other tightly.
She would be fine.
And that was all they needed to hear.
—Can we go see her? (Temperance asked the doctor)
—Of course, but she won't wake up for a few hours.
The two agreed and followed the doctor down the hall to Joy's room.
As soon as they entered, they both went to the side of their daughter, who looked peacefully lying on the hospital bed.
Booth saw Bones' stunned gaze as he looked at his daughter, he knew he needed to do something.
—Hey honey, we're here. (Booth said quietly to daughter) You're safe now.
—You'll be fine..you just need to rest.(Temperance said while stroking her daughter's hair)Soon we'll go home and everything will be fine..Right?
—Of course Bones. (Booth looked at her and smiled) It's going to be okay.
Joy woke up with bright lights on her face, she moaned and put her hand over her eyes.
—Take it easy, baby bones. (Booth said to Joy) You just woke up, you're fine..we're here.
She opened her eyes calmly and then smiled when she saw her parents beside her.
—I came back to you.(She muttered as she reaches for her father.)Where's Mom?
—She's sleeping.(He said and smiled at his daughter) I'm so glad you're okay, you were so brave and smart. We're proud of you baby bones.
—I learned from the best. (She murmured and smiled) You can wake up Mom, I miss her.
Booth kissed her head and then woke Temperance, who immediately went to her daughter's bed.
—You scared the hell out of me, young lady.
—If it helps, I was scared too, but I remembered you and daddy and I was strong. (The girl said while holding Temperance's hand with her good hand)
—I love you Joy, I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't come back. (Bones said after leaning his head on his daughter)
—I will never leave you, I promised. (Joy said and put his hand under her face) I love you mom.
Temperance smiled and closed her eyes for a moment, absorbing that unique moment with her daughter after so much suffering.
After pulling away from her daughter and looking at Booth and finally letting out a sigh of relief, Joy asked.
—What's going to happen to Lindsay?
—she will be in jail forever. (Booth said his daughter)
—It will never hurt you or anyone else again.
—That's good.(She muttered and yawned)Can you lay with me Mommy? I miss you.
—I do not think that..(Temperance started talking, but Booth started talking)
—Bones, it won't hurt and this bed is huge for Jolly. (Booth said supporting his daughter)
—It's Mom, there's a lot of space. (She spread the bed with her good arm.) Please..
Bones chuckled, but nodded and lay down beside his daughter.
Booth smiled and covered them both with blankets, turned off the lights in the bedroom and then sat on the side of the bed.
After a few minutes watching the two sleeping, he got a call and then before he got up and left Joy grabbed his hand.
—Where are you going? (she muttered sleepily)
—I'll take an important call, but I'll be right back.
—Okay daddy, I just wanted to say thank you.
—For what, baby? (He questioned)
—For not giving up on me or Mom.
Booth smiled and kissed her head and then Bones, who was asleep.
—I will never give up on you, you are my family.
Joy smiled sleepily and went back to sleep happily.
And then, finally, things would fall into place.