Blessing
Hank opened his eyes as the door to his hospital room creaked. Booth leaned in, trying quietly to see if his grandfather was awake. "Hey, Pops, Bones and I came as soon as Mabel called us. She said Willow River called the ambulance right away also."
Hank huffed disgustedly. "Seeley, you know I hate hospitals, I didn't feel that bad; I just got a little short of breath reelin' in my fishing line when I snagged that last trout. Cocky fish got away, too. Woulda made a nice snack for our pinochle group, the way Doris in the kitchen fries it up."
"Pops, you can't take chances. How's this little peanut Bones is carrying supposed to get to know her Great Grand Pops if you ignore the doctors? We didn't want to bring Parker when you're feeling bad, but he wants to come play dominoes next weekend while Rebecca's out of town. He'll be out of school on Monday, so we can spend all day Sunday with no rush to get back. So you've gotta get your strength back so you can go home to the retirement center by then."
"Booth's right, Hank," Brennan said gently, taking his hand in hers. "This little girl might not have been planned, but now that she's on the way, it's really important to us that she gets a chance to play with you and hear your stories the way Parker has. You've got alot of wisdom to impart to our children."
Hank coughed in spite of his efforts to stifle the urge. Booth jumped up and moved to his side. "Here, Pops, let me raise your bed so you can sit up a little more."
"Galdarnit, Seeley, I can still push a dang button to sit myself up," Pops sputtered indignantly.
"Shrimp, would you go see if the nurse has any apple juice on the floor? She said I need some extra fluids so I could have juice if I want it. A man can only down so much ice water before he's water-logged."
"Sure thing, Pops." Booth strode to the door opened it, and went down the hall.
"Temperance, I want to talk to you. I've been having some trouble breathing at night and I don't want to worry him. I'll keep going as long as I'm supposed be on this earth, but I don't want to be plugged into a bunch of wires and tubes to keep me here past my appointed time."
"I want you to know how dear you've become to me, and how much it meant that you came to visit me all those months while Seeley was off mucking things up with that lady reporter. Your kindness to an old man has really been extraordinary. I'm real sorry that young intern of yours was shot, but I'm sure not sorry you two finally got some sense knocked into your heads and got together."
"Hank, I consider you a very close friend, and…" Brennan began.
"Now sweetheart, let me get my piece said before Shrimp gets back in here. I may not be around much longer, and he puts up a big tough front, but he's a softie inside like his Gran was, and when I go, he's gonna need someone to hug him, hold his hand and let him cry. I know you don't put much stock in marriage, but I don't think he'd ever hold you back from anything you want to do, and I hope you'll be in his life for a long time to come. I hope you guys will stick together for the sake of this little girl you've got coming. Married or not, rings or not, he loves you and I think you love him. If you decide you want it, Margaret's ring is in my safety deposit box and it's yours. It's not fancy, but it held my love for her for 40 years, and it would hold your heart for Seeley, and his love for you, too. Just think about it. You have my blessing no matter what you decide. You're the best thing that ever happened to my grandson, and I'm so glad you both quit dancing around that line and went for the prize. You are good for each other."
Brennan wiped the tears that had rolled down her cheeks.
"Hank, I'll always love and take care of Booth, and Parker, and this little one who's on her way. You saved Booth and Jared, when you could have looked the other way and taken the easy road and I'll never forget that. You saved the best man I've ever known. I love Booth and I love you. I only wish I'd had the chance to know his grandmother," Brennan sniffed, smiling at him.
The door creaked open and Booth appeared with a bottle of apple juice and a cup brimming with crushed ice.
"Here you go, Pops. The nurse said she'd be down soon to take your blood pressure again. What did you say to Bones? She's all red-eyed."
"Never you mind, mister. Temperance, can you give me a minute with this grandson of mine?"
"Sure, Hank, I'll go check on your next inhalation therapy treatment. I want to see what the pulmonologist found on your lung x-rays."
"Shrimp, sit down here. I want you to hang on to that girl. She's a keeper, and I hope you know what a treasure you've got. She's as good a woman as your grandmother was, and if you mess this up, I swear I'll come back and haunt you. I won't be around forever, and I can't keep giving you this lecture. And I'm not coming back to repeat it to you either1 Make sure your lady scientist knows you love her; tell her 59 times a day if you have to, and more importantly SHOW her..."
"I want you to know I'm as proud of you as I can be. You've become the finest man I know. You have my blessing to do whatever your heart leads you to do with Temperance, just don't lose her. I know you'd like to be married to her, but if she doesn't see it that way, just leave it be. The important thing is that you have each other and you share a love and a bond anyone would give their eye teeth to find in this world. You've been a good grandson and a better son that your dad was. And I love you." The old man wiped his eyes on his pajama sleeve.
"When I do go, and it's my time, don't feel bad for me. I've had a good long run, and I'm getting tired. Your sweet grandma is up there waitin' for me. When my time comes, it'll be so good to hug her again! Just hold on to Temperance and cherish each other the way your grandmother and I did. And you'll have a great life together with Parker and that sweet baby girl of yours. You and Rebecca are doing a great job raising that boy, and I know you and Temperance will be great parents for this little girl too. You just remember what I said about hanging on tight to that wonderful woman!"
"Oh Pops," Booth choked out. "I love you."
"I know you do son. Me too. Now go find that girl and let me give her a hug before you head back to DC."
A/N: When I saw the Hiatus prompt "Blessing" Booth's Pops came to mind. Like many other people, I enjoyed The Walton's show years ago and I've always admired Ralph Waite's understated acting skills. It seems to me that John Walton is like Bones. He cherished his wife and family, but almost never went to church as she did. He was 'true blue' like Brennan is; a supremely good individual with a personal disdain for religion. I watch "NCIS" and loved Ralph Waite as Jackson Gibbs. When he appeared in "Bones" shortly thereafter, I was delighted. I assume that the show will deal with Pops' passing away sometime this season. In the meantime, this chapter pays tribute to a great actor and a good man.