Chapter 23 Soft
A/N: First off, on a personal note: Many thanks to jsboneslover and GuestJD (who don't have FanFiction profiles) for their descriptively-positive reviews. I appreciate you letting me know what you like in various chapters. Since I'm new at this, it helps me improve. Other kind readers' anonymous reviews are also very welcomed. I never figured out how to do that. The many genius writers on this site deserve my gratitude for hours of reading enjoyment.
Soft
Booth opened one eye to the rays of sunshine slanting through his blinds. The fluorescent lights spelling 'Liquor Store' outside were turned off for another day. With the neon script just beyond his apartment windows, he'd never needed night lights for Parker when he was little, he mused half-asleep.
He opened the other eye. … and smiled broadly to himself. Next to him a beautiful woman was snoring softly. Though she'd never admit it nor appreciate his mentioning it. Bones. His Bones. That comment she had eventually come to tolerate, after prolonged sputtering about him being an overly-possessive alpha male, because she realized it meant how much he loved her, he couldn't believe she loved him back, and they were finally together.
It was Saturday morning, and they had the whole weekend to enjoy with each other!
Since she appeared to be very soundly asleep, Booth indulged in one of his favorite pastimes. Watching her when she was unaware of it. Her lips, her cheeks, her hands, her feminine curves, her hips; all so very soft. He loved to rest his head on her chest, to cradle her in return, to pull her as close to his side as was humanly possible. He knew her softness covered steel: her determination and resolve, her fierce protective love for anyone she allowed close, her strong bones and flexible well-honed muscles.
Temperance Brennan was a mother tiger before she was a mother. She would fight to keep safe anyone in her care. Her strenuous efforts on behalf of Baby Andy, David and Shawn Cook, Kelly and Alex Morris, and Colin Gibson were ample evidence of her kind nature. Marginalized foster kids were her particular protective passion. Booth had witnessed over and over how hard she worked to gain justice for every crime victim they found. Brennan doubted her ability to connect with people, but he knew her worries were groundless.
He rolled toward her, and smiled down at her gently-rounded abdomen sheltering their unborn child. "You're so very lucky, little one," he whispered softly, "to have her as your mother." A few more months, and he'd have more softness to cuddle; their baby. He couldn't wait! He brushed a strand of hair out of Brennan's eyes and she stirred. He kissed her nose. "Booth, it's Saturday, we can sleep in," Brennan complained. "You get your rest, my beauty, I'm going in search of coffee and bacon and newspapers, and then I shall rustle you up some of my blueberry pancakes," Booth declared happily, sliding out of bed. "Bacon, ugh!" Brennan groaned, rolling over. "Go back to sleep, Bones!" Booth pulled on Green Hornet cotton pants, tied his robe, closed the door quietly and headed for the kitchen.
An hour later, he carried a tray into the bedroom and set it next to the bed. "Hey, Bones, wakey, wakey! I made you blueberry pancakes and cantaloupe slices. The flapjacks are soft and fluffy, just like you!" Brennan sat up in bed, and frowned at him. "What do you mean? I'm not fluffy, and my muscles certainly aren't soft! I do yoga and judo and several other forms of martial arts training each week! I could probably deck you, if I decided to, Mister!"
Booth placed the tray in her lap, and sat down on the bed. "That's not the soft I'm talking about, Bones. I know you're all strong and muscl-y. But you're also soft in all the right places! And your hair is all fluffy and fly-away when you first wake up! Your bed-head curls are one of my favorite things about our mornings!"
"It's a good thing you sat this tray on top of me, Booth! If I didn't have hot coffee to watch, I'd throw something at you! But…I love you too."