Sorry for the long wait again everyone, I am trying to kick this thing, but my creativity keeps throwin' me curveballs!! I can't believe that I am so close to 300 reviews, absolutely amazing, and I want to thank everyone who is reading and reviewing and putting me on alerts, makes a girl feel good!! Your support means the world to me. So this isn't going to answer many questions...yet, but reunions are always good, right?
Disclaimer: Me and Booth...I WISH!!!
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Cathy returned to the kitchen to see a very pale Brennan being held up by Booth. Cathy could see the love in his eyes and knew her niece wanted to have the 'happily ever after' but couldn't believe in it.
"Where is she?" Brennan asked quietly.
"She's kind of in shock. She wasn't expecting this when she returned. She said she just needed to take a quick shower, let it sink in and then she will be right down." Cathy replied.
Brennan's sigh of relief was heard throughout the kitchen. Booth rubbed her shoulders gently and let her lean against his broad chest. Booth could feel her tension radiating through the room and tried to stave it off as best he could.
"Okay, well is everyone ready to tell the tale of this wicked adventure?" Booth stated half-heartedly.
"Where do we even start?" Questioned Kasten. "I mean, I only joined you in Boise, you had already had quite the time before I even showed. I don't even know how this thing got started."
"What? You mean you have only been on this thing for a day longer than I have?" Criss interjected.
"That's what I'm saying, young man." Kasten returned. "So seriously, how did this come to fruition?"
"Well, when it comes to Bones, it always starts with a favor." Booth joked.
"I didn't see you protesting too loudly when I asked." Brennan ribbed back.
"How can I say no to you?" He returned with all seriousness in his voice.
Brennan was just about to answer when the door to the kitchen slowly opened. Everyone in the kitchen turned towards the opening to see what who was on the other side.
Charlie stood there watching the roomfull of people turn ever so slowly towards her direction. Twelve eyes stared. All at different levels, different shades, and shapes, but only one held her gaze. She stood frozen. She stared at her niece in complete amazement. The resemblance to her long lost sister was uncanny. Her blue eyes like the waters of the Cascade Lakes and her hair the colour of oxidized iron with honey and amber highlights. She couldn't move or speak, she was paralyzed with wonderment.
Brennan looked at her aunt with unmatched determination. She saw so much of her mother in this woman and yet she looked like she could be Brennan's sister. The years, though tough, had been good to her.
"Charlie?" Brennan said in a voice just above a whisper.
"Yes." Charlie returned just as quietly. She continued to stare dumfounded. Her only movement was her head nodding up and down. "You look so much like her. You look so much like Ruth." Charlie finally choked out, tears overcoming her voice.
Charlie slowly started towards Brennan keeping eye contact with her the entire way. The others stood as still as manequins, no one daring to break the reunion with their comments. Brennan still leaned on Booth's chest unable to make a move towards Charlie. Booth tried to urge Brennan towards her aunt but she stood solid and stoic.
Bones, this is not a time to be stubborn, go to her. He urged in his mind. He too could not take this moment from her, she would remember this always.
Brennan finally found the strength to move her feet ever so slowly towards her aunt. They met halfway and continued to stare at one another.
"Joy, is it really you?"
"Yes, but my name is Temperance now."
Charlie grabbed Brennan by the shoulders and pulled her into a very tight embrace. Tears streamed down her cheeks, although she didn't cry. Brennans arms wrapped around her aunt and hugged back just as hard.
"I can't believe it's you. I can't believe you are really here, in my arms. I want you to know that I have always wondered about you. I always hoped that you were okay."
"I'm working on being okay, but I'm glad I'm here too."
The two woman were whispering to each other and the others in the room strained to hear what was being said. Donna and Criss stepped out of the kitchen to try to give the others their space, but were stopped short.
"Where do you think you're going?" Charlie asked of her employees.
"We thought we would give you all a moment." Donna answered easily.
"You guys are also my family, anything that is said in this room you can hear."
Booth chuckled to himself.
"What's so funny, Booth?" Brennan questioned.
Booth walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulder. "It's looks like you're not the only one with an unconventional family."
Brennan smiled. "No, I guess we've all had to find it somewhere. I'm glad you're with me for this."
"So am I." Booth pulled her into a hug and held on for what seemed like hours before they were brought back to reality.
"So, are you guys gonna tell us the whole story?" Criss asked.
"Sure. Someone get Charlie a plate, this is gonna take awhile." Booth suggested.
"So you will force anyone to eat, not just me?" Bones feigned hurt.
"Ya gotta eat people." Booth threw back.
The seven newly reunited 'family' members all sat around the big kitchen table and waited for the story to start.
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Next chapter, questions will be answered, I PROMISE! Love to everyone who is reading this, I hope you enjoy it. Reviews are always appreciated.