A/N: Sorry this took a little longer than usual. But it has been beta-ed by katiebeth. Thanks girl, and happy birthday! I still own all the mistakes though...
Disclaimer: Don't own Jack…or Booth, or Brennan, or Bones, you get the idea.
Chapter 7 The lively dinner (Wednesday)
Booth's SUV pulled into the driveway and he turned off the car. Opening the back door he retrieved several large bags from Wong Foo's.
"Daddy! Daddy!" The voices brought a smile to his handsome face. Ignoring the food he threw the boys up high in the air, in quick succession, catching them before accepting a hug. He handed them each a bag and instructions to take it carefully to Mommy. Picking up the last few bags he shut and locked the car and followed his sons to the kitchen.
Temperance was sorting out the packages and flashed him an easy smile. "What did you do? Order the whole menu?"
"I've heard about pregnant women and their appetites. Just trying to keep up." He planted a kiss on her temple and moved around the kitchen.
"You're right about that buddy!" Yelled Angela from her vantage point on the sofa, "bring me some food!"
"Don't even think of getting between her and a spicy egg roll." Suggested Hodgins, holding Sam back from poking through the bags. The little boy giggled.
"Uncle Jack!"
The entomologist responded by hoisting up the squirming boy by his legs, dangling him low so his hair dusted the floor.
"Jack, just get it out of your system before he eats. Or you'll get to practice cleaning up spit before your baby comes." Temperance warned, moving to the living room. Booth watched his son interact with Hodgins, grateful the two were so close. Hodgin's own experience with the Grave Digger brought him closer to Angela, and his relationship with Sam seemed to help alleviate his fears about becoming a father himself.
After eating, the two couples rested on the couch, watching in amusement as the boys chased each other around the room, down the hall, through the kitchen. Clad in footsie pajamas, as Booth liked to call them, the boys had taken to sliding on the hardwood floors, a game which often ended in head butts, bruised shins or crashing into the front door.
"How can they eat that much food, and have so much energy?" complained Hodgins, holding his stomach in pain. "I can't even move."
"Booth?" Angela turned to him, waiting. "You've been a parent the longest, how can they do that?"
"I have no idea." Booth watched his sons with a smile. God, I love just watching them, sitting here with her. Our friends. Our family.
Soon they heard the familiar crash and cry that resulted from the boy's play. Booth was up first and gathered Sam from behind the couch.
"Where does it hurt, bub?" The boy sniffled and pointed to the top of his head. Booth gently pushed away the mop of brown curls to examine the very spot. Parker guiltily moved to the couch, curling up on Temperance's lap, watching closely.
Angela and Jack were mesmerized as they watched Booth hold the boy close, kissing his head gently, quickly soothing his sobs. Very few people ever guessed Sam was adopted. His dark hair was so close to Seeley's own and the serious blue eyes matched Temperance's orbs. The little boy seemed to be the perfect pairing of the two. He was more reserved than Parker and he was intelligent; he could read people with accuracy beyond his years yet had the tact of a seven-year-old, just like his mother, Booth liked to tease. Frequent roughhousing and sports with his older and larger brother made Sam strong, a far cry from the weak, scared boy they'd found in the cellar.
Booth looked over to see Temperance holding the guilt-ridden Parker, her eyes shining at the scene before her. From the corner of his eye, he saw Angela dabbing her eyes, holding Jack tightly. Jeez, I better do something before we all start crying. He smiled brightly and gestured to Parker.
"Come 'ere bub! And bub!" Turning to Sam, he said, "The official Booth punishment for play resulting in bumped heads is…" He paused dramatically, maintaining the goofy grin. Both boys sat in his lap expectantly. "A tickle fight!!!" Sam and Parker squealed and tried, vainly, to escape their father's expert fingers as he held them down. Soon their laughter mixed with the adult's. That's better, Booth thought triumphantly.
Later, when the food had settled, the boys were put to bed and dishes were cleaned the adults sat in the living room, lounging on the floor. Temperance had cleared the coffee table while Booth retrieved a puzzle from the hall closet. As they examined the picture and began spreading out the pieces, the conversation naturally fell to the case.
"DNA results came back positively identifying the victim as Laura Been. Samples from a hairbrush found in the house were a perfect match to the tissue Zack recovered. Booth still thinks it's a coworker," began Temperance, her voice giving away her disapproval.
"Based on what?" Angela inquired, eager to hear about the case taking so much of Hodgins's time lately. Selfishly, she wanted the case solved and Jack home at a reasonable hour before their baby came. She fingered a puzzle piece, searching for its place.
"First, the fact that very few items were stolen during the robbery. A work briefcase was one of them. A locked work briefcase. Second," Booth ticked the reasons off his fingers as he spoke, "the victim worked long hours which places the majority of our suspects in the workplace."
"Yet," interjected Temperance, unwilling to yield, "everyone said she was quiet, shy, but reliable. There was nothing associated with her job that required a locked briefcase, nothing missing from her desk. Her neighbor reported that she would come and go at all hours of the night. She was hardly home on weekends, but never worked weekends. Her personal calendar was missing with the briefcase. She was away from home for long periods of time but didn't seem to interact socially. "
"That anyone knew about," Angela finished. "Maybe she had an entire secret life hidden away." They considered the possibility and spent hours working on the puzzle, hashing out theories and reviewing the evidence. It was late when Hodgins insisted on taking Angela home to rest.
On their way to the car Temperance gave Angela a final hug. She even bent down to her friend's belly and whispered, "Hey little boy or girl. Can't wait to meet you. I'm your godmother. You can call me Bones." Booth and Hodgins exchanged a grin as they witnessed the exchange.
"You and me both sister, let's encourage this baby to come. Soon. I want my body back." Angela sighed wistfully and turned to give Booth a hug.
Pulling out the driveway, Angela rolled down the window to wave to her friend.
"You'll have a baby soon, Ange! I know it!" Temperance called.
"Back at ya, sister!" replied the artist with a knowing grin and a wink.
Unable to formulate an intelligent response, Temperance stood in the driveway gaping at the disappearing headlights until Booth led her inside.
END Chapter
A/N: So what do you think? Is Angela psychic? Psychotic? Will Temperance compromise and get a puppy instead?
Also, I'm undecided about the sex of Angela and Jack's baby. Boy, girl, hermphadite? You get to vote, so review and let me know what you think.