Ephemeral Moments

Ephemeral Moments

Chapter 8 – Remember Me As a Time of Day

A/N: This has been the hardest chapter to write so far. I don't like these kinds of chapters. But I think it turned out well. Not perfect, but well enough for me to want to post it. And I hope it's not too cheesy. I wasn't going for that. But maybe it is. Anyways, enjoy. And a review on this chapter would be greatly appreciated, to tell me your thoughts. Thank you.

"Good morning sweetie." Booth said in his raspy old voice, tugging her closer and kissing her neck.

"Morning." She murmured in her sleep-laden voice.

"Come on, wake up. I want to see how beautiful you are, still." He whispered, kissing the hollow of her neck. She laughed a little and slowly turned, feeling lethargic.

"Still as beautiful as the day I met you, in my eyes." He said, smiling that charm smile at her. She smiled softly back.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his frail hand going up to cup her cheek. He felt the wet tears slipping down.

"Seeley, I love you so much. You have given me the best life and family I ever could have asked for. And you made me the best person."

"I know, sweetie, I know. You've done incredible things for me too. I got you." He whispered. She sobbed harder then.

"Sh. Sh." He cooed. "Remember, Juliana, Carson, and Parker come over today. No kids. Just them."

"I know. But I don't think I'll be there."

"What are you talking about? Of course you will."

"No, Seeley." She said, placing a hand over his heart. "Today is my day. I can feel it."

Then, the meaning dawned on him.

"No. Tempe. Please. I cannot lose you yet."

"I'm sorry, Seeley. But I know that I won't have to wait long to see you. We can't live without each other." She whispered, softly kissing his lips. He nodded and softly kissed her back.

"Just…hold out until the kids can say goodbye? They would feel terrible if the last time they saw you was nine months ago."

"I will. I will remain strong."

"Good."

Thirty minutes later…the kids came in.

"Mom? Dad?" Juliana called, but realized they can't yell out so that they could hear them.

"I think they're still in their room." Carson said.

"Then we will go to them." Parker said firmly. The three walked down the hall and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Came Seeley's voice through the door. They opened it and went in, taking in Seeley holding Tempe close, and Tempe having her eyes closed.

"Mom?" Juliana asked, worried about if she was gone.

"Hi honey." She said, and opened her blue eyes, locking with her daughters identical ones. Juliana let out a sigh of relief.

"Come, you three, sit." Tempe said. They all crowded around in a circle.

"Children, I love you so much. You have been the light of my life."

"No, Mom. You've been ours. You too Dad." Carson said. Parker and Juliana nodded. Seeley and Tempe smiled.

"Thank you. But children…" She said, eyes filling with tears. She buried her face in Seeley's chest.

"Sh. Sh." He cooed, stroking her back.

"Do you want me to?" He whispered in her ear. She nods.

"Mom knows today is her time." He says, locking eyes with all three of them and holding Tempe closer.

"No!" They all object.

"Yes. Believe me, I don't want her to go either." He said, and pressed a kiss to her head.

"But if she goes, you'll go shortly after." Juliana said through tears.

"I know. But you know we have to go eventually. We've lived long lives. I mean, we're both 99. That's a long time."

"But I don't think we're ready. We can't live without you."

"You can. You've been ready for a while. Generations have dealt with the passing of their parents; and you can too." Tempe said, sitting up in his arms.

"But their parents weren't so inspirational to the world or important to everyone." Carson said earnestly.

"I know." Booth said. "But we've already lost all of our friends. Cam, Ange, Hodgins, even Zach, in that accident. He wasn't supposed to, but he had to sometime. We were the glue that holds the team together, and until we go, the team is not together. I know it."

"I don't have long now." Tempe said. "I want you to remember me as a time of day. So that whenever it is that time of day, you know I'll be there, watching over you."

"I want the same. Remember us both as a time of day."

"Okay." The children said in unison.

"But what time of day?" Parker asked. The three looked at each other, silently communicated, and nodded.

"Mom…" Juliana began, taking her hand. "You're the morning. You're always so powerful, and the start of every one of my days. You make the darkness disappear." Tears formed in Tempe's eyes.

"Dad…we just want Mom to know what you will be. You will be the night. You protect us from all the bad in the world, and can keep doing that in the night, for us." Parker said. Seeley got tearful as well.

"And…we have an extra one. The team is the afternoon. They are the most fun and can allow us to have that every afternoon."

"Thank you." Tempe and Seeley said together.

"Before you go…" Parker said through tears. "We want pictures. To remember you now, and forever."

"Anything for my beautiful children." Tempe said. They got pictures of all the kids and Tempe, each kid individually, all the kids and Seeley, and them individually with him. They also got a group photo, and especially several photos of Tempe and Seeley. One of them just looking into each other's eyes, another softly kissing, and the last them smiling at the camera.

"I love you guys so much. I will miss you with all of my being. but I will always be in your hearts and minds and watching over you. Forever." Tempe said as each child hugged her and gave her a kiss.

"We love you." They said in unison. She then settled into Seeley's arms. He stroked her hair and whispered loving words to her. The children touched her leg, and held onto a part of Seeley, to give him strength. Tempe looked up at him.

"Seeley, you are the love of my life. I know I won't have to wait long to see you again. I don't believe in heaven, but I believe in us and in you, and we'll always be together. With the team too."

"I know." He murmured, tears cascading down his cheeks. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, feeling her breath slow down. He held onto her as she passed, missing her already.