Ephemeral Moments
Chapter 10 – Catastrophe and the Cure
Carson, Parker, and Juliana opened the door to Booth's home.
"Dad?" He called. He did not get a response. They made their way back to his room and pushed open the door. When they saw him, Parker calmly went over, climbed into the bed, and checked for life.
"He's gone." He said, looking back at his half-siblings.
"I knew it wouldn't be long." Juliana said, tears flowing.
"I know. And I know they're together now." Carson said, his tears flowing too. Parker lost it then.
"Both of our parents are gone."
"I can't believe it." Juliana whispered.
"Me neither. They always seemed like they could live forever."
"Indestructible." They said in unison, and just looked on their fathers' peaceful face.
Within a week…the funeral was prepared. The morning of the funeral, with Juliana.
"Come on Christine and Temperance. We have to go."
"I don't want to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa!" They said, sitting firmly on their bed, in their black dresses
"I know, sweeties. But guess what?"
"What?"
"They're here. Always." Juliana said, putting her hand over both their hearts.
"And Grandma is in the morning, Grandpa is in the evening, and all their friends are the afternoon. They are always here." She said.
"Okay Mama." They said, standing up. The three of them walked out, hand in hand.
--
"Come on Max and Joy." Parker said, poking his head in their room. They are sitting in black, holding each other. They're twins. He came in and kneeled in front of them.
"I miss Grandpa and Grandma!" They wailed.
"I know. I miss them too. A lot. But the thing is… they're here. Always." He whispered, and touched their hearts. "And Grandma is in the morning, Grandpa is in the evening, and all their friends are the afternoon. They are always here."
"Really?"
"Yes really. They see us now, and would want is to keep going without them."
"Okay." They said in soft voices. He took each of their hands and led them out.
--
"Angela, Zach, Camille, Jack, and Russ!" Carson called. Zach and Jack are twins. They slowly came down the stairs, dressed in black, all holding hands.
"Ready?" Carson asked.
"Do we have to go?" Zach asked in a whisper.
"Yes." He said, with ease. He knew they were taking it hard. They're all taking it hard. It was bad enough when the people they're named for passed on, but now their Grandparents too. It's too much, almost.
"Guys…I know you miss them. But I miss them too, so much. They're your Grandparents, but they raised me and your aunt and uncle. It's hard to be without them. But the thing is… they're here. Always." He whispered, and touched each of their hearts individually. "And Grandma is in the morning, Grandpa is in the evening, and all their friends are the afternoon. They are always here."
"You sure?"
"Yes. They love us too much to entirely leave us. They are watching over us."
"Let's go." Angela said. Carson joined hands with his children and they all walked to the car.
At Arlington National Cemetery…the two caskets are next to each other. It's a cloudy day. Everyone is holding two flowers, standing around, unsure what to do. There is a picture of them, the first picture of them as partners, smiling, and a similar picture, just before Bones' death, the one the three children took.
There is Parker, his wife, Max, and Joy. Then there is Juliana, her husband, Christine, and Temperance. And then there is Carson, his wife, Angela, Camille, Zach, Jack, and Russ. Parker stepped forward first, and laid a flower on each casket.
"Mom, Dad. I don't know what to say. You were the best parents I could ever ask for. I learned so much from the both of you, and still do, even though you are gone. I just…miss you. So much. I love you, Dad. Dr. Bones." He said with tears running down his cheeks, but a slight smile when he said Dr. Bones. He touched each casket and stepped back. His wife and kids put a flower on each casket and said something.
"Grandma…" Joy said in a soft voice. "I know my name never was your name, but I feel that I am you, that I have a special connection to you. I love you." She said, and stepped back.
Juliana came next.
"From the moment I was born, we had this special bond. I am so grateful for that and all you and Dad taught me. Like Parker, I'm still learning. But you two were always there when I needed you. And you still are now. I love you." She said as she set the flower down and touched each casket. She stepped back as her kids and husband stepped forward.
"I…I was named for you. And I don't know if I can uphold that." An eleven-year-old Temperance asked. "But I'm going to try my hardest to live up to your name." She said, and stepped back.
Then, Carson approached.
"I was the last to leave home, the one you babied until the last moment, and wanting to make sure I was ready for whatever my future hold. And when I stepped out that door, I knew I was, because of all you had taught me. I am who I am today because of you and the squints. We all are. I love you. All of you." He said, and looked skyward as he set the flower down. His family followed and then stepped back. Parker, Carson, and Juliana stepped forward and joined hands.
"Please, give us a sign you're alright, that you're together." The whispered, looking up at the sky and waiting.
--
"Seeley…they're asking for us." Tempe said, grabbing onto his arm as they looked down on the scene before them.
"I know. We need to be there for them." He said. They closed there eyes, breathed deep, and held hands.
--
A warm sun opened up the clouds above and shone down on the family and slowly encompassing all of DC. And with that, a wind blew through, encircling, "protecting" everyone.
"They're here." They said, smiling. "Thank you." The murmured. Just as they turned around…
--
"They understood."
"That they did." Seeley said, opening his eyes.
"Are we too late?" Came six voices at once. They turned to see Angela, Cam, Jack, Zach, Russ, and Max all running up, looking as they did when Booth and Bones met too. I guess they wished to be that age too.
"No. But they are leaving." Temperance said.
"Shit!" Angela said, and ran over. All six of them grasped hands and closed their eyes.
--
It started to rain, but the sun still shone. When they turned around, a rainbow, of six colors, was above them. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. They looked up at the beauty of it.
"Everyone else is here too. They're all together." Carson said.
"I am so grateful." Juliana said. The entire family looked up and yelled, at the top of their lungs, towards the sky:
"WE LOVE YOU!"
--
The six of them and Bones and Booth huddled together, holding onto each other.
"We love you too." They said in unison, in return, knowing then that they would be fine; all of them.
A/N: One more chapter. Are you ready?