Thank you to my amazing Beta Naomi, I don't know how you've put up with me for all this time. I love you and can't thank you enough.
Fingers and Toes
Disclaimer; I do not own or associate with Fox, Bones or Hart Hanson. Any copyright infringements I do make are not on purpose and I do apologise in advance.
The next morning, Brennan woke to the fresh smell of coffee wafting under the closed bedroom door, while a stream of sunlight cracked through the closed curtains and bounded off various surfaces, bringing a warmth and softness to the room. Inhaling deeply, she managed to blink the sleep from her eyes before pulling her back up against the backboard as Booth emerged from the other side of the door, a placid smile caressing his lips as he held a breakfast tray between his large hands.
"Morning sunshine," Padding lightly across the floor, Booth placed the tray over Brennan's lap, kissed her forehead and scooted over to the other side of the bed, snuggling down until the blankets.
Exhaling, Brennan faintly smiled, "What time is it?"
"Early."
"Booth, that does not give me a distinct time," Furrowing her eyebrows, Brennan dropped her eye level from the warm brown orbs which were tracing her jaw line and pursed lips to the steaming brew which her fingers had wrapped around.
"Nearly 7:30am. Now eat up, we've got a big day ahead of us," A sly grin came across Booth's as he waggled an eyebrow to a curious Brennan, who looked up to him in confusion.
Brennan quirked an eyebrow, "What about Amelia?"
"Your dad wants to spend time with her," Shrugging, Booth picked a piece of toast up from Brennan's tray and took a bite; Brennan sat astonished by his seemingly carefree attitude about Max looking after their daughter, as she clutched her cup of coffee halfway to her mouth.
Amelia's faint wails bought them both back to reality as Booth placed the crust of the toast back down on the plate and scooted from the bed. Backing towards the door with a raised eyebrow and an amused look on his face, Booth stepped through the door and pulled it closed, only to pop his head back into the bedroom, "Wear something comfortable." With a wink he shut the door, leaving Brennan dazed and confused.
o0o
Like asked, Brennan finished her breakfast or what she could eat of the French vanilla yogurt, fresh strawberries, plain buttered toast, glass of fresh orange juice and cup of steaming coffee. She'd also changed into some comfortable day wear - jeans, white tee-shirt, blue cardigan and a pair of tennis shoes. Applying the last coat of mascara over her eyelashes, Brennan smiled into the cabinet mirror, as her drained reflection stared back. Sighing, she put the mascara back in the cabinet and grabbed the white plastic bottle containing her antidepressants. She swallowed one pill, with a glass of water before placing them back into the cabinet and retreating from the bathroom and through her bedroom to get to the kitchen.
"Sweetheart," Max Brennan's voice spoke softly as he pulled Brennan into a large hug, blocking her need for air. Her strained face looked over to the amusement which was draped across Booth's features.
Forcing her way back from the bear-like grip, Brennan scolded, pushing her way past her father towards where Booth was leaning against the threshold of the kitchen and lounge. Grabbing the coffee from his hands, she took a long sip from the cup before handing it back to him and receding back to where Max was standing dumfounded in the middle of the lounge.
"You look well darling," Max pursed his lips together, watching as his daughter started to fiddle with one of the buttons on her cardigan, avoiding all eye contact as the words stewed over in her mind, her teeth chewing at her bottom lip.
Sensing her discomfort, Booth stepped away from the threshold and darted quickly over to where they were standing by the couch, interjecting his own words, "Look at the time, we better be heading if we want to make the most of the day."
Sighing with relief, Brennan smiled up to Booth who had a sincere look upon his face, a warm smile caressing his lips as she finally noticed he'd also showered, shaved and dressed in her absence.
"Mia's in the guest room, I set her toys up in there, go say goodbye," Practically pushing Brennan into the path of the guestroom, Booth received a prominent glare from her as he let the corner of his lips tip in a northern direction.
Once he was sure Brennan was no longer in earshot,
Booth slumped onto the couch and went into explanation mode to Max, who was sitting awfully confused about what had just taken place. "She's sensitive about the issue. Don't bring it up unless she does."
"I understand Booth. Just take good care of my little girl," Booth nodded to reassure Max that he'd never hurt Brennan any more than he already had and the two men shook hands, their eyes firmly fixed on the doorway in which Brennan had passed by several minutes ago.
"I better say goodbye," Excusing himself, Booth followed Brennan's path into the guestroom, leaving Max in a silent chuckle on the couch.
o0o
"Where are we going Booth?" Brennan asked as they pulled onto the 110. Taking another sip from her weakened coffee which Booth had picked up in the drive through from McDonald's, Brennan glanced over her shoulder and into the back of the Toyota Sequoia where she noticed two overnight bags lay on the backseat, other various bags and belongings accompanying them.
"I haven't got Parker this weekend and I thought we could both take the weekend away and talk. Every other time we've tried to talk at the hospital either a nurse, or a doctor, or Angela or Cam or someone interrupted us." Pausing Booth glanced over to Brennan to make sure she was following, "So I've borrowed a cabin off a friend just out of DC and we're going there to talk. Yes we can enjoy the weekend, but our primary reason is to talk."
Contemplating his words Brennan smiled, "Okay, on one condition."
Glancing over to her and over his aviators, Booth raised an eyebrow, "And what would that condition be Dr. Brennan?"
His injected humour didn't play well with Brennan, but she rolled her eyes despite her amusement of his hilarity, "Promise me that sometime in the near future, you'll show me what making love is."
"Wh…What?" Booth choked on his breath of air, unsure if he heard her right.
Sensing a slight discomfort on Booth's behalf, Brennan sighed and drained the last of the liquid from the cardboard cup. "I said this last night - I don't want to lose you to another woman. We have a daughter together, a daughter I want to get to know, and…and I can't lose you both. Not again, not ever." Tears pricked Brennan's eyes and as she wiped the salty moisture away, she noticed that Booth had stopped the car, his full focus on her.
Reaching over Booth grasped her hand in his; his other hand left the steering wheel and nudged under her chin, bringing her soft porcelain face around to face his, "You want to be certain I won't you."
Even though his words were soft and heartfelt, Brennan dropped her eyes down from his and sniffed away a tear from falling; her own voice soft and innocent when she spoke, "Yes."
Dropping a kiss to her nose, Booth smiled, "After the weekend, we'll reassess your desire."
Nodding, Brennan returned his smile as Booth started up the car and pulled back onto the road, fleeting a reassuring look over to Brennan before concentrating on the road.
o0o
It was just after 1:30pm when Brennan and Booth arrived at the cabin, surrounding by nothing by nature. They'd stopped for lunch at a diner in a small town about half an hour from the cabin and stocked up on food at the supermarket; although nothing was organic, Brennan grinned and bore it as Booth bought enough supplies to last them until Sunday afternoon. The cabin in itself was nice and cozy – two-story diminutive log cabin, in the middle of the bush with a private lake off to the west.
"Booth," Wandering along the short path up to the three stairs which lead into the cabin, Brennan admired the feature work on the outside. "How'd you…"
"Hodgins' owns this place and when I asked for a favour…" Booth caught up to Brennan and explained, their overnight bags slung over his shoulders as he carried two shopping bags in either hand, more still in the SUV.
"It's beautiful," Twirling on the veranda like a true little girl, Brennan giggled as Booth discarded the groceries and bags by the front door, wrapping his arms around her waists and lifting her into the air, her giggles being joined by his throaty laugh.
Dropping her to the ground, Booth turned to head back down the stairs, "Take the groceries inside and put them in the fridge and cupboards, I'll be in shortly."
Nodding Brennan caught the key for the fly screen door, Booth had thrown to her and unlocked it and pushed her way into the cabin, which smelt of old spices and pine. Placing the key onto the kitchen bench, Brennan gave the cabin a decent look; a three seater suede couch lay in the centre of the living room around a wood fire, with a TV bolted to the wall. The kitchen was small, just enough room for an oven, couple of cupboards, bench top, sink and fridge. The laundry consisted of a washer and dryer and two cupboards, one had an ironing board and other products, while the other contained towels and linen. Treading up the stairs, Brennan noticed only three doors, the first she opened was a cliché bedroom, double bed in the centre of the room and a small wardrobe. The second door she opened was the bathroom, shower, toilet and basin. Opening the last door, Brennan noted this must be the master bedroom; it was larger than the other bedroom with a king sized bed which was situated in the middle of the room and a larger wardrobe. She also noted, with a slight laugh, there was a small flat screen TV in the corner of the room.
"Bones!" Upon hearing her name echo through the cabin, Brennan backed out of the bedroom and walked back down the way she came.
She found Booth unpacking the groceries when she emerged from upstairs and a wash of guilt ran the length of her body. "Sorry."
Turning around, Booth gulped; the way the sun rushed through the window gave her a glow, a stunningly beautiful glow. "Its fine; go take a look around outside."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, go for it. I bought Parker out here last summer, so I know what's around," The lightness in his voice made Brennan curious, so with a turn of her heel she stepped towards the door, leaving Booth in silence as he finished putting the rest of the groceries away.