Disclaimer- Nope, I don't own them, coz Hart won't share. Grrr
A/N: Thank you so much for your kind reviews, here's another chapter, I hope you enjoy
Booth knocked on the heavy wooden door, hearing the echo through the house. He waited hearing footsteps approach
"Seeley"
He smiled at his ex
"Hey Bec"
She leaned forward hugging him
"I'm glad you made it"
Booth nodded knowing she meant, she was glad he made it home
"Thanks Bec me too, I..."
"DAD!"
Parker stood at the end of the hall, smiling at his dad
"Hey Parks"
Booth couldn't wipe the grin from his face, as his son ran toward him. Parker crashed into his dads chest
"Hey buddy, geez you got big pal"
Parker pulled back from his dad with a smile
"Yep"
Parker looked into his dads eyes
"I missed you dad"
Booth felt the tears sting his eyes and pulled his son forward again
"I missed you too bud... every day"
Rebecca wiped the tears from her eyes, Booth looked up to her over his boys head, she mouthed the words 'never again, Seeley'. He nodded
"I retired; I'm not a soldier anymore"
Both of them looked at him, both of them smiled
"Really dad, you quit the army"
Booth looked down to the smiling face of his son and ruffled his hair
"Yep, I quit, I have too much here, too much to lose"
Rebecca knew something had changed, and if she had to bet on it she'd say it had everything to do with his partner Dr Temperance Brennan. She smiled with a slow nod
"So what are you guys gunna do today?"
Booth smiled
"Well I was gunna say, maybe we can go to..."
"Is Bones back dad, can we go see her"
Booth smiled; glad his son had mentioned visiting her
"Yeah she's back pal, and we are going to meet her later, she really missed you"
Parker beamed
"I missed her too, did you tell her about my grades?"
Booth chuckled
"Yeah I did and she wants to see your test paper so make sure..."
"I'll go get it now"
Parker ran off toward his room. Rebecca smiled at Booth, he was beaming
"He really missed you both, and has been in his room nearly every day studying and reading, his grades have shot through the roof Seeley, his maths has improved his science is just...wow, the only thing he needs to work on is languages, it's amazing..."
Parker came running back down the hall with his test paper and more
"Wow buddy what's all that?"
Parker looked down at the bundle in his arms
"My study notes dad, I want Bones to look at them, do think she will, I know she just come back and probably is tired coz of the time difference and she's probably jet... maybe I should leave it for another time"
Booth looked to his crestfallen son's face
"Hey Parks, I think she would love to help you, why don't you give her a call and ask her"
He handed over his cell to his son and watched his eyes brighten. Parker took the phone and dialled
"Booth, what's wrong I thou..."
"Hi Bones"
"PARKER!"
She sounded so happy and Parker beamed at the her reaction, Booth and Rebecca laughed, as they heard Brennan's joyful reply
"I missed you heaps Bones"
"Oh Parker, I missed you too"
"Bones, dad said we could come see you today"
She smiled
"Yeah, if you want to Parker but if you want to spend time with just your dad I unde..."
"NO! I want to see you too Bones, can I bring my test sheet to show you?"
"Of course, I'd love to see it; your dad told me of your grades, I am so proud of you"
Parker blushed
"Thanks Bones... umm... I was wondering... would it be ok if I brought my study notes, so you could help me?"
Bones was thrilled with the idea
"Parker... I would be honoured to help you sweetie"
"Cool, thanks Bones"
"You're welcome, buddy"
While their conversation continued, Booth and Rebecca spoke quietly
"So... Seeley, tell me how is the good Doctor Brennan?"
Booth smiled at her tone
"She's good Bec"
His ex raised her eye brows in much the same manner as Angela does when she wants more 'good' information
"We... we kept in contact over the year, and came to some realisations..."
Bec smiled
"And..."
Booth returned the grin
"We're... together"
Bec stepped forward and hugged him
"That's great Seeley... I'm really happy for you"
Booth hugged her back happily
"Thanks Bec..."
They pulled apart and Booth looked to his son who was still happily chatting away
"Do you think Parks will be ok with it?"
Bec looked at him incredulously
"Are joking... he'll be over the moon, he's already told his class she's his step mom"
Booth looked shocked
"Really?"
Bec laughed
"Yep, essay titled 'My Family'"
Booth smiled, though he wondered how Bones would react.
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Booth took his son to the park, where they kicked the footy around for a bit
"Hey Park... can I talk to you a second"
Parker stopped running
"Sure dad... am I in trouble?"
Booth hugged his son
"No pal, I just want to ask you something"
Parker nodded and sat down, watching his dad sit in front of him. Booth took a breath, he was so nervous
"Buddy you know Bones and me are really good friends right"
Parker nodded
"Ok well, you know I love you don't you?"
Parker frowned but nodded, Booth knew he was worrying his son and took a deep breath
"Parker how would feel if Bones was my girlfriend"
Parkers face split into a grin
"That'd be awesome dad, I really like Bones, she's way beta than any other girl"
Booth smiled
"So it's ok, I mean you don't mind sometimes if she hangs out with us, when it's normally just you and me?"
Parker shook his head
"Bones is cool dad, and she makes you really happy, and funny. Does that mean when we have pizza night and go to the movies and stuff she'll come?"
Booth nodded, his kid was taking this really well
"Yeah pal, I mean maybe not all the time, but sometimes"
"Will she sleep over?"
Booth wasn't sure with that one
"Would it be ok?"
Parker smiled
"Yeah... but she's gotta share your bed, coz I'm keeping my room"
Booth chuckled and ruffled his son's hair
"Ok pal, I can live with that"
They sat silently for a little while before Parker spoke up
"Dad... will you and Bones get married?"
Booth coughed
"I dunno pal"
"I think you should, coz then Bones could be with us all the time and you guys could have babies"
Booth blushed
"You really like her huh buddy?"
He nodded furiously
"Yeah, she's so smart and she never calls me stupid or annoying like Captain Fantastic did and she gives awesome hugs and she's real pretty, and all my friends think she's way cool and are super jealous and she always helps me and is never too busy like mom and she..."
Booth held up his hands in surrender getting the feeling that he would go on all day if allowed
"Ok so you like her"
Parker giggled
"Yep, are we gunna see her soon?"
Booth looked down at his watch
"Yeah come on"
Parker stood up and hurried toward the car
"Dad, whose car is that?"
"That's Bones car buddy, she's letting us borrow it so we have to be real careful we don't mess it up"
Parker nodded
"I spilled a drink in Drew's car once and he got real mad, Bones doesn't get mad though, this one time I broke a skull in her office, and I was crying coz I thought I would be in huge trouble, but Bones just picked the pieces up and she hugged me till I stopped crying and then she said 'accidents happen and for me not to worry about it'
Booth was in awe and his love for his girlfriend just increased tenfold. He knew how much her skulls meant to her, and she had never even mentioned it to him, but to know she had comforted his son when she was probably upset herself, made his heart soar. Booth and Parker had been at Sids for twenty minutes and Bones was unusually five minutes late. Parker had been entertained by a box of fortune cookies that Sid gave him and didn't hear the bells on the door jingle as she walked through. Booth didn't hear it either but he felt it the moment she walked in, he tapped Parker on the arm and pointed to the door. The young boy turned on his stool, as she came to stand behind him
"BONES!"
Parker practically jumped into her arms, hugging her tightly. His arms wrapped around her waist as hers did his
"Hey Parker, wow you have certainly grown since I last saw you"
He smiled happily at her
"I'm trying to be as big as dad"
Brennan smiled
"Well, considering that both your parents are quite tall, you can expect to be taller than you dad"
Parker widened his eyes taking in the new information; he looked to his dad then hugged her again
"I missed you Bones"
Temperance smiled
"I also missed you Parker, I brought some gifts from Indonesia but they are at my apartment, this however..."
She pulled out a specimen jar with a large spider in it
"COOL!"
Booth chuckled at his son's excitement
"How'd you catch it?"
Brennan moved to stand between the Booth boys to make room for other patrons wishing to use the stool she was next too. She smiled as Booth wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"I didn't, he caught me"
Parker frowned
"Whatta you mean Bones?"
"I mean..."
She leaned forward really close to him
"He bit me"
As she said it, she clapped her hands together making him jump and laugh
"Where Bones"
She showed him her hand and pointed to her finger
"Right there"
Parker held her hand in his after inspecting it, and smiled when he felt her fingers curl around his
"Did it hurt?"
She nodded
"Sure did, I even cried"
Tempe felt Booth hug her tighter to his chest
"Wow, it must have hurt real bad"
She nodded solemnly and smiled at him, leaning in to kiss his forehead making his smile grow as he beamed at his dad.
"Ok you two, what say we get some food, and maybe go check out the DVD store"
They both nodded, Brennan kissing Booths cheek as she spoke
"I'm just going to go to..."
She tilted her head in the direction of the bathroom and walked off.
"Dad... is Bones sick?"
Booth frowned
"Why would you say that pal?"
"She got really skinny dad, and that sometimes means people are sick"
Booth smiled at Parkers worried expression
"She's not sick Parks she just... she didn't eat properly while she was away"
Parker rolled his eyes
"Well we beta make her fatter, if she does get sick it will be real bad, coz she's so small now"
Booth nodded with a smile
"Let's not use the word fatter though around Bones huh"
Parker laughed and agreed
"K"
They all ate, and chatted happily. As they bid Sid a farewell Parker took Tempe's hand in his and hugged her arm with a smile. Bones looked down to the mass of blonde curls she could see and smiled. She had missed the Booth miniature more than she thought she would and was happy to be in his presence again.
"Bones... do you wanna see my test now?"
The eager look on his face made her more excited to see his results, Booth cut in though
"How about we wait till we get back to the house huh buddy"
They both looked a little upset at the prospect but agreed. They held hands walking to the DVD store and back to the car, Tempe had caught a cab over and so they all piled into the Yaris. Parker chatted the whole way home, asking Brennan loads of questions about Indonesia and the burials she worked on; she answered happily telling him all about her discoveries.
The little family had been eating dinner in front of the TV while they watched a movie, as the credits rolled, Booth told Parker to go put his pyjamas on so he wouldn't be too tired later, he whined a little before walking off to his room. Booth pulled Tempe toward his chest and lightly kissed her neck, trailing kisses down to her shoulder.
"Will you stay again tonight?"
She looked at him shyly
"Are you sure... I mean Parker is..."
Booth smiled
"Parkers fine, he already asked if you would be staying, he's fine with it"
Tempe smiled
"Are you..."
"Yes I'm sure, I want you too, and I love waking up with you in my arms"
Bones ducked her head shyly
"Me too"
Parker stood in the hall watching them, he really did love the thought of Bones coming over more, he loved her like a mom and she made his dad so happy. He let them kiss and hug a little bit more before walking out slowly. Approaching the couch slowly, he watched Tempe turn her head to look at him with a smile. Brennan held her arm out to Parker who had just approached; even she could tell he was a little unsure about his position in their little group. He took Bones hand but didn't step any closer
"Bones... can I talk to you a second?"
Brennan sat up
"Sure Parker, what about?"
Parker looked at his dad briefly
"Can... can you come to my room"
Brennan looked to Booth, before standing up to be led down the hall. Parker shut the door and sat at his desk
"Is everything ok Parker?"
He nodded and looked to the floor
"Bones... I... You love dad right?"
Bones sat on the edge of his bed
"Yes Parker I do... very much"
The young boy looked up shyly
"Do you think... well...?"
Tempe smiled at his loss for words
"Parker, it's ok. Just say what's on your mind"
Parker nodded, took a deep breath and blurted out his concerns
"Well I... I was wondering, do you... do you think you will ever love me... I mean like mom loves me?"
The last part was spoken very quickly, and his eyes dropped the second it was out. Tempe slid off the bed so fast, dropping to her knees in front of him.
"Parker... I... I'm so sorry if I... oh... Parker..."
Brennan now understood how Booth felt, when he had failed his son
"I do... I do love you... very much"
The boy looked up into the eyes of the woman he idolised, and smiled
"You do? Really?"
Brennan pulled him into a tight hug
"I do Parker, more than I thought I was capable, I'm sorry if I haven't shown that to you"
Parker pulled back slightly, looking into her blurry eyes
"Don't cry Bones"
He raised his small hand and captured her falling tears
"Parker... I... I'm very sorry for making you feel unloved and..."
Parker frowned
"Bones..."
He interrupted
"I didn't say I felt unloved, I know you love me, you show me all the time"
It was Tempe's turn frown
"I don't understand then... wha..."
Parker stood straight and tall
"I wanna know if you can ever love me like a mom? I know you love me coz you love dad but... Can I call you mom?"
Brennan let out a small sob, as she covered her mouth with her hand. Parker rushed forward worried he'd upset her and said the wrong thing
"Bones... I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make to sad, please... I'll get dad"
Parker made a move to pull out of her arms but she held him tight and spoke softly
"Parker if you... I don't love you because I love your father, I love you because you are who you are and if... if you think I'm goo... good enough to be called mom, then I would be honoured to be called that by you"
Parker smiled and kissed her cheek
"Bones you're... you're the best mom, mom"
They hugged each other, pulling apart slightly when there was a knock at the door
"Is everything ok in there?"
"You can come in dad"
The door opened slowly, and Booth rested his eyes on the floor next to his son's desk. He couldn't see his girlfriends face yet, but he could sense she had been crying and could tell his son was trying hard not to
"What's going on guys?"
Parker smiled
"Nothing dad... mom and me were just talking"
Booths eyebrows rose at the 'mom' comment and Brennan let out another sob, she had never felt so undeserving of a title. She felt Parker hug her a little tighter. Booth looked to his son, and nodded with a smile. Walking around to face the woman he loves, Booth dropped to his knees in front of her. She opened her eyes and stared into the eyes she knew so well, telling him how happy she was, how stunned that his son would want her to be his mom, to be associated with her in that way. He told her silently how proud he was and how much he loved her. Booth sat and pulled his son and girlfriend into his lap, they sat facing each other between his legs, their heads rested against his chest, Parker holding his mom's hand in his. Booth felt the tears burn his own eyes when he heard his son's whisper
"I love you mom"
Tempe pulled Parker to her chest
"I love you too Parker..."
She looked up to Booth
"I love you both... so very much"
The little family sat quietly hugging one another, silently absorbing their new situation.
Another one bites the dust, let me know how I'm doing pleeeeaaaaasssssse