Sorry it has been so long all. Here's the next chapter. I love how this story is evolving. I've got almost all of it written out so far. Here goes.

Booth's House

The couple had returned to Booth's house with little conversation. Now, Temperance sat curled up on the couch, sipping hot chocolate with Booth across from her drinking coffee. Their eyes shot up for mere seconds at a time. When one would catch the others gaze, they would drop the eyes back down to their brown liquid.

Booth sighed, running a hand through his hair as he pushed himself backward into the seat. "I don't love Cam."

"I know." She responded quickly, and then a little slower and quieter. "I know."

"And you know that I'd do anything for you and this baby." Booth assured, leaning forward again.

Tempe looked into her cup for a moment before lifting her blue eyes to his. "I do. That's why I need you to do something for me."

Booth sat down his cup and rubbed his hands together. "Anything."

"Come with me on a highway trip to speak with Justin's parents." Her body cringed in anticipation of rejection.

"Its road trip Bones." He smiled, clapping his hands together as he stood. "Alright. When do we leave?"

Temperance grinned sheepishly. "Two days."

XXX

Temperance and Booth had arrived at the Cross residence, surprised to find that it was an exquisitely larger house. A butler had answered the door and led them into a small living room where they were currently sitting very nervously.

"Dr. Brennan?" A woman's voice sang pleasantly from the doorway.

"Yes, that's me." Tempe stood and shook the woman's hand. "This is my partner Special Agent Seeley Booth."

"Pleased to meet you both." She smiled. "My name is Lydia and this" she gestured behind her "is my husband, Thomas." After handshakes were exchanged she spoke again. "Please sit. And may I say congratulations on your pregnancy." Lydia nodded to Tempe's large stomach.

Temperance offered a small smile as she laid her hand across the bump. "You may." Tempe looked away, avoiding their gentle gazes as she collected her thoughts.

"You said you needed to talk to us about our boy." Thomas offered, placing a hand on his wife's smaller one.

"Uh-yes." Tempe cleared her throat. "Well almost six months back, I had the pleasure of meeting your son." She watched as the couple exchanged sad smiled. "He was a kind man and well my current… state is a result of our meeting." The older couple's expressions moved effortlessly to confused.

Booth placed a hand on Tempe's before clarifying. "She means that Justin is the father."

The near sixty-year old woman gasped as tears stung her eyes. Within seconds the slim woman was across the room with her arms around Temperance. The two women cried together for several minutes before pulling apart and laughing at the spectacle. Mrs. Cross spoke first as she continued to wipe tears from both hers and Tempe's cheeks. "My girl you are so incredibly brave to go through all of this. What can we do to help you?"

Temperance gave the woman a genuinely grateful smile. "I make more then enough money to support a child. But I thought that you should know that you will be grandparents and that you can be as involved with the baby's life as much as you wish."

"We appreciate your openness with us Dr. Brennan and I'm sure my wife will agree that we will be happy to visit and hope that you simply let us spoil our grandchild. Mr. Cross responded kindly.

"I think that would be a wonderful arrangement, sir." Booth nodded. He gave Temperance a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand before standing. "Mr. Cross what do you say we let these ladies have some girl talk."

Thomas nodded in response. The men could be heard speaking about cigars as they left the room. Lydia sat facing Tempe, her wrinkled hands still holding the younger woman's.

"Are you hungry my dear?" She asked. When Temperance shook her head no, she continued. "So when is your due date?"

"December third." Tempe responded with a shy smile.

"Oh my." Lydia chuckled. "That will be a busy time with Thanksgiving and Christmas. So you have someone to help you out."

Tempe bit her lip nervously. "Well I've been living with Seeley and-"

Lydia cut her off. "Don't worry dear. I am aware of how thing are these days." She smiled. "Are you two seeing each other?"

Temperance looked slightly shocked at the question. "Well… for now we care about each other and the baby. That's enough. He's a good friend."

Lydia gave her a crooked grin. "I can imagine he's an excellent caregiver."

"He won't leave me alone!" The two women erupted in laughter.

XxXxX

"So how did it go with Mrs. Cross?" Booth asked as he walked Temperance to the car, his hand resting comfortably on her lower back.

"Lydia is amazing." Tempe smiled as Booth helped her into the car. "They'll be flying down for Thanksgiving and she's going to stay and help till just before Christmas. I cant really explain how I feel right now but-"

"You feel like you're part of their family already?" Booth helped.

Temperance nodded. "Exactly. I expected some upset about his sort of thing but they welcomed me so easily."

Booth stated the SUV and pulled out of the long driveway. "They're smart people Bones. They'll grow to love you just as much as I do." His charm smile was apparent on his face as he turned to look at her.

"I'm kind of hungry, Booth. Can we stop somewhere?" She asked, ignoring his affections for the moment.

"Sure. I saw a diner about ten miles back. We'll be there soon."

XxXxX

Hope ya'll liked it. Next chappie soon.