Chapter 12. Enjoy.
"We're almost home, Sienna." Temperance spoke in baby talk to the little girl beside her in the back seat.
Booth glanced in his rear view mirror with a smile. "I wouldn't have thought you to be a baby-talk kind of person, Bones."
"I told you, children bring out the worst in me." Replied Tempe, not taking her eyes off of her daughter for a second.
He chuckle slightly. "You're the best mother I've ever seen." This time her eyes connected with his in the mirror, both sets of eyes radiating with love and happiness. Temperance was the first to break the enjoyable silence.
"You know we're going to have to sell my place." She said, directing her attention to the gurgling baby.
"How about we wait till after the holidays. I'll talk to your landlord." Booth said as he pulled into the driveway. "We'll start moving after the new year."
Booth was to the back door of the SUV, only moments after he finished speaking. "I'm glad you're expecting us to be one of those married couples that live together." He quipped as her helped her out of the car before reaching in and grabbing the carrier.
"I still feel bad that I wasn't able to prepare the Thanksgiving feast like I had hope for when Lydia and Thomas arrived." Temperance pouted as she followed Booth to their front door. "Did you remember those pamphlets the nurse gave me?" She asked as she dug through her bag.
Ignoring her last statement Booth unlocked the door. "I'm sure they'll forgive you Bones. You did give them a grandchild."
"Surprise!" As Booth opened the front door a small group of people cheered and laughed. Before the startled Temperance were Angela and Jack, Zach, Parker, Lydia and Thomas and a younger woman who Tempe didn't know.
"You guys did all this?" Temperance asked, still in disbelief. She noticed the sign hanging across the foyer which read "Congratulations" and in Jack's script also said "/Happy Thanksgiving/Welcome Home".
"Of course we did sweetie." Angela said as she came forward and relieved her friend of the diaper bag.
"Temperance." Lydia said as she approached. "This is Jason's sister. My daughter, Mackenzie. I called her after Sienna was born and she insisted in flying down from graduate school."
"Its great to meet you." Temperance said as she pulled the younger woman into a hug. "You look just like your brother."
Mackenzie smiled lightly. "Thank you."
Booth now stood beside Tempe, with the baby cradled in his arms. "Did you know about this?" She asked him.
"Of course not, dear." He responded with a smile, placing a kiss to her temple.
"Daddy?" Parker said shyly as he approached his father. "Can I meet her?"
Booth smiled at Tempe. "Sure Buddy." He bent down and held the bundle in front of the little boy. "Parker this is your little sister Sienna."
"She's my sister?" Parker asked surprised. He wore a smile identical to Booth's; he looked at the baby as if she were an early Christmas present.
"Yeah. And Bones is going to be your step-mom. Do you know what that means?" Booth asked.
"Yeah. When Tommy's daddy married a girl, she became his step mommy." The boy looked up at Temperance with a confused glance. "Are you going to marry my daddy?"
Temperance squatted down beside the young boy. "If its okay with you I am."
The boy quickly wrapped his arms around Tempe's neck. "Okay."
Her heart melted as she held the little boy in her arms. 'Maybe I could get used to this mother thing.' Tempe thought to herself.
"Mac, why don't you and Angela take Temperance and Mr. Booth upstairs to see their shower gift." Thomas said, interrupting the sweet moment between the little family. The young girl nodded as she hooked arms with Angela and the two ran up the stairs giggling.
"This can't be good if those two are so chummy." Booth said as he and Tempe followed the women up the stairs. When the reached the top they found Angela and Mackenzie standing in front of a door beside Parker's bedroom. "What are you two up to?" Booth asked with a smile.
"Oh…" Angela responded playfully. "Just this." As she swung open the door she revealed a light green room with yellow accents. Around the room there was a multitude of furniture: changing table, crib, dresser, rocking chair and even a mini-fridge.
Tempe gasped in awe. "You guys this is… just amazing." Her eyes began to fill with water as she examined the room carefully, soaking up every detail.
"Yeah well mom and dad bought everything." Mackenzie informed. "Ange and I just did everything in the room."
"Well…" Angela added. "Jack and Zach did a little I suppose."
Booth still stood motionless in the doorway. The baby squirming slightly in his arms. "Seeley, are you okay?" Temperance asked, confused.
"Angela, what did you do to my office?" His comment caused the three women to giggle.
"The guys moved your desk into your bedroom along with a basinet for the baby for when you want her close by." Angela said, patting her friend on the shoulder.
"I like the fact that you didn't use colors that are usually dictated by society to label boys and girls." Temperance added appreciatively as she sat down, testing the rocking chair.
"Well…" Angela paused again letting her know there was a hitch. "We were thinking that neutral colors would be good for when the next little one comes along."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Booth grinned, finally coming out of his comatose state.
Temperance pointed an accusing glare and finger at him. "You watch it mister. Or it'll be the couch." She stopped for a minute as if thinking. "What smells so good?"
Mac chuckled. "That's the other surprise. It's downstairs."
Temperance threw a question glance to her partner who simply shrugged. The two girls left the room and headed downstairs. Tempe stood from the rocking chair and met her partner halfway through the room.
"I'm sorry about your office." She smiled as she took the baby from his arms.
He shrugged again. "Its not a big deal. She was going to need a room eventually." Booth leaned forward and pressed his lips to Tempe's lightly. "I love you."
She smiled up at him. "I love you too. And I don't think I'll ever get sick of hearing that."
"Believe me, I wont get sick of saying it either." Booth wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Come on. Let's go see what else is in store for us."
When they reached the bottom of the stairs they followed the sounds of laughter into the dinning room. Laid out across the table were bowls and plates towering with delicious looking foods. In the center rested a beautiful centerpiece complied red and orange leaves. They stood in the doorway as they rest of the group walked in from the kitchen, Lydia leading the way with a large turkey on a silver tray in her arms.
"Take a seat you two." She smiled kindly. "Jack, go get the basinet from their bedroom for the baby." He left with a nod.
"Wow." Angela commented. "If only I could get him that well trained."
The group laughed as they took their seats. Booth sat at the head of the table with Temperance to his right. Beside her was Angela, a spot for Jack and then Zach. One the other side Parker sat next to his father beside Mackenzie and Lydia with Thomas at the other end. When Jack returned, he placed the basinet between Booth and Tempe before finding his seat.
"Seeley, would you like to do the honors?" Lydia asked as she handed him the carving knife.
After all the food had been served and a short prayer had been said, thanking the Lord for their family, friends and a healthy new baby, everyone began to eat. As they ate they moved around the table each sharing what they were most thankful for.
"I'm thankful for my beautiful family." Booth said. "Which includes all of my friends here and the wonderful people who have openly welcomed Temperance and I to their family." He smiled to Lydia, Thomas and Mac. "What about you Parker?"
The little boy smiled. "I'm thankful for mommy and daddy and mommy Bones and my little sister."
The table light up with grins as the little boy finished his short list. The rest of the group gave short speeches until finally it was Temperance's turn.
"Booth, I don't know what to say." She whispered as she leaned closer to him.
He smiled slightly. "Just say what you grateful for Temperance." He placed a kiss on her cheek before relaxing back into his seat.
"Well," she began. "I'm grateful for so many things. I'm grateful for me friends and family who went through all this trouble to bring Thanksgiving to me. I'm also grateful that over a year ago I was introduced to the best man I've ever met."
Booth tossed his fork on the table creating a sharp ping noise. "Who is this man?" He gave her a mock glare as the rest of the group laughed.
Temperance slapped his arm playfully before continuing. "As I was saying, I'm grateful for my partner and everything he has given me."
Booth smiled as he leaned toward her again this tip placing a soft kiss to her lips. A smile pulled at the corner of their mouths as the looked down to see Sienna staring up at them.
Sorry I have to end this chapter there. But it is TBC. I'll probably skip to Christmas in the next one. Keep your eyes open for it. Leave some reviews please.