Chapter 12

Bones shook me off, claiming that it wasn't important and that she was already behind in cooking. She banished me from the kitchen and suggested I go do something with Parker. As I roamed through the apartment, I heard Parker making exploding sounds, so naturally my interest was piqued. When I walked in, he was playing a G.I. Joe video game.

"Hey Parks, whatcha doing there?"

"On the game, I named the characters. There is you, Uncle Jared, and the other guy is Joey. I heard Bones saying that he was coming over to have dinner with us. Dad, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, yeah, shoot Bub."

"I heard Bones taking to Aunt Angela a few days ago and she was talking about how she was afraid that you weren't going to come home from Iraq and that she was not going to be able to raise a child without you. Is Bones having a baby?"

"Bub, as far as I know, Bones is not pregnant. But I'll share something with you. Bones wont know if she's pregnant until a month or so from now. But if she is, and I'm not home, I need you to do something for me."

"Sure, Dad, what?"

"I need you to take care of her. I need you to watch over Bones for me."

I looked down at my watch and realized it was 25 after 6.

"Haul your sorry butt into the shower. Joey and his family will be here in a little over a half hour. So chop chop!"

I walked down the fall into my own bathroom and got a five minute shower and put on the clothes Bones had laid out for me. She was really adjusting to the domestic housewife mentality even though I never asked her to. But she seemed to enjoy it.

I followed the smell of food out to the deck that she had because of her penthouse apartment. She stood there at the grill tending to steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken breast. She couldn't have heard me over the hiss of the grill, so when I wrapped my arms around her waist, she jumped slightly.

"Booth! Don't do that. You scared me!"

"Bones, all that food on the grill, is meat. What are you going to eat?"

She smiled gently, and ran her thumb along my jaw line, sending shivers down my spine.

"I thought that for your sake, I'd try a hamburger. Just for you."

She turned back to the grill and I rested my chin on her shoulder, just observing her closely for a few minutes. I heard the apartment bell ring. I dashed through each room, trying to beat Parker to the door. But I lost, miserably. Parker had already let Joey and his family in when I pulled up the rear.

"Buck shot?"

"50 cal rounder. How are you man?"

"Ehhh, I have been better. Melissa, looking beautiful as always. How are the kids? Come give Uncle Seeley a hug."

Meaghan, Joey and Melissa's oldest, was a sandy blonde haired and green eyed beauty. The last time I had seen her, she had just been born.

"How are you Uncle Seeley?"

I hugged her tightly, "I'm good babydoll. You are absolutely stunning. Joey, this girl is going break hearts someday."

Joey rolled his eyes at me, "Ugggh, don't make me think about that yet. She's still my baby."

A shyer boy, who looked exactly like Joey was talking to Parker. Seeley was their last before Melissa found out she could have kids anymore.

"Seeley, my mini-me! How are ya Bud?"

"I'm doing well Uncle Seeley."

I led Joey and Melissa out to the deck where Bones was still grilling. I called out to her and she turned around, wiping her hands on the towel that was hanging over her shoulder.

"Baby, this is Joey and his wife Melissa. Mel, Joey, this is my wife, Temperance."

Bones took both of their hands and shook, "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please call me Tempe."

We all sat down at the table and enjoyed some drinks while the kids played inside. I had taken over grilling duties and Bones was relaxing. I got sucked into my own little world when I heard my name.

"So Tempe, if you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Seeley, our resident slob, and why in the world did you marry him?"

"Of course I don't mind you asking. I met Seeley when we started working together as a joint partnership. He worked with the FBI and I worked with the Jeffersonian Institute as a forensic anthropologist. He's my 'gun.' I married him because of who he is, literally. And I love everything about him. Don't act like you aren't listening Seeley, I see the back of your neck twitching."

I turned around with a plate of meat, fake angry that I had been caught listening.

"I guess I'll just have to learn some new techniques."

I called the kids in, and we all sat down for a nice dinner. After dinner was over, Bones discreetly nodded to Joey and she took Melissa and all the plates, and the kids back into the apartment.

"Seels, man, you really got yourself one woman. She is absolutely beautiful. And Parker is getting so big."

I took a deep breath and held it for a second before releasing it. This was going to be rough.

"Look, Joey, the reason I had you and the family over for dinner was because I wanted to talk to you about something. They are sending me back man. I'm going to Iraq. Bones and I leave for Benning tomorrow morning. I feel guilty as hell!"

"Look, Booth, it is good that you feel guilty. Not guilty because you may have to kill someone, but guilty because you are leaving your family for a year. I owe my life, my marriage, and my kids to you. If you hadn't saved me, none of this would have existed for me. I'll keep an eye on your girl and Parker. Just don't do anything stupid."

We sat in companionable silence, just sipping our beers and enjoying the lives that we have. Bones and Melissa came back out and I opened up my arms for her to sit on my lap. She obliged and nestled her head against my chest with her fingers intertwined with mine. This time, Melissa piped up with the sarcasm.

"You two are so cute. How long have you been married for Tempe?"

"A couple of days now, I think."

Both Melissa ad Joey's mouths had hung open, either in shock or surprise.

"Only a couple of days man? I thought you were married for at least a year."

"Nah, Bones and I have known each other for five years and we just decided to get hitched a few days ago because of my deployment."

"Well, Seeley, I'd be damned, you two function like a well oiled marriage machine. I wish Joey and I functioned like you two do. We're going to get out of your hair so you can enjoy your last night together. We'll take Parker home. Does Rebecca still live out in suburbia?"

I nodded my head, "Same as last time. Thanks so much."

We said our goodbyes and they all left. Bones and I stood in the empty living room, smiling.

"Wanna christen every room, for good measure Bones?"

She smirked at me and pushed me down onto the couch, immediately making me moan.