A/N: Hi, guys! First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you that sent me a review, or started following the story or favorited it, or really just read it. It all means a lot! I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the last one. Btw, what was last episode? Are they really gonna do what we think they are going to with Max?! Please don't, Bones!

Another special thanks to my partner-in-crime and beta reader Thaís. Love you, girl!

Tag for episode 12x02. This chapter takes place after the end of the episode.


Chapter 2: The Heart in the Scientist

Brennan was just turning the kitchen's faucet off when she felt her husband's arms coming around her, hugging her from behind. His chin landed on her shoulder and she rested her hands on his arms, leaning back against him.

"You are amazing, you know that?"- He whispered, still in awe with everything she had planned. He could see how happy she had made Angela and Daisy and even though he had no idea what MacArthur or NFL (besides the National Football League, of course) meant, he knew what his wife had done changed their friends' lives.

She turned, looping her arms around his neck, a smile on her lips. She could see how much proud he was of her and that only made her happier.

"Well, they deserved it. Angela should have been recognized for the Angelatron years ago. And Miss Wick is an incredible forensic anthropologist. She worked hard to finish her doctorate degree and I believe NFL will help her become even better."

"Still, what you did, putting on a good word for both of them and then throwing this surprise party, it was amazing, Bones. You are amazing." – He repeated, a goofy smile on his lips.

She couldn't help but smile at him too.

"Thank you, Booth."

He took one last step forward and captured her mouth with his, giving her a very slow, very thorough kiss. They were panting when they finally pulled apart.

"I love you, Temperance." – The use of her real name and his serious tone startled her but she saw nothing other than love and contentment in his eyes. – "Happy Birthday. I wish you can always find happiness, love, laughter," – Her smile grew as she recognized his words and her eyes started filling with tears as her mind immediately went back to that day at the Founding Fathers.

It was a few months after the disastrous and heart breaking night in the steps of the Hoover, when she rejected him and put in motions events that would change their lives forever. She remembered how he showed her some sort of paper doll, calling it Little Bones and how a witch had said to him that if he burned it in her presence, then the wish he made would come true.

She had scoffed at the notion, telling him then it was all superstition, but as she had watched him burning the paper, part of her – a big part of her – wished she could find some of the things he was saying. Another part of her, one the she silenced on the spot – the same one that sent her running to the other side of the world – told her she had already found it all and it was right in front of her. He was right in front of her.

"Friendship, purpose and a dance." – He finished off, his thumb wiping away the few tears that were streaming down her face. He was well aware of where her memories had taken her and the little movie that was probably passing through her mind.

"When you wished it to me that first time, I never thought I'd find the love part of it. Not the kind of love you believed, the kind of love you wanted for yourself." – He was going to interrupt, reassure her that it was all in the past but she shook her head, making him stay quiet. – "I didn't think I was capable of it."

"You are, Bones. You always were." – He pulled her flush against him. He hated when she doubted herself. Years ago he let her believe she couldn't be what he wanted, he hadn't told her he didn't want her to change and that only lead to misunderstandings and terrible mistakes.

Maluku. Afghanistan. Hannah.

He promised himself he would never make the same mistake ever again.

"You proved to me I was wrong. You gave me a kind of love I've never even dreamed of, Booth. And I know I can't prove it scientifically, but I'm sure you are the only man that ever could."

He was stunned by her words, feeling like he just got a surprise all of his own.

She smiled at the look on his face and how his eyes were so bright, so happy, so Booth.

"Our life together is the best birthday gift you could ever give me, Booth."

"Bones…" – He was truly speechless. This woman continuously pulled the rug from under his feet in the most fantastic ways.

"I love you, Seeley Booth." – She murmured against his lips before taking it between hers. He grabbed her head, angling it to deepen the kiss. His tongue found hers and started a battle of their own.

Since he couldn't find words to describe what she had just done to him, he hoped she could feel it all in their kiss. His hands moved to her hips and in a fast move, he spun them, pressing her against the kitchen counter.

His mouth abandoned hers to find her neck, sucking and kissing the skin just below her ear that drove her crazy. Her hands took a firm hold of his t-shirt in response, pulling him impossibly closer. She felt him getting harder and harder and a moan escaped her throat. It was the sound that made him stop, his ragged voice just beside her ear.

"Bones, we can't… the kids… I still…"

She just nodded in acknowledgment, finding it impossible to speak just now. They stayed that way – breathing hard and holding one another – for minutes, enjoying their proximity and companionable silence.

"I want to give you another part of that wish right now." – He said, finally feeling in control enough to take a step back and look at her. – "Come with me."

He took one of her hands and led her to their living room. He left her in the middle of it and quickly went to the jukebox. He had prepared a selection of slow songs earlier that day, hoping they would have a moment just like this. He hit play and jogged back to her.

"Dance with me, Bones."

He opened his arms and she went straight into them, resting the side of her head against his. She sighed happily, her metaphorical heart feeling so full she was afraid it would burst.

She meant everything she said to him: their family, this house, their lives with their friends and their jobs, she wouldn't trade it for the world. And she knew that now and for as long as she celebrated birthdays, he would always be the best thing that ever happened to her.