CHAPTER 7

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Daddy are you in there? Daddy it is morning time. I want to play in the sand. Daddy?"

Seeley pried open his eyes and moved his body slowly away from Tempe's. How the heck does she sleep through that? Oh yeah, she's not a parent, yet

He put on his shorts, got up and unlocked the door.

"Good morning Parker," he whispered.

"Good morning daddy," he said not so quietly.

"Ah, I give up, go wake Tempe," he mumbled as Rosa came to the door all-bright eyed and cheery.

"Good morning Seeley."

"Good Morning Rosa. How was Parker last night?"

"He was a good boy. Like always."

"Thank you Rosa."

"Tempe, it is morning. Come on let's go!"

"Parker is your daddy awake?" Tempe asked then realized she had her answer when she saw he was not beside her.

Ignoring her question Parker put his face right up to hers and said with enthusiasm, "I can bury you in the sand with daddy."

Oh, that's really going to get her up, Seeley thought sarcastically

Tempe opened her eyes and staring before her were the most beautiful, innocent blue eyes she had ever seen and a smiled that clearly indicated he was Seeley Booth's son.

"All right buddy, give Tempe some time to wake up."

Just then he realized she wasn't wearing anything under the sheets.

"Rosa, can you take Parker down for breakfast? We will be there in a few minutes," Seeley said as he moved his eyes towards Tempe whose bare arms were now exposed.

Rosa replied with an "Oh" and called for Parker to join her.

"We'll be right down buddy. Go with Rosa. OK?"

"OK daddy."

As he sat down on the bed he resisted the temptation to climb under the sheets with her. Instead he kept his distance to help avoid the emotional and sexual desires Tempe created within him when she was so near and naked.

"This is all new to me as well," he said with puzzlement on his face.

"What are you talking about Seeley?" Tempe inquired as she sat up in bed her breasts now uncovered and her hair hanging down barely touching them. Stay focused Seeley

"Having sex while Parker is in the next room." He couldn't believe what he was saying. "I have never been with a woman intimately while Parker was with me, not even Rebecca. How do everyday parents do it?"

"You are asking the wrong person Seeley," Tempe replied as she leaned over and kissed his cheek. He's not her now, come on let's take a shower before breakfast."

"Tempe, you go, I will take one later."

"Is something wrong Seeley?"

"No. I just don't want Parker getting the idea that I keep brushing him off to be with you. Even though he is living with me know every other week, I see him growing up so fast. I want to make the most of every moment I have with him." His face started to get sad. "I don't want him to ever think that I would rather be with you instead of him. I just have to find a balance."

With that thought he got up and made his way down to Parker and Rosa who were already enjoying some toast and waffles.

"Is Tempe coming?" Rosa asked unsure of the question after she asked it.

"She'll be down in a bit."

"That looks great buddy. Where did you get them.?

"Over by the giant banana."

"I'll be right back." Seeley said and as he turned around he bumped into Tempe.

"Good morning everyone," Tempe said as she joined them with coffee in hand.

"Tempe! Daddy, Tempe's here."

"Yes she is buddy."

"I'm going to get some food, you coming?" he asked as he felt the uncomfortableness between them increase.

"OK," and she got up and joined him on the search for the giant banana.

After breakfast they all went back to their rooms to get ready for a day at the beach.

"Lots of sunscreen. We are close to the equator," Seeley reminded the group and then pulled on a t-shirt.

"Rosa you don't have to stay with us if you want to do something else," Seeley said as she and Parker waited patiently for him and Tempe.

"That's fine Seeley. I would like to spend the day with you and your family, if that is OK?"

"Of course. I just didn't want you to think you had to stay with us all the time."

She smiled. "I know Seeley. You know how I feel about Parker."

"Yes I do Rosa."

As they finally made their way down the steps to the cabanas in front of their building, the sun was well up in the sky. The crystal blue waters were rivaled by the cloudless sky for beauty.

Parker and Seeley headed for the water while Tempe and Rosa found loungers for all of them. They both pulled out their books they were reading and started into them.

"Remember buddy, this water has salt in it, so keep your mouth closed."

"OK daddy."

The Booth boys played in the gentle waves as they rolled up onto the pristine white sand. They wore matching swim shorts and goggles.

"Daddy can you toss me into a wave?"

"I'll try." And he picked up his son and playfully tossed him into a rolling wave. This time Parker forgot to close his mouth and took on a gulp of seawater.

"Daddy! This water has salt in it."
Seeley chuckled to himself. Yes son, it does

Tempe watched this over the rim of her sunglasses. A balance. I can help him with that she said to herself

"Tempe, Rosa, Look at us." Parker shouted as he started to bury his dad in the sand.

"Rosa, would you like to go to town and do some shopping after lunch? I hear the locals do some great carvings and sculptures. Just the two of us."

Rosa was taken aback at first but then when she looked over at Tempe who was watching Seeley and Parker, she knew what she was doing.

"Sure. That's sound great."

"He has such great muscle definition," Tempe blurted out as she watched Seeley and Parker.

Rosa tipped her sunglasses and laughed. "And a cute butt too."

They both looked at each other hesitating for a moment and then giggled like high school girls.

"I think we are going to be good friends Rosa."

"I think so too," replied Rosa softly

"Rosa, how will I know when I love Parker like Seeley does?"

Having been a nanny to many blended families, Rosa heard this question often.

"You will never love Parker like Seeley does. His love for his son is unique just as his love for you is. You will build your own relationship with Parker and find your own love for him. Just remember that he has a mother and no one will ever come between that love. You will be his family and help Seeley raise him but he and Rebecca will have final say when it comes to their son."

Tempe realized Rosa knew what she was talking about. She could see the experience in her eyes an hear it in her voice.

"How old is your child?" Tempe asked.

"He was ten."

"Was?"

"He died of leukemia the day after his sixth birthday. It will be twenty years next month."

"Oh Rosa, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"My husband left me three months later. I worked doing other things and then one day my sister mentioned becoming a nanny, as I always loved being around children. And here I am. I will be 46 next month. I have been with Parker since Rebecca went back to work. He is such a special boy. So full of wonderment and curiosity."

'Yes he is."

Thinking this would be a welcome break fromt his solem converstaion, Tempe decided to go and get some drinks for everyone.

She asked Rosa to call the boys over and she would be right back with the drinks.

As she came back Seeley and Parker were laying in the sand on their bare stomachs with their knees bent and feet touching their butts with their elbows propping their body's up. Yep, those are my boys Tempe thought

"Ice cold lemonade for everyone,"

"Thanks Tempe," Seeley managed to get out before consuming his drink in one breath.

"Tempe, this tastes funny," Parker as he made a funny taste.

"No sugar buddy. I guess the shipment hasn't arrived yet," he said with a touch of sarcasm.

"Rosa and I are going shopping in town after lunch," Tempe announced after finishing her drink.

Seeley lowered his sunglasses and raised his eyebrows while turning to look at her.

"Have fun," was all he could manage to say.

Rosa sensed the tension between Seeley and Tempe that had occurred before they all met for breakfast. She was certain it hadn't occurred last night.

"Parker, it's lunch time. Let's head back up and get a table for all of us."

"Daddy, Tempe, let's go."

"We'll be right there. You go ahead with Rosa."

Tempe gathered up her stuff and started to walk towards the eating area. Seeley grabbed her arm and turned her towards him. He pulled her out of the undauting mid day sun to one of the many canbanas lining the area.

"What's going on Tempe? Shopping with the nanny?"

"Rosa is my friend and we are going shopping together. You said you needed to find a balance between me and Parker, I am just trying to help."

"I'm sorry Tempe. I just didn't think it would this challenging. You moving in same time as Parker. My relationship with him taking a new path at the same time as our's. And trying to be a family all at the same time." He ran his hands through his hair and then over his face.

"We will so this together. You don't have to figure it out all on your own. I too have challenges facing me. I am trying to figure out how I am going to fit into Parker's life. He has a mom. What am I going to be to him?"

Seeley suddenly realized how selfish he had been, forgetting that Tempe was new to all of this as well.

"Thank you for asking Rosa to go shopping. I will take Parker sight seeing. Just the boys." He then gave her his reasuring smile that they would get through whatever it was, together.

Dropping her bags she reached up and caressed his face with her hands ending when her thumbs reached the edge of his mouth. Without hesitation his tongue reached for them and soflty touched the tips of them one at a time. Ignoring the fact they were on a beach filled with people, they embraced and lingered looking into each other's eyes for a few moments before having their mouths meet. The kiss was intense but in a way they had yet to experience. Their kisses yielded desires in them that would take their bodies to a more comfortable position. This time is spoke words of contentment and reasurnace that they would never have to face anything alone, ever again.