CHAPTER 19

Christmas morning brought Jack and Angela by for breakfast before heading off to visit her father. While Tempe and Seeley made breakfast, Jack helped Parker with his bug set. Jack's eyes were on fire as he indulged in his passion with the young and curious learner. Angela watched and listened taking in every word between the two of them.

"Daddy! Jack told me we will go bug hunting when the snow is gone and they come out of hibernating. Isn't that great? Do you want to come too daddy?"

Seeley loved his son and did his best to encourage his curiosity of his world around him but when it came to bugs, his skin would start to crawl. The memories of waiting in bushes on hills infested with creepy crawlies made him gag. He was on a mission and would just block them out with his concentration focused on his target and what the outcome could be if he moved a muscle.

"Gee buddy, I don't think I would be much fun as I don't know anything about bugs. You and Jack can go. Hey, maybe Angela will join you."

He peered around the doorway to see her shoot a 'you better hide' look. He laughed and returned to preparing breakfast.

They all sat down and admired the feast before them; pancakes, sausages, eggs, croissants, juice, muffins and fresh fruit.

"So have you made any wedding plans yet?" Angela asked as she placed some strawberries on her plate.

"No, not yet." Tempe replied as she poured coffee for her guests.

"Sweetie you have to start soon, May is only five and a bit months away. "

Tempe was feeling awkward because she didn't have a clue as to what she should start doing to plan a wedding, hence, her procrastination.

"Ange, I really don't know what to do, where to start."

"Oh Bren, don't you worry, I will help you. Actually we can get started the day after tomorrow after work."

Tempe looked at Seeley who was smiling with an ever appreciating smile.

"Thank you, Ange. You are a life saver."

"It'll be fun, you'll see. Booth, do you have any problems with dancing monkeys?" Angela asked him.

His face went serious for a minute but then saw her stifling her lips together.

"Good one. You almost had me there."

They all laughed, finished their meal and said goodbye as their guests headed off to Angela's father's house and Seeley helped Parker pack up so he would be ready when his mom and Drew picked him up in twenty minutes.

Tempe slumped down on the couch, closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and ran her hands through her hair. Seeley took advantage of that moment, leaned down, and kissed her unsuspecting lips which she felt send a tingle down her body.

"How about that drive now," he whispered.

"You read my mind."

They grabbed their coats and went to the garage.

"You know, I really don't want to drive it in the snow but I don't think I can wait any longer to drive it," he said marveling at the shiny red paint that he knew would cringe, if it had feelings, at the thought of coarse salt rubbing against it.

He pressed the garage door opener button and climbed into the driver's seat. Tempe wanted to be the driver but knew this was his baby and well, until he had it broken in she would have to suck it up and be the passenger.

Seeley was glad the snowed had stopped and what fell last night was starting to melt. The temperature had risen throughout the morning and it was tempting to put down the roof but he decided against it as he made his way down the road.

"Where are we going," Tempe asked.

"It's a secret."

As they pulled into a parking area Tempe saw a river raging as the melted snow filled it.

"This is where I come when I want to get away, think and clear my head, with no distractions," he said as he got out of the car and stood to admire the tranquility of his surroundings.

He started walking forward and held out his hand for her to take as she walked towards him.

"Over here. This is where I sit."

"It's beautiful Seeley. Why are you taking me here now? I mean how long have you been coming here?"

"Six years. No one knows that I come here. Except now you do." He turned to her and put his hands in hers. It is not possible to share everything single thing about ourselves with other's. However, I want to come as close as possible to that as I can with you."

"What did you think about the last time you came here?" she asked him as he sat down and she snuggled in between his legs.

As he put his chin on the top of her head, he closed his eyes and remembered vividly the last time he was here.

"It was right after we visited Dr. Wyatt. Hearing you say everything to him, made my head spin. I knew my past was filled with unhappy situations but .." His voice trailed off.

"But mine was more unhappy than yours?" Tempe added in.

"Yeah," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"You felt sorry for me?" she asked, a lump in her throat as she swallowed hard; she hated being a charity case for sympathy because her family left her twice.

"I was frustrated with myself because I had thought my actions over the past two years told you how much you meant to me and that you would never be alone again. I was wrong. I didn't feel sorry for you, I felt frustrated for you. It was after the raccoons came by right over there that I knew what I had to, no what I wanted to do for you. To help ease away the pain and frustration you have carried with you for all these years."

She turned around and leaned her head back slightly.

"Is that when you decided to have the Family party for me?"

"Yes."

"That was one of the happiest moments of my life. I'll never forget how I felt when you and Parker told me I was a part of your family. A part of me that I thought was lost forever, resurfaced that night, and I knew it would never be lost again."

"Temperance, I would do anything humanly possible for you." He leaned down and kissed her; she indulged him for a few seconds, then she broke away momentarily as she turned completely around and sat on his lap wrapping her legs around his back.

"Then you won't mind standing up and going over there," she said suggestively as she pointed to a rock that was distinctive in shape.

Tempe stood first and walked to the spot and Seeley followed behind her. She stepped off the rock and analyzed the position he was in.

"Over here," she put her hand flat on the rock.

He obliged her uncanny request.

She took two steps to the left and smiled, "Perfect."

"For what he asked?"

She stepped right up against the rock, gently put her hands on his hips and moved them slowly to the button and zipper on his jeans.

"Oh," was all he could get out of his mouth.

"I wanted to take you for a drive like we did in Aruba, but then I realized you wouldn't let me drive your new car until you had broken it in, and I don't want to wait that long, so this is where I will do it."

He needn't an explanation as to what "it" was as she already had his jeans unbuttoned, unzipped and down just low enough for him to feel the cool breeze passing from behind him. In front of him, things were much warmer.