CHAPTER 23

FRIDAY MAY 23, 2008

Tempe woke to silence. No alarm. No Parker. No Seeley.

It was an eerie feeling but then she noticed a note lay beside where he would normally be when she woke in the morning.

"Tempe: Parker and I are gone for the day and the night, bad luck and all to see the bride before the ceremony. Angela called and said she would be over at noon. I can't wait to see you tomorrow and start the rest of my life with you as my wife. Love, Seeley"

Tempe smiled to herself and turned to see her clock was reading 10:30am. She got up, showered, dressed and made breakfast before Angela was to arrive.

The bride and maid of honor arrived at The Old Mill to ensure everything was ready for the big day. When Tempe walked into the room, she had only visited twice before, she was taken aback. The view had blossomed into something out of a Home and Garden magazine. The terrace was set up for the ceremony with blue bows on the chairs blowing in the gentle breeze. The archway where they would exchange vows was strategically decorated with the fresh yellow roses she picked out. The reception room was all set up just as she had requested but the final results exceeded her expectations. The white covered chairs were adorned with tiny yellow silk and red roses on the middle of the backs while the tables hosted tall crystal vases with fresh baby red roses. A crystal dolphin was tactically placed on the centre of each dinner plate, which the guests would take home at the end of the night. The head table was adorned with mini white lights and fresh red roses, arranged in the shape of the letter B which lay in front of where she would sit with her husband tomorrow. A wide smile formed on her face as she lightly outlined the flowers with her fingers.

"Ange, look at this place. It doesn't look like the same place we visited in the winter."

"Sweetie, it is absolutely perfect. Your wedding will be perfect."

"I can't wait Ange. I have waited since I was fourteen for this day. To have a family again." Tears didn't well in her eyes which surprised Tempe. But what didn't surprise her was that she was excited and didn't have an ounce of doubt in her about marrying her best friend, her partner and hopefully one day, the father of her children.

"We have a few more things to check out and make sure that they are ready for tomorrow and then we head to the spa for some pampering," Tempe told Angela as they walked around the room.

"Now that sounds good," Angela replied as she made a written note that two place settings were missing a dolphin.

"Hey Bren, you didn't tell me what kind of cake you're having."

"Well, there are three cakes: chocolate with raspberry filing; vanilla with raspberry filling and cheesecake with strawberries. I designed the layout of the cakes. I hope it turns out as well as it did on paper."

"That sounds scrumptious," Ange said as she licked her lips.

WEDDING DAY

"Good Morning Sweetie," Angela said as Tempe slowly walked into the kitchen.

"Good Morning Ange. Now I know what people mean when they say they have butterflies in their stomach."

"You aren't getting cold feet are you?"

"Cold feet? Why would I have cold feet, it is the end of May?"

"Oh Temperance Brennan, you are very lucky to be marrying a man who has the patience of a saint."

"Ange, are you making fun of me?'

"No. Just saying that Booth has his work cut out for him."

"Ange .. why would Seeley have his…"

"Bren, let it go. Our hair and nail appointment is in 30 minutes."

Meanwhile, at the Hodgins Mansion, Jack, Seeley and Parker donned their tux's and made their way to The Old Mill where they would have some pictures taken and wait for Tempe and Angela to arrive.

"Daddy, I don't like these shoes, they are hard."

"They are dress shoes buddy. You can put your running shoes on AFTER the ceremony, okay?"

"Is that soon daddy?"

"I will tell you when it is time to take them off."

"Daddy, are you and Tempe going to have sex after the wedding?"

Parker asked as Seeley helped straighten Jack's bow tie.

With raised eyebrows and mouths near their knees, Seeley spoke first before Jack could play with the situation.

"Where did you hear about sex Parker?" was all he could think of to say being in total shock that his now five year old son would ask that question.

"When Bobby's mom got married, his older cousin told him that his mom and new dad were going on a trip and so they could have lots of sex and fun."

Jack had to bite his lip from laughing which Seeley appreciated.

"Good luck with this one," mumbled Jack.

"Thanks," Seeley slipped out of the corner of his mouth.

Figuring honesty is the best way to handle sex questions with kids he thought a moment then answered.

"Yes, Tempe and I will have sex after the wedding." He held his breath waiting for the next zinger of a question.

"Oh, okay daddy. I hope you have fun sex with Tempe."

As Seeley's face went redder than the rose on his tux, Jack continued to bite his tongue.