CHAPTER 24

THE WEDDING

Jack was getting antsy in his tuxedo. He hated them with a passion, but would tolerate it for Booth. Parker was singing away in the back seat as Seeley concentrated on the traffic around them.

"Jack, do you have the rings?"

"Yes, and yes I will give your ring to Angela before the ceremony."

"I'm acting a bit compulsive, aren't I?"

"You're getting married, not invading a country."

Seeley shook his head at the comment: he had been less apprehensive when sitting in a tree for three hours squinting through a scope in a torrential downpour.

They arrived at The Old Mill just as some of the guests were arriving. Assembling themselves at the archway on the terrace they waited for Tempe and Angela to arrive.

The weather was perfect with sunshine poking through the many trees surrounding them and a slight breeze had them swaying ever so slightly. The vast gardens were completely in bloom and meticulously kept, with tulips, roses, a sea of geraniums and morning glories. The guests sipped wine and tasted the chocolate covered strawberries placed on tables at the back of the courtyard.

"Sweetie, we need to go, the limo is waiting and so are your guests."

"I just want to look perfect for him."

"Temperance Brennan, you couldn't look more perfect if your tried." Angela was getting impatient.

"Are your sure my hair looks good like this?"

Angela grabbed her hand, scooped up the back of her dress and literally pushed her to the limo, stuffed the bride and her dress in and then climbed in beside her so she couldn't go back and check herself in the mirror once again.

As the limo approached The Old Mill, Tempe exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She could see the cars in the parking lot, knowing the guests were there. Then she spotted the black car with the familiar license plate. "He's here Ange. He's here."

Angela knew who she was talking about and chuckle.

"Of course he is sweetie. He has waited a LONG time for this." She winked at her best friend, opened the door and climbed out. "I will be right back, DO NOT move."

Angela found Jack, waved to him and with that, he knew it was time to start.

"They're here," Jack, whispered to Seeley who was right beside him.

Seeley moved towards Parker, brought him back over to where Jack was standing and placed him in between them.

"Temperance Brennan, it's show time," Angela stated as she helped the bride out of the limo, straightened the back of her dress and helped her down the steps to the terrace. Tempe stood behind a large bush as Angela made her way down the aisle.

Mendelssohn's Wedding March began to fill the silent afternoon air as a vision of white appeared from behind the bush. The guests stood as Tempe slowly made her way down the aisle, savoring every moment of the site in front of her – her family and friends. She was so taken by the beauty around her she almost didn't see the most beautiful sights of all – her soon to be husband and stepson. Once she did spot them, she didn't take her eyes off them.

Halfway down the aisle, she noticed Parker walking towards her and she was uncertain of what was going on until he held out his arm for her to take. She froze momentarily, until he spoke.

"Tempe, daddy told me your dad is missing, so can I walk with you?"

Tempe was looking right into Parker's eyes, all of his blond curls slicked backed off his face. She wanted to shed some tears that her dad wasn't here to share this moment with her. Instead, she shook the past out of her head, took Parker's arm in hers and whispered, "I would be honored to walk with you Parker."

Seeley's smile grew as he watched his wife to be and son their way down remainder of the aisle with ease. Parker wasn't sure what to do next so he looked to Jack and Seeley with question marks in his eyes. Jack took Parker's hand and brought him back to his spot as Seeley stepped forward and took the arm Parker had been holding. They stepped towards the officiator and the ceremony continued.

Jack handed Seeley Tempe's ring and as he put it on her finger, he said his vow:

"Temperance Brennan, My heart beats with every breath you take. Words alone can not express my feelings for you. With every part of my being, I will show you each and every day, for the rest of our lives, what you mean to me.

Angela handed Tempe Seeley's ring and as she put it on his finger, she said her vow: Seeley Booth, You have completed me with your unconditional love.

With their eyes locked on each other's and their hands entwined, they were pronounced husband and wife. As Seeley kissed his wife, he felt all of his emotions flow to the surface pooling in his throat and eyes. Tempe's smile sent him over the edge. She gently wiped the tears from his face and placed her hands back in his.

After pictures, everyone made their way to the reception, where dinner was starting to be served. Talking and laughter filled the room as everyone enjoyed their meal and watched the bride and groom kiss each time a song with the word LOVE in it was sung. Tempe thought it was corny but indulged the guests and kissing Seeley was something she could do anytime, anywhere.

The night lingered on as the dance floored filled and empty as frequent as the wine glasses. Just before midnight, the cakes were cut and champagne was served. Some guests started to leave and Tempe could feel herself coming down from her high. Angela and Jack decided to head out as they were taking Parker until Rebecca picked him up Sunday night.

"Thank you so much for everything Ange," said Tempe as she hugged her best friend.

"My pleasure."

"Are you sure you will be fine with Parker?" Seeley asked, as he looked at his son asleep in Jack's arms.

"We'll be fine. I call you when Rebecca picks him up just so you can put your mind at ease and get back to whatever it is you two will be doing for the next seven days," Angela said as she winked at Booth and left.

"I think it is time we left as well," Seeley whispered into Tempe's ear.

As Seeley carried his wife through the front door of their house, Tempe

"Please unzip my dress."

"With pleasure."

He smiled at her, put her down and unzipped her dress as she wiggled out of it and it fell to the ground in slow motion. As she stepped out of the heaping mountain of white, he gasped.

"Temperance Brennan, if I had known you were wearing THAT under your dress, we would have come home earlier for a quickie."

"Well, now that we are home for the next seven days, we can take our time."

"Uh, about the being home for seven days. That is not quite what we will be doing," Seeley said as he kissed the side of her neck with soft nips.

"Oh." She moaned as his mouth continued to explore her neck.

"I'll be right back," he said as he reluctantly removed his mouth from her skin.

He scurried upstairs and few moments later, he came down with two suitcases and two envelopes in his hand.

He handed her the one with her name on the front.

"Open it," he instructed.

She carefully opened it and pulled out a ticket: Sandals Resort, Antigua. She carefully read the ticket.

"We leave tomorrow?"

"I thought it would be nice to get away, just the two of us. It's a couples only resort. One of the best in the Caribbean."

He waited as she starred at the ticket.

"How did you keep this a secret?" She smiled at him waiting to know how he did this without her knowing.

"Very carefully," and after he smiled at her he picked her up and carried her upstairs to where their honeymoon was only just beginning.