Love y'all! Y'all never fail to make me smile with the AWESOME reviews you leave. Sorry it's been a few days, but hopefully you'll enjoy. I took a few liberties with dates and Parker's middle name so if I offened anyone with possibly of incorrect info, I apologize, hopefully I'm ot too far off.

Chapter 18

Tuesday morning found Booth asleep on his living room couch. He had gotten home from Tempe's around nine or so, but wasn't in the mood to go to bed. Instead he grabbed a beer from the kitchen and settled for a game on the spots channel. Much to his morning dismay, he didn't remember much more than the first quarter.

Rolling onto his feet, he made his way to the kitchen for a hot cup of coffee. He soon realized that watching the pot brew would offer no immediate rewards. Dragging himself down the hallway, he opted for a shower first.

Dressed in jeans and a dark green cotton tee shirt, Seeley emerged from his bedroom anxiously awaiting the aroma that tempted his nose. After pouring his cup to the brim, Booth savored the warmth in his hands as his mouth relished in the flavor. He finished the cup while attempting to watch the sports highlights of the previous night, but his real focus was on the clock and the day ahead. Shutting off the television, Booth took the cell phone and keys off the counter and headed out the door; he wasn't expected at Bone's for another two hours.

Turning onto the quite paved drive, he maneuvered around each curve until stopping at the correct location. He'd never physically been here before, but after reading over the burial lot deed, the location was engrained into his memory. Strolling across the carpeted lawn, he paused in front of a small headstone that read:

His Was a Man's Courage

Parker Seeley Booth

Born: March 15, 2000

Died: May 16, 2006

"Hey, Park," he whispered, "It's me….daddy."

Those were the only words Booth muttered for the longest time. Sitting at the foot of Parker's grave, he caressed the thick carpet as though it were a blanket on Parker's bed. With each stroke, he willed the fear to leave his body.

Finally finding enough courage, he began, "I've got so much explaining and so many questions, Parker. It seems you're the go-to-guy now a days, so here I am."

He paused searching for his next word, "I guess you're wondering where I've been, huh?"

Booth was physically startled when he heard a voice from behind him speak, "I think he knows, Seeley."

Booth's head jerked in the voice's direction. Standing directly behind him was Rebecca. He made a motion to move, but she gestured for him to remain. Instead, she joined him on the ground at the foot of their son's grave.

"Rebecca….," he stammered.

"Listen Booth," she interrupted, "You don't need to explain anything to Parker. He understands, has for a long time now."

Booth eyes questioned her statement.

"When you left," she continued, "you didn't do it for Temperance or Parker. You did it for you. It's how you cope."

"But you don't know why I left," he defended.

"That's true," she admitted, "but I've got a pretty good idea. That All-American male would hunt the son of a bitch down and kill him, but the FBI agent would uphold the law and send him away for life. Am I close?"

Booth nodded, "How did you know?"

"Because," she confessed, "unlike a certain anthropologist, I'm not oblivious to how much you are in love with her. I know you could never leave her, but she doesn't have a lot of experience in people loving her and sticking around too. I also know what kind of father you are. You'll do anything to defend or protect those you love."

Booth gave a knowing grin.

Rebecca stood to leave, but placed a hand on his shoulder as she softly spoke, "Parker's at rest; no one can hurt him. As far as Dr. Brennan, give her time, Seeley. She lost so much that day, but neither of you can continue to live in the past."

With that Rebecca left Booth to visit with his son.

Booth contemplated the conversation that had taken place. Rebecca was right. No matter what he did, it wouldn't bring Parker back. He had to begin living in the present and look forward to the future. A future he hoped included Bones and Ben.

Pulling into Brennan's driveway, Booth quickly exited the SUV and strolled up the sidewalk. After several knocks, Booth heard the unmistakable pitter-patter of feet running down the stairs followed by the shout of a six year old.

"I'll get it Tempe!"

"Ask who it is first," she called from her bathroom.

"Who is it," Ben sang with his face pressed into the edge of the door.

Booth chuckled as the visual popped into his head, "It's me, buddy, Booth."

"TEMPE!" he yelled, "It's Booth!"

"Okay," her voice becoming clearer, "let him in."

Ben opened the door to reveal Temperance at the top of the stairs and Ben still holding onto the door knob. Booth paused before entering. Taking a few moments to observe what he hoped would be his future. Brennan was dressed in a red long sleeved fitted tee shirt and white shorts. Her casual red Ked's tennis shoes completed the outfit giving her that "cute" effect. Ben was dressed in a safari themed outfit completed with a matching hat and hiking boots. Booth was in love; in love with it all; in love with both of them.

Booth volunteered to drive and Brennan graciously accepted. He had even bought a booster seat explaining that it made since if she ever decided to become his partner again. Brennan smiled at the remark knowing all too well that they were partners again. Things were getting better everyday.

The drive to the hospital took almost two hours. Ben busied himself with an etch-a-sketch while Booth tried to keep Brennan's mind off the approaching visit. When the SUV wheeled into a parking space, Booth noticed how tense Brennan became. Doing the only thing he knew, Booth tugged at her fingers and squeezed them in his hand. The trio piled out of the vehicle and headed toward the entrance doors; Ben settled on Booth hip and Booth and Tempe's hands intertwined.

Ethan was already anticipating their arrival and waiting for them as they exited the elevator.

"Temperance," he smiled kissing her cheek, "so good to see you again and let me guess, this must be Ben."

Ethan extended his hand to Ben before turning his attention to Booth.

"Ethan Johnson," he stated extending the hand shake to Booth.

"Seeley Booth," he returned a firm handshake.

"Very nice to meet both of you," he replied. "Why don't you follow me to my office?"

The cluster moved down the long hallway turning into the last door. Ethan moved around the giant cherry desk and situated himself into the oversized leather chair. Booth and Brennan perched on the smaller gray upholstered chairs directly in front of Ethan's desk; Ben in Booth's lap.

Ethan was short and to the point concerning Ben diagnosis and treatment options. He dealt a blow of harsh reality concerning the aggressive approach and side effects of the treatment, but felt certain that this was Ben's best bet for recovery. After receiving a nod of approval from Brennan, Ethan continued explaining in detail the grueling schedule for this particular treatment.

"The first step is to place a catheter just under his collarbone," he continued. "We'll do that today, Ben will only be under a local anesthetic, and the procedure will take under an hour. Tomorrow we will begin the first round of chemotherapy and continue this for the next ten days. Then, if everything is going okay, Ben will be allowed to go home and come back once a week for treatment. Do you or Mr. Booth have any questions?"

Booth looked towards Brennan and she returned his gaze. There were no questions present, just worry and fear. Booth instinctively took her hand and answered for the both of them.

"Not right now," he stated.

"Well what about you Ben?" Ethan asked.

Ben's eyes dropped as a soft tremble emerged from his voice, "I don't really want to stay here; I just got my very own room in my very own house with my very own Tempe and Booth."

"Hey," Brennan soothed as she lifted his chin, "We're not going anywhere. I'll be here everyday, Booth will be here as much as he can and we'll bring anything from your room that you want. Deal?"

"You shouldn't do all that for me," he stated.

"We want to," she assured. "Now, deal?"

"Deal!" his voice bubbling with contentment as his arms latched around both their necks.

Ethan looked on at the sight certain he'd stumbled across the perfect family.

After all the necessary paperwork had been filled out, Booth and Brennan found themselves back in a hospital room with Ben in a brightly colored hospital gown. A nurse had left, letting them know that Ben would be prepped for the procedure soon. Booth wasn't certain who was dreading it worse: Ben or Brennan. Booth wanted to take the fear away for both of them, but he knew that was impossible. All he could do was be there; be their rock.

In the waiting room, Brennan fiddled with the Styrofoam coffee cup Booth had handed to her. Taking the occasional sip, her attention turned to Booth whose gaze had settled on her twitching hands.

"It's gonna be okay," he soothed brushing his finger across her hand.

"Is it," she asked.

Before he had a chance to answer the loaded question, Ethan pushed through the glass door.

"Everything went perfectly," he stated, "You can go see him."

Following Brennan out of the room, Booth stopped in front of Ethan and extended his hand.

"Thanks doc," he gestured.

"My pleasure," Ethan replied, "but please call me Ethan."

"Seeley," Booth returned.

Both men's attention turned down the hallway as the echo of an opening door floated through the silence.

"She's going to need you," Ethan stated; his stare still fixed somewhere in the distance.

Booth gave a nod as he slipped passed and headed in the direction of Ben's room.

The day was wearing on as evening fast approached. They had collected a list of items from Ben and promised to see him the following morning. Booth's hand found its rightful spot in the small of her back as they left the hospital and headed towards home.

The trip home was quiet. An exhausted Brennan slept most of the ride while Booth flipped radio stations in search of music that wouldn't lull him to sleep. Arriving at Brennan's, Booth parked the SUV in the driveway and turned his attention to the sleeping anthropologist. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he gently caressed her cheek and whispered her name. It brought back a flood of memories.

Stretching slightly within the confinements of the seatbelt, Temperance's eyes fluttered back to reality.

"Sorry, Booth," she yawned. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"No worries," he assured. "Need some help packing up Ben's things?'

"I think I can manage," she stated releasing the seatbelt and reaching for the handle. "Thanks, Booth, for today, for everything."

"No problem," he grinned. "What time did you want to get started in the morning?"

"Booth," she shook her head, "I can't ask you to drop everything for us."

"Yes you can," he replied matter-of-factly, "but you won't. Listen Bones, I know things aren't like the way they use to be between us," his finger motioning between the pair. "I can't comfort you the way I'd like, but at least let me do this for you. I don't like the idea of you driving home at night or back to hospital in the mornings exhausted. Please, just let me do this you and for Ben.

Relinquishing control, Brennan agreed.

So, was it good? bad? awful? just okay?