I have to tell those who reviewed a little secret. (Y'all ROCK!) LOL Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews. They really make my day. So sorry for the delay in an update. Work has become quite hairy lately and this weekend was my twin sons 3rd birthday. A Saturday spent with 20 something 3 year olds doesn't exactly produce a good atmosphere for writing...at least not for me. Anywho...I'll shut up now...Enjoy!

Chapter 22

The sharp chirp of Brennan's cell pulled her from the tranquil slumber she had found wrapped securely in Booth's arms. Slowly peeling back the sleep heavy arms, she clumsily searched for her jeans that held her phone hostage. She finally located the phone; only to wake Booth in the process.

"Brennan," she yawned.

"Tempe, it's me Kate," came the voice from the other end.

"Kate! Is everything okay? What's wrong?" Brennan's voice was filled with panic.

Booth immediately jumped from the warmth of the bed and began pulling on his boxers and jeans.

"Tempe, calm down," Kate soothed. "Everything is fine. Ben just woke up and was asking for you two. Just thought you'd like to know."

"Oh, okay," Tempe's voice calmed but her heart was still racing, "Thanks, we'll be there in a few."

She turned to face Booth who had managed to become partially dressed. Jeans were on but unbuttoned showing his very patriotic firework boxers and his shirt fell haphazardly around his neck.

"Ben?" he questioned still concerned. "Is everything alright?"

She could help but smile at his upheaval appearance, "Yeah, Ben's just fine."

True to her word, Brennan and Booth arrived shortly after the phone call. Quickly taking showers and dressing into clean clothes unlike Booth's first attempt, the pair glided into Ben's room. The pair stood in the doorway looking at the little boy before them. He was sitting up eating pudding with his right hand while his left hand was occupied with a T-Rex that was stomping across the tray.

"Hey buddy," Booth called walking into the room.

Ben's eyes widened with delight.

"Booth!" he shouted. "Look I've got pudding!"

Booth flashed a smile as Ben handed a vanilla pudding cup to Booth. Holding their spoons in the air and clanging them together, the pair set about the task of devouring the cups' contents.

Brennan seemed to hover in the doorway relishing the sight before her. This was the first time in days Ben had enough strength to sit up let alone feel well enough to play and willingly eat. 'He even acts like a Booth,' Brennan thought to herself as she studied the scene. Could this be the start of a new family or a harsh sequel of a family broken? Only time could tell, but for now Brennan was happy to live in the moment with both her Booth men.

"Now listen here," she reprimanded walking closer to Ben's bed, "you better not be flirting with all the pretty nurses just to get more pudding."

"Booth says I don't have to flirt," Ben corrected. "He says all I have to do is poke out my bottom lip and say peas instead of please and I will get all the pudding we both need."

Temperance opened her mouth in shock as she smacked Booth's arm.

"I can't believe you told him to do that!" she exclaimed.

"Ouch, Bones, that really hurt," Booth complained as he rubbed his arm and turned his attention to Ben. "Why did you have to tell her that?"

Ben giggled at their exchange before handing Temperance a pudding cup as a peace offering.

"We love you, Tempe," Ben pouted, "Peas forgive us?"

Temperance rolled her eyes before smiling, "It really works, doesn't it?"

"That's my boy!" Booth triumphed as he and Ben exchanged a high five.

Just as Brennan started to object, a quick knock came from the door followed by Ethan's entrance.

"Well, would you look at that," Ethan's voice filled with amazement. "Five empty pudding cups. I'd say your appetite is back."

Ben giggled as a mischievous grin played across his lips.

"Do you know how he is getting all this pudding?" Brennan questioned.

Ethan smiled, "Something about being the cutest six year old ever."

Booth's eyes dropped. Only Brennan understood the impact of those words and Booth's reaction to them.

"Well, Ben," Ethan carried on, "you ready to get out of this place?"

"You bet," came Ben's enthusiastic reply.

Ethan turned his attention to Booth and Brennan, "He's all yours. His symptoms may come and go for the next 48 hours, but then he should be fine. His next treatment will be Friday. All the specifics are in this packet of information. If you have any questions, call me."

Ethan gave a quick nod to Booth and Brennan before casting a glance at Ben, "Take care little guy," he stated giving Ben's foot a pat and promptly leaving the room.

"Let's get you home, buddy!" Booth's voice filled with excitement.

ooOooOooOoo

The excitement of the day had taken its toll on the six year old. Less than thirty minutes into the drive, Brennan turned around to find Ben sound asleep. She let out a sigh as she turned back around in the passenger's seat.

"You alright?" Booth asked casting a sideways glance.

"I'm fine," came her automated response.

"It's all catching up to you," he stated.

She gave a nod not trusting her voice or the tears that crept into her line of vision.

"You can lean on me. Really, I don't mind at all," he turned capturing her tear filled eyes.

She gave him a small smile as she reached out and grasped his hand. He gave a squeeze and settled into the seat knowing everything would be just fine.

Booth steered the SUV into Brennan's drive and killed the engine. Turning in the seat, he glanced back to Ben. Booth was already dreading the moment he would have to go to his apartment. He had found his family and wasn't looking forward to the moment he'd have to say goodnight and not be there with them. Brennan sensed his uneasiness, but wasn't sure of the source; although she had a pretty good idea that it had to do with Ben.

"Would you carry him inside?" she asked as she searched her bag for the house keys.

He glanced from Ben to her smiling, "Sure, Bones."

Successful at finding her keys, Brennan exited the vehicle making her way up to the house and unlocking the door. Retreating back to the SUV for the bags, Brennan passed Booth along the sidewalk.

"Just put in his bed," she leaned up to whisper in his ear. "I'll get the bags and be right on up."

Booth gave a nod as he disappeared into the house and up to Ben's room.

Placing the still sleeping boy on the bed, Booth went about the task of removing Ben's cap and shoes before snuggling a bright red blanket around him. Booth couldn't bring himself to leave Ben's room. He remembered all the times he put Parker to bed and stood close by just to watch him sleep and hear him breathe. He had forgotten how much he loved being a daddy.

His thoughts were interrupted when Brennan stepped into the room placing Ben's duffle bag down in the floor. Walking up beside him, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"He's beautiful," she whispered as she stared at the restful form before her.

Booth gave a small smile and nodded, but his heart ached for all the times he lost with Parker.

"You know you're a great dad," she smiled not removing her eyes from Ben, "and he's very lucky to have you."

Booth's head turned with a puzzled look engulfing his face.

"But.." he stammered.

"You're just as much his father and I am his mother," she interrupted. "Booth, I know what it's like not to have anyone who cares. As a foster kid, all you want if for someone to care if you have a nightmare, and not worry if they're gonna ship you off if you wake up in a bad mood What you and I feel for Ben goes beyond just caring, and I would never take that away from you or him."

With that she gave him a final squeeze and headed back down the stairs.

Making her way into the kitchen, she thought something for dinner might be in order. Thai take out or pizza delivery would not be in the best interest of Ben's sensitive stomach, so Brennan began rummaging through the cabinets. Finally settling on mac and cheese as the crowd pleaser, she set about preparing the one course meal.

Booth meandered down the stairs a short time later. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he watched as she methodically went about the task.

"You're staring," she remarked.

"Not staring, appreciating," he corrected.

"Appreciating what? The fact I'm cooking you dinner?" she accused.

"No, appreciating the fact that I have a wonderful and amazing woman in my life and I've done everything not to deserve her," he stated moving further in the kitchen.

Temperance froze as she felt his hands moved around her waist and his lips settled between her neck and shoulder.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"Seeley," she started but was interrupted by the cried that echoed from upstairs.

"I'll go," he reassured giving her a squeeze before moving toward the stairs.

Brennan nodded as she finished up.

Booth strolled into Ben's room noticing the little boy sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What is it buddy?" Booth asked sitting down beside him. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just got a little scared when I woke up," he admitted. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you."

"Listen, Ben," Booth soothed as he pulled Ben into his lap, "you didn't bother me or Tempe. I don't want you to ever think that, okay?"

"Okay," came an insecure voice.

"Now, what do you say to some Mac and cheese?" Booth tempted.

Ben's eyes lit up as Booth scooped him up and carried him out the door.

"You know," Booth added as he carried Ben down the stairs, "your Tempe makes the best mac and cheese in the world."

ooOooOooOoo

The trio ate dinner in amongst the conversation and laughter. The food was incredible, and there was a feeling of contentment that mingled in the atmosphere. A feeling all three had missed for a very long time.

After the dishes had been cleared and cleaned, the three settled down in the living room. Flipping through the channels, Booth found a Charlie Brown special as Ben snuggled in between his Tempe and Booth. Throughout the movie, Booth's mind kept reminding him that he would have to go home; that he would have to leave. The dread ate away at his heart as the ending credits rolled across the screen.

"Time for bed, Ben," Temperance stated sitting up from her reclined position on the couch.

"Okay," he whined pushing himself off the couch.

"Go brush your teeth and change. We'll be up in a minute,' her voice trailed after him.

"Bed doesn't sound like a bad idea," she yawned looking at Booth.

The dread sank a little deeper.

After giving Ben a few minutes to accomplish his bed time routine, Booth and Brennan padded up the stairs to tuck him in. His lamp was already turned on and he had snuggled himself into the blankets. All that could be seen was his smooth little head sunk into the pillow. After hugs, kisses, and good nights, Temperance turned the lamp down and Booth followed her out of the bedroom leaving the door cracked behind him.

Dread hit the bottom of his heart.

Thousands of thoughts floated through his mind; things he wanted to say, but didn't know how. Standing at the top of the stairs, he bent down and kissed her cheek leaving the thoughts and unspoken words to haunt him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered as his foot hit the first step.

Her fingers laced around his pulling him toward her.

"Don't go," her voice low and soft, "we want you to stay."

Okay, so I know some of you thought the story was finished with the last chapter, sorry about the confusion. Still not sure how many chapters are left to this little story, but it's not done yet. Hope y'all are still enjoying and not completely bored out of your mind with it. So...c'mon and leave me a little review. Reviews feed the muse and the muse fuels my fingers. LOL :)