I'm in complete awe. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful reviews y'all left me on the last chapter. Very sorry this took longer to get posted than I had planned, please forgive me - life with 3 year old twins can be quite hairy at times. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 24
Sometimes dreams allow you feel so alive that you can't stay asleep; your body forces itself awake in the hopes that it's all real. Many times the disappointment radiates so deep, you wish to never dream again. However, when Seeley Booth woke up, he was thankful it hadn't been a dream. Snuggled under his protective arm and against his chest, slept Temperance Brennan. Booth's smile lit up the room unlike the gray tint looming behind the window blinds.
Glancing at the harsh red numbers, Booth knew it was too early to feel this awake, but the restlessness tugged at his feet to move. A soft sigh escaped her lips as he placed a kiss on her cheek. He waited a moment watching her settle further into the comfort of the pillow before climbing out of the bed. Padding over to the walk in closet, he flipped the switch and made his way to the back wall. In the far back corner discreetly hidden by her Vegas dress was a shelf neatly lined with his clothes. Grabbing a pair of pajama pants and sliding them on, he slipped out of her bedroom and out into the hallway.
Slowly pushing the door to Ben's room open, he saw the little boy who had not moved during the night. Booth held his breath until he saw the car printed sheet rise and fall indicating that he was still soundly sleeping. He pulled the door back to its original state and meandered down the steps.
Walking into the living room, he considered continuing his journey into the kitchen for coffee. Not wanting to wake the sleeping occupants upstairs, he settled on the oversized couch in the living room instead. For the first time since he'd been in the house, he really took time to look at it. The walls were painted medium taupe trimmed in white and adorned with art work obviously done by Angela, a plasma screen t.v., and a beautiful, old world, brick fireplace at the far end of the room. The couch, chairs and ottomans were a safari green, large and made for comfort with over sized cushions and pillows. The storage unit and coffee tables were made of ash and displayed photos of Russ's family, Max, her mom, and the squints. Every snap shot took you to another time in Brennan's life, but Booth was nowhere to be found in any of the pictures. He had wondered about the room glancing at each photo, smiling as he remembered certain occasions and frowning when he realized all he had missed.
Brennan had been standing on the bottom step for several minutes before making her presence known.
"All the ones of us are upstairs in a photo box," her voice brushing away the silence.
He turned holding a picture frame in his hand. "When was this taken?" he asked.
Walking to stand beside him, she titled the picture to get a better view. The whole squint squad was featured wearing party hats. Zach was front and center with Angela and Temperance on either side, and Jack and Goodman on the ends. A smile graced her sleepy features as she remembered the moment captured in the frame.
"That was Zach's birthday party last November," she recalled.
Booth titled his head in confusion.
Seeing his need for an explanation, she continued, "Angela got this crazy idea that we should have birthday lunch parties as a way of celebrating everybody's birthday."
"Oh," he nodded. "Why isn't there a picture of the others or at least yours?"
"This was the only one I went to," she admitted.
"What about your own?" he wondered.
"I was busy," she explained.
"Too busy for your own birthday party?" he accused.
Making his last question rhetorical, she wondered into the kitchen to start a long awaited pot of coffee.
"You can go ahead and get a shower if you want," she said over her shoulder. "I'll get breakfast started."
Understanding the message 'back off' loud and clear, Booth gave an uncomfortable grin and headed up the stairs.
Ben was dragging down the hallway as Booth reached the top of the stairs.
"Mornin' buddy," Booth greeted ruffling Ben scalp like he had done to Parker's hair so many times, but then suddenly remembering Ben reaction to the chemo.
"I'm sorry, Ben," pain filling Booth's voice. "Are you okay?"
Ben gave a grin through his yawn, "Don't worry bout it, Booth. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Booth's face relaxed as he watched the little boy hop down the steps.
"Tempe," Ben called from the bottom step.
"In the kitchen, Ben," she answered as she placed the waffles in the toaster.
"Whatcha doin'?" he asked as he struggled to climb the stool at the breakfast bar.
"Making waffles," she chuckled watching the scene.
"No," he corrected finally settling on the seat, "you're toasting waffles not really making them."
"Oh," she emphasized, "I think you're feeling better."
"Umhum," he replied swaying side to side on the stool.
"Tempe?" he sought her attention.
"Yes," her voice muffled by the coffee cup.
"Why does Booth call me buddy?" he questioned.
"I don't know, Ben," she answered honestly. "I guess he gives names to those who are close to him. He's always called me Bones and Parker was Bub."
"I like it," he admitted.
"Me too," she smiled.
"Tempe," he sang.
"What Ben?" she chuckled at his inquiries.
In a pleading voice, he asked, "Are the waffles done yet?"
"Did someone say waffles?" Booth wiggled his eyebrows in anticipation as he made his way into the kitchen.
"Fresh from the toaster," she replied placing the plates in front of them.
"Tank u," came Ben's mouth full response.
Leaning between the two, Brennan gave each of her boys a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm off to get a shower," she stated.
"Bbbut what about breakfast, Bones?" Booth stuttered.
"Not hungry!" she called over her shoulder.
Booth gave a shrugged response to Ben who pointed out, "More for us!"
After finishing their waffles, Booth and Ben headed back upstairs. Booth followed Ben into his room as they set out to prepare for the day.
"Well, let's pick you out something to wear," Booth suggested as he opened the closet door.
They decided on the Mater themed overall shorts and shirt with a matching oil smudged mechanic's cap. Laying all the necessary clothing attire out on the bed, Booth left Ben to finish the job remembering how independent Parker was becoming at that age. He padded down the hall to Tempe's room. Giving the door a light knock he waited for her reply. Hearing her mumble, he slowly opened the door. She peaked her head around the corner from the bathroom; toothbrush in hand and foaming at the mouth. She smiled a goofy smile despite the toothpaste and Booth still thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on.
"We've got a problem, Bones," he spoke loud enough for her to hear over the running water in the sink.
She raised her head as she shot a panicked glance at Booth through the mirror.
"Where's Ben going today?" raising a question that hadn't been discussed.
Brennan's expression at first relaxed and then tensed in worry again.
Spitting out the mouthwash, she spluttered, "Some mother I am."
"It's okay, Bones," he reassured her. "Priorities haven't exactly revolved around babysitters lately and we do have a couple of options."
"Such as," she pressed.
"He could go to work with you," he offered, "but if we get a case that could cause a problem, or he could stay at the Hoover Building. We have a daycare for FBI employees."
She nodded in agreement as he continued.
Shooting her a questioning glance, "But that would mean I would have to be listed as the father."
"I've already told you how I feel, Booth," she reminded. "As far as I'm concerned, you are his father."
"While I love hearing those words from your mouth, I'm afraid that there are others who may share a different concern," he pointed out.
"Oh," she realized his meaning as she began dressing for the day.
"We're not married, Temperance," he sighed trying to keep his mind on the conversation. "This isn't going to be easy."
Then Brennan made the only logical conclusion she could come to. "Caroline!" she exclaimed.
Booth rolled his eyes, "Bones, we already owe her for you becoming Ben's foster mom. My gut tells me she isn't going to be in a giving mood."
"Aw, come on Booth," she emphasized nudging him with her hip as she zipped her skirt. "How many steamboats could she ask for?"
Booth smiled and shook his head. He was afraid this favor would entail more than just steamboats.
Brennan put the remaining touches to her hair and make up and then it was out the door and off to the Hoover Building.
On the way, Booth placed a call to Caroline asking if she could meet him at his office. As dumb luck would have it, she was already at the Hoover Building which was in their favor. The less they had to inconvenience her, the better.
As the trio approached Booth's office, he could already see Caroline waiting impatiently at his desk.
"Caroline, how good…" Booth tried.
"Cut the crap, Booth," she retorted. "What do you want?"
As the words left her mouth, Temperance appeared around the corner, Ben tucked neatly behind her.
"Mmmm," she pressed her lips together, "never mind, cherrie. I've already done enough favors for you two. I ain't doin anymore."
"Now just wait a second," Booth reasoned. "Ben needs to stay here at the daycare, but that can only happen if I'm a foster parent. Now surely that couldn't be too hard at least not for someone like yourself."
"Flattery will get you no where, sunny," her hands resting on her hips.
Brennan did the only thing she knew to do. Stepping aside she magically had Ben standing between her and Booth.
"Oh no you just didn't," Caroline shook her head. "Pulling this cute, little, innocent boy into the middle of this."
"Come on, Caroline," Brennan pleaded. "How many steamboats?"
"Oh honey, we are way past steamboats here," she preached. "We are aisle walkin, I doin', and reception dancin'. Do you follow, cherrie?"
Brennan's mouth fell open and try as she might it wouldn't close.
I'm working on the next chapter and will hopefully have it up soon. C'mon tell me something, please. :)