First, a BIG THANK YOU for all of the awesome reviews y'all left on the last chapter. Second, I apologize for the extended time between updates. My life...crazy. Good news...I have some time off from work coming up soon so the updates should be more frequent. Anywho...hope you enjoy!
Chapter 26
Brennan had successfully managed to stay out of his grasp until they reached the SUV. After unlocking the door with the remote entry, she opened the door just has he grabbed her arm.
"Now hold on, Bones," he persuaded swinging her around. "You just can't go off tuning the world upside down like that."
"I'm quite sure me driving your SUV won't cause the earth to waver on its axis," she pointed out.
"You know what I mean," he returned. "Now come on, hand over the keys."
Brennan kept the keys tucked securely in her hand pressed against her back.
"No, I just can't do that, Booth," she replied.
"I will not hesitate to wrestle them away from you," the thought caused a grin to spread across his face before he finished. "In fact, Bones, never mind. I think I would prefer wrestling them away instead of you just handing them over."
Brennan pondered this suggestion a moment and then noticed the hustle and bustle of the Hoover parking complex.
"You win," she forced the distasteful words out of her mouth.
Wiggling his eyebrows, he teased, "I like those words."
His progression was halted by her protruding hand dangling the keys.
"This wasn't the win I had in mind," he frowned wrapping his fingers around the keys.
"You're a tough guy," she mocked. "You'll get over it."
She kissed his cheek and his patted his shoulder as she moved around him to the passenger's side of the SUV. Booth emphasized his disappointment by standing outside the vehicle for a few moments longer. Brennan was already situated and buckled in by the time Booth relented and joined her.
After Booth dropped Brennan off at the Jeffersonian, he returned to the Hoover Building. Out of curiosity, he stopped by the day care center to check in on Ben. Discovering that Ben was in fact doing just fine and having a great time playing with all the other kids, he made his way upstairs to his office. He pulled out his phone knowing one individual that would be overjoyed with this piece of information.
"Brennan," came her standard response.
"Guess who I just saw running around daycare with Superman, Spiderman, and the Incredible Hulk?" he questioned.
"Ben?" she happily answered. "You went and checked on him!"
"That's right, our one and only Captain America," he boasted.
"Thanks Booth," she quietly replied.
She didn't have to say it; he could hear the gratitude in her voice along with some relief.
"We still on for noon at the diner?" he asked.
As if I can think about anything else she thought. "Sure," putting forth the extra effort to sound calm.
"You want me to pick you up?" he asked hoping she would say yes.
"It's a nice day, I think I'll walk," she answered.
The hands on the clock finally made the trek to twelve as Brennan strolled out into the beautiful June day. As Brennan made her journey to the diner, she took in all the sights of a city preparing for the upcoming holiday. Shop windows were decorated and red, white, and blue swags here hanging from every window, entrance way, and balcony. She actually allowed a little excitement and optimism seep through as she imagined how Ben would enjoy the festivities. Before she realized it, she was standing across the street from the diner. Booth was already waiting at their table, and that was her moment of clarity.
The man who taught her forgiveness, never expected to be forgiven. The man, who showed her unconditional love, never expected it returned. All he asked was for a moment of understanding; a second of hope. Understanding and hope were two intangible emotions undefined by scientific inquiry, but more powerful than an invention by man. They alone could cause one to dream of the unattainable and achieve the impossible, but for Temperance Brennan her dreams had come true. He came back for her.
He immediately noticed her calm demeanor as she approached the table. Social graces weren't her specialty and he half way expected her to bolt when he mentioned the need to sort things out. He sensed a confidence about her now; a confidence she only wore when in her element. Although this puzzled him, Booth was relieved at the thought of not battling her logical and illogical labeling.
They exchanged hellos, and discussed menu options as they settled into their familiar pattern. It was nice not to force a conversation or dace around topics. They were Booth and Brennan to the core; all or nothing. Finally after receiving their orders, Booth jumped head first into the real reason for lunch.
"How is this gonna work?" he gestured between both of them
"I don't follow," she concentrated.
"Well, I've told you how I see us," he paused. "I guess I'm awaiting your verdict."
"I want us to be a family," she agreed. "Although I guess it will be quite an unconventional family?"
"To what extent?" he fired back.
Her eyes narrowed with confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Unconventional like Rebecca, Parker, and me or…" he stopped when he saw her mouth form in an "o" of realization.
"I don't want Ben shuffled back and forth from parent to parent," she began. "I don't think that's fair to the feelings you and Ben share and I don't think it's fair to the feelings we share. To be honest with you Booth, I hated waking up alone for the past two years. The past week of waking up in your arms felt like a dream and I'm not ready for it to end, but I'm not ready to don a white frilly wedding dress either. I was thinking that we could start where we left off."
Booth's eyes widened in shock; he'd hoped for the possibility of the guest room.
"What's wrong," her voice twanged with panic when he didn't reply.
"It's just more than I could've hoped for," he answered.
"I guess a family is more than I could have hoped for," she paused looking down at the table, "but you and Ben have given me that."
"Ben has given both of us so much," he replied raising her chin with the palm of his hand.
ooOooOooOoo
The rest of the week seemed to pass in a matter of seconds. Booth and Brennan had returned to a regular work scheduled and Ben had adjusted quite nicely to daycare. Their nights were spent moving, unpacking, and donating Booth's belongings from his apartment. Angela helped out by keeping Ben company; everyone knew that a tired body would only hinder the little superhero's recovery. By Wednesday everyting was settled knowing they all needed a good night's rest pending Ben's chemo treatment on Friday. In fact, it had been their driving force.
Thursday afternoon Brennan had gone into further detail with Dr. Goodman concerning Ben and her current situation. Just as expected, Dr. Goodman was more than accommodating. Cullen was already aware of the situation and had given his approval for anytime Booth needed. By five o'clock the trio was heading home looking forward to some much needed rest and relaxation. Ben was busy in the back seat with a new Incredible Hulk coloring book he had gotten from the treasure chest while Booth and Tempe ironed out plans for the evening and the following day. The seemingly unconventional family was becoming quite traditional as they piled out of the SUV; pizza and a movie in hand.
After slouching in the living room, eating pizza from the boxes, and watching Ratatouille, Brennan finally interrupted the veg fest by announcing bed time. Ben moaned and groaned like a typical six year old, and Tempe loved every extended syllable. A smile almost appeared as she watched him trudge up the stairs, but soon reality reminded her that by tomorrow the playful mopping would be replaced with a little boy pleading for the pain to stop.
"Don't think about it right now, "Booth whispered as he watched the hurt sink into her features.
She often wondered how he could know what she was thinking. Sometimes she found it annoying, but times like this it was nice not having to voice what pained her heart.
"It's hard," she replied.
"I know," he soothed. "I know."
So...I hope I didn't alienate anyone by my extended leave. If your still out there reading, please let me know what you thought. Thanks for reading:)