After the Hearing
A/N: This one is a few weeks late, and I do have ideas for some of the following episodes. I've been suffering from a short attention span when writing lately (even when I have an idea), and much more into reading books. I hope this one is worth the wait. Let me know what you think.
The door opened and the couple entered, still bickering after the end of the hearing. "I can't believe they made that stipulation about you suffering for my behavior."
"Well you're not going to punch anyone, right? So it won't come up again, right?"
"That's not the point." Turning into the room where her father was sitting with both children, Brennan stopped any further response. "Hi Dad; thank you for picking up the kids this afternoon and for looking after them for us. I hope we didn't keep you too long. When the review panel agreed to accommodate Booth's schedule and meet in the evening we couldn't very well turn them down."
Rising from his place on the sofa, with Hank in his arms Max crossed to the couple. Kissing his daughter on the cheek he replied. "No, you're just in time. If I leave now I can make it on time to my date's door." He passed his grandson into his daughter's arms, after kissing him on the head. He turned to Christine, "Goodbye, Princess. We'll finish that story the next time I'm here."
"Good night Grandpa."
Turning to the door Max threw out a "See you Booth."
"Later Max." Booth closed the door behind his father-in-law then turned to his family and addressing his daughter asked. "So, what did Grandpa make for dinner?"
"Grilled cheese sandwiches. I told him you said that's what Pops always made for you, and you loved it so could he make some for us." Then looking at her mother she added. "Grandpa said that Mommy would insist on vegetables too, so we had zucchini sticks and tomato soup with the sandwiches."
Tickling his daughter's neck, "Sounds yummy. Oh look at the time. It's time for both you and your brother to get ready for bed."
Booth and Brennan went through the nightly routine of getting the kids bathed and into their pajamas, bedtime stories and tuck-ins.
Once the kids were asleep they returned to the living room and Booth headed to the kitchen. "Not to sound too much like Aubrey, but I'm starving. Testifying before the review board, I sure did work up an appetite and grilled cheese sandwiches sound wonderful right now."
Brennan checked the refrigerator. "There's some extra tomato soup in there, and Max is right, vegetables should be a part of any meal, and more than just the soup; I'll make a salad."
Booth was enjoying a beer with his meal, Brennan a glass of wine when she spoke up. "I'm glad that I got to meet Kenny today, and to thank him for his being a friend to you while you were in prison."
He chuckled then replied "The look on Kenny's face when you hugged him was priceless."
Her shrug was slightly defensive. "Well I wanted him to know that I knew about what he'd done for you and that I appreciated it."
Booth leaned toward her and they exchanged a kiss. "It was very sweet Bones. I appreciated the gesture more than you can imagine. In many ways he saved my life in there."
Looking into his eyes Brennan reached out to take his hand. "What you did for him tonight was wonderful Booth. You gave him a chance at a life with is daughter and grandchild. You gave him a chance at having a real family. You also gave Kalani a chance for a real family and a chance to be able to give her child a different life than she'd had."
"You really identified with Kalani didn't you?"
"On some levels; yes. I know what it's like to age out of the foster system and being terrified about how you're going to take care of yourself; but at least I had a goal. I knew I wanted to go to college, get a degree, and I knew I wanted it to be in sciences and I was able to get a scholarship. I just had myself to worry about. I wasn't in Kalani's position of wondering how I was going to take care of not only myself, but a baby too. I also know what it's like to face letting a parent who'd abandoned you back into your life; the fear of the potential pain of future abandonment and at the same time craving their love." Pausing to smile at Booth, "You know I have you to thank for Max being in my life today. I don't think I'd have been able to let him in without you there convincing me it was worth the risk."
"I think you'd have done it on your own."
Shaking her head, "No, I don't think so. I was too convinced that love was not worth the pain that it inevitably brought. It's because of you that I have a family to love, and I don't just mean because you're the father of my children, but all of it. Max, and the kids; including Parker. You! Also my extended family; everyone at the Jeffersonian. I mean I don't think Angela was going to let me hold her off emotionally, but I'd have resisted the rest of them. I am very fortunate that you entered my life. You seem to have a talent for building families."
"So that's why you love me! Because I gave you a family."
"I love you for many reasons. That is just one of them."
And they kiss…and we fade out.