Chapter 12 – The Marriage Thing
"So I've been wondering…. What is marriage like?"
Angela had just put little Michael down in his crib after changing him into a cute black and white pajama set that had little guitars on it.
"What is marriage like?" She repeated.
"Yeah… I'm just curious." Brennan said. She and Angela had decided to institute a "girls night" every first Saturday of the month to make sure that babies and significant others didn't keep them from hanging out the way they used to.
"It's great…" Angela replied. She looked at her friend with a hint of confusion. "Why so curious?"
"I don't know. I've always wondered what the big deal was. I've never understood the significance of the piece of paper."
"Is this about Booth?"
"Actually no, he hasn't uttered a word about anything connected to marriage."
Angela sensed some annoyance in her answer and smiled.
"What was that I just heard in your voice? "
"What do you mean?" Brennan leaned over to pick one of Michael's little socks up from the floor.
"You're annoyed…"
"Annoyed? What would I be annoyed about?"
"Hmm… I don't know… maybe it has something to do with Booth not mentioning marriage."
"That doesn't make sense. I've never wanted to get married. I've told him that for years." She said leaning back in the chair.
"Right… and you're still a little shocked that he hasn't proposed."
"It is a little weird don't you think? I mean he says that he really hasn't loved anyone but me, yet he asked two women before me. I'm carrying his kid and he hasn't even really broached the subject." Brennan struggled to stand, but finally got enough leverage to push herself up.
"Has it crossed your mind that he hasn't talked about it because you don't want it?"
"I've changed my mind on other things, why not this?"
"Have you… changed your mind?" Angela looked down into the crib when she heard Michael's small snore. She sat the baby monitor next to him and ushered Brennan out of the room, closing the door behind them. They walked down the hallway into the living room.
"I don't know… maybe. It doesn't seem to have destroyed you and Hodgins."
"Far from that, I'd have to say. It's actually been the best decision I ever made. Ok…. So here's my opinion. I don't know why you wouldn't want to marry Booth. All he wants to do is make you happy. And he's not going anywhere."
"It's not that I'm so strongly opposed to it anymore. At least, not now that we've been living together."
"Then what is it? Why are you scared?"
"It's irrational, but I feel like marrying takes the last bit of my solo identity away."
"Funny. That's actually not crazy. I felt the same way in a way. When Hodgins asked me to marry him the first time, all I saw was my identity as free spirited 'Angela' being replaced by 'someone's wife'."
"How did you get over it?"
"I didn't. Being without him made me realize how much better I was with him. So I wasn't going to lose myself I was going to become a better version. Does that make sense?"
Brennan tilted her head and considered the statement. She was better with Booth. He made her see things that she normally wouldn't pay attention to. He'd brought joy, laughter, friendship and love into her life. She smiled.
"Actually it makes perfect sense, Ang. I'm glad we talked. For not having a very high IQ, you are extremely wise."
Angela chuckled. "Thanks… I think."
"Can we take a rain check on our movies for this evening? There's something that I need to do."