3- Feelings must be shown.
A knock on the door woke her up that morning. She was feeling good, better than ever. Her belly was bigger than it was a week ago and that was contributing to her happiness.
The person who was at the door seemed to be very anxious to get in, so Brennan had to get up faster than usual.
"I'm coming! I'm coming." – Said Brennan while rubbing her eyes and stretching her back. "Can't you wait? I'm the pregnant woman here, I'm about to get in labor at anytime. I should be the one knocking on a door just like you're doing now." – she was approaching the door when a familiar voice asked her a question.
"Sweetie, are you OK in there? Booth told me you'd be here."
Brennan had to look for the keys. Booth always places them in different places, so every time she needs the keys, she never knows where they might be. But something was certain: they should be in something related to "Flyers", because every single time Booth goes out, he touches in some of those things in his sanctuary.
This was the kind of morning ritual Brennan couldn't understand. Once he told her that Flyers are as important to him as bones are important to her, but she replied saying that it was ludicrous. She really had changed, but some things were not acceptable to her and would never be. She respects Booth's rituals, because he respects hers and that's what makes them a very strong couple.
"Sweetie? Do you want me to break in? What are you doing? Should I call 911?"
"Angie, calm down. I have to find the keys…"
Brennan looked inside Booth's Flyers' safe and there they were.
The scientist put the keys in the door lock, twisted it twice and sighted Angela holding Michael who was still sitting in his baby car seat.
"Hello, you two. It's Saturday and I'm not going to work. You should be proud of me, Angie."
"Good morning, sweetie. You look just marvelous. Michael wanted to see you for the last time before the baby is born."
"I know this is not the real reason of why you must be here. Booth, right?"
Angela placed Michael's car seat on the couch. He was playing with his foot while she was talking to Brennan.
"Ok, he asked me to come because he has to work all day and he didn't want you to spend this sunny Saturday alone. So, Michael and I are here to take you for a ride. I want to buy some clothes to my goddaughter and I also have to buy new clothes to that little guy, because he is growing up so fast that his clothes don't fit anymore."
Brennan kept staring at her for a long while.
"Why didn't he tell me he would stay at the bureau all day?"
"He told me you were sleeping when he headed to work."
"What are you implying?"
"That he didn't want to wake you up."
"And why should I be happy with that?" – Brennan was trying to sit on Booth's armchair when Angela answered that question.
"Because he cares about you. He knows how tired you are and he didn't want to wake you, because he knew that if he did that, you wouldn't go back to sleep."
"He was right. But you are not. He didn't wake me up, but you did."
"Ok, I'll pretend you didn't just say that… I remember that – at this stage of pregnancy – I used to fight with Hodgins a lot. And he totally got me. I know the hormones are messing with you, but you have to calm down. I'm here for you, sweetie. You should go change, we have to buy some clothes before you go to the hospital."
Brennan accepted that offer. She knew she would get bored if she had to spend all afternoon by herself at Booth's apartment.
"Ok. I'm sorry I'm saying those kinds of things. You know I'm not like that. And I know you are here for me, Angie. No matter what. And I'm very lucky for that." – Brennan tried to get up, but she couldn't.
"Here."- said Angela giving her hand to Brennan.
"Thank you."- said Brennan while getting up of the armchair. Brennan looked at Michael before going to the bedroom. – "Angie, Michael is more alike you at every day.".
"Wish he had his father's eyes."
"Well, that's only possible if you have a recessive and a dominant gene, because you have brown/black eyes. Since I don't know your mother's or father's eye color, I can't tell you if you are a dominant brown/black eyed or a dominant/recessive, therefore, I can't assure you the chances you and Hodgins have to have a blue-eyed baby. But…"
Angela interrupted her.
"You always have to be all scientific on me. You know I don't actually get it, right?"
"I know. But I feel like I have to tell you that."
"Ok, go change. We'll wait for you here."
Michael was falling asleep when Brennan came out of Booth's bedroom.
"Angie…"
Angela didn't let her finish the sentence. She "shushed" Brennan, so then Michael wouldn't be woken up.
"I'm sorry."-Said Brennan whispering.-"Didn't know he was asleep."-She approached the baby car seat and got astonished by Michael's beauty. "He is so handsome, Angie."
"I know, sweetie. And, as soon as you can think of, your baby girl is gonna be here. And you we'll feel the magic everyone talks about. The first time she sleeps on your shoulder you will barely let yourself breathe because you don't want that moment to end. She will snuck in the crook of your neck and you will stay still just so she won't be woken up. It's the best feeling ever, Brennan. You'll see it. It might terrifies you at first, but it's very worth. Knowing that there is a half of you and a half of your lover lying in you arms is completely immeasurably explainable."
"Do you think I'll be able to handle this? I'm not that good at kids.".
Angela stood up and looked into Brennan's eyes.
"Sweetie, you've been taking care of Parker since you and Booth told him you were pregnant. That little guy loves you and you know exactly what to do to make him feel better and loved. Of course you are gonna do well. You're gonna be a good mother, Brennan. Why is this conversation happening?"
"Because I'm about to give birth to my first child. I'm afraid. I know I've changed, I know I'm ready for it, but I'm afraid."
"You shouldn't be. You have been planning to have a child for about three years. I didn't plan Michael and look at me, I'm doing just fine. He is very calm and Hodgins helps me out. Besides, you have Booth and Booth knows what to do with kids, Brennan. Also, you have me. We can make a "crazy mommy" group if you think we have to. I can teach you how to change a diaper and you can tell me how to deal with stuffed noses…"
They both laughed together. Laughter of relief. Relief for knowing that they have each other for no matter what.
"Thanks, Angie. Thanks for supporting me. Thanks for being here whenever I need you." – Brennan hugged Angela.
"Are these hormones too?"
"No, this is just me being a friend."
"I like that."
"Me too, Angie. Me too."
"Shall we go now?"
"Wait."- Brennan stopped Angela from walking.
"What happened? Are you ok?"
"Yes. I just wanted to check if these clothes are good for a ride. I'm almost out of clothes, nothing is fitting me anymore."
Angela looked at Brennan.
"You're flawless. And, I know how you might be feeling. Lasts days are complicated."
"But good."
"Yes, very good."
Angela grabbed Michael's car seat and went towards the door. Brennan grabbed her purse and followed her friend.
-B&B-
"So, Parker. What are we doing tonight?"- asked Brennan while Booth was opening the door.
"I don't know, Bones. We should eat first, shouldn't we?"
"Yes we should. I'm starving, aren't you, Booth?"
"I'm, Bones. What are we eating tonight? What are you carving, Bones?"
"Is lasagna a good meal for a dinner?"
"Yes!" – said Booth and Parker in a unison.
"Broccoli?"- asked Brennan, believing Parker wouldn't accept the offer.
"How did she know that?"-asked Parker, looking at Booth.
"I didn't say anything, believe me, Parks."
"He didn't. It's my favorite and seems like it's your brother/sister's favorite too."
"This is awkward. It's my favorite."
Booth held Parker and put him on a stool, so he could watch Brennan trying to start cooking.
"Bones, do you need me to get anything?"-said Booth moving towards her. He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
Parker where astonished by all those happy moments they were having. Moments as a real family, moments he would never forget.
Brennan grabbed some onions and started to chop them.
"Well, I don't think I have broccoli here. I've been carving it, so there is not broccoli left to tell some story."
"You made a joke, Bones. It was funny."-said Parker laughing while trying to keep himself on the stool.- "Wasn't it, dad?"
"Yes, Parks. Bones is learning. She is a very good student."
"And so are you, Booth. Maybe I was wrong when I said evolution takes thousands of years to happen. Look at us. We are together, we are having a baby and Parker is supporting us. Who would have imagined this?"
Parker was about to answer that question. Even though he was very young when he first met Brennan, he had foreseen this. He knew Brennan made his dad very happy, she helped him out with his problems, even though that wasn't her intention. She conquered his heart with her intelligence and way of life. She was a role model to that young boy. Brennan and Booth were the living proof for eventually and for love and that was why Parker admired them both.
"Bones, everybody could have imagined this. Perhaps only you and dad couldn't see it. I know you don't believe in fate, but all those things were written in the stars, Bones. Nothing happens unless first a dream. Dad always tells me that every once in a while two people meet and there is a spark. You two were constantly showing us a spark, but – for some reason – none of you was able to see it."
Brennan stopped chopping the onions when Parker finished that sentence. That little boy was conquering her heart. He was showing her that motherhood was going to be the best feeling ever. And, by looking at Parker, she could foresee that their baby was going to have a lion heart and a brilliant mind. Tears started streaming down her face and Booth approached to dry them.
"Bones, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to cry."
"No, Parker. Don't be sorry. The onions are helping me out a little bit and so are the hormones, but this is the sweetest thing I've ever heard from someone. I have to say something I've been keeping inside for a long while."-Booth stopped her for a while, he kissed her before she could start what she was about to say.- "I always said to your dad that I wasn't going to have a child of my own. I thought I didn't need that. I thought that I wasn't a person who gets to be in a family, but your dad had proven me that I was completely wrong. He always said to me that everybody needs someone and that there is always someone for everybody. Turns out this someone has been standing here – right in front of me – for more than seven years. He has been the most patient person I have ever met. He cares about me more than I even do. And I have never even said thank you to him."
Booth interrupted her for a while.
"Bones, of course you have thanked me. Look at us, look at what we've become. This is the best "thank you" someone can receive. You have taught me so many things and I will never be able to thank you for that."- he put his hand around her waist and hold her closer.
Parker was looking at them, amazed by it all. His head was spinning faster and all he was able to think about was: "When I grow up I wanna build a family like dad is doing. It might take me a while, but it's very worth."
"Ok."-Said Booth trying to break the silence that was settling around them.-"I should go buy some broccoli otherwise we won't have dinner tonight. Parker, do you wanna come with me?"
"Actually, dad, I was thinking about staying here with Bones. Is it ok?"
"Of course, kiddo. I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about, besides, I know my way to the market."
Booth walked towards the door. He took his coat, the car's keys and walked to the elevator.
Brennan was still chopping the onions when Parker started a conversation.
"Is your dad still teaching science around the Jeffersonian, Bones?"
"Well, he is not. I wish he was, but…"
"But?"
"He can't. There are some problems involving him, so he can't be there. He used to be a science teacher when I was a child."
"Is that the reason of why you've become a scientist?"
"I admire my father. He used to teach me a lot of things when I was little. Once he came up with this conch shell. He told me to put it in my ear and he promised me I would hear the sound of the waves breaking on the shore."
Parker was staring at her amazed. Looking forward to listen to her answer.
"Did it work?"
"Oh, no. Don't tell me you've never tried this, Parker."
"I haven't."
"Let me show you something."
Brennan walked towards her bathroom and Parker followed her. She took the conch shell Max gave her a few months ago. Parker noticed that there were two toothbrushes in there, which let him really happy, because that meant that Booth and Brennan were really living together.
"Max gave me this a few months ago. Put it in your ear."-said Brennan, while taking the two toothbrushes away from the conch shell's holes.
Parkerbroughttheconchshellclosertohisearand,forhisastonishment,hewasabletolistentothewavesbreaking.Hiseyesweresparkling.
"It really works, Bones. Seems to be like magic."
"Actually, Parker, it's not magic. It's real."
For the first time in her life Brennan understand what Booth tried to explain her a few years ago. That there are lies you make up for children just to see their eyes glowing and their cute smile. She was fully aware of it right now and she could feel that she would be able to do that to their child to, just to see a little smile in that face.
"It is, Bones."
-B&B-
Booth was almost opening the door when he heard a laughter coming out from the apartment 2B. Brennan and Parker seemed to be having a funny chit-chat so he decided to stay there just for a while, to listen to what they were talking about there.
"Bones, I have a serious question to ask you, may I?"
"Of course, Parker. I'd do my best to answer it."
"Bones, if dad asked you to marry him, would you say yes?"
"He doesn't have to do that, Parker."
"But it's the right thing to be done, isn't it?"
"There is no right or wrong in this area."
"I don't understand."
"I don't feel like I need a paper to prove my commitment to your dad. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I feel like he is my person. You won't understand this right now, Parker, because you are too young too comprehend your limbic system. Sometimes even I'm too young to comprehend it. You, know, love is something that can fool you around, just because it can play with all the chemicals that stream in your limbic system. It's hard to know when you're being fooled by yourself or when it's real love. I can tell that I've been fooled around so many times and probably that was one of the reasons of why I pretended I wasn't seeing what was actually going on between me and your dad. I realized a few months ago that for this time, for once in my whole life, my body wasn't tricking me, because it was hard to do not get caught thinking about how it would be if Booth and I were a couple. All I'm trying to say is, I don't this. I already have what I need and I'm truly happy with it."
Parker was wondering what a limbic system was, but first of all he had a more important question to ask her.
"You didn't answer my question. And, by the answer you gave me, I'd say you wouldn't accept dad's proposal, would you?"
Booth was standing outside listening to it all. Everything Brennan said was being processed by his brain and was giving him a feeling of satisfaction. He never thought that she would be able to get where she got. He never thought that she would change her mind to 180º away. It was a hell of a change and he was really proud of her in every single way.
Brennan was trying not to answer that question. She knew the answer and it something she never thought she would say. She decided it before even knowing they were having a baby, she decided it because she saw that her best friend was happy with it. She decided it, because she remembered that –besides all the bickering and problems – her mom and dad was really happy together, as a couple, as husband and wife.
"Well, you are not gonna let me sleep if I don't answer this, will you?"
"Nope. This is a Booth sort of power, Bones. I can't help."
"I know, genes. Ok."-She cleared her throat before starting to answer that question.-"You know, your dad told me that "marriage has been around since the beginning of time". That "sometimes love trumps logic" and that I should never say never. I never said never to that question I just wasn't ready to answer it and now I know why."
"Why is that, Bones?"
Booth was trying to stop the tears from falling down, but his Bones was really giving Parker a lesson. She had really changed a lot. She was different, she was happy, she was loving and being loved.
"Because I found the only person I really love. And that's another thing your dad told me. That I could love a lot of people in this world, but there is only one person I love the most and that that person never leaves. You know, Parker. Your dad has been here for me since we first met. Right in the beginning I thought I wouldn't get along with him, but that's what they say about love. That the opposites attract each other, just like an electron and a proton. Just like sun and rain. Just like coffee and a white shirt. I believe I could accept your father's proposal just to make him happy because I don't need it, but I know he does. And I feel like I should do that for him, for us."
"So you'd really say yes?"
"I'd, Parker. For your dad, for you, for this family that is just getting started."
"Dad really told me you've changed, but I couldn't believe."
"Why not?"
"Because he told me that you said you couldn't change, because you were a scientist and you didn't know how to do it."
"Oh, he'll never get over this line, will he?"
"I don't so. It really crushed his heart."
"I know, I shouldn't have said that, but I needed time to think about this, to find out if this was real love."
"And you did, maybe dad will get over it once you tell him the reason of why you said that to him."
"I don't think I'd be able to do that. This is our secret, Parker. Can you keep it?"
"Do you want me to spit in my hand? We are Scully and Mulder."
"What? What's wrong with you Booths?"
"Come on, Bones. It's the X-files. Everybody used to watch it."
"I didn't. But your father let me know about it."
Booth decided it was time for him to open the door. He would have to pretend he didn't listen to their conversation, but it was a hard thing to be done. Keeping his mouth shut after hearing what he heard wasn't an easy task. All he wanted to do was to go there and show his feelings.
"So, we have the broccoli. How hungry are you, Parker?"
"Very."
"No way, you two just ate pancakes with honey without me? Come on!"
"Booth, Parker was hungry and I was hungry and you were taking a lot of time so I had to cook something."
"Did you at least leave me one pancake?"
"Yes, it's in the oven."
"Sweet, so, what do I have to do to help you cook, Bones?"
"Just sit there with Parker and talk to me. Tell me about your day, guys."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, my day was boring. I didn't have much to do so…"
-B&B-
They had dinner, they talked about their days. They were really being a family, a family Brennan wanted to have, a family everyone whishes for.
"Time to bed, kiddo. You have school tomorrow and Bones and I have to work."
"Can I stay up for more 5 minutes?"- begged Parker while trying to get out of the couch.
"Nope. I know that if you stay up for more five minutes you'll and up sleeping here and I'll have to carry you to the bedroom."
"Ok, fine."
"So, say goodnight to Bones and go brush your teeth then I'll go there to tell you a story."
"Goodnight, Bones."
"Goodnight, Parker."
Parker walked to the hallway. Brennan was staring at this father-son moment. She was picturing how it would be when their child will be there with them. She was picturing Booth telling their child a story.
"You should come with me, Bones. I'm sure Parker would love you to have you there."
"You do?"
"Yes, Bones. You're going to be a great mom."
Booth took her hand and pulled her to the bedroom were Parker would sleep. He told Parker a story and Brennan was amazed buy Booth's talent to it. He kissed Parker in the forehead and when Brennan and Booth were leaving the room, Brennan decided to come back.
She kissed Parker in the forehead.
"Goodnight, Parker."
"Goodnight, Bones."