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Coming home…

Chapter 13

I was sitting in my bed, my back propped against a pillow… thanks to Angela I was surrounded by all the things I needed. Tea to drink, sandwiches to eat, something to read and a small TV in my bedroom – an addition I could have done without, but Angela was Angela.

But I was so nervous I could not occupy myself with any of those things, could not block out the knowledge that in these minutes Booth's plane was arriving at the airport, that in these minutes he was going to hug his son and wonder why I was not there to meet him.

And later, after he had had the chance to spend some time with Parker, Angela would give him the spare key to my apartment and drop him off here. If Booth wanted to see me, that is. On the other hand, I thought, Angela wouldn't take no for an answer and probably take drastic measures.

I stared at my cell phone on the night stand next to me. She had promised to call me when Booth arrived. She'd also promised to give me a heads-up before Booth would enter my apartment. The big question was, what was I supposed to do until then? My hands covered my prominent six month pregnant belly as I thought of seeing Booth again.

The phone rang and I snatched it off the night stand. "Brennan."

"Hey, Bren. How are you holding up?" Angela's voice greeted me.

"Okay." I lied.

"He arrived alright. We'll head for the diner now with Parker… then Hodgins and Cam are going to take Parker home and I'll drive Booth to your house. Okay?" Angela said and I took in a deep breath. "Alright." I whispered. "Just… don't let me wait for too long, okay?"

"I'll do my best, Sweetie. Wait a second guys, I'll be right back." I heard her say. "Had to get away a little. Parker told Booth you had to stay in bed because your tummy's upset, just so you know." Angela informed me and I had to smile, but my heart also skipped a beat in concern. "God. He didn't say anything else, did he?"

"Nah… He's so happy his Daddy is back he's ecstatic…. You're nervous, huh?" My best friend asked.

"You have no idea." I answered.

"Well, then I better give you something to do." Angela said with a smile in her voice. "Any minute now your Dad should be there now to keep you company… But don't worry, he's going to leave before Booth comes over."

"You set that up to distract me?" I asked after a moment of silence. "Yep." Angela confirmed. "Gotta go now, Sweetie. Until later." She disconnected before I had the chance to thank her.

A few moments later a knock on my bedroom door told me my father had arrived.

"Hey baby." He said as he opened the door and I let out a deep sigh. "I'm so glad you're here."

I admitted and my father gave me a long look. "Worried?" I nodded. Worried did not even begin to describe how I felt.

He crossed over to my bed and sat down beside me. "Well, then we gotta do something to distract you, I guess." He winked at me mischievously. "Wanna play cards?" I had to laugh a little at the expression on his face. "Yes… Let's play cards, Dad."

Two hours later I was clutching the comforter on my bed tightly in my sweaty hands. Five minutes ago Angela had called and my Dad had left. Booth would be here any moment now. Any moment.

The baby didn't agree with me being nervous and was restless too, or so it seemed. My stomach felt a little queasy and I tried to banish the thoughts of the sandwich my father had made me eat earlier.

Then I heard a sound. The door of my apartment, footsteps coming near my room. And I held my breath in anticipation.

"Bones?" His familiar voice asked hesitantly as he paused in the doorway of the room. My father had left the door a crack open and I could only see a shadowy figure.

"Yes." I breathed and he pushed the door open. My heart nearly stopped as I saw him again for the first time in six months. Six long months. "Welcome back." I whispered, my voice sounding tinny.

"Bones… Angela said you're sick or something. Is it okay if I come in?" Booth asked, still hesitantly hovering in the doorway.

"Yes, come on in." I answered. He stepped into the room and only now I could really see his face. I drank in the sight of him… yes, he looked as if he had lost weight and his hair was a mess. But it was Booth and that was all that counted.

His eyes met mine and my breath hitched. "God, I missed you." Booth whispered and I nearly burst into tears.

Booth stepped towards me, slowly… his eyes on my face, oblivious to anything else, or so it seemed. But then, when he was only a few feet away his gaze fell to my midsection. And he stopped abruptly, his eyes widening. He stared at my abdomen and I stared at him, both of us speechless. I had had time to think of what I was going to say, how I was going to explain but all the things I had thought of eluded me in that important moment.

Uncomfortable silence settled over the room as Booth's eyes remained glued to my stomach. I glance down for a moment and wondered how this must look to him. Me, lying in my bed, the comforter below my waistline, my already pretty big belly protruding. He took one step back and I knew I had to do something.

"Booth." My voice was hoarse and I cleared my throat. "I wanted to tell you."

I glanced at him, his familiar face that wore an expression I could not even TRY to interpret. "But I didn't want this to distract you when you were on such a dangerous mission. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I swallowed hard. "I wanted you to be focussed on the case."

I watched him clench his fists and avert his gaze. "You didn't want to distract me." He repeated, his voice flat, then shook his head and took another step back.

"I… thought. God, I'm a fool. I thought you and me…." He stopped and I saw pain flash over his face, raw pain. "I told you I loved you, Bones. And how long did you wait before…" He pointed towards my abdomen. Then he whirled around and left the room. "Congratulations." I heard him choke out, then he was gone.

Somehow the thought that he could suspect I had slept with somebody else had never crossed my mind before. Not once. I was so stunned I needed a minute to react. A precious, long minute until I came to my senses again. "Booth." I yelled. "Booth, come back."

But all I heard was the door of my apartment click shut.

Yes, I'm evil, uh-uh… I know. EVIL CHEESE... hahha... you know sometimes I have to put in such cliffies, I've got a reputation to live up to ;)

But the next chapter is nearly ready, so don't worry too much, okay?