Chapter 2

The next morning Bones was slightly more rested, besides having to wake to nurse Joy every few hours. Physically, she was still a mess.

Booth helped her into the shower which made her feel immensely better.

Cam and Angela arrived shortly after as promised and Booth reluctently left his new family in their care.

The women cooed and awwed over Joy. The morning passed quickly. A soft knock around lunchtime produced Dr Allen Foo, Joy's pediatric an.

"Ms. Brennan?" he asked " I am Dr. Foo, Joy's Dr. I just need to speak with you about something concerning Joy's hearing test."

Bren shifted in her bed to sit more upright. "You may speak freely in front of them, they are family." Bones' voice shook. "Is there something wrong with my baby?"

"She is going to be fine. Overall, she is very healthy, however, she did fail her newborn hearing test." Dr. Foo spoke softly "We need to run a few tests to determine why."

"What could it be?" Bones asked tearfully.

Dr Foo sighed. "Most of the time, profound hearing loss." He held his hand up "That's not to say that she just didn't respond and can actually hear just fine. We need to do more tests to be sure." Dr. Foo smiled "We'll wait until tomorrow, give you a chance to rest. It's a simple CAT scan and an ultrasound." Dr. Foo smiled kindly. "Do you have any questions?"

"yes, but I am a bit overwhelmed right now." Bones said tearfully "Could you come back later this afternoon? Her father went home to change and I am sure he'll have questions also."

"of course. I do my final rounds around 3 or so, I'll come back then." Dr. Foo smiled. "Try not to worry."

"Thanks Doctor." Bren said softly.

Cam and Angela squeezed her shoulders in a reassuring hug. "We can't worry yet." Cam asserted. "Some babies are so tired from the delivery that they don't respond to the stimuli."

"Do you want me to call Booth?" Angela asked softly. "Sweetie?"

Bren shook her head yes. "Just try to pad it?" Bren looked at Angela. "He'll come in here guns blazing - literally" Bren chuckled sadly.

"I'll call him now." Angela stepped into the hall and dialed Booth's cell.

"Booth" he answered breathlessly.

"Hey sweetie, it's Ang." Angela took a deep breath "First, don't freak out..." she began

"ABOUT WHAT?!?!? Booth panicked.

"The pediatrician came in to talk to Bren. Joy failed her hearing test." Angela spoke louder "He said it might be nothing, but he wants to run more tests." Angela paused. "Booth, you can't flip out. Bren needs you to be strong."

"Well, can I talk to him?" Booth asked exasperated.

"Bren told him to come back when you were here. He said he'd be back around 3pm or so." Angela soothed.

"OK, well I am getting dressed now and I'll be there shortly." Booth said anxiously.

"Take your time sweetie." Angela sighed. "And PLEASE, don't come up here taking hostages - that's not going to help anyone."

"I won't. Thank Ang. - oh, and can you tell Bones...tell her I love her?" Booth whispered.

"I will. Be carefull Booth." Angela hung up her phone and headed back in to Bren and Cam.

"Well, did you manage to disarm him?" Bren asked as she nursed Joy.

"He's fine." Angela smiled. "He said he loves you and he'll be up here shortly." Angela winked at Bren.

Bones blushed and stroked Joy's hand.

20 minutes later a knock at the door announced the arrival of Russ and Max Brennan. They were carrying in their arms a copious amount of balloons, stuffed animals and fresh cut flowers.

"Where's are my girls?" Max asked. "My Joys!!" Max leaned over and kissed Bones on the cheek. He gasped at the site of the tiny newborn sleeping soundly in her mother's arms. "Be still my heart. That has to be the most beautiful baby in the world." He looked at Bren and smiled.

"Do you want to hold her Dad?" Bren smiled up at her father.

"Do I?" Max took the tiny bundle from Bren and sat in the chair beside her bed. "Oh Miss Joy. I am your Grandfather Max." he smiled at her "This is your Uncle Russ." Russ smiled down at his new niece.

"She's perfect Tempe." Russ stroked her tiny hand. "Just perfect."

"I know." Bren smiled.

"Joy Christine. You have the names of 2 of the most beautiful women that ever lived." Max cooed. "Your going to be just as beautiful. Your Papa Max here is going to spoil you. I'll teach you all about science, I'll take you fishing, I'll KILL anyone that..."

"DAD?!?!?" Bones screamed shocked.

"Yeah Dad, considering your past, not cool." Russ shook his head and smiled.

"Well, I can't have some moronic boy breaking my girl's heart." Max defended himself.

"I couldn't agree more Max!" Booth smiled as he entered the door to Temperance's tiny hospital room. He grabbed Max by the shoulder in a warm embrace. "How's it going there Grandpa?" Booth smiled down at his sleeping daughter.

"That's Papa Max to you and we're just fine. I was just discussing Joy's future boyfriends, or the lack thereof." Max laughed.

"Well, with an FBI agent for a father, those boys better stay away." Booth smiled.

"alright guys, enough. She's not even 24 hours old. You have the rest of her life to torture her about boys." Angela laughed

After a few more minutes of baby holding and banter, they noticed that Bren had falled fast asleep. Max and Russ said their goodbyes to Joy and Booth.

"You do good work Booth." Max said as he embraced Booth in a quick hug. "You take care of my girls in there." Max said has he pointed a finger at Booth.

"Will do Max." Booth waved as they left.

"We should be going to, she's exhausted." Cam frowned.

"I'll take care of her." Booth lightly caressed Bren's hand.

"Call us if you hear anything more about Joy's test. I'll be by with Jack later this evening." Angela hugged Booth and gave Joy a quick kiss on the head and left with Cam in tow.