"We won't know anything until we do some further tests." Dr Foo explained gently.
Booth sat holding his baby girl in his arms. So terrified.
"I scheduled them for tomorrow morning, so you all can leave soon after. I know that you'll be anxious to get this little one in her own crib." Dr. Foo smiled. "They'll come get her around 8am. You can be with her the whole time. It's an ultrasound and a CAT scan. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes for each test." Dr. Foo placed his hand on Booth's shoulder. "I know your worried, but try not to be. No matter the outcome, Joy can lead an exceptional life." Dr. Foo offered his hand to Booth. "See you tomorrow."
Booth shook the Dr's hand "Thank Dr. Foo."
Booth looked over at Bones, who was crying. He walked over to the edge of her bed and sat down carefully with Joy still in his arms. "Hey" he grabbed her hand. "Hey - we'll get through this. Okay?" He kissed her hand. "All three of us." He kissed the top of Joy's head and then looked at Bones.
"Move in with me? Or I'll move in with you, but I can't exactly just invite myself to live with you, so I'll just ask you." He rambled. "Please?" He looked at her, his eyes full of love.
"Yes." she whispered. "I have more room. Will you live with us?" Bones whispered.
"Bones, of course." Booth looked down at Joy, then to Bren. "Bones" he whispered. "I have to tell you something. I love you. I mean, I am IN love with you. I want you, Joy, your bones, your lack of pop culture, everything. I love you." he kissed her lips softly. "I don't care if you want marry me, I just want you." Booth smiled at her.
"I love you too Booth. I love you so much. Thank you. Thank you for her." She smiled.
This next morning, a nurse came to take Joy for her ultrasound and CAT scan. Both Bren and Booth accompanied her to the CAT scan room. Bones placed her tiny daughter on the table. She looked so small. They put a strap around her for safety so she wouldn't fall off. "Mamn, it'll just take a second. You need to step behind this wall right here."
Booth grabbed her hand and led her behind a wall to protect them from the radiation as the Tech took the films. A minute later the tech told them she was finished.
Bones raced as fast as someone who was 48 hours post-pardum could and freed her daughter from the table. Joy slept through the entire procedure.
The ultrasound was easier on Bones and Booth. Bones was able to hold Joy as the tech took images of Joy's ears.
20 minutes later they were back in their room. They found quite a crowd waiting on them. Max, Russ, Jared, Angela, Hodgens, Sweets, Cam, all were crowded into the tiny room.
"Sorry guys - I kinda let the cat out of the bad." Angela smiled. "We're all here to support you." Angela hugged Bren.
"Thanks." Bren said uncomfortably.
The nurse discharged both Bones and Joy. All they had to do now was wait.
They didn't wait long, 30 anxious minutes later, Dr. Foo walked in with the test results.
"Mr. Booth, Dr. Brennan I..." He began, but stopped when he saw all of the folks gathered in the room.
"It's OK, we've got a big family." Booth grabbed Bones' hand. "Please, continue."
"I am afraid that I have some bad new regarding Joy's hearing. She is completely deaf in her right ear. There is no infrastructure. In her left, she may be able to hear limited decibels, but we won't know for sure until she's older. She may also be a candidate for an implant, we won't know until she's older." Dr. Foo smiled at them.
"We have services available for Joy to begin learning American Sign Language as well as speech therapy. You and Dr. Brennan will also need to learn ASL, we can provide teachers and therapist to both of you." Dr Foo looked down at the shell shocked couple. "I know that this is hard, but from the support of all of her vast family, she'll be just fine. Any questions?" Dr. Foo asked.
"I am sure we'll have plenty, but it's just...just..." Booth looked up at the doctor speechless.
"A lot to process. I understand. I am going to leave you my cell number and my home number. If and when you have questions, please don't hesitate to call." Dr Foo smiled down at Joy. "She's going to be fine."
"Thank you Dr." Bren whiped a spare tear from her eye. Booth stood up and shook the Dr's hand as he left.
They were all silent for several moments. It was broken when Max stood from the couch he was wedged in with Jared and Russ and exclaimed "Well, let's take our girl home!"
