Both were nervous but Brennan had a kind of faith in her man that she hadn't felt before. She knew it would be hard for him to even talk to his mother but she knew he would regret it for the rest of his life if he stayed away.
Booth's palms were sweating and he gripped Brennan's hand tight. As they approached Lizzie, he took a deep breath. His mother looked just as nervous. Booth looked her over for the first time. She still had that same long, black hair he remembered but with a hint of gray. Her eyes were a soft green. Like Booth's, they were warm and kind. Lizzie looked the same way Booth remembered, just a bit older.
"Mommy?" Sadie's voice came from the second floor. Lizzie, Booth and Brennan all looked up at her, the couple now standing in front of his mother.
"Play in your room, honey. Mommy will come get you when dinner's ready," Lizzie called over her shoulder. Booth was still having a hard time realizing that he had a little sister. It didn't seem right to him.
"Seeley, how did you find me?" Lizzie started. She sounded nervous but genuinely happy to see him.
"I remembered where you work. They gave me your address," he told her.
Giving him a warm smile, she said, "I'm sorry. For everything. I really am."
Booth nodded and took a deep breath, attempting to hold in his tears. She invited them in and Brennan introduced herself. Lizzie guided them into the living room. The couple took a seat on the couch while Lizzie sat in a chair opposite them. Lizzie just looked at Booth in awe.
Leaving them behind all those years ago was not something she has wanted to do. Lizzie broke the stalemate, speaking first.
"I tried to take you and Jared with me. I had packed everything up while Joe was at work but he came home early that day," she explained. "You and Jared were already in the car and I was getting some food for the road. I didn't know where we were going and I didn't know when I would be able to feed you boys. When I came out of the house, Joe had taken you and Jared out of the car. He had you by your neck. He kept yelling something at you but you wouldn't answer. I told Jared to get back in the car then Joe came at me. You grabbed Jared and threw him over the neighbor's fence. Joe told me I could leave but you and Jared had to stay. I saw you jump over the fence and I knew you were okay for a little while. I left but I told Joe I was coming back for you. I told the police what was going on but they didn't care. Family Services didn't listen o me either. I tried, Seeley. I really did," Lizzie was crying now and Booth was at a loss for words. He still hadn't let go of Brennan's hand. She squeezed his hand a bit to remind him that she was there for him. It helped, but Booth was still overwhelmed.
"You don't remember that, do you?" Lizzie asked.
"No, I don't," Booth said honestly. "I don't really remember a lot about you. I was seven when you left. Jared was four. He doesn't even remember what you look like. I did though. I remembered."
"What made you decide to look for me?" Lizzie was curious. The day she gave up trying to get them away from their father was the day she knew she'd never see them again.
Booth looked at Brennan, who smiled back at him.
"It's okay. Tell her," Brennan pushed.
"Bren's staying with Pops, Jared and I for the summer. She doesn't have a family, besides us," he added.
"My parents disappeared when I was fifteen. I asked the other night what happened to his mom. I told him, if I knew where to look for my mom or dad, I would," Brennan explained.
Lizzie smiled sadly at her. "I'm glad you and your brother are with Hank now. He's a good man," she said sincerely. Booth just nodded, unsure of what to say next.
Lizzie stood up suddenly, walked over to a tall bookshelf and pulled a large leather bound book.
"Ever since I realized you were playing football at college, I've followed your career." Lizzie handed Booth the book. It was full of clippings from newspapers and sports magazines, all about the star quarterback at NU. Booth smiled slightly. He was comforted to know she at least still cared about him.
"Stay for dinner," Lizzie offered. "Brian and the baby are going to be home soon. I'd really like for you to meet Sadie properly."
Hesitantly, Booth looked to Brennan for guidance. He hadn't expected all of this when they started looking for his mother. She said 'baby'. He had another sibling. It was almost too much for Booth to handle. Brennan shrugged, letting him know it was his decision to make.
"We really shouldn't. Pops is expecting us home really soon. He's probably making dinner for us," Booth reasoned.
"Well…" Lizzie sighed, "I'd really like to see you again, Seeley. I know you probably can't forgive me right now…but, I'd really like to see you again soon."
Booth nodded. He felt bad for leaving like this. He loved his family, and to him, that meant Hank, Jared and Brennan. But now that was starting to include Lizzie, Sadie and his other sibling he still hadn't met.
"Can I use your phone?" Booth asked. "I'm sure Pops'll understand."
Beaming, Lizzie told Booth the phone was in the kitchen. He left the two women alone in silence.
"I'm glad you're here for him. I may have just met you but you seem to be good for him. Seeley has always tried to be strong; at least he was when I was around. But he can't be strong for everything. Thank you for helping him, Temperance," Lizzie said.
Brennan nodded. "You can just call me Bren. That's what Booth calls me."
"You call him Booth?" Lizzie questioned.
"I don't think he likes being called Seeley but I really don't know," the younger woman explained.
Lizzie nodded. "It's understandable. I don't think he knows this but he's named after my grandfather, a World War II soldier. He was killed in the line of duty. I wanted to instill some sort of duty and pride in him."
Brennan smiled at Lizzie. She was still wary of Booth's mother but Brennan had been burned one too many times. Yet, Lizzie reminded Brennan of her mother, soft spoken and kind.
Booth reentered the living room and both women looked up at him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"I have a question…" Booth said to Lizzie.
She nodded for him to continue.
"Would you like Jared to come? I explained the situation to Pops and he thinks it might be a good idea for Jared to meet you. He always asks about you."
Lizzie's face lit up. "He does?"
Booth nodded. "Pops is gonna explain the situation to him. I'm gonna go get him. Bren, you wanna stay or come with me?"
Brennan shrugged. "I'll be fine here. I don't mind," she said. She gave him an encouraging smile and watched him walk out the door.
A half hour later, after Lizzie and Brennan were done setting the table and getting their dinner finished, they heard the garage door open. A door in the kitchen that led to the garage opened soon after to reveal a tall, graying man holding a toddler on his hip. Brennan guessed the baby was a little older than a year old.
"Hi, Sasha!" Lizzie greeted the baby. The little girl smiled and reached her arms out toward her mother. Lizzie hugged and kissed her daughter and then did the same to her husband.
"Honey? Who's this?" Brian said, now noticing Brennan.
"Brian, we are going to have some guests tonight for dinner," Lizzie started to explain.
Brian walked toward Brennan. Sticking a hand out to shake, he said, "Brian DuPont, nice to meet you. You are?"
"Temperance Brennan," she said, accepting the handshake.
Releasing her hand, Brian looked back at Lizzie, "Is this one of the nannies you're thinking of hiring?"
Lizzie shook her head. "Brian, remember when I told you about…my situation before I met you?"
Brian nodded. "You said you had an abusive husband and two sons."
"One of my boys found me today. Seeley. The oldest. Bren is his girlfriend. She stayed and helped me with dinner while Seeley went to pick up Jared. I really hope this is okay, Brian. I know it's a lot to handle in one night but this really means a lot to me. I was a horrible mother to them and I need to do everything I can to make it up now that they're back in my life."
Brian walked to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay, Liz. Don't worry about it. If it's important to you, than it's important to me."
Brennan smiled. "They should be back anytime. This is a lot to take in. I hope Jared understands."
Brian and Lizzie both nodded in agreement when Booth knocked on the door.
"Bren? You still here?" He called out, not seeing her in the living room.
Brennan ran to Booth and hugged him, knowing he needed her support. She saw Jared still sitting out in the car.
"Booth," she said with concern, pulling back from the hug, "Why isn't Jared up here?"
"He's kinda freaking out. I was wondering if you'd come talk to him with me. Explain it from your angle. You know, your parents…if you don't mind."
She smiled at him. "Anything. He needs this. Maybe more than you do."
She called to Lizzie saying they'd be back in soon and jogged out to Hank's car.
She opened Jared's door and knelt down to see into the car better.
"Jared, come on. Dinner's almost ready."
Jared shook his head. "This is weird, you know?" he said, finally looking at Brennan. She nodded.
"I mean, Seel called Pops and when Pops told me what was going on, I kinda got excited. And a little scared. Then on the way here, Seel told me about having a little sister and it's all so weird. I don't know if I want to meet her, anyway. Mom left us. How could she do that?"
"Jared, I know you are still processing this but listen to me, did I ever tell you about my parents?"
The youngest Booth shook his head. "I never wanted to pry but I'll bet there's a pretty good reason you come hang out with us on breaks than with your own family."
"My parents left me and my brother when I was fifteen. Russ took off soon after that too. I went into the foster care system. Do me a favor, Jared, and at least meet her. Your mom may have abandoned you like mine did but at least you have a chance to know her now. I don't. So…please? For me?" Brennan begged.
Jared smiled sadly at her and got out of the car. Brennan led the way back to the house, with Booth and Jared following close behind. The brothers looked at each other, took deep breaths and stepped over the threshold, unsure of what was to come.
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A/N: So…I'm tired and I'm going to bed now but next chapter is the dinner! So get ready. I have a vague idea of what I think is going to go down but we'll see how it ends up. But I have to work tomorrow and I have weddings and graduations to go to all weekend so I'll write and update when I can. Thanks to all my readers out there! Let me know what you think!
