A/N: Here is the promised chapter on the surprise… enjoy!
Ps. *bites nails nervously* I hope you like it… I am SO nervous of how you are all going to react. YES, the evil woman is NERVOUS! Say nothing… no teasing… just read. :D
Brennan stepped out of the limousine last, and straightened her dress, daring not to look anywhere else but her feet. Angela took her trembling hand, in her own, offering her a measure of comfort as they walked around the reflecting pool to where her soon-to-be husband stood. Brennan saw Max, and Parker, and even Pops had his silent place up the front. She saw Hodgins staring intently at Angela as they approach, and then her eyes locked on Booth… and the nerves in her body were shot. She felt like a tornado had exploded in her stomach.
He smiled warmly, instantly relaxing her.
It was what Booth always offered her, that feeling of immense safeness and security, a feeling she got nowhere else.
"Hi…" he mouthed looking more nervous than she felt.
Brennan only smiled.
She stepped beside her father, who linked her arm, and proceeded to walk her down the walkway, of what was considered the Isle. Brennan shut off any negative thoughts and concentrated on the goal at hand. Her eyes remained steadfast on Booth, her mind buzzing with thoughts. She tried concentrating on one… Booth looked quite handsome dressed in his black tuxedo. His tie was red, matching the COCKY belt buckle he had evidently showing. She had to smile. Booth would go nowhere without his buckle, and she liked that he had it on for this particular event.
At the end of the "Isle" Max kissed her cheek, "I love you, pumpkin," he muttered before stepping back, leaving the minister in charge of the ceremony.
Booth took her hand in his, and she smiled.
Caroline, who was performing the ceremony, began mumbling words that had been heard a million times before, in weddings all over the world, passages that had been read from the bible, that were of value to Booth, but had no impact on Brennan. Caroline, surprising them both with a shock, turned to them and announced. "I have been informed that you will be reading out your own vows…"
Brennan looked to Angela, whose mouth had formed on O shape. She had forgotten that detail among all the plans she had to prepare, in so little time. Booth leaned in and whispered. "Let's just speak from the heart, Bones… okay?" he offered.
Brennan took a deep breath.
"It's just me and you here… ignore everyone else," he advised.
She nodded.
"I'll go first," he offered. "Bones… Temperance Brennan… you came into my life like a forceful hammer, pounding me with information that I never understand, but you are patient with me, and you re-word everything in a way that makes it easy to grasp… you let me in, when I know the barriers that you have spent so long trying to build up… I am privileged to know you… your independence and intelligence only adds to your strength of character. I love that you care about people, but you allow the judgments of others to go over your head. I love you, Bones, and I will make it my life's ambition to spend the rest of my time protecting you, and building you a life that will make you feel safe and protected no matter where you are. I hope that what the future has in store means being together, with you…"
Brennan had tears in her eyes, as she listened to his words. Now it's my turn, she thought silently, speak from the heart.
"Booth, you created a world for me that I can't live without, you gave me a home, a safe space to dwell, you gave me shelter, and love… you give me constant reassurance and a belief in myself that I lack. You created a world that feels like my own private sanctuary. I feel safe with you. Wherever you are, feels like home. You give me a purpose, Booth; you show me a way of life that makes it hard not to follow. You teach me new and exciting ways of living… you teach me pop culture, and modern references. My connection to you is strong, so strong that it makes me want to run, but as I stand before you, I make a promise that in times of crisis, I will be there, holding your hand. I promise to remain at your side in times of mourning, in times of joy and as we build a family, I promise to help build a home…"
"Geez, Bones," he whispered leaning toward her. "You don't have to get all sappy on me."
"You believe that love is transcendent and eternal, I want to believe that too."
He nodded with a wide smile, and applause broke out from the crowd.
Angela had made arrangements for the reception to be held around the park, at the reflecting pool. She had a barbeque organized with the help of her other friends at the Jeffersonian. Angela had hired a live band to play, and as she announced the first dance of the bride and groom, the song boomed through the stereo system, causing both Brennan and Booth to laugh as they moved, Booth awkwardly with his prosthetic leg, to the beat of hot-blooded, it was then followed my Girls just wanna have fun, and when both of them were tired of moving to the fast music, the band played jazz and the lyrics of The way you look tonight.
"I have a wedding gift for you, Booth…" she told them as they embraced gently, moving gracefully to the beat of the music.
"You do?" he smiled in surprise.
"It's custom to receive gifts, isn't it?" she asked.
"From everyone else," he told her. "But I won't turn it down… what is it?" he asked looking like an excited schoolboy.
"I will willingly endeavor to eat a piece of that pie you love so much," she said.
A grin crossed his face. "Seriously?"
"Yes," she nodded. "You have shown me time and time again, that compromise is in order to make a relationship work. I will eat pie… for you," she stated. She looked around, and smiled when she saw Angela walking towards them.
She stopped and handed her a plate of pie and cream.
Brennan took it from her, and took some of the pastry on her spoon and she brought it to her mouth, her eyes never leaving Booth's. She allowed it to swirl around on her tongue, tasting the sensation of the texture the food offered, and then she smiled.
"Well?" he waited anticipating.
"It's not as bad as I first estimated," she nodded. She handed the plate back to Angela.
He pulled his arms tighter around her waist. "You are incredible, Temperance."
She frowned.
"What?"
"You called me by my first name," she observed.
"You don't like it?"
She considered it. "I like that you call me Bones," she confessed. "It makes me feel special."
"You are special…"
Brennan stood on her tippy toes and kissed him gently on the cheek.
Hahahaha… reviews, crowding my inbox… what did you think of the vows, I am DYING to know? :D
Ps. I am AWARE there was NO wedding kiss, but you should know me by now, and I believe in happy endings, so the LAST chapter is next… what's in store? REVIEWS FIRST!