This is for ale2695. Thanks for the awesome reviews. I have loved writing these and I look forward to every response. We still have 3 to go.
Chapter 7a Booth's reaction:
Seeley Booth rolled to his side and noticed that once again, her side of the bed was empty. More and more lately, she had been going to bed after him and waking up before. It was a disturbing trend that left him worried. Things had been different since the summer and he knew they were struggling. He loved her, he really did and he would never leave her, but he had a nagging feeling in his gut that the other shoe was going to drop.
He stretched and groaned as he pulled on his navy blue robe. His joints cracked and popped with synovial gases that reminded him of his age and the abuse that his body had taken over the years. But it hadn't slowed him down. Lord knew that between Bones, Parker, and Christine, he couldn't slow down. They all kept him on his toes.
He slowly made his way down the stairs and inhaled the deep aroma of coffee. He caught a glimpse of his Bones facing the sunrise in his easy chair and the image brought a smile to his face. She was holding a book in one hand and her cup of coffee in the other. What surprised him was the aura of peace that surrounded her. Bones was rarely still, but this morning, she didn't appear to be in any rush to get to the lab or her office down the hall.
He crept into the kitchen and poured a large cup. He took a large sip and let it flow through his veins before he made his way to her. He walked silently as he had been taught as a sniper so her serene moment would last as long as possible. He was standing beside her before she even noticed.
"Booth." She offered him a smile, one that he hadn't seen for a long time and it made his heart sing. Maybe they would be okay after all.
"Good morning Bones." As he leaned over to place a chaste kiss on her lips, he noticed the title on her book Bone of Contention.
"Is this the new one?" She hugged it to her chest and nodded.
"Yes. The advanced copy. It won't be in stores until next week. I…uh…got it for you." Booth reached out his hand to take it and she shook her head and pulled it closer.
"Come on Bones. You can't offer me the book and then leave me hanging, you never let me have one early. Let me see it." Bones raised it behind her, out of his reach. She sat her coffee on the table and placed her hand on his chest.
"Booth. You can have it in a minute, but I have something to say first." Booth sat his cup on the table next to hers and knelt in front of her. His hands rested on her thighs.
"Okay. What's on your mind?" Bones' gaze shifted outside the window, the sun was just beginning its ascent. She gathered her thoughts for a moment before locking her blue eyes with his.
"I love you deeply and I know that I don't say it often enough." Booth held her gaze and encouraged her to continue. He wasn't sure he liked where the conversation was going but he would be a man and take whatever she threw at him. He took her hand and squeezed it.
"I know you love me. I've never doubted that."
"But you do doubt that I will stay." A knot formed in Booth's stomach. How did the woman who had virtually no ability to read people, understand him so well?
"What's going on Bones? You're kinda scaring me here." Bones smiled and cupped his cheek with her palm, loving the feel of his strength beneath her hand. Booth turned his head just enough so that he could place a kiss in her palm and she felt its power to her core. She moved her hand away almost reluctantly and offered him the book.
"Read the dedication Booth." Booth took the book and opened it, laying it flat in her lap.
His heart stopped as he read the words.
This is dedicated to Special Agent Seeley Booth, my partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. Will You Marry Me?
He read it again and again to make sure that he had read it correctly.
"You want to marry me?" Booth finally sputtered. Bones nodded her head as large tears began to pool in the depths of her eyes.
"Booth, will you be my husband for the next thirty, forty, or fifty years?" Booth's eyes welled up and he was speechless. He leaned forward and crushed his mouth against hers, conveying his answer in the only way that he was capable. Bones pushed him forward until both of them were in a fierce embrace on their knees. She kissed him with as much passion and love that it left them both breathless. Pausing long enough to breathe, she pulled back.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes baby. I love you so much baby. The fact that you did this for me…" He grabbed the book again without letting her go. "Is this in every book?" Bones nodded.
"Yes. I want the world to know how I feel about you. I love you so much Booth." Booth crushed her to him and kissed her again, this time much more slowly to savor the moment and the love that they shared.
Bones planned to tell him much later that her next book was pending with the dedication He said Yes! Her next book also wouldn't be about Andy and Kathy. It was about a couple who owned a night club where a murder that was most foul had occurred.
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