Brennan's sitting on a picnic bench outside, her hand constantly going for the pretzels. She sucks off the salt, turning her head to face the backyard. She watches as Christine and Michael Vincent tackle each other playfully in the grass, giggly and all smiles.
"Ah, to be young and innocent without a care in the world."
Brennan tilts her head and notices Hodgins standing there. She grabs another handful of pretzels, her eyes drifting back to the children.
Booth walks over to them and takes a handful of chips from a bowl. "Bones, save some pretzels for everyone else." He's met with a glare and an annoyed grunt. "Never mind. Have as many pretzels as you want. There's more inside." He looks at Hodgins. "I don't know how I'm gonna survive another pregnancy. I barely survived the first one."
Jack laughs, patting Booth on the shoulder. "Us guys gotta stick together, right, man?"
Brennan stands up, turning to face the two men. She gives them both an icy yet piercing glare. The glare reserved for Booth; however, is more vindictive than the one she gives Hodgins. She grabs the bowl of pretzels and walks away without a single syllable uttered.
Jack can't help but laugh. "Oh, man. Pissing off your pregnant wife—not a good idea. I hope your couch is a pullout." He walks away, in search of Angela.
Booth sighs, wincing at the thought of sleeping on the couch. His back is already strained from helping Parker up and down the stairs. He reaches over and grabs more chips. When he looks up, he sees his daughter standing up on the bench of her plastic picnic table.
"Everybody! Hi." Christine screams, trying to get everyone's attention.
Brennan and Booth share a glance, while Cam, Angela, Hodgins, Clark, and Wendell, just stare at the little girl.
"I gotta tell you guys something." Christine giggles. "I mean two things." She pauses, taking a sip of her juice. Before either of her parents can stop her, she blurts out, "Mommy and daddy has joined in holy mattress money and mommy's gonna have a baby soon!" She smiles, letting out a soft squeal. "Thank you for listning to me. I'm done." She hops down, dropping her empty cup on the deck and chasing after Michael Vincent after the little boy bumps into her on purpose.
Brennan swallows and turns her head slowly, knowing exactly what she'll see when she does.
Cam blinks, looking at Booth, a smile tugging at her lips. "You did what?"
Booth shrugs and twists his wedding band around his finger. "Bones and I got married on Thursday."
"And I wasn't invited?" Cam's slightly hurt and more than a little confused.
"It was small. You'll be invited to the next one, Camille."
"Next one? Seeley, what are you talking about? Do you have another girlfriend I don't know about? Because that—."
"No! Why would you even think that? I mean, Bones and I are gonna have another ceremony, a bigger ceremony later this year or early next year. Family, extended family, and all of our friends will be invited to that one. I promise."
"You're really married?"
Booth smiles. "Yeah." He walks over to Brennan and loops his arm around her waist, tugging her closer to him.
Brennan fights it at first but then relaxes and leans into him. She pops a pretzel into her mouth and her eyes flutter across the shocked faces of their friends and colleagues.
"And," Booth tilts his head down and glances at his wife for a brief second. "And we're having a baby. Well, Bones is having the baby, but you know what I mean."
Brennan takes the opportunity to slap him upside the head. "Booth!"
"What? Christine just told everybody. I'm just confirming it. I know you wanted to keep it a secret, but whether I just announced it now or in two weeks, it wouldn't be a secret. Our daughter spilled the beans, not me."
"The only reason she knew the secret was because you had to go and blurt it out this morning."
"We're still on this?" He pauses. "What difference does two weeks make?"
Brennan is about to answer him when the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it," he quickly says, separating from Brennan and making his way towards the door.
"Saved by the bell," Wendell mutters.
"We're not done having this conversation," Brennan calls after him, but he's already halfway to the front door.
Booth heads through the house and glances into the living room, looking at his son, who's sitting in the recliner. "Are you sure you don't wanna come outside, bub?"
Parker nods, changing the channel. "Maybe later."
Booth smiles. Maybe later is better than a flat out refusal to join the party. "Okay." He walks over to the door and checks the peephole. He knits his brows together instantly, the wrinkles in his forehead pronounced. He balls his left hand into a fist too. His breathing grows heavy and fast, heat rises to his cheeks, and his body starts to tremble. He pulls open the door, his brain shutting off the second he sees the man on the other side. He is no longer in control.
Brennan heads into the house when her curiosity gets the better of her. "Booth, who's at the door?" She appears in the foyer just as his fist makes contact with the man's face. "Booth!" She runs over to him, placing her hand between his shoulder blades and tugging him back a little. "What was that for?" She glances at the man, who had staggered backwards and is now on the ground. She doesn't recognize him. "Booth?"
Booth drops his arm and turns his head towards his partner. He's still scowling, tears are streaming down his cheeks, his chin is quivering, and his whole body is shaking even more than it was moments ago. He just stares at her, rubbing his hand.
Horrible place to stop, I know :)