Hey everybody! I'm finally updating again. Sorry again for the delay. I spent the last couple of days in bed sick and I'm still sick right now. This is a longer than normal chapter so hopefully that might make up a little bit for the lateness. I honestly have no idea how some of these authors get new chapters up every other day or even multiple chapters in one day, but I applaud them because I could never ever do that and I'm just a student! Anyways, this is a Christmasy chapter so I hope you enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I wished I owned Bones, but alas I do not.
"Brennan!" Angela yelled, trying to keep up with the retreating anthropologist, "Sweetie are you guys still coming over for Christmas Eve?"
"Of course. Is it not a tradition Angela?" Brennan asked as if she thought that Angela's question was completely ludicrous.
Angela laughed, "Right. Well I was just making sure. I'll see you tomorrow then." She walked away from Brennan and into her husband's office, shaking her head in laughter.
"What's so funny Angie?" Hodgins asked, his eyes taking her in greedily the minute she walked in. There was just something men found immensely attractive about a pregnant woman. God only knew why; they were cranky and demanding, not to mention the intense mood swings.
"Just Brennan being Brennan. You would think that after all these years she might've changed, but nope, the Brennan we all know and love is still there." She laughed again before noticing what Hodgins was working on, "Is that stuff from the copycat Gravedigger case?"
He hung his head; he had been caught. He took a deep breath before replying. "Yeah I'm just going over some of the particulates from the last victim."
Angela shuddered, remembering the body she had found on her desk just a couple of weeks ago. It had turned out to be a sixteen year old boy, Kenny Preston. He had been a victim of the copycat Gravedigger, but instead of leaving him buried underground, the bastard had dug him up and staged his body on Angela's desk. It seemed that this copycat Gravedigger, unlike the original, was not about the money in the least bit; he just wanted to taunt the Squint Squad. The scariest part was that he had managed to get in and out of the Jeffersonian during the 15 minutes Angela had been in Jack's office without anyone even noticing. Jack was absolutely going crazy, well aware that had Angela returned to her office any sooner, she could have stumbled upon the bastard, becoming his next victim. But there simply wasn't anything to find; the copycat covered his tracks extremely well.
"Honey…" she murmured softly. She knew how hard this was for him, but she also knew that him constantly obsessing over it was not going to get them any closer to catching the copycat. It would only lead to more issues as it had with the original Gravedigger. That time Jack had stolen evidence from the case and Booth had been kidnapped in retaliation.
"You agreed to drop this. We talked to Sweets remember? You aren't going to find anything by obsessing over it. All we can do is wait and hope that we somehow acquire the evidence to nail him."
He just shook his head, not wanting to hear the truth in her words.
"Jack, you're spending every waking moment here. Michael misses his father, I miss his father. We need you Jack, more than ever right now." She took his hand and put in on her stomach as if to remind him of the baby she was carrying.
He stopped shaking his head and finally looked at her and she could see that she was getting through to him, so she continued to push. "Christmas is in two days Jack. We still have so much to do. The tree isn't even up yet. I would do it myself, but you banned me from lifting heavy things." She laughed and rolled her eyes, "Brennan, Booth, and the kids are coming over for dinner tomorrow night and to exchange gifts. I really could use some help with the wrapping. Besides, we haven't gotten to make our corny Christmas decorations yet. Please, Jack, just stop with this, at least for right now. Your family needs you."
"Okay Angie, you've made your point. I'm sorry about how I've acted lately. It just killed me to see you passed out on that floor. I could have lost you Ange; he could have taken you away from me."
"But he didn't. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." She allowed him hold her in his arms for what seemed like eternity until they finally broke apart. "However, it's not like I have much of a choice. I do happen to be knocked up for the second time with your kid," she teased, pulling him towards the door. "Come on, we've got a lot of work to do before everyone comes over tomorrow."
He just groaned, not looking forward to the inevitable amount of work Angie would have for him to do. That woman loved Christmas and holidays in general more than any kid in the world. Although, he had to admit, it was insanely adorable when she got dressed up in her elf costume.
The next day
Angela and Michael were sitting on the floor of the living room, hand-making some ornaments for their tree which had become a tradition ever since Angela and Hodgins' very first Christmas as a couple. What Angela never told Jack was that when they had broken up, she had still spent every Christmas making the decorations, attempting to fill the void he had left behind.
The back door opened and closed and Jack came into the living room, his entire face red from the cold. The huge jacket he had on didn't seem to be doing much good keeping him warm against the almost blizzard like snowfall outside.
"Where's the tree Daddy?" Michael asked, cocking his head.
"Yeah Daddy where's the tree?" Angela asked, a gleam in her eyes.
"Hey! Did you guys not see the size of that thing? Seriously, I think you two picked the biggest one they had on purpose?" He attempted to defend himself.
"It's only 8 feet tall Daddy, same as the one we had last year." Michael replied.
Angela had to stifle her laughter, just nodding along with Michael.
Jack shot her a look and mouthed 'You're sooo in trouble later babe,' before turning to Michael. "Yeah but last year I had your mom to help me out. This year it's all me buddy."
"Hey! I offered to help, but you won't let me so this is all on you Jack."
"I know I know. I'll get it in here eventually. I just need to find a pair of gloves or something." He walked towards the closet, searching the shelves for his favorite pair of gloves.
"There's hot chocolate on the counter if you want some too. Just be careful, it's still extremely hot." She called.
He bounded back into the room, the gloves on his hands holding a mug of hot chocolate. Careful not to spill it, he leaned down to Angela on the floor and kissed her lips. "Thanks babe."
She smiled licking the chocolate off her lips, "Mhmm sure. Now go get that tree. We need something to put all these lovely decorations on."
"I'm going, I'm going!" He backed out the door, grinning from ear to ear.
Angela shook her head. "Wow Mikey that looks awesome. Great job! Thank goodness you're helping me instead of your dad. We would have ended up with some of the ugliest decorations in the world. But you didn't hear it from me." She winked and Michael giggled.
"Totally heard that!" Jack yelled, coming through the door with the tree. "Everyone move out of the way! Ginormous Christmas tree coming through! Make way!"
Michael and Angela hurriedly got to their feet, moving to watch from the doorway of the kitchen.
"You know you're lucky I'm only 5 months pregnant Jack, otherwise you would have just killed me," Angela teased.
"Yeah yeah. Well lucky for me you aren't quite at the stage where you need my help just to get off the floor," he shot back, heaving the tree into the tree-stand. "Umm I hate to ask Angie, but could you possibly hold the tree while I tighten the stand?"
She laughed, "Of course."
"I'll do it Mommy!" an eager Michael yelled, running over to his father. "Daddy says you're not supposed to lift things."
Angela put her hands on her hips and just glared at her husband.
He shrugged, "What? I thought he should know."
She rolled her eyes and pulled Michael to the side. "I love that you want to help with this baby, but this is something Mommy can do, I promise."
"Are you sure?" he asked, still uncertain, his eyes shifting back and forth from her and the tree.
"Yes. How about you go get that beautiful star you made in school?" she suggested, turning to Jack as he exited the room. "Really? Why do men think women suddenly become invalids when they're pregnant? I don't see any of you walking around with a human being inside you."
He laughed nervously before grunting under the weight of the tree. "Point taken, sorry Ange. Now could you please come help me?"
She complied, an amused smile on her face.
"Alright, now just hold it at the top. You can lean it against the wall a bit if it gets too heavy and we'll just adjust."
"You act like I've never helped you put a Christmas tree up before babe. We've been married for five years and spent two Christmases together when we were dating in case you forgot. And before you say anything, I definitely was pregnant for one of those Christmases."
Flashback
"Just think. Next year we'll have our son or daughter here with us for Christmas," Jack whispered into Angela's hair. It was late at night on Christmas Eve and the two were enjoying each other's company as well as the huge fireplace in the living room, after getting home from a lovely dinner at Brennan's. Angela was huddled into his side, her knees pulled up underneath her, her face buried in Jack's shoulder. His arms wrapped around her as they reveled in the warmth of the fire.
She lifted her head and smiled, "I know."
"It still doesn't seem real." His hand crept down onto her flat stomach.
"Oh you better believe it babe because soon I'll be the size of a house. You're going to be wishing I wasn't pregnant."
He faked shock, "Never!" and then turned serious, "I can't wait."
She just looked at him, "You can't wait until I'm the size of a house? Really Jack? You're not supposed to be agreeing with me; you're supposed to be making me feel better."
"Right. That's not what I meant, but it is true. I can't wait until you become the size of a house as you put it. I want to watch you grow with our baby, I want to feel his/her kicks, I want to help you up because you're too big to balance properly, I want to go on late night pregnancy craving runs, I want to rub your swollen feet, I want to listen to you moan and complain about how much being pregnant sucks, I want to pick out baby names with you, I want to build an amazing nursery with you and watch you put your flare into it, I want to lose feeling in my hand as you squeeze for dear life during labor, I want to hear you call me names and curse me out for getting you pregnant in the first place, I want to share the wonder and adoration as we finally get to lay eyes on our son or daughter. I want it all Angie, every little bit, the good and the bad. I'm in this with you until the very end."
Words couldn't describe what his words had made her feel. She knew he loved her and all, but it was different when he spelled it out that clearly. He honestly would do absolutely anything for her and that's pretty much all you could ever ask for in a husband. He made her feel like she was the center of the universe; like nothing else but her mattered to him. She couldn't think of anyone else, not even the one and only Seeley Booth, who she'd rather be spending the rest of her life with. Jack Stanley Hodgins IV was her guy, always had been, always would be.
"I don't even know what to say Jack," she shook her head, tears in her eyes, "I feel like I don't tell you how I feel about you enough, so I'm going to tell you right now. Who else could have changed the wild crazy flirt of a woman I was but you? Why I ever tried resisting you, I have honestly no clue. It's as if you were made for me Jack and me alone. No other relationship I've had or seen could ever live up to what we have. I love you with all my heart and there really isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. I mean come on; I'm already serving as the home for your kid for the next 7 months. How hard could anything else be?" she teased. "But seriously Jack, there is no one I could ever see myself having a baby with. You are a wonderful husband and you're going to be an even more amazing father to this baby."
He grinned, cutting her off as she opened her mouth to continue by kissing her hard on the mouth. Their lips moved together as if they were meeting for the very first time. The grandfather clock that stood in the corner chimed, letting them know it was midnight and both jumped, startled by the sudden noise. The laughed together and Angela leaned in to whisper in Jack's ear. "Merry Christmas honey."
"Merry Christmas Ange." His eyebrows wiggled as if he was up to something and sure enough his hands attacked her, engaging in a tickle battle he was sure to win.
She scream-laughed as she tried to get away, getting up from the couch and running up the stairs, a huge smile on her face.
"Yeah but it wasn't visible yet. You were what? Two months along?"
"Your point being?"
He looked up at her, deciding it was best just to let this one go, "Never mind. I had no point at all. Alright you can let go now."
They stepped back to admire the beautiful tree standing in the middle of the living room. It was completely bare of any decorations, but they sure had picked out a nice looking tree.
"Hate to break it to you babe, but it's leaning," she said, nudging his shoulder.
"It is not!" he defended, going closer to take a better look.
"It totally is," she argued back, laughing. Michael came back in, the wooden star he had made for his class resting carefully between his hands. "Mikey, is the tree crooked or not?"
He set the star down on the coffee table and inspected the tree. "It's crooked Mommy."
"Ha! Yes! See, I told you so Jack!" She stuck her tongue out at her husband and kissed a bewildered Michael on the cheek.
"Alright alright, you win, it is crooked." He sighed, "Hold it again Angie?"
"Mhmm. Michael, let us know when it's straight okay?"
"Ok Mommy."
Later
"Do you think Aunt Angie made those cookies again like she did last year?" Kevin asked his parents.
"Yeah will there be cookies?" Karissa chimed in, tugging on her father's jacket.
Booth chuckled. If there was one thing Angela could bake, it was sweets and deserts. Anything else, well let's just say there was a reason Hodgins still employed a cook for special occasions. And if this pregnancy was anything like her first, he knew she would have already developed an extremely strong sweet tooth. "I think she will guys." He gave Brennan a knowing smile, but she didn't seem to understand. "Alright someone ring the doorbell before the neighbors think we're creepers."
"But Booth, Angela and Hodgins' condo is surrounded by a fence. It seems highly unlikely that their neighbors would even have the slightest idea that we are here at the moment."
Booth rolled his eyes, "I just meant- Oh never mind." He reached out to ring the doorbell, but just as he was about to, the door opened to reveal Angela, in her classic elf costume.
"Wow Angela," Brennan said, looking her best friend over. The costume was the exact same as the one she had worn at Christmas time ever since Brennan had known her, but there was no way it was the same one. It was a form-fitting costume; one that Angela couldn't possibly still fit in being five months pregnant.
"I didn't know they sold maternity elf costumes," Booth said, trying not to laugh.
Angela looked appalled, "Well of course they do, elves have babies too," she teased, winking as she ushered the family inside.
"Ange, who's at the door?" Hodgins asked, coming into the room, "Oh! Hey guys! Kev, Risa, Michael's in the game room if you want to go play with him." They ran off after a nod from Booth and Brennan. "Here let me take your coats.
"Nice holiday sweater vest Hodgins," Booth whispered.
"Angela insisted." He shrugged, his shoulders drooping.
"Aww come on. Why am I the only one who ever gets in the holiday spirit? The only thing you like about Christmas is the eggnog and the midnight Christmas sex Hodgins."
"Whoa! Too much information there Angela," Booth yelled, putting a palm over her mouth to shut her up.
"What's wrong with midnight Christmas sex Booth? You said you quite enjoyed it last year," Brennan asked, confused.
Angela ripped Booth's hand off her mouth, "Oh my gosh, Sweetie! You guys do midnight Christmas sex too? Is it as magical as me and Hodgins' midnight Christmas sex?"
Hodgins groaned, not really wanting his and Angela's sex life to become the topic of conversation. "Come on, how about we go in the living room. Angela made some cookies."
"Yeah, yeah that sounds like a wonderful idea. Come on Bones." Booth pulled his girlfriend into the living room, grateful for Hodgins' interjection.
"Ange..." Hodgins warned, raising his eyebrows, "You know Booth doesn't like Dr. B to discuss their private lives. Why do you always ask?"
"You know I love to make g-man over there uncomfortable as much as I can, it's just too much fun."
"Alright, well how about you lay low for tonight? This is supposed to be for the kids," he reminded her.
She sighed, pouting ever so slightly, "Fine. But I hope you know you owe me."
He laughed, "Your wish is my command my lady." He got on one knee, kissing her hand, a smirk on his face.
"Well that definitely just earned you some brownie points there babe. Totally sexy. If we didn't have guests over, you wouldn't be wearing any clothing right now." She grabbed his hand, pulling him into the living room with the others.
"Angela, I find these cookies to be sufficiently better than last year, not that they weren't good last year of course." Brennan said, biting into a chocolate chip cookie.
"Thanks Sweetie. Being pregnant and all, I do make them a lot more than I used to. The baby loves sweets."
"I feel that that is not an accurate statement. Your pregnancy hormones make you crave sweets so therefore it is you that loves sweets, not the baby."
Angela just shook her head, smiling, "Okay Bren. How about you guys open up your presents?"
"Angela, you didn't have to get us anything, this is a holiday for the kids," Booth said, attempting to reject the package Hodgins was trying to hand him.
She rolled her eyes, "Just open it Booth. It's not like you didn't get stuff for us."
"Yeah but you're hosting-" he protested, cut off as Hodgins finally shoved the gift into his hands.
He unwrapped the gift to reveal a signed Flyers jersey, courtesy of one of Hodgins' old college buddies. "Wow! You guys this is awesome! How did you even get this? It must have cost a fortune!"
Hodgins shook his head, "Nope all I had to do was buy the jersey. My buddy from college, Landon, works with the Flyers so he got that done and some other stuff all free of charge."
Booth's eyes with lit up as he looked back and forth from the jersey to Hodgins and Angela. "I could kiss you right now man! You too Angela!"
"Go right ahead, you know I'm dying to know what it's like," Angela teased, puckering up.
Hodgins laughed nervously, "How about a hug instead?"
"You betcha!" Booth enveloped the both of them in a giant bear hug as Brennan sat watching. Angela had told her what they were getting Booth beforehand, but she never imagined his reaction to be quite like this.
"Booth! Booth! Ahh, can't breathe!"
Booth let them go, "Oh sorry. Wow thank you guys so much! Absolutely awesome gift right here."
"Alright, here is our gift to you Hodgins." Brennan handed him a small envelope.
He peered suspiciously at it, not sure what on earth it could be, before carefully opening it. "Oh my god! You guys did not! Wow this is incredible!"
"Babe what is it?" Angela asked, trying to look over his shoulder to get a closer look. Tickets to the biggest and the best entomology conference/workshop in the entire world? Wow I hope you know I am soooo not going to that with you?"
"I thought they were sold out?" Hodgins asked, pointedly ignoring his wife, a bewildered look on his face.
"They were, but when you have the kind of connections that Dr. Temperance Brennan here has, things tend to become unsold out." Booth winked, putting an arm around his girlfriend.
"Thank you guys!"
Angela rolled her eyes, only her husband could get so excited about a conference having to do entirely with bugs, dirt, and slime. It was strange, but still adorable at the same time. "Okay Sweetie, it's time for you to open your gift. Well I didn't exactly wrap it because it would have ruined it, but all the same, here it is." She brought out a canvas from behind the tree. Painted carefully and delicately on it, were the faces of Kevin and Karissa, clearly caught in a moment. They were playing on a playground; Karissa was running from Kevin, looking back towards him with a smile only she could pull off. Kevin too was smiling from ear to ear, eager to catch his sister.
"Angela, this is beautiful. How did you even do this?"
"Remember when I took everyone to the park a couple weeks ago by myself?" Brennan nodded, "Well I was snapping photos of all three of them playing and when I came across this one later, I knew I had to paint it for you. Both of them look so happy and you see the bits of Booth and the bits of you in them."
"Booth you are hanging these immediately when we get home," Brennan told him. "Thank you very much Angela and thank you as well Hodgins."
"Hey don't look at me, this was 100% Angie," Hodgins told her, smiling at his now semi-embarrassed wife.
"Angela, your gift from us is in the back of Booth's SUV at the moment, but I'll show you what it looks like now and then Booth and Hodgins can bring it in later."
"Jeez Sweetie, what did you get me? A new couch?"
"Why would I get you a couch?" Brennan asked, not getting that it was a joke. She showed Angela the picture on her cell phone. It was a hand-crafted wooden rocking chair, made out of the most beautiful wood Angela had ever seen.
She put one hand over her heart, the other covering her mouth. "Oh my gosh! That is what you got me?"
"Do you not like it Angela?"
"Are you kidding? Of course I like it Bren, I absolutely adore it! I can't even properly describe how perfect it is. This will go great in the baby's room."
"Wow, Dr. B. Thanks so much! Guess I'll have to get started on that room now huh Angie?" He joked, nudging his wife who just ignored him, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Uhh how about we let the kids exchange their gifts now?" Booth suggested, hoping to derail Angela's hormones.
"Yeah good idea Booth. Michael! Karissa! Kevin! Come on out! It's time to exchange gifts!" Hodgins yelled up the stairs.
All three came thundering down like a herd of elephants, running so fast they nearly tripped.
"No running!" Hodgins reminded them before someone got seriously hurt.
The four watched their children open their gifts, that look of wonder and amazement never leaving their little faces. This was what Christmas was all about; spending time with friends and family and just being happy together. Even Brennan had to admit, while the idea of Christmas as a holiday had always seemed to be completely ridiculous, seeing the joy on her kid's faces definitely made her reevaluate her stance on a lot of things.
The couples snuggled together, enjoying each other's company, silently wondering how they could ever have made it through past Christmases without each other and their children. It was definitely a night to remember for all.
The end... to this chapter :p And now I'm going to be extremely corny and say stay tuned for the next chapter. Someone from Angela's past will be paying her a visit! :o
Well I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter, but it'd be mighty dandy to hear your honest opinion so please leave me a review!
Thank you to Ciza, 09Echo, and Wldwmn for your lovely reviews on the last chapter. I really do appreciate it. And now I must bid you adieu so that I may crash and get better
-Willie