this one is a bit over the word limit but I couldn't bring myself to cut it down. also I'm not one hundred percent sure whether this could actually happen but for the sake of this chapter it does.

-bones-

38. Challenge

"Has Dr Brennan given birth?"

"8:42 yesterday morning to a beautiful baby girl."

"How did you get a judge to agree to let me out?"

"It wasn't that much of a challenge, Cher, the minute I told the judge it was for the crime solving dream team he signed it right off, as long as your back by eight you're free for the day. Now, stop asking questions."

"Is everyone going to be there?"

"Aubrey, did Dr Addy just ask another question?"

"He sure did, and look for yourself, man."

Zach turned to look out the window as they pulled into the driveway of what he assumed was Agent Booth and Dr Brennan's house, several cars were already parked, informing him that indeed, everyone was present.

He climbed from the SUV, following Aubrey and Caroline up the path to the front door. Aubrey simply knocked before pushing the door open, leading the way inside.

"Cherie, where is that adorable baby?"

"Right over here, Caroline." Booth grinned, pouting when she immediately shooed him away.

"Hi, Zack."

He turned, smiling as Brennan stood, making her way over to him, her newborn daughter cradled in her arms.

"Hello, Dr Brennan."

"Zack, how many times have we told you—"

"Every single time you see me, Agent Booth, you take pride in pointing out that she now has you last name—"

"Okay, stop right there, you sound like Bones when she tells me that I'm acting on my alpha male instincts."

"You do that quite often, Booth."

"You've told me many times, Bones. Now, who's this little princess." He smiled, wrapping an arm around Brennan's shoulder, the other hand he smooths across the baby's head.

"Zack, we'd like you to meet Addison Camille Booth."

He stood speechless, eyes fixated on the baby— on Addison. He finally looked up into the smiling faces of both Brennan and Booth, and around the room to the faces of his friends. He bought his gaze back to the Booth family, parents standing proud with their four children.

"Do you want to hold her?"

He could only nod at Brennan's question, and within seconds Addison was in his arms.