im happy this chapter fell on this day, completely accidental by the way. this chapter comes from personal experience. my nan passed away on august third after being diagnosed with cancer last september. she fell extremely ill over christmas, was rushed to hospital on christmas day and we lost her three times but the phenomenal doctors and nurses managed to bring her back. she got to see me turn sixteen and she'd insisted since she was diagnosed that she'd make it to my prom and she did and i am so incredibly grateful for that, to have that wonderful day as one of my last memories of her. today was my gcse results day and i just completely broke down the minute i opened the envelope because she should have been there because she'd have been so proud. im the eldest of seven grandchildren and i hate that the three youngest aren't going to have very strong or significant memories of her and life is just incredibly unfair, bad things just happen to good people and i find it hard to accept that. this chapter was born after we went to visit on boxing day, i truly believed at the time it would be the last time i got to see her and i am going to be forever grateful for those eight extra months with my nan.
-bones-
40. Pass
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you — too, honey."
Booth watched his wife and her father from the edge of the room, her brother sat in the chair at the bedside, one hand tucked into his fathers, the other clutched in his sisters. Max coughed sharply, breathless as he collapsed back against the bed. He watched as his wife glanced at the heart monitor, her face falling as she turned to him, nodding sadly.
"Park—"
He turned to his eldest son, two year old Addison on his hip, Christine and Henry on either side of him.
"Come on, guys, say bye, tell Grandpa you love him."
Christine and Henry both stepped forward, pressing kisses to Max's cheeks, murmuring that they loved him before returning to their fathers side.
"I love you, Max." Parker murmured, leaning forward to press a kiss to Max's forehead, shifting Addison so she too could plant her kiss.
"Love you, Gramps."
"Love — you, guys."
Parker smiled sadly, before herding his siblings out the door with one last glance in Max's direction. Booth finally stepped forward, standing at the bottom of the bed.
"Booth—?"
"Yeah, Max?"
"Take care of Tempe — and the children —"
"That is one thing you don't have to worry about, Max."
"I know — you're a wonderful — man, Booth, even though — you arrested me."
"Hey, we already went over this—"
"He's teasing, Booth." Brennan laughed, tears racing down her cheeks as Max's heart monitor dipped again.
"Thank you, for everything, Max." He whispered, moving to squeeze the man's free hand before he left the room, joining his children in the waiting room.
It was barely ten minutes later when his wife emerged, tears staining her cheeks as she stepped straight into his arms.