The plan was set. Operation Surprise Bones would occur on her fiftieth birthday: January 27, 2026. The room was rented. Arrangements were made for Max and Giselle to come from their assisted living center. Giselle's children and their families were going to be there, as well as Russ, Amy, and the girls. Their own children would be there with their significant others and all the grandchildren. People were coming from all over the country. The food was ordered, and the cover story discussed. Booth would tell Bones they were trying a new Thai place. Everything was arranged down to the smallest detail, except….
...the body that was discovered at the Jefferson Memorial the afternoon of the party.
Booth was frantic. He'd tried everything to convince Bones that she could wait until the next day to look at the corpse, but she wouldn't hear of it.
"It's a murder case, Booth. We can go out tomorrow night. I don't mind."
After getting nowhere, Booth called in the big guns.
"Angela...I'm desperate. I need you to get Bones to leave the lab."
"I'll handle it, Booth."
Angela walked onto the lab platform where Brennan and her newest intern were digging through the remains.
"Sweetie...a word."
"I'm busy, Angela."
"NOW." The tone of Angela's voice got Brennan's attention.
"What?"
"You're going to leave these remains here with Mr. Donovan and go home to change clothes. You'll then, without arguing, go with your husband to the surprise birthday party that he's spent weeks planning for you, where you will act surprised. I'll be there to make sure it all happens that way."
"Angela, I don't have time…."
"Yes, you do. Booth wants to do this for you because he loves you. You'll go along with it because you love him. Now, go, and remember, ACT SURPRISED!"