Sabbaticals - 0 days left
Brennan's flight from London was on the final approach to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, and she knew that she would be in his arms in the next hour. She enjoyed her 48 hours in London, getting to meet Nigel, staying in their lovely home in central London, and visiting Mary's office at the University. Mary's co-workers were happy to have her back, and were excited to meet the famous Dr Brennan, who they knew as a well-respected anthropologist, as well as a best-selling author.
They spent several hours there, and Brennan was interested in seeing the advances in teaching techniques since her time in school. Looking at some of the exhibits they used in their classes, Brennan was able to explain to them how they actually worked in practice. Mary told her co-workers that Brennan had shared quite a few stories over the past year, and she planned to use some of what she learned in their curriculum going forward.
The afternoon was spent with Mary showing her around some of the London she knew as a resident. Brennan had been there several times as a tourist, and she appreciated seeing the city through the eyes of a native. After returning home, Nigel took the two ladies out for dinner at the couple's favorite neighborhood pub. When they both dropped her off at the airport the next morning, she extended an offer to them to visit her and Booth one day soon. They told her they would absolutely look forward to planning that trip.
As her flight was taxiing to the terminal, she checked Booth's flight and saw that it was running late. It was now due to arrive in two hours, but she knew that she would need a good hour to get through customs and immigration. She texted him that she would meet him in the same spot as last time, and knew he would get the message after landing.
She found a comfortable seat in the arrivals waiting area and prepared to wait. Although she had mostly adjusted to European time after two nights in London, she felt some mid-morning drowsiness as she sat there. She tucked her tote bag behind her neck for support, and closed her eyes for just a few minutes.
She woke to a pair of lips caressing hers. Her eyes sprang open, but before even seeing his face, inches from hers, she knew that kiss. She knew those lips. She threw her arms around his neck and sprang to her feet. His arms went around her back as he helped her to her feet without breaking the kiss. The kiss had begun as a gentle, welcome home kiss. But it quickly deepened, and their bodies hummed at the now familiar feel of their tongues caressing.
He finally broke the kiss and smiled. "Hi." She smiled back. "Hi." His face came down and they shared another long, sweet, but chaste kiss. When their lips parted, he pulled her in for a tight hug. They didn't move for several minutes - just enjoying the feeling of being in each other's arms again.
When they finally parted, they asked each other about their flights, picked up their bags, and started walking toward the entrance and the taxicab stands. This time, instead of holding hands, they had their arms wrapped around each other as they walked. His around her shoulders and hers around his waist. It was unspoken, but they just felt the need to be holding each other close after four months apart.
It was a different feeling than the same walk through the same airport in December. Then, they didn't "know" each other. They had shared a couple of kisses in the past, but in December there was the whole anticipation of what it was going to be like to actually be together. To live together - at least for the following three weeks. To pack as much as possible into those three weeks. Now, they could take their time. They knew what to expect. And they had all the time in the world. It was almost as if they had left the airport in December as teenagers. And they were leaving that same airport now as adults.
As the taxi headed toward their hotel, his arm went around her shoulders and she rested her head on his shoulder. From time to time, he would gently kiss her temple. They talked about the last few days. She told him about her visit with Mary and Nigel, and her invitation to them to visit them in DC. He talked about the red tape of his last two days on the base. He said he was glad that he was able to serve his country once again, but he was done. His work at the FBI was now the extent of his service. She assured him that, even though he drew a paycheck from the Bureau, he was still serving his country.
When they arrived at the hotel, and reached the reception desk, Booth recognized the clerk. "Charles! So good to see you again!" Charles also recognized the couple. "Mr and Mrs Booth! Welcome back to the Plaza Athenee!" Brennan opened her mouth to speak, but Booth grabbed her by the waist, pulling her against him. "We were very happy to have the chance to stop in Paris for two nights before heading home to America. We enjoyed our honeymoon here so much, we had to return." Brennan decided to just go along with it for Booth's sake. "It's good to see you again, Charles. I'm happy to say that this has become my favorite Parisian hotel."
Charles looked delighted at her review. "Have you been traveling for very long?" Booth jumped in. "Oh, we were traveling for work. We spent time in the Middle East and in Indonesia. But we're really looking forward to getting home." Charles handed them their room key cards. "I'm sure you are. Would you like a porter to take your bags?" Booth waved him off and smiled. "No, we're fine. We know where the room is." They were the only people in the elevator when the doors closed, so he took her in his arms and nuzzled her neck. "You smell delicious, Mrs Booth."
She smacked him on the front of the shoulder. He pulled back and waggled his eyebrows at her. As he began nuzzling her neck again, he whispered. "You know it's going happen a lot Bones - better get used to it." Just then, the elevator dinged for their floor and he started to pull away. He kissed her cheek and grabbed both of their bags as they left the elevator. "Booth. I can carry my own bag." He turned back to her as they walked down the hall. "I plan to spoil you starting now." She rolled her eyes. "How long do you plan on spoiling me? I am perfectly capable of pulling my weight."
He stopped, dropped the bags, and turned back to her. He grabbed her shoulders and gave her a sweet kiss. "Please. Just let me do this?" She looked into his eyes and put her hands on either side of his face. She whispered. "Okay" and gave him a searing kiss. Before picking up the bags, he took the keycard out of his pocket and handed it to her, winking. "You can open the door for me." She smiled at him. "I think I can handle that."
After entering the room and dropping the bags, he trapped her against the wall and began devouring her lips. As his body pressed against her, it thrilled her to feel his erection for the first time in four months. He reached down and picked her up to carry her into the bedroom in the suite that they knew well. "Are we doing the carry thing again?" He pressed his face into her hair. "We are. Don't tell me you don't love it."
He got to the edge of the bed, gave her a sly smile, and tossed her right into the middle. As she landed on the soft mattress, her arms and legs flew up in the air and she started laughing. He could see the twinkle in her eyes, and he took a flying leap to land over her, letting his arms and legs take his weight.
He looked down at her. "Prepare to be ravished!" She giggled. "I expected nothing less." He was as good as his word. She was well and truly ravished. And, once she recovered, she turned the tables and ravished him. As they came down from the heart pounding lovemaking, he held her and looked into her eyes. "Welcome home Bones." There was a puzzled look in her eyes. "We're in Paris Booth." He smiled at her softly. "Wherever we are together - that's home Bones. Always." They shared a long kiss and then snuggled into each other. They both felt so loved, so safe, so secure. Within minutes they were both asleep.
Brennan woke an hour later. As she struggled to get her bearings before opening her eyes, she immediately recognized the hard body she was lying against. A smile came to her face and she opened her eyes to see that it wasn't just a dream. She moved just enough to lie her head down on his chest, and that movement woke him. He pulled her body up enough to reach her lips with his, and they shared a sweet kiss. "Hi." "Hi." "I'm hungry." She sat up and playfully slapped his chest. "Of course you are."
She looked toward the window and saw that it was still light outside. "Should we order room service? That way we don't have to get showers and get dressed." He stayed lounging on his back and put his hands underneath his head. "Excellent idea. We can do the white robe thing again. I wonder if it's warm enough to eat out on the terrace?"
She went to the closet and grabbed the two robes and threw the larger one at him. "I'm going to go freshen up. You find the room service menu and we can decide on dinner." While she was in the bathroom, he put on his robe, grabbed the menu, and took it out into the sitting room. While waiting for her, he opened the french doors to the terrace and stepped out. It was a beautiful evening, and it looked like they had about an hour or so before sunset. It was a fairly large terrace, and there was a small outdoor dining table and chairs. He went over to check them, and it was obvious that housekeeping kept them clean for their guests.
As he walked back inside, she was at the dining table in her robe, perusing the menu. "It's beautiful out there. A nice evening to dine al fresco." They ordered full dinners for each of them, including desserts and Prosecco. It was a very romantic dinner for the newly reunited lovers. Sitting at the table, they had a beautiful view of the rooftops of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower just across the river. The sunset that night was stunning, and Booth pulled her chair against his so he could wrap his arm over her shoulders while they watched it together.
They stayed outside just long enough to see the first light show of the evening on the Eiffel Tower, and then moved back into the warmth of the sitting room. He picked up the city guide from the table and took it over to the sofa, so they could snuggle up together to discuss what to do on their only full day in the city. Booth checked the weather forecast, and it was calling for sunshine and temperatures in the high 70s. "That's perfect Bones. I think the Gods are smiling on us." She scrunched her nose. "I thought you only believed in one God?" He chuckled. "I think that saying is actually referring to the ancient Greek Gods." She looked at him askance. "Okay."
They decided to take an afternoon luncheon river cruise, and then spend the rest of the day walking around the city. Booth said that the hotel had a buffet breakfast in their open courtyard. "I can have all the bacon I want Bones!" She laughed and patted his arm. "Then you shall have all the bacon you desire Booth."
Their lovemaking before falling asleep that night was slow, gentle, and sensuous. They no longer felt the need to wake up multiple times in the night for more. They had all the time in the world now, and a good night's sleep would help power them through their days. From their time in December, they began to realize that they slept better and felt more rested in the morning when they slept in the same bed. Well, except for the occasional nights when one of them would wake at 3 AM and start arousing the other awake. And they were equal opportunity culprits - Booth was thrilled that Bones was just as spontaneous as he was in that area.
The next morning, she agreed to his offer of shower shenanigans. "It's only because we don't have a schedule to keep this morning. When we're back home and working, there probably won't be time in the morning." He had his arms around her waist as he followed her into the bathroom, kissing the back of her neck. "We could always wake up earlier." The hotel shower really was perfect for their gymnastics. It was large, the tile on the floor was non-slip, and the walls were nice and smooth on her backside. They eventually exited the bathroom very clean and very satisfied.
The breakfast area was gorgeous. Eight floors of rooms on all 4 sides looking down on the large, square, open-air courtyard. The walls between the windows with their Juliet balconies, and between the floors, were completely covered in bright green ivy. Every one of the dozens of windows had a bright red awning, and matching red umbrellas covered some of the tables below. Walking into the courtyard was just breathtaking, with the riot of color on all four sides.
They secured a small table over in the corner, and then headed to the buffet so Booth could have his bacon fix. There was an omelette station, so they each got their favorite ingredients cooked into their omelette. Booth grabbed a side plate and filled it with bacon and link sausages, Brennan filled a bowl with fresh fruit, and picked up fresh croissants and a few mini quiches for both of them.
As they enjoyed their leisurely breakfast, they talked about their plans for the day. The river cruise they were taking in the afternoon included lunch, so they decided not to attempt to go out for a fancy dinner. Their original thought had been to go to the place where they dined last time near the Arc de Triomphe, but decided it wasn't feasible. It was a Friday night, and getting a reservation would have been impossible. Plus, they needed to turn in early because they had a very early flight the next morning.
They decided that they would disembark from the lunch cruise and do their own little walking tour of Paris. On the way back to the hotel, they would decide if they were hungry and, if necessary, pick up something light from one of the cafes that seemed to occupy every corner of the city.
Sitting at their table, tucked away in a corner of the courtyard, Booth leaned across the table. "It's too bad our overseas flight will be all in daylight. I'm hoping that one day you and I can find a way to join the Mile High Club." She looked confused. "I don't know what that means." He laughed. "It's when people find a way to have sex while they're in flight." She raised her eyebrows. "Oh! But you know that planes generally fly at least five to six miles high." He shook his head. "I know, but it's just a saying. Wouldn't you like to try it with me sometime?"
She thought for a few seconds. "Where do people do this? It seems other passengers would notice." He told her that some go together into the bathrooms. That prompted a frown from her. "But maybe if we were flying first class on an overnight flight we could find a way. I know some airlines convert your seat to a bed." She pondered the idea. "I think I might enjoy that. We'll have to plan that someday." He smiled as he reached both hands across the table and picked up both of hers. As he raised her knuckles to his lips, he gave her a wink. "We are going to have a great life together." She smiled back. "I do believe we are. You make me very happy Booth." He stood up from his chair to lean across the table and kiss her. While his lips were still on hers, he whispered. "I'm going to get more bacon."
As he started to walk away from the table, she told him to pick up a couple more mini quiches. He turned back to her, smiled, and gave her two thumbs up, as he continued walking backwards toward the buffet. As she sat by herself at the table, she just couldn't wipe the smile off her face. She and Booth were together. They had survived their time apart. And Booth was a gorgeous man. She had always thought so, but now she knew the extent of his physicality. She had always wondered if his playful nature would be annoying, but now understood the joy of being around a person who knew how to have fun. She had always taken life very seriously, and now he was teaching her that it was also okay to play.
They boarded their lunch cruise at the Eiffel Tower, and really enjoyed seeing the sites from the river. The cruise went down to the site of the replica of the Statue of Liberty, and then up the river to just past Notre Dame. The two-hour cruise included a three course French lunch and each were served a glass of champagne. After disembarking from the boat, they began walking around the city and found themselves at the large intersection of the Arc de Triomphe. It was a different experience seeing it in the daylight, and they were glad that their wanderings led them there.
Booth wanted to visit Notre Dame again, so they hailed a cab to take them there. Because it was their second visit, they were able to wander around and really examine the detailed carvings and windows in the cathedral. Booth lit a candle again for them, asking for a long and happy life together. After walking outside, they circled all around the mammoth building to see the flying buttresses, carved gargoyles, the tall wooden spire with the statues of saints adorning the base. They had a leisurely walk back through the extensive gardens stretching out from the Louvre, that led through the Place de la Concorde, and back to the hotel.
They enjoyed their last night in the honeymoon suite, but had to rise quite early the next morning for the trip to the airport. They were both very excited to get on the plane. It was taking them home to Parker. And taking them home to home.