( find it here )Author’s Apology: Miss Margaret, I am in no way remotely close to your standard of writing, so I apologize for even tying myself to you in this way. I simply loved your story so much. Last night, I realized that a Father’s Day story between them could be very touching and since today is Father’s Day — well, here I am. I know that my timeline doesn’t really coincide with yours in regards to the progression of Brennan finding out about Booth being alive, so forgive me that much. It is fiction after all, right?
Music: Lifehouse - You and Me
Icon: Many thanks to Leviathan101 for the beautiful father and son icon. So fitting.
After all that, I guess I should get on with the story :-)
* * *
They recently began walking together in the evenings. Not too far, just around the neighborhood, just for twenty or thirty minutes. It’s a nice release for them after tense days. They enjoy the little ritual. Sometimes they hold hands; sometimes just their shoulders brush against each other. Often, they walk in silence, allowing the day to fall from them to be absorbed by the sidewalk. When they get back to Booth’s apartment, the day somehow seems lighter and they feel closer to each other.
Two days ago they were out again, walking the neighborhood, keeping step in time to the cadence of the crickets. Brennan realized Sunday was Father’s Day and an idea formed in her head. She called Rebecca the next morning. They had a long talk, working out all the details.
That evening, just before they crawled into bed, Brennan reached out for Booth. She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him as if there were no tomorrow. Because she knows all too well, sometimes there isn’t.
* * *
Saturday was a leisurely day - Farmers’ Market in the morning, reading and some laundry in the afternoon for Brennan; Booth found ESPN exceptionally entertaining. They prepared the evening’s meal side by side in the kitchen. She was teaching him how to make that mac and cheese. While Booth worked on the cheese sauce, Brennan sliced the honeydew melon and fresh strawberries from the market. She kept a close watch on him to make sure he was following her instructions, but when she saw him add some new spices, she just smiled and kept slicing.
They talked quietly during dinner, just enjoying each other’s company. They laughed easily together; shared silences easily together.
“Darlin’, if you’ll wash, I’ll dry.”
“Don’t call me darling” she said as he moved away from the table, taking dishes and glasses with him.
“You know you love it.”
“You know, I do.”
After they cleaned the kitchen, they snuggled up together on the sofa. Booth flipped on the TV while Brennan skimmed through the latest issue of The Jeffersonian. It wasn’t long before Booth started to nod off. Brennan elbowed him, got up and headed towards the bedroom. Booth followed.
They’re so comfortable sleeping in the same bed now. He doesn’t press her for anything more and they both seem to be happy with things the way they are. It’s as if they both know that the events of their life together are unfolding in the proper sequence, and they simply let them. They lie side by side, with hands tangled together between them. He leans over to kiss her goodnight and she rests her hand on his chest. Brennan remembers with a start she needs to set the alarm. When she is done, she takes his hand again with one of her and lets the other fall gently back to his chest. They fall asleep quickly.
* * *
Sunday morning, Brennan is lying awake, anticipating the alarm that will go off at 6am. Just a few minutes before 6, she shuts off the alarm and quietly leaves the bed. She softly closes the door to the bathroom and changes into jeans, a tee shirt and sandals. She brushes her teeth, brushes her hair and silently slips out of the bedroom. She’s thrilled to see Booth hasn’t even stirred. She maintains her stealth until she is out of the apartment and out of the building. Her heart is racing as she climbs into her car. She hopes she can pull this off, that she can carry it through without Booth realizing she’s gone.
She makes the drive to Rebecca’s, calling on the way to make sure Parker is ready to go. When she gets there, Rebecca comes out with Parker. He bounds out, bouncing and skipping all the way to the car. Her heart leaps to see he is just as excited as she is. Rebecca wishes Brennan luck and tells her she’s doing an amazing thing. That Booth will love it.
“Bones, does my dad know I’m coming over this early?” “I’ve never done Father’s Day like this before.”
“No, Parks, he doesn’t. It will be a very big surprise. He is expecting to see you this afternoon.”
“I’m hungry, Bonesy.” Brennan can’t help but grin at his new name for her. “Can we get donuts?”
“Absolutely. We’re on our way there now.”
They stop at a little bakery she likes and go in together. Parker picks out several different kinds of donuts because he wants to surprise his dad with a nice selection. Brennan chooses whole grain muffin and a couple of banana nut muffins in case Booth decides he would rather have that instead of donuts. Which she doubts. She grabs a couple of bagels too, just to be on the safe side.
A few minutes later, they are pulling up to Booth’s apartment.
“Parks, you are going to have to be very quiet when we go in, OK?” She looks at him very seriously to convey how important this is to her.
“Bonesy, I got it. No noise until we get to the bedroom.” He grins that precious, dimpled grin that so reminds her of Booth. She grins too.
They sneak into the apartment and down the hall to the bedroom. Right before they go in, Brennan catches Parker’s arm. “Let’s just bust through the door and jump in the middle of the bed” she whispers excitedly. She’s not sure who’s having more fun - but right now her money’s on herself.
She opens the door, they both fly onto the bed, and Parker is screaming “Happy Daddy Day!!!” Booth is simultaneously startled awake and smothered in hugs. Brennan pulls back a bit from the group hug to see Booth’s face. His arms are wrapped around Parker and she doesn’t think she’s ever seen his smile look that beautiful. His eyes are on her, full of love and appreciation.
“Parks, tell him what we’ve got planned for the day.”
“DAD.” “We got donuts and muffins and bagels and after we eat, we’re all going to go to church together.” Parker is bouncing on the bed as he says it. “Isn’t Bonesy just the best thing ever?”
Booth feels his heart skip a beat and he shoots a look at Brennan. The smile on her face confirms what he hears Parker telling him.
He’s trying to recover and looks first to Parker then to Brennan and back to Parker. “Bonesy?” “Parks?” “What’s up with the nicknames?”
“Is it written somewhere you’re the only one who gets to give people nicknames?” Brennan glances over to Parker as she says it and holds up her hand for the high five. Parker moves in for the fist bump instead and they giggle as she adjusts to meet his fist.
Booth marvels at what is unfolding before his eyes. And church? He can’t wrap his head around that one just yet.
They head to the kitchen and hungrily tear into the bakery items. Booth commends Parker on his donut selection, then thanks Brennan for the muffins too. Brennan pours herself a glass of juice and pours two large glasses of milk for the Booth boys. “Glass one of the requisite three per day” she says as she hands the glasses to them. In all the excitement, Brennan has forgotten to start the coffee, so she tells Booth she’ll put the coffee on then go get a quick shower while he and Parker finish off the donuts.
“I won’t be long, sweetheart,” she throws over her shoulder as she walks out of the kitchen.
“Don’t call me sweetheart.”
“You know you love it.”
“You know I do.” Booths grins like a silly little boy when he says it. Actually, he and Parker are wearing exactly the same grin.
* * *
Brennan moves to the closet and selects a simple white sundress and a periwinkle blue pashmina to wrap around her bare shoulders. She slips on a new pair of white sandals and takes a look at herself in the mirror. She hopes he likes what she is wearing. He finishes his shower and comes out with his towel wrapped around his waist. She takes a look at his torso, smiles and takes a deep breath. She’s not sure he is aware of the effect he has on her.
Booth selects a blue shirt and matching tie. He stops in front of the mirror to adjust his tie. Brennan is standing beside him putting in her earrings. She glances over at him; not looking at his reflection in the mirror, but at him. The expression on his face causes her breath to stop for just a second.
“Brennan,” he says softly, “I . . uhh, I can’t thank you enough for this.” His voice is barely more than a throaty whisper as it escapes his mouth. A tear holds on the outside corner of one eye. She steps close to him as he speaks and reaches up to kiss the spot where the tear has formed. She quickly moves to touch his lips with hers. “You’re welcome.”
* * *
Brennan is quiet and contemplative through out the service. With Parker sitting between them, Booth can only glance over at her from time to time. He’s unsure of her mood, but a voice in his head tells him she’s OK.
She closes her eyes, just for a moment, and silently speaks a simple “Thank you.” Her eyes fly open. She’s not sure where that came from. She’s not sure of so many things lately. But her uncertainly is replaced by a calm and she breathes a small sigh. She feels Parker snuggle a bit closer to her as Booth’s hand travels behind Parker to rest on the back of her shoulder.
* * *
“You guys go on and turn on the game. I’ll clean up and join you in a few minutes.” Brennan hears the TV come to life and catches a faint spirited discussion over the noise of the TV. Something about the way the season’s going and who’s in a slump and who’s on fire. She smiles, picturing them together there on the sofa.
Booth glances back towards the kitchen. He can’t see her, but he can hear what sounds like humming. He realizes she’s singing. He listens to both sounds for a few moments - the crowd noise and the crack of the bat from the TV, and her song mixed with the clatter of dishes and glasses being stored away.
He settles into the sofa, thinking of all the possibilities for Father’s Days - and Mother’s Days - to come.
fin
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