PART 3 - Strong
"Bones?" Booth paused, one foot out the door and one still firmly planted inside the car. He shot a solicitous look Brennan's way as he observed her unnerving lack of movement. They were going to be late for the ultrasound if she didn't come to life in the next five seconds, but at the moment Booth was more concerned with the way she was just staring out the window, fingers bunched in her lap. He could hardly believe this was the woman who only moments ago had been chewing him out for not having gotten up on time. He knew Brennan prided herself on prudence, so the fact that she wasn't bolting out the door and into the doctor's office like all hell was riding on her tail surprised Booth. "What's wrong?"
Brennan took a deep breath, seeming to come out of her stupor with a dark and chary laugh. She gestured tremulously towards herself with what appeared to the man to be disgust. "Look at me, getting all upset over nothing! I'm sorry for snapping at you, Booth. God, I'm going to make such an awful mother."
Booth stared. She said that last bit like it was no big deal, like it was supposed to be funny and light and not at all self-condemning and why wasn't he laughing? But Booth was conversant in the inner workings of Temperance Brennan, and he was aware there was more troubling her than the scientist currently let on. One glance-over of Brennan, with her stiff posture and closed off features, confirmed his suspicions. "Bones, don't say that. You're going to be a great mom!"
"Am I?" the brunette whispered, shrugging, trying to keep from making eye contact as she engrossed herself in fascinated examination of her own seatbelt. Booth wanted to rage in frustration. Why could she not see what he saw?
"Bones. Look at me."
Brennan hesitated, but at his gentle persuasion she latched her vibrant blues onto Booth's mahogany brown. He smiled, and laid a comforting hand on top of Brennan's.
"It's okay to be scared; to make mistakes. With Parker, I probably make at least a hundred a day."
"I'm not sure your logic is sound-"
"But you understand what I'm trying to say, right?" Booth pressed, squeezing the warm appendage beneath his. Brennan nodded. "Someone very wise once told me, a substance that is impervious doesn't need to be strong. Temperance Brennan, you are not an impervious substance. You are strong. And sometimes you'll have doubts, and sometimes you'll mess up, but no matter what you won't let that break you because you are a strong individual with a good heart, and you already know everything you need to know to be our little baby's mommy."
Brennan blinked, visibly touched. "Thank you, Booth."
The aforementioned FBI agent smirked. "Well... don't get too hasty with the gratitude, Bones. I'm still the reason we're late." And as they walked arm-in-arm up the steps, he added teasingly, "Honestly, I don't know what you're worried about. Of the two of us, I'm far more likely to make the mistakes. You like evidence- look no further than today and the fact that I stupidly forgot to set the alarm."
"That is true," Brennan admitted slyly, but she reached up to kiss him on the cheek nonetheless. Booth rejoiced at the renewed sparkle he caught dancing in his partner's eyes.
oOo
He knew he looked like a blubbering fool, and maybe he should probably stop laughing before he started crying, but Booth couldn't seem to muster up the care necessary. One glance told him Brennan was barely holding on by a thread, so he was not alone in his rapid undoing, and that knowledge suited him just fine.
The racing drum of a heartbeat struck a steady tempo, and it was so virile that Booth wanted to lose himself in the magical rhythm. That's our little avocado, he thought, an affectionate chuckle racing off his lips. Beside him, Brennan exhaled shakily, and this time he felt her slipping her hand into his.
"The fetus is so... so healthy. So perfect."
Booth smiled at the relief, the mesmerization, in his partner's voice.
"Why shouldn't it be? The baby has such a strong mother giving it life."
To Be Continued
