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The Serenity in the Shatters by AngelMoon Girl

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PART 4 - Support

"Congratulations, Temperance and Seeley! It looks like you're expecting a girl!"

The discovery of their baby's sex had been a powerful moment for both Booth and Brennan. As they lay naked and tangled together on the bed where their daughter- their daughter!- was first conceived, Booth ran his hands over Brennan's now sizable stomach with a goofy smile. He felt the lively little coconut- a nickname that suddenly no longer seemed suitable, Booth realized with an internal jig- give her mommy a prod here and there. It never ceased to amaze him how Brennan treated every kick as if it were the first. He loved to glance up and watch her eyes widen delightfully, as if she'd never experienced anything quite like it and was intent on savoring every brush of movement signalling fetal life.

"Booth?"

"Mm?" Booth replied rather dreamily, and Brennan couldn't help but giggle at his mushy, sentimental display. He remembered her telling him once, maybe a month ago, that she considered this lesser seen side of him adorably paternal and very much attractive. Ever since, he'd sought that equally charming reaction from Brennan when he let his inner "Daddy" out. It made him giddy to imagine them, together, fawning and cooing over a tiny infant as she slumbered between their curled warm bodies.

"I've been thinking... I want to have a water birth."

This jerked Booth back to full awareness, and he gave his partner a startled look of query. "A what birth? Water? Like... in a fish tank?"

The thought concerned Booth more than he'd admit aloud. He hoped she was kidding, and then he remembered Brennan didn't do that.

"No, of course not," the aforementioned highbrow chided, disbelief in her inflection suggesting the meaning should have been obvious. "Water birth is typically performed in a tub of warm water, Booth, not a fish tank. The heated liquid encourages a safer, easier transition for the infant from the birth canal out into the world, because it resembles that of the intrauterine environment. The buoyancy allows for additional gravitational pull, aiding descendence. There are also many alleged benefits for the mother, such as reduction in labor pain and risk of tearing. I am, as yet, undecided as to whether I wish to enroll in a maternity clinic or simply give birth at home, however."

Booth realized his mouth was hanging stupidly open. He licked his lips before clarifying weakly, "So... what you're saying is you don't want to be in a hospital? You want to have our baby girl in... a tub?"

"Yes."

"A tub of water?"

Brennan frowned and there was a touch of annoyance in her voice now. "Yes. It may not be traditional per se, but from what I've read in my vast research on the subject, a great number of women prefer water births over the slightly more clinical take one often finds in a hospital."

Booth let out a shocked whoosh of air. "Wow. I'll confess you caught me off guard there, Bones, but... whatever you want, whatever makes you comfortable, I'll support you. It may be our shared child inside you, but giving birth- that's totally your domain, baby."

The corner of Brennan's mouth twitched at the moniker- he knew it was one she both adored and loathed at alternating moments- before murmuring, "It's not all me. I... want you to be there too, Booth. I want you to experience the birth of our baby just as fully as I."

It was the first time Brennan had called the child growing within her "our baby" instead of her usual "the fetus". Booth smiled, fighting an onslaught of unexpected emotion. He'd never been this involved with Rebecca's pregnancy. It was important to him to be there for every milestone this time around. Brennan and their baby were his second chance at happiness. Family. Love. Every fiber of his being resonated with that truth. "I want that too."

They laid together wordlessly for a few seconds, Brennan with her cheek cradled against his neck and Booth with his nose nestled in her hair. Then the man chirped up, "You know... we're going to have to pick a definitive name soon. The months are just flying by. Before we know it, the coconut is going to become a melon."

"Don't remind me," Brennan moaned. "At least I can still see my feet..."

To Be Continued

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