The Heart in the words chapter 12
Brennan had been working with Michael for almost a year and in that time his speech and behavior had improved a lot, but they still had a way to go. It was also becoming apparent that Michael had problems with his fine motor skills and learning new concepts. Brennan stood in the doorway of Michael’s room and watched him play for a few minutes. “Michael, it’s time to put your toys away so we can work.”
“No.”
“You can have five more minutes of playtime, then we have to work. Afterwards I’ll make pizza bagels and we can watch a movie while we eat.” Brennan walked away. Ten minutes later she walked back to Michael’s room only to find he’d pulled more toys out.” Michael, I gave you more playtime, now it’s time to work…”
“No.” Brennan picked her way through the piles of toys on the floor and knelt next to Michael
“You don’t want to work on your words today?”
“No…”
“Do you want to do something else?”
Michael shrugged. Brennan knew that shrug meant that he didn’t know how to tell her what he wanted to do.
“Can you show me what you want to do?”
“Yeah.” Brennan stood up and held out her hand, Michael took it and carefully walked over and around his toy piles and led Brennan to her office. Michael walked to her desk and silently asked for permission to take something off of it. Brennan nodded, Michael took a legal pad and a pen and brought them to her.
“You want to learn to write?”
“Yeah.”
Brennan smiled, “okay, we can do that. Let’s work on your words for a little while first then we can work on writing,”
“K.” Michael went to his table and sat down. They reviewed the words from the day before then Brennan carefully printed Michael’s name at the top of the legal pad and placed it in front of him and handed him the pen. Once Michael was holding the pen Brennan tried to position his fingers correctly, he kept losing his grip on the pen. After a few minutes Brennan could see Michael was getting frustrated. “Sweetheart, just hold the pen however you can, I’m going to get you some jumbo pencils that will be easier for you to hold onto.”
“Okay.” Michael grabbed the pen in his fist. Brennan smiled and placed her hand on top of Michael’s and started guiding his hand through the letters a few times. “Michael, do you want to try by yourself now?” Michael nodded Brennan took her hand off his and watched him carefully scrawl the letters across the page. When Michael was done he looked up at Brennan, “good job, sweetie. I’m proud of you. Do you want to practice some more?” Michael nodded and Brennan printed his name at the top of a clean sheet of paper. Ten minutes later Michael put down the pen. “Are you done practicing for today, Michael?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. You did a very good job today. I’m proud of you. Why don’t you go put your toys away while I go make our pizza bagels?”
“K.” Michael slid out of his chair and left the room. Forty-five minutes later he was sitting at the coffee table eating cheese and mushroom pizza on an onion bagel while watching Toy Story. When he was done Michael climbed on Brennan’s lap. That’s how Booth found them hours later when he came home. “Hey Bones. Hey Michael.”
“Hello Booth.” Michael didn’t look up or acknowledge Booth. He walked over to the couch and kissed Brennan. “Today was hard, Booth…” Booth raised an eyebrow and then he noticed Michael was trying to correctly hold a pen and failing when Brennan moved his fingers to the correct positions. “I’m going to make grilled steak and veggie kabobs. Do you want to help put the veggies on skewers, Michael?” Michael shook his head and picked up the pen and tried again. Booth. Kissed the side of his head and looked at Brennan. “I’ll explain later.” Booth nodded and headed for the kitchen
B&B
After getting Michael settled in bed, Brennan went to the living room and sat down next to Booth. “Why was today hard, Bones?”
“When I went to tell Michael it was time to put his toys away and work he told me no, so I gave him ten extra minutes of playtime. I tell him he only gets five more minutes, but I give him ten…” Booth shook his head.
“What? I wish I could let him play all day every day and be a normal three year old.”
“I know. Me too.”
“Anyway I went back in ten minutes and he’d gotten more toys out. I told him again and again he told me no. I went over to him and asked if he wanted to do something else he shrugged. I asked him if he could show me what he wanted to do and he led me to my office and handed me a legal pad and pen from my desk. I asked him if he wanted to learn how to write, he nodded. After we reviewed yesterday’s words I wrote his name on a piece of paper and showed him how to hold the pen. Michael can’t hold a pen correctly, if I try and position his fingers he drops it. I finally told him to hold it however he could, once he was holding the pen in his fist I started guiding his hand though the letters. After doing that a few times I had Michael do it by himself. He did okay. After we were done working he cleaned up his toys while I made pizza bagels, we watched Toy Story while we ate. When the movie was over Michael got a pen and sat on my lap and practiced holding it correctly. He still can’t do it. I’m going to get him some jumbo pencils in the morning maybe they’ll be easier for him to hold onto.” Brennan handed Booth the papers, he looked at them. “Bones, do you think maybe it’s time to send Michael to preschool? A lot of kids start at three, he’ll be four in two months.”
“Booth, he’s not ready for preschool! No teacher has the time to let him communicate the way he does. Not to mention his other issues…”
Booth took Brennan’s hand, “Bones, I don’t mean regular preschool, I meant the preschool program at the school we looked at last year… I know we both want him to go to a regular school and someday hopefully he will, but I think the Special Needs school is what he needs right now. They can give him extra help with his speech, fine motor skills, and anything else Michael needs. Plus I think he’d love it. You’ve done fantastic with him this year and if it wasn’t for your determination Michael wouldn’t be doing as well as he is and the thought of us sending him to preschool wouldn’t have entered my head. He wouldn’t go every day, so you can still work with him.”
“The thought of Michael in school scares me a little, I don’t want him to be left behind academically. Once we became aware of his problems with speech and other things, I thought I’d homeschool him…”
“Bones the thought of Michael in school scares me a little too. I worry that he won’t be able to handle it and that he’ll struggle so much he’ll act out. We can homeschool him if we think that will be better for him, but let’s try preschool first.”
“Okay. I’ll call tomorrow while Michael takes a nap…”
“Bones, Michael is going to be fine, he’s gonna rock this.”
“I hope so.”
B&B
The next afternoon Brennan called and scheduled another tour of the school for the next morning, this this time Michael would be coming too. After Michael woke up from his nap Brennan set up Candy Land and Michael made it through two games before losing interest and leaving to play with his trucks. That night after dinner Brennan pulled Michael onto her lap and Booth sat next to them. “Michael, tomorrow we’re going to look at your new school…” Michael started playing with Brennan’s bracelet. “What do you think, buddy?”
“Parker?”
“Good job, but no, Parker isn’t coming with us…”
“Parker!”
“Buddy, you’re not going to the same school Parker goes to, maybe someday, but not right now.”
Michael looked sad and Brennan pulled him to her, hugging him tight. “I know you want to go to the same school as Parker does, but you can tell him all about your visit to your school when he comes over next weekend. You’re not going to school tomorrow, we’re just going to look at the school and meet your teacher.”
“K.” Michael settled on Brennan’s lap, she scooted closer to Booth.
That night Booth and Brennan were in bed, but she wasn’t sleeping. Booth waited until Brennan was facing away from him then he put his arm around her holding her in place. “Bones, I know you’re nervous about tomorrow, I am too, but everything will be fine. We’re just going to meet the teachers and tour the school again. If we don’t like that program we can look at the other schools…”
“Booth, he has to go to New Horizons, it’s the closest. Everything else is an hour or more away…”
“There are two schools in D.C….”
“I know, but he’s not ready for those yet… Maybe when he’s older.”
“Okay. Try and get some sleep. I love you.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
B&B
The next morning Booth made Brennan a veggie omelet he had a veggie omelet with bacon crumbles and Michael had scrambled eggs with veggies and bacon crumbles after breakfast Booth drove everybody to the school.
“We should have taken two cars…”
“Why, Bones?”
“So that when we’re done at the school you don’t have to take Michael and me home.”
“Bones, relax. It’s not a problem I told Cullen that I wouldn’t be in until after lunch. When we’re finished at the school we can go to the diner before I take the two of you home.”
“Okay.” Booth placed his hand on top of Brennan’s for the rest of the drive. When they got to the school Brennan got Michael out of his car seat, he took her hand. Booth walked over and took Michael’s other hand. “Are you ready for this, buddy?” Michael shrugged and headed inside with Booth and Brennan. They were greeted by the director, Judy, “hello, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Booth. I’m Judy Camp, the director. It’s good to meet you.” Booth and Brennan shook her hand. She turned her attention to Michael, “You must be Michael…” Michael started to move behind Brennan’s legs. ”Can you say hi?” Michael shook his head, Brennan looked up. “Michael’s speech is still limited, but not as much as it was last year when we met. He can say hi, he’s being shy.” Judy smiled, “it’s fine we’ll take the tour and then maybe he’ll be more comfortable as the morning goes on.” Judy led them down the hall. “Our class sizes are small, ten to fifteen students per class. We have two classrooms per grade level, with a Special Education teacher and two paraprofessionals in each class. We have preschool through 12th grade here. Our hope is that the children who begin their academic careers here will be able to transition to mainstream education programs at some point. About thirty percent of our students are able to successfully transition into a mainstream setting. We cover all subjects, just at a slower pace than normal classrooms. We have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily for those students who need them. All students have music and art therapy once a week. We also have library time. We also have a cafeteria and a full time nurse.” They continued down the halls of the almost empty school looking at everything until they were back where they started.
“Let’s go in my office and talk and work out Michael’s education plan.” Booth looked at Brennan, she nodded.
“Sounds good.”
“Great! Michael can come with us of course or we can go meet his teacher and he can sit in with our summer preschool program.”
“Bones, I think it’d be good for him. It’ll only be for a little while, sitting and being quiet while we figure out his school plan won’t be fun or easy for him.”
“I know and I agree…”
“Temperance, they’re just going to be watching a movie or doing a craft project. His teacher can handle his communication differences and motor skills issues. If it’s too much for him, we’ll be right down the hall.”
Brennan nodded and turned to Michael. “Michael, do you want to go meet your teacher for this year and stay in the classroom while daddy and I get you signed up for school next year?” Michael shrugged a shoulder. Booth knelt down in front of him “it’ll be fun, Buddy. Your teacher knows that talking is hard for you. It will be fine…” Michael took Booth’s hand as he stood up. “Well, I guess we’re ready to me meet his teacher.”
“Great, I think you’ll like Miss. Walton. She has a lot of experience with children with communication issues. Her paras are excellent. Brennan nodded and slipped her hand into Booth’s other hand. The three followed Ms. Camp back down the hall to the classroom. Ms. Camp knocked lightly on the door, it was answered in a few seconds by Miss Walton.
“Miss Walton, this is Michael he’s going to be in your class this fall. I thought he could sit in with the summer program while his parents and I go over his education plan and do paperwork.”
“Of course. We’re going to have story time right now then we’re going to have art time.”
“You love story time and art time. I see they have the big crayons that are easy for you to hold onto.”
“Michael, it will only be for a little while, while daddy and I go fill out paperwork so you can go to school like Parker does. “Do you want to go stay in your classroom while daddy and I are doing paperwork?” Michael nodded slightly. Brennan smiled at him and kissed his forehead. Brennan grabbed Booth’s hand as they watched Michael follow Miss Walton into the classroom. “He’ll be fine, Bones.”
“I know. I just never really thought we’d be able to get to this point.”
“Michael is going to rock this.”
An hour and a half later Booth and Brennan had finished all the paperwork, met with the speech and occupational therapists, and nurse. Michael was going to go to school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8AM to noon. With everything done Booth and Brennan followed Ms. Camp back to the classroom, Brennan was still holding Booth’s hand. Miss Walton met them at the door, “Mr. and Mrs. Booth-“
“Mr. Booth and Dr. Brennan…”
“My mistake. Mr. Booth and Dr. Brennan, Michael is doing very well. He was nervous at first, but got over his shyness by the end of story time. His communication skills are limited, but it isn’t anything I can’t work with. He seems to be enjoying himself. He doing well coloring, he’s even sharing the crayons willingly. That’s a big thing for any three year old. He should be done with his project in a few minutes. I cannot wait to have Michael in class, think he will have a very successful school year.”
“Thank you. We’re happy that he did well today.” Miss Walton nodded and went back to the class.
Booth whispered, “Look Bones, he’s doing well. He fits…”
“I know, I never thought he’d be able to do this…” A minute later Michael was handing Brennan his project.
“Mommy…”
Brennan took the paper, it was a printed rainbow that Michael had tried to color somewhat neatly and glued to the ends were pulled apart cotton balls to make clouds.
“The rainbow is pretty, Michael. You did a great job coloring it.”
“Good job, buddy! This is going on the refrigerator when we get home!” Michael grinned at Booth, and they all followed Ms. Camp to the lobby. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you. We’ll see you at the end of August. If you have any questions or concerns before then don’t hesitate to call my office.”
“Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you, too. Michael, can you say goodbye?”
“Bye.”
“Bye, Michael. See you in a few months.”
Good job, Buddy. Let’s go to the diner for lunch before I take you and mommy home so I can go to work. “Michael put his arms up, Booth picked him up, heading to the SUV. After lunch Booth dropped Michael and Brennan off at the house. Brennan helped Michael hang his picture on the refrigerator and then she loaded him up in her car so they could spend the rest of the morning and afternoon at the indoor playground. Later that night Brennan put Michael in bed and sat next to Booth. “How do you feel about today, Bones?”
“I feel good. I know Michael will do well there, but it hurts me a little to think about him getting the extra hour of speech and an hour of occupational therapy a week. I know he needs them and will benefit greatly from them, but…”
“I know… we both wish he could go to a regular preschool and be a regular four year old, but Michael is so special that he needs to go to a school that knows how special he is…”
“I love you, Booth.”
“I love you too, Bones.”
B&B
Today was Michael’s fourth birthday party and Brennan was really looking forward to this birthday because this year was the first time Michael had shown any interest in his birthday or party. He told Booth and Brennan that he wanted a chocolate Mickey Mouse cake and cheeseburgers for lunch. Brennan had found Mickey Mouse party supplies and the bakery Booth loved was making the cake, Booth was grilling hamburgers and veggie burgers. They were also having potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, a vegie tray and fruit salad. Brennan was cutting tomatoes up when Michael came in the kitchen. “Mommy, outside?”
“Michael, you can’t go outside right now, we need to finish getting things ready for your party. Do you want to help me?” Michael nodded a little.
“Go wash your hands and sit at the table.”
A few minutes later Michael was sitting at the table, Brennan carried over bags of cut vegetables and the vegetable tray. “Remember how we did the veggie tray for Easter?” Michael nodded. “Do that again, but this time you get to do it by yourself while I make the pasta salad.” Michael grinned and opened the bag of baby carrots, Brennan went back to deseeding and chopping tomatoes. ten minutes later Michael was putting the last of the orange peppers on the tray when Booth walked into the kitchen and started to take a carrot off the tray. “No Daddy!”
“I can’t have a carrot?”
Michael looked at Brennan, she nodded slightly and held up one finger.
“One, daddy!”
Booth took one carrot off the tray. “ You did a good job, buddy!” Booth popped the carrot in his mouth and walked over to Brennan.
‘”There are more carrots in the fridge, Booth…”
“I’m good, I just took it to see what Michael would do…”
“I told him you could have one to see if he’d tell you. Last year he’d have handed you the whole tray…”
“Yeah, he’s improved so much…”
“He has…”
“Michael, do you want to go with me to pick up Parker then go get your birthday cake?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, go wash your hands and give mommy a hug.”
Forty minutes later Booth carried Michael up the steps of Rebecca’s townhouse, and let him ring the doorbell. Rebecca answered quickly. “Happy Birthday, Michael!” Michael Grinned and put his head on Booth’s shoulder as he walked in the house. Rebecca picked up a gift bag from the end table and turned to Michael. “Parker has your present for your party, but I saw this and had to get it for you.” She handed Michael the bag.
“Becca, you didn’t have to get him something else…”
“Yes I did. You’ll see why…”
Michael pulled out a box of jumbo crayons and held them out to Booth.
“Wow buddy jumbo crayons that are more than eight colors. Where did you find these Becca? Bones has been looking all over for a big box of jumbo crayons…”
“I found them at a independent pharmacy in Richmond last week. I forgot shampoo when I went there for work so I stopped there to get some and went past the school supplies on my way to the snacks and saw them. Temperance mentioned he liked to color, but she wished she could find more colors that were jumbos… I got two boxes, one for now and one for later when those are wore out.”
“Thanks Rebecca.”
“You’re welcome. Michael, there are a few more things in the bag.” Michael pulled out a jumbo coloring and activity book and two matchbox cars. He handed everything to Booth. “What do you say, buddy?”
Michael held out his arms, Rebecca took him from Booth and hugged him.
“Bones is working on saying ‘thank you’ with him, but I guess today isn’t the day for that…”
“He’ll get it. hugs are better anyway. Michael, lets go get Parker.” Rebecca walked with michael up the stairs and let him get Parker himself, ten minutes later Booth was on the way to the bakery. “Michael, can you walk next to Parker and hold his hand so I can carry your cake?”
“Yeah.”
Booth got Michael out of his carseat and breathed a sigh of relief when he took Parker’s hand and started walking toward the bakery. When Michael got home he ran straight for Brennan and handed her the bag he got from Rebecca. “Did you get a present already?”
“Yeah.”
“What did you get?”
Michael pulled out the crayons and handed them to Brennan. Then he handed her the jumbo coloring and activity book followed by the two matchbox cars. Booth came up to them and filled Brennan in on the crayons. “Becca found the crayons in an independent pharmacy in Richmond when she was there for work a few weeks ago. She said you’d mentioned that you were looking for more colors in jumbos so she got them for him. She got another box for when he wears those out. I’ll put them in your office.”
“Thanks, Booth. I’ll have to thank Rebecca when we take Parker home in the morning. Michael why don’t you ask Parker to go with you outside?” Michael nodded and ran over to the couch were Parker was sitting. “ Parker, outside?”
Parker looked at Brennan who nodded, he picked Michael up and headed for the door. “I’m glad those two get along so well and that Parker is so patient with him.”
“Me too. The cake turned out better than I expected.”
“Yeah, Michael hasn’t seen it yet. Parker distracted him while I paid for it and got it in the SUV.”
“That’s good. I hope he enjoys his party.”
“he will Bones. it will be the best birthday he’s had yet. I’m going to make the burgers.”
“Okay. I cut a few carrot sticks, a pepper slice, some broccoli and cauliflower and a pickle spear into bite size pieces. I also cut a handful of cherry tomatoes in quarters for Michael to eat with dinner. They’re in the small container in the fridge. He should be able to handle everything else.”
Sounds good to me. Do you need to do anything else?”
“No, everything is done. I just need to add the bananas to the fruit salad before we eat and the pasta salad will probably need more dressing before we eat.”
Booth nodded, “What time is everyone getting here? I’m not going to start the burgers until people start getting here so they’ll be hot.”
“The invitations say 11:30, but you know somebody, probably dad, will be here early.”
“Yeah.” Booth turned to get the packages of hamburger out of the refrigerator.
Almost two hours later instead of saying hi to his gusts Michael insisted on giving them a hug as they came through the door. Brennan and Booth didn’t care, they were just happy he was interacting with people.
Angela was in the kitchen helping Brennan get the food on the counter so everyone could serve themselves.
“I’m surprised you’re here, Ange.”
“I wouldn’t miss my nephew’s fourth birthday party for the world.”
“But you’re due any day…”
“Your house is closer to the hospital than ours and my bags have been in the car for months. I’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am. The cake is adorable, Michael will love it.”
“I hope so, I’m worried that the party will be too much stimulation for him.”
“it’s just lunch with 8 people who love him very much.”
“Yes, but the balloons and other decorations coupled with the presents will get him too excited. Christmas morning ended in tears last year.”
“Aw. If it’s too much he can open the presents tomorrow. Christmas is a lot to take in for anybody. After everybody left our house last year I swore we’d never do it again. We’re doing it again this year, the baby will be seven months old by then. It goes without saying you guys are invited.”
“Mommy, hungry!” Michael stood in the kitchen doorway.
Brennan looked up, “go outside and ask daddy if the hamburgers are done yet.”
“K.” michael went outside. Brennan watched him go before putting a stack of Mickey Mouse dinner plates on the counter.
“ Have you gotten tired of hearing him say ‘mommy’ yet?”
“No, I never will. Last year he wouldn’t have told me he was hungry or had the ability to go outside and ask Booth if the hamburgers were ready.”
“He’s growing up, Brennan.”
“Yes he is, and I’m loving watching him grow up, but I wish he was still little.”
“Totally normal. Our little guy isn’t here yet I don’t want him to grow up.”
Just then Booth came into the kitchen carrying the plate of cooked hamburgers.
“Burgers are done, I cooked your veggie one first and wrapped it in foil so it’d stay hot.”
“Thanks Booth. Michael, go wash your hands, then we’ll go tell everyone that lunch is ready.” Michael nodded and headed for the sink. Ten minutes later he was sitting next to Brennan eating a bun-less cheeseburger with ketchup and pickles along with cut up raw vegetables and dip, fruit salad and potato salad. After lunch was put away and cleaned up Michael sat in Brennan’s lap and opened his gifts. He got Mickey Mouse things and trucks, his two current favorites. After presents Booth lit the candles on the cake and with Parker’s help michael blew them out. Brennan cut the cake and seved it. after he ate his cake michael left the adults behind to play with his new toys. Later that night Brennan sat down next to Booth after getting Michael in bed.
“Michael down for the night?”
“Finally. He’s still very happy and excited. He’s also upset that I wouldn’t leet him sleep with his new dump truck. I put it next to his bed and tucked him in with the gigantic Mickey Mouse from Angela and Hodgins. I also promised to wash the bedding set dad got him and change his sheets and comforter in the morning.”
“He’ll ask you as soon as he wakes up.”
“I know. I plan to wash them as soon as I get up, hopefully he’ll sleep in for a while. Do you think he had a good birthday?”
“Yes, he was happy and laughing most of the day. he didn’t melt down once. He tried talking to everyone and was mostly successful.”
“I still can’t believe he turned four today. For the first few weeks of heis life I didn’t think we’d be bringing him home let alone watching him turn four.”
“I know. I was so scared that night, not that we’d lose him,I was scared that I’d lose you...”
“I don’t remember much of that night except telling you something was wrong and that we needed to go to the hospital and feeling very sick.”
“you got really pale as you were telling me, I carried you to the SUV. You didn’t fight me about it. we got to the hospital, thankfully your doctor was there finishing up with someone else. They found out your BP was through the roof and Michael was in distress. They took you immediately to the O.R., I couldn’t go with you. I called Max and Angela, I don’t know how they both got there so fast. It felt like we all sat there for hours until your doctor came out and told us you were mostly stable, but they were sending you to I.C.U. because your BP was still high. They were still trying to get Michael stable in the N.I.C.U. I went back to your room with Max you were out of it. I just sat there holding your hand and told you Michael was going to be fine and that we both loved you.”
“I don’t remember anything until the nurses wheeled my bed into the N.I.C.U. and I saw Michael’s tiny body covered with tubes and wires. I remember you helped me put my hand though one of the openings in his incubator and I touched his fist with my finger… ”
“That was the next afternoon. Once michael was stable Max went home, Angela spent the night at the hospital with me in case something happened to either of you. About two in the morning you started waking up, you wanted to know what happened. Once I told you, you demanded to see Michael. The nurse wouldn’t let you get up. I went to the N.I.C.U and got a few pictures of him on my phone while Angela tried to calm you down. Once I showed you the pictures and tried my best to answer your questions you went back to sleep. Late the next afternoon your doctor declared you well enough to be moved to a regular room. On the way there the nurses detoured to the N.I.C.U.”
“And we began the scariest six weeks of my life…”
“Mine too.”
“I can’t believe ive never asked you about the night Michael was born before now.”
“Well, we’ve been kinda busy the last four years…” Booth leaned over and kissed Brennan. “I love you, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
B&B
Two weeks later Brennan let Michael ring Angela and Hodgins’ doorbell, they were there to see baby Jack who was a little over a week old. Angela answered the door with the baby in her arms. “Hey Bren, hey Michael.” Angela stepped aside and let them enter. Once Brennan closed the door, Angela transferred Jack to her arms. “He’s adorable, Ange. “
“Thanks Bren, I think so too.”
Brennan sat down on the couch, Michael climbed up beside her and looked in the nest of blankets. “This is baby Jack, the baby that was in Angela’s tummy. Do you want to hold him?”
“No!”
“Angela and I will help you…”
“NO!”
“Okay.”
“Michael, Uncle Jack has some bugs for you to look at outside in the backyard if you want.” Michael nodded a little and looked at Brennan. “Go on.”
Michael slid off the couch and followed Angela to the back door. She returned a few minutes later with two big glasses of ice water, she put them both on the coffee table and sat down on the couch.
“How are you, Ange?”
“I’m good. I feel a little better every day. I’m getting used to my abnormal sleep schedule. I know I’m only 9 days into my maternity leave, but I want to go back to work anytime soon…”
“Take as much time as you can. I wish I’d taken more time with Michael. I took the six weeks he was in the hospital plus six weeks off after he came home, but I wish I’d taken 12 weeks off when he came home. I wasn’t really ready to go back and I don’t think michael was ready for daycare then either. “ Brennan looked down and smiled once she realized Jack had fallen asleep.
“Have you and Booth thought about having another?”
“When I got pregnant with Michael we said we wanted at least two kids. As soon as he turned one and a half we started trying again. When it became more and more obvious that he had problems that were going to take our time we stopped. We haven’t really talked about it since… I would like for him to have a sibling that he’s closer in age to than Parker…”
“I think a new baby would be good for all of you…”
“Maybe…I’m scared to even think about having another baby. What if I have more complications that are worse? What if the baby is born earlier than michael was? I can’t go through another N.IC.U. stay, Michael’s was more than I could handle most days. If it wasn’t for Booth and his Faith and optimism I’d lost my mind from worry when he was 13 days old and got an infection that almost took him from us.”
“Bren, I can’t say for certain that if you got pregnant again that you wouldn’t have complications, but you aren’t over doing it you’re relaxing now. To be honest you look better since you’ve been on sabbatical…”
“What if having another baby sends Michael into a regression? He’s worked so hard to get where we are right now. I don’t want to ruin it.”
“You won’t ruin Michael’s progress by having another baby…”
“You don’t know that…”
“You’re right I don’t, but I do know that if Michael regresses you and Booth will get him through it.”
Brennan adjusted Jack’s blanket and looked up at Angela. “You saw how reacted to Jack…”
“Brennan, he won’t react the same way to his own sibling, you’ll have nine months to get him excited for the baby. He’ll be there to see the baby as it grows. He’ll be fine with it.”
“It’s scary…”
“I know. I can’t imagine what the last four years for you and Booth have been like, but Michael is doing so good. He’s starting preschool in two months…”
“Don’t remind me…”
Angela laughed, “this is a good thing, Brennan. Are you coming back once he is in school?”
“I haven’t thought that much about it, but if Michael adjusts well to school I might come back part time while he’s in school. I don’t think he’d do well in daycare, at least not right now. “
“Well, it’ll be good to have you back, even part time. Clark is good, but bones don’t tell him everything they tell you.”
“I don’t know what that means…”
“It means Clark is good, but you’re better.”
“Of course I am…”
B&B
Later that night Booth climbed into bed next to Brennan, “You all right, Bones? you’ve been quiet this evening.”
“I’m fine, Booth, just thinking…”
“Uh-oh. What about?”
“When Michael and I went to see Angela and the baby today, we were talking after Michael went to look at Hodgins’ bugs, and she asked if we thought about having another baby. I told her that when I got pregnant we’d said we wanted at least one more, but after Michael was diagnosed we stopped trying and never really talked about it anymore…”
Booth took Brennan’s hand, “Bones, do you want another baby?”
“Yes… Do you?”
“Yes, I just never brought it up because Michael took all of our time and I knew a newborn would stress us out more than we already were.”
“Michael still takes all of our time…”
“He does, but he’s getting better. The meltdowns aren’t a common occurrence anymore. He’s tqlking more and learning to do things by himself. He doesn’t need you and me to translate for him with people he knows. He told Rebecca all about going to the Zoo the other day when we went to pick up Parker.”
Brennan smiled, “I think she’s one of his favorite people.”
“It’s because she got him crayons he can use and she helps him sneak up on Parker.” Booth chuckled.
“I’m scared. . What if I have more complications that are worse? What if the baby is born earlier than michael was? I can’t go through another N.IC.U. stay, Michael’s was more than I could handle most days. If it wasn’t for you and your Faith and optimism I’d lost my mind from worry when he was 13 days old and got an infection that almost took him from us.”
“Bones, it’s all right to be scared, I’m nervous about it myself. You could have complications again , but I don’t think you will. You’re not working whitch means you’re relaxing you’re not on your feet 10 hours a day. if the baby is born early we’ll get through it just like we did with Michael.”
“When he saw baby jack he had no reaction. I would like for him to have a sibling that’s closer to his age than Parker. I don’t want him to never acknowledge the child. I don’t want any other child we have to feel unwanted because have to spend more time with Michael than we do them.”
“If we have another kid they won’t feel that way, Bones. Parker doesn’t.”
“Parker is only here every other weekend and Tuesday nights. It probably doesn’t bother him as much, but it does bother him. Especially when he asks if I can come to a game or school event and I can’t because Michael would be over stimulated and have a meltdown. He’s dealt with this for the last four years, it’s not fair to him or any other child we have in the future.”
“Bones, Parker understands…”
“I know he understands, Booth, but he shouldn’t have to understand!”
“Shh Bones I know the last four years have been hard on everyone, but we got through it. michael is doing better than any professional told us he’d do. He;s going to preschool, Bones… plus we have a few years before we have to think about going to another kids’ events. Michael will be a lot better by then.”
“I know. What if having another baby causes him to regress? I don’t want to ruin his progress…”
“Having another baby won’t ruin his progress, it might even help. The baby will be someone else he can talk to and talk about. Plus the baby won’t talk back for a while. If he regresses we’ll get him through it like we’ve done the few times it’s happened before.”
“I want to have another baby, but I’m scared to…”
“Then lets not really try to have a baby. Stop taking your pills and if you get pregnant great. If it doesn’t happen after a reasonable amount of time that will be okay too…”
Brennan smiled a little. “What?”
“I took my last pill two days ago. My doctor can’t see me for a checkup and a new prescription until next Thursday…”
Booth chuckled quietly and kissed Brennan. “Perfect. Go get your checkup, but don’t ask for a new script.”
“You’re not upset that I didn’t tell you…”
“Of course not, Bones! were you ever going to tell me?”
“Maybe… part of me didn’t want to get a new prescription…”
“I love you so much, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth. More than you’ll ever know…”
B&B
Booth and Brennan made sure Michael had a lot of fun in the two months before he started preschool. Brennan worked with him everyday, but after he had lunch they went somewhere fun. Now it was the night before school started and they were having Michael’s favorite dinner, spaghetti. “Are you excited to go to school tomorrow, buddy?” michael shrugged and ate another bite of spaghetti.
“You’ll do great at school. Mommy and I will take you to school in the morning and she’ll pick you up when you’re done in the afternoon.”
“Parker?”
“Parker is going to a different school, but you can tell him all about your first day when he comes over this weekend.” Michael nodded and went back to eating his dinner. A little while later Brennan sat down next to Booth. “I’m surprised that Michael went down so quickly…”
“I don’t think he realizes how big a deal tomorrow is for him.”
“that’s a good thing. Becca let me have Parker the night before the first day of first grade. He was hyped up worse than Christmas Eve, it took me forever to get him to go to sleep. Of course that could have been because I was going to go to the first day of school with him. That was the only first day of school I’ve had of his. I’m going to be at all of Michael’s first and last days of school until he graduates….”
“What if he gets to high school and doesn’t want you to drop him off every day?”
“I’ll still be there, I’ll pull strings and do security in the mornings or something…”
Brennan chuckled and kissed Booth before snuggling into his arms and waiting for her nerves to calm down so she could sleep. A few hours later Booth’s ringing phone woke them up, he took the call. When he hung up he looked at Brennan. “I have a case…no one else csn take it, it needs the squints. I’m going to miss michael’s first day of school. I will meet you at school if I can so at least we can take him in together. I’ll make him pancakes tomorrow. I’m sorry, Bones.”
“it’s not your fault, Booth. You haven’t gotten called out in the middle of the night in a long time.”
“Yeah, it had to happen on the eve of the biggest day of Michael’s life…”
“Yes. He won’t like the change, but he needs to get used to things changing…”
“I’ll come back before you take him to school. I don’t want two big changes to his routine in one day. it could be the set up to a really bad behavior day at school.”
“You’re not coming back before he goes to school. You can meet us at school if you have time. He will be fine .”
“I hate this…” Booth got out of bed and began to change clothes.
“So do I.”
Booth finished getting ready and leaned over the bed to kiss Brennan. “ I love you. Call me if you need me.”
“I love you too, Booth. Be safe.”
“Always.”
Brennan tried to go back to sleep after Booth left, but after forty minutes she got up and went to make sure michael’s Mickey Mouse backpack and matching folder were ready to go. Then she started working on her book. At 6:30 Brennan got up and went to wake Michael. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, “time to get up, sweetheart.” Michael rolled over, grabbed Brennan’s hand and tried to roll back over. “Michael, we don’t have time to be late today. You have to get up so you can go to your first day of preschool.” Brennan kissed his cheek again. Then she moved to Michael’s dresser and pulled out a red Mickey Mouse t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts, she laid them on the end of his bed and left the room. A few into the kitchen. ”Where daddy?”
“Sweetheart, daddy had to go to work this morning. He won’t be able to come with us when I take you to school. He said he’ll make you pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.” Michael climbed up in his chair and started playing with the napkin holder. “Do you want cheesy eggs? I’ll put extra cheese on them…”
Michael shrugged. Brennan smiled and started making Michael’s eggs. As michael was finishing his extra cheasy eggs Booth sent Brennan a text. Bones, I won’t be able to make it to take Michael to school with you. The case is a mess I’ll tell you about it later….
Brennan sighed and replied to the text, it’s fine Booth. He seems okay. I made him extra cheesy eggs and chocolate milk for breakfast.
The breakfast of champions…
…it made him happy. He is sad you aren’t here…
…I’ll make it up to him tomorrow
I know you will. I love you, Booth.
I love you too, Bones.
B&B
A few minutes later Brennan and Michael were headed to school. “Are you excited about going to school?” Michael shrugged and picked up Brennan’s old ID and started playing with the clasp. Brennan looked for Booth’s SUV, just incase he was able to get away. She sighed when she didn’t see him and went to the back to get Michael out of his car seat. Michael death gripped brennans had as they slowly made their way across the parking lot. “Are you okay, Michael?” Michael nodded.
“You’re going to do great. Daddy and I are very proud of you. We’ll have lunch at the diner when I pick you up later.”
“Daddy?”
“He;s going to be still working. We’ll call him when we get to the diner and you can tell him all about your day at school, okay.”
“K.” they made their way to Michael’s classroom, Brennan stopped him before he went inside. “Let’s take your picture and send it to daddy.”
“Okay.” Michael stood by the door and smiled as Brennan snapped his picture. With that done she put her hand on Michael’s shoulder and they walked into the classroom Miss Walton met them at the door. “Good morning Michael.” Michael waved at his teacher. Miss Walton smiled, “Go put your backpack in your cubby and find a seat at one of the tables.” Michael nodded and death gripped Brennan’s hand as he headed toward the bank of cubby’s. a few minutes later Brennan was kneeling next to Michael’s chair. “It’s time for me to go. I’ll pick you up in a few hours.”
“No!”
“Yes, I have to. Remember you can tell daddy how much fun you had today…”
“No!” Brennan kissed Michael’s forehead before standing up and leaving without looking back. It hurt to leave Michael like thaft, but Brennan knew if he saw her crying everything would be worse. Once Brennan got in her car she let herself loose it for a few minutes before heading to the diner and placing a to go order. After getting her order Brennan headed to the Hoover. Booth looked up when Brennan tapped on his slightly open office door. “Bones! Come in!” Brennan smiled and entered Booth’s office, she put the bag of food and drink holder on Booth’s desk and sat down. “I brought you and I breakfast. I also got you the largest coffee they have.”
“Bless you, Bones! I was about to go see if they had any stale donuts in the breakroom.”
“I got you a breakfast burrito and hash browns.”
“Perfect. “ Booth opened the bag and pulled out the top takeout container, he popped the lid. “Tofu omelet and wheat toast. That’s you. “ he handed it to Brennan then pulled out his own breakfast.
“How did the morning go?”
“Good. He didn’t cry or act scared. He waved at Miss Walton when she said good morning to him.”
That’s progress.”
“Yes it is. he didn’t want me to leave him though.”
“That’s a normal four year old…”
“…I just walked out so he wouldn’t see me cry. I wasn’t sad that he’s growing up, I’m scared that we’re making a mistake sending him to preschool now…”
“I don’t think we are, Bones. it’s going to be hard for him, but he’s ready for this. if he wasn’t you’d had a fight when you dropped off.” Booth poured salsa on his burrito and took a bite.
Brennan put down her fork, “How’s the case?”
“It’s a mess. The body is really gross, it’s mostly liquefied with bone chunks. Clark is out with the flu or something. The intern tossed her cookies as soon as she saw the body. Even when everything was taken back to the lab she was still squeamish… I don’t know how we’re going to get anything without Clark and a squeamish intern. “
“You’ll figure it out, Booth.”
“Yeah. What are you going to do until you have to pick Michael up?”
“I;m going to go to the post office and mail Hayley’s birthday presents. Then I’m going to the grocery store. I told Michael we’d go to the diner for lunch. He asked if you were coming too… “
“I’ll try, Bones, it depends on the case.”
“I told him you might have to work and wouldn’t be able to come with us.”
“Any chance you want to come back?”
“I plan on working on the days Michael is in school. I just need to wait until he’s settled in school and we know it isn’t too much for him…”
“Okay. I tried…”
“I’ll be back soon, Booth.”
“I know, I just miss working with you.”
“I’ve loved staying home and helping Michael find his words, but I miss working with you every day.” Booth grinned and went back to eating his breakfast. Twenty minutes later Brennan gathered their takeout containers and got ready yo leave. ”thanks for bringing breakfast, Bones.”
“You’re welcome, Booth. I missed not having breakfast with you…”
“I missed it, too.”
B&B
With her errands done and the groceries at home, Brennan headed to the preschool to pick up Michael . Brennan went inside to the preschool pick up area, there were a few other parents waiting. A few minutes later Miss Walton led Michael’s class to the pick up area. He broke out of the line and headed for Brennan. “Mommy!” Brennan smiled and picked him up. “Hi buddy, did you have a good day?”
“Uh-huh?”
“That’s good. I’m so proud of you…”
“Daddy?”
“Daddy is still working, he’s not going to be able to have lunch with us.”
Michael sighed and laid his head on Brennan’s shoulder.
Miss Walton walked over, “Michael, had a great first day. he did well communicating and participating. He has papers in his backpack, some of them you need to sign and send back.”
“Okay.”
“See you tomorrow, Michael.”
“Bye..”
“Goodbye Miss Walton. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
A half hour later Brennan was sitting across from Michael at her and Booth’s usual table watching him play with jelly packets. Brennan smiled when she saw Booth cross the street and walk toward the diner.
“Michael, look…”
“Daddy!” Michael started to get up, Brennan laid a hand on michael’s arm. “Wait until he comes inside then you can go to him.”
The door had barely closed before Michael was in Booth’s arms “DADDY!”
“Hey buddy. Did you have a good first day of school?”
“Uh-huh. Miss you.”
“I missed you too. I’ll make you pancakes tomorrow for breakfast.”
“K.”
“Looks like lunch is ready?” Booth walked to the table and smiled when he noticed that his usual order was on the table.
“Thanks, Bones.” Booth sat Michael in his seat and sat next to Brennan.
“It wasn’t me, Meg saw you walking over and put it in.” Brennan started cutting up Michael’s cheeseburger patty.
“What did you do at school, Michael?”
“Color.” Michael started eating.
“Coloring is fun. What else did you do?”
“Story and…” michael looked at his plate and blew out a breath, trying to find the words to tell Booth what all he’d done at preschool. Booth put down his burger wiped his hands before touching Michael’s arm. “Look at me, buddy…” Michael looked up at Booth and stuffed a fry in his mouth. “I;m SO proud of you for having a good first day ofschool. Did you do worksheets?”
“Uh-huh.”
“that’s good.”
Michael nodded and ate more fries. When they were done with lunch Booth got ice cream sundaes for himself and Michael. When michael was done with his ice cream Brennan cleaned him up. “Do you want to go to the playground for the afternoon?”
“Yeah!”
“Give daddy a hug, then we can go.”
Michael slid out of his chair and went to Booth who picked him up, giving him a big hug. “I love you, Michael. Go have fun at the playground.” Booth handed Michael to Brennan and kissed her cheek, “I love you, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
“Mommy…”
Brennan chuckled and kissed Michael’s forehead, “We’re leaving…” Booth watched them leave then got up and paid the bill.
That night Michael went to bed easy and Brennan sat down next to Booth, he put his arm around her, “Michael go down all ready?”
“Yes, he’s exhausted. School and the afternoon at the playground did him in I think. I’m so glad he had a good first day, he’s excited to go back tomorrow.”
“That’s good. I’ll make him pancakes and take him tomorrow.”
“I can take him…”
“I want to. I never got to take Parker except for that on first day. I get to pick him up some times, but not very often. School is Becca’s thing. I’m the fun and sports dad for Parker. It’s nice to be both for Michael.”
B&B
The next morning after making Michael pancakes Booth took him to school. Five minutes after they left Brennan headed for the lab. A few hours later she knocked on Booth’s office door, he looked up. “BONES! What are you doing here?”
Brennan grinned a little as she walked to Booth’s desk and handed him a folder.
“What’s this?”
“The victim;s name and cause of death…”
“You managed to get all that in what?” Booth looked at his watch “Two and a half hours?”
“Yes, I also fired the Ms. Owens, she couldn’t help me without gaging even after the bones were clean…”
Booth laughed and opened the file, “Victoria Carter, 24. Broken neck from being pushed down the stairs…”
“Yes. The stab wounds were inflicted after death.”
“This is amazing. You and I are going out to dinner this weekend.”
“Dad is taking Michael to the zoo Friday, I’ll see if he can spend the night…”
“It’s a date..”
“I’m looking forward to it. I need to pick up Michael.”
“I’ll meet you two at the diner.”
“I’m going to stop at the deli for sandwiches and chips then go to the park for a picnic.”
Can you get me an Italian sub and salt and vinegar chips?”
“Yes.”
Booth stood and leaned over his desk and kissed Brennan’s cheek . “I love you, Bones. please come back to work...”
Brennan laughed and kissed Booth back, “ love you too, Booth. I’ll be back at work soon. See you in a half hour.” Booth nodded and watched Brennan leave.
Michael had been in school for two months and he was doing well, his speech was improving, he wasn’t using complete sentences, but he was putting two or three words together. he was getting better with his cognitive skills, but he still struggled greatly with his fine motor skills. Booth and Brennan had gotten in a new routine, Booth took Michael to school to give Brennan an extra half hour in the lab. Brennan would pick Michael up and at least once a week they met Booth at the diner for lunch.
B&B
Brennan climbed into bed next to Booth. “You all right, Bones? You were quiet tonight…”
“I’m fine. Booth, do you still want another baby?”
“Yeah, it’s only been four months… we can practice some more if you want…”
“We don’t have to practice anymore…”
“It hasn’t been that long…”
“Booth, we don’t need to practice…”
“Wh…are you pregnant?”
“Yes…”
“This is the best news! I’m so happy!” Booth kissed Brennan, she deepened the kiss. Booth pulled back and cupped Brennan’s cheek. “How long have you known?”
“Since this morning. When you took Michael to school, I didn’t go to the lab I went to the pharmacy and got a test and after I took it I got out Michael’s baby book and filled in things that I couldn’t fill in when he was a baby and toddler. Then I found the baby name book. After that I looked at nursery set ups online…”
Booth smiled a little, “did you find anything you liked?”
“Yes. I want to really do a nursery this time. We just kind of threw Michael’s together the week before he came home. “
“We will. You’re okay right?”
“I think so. I have a doctor’s appointment Tuesday to be sure, due to the complications I had with Michael. “
“I’m coming with you…” Brennan nodded and started kissing Booth again, he rested a hand on her stomach.
“it’s too early to feel anything, Booth…”
“I don’t care…” Brennan shook her head and placed her hand over Booth’s and fell asleep quickly.
B&B
Tuesday morning after Booth and Brennan dropped Michael off at preschool they headed to her doctor’s appointment. An hour and a half later they were back home sitting on the couch. Brennan’s doctors appointment had gone well and there wasn’t anything of concern at the moment.
“I’m glad that’s over, I was a little nervous…”
“Me too. I’m going to all of your appointments, Bones…”
“I want you to. We should find out the gender soon so we can decide on a name. we’ll have to work on saying it with Michael…”
“He’ll be a good big brother, Bones. last year maybe not, but now he’s going to rock it. parker will help get him excited about it.”
“I hope this is the one thing he adjsts easily to. It’s going to be a busy summer for us. Michael will turn five on May 3rd and the baby is due June 27th. ”
“He will. it’ll be busy, but it will fun too.”
“Yes, I’m not sending Michael to the summer program. We’ll be too busy plus he needs to be with us as much as possible before the baby gets here.”
“I agree. What is the plan for lunch?”
“Peanut butter and jelly then the indoor playground.”
“perfect after I eat I’ll head into the office for a bit. I can get dinner if you want?”
“Can you stop by Wong Foo’s?”
“Yeah…”
B&B
It was three weeks before Christmas and Brennan was getting ready for work when she sighed as she finished getting dressd.
“What’s wrong, Bones?”
Brennan turned, “I finally look like I’m pregnant, before I just looked like I was gaining weight.”
Booth walked over and wrapped his arms around herand rested his chin on her shoulder. “That’s good, right?”
“Yes, it’s just happening faster this time…”
“When are we going to start telling people?”
“We can tell everyone at the lab at the Christmas party on the 22nd. We can tell dad that night before he leaves after watching Michael. We can tell Parker after christms, but before he goes home. Michael will be last and after Parker goes home incase he has a huge meltdown.”
“Sounds good to me, Bones. I can’t wait to tell people!”
Brennan turned in Booth’s arms and kissed him. ”I almost told Angela when she offered to bring me back a California roll without crab the other day, it sounded unappetizing then, but sounds really good now.”
Booth chuckled softly and kissed Brennan, “if it still sounds good tonight call me and I’ll get us some on the way home.”
“Okay.”
Three weeks later /booth and Brennan were sharing a table with Hodgins, Angela, and Cam at the jeffrsonion Christmas party. “Booth and I have something to tell everyone. I’m pregnant…”
“That’s great Dr.B!
“How wonderful! I’m so happy for you two!”
“I knew it when you didn’t want a California roll…”
“I almost told you that day….”
“So when are you due?”
“June 27th . I will be starting maternity leave on Michael’s last day of preschool, May 18th.”
Cam nodded and took a drink of her wine “Sound great. Everything’s okay?”
“Yes, so far everything is fine. my blood pressure is normal.”
“That’s good.”
“Sweetie I’m throwing you a baby shower…”
“Angela, that’s not necessary.”
“Yes it is. for Michael everyone left your gifts at my house and I dropped them off at your house. This time we’re doing it right. We wont play any games, we’ll have lunch and hang out.”
”fine.”
“Good we’ll do it on May 20th at my house.”
“Okay.”
Later that night Brennan came back home. “hi dad…”
“Hello Tempe, Booth. How was the party?”
“Good, the food was actually good this year . How was Michael?”
“That’s good. Michael was great, we had pizza and watched Disney movies. He’s asleep in your bed…”
“That’s fine. thanks for babysitting.”
“You’re welcome, Tempe. I enjoyed it. I’ll see you Christmas Eve for dinner and to head to Russ and Amy’s for a few days.”
“Dad before you go Booth and I want to give you an early Christmas gift.”
“You can’t wait two days, Tempe?”
“I can, but it would be better if this one is opened before Christmas morning with Michael since I’m not certain how he’ll handle the day.”
“Okay.” Max tore the shiny snowman paper off a square box and opened it pulling out a coffee mug. “World’s greatest grandpa to Hayley, Emma, Parker, Michael, and Christine …” Max looked at Brennan, “Tempe?”
“I’m pregnant. Your granddaughter will be arriving on or around June 27th.”
“that’s great! Congratulations!” Max pulled Brennan into a hug.
“Everything is okay, right?”
“Yes, so far. My blood pressure is normal.”
“That’s great.” A few minutes later Max left.
Christmas Eve Michael was extremely excited, Brennan smiled as he almost bounced by her.
“I’ve
“No.”
“You can have five more minutes of playtime, then we have to work. Afterwards I’ll make pizza bagels and we can watch a movie while we eat.” Brennan walked away. Ten minutes later she walked back to Michael’s room only to find he’d pulled more toys out.” Michael, I gave you more playtime, now it’s time to work…”
“No.” Brennan picked her way through the piles of toys on the floor and knelt next to Michael
“You don’t want to work on your words today?”
“No…”
“Do you want to do something else?”
Michael shrugged. Brennan knew that shrug meant that he didn’t know how to tell her what he wanted to do.
“Can you show me what you want to do?”
“Yeah.” Brennan stood up and held out her hand, Michael took it and carefully walked over and around his toy piles and led Brennan to her office. Michael walked to her desk and silently asked for permission to take something off of it. Brennan nodded, Michael took a legal pad and a pen and brought them to her.
“You want to learn to write?”
“Yeah.”
Brennan smiled, “okay, we can do that. Let’s work on your words for a little while first then we can work on writing,”
“K.” Michael went to his table and sat down. They reviewed the words from the day before then Brennan carefully printed Michael’s name at the top of the legal pad and placed it in front of him and handed him the pen. Once Michael was holding the pen Brennan tried to position his fingers correctly, he kept losing his grip on the pen. After a few minutes Brennan could see Michael was getting frustrated. “Sweetheart, just hold the pen however you can, I’m going to get you some jumbo pencils that will be easier for you to hold onto.”
“Okay.” Michael grabbed the pen in his fist. Brennan smiled and placed her hand on top of Michael’s and started guiding his hand through the letters a few times. “Michael, do you want to try by yourself now?” Michael nodded Brennan took her hand off his and watched him carefully scrawl the letters across the page. When Michael was done he looked up at Brennan, “good job, sweetie. I’m proud of you. Do you want to practice some more?” Michael nodded and Brennan printed his name at the top of a clean sheet of paper. Ten minutes later Michael put down the pen. “Are you done practicing for today, Michael?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. You did a very good job today. I’m proud of you. Why don’t you go put your toys away while I go make our pizza bagels?”
“K.” Michael slid out of his chair and left the room. Forty-five minutes later he was sitting at the coffee table eating cheese and mushroom pizza on an onion bagel while watching Toy Story. When he was done Michael climbed on Brennan’s lap. That’s how Booth found them hours later when he came home. “Hey Bones. Hey Michael.”
“Hello Booth.” Michael didn’t look up or acknowledge Booth. He walked over to the couch and kissed Brennan. “Today was hard, Booth…” Booth raised an eyebrow and then he noticed Michael was trying to correctly hold a pen and failing when Brennan moved his fingers to the correct positions. “I’m going to make grilled steak and veggie kabobs. Do you want to help put the veggies on skewers, Michael?” Michael shook his head and picked up the pen and tried again. Booth. Kissed the side of his head and looked at Brennan. “I’ll explain later.” Booth nodded and headed for the kitchen
B&B
After getting Michael settled in bed, Brennan went to the living room and sat down next to Booth. “Why was today hard, Bones?”
“When I went to tell Michael it was time to put his toys away and work he told me no, so I gave him ten extra minutes of playtime. I tell him he only gets five more minutes, but I give him ten…” Booth shook his head.
“What? I wish I could let him play all day every day and be a normal three year old.”
“I know. Me too.”
“Anyway I went back in ten minutes and he’d gotten more toys out. I told him again and again he told me no. I went over to him and asked if he wanted to do something else he shrugged. I asked him if he could show me what he wanted to do and he led me to my office and handed me a legal pad and pen from my desk. I asked him if he wanted to learn how to write, he nodded. After we reviewed yesterday’s words I wrote his name on a piece of paper and showed him how to hold the pen. Michael can’t hold a pen correctly, if I try and position his fingers he drops it. I finally told him to hold it however he could, once he was holding the pen in his fist I started guiding his hand though the letters. After doing that a few times I had Michael do it by himself. He did okay. After we were done working he cleaned up his toys while I made pizza bagels, we watched Toy Story while we ate. When the movie was over Michael got a pen and sat on my lap and practiced holding it correctly. He still can’t do it. I’m going to get him some jumbo pencils in the morning maybe they’ll be easier for him to hold onto.” Brennan handed Booth the papers, he looked at them. “Bones, do you think maybe it’s time to send Michael to preschool? A lot of kids start at three, he’ll be four in two months.”
“Booth, he’s not ready for preschool! No teacher has the time to let him communicate the way he does. Not to mention his other issues…”
Booth took Brennan’s hand, “Bones, I don’t mean regular preschool, I meant the preschool program at the school we looked at last year… I know we both want him to go to a regular school and someday hopefully he will, but I think the Special Needs school is what he needs right now. They can give him extra help with his speech, fine motor skills, and anything else Michael needs. Plus I think he’d love it. You’ve done fantastic with him this year and if it wasn’t for your determination Michael wouldn’t be doing as well as he is and the thought of us sending him to preschool wouldn’t have entered my head. He wouldn’t go every day, so you can still work with him.”
“The thought of Michael in school scares me a little, I don’t want him to be left behind academically. Once we became aware of his problems with speech and other things, I thought I’d homeschool him…”
“Bones the thought of Michael in school scares me a little too. I worry that he won’t be able to handle it and that he’ll struggle so much he’ll act out. We can homeschool him if we think that will be better for him, but let’s try preschool first.”
“Okay. I’ll call tomorrow while Michael takes a nap…”
“Bones, Michael is going to be fine, he’s gonna rock this.”
“I hope so.”
B&B
The next afternoon Brennan called and scheduled another tour of the school for the next morning, this this time Michael would be coming too. After Michael woke up from his nap Brennan set up Candy Land and Michael made it through two games before losing interest and leaving to play with his trucks. That night after dinner Brennan pulled Michael onto her lap and Booth sat next to them. “Michael, tomorrow we’re going to look at your new school…” Michael started playing with Brennan’s bracelet. “What do you think, buddy?”
“Parker?”
“Good job, but no, Parker isn’t coming with us…”
“Parker!”
“Buddy, you’re not going to the same school Parker goes to, maybe someday, but not right now.”
Michael looked sad and Brennan pulled him to her, hugging him tight. “I know you want to go to the same school as Parker does, but you can tell him all about your visit to your school when he comes over next weekend. You’re not going to school tomorrow, we’re just going to look at the school and meet your teacher.”
“K.” Michael settled on Brennan’s lap, she scooted closer to Booth.
That night Booth and Brennan were in bed, but she wasn’t sleeping. Booth waited until Brennan was facing away from him then he put his arm around her holding her in place. “Bones, I know you’re nervous about tomorrow, I am too, but everything will be fine. We’re just going to meet the teachers and tour the school again. If we don’t like that program we can look at the other schools…”
“Booth, he has to go to New Horizons, it’s the closest. Everything else is an hour or more away…”
“There are two schools in D.C….”
“I know, but he’s not ready for those yet… Maybe when he’s older.”
“Okay. Try and get some sleep. I love you.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
B&B
The next morning Booth made Brennan a veggie omelet he had a veggie omelet with bacon crumbles and Michael had scrambled eggs with veggies and bacon crumbles after breakfast Booth drove everybody to the school.
“We should have taken two cars…”
“Why, Bones?”
“So that when we’re done at the school you don’t have to take Michael and me home.”
“Bones, relax. It’s not a problem I told Cullen that I wouldn’t be in until after lunch. When we’re finished at the school we can go to the diner before I take the two of you home.”
“Okay.” Booth placed his hand on top of Brennan’s for the rest of the drive. When they got to the school Brennan got Michael out of his car seat, he took her hand. Booth walked over and took Michael’s other hand. “Are you ready for this, buddy?” Michael shrugged and headed inside with Booth and Brennan. They were greeted by the director, Judy, “hello, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Booth. I’m Judy Camp, the director. It’s good to meet you.” Booth and Brennan shook her hand. She turned her attention to Michael, “You must be Michael…” Michael started to move behind Brennan’s legs. ”Can you say hi?” Michael shook his head, Brennan looked up. “Michael’s speech is still limited, but not as much as it was last year when we met. He can say hi, he’s being shy.” Judy smiled, “it’s fine we’ll take the tour and then maybe he’ll be more comfortable as the morning goes on.” Judy led them down the hall. “Our class sizes are small, ten to fifteen students per class. We have two classrooms per grade level, with a Special Education teacher and two paraprofessionals in each class. We have preschool through 12th grade here. Our hope is that the children who begin their academic careers here will be able to transition to mainstream education programs at some point. About thirty percent of our students are able to successfully transition into a mainstream setting. We cover all subjects, just at a slower pace than normal classrooms. We have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily for those students who need them. All students have music and art therapy once a week. We also have library time. We also have a cafeteria and a full time nurse.” They continued down the halls of the almost empty school looking at everything until they were back where they started.
“Let’s go in my office and talk and work out Michael’s education plan.” Booth looked at Brennan, she nodded.
“Sounds good.”
“Great! Michael can come with us of course or we can go meet his teacher and he can sit in with our summer preschool program.”
“Bones, I think it’d be good for him. It’ll only be for a little while, sitting and being quiet while we figure out his school plan won’t be fun or easy for him.”
“I know and I agree…”
“Temperance, they’re just going to be watching a movie or doing a craft project. His teacher can handle his communication differences and motor skills issues. If it’s too much for him, we’ll be right down the hall.”
Brennan nodded and turned to Michael. “Michael, do you want to go meet your teacher for this year and stay in the classroom while daddy and I get you signed up for school next year?” Michael shrugged a shoulder. Booth knelt down in front of him “it’ll be fun, Buddy. Your teacher knows that talking is hard for you. It will be fine…” Michael took Booth’s hand as he stood up. “Well, I guess we’re ready to me meet his teacher.”
“Great, I think you’ll like Miss. Walton. She has a lot of experience with children with communication issues. Her paras are excellent. Brennan nodded and slipped her hand into Booth’s other hand. The three followed Ms. Camp back down the hall to the classroom. Ms. Camp knocked lightly on the door, it was answered in a few seconds by Miss Walton.
“Miss Walton, this is Michael he’s going to be in your class this fall. I thought he could sit in with the summer program while his parents and I go over his education plan and do paperwork.”
“Of course. We’re going to have story time right now then we’re going to have art time.”
“You love story time and art time. I see they have the big crayons that are easy for you to hold onto.”
“Michael, it will only be for a little while, while daddy and I go fill out paperwork so you can go to school like Parker does. “Do you want to go stay in your classroom while daddy and I are doing paperwork?” Michael nodded slightly. Brennan smiled at him and kissed his forehead. Brennan grabbed Booth’s hand as they watched Michael follow Miss Walton into the classroom. “He’ll be fine, Bones.”
“I know. I just never really thought we’d be able to get to this point.”
“Michael is going to rock this.”
An hour and a half later Booth and Brennan had finished all the paperwork, met with the speech and occupational therapists, and nurse. Michael was going to go to school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8AM to noon. With everything done Booth and Brennan followed Ms. Camp back to the classroom, Brennan was still holding Booth’s hand. Miss Walton met them at the door, “Mr. and Mrs. Booth-“
“Mr. Booth and Dr. Brennan…”
“My mistake. Mr. Booth and Dr. Brennan, Michael is doing very well. He was nervous at first, but got over his shyness by the end of story time. His communication skills are limited, but it isn’t anything I can’t work with. He seems to be enjoying himself. He doing well coloring, he’s even sharing the crayons willingly. That’s a big thing for any three year old. He should be done with his project in a few minutes. I cannot wait to have Michael in class, think he will have a very successful school year.”
“Thank you. We’re happy that he did well today.” Miss Walton nodded and went back to the class.
Booth whispered, “Look Bones, he’s doing well. He fits…”
“I know, I never thought he’d be able to do this…” A minute later Michael was handing Brennan his project.
“Mommy…”
Brennan took the paper, it was a printed rainbow that Michael had tried to color somewhat neatly and glued to the ends were pulled apart cotton balls to make clouds.
“The rainbow is pretty, Michael. You did a great job coloring it.”
“Good job, buddy! This is going on the refrigerator when we get home!” Michael grinned at Booth, and they all followed Ms. Camp to the lobby. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you. We’ll see you at the end of August. If you have any questions or concerns before then don’t hesitate to call my office.”
“Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you, too. Michael, can you say goodbye?”
“Bye.”
“Bye, Michael. See you in a few months.”
Good job, Buddy. Let’s go to the diner for lunch before I take you and mommy home so I can go to work. “Michael put his arms up, Booth picked him up, heading to the SUV. After lunch Booth dropped Michael and Brennan off at the house. Brennan helped Michael hang his picture on the refrigerator and then she loaded him up in her car so they could spend the rest of the morning and afternoon at the indoor playground. Later that night Brennan put Michael in bed and sat next to Booth. “How do you feel about today, Bones?”
“I feel good. I know Michael will do well there, but it hurts me a little to think about him getting the extra hour of speech and an hour of occupational therapy a week. I know he needs them and will benefit greatly from them, but…”
“I know… we both wish he could go to a regular preschool and be a regular four year old, but Michael is so special that he needs to go to a school that knows how special he is…”
“I love you, Booth.”
“I love you too, Bones.”
B&B
Today was Michael’s fourth birthday party and Brennan was really looking forward to this birthday because this year was the first time Michael had shown any interest in his birthday or party. He told Booth and Brennan that he wanted a chocolate Mickey Mouse cake and cheeseburgers for lunch. Brennan had found Mickey Mouse party supplies and the bakery Booth loved was making the cake, Booth was grilling hamburgers and veggie burgers. They were also having potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, a vegie tray and fruit salad. Brennan was cutting tomatoes up when Michael came in the kitchen. “Mommy, outside?”
“Michael, you can’t go outside right now, we need to finish getting things ready for your party. Do you want to help me?” Michael nodded a little.
“Go wash your hands and sit at the table.”
A few minutes later Michael was sitting at the table, Brennan carried over bags of cut vegetables and the vegetable tray. “Remember how we did the veggie tray for Easter?” Michael nodded. “Do that again, but this time you get to do it by yourself while I make the pasta salad.” Michael grinned and opened the bag of baby carrots, Brennan went back to deseeding and chopping tomatoes. ten minutes later Michael was putting the last of the orange peppers on the tray when Booth walked into the kitchen and started to take a carrot off the tray. “No Daddy!”
“I can’t have a carrot?”
Michael looked at Brennan, she nodded slightly and held up one finger.
“One, daddy!”
Booth took one carrot off the tray. “ You did a good job, buddy!” Booth popped the carrot in his mouth and walked over to Brennan.
‘”There are more carrots in the fridge, Booth…”
“I’m good, I just took it to see what Michael would do…”
“I told him you could have one to see if he’d tell you. Last year he’d have handed you the whole tray…”
“Yeah, he’s improved so much…”
“He has…”
“Michael, do you want to go with me to pick up Parker then go get your birthday cake?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, go wash your hands and give mommy a hug.”
Forty minutes later Booth carried Michael up the steps of Rebecca’s townhouse, and let him ring the doorbell. Rebecca answered quickly. “Happy Birthday, Michael!” Michael Grinned and put his head on Booth’s shoulder as he walked in the house. Rebecca picked up a gift bag from the end table and turned to Michael. “Parker has your present for your party, but I saw this and had to get it for you.” She handed Michael the bag.
“Becca, you didn’t have to get him something else…”
“Yes I did. You’ll see why…”
Michael pulled out a box of jumbo crayons and held them out to Booth.
“Wow buddy jumbo crayons that are more than eight colors. Where did you find these Becca? Bones has been looking all over for a big box of jumbo crayons…”
“I found them at a independent pharmacy in Richmond last week. I forgot shampoo when I went there for work so I stopped there to get some and went past the school supplies on my way to the snacks and saw them. Temperance mentioned he liked to color, but she wished she could find more colors that were jumbos… I got two boxes, one for now and one for later when those are wore out.”
“Thanks Rebecca.”
“You’re welcome. Michael, there are a few more things in the bag.” Michael pulled out a jumbo coloring and activity book and two matchbox cars. He handed everything to Booth. “What do you say, buddy?”
Michael held out his arms, Rebecca took him from Booth and hugged him.
“Bones is working on saying ‘thank you’ with him, but I guess today isn’t the day for that…”
“He’ll get it. hugs are better anyway. Michael, lets go get Parker.” Rebecca walked with michael up the stairs and let him get Parker himself, ten minutes later Booth was on the way to the bakery. “Michael, can you walk next to Parker and hold his hand so I can carry your cake?”
“Yeah.”
Booth got Michael out of his carseat and breathed a sigh of relief when he took Parker’s hand and started walking toward the bakery. When Michael got home he ran straight for Brennan and handed her the bag he got from Rebecca. “Did you get a present already?”
“Yeah.”
“What did you get?”
Michael pulled out the crayons and handed them to Brennan. Then he handed her the jumbo coloring and activity book followed by the two matchbox cars. Booth came up to them and filled Brennan in on the crayons. “Becca found the crayons in an independent pharmacy in Richmond when she was there for work a few weeks ago. She said you’d mentioned that you were looking for more colors in jumbos so she got them for him. She got another box for when he wears those out. I’ll put them in your office.”
“Thanks, Booth. I’ll have to thank Rebecca when we take Parker home in the morning. Michael why don’t you ask Parker to go with you outside?” Michael nodded and ran over to the couch were Parker was sitting. “ Parker, outside?”
Parker looked at Brennan who nodded, he picked Michael up and headed for the door. “I’m glad those two get along so well and that Parker is so patient with him.”
“Me too. The cake turned out better than I expected.”
“Yeah, Michael hasn’t seen it yet. Parker distracted him while I paid for it and got it in the SUV.”
“That’s good. I hope he enjoys his party.”
“he will Bones. it will be the best birthday he’s had yet. I’m going to make the burgers.”
“Okay. I cut a few carrot sticks, a pepper slice, some broccoli and cauliflower and a pickle spear into bite size pieces. I also cut a handful of cherry tomatoes in quarters for Michael to eat with dinner. They’re in the small container in the fridge. He should be able to handle everything else.”
Sounds good to me. Do you need to do anything else?”
“No, everything is done. I just need to add the bananas to the fruit salad before we eat and the pasta salad will probably need more dressing before we eat.”
Booth nodded, “What time is everyone getting here? I’m not going to start the burgers until people start getting here so they’ll be hot.”
“The invitations say 11:30, but you know somebody, probably dad, will be here early.”
“Yeah.” Booth turned to get the packages of hamburger out of the refrigerator.
Almost two hours later instead of saying hi to his gusts Michael insisted on giving them a hug as they came through the door. Brennan and Booth didn’t care, they were just happy he was interacting with people.
Angela was in the kitchen helping Brennan get the food on the counter so everyone could serve themselves.
“I’m surprised you’re here, Ange.”
“I wouldn’t miss my nephew’s fourth birthday party for the world.”
“But you’re due any day…”
“Your house is closer to the hospital than ours and my bags have been in the car for months. I’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am. The cake is adorable, Michael will love it.”
“I hope so, I’m worried that the party will be too much stimulation for him.”
“it’s just lunch with 8 people who love him very much.”
“Yes, but the balloons and other decorations coupled with the presents will get him too excited. Christmas morning ended in tears last year.”
“Aw. If it’s too much he can open the presents tomorrow. Christmas is a lot to take in for anybody. After everybody left our house last year I swore we’d never do it again. We’re doing it again this year, the baby will be seven months old by then. It goes without saying you guys are invited.”
“Mommy, hungry!” Michael stood in the kitchen doorway.
Brennan looked up, “go outside and ask daddy if the hamburgers are done yet.”
“K.” michael went outside. Brennan watched him go before putting a stack of Mickey Mouse dinner plates on the counter.
“ Have you gotten tired of hearing him say ‘mommy’ yet?”
“No, I never will. Last year he wouldn’t have told me he was hungry or had the ability to go outside and ask Booth if the hamburgers were ready.”
“He’s growing up, Brennan.”
“Yes he is, and I’m loving watching him grow up, but I wish he was still little.”
“Totally normal. Our little guy isn’t here yet I don’t want him to grow up.”
Just then Booth came into the kitchen carrying the plate of cooked hamburgers.
“Burgers are done, I cooked your veggie one first and wrapped it in foil so it’d stay hot.”
“Thanks Booth. Michael, go wash your hands, then we’ll go tell everyone that lunch is ready.” Michael nodded and headed for the sink. Ten minutes later he was sitting next to Brennan eating a bun-less cheeseburger with ketchup and pickles along with cut up raw vegetables and dip, fruit salad and potato salad. After lunch was put away and cleaned up Michael sat in Brennan’s lap and opened his gifts. He got Mickey Mouse things and trucks, his two current favorites. After presents Booth lit the candles on the cake and with Parker’s help michael blew them out. Brennan cut the cake and seved it. after he ate his cake michael left the adults behind to play with his new toys. Later that night Brennan sat down next to Booth after getting Michael in bed.
“Michael down for the night?”
“Finally. He’s still very happy and excited. He’s also upset that I wouldn’t leet him sleep with his new dump truck. I put it next to his bed and tucked him in with the gigantic Mickey Mouse from Angela and Hodgins. I also promised to wash the bedding set dad got him and change his sheets and comforter in the morning.”
“He’ll ask you as soon as he wakes up.”
“I know. I plan to wash them as soon as I get up, hopefully he’ll sleep in for a while. Do you think he had a good birthday?”
“Yes, he was happy and laughing most of the day. he didn’t melt down once. He tried talking to everyone and was mostly successful.”
“I still can’t believe he turned four today. For the first few weeks of heis life I didn’t think we’d be bringing him home let alone watching him turn four.”
“I know. I was so scared that night, not that we’d lose him,I was scared that I’d lose you...”
“I don’t remember much of that night except telling you something was wrong and that we needed to go to the hospital and feeling very sick.”
“you got really pale as you were telling me, I carried you to the SUV. You didn’t fight me about it. we got to the hospital, thankfully your doctor was there finishing up with someone else. They found out your BP was through the roof and Michael was in distress. They took you immediately to the O.R., I couldn’t go with you. I called Max and Angela, I don’t know how they both got there so fast. It felt like we all sat there for hours until your doctor came out and told us you were mostly stable, but they were sending you to I.C.U. because your BP was still high. They were still trying to get Michael stable in the N.I.C.U. I went back to your room with Max you were out of it. I just sat there holding your hand and told you Michael was going to be fine and that we both loved you.”
“I don’t remember anything until the nurses wheeled my bed into the N.I.C.U. and I saw Michael’s tiny body covered with tubes and wires. I remember you helped me put my hand though one of the openings in his incubator and I touched his fist with my finger… ”
“That was the next afternoon. Once michael was stable Max went home, Angela spent the night at the hospital with me in case something happened to either of you. About two in the morning you started waking up, you wanted to know what happened. Once I told you, you demanded to see Michael. The nurse wouldn’t let you get up. I went to the N.I.C.U and got a few pictures of him on my phone while Angela tried to calm you down. Once I showed you the pictures and tried my best to answer your questions you went back to sleep. Late the next afternoon your doctor declared you well enough to be moved to a regular room. On the way there the nurses detoured to the N.I.C.U.”
“And we began the scariest six weeks of my life…”
“Mine too.”
“I can’t believe ive never asked you about the night Michael was born before now.”
“Well, we’ve been kinda busy the last four years…” Booth leaned over and kissed Brennan. “I love you, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
B&B
Two weeks later Brennan let Michael ring Angela and Hodgins’ doorbell, they were there to see baby Jack who was a little over a week old. Angela answered the door with the baby in her arms. “Hey Bren, hey Michael.” Angela stepped aside and let them enter. Once Brennan closed the door, Angela transferred Jack to her arms. “He’s adorable, Ange. “
“Thanks Bren, I think so too.”
Brennan sat down on the couch, Michael climbed up beside her and looked in the nest of blankets. “This is baby Jack, the baby that was in Angela’s tummy. Do you want to hold him?”
“No!”
“Angela and I will help you…”
“NO!”
“Okay.”
“Michael, Uncle Jack has some bugs for you to look at outside in the backyard if you want.” Michael nodded a little and looked at Brennan. “Go on.”
Michael slid off the couch and followed Angela to the back door. She returned a few minutes later with two big glasses of ice water, she put them both on the coffee table and sat down on the couch.
“How are you, Ange?”
“I’m good. I feel a little better every day. I’m getting used to my abnormal sleep schedule. I know I’m only 9 days into my maternity leave, but I want to go back to work anytime soon…”
“Take as much time as you can. I wish I’d taken more time with Michael. I took the six weeks he was in the hospital plus six weeks off after he came home, but I wish I’d taken 12 weeks off when he came home. I wasn’t really ready to go back and I don’t think michael was ready for daycare then either. “ Brennan looked down and smiled once she realized Jack had fallen asleep.
“Have you and Booth thought about having another?”
“When I got pregnant with Michael we said we wanted at least two kids. As soon as he turned one and a half we started trying again. When it became more and more obvious that he had problems that were going to take our time we stopped. We haven’t really talked about it since… I would like for him to have a sibling that he’s closer in age to than Parker…”
“I think a new baby would be good for all of you…”
“Maybe…I’m scared to even think about having another baby. What if I have more complications that are worse? What if the baby is born earlier than michael was? I can’t go through another N.IC.U. stay, Michael’s was more than I could handle most days. If it wasn’t for Booth and his Faith and optimism I’d lost my mind from worry when he was 13 days old and got an infection that almost took him from us.”
“Bren, I can’t say for certain that if you got pregnant again that you wouldn’t have complications, but you aren’t over doing it you’re relaxing now. To be honest you look better since you’ve been on sabbatical…”
“What if having another baby sends Michael into a regression? He’s worked so hard to get where we are right now. I don’t want to ruin it.”
“You won’t ruin Michael’s progress by having another baby…”
“You don’t know that…”
“You’re right I don’t, but I do know that if Michael regresses you and Booth will get him through it.”
Brennan adjusted Jack’s blanket and looked up at Angela. “You saw how reacted to Jack…”
“Brennan, he won’t react the same way to his own sibling, you’ll have nine months to get him excited for the baby. He’ll be there to see the baby as it grows. He’ll be fine with it.”
“It’s scary…”
“I know. I can’t imagine what the last four years for you and Booth have been like, but Michael is doing so good. He’s starting preschool in two months…”
“Don’t remind me…”
Angela laughed, “this is a good thing, Brennan. Are you coming back once he is in school?”
“I haven’t thought that much about it, but if Michael adjusts well to school I might come back part time while he’s in school. I don’t think he’d do well in daycare, at least not right now. “
“Well, it’ll be good to have you back, even part time. Clark is good, but bones don’t tell him everything they tell you.”
“I don’t know what that means…”
“It means Clark is good, but you’re better.”
“Of course I am…”
B&B
Later that night Booth climbed into bed next to Brennan, “You all right, Bones? you’ve been quiet this evening.”
“I’m fine, Booth, just thinking…”
“Uh-oh. What about?”
“When Michael and I went to see Angela and the baby today, we were talking after Michael went to look at Hodgins’ bugs, and she asked if we thought about having another baby. I told her that when I got pregnant we’d said we wanted at least one more, but after Michael was diagnosed we stopped trying and never really talked about it anymore…”
Booth took Brennan’s hand, “Bones, do you want another baby?”
“Yes… Do you?”
“Yes, I just never brought it up because Michael took all of our time and I knew a newborn would stress us out more than we already were.”
“Michael still takes all of our time…”
“He does, but he’s getting better. The meltdowns aren’t a common occurrence anymore. He’s tqlking more and learning to do things by himself. He doesn’t need you and me to translate for him with people he knows. He told Rebecca all about going to the Zoo the other day when we went to pick up Parker.”
Brennan smiled, “I think she’s one of his favorite people.”
“It’s because she got him crayons he can use and she helps him sneak up on Parker.” Booth chuckled.
“I’m scared. . What if I have more complications that are worse? What if the baby is born earlier than michael was? I can’t go through another N.IC.U. stay, Michael’s was more than I could handle most days. If it wasn’t for you and your Faith and optimism I’d lost my mind from worry when he was 13 days old and got an infection that almost took him from us.”
“Bones, it’s all right to be scared, I’m nervous about it myself. You could have complications again , but I don’t think you will. You’re not working whitch means you’re relaxing you’re not on your feet 10 hours a day. if the baby is born early we’ll get through it just like we did with Michael.”
“When he saw baby jack he had no reaction. I would like for him to have a sibling that’s closer to his age than Parker. I don’t want him to never acknowledge the child. I don’t want any other child we have to feel unwanted because have to spend more time with Michael than we do them.”
“If we have another kid they won’t feel that way, Bones. Parker doesn’t.”
“Parker is only here every other weekend and Tuesday nights. It probably doesn’t bother him as much, but it does bother him. Especially when he asks if I can come to a game or school event and I can’t because Michael would be over stimulated and have a meltdown. He’s dealt with this for the last four years, it’s not fair to him or any other child we have in the future.”
“Bones, Parker understands…”
“I know he understands, Booth, but he shouldn’t have to understand!”
“Shh Bones I know the last four years have been hard on everyone, but we got through it. michael is doing better than any professional told us he’d do. He;s going to preschool, Bones… plus we have a few years before we have to think about going to another kids’ events. Michael will be a lot better by then.”
“I know. What if having another baby causes him to regress? I don’t want to ruin his progress…”
“Having another baby won’t ruin his progress, it might even help. The baby will be someone else he can talk to and talk about. Plus the baby won’t talk back for a while. If he regresses we’ll get him through it like we’ve done the few times it’s happened before.”
“I want to have another baby, but I’m scared to…”
“Then lets not really try to have a baby. Stop taking your pills and if you get pregnant great. If it doesn’t happen after a reasonable amount of time that will be okay too…”
Brennan smiled a little. “What?”
“I took my last pill two days ago. My doctor can’t see me for a checkup and a new prescription until next Thursday…”
Booth chuckled quietly and kissed Brennan. “Perfect. Go get your checkup, but don’t ask for a new script.”
“You’re not upset that I didn’t tell you…”
“Of course not, Bones! were you ever going to tell me?”
“Maybe… part of me didn’t want to get a new prescription…”
“I love you so much, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth. More than you’ll ever know…”
B&B
Booth and Brennan made sure Michael had a lot of fun in the two months before he started preschool. Brennan worked with him everyday, but after he had lunch they went somewhere fun. Now it was the night before school started and they were having Michael’s favorite dinner, spaghetti. “Are you excited to go to school tomorrow, buddy?” michael shrugged and ate another bite of spaghetti.
“You’ll do great at school. Mommy and I will take you to school in the morning and she’ll pick you up when you’re done in the afternoon.”
“Parker?”
“Parker is going to a different school, but you can tell him all about your first day when he comes over this weekend.” Michael nodded and went back to eating his dinner. A little while later Brennan sat down next to Booth. “I’m surprised that Michael went down so quickly…”
“I don’t think he realizes how big a deal tomorrow is for him.”
“that’s a good thing. Becca let me have Parker the night before the first day of first grade. He was hyped up worse than Christmas Eve, it took me forever to get him to go to sleep. Of course that could have been because I was going to go to the first day of school with him. That was the only first day of school I’ve had of his. I’m going to be at all of Michael’s first and last days of school until he graduates….”
“What if he gets to high school and doesn’t want you to drop him off every day?”
“I’ll still be there, I’ll pull strings and do security in the mornings or something…”
Brennan chuckled and kissed Booth before snuggling into his arms and waiting for her nerves to calm down so she could sleep. A few hours later Booth’s ringing phone woke them up, he took the call. When he hung up he looked at Brennan. “I have a case…no one else csn take it, it needs the squints. I’m going to miss michael’s first day of school. I will meet you at school if I can so at least we can take him in together. I’ll make him pancakes tomorrow. I’m sorry, Bones.”
“it’s not your fault, Booth. You haven’t gotten called out in the middle of the night in a long time.”
“Yeah, it had to happen on the eve of the biggest day of Michael’s life…”
“Yes. He won’t like the change, but he needs to get used to things changing…”
“I’ll come back before you take him to school. I don’t want two big changes to his routine in one day. it could be the set up to a really bad behavior day at school.”
“You’re not coming back before he goes to school. You can meet us at school if you have time. He will be fine .”
“I hate this…” Booth got out of bed and began to change clothes.
“So do I.”
Booth finished getting ready and leaned over the bed to kiss Brennan. “ I love you. Call me if you need me.”
“I love you too, Booth. Be safe.”
“Always.”
Brennan tried to go back to sleep after Booth left, but after forty minutes she got up and went to make sure michael’s Mickey Mouse backpack and matching folder were ready to go. Then she started working on her book. At 6:30 Brennan got up and went to wake Michael. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, “time to get up, sweetheart.” Michael rolled over, grabbed Brennan’s hand and tried to roll back over. “Michael, we don’t have time to be late today. You have to get up so you can go to your first day of preschool.” Brennan kissed his cheek again. Then she moved to Michael’s dresser and pulled out a red Mickey Mouse t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts, she laid them on the end of his bed and left the room. A few into the kitchen. ”Where daddy?”
“Sweetheart, daddy had to go to work this morning. He won’t be able to come with us when I take you to school. He said he’ll make you pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.” Michael climbed up in his chair and started playing with the napkin holder. “Do you want cheesy eggs? I’ll put extra cheese on them…”
Michael shrugged. Brennan smiled and started making Michael’s eggs. As michael was finishing his extra cheasy eggs Booth sent Brennan a text. Bones, I won’t be able to make it to take Michael to school with you. The case is a mess I’ll tell you about it later….
Brennan sighed and replied to the text, it’s fine Booth. He seems okay. I made him extra cheesy eggs and chocolate milk for breakfast.
The breakfast of champions…
…it made him happy. He is sad you aren’t here…
…I’ll make it up to him tomorrow
I know you will. I love you, Booth.
I love you too, Bones.
B&B
A few minutes later Brennan and Michael were headed to school. “Are you excited about going to school?” Michael shrugged and picked up Brennan’s old ID and started playing with the clasp. Brennan looked for Booth’s SUV, just incase he was able to get away. She sighed when she didn’t see him and went to the back to get Michael out of his car seat. Michael death gripped brennans had as they slowly made their way across the parking lot. “Are you okay, Michael?” Michael nodded.
“You’re going to do great. Daddy and I are very proud of you. We’ll have lunch at the diner when I pick you up later.”
“Daddy?”
“He;s going to be still working. We’ll call him when we get to the diner and you can tell him all about your day at school, okay.”
“K.” they made their way to Michael’s classroom, Brennan stopped him before he went inside. “Let’s take your picture and send it to daddy.”
“Okay.” Michael stood by the door and smiled as Brennan snapped his picture. With that done she put her hand on Michael’s shoulder and they walked into the classroom Miss Walton met them at the door. “Good morning Michael.” Michael waved at his teacher. Miss Walton smiled, “Go put your backpack in your cubby and find a seat at one of the tables.” Michael nodded and death gripped Brennan’s hand as he headed toward the bank of cubby’s. a few minutes later Brennan was kneeling next to Michael’s chair. “It’s time for me to go. I’ll pick you up in a few hours.”
“No!”
“Yes, I have to. Remember you can tell daddy how much fun you had today…”
“No!” Brennan kissed Michael’s forehead before standing up and leaving without looking back. It hurt to leave Michael like thaft, but Brennan knew if he saw her crying everything would be worse. Once Brennan got in her car she let herself loose it for a few minutes before heading to the diner and placing a to go order. After getting her order Brennan headed to the Hoover. Booth looked up when Brennan tapped on his slightly open office door. “Bones! Come in!” Brennan smiled and entered Booth’s office, she put the bag of food and drink holder on Booth’s desk and sat down. “I brought you and I breakfast. I also got you the largest coffee they have.”
“Bless you, Bones! I was about to go see if they had any stale donuts in the breakroom.”
“I got you a breakfast burrito and hash browns.”
“Perfect. “ Booth opened the bag and pulled out the top takeout container, he popped the lid. “Tofu omelet and wheat toast. That’s you. “ he handed it to Brennan then pulled out his own breakfast.
“How did the morning go?”
“Good. He didn’t cry or act scared. He waved at Miss Walton when she said good morning to him.”
That’s progress.”
“Yes it is. he didn’t want me to leave him though.”
“That’s a normal four year old…”
“…I just walked out so he wouldn’t see me cry. I wasn’t sad that he’s growing up, I’m scared that we’re making a mistake sending him to preschool now…”
“I don’t think we are, Bones. it’s going to be hard for him, but he’s ready for this. if he wasn’t you’d had a fight when you dropped off.” Booth poured salsa on his burrito and took a bite.
Brennan put down her fork, “How’s the case?”
“It’s a mess. The body is really gross, it’s mostly liquefied with bone chunks. Clark is out with the flu or something. The intern tossed her cookies as soon as she saw the body. Even when everything was taken back to the lab she was still squeamish… I don’t know how we’re going to get anything without Clark and a squeamish intern. “
“You’ll figure it out, Booth.”
“Yeah. What are you going to do until you have to pick Michael up?”
“I;m going to go to the post office and mail Hayley’s birthday presents. Then I’m going to the grocery store. I told Michael we’d go to the diner for lunch. He asked if you were coming too… “
“I’ll try, Bones, it depends on the case.”
“I told him you might have to work and wouldn’t be able to come with us.”
“Any chance you want to come back?”
“I plan on working on the days Michael is in school. I just need to wait until he’s settled in school and we know it isn’t too much for him…”
“Okay. I tried…”
“I’ll be back soon, Booth.”
“I know, I just miss working with you.”
“I’ve loved staying home and helping Michael find his words, but I miss working with you every day.” Booth grinned and went back to eating his breakfast. Twenty minutes later Brennan gathered their takeout containers and got ready yo leave. ”thanks for bringing breakfast, Bones.”
“You’re welcome, Booth. I missed not having breakfast with you…”
“I missed it, too.”
B&B
With her errands done and the groceries at home, Brennan headed to the preschool to pick up Michael . Brennan went inside to the preschool pick up area, there were a few other parents waiting. A few minutes later Miss Walton led Michael’s class to the pick up area. He broke out of the line and headed for Brennan. “Mommy!” Brennan smiled and picked him up. “Hi buddy, did you have a good day?”
“Uh-huh?”
“That’s good. I’m so proud of you…”
“Daddy?”
“Daddy is still working, he’s not going to be able to have lunch with us.”
Michael sighed and laid his head on Brennan’s shoulder.
Miss Walton walked over, “Michael, had a great first day. he did well communicating and participating. He has papers in his backpack, some of them you need to sign and send back.”
“Okay.”
“See you tomorrow, Michael.”
“Bye..”
“Goodbye Miss Walton. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
A half hour later Brennan was sitting across from Michael at her and Booth’s usual table watching him play with jelly packets. Brennan smiled when she saw Booth cross the street and walk toward the diner.
“Michael, look…”
“Daddy!” Michael started to get up, Brennan laid a hand on michael’s arm. “Wait until he comes inside then you can go to him.”
The door had barely closed before Michael was in Booth’s arms “DADDY!”
“Hey buddy. Did you have a good first day of school?”
“Uh-huh. Miss you.”
“I missed you too. I’ll make you pancakes tomorrow for breakfast.”
“K.”
“Looks like lunch is ready?” Booth walked to the table and smiled when he noticed that his usual order was on the table.
“Thanks, Bones.” Booth sat Michael in his seat and sat next to Brennan.
“It wasn’t me, Meg saw you walking over and put it in.” Brennan started cutting up Michael’s cheeseburger patty.
“What did you do at school, Michael?”
“Color.” Michael started eating.
“Coloring is fun. What else did you do?”
“Story and…” michael looked at his plate and blew out a breath, trying to find the words to tell Booth what all he’d done at preschool. Booth put down his burger wiped his hands before touching Michael’s arm. “Look at me, buddy…” Michael looked up at Booth and stuffed a fry in his mouth. “I;m SO proud of you for having a good first day ofschool. Did you do worksheets?”
“Uh-huh.”
“that’s good.”
Michael nodded and ate more fries. When they were done with lunch Booth got ice cream sundaes for himself and Michael. When michael was done with his ice cream Brennan cleaned him up. “Do you want to go to the playground for the afternoon?”
“Yeah!”
“Give daddy a hug, then we can go.”
Michael slid out of his chair and went to Booth who picked him up, giving him a big hug. “I love you, Michael. Go have fun at the playground.” Booth handed Michael to Brennan and kissed her cheek, “I love you, Bones.”
“I love you too, Booth.”
“Mommy…”
Brennan chuckled and kissed Michael’s forehead, “We’re leaving…” Booth watched them leave then got up and paid the bill.
That night Michael went to bed easy and Brennan sat down next to Booth, he put his arm around her, “Michael go down all ready?”
“Yes, he’s exhausted. School and the afternoon at the playground did him in I think. I’m so glad he had a good first day, he’s excited to go back tomorrow.”
“That’s good. I’ll make him pancakes and take him tomorrow.”
“I can take him…”
“I want to. I never got to take Parker except for that on first day. I get to pick him up some times, but not very often. School is Becca’s thing. I’m the fun and sports dad for Parker. It’s nice to be both for Michael.”
B&B
The next morning after making Michael pancakes Booth took him to school. Five minutes after they left Brennan headed for the lab. A few hours later she knocked on Booth’s office door, he looked up. “BONES! What are you doing here?”
Brennan grinned a little as she walked to Booth’s desk and handed him a folder.
“What’s this?”
“The victim;s name and cause of death…”
“You managed to get all that in what?” Booth looked at his watch “Two and a half hours?”
“Yes, I also fired the Ms. Owens, she couldn’t help me without gaging even after the bones were clean…”
Booth laughed and opened the file, “Victoria Carter, 24. Broken neck from being pushed down the stairs…”
“Yes. The stab wounds were inflicted after death.”
“This is amazing. You and I are going out to dinner this weekend.”
“Dad is taking Michael to the zoo Friday, I’ll see if he can spend the night…”
“It’s a date..”
“I’m looking forward to it. I need to pick up Michael.”
“I’ll meet you two at the diner.”
“I’m going to stop at the deli for sandwiches and chips then go to the park for a picnic.”
Can you get me an Italian sub and salt and vinegar chips?”
“Yes.”
Booth stood and leaned over his desk and kissed Brennan’s cheek . “I love you, Bones. please come back to work...”
Brennan laughed and kissed Booth back, “ love you too, Booth. I’ll be back at work soon. See you in a half hour.” Booth nodded and watched Brennan leave.
Michael had been in school for two months and he was doing well, his speech was improving, he wasn’t using complete sentences, but he was putting two or three words together. he was getting better with his cognitive skills, but he still struggled greatly with his fine motor skills. Booth and Brennan had gotten in a new routine, Booth took Michael to school to give Brennan an extra half hour in the lab. Brennan would pick Michael up and at least once a week they met Booth at the diner for lunch.
B&B
Brennan climbed into bed next to Booth. “You all right, Bones? You were quiet tonight…”
“I’m fine. Booth, do you still want another baby?”
“Yeah, it’s only been four months… we can practice some more if you want…”
“We don’t have to practice anymore…”
“It hasn’t been that long…”
“Booth, we don’t need to practice…”
“Wh…are you pregnant?”
“Yes…”
“This is the best news! I’m so happy!” Booth kissed Brennan, she deepened the kiss. Booth pulled back and cupped Brennan’s cheek. “How long have you known?”
“Since this morning. When you took Michael to school, I didn’t go to the lab I went to the pharmacy and got a test and after I took it I got out Michael’s baby book and filled in things that I couldn’t fill in when he was a baby and toddler. Then I found the baby name book. After that I looked at nursery set ups online…”
Booth smiled a little, “did you find anything you liked?”
“Yes. I want to really do a nursery this time. We just kind of threw Michael’s together the week before he came home. “
“We will. You’re okay right?”
“I think so. I have a doctor’s appointment Tuesday to be sure, due to the complications I had with Michael. “
“I’m coming with you…” Brennan nodded and started kissing Booth again, he rested a hand on her stomach.
“it’s too early to feel anything, Booth…”
“I don’t care…” Brennan shook her head and placed her hand over Booth’s and fell asleep quickly.
B&B
Tuesday morning after Booth and Brennan dropped Michael off at preschool they headed to her doctor’s appointment. An hour and a half later they were back home sitting on the couch. Brennan’s doctors appointment had gone well and there wasn’t anything of concern at the moment.
“I’m glad that’s over, I was a little nervous…”
“Me too. I’m going to all of your appointments, Bones…”
“I want you to. We should find out the gender soon so we can decide on a name. we’ll have to work on saying it with Michael…”
“He’ll be a good big brother, Bones. last year maybe not, but now he’s going to rock it. parker will help get him excited about it.”
“I hope this is the one thing he adjsts easily to. It’s going to be a busy summer for us. Michael will turn five on May 3rd and the baby is due June 27th. ”
“He will. it’ll be busy, but it will fun too.”
“Yes, I’m not sending Michael to the summer program. We’ll be too busy plus he needs to be with us as much as possible before the baby gets here.”
“I agree. What is the plan for lunch?”
“Peanut butter and jelly then the indoor playground.”
“perfect after I eat I’ll head into the office for a bit. I can get dinner if you want?”
“Can you stop by Wong Foo’s?”
“Yeah…”
B&B
It was three weeks before Christmas and Brennan was getting ready for work when she sighed as she finished getting dressd.
“What’s wrong, Bones?”
Brennan turned, “I finally look like I’m pregnant, before I just looked like I was gaining weight.”
Booth walked over and wrapped his arms around herand rested his chin on her shoulder. “That’s good, right?”
“Yes, it’s just happening faster this time…”
“When are we going to start telling people?”
“We can tell everyone at the lab at the Christmas party on the 22nd. We can tell dad that night before he leaves after watching Michael. We can tell Parker after christms, but before he goes home. Michael will be last and after Parker goes home incase he has a huge meltdown.”
“Sounds good to me, Bones. I can’t wait to tell people!”
Brennan turned in Booth’s arms and kissed him. ”I almost told Angela when she offered to bring me back a California roll without crab the other day, it sounded unappetizing then, but sounds really good now.”
Booth chuckled softly and kissed Brennan, “if it still sounds good tonight call me and I’ll get us some on the way home.”
“Okay.”
Three weeks later /booth and Brennan were sharing a table with Hodgins, Angela, and Cam at the jeffrsonion Christmas party. “Booth and I have something to tell everyone. I’m pregnant…”
“That’s great Dr.B!
“How wonderful! I’m so happy for you two!”
“I knew it when you didn’t want a California roll…”
“I almost told you that day….”
“So when are you due?”
“June 27th . I will be starting maternity leave on Michael’s last day of preschool, May 18th.”
Cam nodded and took a drink of her wine “Sound great. Everything’s okay?”
“Yes, so far everything is fine. my blood pressure is normal.”
“That’s good.”
“Sweetie I’m throwing you a baby shower…”
“Angela, that’s not necessary.”
“Yes it is. for Michael everyone left your gifts at my house and I dropped them off at your house. This time we’re doing it right. We wont play any games, we’ll have lunch and hang out.”
”fine.”
“Good we’ll do it on May 20th at my house.”
“Okay.”
Later that night Brennan came back home. “hi dad…”
“Hello Tempe, Booth. How was the party?”
“Good, the food was actually good this year . How was Michael?”
“That’s good. Michael was great, we had pizza and watched Disney movies. He’s asleep in your bed…”
“That’s fine. thanks for babysitting.”
“You’re welcome, Tempe. I enjoyed it. I’ll see you Christmas Eve for dinner and to head to Russ and Amy’s for a few days.”
“Dad before you go Booth and I want to give you an early Christmas gift.”
“You can’t wait two days, Tempe?”
“I can, but it would be better if this one is opened before Christmas morning with Michael since I’m not certain how he’ll handle the day.”
“Okay.” Max tore the shiny snowman paper off a square box and opened it pulling out a coffee mug. “World’s greatest grandpa to Hayley, Emma, Parker, Michael, and Christine …” Max looked at Brennan, “Tempe?”
“I’m pregnant. Your granddaughter will be arriving on or around June 27th.”
“that’s great! Congratulations!” Max pulled Brennan into a hug.
“Everything is okay, right?”
“Yes, so far. My blood pressure is normal.”
“That’s great.” A few minutes later Max left.
Christmas Eve Michael was extremely excited, Brennan smiled as he almost bounced by her.
“I’ve