Two Months Later-March 2012

Either God was sparing them, or Liam was just responding to the treatment better than last time, but Booth was so relieved either way that his son was not having quite as severe side effects to chemotherapy as he did before. He didn't dare hope that it meant it was working. He felt that having such hope would only make it certain it would be crushed.

"Have you ever noticed how crowded it is in here?" Brennan asked, breaking into his thoughts. He looked at her.

"Huh?"

"This apartment," she said, gesturing. "I feel like we are all cramped in here."

Booth looked around the place then, and he realized she had a point.

"What do you have in mind?" he asked.

"Well," she started, pulling out what looked like brochures and sliding them across the counter towards him. He picked one up and examined it before looking back at her.

"A house?" he asked. "Really? You're sure?"

"Yea. I've been thinking about it for a while. I just...I didn't know if a move was smart to do amidst everything," Brennan replied. Booth went through the house brochures again.

"I think it might be just the distraction we need right now," he commented. "I mean, Liam is doing okay for now, and Parker is growing out of his room literally. That boy is like a weed."

Brennan gave a small laugh. Parker had grown at least two inches in the last while. He was 11 after all.

"So...you think yes?" she asked. A hopeful note was in her tone, which Booth did not miss.

"Yea. Let's do it," he grinned.

"Good. I already have an agent," Brennan said brightly, jumping to her feet and dialing her phone. Booth stared after her before laughing to himself. Of course she did.

...

Angela wasn't feeling well at all. She was lying on the couch and trying not to throw up. She didn't mention it to Hodgins as he would jump into caregiver mode, and she wasn't in the mood. She had feigned a simple headache, which she could feel one coming on anyway, so it wasn't a total lie.

"I've been thinking a lot about Liam and everything," Hodgins said, coming into the room on cue then. Angela turned her head to look at him.

"About what?" she asked.

"I mean, you were the surrogate mother. Shouldn't you have a say in his medical care?"

Angela sat up at this, staring at him. Where was this coming from?

"Um, I'm not his biological mother, Hodgins," she said. "I can't make those decisions."

"But why not? You carried them both for nine months. You're just as much their mother as Brennan is," Hodgins pointed out. Angela was pretty sure her husband had lost his mind. She blinked.

"I signed a contract, Hodgins," she said. "With Caroline. It clearly states I am not the legal mother, I do not have legal or medical responsibilities to the children, and I cannot take them as my own. Brennan and Booth are the biological parents. I'm what they call the 'birth mother,' but that is all." Yes, they all joked that she was the second mother and was fondly called so by the twins, but that was just in jest and not to be taken seriously.

"Okay, okay," Hodgins said, holding up his hands. "I just thought..."

"I know what you're thinking, and I get it, but I have no reason to doubt that Brennan or Booth are making the right decisions for Liam. Or Lindsay. It is not my place to begin with."

"I'm sorry," Hodgins said. Angela settled back down on the couch, wondering what would possess him to even bring this up.

...

"Are you sure you guys don't mind?" Brennan asked. Daisy and Sweets were there to babysit while Brennan and Booth went looking at some houses.

"Not at all!" Daisy cried. "Seeley loves playing with his honorary cousins."

Booth still felt strange seeing another person with his name. Seeley Wick-Sweets was now two years old, and he was chatting up a storm and running everywhere. Sweets looked exhausted just trying to keep up with him.

"Is it everything you imagined?" he asked Sweets, who was now leaning against the counter while Seeley played with Lindsay. Liam watched from the sideline. The twins would be two themselves next month.

"Not quite," Sweets admitted.

"You'll miss this one day," Booth told him. He was remembering when Parker was little. Now his boy was damn near a teenager. He had two years left before that happened thankfully.

"Call us if anything happens," Brennan said to them as they got ready to leave. Parker was at a friend's house for the night, so it was just the twins Sweets and Daisy were looking after.

"We will," Daisy promised.

"I have to say," Booth started as he and Brennan went down the elevator together. "I really didn't think you'd trust Daisy to babysit."

"She's proven to me that she can care for a child just fine," Brennan answered. "Seeley is very healthy and obedient."

"Uh huh," Booth said, recalling Seeley ignoring Sweets's demand to stop running around.

"When was the last time you and I were alone?" she asked, looking at him.

"It's been a very long time," he admitted.

"I have somewhere to stop first before we go look at houses," she said. Booth noticed a twinkle in her eye almost.

"Oh yea?" he asked. She didn't answer. She just smiled.

...

"Lance? What do you think about having another baby?" Daisy asked. Sweets looked up from the floor where he'd just had three toddlers crawl all over him and put things in his mouth as well as draw on his face.

"Huh?" he asked.

"Another baby," she prompted. "A little girl this time."

"I don't think you can plan to get a girl," Sweets started.

"Oh yes, you can," Daisy interrupted. "Female sperm live longer than male sperm. If you do it a certain day..."

"Okay, whoa, whoa," Sweets said, sitting up. "No sperm talk in front of the children."

"It's the medical term, and they won't remember this," Daisy told him.

"Whatever. Just...not here," Sweets said firmly. She cocked her head at him.

"Do you not want another child, Lance?"

Sweets felt very nervous suddenly. How could he answer this without upsetting her?

"I just...I don't know. I haven't thought about it," he said carefully. Daisy didn't say anything more, but he knew this conversation was far from over. He watched her resume playing with the kids, and he wondered how angry she would be at him if he was honest and told her he was just fine with one child?

...

"So," Booth said. "Looking at houses, huh?"

"We definitely looked at something," Brennan replied, smirking. They were lying side by side in the hotel bed together. He turned on his side to look at her.

"Was the whole thing a ruse?" he asked. "Be honest."

"No," she answered. "There is a house. I've already found it. I knew it wouldn't take long to look at it, and I wanted some time with you."

"I see."

"You liked it," she teased, poking him.

"Of course I did," he agreed.

"We should get going, though," she pointed out. "Don't want to be too late."

"If you say so."

"I'm serious. There is a house, Booth."

"Okay."

"I mean it!"

"Sure," he joked, egging her on. He knew she was serious. He was just enjoying having some fun with her because lately things had been too somber and depressing.

...

"This is the place?" he asked, looking around. It needed a lot of work. "I thought the goal was to move sooner than later."

"I just...I like this place because you can see it's bones," she said, gesturing. "I think it suits us."

Booth smiled at this. Of course she would notice that. If left up to him, he probably would have chosen this house too for that exact same reason.

"I'm sold," he told her as he went to put his arms around her. "You did good."

"I did well," she corrected.

"That's what I said."

"No, you said it incorrectly."

"Shhh don't ruin this moment," Booth said, still teasing. She rested her head against his chest and smiled to herself. She missed his banter and his teasing. She didn't dare hope to think that maybe things could stay like this. She didn't want to jinx things, not that she believed in that sort of thing. She just didn't want to risk it.

...

Angela felt almost in shock as she sat on the bathroom floor. Was this really happening? It seemed surreal.

"Ange?" Hodgins knocked on the door. "Are you okay? You've been in there for a long time."

Angela didn't know how to respond. What did she say first?

"Ange?" More persistent knocking.

"I'm fine," she said loudly. "Just a flu."

"Oh no. I'll make some soup!" he called. She heard his footsteps recede. She looked back down at the pregnancy test and the positive sign and wondered why she wasn't feeling more excited.

April 5, 2012

"Two years old!" Booth crowed as he swung Lindsay around like a monkey. She howled with laughter.

"Higher, Daddy! Higher!"

Booth obliged. Brennan shot him a worried look, and he just grinned back. Liam was clapping from the floor as he watched. He had been doing well, but lately there had been some side effects starting to show again. Booth tried not to worry about it.

"Sorry I'm late!" Max called, coming into the apartment. Lindsay begged to be put down and scurried over to Max quickly. Liam followed at a slower pace. Brennan felt frustrated at times wondering if her son would be developing faster and being at the same speed as Lindsay if he wasn't sick.

"Papa," Liam said, reaching. Max picked him up and gave him a tight hug.

"How's my boy?" he asked.

"Okay," Liam answered.

"Tired, huh?" Max questioned. Liam nodded. "This'll all be over eventually. I promise."

Brennan wished he wouldn't make a promise he couldn't keep, but she knew he was trying to make Liam feel better.

"Mummy?" Lindsay asked, standing by her leg now. "Cake?"

"Soon," Brennan smiled. Lindsay ran off after Max as he went to sit beside Booth on the couch.

"We're back," Cam said, coming in with Parker. They had gone on a last minute shopping trip for the twins' gifts.

"Can I give them their gift now?" Parker asked hopefully. He'd gotten them a bubble set complete with a bubble gun in the form of a dolphin.

"Let's wait for everyone," Brennan answered.

"Okay," he agreed. Then he went to play with his siblings. Cam sighed and set the bag down on the counter.

"I'm glad Michelle is a teenager," she chuckled. "Although, that itself has it's own issues."

Daisy, Sweets, and Seeley arrived then, and Cam went to tickle Seeley and talk to Daisy briefly about a case. Angela and Hodgins were next to arrive. Brennan frowned upon seeing her friend's worried expression. Angela had been avoiding her lately, and she wanted to know why.

"What's going on?" Brennan asked when she got Angela alone while the others were together.

"What? Nothing," Angela answered quickly. She hadn't told Brennan that Hodgins thought Angela should have a say in Liam's medical care. She didn't want to upset her friend. She also hadn't told anyone she was pregnant yet. She had just gotten confirmation by her doctor two weeks earlier, and she just was waiting for the right time. She didn't know why she couldn't just say it out loud. It was concerning her.

"I know you," Brennan said. "And I know something is wrong."

Angela felt ready to burst then, so she grabbed Brennan's hand and pulled her out into the hallway. She knew Hodgins saw them, and he looked curious.

"What is it?" Brennan asked once the door was closed.

"What if I have a baby that gets sick?" Angela asked abruptly. "I am not you. I don't think I could be strong and get through it."

"Ange? Where is this coming from? If you have a baby, I'm sure they will be just fine."

"We thought yours would be just fine," Angela pointed out.

"Ange, why is this even on your mind? Are you and Hodgins going to have a baby?" Brennan asked.

"It just worries me a lot. I mean, I don't know if I'd be a good mother, and I don't know if I could handle having a child that's so sick, let alone have a child die," Angela went on, purposely avoiding the question.

"Liam is not going to die," Brennan said firmly.

"You don't know that," Angela pointed out.

"I have to believe it," Brennan cut her off. "Because if I don't, then I can't get through this."

"Oh," Angela said, understanding finally. "I'm sorry. I'm just so frazzled lately. Then Hodgins thinks I should have a say in Liam's medical treatment."

"What?" Brennan asked, surprised.

"I didn't want to tell you because I don't want you angry with him. He's just feeling helpless and wants to be involved to help with this in some way. He doesn't think you're making bad decisions, just to be clear."

Brennan hoped he wasn't thinking that. She felt she was doing a pretty good job considering everything.

"Do you want a say?" she asked Angela.

"No," Angela shook her head. "It's not my place. I'm not their mother, you are. Hodgins was just being stupid. I signed that contract, remember?"

"Yes, but you know I value your opinion and thoughts always, right?" Brennan asked.

"Of course," Angela nodded. "I know that."

"If you ever have thoughts about Liam's medical care, please tell me. I'm open to hearing everything."

"I will," Angela promised. They hugged then, and Brennan knew it helped her friend feel a little bit better. Had she been sitting on that all this time? She wished Angela had told her sooner. They could have had this conversation sooner.

"Cake time!" Booth called, opening the door and seeing them standing there. "Everything okay out here?"

"Yes," Brennan nodded. Angela wiped at her sudden tears and smiled.

"Let's do it," she said.

...

Parker was curled up with Lindsay and Liam on the couch at one point that evening. He had tickled Lindsay enough, but she kept asking for more, which made him laugh. She was so darling. His heart burst with love for her and Liam. He noticed Liam wasn't looking so well, but he tried not to be worried. He wanted the treatment to be working, but Liam had begun to show some side effects again recently, and he worried his little brother was going to get worse.

"I love you both so much," Parker said to them then. Lindsay planted a kiss on his cheek while Liam snuggled further into Parker's arms. He caught sight of their father watching them with a smile on his face, and Parker wondered if this was how tbeir father felt about him and the twins. It really was a wonderful feeling. It mostly kept the fear of losing Liam at bay. Mostly.

...

After the twins' birthday, Angela and Hodgins arrived back home in a slightly better mood. Hodgins put their coats away while Angela watched, folding her hands together.

"Are you okay?" Hodgins asked, seeing her then. He was feeling concerned.

"I'm more than okay," Angela answered. She finally felt good about being pregnant, thanks to her conversation with Brennan. She knew she couldn't help things that were out of her control, and she knew that she'd love her child no matter what.

"What's up?" Hodgins prompted. She smiled.

"Hodgie," she said. "I'm pregnant."

She burst out laughing when Hodgins practically plowed into her, hugging her tightly and attempting to swing her around off her feet. She shouldn't have waited so long, she knew, but she was in a better place now. It was happy news, not something she was worried about. She believed that in some cases, timing was everything.

June 2012

"Last box," Booth said, putting it into the moving van. Max had the kids in Brennan's car. Brennan and Booth were going to follow in his SUV.

"Okay good," Sweets huffed. "See you over there." He had offered his help on moving day. Booth knew he was avoiding Daisy since he'd told her he didn't want another child. Booth knew how angry Daisy could get. He left Sweets to go up and collect Brennan, who was still in the apartment.

"I feel like it's an end of an era," she commented, looking around.

"It was a good era, though, right?" Booth asked.

"Aside from you being dead, yes."

"I wish I could change all of that," he lamented.

"It wasn't your fault," she said, hugging him. "I'm just glad you came back."

"Me too," Booth nodded.

"Sweets still avoiding Daisy?" Brennan asked.

"Looks like it."

"He might change his mind yet," she noted.

"You're right. I think he was just overwhelmed with Seeley."

They both didn't say that they had the thought Sweets might be worried about having a sick child like Liam. Brennan knew now that was why Angela had been so panicked on the twins' birthday after finding out later that her friend was indeed pregnant, just as she had suspected.

"Ready?" Booth asked.

"Yes," Brennan nodded. She left her keys, and they walked out together, ready to start their new adventure.

...

"Hey, Sweets," Booth said after they were done unloading and Sweets was getting ready to go home.

"Yea?"

"Don't be afraid to have another child because of what Liam is going through," Booth told him. Sweets looked surprised. Was it that obvious?

"Um, no. That...that's not it," he lied.

"Sweets, I'm not an idiot," Booth chastised. "Look, it's hard, yes, but we are gonna get through this. It was unfortunate and unlucky, but we're a family, and we're getting through it. Your second child is probably going to be just fine, Sweets. Don't decide not to do it because you're scared."

"I'll keep that under advisement," Sweets nodded. Booth clapped him on the back then, and Sweets got into his car and drove away. He did start to think, though, that perhaps Booth had a point.

July 2012

Booth and Brennan were dreading this doctor's visit. Angela had opted out of not attending this time as she wasn't feeling up to the travel. Liam had gone downhill after their birthday in April, but he had gotten worse after they moved into their house a month ago, and Brennan just knew it meant bad news. Dr. Stein came in with that familiar look, and Brennan braced herself for the worst.

"It didn't work, did it?" Booth asked.

"No," Dr. Stein shook her head.

"So, what now?" Booth questioned as he took Brennan's hand in his. Liam sat in his lap, giving the doctor his usual, silent stare.

"Now," Dr. Stein said, "it's time for CART."