CHAPTER ONE

During the next few weeks Tempe packed up her stuff and moved into Seeley's. She put her furniture in storage and other things that Seeley already had in storage. She sold her place, which was hard for her, as she had really grown to love it there. It was home but not like the home she now had. She helped Seeley set up the spare room for Parker with a cool loft bed and some skeleton 3-D puzzles they had all worked on. Things were coming together nicely. Although it was great being with Seeley and Parker the adjustment was challenging. Since Parker was living one week with Seeley and then a week with Rebecca and Drew, things were hectic. Sunday night to Sunday night was the schedule.

They devised a schedule that would allow one of them to be able to pick up Parker after school. His nanny Rosa, that takes care of him after school until Rebecca or Drew get home, agreed to pick him up while with Seeley if her or Tempe couldn't pick Parker up. Everyone liked Rosa, especially Parker

It was Wednesday afternoon and Seeley picked up his son from school. There were only 3 dads that he saw that picked up their child (ren) from school, the rest were moms or nannies. Drew would also pick him up so technically there were four.

As Seeley made his way to the pick up area he smiled as some of the mom's said Hello.

He spotted Parker and his friend Dylan playing tag outside the door.

"Hey bud," he said as he grabbed his backpack from the ground. "Hey dad." Parker had asked his dad not to pick him up and hug him at school any more, as he was in Big Kindergarten now. Seeley reluctantly agreed.

"Hi Dylan."

"Hi Mr. Booth."

"Daddy, can Dylan come over to play now?"

"It's OK with me as long as his mom says it is OK."

"Hi Seeley," Dylan's mom Dianne said.

"Hey Dianne, the boys are wanting to know if Dylan can come over for a bit now. It's OK with me."

"Sure. I have some errands to do, how about 5:00 I come and get him?"

"Actually if you want to come at six I can take the boys out for dinner. Tempe is working late tonight." Seeley replied as the boys jumped up and down.

"Thank-you. I will see you at six."

Dianne reminded her son to use his best manners and listen to Mr. Booth, kissed him on the cheek and made her way out of the parking lot.

"OK, it's boys day. Dr. Brennan is working late so what should we do?" Seeley asked slightly afraid of what they might come up with.

Parker and Dylan looked at each other with glistening eyes. As if they could read each other's minds they shouted simultaneously, "IHOP!" and they started to hop around laughing at the nickname for International House of Pancakes. Seeley rolled his eyes but hey he asked and they answered.

As he strapped both boys in to their booster seats his mind drifted off for a moment. Parker would make a great big brother.

As they found a table at IHOP the boys were excitedly looking the balloons floating around in celebration of the restaurants 25th anniversary.

Seeley knew without asking them what they wanted to eat and ordered for them.

"Three orders of chocolate chip pancakes and three zingy tangy iced teas."

They ate their meals chit chatting about the upcoming soccer season as both boys would be playing but on different teams. Seeley would be an assistant coach every Saturday morning.

Dylan asked if they could go to the park with the pirate ship.

"Sure but I need to go home and change first," he remarked as he pointed to his suit and tie.

After getting changed into jeans and his "World's Greatest Dad" t-shirt they started the ten minute walk to the park.

An hour later they heard the music of the ice cream truck. Seeley cringed. Ever since the incident in which he shot the clown head on an ice cream truck for interrupting his ability to work while talking on his cell phone, he had taken a dislike to them. Not the truck itself, just the music that comes out of it.

They ate their chocolate cones on the walk back home.

Looking at his watch he announced, "Twenty minutes and your mom will be picking you up Dylan."

"OK Mr. Booth."

Dianne was just pulling up as they arrived back home.

"Mommy, Mr. Booth took us to IHOP, the park and we had ice cream!"

"Thanks a lot Seeley. That was really nice of you. Since James has been at sea it can get really hectic at times."

"Your welcome. My pleasure. He's a great kid," and he gave her a small smile.

Both boys undressed and hopped into the shower. After toweling off and getting Parker into his pajamas, Seeley called Tempe to see how much longer she would be.

"I'm almost done, will be home by 8pm."

"See you then."

"Daddy can we watch Nemo?"

AGAIN? What the … how many times have we seen it? Thirty. No that is way to conservative a guess.

Without hesitation Seeley popped the DVD into the player and answered at the same time, "What other movie is there?" a hint of sarcasm in his voice that Parker had yet to notice.

They snuggled up on the couch and both of them covered their eyes at the opening scene.

"Daddy, I love you lots and lots," Parked said quietly as he looked up at his father.

Swallowing hard, he replied, "Thanks buddy. I love you lots and lots too."