For those of you who are waiting for the next chapter of "Author In The Closet", I haven't forgotten about that story. I've just been suffering from a severe case of writer's block. So in an effort to actually get myself writing again, I thought I'd revisit this lovely little story. Thanks for indulging me.

"Lunch is ready," Brennan called as she carried the last dish to the table. She watched Booth and Parker emerge from the swimming pool as she poured iced tea from the pitcher into the glasses. It was a rare event that she ever had to call either one of them twice when it came time to eat and today was no exception.

They both quickly toweled themselves off and made their way over to the patio table where she had set out the food. Parker took his seat as Booth wrapped his arms around Brennan's waist. "I know you love me when you make me red meat for lunch," he told her as he planted a quick kiss on her neck.

"The red meat was Parker's idea," Brennan pointed out. "I had intended to make tilapia."

"She even made me go to the store to pick out the steaks, dad," Parker added.

Booth laughed as he released Brennan and pulled her chair out for her. "As she should have," he told Parker. "After all, it's Father's Day, not Husband's Day."

They all shared a laugh as they began to fill their plates. The three of them had gone to mass early that morning and then spent some quality family time together in the pool that Parker had talked them into buying when he was fourteen. Parker had helped Brennan get things ready to go on the grill, but then she had sent him back to the pool while she finished the lunch preparations.

They laughed and joked with each other as they enjoyed their meal, Brennan avoiding the steaks in favor of extra vegetables and Booth and Parker rolling their eyes at her when she commented on their carnivorous eating habits.

"So what are you doing with Brent later today?" Booth asked as he helped himself to a second helping of macaroni and cheese. It had become their tradition that Parker spent part of Father's Day with Booth and then part of it with Brent. Booth didn't really mind since Brent was a good guy and had been a good stepdad to his son. Besides, Rebecca insisted that Parker spend part of Mother's Day with Brennan, so it seemed only fair.

"I'm not really sure," Parker replied. "Mom said that Travis and Shelby were working on something but hadn't told her what yet. So who knows what a couple of five year olds have planned. For all I know, we could end up in the tree house having imaginary ice cream and cake."

"Make sure they give you the imaginary chocolate cake then," Brennan told him. "Travis told me that it's always better than the vanilla."

"I haven't found anything chocolate that Travis doesn't like," Parker replied.

"He's not the only one," Booth stated with a knowing grin at Brennan.

"You have your red meat, I have my chocolate," she replied. "I don't see a problem."

They all shared another laugh at that. "Thank you for another wonderful Father's Day, Parker," Booth said. "And Bones, thank you for cooking red meat and mac & cheese for me. It was delicious as always."

"You're welcome," Brennan replied.

"Yeah, you're welcome, dad," Parker added. "And thanks for being a great dad. I honestly feel like the luckiest kid alive sometimes. Not only do I have wonderful parents, but I also have wonderful step-parents. A lot of my friends aren't so lucky. Thank you for giving me that."

"Come here and give your ole dad a hug," Booth said as he got to his feet.

Parker chuckled as he got to his feet as well and stepped into his father's embrace. He hoped he never got so old or full of himself that he refused one of his dad's hugs. There were so few of his friends who even allowed their mothers to hug them anymore, much less their fathers. Apparently, it didn't go well with the tough guy image they tried to maintain. Parker knew better though. His dad was the strongest man he knew, but he'd never been afraid to offer a hug and a simple "I love you" to remind Parker how important he was to him.

Booth released Parker with an affectionate ruffling of his hair – a habit he had yet to decide was too boyish to continue, in spite of the fact that they now stood eye-to-eye. "You'd better get cleaned up so you can get to your mother's house on time."

"Do you want me to clear the table?" Parker asked as he looked over at Brennan.

"I'll take care of it," she replied. "You go ahead."

Parker stepped around to her side of the table and leaned down to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for a wonderful meal, Bones."

"You're welcome," she replied.

As he straightened back up, he gave a short whistle that brought Chester running to his side. "Come on, boy, let's go get cleaned up and go see mom and Brent."

"He's growing into quite a remarkable young man," Brennan commented as she turned her attention to Booth.

"That he is," Booth agreed. "Thank you for your part in making that a reality."

"All I've done is love him," Brennan replied. "You're the man he's modeled his life after."

"Sometimes just knowing you're loved is enough," Booth replied with a wink. "Come on, my lovely wife, I'll help you clean up the kitchen while Parker's getting ready and then we can have our own private celebration."

"I like the sound of that," Brennan agreed.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"I got you something for Father's Day," Brennan said as she stroked her hand lazily down his chest. She lifted her head from his shoulder just enough to see his reaction.

"You didn't have to do that," he said as he shifted his weight just enough to look down at her. They were lying side by side on one of the pool chaise lounge chairs under the large umbrella that offered plenty of shade.

"I thought it was rather fitting this year," she replied softly.

He rolled to his side and propped himself up on an elbow to look at her. "Are you going to make me guess?"

"Not this time," she replied. "If I gave you enough hints to figure out what it was, there would be no point in opening the gift."

He nodded as he met her gaze. "Okay then, where is it?"

"Such an impatient man when it comes to gifts," she teased him.

He leaned closer to her and brushed his lips across hers. "Always have been and you know it. So either find a way to distract me again or hand over the gift."

She leaned into his kiss for the briefest of moments before rolling to her feet and walking towards the house. "I'll be right back."

He watched as she moved across the yard and into the house, appreciating the view of her gorgeous body in only her swimsuit. It was only a few seconds before she stepped back through the door carrying a gift wrapped package in her hand.

As she made her way back to the lounge chair, he sat up straight, making sure to leave plenty of room for her to join him.

She handed him the gift and then sat down on the side of the chair facing him. "Open the card first."

Booth did as she instructed, finding a humorous card inside with her familiar script at the bottom with the message, "May this be the first of many. All of my love, Temperance."

He set the card aside and tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a shoe box. "It's not heavy enough to really be shoes," he commented as he took the lid off to look inside.

His eyebrows shot up as he pulled out the tissue paper and saw the contents of the box. "Oh my god!"

"Happy Father's Day, Booth," Brennan said.

"Really?" Booth asked as he looked up at her.

"Really," she replied.

He reached into the box then and pulled out the tiniest pair of shoes he'd ever seen in his life. Underneath them was a framed picture and he pulled it out as well. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at the sonogram. "Our baby, Bones?"

"Picture number one," she replied. "Six weeks along. The doctor confirmed that everything looks good, but she's going to keep a close eye on me as the pregnancy progresses since I've reached that magical number fortieth birthday."

He placed both items back in the box and set it on the ground so he could pull her into his arms. "I love you so much, Bones."

"I love you, too," she replied.

"Are you okay with this?" he asked as he rested his forehead against hers.

"I am," she assured him. "Are you?"

"Of course I am," he replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, Parker is getting ready to start his senior year of high school, so you know…"

"It's perfect, Bones."

She let out a sigh of relief and shifted her weight so she was once again leaning against his side. "So, boy or girl, Booth?"

"Either one," he replied. "As long as both baby and mommy are healthy, I'll be happy. How about you?"

"I think I'd like a little girl," Brennan replied. "You need a daughter in your life. Although, I wouldn't be disappointed with another Booth man in my life either."

"Thank you, Bones," Booth said as he leaned down to brush his lips against hers.

"You had just as much to do with this gift as I did," she reminded him. "I think maybe I should be the one thanking you. You've managed to give me everything I never thought I wanted. I am so blessed to have you in my life, Seeley Booth."

"As am I, Temperance Brennan."

"Happy Father's Day, Booth."

"The best one yet," he replied as he leaned in for a much longer kiss. He was going to be a daddy again. What better news could one learn on Father's Day?

Hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to drop me a line. I would love to hear from you and hopefully, I will have more bouts of inspiration in the near future.