Say What?

Chapter 2

Time went by, as it tends to do, and Booth forgot about that uncomfortable conversation. He never dreamed she'd been serious anyway, and figured the subject would never come up again. He wasn't that lucky.

They were on the couch in her office, putting together their notes on the case they'd just solved. Empty takeout cartons littered the table among the file folders, and Booth was feeling mellow now that the paperwork was almost done. Then she had to blow it.

"Have you made a decision about the baby yet?"

His head jerked her way and his brain locked up as his eyes met hers. He really had hoped she'd given up on it, but he should have known better. The woman was nothing if not tenacious when an idea took hold.

"I—well, it hasn't been a year—" Booth protested weakly.

"It's been a year, three weeks and four days." Her calm eyes studied him and he fought the urge to squirm, but he couldn't swallow the groan that came from his gut.

"You're serious?"

"Of course I am. Would I bring it up again if I wasn't?"

Booth sighed. Might as well take the bull by the horns. "Okay, let's say I agree. " She smiled but he went on before she could speak. "I want to be involved in the child's life."

Her smile turned into a frown. "Involved? Why? I am perfectly capable of providing for a child—"

"I'm not talking about financial support. I know that won't be a problem. I want the child to know I am his or her father. I want visitation rights. You know, involved."

"Don't you think that might be confusing to the child? I mean, we're not a couple, never have been."

Booth stood and paced away from her, then turned to face her, a hand outstretched. "Listen, no kid of mine is going to grow up without a father, especially when there is no reason. I plan on sticking around."

Now she stood up, obviously agitated. "I don't think that is a good idea. This child will be mine, and I'm the only one who is going to make child rearing decisions. I don't want you to interfere."

He put his hands on his hips and glared at her. "I'm only talking about visitation, Bones. You can raise the kid however you want."

Narrowing her eyes, she stared at him doubtfully. "You wouldn't try to force your opinions and beliefs on us?"

That gave him pause. Would he be able to keep his opinions to himself? He didn't think so, but why should he have to? "Would you be willing to take advice? From a friend?"

She studied him solemnly for a long, tense moment. "I suppose that would be acceptable, as long as you understand that the final decisions will be mine alone."

His lips firmed. "Fine."

"Fine." A grin teased the corner of her mouth. "Does that mean you'll do it?"

His eyes stayed locked on hers as he weighed the pros and cons. The thought of a child, with her eyes, her smile, her smarts, was very appealing somehow. And the idea that she might ask someone else to father her child really bothered him.

"Yes."

Her smile sent his spirits soaring and he knew that he'd made the right decision. He Then she dug in her pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to him.

"This is my doctor's card. You need to call and make an appointment."

Booth stared at the card, trying to grasp the enormity of what they were going to do, but it was too much to take in right now. He looked at her, unable to think of anything appropriate to say.

"I really appreciate this," she said, like he had just agreed to pick up her dry cleaning for her.

"Sure, no problem," he replied lamely.

She turned away and started gathering up the fast food cartons. He stood there, frozen. How could she be so casual about this? Did she have any idea what this would do to their lives, how it would turn their world upside down?

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he whispered.

She threw a distracted look over her shoulder as she stuffed the cartons into the trash. "Of course I am. I've done my research. Having a baby is a natural physiological process—"

"Not that," he cut in, almost angrily. "Do you know what this will do to your life? To mine? Nothing will ever be the same. Having a child changes everything."

Straightening, she faced him, sober and intense. "You think I don't know that? Up until now, my life has been focused on my career, and it's always been enough. Then Andy—" She stopped and swallowed, her eyes shiny with tears. "To have someone who is mine, who loves me for who I am and depends on me—I want that, Booth. I need that."

He pursed his lips. "I don't think you should have a child just to make up for the fact that your family abandoned you—"

"No! That's not it! Don't you understand?" She stepped close to look up into his eyes. "I have so much to give—love and nurturing and knowledge. I know I would be a good mother. Is it wrong to bring a child into the world, to raise it in a loving home?"

He didn't answer for a long moment as he searched her eyes. His look gentled at the calm and sincerity he found there. He fought the impulse to hug her. "No, there's nothing wrong with that. I just hope you're ready for your life to get real complicated."

A soft smile lit her features. "I'm looking forward to it."

A/N: Well, how was that? Click the 'review' button and feed the temperamental muse.