They walked back into the bar, knowing all eyes were on them, but they acted like they always had. Booth and Brennan walked to the bar, each ordering a drink. They were standing closer, however, and as they talked, Booth's hand never left her arm. It seemed natural to her and Brennan didn't pull away. Angela walked away from Cam and Jack, who were watching the partners in awe and went to Kathy and Josh, who were sitting at the table with the cake, also watching Booth and Brennan.

"You two are good," she said, "I've been trying to get those two together for years."

Kathy beamed at her daughter's friend. "It took a couple of arguments and a lot of thinking on her part, but I think Baby knows now."

"Knows what?"

"That it's okay to be happy," Josh said.

They all watched the two stand at the bar and talk quietly. Their touches were gentle and their smiles were sincere. Much to Angela's surprise, they shared a quick kiss as the bartender delivered their drinks. Angela looked down at the cake that was left and swiped a finger through the frosting.

"Damn," she muttered, taking a taste of the frosting, "I'm not the matchmaker I thought I was. Kudos to you two."

"I'm happy for you, Baby," Josh approached her. Booth was engaged in a conversation with Max. The regard the agent and the career criminal had was mutual and they were talking amicably.

"You planned this," she accused, but she wasn't mad.

"Kathy and I did our parts. We just gave you the little push you needed.

Brennan smiled and shook her head. "Thanks."

"You deserve to be happy, Baby. He makes you happy and he adores you. But if something's wrong and you want to talk, call me and I'll come out here and kick his ass."

"That won't be necessary. I can kick his ass on my own."

"I heard that," Booth called over his shoulder.

"Thanks for letting me stay with you, Baby. I wish I could stay longer, but I have to get back to work."

"I'm glad you came. I don't want you to go."

Brennan pulled Kathy into a tight hug and refused to let her go. Josh and Booth stood nearby and neither moved until their flight was called again. Kathy pulled away and readjusted her bag on her shoulder as Brennan let go. Brennan went to Josh and hugged him like she did Kathy. The foster mother went to Booth and hugged him as well.

"Take care of my girl," she whispered in his ear.

"I will," he promised. As soon as Brennan was done saying her goodbyes to her brother, he shook Josh's hand and neither said a word, only exchanged meaningful looks to convey the respect they had for each other.

"Call me when you land," Brennan told both of them. They promised and the couple watched them walk to the gate. With one final wave, Kathy and Josh walked onto their plane to go back home to Illinois.

They walked away from the gate slowly, taking their time as they made their way through the crowd. Booth pulled her close and Brennan wrapped her arm around his. They stood near the baggage claim and stared out the long array of windows as the plane headed for the Chicago O'Hare airport took off.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm fine. I miss them is all."

"I know. Come on, let's get out of here."

Booth led her out toward the short-term parking lot and opened the car door for her. She didn't complain, but slid in and put her seat belt on. He stood there, leaning on the open door and watched her. She turned back to him and smiled. "What?"

"Nothing. So, Bones, Baby, where do we go from here?"

"We could go to the diner. Or maybe Sid's. I'm fairly hungry."

"No, I mean, yeah, we can go eat, but I meant where do we go from here as in us. I was talking about me and you."

"You mean our relationship?"

He nodded.

"Normally, I would stress that I am in independent, intelligent woman who doesn't need to rely on a man, but Kathy's guidance and Josh's suggestions have given me reasons to give a relationship with you a strong chance."

"So, I guess I should send them a thank you note," he joked.

"What did Kathy say to you?"

"She told me to take care of you."

"I can take care of myself, Booth. Kathy knows that."

"Yes, but you're going to have to let go of that and let me. I'm not breaking my promise to your mother."

Brennan smiled. "Biologically, she is not my mother. But, since I have very few memories of her, I could conclude that Kathy could be considered as my mother."

"Exactly. And I promised to take care of her little girl and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

"I'm not a little girl anymore, Booth."

"But that's how Kathy sees you. She loves you and she wants her daughter to be happy."

Instead of repeating her biology speech to him, she nodded. "I am."

A/N: So I'm ending it here, but I had such a great time writing my characters (Kathy and Josh) that I'm considering writing a series of one-shots based on the background story I gave a few chapters ago. Brennan's other foster siblings, Katie and Aaron, would be featured and most would take place in Burtonsville during Brennan's time with her foster family. If any readers are interested, I'm willing to write it. I have some plots in mind and it would probably be as long as this story, longer if I feel like it. So please let me know if you guys would be willing to read it. Thanks for reading everyone and thanks to all who have reviewed! :)