Disclaimer: Bones and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement. There may be quotes from an episode that do not belong to me.

Author's Notes: Normally epilogue's start with informing the reader right away with the date. This epilogue is all about figuring out the dates Booth & Bones secretly guessed about when they would be ready to be a couple. There are many predictions in fandom about the date. This epilogue reveals what makes sense to me, not necessarily what could occur on the show.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. Your enthusiastic responses have been very inspiring. I hope you enjoy the conclusion to this story.

A Blizzard of Confessions, Wishes, and Promises

Epilogue

"Are you still moody from sitting in coach?" asked Brennan.

"No. Yes." He looked at her and saw the cute crease on her forehead caused from confusion. "It's not just one thing that has me acting like this. Guess I'm not great company. It's late. Are you sure you still want to go to Founding Father's to celebrate another closed case?"

"No. But I'd like to get something to eat and you can tell me what's bothering you." All of a sudden she thought she knew and her eyes widened. "Booth, were you supposed to have Parker this weekend?"

"Yeah. I can pick him up in the morning. It's too late now. It's silly to be upset about it. It's just one evening."

"No, it's not silly. Our flight was delayed by two hours because of the storm. This morning you thought you would be seeing him when you got home. You're a great father and love your son very much. I would expect for you to be disappointed."

"Thanks Bones." And he hugged her. They were doing that more frequently.

"If we went to get something to eat, you wouldn't be alone for all of the evening. I know I'm not Parker, but…"

Booth interrupted her. "It's a great idea. And I'll try not to be a downer."

"I don't know what that means."

Booth chuckled and it felt good. Being with Brennan felt good. It felt right. "A downer means your attitude is depressing."

"Ohhh. I see. So if someone's attitude is really great and happy it would mean an upper."

Booth smiled. "An upper is usually referred to a drug that makes a person high."

"Well, a high person is definitely feeling very good." She laughed. "Of course, it's short lived and then a real downer."

Booth was sitting back and relaxed in his office chair smiling and watching her figure the whole thing out.

"What? Did I get it wrong?"

He shook his head still smiling at her. "No, I just like watching your brain working."

She huffed. "Booth, you can't see my brain."

"Okay then, I like to watch you thinking. That's the result of your brain working. So, it's a pretty good figure of speech."

She thought about it for a few moments and had to agree. "Yes. I can accept that as a justifiable reason."

"So, what about that food? Where should we go?" asked Booth.

"I don't have a preference tonight, but I wouldn't mind a nice walk. I've been sitting for too long, today."

"Okay then, I've got the perfect place."

"And where is that?"

"It's a surprise," he grinned.

"Booth, you know I don't like surprises."

"I know."

"So you want me to bug you the whole way there?" She laughed.

"Well, not all the way. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

As they were walking down the steps outside the Hoover, Brennan had an odd feeling that they'd just done this. But that couldn't be the case. It'd only been a few weeks that they were getting back to being Booth & Brennan, The Center, and partners that spent time together after work hours. She suddenly gasped loudly.

"What's wrong, Bones?" He turned to her in concern.

"Booth, what's the date?"

"I'm usually the one asking you that. But I did write it a few hundred times on paperwork, today."

"I think you're exaggerating, Booth." She watched him smirk. "Oh. You're merely demonstrating that you've written it many times, today."

"It's April 8th. Why?"

Brennan's expression was first one of great awe. And then she laughed.

"Care to share what's so funny?"

"Maybe there is magic." Booth's eyes grew big. "What I mean is that your way of thinking feels magical in a way. It has to be you because smoke particulates don't have any magical powers." First her smile was one of wonder. Then it changed to complete joy. But when Booth's jaw dropped in recognition of what she was meaning, she looked apprehensive.

"I'm just surprised. I told you I wasn't looking." He smirked. "Well, not a lot."

"You looked a little? What does that mean?" She was so unsure of how to feel at that moment.

"The only thing I could see was the "A". And I'm really happy that it wasn't August you wrote down. So, tell me… Why did you choose April 8th?"

"That was the day that I said 'no'. Right here."

Booth's smile was contagious. And Brennan was very thankful that he wasn't upset, but she didn't know anything more. "It's reasonable to assume that you wrote a different date. So what happens now?"

He stepped up close to her, pulled her even closer with his hands on the sides of her waist, and kissed her. He was elated at her response. And he kissed her again and again and again until he finally pulled slightly away and laid his forehead on hers.

"Well, I guess that means you're not unhappy that I chose this date. But, I still don't know what that means for us," she admitted.

He took a step back and held her hands. "What if we take things slowly? And when the date comes that I wrote down, I'll take you out for a special dinner. Not the diner. Somewhere really nice. And then." He stepped back into their embrace. Booth's eyes were searching hers; his expression was one of love and devotion. "We can maybe go some place, and well, we could you know…"

"Break the law of physics?"

Yeah," he said softly and pulled her close for another sweet kiss. "How does that sound to you?"

"I'm very agreeable with that plan."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The following few weeks were normal in many ways. They still worked as partners. They still bickered and bantered. They still ate at the diner and Brennan still refused to take a bite of his pie.

But things were slowly becoming different. It started with Booth's hand returning back to its rightful place at the small of Brennan's back. They didn't know it, but their colleagues smiled when they saw the familiar sight. Then they were sneaking kisses when others weren't watching. At some point, they occasionally walked with their arms linked together or they simply held hands. Booth was testing possible pet names while Brennan kept correcting him. She claimed it wasn't reasonable since he already had a special name for her. Only he was allowed to call her 'Bones.' Booth objected and said it wasn't enough since Parker also called her Bones.

Bones spent more time with Parker after he convinced her that she wasn't taking his father/son time away from him. More and more, Booth felt like he really was a part of the kind of family he'd always wanted. That part he thought he should keep to himself for awhile.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Angela walked into Brennan's office carrying her daughter in her car carrier. Hodgins enjoyed seeing his baby girl during the day and the rest of lab enjoyed her visits, too. She was going to be a spoiled child.

"Wow!" Brennan was admiring her bouquet of daffodils that had arrived a few minutes earlier. "Those are beautiful. I'm assuming those are from Agent Studly."

"Of course. Who else would they be from?"

Angela laughed at her and shook her head in amazement. Brennan had changed so much in the past year, but she was still the Brennan she loved as a friend and the Godmother to her beautiful bundle of joy that currently was in peaceful sleep. "What does the card say? It has to be good because I don't think I've ever seen you look like that."

Brennan had already read the card a few times. "Look like what?"

"Your expression shows anticipation, excitement, and contentment all at the same time. Like a woman in love. You look beautiful."

Brennan chuckled. "Ange, I'm wearing my lab coat."

"It's not what you're wearing that's beautiful. It's how you're showing what you're feeling." Angela looked down and saw her daughter start to stir. "Uh oh. It's almost feeding time. Hurry. I've gotta know what that card says to make you look like this."

Bones,

It's May 20th. I would very much like to take you for a nice, fancy dinner, tonight. Maybe you'd like a dance or two while we're there? I've been anticipating meeting you at the coffee cart. How does 7:00 work for you?

Love, Booth

"Sweetie, he's meeting you on the mall to take you for a fancy date. Most men pick up the lady from where she lives. This must have special meaning? Oh, do tell!"

"I can't. At least not yet. For now, it's just ours."

Angela smiled in understanding. She wasn't going to pry. They obviously didn't need her help anymore.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

While she was getting ready for her night with Booth, she wondered what his reaction would be when he noticed her. It was irrational, but as she was deciding what to wear, an image from the past intruded her thoughts and made her anxious.

Booth's face lit up when he saw Hannah had arrived. He hopped off his stool where they were having their customary celebration drink. He clasped in his hands together in obvious excitement. "Now, that's a dress!" he had said to Hannah.

She thought it was a strange thing to say. Was the dress the most important part of the night? Brennan would have expected other sentiments such as, 'You look beautiful'. Or maybe something like, 'I'm so happy you're here.'

She didn't like being apprehensive over frivolous things like clothes. She knew some women did. If it wasn't for Angela, she wouldn't have as many dresses as she did. She stood in her closet and looked at each dress. She didn't know which one to choose. She couldn't call Angela. She'd heard Hodgins telling Wendell about how little sleep she was getting. She finally decided this was too important to screw up. She called Booth.

"Hi ya, Bones! Are you getting ready for tonight?"

"Yes. That's why I called. Angela usually helps me with these kinds of things. But she's been so tired."

"What kinds of things?" he asked with apprehension.

"Well, she must have some formula because she always knows what I should wear. I'm not good at this Booth. I don't know what you want me to wear."

Booth was stunned. How was he supposed to give a woman advice about what to wear?

"Booth?"

"Uh yeah. You just surprised me there. I didn't know there was a formula either, so this is definitely an Angela thing."

"Oh. I just thought the dress was important to you."

"Why would you think that? You look beautiful all the time."

"That's not helping. I just don't want to disappoint you."

"How would choosing a dress disappoint me?"

She was stuck. She didn't want her insecurities to ruin the night he had planned for them. "It's just an irrational memory I have of you meeting up with a date one night. You were really excited about her dress."

"You'll look great in any dress you choose to wear. Don't think about the dress. Think about me instead."

"I'm already thinking of you."

"Good to hear!" She could hear the anticipation in his voice and imagined his sexy smile.

"But I still want your help. Should I wear the red spaghetti strap one with the black belt and accessories, the blue one with the low-cut back, or the black strapless one that I wore to the last FBI banquet."

"You really want me to choose?" he squeaked. "You look beautiful in all of them for different reasons. But you make a lab coat look good."

Brennan couldn't help but laugh. "Okay I'll surprise you, but only if you tell me what you like about each of them."

"That I can do. The red one gives you a classy and sophisticated look. You look confident and very beautiful. And I like that black necklace I remember you wearing with it. The blue one matches your eyes. And it gives me a wonderful view of the creamy skin on your back. And when we're dancing, I like the excuse to feel it. And I like the way the skirt part flairs out when I spin you. The black one shows off how sexy you are with all your curves I used to try and avoid looking at. But in all honesty, it looks a little uncomfortable to wear. I'm not sure how that helped, Bones. You look great in all of them."

"You're biased."

Booth snorted. "I don't think so. Do you even notice how offended I get when some guy is ogling you?"

"I notice that you can be a bit insulting to men when you're being overprotective and I have to remind you that I can take care of myself."

"Different ways of explaining it, but I'm glad we're on the same page."

"Maybe after dinner, we can be working on some inspiration for the next few pages of my book."

Booth groaned. "I'm saying good-bye so you can get ready. 7:00 Babe."

"Bones," she corrected.

While Brennan finished preparing for her date with Booth, it was difficult not to think about the events that happened that week and how it ultimately led to their first night together.

XOXOXOXOXOXO~FLASHBACK~OXOXOXOXOXOX

Broadsky had reappeared and the stakes had become more personal. The profiles of his victims had changed and he was becoming more aggressive. Within a week, he had killed a judge, a jury member, and a public defender linked to a single case of an alleged criminal who was acquitted. Booth was on high alert. He was determined to get Broadsky and put an end to his warped sense of justice. But what was heaviest on his mind were his next possible victims. The prosecuting attorney, the remaining jury members and all the witnesses on the case were alerted to the potential danger as well as the acquitted man.

The list of people Booth believed were in danger included himself, Caroline Julian, the prosecuting attorney on the case, and witnesses Booth knew personally: Cam, Hodgins, and Brennan. Once Broadsky knew Booth was onto him, he was convinced that his next victim was meant to be a personal attack against him. If Broadsky planned on taking a hit on him, he would want to inflict emotional pain on him first.

If Booth thought Caroline would fight him on protection, he was wrong. Only Sweets was unsurprised by her willingness to go along with Booth's plan. Until Broadsky was in custody, Hodgin's had agreed to let Cam, Brennan, and Caroline to stay at his mansion. Each person was escorted by an FBI agent to and from work each day.

If Booth thought Brennan would argue with him about staying in the Jeffersonian instead of participating in field work and interrogations, he was right. "Let's think about this logically. You like logic. We're doing it your way. No gut reactions. Alright?" Ultimately, he had to bring in another agent to the Jeffersonian to meet Brennan before she agreed. He felt foolish and Agent Stevens ragged on him for more than a day, but at the end of each day, he knew it was the right thing to do. Brennan was good, but she wasn't an agent. Agent Stevens had also been in the army at one time and Booth felt he could count on him in a tight situation.

When a case came up that needed an anthropologist at the scene for recovery, Clark was sent in her place. By the end of the third day, Booth knew it had to end soon. Brennan's cool exterior that allowed her to compartmentalize was starting to get thin. They were both emotionally exhausted. They had been sleeping in separate rooms, but that night they fell asleep in each other's arms. They woke up before sunrise to the sound of Booth's cell phone. Broadsky had been seen just miles away and he wasn't about to waste any time getting to the witness who was already brought in. Without Booth's knowledge, Brennan had convinced Caroline that she could do more for Booth's case at the Hoover. As they were approaching the Hoover, the agent took an unexpected turn away from their destination. Caroline insisted on knowing what was going on and wasn't satisfied with the little information she was given. But if the agents were in pursuit, further communication could be dangerous. They waited almost two hours at another federal building when they were told that Broadsky was in custody. Booth was at the Jeffersonian expecting to see Brennan.

"Bones! I'm at the Jeffersonian. Where are you?"

Brennan couldn't tell if he was angry, concerned, or something else entirely. "I'm with Caroline and we're being taken back to the Hoover." The only thing that could be heard was silence. Brennan finally spoke again. "Booth?"

"I'm here," he said in a shaky voice. "I'll meet you at the Hoover."

Brennan waited in his office for him. When Booth walked in, he locked the door and pulled the shades shut. He didn't approach her as he spoke in a stern voice. "Do you know how close to danger you were?"

"I assumed there was some risk when the agent changed his course and we were taken to another federal building. I couldn't have known that when I decided to go to the Hoover with Caroline," she answered calmly and cautiously. She wondered if this was going to be their first real argument since being a couple.

"Caroline was his next target. I didn't even know you were with her."

"And she's alive because of you and your team. You wouldn't have done anything differently if you had known."

"How do you know that, Bones? You're not one to speculate."

"I'm not speculating. I have evidence." He quirked a brow. "Yes. Evidence. We've been in a lot of dangerous situations through the years and my presence has never prevented you from doing your job effectively."

"Yeah, but, now it's different."

"Really? Because if it is, then the bureau's fraternization policy is accurate; we shouldn't be working together. Maybe we shouldn't have been working together for years. I recall that you knew long before you asked me to give us a try."

"I did know. But now I know it can be real rather than just a fantasy."

"You used to fantasize about me?" She started to walk towards him.

"You know I did." Booth hoped that he wasn't blushing too much as he pulled her into a hug. She laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled her face to his neck.

"And you had my back and I had yours. It hasn't changed over the past several weeks. If you had known I was there, the only difference would have been that you knew you had my back. Will you still have my back after we make love?"

"You know I will," he responded softly.

"Just like I'm realizing that even though I can't predict the future, not all things happen randomly. When you were with Hannah…" He stiffened. She stepped back without letting go. "Just listen. Please." He nodded. He knew they needed to start talking about her. "You told me that we can love a lot of people and there's one we love the most."

"It was you. It was always you. I don't even know anymore why I proposed to her."

"Booth," she tried to interrupt.

"It doesn't make any sense."

She stopped him with a kiss. It was a sweet and loving kiss he didn't want to end. He was angry with himself for almost missing this… never knowing. And he didn't understand why she seemed okay with his dumb choices.

"I was dumb."

"You're not dumb."

"I'm angry with myself for almost missing how great it feels to be in your arms, kissing me, and knowing you feel the same. At least it feels like you do?" His voice turned uncertain.

"I do," she simply said. It was an accurate statement. There was no need to laden it down with fancy words that could cause him to wonder if she was possibly unsure.

"Then why have you been so supportive and so forgiving when I can't forgive myself?"

"Because you've taught me that love doesn't end. I had to learn that my fear of losing you if we changed was irrational. The choices we make can change things. And based on evidence, you've proven to me how loyal you are. That's why I was supportive. You didn't make the choices you did because you stopped loving me."

"No," he whispered.

"My choices influenced your choices. If I had said yes a year ago, and for some reason we still parted for the year with the promise of reuniting, would you have come back with Hannah?"

"Of course not!"

"I know. Booth, you acted on what you knew at the time. You didn't know that I was slowly changing while I was away… and that time and space were having an effect on me. You can't continue to blame yourself for other people's choices. There was never anything wrong with you."

"You're very intelligent."

"I know."

He grinned. "Aren't you going to tell me about all your achievements?"

"I think you know those already. But hopefully it isn't too much longer that you learn of another thing I'm exceptional at."

He gave her a soft kiss. Without pulling away, he said, "That needs to be remedied in the near future."

XOXOXOXOXO~Flashback Continues~OXOXOXOXOX

Several hours later, they skipped the diner and chose to order take-out and eat at Brennan's apartment.

"I hope you're as tired as I am because I don't want it to be because I'm old."

"There is no way that I could know how tired you are."

"I'm so tired I could fall asleep standing up."

"That would be quite dangerous. I don't recommend it."

He grinned at her. "I think you're right."

"I usually am." He laughed at her confidence and he hoped that part of her never changed.

"Maybe if you kiss me, I'll stay awake."

"There's no 'maybe' about that. You know I will."

He almost whimpered at her words knowing she was right. He didn't know how he was going to be able to let her go. He didn't know how he was going to go home alone one more night. She felt so good… so right. Everything happens eventually.

He was surprised when he realized that he had her pinned up against a wall. Roaming hands were making both of them moan. "Bones." He didn't think he could stop kissing her. He really didn't.

"Yeah?" she asked.

His kisses moved to her neck before he answered her. "Please ask me to stay."

"You're the expert on making love. Are we ready?"

"I don't think so." Brennan stiffened for just a moment before Booth finished. "I know so." With his hands on her ass, he pulled her tightly against his hardness.

"Mmm. I would have to agree."

"Vehemently?" he asked her.

"Yes."

And with that, he carried her to her bedroom.

XOXOXOXOXO~FLASHBACK is COMPLETE~OXOXOXOXOX

Booth was already at the coffee cart when Brennan arrived. When he caught sight of her, he was astonished by the overwhelming feeling of love he had for his Bones. Knowing her, really knowing her, was the best feeling in the world. And there she was… returning to him. Not running from him. He met her with a sweet kiss. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You're looking very good, too."

"It felt like 7:00 would never get here." He watched her eyes water.

"Bones? Did I do or say something wrong?"

"No. Everything is close to perfect. Perfect would be impossible to quantify in this situation." He laughed. "Besides, the night just started. The more time I spend with you, the better it will become."

He kissed her again but more deeply. He wasn't concerned with who may be watching at that point. He agreed the night would get better as it progressed. He knew how her scientific brain worked so her answer was perfect. Everything about that moment was perfect.

~The End~