Chapter Text
After Aubrey and Jessica left Hodgins and Angela's house, most guests were still mingling about, waiting until it was time to leave for the reception. Brennan walked around the property, searching for the bride and groom to no avail. Puzzled, she found her husband as he finished his conversation with Hodgins and Angela.
"Booth, have you seen Ms. Warren or Aubrey lately?"
Scanning the crowd, he shook his head. "No, I haven't. Have you seen them, Bug Boy?"
"I haven't seen them, either…" Hodgins paused as he heard his wife chuckle. "Angie, what gives?"
Angela giggled softly. "I gave Aubrey the keys to our new Mercedes so he and Jessica could make their getaway without being noticed."
"But what about their wedding reception?," Brennan asked. "Their guests will be expecting them to attend."
Taking her hand, Booth smiled. "They'll be there, Bones. They probably just wanted a few minutes alone together before the party."
"Agent Booth, where's my daughter?"
Surprised by the interruption, Booth looked at Eleanor, followed closely by an embarrassed Chase, who was barely disguising his disdain. Trying to be polite, the agent answered calmly. "They're heading over to the reception…"
"Now? Without saying goodbye to me?" Eleanor snorted loudly as Charlie and Alice caught up to the group. "He's probably seducing my daughter right now. He can't even be proper enough to wait until later tonight. What a boorish man."
Brennan remembered what Booth had said about letting her intern set boundaries with her mother. However, she'd had enough of the woman's bad behavior. "Eleanor, be quiet!"
The attorney looked at Brennan, who continued to glare at her. "What did you say to me?"
"I demand that you stop talking immediately. You have been such a…" Brennan gestured with her hands. "…pain in the posterior all day. Aubrey and Ms. Warren have every right to take a few minutes for themselves, even if it means having sexual intercourse in Angela and Dr. Hodgins' new Mercedes sedan before the reception. It's none of our business."
Booth put a hand on her arm. "Bones…let it go..."
"No, Booth, I won't. I'm tired of this ignorant and condescending woman." Brennan turned back to Eleanor, who was redfaced with anger. "I would suggest that, as the mother of the bride, perhaps a little decorum is in order for you as well, so that you are not asked to leave a wedding function two days in a row due to your own boorish behavior."
Eleanor stood with her hands on her hips. "You think you can talk to me like that?"
"When you're being rude and annoying, certainly." Switching gears quickly, Brennan turned to her husband. "Booth, shall we head over? Daisy left a while ago to help Nadia and her daughters set up for the reception."
"We'll join you.," Hodgins replied. "We can grab the kids really quick."
Incensed at being insulted, Eleanor stormed over to the forensic anthropologist. "Excuse me! I demand an apology, Temperance!"
Brennan's reply was simple. "No."
"No?" Not used to being turned down, Eleanor lost her cool. "That is unacceptable! I am Jessica's mother, and I demand an apology right now! If you don't, I'll make sure you regret it. I'll-"
"E…Ellie…be…quiet.," Charlie admonished. "You…and…date…ride…with…Michael. Wash…waiting…for…you…over…there…"
"Fine…CHASE!," the attorney bellowed as she stomped away, followed by the sullen young man.
"Sorry...a...about...Eleanor." Charlie smirked. "Th…thank…you…for…bat…being…good…friends…to…Jessie…and…James…see…everyone…at…party…"
Watching the neuropathologist slowly walk away with his nurse, the group shook their heads. "How does Jessica get such a cool dad like Charlie and a pain in the ass mom like Eleanor?," Hodgins asked. "That's crazy."
"I don't know, but thank God she got him." Angela turned to the other three. "Before we go, boys, I suggest that if you were planning any pranks to pull on Aubrey and Jessica tonight, you need to undo your plans immediately."
"We weren't planning anything…," Booth stammered. "Nothing bad, anyway…"
"Booth, if you have planned to participate in any sort of joke on Aubrey for his honeymoon, that will cease now." Brennan glared at her husband and crossed her arms. "There will also be no sexual intercourse for you if you do anything to make a mockery of their wedding reception or honeymoon. Am I clear?"
"That goes for you, too, Hodgins...when the doctor says we can have sex again." Angela shook her finger at him. "Behave…"
Booth eyed his wife again, admiring how good she looked in her green dress. Knowing she meant every word she said, he sighed. The agent and scientist looked at each other with guilty grimaces.
"Okay…", they both said. "We'll be good."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Nadia unlocked the Bethesda tasting room's main door and walked in, followed by her daughters and Daisy. "So, we just need to set up the plates, silverware, and the wine glasses on the tables for each guest in the dining room, and the memorial table as well."
"Also the bags of birdseed and the wedding favors that your husband brought here yesterday.," Daisy said. "I hope it was all right that I told Jessica we could handle this since the guys moved all the tables and furniture yesterday."
"That's fine, Daisy. It won't take us long.," Nadia replied, smiling at her daughters. "We have good helpers."
"Hello? Anyone home?"
Startled, the group turned to see Beau walking in through the unlocked door. "Beau, why are you here? The reception doesn't start until 5:00.," Daisy snarked.
"I…wanted to talk to you...if you have time. You haven't returned any of my calls, and you were busy earlier at the wedding..."
Sensing that the two needed to be alone, Nadia pointed towards the back of the room. "Girls, how about we go check on the cooks in the kitchen? Daisy, the wine glasses and arrangements are all on the bar for your disposal. Let us know if you need assistance."
"Wine glasses? Even for Grandma?," Annabelle asked in surprise.
"Yes, even for your grandmother. She just won't be drinking wine tonight. Now come on…"
"Man, we always have to leave when the good stuff starts…," Charlotte whined as the three left the room.
When the room was cleared, Daisy carried a box over to the table and sighed. "Beau, I really don't have time to talk to you or hear your latest plan on how you're going to win me back. Jessica put me in charge of the reception..."
"That's not what I want to talk about, Daisy."
"Well then, I don't know what else we have to discuss unless it's through our attorneys, although I assume you still haven't gotten one." Daisy set up a vase of apricot roses and three photo frames on an end table near the bar with a small wooden plaque that read, "In Memoriam."
Beau walked over and studied the photographs. "I know that lady looks familiar, but who's that older man and woman? Why are their pictures up at a wedding reception?"
"That's Aubrey's mom and those people are Jessica's paternal grandparents. They obviously couldn't be here, so this is a way to include and honor them." An impatient Daisy turned around. "I'm in a hurry, Beau. What is so important for us to talk about right now?"
The former linebacker shuffled up to his estranged wife. "I want to talk about Lance…and the house. I promise...it won't take long."
Daisy considered for a moment. "I have to put out Jessica's gift for Aubrey and finish setting up the tables. You can help if you want."
Relieved, Beau smiled. "Yeah, that would be nice."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"Aubrey, we shouldn't have stopped, but I'm glad we did…."
"Me, too, Jess. I know we're waiting until later for the best part, but we did just get married after all…"
In a secluded area in Bethesda, MD, by a secluded pond, Aubrey and Jessica were making out in the back seat of the Mercedes. She was sitting next to him with her legs on his lap while his hand moved under her dress.
"James Aubrey…," Jessica giggled. "Be a good husband. We have a beautiful room waiting for us tonight, where we can have all the sex that we want…"
"And we'll wait until tonight, because I meant it when I said I don't want our first time making love as husband and wife to be in Hodgins's Mercedes…but I also want to know what my bride has on under her dress." Aubrey continued his machinations. "Hey, now I know where your garter is for later...oh, now my bride's hand is right on my junk…oh that's nice…you're a naughty bride…"
"Yes I am, but we're going to be late for our own reception…" Jessica kissed her husband. "Maybe we should go…"
"Yeah, but we're the stars…they can't really start without us, right?"
"True, but it would be rude for us to be late." Jessica snuggled next to her husband. "I love you, Aubrey."
"I love you, too, Jessica, and I'm looking forward to this evening, including dinner and the reception...and tonight at the Jefferson. I guess you were right. I did want an appetizer since we haven't been together since yesterday in the kitchen." The couple chuckled as he held her tenderly. "So, lovely wife of mine, care to tell me how you knew about this place?"
"I may have visited it a time or two when I was younger. Now, I get to share it with you." Jessica nibbled on Aubrey's ear. "What time is it?"
"Keep doing that and we're not making the wedding reception." Aubrey groaned as he looked at his watch. "Shit…it's 5:15. We have to go."
The agent jumped out of the car but stopped at hearing his name. Ducking his head into the back seat, he noticed that his wife hadn't moved. "What, Jess…"
"I need help getting out, Aubrey. This dress makes it hard to move around in an area this small…and a tree is blocking this side.," Jessica chuckled.
Aubrey laughed as well. "Sorry."
After he helped her carefully turn around, she got out of the car, picked up her bouquet from the front seat and got in. "Do you know where we're going?"
"Yep, all good." Aubrey started up the vehicle. "Wood fire pizza…here we come…"
Jessica laughed as Aubrey drove quickly out of the secluded area and got back on the road toward the reception. For the next twenty minutes, the newlywed couple chatted about various things until Aubrey pulled into the parking lot of the tasting room. Seeing all the cars there, he laughed.
"I think we're a little late, Jess."
"We are, but it was nice to enjoy those moments with my husband on the drive…and by Miller's Pond." The couple chuckled together as she straightened his tie. "I can't believe that you're my husband, Aubrey. Wow…you were my friend...my lover and sex slave, and now..."
"I'll always be your sex slave, Jess. Especially tonight when I get those panties off."
Jessica smacked her laughing husband's arm. "Dork."
"But I'm your dork." Aubrey kissed her gently. "I love you, Jessica Warren and I'm so glad that I married you today."
"I love you, James Aubrey, and I'm glad I married you…"
The couple joined into another embrace when they heard cheering. Startled, they turned and saw their guests clapping. "Really?," Aubrey asked. "Can't a man kiss his wife?"
"No.," Booth bellowed. "Everyone already has their cocktails, so get in here, you guys, so you can mingle and dance before Aubrey gets his pizza."
"Wait…they need to make an entrance.," Jack replied. "So, do you and Dr. Brennan…"
Booth scoffed. "Come on, they didn't do that shit for our wedding…"
"Booth…" Brennan put her hand on his shoulder. Please?"
"I agree, Jess and I don't need to make some fancy entrance…"
"Aubrey…come on…," Jessica cooed. "It'll be fun…"
The groom glanced at his wife's large, beautiful green eyes and knew he was stuck. "Had to whip out the eyes…okay, Jack…start the circus."
Everyone went inside, including the wedding party, until they reached the doorway. Eleanor stopped as well, expecting to be introduced until she was nudged along by Aaron. "It's not your party, Mom. Move on…"
The woman entered the room with Chase but stopped in her tracks when she saw Caroline Julian talking to Genny and Hunter. "What is that uppity Julian woman wearing?"
Hearing her cue, Caroline turned around with a wide smile, revealing she had changed into a green dress almost identical to that of the mother of the bride. "Hello, Ms. Gordon. Like my dress? I had to change at the last minute, but luckily for me, I remembered that I had this lovely dress that I found at Target last week.,,on the clearance rack, too." Looking the flustered woman up and down, Caroline smirked. "It seems we both have excellent taste in dresses."
Hearing all the snickers in the room, Eleanor exploded. "How dare you! I'm the mother of the bride, and you're wearing my dress!"
"No, I'm wearing my dress, and you're wearing the'one of a kind' designer dress that you were bragging about at the wedding. Get yours at Target, too?"
As she clenched her fists, Eleanor's knuckles turned white as she remembered the purchase she'd made at the consignment shop. Being surrounded by designer labels, she assumed her dress was the same and picked it out for the purpose of making an entrance and to be noticed during the evening. For the last two hours, she'd bragged to everyone that it was a one of a kind designer gown, and now that cover story had been blown by the woman in front of her.
She gave Caroline a haughty glare. "I insist you change immediately. I will not be humiliated at my daughter's wedding!"
Jessica was fed up with her mother's outrageous behavior. "Mom, I want to dance with my husband, and he's also getting hungry. Please go find a seat…now."
Seeing that all eyes were on her, Eleanor cleared her throat. Followed by a red-faced Chase, she let Aaron lead her to a table where Michael, Cindy, and his daughters were already situated. "I can't believe the nerve of that woman—"
"Mom, that's enough for tonight.," Michael said firmly. "This is Jessie's wedding. Let it go."
The crisis over, the wedding party waited until they were announced, starting with Christine and Michael Vincent, followed by Booth and Brennan. When it was time for Aubrey and Jessica, Jack nodded to the DJ.
"Here they come…the newlyweds James Aubrey and Jessica Warren…"
Amid hoots and cheers, Aubrey and Jessica walked in and waved to everyone. Handing her bouquet to Brennan, they moved to the dance floor, while 'Lay Lady Lay' began to play. They held each other close as they danced to their song. As her husband sang the words in her ear, Jessica lost herself in reverie as she remembered the night they'd made love to the song.
When Bob Dylan's words of love were almost to the end, Aubrey whispered to Jessica, 'Ready, Jess?"
"Always, James…"
Suddenly the romantic mood of Lay Lady Lay segued into Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop the Feeling, and the newlywed couple began to laugh, both of them having fun as they danced and sang the song. The guests soon began clapping along, enjoying the sight of the married couple dancing so happily, cheering Aubrey on when he dipped and twirled his wife.
Brennan moved awkwardly to the beat. "Booth…I remember this song from when we took Christine and Aubrey to see Trolls."
"She played this song constantly and I caught Aubrey humming it more than once in the break room while he was getting coffee. It's a fun song, though. I knew he and Jessica were cooking up something for the reception. Leave it to them to make a first dance memorable."
On the sidelines, Aaron danced with his pregnant wife and even Daisy and Beau joined in the fun from the corner of the room. Charlie laughed with pleasure at seeing his daughter and new son-in-law dancing together, and it seemed that Eleanor was finally relaxed as she stiffly swayed to the music.
When the song was over, Aubrey and Jessica bowed to applause before the DJ next played 'Hot Blooded'. "Now for the wedding party to dance!"
Booth and Brennan jammed to the song as their daughter danced with Michael Vincent nearby. Aubrey grabbed his wife and twirled her around to her laughs. Jessica's brothers moved onto the floor with their significant others, even Jack and Greg, much to Eleanor's annoyance.
"I knew those two would work this song in for Booth and Brennan…," Angela chuckled as she watched her best friend dance with Booth.
"But of course..." Hodgins nodded as he watched. "It's a great song."
"Did you and Booth stop what you were planning…"
"Yes, Angie." He looked up at Wendell, who was clapping along with Andie. "Booth called Bower before they soaped Aubrey's SUV. It's safe. As for the wedding night, I don't know where they're going because they've kept it a closely guarded secret."
"Good." Angela pointed back to the mini bar Hodgins had set up next to the main bar. "Better get over there to make those cocktails, Hodgins. People are lining up, and I want my Tattooine Sunrise. I pumped a lot of milk for our son so I could have one."
"You got it, Babe." Hodgins smiled before wheeling over to his station. As he passed Beau and Daisy, he overheard them talking.
"Come on, Daisy…$400,000 plus $100,000 in a trust fund for Lance and $200,000 for any house expenses that you will encounter with the redo. Also $250,000 in alimony, $10,000 in child support, and I get to see Lance when I want."
"$500,000 for the house, Beau. I will accept the trust fund for Lance if it's for college, and you will be able to see Lance whenever you want and we'll allow you to contribute $50,000 for the remodeling. Zero for the alimony because I have a wonderful job. No child support for Lance, but you can do 50/50 for any medical and school expenses he may have until he's 18."
Hodgins finished his final set up as he continued to 'accidentally' eavesdrop.
"$425,000 for the house…$150,000 in a trust fund for Lance…$100,000 for any remodeling of the house and $100,000 alimony. $5,000 child support and 50/50 for any school and medical expenses for Lance, and the same policy for spending time with him."
Daisy considered the idea for a moment. "I accept your final offer of Lance's trust fund and you can always see Lance. Now, $475,000 for the house with $50,000 for remodeling costs…$2500 child support will be put to account for school expenses and incidentals. 50/50 on medical expenses."
"This is silly." Beau took a deep breath. "Why can't you just accept the house as a gift instead of negotiating to buy it and putting yourself into debt with a mortgage? Why are you being so stubborn?"
"I could ask the same of you." Daisy sipped her Red-Headed Leia. "Final offer, Beau. I'll offer $475,000 for the house with the trust fund for Lance, give you unlimited visitation with our son, $60,000 for remodeling costs, $2000 a month for child support that I will set aside for emergencies and school expenses. All medical expenses and copays after my insurance pays. Take it or leave it."
Beau debated with himself as he took a drink of his Millenium Falcon GMan-tini. "Final counter offer. You buy the house for $475,000, I'll contribute $75,000 for any remodeling costs with any remaining balance to be donated to a charity of your choice, Lance's trust fund, unlimited visitation. I will also pay all medical expenses for Lance after your insurance pays, $2000 a month child support and I will work out a separation agreement so we can have a no-fault divorce."
Daisy nodded as she considered the terms. "Any charity I want for any extra money left over after the remodel of the house?"
"Yeah. The charity of your choice. Maybe we can also add...my parents spending time with him. They want to be his grandparents, Daisy. They love him."
"I'd prefer that you not have to be labeled as a deserter to get a divorce...and I'll admit, your parents have been wonderful to my son." Daisy traced the top of her glass with her finger. "But are you sure you want to separate for a year? You wanted to stay together so badly, Beau. Why are you now so willing to sell me this house at a loss and give me so much money for a child that's not yours?"
"Don't you get it, Daisy? Lance is my boy. Yeah, I know that shrink guy Lance Sweets was his daddy, but as far as I'm concerned, he's my son, too. Lance was part of why I fell for you ." Beau hesitated before continuing. "I love you, Daisy, but...remember my mom nagging us after we said we're going to Tahiti and she got you all scared that he wouldn't have any parents if we were killed…"
"Yeah…so we got married.," Daisy said. "I've been thinking a lot lately and...I wasn't always the best wife to you, Beau."
"Daisy, I wasn't the best husband, either. I kept pushing you about having a baby, even after you said you wanted to wait a while…I was acting like a dick aince I was jealous because you had this life before me...and a career you loved. Worst of all, I was also jealous of his daddy, a man who, through no fault of his own, can't be here. All I'd heard from your friends was how he was this amazing FBI shrink who died helping that Agent Booth after he was released from prison. He sounded so perfect…"
"Beau…Lance wasn't perfect by any means. We broke up a few times, including once right before we were going to move in together, because he thought it was going to be like playing house. He hooked up with Jessica, which he had a right to do, and then with me off and on. I found I was pregnant soon after he started casually dating Jessica. I'm lucky Jessica was so forgiving. Did I ever tell you that she encouraged Lance and me to work things out?"
"You did. I shouldn't have said what I said to her that night on her porch. She seems like a good friend to you...and to your Sweets."
Daisy sighed. "She is. In regards to Lance, yes, he put himself in harm's way for Booth, but...he was no saint. I'm sorry that I made you feel like you weren't good enough. I know we haven't talked about it much, but I didn't handle Lance dying very well. I just...pushed all the pain away because I was focused on our son and kept myself together for his sake. Frankly, he's the reason I didn't self-destruct much sooner than I did."
"I get you." Beau nodded. "But there was that Oliver Wells. I knew deep down there was something there, but..."
"Yeah, at one time, there was something between Oliver and me, but he pushed me away. Beau, you were pushy and jealous, but I kept trying to get you to change, too. I wanted another Lancelot, and when you didn't live up to that, I took all my frustration out on you and then flirted with Oliver, even though we were married. I was a horrible wife to you, Beau and that's why I want a divorce. You deserve someone who will want that large family you want...and who wants to be taken care of. I deserve someone who will be supportive of my career and can be an equal partner. If you and I end up staying together..."
"...then we'll resent each other...and Lance will suffer…" Beau saw Daisy's surprise and looked sad. "Yeah, I talked to Booth and Aubrey...they helped me look at things differently. I...I care a lot about you...and love you...but...I'm not in love with you, Daisy. I think that...I'd almost married you more for Lance than you. I'm so sorry about that."
Daisy nodded. "Don't be because...I'm not in love with you, either, Beau. I do care very deeply for you, though. However, you really hurt me when you bought my house out from under me…"
"I wanted us to be a family under one roof. I thought I was helping you…"
"No, Beau, you weren't helping me, and you know that. You asked why I wanted to put myself in debt with a mortgage. The answer is for me to move forward with my life, I have to stand on my own two feet. Don't you understand? I've leaned on people to avoid dealing with what has happened over the last couple of years, and it has to stop. That's why I have to buy this house from you and not at some low figure, either. I need to be independent and get myself together. Lance would want that for our son...I want that for our son. I think you do, too."
"I do. I want our boy to have the best in life." Beau leaned back in his chair as he considered his wife's comments. "I have no need for the house, Daisy, other than to help you. Please accept my offer of the house, money, and divorce. It's the least I can do for being an asshole during our marriage."
"You weren't the only one being an asshole during our marriage." Daisy reached across the table and gently squeezed his hand, taking Beau by surprise. Taking a deep breath, she made her decision. "I accept your offer, Beau."
"You do?" Beau was stunned. "Even the child support?"
"Yes, even the child support. I'll put it aside for Lance." Daisy smiled at him. "Beau, I promise you that you'll always be a part of his life. You're the only father my son has ever known. I just don't want you to shortchange yourself, especially if you meet someone and have children with them-"
"Lance will always be my son, Daisy and he'll have me for the rest of his life, no matter what. That I will promise you."
"I know you'll always be there. I also want us to be friends because Lance needs the both of us, even when we move on in life."
Beau smiled and patted her hand. "Daisy, I'll always be your friend. However, I don't think you should give up on Oliver."
Daisy shook her head in surprise. "Huh? Where did that come from?"
"He cares about you. Yeah, he's recovering and happy with Rani right now, but...I don't know. I think there's still something there with you two."
"Beau, that ship has sailed, but I'm okay with that. I need to figure things out and be happy with me before I even contemplate a relationship." The anthropologist giggled and pulled her hand away. Fishing a pen out of her purse, she began writing on a napkin.
"Daisy, what are you doing?"
"I'm writing out our divorce agreement." Finishing her list, she signed it and pushed it forward on the table. "Sign, please."
Hodgins slyly peeked at the couple and saw a laughing Beau sign the napkin and slide it across the table. He smiled as they two shook hands, stood up and hugged. Going back to his task, he nodded to himself, happy that Daisy was moving forward.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"Dinner time!"
"Oh yeah…." Aubrey took Jessica by the hand to the head table in the dining room. "Oh boy, am I hungry."
"When aren't you hungry, Aubrey?," Jessica laughed. Sitting down, she saw a box with her name on it. "What is this?"
Aubrey hung his jacket on the chair and sat down. "It's your wedding present. Hopefully you'll enjoy it like I'm loving these cufflinks."
Opening the box, she reached in and pulled out two champagne glasses. Examining them, she saw one that had Leia etched with the words 'I Love You'. The second one had Han Solo with the words 'I Know' with '04.14.17' etched below on each glass. She laughed with delight. "Aubrey, these are awesome!"
"Are you sure?" Aubrey shrugged bashfully. "I just...I wanted to give you something that would remind you of today and that was…'us', you know?"
"Yes, I love these!" Leaning over, she kissed her husband as the others began to file into the dining room. "Thank you."
Booth sat down next to Aubrey as Brennan did the same next to Jessica. "So, you gave her those Star Wars champagne flutes. You two are weird."
"I think their gifts to each other are quite nice, Booth.," Brennan replied as the guests settled down in their assigned seats.
When all were seated, Jack came out to address everyone as he held a small bag with handles in each hand. "Hi folks. In case anyone has forgotten, I'm Jack, one of the two ginger brothers. Aaron is the other one, and he's over there."
Everyone chuckled as he continued. "So, tonight's menu is a sample of some items we're hoping to offer this summer at our main vineyard up in Rappahannock County, at least after we clean out the sewage from Tuesday's little incident."
Hearing the laughter, he continued. "Before we bring the salad, on behalf of the Warren family, we have a small gift for our sister and new brother-in-law."
"Give them the bags, already, dude.," Jason yelled to chuckles.
"Fine, Mr. Lawyer...always in a hurry…," Jack retorted to more laughs before walking up to the couple and handing them each a bag labeled with their name. "Here you go."
"There aren't spiders or more pictures of me from the bachelor party, are there, Jack?," Aubrey asked, giving his best man the stink eye.
"No, I promise. Now, hurry up and open them. The sooner you do that and show everyone, the sooner you can eat."
Each reached in and removed a box. Opening them, they pulled out stemless wine glasses. Aubrey had one with Han Solo with 'Her Han' beneath it. Jessica's glass had Leia with 'His Leia' on it. Both laughed as they admired their gift, ignoring the folded piece of cloth inside each.
"Jack, these are great!" Aubrey turned his around to show everyone. "Thanks, man."
"There's something else in the glass, Aubrey." Stephan smirked. "For each of you."
Jessica and Aubrey unfolded the white fabric to reveal large bibs, one with GROOM printed on it, and the other printed with BRIDE. "Stephan...really?," Jessica asked. "I'm not two…"
"We can't have you two messing up your fancy wedding clothes with dinner, now can we?," Jack replied. "Come on, put them and show everyone."
The couple put them on to the cheers of the guests. Booth laughed as he saw Aubrey with his bib on. "Looking smooth there, Aubrey."
"Bite me, Booth!," Aubrey retorted.
Standing up, Booth quietly cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Since I'm the best man, I want to say a few words before we eat."
He smiled at the happy crowd. "I met Aubrey at a low point in my life. I'll admit, I gave him a hard time for a while, but eventually I got to know him better, and he's proven more than once what a good friend he really is. I wasn't there the first time he met Jessica, but when he called her 'that cute squint' while we were waiting to question a suspect, it was obvious he already had a thing for her. I mean, he was always talking about her, when he wasn't discussing dinner, that is."
Everyone laughed before he continued. "Their friendship grew over Star Wars and the other weird stuff that they have in common. Needless to say, me and Bones were happy when we found out they were dating. They've had their ups and downs, but they've worked things out, and now we're here celebrating their marriage. However, I've always wondered one thing."
Booth smiled as he grinned at his friend. "Aubrey, you're a great FBI agent, and a great guy, too, but I'll never in my life be able to figure out how you conned a nice girl like Jessica into marrying you." He raised his glass to the happy couple. "Here's to a great pair...to Aubrey and Jessica!"
The guests raised their glass to toast the newlyweds. "To Aubrey and Jessica!"
Next, Brennan stood up. "When Ms. Warren came to our lab, she...pushed my limits, starting with using copious amounts of pineapple juice on the set of remains we had in the lab."
Everyone chuckled as Brennan glanced at Jessica. "As I got to know her, I realized that she wasn't that much different than I am. Her curious mind usually moves faster than she speaks, but she has always been eager to learn and to help others. Thanks to her, I learned to use Twitter."
Pausing to let everyone laugh, Brennan continued. "As for Aubrey, while I didn't see it right away, I eventually noted his more frequent visits to the lab when Ms. Warren was working. Then the Hodsell case came along and something changed as Aubrey and my intern spent more time together. They grew closer after he was injured by a bomb...but it wasn't until several months later that they finally started a relationship...and tried to hide it from everyone at the lab."
"You should know you can't hide anything at the lab, you two.," Angela added.
"They were both sad when they broke up, but I was heartened when they became friends again, and then more. These two have had several challenges since last fall, but they've become stronger together. I know they'll have a happy marriage because they really like each other. They're friends and that's the best kind of love you can have."
Brennan smiled at her husband before holding up her glass. "To Aubrey and Ms. Warren."
Aubrey and Jessica hugged their attendants before sitting down. Turning to his new family, the groom stared them all down. "Can we have dinner now? I'm hungry."
Everyone laughed as two servers came out with salads for everyone. Eleanor groaned when she saw her plate. "There's too much dressing on this salad."
She was about to complain when Jason spoke up from the next table over. "Not a word, Mom, about the salad or anything else. You're not ruining Jessie's wedding reception like you tried to do with her rehearsal dinner last night."
"Jason, come on. That's enough.," Michael said. "They messed up her salad again, okay?"
"No, it's not okay, Michael, and she can suck it up like an adult without embarrassing her daughter or son-in-law." He looked at his mother. "I mean it, Mom."
"Fine…" Eleanor stabbed her fork into the colorful mixed green salad. Turning to her companion, she was irritated to see him stuffing his face. "Chase...really…"
"This is good, Eleanor.," the young lawyer said with his mouth full. "Hey, if you're not going to eat yours, can I have it?"
"How uncouth...fine…" Eleanor slid her salad over to her date. Looking at the next table, she saw Charlie and Alice chatting with Aaron and his family. Turning her head, she saw Caroline Jordan telling a story to Hodgins, Angela, Wendell, Andie, Clark, his date, and the kids at the next table. Silently, she stewed as everyone's attention was focused elsewhere. Just because it was her daughter's wedding didn't mean she was to be ignored.
As Aubrey finished his salad, his hand slowly moved beneath the table and began to quietly move Jessica's dress up her thigh. The redhead held back a chuckle at his efforts. "Down, boy," she whispered. "You only have to behave a few hours longer…"
"Fine…."
After the salad plates were removed, Jack stood up again. "Okay everyone, now the kitchen has made your pizzas using the requests you sent to us last week. We do have a little something extra for the bride and groom along with their wedding party, so we'll present them with their dinner first.
The servers came out with four trays and showed them to each group before bringing them to the head table, with reactions ranging from oohs and ahs to laughter.
Setting them down in front of the quartet, each laughed as they saw the pizzas. Jack walked up and made the introductions. "Okay, so for Dr. Brennan and Jessica, we have a vegetarian pizza that we've arranged the toppings to look like Yoda…"
"I do have a rudimentary understanding of the Star Wars universe…" Brennan admired how the green shishito peppers formed Yoda's face, surrounded by mushrooms and other veggies. "...and I'm very impressed. Thank you, Jack, for the thought."
"You're welcome." The server set the next pizza down, shaped like the Millenium Falcon. "This is for the happy couple, pepperoni and mushrooms with shishito and red peppers."
"This is awesome, Jack!" Aubrey moved to grab a slice but Jessica lightly slapped his hand to everyone's laughter.
"Almost done, Aubrey." A server set down the next pizza, which was a meat lover's pizza shaped like the Death Star. "This one is all yours, buddy. Pepperoni, italian and Cotto sausage, hamburger, ham, and bacon…"
"Oh yeah…." Aubrey laughed like a giddy little kid. "Wow…"
"Our final pizza is for Aubrey and his best man." A pizza pie was put down with toppings laid out to look like Darth Vader. "Pepperoni, mushroom, black olives, sausage, and peppers."
"This looks good, Jack." Booth rubbed his hands together, now as excited as Aubrey.
"We've already got pictures for everyone." Jack laughed before the servers started bringing out other pizzas. "Okay everyone, time to eat."
Aubrey was giddy as he grabbed pizza from the Millenium Falcon and his Death Star. When Booth leaned to steal a slice of the Death Star, Aubrey moved it away before being scolded by his wife.
"Aubrey, give your best man a slice of the Death Star."
"But Jess, it's my wedding pizza…," he whined.
Jessica gave him a look. "James Robert Aubrey…"
"Yeah, James Robert Aubrey, share your pizza with your best man.," Booth taunted until Brennan stepped in.
"Seeley Joseph Booth, you will accept what is given to you graciously or I will not only allow Aubrey to take the entire Death Star and that Darth...whatever he is called pizza, but you will only be allowed to eat part of my Yoda pizza."
"Ha ha…," Aubrey teased with a mouth full of meat lover's pizza.
"Aubrey, final warning…," Jessica said firmly. "Now share."
Chastised by their wives, Aubrey offered the Death Star pizza, and Booth took one slice. Nodding to each other in understanding, they began to eat, groaning with every bite.
Booth nodded happily. "Damn, Jessica, this is amazing pizza."
Not caring what it looked like, Jessica finished chewing her Yoda slice, which she ate by hand instead using her silverware. She then took a slice from both the Millenium Falcon and Aubrey's Death Star. "You're welcome, Booth."
Booth saw Aubrey's lack of reaction to Jessica eating pizza. "Of course, you don't say anything when Jessica eats your pizza."
"Hey, you tried to bogard that Dr. Gordon Wyatt's cookies when he was in town last year, remember?," Aubrey retorted.
Chewing his slice, Booth gave a look to Hodgins, who started to tap his glass with his fork, and soonhe joined by the rest of the group. Putting his food down, Aubrey turned and kissed Jessica to everyone's cheers before going back to his pizza. He had barely swallowed his bite when a smirking Hunter started clinking his water glass.
Putting his slice down, Aubrey gladly gave his wife another kiss, not noticing the look the SEC CPA had given to Aaron. Waiting about one minute, he paused, clinking his glass once Aubrey had bitten into his pizza slice. Forlorn at being denied his dinner, the groom swallowed before kissing his wife.
After a few minutes of peace, Rodney winked at his wife, Amy. "Watch this." He waited until Aubrey had taken a big bite of pizza before tapping his glass with his fork. "Give her a kiss, Mr. Groom!"
Trying to quickly chew his bite of pizza, Aubrey glared at the priest. "You bum…"
"Hey, I'm just trying to help you out, Jimmy. I figure that's the only way she's gonna wanna kiss you…"
"Oh yeah? Watch this." Aubrey leaned over to a giggling Jessica and kissed her. "See? She likes it..."
"Good for you, Jimmy." Rodney chuckled as he watched the happy couple. "Better eat up before your pizza gets cold…"
Praying that he would be allowed to finish what was turning out to be the best pizza of his life, Aubrey was stymied by frequent interruptions during his meal, with people tapping their water glasses so he could kiss his wife.
After about twenty minutes, a frustrated Aubrey turned to his best man. "You're doing this, aren't you, Booth?"
"Who me?," the agent asked innocently before biting into his pizza. "Damn...good stuff. Bones, we're making a trip to the vineyard this summer."
Hearing the tapping again, Aubrey groaned to everyone's laughter before he kissed his wife.
"Aubrey, you're lucky that I'm as accepting of your 'mistress' as I am. I mean, I know how much you love food, but I would think kissing me would be better than pizza.," Jessica joked.
"You're definitely better than pizza, and I'll prove it." Aubrey grabbed her and kissed her soundly, getting everyone's attention. Amid whistles and cheers, the agent let his bride go, emboldened by the fact that she was breathless.
"I stand corrected, James."
Aubrey turned to the crowd. "Now, can I enjoy my pizza in peace for five minutes, please?"
Everyone laughed before going back to their meals.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
After dinner, the couple mingled with their guests for a while. Jessica was able to finally find Daisy, who was talking to Andie. "So, I saw you talking to Beau earlier. How's that going?"
"I was about to tell Andie...Beau is selling me the house. I'm going to be your neighbor...two doors down neighbor!"
The three women squealed and bounced together in a group hug before letting go. "Andie, you have to come over so we can have a girls' night after I'm moved in and Jessica is back from her honeymoon."
"I'll be there!," the nurse said, sipping her cocktail. "So, you guys seemed to be...doing well for getting a divorce."
"Yeah...Beau and I came to an understanding and our son will be better for it."
"Our son?," Jessica asked.
"Yeah...Lance will always know who his biological father was, but I think it's okay if Beau is his father, too." Daisy smiled. "My son will have two dads and several uncles. He's going to be alright...I'm going to be alright. Beau and I are doing what's best for Lance, and we're going to have a great friendship as we help Lance grow up to be successful."
Unbeknownst to the group, Oliver stood nearby, overhearing the conversation. Unsure of how he felt about the latest development, he contemplated things for a minute or two until Rani joined him.
"Oliver, are you ready to go? I'm sure you're exhausted." The physicist saw Daisy nearby and stiffened when she saw her walk toward them.
"Hi, Oliver. I'm glad you two were able to make it to Aubrey and Jessica's reception."
"Yes, and we're now leaving." Rani took Oliver's hand. "Excuse us."
He pulled his hand away. "Rani...I'm fine. I want to...stay for...a while. Want to talk...to Hodgins…"
"Now that you're both together, I have something to say." Daisy clasped her hands. "I'd prefer to do this elsewhere, but life gets complicated sometimes."
"Dr. Wick, Oliver needs to go home and rest."
He glared at his fiancee. "I'm fine, Rani. Stop...hovering."
Daisy took a breath. "I'm sorry for my behavior while you were recovering, Oliver. That goes for you, too, Rani. I was a...bitch to you...and it was uncalled for."
"It's a little too late.", Rani commented, frowning at Daisy. "Your bad behavior can't be undone with a simple apology…"
"Thank you...Daisy...for apologizing. Perhaps one day...we can work together...again.," Oliver said.
"How is your husband, Dr. Wick?," Rani asked, pointing to Beau.. "I'm sure you want to get back to him."
"Actually, we're doing well. We've separated and plan to be divorced." Daisy understood what Rani was trying to do. Not wanting to start anything at her friend's wedding reception, she decided it was time to end the conversation. "Beau and I think it's best. If you'll excuse me, they're going to cut the cake soon."
Oliver nodded as he watched her walk away. "That was nice of Daisy...to apologize. I don't think that's all...she is...referring to...though."
"I do." Rani didn't trust the woman, but decided to let it go for the time being. "Since you want to stay, let's go see Aubrey and Jessica cut the cake."
In the dining room, Aubrey and Jessica were given a knife by Jack. They sliced a large piece of their Star Wars cake and put it on a plate, which Aubrey held.
"Superman, if you shove that cake in my face, you're going to be a lonely man tonight.," Jessica warned to everyone's laughs.
"Ruin a good piece of cake? Never, Jess.," Aubrey replied before feeding a chunk to his wife. As she did the same, he groaned. "This cake is amazing!"
Accepting a piece, Caroline scrutinized the tiered cake, noting the figures of Chewbacca, Ewoks, and Yoda as they stood on layers iced to look like the Forest of Endor, with Han Solo and Princess Leia as the cake's topper. "Furry bears and some little green thing with pointy ears. Interesting cake design…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Throughout the next two hours, everyone mixed and mingled as they enjoyed themselves. Caroline chuckled each time she saw Eleanor give her the stink eye. Seeing her do it again, Caroline made a production of posing for a picture in her dress, and she could see the steam coming out of the fellow attorney's ears before she stomped away.
"Serves that la crasse petit right...being all nasty to my Aubrey."
Thoroughly frustrated, Eleanor sulked before taking a glass of red wine from Chase's hand. "Give me that..." She took a sip and sighed. "That's better…"
Confused, the young man frowned. "I thought your son said you couldn't drink."
"I told you he was speaking out of turn." Drinking her Merlot quickly, she set the glass down and dragged her finger down the man's arm. "Come with me, Chase. I want some of your time...now."
"I don't know, Eleanor…it's your daughter's wedding reception...maybe we shouldn't..."
Not caring who saw, she grabbed her date's buttocks. "I said now…"
As she walked away, he reluctantly followed her into the nearby ladies room. Neither saw Nadia follow them. As the physician's assistant got to the door, she heard familiar moans from her mother-in-law. Her suspicions confirmed, she walked away and found her husband.
"Your mother is off her medication again."
Aaron merely sighed. "Well, I suppose I'm not surprised, given her incessant need to be the center of everyone's attention, her bitching about how Dr. Brennan and everyone else is conspiring against her, and the way she's been stealing drinks tonight…"
"...and she's currently having a quickie with the boytoy in the ladies room...at your sister's wedding reception."
"Damn it." Aaron grimaced in disgust. "Well, I'm not telling Jessie tonight."
"No, you shouldn't. However, we'll need to watch your mother until she leaves to make sure she doesn't ruin anything." Nadia touched her husband's arm. "I'm sorry, Dragostea mea (my love)."
Aaron touched his wife's pregnant belly. "Thank you, my love, but you're getting tired, aren't you, Nadia? Maybe we should leave...i'm sure Mom won't be a problem...I'll ask Stephan to watch her..."
"I am tired, but I won't let that femeie groaznică ruin Jessie's wedding. Not tonight." Taking her husband's hand, she led him to the dance floor. "Come dance with your old pregnant wife. Eleanor will be busy for awhile."
"Lady, I've known you for 18 years. One thing you're not is old…and you being pregnant is hot," Aaron replied as he followed his wife.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"So Daisy mentioned to me that she and Beau have come to terms for a divorce…," Brennan said while dancing with her husband to Ella Goulding's 'Love Me Like You Do'.
"I'm glad. Aubrey and I talked to Beau on Tuesday and I hoped that what we said had sunk in with him. He was so desperate to stay in Lance's life that he did stupid shit to woo her…"
"His buying that house was wrong, Booth."
"Yeah, it was, but it seems like they've worked things out to be good for both of them." He indicated with his head, showing the soon to be exes laughing as they danced together.
"I'm glad for them, Booth." Brennan smiled happily. "Sweets would be happy for Daisy."
"He would be, and their son will have another role model to look up to."
Brennan wondered about Booth's remark. "Do you feel like you'll be less important in Lance's life, Booth?"
"No, Bones. The more the support Daisy and Lance have, the better off they'll be as they navigate life. Someday, she'll find someone to share her life with…"
"What about Dr. Wells?"
"Could be him one day...could be someone else, Bones. Whoever it is better be good to her and accept Lance or he's getting a kick in the ass from me."
"You still miss our baby duck don't you?," Brennan asked quietly.
"Every day, Bones. Once in a while, I wait for him to barge into my office like he used to, but then I remember he's gone. He was a pain in the ass, but he meant well once he grew up. He would've been a great father to that little boy, but he can't do that now, so we all have to do what he can in his place, even Beau."
Brennan looked over at Aubrey and Jessica, who were laughing as the groom danced with Christine and the bride danced with Michael Vincent. "Aubrey and Jessica look very happy together, even when they are dancing with our kids."
Booth glanced at the couple, who had come back together to dance as the music segued into Ella Henderson's 'Yours'. "Yeah, they do. They've made a lot of mistakes, Bones, but they've learned from them. We'll have to help them out from time to time, and they're going to have some rough patches, but they'll go the distance."
"Because they're also friends with each other, like we are, Booth."
"Yeah, because they have a strong friendship, but they're not like us. We're unique, just like they are." He nodded to Cam and Arastoo, who were dancing cheek to cheek. Angela and Hodgins were laughing as he wheeled her around in a circle as he held her on his lap. Wendell and Andie, who were laughing together with Clark and his fiancee. "All our friends have their own way they're special, Bones."
He then looked to Aubrey and Jessica again. "Those two are very weird about their Star Wars movies and stuff, but they love each other deeply."
On the other side of the dance floor, Aubrey and Jessica continued to dance. "Aubrey...I can't believe we're here...at our wedding reception…it's...it feels like a dream, even though I know it's not."
"I know, Jess. When we broke up last year, I was...so sad, but hopeful that we would work things out. Then, when you were so cold to me at the Vacchio crime scene...it killed me, because not only had I lost the only girl that I'd really loved, but I thought I had lost my best friend, too."
"I was so stupid to listen to gossip, Superman. I should've known better than to think you were banging Karen in your office every day. You're not the player type…"
"Yeah, well, I didn't help matters by listening as Karen stroked my ego and then going out with her and leading her on. I knew how she felt about me, and I ate up her attention. I used her to make you jealous, and that was just childish and ignorant."
"I'm the one who asked Gerald to be my date for Daisy's wedding and even after he was an ass at her reception, I asked him to go with me to the Star Wars Convention because I kept getting jealous of you two, which I had no right to be. I was the idiot who'd listened to her and broke up with you instead of talking to you."
"Jessica, that's all in the past now." Aubrey kissed her before speaking again. "We've had to learn some painful lessons to get to today. Think about it. If you had gone with me to LA, with our relationship as strained as it was, who knows what would've happened to us."
"So, we had to break up and go through all we did to get married…" Jessica tilted her head. "Strange...but it makes sense."
"Sweets and Daisy probably wouldn't have had Lance if they hadn't broken up. Booth and Dr. B had that Hannah lady...Hodgins and Angela had their own challenges. It's what makes them stronger...and us, too, Jess."
Overcome with his simple words, Jessica gently kissed her husband and gave him a come hither smile. "Aubrey...I think we need to leave soon. because I want to make love with my husband...unless you want to wait."
Having visions of naughty lingerie and hot sex in his head, Aubrey smiled. "Oh no, I'm ready when you're ready. Do you want to see your dad for a few minutes before we do the garter thing and the bouquet thing and stuff?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." Jessica grew pensive. "We couldn't have our dance because he's still recovering from that nasty chest cold."
"You two will have it when he feels better, Jess. I do thank you for saving me from having to dance with your mother."
"You're welcome, Aubrey. Let's go find Dad."
Hand in hand, the bride and groom walked off the dance floor and found her father and his nurse conversing together while she checked his vitals. "Hey, Dad."
"Jessie...Ja..James...nice...party…"
"It's better with you here, Charlie." Aubrey shook his father-in-law's hand.
The man's jovial mood changed when he looked at his daughter. "Na...sorry...I...can't...dance…"
"Dad...it's okay. Your health is more important."
"Make...it...up...to...you…" He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Here…wedding...pride...present…"
"Charlie, you've given us enough just with you being here and paying for the flowers…," Aubrey began, but he paused when his father-in-law stood up with his cane, rising to his full 6'3" frame. Charlie pointed at the envelope.
"Open...gift…"
Jessica opened the envelope and was immediately attracted to the letterhead of the Jefferson Hotel. "Dad, what did you...oh my gosh...Dad…"
"What…" Aubrey read the card and shook his head. "Charlie...that's too much...we're just happy you're here. You don't need to do this…"
"I...do…" Charlie nodded. "You...Jessie...deserve...best. You...paid...most...of… own...wedding. Let...me...give...you...this…"
Jessica looked up with tears in her eyes. "Dad, this is so expensive…plus the spa...
"Di.. ...restaurant...too."
"Charlie…" Aubrey was still in shock. "I...we don't know what to say…"
"Accept...enjoy...gift. I...pay...everything…including...Sunday...brunch before...you...leave. Wondick...wonder...ful...food."
The couple looked back down at the card. Their one night stay in the Jefferson Hotel's bridal suite was now a two night stay, all expenses covered, including meals and incidentals, and a couple's massage scheduled for 3:00 the next day.
Aubrey held his emotions in check as he looked at the man he'd grown to love as a father. "We'll accept your gift, Charlie, but you are having dinner with us...on us...when we get back from our honeymoon and you're recovered from your illness."
"Drive...hard...bon...bargain. Deal." Carefully, he moved forward as the couple took him into a hug, mindful of his paralyzed side. Breaking up the hug, the man expertly took hold of his cane again. "Now...garter...do...stuff...and...say...goodbye…"
The quartet laughed before Aubrey and Jessica began to make their rounds. Alice smiled at her favorite patient. "You're a good man, Charlie Warren."
"James...good...man...he's...my...son...now. Takes...care...of...my...Jessie." Charlie looked over towards the restrooms and saw his ex-wife attempting to grope a clearly uncomfortable Beau, who managed to walk away with his dignity intact. Immediately, he had a realization about her behavior and sighed in disappointment. "Damn...her…"
Surprised, Alice debated on what to say. "Charlie, if it's okay to say, you and your ex-wife seem so completely different…"
Anticipating what the nurse would say next, Charlie stopped her. "She's...ill. Has...to help...herself. Blames...world...for...troub...troubles. Marriage...bad...but...have...six…" Charlie sighed as he thought of the word. "...amazing...kids...worth...it…"
Charlie looked at his daughter and son-in-law, who were speaking to Andie and Wendell. "Al...ways...worth...it…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
A short time later, Aubrey and Jessica were called to the floor, where a single chair was sitting. Jack continued as the master of ceremonies. "Okay, so our new brother James has to take the garter off our sister."
Turning to the groom, he winked. "Behave now, Aubrey….your big brothers are watching."
When prompted, the DJ began playing The Jaws Theme as Aubrey bent down while Jessica held out her leg. "Glad I got some practice earlier", he whispered while reaching up, making his wife laugh.
Pulling the garter out from under her dress, he held it up in triumph to the cheers of the crowd. He made tossing motions before Jack called all the single men onto the dance floor as Ginuwine's Pony played in the background. When they were lined up, Aubrey smiled. "You guys ready?"
Aubrey turned around and did a few practice tosses before throwing it in the air behind him. Turning around, everyone cheered as Greg caught it.
Jack laughed. "We ain't there yet, folks."
As the guests laughed with the two men, Eleanor's face contorted in disgust. "That is...disgusting…he and my son...getting married...immoral..."
Chase, who finally had had enough, spoke up. "Eleanor, shut up."
Jack smiled once more as he pointed to Jessica. "My sister is up! Jessie...come on down!"
Amid whistles and cheers accompanied by 'Single Ladies', Jessica walked up as the eligible women all lined up behind her, including her mother. The redhead saw the sly smile on Eleanor's face and decided that there was no way she would catch the bouquet.
In her mind, she pictured an upside down parabola, did a quick angle calculation, and figured out the right speed for the throw before closing her eyes and going for it.
Turning around, she saw her mother, in the middle, diving for the bouquet as it landed safely in Andie's arms. The nurse held it up in triumph, but when she saw Eleanor reaching for it out of the corner of her eye, she quickly moved to the side, causing a buzzed Eleanor to bump heavily into a table.
At first Jessica was upset when she realized that somehow her mother was now intoxicated, but then she decided she didn't care anymore. She had her own life to lead with a man who loved her completely and unconditionally, and there was nothing her mother could do that would ruin her joy.
As the music turned into Tone Loc's Wild Thing, she watched her friend and her brother's partner get on the floor and dance. Joining her husband, who was standing with Wendell and Arastoo, the group cheered as Andie and Greg jokingly twerked each other and had a good time.
"So, Wendell, it looks like you two are the next to get married after Clark." Arastoo sipped his Coke as they watched Andie and Greg.
"We've talked about it, but we're both in school. Andie says she wants her PhD and enter into practice as an NP before we even think about planning to get married."
"Well, she's still with you after you broke her clock, so I bet things'll work out.," Aubrey joked before getting smacked by Jessica. "What?"
Andie returned and Wendell put his arm around her. "I know...and I'm a lucky guy."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Before leaving, Aubrey and Jessica talked to their best man and matron of honor. "Dr. B, thanks for getting our bags here."
"You're welcome. Angela gave me the spare key to the Mercedes and they're in the trunk. I just pulled the car to the front so you have about 15 minutes."
Booth put his arm around his wife. "Thanks for letting Christine take care of Skinner while you two are gone this weekend."
"Not a problem.," Jessica said. "It's nice that the owners of the cabin are letting us take him with us on our honeymoon so we don't have to worry about getting someone to feed him while we're gone."
Aubrey agreed. "Skinner gets upset when we're gone. He was really pissed when we were undercover in West Virginia last month."
"You're taking your cat on your honeymoon…" Booth shook his head. "Whatever."
Aubrey shrugged before turning to his wife. "Ready to go, Jess?"
"Yes, I am."
Seeing that it was time, Brennan looked at Jack, who grabbed the microphone. "Folks, the bride and the groom are taking off for their own party, so grab your birdseed so they can run the gauntlet. Hurry up, they're double parked outside in front!"
Amid laughter, everyone got their bags together and waited for the couple as they stood in the now empty dining room. Aubrey quickly gave his jacket to his wife to guard her against the April night's chill. Taking her hand, he looked at Jessica. "Ready?"
Smiling back, she squeezed his hand. "Ready, Superman."
They jogged together, getting pelted with birdseed as they ran out the front door towards the waiting Mercedes. After opening the door for his bride, Aubrey shut the door and got in the driver's side and drove away while everyone waved.
"Now both of my FBI boys are married." Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, Caroline sniffled as she made another realization. "Marcelus and Keith are next...my boys…"
Brennan watched the tail lights of the luxury sedan disappear and began to cry, as did Angela. Turning to their wives, Booth and Hodgins were befuddled.
"Why are you two crying?," Booth asked. "They're so happy…"
"This is a milestone, Booth.," Angela sniffled. "Aubrey and Jessica are grown up now...we've nurtured them…"
"Gave them advice...guided them towards the correct action. It's...somewhat...sad…" Brennan accepted a hankerchief from Booth. "Thank you...Aubrey's come a long way since we first met him."
"Yeah, he was an annoying dork with no girlfriend, and he's now married to your squintern." Booth was confused, as was Hodgins.
"Angie, they're grownups-"
"Shut up, Hodgins. Jessica is part of our family and I'm allowed to cry, just like I will when our sons get married."
Coming outside, Jack motioned for everyone to come back in. "Hey folks, the party's not over yet! Let's celebrate while they celebrate!"
"Yeah, Bones, let's go celebrate." Booth put his arm around his wife. "Now, since Angela and Hodgins have offered to take Christine and Hank home with them for the night, we can have our own little…'wedding night' celebration.'"
"Booth...we've already had a wedding night. As I recall, it was very loud...and athletic. Your stamina was very impressive-"
"Bones...come inside."
Taking her husband's hand, Brennan smiled as she led the way inside.