#25 adele

With your loving, there ain’t nothing That I can’t adore The way I’m running with you, honey Means we can break every law I find it funny that you’re the only one I never looked for There is something in your loving that Tears down my walls

5 years later

“Hello!” You called into the suspiciously quiet home. It didn’t sound like anyone was inside, but as you came to the kitchen, you could hear laughter and music playing.

“Hey.” You caught Aubrey’s attention as you slid open the sliding glass door.

“Hi, honey.” He wrapped his arms around you and placed a kiss on your temple. “Everyone is supposed to be here around dinner. I’ve everything prepared; it just needs to be put in the oven.”

“How did I get so lucky?” You marveled at him.

“I don’t know. Good thing you locked me down, huh?” He wiggled his wedding band at you. You swatted his butt as he entered back into the house.

“Mommy!” Your 4-year-old daughter bounded up the deck steps towards.

“Whoa!” You gasped as she latched on to your legs. “You gotta slow down, baby girl.” You reached down and picked her up. “Are you excited to see everyone tonight?”

“Mhm! Especially JJ!” She squealed.

“Good. Let’s go get you ready.”

Around 5pm, everyone started to show up. First was Angela, Jack, and Michael-Vincents. The Brennan-Booths were next. After all the interns, Jess and JJ finally appeared at your door.

“I’m sorry we’re so late. JJ’s been a handful lately. I’m not sure what’s going on.” She seemed shaky.

“Hey, it’s okay.” You took her coat. “Come, drink, and eat. James and I can be on parent duty tonight. You just enjoy yourself, okay?” She nodded and smiled a thanks to you.

If you hadn’t been there to see it, you wouldn’t have believed it. As soon as Jules saw her brother, JJ, she pretty much tackled him to the ground.

“JJ!” She squeezed him so tightly, you were afraid she might hurt him.

“Jules, honey. Too much love.” You giggled as you pulled her off him and helped him up. “You okay, JJ?” You brushed off his coat.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” He grabbed his sister into a bear hug.

“Hey, can I take your jacket, buddy?”

“Sure. Hi, Daddy!” JJ bounded towards your husband and squeezed tightly.

“Hey, handsome. Were you good for mommy?” He picked him and kissed his cheek.

“No.” He said sheepishly. “I cried when she wanted me to get into the car.”

“Well, Jacob Warren Aubrey. Why don’t you go give her a hug?” He set his son down and watched him scurry off.

“Something’s up. Jess seemed really stressed out. Do you think now would be a good time?”

“Let’s get through dinner and then see okay. They are staying here, so we’ve got time.”

As you exited your sliding glass door, you saw that the entire group was seated around your big wooden table outside, ready for dinner. Everyone was talking and laughing as you found your seat.

“Normally, as the man of the house,” the group chuckled, “I would make a toast, but I think it would be more appropriate for the lady of the house to speak. She’s much better at it anyways.”

You blushed slightly and stood. “Well, I am so very happy to have all of you here tonight. Though we’ve never arrived at things conventionally, I am proud to share this occasion with all of you. James and I are so happy to have our family here to celebrate our marriage and honestly, I’m not sure we would be here without all of you. I don’t know if many of you know that this is my childhood home. After I came back to the states, I figured it was time to return home for real. So, I began restoring this place, a brick at a time. It’s truly transformed, just as my life has. I am so happy to be someone’s wife and to a mother. This is not what I could have ever imagined.” You choked up a little.

I wasn’t ready then, I’m ready now I’m heading straight for you You will only be eternally The one I belong to

“I wish my parents and sister were here to see this. I know they’d be so proud of me. Back to the happy stuff, a toast to all of our family, may you have as much as happiness as we do.”

Later, as the night settled down, you watched as Brennan and Booth continued dancing, their sleeping children on the couch. You looked over and saw Jess holding JJ as he slept soundly.

“He’s gotten so big.” You whispered.

“Too big too quickly.” She chuckled.

“Do you want me to take him up? You should hang out more if you want.”

“No, I think I’m going to head up too. It was a rough drive.” She brushed her son’s hair from his face.

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. Towels are all in the same place if you feel like a shower.”

“Thanks, Beck.” She patted your shoulder.

You sat watching your friends marvel at the beautiful lake behind your house and talk about how marvelous the renovations looked, when you felt a hand on your shoulder. You placed yours on top of his.

“She down?” You looked up. He nodded. “You pass Jess?”

“Yeah. Might talk to her at breakfast. I think a month in the summer would do him and her some good. Come dance with me.” You took his hand as he pulled you closer.

You swayed to the beat and looked up into his eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.” You kissed his neck.

“I don’t think I could be happier than I am right now.”