Letters Written & Promises Kept

Part 2

Turning the key, she entered the dark recesses of his townhouse and stopped at the scent of him. It lingered within the walls and on the furniture, wrapping around her the way his arms had when she had needed them…when she had needed him. His voice filled her mind again. “Right here Bones. It’s in this album right here.” Following the ghost in her head she went to where he had told her to go more months ago than she wanted remember. She reached up to the top shelf for the black leather album but couldn’t bring herself to touch it.

“Why, Booth?” she said aloud to no one, pulling back her hand. “I’m here. I’m keeping my promise. Why didn’t you keep yours? How can you believe in a God that takes you away from people who…ugh! Why, Booth? Why did you help me find my heart only to rip it out? You even have me standing her talking to no one! dn you!” She wanted so badly to hate him, to be angry, but she couldn’t and that familiar burn was back in her eyes with no shower spray to hide behind.

With a deep breath she grabbed the album and pulled it from the shelf with a yank, running her hand over the only slightly dusty cover. She held it with both hands as she stepped back to sit in his oversized recliner, resting it in her lap as she lifted the cover. Just as he had said, there was the envelope she had promised to deliver, simply labeled “Parker.”

Booth had helped her get her father back and now she had to take a letter to a little boy who had lost his. Why had he made her promise to do this? Why not Rebecca? As she lifted the envelope she was surprised to find another one behind it. Her breath caught as saw the name… “Bones”.

Sitting the album and Parker’s envelope aside she pulled open the back flap, took out the folded paper and began to read, hearing his voice as she did.

Temperance,

I wish you weren’t reading this because there is only one reason why you would be. I hope the things I’ll tell you here are things I had the chance to tell you in life but as I write this, the time hasn’t been right or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

I’ve written this letter before, updating it as I do Parkers. They are the only two letters I have because the two of you are the most important people in my life - the two that I would change places with if it meant you wouldn’t be hurt or sad. With Parker I expected those feelings, but they caught me off guard with you.

When we don’t have a case, I look for new ones. Did you know that? I need you in my life, to hear your voice or see your smile. I guess it’s a good thing there are murders since it gives me an excuse to spend time with you without having to admit the truth. Since you’re reading this, I imagine you’re trying to close your heart again, trying to hate me for leaving and while you won’t admit it, you’re especially angry that I left YOU.

Daisy. Daffodil. Jupiter. Please, Bones…don’t ever forget that.

I know you don’t believe in God or heaven but you don’t have to. I’ve always done that for both of us. While you avoided a belief in God, I always knew that you believed in me as I believed in you. You have never let me down Bones and I won’t let you down. I’ll never leave you. When you close your eyes, you’ll feel me there with you. I’m a scent, a breeze, a calmness each time you need it…each time you need me. You don’t have to believe in anything but the love that I have for you.

Love Bones, you read that right. I hope I had a chance to tell you that. I hope I was able to hold your face in my hands, look into your eyes, and tell you I haven’t been the same since you stomped your way back into my life. You started as my partner and became my friend, but somewhere along the line that turned into love. I want to tell you that you can always count on me. I want to show you that sex isn’t just the physical release you relate it to, that love in your heart can make miracles, even when you don’t believe in them.

I hope I told you point blank that I love you Temperance. If I didn’t, I hope you knew it in your heart and can believe it without hearing the words. Whatever the case, please always remember it.

Seeley

“Dammit Booth,” she sobbed, tears dripping onto the page as she hastily whisked them away. “What am I supposed to do now? What do I do without you?” There was no calm, no breeze, nothing that he had promised in his letter. As the sobs racked her body to the point of aching, she clutched the letter in her hands as she moved toward his bedroom. He had wanted her there but never told her. Stupid professional lines, they had cheated her. Toeing off her shoes, she crawled into his unmade bed and turned his pillow so she could rest her body against it. Closing her eyes, she breathed in his scent and wished the cotton was over his warm flesh instead of dead, plucked feathers.