Spoilers/Timeline:None/sometime in the future.
A/N: Some Thanksgiving day fluff. To all those who celebrate: Happy Thanksgiving! To those who don't: Happy Thursday!
Disclaimer: Bones doesn't belong to me :(
"You didn't have to do this." She set the pie on the only empty spot on the counter she could find.
"I know, Bones, but I wanted to." His eyes lit up and she knew he meant it. "Is that pumpkin pie?"
She nodded, biting her lip. "I thought it was tradi-"
"It looks wonderful. Want to put it in the fridge?" He stirred the corn and slid some green bean concoction into the oven.
"Sure." She was closing the door as Parker came running into the kitchen. He did a lap around the room, shouted a 'Happy Thanksgiving' to her, and disappeared. She laughed, folding the napkins in front of her. "What else can I do?"
"Nothing. Just sit and -" A loud knock on the door interrupted his sentence. "Answer the door."
"Got it." She walked down the hall and, looking out the peephole and seeing Russ glancing over at Amy nervously, smiled. He shifted uncomfortably until she opened the door. The girls tackled her before sprinting off to see what they could destroy in Booth's apartment. "Happy Thanksgiving, Russ." She motioned him in, taking his coat. "You too, Amy." And then, seeing the figure lurking in the doorway, she smiled. "Dad." She gave him a quick hug and they settled on the couch talking as the girls and Parker began a game of hide and seek.
"Alright," Booth leaned through the doorway about an hour later. "dinner's ready."
They sat down, Parker almost upending the gravy as he did. "Dad, we have to go around and say what we're thankful for."
Booth, who was in the middle of piling mashed potatoes on his plate, stopped mid-scoop. "Right, you want to go first Park?"
"Sure!" Brennan smiled, leaning back in her chair thinking as everyone offered something they were thankful for. Booth's eyes seemed to linger over her and she smiled at him, cataloging everything she might say when it was her turn.
Russ nudged her. "Your turn, Tempe."
She took a deep breath and abandoned every thought that had been running through her head since Parker suggested this little exercise. "I'm thankful for....for my work at the Jeffersonian and-" She paused, pushing back the uncharacteristic emotion overwhelming her. "this. I'm thankful for this." She looked down at her plate trying to regain her composure; Parker saved her.
"Your turn Dad."
"Yep, saved the best for last." Booth winked at his son, who started giggling uncontrollably. "Let's see, I'm thankful for this little boy here and a challenging, but rewarding job. Good company and..." His eyes met hers. "an amazing partner. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!" The statement was echoed around the table as several side dishes began moving from person to person. "Oh, I should probably mention why we have two main dishes. The one in front of Max there is the turkey and the one closer to Amy is Tofurkey."
"Toe freaky?" Parker asked, puzzled.
"Tofurkey." Booth corrected. "It's a special turkey for Bones." He smiled over at her. "I hope I cooked it correctly."
"It looks great, Booth. Thanks." She grinned as he nodded and passed her the platter. Yes, she knew what she was thankful for.