So, this is my Secret Santa gift to Perscribo. She requested Booth & Brennan with the following:

Please include: the Booth family taking a formal family photograph (include Parker, Christine and Hank) or B&B snowed in or anything fluffy
Please exclude: violence, character death, I'm ok with one if them getting hurt but recovering
Maximum rating: T (on FFN)

I wanted to include everything so this was a challenge, but I think I came up with something that should work. Hope you enjoy your gift, Perscribo.

mphs95

DECEMBER 13TH

Booth navigated through the traffic of Dulles International Airport as rush hour died down, happy to have Parker home for the holidays. For the next several minutes they chatted about his son's life in London, including his last year of school.

"So, Friday morning, you and I are going to pick up Aubrey so I can drop you guys off for your 7:42 train at Union Station. Bones or I will pick you up when you guys get back on Sunday."

"Yeah, when I emailed him last week after I got my packet, he said he'll take me to the best deli ever for a good lunch when we get there."

"Of course Aubrey will feed you." Booth said with a smirk. "Just don't be late for NYU. What time is your interview with the advisor?"

"It's at 2:00 and I'm reporting to University Hall afterwards."

Booth looked at his son. "Is University Hall where you're staying at this weekend?"

"Yeah." Parker said. "I and another guy are staying with an English major named John…" Parker looked up the email on his phone. "Lawrence. He's the RA there."

"So you and your mom got everything situated with this weekend?" Booth asked.

"Dad!"

"What? I don't want my almost seventeen year old son stuck in the nation's largest city unprepared. Yeah, you can call Aubrey, but I want to make sure you're set. Now do you have everything you need? Extra charger? Enough money?"

"Yeah Dad I'm covered with that stuff. When I got my packet last week Mom made sure I was extra prepared. As Bones suggested, I emailed a copy of everything to Aubrey also in case there is an emergency. He said anything can be printed at the FBI New York Field Office."

"All right…be kind to your old dad here, all right Parker." Booth said with a smile. "Now, what kind of stuff do they have you all doing this weekend?"

"Tomorrow we're taking a tour of the campus and the immediate area of New York City. There's a small banquet where we all will meet the members of the English department. Sunday we're having a breakfast and a Q & A for any last questions before leaving the university."

Booth couldn't help himself. "I still don't see why you couldn't do this later before you go back to London."

Parker rolled his eyes. "Because Dad, Dr. Anderson is the one to approve my admission and I'm not going to be demanding on when my appointment is. Aubrey and I are coming back Sunday on the 1:13 train back to DC, so I'll be home for dinner."

"Don't give Aubrey any shit when you're with him, Parker. He's doing us a favor by going to New York early for his conference so you don't have to go alone and he knows the city."

"I won't, Dad. He's pretty cool. His email said that it was some conference on tactical weapons."

"Yeah, it's a good thing Aubrey had that weekend conference at the FBI." Booth said. 'Another conference my ass. More like he's going to see a certain redhead finishing up her semester internship at Columbia University.'

"It's weird, though. I figure his girlfriend would be with him this weekend since she works at the FBI, too."

"Aubrey doesn't have a girlfriend, Parker. He and Jessica broke up several months ago." Booth said as he turned onto Dolley Madison Boulevard.

"Not her. That Karen lady. The one that posts recipes and weird memes on his Instagram. She posted a picture of the two of them three weeks ago from a date they went on."

Booth knew which picture and 'date' he was referring to and it wasn't by Aubrey's choice…and it was last summer, not recently. Choosing his words carefully, he continued. "They went out...on and off, but she was never his girlfriend."

"Oh…so they were just hooking up?"

"New subject." Booth looked at his son. "Did you bring the clothes for the Christmas family picture that I requested or does Bones need to take you shopping?"

"Yes, sir." Parker said. "Khaki pants, blue shirt, tie."

"Good," Booth said as he turned down their road. "I want this family photo to be the best ever."

"It will be fine, Dad."

The men drove and chatted as they continued down their street and then into the long winding driveway. Turning off the vehicle, Booth helped his son bring his items into the house. Setting things down in the guest room, he turned to his son.

"So Angela is coming over about 1:00 and we're going to do the family photo before she and Hodgins take the kids to see Billy in Virginia Beach. It has to be done today because they aren't back until Saturday afternoon."

"Is Christine going to paint Hank's face before the picture this time?" Parker said with a laugh.

"No. Bones has hidden the face paints so that doesn't happen." Booth replied. "Now, you have your school work for today to do and I would recommend having it done and submitted or almost done before Bones comes home. That was her condition for going along with the story we gave to your head teacher so you could be excused from school early before the semester ended for Christmas."

"I'll make sure the lesson is done, Dad. I just can't believe that Mom went along with the story that Grandma Marianne is having surgery."

"Yeah, me too." Booth said. 'It just took your mother extorting a trip to a day spa for herself tomorrow on Bones' tab to convince her to do.'

"So when is everyone going to be here?"

"Bones, Christine, and Hank will be here around 12:30. I'm leaving at noon and will be here about the same time. Need anything before I go?"

"Nope, all good. Are there any Doritos?" Parker asked. Seeing his dad's face, he continued. "It's lunch time in London."

"Man cave. Make a sandwich with lettuce and tomato with the chips and put them back before Bones gets home." Booth said before hugging his son. "Now, I'll see you in a few hours."

"Bye Dad." Parker said before pulling his laptop out of his bag.

Booth walked out the door. "This family photo is going to be the best!"

Booth rushed through his paperwork and watched the clock as the time ticked down to noon. He only had ten more minutes to go.

"Aw…fuck it. I'm the SAC of Homicide. I'm leaving early."

The agent had just finished packing up his stuff when the phone rang. He said silent prayers that it wasn't a body when he looked at the caller ID. "Son of a bitch…"

Answering, he pushed down his annoyance. "Booth? Hello sir. Well, I was thinking of taking off early since things are quiet…really….now?"

Booth took the pen he was playing with and threw it at the wall. "I understand sir…I know you had plans, too. The timing of this meeting really sucks, but I guess we really don't have a choice…yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes."

The agent hung up the phone and growled. Of course the new FBI Director would call a meeting when he was about to leave. Appointed interim director three weeks ago and already Hacker was throwing his weight all over the place.

'This meeting really better be quick.' Booth thought as he grabbed his FBI laptop and headed out of his office.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

It wasn't until 12:45 when Booth, Aubrey, Stark, and Charlie Burns walked out of the Director's office. All four men looked drained before Charlie and Stark went back to their offices.

"Aubrey, you're all set with riding up with Parker tomorrow?" Booth asked. "I appreciate you doing this."

"Parker and I will be just fine." Aubrey said he looked behind his friend. "Shit, got to run. See you tomorrow morning."

"What the…." Booth said as Aubrey scurried away towards the far end stairwell before he heard an annoying voice. Turning around, he faced the source. "Karen, what can I do for you?"

Karen Delfs held a stack of files in her arms. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Walk and talk. I'm late for something at my house." Booth said before pulling the stairway door open. 'Aubrey owes me one.'

As the two entered, Karen spoke. "Agent Booth, I think Aubrey is avoiding me. He barely takes my calls anymore, including his birthday in October when I tried to surprise him at his apartment."

"That's because Bones, the kids, and I took him out to dinner for his birthday. As for the other times, he's a SAC and is probably busy."

The profiler kept up with Booth as he raced past the sixth floor. "I know but he's been avoiding me at work, too since he got back from that work conference back in late September. I've brought him barbecue from Pixlers and his favorite pizza from DiAngelo's for lunch but he always has an excuse to cut our time short unless it has to do with a case. He's now always texting or Direct Messaging on Twitter and he's secretive about it, plus he has all this work stuff he has to attend in New York every few weeks."

Booth opened the door to the fourth floor and held it for Karen. "I don't know what to tell you Karen. He's from New York so maybe he's catching up with old friends. Besides, he doesn't have a girlfriend so he owes no one an explanation."

The profiler stiffened. "Maybe you can talk to him for me? We went on a few dates this summer and have a connection that I think Aubrey keep fighting. I don't know why."

'First Hacker, then Karen making me late for my family photo. Not happy.' Booth thought.

Just then, he saw Aubrey enter the floor from the other stairway doors. When the younger man saw them, he ducked into a corner. Stopping at the break room, Booth cut off the profiler.

"Karen I don't have time to play messenger for you. Now I'm already late to get home, so I have to go."

"So should I keep calling Aubrey?"

"You may want to move on, Karen."

Karen smiled. "Not just yet, Agent Booth. Persistence is key."

When the profiler disappeared, Aubrey appeared. "Thanks, Booth. She's always around—"

Still annoyed about being late for the family photo, Booth had no patience. "I don't care now. Later, we'll talk about why you're avoiding Karen, but I've got to get home now."

"Sure…" Aubrey said as he watched Booth run off.

Booth raced into the house at 1:27 PM. Slamming the door, he started pulling off his jacket. "Sorry I'm late, Angela. I'll be ready in five minutes…what are you doing?"

The artist was packing up her equipment. "I have to go Booth. Hodgins is getting Michael Vincent and the baby around because we have to be on the road by 2:00."

Booth's head bent down. "I'm sorry, Angela. Hacker was longwinded…"

Angela grabbed her scarf. "I know, Big Guy. Bren told me what happened. Everyone is changing right now. She said Parker and Aubrey will be back from New York Sunday and we can do the photo that night."

He exhaled. "Thanks again and I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"No problem." Angela said as she grabbed her camera. "You can help me carry this stuff to my minivan, though."

"Sure." Booth picked up the rest of the artist's equipment and helped her carry and load it to her vehicle. "Tell Billy we all said hi."

"I will."

Booth waited until she drove away. Going inside, he shut the door and walked towards the bedrooms. When he got to the master one, he knocked.

"Come in, Booth."

He pulled the barn door open and was greeted by his wife in her bra and panties as she pulled a shirt and pants out of the closet.

"Yeah, buddy."

Brennan chuckled. "Thank you, but we have no time to make love. Hank will be going down for a nap, but Parker needs help with his homework and Christine requested your help with her Christmas project."

Booth grabbed jeans and a Henley shirt from the dresser. "Can do. Sorry I missed the photo."

"It's fine, Booth." Brennan said as she dressed. "It's not your fault Andrew called a last minute meeting."

"Yeah, he called Charlie, Aubrey, Stark, and I into the office to go over his ideas on how to streamline operations." Booth said as he put on his jeans. "I swear that man has radar for whenever we have plans. How was your afternoon?"

"Good. I found out that Ms. Warren finished her research early so she will be returning December 29th to the lab." Brennan said. "I do miss her work. Dr. Wells, while technically proficient, is not as…pleasant to be around."

"He's an asshole, Bones. Don't have to be polite about it." Booth said before taking his wife into his arms. "Now, are you sure we don't have time to fool around?"

"We don't if you want macaroni and cheese for dinner tonight." Brennan said. "It was Parker's request."

"Ugh…fine. Tonight then." He said before giving his wife a kiss.

"Tonight." Brennan said as the two walked out of the bedroom with Booth's hand on the small of her back. "Now Hank spilled his juice on his new shirt so I have to try to wash it all so it's ready for our family photo."

DECEMBER 16TH 7:30 PM

Brennan was helping Christine pick out her outfit for their family photo the following night as Booth was getting Hank ready for his bath.

"Come on Buddy. We have to strip you down. Wearing your green beans isn't a good idea and your mother didn't appreciate it."

Right when Booth was going to put Hank in the water, his phone rang. Seeing that it was Parker, he answered and put it on speaker. "Parks, what's up? How's New York?"

"It's pretty cool. I got to meet some great writers and I ate at this deli with the best burger ever!"

The two talked while Booth bathed his younger son. After several minutes Booth knew Hank was ready to get out. "Listen Buddy, Hank is about done here so I have to cut this short. So you and Aubrey are all set with coming home tomorrow?"

There was silence on the other line. "Parks?"

"Yeah, Dad…um Aubrey and I are not going to be on that train tomorrow…if that's okay."

Booth turned his head. "What? What do you mean?"

There was silence. "One of my favorite writers is hosting a show at a coffee house near here with a Q & A afterwards. Rumor has it he's going to be doing a visiting professorship next year and I have so many questions for him."

"What about our family photo, Parker?" Booth replied, annoyed that his plans were ruined again. "You're home to visit us, not lollygaggle around New York."

"Dad…this is one of my favorite writers of all time and possible professor next year. Please don't make me beg."

"What about Aubrey?" Booth said. "He has a division to run."

"Aubrey said Shaw was okay with covering for him tomorrow. He said he can get some stuff done at the New York office and then would show me around the city before we leave for the 7:29 PM train back to DC. He also said I could crash on his couch when we get back since we won't be back until after 11 PM."

Booth was beyond pissed. "You can't get an earlier train?"

"Dad…kids are going home for Christmas. Aubrey said he can ask Wendell to come pick us up if you okay it. Please say it's okay…please…"

The agent sighed. "Fine. Aubrey can bring you to Bones's office first thing. You'll have more to do there until she's able to take you home."

"Can I drive with her? I have my learner's permit."

"Not in DC or Virginia, pal." Booth said as he washed his youngest child. "I'll call Angela to reschedule the family photo for Tuesday night after work."

"Okay. Thanks again, Dad. Guess I'm glad Bones made me grab extra clothes."

Booth hid his disappointment from his son. "It's fine. Call me tomorrow after you meet up with Aubrey so I can coordinate with him. We owe him for this."

"Okay. Night, Dad."

"Night, Parks." Booth replied. Grabbing a towel, he picked up his son before ending the call. "Shit…"

"Shit…"

Booth's eyes got large. "Hank Buddy, don't say that word. It's a bad word and if your mommy hears it Daddy is in deep trouble."

Hank giggled and the agent hoped he was safe. Holding his son, he dialed Angela's number. "Hey Angela, change of plans with the Christmas photo…"

DECEMBER 19TH

It was 8:45 AM when Parker and Aubrey walked into Brennan's office, where Booth was lingering before leaving. "Hey Dad...what are you doing here?"

Booth smiled and hugged his son. "Hey Parks. I just dropped off Bones and wanted to see you before leaving for work."

"So are you sure you don't want me to take him home, Booth?" Aubrey asked.

"No Aubrey, Bones will do it after she finishes her exam. You've got a division to run. Thanks again for being around in New York."

"You're welcome." Aubrey asked before yawning.

"Late night, gentlemen?" Brennan said as she entered her office.

"Aubrey…" Parker started until he saw the lanky man shake his head. "…and I were up late watching monster movies until about 1:00."

"Thank you Aubrey for letting Parker stay the night with you." Brennan said. "Booth, I just need to talk to Angela about the case since she just arrived and then Parker I can take you home."

Booth turned to his son. "Parker, tonight, Angela, Hodgins, and the kids are coming over for dinner and to do the family photo. Any PS4 time will be done when they get there. Now, I've got to run. See you when I get home, Parker."

"Parker I'll be done shortly."

The couple walked out, leaving the agent and Parker alone. "Okay, Parker, remember the agreement?"

"I don't tell anyone about you seeing Jessica in New York…or that you were on the phone with her until about 1:00 in the morning."

"And I don't tell your folks the real reason we didn't come home until late." Aubrey said. "If I didn't have Genny to cover for me all day, you would have been SOL with that cute girl from Michigan you got friendly with at the coffee house thing on Sunday."

"So, are you guys going to get back together or what? You obviously like Jessica a lot more than that Karen lady. She's weird."

"We'll see. See you later, Parker." Aubrey said as he walked out.

"Bye, Aubrey. Thanks again." Parker replied. Getting his laptop, he ignored the sore throat he had since yesterday and occupied himself until his stepmother could take him home.

At 12:30, Booth and Brennan were at the diner having lunch when the anthropologist's phone rang. "Hello…oh no…yes, I'll be there shortly to take her home…thank you for the call."

Booth saw the look on his wife's face. "Bones, what's wrong?"

"That was Christine's school. This morning she seemed tired and since she only had a runny nose, I had her go. However, she now has a sore throat and a fever of 103. I'm going to get her and take her home."

"Hopefully it's just a cold."

"I hope so, but I've been told strep throat is spreading throughout her school. Parker seem fatigued and his throat was bothering him too when I took him home. I'll watch them tonight and if need be I'll call the doctor tomorrow morning."

"Shit…" Booth groaned. 'That's all I need…sick kids over the holidays. No family portrait and then we all get sick…some family Christmas…'

Booth was lost in his thoughts until he was jolted from them. "Did you say something, Bones?"

Brennan looked frustrated. "Yes, I asked if you could pick up Hank from the day care tonight?"

"Sure, Bones."

When Booth got home with a crying Hank at 6:00, he was greeted with Brennan putting a coat on Christine. "What's going on?"

"We're going to Urgent Care. Christine has vomited twice and she has a rash on her abdomen."

"What does that mean?" Booth asked.

"She probably has strep throat." Brennan says.

"I don't feel good, Daddy." Christine said quietly, pale as a ghost.

"Okay, Monkey. We'll take you somewhere so you can get better. Is Parker set for dinner?"

Brennan looked up at her husband. "Actually, Booth…Parker spiked a fever this afternoon."

The teenage boy came out from the nearby bathroom. "I'm just getting my coat Bones."

Booth realized the calamity in front of him and grabbed his eldest son's coat and handed it to him. "Here you go, Buddy."

Brennan looked at their son and saw something. "Hank is tugging on his ears, Booth."

"He's probably got it, too, Bones. Okay, off to Urgent Care we go."

When everyone was situated, Brennan led the younger two out the door, followed by Parker. Booth took up the rear and shut off the lights, lamenting yet another delay in the family photo.