Disclaimer: I don't own Bones
Author's Note: Thanks, Mercy, on your personal note. This is for you.
Temperance's belief in Christmas ended abruptly at the age of fifteen. However, with the help of the annoyingly and persistent Booth, the holiday event was now one of her favorite time of the year. Yes, she missed her parents terribly, but, those precious words from him somehow eased her pain of their non-existence.
"Just keep telling yourself that your mom and dad are near you in spirit," he said once. "Especially on occasions like this. Just remember them with laughter and not sadness. After all, that's what every parent want for their children."
Slowly, she had begun to heal.
She sat back on her living room sofa staring at the Christmas tree decorated with glass ornaments and streamers of red and gold. A poinsettia plant sat atop her coffee table which served as a centerpiece.
Flashback
"A penny for your thought, Bones. What were you thinking of?"
"Well, it's our first Christmas together as a couple and I really didn't know what to give you."
"I want nothing. The fact that you're with me on Christmas eve is all the present I want from you."
"I'm not an expert on shopping or gift giving, but...here. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas, Booth."
"A pocket watch. It's a beautiful timepiece, Bones. You really shouldn't have. You must have spent a fortune on this."
"Just remember me every time you look at it."
"I will. And listening to the tick tock will be like listening to your heartbeart. I'll always have a piece of your heart with me."
End Of Flasback
The front door slamming shut brought her back into reality.
"Mom!"
"Sweetheart. You startled me. Where's that handsome hubby of yours?"
"Oh, mom, you sound just like Aunty Angela," laughed twenty-eight year old Rachel. "He's grabbing some stuffs out of the trunk. It looked like you were deep in thought."
Temperance smiled at her daughter. "Thinking of your father. I miss him so much."
"I know you do, mom. Just tell yourself he's nearby in spirit. Remember the laughter and not the sadness."
Her eyes teared. "You are your father's daughter."
There was a confused look on Rachel's face. She took her mother's hand. "Mom, what do you have clutched in your palm?"
"It's just your father's pocket watch. He said the sound of the tick tock would be like listening to my heart."
"He was such a romantic, wasn't he?" Rachel said, kissing her mother lightly on her cheek.
Temperance nodded, still holding on to his timepiece, she laid her hand on her chest. "Hear that, Seeley, my heart still beats for you. Merry Christmas."
The End
Author's Note: This is dedicated to everyone who's ever lost a love one. They're always with us, it's just that they're hard to see. But, if you close your eyes and reminisce back, they're right there before you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!