Part II

Two days earlier at the mall…

"Daddy, Daddy, how bout this one," Parker held up the shirt in question. "It's really cool, it's got purple and orange camouflage on it. You think she'll like it?" He turned toward Bones triumphantly holding the shirt up. "What do you think, Dr. Bones?"

Brennan, flattered that Parker asked for her opinion, answered, "Well, Parker, if you're asking for my honest opinion, I would have to say that it is probably one of the u-"

"U-mazing shirts she's ever seen," Booth quickly cut her off, finishing her sentence as he grabbed Parkers shoulder and turned him around so they were again facing each other. "But you know what Bub, I don't think they have that in your Moms size, so I guess we better keep looking. Now go ahead and put that back where you found it and we'll try another store. How's that sound?"

Disappointment resonated in his voice, "Okay, I guess so. Are you sure they don't have it in her size though, I think she'd really like it?"

"I'm sure. I past that rack earlier thinking how perfect it would be for her, but all the sizes were too big," he gently turned Parker in the direction where he had seen the shirts before, then patted him on the back, "Now go."

As soon as he was out of ear shot Brennan scolded Booth, "You lied to him?"

"Yes I did Bones. I told him a little," he pinched his fingers together for emphasis, "white lie. Unlike someone who would have crushed his heart by telling him that was the ugliest shirt they'd ever seen."

"Well it was very ugly Booth. I'm not positive but I think that is the same material they use to make tents out of?"

Booth stared her down.

She felt the need to defend herself, "He asked for my honest opinion Booth, you know I don't believe in lying to children."

"Look Bones," Booth was just about to defend his actions when Parker returned from putting back the shirt. Parker stood in front of him looking up as he continued, "We've already had this discussion and I refuse to have it again," he said thinking that would be the end of it.

"Oh, you're referring to the discussion we had about the little white lies you tell Parker regarding Christmas?"

Booth eyes grew in size as a shocked expression encompassed his face before he wrapped his hands around Parkers head covering his ears, "Not now Bones. You need to not go there!"

Parker looked up at his dad expectantly, "What little white lies is Dr. Bones talking about Dad?"

Booth closed his eyes and let out a defeated sigh. When he opened them back up he glanced down at Parker who was still looking at him wide-eyed, waiting for an answer. "Thanks a lot Bones," he hissed out. Booth got down on one knee so he was eye-level with his son, "Well, Bub, um… well… let's see…, you know all the gifts that Santa brings you on Christmas?"

Booth looked up at Bones for help, but none came. He thought since she was the one that got him into this mess the least she could do was help him out of it. No such luck though, she just stood there, arms folded across her chest, an amused look on her face. She was enjoying his discomfort and couldn't wait to see how he managed to get out of this jam.

"Yeah," Parker responded.

"Well, you know the presents that Santa brings you each year? Not all of them are from Santa. Some of them are from your mom and me, but we put on the tag that they're from Santa."

"You do," he had a perplexed look on his face, "But why Daddy?"

"Well, you see, Santa has to hand out presents to lots of boys and girls around the world and I mean those poor elves can only build so many toys in a year so-"

"You said they used magic," Parker reminded him.

"I did say that, didn't I? That is true…, but… eventually the magic runs out so Santa has a limited number of presents he can give to each child. If your mom and I feel that you have been extra good that year, we add more, but give all the credit to Santa."

"Is that why we buy toys each year for the less privileged children? So they can have extra presents too, like me?"

Booth sighed in relief displaying a triumphant smile, "Absolutely," he said as he patted his son on the shoulder.

Booth stood up, then turned around and gave a "ha" smirk to Brennan as he and his son made there way toward the next store.

Brennan rolled her eyes, "You two are incorrigible, you're like two peas in a pot," she mumbled under her breath as she followed behind.

TBC