Disclaimer - bones and all its lovely character belong to someone else

A/N - Yet more festive fluffiness. This time it's the main man...

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(Booth's pov)

I survey the sea of wrapping paper that the front room has turned into, holding out a mug to Temperance.

She accepts it without really looking away from the brightly coloured puzzle that she and Parker have been playing for the last half hour. Being beaten three times by a seven year old is bringing out her competitive spirit.

I make a desultory attempt to clear a space on the couch amongst yet more of Parker's things and the scarf Zach bought his boss.

Then I look down at the piles of paper.

I'd never figured Bones as a ripper, but there was a paper shredding frenzy with her and my son both trying to get at the contents of all their beautifully wrapped gifts.

I suppose if I'd missed out on years of Christmas' I'd be eager to see what all the shiny gift wrap hid.

I can feel myself smile as I recall the look on her face when she pulled out the necklace I bought her. Beautiful, ancient glass beads in an elaborate silver setting. It was one of those things you see in a shop and you can almost hear it speaking to you, telling you that it's the perfect gift.

She even liked the additions to her Pop Culture 101 collection - it was classic movies this time.

I'm still amazed at the gift she gave me - the shell of a battered '69 Camaro. I'm going to be busy fixing that beauty up for years.

I wonder if she's going to regret giving me a whole new project to lose myself in?

I doubt it; it'll give me something to keep me occupied when she's writing.

Parker's triumphant yell disturbs my train of thought, and tells me that he's won another round.

I glance over to see him pat Temperance on the hand and tell her that maybe she should practice with me for a bit.

She admits defeat with good grace and comes to join me on the couch, dropping into my lap with a little sigh.

I wrap my arms around her and nuzzle into her neck. I can smell the spicy, ginger perfume I bought her for her birthday. The scent always reminds me of a long weekend away in a cabin in Maine. Definitely good times.

Temperance's fingers are roaming across my neck and through my hair, and damn, does it feel good.

After a few moments of luxuriating in her attention, I catch her eye and look over at Parker who's struggle to prise an action figure out of its box.

She smiles and kisses my forehead, before standing up to let me get up.

We've got all day together, but Parker's heading over to his Mother's later on.

We had our big celebratory meal last night, which according to Bones, is the tradition in many European countries.

She's still a walking encyclopaedia of useless knowledge!

I'd say that that the meal last night means no turkey today, but that'd be a lie. There is plenty left.

But that's not what we're going to be eating.

Although Temperance doesn't know that.

I've got a little surprise in store.

I can feel my heart start to pound as I think about it and I decide that helping Parker release his action figure from its shrink wrapped prison might distract me for a moment.

It works – for a while.

Before long Parker has me running round in circles playing make-believe. I can't be the only parent who shells out hundreds of dollars on toys, only to find himself playing with the box that something came in can I?

Temperance and I are dropping Parker off at Rebecca's place today and before long we're all wrapping up against the elements and trying to pack up all of Parker's things.

He's leaving most of it with us, as he spends a lot more time with me now, but there's still a list of things he can't bear to be without for the two days he's going to be at his Mom's.

Temperance demonstrates another of her unexpected skills by knowing exactly where everything is, even if its buried under a foot of paper - although Parker sometimes has to describe the missing item as the name leaves her looking a little blank.

Finally we're all set and ready to head across town.

As we get to the threshold, Parker suddenly grabs my hand and then Temperance's, looking up at us with brimming eyes. He doesn't want to go.

For the first time this Christmas, Temperance looks upset - and like she's about to back away.

But once again, she surprises me and kneels down at Parker's level telling him how much his Mom is looking forward to seeing him and how she's going to practice that game until he gets back.

She gets a tremulous smile from him; and a silent standing ovation from me.

I lift Parker into my arms and hug him tightly, telling him how much we all love him.

The tears are slowly forgotten and we're on our way.

We accept Rebecca's offer of coffee. It's good for Parker to see us able to conduct a civilised conversation and the truth is that things are a lot less tense these days.

I guess we're both over the each other and as I glance between the two of them, I can't begin to imagine why I thought I could ever be with Rebecca long term. I don't regret our time together, it brought us Parker after all, but it also means I recognise the real thing now that I have it.

As we get back in the car, I take a deep breath and casually suggest a little walk.

Temperance says yes, mercifully, and in an oh so casual, spur of the moment kind of way I drive towards the Botanical Gardens.

As I park, Temperance looks at me in confusion, reminding me that the place will be closed.

I shrug, casually, and mention that I'd heard it was open.

She looks unconvinced but gets out, wrapping a long red shawl around her.

I have to resist the temptation to do it then and there she looks so impossibly beautiful.

We walk to the gate and it's open. Temperance looks surprised, but wraps her arm around my waist placing my arm around her shoulders.

We wonder the paths apparently aimlessly. Taking in the frosted lawns and ghostly, iced silhouettes of all the trees.

After a while, we reach the biggest glass house, a masterpiece of towering iron work, full of tropical splendour.

I try the door, while Temperance looks dubious.

It opens and I notice the heart drawn into the frost on the glass.

I so owe the bug and slime guy.

There's a double set of doors to keep out the cold, but were soon stood in wonderful, tropical warmth.

I push back the leafy fronds and head towards the centre. Temperance follows, clasping my hand and looking all around her.

I know she loves the tropics and has done a lot of fieldwork in jungle areas.

This was the best I could do in Washington.

I can see it before she does, but a moment later she gasps at the beautifully laid up table standing on a ledge overlooking a cascading waterfall. Orchids twine in the branches above the candles.

She looks across at me, eyes wide and lips parted. Completely surprised.

I smile slowly and reach into my pocket before drawing her towards me, my eyes caught in the blue-green cage of her gaze.

I had planned to wait until after we'd eaten.

I'd thought I might need to be fortified with champagne.

But one look in those eyes and it's all I can do not to shout it out.

I slowly sink onto one knee and I see comprehension dawn.

The hand I'm holding tightens convulsively and I can feel her tremble as I hold out the ring in my other hand.

And then I'm saying it. Words I've rehearsed a thousand times over. I'd thought of every combination and compliment you can imagine but in the end it comes down to this: Temperance Brennan I love you. I can't imagine life without you, marry me, please.

And now I'm the one shaking. Waiting.