Temperance Brennan smiled as she checked her email one last time for the day, glad to see that there was nothing important enough to keep her from leaving. She shut down her computer, picked up her files, put them in her bag and strode toward the door of her office, enjoying the feeling of doing something different….something that she would never have considered in the past few years. She was leaving work early. She smiled and shook her head, reveling in her escapade. "Well, you're really being a rebel, aren't you, leaving at noon on December 23? And you took tomorrow off, too! You're also not going to work on Christmas! What's this world coming to, Brennan?" Laughing at herself, she knew exactly who to blame for this blatant disrespect of the work day….the father of her child: one Special Agent Seeley Booth. They were both leaving work early to go Christmas shopping for Christine..

She looked out her office door, glad to see that the lab had been decorated for Christmas again this year. The decorations were basically the same as last year, but after witnessing the effort Booth put into Christmas, they seemed a little tame...maybe the lab needed more lights or brighter tinsel, but it seemed like something was missing. Even the topiaries seemed scrawny, especially when compared to the beautiful blue spruce Booth had brought home to be their Christmas tree this year. Their new house had the perfect spot in the family room for such a massive tree, and they'd had great fun going through the boxes of ornaments Booth had collected over the years, deciding which ones to use and where to put them. Christine had been particularly fascinated with the small Philly Phanatic ornament, reaching for it every chance she got.

Brennan sighed contentedly. She knew she would never be able to believe the Christmas story as presented in the New Testament was true, but she finally understood why people enjoyed spending the holiday with their families and friends. She was finally immersed in the love that she had craved all those years before her relationship with Booth, and now that they had a child, it was almost too wonderful to comprehend.

"Hiya, Bones." Booth stood in the doorway. "Ready to go?" He grinned when he saw her face light up at his greeting.

"Yes." She smiled broadly. "I'm looking forward to our shopping trip. I want to focus our search on educational toys for Christine….things that will help her develop her motor skills and speech patterns. It's never too early for Christine to start learning to read…"

Booth rolled his eyes and laughed at her. "She's a baby, Bones….all she cares about is eating and pooping….and maybe about waking us up at 2 am. I think we should get her some blocks, and maybe a rag doll…."

"A rag doll…..I don't know, Booth….I haven't done any research on that…"

"You don't need to research it, Bones...kids like stuffed animals and soft toys like that. If you don't want to get her a doll, some other stuffed animal will do." Booth walked into the office and embraced Brennan. "Christine will be fine, no matter what we choose, because we love her, and she's gonna grow up in a happy family, alright? So let's go…." He turned and started for the door.

"Booth…." Brennan stood in the middle of her office, uncertainty showing on her face.

"What's wrong, Bones?" Booth walked back to where Brennan was standing.

"I….I don't know how to have Christmas for a child…..I don't know what to do…." She brushed a tear from her cheek. "I want so much for Christine to have good memories of Christmas, and I'm afraid I'll make a mistake….I don't remember much about my childhood Christmas celebrations. I don't have any family traditions."

"No problem...we'll just make up some new traditions...things that we do for our family. Trust me, Bones….things are gonna work out just fine. So no more tears, alright? Christine's gonna love Christmas." He gave her a goofy grin. "Hey, know what? I almost forgot….I have something for you." Booth pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. "I just came from picking it up."

Brennan pretended to be annoyed. "I think you need a calendar, Booth. It isn't Christmas yet…."

"I don't care. I can't wait any more. Open it."

She ripped the paper off the box with glee. "Look, Booth...I learned how to unwrap packages!" Smiling, she opened the tiny box. "Booth….it's….amazing…" The slender gold band held a row of seven small entwined hearts, each with a tiny diamond in the center.

"I had it made special for you." He held his hand up to interrupt her protest. "It's not an engagement ring, okay? It's an 'I love you' ring. See, it lies flat so it won't stick up through an exam glove." He smirked at her. "And if we ever do get married…"

"That's not going to happen…" Brennan pretended to glare at him.

"WHEN we get married…" he dodged her playful jab in at his ribs…"You can wear it behind your wedding ring or on the other hand." Booth winked at Brennan and laughed. "Or if you're tired of me, I guess you can pawn it."

"Booth, it's beautiful…" Brennan slipped it on her left hand ring finger. "But remember...we're not engaged...we're domestic partners…"

"Whatever. So let's go...we gotta get to the store and find some blocks and a stuffed animal….now what?" Booth turned to see Brennan tearing up again.

"Thank you, Booth….thank you for teaching me how to love someone. Over the years I've known you, I've grown so much because of you….and that's the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten. I love you so much, Booth…."

"I love you, too, Bones…" He kissed her gently and smiled. "You're the best gift I've ever received. Merry Christmas."