So I was going to post this before I went to school this morning, but stupid me set my alarm for 8:30 PM instead of AM, so I had ten minutes to get ready this morning, lol. Anyway, here's the next chapter, and I hope you all enjoy it!

As always, disclaimer is on the first few chapters, and I love reviews!


Brennan and Parker sat on her couch, patiently waiting for Booth to return. One of them was definitely more patient than the other, as the little boy couldn't contain his obvious enthusiasm over potentially getting another Christmas present. Parker was unable to sit still, and Brennan gently rocked back and forth as Parker's jumpy movements caused the whole couch to shake.

"Do you know what he went to get?" Parker finally asked her.

"I have no idea, Parker," she answered.

"Is that the truth?"

"I wouldn't lie to you."

"Really?"

"Really. Adults shouldn't lie to kids. It's just not right."

"I agree," Parker said.

"I'm back!" Booth called as he shut and locked her front door.

"Yay! What'd you bring?" Parker asked.

Booth entered the room carrying a small, black duffel bag in one of his hands. He looked at his son.

"I was going to give you this before you left for Vermont, but seeing as how that's not happening now, here you go," Booth said, pulling out a fluffy, red and white stocking full of treats. It was labeled with Parker's name in big, gold letters. "Merry Christmas, Parker."

Parker gasped in delight as he moved into the floor so he could dump out the contents of the stocking. Booth sat down on the arm of the couch that was closest to Brennan and put the bag at his feet.

"And I was going to give you yours when I got back from taking Parker to his mom's," Booth said, pulling out another fluffy red stocking.

"Booth," she said with wide eyes. "You didn't have to…"

"Of course I didn't have to, Temperance. I wanted to," Booth said. "It's Christmas, Bones. You need a stocking."

"But you weren't even planning on coming over here this morning, and this looks like you put some effort into it."

"So?"

"So how did you know you'd see me today? When were you planning on giving it to me?"

"Well, maybe I was planning on stopping by here today after I dropped Parker off with Rebecca," Booth revealed.

"You were?" Brennan asked.

"Parker wasn't the only one who didn't want you to be alone on Christmas."

She smiled and took the red and white stocking from his hands. It was just like the one she had had as a little girl. Thick, gold stitching was woven into the white section, spelling out her name. She traced the letters with her fingertip carefully before peeking inside.

Booth sat on the arm of couch watching the pair dig into their stockings. Just as Brennan had noticed, he had put quite a bit of effort into them and was glad that both Parker and Brennan seemed to be enjoying them. Parker's was filled with small toys, Reese's cups shaped like trees, Snickers candy, and a scarf and glove set for him to use while skiing, while Brennan got peppermint candy canes, little candles that smelled of apple cinnamon, small bath gels and lotions, and little chocolates. Her lips curved into a small smile as she emptied Booth's latest gift to her.

"Do you like them?" Booth asked.

"It's awesome, Dad!" Parker said.

"How about you?" he asked, looking at Brennan.

"I love it, Booth. Thank you," she said softly as she placed everything back into the stocking.

"You're welcome, Bones," he said, sliding onto the couch next to her.

The pair turned their attention to Parker. Brennan slipped one of the chocolates into her mouth and fixed her gaze on the older of the Booth boys. He looked happy as he watched his son delight in his surprise. She turned back towards Parker and let her mind wander to some Christmas memories she had from the time when she was a little girl. She and Russ would sit in the floor, just as Parker was doing, and open their gifts. Her parents would sit on the couch and watch them, just as she and Booth were doing now with Parker. She also recalled the fact that her father would always wrap his arm around her mother while they watched their children open their gifts.

Brennan looked at Booth's face and secretly wished that he would reach over and hold her like her father used to hold her mother. Temperance then realized what she was doing and silently scolded herself for letting one little kiss and one simple, but beautiful, tree affect her so much.

That kiss was nothing, she told herself for the thousandth time since it had happened. Just a little favor between friends and coworkers. Nothing more. Stop wishing it would happen again.

Brennan was so caught up in her mental rollercoaster ride that she missed the sound of her house phone ringing. It was on the table by Booth, so he casually reached over and picked it up.

"Dr. Brennan's phone," Booth answered, snapping Brennan back into reality. "Oh, hey, Angela. How are you and Hodgins doing?"

"Booth," Brennan said, reaching for the phone.

"Yeah, she's right here," Booth said, passing the phone to Brennan.

"Angela?" Brennan asked. She walked into her bedroom and shut the door.

"Sweetie! What is Booth doing there?" Angela asked.

"It's kind of a long story," Brennan said.

"Well, I was calling to make sure a.) that you were at home and not snowed in at the lab and b.) that you weren't too lonely today, but now I see that Seeley's keeping you company," she said, suggestively.

Brennan laid back width-wise onto her bed, her legs dangling over the edge. "It's not like that, Ange. Booth's son is here, too."

"Oh," Angela said disappointed. "Oh well. They probably won't be able to get home tonight, which means they'll have to stay there, and the kid's gotta go to sleep eventually."

"Angela!"

"Sweetie, it's Christmas, and you and Booth are snowed in together. Kid or no kid, that's pretty damn romantic."

"Well, yes, I suppose that the setting could be described as romantic, but Booth and I are partners. We're professionals. There has to be a line," Brennan said, recalling what Booth had told her the previous year.

"Yeah, yeah," Angela said, and Brennan could just picture her rolling her eyes. "Listen, Tempe, you and I both know that 'line' stuff is just a bunch of crap. Booth likes you, Bren."

"No, he doesn't," she said. "Not like that."

"Yes, he does," Angela insisted. "Take advantage of the situation. Just kiss him. One kiss. You may actually enjoy it."

Little did Angela know that she had already kissed Booth once this holiday season, and, as much as she didn't want Caroline, or anyone else, for that matter, to know, she very much enjoyed it and was secretly dying to do it again without the puckish spectator and her 'amusing' blackmail.

"If the right moment arises, I suppose I could consider it," Brennan said.

"'Atta girl," Angela said. "So how long has he been there anyway?"

"Since about eight this morning," she answered. "Parker didn't want to leave me alone on Christmas."

"Oh my God, how cute is that?" Angela said. "Wait a minute. Isn't Parker only five or six years old?"

"Yes, he's six."

"Oh my God, Bren. What in the world are you doing with a kid?"

"I think I've been doing pretty well. We opened presents and made a dessert that my mother used to make. To be honest, I'm amazed he's not bored yet," Brennan confessed.

Angela giggled. "Well, I'm glad you're having fun. You definitely deserve it."

"Thanks. How's Hodgins?"

"Great. We're both enjoying having the mansion completely to ourselves," Angela said. Just as Angela finished her sentence, Hodgins entered the room. "Speak of the devil."

"Lunch is finally ready, Angie. Do you wanna go downstairs or eat it in bed?" he asked.

"Mmm…in bed," Angela answered. "Hey, say hi to Brennan." She clicked on the speaker phone.

"Hi, Brennan," Hodgins said.

"Hi, Hodgins," Brennan replied.

"You're not at the Jeffersonian, are you?" Hodgins asked.

"No, she's at her apartment with Booth," Angela answered for her.

"Booth?" Hodgins asked, surprised.

"Yeah, he's snowed in," Angela continued before Brennan could get a word in.

"Nice going, Brennan," Hodgins replied. "I always knew it would happen eventually."

"It's not like that!" Brennan protested. "And I think you've been spending too much time with Angela."

"Booth's son is there, too," Angela filled in after noticing Hodgins confused face.

"Wait, Brennan's got a kid at her place?" Hodgins asked. Angela nodded. "How's that going, Brennan?"

"It's not that bad so far," Brennan admitted.

Brennan heard a quiet knocking at her door. She sat up a bit so she could see the doorway and saw a small, blonde head peeking through her door.

"Dr. Bones, are you ever coming back?" Parker asked.

"I'll be right there," she promised. Parker nodded and shut the door. Brennan turned back to the phone. "Did you guys hear that?"

"Did he just call you Dr. Bones?" Angela asked.

"Yes," Brennan laughed.

"Like father, like son," she giggled.

"Exactly. I think I'm being summoned, Ange," she said.

"Of course. Go back to your boys."

"They are not my boys."

"Merry Christmas, Bren," Angela said.

"Merry Christmas," Hodgins added.

"You too. Have a great day, guys," Brennan replied.

"We will, and remember, Bren. Kiss him. Booth's not going to wait forever, sweetie."


Coming Soon: Brennan considers Angela's advice, and Booth finds Christmas music hidden in her CD collection.