Amends
Over the next few weeks Booth watched Temperance carefully. She wore thick makeup for the first week, but he never commented on it. When she failed to come over that week, he chalked it up to the altercation with his father and begrudgingly admitted that she might not want to spend time with him after his had put her in such a bad situation. He wanted to make it up to her, but he didn't know how. Nothing he could do would make it right.
One morning he waited for her at the end of her driveway. She was so wrapped up in whatever she was reading to she didn't notice him until she nearly walked right into him.
"Booth," she mumbled, forcing a smile before she started her walk to school.
"Morning, Bones, I… uh…" His hand scratched back of his neck as he stalled, not sure where to begin.
"I'm sorry Booth, I have a lot of reading to do. Can we talk later?" she asked not looking up from the text in her hands. He read over her shoulder.
"Our school doesn't offer an anatomy class," Booth commented.
"Yes, I am well aware of that fact, however I have been doing an independent study program through Northwestern University. I am trying to graduate early so I can get emancipated and go to college early."
"Wow, what do you do in your spare time?" Booth joked. Every time he thought he knew everything about her, he learned something that made her seem even more super human.
"In my spare time, I working on an idea for a novel," she answered.
"Seriously?"
"Umm, it's just an idea. It's not really developed yet. Mrs. Christianson says my writing lacks emotion," she shrugged indifferently.
"I'm sure it is great. Maybe you could let me read what you have so far," he offered.
"Oh no, it's not ready yet. You will have to wait until it is properly edited and published."
"All right then," he laughed, rolling his eyes. "Are you excited for Christmas?"
The moment the word was out of his mouth she stiffened.
"The idea that we are forced by convention to exchange meaningless gifts is ridiculous," she mumbled suddenly walking fast as if to get away from him.
"Come on, Bones. It's Christmas. It's Jesus's birthday. A day to celebrate peace on Earth and good will toward men," he tried to reason with her, increasing his own pace to keep up with her.
"Many studies show that the man Christians refer to as Jesus was actually born in the spring." Booth rolled his eyes again. The few times he had talked about his faith, it always needed in an argument. "My Pops and Grandma are coming to visit. We Booth's love Christmas. We do it all the real tree, the carols, My Grandma makes the most amazing pop overs Christmas morning and for dinner prime rib and twice baked potatoes. If the Colter's aren't that into it you and Lance could come over to our place."
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea Booth," she said quietly.
"Bones, I know you probably never want to be around my family again, but I can promise you that you will be safe," he sighed. It was not the first time he had reason to be ashamed of his family, and he knew it wouldn't be the last.
"It's not me, Booth. I have dealt with a lot worse than the likes of your father in my life, but Lance heard your father and came to check on me. Since then he has been having nightmares again. I don't know if it is really a good idea to put him in a situation that might bring up things from his past."
Booth's heart stopped in his chest. He hadn't even considered the fact that he hadn't seen the small boy since that night.
"It's not your fault, Booth," Temperance sighed, turning to look him in the eye for the first time. "You are not responsible for the actions of your father or the things that Lance has been through. We foster kids always have things we keep hidden. I will talk to him, maybe we can at least come for dinner."
"If there's anything I can do…"
"It's fine, really. I have to get to class, but I will try to come by sometime this week," she promised, giving a half hearted smile as she walked away.
Then and there Booth swore to himself that he would make this the best Christmas yet. He would have to convince Jared to find out what Lance wanted from Santa. Then talk to Pops about a loan. There was a lot to plan with not much time.
Temperance and Lance came over Friday afternoon. Lance was a little skittish, but Bones had rented one of his favorite movies from the library. Soon they all sat on the couch eating a huge bowl of popcorn and watching something called Doctor Who. Booth didn't really understand what they were laughing about, but he was happy to see them enjoying the movie.
Saturday Pops and Gram arrived. Booth had always been close to his grandparents. They were the only people he could really count on after his mother left, not to mention his father stayed relatively sober while they were visiting. After church on Sunday morning, Pops asked Booth to help him with a special project for Gram.
They had been out in the shed for almost an hour sanding a new birdhouse, when Pop asked the question he asked every year.
"So Shrimp, what's your Christmas wish this year?"
Booth shuffled nervously, he had thought about this conversation a lot in the last few weeks, but he still didn't want to admit what he had done. Hank noticed the boys unusual reluctance.
"Just tell me, son. You can't receive what you don't ask for."
"I know Pops, the thing is I did something a few weeks ago that I'm not proud of. I hurt a friend and I allowed her to take responsibility for something that was my fault," Booth sighed, bracing himself for a lecture, but his grandfather surprised him by asking one simple question.
"Did you make it right?" He asked calmly.
Booth shrugged. "I can't make it right, not on my own. I tried to make it up to her, but I cost her something that she had been saving for all year."
"Have you considered trying to earn the money to pay her back?"
"I've tried, but it was a lot of money and I am running out of time if I want to get it for her for Christmas."
"How short are you?" Pops asked.
"I've got $200 so far, but I'm still $300 short. I know that's a lot of money, but you could consider it a loan. I have been teaching private dance lessons at the community center. I should have enough by Easter to pay you back" Booth offered knowing this was his last chance to give Temperance the Christmas she deserves.
"Well. Shrimp, I will have a talk with Gram and see if we can swing it. I want you to know that I am happy you are trying to make someone else's holiday special."
The next morning he and Pops went to the mall to buy a new microscope. While he was there he also got the new Harry Potter book and a new sweater for Lance, and a gameboy games for Jared. Hank watched his grandson with pride. Seeley had always had a big heart, but it seemed like this year he was really growing into the man Hank had prayed he would become. He took the time to pick a small gift for the boy, after all Christmas was always a magical time in the Booth house.
