A/N: Let me start off by saying I'm really sorry that it took so long. I started writing this chapter a few days ago, but couldn't stop. It ended up being something like seven thousand words and I wasn't done. I tried editing, but every time I took something out, I added another paragraph. I finally decided to break up the chapter, even though I was really hoping to keep this story to 10 chapters. Anyway, here it is, the latest chapter. Hope that you like it.

To mustanggirlz07 and to 206, thank you bunches of guy hugs for the prereads. To tansypool, ask and you shall receive - though maybe not as much as you'd like. That will be in the final chapter. To all of those who've been with me since I started writing stories on FF, you are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray....

To those who've alerted, favorited and/or reviewed any of my stories - muchas gracias.

And of course the disclaimer: I do not own Bones or any of its characters. Because that would make so much sense for me to own the show and then write fan fics and not have the story lines I've written appear on the show itself, wouldn't it?

Santa Baby

Brennan, Booth and Rebecca were still in the den when the table had been cleared and all of the dishes were done and put away. Though nothing was actually said, they all understood that the reason they all stayed in the living room was that they were anxious to find out the results of this latest "talk" between the three of them. Ange did give the thumbs up, and it was a good sign that Rebecca included Brennan in the discussion about Parker, on top of that, there didn't seem to be any loud voices, screams, or sounds of objects being hurled across the room, so they were tentatively optimistic. The one thing that had the slightest possibility of derailing the peace talks was Brennan's habit of being blunt. As brilliant and scary smart as the woman was, she also wasn't the first person you'd think of to put into a situation that requires delicacy and diplomacy. That would be like trying to clean a teacup with a chisel. But then again she does love Parker, and every now and then she allows her emotions through so that she ends up saying the right thing at the right time. Of course, Booth was there, and his talent was reading people and figuring out how to get the best possible outcome. He was an expert on when to use diplomacy and when to be authoritative, and of course he knew Rebecca well. After her initial frostiness, Rebecca seemed to warm up to them, finally understanding how much this motley group happened to love her son.

The wait was excruciating and no matter what they were doing, they all caught each other sparing a glance at the closed door waiting for it to open. Having put Chrissie to sleep, Russ, Amy, Max and his new pal Hank were playing cards. Michelle, Cam and Daisy had their magazines and Sweets pretended to read a big book on psychology. Zack, Hodgins, and Wendell were building some rudimentary wind up toys that the kids would race tomorrow, and Ange kept the three children busy with decorating some ornaments. Empty chatter and nervous laughter filled the air, but all went silent when the door to the den creaked open.

Booth and Brennan emerged, holding hands and beaming while the expression on Rebecca's face was more peaceful and content. Everyone tried to pretend that they were intensely interested in whatever they were doing at that moment while they waited for the announcement to be made, though the three in question didn't seem to notice. Rebecca called Parker over, knelt down to his level and whispered something in his ear.

The boy's face lit up and his eyes were incandescent with joy. He looked at his mother incredulously, and when he spoke, he did so in hushed tones, as if he was afraid that speaking aloud would be like announcing your wish after blowing out the candles on your birthday cake.

"Really? I get to stay?" whispered Parker.

"If you want to." said Rebecca, her pain showing through the smile she gave.

"I do," nodded Parker enthusiastically before wrapping his arms around Rebecca and giving her a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you. I love you mom!"

"I love you too baby." She replied, hugging him back just as tightly. "Promise me that you'll be good for your Dad and for Brennan?"

"I will!" Parker said enthusiastically. "I'll do all my chores, and my homework and even eat all of my vegetables, I promise."

"I'm going to miss you like crazy," sighed Rebecca, loosening her grip on Parker. "You'll call me every night before I go to bed?"

"Don't worry mom, I will, I promise. And I'll come visit you!" Parker promised, letting go of Rebecca just enough to look her in the face. "And you and Brent can come visit us, right Dad? Right Bones?"

"Of course." They both agreed.

"You're welcome to visit him any time Rebecca." offered Booth, putting an arm around Brennan's shoulders.

"And when you'd like for Parker to visit you and Brent, we can coordinate to make the necessary arrangements,"proffered Brennan as she wrapped an arm around Booth's waist. "You can also call Parker whenever you like, providing that it's not too late on a school night. Unless of course it's an emergency."

"Thank you." Rebecca smiled, preferring not to start another fight by pointing out that she wouldn't do something like that anyway. "That's very kind of you. I will."

"I think that I speak for both Booth and myself when I say that we don't want you to feel as though we're trying to keep Parker away from you," said Brennan earnestly, as Booth pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad that we had an open and honest discussion about custody of Parker. When you and Brent are situated in Seattle, we'll begin discussing visitations."

"That sounds good to me." agreed Rebecca, letting go of Parker as he ran to hug Haley and Emma, who were doing their little happy dance in celebration of Parker being able to stay where they could regularly visit him. The rest of the gang gave their sighs of relief and took turns congratulating Booth and Brennan, and thanking a surprised Rebecca for letting Parker stay. The earlier tension that pervaded the room had disappeared, giving way to a familial sense of levity. For the first time since she had arrived at the cabin, it really felt like Christmas to Angela. There was plenty of teasing and laughter as they all joined in to decorate the tree. The kids added their newly decorated ornaments, marveling how Ange's quick dry paints really worked, Russ and Sweets added the lights while Zack directed them so that the lights were placed for optimum effect. Daisy and Michelle placed the garlands, while Cam jokingly complained about being the one to run back and forth to the kitchen for hot chocolate. Max and Hank sat back exchanging embarrassing stories of Brennan and Booth's childhood, while the couple in question were adding ornaments to the tree. Every time Brennan reached up to place an ornament on a higher limb Booth would tickle her. She tried her best to look annoyed, but it seemed that whenever she looked into Booth's playful and loving eyes, she couldn't help but grin. She kept reaching up and he kept tickling her until Russ teasingly told them that they should "get a room". When Brennan replied that they were staying in one of the rooms upstairs and they didn't need to find other lodgings, a collective groan was heard in the room.

"Speaking of rooms, you know what time it is kids?" asked Booth in his deep booming voice.

"What time is it?" they asked excitedly.

"Time to go to bed!" Booth laughed. When they all groaned at his joke, he waggled a playful finger at them and said "You guys know that Santa isn't going to visit a house where all the kids are still awake. So, off to bed with you."

"Dad, I am ten years old," Parker whispered conspiratorially to Booth. "I know the truth about Santa."

"I know son," said Booth a little sadly. He would have liked to keep Parker young and innocent and believing in the impossible, and it was also difficult to acknowledge that his son was growing up, but he was proud of who his son was becoming. "But Emma doesn't. Don't ruin it for her. Can you help Haley get her to bed?"

"Okay Dad." Parker acquiesced, giving Booth a quick hug and kiss.

"Thanks buddy." Booth whispered, returning his hug. Parker then went to give everyone else, starting with Rebecca and Brennan a goodnight hug and kiss before whispering something quickly to Haley, and then leading her and Emma upstairs. Once the kids were out of sight, Brennan and Booth went to get the rest of the presents in the Sequoia.

"Hey Ange, want me to get your presents out of the car?" asked Wendell.

"That would be great, thanks Wendell." said Angela gratefully.

"No problem." shrugged Wendell as he ran out the door.

"So, Jack," Angela purred as she sidled up to Hodgins. "Which room should I leave my bags in?"

"You know which one." Jack smiled, leaning in closer to her.

"The Lake Room?" Angela asked, surprised that he would give her one of the master suites. "Are you sure? I mean, thank you, but that's a pretty big room for just little ole me."

"I figure that, since you're the one who helped me redesign the room, you of all people should be the one to enjoy it," Jack smiled. "That room is special, it's got the best view...."

"Not to mention amazing memories," Ange grinned.

"Phenomenal memories." agreed Hodgins his gaze flickering from her eyes to her lips.

"I should go put my bags there," whispered Ange, leaning in closer. "Don't want anyone tripping over them."

"Need help bringing your bags to your room?" asked Jack mischievously, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"I think I can handle them." laughed Angela, playfully pushing him away.

"Sure you don't want me to handle your bags for you?" Jack laughed. "You used to like the way that I handled your bags in the Egyptian room."

"Oh god, you guys my daughter's in the room." admonished Cam jokingly. "Cut it out will you?"

"Cam, I've heard worse you know." Michelle laughed.

"I didn't need to know that." sighed Cam.

"I'm going to run my stuff up to my room," Angela giggled. "Don't all of you miss me too much."

"While I can't speak for the others, I know that I can't promise you that." replied Hodgins gazing at her adoringly.

Angela strutted as she made her way up the stairs, swinging her hips knowing that Jack was watching her the whole time. Sighing happily, she anticipated a night to remember. What she didn't know, was that she was going to have a night she won't soon forget.