We are that much closer to season 6…. , apparently it's the first day of filming. Awesome!

Glad you all enjoyed my previous chapter. LoVe BB 116 (thanks for your comment on keeping Booth in character, like I said, I try), uscrocks, Ger (yes the truth will certainly help Booth feel better about his mother's case and his past), EmmyMayyy (hopre you're feeling better, sorry I didn't really get what you were trying to say about the ad lol but yup Booth is worrying about how Brennan's been, doesn't he always?), quonoeye (glad you liked what I wrote), Evanjalin64 (thanks! Like I said was a tough chapter to write), mendenbar (yeah I didn't think it would be in character for a big family reunion jump into each others' arms type thing, glad you agreed).

To everyone else who keeps up with my chapters, thank you too! Keep reading!

The family of four arrived at Willow River Retirement Community early Saturday morning. Parker was the first out of the car, followed by his father. Booth climbed out of the SUV, carrying Matt from his car seat and setting the toddler on the ground. His little hand instinctively reached to take his older brother's. The little boy idolized his big brother despite the fact that he mostly got to see him only on weekends. In return the seven-year-old loved being his little brother's hero.

Booth cast a glance at Brennan who was smiling encouragingly back at him. He was relieved to see that she was back to her normal self after a good night's sleep the night before. Their current case involving the dismembered body was safely in the hands of Clark and both Booth and Brennan had been gifted some much needed personal time. Brennan made her way quickly to Booth's side of the car, giving his arm a supportive squeeze.

Brennan waited for the two boys to start for the entrance to the nursing home and when she felt that they were out of earshot she spoke quietly to Booth.

"You ok?"

"You gotta stop asking me that."

"As I recall you've been asking me that numerous times as well."

"You look much better."

"I feel much better. Sleep was all I needed. You?" Brennan recalled their early morning conversation in bed, while waiting for the boys to wake. Booth had second thoughts about visiting his grandfather, convinced that he had done something unforgivable to the man who had raised him.

"I'll feel better once I talk to Pops I guess."

"Like I said, Hank doesn't seem like the kind of man to hold a grudge."

"I just don't like the way I left things that day."

"That's why we're here, to set things right."

"Hey are you guys coming or not?" Parker yelled impatiently.

"Be right there buddy." Booth replied. His hand went to the small of his wife's back and they started after the two boys.

They found Hank Booth talking rather animatedly to an orderly along the corridor leading to his room.

"Pops!" the boys shouted in unison, running to hug their great-grandfather.

"Hey! I didn't think I'd be seeing you two in awhile." Hank gathered the boys into his arms for a hug.

"Is there a problem?" Brennan asked, looking from Hank to the orderly.

"Mr Booth was smoking a cigar in his room again."

"I did no such thing."

"I'm sure there has been some misunderstanding." Brennan gave the orderly a smile. "We'll talk to him later." She told him softly.

The orderly nodded and went about his way.

"Temperance. So good to see you." He kissed her on the cheek then pulled her to him for a hug. "I really didn't think you'd visit." He cast Booth a meaningful glance.

"Booth thought you'd like to see the boys. It's been some time since we've came."

Booth who was standing a distance from his family nodded his agreement but remained silent.

"Pops did I tell you I scored the winning goal in my hockey game last week?" Parker said excitedly, grabbing the old man's hand.

"Play Pops, play!" Matt waved his hands wanting attention from his great-grandfather as well.

"Well why don't you all come to my room and we can talk, and play." Hank winked at Matt.

"I'm gonna talk a walk ok Bones?" Booth said, opting not to join his family with Hank. If the old man was disappointed he didn't show it, rather, focused his attention on the two boys.

Brennan scooped Matt in her arms and let Hank lead them to his room. The morning went by quickly, the two boys enjoying Hank's company. Booth decided to join them mid-morning. He was silent when he entered the room, making his way to lean against the room window, folding his arms defensively across his chest, watching his sons have fun with his grandfather. He wondered why he had the knack of hurting those who meant the most to him.

As lunchtime approached, Matt grew a little grumpy. He rubbed his hands over his eyes. "Mommy!" He whined, holding his arms up and reaching for his mother.

"I'm hungry." Parker complained.

"I think it's time we took the boys to lunch Hank. And it's a long drive home. Matthew's tired." Brennan explained, as she picked up her younger son.

"Yes of course." Hank kissed both Matt and Brennan on the cheek and gave Parker a hug.

"You make sure you win your next hockey game ok Squirt?"

"Of course we'll win Pops. We've got the best coach in the world! Right Dad?"

Booth gave a rare smile. "The best players too."

Parker ran up to his father, bumping fists.

"No smoking in your room Hank." Brennan added. "Smoking is bad for you given your current heart condition."

"I'll try my best sweetheart." Hank replied.

"Come on Parker, let's go bring the car round, your father needs to say goodbye to Pops."

Parker nodded, allowing Brennan to lead him out of the room, Matt still in her arms, waving goodbye to Hank.

As soon as the door shut Hank spoke. "You gonna sulk in the corner all day Shrimp?"

Booth unfolded his arms and approached his grandfather cautiously. "Just wondering if you're mad at me Pops."

"I'm not that petty, you know me better than that. I thought you'd still be mad at me."

""I'm not that petty, you know me better than that." Booth replied, parroting Hank's words. He took a seat next to Hank.

"Listen Pops, I'm sorry. About the other day, I said some stuff... I just, I know you did what was best for me and Jared."

"I shouldn't have kept the truth from you boys."

"Its ok Pops."

"Did you find who did this to your mother?"

Booth lowered his head. "No. Not yet."

"Find your father?"

"I'm not sure I want to. I don't think he's involved in this."

Hank eyed the still healing gash on Booth's cheek. "I'm guessing you told Jared?"

"Yeah he didn't take it too well, but I don't blame him."

Hank nodded. Booth continued, refusing to meet Hank's gaze.

"I talked to the man Mom married. He seems nice. Said she tried to go back for us. Dad threatened to hurt us if she tried. I believe him."

Hank nodded again. "If only she came to me, maybe I could've done something."

"It's not your fault. Whatever happened, with Mom and Dad. There was nothing you could've done. What Dad did, the drinking…he was an adult. It was his fault he couldn't handle coming back from the war. You shouldn't blame yourself. I know it's not your fault."

"Maybe if I stopped him from drinking, been a better father to him..."

"Pops, stop. There was nothing you could've done. He made his own decisions. And for what it's worth, you're a great father to me."

Hank offered Booth a watery smile. "It means so much to me to hear you say that."

Booth smiled, finally looking Hank in the eyes. "So no hard feelings huh Pops?"

"I was never mad at you Shrimp."

"Yeah me too, well okay maybe for a little while."

"You'd better go, Temperance and the boys are waiting for you."

Both men stood and Booth gave Hank a hug.

"I love you Pops."

"I know. I love you too Shrimp."

Booth found his family waiting out front in the SUV, the engine was running and Brennan was in the passenger seat. Parker was busy at his PlayStation Portable and Matt was asleep in his car seat. He climbed into the driver's seat.

"Everything good?"

"Yeah," Booth leaned over to kiss her on the lips.

"Yuck." Parker remarked, his eyes not leaving his game.

Booth smiled. "Yeah everything's good."

"Can we go now? I'm really hungry." Parker looked at his father.

"Yeah we're going buddy." Booth turned to give his son a smile. It was beginning to feel like things were going to get better from here on.

This was a relatively short chapter but I felt that what the next chapter is about needs to be separate from this chapter.

Don't be stingy on the reviews!