Thank you for reading my story. I hope you're enjoying it. It's fun writing it.

I don't own Bones.

I do own Boots Booth.

Oooooooooooooooooooo

That evening when Brennan got home, she found Christine sitting on the couch in the living room, wrapped up in a blanket, watching her father and her brother Parker, decorating the Christmas tree. Joshua was sitting on the couch next to her and Boots was laying across his lap. Booth had promised that once the tree was decorated he would make grilled cheese sandwiches and salad for dinner.

Christine, seeing her mother walk into the living room, said, "Mom, look, Dad and Parker are decorating the tree. Dad said we can have grilled cheese sandwiches and salad tonight for dinner. I don't think I have a cold Mom; so, I want to go back to school tomorrow."

Smiling, Brennan leaned down and kissed her daughter. Holding her hand across Christine's forehead, Brennan said, "We'll see in the morning. If you're still running the fever you have right now, then I will stay home and your father will go to work."

Patting Boots' head, Brennan leaned over and kissed Joshua on his left cheek. "Are you and Boots enjoying watching your Uncle Seeley and your cousin, Parker decorate the tree?"

Nodding his head, Joshua smiled and said, "I helping Unca Seel."

Looking at the tree, Brennan asked, "What did you do to help?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Joshua said, "I holding Boots."

Puzzled, Brennan looked at Booth who was hanging ornaments on the top of the tree.

Booth, seeing the puzzled look on Brennan's face, said, "Boots was knocking the ornaments off of the lower branches as soon as I hung them up. Joshua said he would help me by sitting on the couch holding Boots. You know Boots can't turn down petting if someone will do it."

Nodding her head, Brennan looked down at Boots and then frowned. Leaning closer towards Boots, Brennan saw small flecks of green paint on Boots chest and front legs. Standing back up, Brennan looked at Booth and said, "Booth, why does Boots have paint green paint on his fur?"

Flicking his eyes at Boots and then over at Brennan, Booth said, "I'll tell you later. He's alright."

Shaking her head, Brennan said, "Should I be worried about what happened?"

Looking at Joshua and then at Brennan, Booth said, "Nah."

Shrugging her shoulders, Brennan turned and walked towards the kitchen. "I'll start making the salad."

Smiling, Parker said, "I don't think she likes that Boots has paint on him."

Sighing, Booth said, "I know she doesn't like it. I'll handle it."

Ooooooooooooooooooo

Letting Parker finish decorating the tree, Booth walked into the kitchen to help make dinner. Seeing Brennan tearing lettuce, Booth walked over to where she stood and put his arms around her waist. Kissing her neck, Booth said, "Did you have a good day?"

Nodding her head, Brennan put down her lettuce. Noticing the scratches on Booth's arms and the three band-aides, Brennan turned in Booth's arms and put her hands on Booth's neck.

Frowning, Brennan asked, "Why are your arms scratched? Does this have something to do with the paint on Boots' legs?"

Smiling, Booth kissed Brennan and said, "Yep. Joshua decided to paint Boots with poster paint. I had a Hell of a time getting the paint off. As it is it's not totally off; but, most of it is."

Sighing, Brennan said, "Perhaps we should limit Joshua to water colors until he's older."

Leaning around Brennan and picking up a cherry tomato, Booth looked at it and then put it in his mouth. Looking at Brennan again, Booth said, "I forgot what's it's like to have a toddler in the house. I should have known better than to give Joshua the poster paint. We're lucky he didn't paint the walls with it."

Letting Booth go, Brennan turned back to her lettuce and continued to make her salad. Booth walked over to the fridge and took out the cheese and butter he'd need to make his sandwiches. Carrying them to the island, Booth put the cheese and butter on the counter and said, "He's just a baby, Bones. He didn't mean any harm."

Realizing that Booth thought she was angry, Brennan said, "I'm not angry Booth. I'm just worried that you're starting to regret taking Joshua into our home."

Shaking his head, Booth said, "No way, Bones. He'll learn. It just takes time. I just wish that Boots didn't love kids so much. He's too trusting."

Slicing carrots, Brennan said, "Yes, poor Boots."

Frowning, Booth said, "Poor Boots? What about me? I'm the one with all of the scratches. Three were pretty deep ones too."

Smiling, Brennan looked at Booth and said, "Would you like me to kiss them to make them better?"

Wiggling his eyebrows, Booth said, "I'll take a rain check for tonight on that one Bones. They may need a lot more attention then a little peck."

Laughing, Brennan said, "I'm sure that I can do better than a mere peck."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooo

I think I forgot to mention that Joshua is 3 years old.