A/N: time for a bit of sweet fluff. The song I used is 'All I want for Christmas is You', by Mariah Carey.

If you have time to review, I'd appreciate it. Laura.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need.

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree.

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know.

Make my wish come true. Oh

All I want for Christmas is you

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

It was early in the morning on December 23. and Meredith Chenowith was gazing out at the puffy white clouds that were zipping by the window as her flight took her to the United States. They'd be landing within the hour, and she was looking forward to spending time with Parker in the DC area while they visited his father, stepmother, and his younger siblings for the Christmas holidays.

They were lovely people, his family...always so friendly and welcoming whenever she'd visited. She smiled as she thought of the special affection she held for Parker's father. The gruff FBI agent was a well respected law enforcement officer, and also a hopeless romantic. He'd been the one who'd encouraged his son to reconnect with his former high school sweetheart...and Meredith would be forever grateful that her boyfriend had trusted his father's judgment in that matter.

At just over eight hours, it was a long flight from the UK to the US capital, but she'd been able to get some sleep, so, feeling somewhat rested, she decided to read another chapter of Dr. Brennan's latest novel. Meredith had been a huge fan of the mystery author in high school, even before she'd met Parker. She giggled softly as she remembered her reaction to Parker's announcement that Temperance Brennan was actually his stepmother.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"Are you having a laugh at my expense?' She glared at Parker over her plate of bangers and mash. 'You must think I'm barmy to believe that load of bollocks!"

He pulled out his phone to show her a family portrait that had been taken the last time he'd visited the States. "It's the truth. Here we are...this was taken last Thanksgiving…"

Utterly gobsmacked, Meredith sat in stunned silence for a few seconds before realizing she should say something polite. "Oh, my God...it's true! So...um...nice picture by the way. Not to be rude but...do you think she'd autograph a book for me? I mean, I know it's presumptuous to play on our friendship, but…"

"I don't know…she gets a lot of requests like that, and she's really busy…" Parker had wanted to milk the situation for all it was worth, but seeing Meredith's disappointment, he quickly caved in. 'I'm sure she will, Mere. I'll ask her next time we skype...and then she can mail it to you..."

"Brilliant! Thank you!" She smiled shyly as she reached for her tea cup. "I'd appreciate it…"

'No problem...glad I could help.' He chuckled to himself, wondering how Bones would feel about him using her name to get a girl's attention. "I bet she won't mind a bit."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Having met Dr. Brennan a few years later, Meredith was still slightly in awe of the prolific mystery writer. "Imagine…," she muttered to herself. "I've had meals with her, and I've spent time at her house, too. Alice was so jealous last time I came to visit. She and Mum both love her books as much as I do.''

Accessing her tablet, she settled back in her seat to find out what kind of predicament Kathy Reichs and Andy Lister had gotten themselves into at the moment. Unfortunately, Meredith was having a hard time concentrating. Her mind kept turning back to the man in her life...the reason she'd spent eight hours squeezed into a narrow seat in the coach section of the plane. Given her destination, she didn't really mind...she couldn't wait to see Parker again. It had been three months since she'd seen him...but it felt like forever.

While hers was a long flight this time, it was still shorter than the one she'd taken to Miami a few months before in order to see Parker between his duty rotations. Miami was a beautiful city, and she'd enjoyed the sub tropical climate and the city's laid back attitude immensely. It helped that there were a lot of things to do in the area besides going to the beach. Parker had taken her to see the Florida Panthers play an ice hockey match, and she still had a hard time wrapping her mind that there was an ice arena in the Sunshine State.

After her visit, it had occurred to her that, given the right incentive, she'd like to live there someday, but for now, that was just a pleasant daydream. As much as she might wish it so, there'd been nothing said between them about making their relationship permanent.

Anyway, they'd agreed to meet in DC for Christmas this year so she could enjoy the nation's capital decked out in its holiday splendor, and that was fine with her. She didn't care which city they were visiting as long as she got to see him again.

Besides, it was her turn to make the international trip. Parker had been to the UK several times over the two years that had passed since the Christmas when they'd reconnected. She loved his visits, and hated it when he had to leave. He normally couldn't stay long, so they made good use of every minute they had together, but it still wasn't enough. She was tired of having to say goodbye to the man she loved so much. She was tired of missing his goofy jokes, his stubborn insistence on using American English in the UK, and most of all, his tender embrace. She wanted something more...

Annoyed with herself, she set her tablet aside as she contemplated how things were working out between the two of them. The difficulties in conducting a long distance romance were numerous, and she couldn't help but wonder if they had a realistic chance of enjoying a future together. They loved each other...that much was true. The question was whether or not their relationship could withstand the strain of them being apart for more time than they were together. She considered whether it was unfair to expect him to be satisfied with being literally an ocean apart from his girlfriend. Maybe they needed to talk things over while they were in DC…maybe they could try to come to an understanding. They were both intelligent adults...surely they could work things out...

Shaking her head, Meredith clucked to herself as she gathered her belongings and packed them in her carry on bag. She'd never put Parker in the position of having to give up his commission with the US Coast Guard. He'd worked too hard to get it, and he was proud of the part he was playing in his country's defense. No...he was successful and advancing quickly through the ranks. She wouldn't make him choose between his love for her or his career.

Glancing at some papers in a large envelope before jamming them back into her bag, she smiled. Right or wrong, it was time to make a change...and perhaps force the issue.

She just hoped she wasn't making a massive mistake.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Parker was pacing nervously as he waited in the baggage claim area at Dulles International Airport. The plane had already landed, but that was beside the point. It didn't matter how often Meredith had flown to the US...he was always edgy until he saw her come out of the tunnel leading away from the customs area.

There has to be a better way to do this relationship thing...it's so expensive flying back and forth just so we can spend a few days together. We need a plan...

He'd had that thought literally a million times over the past two years, ever since he'd gone to see Meredith while visiting his mother in London. Meredith was the one for him...the only woman he ever loved, even if she really did live an ocean away from him, but he knew the thrill of constant traveling was wearing thin for both of them.

Great, huh? How come I couldn't fall in love with the girl next door? Shaking his head as he watched the constant stream of cars moving in front of the terminal, he chuckled to himself. It didn't really matter. She'd always been his standard, no matter where she lived. He was tired of being alone. He missed having her curl up next to him on the sofa as they watched television, drinking her favorite instant tea as he teased her about telling her mum. He missed her off key singing...and the way she looked when she first stepped out of the shower in the morning…

Whoa, boy. Let's not get carried away...you're in public, Lieutenant Booth...

He grinned as he remembered how entranced he'd been the first time he'd seen her.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"Dammit, Kev...I don't think this is a good idea." Parker pulled at his shirt collar as they stood on the doorstep of the Chenowith household. "I hate being set up like this! Blind dates suck, man...I'm sweating like a damn pig..."

Ringing the doorbell, Kevin sighed in frustration as he eyed his overly cautious friend. "Look, mate...this isn't about you, is it? You're just helping a bloke out. Alice's father thinks she's too young to go out on a date alone with me, and you're going to be her sister's date so we can double up. That's all...no strings, right? It's just once or twice, until I can prove to the old man that I'm alright...kind of like a wing man. Brilliant plan, if I do say so…"

"Did it occur to you how long it might take for you convince the old guy that you're not actually a horndog?" Parker groaned as he shifted from one foot to the other. He was always so bashful around girls… "C'mon, Kev…"

"Look...you saw her last week at chapel, right? She's lush, right? You said you fancied her…"

Before he could answer, the door opened and Parker's life was changed forever. Meredith was indeed beautiful, with her dark, silky hair and her expressive green eyes...

"Oi..," she said with a cheeky grin. "It's you two, is it? Come on, then...Dad wants to meet you…"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Parker nodded as he checked his phone for messages. That was his Mere...pretty, clever, and with a great sense of humor. They'd hit it off almost immediately, much to Kevin's surprise. What was even more surprising was how much her father had liked him from the start, or so he'd said when Parker was last in London. Mr and Mrs. Chenowith were both happy to see him again...

Tired of pacing, he found an empty seat by the baggage carousel and plopped into it with a grunt. It was hell being separated from Meredith after they'd finally gotten back together, but duty called...he'd had to be back in Miami soon afterwards so he could do his rotation. He'd been back to London as many times as he could after that Christmas, but, as wonderful as it was to see her, it was just as awful to leave her behind. He'd never get used to it. Even when they were apart, she was constantly on his mind, making their separation even more painful.

He knew the two of them needed to work out a more workable solution for their relationship, but at the moment he had no idea of what that solution might be. They loved each other...he knew that, but was that love really enough? Was he being selfish, wanting to keep her all for himself when he wasn't even around? Maybe he should let her go...maybe they should just give up…

Who am I kidding? I'd never be strong enough to do that...

Meredith had loved her visit to Miami, and he'd longed to ask her to move there permanently, but he knew she'd be hesitant to give up her new position at the hospital.

That wouldn't be fair...she's in charge of her wing...there's no way she'd want to start at the bottom again…besides, I'm gone for long stretches at a time...in some ways it'd be just like what we have going now...

He pulled an envelope from his pocket, checking its contents once again. If he approached it carefully, he might be able to get her to go for this compromise, and then maybe they could make their relationship permanent. "It couldn't hurt to try, right?," he said to himself. "It's got to be better than what we have now…"

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't heard the footsteps approaching his chair.

"So...you don't look all that excited to see me at all! Pity, really. I guess I'll go back home..."

Laughing Parker jumped from his seat and spun around, "Yeah, well…" Taking Meredith into his arms, he gave her a passionate kiss, much to the delight of the people milling around in baggage claim. "Better, dearest?"

Meredith wore a dreamy smile as she took his hand. "Much…shall we go?"

"Your chariot awaits, milady…let's vamoose. Chop chop..."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

It was early afternoon on Christmas Day, and there was a brief respite from the normally noisy Booth-Brennan holiday celebration. Parker sighed happily as he stretched out on the sofa in the living room. Later that day, the house would be filled with everyone who'd been invited for Christmas dinner, but for now, he was going to savor the quiet.

His dad and Bones were busy in the kitchen, putting the final touches on the feast. Hank was in his room, playing with his new video game system, and Christine was visiting her best friend Jennifer, who lived next door.

"Ah...peace and quiet…," he murmured. "...at last." He was almost asleep when a thought crossed his mind.

"Wait...where's Meredith?"

He heard a sultry chuckle coming from a corner of the room. Propping himself up on his elbows, he narrowed his eyes at her. "Have you been spying on me from the recliner?"

She shrugged as she came over and sat on the end of the sofa. "Maybe. I offered to help with dinner, but your father shooed me out of the kitchen." She pretended to be offended. "He said something about not trusting that someone who makes instant tea is able to cook."

They both laughed at her joke. Pulling himself up to sit beside her, he grinned. "I loved my gifts, Meredith. Pretty sneaky to have them shipped here to my dad's house." He tugged on the hem of his sweatshirt. "I'm proud of my Panthers shirt…and I love my new watch."

She giggled as he kissed her. "You're welcome, love. I like my earrings, too, and my father will be most pleased with his new cap." Snuggling closer, she gave him a flirty wink. "However, I do have one more gift for you...but I wanted to give it to you in private."

Parker tried to peek inside the gift bag. "Oh? Is it a picture of your 'naughty bits'?"

Meredith was scandalized. "Parker! Don't talk like that! Your parents might hear you!"

"It's alright. I'm pretty sure they know we're sexually active, especially as rambunctious as you were last night. I'm surprised that Bones hasn't asked us about our birth control method." Seeing Meredith's bright red blush, he chuckled as he got up and retrieved what looked to be a wrapped shoe box from under the tree. "Well, I have something else for you, too. I was saving it for tonight, but you might as well open it now."

"Me first." Meredith handed him the bag and then put her hand over his. "If you don't like it, it can be returned."

"I'm sure I'll love it, seeing how it came from you." He paused as he pulled out a set of stapled papers. Leafing through them, he gave her a quizzical look. "I don't understand."

Hesitating slightly, she took a deep breath. "I've applied for a work visa so I can move to the States. Dr. Brennan knows the Director of Nursing at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, so while you were at sea…" She bit her lip as he narrowed his eyes at her. "...I flew over and had an interview with her. I was actually there in town for almost a week...you know, looking over the facilities, checking out housing..."

"You were in the States and you didn't tell me…," Parker said slowly, somewhat annoyed. "I see…"

"It just happened that you were at sea when the interview was scheduled." Feeling awkward, Meredith rushed to explain her plan. "I wasn't trying to hide this from you, Parker, but I didn't want to say anything in case it didn't work out, either. However, the Director was most impressed with my references and my work experience, and she offered me a job on the spot. I can start work there as soon as I get my papers in order and approved. Of course, I'll have to make arrangements to move, you know, but that shouldn't be too hard, and the best news is that since it's a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Miami, I can get my permanent credentials quickly and even work towards becoming a nurse practitioner." Noticing Parker's stunned silence, she paused, nervously picking at her nails. "I'm sorry...I guess I've overstepped, haven't I? It's a harebrained scheme…and I should've told you. I mean, we should've talked about what we both wanted...but I knew you wanted to stay in Miami, and this way we could be together...if that's what you wanted, but if not..."

"Of course I want us to be together. It's a wonderful gift...everything that I've ever dreamed of..." He shook off his surprise and smiled happily. "It's just that...well, your gift to me sort of puts a dent in my gift to you. It's gonna be kind of anticlimactic." Seeing her confusion, he handed her the shoe box. "I think you'll see what I mean. Open it…"

After tearing the paper away, she lifted the lid. "What is this? There are different things in here."

"Well, it's in three parts." He pointed to a thick envelope. "Open that one first."

Her brow furrowed as she read the letter out loud. "Hutchison Port Holdings, Felixstowe, UK. Dear Lt. Booth, thank you for your recent interview. We are pleased to offer you a position with our company. We are prepared to offer you your choice of shipping route…" She gasped in surprise. "You got a job at Felixstowe? As a sort of merchant marine?"

"They're always looking for able bodied seamen to pilot their cargo ships, and my experience with computer navigation in the Coast Guard has made me a prime candidate. I know it's not London, but it's not far from your family...a two hour drive...or if you'd rather, we could live in Southampton...they have offices there, too."

Seeing her disbelief, he pointed to a smaller envelope. "Open that one next."

"Okay…" Her eyes widened in surprise as she read its contents. "No way…"

"Yes, way...that's a fiancee visa, Meredith...once it's approved, you can stay up to ninety days in the US, and then we can get married here. I mean, I know you already have a work visa coming, so you may not need that...but, anyway, if you're interested in moving to Florida to be close to me, I'd love that, or if you want to live in the UK, I'm fine with that, too. As long as we're together, either way is great, but with one condition." He held out the third object from the box. "Open it."

Tears filled Meredith's eyes as she peered inside the small black velvet case. "Oh, Parker...it's perfect…"

"I thought you'd like it." Parker nodded as he slipped the diamond solitaire on her finger. "So...what do you think? Florida or Felixstowe?"

"Well…" She pursed her lips slightly as she thought over the question. "I think Florida would be better...I could go to school while you were away from home, so I'd have something to do...and I love the warm weather and the beaches there…and I could learn about hockey..."

"However, it's far from your family…." Parker began.

Giggling, she interrupted him. "Well, actually...it was my Mum and Dad who suggested I look into moving to the States. They said they were tired of watching me mope around because I missed you so much...and it would give them an excuse to come visit." She smiled slyly. "Of course, I haven't actually said I'd marry you...not yet, anyway..."

"Maybe that's because I haven't asked you yet." Parker sighed softly, gazing at the ring on her finger before lifting his eyes to hers. "Meredith Suzanne Chenowith...you are beautiful, clever, and hilariously funny. You are my standard, even if you do use instant tea and can't carry a note in a bucket. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Parker Matthew Booth, you are brave, handsome, intelligent, and resourceful, and I love you tremendously, even if you haven't given up your penchant for silly sports, refuse to learn the Queen's English and tend to indulge in far too many helpings of fish and chips." Meredith gently caressed his cheek. "How could I refuse a man who loves me so much that he would give up a career he's worked so many years to obtain, just to make me happy?"

"You're willing to leave everything behind to be with me, Meredith…your family...your friends...your career..." He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "I just hope I turn out to be worth the sacrifices you've made…"

Blinking back her tears, she nestled against him."You've always been worth it, love."

He chuckled softly. "So does that mean yes?"

She jabbed him playfully. "Of course...unless I find out that you've a girlfriend in every port, that is…"

"The only port I sail out of is Miami, Mere…and I'll have you, if that counts for anything."

"Really? And by the way, when were you in Felixstowe? A two hour drive and you didn't come see me?"

"A couple of months ago." He feigned innocence. "You were working…"

"You could've called…"

"It would've ruined the surprise…besides, it was like a 24 hour turn around..."

"I would've made even a short period of time worth your while, you know…"

"I think we're even, don't you?" Parker pulled her onto his lap and gave her a kiss. "So...when should we get married, dearest?"

"June...but maybe instead of the States, it should be London, love…"

"London? No way…"

"Yes, way…" She interrupted his protest with a kiss. "I win…"

He rolled his eyes at her merry laughter. "Okay, maybe I'll give in, just this once…"

"Right...just this once…" Meredith arched an eyebrow at him. "Not that we're going to keep score on who wins each argument."

It was his turn to laugh. "Maybe you won't score...but I will…and it seems like anyway you look at it, I've won this round." He kissed her once again before taking out his phone to begin a list. "We have to set a date, figure out how to get you moved to Miami, get your paperwork in order, and I need to request some PTO…."

"There are definitely a lot of details to consider, Parker, but I do think it will be worth it in the long run."

"Me, too." He grinned as he pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I love you, Meredith...soon to be my wife...Chenowith."

"I love you, too, Parker...soon to be my husband...Booth."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Watching part of the couple's tete a tete from the safety of the kitchen, Booth laughed happily as he looked for the knife he needed to carve the turkey. "I think we're getting a daughter in law for Christmas, Bones…"

"So Parker has proposed to Meredith? Wonderful." She smiled as she tossed her dish towel aside. "Let's go congratulate them…"

Booth put out his hand to stop her. "Nah...let's wait. Why don't we let them enjoy this first few minutes of their engagement by themselves, okay? We can act surprised later when they tell everyone else at dinner tonight."

"Alright." Brennan was thoughtful as she glanced toward the family room. "I like Meredith very much, Booth, but they are so young...do you think they're ready to get married?"

"Well, they're old enough to get married, whether we like it or not, right?" He shrugged as he began to saw on the turkey's leg. "They are young, but here's the deal. They get along really well. They've both worked hard to keep their long distance relationship going, so they already have a good handle on how to maintain their partnership. They've learned how to make decisions together, and how to talk to each other. They still have a lot to learn, of course, but I think they've made a good start. They'll be fine…"

Brennan was all smiles as she embraced her husband. "I think, perhaps, given how they've handled the long distance situation, that Parker and Meredith have an excellent chance of having a successful marriage."

"I think you're right..." Kissing her tenderly, Booth smiled. "...and if they're half as happy as we are, Bones, they'll be very happy together for many years."