Here's the last chapter...finally! It's a little angsty at the beginning but things work out. This chapter is set about fifty years in the future, so you may have to use your imagination.

If you want to know more about Christine and her adult years, you might want to check out my story called Photographs and Memories, which I wrote for last year's Christmas challenge.

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays,

'Cause no matter how far away you roam

If you want to be happy in a million ways,

For the holidays - you can't beat home, sweet home.

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

Christine Booth-Hodgins glanced anxiously at the clock hanging over the fireplace. She expected her guests for Christmas dinner to begin arriving within the next thirty minutes, and there was still so much to do. Usually her husband would be more than willing to help, but he'd already left to pick up his brother and sister-in-law and their two boys at the airport, so it was time to call in the reinforcements. She stood at the foot of the landing and called to her eldest child. "Seeley? I need you downstairs, please...and bring Joy and Max with you."

She chuckled as the three of them trampled noisily down the steps, obviously in a hurry. "Is it dinner time?, Max asked as he glanced into the dining room. "Where's all the food?"

"The turkey and ham are almost done, and people are bringing the rest of the meal when they come later today. Don't worry...you'll have plenty." Christine made a sweeping gesture around the room. "I need you three to help me with getting things ready before everyone gets here, okay?"

Seeing them nod, she handed out the assignments. "Joy, I want you to wrap the silverware in these napkins. Look...I've already done one...just fold the napkin like this…"

"Okay, but wouldn't it be easier just to put the stuff at the end of the table? That way they can pick it up when they go by." Joy rolled her eyes in disdain at her mundane task. "With all the food, no one's gonna care what it looks like, Mom…it's not like we need to be fancy. It's just our family..."

"I'll care." Narrowing her eyes at her daughter, Christine stood with her hands on her hips. "Besides, this way nobody forgets to pick up a napkin, and with a large crowd, it keeps the line keeps moving." She pointed to the counter. "We need at least 25…"

Having finally learned that there were times when arguing wouldn't be tolerated, the teenager grumbled under her breath as she sat down to her task. "If I ever have a party, we're gonna have stuff we can eat with our hands…like pizza..."

Smiling to herself, Christine turned and gave Seeley his instructions. "I need you to bring in that white folding table and the black chairs that are out in the garage and set them up in here. That way your dad won't have to worry about getting that done when he gets home.

"Is that big table gonna fit in here?" He scratched his neck as he estimated the size of the room. "It's gonna be close…there won't be much room to move around it..."

"I know, but I think it'll work. I want to make sure we have a place for everyone to sit and eat." Seeing his uncertainty, she shrugged. "Let's just try it, okay?"

"Alright." He jogged out to the garage as Christine turned to her youngest.

"C'mon, Max. Let's make sure all the clutter is out of the way." She grimaced slightly as she handed him a box of crayons. "Why are these out on the counter? I thought I asked you to pick up your art supplies."

"I'm sorry. I guess I forgot." The boy's lip trembled as he picked up his colorful paper and scissors. "I was making Pops a get well card…"

"Oh…" Christine reached over to rub his shoulder. "That's very nice of you, Max. I'm sure he'll like it."

"Yeah…" He nodded sadly. "But when can I give it to him? You said I was too young to go see him at the hospital…"

Sniffling softly, Joy interrupted as she fidgeted with a napkin. "Maybe we can go see Pops later tonight, Mom. He'd like that...he wouldn't want to spend Christmas by himself, you know…"

"I know, Sweetie, but Grammy is with him...he won't be alone on Christmas…" Trying to be positive, Christine forced a smile as her older son walked into the room carrying the table. "Besides, Max is correct. He is too young to go to an intensive care ward, but maybe we can skype later if your Pops isn't too sleepy..."

"I don't get it, Mom." Grunting as he set the table up, Seeley shook his head. "It was a minor surgery, right? To ease the pain in his feet? So why can't he come home?"

"Honey, your Pops is almost ninety. At his age, there's no such thing as minor surgery. He's had some complications, that's all. His extended hospital stay is just precautionary." Because she'd wanted to avoid that unpleasant topic on Christmas Day, Christine tried to smile as she looked at her children. "I tell you what...why don't you kids go change your clothes before our company gets here?"

All of them looked at her in surprise. "I thought you wanted help. I still need to bring in the chairs, Mom…," Seeley began.

"And I only have half of the silverware wrapped…"

"It's okay...I'll finish the chores. You go get cleaned up. Oh, and Joy? Nothing with big holes or stains…"

"MOM!"

Shaking her head at her daughter's dramatic sigh, Christine tried to busy herself with getting the rest of the silverware ready, but her thoughts kept returning to her son's question. He was right. Her father's surgery was supposed to be a routine laser procedure, designed to smooth out some of the scars and ridges that had formed as the multiple fractures of his tarsal bones had healed after his feet had been severely beaten while he'd been held as a prisoner of war. The hope was that there would be less bony protrusions rubbing on the nerves in his foot, thus easing his pain and increasing his mobility.

The surgery on the right foot had gone off without a hitch, and her father had been so thrilled with the results that he'd quickly scheduled the procedure for his left, but then...something had gone terribly wrong.

Blinking back tears, Christine couldn't help but remember how frightened her normally calm mother had seemed as she explained what had happened over the phone.

"He's had...a bad reaction to the anesthesia...in a coma...maybe a stroke? I don't know...he won't talk to me. It's bad, Christine…he isn't responding...I need you to come quickly..."

It had been so bad that her elderly mother's superior memory had failed her, and she couldn't remember all the scary details the doctor had given her after the procedure. Fortunately, the anesthesiologist knew there was the possibility of her father having a bad reaction, given her his previous medical history, and had begun treating him immediately. After a tense 24 hours, her father had improved rapidly and was finally awake and out of danger...at least for now. His foot was healing nicely, and he was ready to 'get the hell outta Dodge' as soon as possible.

However, the anesthesiologist was taking no chances with his geriatric patient, and so her father was still recuperating in the intensive care ward, and would miss the family Christmas dinner this year. Even though she knew it was the right decision, the thought that her father wouldn't be able to celebrate Christmas at home with his family was not only sad...it was almost imponderable. She couldn't remember the last time he'd missed a holiday dinner.

The 'Booth and Brennan Christmas Feast' was, for all intents and purposes, an event of legendary proportions. Everyone was welcomed with open arms, from the lowliest forensics intern to the most well respected authors, as well as members of Congress and famous musicians. There was an enormous selection of every sort of food imaginable, with real turkey on one end of the buffet table to appease her father and tofurkey on the other end to make her mother happy. And the desserts...the pies, the layer cakes, Ms. Julian's pralines...they were a wondrous sight to behold.

After her parents had sold their house and moved to the retirement center, the dinner venue had to change, and Christine had been quick to volunteer. It was still an amazing feast, and her parents loved being able to enjoy dinner without having to do all the work. It was hard to imagine a Christmas dinner without them...

Folding a napkin around some flatware, Christine sniffled slightly. When she'd visited her father at the hospital a few days ago, she'd mentioned postponing the family gathering until her father was better, but he wouldn't hear of it.

"What? Not have Christmas dinner on Christmas Day? No way! I don't want everyone to be disappointed just because I'm stuck here in No Man's Land, okay? Look, honey...I want you to have fun with everybody, even if I'm not there. My grandkids need to have a great Christmas without worrying about me. I'm gonna be fine...me and your mom are gonna have Christmas dinner here in my room and then we'll be over to your house some night for dinner before you know it. Don't fret."

"Easier said than done., " she mumbled as she folded another napkin. "Especially since right now the state of his health is all we can think about…"

Christine's thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. "That must be Parker…," she said to herself as she rose to greet her guests.

"Hey, Chrissy! How are you?" After giving his sister a hug, Parker grinned as he pulled off his coat and gloves. "Brr...it sure feels like a white Christmas out there." He and his wife followed Christine into the kitchen. "So are you doing okay? How are Dad and Bones?"

"Daddy is a lot better, but because of his age, Dr. Stein wants him to stay a few more days for observation after the scare with the anesthetic. I guess the surgery on his foot was a success, so that's good news…"

"Yeah, well, I hope so. I can't imagine he'd be too happy if he couldn't get around after all that mess with the coma and everything else." Pulling some mugs from the cupboard, he poured some coffee for himself and his wife. "Poor Dad...it must've really upset him when he found out he had to stay in the hospital over Christmas…"

"It did. Mom said he's threatening to get a court order from Judge Aubrey so he can leave…" Christine giggled softly. "At least he's feeling well enough to be ornery." She hesitated slightly, glancing at her brother. "I was so afraid that we were going to lose him, Parker…"

"Yeah...I know." He nodded to his wife. "That's what I told Meredith, too. I mean, I guess...someday...you know…we might not have Dad around at Christmas, but I hope that's a long way off. I can't bear to think of that, but...I guess that's how life works."

"I know...but he's doing a lot better now." Christine bit her lip and exhaled slowly. "At least he can have visitors, so maybe you and Hank can go up to the hospital later this evening if you want. They flew in from Brussels yesterday, and they'll be here at the house soon. They're staying with Carla's family..."

"Going to see Dad this evening is a good idea, Chrissy…"

He was interrupted as the doorbell rang again.

"I'll get it!" Max raced to the door and threw it open. "Pajack! Grandma A! Merry Christmas!"

"Hey, buddy!" Hodgins wheeled himself in to the house with Angela close behind. "Did you get some good stuff for Christmas?"

"Yeah! I got a new bug box and a rock tumbler…"

"Hello...anybody home?" Hank Booth and his family stood in the doorway, laughing at all the commotion. "It's a little drafty to leave the door wide open, isn't it?"

"Hi, Uncle Hank! Hi, Aunt Carla! Where's Brenna?" Joy laughed happily as her cousin bounced into the house. "There you are...come see what I got for Christmas…"

"Hank! Looking good, brother…" Parker shook his younger brother's hand, raising a teasing eyebrow as he glanced at Hank's waistband. "I see you've enjoyed some home cooking since you've retired from the Army…"

"Well, what can I say? Carla's a whiz in the kitchen…and after having to eat Army chow for so long, it's like being in Heaven..."

"Yeah, I can imagine." Parker reached out to shake Hodgins' hand. "It's good to see you…'

Coughing slightly, Hodgins shrugged. "I'm glad I could make it another year. This bronchitis just keeps hanging on…"

Angela patted her husband's shoulder. "His doctor says he needs to rest, but that just isn't in Hodgins' DNA."

"I can rest some other time, Angie, but it's Christmas, and right now I want to see Max's rock tumbler…"

Satisfied that Hodgins was in good hands, Angela sat on the sofa next to Hank's wife. "How are things in Brussels, Carla? Have you been to Paris recently?"

Meanwhile, Hank, carrying a platter of cut vegetables and a plate of cookies, made his way to the kitchen so he could talk to his sister. "Hey, Christine…" Setting the food on the counter, he gave her a hug. "How are you? You look tired, Sissy…"

"I'm fine." She grinned as she snagged an iced sugar cookie. "Carla's been busy, I see…"

"Yeah, she and her mom spent some time in her parents' kitchen last night making all sorts of stuff. With all the weight I might put on over the holidays, I may have to book myself an extra seat for the flight home."

Christine laughed as she shook her head at her brother. "You look fine, Hank…"

"Thanks." He tried to smile, but it was obvious something was bothering him. "Listen, Sis...I'm sorry you've had to take on all the responsibility for Mom and Dad's care, since you're the only one who lives close by. I know it can be rough, having to take care of your own stuff and worrying about them, too…"

"It's no problem, Hank." Christine opened the oven to check on the turkey. "Most of the time they just do their own thing at the retirement center…they're happy there, and they don't have to worry about the house..."

"I know, but with Dad's latest scare…" He sighed heavily. "When you called me to tell me what had happened, I felt so helpless. I mean, there I was, thousands of miles away, and I wasn't sure I could get here in time if I needed to…" He pinched his lips together, hoping to compose himself. "Anyway, Carla and I have been talking it over, and I think I'm going to look into getting a transfer to the States. Her parents are getting up in years, too, and we'll just feel better that way. It may not be in DC, but it'll still be closer than being in Europe."

"You know Dad isn't going to be happy if you rearrange your life just for him, Hank." She shook her head as she got ready to slice the ham. "He's so obstinate sometimes…"

"Well, I'm a grown man, and I can live where I please, right? And if I just happen to move closer to where he lives, so much the better." Hank smiled as he stole a piece of ham. "I don't want you to have to deal with things by yourself, okay? I know Parker can help, too, but this is something we want to do…"

"If it's really what you want, I'd love to have you closer, and I think Mom and Dad would be happy, too.." Christine put an arm around her younger brother. "Thanks, Hank…"

"No problem, Sissy...now...let's eat!"

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

Michael-Vincent gently rapped on his glass with his fork to get the crowd's attention. "Thanks to all of you who've come over to share Christmas dinner tonight. Our family...our friends and neighbors...our coworkers...Christine and I are glad to have all of you share a meal with us as a way to celebrate the holiday." He hesitated slightly, puffing out a small sigh. "Even though Christine's parents couldn't join us this evening, we know they're here with us in spirit, and we hope to have them back in our midst as soon as possible. So...dig in!"

Soon everybody was laughing and talking as they enjoyed their feast. As she glanced around the room, however, Christine couldn't help but feel a little glum. She knew it was silly, but it just wasn't the same without her parents being there at the table, bickering over some little detail in a story they were telling. She missed them terribly, worried that this would be the new normal.

Michael-Vincent leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I know how you feel, Chrissy...I miss them, too, but your dad will be up and around in no time…"

"I hope so…"

She was interrupted by the doorbell. Surprised, she looked at her husband. "Who could that be?"

"Only one way to find out…" He pushed his chair away from the table and went to answer it.

"Hey...what are you doing here?"

Coming to see who it was, Christine gasped audibly. "Uncle Aubrey? Is it really you?"

"Yep." He grinned as he and his wife, Jessica, stood in the doorway. Running his hand through his silvery hair, he shrugged. "Sorry to crash the party, but we've brought you a couple of Christmas surprises." He pointed over his shoulder. "Look who's here…"

"Daddy!" Christine quickly moved to tenderly embrace the frail man propped up in a wheelchair. "But...how? I don't understand. I thought his doctor wouldn't allow it…"

"Yeah, Dad…" Hank gently grasped his father's hand. "I'm so glad you're here. I was gonna come see you tonight, but this is so much better." The younger man was unashamed as he wiped away his tears. "But I'm with Sissy...I don't see how they let leave the hospital…"

"Well, that's another part of the surprise!," her mother chuckled as she gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "Look who came to see us at the hospital while Aubrey and Jessica were there with us..."

It was Parker's turn to be shocked. "Ian! Marissa! What are you doing here?"

"Well, we were hoping to have some Christmas dinner...if you've left anything for us, that is!" As he gave his father and mother a hug, Dr. Ian Booth laughed out loud. "We'd heard from Mom that Pops was in the intensive care ward, so we stopped at the hospital on the way over, but then we got shanghaied…"

"It was more like a jailbreak!," Booth chuckled in a raspy voice. "I told the nurse running the floor that Dr. Booth here was gonna break me out of that joint so I could see my kids and grandkids at Christmas, but she didn't believe me…"

Brennan gave her husband a sly wink. "But Ian called your father's doctor and convinced him that since your father was feeling better, he should be allowed to come to dinner, at least for a little while, since technically he'd be under a doctor's care the entire time..."

Ian grinned happily. "And what d'ya know? It worked! So here we are. "Is there any ham left?"

"Wait...I still don't understand." Parker's wife Meredith shook her finger at her son. "You told me you couldn't make it to DC for Christmas this year…"

"Oh, c'mon, Ma." He laughed merrily at his mother's annoyance. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you we were coming, right? Anyway, Marissa has some gifts for you…"

Smiling shyly, Marissa produced two small gift bags. "I hope you like them…"

All eyes were on Parker and Meredith as they pulled the tissue from their bags. "Wait…" Parker smiled broadly at his wife as he held up a coffee mug. "Look at what mine says...World's Greatest…"

"Grandma!," Meredith exclaimed as she waved hers over her head. "Oh my goodness! Congratulations! When? How!"

"Surely you don't need a doctor to tell you how, Ma!" Seeing her blush, he nudged Marissa, who giggled softly. "Matthew Henry Booth will be here in April...maybe around the time of his Great Grandpop's birthday."

"That's great! I can't wait to meet him!" Booth reached out to take Brennan's hand. "Well, kids...I've got just one thing to say…where's my dinner?"

Everyone laughed and began talking at once, enjoying the fact that they'd been able to share in the good news of Booth and Brennan's first great grandchild.

Her father was completely in his element, telling Max how pleased he was with the get well card, and bickering with her mother as he told his grandkids about the time he'd shot a clown off an ice cream truck.

Smiling to herself as she fixed some plates for her parents, Christine closed her eyes and savored the feeling of having her family together again for Christmas.

She never wanted to take the time spent with her family for granted. It was too precious...and too easily lost.

No matter how many miles apart they were during the years, she hoped the annual Booth/Brennan/Hodgins Christmas dinner would be a family tradition for many generations to come.

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

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Thank you for sticking with me as I wrote this story. I had a lot of fun and the kind comments are appreciated. Laura