Booth made it home in record time. He hurriedly took a shower and shaved, then rummaged through his closet to find something appropriate to wear. A suit…no, that would be too formal. What about jeans, too casual? With a sigh, he continued to look through everything, finally settling on a pair of khakis, a white button down shirt, a black v-neck sweater and loafers. He pulled on a pair of Christmas socks to add to the more festive atmosphere that had come over him since David's rather hasty departure. Once he was sure he looked okay, he threw on some cologne, then found himself pacing anxiously, waiting for Rebecca's arrival.
When his doorbell rang, he raced to the door, flinging it open. Rebecca's hand hung in the air, and almost met with Seeley's face because of the sudden status change of the door. She looked her ex up and down, and then smirked.
"Did you get dressed up just for me Seeley?"
"Very funny Rebecca."
"I expect him back first thing in the morning Seeley, I'm serious."
"Eight o'clock on the dot. I got it."
"Okay then." Rebecca motioned to the car in his driveway. Her fiancé got out, and opened the back door. After a moment, Parker bolted from the vehicle and threw himself on his father.
"Daddy!"
"Merry Christmas, Bub. And Rebecca? Merry Christmas."
"You too Seeley." She gave him a strange look before walking away. Rebecca turned one last time to look at her ex, and then shook her head. My God, the man's actually in love.
Seeley closed the door and looked at his son.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Uh-huh. Mike made us pancakes this morning. They were good."
"Well you know what Parker? I had pancakes too."
"Really? Were they good?"
"Yep. Do you remember my friend, Dr. Bones?"
"Uh-huh. She's the pretty lady from Sid's."
"Well, we're going to spend Christmas with her today. You ready to go?"
"Uh-huh." Booth grinned at his son, and then they made their way out to his SUV. This would be a Merry Christmas indeed.
XxXxX
"Angela!" Brennan yelled from her bedroom door. The artist looked at Jack for a second, then left the kitchen and made her way to her friend's bedroom.
"Sweetie, what is it?"
"I don't know what to wear."
"You know Bren, it's kinda cute to see you all flustered like this. Let's go see what you've got available, okay?" Angela led her friend to the closet and looked around. There were clothes everywhere, which was so un-Brennan like.
"I can't believe he has this effect on me. I never have trouble finding something to wear."
"It's okay, sweetie, really. You've also never been in love before, so I think that has a lot to do with it." Angela said as she picked through the closet. "I think we want to go with something really feminine. How about this?" Angela handed Brennan a sheer white, button down shirt, lavender v-neck sweater and a black skirt. She then threw a pair of knee-high black boots that were hiding in the back of the closet out into the room.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Absolutely. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to rescue Russ and your dad from Hodgins."
"Oh, if my dad is still the same, he loves conspiracy theories. He just tends to keep them to himself."
"Well, I guess we'll all have a Merry Christmas then."
XxXxX
Seeley arrived at Brennan's a short while later and took a deep breath before getting Parker out of his car seat. He was nervous. Why was he nervous? This wasn't like a date or anything. It was Christmas with Bones, her family, and the squints. There was no reason for him to be nervous, except that everything in their relationship had changed in the course of two hours.
He took a breath of air as he reached her door. After knocking, though he was sure he could have just walked inside, he was greeted by Temperance. He stared at her for a long time, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful forensic anthropologist.
"Temperance, you look…wow!" He leaned in to kiss her and was surprised when she pulled back, appraising him.
"You wear sweaters? Since when do you wear sweaters?"
"Huh?"
"Merry Christmas Dr. Bones!"
Temperance looked down at the five year old and smiled.
"Merry Christmas to you too Parker. You want to come in and open some presents?"
"Yeah!" the little boy bolted through the door, pulling Booth, who still had him by the hand, inside with him. Booth looked back at Tempe, and watched as she fought unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh at his son's enthusiasm. When Parker reached the tree, the others gathered around to help pass around gifts. Booth let go of his son and grinned when he felt Bones slide her arms around his waist. She grinned up at him and leaned up to kiss him. He was about to meet her lips with his own, but a present was thrust under his nose by an enthusiastic five year-old.
"Dr. Bones, this one's for you!" Bones turned to look at Parker with a smile.
"It is huh? Well, why don't we see what's inside it." With that, she sat on the floor next to Parker to open the wrap. Booth stood against a wall watching the scene. This was what he wanted. He wanted the happy family, maybe a few more kids, though he'd probably have a tough time convincing Temperance. As he watched Parker help Bones tear off the paper, Angela sidled over to him.
"Since when do you wear sweaters?"
"Bones said the same thing. What's this sudden obsession with my clothing choices?"
"Nothing, but it probably saved you from a really boring gift."
"Angela, thank you, really. I couldn't have done this without you."
"You're welcome Booth. Now, why don't you get yourself over there and participate." Booth flashed the artist his trademark grin, then sat down next to Temperance. Angela couldn't help but feel proud of her accomplishments. Her best friend was finally with the man of her dreams. Am I good, or what?
A/N: Yes, they're all really happy, and Booth still hasn't gotten to give a mind blowing kiss to Temperance, and don't forget…we still have to see what it is that Angela got Booth for Brennan. Only one person besides me knows, and she isn't telling…right Wolfy? BTW, I have had a couple of huge begging requests to have a love scene between Tempe and Booth…here's my problem. Seeing as how David stayed the night, don't you think it would still be a little uncomfortable for them to jump in the sack right away? I mean, it would make me uncomfortable. Just let me know what all of you think, okay?
