A/N: Anne1585 requested this story. I hope this is what you wanted.

I don't own Bones.

Ooooooooooooooooooo

Feeling a little old, but not too old, Booth wasn't sure if he was looking forward to his 60th birthday or not. He was still in pretty good shape, his bones hurt more than they used to and walking long distances were out of the question because of his feet, but still he considered himself to be in pretty good shape.

Brennan knew that Booth was feeling a little trepidation about his upcoming birthday. He tried to hide it, but she knew him well. He worried that his body was beginning to fail him and if he would live long enough to give her the 40 or 50 years he had promised her. She worried about his health too but tried to be subtle about it. Over the years she had changed some of his eating habits and lately he had cut down on drinking alcohol. The excess calories in beer and wine weren't something he wanted to deal with and his doctor harassed him about it whenever he saw him.

"Bones, let's not celebrate my birthday this year. It's just another year." Booth was leaning on the bar deciding whether or not he wanted a Scotch or just a club soda.

"We always celebrate your birthday, Booth. We celebrate everyone's birthday." Brennan didn't like the idea of not having a party to celebrate the anniversary of her husband's birth. He had made sure she and the children had had wonderful parties in the last year and she wanted to make sure he knew that he was loved just as much as he loved them.

Opening a botte of club soda, Booth turned to face Brennan. "I know, but I don't feel like having a party. Let's just have dinner together. We can get Hank to stay the night at Angela's and Hodgins' place. They won't mind. Just you and me. That's what I want."

Since he sounded sincere, Brennan nodded her head. "Alright, if that's what you want. We can have a romantic evening."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about." Booth loved Brennan so much and he loved to arrange to have romantic evenings when he could. Now that Hank was the only child living at home, it was easier to arrange, since the teenager loved hanging out with Hodgins' youngest son playing games on the expensive set up in the Hodgins/Montenegro game room.

"Well, if you change your mind, let me know. There is plenty of time."

Sipping some of his drink, Booth decided that maybe a beer would be a better idea. "Thanks, but I won't change my mind."

Ooooooooooooooooooo

The day of his birthday, Booth went into work like he normally did. He had made pancakes for his little family and added some whip cream on top of them to be a little festive. After all, it was his birthday. He planned to get off a little early and spend the rest of the day and evening with his lovely wife, but before he could leave the Director had called him in for a meeting. The meeting was used to deal with the Brantner case and the Director made sure to include a representative of the Justice Department in the meeting. By the time, the meeting was over, Booth was determined to leave. He was running two hours late and he called Brennan to let her know he was on the way.

Once he arrived home, he hurried in to the house and found Brennan waiting for him in the living room. "Bones, sorry I'm late. The Director insisted I be part of the meeting about the Brantner case."

"That's alright, Booth." Brennan was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand. There was a bottle of wine on the table with an empty glass sitting next to it. "Come join me."

After removing his coat and tie, he sat down next to his wife and reached for the empty glass. Before he picked up the glass, his attention was diverted to three small gift wrapped boxes sitting on the table. "What's this?"

"They're presents from your children. They may not be with us this at this moment, but they wanted you to have presents." Brennan smiled and set her glass down on the coffee table. "You know it's traditional for them to come up with a theme and give you presents for your birthday."

"Yeah, Christine started that." Booth picked up one of the boxes and shook it. "Do you know what they are?"

Slowly picking up a box, Brennan shook her head. "No, I don't. They are very good at keeping secrets."

Tearing off the paper on the box he held, Booth opened the box and found a set of Philadelphia Flyers salt and pepper shakers. Amused, Booth chuckled, grabbed the second box and found a set of RetroTV salt and pepper shakers. "I think I may know what the theme is this year." With the last box in his hand, Booth opened it and found a set of black and white skull salt and pepper shakers. "The kids did pretty good this year." Gathering them up, he walked over to a large shadow box on the wall near the jukebox and found space for them in the box.

His eyes drawn to the mid-tier shelf, Booth picked up a small rock and moved his thumb over the rough edges. "Christine found this rock near Pop's grave . . . When she gave it to me, I couldn't just throw it away. It was her first real present to me. She was so proud when she found it." He placed it back on the shelf and picked up a tiny clown figurine holding a garish red and yellow ball. "Parker figured out I was afraid of clowns when I took him to a circus. Even at seven years old he was pretty sharp and he had a wicked sense of humor. He gave me this for my birthday that year. Rebecca thought it was funny and I guess it was." He placed it back on the shelf and moved his hand to pluck a Spiderman Band-Aid Box from the shelf. "Hank used his allowance to buy this box of Band-Aids for me for my birthday, so I'd have some special band-Aids when I got hurt. He loved Spiderman when he was four years old." The box back on the shelf, Booth scanned the shelves and sighed. "I kind of wish the kids were here to help me celebrate my birthday, but they have their own lives to live and I did say I didn't want a birthday party."

Sympathetic, Brennan placed her hand on his arm. "My birthday present for you is out on the back patio. Would you like to see it?"

Pushing his regret to the back of his mind, Booth turned and kissed Brennan. "Of course, I would." As he followed her through the kitchen, Booth decided that he would make the evening a happy one. After all, he was spending it with the woman he loved and what could be better than that?

Once through the door and on the back patio, Booth was surprised when a crowd of people surged forward and yelled out. "Happy Birthday."

Shocked, Booth stepped back one step and laughed. "You got me . . . I did not expect this and that was a fact."

Amidst a lot of laughter and cheers, Hank stepped forward and handed his father a flat box. "We know you said you didn't want a birthday party and Mom told us you were serious, but . . . well, we begged her to let us throw you this party and she said we could. We've got brisket on the barbecue . . . Uncle Aubrey put it on this afternoon and Uncle Hodgins, Aunt Angela and Aunt Cam and Arastoo and the kids brought enough food to feed a . . ." He paused and looked at Aubrey. "Well, Uncle Aubrey."

The laughter was instantaneous and everyone could hear Aubrey's protest." Hey Kid, you may not get any dinner at all."

His laughter loud, Hank shook his head. "Mom gave in so don't be mad at her, Dad. It's your 60th birthday and we just couldn't let it go without a party."

Before he could reply, Parker worked his way through the crowd and handed his father a gift wrapped box. "Happy Birthday Dad. Dene couldn't come, but Joseph has the flu and so they stayed home. I couldn't miss your birthday, Dad."

Startled that is son had flown from England to be with him on this day, Booth took the box and crooked his right arm around his son's neck. "I'm glad to see you, Parker."

Brennan pointed to the table near the grill and smiled. "If you will take the seat of honor, Booth."

Filled with emotion, Booth handed the boxes to his daughter Christine and pulled Brennan into his arms. "You know me so well, Bones. Thank you for the party. It's probably the best present ever."

The cheers were loud and happy and more than one neighbor wondered what was going on at the Booth/Brennan household.

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