Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying my story.

I know Brennan seems to be in denial about her feelings for Booth, but she will have an epiphany soon.


"Hello, Dad…"

"Hello, Tempe. How are you? Are you having fun helping out Santa's elves with your trip to the mall?" Max chuckled softly, happy with his little joke. He was curious as he listened for her answer, wondering if his very serious daughter would understand the Christmasy reference.

She hesitated slightly before responding. "Oh...you mean have I completed my Christmas shopping?" She sighed softly, wondering why her father was so prone to being obtuse. "Yes, I believe so. Of course, there are always small details that need to be completed as part of holiday preparations, such as buying food and cleaning the house, but…"

Not wanting to hear her whole agenda for the next few weeks, Max was quick to interrupt her. "Yeah, okay. I get it. You're almost done. Listen, I was just calling to see if you're ready for us to put up a Christmas tree. I found a nice tree lot down the street from St. Vincent's Catholic Church, so it's not too far from the Royal Diner. Maybe we could go have some dinner there tonight and then go by the place and pick out a tree. They have quite the selection at the lot...a variety of trees in all sizes and shapes, and the money they raise goes to support local food banks. It'd be fun, you and me spending the evening together like that, right? It'd help us get into the Christmas spirit, too..."

"I wasn't planning on getting a Christmas tree for just the two of us, Dad. It seems unnecessary…"

"It's not unnecessary...it's part of the holiday! You know how much I love having a Christmas tree, with all the lights and the tinsel and ornaments...all the stuff like that." Max hesitated slightly before continuing. "Look, Honey, I know things are still a bit strained between us. I get that, okay? And maybe you don't know how much I love having a real Christmas tree in the house, especially since we've missed so many holidays because we weren't together, and I know that's my fault, but...it would make me very happy if we could spend some time with each other while we're getting ready for Christmas. Please? For me?"

Annoyed with her father's blatant attempt to play on her emotions, Brennan puffed out an exasperated sigh. She personally saw no reason to celebrate a holiday commemorating a religious myth that she didn't believe, and yet, over the years she'd begun to realize that the bizarre story of a so-called virgin birth which brought forth a baby god had inspired families to spend time together as they developed traditions and lore that was passed down from one generation to the next.

That facet of the holiday gave it an important anthropological aspect. Passing knowledge from one generation to the next ensured that the knowledge would survive, which would help to reinforce important societal and cultural ties. Human beings, being social animals, needed common themes to bind them together as successful communal groups if the species was to survive.

Given the societal implications of the Christmas holiday, she finally came to a decision. "Fine. Let's go pick out a tree this evening, Dad."

"That's great, Honey!" Max laughed happily. "I'm looking forward to it!"

"As am I. I've got to go, Dad...I want to avoid the rush hour traffic, okay?"

"Okay. I'll meet you at the diner at 6. See you then."

After ending the call, Brennan stared at her phone for a few seconds, wondering why she'd let herself be talked into buying a Christmas tree. Regretting that she hadn't been resolute enough against the onslaught of her father's persuasive powers, she smiled sadly as she put her phone away. Perhaps she wanted to be talked into tree shopping…maybe that's what she'd really wanted all along…

...which proved her original point. Over the years, Booth had insinuated himself into every aspect of her life. She doubted that she'd ever be willing to celebrate Christmas in the past if Booth hadn't shown her how enjoyable it was to share the holiday season with friends.

Even though she usually preferred being alone during Christmas, it was also great fun to spend time with others if there was a common purpose, such as celebrating a commonly observed holiday.

Given the situation, she supposed it wouldn't hurt to indulge her father with this one small concession. Maybe he was trying to make amends for all the Christmases they'd missed spending together because he'd abandoned her. It was a small gesture, but perhaps this shared activity was something they both needed to normalize their relationship.

Sighing softly, she left the mall, put her packages in her car and drove away from the parking lot, preoccupied with her own swirling thoughts and emotions.

Why do the holidays have to be so hard…

Oooooooooo

Laughing as he pocketed his phone, Max whistled a refrain from a Christmas carol as he strolled down the sidewalk in front of St. Vincent's. He could freely admit to himself that he had just manipulated his daughter into doing what he wanted her to do, but he didn't care. It was for her own good. He knew what she wanted for Christmas, even if she couldn't actually say it out loud.

He'd worked out this little scheme to make it possible for her to spend more quality time with Booth. Figuring that Booth would be willing to show up wherever his daughter was, it would be quite easy to get them to finally talk to each other for real, instead of the polite work related discussions that were passing for conversation.

"And then we'll be past the drama between them, right? And then my Tempe will get what she really wants for Christmas...the love and affections of one Seeley Booth."

Pleased with himself, he stopped to chat with a young nun standing in front of the church before making his way home. He had things to do before this evening's dinner with his daughter.


So will Max's plan work out? I guess we'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out...