A/N: I know you're anxious to find out what happens at the party, but we need to go to Parker's play first...
Glancing at his watch, Booth grimaced, shaking his head before calling out to his grandfather. "Hey, Pops! Are you ready to go yet? I don't want to be late! Rebecca's saving us some seats, but we need to get going…we still need to pick up Bones..."
"I'm coming...I'm coming." Smoothing his shirt, Hank poked his head out of his bedroom. "Geez...always in a hurry, huh, Shrimp? If I didn't know better, I'd think we were going to your wedding…"
Rolling his eyes, Booth gave his grandfather a pointed look as the elderly man walked into the living room. "Look, Pops, you can't go talking like that around Bones, okay? I think we've finally reached a point where she's finally comfortable around me again, and I don't want to push her away. I don't want to scare her off...so cut it out, alright?" He groaned inwardly as random thoughts of Bones swirled in his head. I know we're on the right road...things are great...we're talking...we're even dating, I guess...so why am I still scared about how things are going with her? We're good, right? Suddenly, he realized his grandfather was poking at his chest with a bony index finger. "Ow! What?"
"So you're not even gonna give her a tiny little shove in the right direction?" Hank chuckled at his grandson's scowl. "Come on, Shrimp...you need to listen to this old man. She's gotta know by now that you're crazy about her, so what are you so worried about? You just gotta show her you care, that's all. You're a grown man...you oughta know that stuff by now..."
"She probably does know how I feel, but that's not the point, Pops!" Groaning in frustration as he grabbed his jacket from the back of a chair, Booth tried to explain things to his grandfather again. "Look...the last time we were this close to being a couple, I jumped the gun, okay? You remember that, right? How I screwed up everything and scared her off?" Seeing Hank's exasperated nod, he continued. "So this time, I'm gonna go slow, and I'm gonna let her take the lead. When she's ready, she'll let me know, and because I want it to work, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for us to get to that point. I mean, we went out to dinner a few days ago, and we had dinner here the other night after spending the day together, so I think we're making headway, but..."
"Well, just don't wait too long to let her know exactly how you feel, okay, Shrimp? She might feel unsure about what you're thinking...and she might be waiting for you to make the first move, too, you know? Anyway, it won't hurt to do the little things, right? Some compliments...maybe a few little gifts. A couple of trial runs at 'I love you' might be in order if you're feelin' brave…"
"I did make a little bit of a move the other night, but I'm gonna see what happens next, okay? All in good time, Pops...all in good time. I just have to be patient, that's all...and so do you." Patting his grandfather's shoulder, Booth grinned. "Now...are you ready to go see Parker in the play?"
"Yeah, let's go. I can't wait to see Temperance…" Hank winked at his grandson. "God, I love that woman, and if you don't get your ass in gear, I just might steal her away from you…"
"Oh no, you don't, old man…," Booth laughed as they left his apartment. "Bones belongs to me! Besides, you already have a girlfriend at the retirement center, right? What about Mamie?"
"Well, Shrimp...what she doesn't know won't hurt her, okay? I can have a girlfriend here as well as Philly as long as they never meet each other, right?" Chuckling as his grandson pretended to be shocked, Hank shook a finger at him. "I'm just saying...you'd better take care of business with Temperance if you know what's good for ya…"
Booth grinned happily. "I will when the time comes, Pops. You can count on that."
Ooooooooo
Booth and Hank spent the time driving to Brennan's apartment teasing each other about their girlfriends, or maybe the lack thereof. After pulling into the complex's parking lot, Booth parked the car and hopped out. "I'll be right back…"
"And I'll get in the back seat where I can keep an eye on them.," Hank chuckled to himself, watching as his grandson jogged up to Brennan's building. "I might need to give them a little bit of a shove myself…"
A short time later, Booth and Brennan were standing by the passenger side of the car. Knowing his grandfather was watching, Booth opened the car door for Brennan, much to her surprise.
"I'm quite capable of handling car doors, Booth…"
"Yeah, I know...but it's a long story, okay? Just let me do this for you…"
"Okay…just this once." She greeted Pops warmly as she climbed into the vehicle. "I'm so glad to see you, Hank! How are you? You're looking well..."
"I'm fine, Temperance. You look beautiful this evening, by the way…that's a real pretty top you have on."
"Oh...thank you." She glanced down at her sweater and slacks. "This is what I wore to work today. I hope it's appropriate for this evening…"
"It's great, Bones. You look great." Slightly miffed with his grandfather's orneriness, Booth gripped the steering wheel tightly as he glanced at Brennan. "You really do…"
She grinned shyly. "Thank you, Booth…"
Hank piped up again. "You know, Sweetheart, I really missed seeing you when Shrimp here brought Parker to Philly to see me. I wish you coulda come with them."
Lookin the rear view mirror, Booth caught his grandfather's eye, glowering at the elderly man. "I already explained that to you, Pops. Bones' dad was in town...she couldn't come with us…"
Hank waved off that explanation. "Nah, that's no excuse. You coulda brought Max, too…"
Clearing her throat, Brennan tried to change the subject. "How long are you staying, Hank? Will you be in town for Christmas?"
"He has to go home Sunday afternoon." Booth laughed quietly as he pointed over his shoulder. "Pops has a date for the retirement center's Christmas Eve party. Her name's Mamie, right, Pops? He says she's a real cutie…"
Brennan smiled sweetly. "I think that's lovely, Hank. Have you been dating long?"
"Nah...it's nothing serious...I just needed a date for the dance, that's all." Hank grinned as he needled his grandson. "Shrimp says he's taking you out on the town Saturday night, so I suppose he knows what I'm talking about…it doesn't hurt to have a cute doll on your arm, does it, Shrimp? Especially if you want to show off for your buddies."
"Pops! Don't talk about Bones like that!" Booth was mortified. "And besides, it's not the same thing at all!"
Hank guffawed at his grandson's embarrassed expression. "Whatever you say, Shrimp...whatever you say…"
Brennan giggled. "Booth...you did say that you wanted me to go with you so you could keep your alpha male status…"
"Yeah, but Pops is making me sound like a bum! Besides, Bones, you oughta know I wouldn't ask anyone else to go to that party with me..."
"Ain't that sweet, Temperance?" Hank chuckled at his grandson's obvious discomfort. "It's almost like Shrimp wants you to be his steady girl…not that there'd be anything wrong with that." Hank pretended to frown as he continued. "You know, Temperance, I'm surprised you're still single. I mean, pretty as you are, and smart as you are, I'd think you'd have lotsa fellas interested in making time with you…"
She smiled at the compliment. "While it's true that many men have been interested in me in the past, I haven't found any of them worthy of any sort of long term commitment. I seem to be rather persnickety when it comes to male companionship, but I'm happy to be on my own, so that doesn't often present a problem."
"I understand. You don't wanna take chances, right? Gotta be careful and get a good guy….a guy that deserves a wonderful woman like you." Hank slyly kicked the bottom of the driver's seat, much to Booth's displeasure. "I wonder where you can find one of those guys, you know? I mean, there must be a bunch of them in a big city like DC..."
Brennan nodded. "I think I may have some options in mind…"
"Really?," Booth asked, waggling an eyebrow at her. "Anybody I know?"
She tilted her head, smiling as she arched an eyebrow at him in return. "Perhaps…"
Hank reached up to pat Booth's shoulder. "Yeah, I'd imagine a woman like Temperance would have lotsa options, eh, Shrimp? Maybe you can do one of those background check thingies to make sure those guys she picks out are okay. I wouldn't want her to get saddled with a bum."
Exhaling slowly, Booth was relieved when the school's parking lot came into sight. Pulling into a slot, he turned off the car. "Here we are. Enough of your kidding around, okay, Pops? Let's go watch the play in peace, alright?"
"Oh, alright." Hank winked at Brennan as he offered her his arm. "You know, sometimes Shrimp is just no fun at all."
"Oh, I don't know." Brennan giggled as they waited for Booth to lock the car. "I think he has the potential to be lots of fun…"
oooooooooo
Waving at Rebecca and her boyfriend as they got settled into their seats, Booth was looking forward to a pleasant evening with his Bones as they watched the fifth graders' performance of their annual winter play. This year's selection was entitled Rudolph Goes to Hollywood.
The story was simple, according to the blurb on the playbill: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, hoping to capitalize on his fame as the leader of the reindeer team that pulls Santa's sleigh, decides to go to Hollywood to seek his fortune as a movie star. Blitzen, his best friend, has misgivings about the idea, but being loyal, supports his friend on his journey from the North Pole to California. Along the way, they have assorted misadventures as they encounter elves, snowmen, penguins, a yeti, and a variety of other winter themed creatures, all of whom have their own agendas when it comes to Rudolph's success.
Booth felt his heart swell with pride as he watched Parker step up to sing his first solo. "Wow…," he whispered to Brennan. "I mean, I know he's my kid, but...he's really pretty good, isn't he?"
"He has an excellent voice, and his acting is very good, too. You must be so proud of him!," she whispered in return. "I actually think he's better than the boy playing Rudolph…"
By the end of the play, Rudolph had figured out that life as an actor in Hollywood wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and in order to be happy, he needed to return to the North Pole to be the very best reindeer he could. After the cast sang a very loud, slightly off key production number, which served as the grand finale, the students comprising the cast and crew took one last bow before the curtain closed on another fifth grade winter production.
Ten minutes after the final curtain, the auditorium was filled with noise and activity as the cast members rushed from the backstage area to join their families. Still wearing his antlers, Parker jogged over to give his father and grandfather a hug. "Did you like it?"
"It was great, Buddy!" Booth beamed with pleasure as he rubbed his son's back. "You were so good!"
"Good? He was great...the star of the show!," Hank proclaimed proudly. "You were so good, you shoulda been Rudolph instead of some second banana…"
"Nah...Rudolph had to kiss Vixen at the end of the play, remember? I didn't wanna hafta kiss some random girl." Seeing his grandfather's amusement, Parker shrugged. "I mean, I know I might have to kiss a girl someday, but I'm gonna put it off as long as I can." Pointing across the auditorium, he continued. "Besides, the Rudolph costume fit James better, so he got to be the lead."
"Yeah, that kissing stuff makes sense, Parker. No rush to kiss a girl, I suppose." Hank gave Booth a pointed glance before nudging his grandson with his elbow. "You know, sometimes your dad puts off kissing a girl, too…even if it's one he likes a lot."
Feeling himself blush, Booth tried to change the subject. "I know...let's ask your mom if you can go with me, Bones, and Pops to get some ice cream…"
"Yeah! That sounds like fun!" Seeing his mother approach, Parker waved to her. "Mom! Can I go with Dad to get some ice cream? Please?"
Frowning slightly, Rebecca hesitated. "Well, I don't know...it is a school night…"
"But tomorrow is a late start day!," Parker exclaimed. "That's why Mrs. Hanover scheduled the play for tonight...so we could rest a bit longer before we go back to school tomorrow morning! Please?"
"Come on, Rebecca…" Booth pinched his lips together in frustration. "Look, it's 8:30, right? So I'll have him home by 9:45, and he'll go right to bed without arguing...won't you, Parker?"
"Yeah, and I'll get up tomorrow without complaining. Please? I wanna spend time with Pops and Bones...I won't get to see them a lot before we have to leave for Vermont…"
"Oh, alright." Rebecca exhaled slowly before turning to Booth. "Just don't let him get too wound up, okay? He needs his rest." She stooped down until she was eye level with Parker. "One scoop of ice cream, young man. You don't need all that sugar right before bed."
Straightening up, Rebecca smoothed her sweater. "It's good to see you, Hank...and you, too, Dr. Brennan. Have a Merry Christmas. Good night."
"Only one scoop?" Parker crossed his arms over his chest with a pout. "That's no fun…"
"Well, Parker…" Hank winked at his grandson as they got ready to leave. "It may have to be one very big scoop, but I promise...it'll only be one scoop."
"Actually, Rebecca...," Brennan interjected as Rebecca turned to walk away. "...the ice cream parlor I normally frequent uses all organic ingredients, and less sugar than normal ice cream, so Parker could have two scoops of that formula and have only a small amount of sugar...significantly less sugar than one scoop of normal ice cream." She smiled pleasantly at Rebecca. "The sweetness comes from the fruit they use…"
After thinking things over, Rebecca nodded. "Well…if that's true, Dr. Brennan...then I suppose two scoops of ice cream would be alright."
"Hooray! Thanks, Mom…" Parker gave her a goodbye hug before turning to his father with a grin. "It's a good thing Bones is so smart, isn't it, Dad?"
Booth glanced at her, watching as she and Hank chatted happily. "Yeah, Buddy...it's a real good thing."
Thanks for reading. If you have time to review, I'd appreciate it. Laura.
