Christmas was coming very soon, and Brennan was in planning mode for Parker. She wanted his first Christmas with her to be special. He was in school for the last day before the holidays started, and she wasn't currently working on a case, so she spent some time shopping and trying to find the perfect gifts for him. She wished the adoption process was faster so that she could give him that as his biggest gift, but she had to wait a while yet to have it finalized. At least things were in motion.

She was sitting in the diner after a few hours of shopping when Booth slid into the chair across from her.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi."

"Whatcha doing?"

"Taking a break."

"From?"

"Shopping."

"Oohh right. Christmas is in a couple of days," Booth nodded. "You doing something for Parker?"

"I tried to get him things that were meaningful and that he would enjoy," Brennan reasoned.

"Such as?" Booth prompted.

"A chemistry set, a microscope, a book on the solar system, some clothes," she started.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Booth said, stopping her. "You got him fun stuff too right?"

"Fun stuff?"

"Yea. Like trucks or toys or other five year old appropriate gifts?" Booth asked.

"He's not too young to start learning about science or chemistry," Brennan argued. "And everyone needs new clothes sometimes."

"He's five," Booth insisted.

"He'll be smart by the time he's ten," Brennan bragged. "Maybe even sooner."

"Please, please let me help you with this," Booth begged.

"Why?"

"Cos I want him to be happy with what he gets on Christmas day."

"You think he won't be happy?" Brennan asked, alarmed.

"I think he's gonna feel obligated to like what you got him but secretly wish he'd gotten the latest cool toy instead," Booth said.

"I'm already failing at this," Brennan sighed.

"No, no," Booth said, putting his hand on her arm. "Not failing. Just...in the wrong category."

"And you want to help me get in the right category?" she asked.

"Yes," he nodded. The more he kept thinking about his child that was out there somewhere, the more he felt the ache of what he could be doing for them for Christmas. He'd been continuing his search but to no avail. He hated to admit he had nothing to go on. He had to distract himself from it because it was driving him crazy. He was tagging along on Brennan's shopping because it was doing exactly that, distracting him. Plus, he had a very big soft spot for Parker himself.

"Fine," she caved. "You can help me."

Booth practically bounced out of his chair like an overexcited child as Brennan led the way to her car.

...

"Our first Christmas together," Hodgins said to Angela. They were hanging out at his place.

"Let's not go crazy with it," Angela suggested. "Keep it to under a hundred dollars maybe? Maybe even less?"

"But I want to pamper you," Hodgins said, a slight pout on his lips.

"I like being pampered, but I can't match your level of pamperness," she said. "Not financially anyway."

"Gifts from the heart then," Hodgins said.

"Deal," Angela agreed.

"Is Brennan hosting dinner?"

"I think so," she answered. "We're invited."

"Awesome."

Angela loved this time of year. She was feeling even more grateful that she'd taken the leap and gotten with Hodgins. Things were going well between them so far. She hoped they would continue to go well as time went on.

...

Brennan was skeptical as Booth brought her different items for Parker. She decided to trust him, though, as he seemed really into it.

"Oooohhh!" he crowed, taking off down another aisle. Brennan stopped the cart and waited at the end of the aisle for him. She had to pick up Parker from school soon, but she also wanted to hide his gifts at home first so he wouldn't see them.

"Booth, hurry up," she called. "I have to get Parker soon, and I want to go home first."

"This," Booth said, ignoring everything she just said and came back holding some type of robot. "This is perfect."

"I thought you said no science stuff?" she asked.

"A robot is not science."

"It kind of is."

"No it isn't."

"Wasn't it created by an inventor, which involved some kind of science?" she asked.

"Do not ruin this moment for me," he said.

"Okay," she replied, holding her hands up. "I just don't understand why your science stuff is better than mine."

"Cos it just is," Booth retorted.

"I really have to go now," Brennan insisted. "I have to take this stuff home before I pick up Parker."

"I can pick him up," Booth said. "I mean, if you want me to. I don't have to. I want to. I just thought I could help you out. And Parker likes me..." He stopped rambling after realizing he was doing it.

"You'd do that?" Brennan asked.

"Yea," Booth answered. "I mean, he's a cool kid, and we like each other, and I think he could use some, uh, male influence in his life."

Brennan couldn't help but flash back to when Parker said he wanted Booth to be his father. Perhaps Parker sensed he needed some male bonding time as well.

"Okay," she nodded. "You can pick him up. I'll call ahead and let them know you're coming."

"Thanks, Bones," he grinned. He tucked the toy robot into her cart with an impish smirk before leaving her standing there alone. She couldn't help herself. She started to laugh.

...

Parker was excited to see Booth at the end of the school day. His teacher had told him Booth was coming, and he was practically vibrating since. He really liked Booth.

"Hey, buddy!" Booth called, coming into the classroom.

"Hi!" Parker said back, rushing over with his backpack dragging a little. Booth picked it up for him.

"Bones said I could pick you up today," Booth said as they started to walk out.

"Is she at work?"

"No. She had some errands to do."

"Do we get to hang out?" Parker asked.

"I don't see why not," Booth answered as he received a text. Brennan told him she needed more time, which was perfect. He wrote that he'd take Parker for some ice cream. She gave the go ahead.

"How was your day?" Booth asked as they approached his SUV. He'd taken the booster seat from Brennan for Parker.

"It was good," Parker answered as he hopped in and Booth got him buckled up.

"So getting ice cream would make it great then?" Booth questioned, a smile growing on his face.

"Yes!"

"All right. Off we go then," Booth said, making Parker cheer in response. They made small talk until they arrived.

"Vanilla or chocolate?" Booth asked.

"Strawberry," Parker answered.

"Oh yea," Booth said. "Good choice." He always forgot about strawberry. He put in the order, and they went to sit while they waited. Parker folded his hands in front of him, making Booth chuckle to himself.

"Is Bones gonna be my new mom?" Parker asked after a moment. Booth knew that Brennan wasn't giving too much details in case something went wrong.

"I think she's working on it, buddy," Booth answered. "But it takes time."

"Waiting is hard," Parker commented.

"I agree."

Their ice cream had arrived by this point, so both of them started to eat.

"Do you like Bones?" Parker asked after a moment, making Booth almost choke. He cleared his airway before answering.

"As a friend, yes."

"Just friends?"

"Yea."

"Then why do you smell her hair?" Parker asked. Booth froze. How had the kid seen that? He was always so careful doing that. His mind was racing, trying to remember when he'd done it in front of Parker.

"I don't do that," Booth denied. He worked to keep his cheeks from flushing.

"I saw you do it the other day. A girl at school told me that when a man smells a woman's hair, he likes her."

Angela had warned Booth that Parker was perceptive into relationships. He had dismissed it as nothing serious. Until now. How old was this girl telling him this stuff? Booth wondered.

"I do like her, yes, but as a friend," Booth insisted. Parker tilted his head, looking at him.

"I don't think you're being honest with me," Parker said. "But I understand."

"Understand what?" Booth asked. He had to know.

"You're not ready," Parker shrugged.

"For what?"

"To tell her," Parker answered. "Angela wasn't ready to tell Hodgins either, but she did in the end. I know you'll be ready one day. I promise I won't say anything."

Booth couldn't believe his ears. Parker gave him a smile, and he forced himself to smile back. How Parker could tell that Booth was having feelings for Brennan was astounding. It made Booth feel bad about Cam and his relationship with her, but he was thinking of ending it soon because of other reasons, not just because of Brennan. He made himself focus on Parker instead of getting lost in his thoughts. He couldn't help but keep thinking about what Parker had said.

You'll be ready one day.

He knew it was true.

...

"Hi, Bones!" Parker cried as they came inside the apartment. He hugged her tightly before running off to put his bag away.

"Thanks," Brennan said to Booth. "I don't suppose you want to stick around and help me wrap everything since you got more things than I did."

"Um, sure," Booth agreed. He felt odd inside around her suddenly, but in a good way. He hung out while Brennan got Parker ready for bed, and when he was finally down, she returned.

"Okay," she said. "This way." He followed her to her bedroom, where she had hidden everything in her closet. Booth tried not to feel conscious about being in her bedroom.

"This is a switch for you," he noted. "Since last year you weren't big on celebrating it."

"Well, it's for Parker. I'd do anything for Parker," she said. They sat down on the floor as she pulled stuff out of the closet and began the wrapping procedure. Booth did his best, but his wrapping abilities weren't up to par according to Brennan. He ended up having tape stuck to each finger and waiting for her to pull it off to save her trying to hold the wrapping with her foot and pull the tape off with her hands.

"Do you need help with dinner? On Christmas?" Booth asked. He was enjoying the contact of her pulling the tape off his fingers.

"I would really appreciate it," Brennan admitted. "If you're offering."

"Of course," he nodded. He briefly thought of Cam and her going to her family's for Christmas. They hadn't discussed him going, but he knew he didn't really want to go.

"Thanks," she smiled.

"Any updates on the adoption process?" Booth asked. If he didn't know any better, he'd just seen her pause and look worried for a fraction of a second.

"Not yet. It's the holidays. I imagine come the New Year I'll hear something," Brennan said.

"Right. I'm sure it'll go smoothly," he assured her.

"I hope so."

When they finished wrapping, Brennan pulled off the remaining tape from his fingers and balled them together before throwing them out.

"Thanks for your help," she said. "Now I just have to get a tree."

"We can go tomorrow," he said. "I know a place."

"Are you sure you don't have to do anything with Cam?" Brennan asked. She'd known about their relationship ever since the whole headless witch in the woods case. She had to admit it surprised her and made her feel a tiny bit jealous.

"I don't believe so," he answered.

"Okay then."

"I'll pick you up at ten," he promised. They stood up at this point, and he went to leave. It was late now. He grabbed his coat by the door, and she stood there looking at him.

A part of him suddenly wanted to kiss her, and the other part of him knew that if he did, she'd run from him so fast. It would ruin their relationship. He held back the urge and smiled instead.

"Good night, Bones."

"Good night, Booth."

...

As promised, the trip to get the tree was eventful. Parker was ecstatic. They set it up right away in Brennan's apartment, and he helped to decorate as best as he could. It was two days before Christmas, and he was amping up with excitement.

"Is Santa really going to come this year?" he asked. Brennan shared a look with Booth. They both knew that last year, Santa had not come, which had confused and hurt Parker.

"Yea. He knows where you are now," Booth said. "You've stopped moving around."

"Really?" Parker asked hopefully.

"Yes," Brennan answered firmly. "He will be coming. We have an understanding, Santa and I."

"Oh boy," Parker said, wiggling with excitement.

Booth grinned as he handed the lights to Brennan, who was stretching to get them around the tree. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, but he didn't answer it. He knew it was Cam. She'd been understanding yet a little hurt when he said he was doing the tree today with Brennan.

"Can I put the star on?" Parker asked.

"Sure," Brennan nodded. Booth picked Parker up then, and she handed him the star. He placed it on perfectly.

"It's pretty," he said.

"Sure is," Booth agreed.

"I'm so happy," Parker said. Brennan felt her throat tighten. This was exactly what she had wanted, Parker to be happy. She was glad she had achieved her goal. She looked at Booth. He had been right. There were more ways of having a family than just one.

Christmas Day

Brennan and Parker had their Christmas morning together, and Parker was a ball of excitement as he unwrapped his gifts from Santa and from Brennan. She was thrilled to see how happy he was with the microscope. She was going to rub it in Booth's face later. They spent the morning and early afternoon playing and laughing until she had to start dinner. Booth arrived around one in the afternoon.

"Merry Christmas!" Parker hollered, bouncing around. Booth had a few gifts in his arms and set them down before hugging the boy.

"Merry Christmas," he said back.

"Are those for me?" Parker asked.

"These three are," Booth answered. "This one's for Bones."

"Yippee!"

The shredding of paper began. He was in his glory, and Brennan watched as he and Booth started to set up one of the toys Booth had gotten him. Brennan had let him take three of the ones he'd picked out to give to Parker himself.

"Check out this microscope!" Parker said then. Booth gave Brennan a look of shock, and she stuck her tongue out at him. He oohhed and ahhed at it with Parker for a moment before standing up.

"All right," Booth said. "You're next, Bones."

"I'm cooking," she gestured.

"You can take a break," he insisted. He handed her a smaller box, and she caved and opened it. Inside was a gold, oval locket with a daffodil carved on it with her favorite picture of her and Parker inside.

"Booth," she said, taken aback. "How did you get that picture?"

"I took a copy of it one time," he said. "Well, Angela got it for me to do it."

"Thank you. It's beautiful," she said. She was genuinely touched. How had he known what her favorite flower was?

"Here," he said, moving to put it on her. She lifted her hair, feeling his fingers on the back of her neck. She felt that twinge she'd been starting to feel recently again. Then he was looking at her, and she was looking at him, and she had a strange feeling something was going to happen when Parker hopped into view.

"What did you get?" he asked.

"A locket," she answered, bending to show him. He shared his enthusiasm over how pretty it was. Whatever moment she'd had with Booth was gone, but she had a feeling it wasn't the last time they'd have one.

Then Booth started helping her cook. Then everyone else arrived, excluding Cam as she went to her family's place. Zack and Hodgins were playing with Parker while Angela assisted Brennan and Booth.

"How was your first Christmas with Hodgins?" Brennan asked Angela when they had a moment.

"It was amazing. We did gifts from the heart. He made me a necklace from some kind of rock he had, which is beautiful. I made him a drawing of us."

"That's nice."

"It was. It was perfect." They smiled at each other.

Then it was dinner, and everyone ate heartily and quickly. Then, it was all over. Angela had helped clean up. They'd visited until Parker grew sleepy. Brennan put him down, and everyone slowly left.

"What a day," Booth declared when it was just the two of them.

"It goes fast," Brennan noted.

"Sure does."

"Thank you for all your help."

"No problem."

"I hate to kick you out, but I'm exhausted," Brennan admitted. Booth laughed.

"It's all good," he said. "I'll see you at work."

"Sounds good," she nodded. They hugged, and of course he smelled her hair. It always smelled good. Then it was time to go. Booth felt almost strange leaving, like he was leaving his family behind. It stayed with him for the rest of the night.

A Week Later

"Oh, darn," Cam said as her I.D. fell and skidded underneath Booth's bed. She got down to pull it out when she found the piece of paper. Booth was dressed now, and he was getting ready to go into work. Things between them had been different the past week. Cam wondered if they were going to break up soon. She sensed it was coming.

"What's that?" Booth asked, seeing the paper.

"It was under your bed," Cam answered. She handed it to him, and he opened it.

"Oh," he said, his tone surprised.

"What?" she asked.

"Just something I thought I'd lost. Thanks," he said, looking up at her.

"What does it say?"

"It's nothing."

Cam felt curious, but she knew better than to push.

"I'll see you later?" she said.

"Yea," he nodded. He waited until she was gone before reading the entire note.

"Dear Agent Booth, you are a confusing man. You are irrational and impulsive, superstitious and exasperating. You believe in ghosts and maybe even Santa Claus and because of you, I've started to see the universe differently. How is it possible that simply looking into your fine face gives me such joy? Why does it make me so happy that every time I try to sneak a peek at you, you're already looking at me. Like you, it makes no sense, and like you, it feels right. If I ever get out of here, I will find a time and place to tell you that you make my life messy and confusing and unfocused and irrational and wonderful. If I don't get out of here, there is something you need to know. There's no easy way to say it, so I'm just saying it. I think Parker might be your son. When I look at the two of you side by side, you share facial structure. I'm scared to tell you because I love Parker so much and want to be his mother more than anything, but if I can't be there for him, then you can be. Please get a DNA test. Even if you're not his father, please adopt him. Don't let him get lost in the system like I did. Bones."

"Oh my God," Booth said. "What? What?!"

His hand were shaking now. Parker could be his son? What?! He sat on the edge of his bed before he fainted. Then he felt a rise of anger in his chest. Brennan knew he could be Parker's father and wasn't telling him? What was that about? The more he thought of it, the angrier he got. She knew he was searching for his child. She knew he was hitting dead ends everywhere. Scared or not, she shouldn't be keeping that from him. Why wouldn't she tell him?

He got to his feet suddenly. He was going to go find out.

Of course, things have to hit the fan. How will it all get sorted out? You'll just have to hang in there and wait and see for what we've got in store!

With all the reviews mentioning character bashing and judgment etc, please be assured that we the writers will not be doing that. Yes, Booth is going to be upset but that is due to emotions. It will get sorted out, and there WILL be a happy ending. Please wait for our next chapter before assuming the worst. If you have read any of my/our other stories, you will know I/we are B&B all the way. Thank you, and please be kind to each other in reviews.