This had to be Seeley Booth's second worst Christmas (the first being the one he spent in Iraq). Hannah had broken up with him a few months before, Rebecca had taken Parker skiing with her boyfriend and Booth wouldn't see him until New Year's Day. Booth's relationship with Brennan was still rocky and they didn't make their usual Christmas plans and to be honest that's what he missed the most. Booth's plans for the evening were microwave a burrito and watch 'A Christmas Story' and maybe start reading Brennan's new book before going to bed. He was on his way to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. He changed direction and answered the door.
"Bones!"
"Merry Christmas, Booth! I hope it's okay that I came over, I know we didn't discuss plans for spending the holiday together…"
"Merry Christmas, Bones! It's more than okay that you came over… I was just getting ready to order a pizza and watch a movie…" Brennan nodded and walked into Booth's apartment. The apartment was decorated, but not as much as years past. "You didn't have Parker this year, Booth?"
"No, Becca insisted that he go skiing with her and her boyfriend, Todd or Tommy or whatever his name is in Vermont. I'm meeting them at the airport New Year's Day and picking up Parker so can spend the last four days of his vacation with me. Pops went on a seniors cruise to Alaska and won't be back until the Tenth."
"I'm sure Hank is enjoying himself."
"He is. He called last night, he said it's beautiful. He's been taking a lot of pictures, he'll need my help to get them off the camera. Our thin crust fire roasted veggie delight will be here in 45 minutes."
"Okay."
"How was your day?"
"Okay I talked to Russ this morning, Hailey is sick they're hoping she gets better without needing to go to the hospital. Dad called last night he's somewhere doing something, he was very evasive."
"Typical Max, but at least he called you..."
"True, he doesn't usually do that."
"I hope Hailey gets better soon."
"Me too, Russ sounded really worried. I don't think he'd be able to handle it if something happened to her."
"If something happened to Parker I'd die..."
Booth went back to the kitchen and got plates and drinks. "Do you want to watch a movie?"
"Sure. What are we going to watch?"
"'A Christmas Story', it's a classic."
They ate and watched the movie.
"Did you like the movie, Bones?"
"Mostly, I kind of remember seeing parts of it as a child."
"I'm glad you liked the movie, Bones." Booth took the plates and leftovers to the kitchen. When he came back, Brennan was holding a small box.
"What do you have, Bones?"
"I…I got you a gift..."
Booth smiled and picked up a small box from underneath the tree. "I got you one too. I was going to leave it on your desk at the lab." Brennan smiled. Booth walked over to her and sat down.
"You can go first, Booth." Brennan handed Booth the package he quickly unwrapped it and opened it. Booth held up the ornament, it was two polar bears, one big and one little standing next to a Christmas tree. "It reminded me of the Christmas I had with dad and Russ in the jail trailer and you and Parker got me the tree. I also thought it was cute…"
"Bones, it's perfect, I love it. Thank you." Booth leaned over and gave Brennan a hug.
"You're welcome, Booth."
"It's your turn, Bones." Booth handed Brennan her gift she unwrapped it and chuckled as she held up a brainy Smurf Christmas ornament.
"This way you can have a brainy Smurf at home and in your office…" Brennan blushed a little and looked at Booth.
"I spotted him a few months ago when I was waiting in your office…"
"I thought I had him discreetly hidden…"
"You did for the untrained person, but for an EX Sniper trained Army Ranger and current FBI agent he was easy to spot."
"Thank you for my gift, Booth. I think I'm going to hide both of them in my office and see how long it takes you to find both of them…"
"You're welcome, Bones. Challenge accepted. Do you want to stay and watch another movie?"
"Will you make popcorn?"
"Yes, and hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles…"
"Okay." Booth laughed and headed for the kitchen.