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Season 8

The last time he wanted to do something spontaneous with Christine, it didn't end so well. They had fought and she had retreated to the safety of the lab, only to get shot. The fear of almost losing her was still fresh in his mind. But is was Christmas and it was Christine's first. He wanted the day to be special. He wanted to make sure that every Christmas from then on for their daughter would be filled with laughter, love, presents and family.

She had since made a full recovery from the incident, the only physical reminder of was the scar on her abdomen. He thought back to their little Christmas tradition they had created since they were just partners. He didn't want to break the tradition but was afraid that things might have changed since they had Christine now. He finally plucked up the courage to do what he had intended, consequences be damned. That afternoon, he took some time off work and set off in search of the perfect tree for his family.

Christmas morning came and Brennan woke to find her side of the bed empty. The baby monitor on the bedside table was strangely quiet but she could hear sounds coming from downstairs. She extracted herself from the warm cocoon of her bed and pulled on her thick robe. Slowly, she made her way down the stairs. Smiling at the sight that greeted her, her metaphorical heart was strangely warmed.

There was a large Christmas tree complete with decorations and presents underneath it. Christine was in Booth's arms, seemingly mesmerized by the lights on the tree, her short chubby arms stretched out towards the tree, reaching for the blinking lights. Parker was still in his pajamas and Booth had his stripy Christmas socks on.

"Pretty aren't they Princess?" Booth crooned.

"Can I go wake Bones now Dad?" Parker asked excitedly.

"I'm already up."

Surprised Booth turned. "Bones! Hey!"

"Merry Christmas Bones!" Parker ran up to her, throwing his arms round her.

"Merry Christmas Parker." Brennan smiled. Parker resumed his seat by the tree, waiting to be given permission to open his presents.

Christine reached for her mother and Booth handed the baby to Brennan.

"When did you do all this? I didn't even know we had a tree."

"You like it?"

Brennan blinked, the scene a little reminiscent of the morning her parents disappeared.

"Hey if you don't like it…" Booth spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting Parker to overhear their conversation.

She shook her head. "No. The past is the past. Though it stays with me in my memories, we make our own memories now."

"So it's okay?" Booth asked cautiously, his voice now loud enough for Parker to listen in on the adult's conversation.

"It's more than okay."

Booth shared a smile with Parker.

"You still haven't answered my question." She kissed her baby on the head as she quirked her eyebrows at Booth, waiting for an answer.

"I got the tree two weeks ago, hid it in the garage. Figured you'd be too busy with Christine to notice. Parker and I stayed up last night to put it up."

"Like we did when we put up the tree for you and Grandpa Max. When he was in prison." Parker added.

"I recall that memory with great fondness."

"Yeah that was really fun."

"So you approve?"

"Yes." Brennan nodded.

"Our new family tradition right?" Booth grinned. "I mean when we were just partners, we started somethin' but now with Christine and Parker, we'll keep it going."

"Yes I find that I'm rather elated at the thought of this being a yearly occurrence."

Booth grinned pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

"Can I open my presents now Dad?" Parker asked.

"Of course buddy."

Parker selected one of his larger presents, quickly proceeding to rip the wrapper off, literally a child on Christmas morning. "Oh a nerf gun! Awesome. Thanks Dad!"

"It's from Bones too."

"Thank you Bones. I can't wait to try this out!"

"You're welcome Parker. You have another gift from your Dad and I and another from Max."

Brennan had been worried that Parker would feel jealous of his new sibling since it was his first Christmas with Booth after Christine was born. She had made sure that Parker would not feel left out.

"Three presents?! Thank you!"

"Having Bones as a Stepmom is great isn't it buddy?" Booth nodded at his son.

"Yeah." Parker smiled the Booth charm smile he had inherited from his father.

"The other gift from your Dad and I is a home chemistry set. I wanted you to get something educational as well. We can work on in this afternoon when Christine takes her nap."

"Bones! You're supposed to let him find out what his presents are, not tell him."

"No, it's okay Dad. That sounds like a great idea."

With Parker now occupied with opening his other presents, Booth turned to Brennan.

"I've got you something too Bones." He reached under the tree handing a small gift to her. He then took Christine from her arms, allowing Brennan to open her gift. She carefully tore off the paper that had been wrapped round it. Discarding the paper onto the floor, she cautiously opened the box. It was the picture frame he had given her some Christmases back.

"I know you had a picture of everyone at the Jeffersonian Christmas party from last year in it, but don't worry I found it a new home." Booth pointed to the bookshelf. "I know they're your family but I thought since this was what I had hoped it would be for…"

"So you're saying even back then you hoped to start a family with me?"

Booth shrugged. "I thought about it but I didn't dare hope. Not back then. I just wanted you to be happy. To have that family you always wanted. Even if it couldn't be with me. But I sure am glad it turned out that I'm the one to share this family, this life, with you."

Brennan smiled the smile that always melted his heart. "I love it Booth. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Bones."