Thank you everyone for sticking with me all 12 days. It was challenging to write in such a way to make sure I could fit in the entire story and remember to mention the book in each chapter. But I had a lot of fun and hope we do another one soon. hint, hint :)

She was at his apartment early their first morning back to work. So early, Booth considered it to still be night.

But they'd had no time alone in Arizona with Parker along with them. Not that either would complain. They'd made wonderful memories sure to last them a lifetime.

"Morning, Booth," she said, closing the door behind her.

He barely waited until the latch clicked before he captured her in his arms. He held tight, relishing the feel of her body pressed to his. "God, Bones," he said, when he finally released her, "I've been waiting to do that forever." And other things too. But they weren't there yet.

"At least it wasn't a museum this time," she teased, ducking past him to set her stuff down. Reaching into the bag, she pulled out her gift from Christmas.

"I thought our books should be together," she said. "They seem like a set."

"Like us?" Booth asked.

Brennan's brow furrowed. "Not like us. Books are not living things, Booth."

"You know what, Bones, you're right. We are not books." He laughed when she narrowed her eyes at him, confused as to why he gave in so easily. "So when are we going back to Arizona?" he asked, taking the book from her hands.

"We?" she echoed. "We are not going back to Arizona."

Shifting several things on the bookshelf, he made a place for both copies of the book, sliding them in next to each other. Running his fingers down the spines, he considered where he'd been when he bought them and where he was now. Life could certainly change quickly. "Of course, I'm going back to Arizona with you, Bones. We are partners now, in all the ways that matter. And no partner of mine is traveling across the country by herself. Who knows what dangers you could run into."

"I've traveled alone before, Booth. To places much more dangerous than Arizona," she argued. Her arms were crossed and she tapped her foot as she watched him.

"And been arrested for murder," he pointed out. "I have vacation to use. I'm going, Bones."

A week alone with Booth, time to explore their new relationship, sounded like a great idea to her. But she didn't want to make it that easy for him. Instead, she sighed. "If I can't talk you out of it."

"You know you can't. And I want a better hotel the next time."

She laughed, giving in. Brennan knew he didn't like to let her out of his sight and feared it would be worse now that they were partners outside of work as well. Inside, she gave a shrug. She'd promised herself not to worry about the little things and this seemed like one of them. They'd come up with boundaries that made both of them happy.

"Should we go out for breakfast before work?" she asked.

Booth flashed her a charm smile. "A date with my girl sounds like a good way to start my day."

"I'm not your girl, Booth," she argued. And continued to do so as they headed out of the apartment.

BbBbBbBb

"Sweetie," Angela exclaimed, pulling Brennan into a hug as soon as she saw her best friend. "You came back."

"My family is here. You are my family. I wasn't ready to leave you behind."

The declaration, delivered haltingly was more honest than Angela was used to. "I'm your family?" she asked, swallowing tears.

"Not by blood, of course," Brennan clarified, "but you're my family. You and Cam and Hodgins. I was in Arizona and realized I didn't want to be that far away from any of you."

"And Booth?" Angela couldn't help but ask. "Is Booth family?" Angela had heard the rumors that Hannah had disappeared for parts unknown and Booth had seemed to disappear with her. Despite several inquiries, Angela had yet to find anyone who knew where he'd gone over the long Christmas holiday.

"Booth and I…, are finding our way. We are okay, Angela. Please don't worry about us."

The words were carefully noncommittal and sounded rehearsed to Angela. But she let it go. "Come on, Bren, let's go to your office and you can tell me all about what you did over Christmas."

BbBbBbBb

"I almost made Angela cry today," Brennan said at lunch. She was confused about what had happened and wanted to talk it out with Booth.

"Really? What happened?"

Her eyes were concerned when they met his and Booth put his food back down to give Brennan his full attention. "I thought I said something nice, but then she almost cried."

"People can cry over nice things, Bones. What did you say?"

"I told her she was family. My family. Her and Cam and Hodgins. And she almost cried."

Booth nodded, not surprised by Angela's reaction. "Those were happy tears. You know that, right?"

"But, why? It didn't seem like a big deal to tell her that. We've been friends a long time."

Emotional statements from Bones were always a big deal, but he left that part out. "Families of blood, you don't get a choice with. Your father is your father and your brother is your brother. You don't get a choice because it's based off blood and genetics."

Brennan nodded. "I understand genetics, Booth."

"So, Angela, she's not blood. She's not family. Not under the traditional definition. You don't have to love her because it's expected. And you don't have to wonder if she tolerates you just because you are family. You picked her and she picked you. That kind of family means more, especially to those who don't have a lot of family to begin with."

"Is it the same for you?"

"Yes, Temperance, it's the same for me. I picked you. You are my family. First as my friend and now as a couple. I think about all the good things that will come along with us being together. And I look forward to making our family, either by blood or by the people we choose, grow so large we can barely remember them all."

"Don't worry, Booth. No matter how large our family grows, we will remember them all. Together. It's a little late, but Merry Christmas, Booth."

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favorites. I hope the story lived up to everyone's expectations.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful and fabulous 2019.