"Honey, what are you doing," Max asked as he popped his head into Brennan's home office. She was digging through the closet, moving boxes around and balancing precariously as she did so. She poked her head out of the closet and blew a loose strand of hair out of her face.

"I'm looking for the old family photo albums I took with me into foster care," she said and ducked back into the closer.

"You kept the pictures?"

"Well I wasn't about to leave them for someone else to throw away. Aha!" She slid out with a box in tow. Temperance carried the box out to her living room and sat down on the couch, motioning for Max to take a seat with her.

"Any particular reason you decided to go through these?"

"No. I just haven't looked at them since I identified mom's remains." She handed a stack of photos to her father and watched as he flipped through them. He started to laugh and set down one of the pictures.

"Do you remember when we took that trip to Philadelphia when you were eight?"

"You mean that one where Russ pouted the whole time because he had his first girlfriend and didn't want to leave her?"

"That's the one. We went to Independence Hall and you corrected the tour guide. You were always such a smart little girl."

"I still am smart; I'm just older." Max picked up another photo. It was a picture taken just after Temperance was born. Russ sat on the bed with Christine as she held the newborn little girl. Max gently traced Christine's features as he looked at the photograph.

"You brought so much joy to your mom and me. We were so proud of you and your brother." He looked up at Temperance as he set the picture down. "I'd never trade a moment of the time I had with you."

"Booth says that being a parent is the greatest accomplishment of his life, but becoming a parent is predicated upon whose sperm hits whose egg."

"No it isn't honey. That's creating a life. Have you ever heard someone say, 'those people shouldn't be allowed to be parents'? It takes a lot to be a parent. It's more than feeding and sheltering a child. It's taking the time to be there for them, spending time with them, nurturing them that makes someone a parent. When you do that, it's the most wonderful experience in the world."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said and turned back to the pictures, not really listening when her father would relate another story. Instead, her thoughts were on something else that Booth once said. 'Who would there be to be proud of you'? Was it as easy as all of that? Apparently pride worked both ways if Parker's emulation of his father was any indication. If Booth used a nickname for someone, them Parker did too. Booth worried that he wasn't good enough to provide for his son, worried that he wasn't good enough. It was a shame too, because he was an excellent father. The big question that occupied her mind though, was whether or not she was good enough to be a parent, and she had doubts about that.

XxXxX

Booth sighed as he sat on his couch and watched 'It's a Wonderful Life'. It had been two days since he'd last heard from his partner. He didn't want to push her into any sort of decision, because pressure was likely to have a negative effect on her. A knock sounded on the door, and he heaved up to answer it. When he looked through the peep hole, his heart began to beat just a little bit faster.

"Bones, hey what's brought you here?" He stepped aside as he opened the door to let her inside. She shifted a bit from side to side and cleared her throat before talking.

"I was planning to shop for Haley and Emma, and I was wondering if you'd like to join me."

"What, you mean like on a date?"

"Booth…" He sighed, moved back to his couch and sat down. Brennan remained standing by the front door.

"Okay, maybe that was a little unfair I guess. I just… I'd like to know where I stand with you right now." He looked up at his partner as she continued to shift a bit from foot to foot. It wasn't like her to be nervous, so he waited patiently for her answer. He knew it would kill him if she wanted to keep things the way they were, but if that's what she wanted, then he'd respect that. Brennan cleared her throat again and looked away from his intense stare.

"I think that we should give a non-professional relationship a try, but tonight I simply would like some company." Booth grinned as relief washed over him. She wanted to take things further.

"Sure Bones, I can be great company," he said and watched as her face lit up with a smile. Obviously she'd been as nervous as he was. "So why exactly do you want me to help you shop?"

"You have a better sense of what children like than I do."

"Oh come on Bones," Booth began as he turned off the television and put on his shoes. "You did a great job with Andy, and I've seen you with those girls. Anyway, why do you think that I know more about what girls like than you do?"

"I suppose it's because you're the parent and I'm not." Booth glanced at her as they left the apartment. There was something to her voice that reminded him of when she wanted to adopt Ripley. He still felt guilty about having the dog put down because he felt it was one of the only times she was disappointed with him.

"Bones?"

"Yeah Booth?"

"You aren't thinking of adopting, are you?" She turned and looked sharply at Booth.

"No, I wasn't. Why, do you think I wouldn't be a good parent?" He stopped her before she could get into her car.

"It's not that at all. I just don't want you making any decisions without thinking everything through, that's all. I mean, I'd hate for you to be unprepared or worse, disappointed if things didn't work out." Brennan scoffed and looked at her partner.

"When have I ever made a decision without thinking everything through? Just get in the car." She climbed in the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. Would she really be that out of place if she did choose to adopt. She glared at Booth for a moment when he finally settled into the passenger seat. "Besides, it's not as if I'm asking you to father a child with me or anything."

"What?"

"Well you make it sound like I'm completely out of my mind if I were to consider adoption. It's not as if I've decided to have a child and was just looking for a donor."

"That is not what I meant when I asked. I think you'd make a great parent, but I don't want you making a decision on something your father promised a little girl."

"What are you talking about? Dad hasn't said anything to me about adopting a child."

"He hasn't?" Shit. Booth wanted to kick himself as she began to stare through him, trying to figure out the answer to a question.

"You aren't telling me something Booth. What is my father up to?"

"He's not up to anything, I swear." Oh he was so going to hell for lying. "I just heard that little girl from the museum say that she wanted a family for Christmas, and I thought your dad promised her he'd find her one. If he didn't say anything to you then I'm obviously wrong." He held his breath, hoping to God that she'd drop the issue. So much for not saying anything to her like he'd said. Brennan continued to look at him and finally shrugged before backing up and taking off down the street. Booth let out a breath and glanced at her from the side of his eye. She seemed more contemplative than angry, and he wondered if she was just waiting to accuse him of lying.

Neither said anything while she drove, and there was a bit of tension to the silence. When she pulled up to an empty spot along a street, Booth looked at her curiously.

"I don't like going to malls around the holidays. There are always too many people and they make the holiday seem too commercial," she said by way of explanation. Booth simply nodded and joined her on the street.

"So, do you have any idea what you want to get the girls for Christmas?" He placed his hand on her back as always and felt her tense up slightly. Was she still mad at him? He quickly pulled his hand back and shoved it in his pocket instead.

"I was thinking about getting them some books, or maybe something that would allow them to learn while they played."

"Sounds like you might want to go to the Discovery Store. They have all sorts of nifty games and gadgets for kids. Ever since your dad started teaching Parker science, it's his favorite store."

"Hmmm, I'll have to look in there. What else are girls interested in?"

"I don't know. I mean do they like art projects, or are they more the tea party types? Do they like stuffed animals or do they prefer to play video games? I mean it makes a huge difference." Brennan sighed and crossed her arms.

"See, I don't know. They're my nieces so I should know that type of information." She looked at Booth, a small worry wrinkle between her brows.

"Don't worry about it Bones. I think you're letting your brain get in the way on this one. If you see something you think they'd like, just get it, okay? You know the answers, you're just thinking too hard."

"But thinking's kind of my thing." Booth snorted and shook his head. He threw his arm around her shoulders and hauled her up against his side noting the earlier tension wasn't there.

"Then follow a little bit of old advice and put your brain in neutral." Brennan turned toward Booth and noted how close they were as the cold winter air turned their breath into visible puffs. She leaned in toward him a little bit more as he mirrored her movements. Their lips were so close to touching, their breath mingling as if it were from one person. As they moved to make the final connection, Booth's phone went off. He cursed under his breath and moved away from Brennan to answer it.

Temperance watched him move a short distance away and then turned to look in the shop window before her. She was stood in front of a children's furniture boutique, and the set up in the window was completely whimsical. A metal daybed with a swirling butterfly pattern stood in front of sheer white curtains embroidered with various colored dragon flies. Everything was feminine without being too girly and Brennan smiled at the display.

"Sorry about that," Booth said as he rejoined her. "Rebecca was just confirming for Saturday."

"That's okay. Is everything set then for taking Parker to the museum?"

"Absolutely, and I get him for the whole weekend." Brennan smiled at her partner and turned back to the window display.

"Do you think she'd like this bedroom set?"

"Who, Rebecca?"

"No, of course not. I meant…" Brennan paused as she realized she was about to say Norah.

"Are you planning to get your nieces new bedding or something?"

"Um, no. I just thought… it's not important. Come on, I still have to get my shopping done and we're wasting time." Temperance grabbed his hand and began walking again. Booth shrugged and moved up by her side, not noticing as she glanced back once more at the bed set.