"Oh wow daddy, look at the snow!" Parker turned in circles as he took in the winter wonderland that filled the Jeffersonian. Booth smiled at his son and ruffled his blond curls as he glanced up and looked around the main hall. Temperance was supposed to meet them here, but apparently hadn't arrived yet.

"Yeah, you remember Angela from the science lab? Well she helped make all of this snow." Parker looked at his father, his eyes big in wonder.

"Cool!" The little boy turned once more and grinned as he saw Brennan enter the main hall from the direction of the lab. He took off at a run and threw himself at her, enveloping her waist as he hugged her. "Bones, did you see all the snow? Daddy said that Angela helped make it."

"Yes she did Parker, and when you see her next maybe she'll show you how she did it." Brennan returned the hug and looked up as Booth approached. Her heart beat a little faster as he smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Hey Bones, glad you could make it."

"I said I'd be here didn't I?" She took Booth's hand and interlocked her fingers with his as they watched Parker move around the hall while he examined all of the decorations. Since her declaration a few days earlier that they could give a romantic relationship a try, she'd been making an effort to keep in contact with Booth, whether by small touches or even extended eye contact. They hadn't been overt in any way, but her co-workers still noticed the change in behavior. Her father for one had grinned when he saw them together, though he didn't say anything to them about it.

"Are we gonna see Grandpa Max," Parker asked as he looked up at Brennan. She glanced at Booth in surprise.

"Your father said he could call him that."

"Ah, well my dad is playing Santa Claus right now, but he can join us when he's done for the day if you'd like." Parker looked up at her with a confused expression.

"He's playing Santa Claus?" At Brennan's nod, he turned to his father. "Dad, can we go see him so I can tell him what I want?"

"Sure bub, but remember not to take up too much of his time. He's working." Parker nodded and tugged the two adults into line to see Santa. As they slowly advanced forward, Brennan tapped Booth on the shoulder.

"I'm curious about something. If Parker knows that he's not seeing Santa Claus, then why does he still want to tell him his Christmas list?" Booth laughed a little and pulled Brennan closer into his side.

"Because Bones, your father is obviously one of Santa's helpers, and if he can find out what Parker wants, then he can let the real Santa know, right bub?"

"Uh-huh. Do you think he can make big wishes come true like Kris Kringle did in that movie?"

"I think my father likes to think he can. When I was about your age, my father played Santa Claus at a local homeless shelter. He sat down with every child that was there and found out what they wanted for Christmas. A lot of them wanted a new home, so he somehow found enough money to get them into an apartment…" Brennan drifted off as she looked up at her father. Where did he manage to find that money? Booth glanced once at her and gave her hand a squeeze.

"Really? That's just like the movie when he found that house for Susan Walker. That's so cool, he really is magic." Parker bounced up and down on the balls of his feet as he waited with renewed enthusiasm for his turn with Max. Booth leaned in toward Brennan and spoke quietly so his son wouldn't overhear.

"Bones, just let it go, okay? It doesn't matter now where he found the money. For all you know it could have been charitable donations. Your father is too careful to have risked his neck to steal anything at that point."

"It doesn't matter. That money was made dishonestly Booth."

"You don't know that. If it bothers you that much then talk to him about it. You know he's not going to lie to you." Brennan sighed and shook her head.

"Fine. I'll bring it up later on."

"That's the spirit. Now how's about we forget about the money thing for now and enjoy our time with my son?"

"That sounds like a plan." Booth winked at Brennan and bumped her shoulder with his own. They stepped off to the side as Parker finally got his turn, watching as he clambered up into Max's lap.

"Well hey there Parker, are you enjoying the exhibit?"

"Yup. Daddy and Bones said you could come to dinner with us. You'll come, right?"

"Sure I will. Now, I know you have to have a list a mile long, so what do you want for Christmas?" Parker thought for a minute and leaned in toward Max. The old man tilted his head to hear what Parker wanted to say.

"Bones said that you can make wishes come true." Max glanced over at his daughter before turning back to the little boy on his knee.

"She did, did she?"

"Yeah, so I'm gonna tell you something that I've only told my mom."

"Oh really? Is it super secret?"

"I want a baby sister for Christmas. I told my mom and she said that she wasn't going to be able to give me what I want and maybe I should tell my dad, but you have to be living with someone to get a baby sister and daddy doesn't live with anyone." Max looked at Parker and wanted to laugh at the serious tone to the little boy's voice, but just couldn't do that. He glanced up again at his daughter before he spoke to Parker.

"So you want a little sister, someone a bit younger than you perhaps?"

"Nuh-uh. I want a baby sister. I know I can't get one on Christmas, but maybe I can get one soon."

"Parks, that's quite a tall order to fill. I think I could manage a younger sister, but a baby?"

"If you can get people homes like Kris Kringle did in that movie, then you can get me a baby sister." Max looked at Parker and wasn't sure what to say to that. There was no way he could finagle that one. Finally he smiled at the kid and patted him on the leg.

"I'll see what I can do kiddo." Parker smiled and jumped off Max's lap. The old man waved to Brennan and Booth as Parker reached them and turned his attention to the next child in line. How in the world would he be able to get Parker a baby sister? That was asking a little too much from Santa Claus.

XxXxX

"Well good evening," Sylvia greeted the small group on her doorstep. She stepped aside to let in Brennan, Booth, Max and Parker along with the full bags of presents in their hands. "And who's this handsome young man?"

"This is my son, Parker," Booth answered with a smile. He placed his hand on his son's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Parker, this is Sylvia Preston. She takes care of children until they can find families."

"It's nice to meet you Miss Preston," the little boy said and held out his hand. Sylvia grinned as she shook the proffered hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Parker." She looked up at the three adults. "Now, what can I do for the three of you?"

"We just came to drop off all of the gifts for your kids before heading to dinner." Sylvia looked at the number of bags and tears welled up in her eyes.

"You didn't have to go to this extent, it's too much."

"Well, 'tis the season for giving," Max said with a shrug. He glanced in to the other room and smiled when he spotted Norah Grace. The little girl brightened when she saw them and came running over.

"I don't know that very many people would do even this for these kids. It means so much to know that you care enough to help them."

"It's our pleasure, really," Brennan responded and looked to the doorway as Norah finally reached the group.

"Miss Temperance, you're here!" The little girl enveloped her in a hug, surprising the group. When she let go, she turned and smiled up at Max and Booth. "And you're here too! Did you come to see me?"

"Well we couldn't very well stop by without saying hello," Max said as he ruffled the young girl's hair. She giggled and practically bounced with excitement. "We came to drop off some presents, but you have to wait until Christmas to open them."

"Did you get me what I asked for?" Booth glanced at Max, wondering how he was going to answer the question. Their eyes met for one moment before the ex-con turned his attention back to Norah. "You'll have to wait and see. That's how it works after all." She nodded, but never lost the smile on her face.

"We have to get going, but it was nice to see you again," Brennan said to Sylvia and Norah. The little girl hugged Temperance again, taking her hand briefly. Temperance smiled at the young girl and ruffled her auburn curls.

"I understand, and thank you again for everything you're doing for these kids." Sylvia and Norah waved as the group left. They watched until they were in the car and out of the driveway. Norah turned to look up at her caretaker.

"Miss Sylvia, I just know that Santa's gonna get me that family. Then I'll have a mommy, a daddy, and a little brother."

XxXxX

"You've been awfully quiet this evening," Booth said to Brennan as he walked her up to her apartment. Parker was asleep in his arms, and Max had left for his apartment after they ate. Temperance paused when they reached her door and let out a sigh.

"I know, but I've just been thinking over something and wanted to come to a decision."

"It must be a pretty big decision to have you thinking so hard about it. You usually make up your mind pretty quick."

"I know, and it is a big decision, but I'm just trying to do what you told me to do about putting my heart into overdrive."

"Oh? And what did you conclude?"

"Do you know anyone at Social Services, someone you trust?" Booth eyed Brennan for a moment and shifted his son's weight.

"I know a few people down there. Why?"

"Because I want to adopt Norah, and I want the process complete by Christmas." Booth stood there, stunned for a moment. He should have figured that she'd make that decision. When her heart was engaged, it was much more reckless than any of her brain based decision. With a sigh, Booth nodded.

"Okay. I'll get you the number of someone I trust tomorrow." Brennan smiled, joy radiating off of her as she kissed him goodnight and stepped into her apartment. Please don't let anything go wrong, Booth thought as he headed back to the elevator.