"You know Booth, at some point you're going to have to go back to your house." Brennan smiled at the sight before her. Booth lay on her couch as he watched Sports Center with Christine asleep on his chest. He was such a good father and it amazed her how his behavior translated so easily to his interactions with the baby. The FBI agent turned to look at Temperance and smiled up at her.

"I know I should but I like spending time with you and little Peanut here." Brennan rolled her eyes as she sat down on the coffee table to be closer to the pair.

"Please tell me you aren't planning to adopt that nickname Dad gave her."

"What's wrong with Peanut?" He glanced down at the sleeping baby on his chest and caressed her head. Christine shifted and settled again against him.

"Nothing I guess, I just think it's silly to adopt a nickname like that." The corner of Booth's eyes crinkled slightly as he continued to look at his partner.

"What, you mean like Bones?" Temperance reached for the baby, but Booth stopped her as he settled a hand onto her back. "Don't move her. She's comfortable."

"Then I suppose you'll want me to pick up Parker?"

"Huh?" Booth glanced at the clock on the cable box. "Shit. I didn't realize it was that late." Brennan carefully picked up the sleeping baby before Booth stood and gathered up his belongings.

"It's fine, I just don't think you'd want to keep Parker waiting." Booth nodded and headed for the door before turning around and kissing Brennan on the lips.

"If you need help with anything…"

"Booth, I'll be fine. I've had a couple of days to process what needs to be done for an infant."

"If you're sure…"

"Go. You're going to be late." Brennan kissed Booth once more and walked to the door with him. Before he left, he turned and caught her eye.

"You guys are all coming over for Christmas, aren't you?"

"Are you sure you want all of us there? I mean Russ and his family is here too…"

"Bones, my place is bigger than yours. It'll be fine. Besides, I decorate so there'll be a tree and everything," Booth said with a smile. "I had a hard time getting that tree to the prison; don't make me lug one up five flights of stairs."

"Okay, but only because I wouldn't want you to strain your back."

"Very funny. I'll see you tomorrow bright and early." With that, he was off. Temperance watched him head down the hallway before shutting her door. With a sigh, she made her way to Christine's room to put the baby down. How had her life managed to change so much in the course of two weeks? Two weeks ago, she never would have imagined that she wanted to adopt a child, let alone end up with a newborn. Now though, she wouldn't change a thing. The baby had found her way into her heart almost as soon as she laid eyes on her. Was that what all parents felt the first time they saw their child?

Instead of laying Christine in her crib, Brennan moved over to the white daybed in the room and laid down, holding the baby to her chest. She stroked back the shock of black hair on Christine's head as she continued to contemplate everything. When she and Booth became partners, she was adamantly against having children because she didn't understand how they could affect life. The world was a terrible place and you shouldn't bring a child into somewhere so evil and lonely was her thought.

She met Parker the first year of her partnership with Booth and found the child to be a very happy and intelligent person, much like his father. The more time she spent around him, the more she realized that he made life better for those around him. What was it that Booth said? I'm more grateful everyday that I had him. She shifted slightly as she pulled a comforter around her and Christine. That was how she felt about the people in her life. Her father was working so hard to earn back her trust, Booth was always there for her regardless of the situation, and now she had this brand new life to take care of, and even though it had only been a few days, she couldn't imagine not having the baby in her life.

Temperance closed her eyes, relaxing into the comfortable mattress as she thought about all of the changes in her life. Her recent change in relationship with Booth was no surprise, just overdue really. A smile graced her face as she thought back to seeing him with the baby asleep on his chest. Something about that image was just right somehow. The man was made to have children in his life. He seemed to thrive on the interactions. With those thoughts whirling through her mind, Brennan drifted off to sleep holding Christine securely to her side.

XxXxX

"Max, we can stay at a hotel. It's not like we have to stay with Temperance," Amy said as Max unlocked the door to Brennan's apartment.

"Nonsense. Temperance loves having you here, and anyway she offered to have you stay. You might need to use the air mattress though."

"Why," Russ asked and paused just as he entered the apartment. He took in all of the baby stuff lying around and turned to his dad. "Is there something you forgot to tell us? I know we haven't seen Tempe in a few months, but I think I would have noticed if she was pregnant."

"Your sister didn't have a baby." Max closed the door behind everyone and set down the suitcase he carried up for Amy.

"Then what's with all the baby stuff?"

"She's adopting," Max said with a grin. A small mewling cry sounded from the other room, drawing everyone's attention in that direction. "Hold on and I'll go get Peanut." As Max bounded toward the baby's room, Amy looked over at Russ.

"Wow, he's really excited."

"Yeah, I guess he is." Everyone looked up as Max came out carrying the small infant in his arms. Temperance followed him out and headed to the kitchen to prepare a bottle for the baby. As Russ, Amy and the girls cooed over Christine, Temperance pressed the button on her answering machine as she grabbed the formula and a clean bottle.

"Hi Dr. Brennan. This is Teresa from Social Services. I have some news for you regarding your foster child. If you could please give me a call I can update you on the adoption process." Max looked at her from the living room and motioned to the phone as he handed Christine over to Amy.

"I'll take care of that bottle. You take care of your business." Temperance nodded and grabbed her cell phone, heading back to her bedroom for a little privacy. She took a deep breath and dialed the number for the social worker. When the phone was finally answered, Brennan let out a breath.

"Teresa, it's Temperance."

"Ah yes, Dr. Brennan. I'm glad you caught me. I was worried I'd have to wait until the twenty sixth to give you the news." Brennan's face burst into a smile as she flopped back onto her bed.

"I'm allowed to adopt Christine?"

"Yes. I have the paperwork for you here at my office. If you think you can be here within a half hour I'll go ahead and wait for you."

"I'll go ahead and leave right now. Thank you so much Teresa, really."

"You're welcome Dr. Brennan. I'm just happy to know that baby is going into a good home. I'll see you in a few minutes." Brennan shut her phone as the call ended and practically ran from the room. As she grabbed her coat and car keys, Max looked at her, waiting for the news."

"I get to keep her!" With that, Brennan was out the door. Max smiled as he handed the bottle of formula to Amy. He looked at the baby, unable to contain his excitement.

"Did you hear that peanut? You get to stay here!"

XxXxX

"Merry Christmas everyone," Booth said when the Brennan clan showed up at his house the next morning. He ushered in the group as the girls immediately ran to the tree where Parker was sitting in wait.

"Daddy, can we please open the presents now?"

"Just a minute Bub. Everyone just got here. Let them settle down first, okay?" Booth looked at the adults as he took Christine from Temperance. The anthropologist had dressed the little girl in a frilly holiday outfit, something that he never thought she'd do. "Anyone want coffee or something?"

"I think we're okay Booth, we had breakfast before we got here."

"Okay then, I think these kids have waited long enough. Just put whatever presents you have with you under the tree and we can watch the paper fly." Booth led the adults to the tree and as he sat down on the couch, Brennan sat next to him. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he could tell she was nervous about something. "Hey Bones, what's up?"

"I met with Teresa last night and got the okay for adopting Christine." A smile spread across Booth's face as he cuddled the little girl. She blinked up at him and squirmed slightly.

"Congratulations! I knew you had nothing to worry about!" Parker glanced over to where his father sat, noticing the baby for the first time. He set down the present he was about to tear into and approached his dad to look at the little girl.

"Daddy, who's that?"

"Parks, this is Christine Brennan. Bones is adopting her." The seven year old looked from the baby to his father.

"If Bones is your girlfriend does that mean that Christine is going to be your baby too?"

"That's not quite how it works kiddo," Booth began, but stopped when Brennan placed a hand on his arm.

"Parker, your dad is only partially correct. I am adopting Christine, but she's going to need a father too." Booth looked at Brennan curiously.

"You aren't going to propose to me are you?" Temperance laughed and pulled some papers out of her purse.

"No, I'm not. I am however going to ask you to be one of her legal guardians. She would be yours as much as she is mine. What do you say Booth?" Booth opened his mouth, but couldn't respond as he looked from Temperance to the little girl in his arms.

"You want me to adopt Peanut with you?"

"Only if you want to. I know I should have asked you about this before hand, but it was a last minute decision on my part and I need to have the paperwork back to Teresa in the morning so I didn't have time for a consultation." Temperance stopped when she realized that everyone was staring at her. No one spoke as Booth took a breath and looked over at his son.

"Well Parks, what do you think? Do you want a little sister?"

"That's what I asked Grandpa Max for!" The little boy started bouncing with excitement.

"I think that settles it then. Where do I need to sign?" Brennan smiled and kissed Booth soundly on the lips before indicating the spot on the paperwork. Russ turned to his dad with a stunned expression.

"Okay, so when did that happen?"

"Those two have been together for years. It just took a Christmas wish from Santa Claus for them to admit it."

AN: I hope you enjoyed this little chapter from me for Christmas. I know the story in general can cause tooth decay from all the sugary fluff, but I really do hope you've enjoyed it. Let me know what you think. Also, I have one other thing to say. I told you that I have another penname on this site, and I said I'd tell you who I was at the end of the story. Well, here goes. My other penname is goldpiece. If you haven't read my stuff, then you should, and if you have, then I thank you. Happy Holidays and I think that nice reviews would be a really good present for me from you.