The doorbell rang. "I'll get it" Booth called out to Brennan, who was prepping things for Christmas lunch the following day.
"Merry Christmas Eve!" Russ greeted Booth, his arms full of Christmas wrapped parcels.
Booth held out his hands and lifted two parcels out of Russ's hands. "Seasons Greetings! Welcome. How was the drive? Amy. Girls" he greeted Russ's wife and daughters with a kiss on the cheek. "Bones! Russ is here!" he turned and yelled.
Brennan came running out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Russ! Amy! So glad you could come! I was so excited when Dad told me. Come in!" she said, hugging her brother tightly after he deposited his packages on the sofa.
Amy stood looking at the Christmas tree in awe "Your tree is just amazing! And it's so big! We've never had one this tall have we Russ?" she said.
"Oh don't even mention that to Booth. Believe it or not, it was originally double that height. I'm sure Dad will tell you the story sometime today" Brennan laughed then walked over to Russ and linked arms with him.
"I can't believe this is our first Christmas together since we were kids!" Brennan said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Come on Sis. Don't forget that Christmas when Dad was" Russ turned around and looked at his niece who was being fussed over by his daughters. "When Dad was you know. Inside."
Brennan frowned and shook her head "That doesn't count. I mean like this. A proper family Christmas" she said.
Russ laughed " It was bound to happen eventually. I'm glad Dad called and suggested it. You sure we're not going to crowd you though? We could always stay at that motel down the road."
"Well, that might work" Booth began to say.
"No!" Brennan turned and slapped Booth's arm "No! We've got plenty of room. The girls can bunk in with Christine. I've got a couple of fold out beds for them. And I got one of those big camping blow up mattresses for you and Amy. We'll set that up in the study. It's a little tight, but you'll manage. And you're only going to be sleeping in there, so it shouldn't matter." She said.
"You bought a mattress?" Booth mumbled as he rubbed his arm.
Brennan barely glanced at him "Yes. At the camping store. It was a bargain at only seven hundred dollars!"
Booth's jaw dropped "Wha? You spent Seven Hun"
"Booth stop standing there. Put those down and help bring in their luggage! Honestly." Brennan said, turning her back on him.
"And Dad is bunking in with Hank. So it's all good. It's going to be so much fun!" Brennan said happily.
"Fun" Booth repeated quietly, the forced himself to smile "So! We're about to hit the eggnog early. Can I get you one?"
"Is that Dad's recipe?" Russ asked.
"It sure is!" Max nodded.
Russ grinned "Then make mine a double. It was a long drive" he said.
"After you bring in the luggage!" Brennan yelled from the hallway.
Brennan guided Amy and the girls up to the rooms they'd be sleeping in and left the boys to chat and get drinks.
"Daddy! Mommy! He's been!" Christine's muffled scream ripped through Booth's brain, waking him up from the best night's sleep he'd had in the last few nights. Max's egg nog always did the trick.
Suddenly their door slammed open.
"He's BEEN!" Christine screamed, her voice so high pitched, Booth swore he felt his eardrum pop. She departed as quickly as she came, slamming their door closed behind her.
Brennan rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "And so it begins. Really Booth. How many more years must we foster this fantasy of a jolly man dressed in red who brings Christmas gifts in the dead of night?" she muttered.
"Aww come on Bones. You know you love it. You're just cranky because you were up late putting her bike together. I'm sorry I couldn't help, but you know. My back and crouching on the floor just don't go together at the moment." Booth said, poking her in the upper arm repeatedly.
"I'm not even sure I trust her to ride it. What if I missed something? What if I didn't tighten the bolt things tight enough?" she said turning her worried eyes towards him.
"It's fine. I checked the tightness of all the important bolts when you went to the bathroom" Booth said. "She's going to"
"He's been! Come on you two!" Their door slammed open again and Max stuck his head in. "I let Hank out of his crib, but he's in need of. Well, he's done. You really need to clean him up Tempe" he added shaking his head, then grinned "Come on! Time to see what's under the tree!"
Brennan covered her eyes with her forearm. "Can you go take care of Hank?" she asked.
Booth cringed "Oh, Uh, my back. And, I need to go and uh. Sorry" he walked as quickly as his back would allow, to the door "call of nature. Must have been all the egg nog. Or something" he said as he exited the room as quickly as he could, sidestepping over Hank who was toddling into the bedroom, a clearly full nappy dragging down his PJ bottoms.
An all too familiar stench wafted across Brennan's face. She pulled her arm away from her eyes and turned her head towards the smell. Hank was standing at the side of the bed, his chubby hands covered in "Hank! Don't touch Mommy's bed!" she yelled as she grabbed at Hank's arms, foiling his attempt to wipe his hands on her white quilt. She swung her legs off the bed and turned Hank around, still holding his arms, and walked him towards the nursery, then changed her mind and turned towards the bathroom.
"Booth? We're coming in!" she yelled through the door, pushing it open. Booth was washing his hands at the sink and turned to see them coming through the door.
"Ahh! Oh. Hank! Oh!" his hands covering his nose and mouth. "I'll just go make sure Christine doesn't start opening any presents yet while you, uh, sort. All that. Out" he said, waving his hand around in a random fluttering, directed at his son. "God, how does such a small human being, make such a large"
"Thank you Booth. I'm sure I don't need your vivid description. I have to deal with this now." she said, pushing Hank towards the bathtub. "I'm just going to hose him down" she said lifting him into the tub fully clothed.
"Bones. You're not going to just. You know. In my tub?" Booth said, perplexed at what he saw was about to happen.
"Well, how else would you suggest I handle this? It isn't the first time I've had to do this" Brennan retorted turning on the cold tap and adjusting the hot to make sure the water wasn't too warm.
"You've done that before? In the tub? Oh jeez! Bones! I soak in that tub!" Booth said, his face screwed up.
"Well I clean it afterwards Booth. With a strong hospital grade disinfectant. You're perfectly safe." She replied as she began peeling Hanks pyjama pants down, her face screwing up with disgust.
"Ugh Hank!" Booth said as he exited the bathroom.
"Can we open presents now Daddy?" Christine asked excitedly, bouncing up and down on Booth's favourite leather chair.
"Well we just need to wait for Mommy and Hank." Booth said, looking at the doorway where Brennan was with Hank wrapped in a towel.
Hank was wriggling so hard that Brennan almost dropped him out of the towel. His little body slipped down to the floor and she reluctantly let go of the little naked boy who ran to his father. Booth spun him around quickly to check that all was clear then hoisted him up into his arms. "Now that's better Hank! All cleaned up!" he chuckled.
"Cleen Daddy" Hank laughed, patting his naked belly proudly.
Brennan shook her head "I'll grab his clothes. You can deal with dressing him. I still need to go clean the bath." she said, retreating into the hallway.
Booth shuddered and held his son up, his hands supporting him under his arms "You little mess maker!" he said, wiggling the little boy from side to side.
Christine burst out laughing "His willy is shaking!" she said, covering her eyes.
Booth burst out laughing and pulled his son back to rest on his hip "Well, what else is it supposed to do?" he said grinning at his daughter who was now looking between two fingers.
Max was sitting on the sofa, his leg jigging up and down.
"You got a twitch Max?" Booth asked as he put Hank down, but had to quickly grab him again as he made straight for the first present he could grab and tore the corner of the wrapping. "Woah there tiger. We have to get you dressed first and wait for Mommy."
"Bones Mama!" Hank yelled.
Everyone laughed loudly.
"Did he just call me Mama?" Bones said, coming into the room just in time to hear her son finally call her by name.
"Well. Sorta. Yes, he did." Booth said.
"Bones Mama! Cloves" Hank said again enthusiastically reaching for his mother who was holding a pair of red overalls and a green turtleneck.
She frowned, then smiled "Well, he's getting there I suppose." She said handing the clothes to Booth, along with a nappy, singlet and socks then frowned "I thought your back was still playing up?"
"Uh, well, maybe that hot shower" he started to try to wriggle out of telling Brennan that his back was actually feeling fine.
"Mommy! Can we open presents now?" Christine asked, her voice pleading.
"Saved by the bell!" Max chuckled, making Booth flash him a frown.
"Give me five minutes, then I promise we can start opening presents. After Aunty Angela, Uncle Jack and Michael Vincent get here" she said. "And I'm sure Uncle Russ and Aunty Amy and the girls won't be sleeping much longer after all the noise we've been making.
"Noooo!" Christine cried.
"Come on Bones. Do we really need to wait? It's already eight o'clock. What time are they going to arrive?" Booth said, pulling a singlet deftly over Hanks head, and threading his arms through the armholes.
"We agreed Booth. We would open presents together" she said walking away.
Booth frowned and looked at Max, shrugging "We agreed to that?" he asked Max.
Max shook his head and shrugged back at Booth "I have no idea" he said.
"Can Christine at least open one gift from Santa?" Booth yelled after Brennan.
"No!" was her adamant reply.
Christine threw herself onto the sofa next to Max and buried her face in his lap "Worst Christmas ever!" she yelled, making Booth and Max laugh.
Russ and Amy finally came into the living room about fifteen minutes later, wrapped in matching bright green quilted dressing gowns, trimmed with what looked like red felt baubles. Booth blinked several times, his mouth twitching at the corners.
"I know Booth. You don't even need to say anything." Russ said, holding up a hand, then looked behind him. Turning back to Booth he whispered "The girls gave them to us for Christmas. We HAVE to wear them so we don't hurt their"
"Dad! You and Mom are wearing your gifts!" Emma said, her smile wide.
"Awww No! Daddy. They got to open presents already!" Christine flopped on her back on the sofa, dramatically waving her arms in the air then letting them flop down loudly.
"Well that's their family. Mommy said not until everyone is here. That's how we are doing our Christmas" Booth said, trying to sound like he agreed.
Hank reluctantly let Booth finish dressing him, although Booth did have to chase him across the room once or twice.
"There we go. Now Hank, no presents. Not yet!" he yelled once again rescuing a gift from the destructive clutches of young Hank. "Here, go to Poppy Max" Booth added, dropping Hank onto Max's lap.
"Mommy! There's someone at the door! I'll get it!" Christine yelled excitedly running to the door as the doorbell rang, and was followed by a loud knock.
"Merry Christmas!" Angela called out as Christine opened the door.
"Aunty Angela! I've been waiting for hours and hours for you. Mommy! We can open our presents now!" Christine screamed out as she ran towards the tree.
Booth cut her off, grabbing her around the waist and hoisting her into the air "Hold onto your horses young lady. We're going to let Uncle Jack at least get through the door before we start" he said.
Hodgins finally edged through the door. He was laden down with two of the biggest Christmas sacks Christine had ever seen. Her eyes grew so big they appeared to take up her entire face.
"WOW!" she said. "Are there any presents in there for me?" she asked.
"Christine! Where are your manners!" Brennan said as she came into the room.
Booth nodded and then tipped his head in the direction of the bathroom "All clear? No nasty surprises?" he said furtively.
Brennan frowned "If you're asking if I cleaned up all the faeces? Yes. The bathroom is clean and santitised" she replied.
Angela burst out laughing "Let me guess. Hank had a nappy full this morning? Oh, I remember those days"
Brennan grinned "Angela. Merry Christmas! Jack. Hello Michael Vincent. Merry Christmas!" she said, bending down to kiss Michael Vincent's cheek. "He's looking more and more like you" she said to Angela s she stood up and held out her arms to her best friend.
"Merry Christmas sweetie" Angela said hugging Brennan tightly. She let go and turned to Booth holding out her arms "Come here big guy" she said walking towards him.
"Uh, Merry Christmas Angela" Booth said cringing as he was hugged around his chest. He patted her back awkwardly, then when she let go he began to exhale but was suddenly grabbed from the side, and found himself in a man hug by Hodgins.
"Merry Christmas man!" Hodgins said, pressing his face against Booths shoulder and squeezing him.
Booth flinched and closed his eyes, his mouth tight and downturned, he lifted his shoulders trying to wriggle out of Hodgins grasp unsuccessfully.
"Ok. Yeah. That's. Happy Christmas. Can you let go now?" Booth said.
Hodgins released him and then punched him in the arm "Are you excited for a great day?" Hodgins said, then bent down and lifted Christine up into the air. "And are YOU excited?" he asked her, kissing her cheek.
"Your whiskers tickle!" Christine giggled as Hodgins repeatedly kissed her cheek.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Hodgins said, waving his hand in greeting.
He put Christine down and smiled as she and Michael Vincent sat down at the base of the Christmas Tree. "Look at those two. One day I'm going to have a sweet little girl too" he said wistfully.
Booth looked at the two children who were giggling together pointing at parcels.
Hank started wriggling and squealing. "Mikal Mikal!" he yelled.
Max put Hank down and the little boy ran over to Michael Vincent, throwing himself at the older boy.
"Well, looks like you're Mr Popular today!" Hodgins said, laughing "Maybe we'll have another boy too!" he said, then clapped Booth on the shoulder, and looked at Max "Any of your Eggnog handy?" he asked.
Max jumped up off the sofa. "I thought you'd never ask!" he said.
Brennan frowned "Dad! Don't you think it's a bit early in the day?" she asked.
Max snorted and shook his head "It's Christmas Day Tempe. There's no such thing as too early." He retorted.
"That's what you think" Brennan muttered under her breath.
He and Hodgins walked to the kitchen together. Christine was holding Hank as tightly as she could to stop him diving into the pile of gifts under the tree "Mommy! Hank is going to break everything!" she wailed.
Booth came to the rescue and picked up Hank again, who was kicking and yelling "Pesent!"
"Can we get this party started?" Booth asked Brennan. "I can't do this much longer" he added, as he struggled with the wriggling child in his arms.
"Dad? Jack? We're going to start now!" Brennan called out.
"Don't get your panties in a twist!" Max said as he walked towards them with a tray, holding a large jug and six mugs. "Priorities young lady!" he added, holding out the tray for her to take a mug of eggnog. "Angela? How are you honey" he said, kissing Angela's cheek as she took a mug. He then offered the tray to Russ and Amy before turning to Booth..
Booth threw his hands up and clapped "Yes! Thankyou Max. OK. Can I give the go ahead?" he took a mug and turned to Brennan, holding his drink up.
Brennan smiled and nodded.
"OK kids! We're going to do this!" Booth said, pulling a Santa hat out of his pocket and pulling it onto his head. "And I'm going to play Santa" he said, sitting down onto the floor with Hank between his legs, and he began handing out gifts.
"Christine. You can open the first present" he said grinning as he placed a large box in front of the little girl.
"What about me?" Michael Vincent said, his mouth downturned.
Booth rummaged around under the tree and placed a parcel in front of him. "OK, you can open one too" watching the little boy smile. He grabbed another present and placed it on the floor "Come on Hank, you can open one as well" he said.
One by one, all the gifts were unwrapped by their recipients. There were ooh's and aah's as gifts were shown off. Finally Booth stood up and waded through the ocean of wrapping paper on the floor.
"There's one last present. Santa told me where he left it. I'll be right back" he said, touching his nose.
"Who is it for?" Michael Vincent asked excitedly.
"Is it for Hank?" Christine yelled.
Booth came back pushing a huge box along the floor, his grin was almost as large as the box.
"Christine. This has your name on it!" he said.
Christine squealed and jumped up off the floor and ran over to her father, her hands clapping as she jumped around the box. "What is it? What is it?" she screamed.
Booth shrugged "How do I know? Santa said it was for you. Top secret" he replied.
"How do I open it?" Christine asked, as she tried to find a way to open the box.
Booth grinned. "How about I do this?" he said as he began to lift the box upwards, revealing a bright yellow bike with pink and blue streamers hanging from the handlebars and a white basket on the front, and training wheels, securely attached to the back wheel.
Christine almost fell to the floor as she screamed an ear shattering scream "It's just exactly what I asked for!" she cried as Booth placed the empty box to the side.
Christine grabbed the handle bars and climbed onto the seat and rang the bell that was attached to the handle bars. "It's just what I wanted" she said again grinning at her mother.
"Well, according to the myth, I believe this means you must have been on a good list" Brennan said. "And apparently, so has Hank!" she laughed as Hank honked the horn that was on the front of the toddler pedal and push car he had gotten. It was a fire truck, bright red, with a white ladder on the back and big black wheels. There was also a winding handle that made a sound like a firetruck siren when it was turned. Booth and Brennan had agreed not to show him how to turn it for the moment.
"Look Hank! It's a siren" Michael Vincent said as he turned the handle.
Booth jumped "Michael! We weren't going to"
The wail of the siren cut him off, and filled the room making Hank squeal with laughter. He, of course, immediately grabbed at the handle and in no time had worked out how to turn it. Booth cringed and closed his eyes for a minute. He opened them and looked at Brennan.
"Maybe we can tape it down so he can't turn it?" he said.
Brennan laughed and shrugged "It was only a matter of time before he worked it out Booth. He's very smart." she said. "He's like I was when I was his age, isn't he Dad. I was extremely advanced as a baby. I remember Mom said I was a baby genius?"
Max grinned and nodded "He does remind me of you" he said.
"Don't encourage her" Booth said laughing.
Brennan pulled a face at Booth. The families sat around, watching their children play with their new toys. They exchanged their own gifts to each other, and simply enjoyed the morning with their children.
The doorbell rang and Christine jumped up and ran to the door, pulling it open "Uncle James!" she screamed "I got a bike! And I got a barbie! Where's Jessica? And I got a microscope! And I got a hockey stick! And I got"
"Woah! Sounds like you cleaned up Christine! I guess you got so much you won't need this then?" Aubrey said, holding a brightly wrapped present.
"NO! I definitely want it!" she yelled.
Aubrey squatted down and said "First I need some sugar". Christine giggled and kissed his cheek, then took the offered gift.
"James. You spoil her." Brennan said walking to the door and kissing him on the cheek as he handed her a gift for Hank. "Welcome. Come in and join the party." She added looking past him "No Jessica?"
Christine's scream drew everyone's attention at that moment "It's Anna and Elsa dress ups and a sing along CD!" she screamed, tears welling in her eyes "It's exactly what I wanted!"
Booth flinched "oh yay. exactly what we wanted" he muttered under his breath dreading the hours of Let It Go they would have to endure again.
Aubrey walked into the living room, lifting a hand to wave "Good to know that's a hit! Hi all. Merry Christmas everyone!" he said, then turned to Brennan with a shrug "Last minute, she got a call from her cousin. They invited her to come have Christmas with them and her grandmother who's not doing too well. She sends her regards. And I have a couple of gifts for the kids from her in the car.
Booth shook Aubrey's hand. He turned to Russ and Amy "This is James Aubrey. I work with him" he said.
"And I'm going to marry him when I'm big" Christine added, her blue eyes batting at Aubrey, who laughed and punched Booth in the arm "Hear that? We're gonna get married. Dad" he winked.
Booth blanched "Don't even make jokes. Christine isn't ever getting married. Are you baby? You're going to be a top lawyer when you grow up, aren't you?" he said.
"No. She's going to be a world class forensic scientist" Brennan said.
"You're all wrong. I'm going to be a mommy!" she said, making Booth grab at his forehead.
"Well I'm sure my grand daughter is going to be a huge success at what ever she decides to do, in spite of her parent's" Max laughed.
Booth shook his head "I'm going to the bathroom." he said walking out of the living room, his head shaking backwards and forwards "a mommy. a mommy!" he groaned.
Aubrey nodded, then looked up as a ringing caught his attention. "Ooh, is that lunch?" he said hopefully. "Oh, no. It's the doorbell"
The doorbell rang again, making everyone turn.
Brennan answered the door with a scream, and returned to the living room, a bright smile on her face, her arm linked through that of her cousin Margaret. They were followed by a tall thin man with greying hair, carrying a tiny girl.
"Everyone, you remember my cousin Margaret? This is her husband Barry and their daughter Marcie! I can't believe you're here!" Brennan said turning and hugging Margaret again, emotion choking her voice.
Booth smiled as he watched his wife's face light up as she took the little girl from her father and give her a hug, then squat down and introduce her to her cousin. Hank of course, conscious that he had some competition for the spot of youngest, cutest child in the room, barged towards them and made himself known with a fist to Marcie's cheek, sending the little girl into a frenzy of crying and screaming.
Brennan, mortified, handed her to her mother, profusely apologising for her brutish son's behaviour before picking up Hank and scolding him, pointing at Marcie and telling him to say sorry.
Hank of course laughed loudly and yelled "Bones!" making Brennan blush.
"Booth, do something with your son please!" she said as she handed Hank to him. Booth was having trouble keeping a straight face.
Christine diffused the tension by yelling "Can we eat already?" which made everyone burst out laughing, allowing Booth to let his grin out.
"Good idea kiddo!" Max said, scooping Marcie out of Margaret's arms and jigging her up and down. "Marcie Parcie! Are you my Marcie Parcie?" he sang to her, making the little girl stop crying and begin to giggle.
"Thankyou Uncle Max" Margaret said, double checking Marcie's cheek which was showing a bright red welt where Hank's fist had connected.
"She's fine. Trust me. I remember you and Tempe going at it when you were about three and she was maybe seven. Now that was a fight!" Hank laughed.
"Oh, wait. I think I remember that! I ended up with my front tooth knocked out and a black eye!" Brennan said, her hand cupping her chin as she scrunched up her face.
"I didn't actually knock out your tooth. It was loose anyway. I just sped up the process" Margaret countered.
"What about my black eye?" Brennan asked.
"Well. I. Ok. Yes, I probably did do that. But you were so mean to me!" Margaret said.
"I was not!"
"You were!"
"Now now you two. Let's set a good example for the littlies by not knocking out any teeth or blackening any eyes" Max said, setting Marcie down on the ground.
Booth looked at Hank, his face stern, his voice matching "Now you be nice Hank. No more hitting." he said.
"Baby!" Hank yelled pointing at Marcie.
"She's no more a baby than you are young man. Be nice. Or Daddy will put you to bed." He growled.
"No Bed!" Max howled. "Be Good"
Booth set his son down on the floor and patted his head "Good man"
Brennan looked around. The living room was full of some of the most important people in her life. She felt a wave of emotion and choked down her tears and smiled. "If everyone would like to take a seat. I'll get lunch served!" she announced.
Angela jumped up "I'll give you a hand Sweetie" she said.
The doorbell chimed at that moment.
"Oh no" Booth muttered his eyes staring at the door, willing whoever it was to just disappear.
"I wonder who that is?" Brennan said as she walked to the door and opened it.
"I hope I'm not intruding. We arrived a day early and I just couldn't bear sitting at the hotel room. Oh! Wait, you've got a houseful. I'm sorry. Don't worry. Perhaps we can come visit tomorrow?" a voice said.
"Nonsense! You will not spend Christmas Day on your own!" Brennan said, stepping aside. "Everyone! It's Daisy!"
Angela ran to the door and wrapped Daisy and her son up in a hug. "I can't believe you're here!" she said.
Jack walked up and held out his arms.
"Little Lance is a bit shy normally" Daisy said, then was surprised as he leaned towards Hodgins, allowing him to lift him from his mother's arms.
"Kids love me Daisy." he grinned and walked into the room with Lance Sweets' son grinning at the people in the room.
Booth stared at the little boy and felt a lump in his throat "He looks so much like him" he managed to say as Daisy walked towards him.
"I know. And more each day. Don't you Lancey" she said.
Booth frowned "I thought. I mean. Isn't his name Seeley?" he said, trying not to sound hurt.
Daisy blushed "Well, it is, but. Well he looks so much like his father. It just seems right to call him Lance." she said, laying a hand on Booth's arm "Please don't be offended"
Booth shook his head, "I'm not offended." he said, then added "Honestly. I agree. He is definitely a mini Lance." he said, nodding. He really meant it. He could tell, by looking at that little boy that there was no way she couldn't call him by his father's name. He was Lance Sweets, from his dark eyes, to his long thin face, the same expressive mouth and the shock of floppy dark brown hair.
He reached out and gave Daisy a hug, which surprised almost everyone in the room "Welcome. I'm glad you're both here" he said, then looked around the room. "I'm glad you're all here. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas, than to be surrounded by the people we love the most in our lives." Booth grinned widely, his arms outstretched as if he was going to hug the group of people as a whole. "Max, come and help me carve the meat." Booth said.
Angela grabbed Brennan's arm and grinned at her "Come on, the natives are restless and hungry!"
Mountains of food lay along the long trestle table that Booth and Brennan had set up down the centre of their open plan living/dining room. Aubrey had added another chair to the table and shuffled the settings to make room for another plate.
Booth stood up as everyone took their place at the table. He raised a glass, signalling he was going to make a toast. Everyone grabbed their glass and held them high.
"Like I said before. Bones and I are glad you are all here. We started out thinking we were going to have this quiet day. Just us and the kids." he looked along the table, seeing the smiles on his friends faces. On the faces of his children, and the children of his friends. And most of all, the smile on Brennan's face. The most important smile of all.
"And I know that the song says have yourself a merry little Christmas. But really?" he grinned, "This big loud Christmas is so much better! Now let's eat!"