Thanks for reading my story. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
The reviews have been great. Thanks.
It's pretty clear I don't own Bones.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooo
Booth was eating lunch at the Royal Diner, alone. Brennan was on maternity leave and was no longer going out on cases with him. Booth insisted that it wasn't safe for her to drive; so, just to keep him from worrying too much, Brennan went along with it. All this meant was that the only time Booth and Brennan had lunch together was when Booth went home. Today he only had thirty minutes for lunch because he had an interview he had to be at and he didn't have time to drop by home. He really hated eating lunch by himself.
Walking into the diner, Max saw Booth sitting at his usual table. Walking over to the table, Max sat down and looked at Booth who was staring at his plate.
"You know you actually have to move the fork to your mouth to get the food inside." Max explained.
Looking up, Booth asked, "Hi, Max. What's up?"
Frowning, Max asked, "What's wrong with you? It's Christmas time. I happen to know that you're the king of Christmas."
Smiling, Booth replied, "Nothing's wrong, Max. I was just thinking. What are you going to be doing Christmas Day?"
Sighing, Max answered, "Nothing. I guess I'll stay home and watch the parades on TV. Maybe, I'll buy a turkey dinner from the market down the street."
Shaking his head, Booth asked, "Why don't you come over and spend the day with us? We're going to be at my apartment. I'm sure Bones would love for you to be there and so would I."
Frowning, Max asked, "Are you sure something isn't wrong? Is Tempe alright? You don't look happy to me."
Shaking his head, Booth answered, "Nah, everyone is fine. I have to go. I'll let Bones know you're coming over Christmas morning and spending the day with us."
Getting up from his chair, Booth leaned over, picked up his coke, finished drinking it and left.
Watching Booth leave the diner, Max thought, "Something must be wrong if Booth couldn't be bothered to razz me."
Ooooooooooooooooooo
It was Christmas Eve and Booth had finally come to realize that being sad for Christmas was stupid. Brennan was living with him and she was going to be having his baby very soon. He didn't have a right to be sad. "Hell, I'm the happiest guy around." Booth thought. "Or at least I should be. I just wish that Rebecca didn't feel that it's ok to take Parker skiing every year at Christmas time. She's the damn Grinch who tries to steal my Christmas every year. Well, the hell with it and the hell with her. I'll see Parker after Christmas and that's fine. My best girl is all I need to make my Christmas a happy one."
Walking into the kitchen, Booth smiled, "Hey Bones, before I forget, Max is coming over tomorrow morning. He's going to spend the day with us."
Smiling, Brennan asked, "Really? I thought he was going to spend Christmas with Russ?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Booth remarked, "He didn't mention Russ to me. I asked him what he was going to do Christmas Day and he told me he was going to be alone. That's pathetic Bones. No one should be alone on Christmas Day."
Nodding her head, Brennan said, "Yes. You've told me that before. I'm glad you invited Dad over."
Smiling, Booth walked over to Brennan, put his arms around her and hugged her.
"You know Bones, if you weren't with me, I'd be alone on Christmas Day. I'd be the pathetic bastard sitting all alone in front of his TV, pretending that everything was ok when it wasn't. Thanks, Bones. Thanks for giving us a chance. You've given me the greatest Christmas present that anyone has ever given me. You've given me a family."
Kissing Booth, Brennan felt so happy. She had never liked Christmas since it seemed to emphasize the fact that she was alone in the world; but, Booth made her want to rethink this holiday. She knew she couldn't celebrate it for the reasons that Booth did; but, she could celebrate it for the simple reason that it was a time for family to be together. My family. She never thought she would ever be able to use those words; but Booth and their baby were all she needed and wanted in this world. She so loved the sound of those two words, my family. It wasn't rational to be happy over two words; but, she didn't care.
"Booth, you don't have to thank me for being with you. We're a family and you'll never be alone at Christmas time again. In fact, I want to make it a rule that we always have to spend Christmas day together. Even if you're sent on a case without me, we'll make arrangements to be together on Christmas Day. We're a family now and neither one of us needs to be alone."
Smiling Booth asked, "Have I told you today, that I love you? I want you to know that I love you more than I can even say and this is going to be the best Christmas I've ever had."
Returning his smile, Brennan replied, "I know that I don't say it very often, Booth; but, I do want you to know that I love you too."
Nodding his head, Booth smiled, "If you ever needed proof that I love you, just think about what's going to happen tomorrow and you'll never doubt it."
Puzzled, Brennan asked, "What's going to happen tomorrow?"
Laughing, Booth answered, "I'm going to be very nice to Max and I'm going to make sure that he has a good time. For better or worse, he's your father so that makes him my father now and you know what, Bones? He's a big improvement over the one I was born with. Don't tell him that though. He may try to use it against me some day."
Nodding her head, Brennan frowned, "I agree. That kind of information is best kept a secret. If he thinks you love him, he may try to take advantage of you."
Shaking his head, Booth protested, "Whoa. I didn't say I love Max."
Smiling, Brennan explained, "You didn't have to say it Booth. You invited Max to come over on the one day you value the most as a day for family. I'm very good at understanding you Booth and I do know that you would never invite Dad over on Christmas Day if you didn't love him."
Smiling, Booth asked, "Hey, when did you get so smart?"
Frowning, Brennan replied, "Well, I always have been smart. I was valedictorian of my class. I'm also . . ."
Deciding the conversation had taken a wrong turn, Booth started kissing Brennan.
Oooooooooooooooooooooo
Merry Christmas. Thank you for reading my story. It was my present to you.