After Everyone Left
A/N: This one took a little longer than normal after the episode aired, but hey we have a couple of weeks until the next new episode, so stretching it out...and I had a very busy weekend. I saw many people wanting more of the Booth family together in this episode. That really was a packed episode wasn't it? Not enough time for everything so I hope this fulfills some of those family-time needs. :)
The first to leave was Fuentes with vague mentions of somewhere he had to be to help a friend with something he didn't specify. Angela thought he was probably meeting up with a lady friend, but Cam thought it was actually work with the group he'd been working with before to send medicine into Cuba. She also figured the less she knew about any of that the better as long as he kept it away from the lab.
Aubrey left next. He apparently had plans to meet up with Jessica have she finished her own Thanksgiving celebration with several members of her old cooperative. Cam left at the same time as Aubrey. She wanted to get home in time to have her scheduled Skype call with her daughter. Michelle hadn't made it home this holiday; joining her boyfriend in spending Thanksgiving with his family. Cam accepted this with grace since Michelle had promised they'd be spending the Christmas holiday with her instead.
Hodgins, Angela, and Michael Vincent were the last to leave. They were headed home for their traditional Thanksgiving night viewing of Elf to kick off the Christmas season. When Brennan said she'd never seen it she was informed she had to watch it. The cute little blonde reminded them of her cousin Margaret. As Brennan was hugging Angela goodnight she whispered in her ear. "Let me know how that baby talk turns out." With a smile and a nod Angela agreed.
As Booth and Brennan moved into the kitchen to clean up the biggest part of the remaining mess the kids settled onto the couch so Parker could play Christine in a game of Mario Kart. Parker held Hank in his lap as he worked the control for the game. Booth and Brennan both watched them for a moment from the kitchen, matching smiles on their faces. It's Booth who spoke up. "I love seeing them all together, laughing and enjoying each other."
Brennan nodded then added. "Well Hank is falling asleep, but yes I agree with the sentiment."
Booth called out to the kids. "I play the winner!"
As they worked together to finish the big part of the cleanup; washing by hand what couldn't go into the dishwasher the sound of laughter made the chores pass quicker. As the final step they started the dishwasher and headed to the kids just as Parker won the game. Booth swooped Christine into his lap and settled her down taking over her controller.
Christine settled into her Daddy's chest. If she couldn't play this round at least she could enjoy sitting in her Daddy's lap and watching him play with her big brother…it was almost as good as playing. Brennan grabbed her phone to snap off a couple of pictures of her four Booths together, before stepping in to take the sleeping Hank from Parker. "I'll take Hank and get him into his pajamas and in his crib. I think he's down for the night. Maybe when I get back you'll have finished your game and we can watch that "Elf" movie Angela and Hodgins recommended.
Meanwhile a short drive away…