A/N: Things to keep in mind: This update starts with the tape. Anything in italics is from the past. For the first few minutes that Booth and Bones are watching said tape, there is sound but no picture. Also, in case any one didn't know or doesn't remember ( I know I didn't, but mustanggirlz07 did) Max's alias was Matthew, so in this chapter I'm calling him that.

Disclaimer: Bones belongs to Kathy Reichs, Hart Hanson, and Fox.

Chapter 27

A Family Tradition, Part Five

Her eyes were on him as he stood behind the tripod.

Matthew frowned as he turned the camera on, because to the very depths of his soul, he knew that this was a bad idea.

Christine sighed.

She knew that he didn't want to do this, and she could even understand why, but this wasn't about them, this was for their daughter, and it was important.

"Is the camera on?"

Without looking up he replied, "Yes."

In an effort to get him to look at her, she needled, "Tape in?"

Refusing to take the bait he answered, "Yup."

Undeterred she pressed, "Are…"

"I got this Christine!"

He hadn't meant to snap at her, but he was furious, and he was terrified of what could happen. To him, saying your goodbyes, just putting the thought out there that you might not make it back, was like asking for trouble. And if anything ever happened to her…

Suddenly she was laughing.

His head snapped up.

"You got this," she repeated on a laugh?

He crossed his arms over his chest.

Abruptly, she stopped laughing as she got up from her chair.

He clenched his jaw as she moved towards him.

When she was standing in front of him, she reached a hand out to his face.

As her fingertips traced over his jaw line, he relaxed beneath her gentle touch.

"Dammit Christine!"

"Just thought you should know that the cap is still on," she whispered before her lips crashed down on his.

With a groan he pulled her closer.

As if she were boneless, her body molded to his.

When the kiss finally ended, they were both panting.

Their foreheads were still pressed together when she murmured, "Please?"

When he moved his hand up to cup her face, he felt the tears on her cheek.

He leaned back so he could see her face.

As he wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs, he whispered, "Ok."

"Ok?"

He nodded.

She smiled.

"Thank you," she said as she pulled him down for another kiss.

All too soon she was pulling away from him, and walking back to the chair.

After taking a deep breath, he removed the lens cap.

***

When Booth had pressed play the screen had remained black. He had nearly grabbed the remote to try fast forwarding the tape, but had paused when Christine started to speak. Leaning back, he had wrapped his arms around his Bones and held on tight.

Now, after a whispered "thank you," the first thing to come into focus was an empty chair. Seconds later, Christine came into the frame, and sat down on the chair.

***

"Temperance, if you are watching this, I'm so sorry that I can't be there with you, to celebrate the pending arrival of your daughter."

She paused for a dramatic effect.

"Surprised I know?"

She flashed a mischievous grin.

"Don't be. I have an explanation, and I have a gift."

In a stage whisper she said, "Pan over Matt," as she gestured to the right.

As the camera shifted to the right, a solid oak cradle came into view.

It looked like a miniature four post bed with rails.

There was a pod of eight dolphins carved into the headboard, and a single dolphin carved into all five visible sides of the cubes that topped the posts.

"This cradle was handmade by your great, great grandpa Frank, for his daughter Sara. After Sara, it became a tradition for the cradle to be passed down to the women in the family. It has belonged to my mother Sophie, me, you, and now it will belong to my granddaughter."

Her voice caught on granddaughter.

After clearing her throat, she continued as she leaned forward.

Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and her voice was impassioned when she said…

"Temperance, even though I have no idea what your accomplishments are, I have no doubt that they are vast. So you should have no doubts, that I'm so very proud of you. I love you, and when my granddaughter is old enough, you make sure that she knows the same."

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she kissed her fingertips.

"Goodbye Tempe," she whispered before pressing them onto the camera lens.

***

As the screen went black again Bones and Booth sat for a moment in silence.

Finally, without looking at him she said, "That cradle is beautiful."

He gently turned her face towards him as he replied, "That cradle is here."

She nodded.

"I want to see it," she whispered.

"Ok."

After helping her up from the couch, he followed her up the stairs.

When they reached the baby's room, he stopped in the doorway, watching her as she moved towards the cradle.

As her fingertips traced over the inlaid dolphins on the headboard, she repeated her earlier sentiment, "It's beautiful."

"Sure is," Booth softly called from the doorway.

She turned her head over her shoulder.

His eyes were fixed on her.

"Your not even looking at the cradle."

Wordlessly he entered the room.

As his arms wrapped around her waist from behind, he murmured into her ear, "That too."

Abruptly changing the subject, she said…

"I saw the date on the screen. It was made the day of the night that she died."

His arms tightened around her.

"I miss her Booth."

"I know."

"Come on Bones," he said as he grabbed her hand and lightly tugged her towards the door.

"Where are we going?"

"To thank your mom."

Normally she would have argued with him, stating that when someone died, they were gone, so there was no point in talking to a slab of granite, but not tonight. Tonight, she needed to believe that there was a point, that there was a connection to be felt.

As Booth led her down the stairs she whispered, "Thank you."

A/N: So, I do belive that a toast to the end of A Family Tradition is in order, and by that, I of course mean, review please.