A/N: this chapter takes place Monday after the Christmas party. If you have time to review, I'd appreciate it. Merry Christmas, Galaxy Gurl.
After he'd dragged a large shopping bag out of his SUV, Charlie was surprised to find himself whistling a few bars of Jingle Bells as he waited for the elevator Monday morning. It'd been a long time since he'd been in the mood to whistle anything, let alone a Christmas song, but this morning seemed different somehow. The winter sunshine was cold and pale as it crept across the windows of the Hoover, but he felt pleasantly warm and happy. Maybe Santa Claus is real after all...
Yawning a bit, he chuckled as he rode the elevator up to the fifth floor. He'd been busy Sunday afternoon, digging through the hall closet pf his apartment as he tried to find his small tabletop Christmas tree. Finally he found it crammed into a cardboard box and shoved into the same back corner where he'd left it two years ago...right after Ellen had left him to take her new job in Seattle. It was bent and bedraggled now, and its branches were rather twisted out of shape, but he was determined to set it up in his living room. It had taken some time to get it to sit in its tripod just right, but he'd finally gotten the lights wrapped around it and and his few ornaments scattered along the branches, in spite of all the 'help' from Artie, his cat, who'd regarded the shiny red and silver baubles as his new playthings. The tree was now sitting on the end table next to the sofa...that is, unless the cat had knocked it down again like he had when he'd tried to climb to the top at two o'clock this morning. Maybe I'd better get a tree that fits on a shelf somewhere...maybe I'll have time to do that at lunch...gotta keep Artie happy...I'll get him some treats, too...even the cat will have a good Christmas this year...
Strolling toward his office, he waved at his coworkers, stopping to admire the large red poinsettia plant that had been delivered to his administrative assistant. Agent DeLuca came by to show off a picture of his six year old twins, dressed in their matching holiday sweaters and smiling happily as they sat on Santa's lap at last Saturday's party.
"They had a great time, Charlie.", he commented. "Normally, they're kind of shy around strangers, but you did a great job of putting them at ease. My wife says this is the best Santa picture they've ever had, so I wanted to say thanks…we appreciate your time."
"No problem, Pete. I'm glad they enjoyed themselves. Your girls are really cute." Charlie handed the phone back to DeLuca. "It was a lot of fun getting to talk to all the kids. I never realized how many different things kids want for Christmas..."
"Yeah, I know." Pete chuckled as he pocketed his phone. "It looked like you were having as much fun as the kids were, and I think they all knew that. Thanks again…"
Waving at the agent, Charlie walked down the hall to his own office and unlocked the door so he could get settled in for the day. He smiled in anticipation as he glanced at the report on top. Sitting down at his desk, he quickly opened the folder and chuckled in satisfaction. During a Sunday afternoon raid, his agents had busted a nest of internet vipers that had been working out of an abandoned warehouse in Richmond, confiscating several computers as well as stolen credit cards and pages of illicit personal information. Maybe Christmas was going to come a little early for the RICO division this year, since the detainees were ready to finger the big boss of their operation in exchange for some legal considerations pertaining to their arrests and convictions. Nodding happily, Charlie accessed his computer. It looked like the division would be receiving another commendation for their teamwork, and the world would be a little bit safer from internet scumbags. That was a nice Christmas gift, but there was still work that needed to be done before the holiday.
Intent on the duty schedule for January, he didn't notice his visitor until he heard the quiet cough from the doorway. "Charlie?"
"Oh, hey, Booth. What's going on?" Gesturing toward a chair, Charlie grinned. "Come on in. I guess you're still tired after putting on that great party Saturday."
"Yeah, maybe a little, but it was a lot of fun, so it was worth it, you know? Those kids had a lot of fun, and we helped out quite a few families in the process. Me and Caroline...we really appreciate you being Santa Claus for us. I know it's not really your thing…"
"Nah...no big deal." Shrugging off Booth's appreciation, Charlie blushed slightly. "I know you might not believe this, but I actually had a good time...a lot better than I thought I would. I mean, it was awkward when O'Bannon's kid peed all over me, but he was the last kid I had to talk to, and anyway, I'm not the guy responsible for cleaning the Santa suit." He pointed to the large shopping bag in the corner of his office. "I'm gonna leave that chore for Ms. Julian."
"Come on, that goes with the territory, right? I bet all Santas get peed on and thrown up on from time to time." Booth chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. "Well, my kids thought you were great. Christine is convinced that we had the real deal at the party, and she wants to know how I managed to get the genuine article there since he's so busy at this time of the year. I told her that her daddy has special connections, but I don't think she believes me. She's too much her mother's daughter to buy a load of shit like that." He scratched the back of his neck and laughed out loud. "Bones wants to know how we're gonna come up with a big black dog for Hank. She can be really literal, right? Anyway, I think we're gonna get him a toy dog instead…"
"That might be a good idea...that'd keep Santa Claus out of trouble, right? I don't want an angry Dr. Brennan hunting me down on Christmas Day, you know?" Charlie and Booth both laughed out loud. "Hey, wanna cup of coffee, Booth?"
"Nah, I gotta get back to work." Hesitating slightly as he rose from his chair, Booth studied his fingernails nonchalantly. "I just came by to see if you'd like to come to have Christmas dinner with me and Bones. We usually have a lot people over, so it won't be like you're in the way or anything, and we'll have plenty of food…"
"I don't know, Booth…" Embarrassed at the invitation, Charlie shook his head. "I mean, I don't want to be in the way…you don't have to do that."
"I know we don't have to, but we want to. Listen, we're not treating you like a charity case or anything, okay? I just think it'd be fun to see if the kids figure out you were Santa Claus at the party. Anyway, Caroline said she's gonna drop by sometime that afternoon and that usually means she's bringing pralines. She makes the best...God, they'll melt in your mouth." Booth gave Charlie a conspiratorial grin. "Besides, if we have extra company for Christmas dinner, Bones will let me cook a turkey, and I won't have to eat that tofurkey crap she tries to pass off for dinner if it's just us. That stuff is awful. Come on, Charlie...you don't really want me to have to suffer like that over the holidays, right? Do me a favor, and say you'll come over, okay?"
After thinking over Booth's request for a minute, Charlie nodded. "Yeah, what the hell. I guess I owe you a favor after you wrote me the glowing recommendation for the position of Special Agent in Charge of RICO. What time? What can I bring?"
"Come about two o'clock. You don't really need to bring anything…" Hearing Charlie's aggravated sigh, Booth quickly changed his tune. "Maybe some green bean casserole?"
"Sounds like a good idea. I'll call my mom and see how she makes it. Hers is really good. So about two?"
"Yeah. See you then." As Booth headed toward the door, he turned back to Charlie. "By the way, I didn't really have to write you a 'glowing recommendation' so you'd get this job. All I had to do was tell the truth to Director Hamilton...about how you always got the job done when we worked together, and about how reliable and resourceful you are in a pinch. You're a good agent, Charlie, and the Bureau is lucky to have a guy like you, okay? See ya later. Don't forget about Christmas Dinner...I'm counting on you, Buddy..."
"I'll be there. Talk to you later." Surprised by Booth's statement about the recommendation, Charlie watched as his friend walked through the bullpen. He knew Booth well enough to know that the man wasn't one to sugarcoat things, and he wasn't lavish with his praise unless he felt it was deserved. Booth thinks I'm a good agent? Wow…
Feeling energized by Booth's vote of confidence, Charlie accessed the agents' November expense accounts on his computer, but he soon found that he was having trouble concentrating. It had been years since he'd been invited to someone's house for Christmas dinner. When he and Ellen were together, they'd usually split a rotisserie chicken that they'd purchased from Priceco the day before, along with some containers of cold salads from the delicatessen. Because she was rather abrupt and somewhat taciturn, it had always been just the two of them at Christmas. Having a real Christmas dinner with all the trimmings was going to be a real treat. Of course, he realized that Booth was probably acting out of a sense of duty to his fellow agent, but that didn't matter. He was going to have a great meal with great friends, and he was planning on thoroughly enjoying himself, no matter why Booth had invited him.
His happy holiday thoughts were soon chased away when Charlie pulled up Agent Boren's expense report. "What the hell is this shit?", he muttered to himself as he saw the items listed on the report. "Son of a bitch...a bottle of champagne? Caviar?" He swore again as he ran through the second page. "Wait 'til I see her...she's gonna have some explaining to do…"
"Agent Burns?" A soft voice came from the door. "Do you have a minute?"
"What?! Oh...Agent Perotta." Charlie exhaled slowly, trying to keep his composure when he saw the pretty brunette standing there. "Of course! Please come in…"
"I hope I didn't come at a bad time…" Prentice cringed slightly as she cautiously entered Charlie's office. "You sounded annoyed."
"No, of course not...at least, I'm not annoyed with you." He glared at his computer screen. "It's just that some agents still don't understand how to correctly fill out an expense report." After logging off of his computer, he turned to his visitor. "What can I do for you? No new nephew yet, I guess…"
"No, not yet...any day now, though." She smiled shyly at the pleasant man sitting across from her. "I came by the Hoover today to check on transferring from the Minnesota office, and I thought it might be nice to stop by and say hello…"
Charlie bit his lip, hoping that Prentice wouldn't notice his nervous blush. "I'm glad you did. So what do you think? Are you going to move to the DC area?"
Laughing quietly, she shrugged. "Maybe. I guess it depends on whether or not I can put up with my parents' meddling in my life over the next couple of weeks. My mom has been on a crusade the last few years to get me married off…" Prentice paused, suddenly embarrassed as she continued. "Anyway, Peyton is going to be busy with her children for many years to come, so I may be the one who ends up taking care of my folks in their old age."
"Yeah, I get that. My brother, Greg, watches out for my parents in St. Paul. I mean, I help him anyway I can, but it's not the same as being there, I guess." Charlie sat back in his chair and gazed out his office window. "When I got my job in DC, straight out of Quantico, I wasn't planning to stay here forever, but I liked it, and then I got promoted to Special Agent in Charge, so it was like I was kind of established here, you know? I miss St. Paul, but my life is here now…"
"I completely understand." Prentice fidgeted nervously in her chair. "I love Minneapolis, and it would be hard to leave, but maybe now's the time to do it, while I'm single."
"I don't know. I've looked into positions in the field office there...it's a great town...so much to do..." Charlie shook his head as he smiled at Prentice. "But DC is great, too…"
She cleared her throat slightly before continuing. "I was wondering...if you have time...would you like to go get a cup of coffee with me? Maybe we could talk about the pros and cons of both places...if you'd like. I mean, I know you're busy, but it would be my treat…"
Glancing at his watch, Charlie hesitated for a few seconds. It was only 10:30...really too early to take a break...but he was the division's Special Agent in Charge, and it wasn't everyday that a beautiful woman asked to spend time with him, even if it was just for a cup of coffee. "Sure, why not?" He rose from his chair and grabbed his overcoat. "I know just the place, too…"
Oooooooooo
Twenty minutes later, Charlie and Prentice were sitting at a table in the brightly decorated Royal Diner, talking and laughing as Christmas music played softly in the background.
"No one believes there's really a Minnehaha Lake. I guess people think it must be imaginary with a name like that." Charlie stirred some sugar into his coffee. "Of course, we know things around here have normal names, like Potomac or Anacostia…"
"I know, right?" Prentice watched as some tiny snowflakes hit the diner's picture window. "So is there any place to go ice skating around here?"
"The National Gallery of Art has an ice rink in its sculpture garden, which is pretty nice. Hey, have you been down on the National Mall at night? It's beautiful, the way they've got it all lit up for the holidays."
"Not yet. I don't really know my way around the city very well, and Peyton's been too tired to take me anywhere." Prentice grinned shyly as she ran her fingers around the rim of her cup. "Do you know where I could find a tour guide? Someone who could show me the sights of DC?"
"Yeah, I think I know someone who'd be glad to volunteer...that is, if you don't mind hanging out with a regular guy." Shrugging as he sipped his coffee, Charlie grimaced slightly. "I'm not exactly Mr. Excitement...but I'd be glad to show you around town…"
"You know what, Charlie?" Prentice smiled at the sweet, gentle man sitting across the table from her. "I'll take Mr. Pleasant and Kind over Mr. Excitement any day." She stared at her cup, sighing softly. "It was impressive to see how well you dealt with all those little kids on Saturday...you were wonderful, and that kind of sweetness is so rare...I think I'd like to get to know a man with that kind of sweet natured personality...a man who thinks of others before himself. That kind of man is hard to find…and so it's good to hang on to one when you find him..."
"Prentice…", Charlie began softly, reaching out to take her hand, only to be interrupted by the chiming of her phone.
"Oh, Charlie...this is it." Prentice held up her phone for her companion to see. "Peyton's husband just sent me a text...she's in labor, and they're on the way to the hospital." She pulled a ten dollar bill out of her purse and put it under her cup. "I've got to run...I'll hail a cab." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll call you...I promise. Bye, Charlie…"
"Bye, Prentice. Merry Christmas." He waved to her as she raced to the diner's door.
She stopped and gave him a dazzling smile. "Merry Christmas, Charlie. I'll call you soon…"
Oooooooooo
The days flew by until it was late on Christmas Eve. Booth and Brennan's house was dark except for the lamp on the table by the living room sofa and the glow of the fireplace. Brennan came quietly into the room and curled up next to her husband, who put his arm around her.
"I think this is the best time of the holiday, Bones. The craziness is over, and everything's still and calm. We've been to Mass, and now the kids are tucked into their beds, fast asleep, and I'm sitting here with my beautiful wife...it's perfect."
"I find that I enjoy this part of the holiday as well, especially since I get to spend it with my wonderful husband." She smiled as she held out a wrapped package. "I have something for you…"
"But it's not Christmas yet.", Booth protested.
"Technically, it is, since it's after midnight." Brennan giggled softly as he pretended to grumble. "I want you to open this one now, when it's just the two of us. It's one of those 'what's ours is ours' moments. Please?" She batted her eyelashes at him. "Don't be a Grunch…"
"Grinch, Bones. Don't be a Grinch." He studied the package carefully. "Oh, okay. I guess it couldn't hurt." He pulled the paper away from the gift and looked at it in surprise. It was a wall calendar, and each month's picture was a different muscle car. "Um...thanks...I guess I'll hang this in the garage…"
"No, you need to hang this in your office, where you can see it every day. Look...I've numbered it especially for you…" She pointed out the small, neatly written numbers in the upper corners of the date boxes. "The numbers go in descending order until we get to here…" She opened the calendar to July. "...on this day, July 25." The date was circled with a red marker. She wore a silly expression as she showed her husband. "Do you know why this date is so important?"
Booth thought things over for a few seconds until he figured out what she was trying to tell him. A smile crept across his face as he turned to her. "Is that...is that the due date...for the baby? July 25...it'll be like Christmas in July!"
"Of course, that is an approximate date. As Dr. Tran says, 'babies come when they're ready', but mathematically, that's when the baby is due. I believe our child was conceived the night of the Halloween carnival at the children's school...remember?"
"Oh yeah...how could I forget? That was a great bath...even without the beer hat." He grinned happily as he rubbed her shoulders. "So number 4, huh...we're gonna have a houseful…." He thumbed through the calendar again, laughing as he came to July. "Thanks, Bones...Merry Christmas. I love you…" He gave her a tender kiss. "You're the best gift I ever got."
"I love you, too, Booth."
Oooooooooo
It was two o'clock on Christmas Day when Charlie rang the doorbell at Booth's house, balancing a casserole dish in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. He waited a few seconds, wondering if the sound had been heard over the din coming from inside the house. As he got ready to try again, Booth opened the door.
"Hey, there, Charlie! Sorry it took me so long...we've got a houseful. Here, let me take that…" Sniffing the wonderful aroma from the dish, the host grinned broadly. "Wow, this smells great."
"Thanks. My mom puts a little bit of parmesan cheese in with the green beans and mushroom soup so it won't be so bland…" Charlie hesitated as he heard familiar voices coming from the living room. "No way…"
"Yes, way. C'mon..." Booth led Charlie past Hodgins and into the living room. "I know all about your mom's green bean casserole. She's been telling Bones about it since she got here earlier this afternoon."
"Mom? Dad?" Charlie stood stunned as he saw his elderly parents seated with Brennan on the sofa. "And Greg? What are you guys doing here?"
Greg Burns laughed out loud as he slapped his brother on the back. "We came to celebrate Christmas with you, you lunkhead! Surprise!"
"But how…" Charlie turned to Booth, who was wearing a Cheshire cat smile. "You did this, didn't you?"
"Maybe...but it's no big deal. it didn't take too much effort to get your parents' phone number from personnel. Betty owed me a favor, since I scared the bejeezus out of her teenager after he came home drunk a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, I called your parents to see if they wanted to come, and then we got some room reservations for them over at the Hyatt…"
An excited Mrs. Burns interrupted Booth. "It's a lovely room, Charlie...it's got a little sitting room, with a bedroom on either side...one for Greg, and one for Dad and me. It's accessible for disabled folks, too, so it's comfortable for both of us…"
Mr. Burns nodded. "Yeah, I like it. Maybe next time we come to visit, you can get us a room there."
"I hope so, Charlie.", his mother agreed. "It really wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, flying out here like we did. Greg got us some plane tickets for Christmas, and here we are. Are you surprised?"
"Well...yeah! And I'm glad to see you, but why now? I mean, I've asked you guys to come for Christmas in the past, and you never wanted to…"
His mother wore a sheepish smirk as she explained. "It's kind of awkward, I guess...you see, your dad and I...we never did like Ellen, but we didn't want to come between the two of you if you were happy with her, so we decided to mind our own business...and then last year, your dad had to have his knee replaced, but this year, things worked out, and here we are!"
"This is so great, having you all here...thanks, Mom and Dad...and thanks, Booth…" Charlie was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.
"I'll get it." Brennan walked briskly to the front door as Charlie conversed with his parents. "Agent Burns, it looks like you have another visitor…"
"Prentice?" Charlie was dumbfounded as the agent walked in. "I thought you'd be having Christmas with your family…"
"Peyton and Jim took the kids over to his parents' house this afternoon, so Agent Booth invited me for Christmas dinner. That was nice of him, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, very nice." Charlie smiled happily at his friend. "Booth's a great guy…"
Booth laughed out loud. "Yeah, I am, and don't you forget it. Okay, everybody, let's get ready to eat. Gather round here..."
The large group of people present gathered around the counter to serve themselves buffet style, laughing and talking among themselves as only an extended family can. Prentice stood with Charlie as they watched the happy interactions between the friends as they filled their plates.
"It must be wonderful to have good friends like these, Charlie.", she said softly. "I can see why you'd want to stay here in DC."
"I know. They're a great bunch of people." He quickly ran his knuckle under his eye. "You know, this is the best Christmas I've had in years."
"I'm glad." Prentice nodded as she spooned some green beans onto her plate. "I think you deserve it." She held up her wine glass and offered him a toast.
"Merry Christmas, Charlie Burns!"
For right now, this is the end of the story, although the possibility exists that there might be an epilogue after Christmas. Stay tuned to find out. I hope you all enjoy whatever holiday you celebrate, and that your New Year brings you many blessings. Laura