It's been nearly eight weeks since the accident and Parker's sitting up in bed, watching Saturday morning cartoons with Christine squished beside him, tucked under his arm, her head resting against his chest.

Brennan walks into the room and hands them both juice boxes, pink lemonade for Christine and fruit punch for Parker. Dr. Brooks said juice boxes would help with Parker's hand-eye-coordination and help strengthen his muscles.

Parker takes the juice box and pulls off the straw on the back. He attempts to fit the straw into the tiny hole, but fails, his muscles too weak, his energy too low. His hand shakes as he jabs the plastic straw at the cardboard, missing the hole by half an inch. He grunts and throws the juice box at the wall, leaning back in defeat.

Booth sighs. "It's okay, bub. Bones will get you another one."

Parker shakes his head. "Just forget it."

Christine hands him her juice box. "You can have mine, Parky."

Brennan looks up from cleaning up the mess and smiles.

Parker just shakes his head again. "It's yours, Teeny. You drink it."

"Parky, are you super-duper positive? 'Cause you can have it. Really, you can."

Parker nods. "I'm positive." He pauses and mutters under his breath. "Juice boxes are for babies." He sighs and turns his attention to the TV hanging up in the corner.

Christine looks at Brennan. "Mommy, I need help, please," she says, holding up the juice box in one hand and the pesky little straw in the other.

Seeing that Brennan was busy, Booth takes the aforementioned items from his daughter and stabs the straw into the little hole, bending it. He smiles and hands the yellow box back to her.

Christine takes a sip, smiling against the straw. "Thank you, daddy."

"You're welcome, princess." Booth looks over at his son, sighing at the sight of unshed tears pooling into his lower lid. "Parker, buddy?"

Parker clears his throat and closes his eyes, his hand clenched around the sheet.

Booth looks at Brennan. "Bones." He motions with his eyes towards Christine and then looks at the door.

Brennan has to pause a minute, to try and figure out what he's saying. Since she and Booth have been together, she's gotten good at deciphering his subtle instructions, but she's still working on it. She nods finally, understanding, and looks at their daughter. "Christine, Honey, let's go for a walk."

Christine stops sipping her juice and looks at Brennan. "Why, mommy? It's a good part," she says, pointing to the TV screen.

"Come on. Daddy needs to be alone with Parker."

Booth hangs his head. Well, so much for subtlety, Bones.

Brennan looks at him. She shrugs and twists her mouth. "Sorry," she mouths. "Come on, Honey."

Christine climbs off the bed and runs over to her mother. She grabs Brennan's hand and weaves her fingers through her mother's. She continues to sip her juice while they exit the room and head down the hallway, giving Booth and Parker some time alone.

Booth slips his hand under the sheet and places his hand on top of his son's hand. He skims his thumb over top IV tubes and sighs. "Bub."

Parker slowly turns his head and meets his dad's gaze. He blinks and sighs. "I can't do anything," he mutters.

"I know it's frustrating. Bones and I know what it's like to recover from brain trauma, so we really do get what you're going through, but that's no excuse for the things you've been doing. You can't do things like you used to, not yet, and it's annoying and unfair and it sucks, but you can't just lash out and throw stuff like that. We're here. It's okay to ask for help." Booth pauses. "You're gonna get stronger, buddy. I have no doubts. It's gonna take time, though. Your body's healing and so is your brain. It's gonna take a while before everything's in sync again."

"What if I'm never normal again, dad? What if I can't throw a football like I used to or swing a bat or put a damn straw into a juice box?"

"Those damn straws are always tricky, Parks," Booth jokes, attempting to lighten to mood. It doesn't work, so he continues. "I don't know. Bones doesn't like what ifs. She says they cause unnecessary stress and no one can possibly know something that hasn't happened yet. I have to agree with her on this one. We'll worry about all that if it happens, but just know that no matter what, Bones and I will love you just as we always have. We'll always be here." Booth smiles.

Christine comes running into the room, followed by an exasperated Brennan. The latter stops in the doorway and looks over at Booth, tilting her head slightly. "I kept her occupied as long as I could. Are you finished talking to Parker?"

Booth nods and shifts, sitting back in the chair.

Christine goes to climb up onto Parker's bed again, but her father holds her back. "Let your brother rest, princess."

"I won't talk. I won't move, daddy. I'll sit really, really still and watch TV."

Booth turns the decision over to Parker, who just nods in response. "Alright, baby. Climb up there, but be careful."

Christine smiles and gets up onto the bed. She curls up beside her big brother, nuzzling into his side, her head falling against his chest again. She focuses on the TV and clutches his hospital gown, scooting as close to him as she can get.

Brennan smiles.

"I'm sorry," Parker whispers to Brennan. "For the juice box."

"It's okay. I understand that it can be frustrating at times." Brennan drops a kiss on the top of his head and walks over to Booth, sitting down on the arm of the chair. She runs her fingers through her partner's hair as she gets drawn into the cartoon displayed on the TV.

Booth surprises her by pulling her onto his lap. He wraps his arms around her and brushes his lips against her neck, just below her ear.

She twists her body towards the TV, hooking her arm around his neck and leaning against him. She flashes him a smile, giving him one last longing look before focusing on the show again.

Booth smiles and keeps his eyes on her long after she looks away.

She lets out a soft, innocent giggle and shifts in his lap.

Booth blinks slowly and adjusts his arms around her. He leans back against the chair and presses his lips against her head, kissing her hair. "I love you," he whispers in her ear.

She swats at him. "Shhh. This is my favorite part."

Booth just laughs and tries to focus on the TV, but he can't. His eyes always manage to creep back to Brennan or bounce to Parker and Christine cuddling in the hasn't been the greatest day, but this moment makes up for all the tears and frustrations that preceded it and that are sure to follow it.