I definitely don't own Bones.

Oooooooooooooooo

Grateful that the walkway was clear, Cam and Michelle walked quickly from the driveway to the well lit house. Climbing the steps, Cam looked at the decorations on the porch and in the yard. "I see the Christmas King went all out this year."

Amused, Michelle examined the colorful lights hanging from the porch. "I think it's pretty."

Her hand raised to knock on the door, Cam remarked, "And it's a lot of work."

Nodding her head, Michelle agreed. "Yeah, we didn't really have time to decorate this year so I'm happy Booth did. At least someone in the family celebrates Christmas the right way."

Cam had no sooner lowered her arm after knocking on the door when the door swung open. One of his favorite relatives at the door, Parker threw his arms around her waist. "Aunt Cam." Hugging her, he released her and waved at Michelle. "Hey Michelle."

With a twinkle in her eyes, Michelle pulled the boy into her embrace. "Hey Parker, what no hug for your cousin?"

Hugging her, Parker smiled at her. "I didn't know if you wanted me to."

Her arms squeezing him tight, Michelle laughed. "Are you kidding? Of course I do."

Rolling her eyes, Cam entered the house and pulled on Michelle's arm. "Uncle Booth will have a cow if you let all the heat out of his house."

Michelle giggled and released Parker. "You're right." Following her mother into the house, the young woman pushed Parker in front of her into the living room. "Come on Parker let's get inside before your Dad starts yelling and asking if we were born in a barn."

Stepping out of the kitchen, Booth scowled. "Hey, I heard that."

Her hands on Parker's shoulders, Michelle cheerfully teased him. "Oops, I don't think you were supposed to hear that."

Shaking his head, Booth pointed at Parker. "Take their coats in to the guest room for me, Buddy."

After shedding her coat, Cam handed it to Parker along with her purse, walked over to the Christmas tree and studied the decorations. "Very nice, Booth."

Proud of his tree, Booth grinned. "Yeah, I outdid myself this year . . . Hey, Bones is upstairs, but she'll be right down. I'm fooling around in the kitchen with dinner. You can watch TV if you want to or just hang out with me and Pops in the kitchen."

Following him into the kitchen, Michelle and Cam appreciated the delicious smells coming from the oven. Explaining, Booth opened the oven door and peeked at his chicken. "We're having baked chicken, baked sweet potatoes, green beans and salad. Our big meal is tomorrow at lunch. We're going to have a ham and Bones has some vegetarian things she wants to do. If you'd like to come back for lunch you're more than welcome. We'll have plenty."

Her arm around Cam, Michelle gave her mother her best puppy dog eyes. "That sounds great Uncle Booth. Doesn't it Cam? It sure beats the meatloaf you planned to cook for us."

"Hey, I worked all day." Annoyed Cam responded, "I haven't really had time to make plans to cook a big meal and besides it's just the two of us."

Not giving up, Michelle pleaded with her. "Please Cam. I think it would be fun to have Christmas lunch with Uncle Booth and Aunt Tempe." Leaning closer, she could whispered. "And I know you really don't want to cook anyway."

Realizing that her daughter was right, Cam turned to smile at Booth. "What time should we be here?"

His back towards them now, Booth stirred his green beans. "I'd say one would be good."

Refreshed, Brennan entered the kitchen and greeted her guests. "Hello . . . sorry I was upstairs when you arrived."

Rushing across the room, Michelle hugged Brennan. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner. It smells so good."

Feeling a little awkward, Brennan patted the young woman's back. "You're always welcome to come over anytime you wish, Michelle."

Pleased to hear that, Michelle released Brennan and grinned. "Thank you. Is there anything I can help with?"

With a shake of her head, Brennan replied cheerfully. "No, of course not. We'll be serving dinner in about thirty minutes."

Sniffing the air, Parker rubbed his stomach. "Oh boy, I can't wait. I'm so hungry."

Hank, sitting at the kitchen table sipping some coffee, shook his head. "When are you ever full? I sure haven't seen it yet and I'm starting to worry about you."

A blush on his cheeks, Parker protested. "Hey that's not fair. Dad eats a lot more than me."

Shaking his head, Hank assured him. "I don't think so."

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dinner eaten, the dishes in the dishwasher, everyone gathered in the living room where Booth happily pointed at the tree. "So as part of our family tradition, Parker gets to open one present tonight. Normally I torture him by picking the present for him, but . . . well, Bones talked me into letting him pick his own present this year." Excited, Booth stepped away from the tree. "Okay pick well."

His excitement bubbling over, Parker jumped up from the couch, ran over to the tree, knelt on the floor and started examining presents.

Leaning over his son, Booth laughed. "While you're down there, look for Cam's and Michelle's present." Pointing to the right of the tree, Booth gave him a hint. "You might want to look over there."

Michelle walked over to the front door and opened it. "I'll be right back. We have presents in the car for you guys." Watching her leave the house, Cam smiled. "Michelle loves Christmas. I let her buy your presents, so I hope they're appropriate. She wanted the responsibility and I let her." Sighing, Cam looked wistfully at Parker. "They grow up so fast."

Her hand rubbing her stomach, Brennan listened as Cam waxed nostalgic about Michelle's childhood and how she'd missed most of it. Sadly, Brennan was reminded of her own lonely teen years and hoped that her child would have the childhood she didn't. Glancing at Booth, her worry subsided as she smiled at his childlike enthusiasms and knew that their child would be loved and protected.

Whooping, Parker grabbed a wrapped gift and handed it to his father. "I found Aunt Cam's present." Searching further, he snatched another box and handed it too Booth. "Found Michelle's too. Now I'm going to pick my present."

Amused at his son's antics, Booth carried the two boxes over to where Cam sat. "Here you go. I hope you and Michelle like them."

Taking the two small boxes, Cam shook each one. "Well I'm stumped."

Cold to the bone, Michelle hurred back into the house and called out. "I should have worn my coat. It's snowing again and I mean it is really coming down hard."

Concerned, Brennan stood up from her chair and walked over to the front door. Peering out, she saw huge swirling flakes piling up on the walkway and the lawn below the porch. Closing the door, Brennan turned to face Cam. "You may need to stay the night. I think the conditions are getting too dangerous to drive in."

Hurrying over to the door, Cam opened it, looked outside for a full minute and closed the door. "Well that's not right. The meteorologist said that the snow was going to hit Maryland not us."

Amused that anyone would believe a weatherman, Booth shrugged his shoulders. "You don't believe those guys do you? . . . Well it's not really a problem. Parker can sleep on the couch in the living room and Cam can take his room. Michelle can sleep downstairs on the couch in my man cave." Turning towards Michelle he smiled. "Don't worry, that couch is really comfortable. Bones wanted to make sure it would have proper lumbar support and believe me it does."

His offer touching to her, Cam smiled. "I don't think that will be necessary, Booth. We can leave right now and it should be okay."

The lights suddenly going out, Parker exclaimed, "Oh boy, the electricity went out."

Cautious, Hank remained in his chair in the mostly dark room. "Ha, wait for it Parker."

Puzzled, Parker opened his mouth to ask what his great grandfather meant when the lights came back on. Laughing at Parker's disappointment, Hank explained. "Your father had a generator put in right after he and Temperance moved in to this house. It comes on sixty seconds after the house loses power."

Pleased at their forethought, Brennan once again rubbed her stomach. "Booth and I wanted to make sure we wouldn't have to suffer during heat waves or blizzards. Your father also wanted to make sure we were prepared for the Zombie apocalypse."

Guffawing, Booth walked over to the window and flipped the curtain back. "We're the only one with lights on . . . I was kidding about the Zombie apocalypse Bones. Everyone knows that when that happens you won't want any noise around you, it will draw the undead like bees to nectar."

Unable to prevent it, Cam threw her head back and laughed heartily. "You've been watching too many TV shows Booth."

Unconcerned, Booth walked over to where Brennan was standing and placed his arm around her shoulders. "Maybe and maybe not . . . Parker find your present and open it. Cam you and Michelle open your presents. Let's not let a little bad weather screw up our fun."

After she handed Booth and Brennan their presents, Michelle walked over to where Hank was sitting and gave him a festively wrapped box. "Merry Christmas, Pops."

Surprised, Hank took the present. "Now you shouldn't have done that, Sweetheart. I don't have a present for you."

Unconcerned, Michelle smiled. "That's alright." Handing the remaining box to Parker, Michelle walked over to where Cam sat and took the box that was handed to her. "Let the mayhem begin." Tearing off the paper, Michelle's eye grew big. "Oh my goodness." Holding up a sterling silver necklace with a delicate Maple Leaf pendant dangling from it, the young woman smiled. "It's so pretty. Thank you."

Pleased that Michelle liked it, Brennan explained, "I bought it while I was in Canada. They had a very nice jewelry store in the small town I was staying in and I bought one of those for you, Cam and Angela."

Tearing the paper off his present he'd picked from under the tree, Parker shouted. "Oh boy . . . a Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Jacket."

Disgusted, Booth glared at Brennan. "A what? You have to be kidding me."

Laughing at her husband's indignant reaction, Brennan explained his present. "I bought it while I was in Canada. It seemed appropriate at the time."

Not amused, Booth rolled his eyes. "Well, I hope you didn't buy me one of those."

Hank shook his head and laughed at his grandson. "It's the thought that counts, Seeley."

Lifting her chin, Brennan assured him, "I know you, Booth. Of course, I didn't buy one for you."

Relieved, Booth exhaled deeply. "Good . . . thank you."

Her gaze flicking back and forth between Booth and Brennan, Michelle shook her head. "I don't think I've ever heard someone thank someone else for not giving them a present."

Opening his gift from Michelle, Hank smiled. "You get used to things like that around here. Thank you for the shaver, Michelle. I needed a new one."

Oooooooooooooooooo

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