A/N This chapter is courtesy of alexindigo, who wanted to see more B&B alone time-without focusing mainly on work or Booth's mom. I can't promise Booth's mom won't be mentioned, or there will be a lot of chapters like this (since my main focus is Booth working on the relationship with his mom), but I think of this as sort of a "decompression" chapter. Booth (and I) could use a nice, relatively angst-free chapter with not a lot of stress after the heavy duty discussions from the previous chapters.

And as always-have nothing to do with the show Bones-don't own it, write for it-anything.

"Bones!" I called out. "Chop, chop. Christine and I would like to head to the park today.'

Bones came down the stairs, shaking her head at me. "Really, Booth. It is hardly that late-we have plenty of time to spend the day at the park."

I shrugged. "What can I say? I just really want to spend some time with my favorite girls." Bones opened her mouth, and I placed my fingers on her lips. "Figure of speech, there. I know you're not a girl. I know because you've told me that-more times than I can count." I looked down at my daughter in my arms. "Tell Mommy, Christine, that I know she's not actually a girl."

Bones chuckled. "Booth."

I looked up. "What? I could use all the support I can get sometimes." I smiled at Bones as she rolled her eyes. "So we have everything?"

"Yes, Booth. Everything Christine needs is in her bag, and we have all the items for the picnic you wanted."

"Great." I crooked my arm. "So let's head out, shall we?"

Bones laughed. "Yes, let's."

We were all seated on a blanket under a large tree. We'd spent the last couple of hours with Christine in the play area-Christine seemed to have a fascination with the slide, so Bones and I had taken numerous turns with her. Right now she was contentedly munching an apple slice, stopping every once in a while to grab at the food that Bones and I were eating.

"I'm glad we did this, Bones. I really needed a day like this. Not worrying about much-except that Christine wants to eat my lunch for me." I said this as I grabbed the little hand reaching for my sandwich.

"Well, obviously she inherited your appetite, Booth. But I know what you mean about needing a day like this. You have been under a great deal of stress recently. This is good for you-for all of us."

I sighed. "I've stressed everyone around me out, haven't I? Especially you."

"No, Booth." I raised my eyebrows at her. She sighed. "We are concerned, that's all. Your friends and family know you, we know what kind of man you are-and we know how much you very often take things to heart. And given how you feel about family, I knew this was a situation that would be difficult for you. All I wanted-what we wanted-was to help you and make it easier, if possible. I would not have said that you stressed us out, as you put it."

I reached around Christine and took Bones' hand. "And everyone's been great. I appreciate it-trying to make it easier, or at least let me bend an ear if I need it. I just-I feel kind of like I'm burdening people with this."

Bones shook her head. "The burden is not letting us help you Booth. Because then we have to watch you go through this alone. And I hate that-so does everyone else who cares about you." She broke off as Christine, who had finished her apple, yanked on Bones' necklace.

"The thing for necklaces, she gets that from you, Bones. Just saying."

Bones had pulled Christine into her lap. "Yes, I suppose she does." She bent her head down to Christine, who looked up and moved her hand from the necklace to Bones' nose. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and snapped a picture. Bones glanced up at the quiet 'click'.

"What?" I responded to her look. "It's a great picture-check it out." I turned the screen to face her, and Bones looked at it and smiled.

"You're right. It is. But now she should have one with her father." She handed Christine to me and pulled out her own phone. Holding it up, she took her own picture of the two of us. She looked at it, then turned it towards me. "You're an excellent father, Booth."

I glanced at her, startled.

"I know you worry about that. I have no doubt that some of these conversations have made you worry about that even more. But look at our daughter, Booth. She is the best of both of us. She is happy and healthy and she knows both of her parents love her. Look at these pictures-and remember this. Remember today-and every day we play with her. Whatever sort of legacy of fear and abandonment your parents had, it ends with you. You are not either of your parents." She stopped and we both looked down as Christine laughed and reached up for my face. I kissed her on the nose, then reached to pull Bones next to me. She came and settled her head on my shoulder. I suddenly felt more peaceful than I had in a while.

"Thanks, Bones."

She tilted her head up slightly. "For?"

"For reminding me of what I have-and making me appreciate it all the more."

She smiled and put her head back down. "I love you, Booth. I love our daughter and I love the life we have together."

And all I could do was hold the woman I loved and my daughter-and smile like crazy.

Shorter chapter this time. (Who knew-I can actually write shorter chapters!)

A lighter tone for this chapter-this is sort of Booth recharging his batteries, so to speak, before digging into how he feels about what his mom said. I figured the poor man deserves a break-and so does Brennan who is going through this with him.

Once again-for anyone who has read, followed or reviewed this story -it's very much appreciated. You guys have been great.