She came back to wakefulness slowly. Keeping her eyes closed she took in her surroundings as best she could. She was in her own bed, it was dark, it felt warm and comfortable between the sheets in her own bedroom. She reached across the king size bed and felt the sheets, she was alone and the sheets were cold. A grin crossed her face as she decided today would be a good day to play the new game she had recently invented. It was a simple game, as all the very best games were, the object of the game was to lie-in. The concept of the lie-in was something that she had only recently become aware of. All of her life she had been the sort of person who was up and out, busy from the very moment they awoke. Nowadays with less pressure on her time she had come to appreciate the little cherished moments that she had never really experienced before, hence the lie-in. She snuggled down further into her bed savouring the warm, cosy feeling. Lazily she reached across the bed, grabbed the pillow and brought it to her chest. She buried her face into the folds of the pillow and breathed deeply. It never failed to surprise her, how even after all these years, just the aroma of him on the pillow, the smell of him, the very essence that was….him, still caused the release of those powerful chemicals into her system that had always attracted her to him.

She heard the faintest of sounds, a door opened and after a short pause, closed again. All of her senses were heightened, except her sight, because she was still playing her new game. There were few rules to this new game, only one in fact, when you opened your eyes the game was over, until at least tomorrow. She heard the faint double click as, she assumed, two mugs were placed on the bedside table. Coffee, she was definitely picking up the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. She took another deep breath from the pillow still clutched tightly to her chest.

"Wakey, wakey, Bones. Rise and shine!" Booth chimed.

"Booth, go away! I need ten more minutes then I'll get up." Brennan groaned.

"Times-a-wasting, Bones. It's Christmas day, you can't just lie there on Christmas day. You have to get up. It's almost the law! Bones, there's no lying in bed on Christmas morning, you don't want to get arrested do you?" Booth chirped.

"Five more minutes Booth, please. Just give me five more minutes." Brennan pleaded.

She felt the mattress on her side of the bed deflect as he sat beside her. Then she felt a gentle kiss on her forehead. In that moment she realised her game of lie-in was over for the day. She opened her eyes to see the face of her husband just inches from her own. She reached up and kissed him.

"I have coffee, Bones." He grinned. "It's hot and fresh-brewed, just how you like it."

"No Booth, that's not how I prefer my coffee today. This morning I prefer my coffee later, about half an hour later." Brennan countered.

"Come on Bones, it's Christmas morning, you can't just lounge about between the sheets. You have to get up. We have to check to make sure Santa's been. I'm excited!"

"Booth sometimes you can be such a child. Every Christmas it's the same. I'm sure you have always been more excited than either Christine or Hank on Christmas morning. He's not real Booth, you do know that don't you?" Brennan argued.

"Bones, why do you always have to be such a killjoy? Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year, you know that."

"Booth, it's just the two of us this year. No children, just us two on our own in this big old house. I fail to see the need to get up so early. Can't we just have a little more time in bed. Then I'll get up, honest. I fail to see the reason for you being up at such and unearthly hour Booth."

"Lots to do Bones, it's Christmas day! Plus, there's all those presents under the tree. Those babies aren't going to unwrap themselves Bones."

"Booth I wouldn't get excited about those presents if I were you."

"Why not Bones? Presents are something to always get excited about."

"No. Not those presents, Booth. You will be very disappointed with those presents. Those are not your presents, they are just some boxes I wrapped in festive wrapping paper and put under the tree. I knew that you would ransack the house looking for your presents like a child unless I gave you something to shake and weigh and ponder about. Your real presents are hidden in various places around the house and you can have them later." Brennan chuckled.

"Bones! I can't believe you did that!" Booth was aghast.

"Well, there might be one present I can let you have now, if you like." Brennan offered.

"Gimme, gimme, gimme, Bones. Where is it?" Booth was eager all of a sudden.

"Well, it's not that sort of a present." She said her arms snaked up around his neck and brought his face down towards hers then kissed him sensuously on the lips. "It's not the type of present that you can unwrap. It's a special present." She kissed him again. "Would you like your present Booth?"

"Come on Bones, you know I want my present!" Booth was becoming frustrated, there was a present out there with his name on it and he wanted it, right now!

She once more reached up and kissed him. "This present is very special Booth." Kiss. "It's an experiment." Kiss. "It's a very special experiment." Kiss. "As a scientist, I find all experiments special, but this is one of the classics and one of my own personal favourites." Kiss.

"I don't know Bones. I remember the experiments Zac and The Bug Boy used to conduct in the lab. Those were always noisy and messy and one or both of them usually got into trouble." Booth frowned, worried about what was about to happen.

"You are quite correct Booth, there is a possibility that this could get messy, but I promise there is no longer any chance of me getting in trouble." Brennan smirked then gave him another slow sensuous kiss.

"OK Bones, what is this experiment? What happens and when do we start it?" Booth asked as he stared into her eyes. Truthfully, he was beginning to lose interest in her experiment, his mind as now on other things.

"The purpose of our experiment is to study the reaction that takes place under certain circumstances and certain conditions." Kiss. "The experiment is a classic, one that scientists have been conducting for many years. The experiment is to find out what happens when an irresistible force meets an immoveable object." Kiss. "For the purposes of this experiment I shall represent the irresistible force, because you have told me before that you find me irresistible. You, you have always been my rock, my anchor, you will portray the part of the immovable object." Kiss.

"OK Bones. When do we start this experiment?"

"Who knows Booth? How do you know that it hasn't already started?" Kiss.

This time as she kissed him she rolled towards the centre of the bed. Booth not wanting to break the kiss rolled with her and they both ended up in the middle of the bed face to face with their lips still joined. From there things got a little more heated. Booth had definitely forgotten about all things scientific, there was only one thing on his mind now, as his hands started to wander and he rolled on top of his wife. Brennan smiled as she ran her finger nails down from his scapula towards his gluteus maximus, admiring his physique.

A good while later we find a showered, shaved and dressed Booth in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He was having bacon and eggs, the oatmeal with some chopped fruit was for her, French toast to share and two glasses of orange juice. He was just pouring their coffee when Brennan, dressed in her kimono, entered the kitchen. Brennan crossed to Booth, stretched up and kissed him before sitting down sipping her coffee and taking a spoonful of oatmeal.

"You're looking a bit down, there Bones. Is everything OK? Come on, cheer up. It's Christmas." Booth asked frowning and sensing something not quite right with her.

"I'm fine Booth. I just find myself reflecting how things change over time. When I was a small girl I used to look forward to Christmas, the lights, the presents, the excitement. Then my mom and Max left and Russ followed a few days later. I got swallowed up by the Social Services department and ended up in the foster system and had no wish at all to celebrate Christmas. That went on for years and years, whenever Christmas came around I'd be locked away in my room studying or in later years I'd arrange to go to some remote destination on an anthropological dig. Then you came into my life, you and Parker started to make me see Christmas how I used to. Over the years I began to love Christmas once more you and Parker and the squint squad did that for me and I thank you for that. Then Christine and Hank came along and Christmas became family time once more. I began to really love my Christmas's, Booth you did that for me."

"It was my pleasure Bones, no one should be alone at Christmas and Christmas should always be a happy time."

"These last twenty-odd years have been exactly that Booth. Happy times spent with family and friends. Our house has been full of hustle and bustle and noise and joy and love for so many years. Now I find it a little sad that it's just the two of us today. We're all alone in our house that has seen so many memorable Christmas moments Booth. I accept that time moves on and children fly the nest but I still find it sad." Brennan said staring off at nothing in particular with glazed eyes.

"Well about that Bones." Booth said in a voice only just above a whisper.

"What Booth? What have you done? I recognise that tone. You've done something, tell me tell me now." Brennan said becoming concerned about what Booth could possibly have done.

"What? Wait! Whoa Bones! Who said I did anything?" Booth said feigning surprise.

"Booth your tone betrays you, I know that look and that tone, you, Seeley Joseph Booth, you are up to no good. Now put your playing cards on the desk." Brennan was now irritated at Booth.

"It's cards on the table, Bones. You put your cards on the table." Booth replied.

"That's what I said. Now, tell me what you've done Booth. It will go better for you if you confess now!" Brennan scowled at him.

"OK Bones! OK. Well I might have…erm accidently sort of…. erm asked Angela and Hodgins over for Christmas lunch with us…..sorry." Booth didn't know how this news would be received and was preparing for the worst.

Brennan got up and came around the kitchen island and stood in front of him. She poked him forcefully in his chest with her index finger.

"That, Booth is why you're so lucky to have me. I make such wonderful decisions." She stretched up and kissed him on the lips and smiled.

"What? Wait! Whoa! I thought I asked Angela over, how come you're taking the credit? How does that work Bones?" Booth was confused.

"Do you remember all those years ago, I chose to agree to a relationship with you?" Brennan asked, when Booth nodded she continued. "Well, without my decision all those years ago you wouldn't have had the opportunity to make this decision now. It's simple!" Brennan beamed at him as he looked puzzled.

"So, you're OK with me inviting Angela and Hodgins over?" Booth asked.

"Yes of course. Although thinking about it, I find I am more than a little annoyed that you allowed us to linger in bed so long this morning. Now I'll be rushing around making sure things are ready for when they arrive." Brennan's mind was already busy planning her workload.

"No need Bones. I've got everything under control. Today I will be playing the part of Booth the world renowned chef. Everything is in hand Bones. I've got this." Booth grinned.

"No Booth no, that is not happening! I am not going to be your scullery maid, washing pots and pans whilst you are cooking lunch." Brennan shook her head.

"You've got it all wrong Bones. Do I have a job for you: Yes! Is it washing pots and pans? No! I have a special job for you. What I need is for you to play the role of 'front of house' manager. Can you do that Bones?" Booth challenged.

"What would I have to do Booth?"

"Easy! It's your job to receive our guests when they arrive. You then have to provide drinks for them and ensure that there is entertaining and convivial conversation. Also you control then seating arrangements and the laying out of the place settings. Can you do that Bones?"

"I think I might be able to manage that Booth. Now, you go and tend to your vegetables whilst I go shower and get dressed." She kissed him again before heading for the stairs.

Two hours later we find Brennan sat on the couch studying her latest copy of 'Anthropology Today' when the she heard the doorbell ring. She crossed to the front door and opened it to find Angela, her husband, Jack Hodgins and their younger son, Jeffery.

"Sweetie, merry Christmas!" Angela chimed and stepping forward hugged her best friend and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Ange. Come in, come in." Brennan said stepping back to allow entry. Angela immediately took off the coat, handing it to Brennan, kicked off her shoes and went into the living room and sat on the couch, leaving the others to their greetings.

"Welcome and merry Christmas, Hodgins." Brennan said leaning over his wheel chair to give him a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Doctor B." Hodgins replied.

"Merry Christmas, Jeffery. I've not seen you for quite a while. You'll be off to college before long, won't you?"

"Yes, not long now, aunt T." Jeffery replied taking the large sack from the handles of his father's wheel chair.

"Booth's in the kitchen if you boys want to go and say hello." Brennan said as she shepherded the pair into the living room. Jeffery went over to the tree and emptied presents out of the sack onto the floor beneath the tree. The pair then disappeared into the kitchen.

"Ange, what can I get you to drink? Do you want your usual small bucket of white wine?"

"Sweetie, you know me so well." Angela said chuckling.

Brennan returned with two glasses of wine and handed one to Angela who was sat on the couch with her feet curled beneath her.

"Angela, how long have you known about this lunch? When did Booth invite you?" Brennan asked her friend.

"Oh! Sorry about that Bren, but Booth did ask me to keep it quiet. I had to keep it a secret for the last couple of weeks, you have no idea just how hard that was for me! I mean, me and secrets? It just doesn't happen, but I think I carried it off quite well, don't you?" Angela confessed.

Brennan nodded in response before taking a sip of wine and joining her best friend on the couch.

"Personally speaking, I think that husband of yours only invited us here because he is getting a little paranoid in his old age." Angela said.

"How so?" Brennan asked, confused.

"Well, do you remember, Christine told us all a few weeks ago that she thought the time had come for her to start making her own Christmas memories and was going to be spending this Christmas with her family. I think Booth suspected that she was going to spend Christmas with us this year, so he planned this lunch to ruin any plans we might have. Christine never planned to spend Christmas with us, just in case you were worried." Angela explained.

In the kitchen Booth greeted the newcomers.

"Bug boy, merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you too, Jeffery. Before we go any further I need to run through the rules and regulations for today, a bit like the airline stewardesses do. So folks, welcome to chez Booth, today will be self-service when it comes to drinks. You can find beer, wine, soda and water in the fridge over here." Booth said and needlessly pointed at the massive fridge. "The early game is now showing on the TV over there for your entertainment. In the unlikely event of fire breaking out you should make your way out of the house using the doors which have door handles in order to assist you." Booth grinned. "OK? Get your dad a beer Jeffery, I'll have one too and whatever you want."

Back in the living room, Brennan and Angela were chatting away when the doorbell rang. Brennan looked at Angela and frowned before crossing to the door and opening it.

"Mommy! Hi. Is it alright if I come in?" A heavily pregnant Christine stood on the doorstep. "I've run away from home and I need a place to stay, if that's OK?" Christine shed her coat before Brennan had the chance to speak.

"What's the matter, Christine? What has happened?" Brennan asked concerned, she hadn't been called 'mommy' by Christine since her sixth birthday.

"It was horrible! He is being terrible to me. You have no idea just how horrible that man has been. So I've decided to run away and here I am, mommy, I've come home." Christine said. It was then that she noticed Christine's husband coming up the drive pushing their tandem stroller with a sack of presents hanging from the handles.

"Christine, if you have, as you say, run away from home, can I ask why your husband is here with you?" Brennan was confused.

"Oh! That's easy. I'm seven and a half months pregnant and I have a pair of one year old daughters to take care of. I told him that I shouldn't be driving in my condition, so after I loaded the girls into the car I told him he would have to drive me here." Christine, ever the actress, explained in a matter-of-fact voice, before kicking off her shoes and heading to the living room. Leaving Brennan to hang up her daughter's coat and put her shoes away.

As Christine entered the living room she was greeted by Angela shrieking 'Sweetie' as the door swung shut.

"Michael Vincent what's happening?" Brennan was worried by this turn of events and in need of an explanation. She hugged him and waited for a response.

"Sorry aunt T, I have no idea. Things were fine this morning, or so I thought, were planning to have a nice family Christmas at home, just the two of us with the twins. Then all this kicked off, out of the blue, Chrissy suddenly decided that she couldn't possibly spend the morning cooped up in the kitchen, the smell of food cooking would make her nauseous she said, so here we are." Michael Vincent shrugged as he wheeled the twins into the hall in their stroller. "Perhaps it's the hormones, what do you think?"

"So you two are not quarrelling?" Brennan asked, concerned.

"No, your daughter is just playing to the audience. We're OK. I promise." Michael assured her.

"I don't know what that means, but I'm sure we'll find out. Now give me my granddaughter." Brennan picked Maxine out of the stroller and made a fuss of her. "Max has come to see her grandma, haven't you, Max? You can bring Billie in. Your mom's in there Michael, she'll be delighted to see her granddaughters."

Michael Vincent stowed the stroller, picking up his daughter and slinging the diaper bag over his shoulder entered the living room.

"Michael Vincent Hodgins, get yourself over here right this minute and give me my grandbaby." Angela chimed holding out her arms expectantly.

"Hi mom, merry Christmas." Michael Vincent passed over his daughter then bent and hugged his mother. "I didn't expect to be seeing you today." He kissed his daughter's head before straightening. Then moved to the side to where Christine was sat, her feet curled beneath her like Angela, he bent forward intending to give his wife a hug next.

"What on earth do you think you're doing, Michael Vincent Hodgins? Don't you dare come near me after what you did to me this morning!" Brennan and Angela shared a look, worried about what was unfolding in front of them. "Before you even think about hugging me, I think you should take yourself off and find yourself a quiet little corner somewhere in this house and have a serious word with yourself." Michael Vincent blushed bright red and gave up hope of a hug from his wife.

"The boys are in the kitchen if you want to go in there." Brennan suggested.

Michael Vincent made his way into the kitchen.

"What was that all about Sweetie? What has that son of mine done to you?" Angela hugged Christine to her as they sat side by side on the couch.

"Oh, it was nothing really. We had sex this morning, that's all." Christine volunteered.

"What? Against your will?" Angela said anger building.

"No, no of course not! Do you seriously think your son would do something like that? To me? Seriously? And survive? No I took advantage of him and we had sex this morning before the twins woke up. It was good, actually, more than good, in fact." Christine smiled at the memory.

"So why are you giving him such a hard time?" Angela smiled.

"Because I can, Ange! It's all his own fault really, he just makes it so easy. And don't you just love that particular shade of red he goes when he gets all embarrassed."

"Christine Hodgins, you are incorrigible. Why would you do such a terrible thing to my son?"

"Perhaps because I have grown up watching you do the exact same thing to Hodgins. We have to keep them in their place, don't we?" Christine and Angela both burst out laughing. Christine had grown up with Angela as her surrogate mom. Angela had always treated Christine as the daughter she always wanted but never had and there had always been such a strong bond between the two of them. Brennan just frowned, not understanding what had just taken place between her best friend and her daughter and made a mental note to ask Booth if could shed any light on the situation later.

Michael Vincent entered the kitchen and Booth immediately piped up.

"Mickey V what's got you all aglow? What has that daughter of mine done to you now? Get yourself a beer and spill." Booth laughed at his son-in-law's obvious embarrassment. "So how is the man with the longest job title in all of history of the FBI doing? Is that new department of yours busy?" Booth asked the 'Temporary interim acting FBI agent-in-charge Michael Vincent Hodgins, Cyber-crime and forensic computing department.' "Are your business cards still the size of a birthday card?" Booth couldn't help but laugh.

"Good thanks. We're very busy and we are getting calls from all over the country asking for our help on cases. I'm hoping the 'temporary interim acting' part of the job title will be dropped soon. It'll save a fortune on printer ink, Director Booth." Michael Vincent smiled and hugged his mentor.

Back in the living room two grandmothers were doting on their two granddaughters whilst Christine sipped from a bottle of water.

"How is your pregnancy progressing Chrissy? Angela asked.

"Much too slowly! I'll be glad to get this last one out and I can get things back to normal." Christine huffed.

"Last one? Does that mean what I think it means?" Asked Angela.

"If you think that means that your son is going under the knife, then yes, you are correct. Three babies is more than enough for me. If he wants more then he'll just have to find someone else stupid enough to have them with."

"But if you have him sterilised then he won't be able to have more children." Brennan commented.

"Yes, I know. Do you think it'll change him, having the op? They say it can change your dog's personality when you neuter them. I wonder if it's the same for men when they get the chop?"

Their laughter and any further conversation was curtailed by the sound of the doorbell.

"Who could that possibly be?" Brennan said, heading towards the front door.

As she opened the door she couldn't help but react at the sight of Parker with a sack of presents slung over his shoulder, his wife Ashleigh and their three children. Brennan was stunned and both hands went to cover her mouth as she let of a little yelp of surprise. She quickly recovered.

"Joseph Seeley Booth, is that really you? You've grown considerably since I last saw you. And Matthew, come here and give your gran a hug." Both boys moved in to hug their grandmother.

She next hugged Parker. "Merry Christmas, Bones!" Parker said. "Surprised?"

"Very much so, Parker. I thought today was going to be a quiet day but we have a house full. How are you? Merry Christmas, welcome home, come in."

"Things are going great Bones, thanks. Parker replied.

"And that business out west?" Brennan asked in a quiet conspiratorial voice, not knowing if she was revealing a secret to the others.

"Yes, all good. Thanks for your input and advice. I'll let everyone know the details later, if that's OK?"

"Of course. Ashleigh, merry Christmas, come on inside, let me take your coats." Brennan hugged Parker's wife then relieved her latest guests of their coats and hung them up.

"Where is she? Where's my baby?" Brennan asked, looking around pretending to not notice the final member of the party. "Ha! There you are! Come here! Come to your nan and get your Christmas hug." Joy Booth had been lurking behind the legs of her mum but rushed to a smiling Brennan as soon as she was noticed. The two hugged and Brennan lifted Joy off the floor and kissed her forehead. "How's my baby? You've grown so much since I last saw you."

Joy beamed, it was the charm smile that all the Booth's had mastered. Brennan lowered Joy's feet back to the floor, the two of them still had their arms wrapped around each other.

"Booth and the rest of the boys are in the kitchen." Brennan said to Parker. "No doubt drinking beer and watching some sort of sporting activity." Brennan turned to the two boys and said: "There are video games to play in Booth man-cave for you two boys, if you like. Come on let's get inside with the others." Brennan entered the living room with Joy still clasped to her hip, arms still around each other.

After everyone had greeted the newcomers, Parker disappeared into the kitchen and Joey and Matty found a racing game to play down in Booth's man-cave. Ashleigh sat on the couch next to Christine, Brennan and Joy sat huddled together on the opposite couch.

"It never fails to amaze me when I see this." Ashleigh said shaking her head and looking at the pair sat opposite. "That girl is the biggest tom-boy ever, she's loud and out-going, she rules the roost at home, she has her two brothers under her thumb, they're both scared of her and they know who the boss is. But, every single time she meets up with her gran she turns into this shy, silent, girly girl we have here."

Brennan looked at nine year old Joy and gave her an even tighter hug. "If your mom continues to pick on my Baby we can always have you move in here and live with me. Would you like that Baby?" Joy nodded in response which brought a gale of laughter from the others. "Now, drinks. Ange I don't need to ask if you want another." Brennan said rising from the couch with Joy, their arms still around each other. "Ashleigh what can I get for you? White wine as usual?"

Brennan and Joy served the wine to Angela and Ashleigh before resuming their seats on the couch. Brennan had called Joy 'her baby' since birth and it seemed to others that there really was some sort of psychological bond between the two. It was almost as if they communicated telepathically, rarely speaking but always seemingly aware of what the other one was thinking. As if on cue, the two of them rose in unison and disappeared into the dining room to set places at the table for everyone. This brought more laughter from Ashleigh, Christine and Angela.

In the kitchen Parker was greeted by everyone and he hugged Booth.

"How's tricks Pops?" Parker asked grinning.

Booth frowned, pretending not to approve of his son's nickname for him. Secretly he was proud that his grandchildren had started calling him 'Pops' years ago when they were still just toddlers and the nickname just stuck and now everyone in the family called him by the same name he had called his own grandfather, all those years ago.

"Good, thanks Parks. Now, there's beer and stuff in the fridge, help yourself. Hodgins and Jeffery are watching the game over there. Where are my two grandsons? I don't need to ask where Joy is." Booth beamed proudly at his son.

"The boys will be busy with a racing game or fighting each other in your den. They'll have found the computer games and will be in there for hours, if we let them." Parker replied. "And the Siamese twins are together as always." Parker replied laughing, referring to Brennan and her granddaughter.

Back in the living room, Angela, Christine and Ashleigh chatted away. Brennan and Joy content to sit listening. The doorbell chimed once more.

"Who could that be?" Brennan muttered to no one in particular. "You stay here baby and I'll go get the door." She released Joy and made the way to the front door, opening it. She gasped in surprise. Standing in the doorway, filling most of it, was her son Hank, dressed in camouflage fatigues, with a sack full of presents slung over one shoulder.

"Hi mom. Surprise! Merry Christmas." Hank said stepped forward and hugged his mother.

"Hank, what are you doing here?" Brennan whispered, her shock still evident.

"What sort of way is that for a mother to greet her long lost son?" Hank grinned.

"You are not long lost, just unexpected. When did you decide you were coming home for Christmas? And why didn't you let me know you were coming?" Brennan responded, taking in the sight of her son, all six feet three inches of him.

"Well mom, you know how much I like surprising you. And talking of surprises…." Hank gave her his best Booth charm smile and moved to the side to reveal a beautiful, tall blonde girl. After making a show of clearing his throat he said: "Mom, I would like to introduce you to Doctor…OWW! That hurt!" Hank was interrupted by a stinging slap on his upper arm delivered by his companion.

"Hank, stop it." His companion hissed in a low whispered voice.

Brennan's hands went to her face in an attempt to stifle her grin.

"OK! OK! Let me start again. Mom, I would like to introduce you to Miss Alexandra Carlyle, soon to be Doctor Carlyle…. and if she plays her cards right also possibly the first Mrs Hank Booth." Hank's grin was from ear to ear. Then he received a second, even harder swipe on the arm. Brennan was unable to hide her laughter at the scene in front of her.

"Stop that! Sandie, you know how easily I bruise!" Hank chuckled, rubbing his arm once more. "Sandie, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to my mom, Congresswoman Doctor Temperance Brennan."

Sandie jaw dropped and she was struck dumb. She was unable to form words, let alone sentences.

"But…..What….. I'm….Wow!..."

Brennan took the initiative and stepping forward embraced Sandie in a hug.

"It's so nice to meet you, Sandie, may I call you Sandie? Welcome to my home and merry Christmas." Brennan spoke softly into her ear.

"Of course you can call me Sandie. I'm so sorry! Whatever must you be thinking. It's just….you're one of my heroes, I never expected to…. What an idiot I am and just when I get to meet one of my heroes I blow my chance to make a good first impression. You must think I'm some sort of jibbering idiot. I'm sorry, but Hank never told me who you were. I mean I never expected you to be …you, I thought I was coming to meet Mrs Booth, not …well…you! Congr…Doct…"

"Sandie, that's alright, it's fine, don't worry. I'm Temperance by the way, or you can call me Tempe if you prefer." Brennan immediately liked Hank's girlfriend. "I can see you've already been exposed to my son's so called sense of humour. You'll find it's a trait that runs throughout the males of the family. They all think they're so funny." Brennan spoke as she released Sandie from her hug and slapped her son's arm for emphasis.

Hank rubbed his arm and still smiling, opened the door and went into the living room. All that could be heard was Angela's shrill cry of "Sweetie!" before the door swung shut.

"If you don't mind, I have a word of warning, before you get thrown to the lions." Brennan said to Sandie in a conspiratorial tone. "All the menfolk love their surprises and they all think they are so funny, just like Hank. The womenfolk have learned to counter this with the use of sarcasm, I just thought I should warn you. They're a bit of an acquired taste, if you know what I mean. You need to be able to stand your corner, if you can do that then you'll find they're alright."

"Not a problem. I have two older brothers and a younger one, so I'm used to standing up for myself and I usually manage to come out on top with them." Sandie shared, smiling.

"In that case, I'm sure you'll be just fine. What are your plans for tonight? Have you got a hotel booked or are you planning on staying here?" Brennan asked.

"As usual your son hasn't told me his plan, I'm sure he plans to surprise me later. We have both bought an overnight bag, they're in the car." Sandie answered.

"Well in that case, perhaps this is your opportunity to surprise him. Would you like to stay here? There are plenty of bedrooms. I could make you up a guest room or you could stay with Hank in his room if you prefer."

"I don't want to put you to any trouble, but I would like that, to stay in Hank's room, if that is OK?" Sandie was unsure how to react so decided honesty was the best policy.

"That's all settled then." Brennan said smiling before looping her arm through Sandie's and heading for the living room. "Shall we go in?"

They entered the living room just in time to witness Hank and Angela's interchange.

"Hank, come here and give me a hug. You and me, are we on for later, sweetie? You know Hodgins, when he's had a couple of beers he'll be out of it, so it'll be just you and me. OK?" Angela's playful banter with Hank had always been a 'thing', she had always pretended that Hank was her boyfriend, much to Hank's embarrassment when he was younger. Now he just played along and gave as good as he got.

"You tell me where and when, aunt Ange and I'll be there. I don't know why you still bother with him, when you've got me here!" Hank replied, hugging her and making a fuss of Billie, his niece, who sat gurgling in Angela's lap.

"Wow! Big sis! Are you on that new hippopotamus diet?" Hank said looking at Christine and grinning.

"I've not heard of that diet before, Hank, what does it consist of?" Brennan asked intrigued whilst the others all grimaced at Hank's attempt at humour.

"Well mom, first you find a hippopotamus, then you kill the hippopotamus, then you eat the hippopotamus." Hank said, unable to stop himself from laughing at his own joke. "It certainly seems like the world is short of one hippopotamus, looking at the size of my big sis."

"Little bro', come here, give your big sister a hug." Christine said reaching out towards her brother, her innocent facial expression could have been the cause of the saying: 'butter wouldn't melt in her mouth'.

Hank bent over and hugged his sister, which was his second mistake. His first mistake was picking on this pregnant woman. Her arms encircled him in a vice-like grip and she whispered into his ear.

"Little bro'. Word of warning, I'm currently awash with raging hormones, so be careful! Do you understand? I am off-limits for you and your so-called humour. Get it? OK? Leave me alone! Got it?" She released him so he could see the determined look in her eyes, then she clutched him back to her and continued to speak so only he could hear. "Just so we are clear, little brother. You remember your stash of 'magazines' that went missing a while back? You know, those 'special magazines'." She felt him nod before continuing. "Well I was the one that discovered them and moved them to a new location. I am the only one who knows where they are and unless you want mom to discover them at some point, I think you ought to give me a wide berth. Do we understand each other, little bro'?"

Hank nodded his understanding and was released from his hug. Despite towering over his 'big' sister, he knew who it was that had always held the power between the two of them and it certainly wasn't him

Hank blushed and was now a colour similar to the one Michael Vincent had been earlier, as he straightened. He turned and bent to hug Joy. "How's my favourite girl? Still keeping my two nephews under control? " Hank whispered into her ear. "How's that boyfriend of yours?"

"All's good, uncle Hank." Joy blushed. "And I don't have a boyfriend!"

"Well, all I can say is that the boys near where you live must be dumb as a sack of rocks!" Hank whispered and winked.

After greeting and hugging Ashleigh, Hank headed for his dad's den, leaving Sandie to face the women. As soon as he entered the room the two boys dropped their controllers and ran and jumped on Hank. He then collapsed to the floor laughing and the three of them wrestled. Two against one was never going to be good odds for Hank and he was soon overpowered by the eleven and eight year olds and submitted to his nephews, left them to finish their game and headed for the kitchen and a hard earned beer.

"Hey Pops!" Hank greeted Booth.

"Hank! Merry Christmas, son! How are things at West Point?" The two embraced and slapped each other's backs.

Back in the living room, Brennan is once more besides nine year old Joy, their arms intertwined and sitting shoulder to shoulder, no doubt having some sort of telepathic conversation that only they were party to. Sandie was sat on the couch besides Ashleigh and was being quizzed by the women. When had she met Hank? When did she first start dating him? What was it that attracted her to him? How did they first meet? The questions went on and on. Angela was by far the most inquisitive, wanting to know everything. Sandie managed to dodge most of the questions without giving full answers, she knew that even though Hank was out-going and fun-loving on the surface, deep down he was reluctant to reveal his private side, it was one of the things she liked about him.

Booth the entered the living room announced that lunch was ready and ushered everyone towards the dining room. Joy went to get her brothers. Everyone was sat around the dining table when Parker cleared his throat and rapped on his glass with a knife.

"If you don't mind, before we start. It's family announcement time, OK." He then paused, waiting for quiet.

"Don't tell me!" Booth chimed. "You've got another book coming out! Will this be number fifteen or sixteen?"

"Nope, sorry Pops, my latest book, number sixteen, came out in October, yes I'm working on number seventeen, but it'll be later next year before it gets released. No, I just wanted to tell you that we, Ashleigh and the kids and I, haven't come here from New York. We flew in from LA, landed yesterday morning, we've been out on the west coast for a week or so. I have had several meetings and can now reveal that the adventures of Noah Carpenter, the gritty ex-SAS sergeant major of mixed English and American parentage and with dual nationality with the knack of getting himself into all manner of scrapes will be coming to a small screen, somewhere near you in the coming months."

There were cheers and congratulations from everyone. Brennan smiled knowingly and Parker acknowledged her with a smile and a nod of his own. Parker had, as usual, discussed his ideas and plans with Brennan beforehand and Brennan had introduced him to her lawyer, the one who had gotten involved in the legal side of the contract documentation when one of her books had been made into a film several years earlier.

"I've signed contracts with the studio and they now have the TV rights to my first two books. They have made a pilot episode, which apparently went down well with their test audience and filming is now underway on series one which will be based on my first book. In addition, I have also agreed to become a producer on the show, whatever that entails. So, as a result, we are looking to relocate to Los Angeles and I have a realtor looking at rental property in LA short term and looking at property for sale in the long term. We also have a signed agreement in place and the studio hold options on two of my other books for possible future seasons, which then triggers a further agreement on two more of my books. If everything goes well this could be a long term project for us."

"Parker, that's great! OK! Now if no one else has anything to announce let's eat before all this food, that's taken me all morning to prepare, gets cold. I'm starving." Booth said.

"So, how will that affect you, Ashleigh?" Brennan asked as people started to load their plates and eat.

"Well Tempe, whilst we were in Los Angeles we had good meetings with a couple of people and I think there could well be openings for me at UCLA, Stanford and maybe some other places too. Apparently there is a demand for University lecturers specialising in English Literature relating to the Shakespearian era. We have done our research on schools for the children and I think things could turn out well for us." Ashleigh replied. "Thank you so much for all your help Tempe. I know Parker was ever so grateful when you introduced him to your lawyer." Ashleigh said. "I think your man helped things along quite nicely, he was well prepared. He seemed to know exactly what they were looking for from us and handled everything so well."

"Parks, how will the move to L.A. affect your other work?" Christine asked.

"Not a problem. All I need for my novels is a laptop. My other work will be OK too. I ghost-write autobiographies for famous folks, you know, sports stars or movie stars. There are two major centres in the US for that sort of work, New York and Los Angeles. So I'm trading one for the other, really." Parker replied.

"I suppose that makes sense, if you're ghost writing other people's autobiographies there has to be a massive market potential in the LA region. The place is packed with famous actors and musicians." Christine commented.

After lunch everyone sat relaxing in the living room. Booth was in the kitchen with Sandie, who had insisted that she should help clear away the dishes.

"So, Ms Carlyle may I be so bold as to ask your intentions towards my youngest, most innocent and naive son?" Booth asked with a straight face. "You have to bear in mind that as the youngest he is also the favourite and anyone hurting my boy will incur my wrath. I'm a director at the FBI you know, I am used to handling guns and know how to dispose of bodies."

"Mr. Booth first let me assure you of one thing. Your son is neither innocent nor is he naïve!" Sandie was unable to keep a straight face as she looked at Booth and she burst out in a fit of the giggles. "Innocent?…Hank?...Naive?...Seriously?"

The giggles developed to laughter and Booth, unable to keep up his façade any longer, also began to laugh.

"Your wife did warn me about the men-folk of the family thinking they were comedians, Mr. Booth, just as well, because you had me going for a minute there."

"It's Booth, you can drop the mister, please just call me Booth."

"What about Pops? When can I start calling you Pops?...Pops." Sandie said with the cheekiest of grins on her face.

"We'll have to see on that one." Booth grinned. "So, come on, tell me everything, how did you two meet and where. How did you get to know my son?"

"Is this an interrogation? Aren't you supposed to read me my rights? Don't I get to make a phone call? Will you be forcing a confession out of me?" Sandie clasped her hands to her chest feigning innocence, she was enjoying the banter. "If you don't approve, if I don't come up to scratch will I disappear and will my body never be found?"

"Zat all depends on how you answer my kvestions, young lady." Booth's attempt at a German accent caused Sandie to start laughing again. Booth joined in.

"OK! I'll answer all your questions, sheriff!" Sandie played along, her accent straight out of any number of John Wayne movies. "So, I'm what's known around these here parts as a cradle-snatcher. I'm five months older than your baby boy, sheriff. So what you gonna do 'bout that? Gonna run me out o' town?" Sandie and Booth were now both laughing hard again.

"Beer?" Booth asked.

"I could use a drink."

Booth crossed to the fridge then returned to take a seat next to Sandie at the breakfast bar and handed her a beer.

"I like you, Sandie. I think you and I are going to get along just fine." Booth said before taking a swallow of his beer.

Sandie took a swallow of her beer before speaking.

"I see where Hank gets it from. You two have the same sense of humour and I like that." Sandie said and offered her bottle towards Booth, who clinked bottles with her. "I was working when I first met your son. As a trainee doctor I have to work all areas of the hospital before I concentrate on one specific area of medicine. This particular day I was working in the emergency room, I was working triage. It was my job to assess each patient as they first came into the E.R. and direct them to the correct place, you know, heart attacks, gun-shot wounds, stabbings and the like taking precedent over less urgent injuries. The doctor that I was working alongside was telling me how I needed to 'read the room', how I needed to be aware of everyone in the E.R. and be alert for the possible trouble- causers. That was when Hank Booth entered my life. It was quite a memorable entrance as well." Sandie chuckled at the memory.

"The automatic doors slid open and these three big guys all dressed in camo fatigues came rushing in with their arms around each other's shoulders. The guy on left was doing a good imitation of an ambulance siren, the guy in the middle was hopping on one leg and being supported by the other two and the guy on the right was, well, … your son."

"What was he doing in the E.R.?"

"Well it turns out a gang of them from West Point were out and about and up to no good. They were fooling around when one of them, I later found out his name was Fly, did something really stupid trying to show off to some girls and went over on his ankle, pretty bad. They thought something might be broken and as they were only a block away from the hospital Hank and Albino brought Fly into the E.R." Sandie said with a shrug.

"Fly? Albino? What sort of names are those?"

"Yeah! Stupid, right? Stupid boys and their stupid nicknames. I didn't know their names at the time, of course. Hank told me their names later. Anyway, from the moment Hank entered the E.R. right up to the time he left, four hours later, I just kept on doing my job, assessing injuries and 'reading the room' but every time I checked out the room I found Hank was looking at me. It was a little weird at first, then I tried to catch him looking somewhere else, but failed miserably. Every time I looked at him he was already looking at me. Then when Fly was all patched up and ready to leave Hank walked up to me and held out his mobile. I just played dumb and looked at him and asked him what he was doing. He told me that he needed my phone number, I asked why he needed my number and he said that unless he had my number he wouldn't be able to call me at eight the next night to invite me to go out with him. I was stunned, to say the least, but put my number into his phone. Nine out of ten for originality and eight out of ten for nerve, what do you think?"

"That's my boy!" Booth said with a broad grin then clinked bottles once more.

"The next night, good to his word he called, not at seven fifty nine or a minute past eight, it was eight p.m. on the dot. When I answered the phone he told me it was Hank calling and asked if I remembered him from the previous day! So sweet! He then proceeded to invite me to go out with him the following Friday night. I, of course turned him down. I told him that if he wanted to go on a date with me then we should meet at twelve noon on Saturday in the coffee shop off the hospital reception area where I work. And that's where we had our first date, he met me in the coffee shop, I had been working and had just finished a twelve hour night shift and Hank was sat there waiting for me. It was a quirky first date, but I think quirky is good and your son certainly can be described as quirky."

"Good for you, girl. I like your style." Booth grinned.

"Things just progressed from there. I found out that Fly was so called because the way he acts around girls is the same way flies act around erm….. manure. Albino was called that because his name is Alvin Bryan Knowles, so he was called Al B, Albie then Albie became Albino because of his surname. Added to the fact that he is the darkest skinned African American I think I've ever seen, I think you call it irony or perhaps it's just boys and their weird sense of humour. Your son is certainly the joker in the pack, if you don't mind me saying."

"Hank does like a laugh and it is usually at someone else's expense but somehow he always seems to get away with it. So, shall we join the others before they start sending out search parties?"

In the living room everyone chatted and there was much laughter and amusement as the presents were opened. Booth squeezed onto the couch next to Brennan whilst Sandie sat next to Christine.

"You and I need to become firm friends." Sandie said as a conversation opener to Christine.

"Why's that?" Christine enquired, smiling.

"Well, I have three brothers and I know all of their secrets. I'm hoping you're the same with Hank and we can compare notes. I think I'm going to need all the help I can when it comes to him."

"If there's anything I can do to help you keep Hank under your thumb, then I'm your man, so to speak. But you and I will fall out if I find out you hurt him, O.K.?"

"I would never hurt him, but that sense of humour and those practical jokes, he needs to be controlled, for my sake." Christine burst out laughing at this and they both stared at Hank who looked back at them nervously.

"I think you and me are going to get along just fine, Sandie. Keeping Hank under control has become something of a hobby for me." There was more laughter from the pair and more concerned looks from the subject of their conversation.

As the afternoon wore on Sandie found herself talking to Parker. She congratulated him on his success with his recent TV deal.

"I'm sorry but I've read some of your Noah Carpenter novels but I don't recognise your name and I can't for the world think why." Sandie confided.

"That's because you probably recognise Matthew Brennan as the author. I've always been known as Matthew Brennan on all of my published works." Parker conceded, smiling.

"Of course! Matthew Brennan! Now it makes sense. So why Matthew Brennan and not Parker Booth? Sorry, I'm sure you get asked that all the time." Sandie asked.

"Long story, from a long time ago." Parker responded.

"Oh! Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it, that's o.k." Sandie apologised.

"No, just a long story, as I said. It all started when I was five or maybe six years old. I was given an essay to write for my homework. When I finished it Bones read through it and suggested some corrections which helped me get an 'A' and more importantly first got me interested in writing."

"I'm sorry? You said 'Bones read it' what does that mean?" Sandie asked, confused.

"Perhaps I should explain." Parker added laughing. "Bones is what Dad and I call Mom. I was just four when I first met Doctor Brennan. This was before she married Pops, my dad. They worked together and he always called her Bones and I don't think she liked it all that much at first. I called her Bones because that was the only thing I had ever heard her called. Me and Pops are the only ones she allows to call her that, so be warned." Parker explained.

"O.K. Noted."

"The following year we were tasked to write about what we did during Spring Break. My mom, my real mom was away for a few weeks, so I spent the holiday with my dad. When he was busy with work I would spend time with Bones in her office. I wrote a story all about my adventures in a land of dinosaurs and dragons. Bones helped me and she did some corrections when I was done. I handed my story in when we went back to school and dad got called in by the teacher. He hadn't read the story and knowing that I had done the majority of the work in Bones' office he persuaded her to go along with him. The teacher explained that the class had been tasked to write about what they had done during the holidays, she went on to explain that I had written a fairy story instead. She asked if I had problems at home understanding what was required of me." Parker went on. "Dad was baffled but Bones stuck up for me. She asked the teacher if the other pupils provided evidence to substantiate that what they had written about was what they had physically done. The teacher was puzzled and Bones went on to say that if the homework I submitted was just one sentence: ' I wrote a story.' would that have been acceptable. When the teacher said not, Bones said that in providing evidence, in the form of 'the story I had written', surely fulfilled the requirements." Parker chuckled at the memory.

"So what happened?" Sandie asked fascinated.

"My teacher had to back down and admit that Bones was correct. I got another 'A' and my dad found the whole thing highly entertaining, he even took us to the Diner for ice cream. He asked us who would get top billing if our story was ever turned into a book and were ever to get published. Of course Bones said she couldn't take any credit for the story. I was just a stubborn little kid and I said we both had to have equal credit for the book. After a lot of dad winding us up, me and Bones finally agreed that if our story ever got published then we would go by the name of Matthew Brennan, Matthew because that's my middle name and Brennan for obvious reasons. I thought that was the end of it. Boy! Was I wrong!" Parker chuckled and shook his head at the memory.

"Why? What happened?" Sandie was fascinated by the tale.

"That Christmas, I was opening my presents and one of the last ones I always opened was Bones' present because they were always so awesome. I opened my present and I found our story. She had taken a copy of it and given it to Angela, she had done the illustrations and then Bones had got her publisher to do a limited run of five hundred books. Bones had bought the whole lot and had arranged for them to be sent to book stores in D.C. on a sale-or-return basis. She kept fifty or so for herself and had given them to friends and family as Christmas gifts." Parker beamed with pride. "The title was 'Parker's Incredible Adventure' and the author was Matty Brennan. She decided that Matthew sounded too grown up, so she changed it to Matty. I was so proud. It was the best Christmas present that I ever got. The next year we did the same thing and her publisher did a print run of five thousand books and sold the lot! Word of mouth was the only way that word was spread about the book. And that is the story of how Matthew Brennan was born. I was into story writing and when the grown up Parker Booth got his first 'Noah Carpenter' novel published I knew it had to be published under my pen name. I've used it ever since."

"Wow! Temperance sounds great. What a wonderful thing to do for a kid." Sandie said amazed.

"You really have no idea! She is wonderful. It was Bones that got me into writing, she encouraged me every step along the way. I have her to thank for everything I have. She has always treated me like I was her own son. Even after she had Christine and then Hank, she still treated me as part of the family. I'm so grateful to her for everything. Even now if I'm suffering from writer's block or if I have any problems at all, for that matter, I know if I call her she'll be there for me." Parker added.

"What are you two talking about?" Hank interrupted. "Were you talking about me? I hope you're not hitting on my girl Big Bro'!"

Sandie slapped Hank on the arm once more.

"Not a lot for us to talk about, if all we were talking about was you." Sandie winked at Parker and the two burst out laughing. "We were just talking about how Parker got into writing."

It was getting towards evening time and Christine, Michael Vincent and the twins were the first to leave, followed shortly afterwards by Angela, Hodgins and Jeffery. Parker, Ashleigh, Joe, Matt and Joy left last. Brennan and Joy were reluctant to let go of each other which everyone found adorable and amusing. Hank and Sandie retired to bed a short while later, leaving just Booth and Brennan sat together on the couch.

"Thank you for today, Booth."

"What are you thanking me for? They all came to see you, not me."

"Booth, I haven't worked alongside you for all these years without picking up a few of your interrogation techniques. I have quietly been questioning of our guests throughout the day and have come to the conclusion that you orchestrated todays gathering. Don't deny it. Thank you."

"I can assure you, Bones, they didn't take very much persuading, not much at all."

"Can I ask why you felt you needed to get everyone together today?"

"Well Bones, I know how much you loved Christmas when you were a child growing up and how you came to despise it when your parents abandoned you and you went into the foster care system. When we first met your idea of a good Christmas was going to some far-flung place digging up old bones and generally being on your own, so you could be miserable. Parker and I started to change the way you looked at it and when Christine and Hank came along you went back to loving this time of year. I just thought that having an empty house at Christmas after all these years of the house being filled with kids and noise and fun might make you sad. So I invited a few folks."

"Thank you. I would have been perfectly happy to have spent the day with just you, but today was a little bit special." Brennan said leaning in and kissing Booth on the cheek.

"You might not be thanking me so much when you find out what today has cost us." Booth said smiling.

"What do you mean? You didn't have to pay anyone to be here, did you?" Brennan frowned.

"You have no idea. Our family certainly know how to drive a hard bargain."

"I don't believe you, you're making it up."

"Oh! You think so, do you? You good friend Angela, she made me promise that we would spend every New Year's Eve with them."

"But Booth, we always do. We always go to her New Year's Eve party."

"Yes, but now I've had to promise that we will, every year. And your children are as bad. Christine insisted that next year we visit them at Christmas to help them start to make their own special Christmas memories. I had to promise that we would stay with them from Christmas Eve for at least three days so we can be there early on Christmas morning to help our grandkids open their Christmas presents."

"That's not so bad, is it?"

"Parker made me promise to set aside two weeks during the summer to spend time in Los Angeles with them whilst the kids were off school. Then there's Hank. I'm worried about Hank. I think he might have bitten off more that he can chew with Sandie."

"Two weeks in Los Angeles doesn't sound like too much of a chore. What's wrong with Sandie? I like her. I think she could be good for him."

"I have no doubt she'll be good for him. I just wonder if he knows what he signing up for. She told me that there was a tradition in her family that everyone gathered to spend Thanksgiving at her parent's house. We have been invited and on the Friday, according to Sandie, we can get to know her mom and dad. Then on the Saturday we are invited to a lavish annual ball that her parents throw."

"But they have only been going out for a couple of months!"

"Correct. I think that girl already has the measure of our son. Remind you of anyone?"

"I think a strong minded girl might be just what Hank needs to keep him in check. "

"She certainly is strong minded, I'll give you that."

"I suppose this all goes to show just how much they all love us, doesn't it?"

"You are correct, as usual, Bones." Booth smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek.

They sat there arm in arm for a good while, savouring the silence.

"Booth… you know that you're my go at guy, don't you?" Brennan asked. "When there's something that I don't understand, I come to you and you explain it to me.

"Go to Bones, I'm your go to guy. Yes I do know." Booth responded.

"Do you remember, years ago, when I got shot in the lab? We had an argument and I stormed off to the lab. You and Christine came looking for me and found me."

"Yes, of course I remember. It was one of the worst days of my life. What made you bring that up now?"

"Do you remember how, due to the surge of adrenaline combined with the anesthesia I was given at the hospital, I hallucinated and imagined I saw my mother?"

Booth nodded.

"It happened again. This time there was no adrenaline and no anesthetic. I saw them, they were here and I saw them. I need to know what it means."

"Woah! Wait a minute Bones, what did you see or did you see?"

"They were stood right over there, by the Christmas tree. It was after lunch and we were all opening our presents and laughing and joking and having such a good time. I glanced up and there they were."

"What did you see or who did you see, Bones. Give me a clue, here."

"Mom and Max, they were stood behind the couch, by the Christmas tree. They stood there, his arm around her shoulder, her arm around his waist. They just stood there looking at me and smiling. I need to know what it means. What do you think it means Booth?"

"O.K. Bones. I'll tell you what I think it means, but you're not going to like it because it's not something that you and your science can confirm. It's just me and my opinion, it's just what I think."

"Tell me Booth. I need to know. They were there I could clearly see them. They looked around and saw how everyone was having a good time and smiled at me. Max blew me a kiss and mom waved and then they faded.

"Well Bones, I believe what you saw were your guardian angels. I believe your parents are your guardian angels, they look out for you and they were just checking in with you. They were smiling because they were so happy to see you and the family you have built. Happy for you and so very proud of you. Happy and proud at how you've turned out and happy to see you surrounded by the people you love and who love you."

"Booth, you do know that what you just said is ridiculous. When you die you're just…dead. There is no such thing as guardian angels."

"Bones, you asked me what I thought and I told you exactly what I thought."

"So, do you have guardian angels?" Brennan asked coyly.

"Pops has been known to visit me when I'm stressed or when I'm down and sometimes my grams is with him."

"Do you think there is any possibility for a non-believer like me?"

"I believe there is always hope, Bones. That's what faith is."

"I like the sound of that, Booth."

"Now Bones, I think it's time to repeat our experiment. You know, the irresistible and the moveable thing. Purely for the sake of science, of course."

"For the sake of science Booth, let's go to bed." Linking arms they headed towards the stairs.