(Season 8)

I don't own Bones.

Ooooooooooooooooo

Veteran's Day was on a Sunday and that meant Booth also had the next day off too. His grandfather wanted to make the rounds and visit his friends who had served with him and leave flowers on their graves. It was a family tradition to visit the cemeteries on Memorial Day and sometimes on Veteran's Day depending upon Booth's work schedule. This year was the first year the old man would also be visiting his son on Veterans Day. His boy had served in Vietnam and he wanted to honor Edwin's service to his country.

Edwin had died of liver cancer the year before and though his son's life had been a disaster Hank still loved the boy. His son's life had fallen apart after he'd been shot down in Vietnam and his career in the Air Force had abruptly stopped. He'd been badly injured and though he'd recovered, the Air Force didn't think he was fit to pilot planes anymore. Edwin had taken that change in this life hard and he'd started drinking. After a while, alcohol became more important to him than his family. Terrified, after years of abuse, his wife had run away and Hank had taken custody of his grandchildren so the man had lost everything of value as far as the old man was concerned.

Hank had kept in contact with his son over the years and tried to help him when he could, but he knew it was a lost cause and Edwin had finally died from his addiction to alcohol. It had made the old man sad that in the end, his boy had been unable to be the man he could have been. Hank would always worry that he hadn't done enough for his son to help him find his way back from his addiction.

The worse part of Edwin's death had been the fact that the only one who mourned his death was his father. Edwin's sons hated their father and hadn't cared if the man had lived or died. Hank worried that his grandsons kept such hate in their heart, but he understood why they didn't love their father and he couldn't blame them.

Seeley, this year after we visit James at Arlington, I'd like to visit Edwin.

Booth had anticipated this. "Pops, I get it. After we visit James and the rest of your friends, I'll take you to the cemetery to visit with Edwin. While you're doing that, me and Bones and Christine can visit grandma and Aunt Ruth." There was no way he was going to visit the grave of his father. Edwin was buried a few feet away from his mother and aunt, but Booth would make sure to keep his distance. He owed Edwin nothing and he couldn't pretend to.

Thank you. I was kind of worried that you might not take me.

"Anything for you, Pops. You want to go and I'm going to take you. It's not a problem." He loved his grandfather and he knew the old man had a right to mourn his son and honor him if he wanted to.

Okay, I'll see you the day before Veteran's Day. It'll be nice to see Christine and Temperance. It's been a while.

"Bones is planning on making you lasagna and with real meat so don't worry about it being vegan."

You tell her thank you. I don't mind a vegetable dinner but I just can't eat fake cheese and fake meat.

Booth felt the same way. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I'll see you at the end of the week."

Ooooooooooooooo

It was a warm November day the breeze wasn't too strong and the small American flags planted on Veteran's graves flapped gently in the breeze. Hank and his family had arrived at the cemetery carrying small bouquets of flowers for the graves of Marie, Ruth and Edwin Booth. They never forgot that Marie and Ruth had loved flowers and had beautiful gardens in front of their homes. Hank didn't think it was right to give his wife and daughter flowers and not his son, so Edwin also received a bouquet.

The old man was pleased to see how immaculate the cemetery was, the lawn freshly mown, no decaying leaves in sight. "Nice, they always take care of things here."

"They sure do, Pops." Booth placed the bouquets on each grave, stood in front of his grandmother's grave and gave a quick prayer. When he was done, he walked over to where Brennan was standing with Christine and let his grandfather visit his family.

Brennan smiled at Booth. "I appreciate that it isn't raining this year. Last year was quite chilly and damp."

"Yeah . . . God is giving us a break today."

Slowly shaking her head, Brennan decided that pointing out the fact that God didn't control the weather would be pointless, so she remained silent about the subject. She didn't feel like arguing on such a solemn day. This day was to honor Veterans and they deserved her respect, even if they were dead and they couldn't hear or see her or anyone else.

After he had prayed and crossed himself, Hank folded his hands in front of him and smiled at Edwin's gravestone. "Edwin, we didn't forget you. I hope you like the flowers . . . A few things have changed. Seeley and Temperance are parents now and their baby Christine is growing like a weed . . . Jared is out of work at the moment, but he's got a job interview tomorrow and it's something he'd like to do . . . My knees are bothering me and I have to use a cane most of the time, but really, I don't have too much to complain about. My health is good and your sons are healthy too."

The sound of bagpipes playing in the distance alerted everyone there that there was a funeral in progress. "I love bagpipes . . . Marie thought they sounded like cats screeching over their territory, but if it's possible, I want bagpipes played at my funeral. 'Amazing Grace' is really nice coming out of pipes."

Brennan heard the old man and made a mental note to make sure that pipes would be played at his gravesite when the time came. She always felt sad when she heard bagpipes, associating them with military and police funerals, but if Hank wanted them played at his funeral, then she would make it happen.

The thought of a funeral for his grandfather made Booth feel mortal and he knew that the old man would probably die before him, but Booth hoped it would be far into the future. He needed Hank. Besides Brennan, the old man was the anchor he needed when things were going wrong. Thankfully the old man was in fairly good health and he could count on him being around for many more years.

Clearing his throat, Hank glanced at his wife's gravestone and moved closer to her grave. "Marie, we're all doing good. The boys are fine. You heard that Jared has a job interview tomorrow. I think he'll get the job and if not, he's certain to get another one soon . . . Seeley is doing good and . . . well, he comes and visits me as much as he can and I appreciate it . . . I miss you, Marie. I really do. Sometimes, I'll turn on the turntable and listen to our favorite record play and oh I wish you were here to dance with me." He paused and cleared his throat. "The weather is nice today. The sun is shining and if you were here, I think we'd go on a picnic today . . . I plan to visit you on your birthday."

Moving over to stand in front of his daughter's grave, Hank smiled at the bronze vase filled with roses. "I see that Fran has been here. She comes and visits me when she can. Her business is still doing pretty good, but she's talking about retiring and maybe traveling some. She says she wants to see Ireland before she dies. Not that she's sick, she just wants to see the land of her great-grandfather . . . Anyway, I miss you Sweetheart. You left us too young." Wiping a tear from his eye, Hank cleared his throat, turned and walked over to where his little family was waiting for him.

"I think Fran's roses are pretty, Pops. She never forgets Aunt Ruth's birthday." Booth still kept in contact with his Aunt Ruth's partner. He considered Fran a great lady and fun to be around.

"She never does." Hank had never worried about Ruth's relationship with Fran. He understood that love came in many forms and who was he to say that his daughter should reject happiness? "So, Temperance . . . thank you for coming with Christine. I know you don't believe in an afterlife, but I do and I'm glad you don't mind visiting Marie and Ruth."

Placing her hand on Hank's arm, Brennan smiled. "I love visiting with you, Hank. Never think you can't ask me to bring you here if Booth can't bring you."

"Thanks, Tempe." Hank leaned over and kissed Brennan's cheek then Christine's cheek. "I love you, both of you." Glancing at his grandson, he winked at Brennan. "All three of you. Can't leave out my boy here." Chuckling, he started to walk back to the car. "Let's go eat. It's dinner time and my stomach doesn't appreciate the neglect."

Amused, Booth laughed and followed his family to the car. Before he reached the parking lot, he glanced back at his father's grave. If only, Dad. If only.

The past couldn't be changed, but Booth did have regrets that things could have been different when it came to his father.

Ooooooooooooooo

Let me know what you think of my story. Thanks to those who have served in our military. Your service is greatly appreciated.