A/N: this is the last chapter of my story. I hope you've enjoyed it. If you have time to leave a review, I'd appreciate it.

By the way, I'm posting a tissue alert on this chapter. It takes place several years in the future. Laura

None of them had wanted to make the trip on this sunny Saturday morning. They'd put it off as long as they could, hoping that they wouldn't need to go, but finally they realized it had to be done. They had to go today.

They drove in silence for half an hour as they made their way through the crowded city, each lost in their own thoughts as they contemplated their errand. Glancing at his sister in the rear view mirror, Parker finally tried to start a conversation to break the monotony of their trip. "How are you feeling, Chrissy? Tired?"

"Oh, yeah." She groaned as she shifted in the back seat of the tiny electric car. "I also feel like I've got a rhinoceros sitting on my bladder. I can't wait for this kid to be born." She narrowed her eyes at her brothers as they exchanged broad smiles in the front seat. "Yeah, I know, not a surprise, right? I should've known better, right? I should've known I'd produce another big baby after Seeley was over 9 pounds when he arrived, but believe me, Mikey and I weren't thinking about that at the time this baby was being conceived. Of course, Michael-Vincent is quite proud of himself because I got pregnant so quickly after quitting the pill. Typical male..."

Hank turned slightly to look at his sister. "How many more weeks till she gets here?"

"The doctor says 6 weeks, but I'm pretty sure Brenna Joy will be here a lot sooner than that. I think it's gonna be 3 weeks at the most." Christine grinned at her younger brother as she rubbed her abdomen. "So when are you and Carla going to have kids, Hank? You've been married almost five years now..."

Squirming slightly under his sister's persistant questioning, Hank decided he'd have to let the cat out of the bag. "Okay, listen...you can't say anything to Mom and Dad yet, because Carla's appointment isn't until next Monday, but...she did one of those home pregnancy tests this past Sunday, and it was positive…"

"That's great, Bubba!" Parker beamed with pleasure as he turned the vehicle south toward Richmond. "Bones and Dad are gonna be thrilled."

"I know. I'm glad this happened now, while they're still here…" Hank's voice trailed off as he realized he'd probably said the wrong thing. "I mean, it's not like they're in bad shape or anything. I expect them to be around for a long time…but, you know..."

"I know." Parker tried to sound cheerful as he shrugged off his brother's implication. "I guess they've taken pretty good care of themselves, but they're getting up there in years…"

"Yeah, Dad and Mom are both in their seventies…", Christine began wistfully as she watched the scenery go by. "...and physically, they're still in good shape, but I know Dad worries a lot about Mom, and I think it wears on him." She brushed a tear away as she nodded at Hank. "Mom's gonna be so pleased, Hank…"

"Carla and I are gonna go by their new place next week as soon as we know for sure. You know Mom's gonna want evidence." Hank grinned as he shook his head. "I mean, even if she notices a change in how Carla walks, she may not remember what that indicates, so we'll probably want to bring a doctor's note to go with the ultrasound, but I know they're gonna be happy." He chuckled as he anticipated the discussion with his elderly parents. "So now they're gonna have five grandkids. I wonder if they ever thought that would happen when they made their first trip out here."

"Probably not. They were still getting used to the idea of being together when Dad brought Bones out here to see the acreage that day all those years ago." Turning the car onto the freshly paved four lane road that led to the town of Carterville, Parker laughed. "This area has really changed, too. I remember the first time I came out here with them. It seemed like we drove for hours without seeing another house, and there seemed to be thousands of trees. Of course, I was maybe nine or ten, and going for a drive in the country was a big adventure in itself." Pulling off of the main road, he turned off onto a side street that lead to a forested tract. Pushing the button on a remote control, he opened the gate and pulled onto the long paved driveway. "I always enjoyed coming out here when I was a kid, but I especially loved spending the Christmas holidays here. It was almost magical...Dad would find a huge evergreen tree of some sort, and we'd decorate it with all sorts of ornaments…"

Christine smiled happily. "Dad always went over the top when it came to decorating the house for Christmas, didn't he? Mom always pretended to disapprove, but I'm pretty sure she loved all the holiday stuff as much as he did." She raised an eyebrow at Hank. "I guess you don't remember a time when we didn't spend Christmas out here, do you, Bubba?"

Gazing out the windshield, Hank shook his head sadly. "Nope. I suppose all of my Christmas memories are wrapped up in this place…"

They continued down the winding driveway as it passed through a grove of trees up to the sprawling two story wood and stone clad house. After stopping the car, Parker helped his sister out of the tiny backseat. "Oof...there you go. Hey, the water's still turned on if you need to use the bathroom." Holding up a key, he grinned as he strode over to the front door. "Come on…let's go check it out."

As they entered the house, the siblings stood together in the vast two story foyer, pausing to enjoy the surge of so many warm memories of holidays, long weekends, and summer vacations in their parents' home away from home. Over the years there had been graduation parties, engagement parties, and at least one wedding at the house. A lot of happiness had been experienced within the walls of the rustic home.

Chuckling to himself, Hank walked over to the massive fireplace and grinned as he reached under the mantle. "The hooks for our Christmas stockings are still here…"

"Of course they are. Dad probably couldn't stand the idea of removing them. He's pretty sentimental about stuff like that, you know. Even something like those hooks would hold a lot of meaning for him. He'll probably be able to tell you exactly when he put them there." Parker sighed as he walked over to the tall glass atrium doors that looked over the patio and the fire pit that his father had built as he tried to recover from his gambling relapse. "I think he probably touched almost every brick, stone, and board in this house as it was under construction. He practically built this place with his own hands...and he built it with love. Love for his Bones, and love for us." Turning to his brother and sister, Parker blinked back his tears. "I can't believe we have to give this place up…"

"I know...it's hard, isn't it?" Christine walked over to her brother, giving him a tender hug. "But you know it's for the best, right? Dad says he doesn't really feel safe out here now, and it really bothers him. As much as he loves this place, Dad thinks that he and Mom can't come out here by themselves any more."

"That's what he told me, too." Hank nodded in agreement. "The last time I talked to Dad about the house, he said that he loves this house, but he was afraid that Mom might forget where she was and wander off, or that they'd take a walk one evening and get lost in the woods and might not make it home. You know Dad's not usually afraid of anything, but he's worried about that...really worried. He said it was time to let someone else enjoy the place...to let some other people make some happy memories here."

"You're both right. I know that." Sitting down at the breakfast bar, Parker traced circles on the counter with his fingers. "And we'll always have the memories we've made here." He bit his lip, trying to control his emotions. "Did I tell you the realtor said there's been an offer made on the place? It was some real estate investor. She wanted to clear out most of the trees and bulldoze the house. Dad was devastated…"

"Dad didn't agree to that, did he?" Christine was appalled, raising her voice at her brother's comment. "I can't believe they'd want to tear down this great old house, after all the work Dad and Mom put into it…"

"Take it easy, Chrissy…", Parker began as he tried to console his sister. "Of course, we didn't take that offer. Dad didn't give it any serious consideration. That's why he and I came up with a plan, and I think you and Hank will both approve." Taking a deep breath, he continued softly. "You guys know who Aldo Clemens was? He was a good friend of Dad's. He performed the wedding for Dad and Bones…"

"Yeah, I've heard the name." Hank was confused. "But I don't understand the connection…"

"Aldo was a great guy. I only talked to him a couple of times, but he was really nice, and I know Dad thought the world of him. He was Dad's confessor while Dad was stationed overseas with the Army. Unfortunately, Aldo suffered some form of PTSD from his time in the service, so he left the priesthood and bought a bar in DC. It looked like he was doing well for a few years, but I guess it was just a facade. Something set him off, and for some reason that Dad never completely understood, the guy started doing heroin, and he quickly got hooked on it. He went from being a successful businessman to being homeless in just a matter of months. Dad tried to help him, but Aldo basically sank so far into his addiction that no one could reach him any more."

"I remember him now." Christine nodded slowly. "I found his picture in a box of stuff when Mom and Dad moved to the retirement center. Dad said Aldo was the bravest man he ever knew...that he'd made the ultimate sacrifice...that he was a hero."

"Even braver than Uncle Aubrey? Wow...", Hank gasped. "But the guy was an addict…"

"He was an addict, but as it turns out, he was still a loyal friend. Aldo gave up his own life trying to protect Dad from Mark Kovacs when that son of a bitch was looking to get revenge on Dad for his father's death. Aldo killed himself rather than give up information about Dad to the guy." Grimacing at the memory, Parker exhaled slowly before he explained the plan. "Now Dad wants to do something to honor Aldo's memory, so he wants to donate the house and the land to an organization that helps veterans deal with their PTSD. It'll be a place where they can come to get away from it all...almost like a religious retreat, except it'll be secular. They'll have a medical clinic here, and there'll be trained counselors available, and the vets can stay here as long as they want, for a fee based on what they can afford, so they can get the help they need. Dad says being out in the country like this can heal a guy's soul, and I guess he'd know as much about that as anybody. It'll be called the Aldo Clemens Memorial Center for Veterans' Assistance."

"Won't it cost a lot of money to get something like that started and to keep it running?", Christine asked impatiently. "I think it's a great idea, but won't the upkeep on this place be expensive? I mean, that's another reason Dad wants to sell the place, right?"

"It will be expensive, but Dad's already talked to Uncle Jack and Aunt Angela about his idea, and their charitable foundation has agreed to defray most of the costs of the maintenance for the place for at least ten years, and they're gonna do some fundraisers for the rest of the stuff. Dad's pretty determined that this is what he wants to do." Parker shrugged at his siblings. "I tried to explain to him that we might get another good offer for the house and land...he could make a lot of money on the deal, especially since that bastard Broadsky gave him the land free and clear...but Dad said it didn't really feel right to make a lot of profit on something he hadn't earned, and he wants something good to come from all the havoc that Broadsky wreaked when he was alive. You both know how hard it is to convince Dad to do something different when his mind's made up. Bones can't even change his mind."

"And she's in no condition to try right now, either, is she? Her dementia is becoming too severe." Christine brushed away a tear. "It's so unfair, having her mind struck down by a disease like that, but at least she's happy. It just kills me to remember how brilliant she used to be, and when I realize how many memories she's lost, it's almost too much for me to handle."

"Dad says he remembers enough for both of them. And you're right, Chrissy. She's happy as long as she's with Dad." Hank put his arm around his sister and gave her a gentle squeeze. "I know it's hard to deal with, but she really is happy, and that new medication seems to have slowed the progression of her memory loss." Turning to Parker, Hank gave a resolute nod. "I think Dad's plan for the place is a great idea. How soon can we get this done?"

"I have Dad's power of attorney, so if we all agree, I'll go see the lawyer next week." Parker looked from his brother to his sister. "It's really what he wants. And you know, as much as we love this place, with our jobs and our families, none of us are in a position where we can take care of it. Instead of selling the house to someone who won't really appreciate it, why not let someone use it to do something good?"

"I guess you're right, Parker…", Christine began. "...and I guess we could come out here on occasion to see the place, and maybe even volunteer…"

"Yeah. Dad and Mom can come out to dedicate the center when it opens. They'll like that." Hank sniffled a bit before he offered a weak smile. "It'd make them very happy."

"Uncle Jack's attorneys are gonna create a charitable trust to take care of the financial end of it so we don't have to worry about the place." Parker hesitated slightly before he continued. "Dad says he wants to do this now so we'll have one less thing to mess with when he's gone."

"Parker! That's terrible!" Christine glared at her brother. "It's not like his health is that bad…"

"I know, Chrissy, but he really is trying to make things as easy for us as he can. I think he's got a lot of years ahead of him, but in his mind, this is just another way for him to take care of the people he loves...you know, making sure that we know how he wants things done when he's gone."

Hank patted her hand. "Parker's right, Sis. Dad's always been careful to keep his ducks in a row about his will and stuff like that. That's just who he is, right? It doesn't mean he's planning on leaving us soon. I imagine that if he has anything to do with it, he'll hang around as long as he can, so he can take care of Mom."

"Okay." Sighing softly, Christine patted her baby bulge. "I'm gonna use the bathroom, and then we can take a walk around the place before we head for home. I'm sure Mikey is tired of chasing Seeley, Ian, and Henry around the house. When's Meredith getting back from London, Parker?"

"Tuesday. Her mom's surgery went really well." Smiling at his brother and sister, Parker rose from his seat. "I guess you both know that we'll have to donate a big Christmas tree to this new veteran's center every year. This house won't be the same without one of Dad's ten foot trees…"

"You're right...and we'll have to make sure they always have plenty of marshmallows to roast in the firepit, and some real turkeys on Thanksgiving...none of that tofurkey crap Mom used to make us eat." Hank laughed as he remembered his father's disgust over the fake bird. "The three of us can make sure there are still a lot of happy memories in this house, right, Parker?."

"Yep." Smiling broadly, Parker nodded in agreement. "That's exactly what we'll do. We'll make sure there are always happy memories attached to this house."

Thanks for reading...