The test results had come back. Spencer Reid's five year old daughter was always going to struggle in school. Elizabeth Reid, the last thing he had to remind him of his late wife. The baby, who before she was born everyone was joking that she would be the perfect child. The beautiful little girl that he read to every night, was never going to pass a class without giving all of her time and energy into studying. He picked up his wife's picture from the mantle, and just looked at her face.
"Why aren't you here with me? Our little girl is going to have to fight for the rest of her life if she is going to have any chance at a decent life,"he started crying,"You're not here, and it's all my fault. I'm so sorry?"
"Daddy,"said the small voice that belonged to the most precious thing in his life.
He turned around, to see his chestnut brown hair, and his wife's sparkling green eyes, which were behind a pair of glasses.
"Elizabeth,"he tried to make himself look upbeat,"you should be in bed."
"Why are you crying daddy? Is it because I got sent to the principal's office today?"
"We talked about that on the way home. You didn't do anything wrong. Your principal just needed to talk to me when you were done with school, and you were getting your work done."
"The boys at school think there's something wrong with me. Is that why you're crying?"
"No sweetheart," he put a hand on her back,"this isn't your fault."
She saw the picture, and put two, and two together," are you crying because you miss mama?"
He didn't bother lying to herwho this. He was ashamed to admit that this wasn't his first time to be caught by his five year old daughter.
"Yes Sweetheart," he said," that's it."
"Will you tell me about her?"she asked innocently.
Spencer was usually strict about bed time, but Elizabeth knew he would always stop to speak about her mother.
Tonight was no exeption. He picked her up, and put her in his lap.
"Your mother was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She had long red hair, and green eyes."
"Like mine,"Elizabeth interjected.
"Exactly like yours,"he agreed,"and when she laughed, the whole room could hear her. People would start laughing, even if they didn't know the joke. She was smart. She never let on that she knew more than you did, until she wanted you to know it. Most of all, she was kind. Whenever I was away at work, she would always be volunteering at the soup kitchen, or the animal shelter, or the youth center, until you were born, then she dedicated all of her time to you."
He looked down, to see that his little girl had fallen asleep in his arms. He picked her up, and carried her to her room. He placed her in her bed, took off her glasses, and planted a kiss on her head. He wasn't ashamed of his daughter in any way, shape or form, but he knew that she would have to work hard to succeed.
Ten years later
"Elizabeth, you're going to be late!" Reid shouted.
"Sorry,"said Elizabeth, as she grabbed her backpack,"I was up late studying my notecards, and I lost track of time."
She picked up a piece of toast, and ran out the door. Elizabeth sprinted down the street to her bus stop, where her friend, Leah was waiting.
"Hey,"she said," are you ready for your presentation today?"
"I'm scared to death,"Elizabeth admitted.
"Don't be,"Leah insisted,"you stand up, you give your speech, and you sit back down. It's not hard."
"Easy for you to say. Your dad isn't a super genius, who graduated from high school, when he was a year younger than you."
"No, I got the better deal. I got the criminal dad,"Leah said irritated.
Elizabeth suddenly remembered, and instantly felt guilty,"oh my God. Today is the day that-"
"Today is the nine year anniversary of when my dad got arrested,"Leah finished.