A/N: For those who have read Brother My Brother, I've offered a deal in which I start posting a Reid/Rossi father/son story in exchange for 75 reviews of that story. Although I haven't gotten that many, I decided to at least give those who did take the time to put in some helpful insight on Brother My Brother a sneak peek of Little Hope. Hope it leaves you asking for more.
Disclaimer: The day I own Criminal Minds is the day I meet Thomas Gibson and Matthew Gray Gubbler.
As David Rossi held Spencer Reid- now Spencer Reid-Rossi- he wasn't sure how to feel. Spencer was small- born three weeks earlier than his actual due date- and a bit thin due to malnourished he suffered. Honey brown strands of hair were placed on his head and hazel eyes were staring back into Rossi's own brown eyes in slight curiosity and boredom. A blue pacifier was placed in Spencer's mouth and tiny hands were slightly flailing along with his legs through the blue blanket Carolyn had wrapped him up in. Carolyn had said Spencer was beautiful, and David wouldn't deny that much; but he just didn't know how to feel in general.
For the past three years, David and Carolyn had tried to have a baby and to say it was emotionally draining was an understatement Medical complications on both sides- Carolyn's family had a medical history of fertilization issues, and then there was case of David having case of low sperm count- as well as the pressure involving David's career as a profiler had caused major roadblocks in their efforts. It came to a point where David could see how Carolyn was stressing out and even becoming moody; nights where David would come home to see Carolyn sniffling in her pillow and angry tear streaks down her face.
David was also becoming moody for not only the same reasons but more. His career as a profiler had led him to see some of the most depressing and depriving sights. One case involving the torture and slaughter of small children and seeing the emotional states of the parents had David wondering if he even had the resources emotionally to have a child. He didn't tell Carolyn this; however, not wanting to put her under more stress than she already was.
At the end of the second year of trying, David and Carolyn had gotten their wish. Carolyn was elated to the say the least, and David couldn't hold back his own excitement but held back the creeping sense of apprehension. He had chalked it up to simple nerves that came with being a first time father. David could remember the nights he would hold Carolyn close and caress her stomach, names for girls and boys going through his head as well as his consideration for quitting his rising career. In the end he decided not to, thinking that he had to do what he could to make this world a bit safer for their baby. As for a name, David had suggested James for a boy and Juliet for a girl to Carolyn. She laughed, hands on her growing stomach, and agreed.
Once more, there efforts came crashing down, loud; blazing; and mocking. When Carolyn went into labor, David had a feeling something horrible was going to happen, but he once more chalked it up to nerves involving being a first time father. He endured the pain in his hand as Carolyn held it in a death grip while bringing their baby into the world. Her expression was one of great pain and coated in a sheen of sweat. Overtime the doctor told her to push, and a strangled cry came from his wife; David felt his stomach lurch and the pain in his hand grew just a bit.
What man in their right mind came up with the idea that the husband should be in the same room as the wife when she's in labor?
"That's it Mrs. Rossi, almost there," the doctor encouraged, and David cheered inside. Soon enough the loud cries of newborn filled the room, and David had never felt a stronger urge cry until his son- James- was placed in his arms.
Three weeks later, David was awaken by the sounds of Carolyn's hysteric crying and pleads for him to call 9-1-1. James had stopped breathing in his crib and David had completely given up on having children.
Four months later, David had received a call from Carolyn while she was visiting an old friend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diana Reid, if David remembered. The two women had been friends since high school, both being members of the same book club. After high school, the two women had gone their separate ways; Carolyn going into real-estate and marrying her college sweetheart David Rossi himself and Diana becoming a professor of fifteenth-century literature and marrying a lawyer named William.
A month before, Diana had contacted Carolyn, saying she had great news for her and wanted to tell her in person. Carolyn didn't want to go, her obvious sadness over the lost of her son still there, but David insisted she go. She had barely left the house anymore and she was becoming more and more dishevelled. Maybe seeing an old friend, staying at a luxurious hotel with a spa, would help her. David had never expected to have Carolyn crying over the line, saying they had to help him.
"Who, Carolyn?" David had literally yelled over the phone with obvious panic.
"Little Spencer! Oh dear God, David, he's a mess...!" she sobbed.
David had to calm his wife down, get her to explain what was going on. What he heard had made him want to murder the son of the bitch known as William Reid.
The bastard left Diana shortly after Diana had found out she was pregnant. When Carolyn had reached Diana's house, she noticed how the outside had seen better days, but placed it as Diana never being the usual housewife type- more into books rather than cleaning more than what was necessary. She heard the shrieking of what could obviously be a baby in the house, and hesitated to knock. When she did, Diana hadn't answered until Carolyn was literally banging on the door. After Diana opened the door, she had never been so shocked.
Diana's blonde hair was in total disarray, her face pale with sunken cheeks, and she was dressed in a ruffled bathrobe. A smile was planted on her face as she greeted Carolyn, and gave her the news that she had just given birth to a boy named Spencer and wanted Carolyn to be the godmother. Her tone and blank look in her eyes told Carolyn that Diana wasn't well and had asked if she could see Spencer.
The inside of the house was just as bad with books and clothes everywhere. Spencer was crying his lungs out in a crib in the master bedroom, clearly hungry and clearly in need of a diaper change. Without panicking Diana, Carolyn had simply asked if she could feed Spencer- explaining that she always wanted to do this. Diana was all the more cooperative. Spencer was fed, changed, and cooing in Carolyn's arms. After Carolyn got in the rental car, she called child-protective services. The next morning, Carolyn had called to check in on what happened. Spencer was underweight and sickly. Diana was mentally disturbed and needed help.
Once Carolyn had finished relaying the story, David felt his heart clench and apprehension bubble in his stomach. He could tell where Carolyn was going with this, and David didn't know if he wanted to go down the same path. Not too long ago he had buried his only son and now he was expected to take care of someone else's. Still, Carolyn's sobbing and Spencer's story had caused him to agree to what his wife wanted, and Spencer was now in his arms.
David looked back up to see Carolyn, clearly exhausted but carried a grateful smile, standing before him. The moment she walked into the door, David could see she had already bonded with her godson. Spencer was held close to her chest and she only looked up from him to only give David a quick kiss on the lips and then introduced him to their newest edition.
"He's been very quiet," she said while reaching over and running her index finger over Spencer's cheek. He responded by turning his head to her, "Hardly cries and loves to be cuddled," she finished that with a giggle, "Kind of like you."
The small smile couldn't stay away from his bearded face before once more looking down at the infant. Spencer was still gazing at Carolyn, his arms and legs perfectly still as his eyes were now completely curious. Great, David thought, Spencer already chose his favorite parent.
"Well then, he's perfect for you," David commented, which caught Spencer's attention. The infant blinked before his hands started moving again, this time reaching out for the black whiskers of David's beard, "Hey now, that's not for you to play with."
Spencer didn't listen. He opened his mouth a bit, which caused his pacifier to fall from his mouth. Gurgles came from his mouth as he kept trying and Carolyn couldn't help but laugh as David tried to pull his head away from the infant's hold. Soon enough, David let out his own held back laugh as he saw Spencer even smile a bit at what had to be the expression David was showing.
"You might want to shave, David," Carolyn said. David gave her a humorous look.
"Are you crazy, woman? You know how hard it is for me to grow a beard this sexy?"
Carolyn rolled her eyes, "You're Italian, David, it wouldn't take long."
A small hand gripped David's beard, followed by a happy gurgle. The small plop of Spencer's pacifier was heard along with Carolyn's laughter as she bent down and picked it up.
"You two play nice now," she said as she made her way to the kitchen, leaving David standing there with an infant holding his beard for dear life and making cooing sounds that could have been passed off as laughing.
Slowly, David lowered his head and saw his new...son. Yeah, son. "You're cute little guy, but my beard is not your toy."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek, remember, 75 reviews on Brother My Brother gets you more.