For those of you who haven't read the first story: Jasmine Ellis is an character I created, she is Reid's girlfriend and mother of his baby daughter, Audrey Isabella Reid. Also, in this story, Morgan and Garcia are engaged. If you are not satisfied with my summary go check out the first story so you can see how all this came to be or check out the summary on my profile=]
So, here it is! Sequel to Give her a Chance! Enjoy…
"No! Not again!" Jasmine whined as she became conscious of the fact that she would be changing baby Bell's diaper for the 6th time that day. "Let's just potty train her already…" She said as she put the baby down in her crib.
"That my lovely, would be awesome. Yet, impossible." Garcia said as she tried to keep herself from laughing.
Spencer had stayed home for the entire first month after Audrey's birth. But as much as Jasmine would have liked, he couldn't stay with her forever. He had to return and help the team back at the BAU. Since Spencer was now away for days at a time, Penelope would occasionally drop by or even sleep over at Spencer's and Jasmine's apartment to keep an eye on both Jasmine and the now 7-month-old baby. It had been the happiest 7 months of Jasmine's life. She was still new to parenting but both her and Spencer were learning fast and doing a great job so far.
"I feel so bad that you're here helping me with Audrey instead of being out with Derek planning your wedding." Jasmine admitted as she finished changing Audrey into a fresh diaper.
"Don't feel bad. I'd much rather be here with you and Ms. Rock star Audrey, than stressing over wedding details…"
"You do realize your wedding is only two weeks away, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. But that is what the wedding planner is for. He knows what I want and what I like and I trust he will take care of it all."
Jasmine couldn't help but laugh at how calm and collected Penelope was. Jasmine was sure that if she was in her shoes she would be a nervous wreck right now, probably calling the wedding planner every two and a half minutes to make sure everything was going according to plan.
"Hey I'm hungry… Wanna go grab something?" Penelope asked as she picked up Audrey and placed her on her hip.
"I don't think so, it's too cold out for Audrey… Maybe we should call Spencer and have him bring us something. He said he'd be home by 8, and it's already 7:15." Jasmine missed being able to just get up and go whenever she wanted, but now that she was a mother that had its complications. Yeah, occasionally on sunny days she would go out for a stroll with Audrey and Pen or to the park with Audrey and Spencer. But it just wasn't the same.
"Hey Jas, Pen! We brought Chinese!" Spencer announced as he entered the apartment with Derek coming in shortly after him.
"Great! We are starving!" Penelope said taking the bags of food from Reid's hands. She went into the living room where Jasmine was ready with cups and a 2 liter Coke bottle, and the remote.
"Where's the mini rock star?" Derek asked looking around for her.
"We just put her to sleep." Jasmine said as she turned on the TV and waited for Penelope to pour her a cup of soda.
"Let's go wake her up." Reid said excitedly as both he and Derek headed towards Audrey's room.
"Spencer don't." Jasmine warned pointing chopsticks at him and Derek.
"Come on we've been waiting all day to come see her." Derek complained and continued towards the pink room.
"Fine, but you're putting her back to sleep then."
"Sure." Derek and Spencer both said.
Spencer opened the door and turned on the lights. He cautiously walked over to the crib where Audrey was sound asleep.
"Bells, daddy's home." Reid said gently kissing her cheek. He looked back and stroked the baby's hair, "Maybe we shouldn't wake her up, she's fast asleep."
"Don't be a party pooper!" Morgan half whispered, half yelled. Audrey opened her eyes to the sound of Uncle Derek's voice. "Hey there, pretty girl!"
Spencer picked Audrey up and brought her out to the living room. He sat on the ground near Audrey's toy box and Derek followed and sat down on the floor across from Spencer. Derek grabbed a pink rubber ball and handed it to Audrey to play with. Spencer sat Baby Bells on his lap and watched as Audrey threw the ball back at Derek and kicked and clapped happily when Morgan caught it. This caused everyone in the room to laugh, even Jasmine and Penelope who were both pretending not to pay attention.
"Aw, she's so adorable!" Penelope said as she put her food aside and dropped on the floor next to Derek, "My turn" Penelope yelled taking the ball from Morgan. Penelope did as Morgan had done earlier, she handed the ball to Audrey and yelled in amazement when Audrey threw it back at her and began yelling along with Penelope.
Suddenly, Audrey got herself off Spencer's lap and began crawling towards Penelope to retrieve her ball.
"Oh my God! She's crawling!" Penelope yelled as she quickly signaled to Jasmine to hand her neon purple purse. Penelope grabbed the purse and pulled out her pink camera and started talking pictures of Audrey.
Spencer turned to look at Jasmine who didn't seem to be as surprised as the others.
"She started crawling over the weekend." Jasmine told Spencer. However, Reid didn't seem so happy to learn this.
"I missed it." Spencer was very disappointed because he was away when his daughter started crawling.
"It's okay Spence," Jasmine tried comforting Reid, but they both knew that it wasn't okay at all. They should both be present during their daughter's milestones.
"Its okay Reid, stop stressing'. The important thing is that you are here now and you will be for everything else…" Morgan added backing up Jasmine.
"Yeah. I guess you're right." Spencer said, although he didn't sound all that convinced.
"Well it's late and we have to go to work tomorrow, come on baby girl." Derek announced his departure while helping Penelope up.
Jasmine walked both Penelope and Derek out to the hallway while Spencer stayed with Audrey in the living room. Jasmine then came back and sat next to Spencer who was still sitting on the ground playing with Audrey. Jasmine loved watching Spencer with their daughter, he looked so happy.
"I missed you babe…" Jasmine said as she reached out to hug Reid.
"Me too." Spencer said turning his attention to Jasmine and placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"I'm tired … let's go to bed." Spencer said standing up and grabbing a hold of Jasmine's wrist. He helped her up before picking up Audrey off the floor.
Both Spencer and Jasmine went to Audrey's room and laid her down on her crib and watched her go to sleep. Once Audrey's eyes closed Spencer bent over and placed a kiss on her cheek before tip-toeing away with Jasmine back to their own room.
Jasmine opened her eyes. It was early in the morning and Spencer was getting ready for work. She fought the urge to close her eyes again and go back to sleep and quickly got up and threw on her purple satin robe.
"Hey want me to make you a quick breakfast before you leave?" Jasmine said placing her arms around Spencer while he looked in the mirror and fixed his tie.
"No, that's fine. I'm running a bit late. Have you seen my cell?"
"Yeah. You left it in the living room last night…" Jasmine brushed past him and went to the living room to look for the phone.
Jasmine wasn't in the living room for long when she heard a knock on the door. Jas froze and wondered who it could be at this early time in the morning. Spencer laughed at her and went ahead to opened the door.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" Spencer said surprised as Hotch stepped into the apartment.
"Where's Jasmine?" Hotch asked wasting no time to explain to Spencer.
"Here. Is everything okay?" Jasmine asked unfreezing herself and walking over to the hall so Hotch could see her.
"Not really. Jasmine, I need you to come back to work immediately. Strauss had been on my case for the past month. She's threatening to replace you if you don't return to the BAU today."
"Are you serious? Hotch; I don't think I can…"
"Why not? I will not have anyone replacing you. You're an asset to this team."
"I know. It's not that I don't want to return, it's just that I don't feel comfortable leaving Audrey under anyone's care but my own…" Jasmine looked behind her to see if Spencer had any opinion on the matter.
"Jasmine, it's been nearly 9 months. I think it's time you return. Let's not give Strauss a reason to fire you… We can find Bell's a babysitter," Spencer said trying to convince Jasmine.
"Don't even worry about finding a babysitter for Audrey. I have made arrangements with Karin, Jack's babysitter, she'll be glad to look after Audrey." Hotch said waiting for Jasmine to accept and return to work.
"I don't know." Jasmine said biting her lip. She really did miss the team, and oddly, she missed the gruesome cases as well. However, she wasn't all that excited about leaving Audrey under anyone else's care.
"Please, Jasmine. Go get ready and pack a go bag." Hotch said with that 'serious business' look on his face.
"Fine." Jasmine said as she went back to her room to prepare.
Meanwhile, Spencer and Hotch went to Baby Bell's room. Little Audrey was already awake and busy playing with a plush dog in her crib. Spencer grabbed her diaper bag and Hotch picked Audrey up and they headed towards the living room and waited for Jasmine.
Jasmine walked out, all ready to go. Her eyes opened wide when she saw Hotch standing in her living room carrying Audrey in her PJ's.
"Wait, I have to change her, she can't go out like that." Jasmine said trying to snatch Audrey out of Hotch's arms.
"It's okay Jas; Spencer put plenty of clothes in her diaper bag. Karin will change her. We have to go, now." Hotch said giving Jas a stern look. He was all business and he wanted to make sure she knew how serious he was.
"Okay." Jasmine frowned.
Hotch pulled into his driveway as Jasmine and Spencer pulled onto the curb in front of his house. Spencer got out of the Mustang and helped Jasmine out of the passenger's side, then brought Audrey out in her car seat.
Jasmine was still not sure of the fact that leaving Audrey with a babysitter for the first time would be a good idea, but there was no other choice, she had to return to work ASAP.
They both joined Hotch at the house door. Hotch rung the doorbell and a young red-head came to the door.
"Hi! You must be Spencer and Jasmine, I'm Karin" Karin said opening the door all the way and motioning them to come in.
Jack came running to the door when he heard Karin mention Jasmine and Spencer's names.
"Daddy! You brought Audrey to play with me?" Jack asked, as Hotch picked him up.
"Yeah, buddy. She is going to be staying with you and Karin for a while. Will you help take care of her?" Hotch asked.
"Uh-huh." Jack said nodding his head up and down vigorously...
"I'll be back as soon as I can. If anything is wrong please call me." Jasmine said as she kneeled down at the same time that Spencer put the car seat down on the living room floor. "Bye, sweetheart. Mommy loves you." Jasmine said before placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead. Jasmine stood up and kept her eyes on the baby.
"Bye, Bells. Be good." Spencer smiled and waved goodbye. Before turning around to leave he caught a glimpse of Audrey waving back.
"Oh! She's adorable!" Karin said as she took Audrey out of her car seat. "Don't worry, she's in good hands."
Jasmine, Spencer and Hotch arrived at the BAU just in time to hear Penelope announce that they had a new case. Jasmine crossed her fingers as she heard Penelope announce the location of the case hoping it would be local so she wouldn't be too far from home.
"We are going to the Queen city of the Rockies, kiddos. Helena, Montana!" Penelope announced, she immediately noticed that Spencer and Hotch were accompanied by Jasmine. "Jazzy! So glad you're back Hun!"
"Hey Short-stuff! Came to help with some criminal ass kicking?" Morgan said as he got up from his desk and gave Jas a big bear hug.
Jasmine smiled the entire time, but she was honestly devastated that for the first time ever she would have to spend a night away from her daughter. She immediately began thinking of excuses to stay behind and help the team some other way without leaving Quantico.
"Maybe I should stay behind with you Penelope and help you here…"
"I don't think so, Ellis." An angry woman's voice interrupted Jasmine.
Jasmine quickly turned around to see Strauss standing behind her.
"If you can't handle this job, tell me now. I can have you replaced by tonight." Strauss said with a cold smirk on her face. "I want you out on the field. If I would've known you would be backing out of cases I would have never hired you in the first place."
Jasmine shied away and looked down like a sad puppy after being reprimanded. Penelope couldn't believe the way Strauss was talking to Jas, and what was even harder to believe was that Jasmine was taking it.
"So what is it going to be Agent Ellis…? Are you going to be a full member of this team or not?"
What will Jasmine choose? You'll find out next chapter!
As always please R&R! Any comments, critiques, & suggestions are ALWAYS appreciated=]