"Thus that which is the most awful of evils, death, is nothing to us, since when we exist there is no death, and when there is death we do not exist"
-Epicurus
…
It was one of those fairytale mornings in spring. The sun was shining through light green birch leaves, maing the room glow.
The harmonic sound of little birds singing through the double glazed windows made the two men slowly awake, even if their eyes didn't want to open just yet, and their legs weren't quite ready to escape the covers.
It was one of those perfect, peaceful mornings… Until…
"Dad, get up!"
Little feet bounced up and down among the fluffy caramel sheets. Morgan opened one eye and saw Destiny's blonde locks bounce in rhythm with her feet. She was smiling, and was as always free from all drousiness.
"Des, dad's asleep" Morgan mumbled.
"Not anymore" Reid answered in a murmur. He snuggled into his pillow and fell asleep again. Destiny sighed.
"Then you get up, pa" she demanded with her hands on her hips. Morgan smirked but shook his head.
"Honey, it's not even seven, and it's Saturday"
He pulled the covers over his head. Destiny crawled down inbetween them.
"But you p'omised we'd go to the zoo" she groaned with a strong lisp. Morgan yawned.
"Nawasninamona"
She frowned.
"Huh?"
"Not at seven in the morning, go back to sleep, hun"
The four year old let out a deep sigh and went quiet… For about five minutes, before she started humming 'Old McDonald had a farm". Morgan slowly opened one eye and looked at her.
"Destiny"
She sighed again.
"Fine, I'll be quiet"
"That's my girl"
Destiny stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes before she realised something and sat up quickly.
"Did you say seven?" she said loudly, causing Reid to snap his eyes open in shock. "Oh my God, I almost missed Sponge Bob!"
She crawled over Morgan, who was lying on the side which was facing the door and ran out.
Reid looked at him and the corner of his mouth were twitching as he tried not to smirk.
"I'll start with breakfast. Will you get her dressed?"
Morgan nodded and Reid pecked him on the cheek before he got up. He noticed the deep, dark eyes were studying him as he changed into a pair of brown manchester pants and a black polo shirt. His hair was a little frizzy, just the way it should look on Spencer Reid. "Now don't you go back to sleep"
Morgan smirked.
"I'm awake now"
…
The zoo had many visitors, but it wasn't crouded, which was good for Reid. He could get stressed easily.
They were walking down the asphalt paths in between exhibits. Reid was holding one of Destiny's hands while her other hand held a tight grasp around her pink cotton candy.
"Look, dad, look!"
She dragged him towards one of the exhibits where two schimpansees were watching TV. "Dad, why's the'e a TV in the'e?"
Reid couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm and lack of R's in her speech.
"They are watching nature programs to see other schimpansees and animals they'd live with in the jungle" he explained. Destiny hung her arms over the wall to get a better lock down the exhibit and Reid put a protective hand on her arm.
"Don't they miss the jungle?" Destiny asked. Reid got a little panicy as she reach further and pulled her off of the wall.
"Well" he began and put her down, grabbing her hand. "I think thy look happy here, don't you? In the jungle there is no medication and no doctors if they get sick, and there are bad people hunting them there. Here, they're safe"
"Hmm" the four year old took a bite of her cotton candy. "That sounds 'easonable"
Reid felt an arm snake around his waist and familiar lips peck his cheek.
"Our four year old is using the word 'reasonable, why is that?" Morgan teased and smiled at Reid. He let go of him and walked next to them down the path.
"Because she's our four year old and we don't use baby talk to her" Reid explained and Destiny looked up at Morgan.
"Pa, would you mind not talking 'bout me as if I'm not he'e"
It made both men chuckle and Reid gave her hand a squeeze.
"Let's go and check out the crocodiles, huh?" Morgan suggested. Destiny smiled.
"Papa, they don't have c'ocodiles. They'e aligato's"
…
"Is everything ready for Monday?"
"Yes, sir. Everything's ready"
"Good, good. I will contact you an hour before showtime"
The click from the cellphone closing echoed through the parking house. It was almost empty, as it was Saturday. The man grinned evily at his own thoughts.
It'll be bigger than anything America has ever been through.
The golden flame shot up through the lighter like a thunderstorm as the man lit a cigarette.
"We're about to make history. Oh, yes"
With heels clicking against the concrete floor, the man headed for the elevators. He had some shopping to do.