Author's Notes: To those who have read my other stuff, I apologize for the lack of updates. School and Work has been intensely busy. I haven't been home other than to sleep as of lately. But! Things might be changing soon. I am working on a new chapter of Magnet (my Spencer Reid/Harper Hilman story) and have re-read Still Watching (Lila/Reid) and am thinking of restarting to write that one (which I have - check it out!) And What Happens (Reid/OFC Reid/JJ)has been updated too. Thank you for putting up with me!
She never wanted to leave the BAU.
They were her family. Her brothers and sisters, her uncles, her parents away from home. They kept her grounded and safe and strong. They kept her sane and even with everything they saw, happy. They had been through so much with each other.
But the Pentagon… it was less traveling, less hours, more time with Henry and Will and it was…easier. It's what she needed at this point. At least that's what she tries to tell herself as she turns off her office light and makes her way home.
She opens her front door, greeted by her son, something that never gets old. Day after day.
"Mommy!" He screams in delight as he waddles his way towards her. She drops to her knees and picks up the toddler, who grins at her so largely. "Mommy home!"
"Hey sweetie." She cuddles him in her arms, leaving kisses all over his chubby little cheeks.
"Is Daddy home?" She asks as she makes her way to the kitchen.
"Daddy work, Mommy."
She nods at the toddler before she spots the babysitter, a graduate student who probably knows her son better than she does - or did, before, she thinks to herself, sitting on the couch, laptop open as she works on a paper. The liaison smiles at her.
"Thank you, Brandi. Do you want to stay for dinner? Reid and Penelope are supposed to come over tonight."
The brunette's eyes widen and JJ tries to hide her amused look with a kiss to the boy's forehead. It's obvious that her babysitter has a slight crush on the genius, although she's never said anything and makes it a point not to ask about him, even though she talks about all the others.
"Sure, ma'am, do you think… do you think Dr. Reid would be willing to look at my paper?"
"I'm sure he'd love too." She says, sitting the boy down in his high chair and giving him a banana to eat while she starts dinner. She looks back up at Brandi as she washes her hands. The younger woman looks so hopeful. "Chemical Engineering, right?"
"Yeah." Brandi nods, pushing her hair behind her ears before helping the woman with the pasta. She almost reminds of Reid a little, maybe that's why she hired her. Or it could be the high IQ, great references, and CPR certification. The two work in unison until the doorbell rings and JJ moves to answer the doorbell as Brandi deals with a fussy Henry, taking him to the living room with his toys. She opens the door and smiles seeing the tall, messy genius.
"Hey Spence."
He smiles and leans into her, wrapping an arm around her in a slight hug before he pulls away and goes straight to Henry and Brandi. She covers a snort as Brandi stares up at him in slight amazement as Spencer takes his godson from her, oblivious of the girl's admiration.
She makes her way back to the kitchen, hearing him talk to the baby as if he's an adult, never one for baby talk 'as it teaches the child the wrong pronunciation and way of speech.' She watches as he sits on the couch with the little boy, enjoying his time with him until Penelope gets here and showers him with kisses and bright gifts. The two godparents were so different, but she knew she had made the right choice. Henry would be stimulated in intelligence and creatively alike. She watched them for a few more seconds before turning attention back to the food, losing Brandi to Reid. She shook her head again in amusement when she hears the woman stutter, asking about her paper.
She hears the door open again and smiles when she sees Will entering. He nods at Spencer and Brandi, who have made themselves comfortable discussing the paper, while Henry lays asleep on Spencer's shoulder - JJ wants to be mad at Spence for letting the baby fall asleep so early, but can't bear it, seeing the man's hand sweep over her son's back so comforting. Will makes his way to the kitchen, kisses her cheek and looks at the food.
"You're just home in time for spaghetti."
"Yum." He says, his accent still thick, and she leans into him slightly. The change in jobs had been good for their relationship too. She has to admit that. Times had gotten a little rocky, fighting about time and what was more important. She doesn't tell him that she was forced to take the job, lets him think that she chose to left without any push. It makes him happier that way. It's one less fight.
"Is Penelope coming too?"
"She should be here any minute." She says, looking over her shoulder as he makes his way to the fridge.
"Probably buying Henry another toy." He mumbles and JJ rolls her eyes playfully.
"You know she likes to spoil him."
"We're going to have to buy a bigger house just for his toys soon, Jayje."
She gives him a look. "Don't be so overdramatic, Will." She teases before kissing him softly. "Go, sit. Dinner will be ready soon."
He watches Brandi and Reid for a moment before making a face. She knows that he doesn't understand Reid and that he gets annoyed by all the rambling the younger man does. He looks back at her and she gives him a look, telling him to behave. Will takes a swig of his beer before making his way over to the duo. Spencer looks up before handing over the baby to Will before turning his completely attention to Brandi, his conversation becoming more intense, now with hand motions. She watches Will stare at the two for a brief second before turning his eyes to the TV. She looks at the microwave behind her, wondering where Penelope is, when the doorbell rings again. She stares a look with Will, who gets up and answers.
"Oh, Look at him! He's got so big!" She hears and smiles. It's been three days since Penelope seen the little boy.
She tries to contain her laugh she the techie speaks again. "I got him something."
Criminal Minds || Life
She stands at the door as she watches Reid stand over the little boy's crib. She tends to scold Will to touching the baby once he's asleep, but can't manage to do the same with Reid as his fingers run through the little boy's long blonde locks. She makes her way over to him, touching his back so she doesn't startle him when she speaks. Still, he tenses, pulls his hand away.
"I'm sorry, I-"
She shakes off the apologies and looks at the little boy. He's beautiful and so small and…hers. She still can't get over it sometimes. After cases, she would sit and stare at him, watching him breathe and sigh and move in just amazement.
"He's beautiful, isn't he?" She says, softly and brushes the hair out of the baby's face.
"He needs a hair cut."
She gives him a glare. "Will says the same thing. I just can't bring myself to cut it. And who are you to talk, mister."
He smiles, slightly embarrassed, before his hand moves over the top of his head, through his much shorter locks. She knows he wants to say something about the fact he did actually cut it, but he doesn't. He drops his hands to his side after a moment and looks at the little boy, both of them in silence, before it gets too much for him.
"How are you and Will?" He asks, quietly and she shrugs. He's a profiler. He knows. He can tell by body language and word choice. She wants to tell him that he's not supposed to profile team mates, but…she's no longer a team mate.
"We're better." She nods, looking at him. "We're doing better."
His eyes scan her face before he nods too, turning back to the baby. "That's good."
"We are, Spence. I know you don't believe me, but I've been spending more time at home now and we're not fighting as much."
"He was annoyed tonight." He says, matter-of-factly, as he reaches out to run his fingers over Henry's hand. The little boy's fingers curl around the man's finger and he smiles. "He doesn't like me."
JJ looked at him. "He likes you, Spence."
He turns to give her an unimpressed look. "He's never liked me. I know that you two fought about me being Henry's godfather."
JJ opens her mouth to deny it before frowning. They had fought about it, but there was no one else that she had even considered. Spencer was her best friend and she knew that if her son was going to be with anyone other than her and Will, it was going to be with the smartest, most passionate two people she knew.
"He might have argued with the fact, but I think he's realized now that you are the best choice. Who else can say there 18 month old is taught by a certified genius?"
Spencer's lips curl into his embarrassed smile, bringing his chin closer to his chest, hair falling slightly into his eyes. She smiles and ruffles his hair.
"You're a great godfather, Spence. I've never doubted my choice."
"You promise? Morgan would be able to teach him more about girls and sports and all that stuff."
She leans in and kisses his temple. "I promise."
His smile grows a little more confident, even though the blush deepens on his cheeks. He pulls back, resting his forearms on the crib railing. "He is beautiful, JJ. Haircut or not. He's starting to look more like you every day."
"Are you flirting with my girl, Dr. Reid?" Will asks, from the doorway and Spencer stands up straight.
"What? No. Not at all."
Will steps further in the room, wrapping his arm around JJ. JJ looks to the taller man before to her boyfriend. She shakes her head.
"He's teasing you, Spence."
Will doesn't say anything and Spencer nods.
"Right. Well.. I should be heading home. Work, tomorrow, and all."
Will nods and JJ pulls away from his arms to hug the genius in front of him.
"Thank you for coming tonight, Spencer. It was great to see you."
"We're still on for Saturday, right? We're going to the aquarium?"
She smiles. "If you guys don't get a case."
He nods. "If we don't get a case."