Friday Night:
"Man, I wish I could move like that," Garcia commented, as she watched the two dancers on the tv screen move across the dance floor.
"You and me both," Amber commented, from the other end of the couch. She reached for another handful of popcorn from the bowl positioned on the cushion between them.
When Amber had gotten home that afternoon, she had decided to kill some time playing her internet role play game. She had been pleasantly surprised when she had met up with Penelope's character online. After tagging along in their virtual world for a while, the two women had switched to talking via instant messenger. Upon discovering that neither of them had plans for the evening, Amber had invited the tech over. Garcia had jumped at the invitation and the two had ended up deciding to watch the ballroom dance competition on tv.
"Oh, come on I've seen you move on the dance floor," Garcia commented. "You move just fine."
So engrossed in their own conversation neither girl heard the front door open as Spencer let himself into the house. He was about to call out a greeting to Amber when he heard her talking, and realized she had company.
"Oh, sure, line dance, two-step, a waltz with my father every now and then and even a passable swing-dance but nothing like this," Amber said as the couple ended the Rhumba they were doing. "This Penelope, is poetry in motion. Not that I wouldn't mind taking lessons."
"So, take lessons," Garcia replied, as the dance came to an end and the couple on the screen took their bows.
"For what reason? So I can dance by myself?"
"You do have a fiancee."
"A fiancee that won't put a toe out on the dance floor. I do believe our wedding is going to be the first ever that the bride and groom do not share the traditional first dance."
"We'll have to see what we can do to fix that," Garcia said, looking at the television screen as the judges began to hold up the scores. "Ah, come on! Are you blind?" the blonde yelled throwing a handful of popcorn in the direction of the tv. Only one kernel hit its intended target, as the rest fell to the floor. "These guys were so much better than the last couple, don't you think?" Garcia said, turning to her hostess.
"Yes I do think they deserved higher scores," Amber replied. "Throwing popcorn at the television set isn't going to help anything though."
Before Garcia could make a comment, both women heard footsteps behind them. Looking over the back of the couch, they saw Spencer standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Reid," Garcia said cheerfully.
"Hi," Spencer replied. He hadn't expected Garcia to be here but it didn't really surprise him much. Amber and Garcia had developed a close friendship over the last month. The two had found a lot of things they had in common though their personalities couldn't have been more opposite. Somehow Amber's more careful and laid back personality, complimented Garcia's more colorful, bubbly personality. It had been their mutual interest in computers that had cemented the relationship though. When the two of them started talking techno-babble as Morgan had dubbed it, the only one able to follow the conversation was Kevin Lynch.
"You're home early," Amber commented, as Spencer walked into the room. Reaching the back of the couch he leaned over and received a welcoming kiss from his fiancee. "I figured you and Morgan would be out late."
"Well you're right on that account in Morgan's case."
"And you're not with him because . . ."
"The last time I saw Morgan, a woman who was probably just barely legal to be in the bar was stuffing her tongue down his throat. Somehow, I don't think he's going to miss me."
"You left without telling him."
"I left a message on his cell phone. I didn't want to interrupt them." Reid told her. "Just like I don't want to interrupt the two of you. I'll just grab my laptop and head over to my apartment."
"Reid you don't have to leave on account of me," Garcia told him.
"No it's okay. I've got an article that I need to work on. I'll see you tomorrow," he told Amber before turning and heading out of the room. As he headed up the steps, Amber looked at Garcia.
"I'll be right back," Amber told Garcia, getting to her feet.
"Yeah, sure," Garcia answered, reaching into the bowl of popcorn again before turning her attention back to the television.
Amber headed upstairs and met Spencer as he was coming out of the bedroom, laptop in hand.
"You don't have to leave," Amber told him.
"I really do need to work on this article. The deadline is in a week."
"So, what you plan on staying up all night and working on this article."
"Amber, I'll be fine," Reid told her. "I love you for worrying about me, but you don't have too. Spending one night alone is not going to hurt me and I promise not to stay up all night working," he said, looking into her disbelieving eyes. "I'll be over around lunch time and we can talk about wedding plans, okay."
"Okay," Amber said. "Just remember if you need to talk . . ."
"Your number is the number two on my cell phone and I know where you live," Reid told her.
Amber smiled. Then standing on her toes, reached up to place a kiss on his lips. When they finally broke away from the kiss, the two of them walked hand-in-hand down the steps, saying good-bye once more at the door before Amber rejoined Garcia in the living room.
"Is he leaving because I'm here?" Garcia asked, looking over at Amber instead of at the dancing that was taking place on the television.
"No. I think he just wanted some time alone. Despite what any of you all may think, Spencer has not officially moved in here yet," Amber told her, "and he doesn't spend every night here."
"Course not. Sometimes he's out of town with the team," Garcia said, with a smile.
"You're lucky you have that glass in your hands," Amber told the tech, who was holding her glass of tea.
"Seriously though, it seems like he spends a lot of time here. Morgan said he usually ends up dropping him off here instead of at his apartment anymore, maybe you two should consider it. It would save money not having to pay for two places."
"Let's not rush things now?" Amber said, holding her hands up defensively.
"Rush things. The two of you are engaged. You don't plan on living in two different places after you're married do you?"
"Not hardly and we're not married yet. I thought we were watching this dance competition," Amber said, gesturing to the tv where the most recent couple were receiving their scores from the judges.
"Right. Enjoying the dances and avoid reality for a while," Garcia commented. "We can do that." She reached down and picked up the bowl of popcorn. "Have some popcorn."
Amber reached out and took a handful of the buttery snack food. ~She does have a point, ~ she thought, as she settled back to watch the next couple who were taking the dance floor. ~Spencer does spend a lot of time here. Perhaps I should bring up the subject of him just moving in.~
Amber flipped the two cheese sandwiches that were in the pan as she heard the front door open. "Is that you, Spencer?" Amber called out as she placed the spatula down on the counter. As her father also came into the house without knocking, she figured it could be either of them, though Spencer had said he would be on his way over soon, when she had called him before starting lunch. She wanted to know if she should be cooking for two or for just herself.
"Yeah, it's me," he called back. It wasn't long before he was entering the kitchen.
Amber looked from where she was stirring the tomato soup on the stove, at the sound of his footsteps. Spencer had his hands stuffed into his pocket. He stepped just inside the doorway and leaned back against the wall. Just looking at him, Amber felt tired.
"You didn't sleep well last night did you?" she asked.
"I got a couple of hours," he responded. "You look well rested. At least one of us was able to catch up on their sleep."
"You didn't need to spend the night at your place for that reason."
Reid shrugged his shoulders. "When did Garcia finally leave last night?"
"Around one this morning. We enjoyed some girl talk after watching the end of the competition," Amber told him, as she turned back to the stove. Picking up the spatula, she checked the bottom of the first sandwich. Seeing that it was a golden brown, she put the spatula all the way under the sandwich and removed it from the pan, placing it on the small plate sitting on the counter. Moments later the second one had joined it. "I started a pot of co . . . " Amber started to say as she looked over her shoulder at Reid. Seeing that he was already heading for the coffee pot, she didn't feel as though the sentence needed an ending. "Never mind I see that you've figured that out," she added as she picked up the two plates.
"Did you want a cup?" Spencer asked her, already pouring some of the dark bitter liquid into a mug.
"No. I've got a glass of ice tea already," Amber replied as she placed the two plates down on the table. She then turned back to the stove, gave the soup a final stir and began dishing out two bowls of the tomato soup. Beside her, Spencer was retrieving a pack of crackers from the cabinet.
It wasn't long before the couple was seated at the small kitchen table, enjoying the simple meal. They ate in silence for a little while before Spencer finally broke the silence.
"I hadn't forgot about the tradition of a first dance, you know. I will do it, though you may want to wear some steel toed shoes for it."
"Where did that come from?"
"I heard you talking to Garcia last night. As much as I don't like dancing, I figured that was a tradition you wouldn't want to break. Though I do hope you're not expecting anything fancy."
"Don't worry. I'll save the waltz for the father-daughter dance," Amber told him, trying to get a smile out of him. When it didn't work, she reached across the table and rested a hand his forearm. "Spencer, lighten up. This should be fun. Something to look forward to. Not something you dread. We could elope if you wanted to."
"Your father would kill me."
"Honestly, I'd be more worried about Grandma Rossi than my father if we eloped. She's already asked me what church I plan on getting married in. I don't think she appreciated the fact that I switched the subject on her. "
"Wonderful. Something else to worry about," Reid said.
"Don't worry, Grandma will love you," Amber told him. "What's not to love? You're polite, sweet, have a steady job."
"And non-religious."
"She'll overlook that once she gets to know you," Amber said as she reached for her glass of tea. "She'll do her darndest to convert you, but she won't condemn you for it." Amber finished off her cheese sandwich, and pushing the plate away from her brought up another topic. "So, I think the first thing we need to decide is when and where we're going to have the wedding. I was thinking not before the end of the summer. I don't want to rush the planning and I'm sure we can find a church in Las Vegas to hold the ceremony."
"Las Vegas?" Spencer said. "But most of your family, whom you were going to invite, lives out here on the East Coast. Not to mention, the team is going to consist of the majority of my guest list."
"And the team will come to the wedding no matter where we have," Amber told him. "As for the rest of my family, Dad will make sure Grandma makes it out there as well as helping out anyone else in the family that may need help with travel arrangements. We've already talked about it. We both think that its best that we keep things as stress free as possible for your mother. I know she hates flying and the wedding itself is going to be a big enough interruption to her routine."
Reid didn't respond right away. He was touched that she had taken his mother into consideration. That she was willing to go across the country to get married when none of her family even lived in the area of Las Vegas. Still, deep down he had known that if the wedding wasn't out there, his mother wouldn't be at it.
"And as we were going to keep the wedding small, I was thinking maybe instead of renting some place fancy for the receptions, perhaps Mrs. Henderson would let as use the Desert Rose Café. It was after all the site of our first kiss, remember?"
"How could I forget Vince and that mistletoe?" Reid replied. "I'll give Mrs. Henderson a call and run the idea by her as soon as we've had a chance to make out a preliminary guest list. I want to give her an idea of how many people to expect when I ask her about it."
The conversation continued as they finished eating. Amber was about to get a paper and pen to start writing out a guest list to get an estimate on the number of guests, when the phone rang.
"Hello," Amber said picking the phone up as she walked by it.
"Hi, Amber," came Marge's voice over the line. "How are you?"
"I'm fine mother."
"Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
"Yes. What's up?" Amber asked, able to tell that her mother was excited about something.
"Carl proposed to me last night," Marge told her.
Her mother had been dating Carl for almost a year now. Amber wasn't sure how the relationship kept working as every time she had been around them, it seemed to be one argument after the other. As far as men went though, Carl seemed like a decent guy. Had always been polite to her. Held down a decent job. All of which put him above some of the men that she had seen her mother date.
"That's great, Mom! I'm so happy for you!" Amber said, hoping her enthusiasm sounded genuine.
"Thanks! I knew you would be excited," Marge replied. There was a slight pause and then she continued. "I had a great idea too. Wouldn't it be fun to have a double ceremony? When were you and your young man planning on getting married? Carl and I are looking at August but we're flexible. It would be so wonderful to share the same anniversary."
"His name is Spencer, Mom," Amber said, wondering how long it would take her to remember his name. As for the idea, she hated it. There was no way she was getting married on the same day that her mother took her vows for the fifth time. Amber also knew she couldn't tell her mother that. There was only one way she could think to get out of this situation, without hurting her mother's feelings. She only hoped that Spencer would understand. "I'm sure a double wedding would be a lot of fun, but I don't think its going to be possible. Spencer and I are thinking about waiting to set a date. We've only been back together a few months, so there is no reason to rush things. You and Carl should just go ahead and make your plans."
"Are you and . . . what's his name again?"
"Spencer," Amber replied, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice. ~Can't she even remember his name for ten minutes, ~ Amber thought?
"Are the two of you having problems?"
"No, Mom. We're not."
"Okay but you know, you should really think about quitting your job. It's too dangerous, especially when you decide to start a family."
"I'm not quitting my job mother," Amber told her. Deciding she needed to bring this conversation to an end before it turned into an argument, she decided to change the subject. "You and Carl make your plans and let me know when the wedding will be."
"Will you at least stand up with me? I'd like you to be my maid of honor."
"I'd love to do that, Mother," Amber replied, not because that was how she really felt, but because she knew that was the answer her mother expected. She had long ago learned that there were some battles worth fighting and some which she was better off surrendering.
"Great. As soon as I know the date I'll call you. Hopefully you can find some time before the wedding so we can go dress shopping together."
"I'll certainly try," Amber replied.
Mother and daughter exchanged a few more words before ending the call. As Amber hung up the phone, she looked over at Spencer.
"Why did you tell her that we're thinking about waiting to set a date?" he asked, clearly confused.
Amber walked back to the table and sat down across from him. She slouched in the chair, suddenly feeling very tired. This whole week hadn't gone well and this was just another disappointment. She really hadn't wanted a long engagement, but the idea of getting married on the same day of her mother wasn't one that she even wanted to contemplate for a moment.
"My mother just got engaged herself. The choices suddenly became wait, have a double ceremony with her and Carl, or actually try to explain to her why I don't want to share my wedding day with her. Some battles just aren't worth fighting. I hope you don't mind," Amber told him, looking across the table at him.
Spencer stood up and walked the short distance to stand behind Amber's chair. He placed his arms around her and leaned down to place his head next to hers. "The day is supposed to be your special day. You shouldn't have to share it with anyone, not even your mother. If that means we have to wait, then we wait."
"You're not disappointed."
"I just want you in my life," he told her, the sincerity evident in his voice.
"I'm not going anywhere any time soon," Amber replied.
"That's good to know," Reid responded, before his lips found Amber's.
A few hours later, Amber and Reid were in the living room. Amber was watching the end of the movie the two of them had found on the TV, Reid having fallen asleep about twenty minutes into it. This time, it was he who was using Amber's lap as his pillow. Amber was just happy that Reid was finally getting some sleep.
She hadn't brought up the subject of him moving in permanently. After her mother's phone call, it just didn't seem like an appropriate time. She had Spencer back in her life. Saw him most days when his work didn't take him away. Even when she didn't see him, no matter what was going on in their jobs, they found time to call one another, even if it was only to exchange quick hellos.
Perhaps things didn't need to change right now. With the things they were both dealing with, saying they were happy didn't seem appropriate. One thing was true though, they were happier together than they were apart. The things that Spencer was dealing with right now he would be facing whether she was here or not and if she wasn't here, he would be facing them without her. Having heard the details about Georgia, and not just from Spencer but Morgan and Garcia as well, and hearing him talk about the nightmares that haunted his sleep, Amber was glad she was here.
~Yes, Spencer giving up his apartment and moving in can wait. The wedding can wait. We're together and nothing and no one can take that away from us, ~ Amber thought as she reached down and gently tucked a wayward strand of Spencer's hair behind his ear.
As the credits began to roll, Amber's cell phone rang. Carefully trying not to disturb Spencer's sleep, she reached over him and managed to get a hold of the phone which was sitting near the edge. Looking at the screen, she saw her Dad's number.
"Hey, Dad," Amber quietly answered the phone.
"Hi, Sweetie. I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
"No. The movie I was watching is just ending and Spencer is sleeping."
"Any plans for tonight?"
"Other than hanging around the house, nothing."
"Then how about you and R. . . . Spencer come over for dinner and hang out here. Keep the old man company tonight."
Amber smiled at the switched use of names. Unlike her mother, who just couldn't be bothered with remembering Spencer's name, her father, in an effort to put his soon to be son-in-law at ease, was making a conscious effort not to call him by his last name when outside of work. Some days were better than others.
"That sounds fine," Amber said. "And it'll keep me from trying to decide what to make for dinner."
"Wonderful. Dinner will be ready at six, feel free to show up earlier," Rossi told her.
"Okay, Dad. I'll see you later."
Amber disconnected the call and put the phone back on the coffee table. Reaching for the remote, which was resting on the arm of the couch, Amber began to flip through stations. She would let Spencer sleep for a few more hours before waking him up to go to dinner with her father.
