I know, I know; I am absolutely terrible. I had every intention of having this up by last week Sunday, but the last two and half weeks were insane; wrote my last two exams of the semester, celebrated my birthday and my two best friends had birthdays as well (all my closest friends are also born in November, how weird is that?), and then I had half of this chapter written which I hated so I scrapped it and then started again and now I have been having Wi-Fi issues.
Anyhow, back to the story: so I know that Morgan got married and took a leave of absence after his attack, but I always figured he would drop by the BAU occasionally, since they're kind of like a family.

Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds, although I wish Dr Spencer Reid existed in my world. Sigh.

The case wraps up within a few days and the BAU unit arrives home by late Saturday night and with the absolute insistence of Rossi the team agrees to meet at his 'mansion' on Sunday afternoon for lunch.

The next day arrives with clear skies and a slight breeze in the air and soon enough the guests begin to arrive by one that afternoon, first to arrive is Hotch and Jack, Lewis and Garcia arrive together soon afterward with Garcia carrying a dessert of some kind. Derek arrives next with Savannah in tow, followed quickly by JJ, Will, Spencer, Henry and Michael.

"Hey, Rossi. What are we having for lunch?" Garcia asks.
"My authentic Italian lasagne with a side salad, we're just waiting on Hann. She is running a bit late."
"You invited, Hanniah?" Spencer asks clearly surprised.
"You have a problem with that, Reid?" Rossi asks with a smirk.
"Uhh, no, not at all." At Reid's response the doorbell rings.

Rossi leaves the open plan living area to answer the door; quiet greetings can be heard between Rossi and Hann before they appear smiling with Hanniah carrying a container and Rossi holding a bouquet of white roses.
"Hey sweetheart, what's in the container?" Morgan asks sauntering over to the pair.
"You're a married man, Derek. You better watch who you're calling sweetheart." Savannah says with a teasing smirk absentmindedly rubbing her swollen belly.
Hanniah looks around in amusement, taking note of the various unknown faces. Introductions are made and before long the entire party moves to the backyard with Hanniah fitting right in with the tightknit group.

After everyone has been well fed by the samplings of lasagne made by Rossi and grasshopper pie made by Garcia; Jack, Henry, Will and Derek decide to kick around the soccer ball, while Hotch and Rossi preoccupy themselves with Scotch and cigars at the opposite end of the backyard far away from the pregnant Savannah and baby Michael.
"So, Hanniah, tell us a little bit about yourself." Lewis says.
"Well, what would you like to know?" she asks cooing to Michael who is seated on her lap and appears to be enjoying the attention.
"Your family; because clearly you're good with kids." JJ says nodding to Michael.
"Well, when I was twelve my biological parents were killed in a car accident; drunk driver. My mom's best friend, Julianna and her husband Marcus adopted me, since I had no other relatives. So, I have three older adoptive brothers who are annoyingly protective; the eldest two are married with kids and the younger one has no interest in settling down."
"I'm sorry about your family." JJ says softly with a look of sympathy that is shared amongst the rest of the group at the table.
"It's okay. I am really blessed, the Salvatores have never made me feel like an outsider, it's like I am their daughter."

The afternoon winds down when Rossi makes all the adults cappuccinos while the kids and Savannah enjoy hot chocolate. Morgan's earlier curiosity is finally sated when Hanniah's container is opened to reveal homemade chocolate-dipped biscotti.
"This biscotti is amazing, Hann." Savannah says.
"Thanks, it's a family recipe."
"It tastes just as good as I remember." Rossi says murmuring appreciatively.
"Did you know that biscotti is the plural form of the word biscotto and it originates from the Medieval Latin word biscoctus, meaning twice-cooked/baked." Spencer says in between bites.
"And that it can be traced back to Ancient Rome." Hanniah says smiling brightly.
"It was the most convenient food for travellers, soldiers and sailors-"
"Because of its dry texture and its long shelf-life." Hanniah finishes Spencer's thought and the two of them smile at each other as if sharing a secret; their moment is broken by the soft chuckles of Rossi.
"Wooooow!" JJ says smiling.
"Pretty boy, I do believe that you have met your match." Morgan says smirking, Spencer blushes while Hanniah shyly looks down at her coffee.

"Spencer, are you sure you don't mind driving me home? I honestly don't mind calling a cab." Hanniah says while shrugging on her denim jacket.
"The cabbies who work in the District of Columbia are notorious for their scams." Spencer says holding the front door open for her.
"I'm a big tough girl, Spencer. I can handle myself." She chuckles.
"I'm sure you can." Spencer opens the car door for her and she smiles indicating her gratitude.

The car is filled with the sounds of Mozart.
"You like Mozart?"
"I do, I find his compositions are quite soothing."
"I prefer Tchaikovsky."
"So, do you like the ballet?"
"I do, Swan Lake is my favourite. My parents took me to see it when I was sixteen."
The rest of the car ride is filled with a comfortable silence between the two, who seem to be enjoying the sounds flooding from the speakers and before long they arrive at Hanniah's residence.
"You know, you live just around the corner from me?"
"Really? Hopefully we will run into each other more often." Hanniah says smiling shyly.
"I would like that." Spencer says blushing.
"Well, thank you for the ride, Spencer." She says and is about to open her door when she feels Spencer just barely touching her arm.
"Wait, just a second." Spencer says as he rushes to get out of the car and runs over to the passenger side, opening her door for her and helping her out of the car, Hanniah laughs musically in response.
"Wow, a true gentleman."
Spencer walks Hanniah to the door of her apartment complex and pauses briefly considering whether to say what is on his mind.
"Something on your mind, Spence?" Spencer looks up in surprise at the nickname.
"Uh-I- was just wondering- if you want- of course- could we maybe exchange numbers? Only if you want of course." Spencer stutters out nervously.
"Of course." Hanniah smiles and the two of them exchange numbers before saying goodbye for the evening.

"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." - Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

I'm sorry that the chapter is so short. I will try to make the next one a bit longer, which I will be absolutely starting with tomorrow. Is Spencer too OOC? What do you guys think of Hanniah?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who are celebrating.