Chapter Four
So, this was the big day. Maeve and Spencer were getting married. The service was set to be in the late afternoon with the party taking place in the evening. I had a surprise lined up for Spencer and Maeve that no one knew about. I had chosen their first dance song and I was planning to sing it for them. I felt like it was more personal than a CD or recording. Jack was round nearly everyday being my audience and helping me prepare.
The morning of the wedding dawn sunny and warm. I rolled out of bed, leaving Jack asleep and headed down into the kitchen. Mom was already up and making coffee.
"Morning Jessica!" she smiled as she passed me a cup of coffee.
"Morning Mom!" I sat on a stool at the breakfast island and took a sip. "Mmm, this is good coffee!"
"It's your father's Italian blend, but don't tell him I was using it!"
I laughed, "Why are you using it?"
Mom blushed, "We were…"
"Oh, my days… TMI!" I laughed, "I don't need to know, I take it back!"
Mom laughed, "Jack still asleep?"
I nodded, "Thanks for letting him stay over!"
"Well, I'm not too comfortable about you guys sleeping together, but we did separate you guys for almost a year so I should get used to it!"
"Get used to what?" asked Dad as he shuffled into the kitchen.
"Jack sleeping over." I replied, taking another sip of coffee.
Dad smiled, "Hotch hates it even more. You guys are our babies, we're allowed to be uneasy!"
I smiled, "Well you need to get used to it, cause after being apart for a year, there's nothing that is going to separate us!"
"And quite right too!" smiled Dad, pouring himself a coffee. He sniffed the pot, "Is this my Italian coffee?" he looked at Mom, curiously.
"Maybe…"
"So, Dad," I said changing the subject. Mom smiled at me and mouthed thank you! "Everything ready for this afternoon?"
"Just about. Will need some help organizing everything this morning, so you'd better take a cup of this stuff and get him moving. I've got Hotch and Matt coming over in an hour as well."
"Aye, aye sir!" and grabbing another cup of coffee, I headed back to my room.
Within the hour, Operation 'Set up Reid's Wedding' was in full swing. Matt had come over along with Hotch and Luke Alvez had even come along to help. Within no time the six of us had created a small platform for the wedding to take place on, with a section set up for the party and a few tables scattered on the patio. There weren't going to be many of us, but we had to make an effort, it was Reid. Jack and I were stringing up lights on the trees and reminiscing about JJ's wedding which was when we started dating. We had a lot of memories in this place, as did Mom and Dad. They had their first dance as an official couple here and it was where they told Joy and I that they were getting married. And now it was Reid and Maeve's turn. Today, they would begin their lives together here and we would all get to share it.
At around half one, I headed in for a shower. Jack followed suit and Matt and Luke went home. Hotch had brought his suit round and was using one of the guest bedrooms to get ready. We had a few made up for some of the team members and Maeve's mom and dad so that they could drink and not have to worry about getting home. Jack and I were sleeping up in the study which freed up my room. I believe that JJ and Will were sleeping in there tonight. JJ's mom was watching Henry and Michael. Tara was staying as was Luke and Penelope. Reid and Maeve would be leaving for their honeymoon and Matt and Kristy weren't drinking as they had to be up with the kids the next day. Our home was turning into a hotel.
I got showered and dressed within the hour and I was doing my make up when Jack came in from the shower. He got dressed and we both headed downstairs together. People were beginning to arrive, and we were showing them to the garden and chatting with people. I was busy talking to Emily about where I would be living if I was accepted to Princeton, when Reid, Morgan and Savannah walked in. Spence caught my eye and smiled. He still looked nervous, but he looked happy. A few minutes later, Mom was shepherding everyone into their places. Reid and Morgan stood at the front under a gorgeous canopy of flowers that Mom and I had been arranging that morning. We sort of split ourselves into two sections, not really minding whether we were bride or groom. We were there for both of them. Mom, Dad, Jack, Hotch and I all stood together, my hand linked with Jack's. Then the music started, and we all turned to look.
Maeve looked stunning. She had an off-white dress, with three-quarter length sleeves and a long skirt. Her hair was down and had been curled a little and she had a white flower pinned in her hair. She looked beautiful. I looked back at Reid and his mouth was open slightly and he was smiling. His eyes followed her all the way to when she joined him, and she smiled. He took her hands in his and they faced the minister.
"Hello, everyone." The officiant said, smiling, "We are all here this afternoon to witness the marriage of Maeve Donovan and Spencer Reid. The vows that they make before you today are a solemn promise that they will love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives. Now I must ask, is there anyone gathered here today who can give due reason or evidence as to why these persons may not marry here today?"
There was silence among the guests and the officiant smiled, "That's a very good sign," she paused, "Spencer and Maeve, the vows you take today are not to be taken lightly. Therefore, I ask you, is there any reason that you can find why you may not marry each other here today?"
They both shook their heads, smiling.
The officiant smiled again, "Good. Would you turn to face each other?" Maeve and Spence complied. "Spencer and Maeve have not chosen to write their own vows today, instead they have opted for the more traditional ones but there have been some amendments." She looked at them, "Maeve, do you promise to love Spencer, always and forever? Will you comfort him, stand by him, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"
Maeve smiled up at Spence, "I will!" Spence grinned back.
"Spencer, do you promise to love Maeve forever and always? Will you comfort her, stand by her, in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, as long as you both shall live?"
Spence looked at Maeve, his eyes sparkling, "I will!"
"Do you have the rings?" the officiant asked. Morgan handed Spencer his ring and Victoria gave Maeve hers. Spence took his and held Maeve's hand.
"Maeve, I give you this ring as a token of my love. I promise to love you, cherish you, listen to you, even when I think you are wrong. I promise to love our children if we have any and I will devote every waking moment to your happiness. In the words of Thomas Merton; 'Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone. We find it with another' I love you Maeve, always and forever." And he pushed the ring down her finger.
Maeve took hers, eyes filled with tears, "Spence, I give you this ring as a token of my love. You were there for me in some of the darkest times of my life. You helped me when no one else did and we have been to hell and back together. I honestly believe we were made for each other and I will always love you, no matter what." And she pushed his ring down his fingers. They touched their foreheads together, tears now flowing down a lot of faces, mine included. Jack squeezed me tightly.
The officiant smiled, "Spencer and Maeve have made their vows and have shared and received rings. The promises they make to each other tonight will stand for the rest of their lives together. Therefore, by the power vested in me by the state of Maryland, I know pronounce they are husband and wife!" She looked at Spence, "You may now kiss the bride!"
Spence and Maeve kissed, and everyone cheered. Her mom and Dad walked up and hugged them, followed by JJ and the rest of the team. I kissed Jack and then went and hugged Spence and Maeve and congratulated them.
They were finally married. After all the crap that had happened to them, the best thing had come out of it.
Dr and Mrs. Reid.
