Disclaimer: See chapter 1

--

"Why do you have to go to Lancaster," Reid asked Allie as she was finishing packing her bag.

"I told you honey, I have to discuss some things with my Mom, Chelsea and Chantal, dates, flowers, dresses, receptions, that sort of thing. Weddings take a lot of planning. It'll be tough with the dresses. I mean, Chelsea is pregnant so it'll have to be a dress that looks good on her as well as Chantal, Emily, JJ, Garcia and Bethany."

Reid choked on his coffee. "You're having all of them as your bridesmaids," he asked. Allie nodded. "Have you asked them yet?"

"No, not officially but I can't see any of them saying no," she responded.

"Do you need all of them," Reid inquired further.

She stopped what she was doing and said, "Define need, do I absolutely need six bridesmaids, no I guess not but they're all important to me so I want them in my wedding." She continued putting things in her suitcase. "You said it didn't matter to you and I could do whatever I want."

"So, you haven't approached them about it," Reid confirmed.

"No, I'm going to talk to Chelsea and Chantal when I'm there and the others when I get back," she told Reid and he looked relieved.

"Okay," he put his cup down on the nightstand, hugged her close and kissed her. "You're sure you don't want me to drive you to the airport?"

"No no, I booked the shuttle. You don't need to miss any more time off work because of me." She shooed him to the door.

"I'll miss you," Reid opened the door, and then closed it to kiss her once again.

"I'll miss you too. I'll be back the day after tomorrow. You'll hardly know I'm gone," she told him.

He raised his eyebrows. "When it's the middle of the night and I'm hugging my pillow, believe me, I'll know you're gone."

The look in his puppy dog eyes was almost enough to melt her resolve. She bit her lip, kissed him once again and threw him out into the hallway, closing the door and leaning against it. She took in a sharp breath and opened the door once again.

"My messenger bag," he said.

"Your messenger bag," she said at the same time. Allie handed Spencer his bag and he kissed her again and strode off down the hallway.

Allie picked up the phone and dialed. "He's leaving now. I'll give him a few minutes and then I'll be down."

--

Reid sat at his desk contemplating what he should do. He didn't want to upset Allie's plans but he didn't want to make things difficult for Garcia. He got up and walked toward her office and knocked softly on the door.

"Enter," came the response from within.

"Hi Garcia," Reid said as he entered. "Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" The computer tech was dressed this day in a bright red skirt and matching jacket over a white tank. The jacket was appliquéd with white beads and sequins. She wore a necklace of large red beads and a red headband with a large blue silk flower in her hair. Her glasses were blue and her shoes leopard print.

"Of course sweet boy," she patted the chair beside her. "You can talk to me any time."

"It's about the wedding," Reid said as he sat in the chair next to Garcia.

She stopped her typing on the keyboard and turned to face him. "Is something wrong," she asked. "You're not having second thoughts?"

"Oh no, no, nothing like that. I want to marry Allie more than anything." He paused for a few moments trying to choose his words. "Garcia, you know my life has never been ordinary and I've never done things in the ordinary way. What I'm trying to say is," he paused again. "A guy's best man is usually his best friend."

"Baby boy, if you're worried about a best man, I'm sure Hotch or Morgan would be happy to do it. I know you'd rather have had Gideon but either one will make a great best man."

"Garcia, Garcia stop," the computer tech stopped talking and looked at him. "I'm trying to say that when a guy gets married, he's usually got his best friend beside him." He was silent again but this time Garcia waited. "Garcia," he continued, "You're my best friend and I know it's probably the strangest thing anyone's ever asked but I'd really appreciate it if you would be my best man…I mean best woman…or best person."

"Reid, that's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me and I…" she stopped when Reid interrupted.

"Before you say anything," he put up his hands, "I've gotta tell you that Allie is going to ask all of you to be bridesmaids and I know you might rather do that with the dress and the flowers and if that's the case, I don't want to spoil anything for you or Allie. It's her big day."

"Precious boy, it's your big day too and you deserve to have what you want. Is Allie asking other people as well?"

"Yeah, she's asking her sister, her best friend and Bethany as well as you guys," Reid admitted.

"Good, then it shouldn't matter which side I stand on should it. I'd be honored to be your best…whatever, just like I'm honored to be your best friend."

"I feel kind of underhanded asking this when Allie's away and I know she wanted to ask you. She'd never do anything like that to me."

--

The plane had landed an hour ago. Lloyd had booked a rental car and they'd followed the map until they finally arrived at their destination. Lloyd held the glass door open for his daughter. The interior was bright and welcoming. The carpeted lobby had some love seats upholstered in a flowered fabric on an ivory background where people could sit and wait. Large potted plants added to the area's pleasant feel. The floor to ceiling glass windows flooded the area with sunlight.

The pair approached the front desk where a woman sat. On the desk were a telephone and a computer. She looked to be in her fifties with grey hair cut in a short unfussy wedge. Her nametag identified her as Marla. "May I help you," she asked.

"I hope so," Allie said. "My name is Allie Graham and this is my father Lloyd Graham. I wondered if we could speak to whoever's in charge of Dianna Reid."

"Do you have an appointment," the woman asked.

"No, we were hoping we could just speak to the doctor for a few minutes. We've come all the way from DC," Allie told her.

The woman picked up the phone and spoke for a few minutes and then looked up at Allie and Lloyd. "If you'll just sit over there, Dr. Mason will be with you as soon as she can." Marla pointed to the love seats and Allie and Lloyd each sat on one. Allie was fidgeting in her seat and wringing her hands.

"Are you okay," Lloyd asked? "You don't have to do this you know. We can turn around and walk out of here."

"No Dad, I have to do this for Spencer." Allie said when she was interrupted by Marla.

"Dr. Mason can give you a few minutes.' She pointed to the hallway leading out of the lobby, "Down that hallway, third door on the left."

"Th…thank you," Allie looked at the woman with gratitude, "Thank you very much." She took a deep breath and she and her father headed down the hallway.