Whelping

Ahmose Inarus

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Criminal Minds, nor do I make any financial profit off of writing this.

SLASH AND MPREG WARNING! Morgan/Reid

Written for Buka2000. Congratulations on your baby boy!

Chapter 6

The wails of little Rowan woke Reid and Morgan at exactly three thirty seven in the morning. Clooney immediately stood and poked his head into the bassinet, nudging her with his nose and whining. He turned and looked to the two men in the bed, who were stirring and lifting their heads, blinking bleary eyes. He whined again.

"I know, Clooney, I know…" Morgan mumbled. "No, Pretty Boy… I got this one…"

"Are you sure?" Reid mumbled.

"Yeah, baby… go back to sleep." Morgan said, leaning down and kissing Reid's cheek, drawing up the blankets and tucking them around his shoulders. Then he stood and reached out, lifting his daughter into his arms. He cuddled her close and she quieted down, going from screaming to just whining.

Morgan carried her into the kitchen, Clooney on his heels, and got a bottle from the fridge, putting it into the microwave and turning it on. He sighed and rocked the baby, heavy eyes falling closed until the beeping of the microwave startled them open again. He pulled out the bottle and shook it a bit, checked the temperature and then put a rubber nipple on it. Then he made his way into the living room and settled onto his recliner, adjusting the baby the way his mama had showed him, numerous times over the last several days. He carefully angled the bottle and poked it into Rowan's mouth when she whined again, and she immediately settled, grunting and gurgling in satisfaction around her bottle. She blinked her eyes, turning them towards the window where the moonlight was coming in, then lifted a little hand and placed it on her father's wrist.

"There's daddy's girl…" Morgan cooed, and her eyes turned towards his voice. "… I hope you get your mama's eyes…" And he slowly smiled. "He has the most beautiful eyes… Your mama is the most amazing person in this world, Rowan. And you're his baby girl. I can't imagine how amazing you will become… If you even have a fraction of his smarts, you'll be getting offers for scholarships and early admittance to the best Universities by the eighth grade… And you can do anything you want with your life, Rowan. Anything at all. Your mama could have done anything… he could have been one of the richest men in the world by now… but instead… he's here. With us. And we're a family. And I couldn't be happier. And I know he's happy. He never thought he would have a family all his own… and it's the greatest achievement of my life to have given him that. I love your mama more than anything, Rowan… except for maybe you…" And he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I sure hope you look like him… He's the most beautiful man in the world… you know… I never knew I could be so happy, until I held him in my arms… And now, he's brought me to a whole new level of joy I never even knew existed… he gave me you… Your mama is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. He's given me everything in life worth living for…"

"Just as you have given me…" Morgan jumped at the soft voice, and gasped as his vision was obscured by a darkness, and then warm lips caressed his own.

"Spencer…"

"Derek… I love you so much…"

"How long have you been there?" Morgan asked.

"Since you sat down." Another voice called.

"Mama?!"

"Derek… that was beautiful." With a click, Fran turned on a small side table lamp. Morgan blinked at the sudden light, as did the baby, and as she stared at the source of the light Morgan looked at Reid and his mother. Both had tears in their eyes.

"Uhhh…" Was all he said. Reid grinned.

"Have you ever told Spencer any of those things?" Fran asked.

"Of course!"

"Not like that." Reid said softly, smiling. He was looking completely bedazzled.

Rowan let out a loud whine, and Morgan jumped and looked down, quickly poking the bottle back into her mouth. She let out a contented coo and settled down. Fran just beamed, standing and leaning over, kissing Morgan on the head, and then she turned and hugged Reid, kissing his cheek.

"You get back to bed, Spencer." She said softly. "Derek will be with you after the baby is full and changed." Reid nodded, and slipped off to the bedroom again.

"Why are you two awake?" Morgan asked.

"Spencer was a bit anxious with you taking the baby out of the room." Fran said with a smile that betrayed her fondness for Reid. "And he stubbed his toe in the hall, waking me."

"Ah." Morgan nodded, grinning. "Gotcha. Go back to bed, Mama. I'll see you in the morning."

"Bright and early." Fran nodded.

"Bright and later, if Rowan lets us sleep…" Morgan chuckled. "Night, Mama." And Fran turned off of the lamp and left. Only a few minutes later Rowan was full, and Morgan had burped her. He took her into the nursery and changed her diaper, then wrapped her up in her little blanket that her Auntie Penelope had knitted for her and carried her into the bedroom. When he went to put her into her bassinet, there was a soft moan from the bed.

"… Don't."

"What?"

"Bring her to bed." Reid mumbled. Morgan paused, then walked over and slid onto the bed. He relaxed on his back, his daughter resting on his chest. Reid rolled over and laid his head on Morgan's shoulder, smiling down at his daughter's face. Her eyes blinked back at him, shiny and sleepy. Reid smiled and rested a hand on her back, and Morgan's hand fell to her little bottom. He turned and kissed Reid's forehead and pulled his husband closer with his free arm. Both men smiled as Clooney hopped onto the bed and sniffed over the baby, before moving to the foot of the bed and curling up.

The next morning, Fran peeked in on the young family. And she smiled. Little Rowan was lying in the middle of a pillow, and her parents' heads were resting on the pillow on either side of her. Down on top of the blanket, Reid and Morgan's fingers were lightly entwined, and under the blankets, Fran could tell that their legs were wrapped around one another's. And at the foot of the bed rested Clooney , a large furry sentry, ready to protect his pack. He wagged his tail when he saw Fran, and she pat him on the head as she passed.

And then she saw it… Rowan was wide awake. Her eyes darted towards Fran, spotting the movement. Fran smiled. She knew the baby must be hungry, but the new parents were tired. Fran leaned over and lifted the baby into her arms. But then, suddenly, there was a flash of movement and a rough hand seized her arm. She gasped in fright and her wide eyes snapped to stare into a pair of golden brown eyes, absolutely blazing in a protective fury.

Only a few seconds passed, but then the eyes calmed and became the gentle gaze that she had become familiar with.

"Oh." Reid said softly. "It's you." And his harsh grip loosened and his fingers fell from her arm. "You startled me."

"YOU startled ME!" Fran squeaked, trembling slightly.

"I'm sorry."

"No. It… It's fine." Fran shook her head. "I… didn't know you were awake."

Reid blinked, looking almost confused. He rubbed his eyes, then shook his head and looked up at her again. "I uh… I WAS." He confessed. "But… all of a sudden… I just… sensed that…"

"That your baby had just been taken from your side." Fran realized.

"… yes." Reid nodded. Fran smiled and sat down on the side the bed and leaned in, gently kissing Reid's forehead and placing her hand on his cheek.

"You sleep in, sweetheart." She said. "I'm going to spend some quality time with my grandbaby and feed her." Reid blinked at her, then smiled. "You spend some time with, uh… him." And she shot her only son a look. Through all of that, Derek Morgan was still fast asleep. As if on cue, his mouth fell open in a loud, grunting snore. Reid and Fran both gave Morgan a look of annoyance, and Reid rolled his eyes, then picked up a pillow and plopped it over his husband's face, muffling the noise. Fran grinned and stood, cooing softly to the baby as she carried her from the room. Reid sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, then turned and looked at the pillow over Morgan's face. He smiled and shook his head, then lay down again, resting his head on the other man's chest and cuddling up to him.

He heart a grunt as Morgan twitched, and then the man reached up and removed the pillow from his face, squinting and blinking rapidly as the rising sun shone in through the window. He looked down at Reid.

"Where's Rowan?" He asked.

"She's with your mom." Reid sighed, lifting his head. Morgan smiled at the gentle kiss and curled an arm around his mate.

"Mmmm… morning, Pretty Boy."

"Mornin… you snore louder than an eighteen wheeler." Reid smirked, and Morgan snorted. Reid just snuggled closer and kissed over his lover's jawline. Morgan grinned and turned, pressing his forehead to Reid's.

"I love you, baby boy…" He murmured, rolling them both over so that he was hovering over his lover.

"I hope you aren't expecting to get frisky. It's gonna be a while before I can have sex again. I just gave birth, after all."

"You just let me know when you're ready." Morgan smiled, sliding down Reid's torso and then leaning down and pressing a kiss to his belly. "I'm just gonna appreciate the miracle that your body is." Reid flushed. "You have given me more joy and pleasure than you can know… physical, and emotional. Baby Boy, you are the greatest miracle of my life. And you gave me the greatest gift of my life. And she is perfect." Reid just smiled as a large hand stroked over his belly and a kiss was pressed to his hip. Then Morgan lurched upwards and captured Reid's mouth in a kiss again, his hand sliding over his chest.

Reid hissed and recoiled.

"You okay?"

"Yeah… Just sore. Fran wanted to feed Rowan, but…"

"You want me to go get her?"

"No, just… I'll go pump."

"Okay." Morgan nodded, then stood and took Reid's hands, pulling him to his feet and kissing him. "I'll make breakfast." And the pair headed out of their room.

"I told you to sleep in!" Fran scolded teasingly when they appeared.

"Spencer's sore." Morgan shrugged, trotting into the kitchen and grabbing the breast pump, taking it to Reid who was settling on the sofa with Fran.

"She's eating well." Fran commented as Reid started the pump, making a face, like always, at how odd it felt.

"Like father, like daughter." Reid smiled as he leaned back and relaxed into the sofa, and Fran grinned.

Little Rowan's grandmother stayed another week and a half, but the day before the baby turned two weeks old, Derek Morgan had to drop his mother at the airport. When he returned, he stepped in the front door and realized… this was it. It was just him, his mate, and their beautiful child… Oh, and Clooney. He grinned and scratched the dog's ears, then hurried into the house, suddenly beyond eager to see his little family. Clooney led him to the nursery and Morgan peered in.

Reid was sitting in the rocking chair in the corner, the chair that Morgan had lovingly made with his own two hands… The plush covering had been made by Garcia. Reid was cradling their daughter to his chest, smiling down and talking softly to her as she nursed. Morgan's heart swelled.

Reid looked up at the click and flash. Morgan was standing there with a camera.

"What are you doing?" Reid asked, scowling.

"Taking a picture of the most beautiful sight I've ever seen in my entire life." Morgan said. Reid blinked, and his scowl melted into a sweet smile. "God, Spencer…" Morgan shook his head and crossed the room, standing over him and staring down at their little girl. Her eyes were open and they lazily moved in the direction of Morgan's movement. She paused in her suckling for a moment, but then closed her eyes and renewed her efforts, making Reid grin down at her.

"It's just us now." Morgan sighed. "The four of us."

"Four? Oh. You're counting the dog again, aren't you?" Reid snorted, unable to hold back a smile as he glanced at Clooney, who was napping beside him. Morgan just leaned down and kissed the top of Reid's head.

"We need to give her a bath." Reid commented, moving the baby to rest on his shoulder when she had stopped nursing.

"I'll do it." Morgan said. "You take a nap." And he took the baby from Reid, who blinked up at him. "You look exhausted, Pretty Boy." Reid blinked again, then gave Morgan a smile.

"I am." He confessed. Morgan adjusted the baby in his arms, and then offered Reid a hand to his feet. Once Reid was on his feet, Morgan curled the arm around the younger man's waist and drew him in close, kissing him.

Both men jumped at the flash and the squeal. They turned. Standing in their front yard, in the shrubs, staring in at them through the window and wielding a camera, was Penelope Garcia.

"Oh lord…" Morgan chuckled.

"So much for my nap." Reid sighed regretfully.

"No. You go nap. I'll handle Penelope." Morgan chuckled, and the pair left the nursery while Garcia scurried to the front door.

"Woman… what are you doing?!" Reid heard Morgan laugh as he opened the front door.

"You two were SO adorable!" Garcia gushed. "Oh, look at the gorgeous little caramel goddess!"

Reid grinned and shook his head, closing the bedroom door. He took the opportunity to hop into the shower and give himself a good scrub down and shave and toweled his hair dry. His mouth stretched open wide in a yawn as he pulled on some pajama pants and closed the curtains to darken the room a bit. Then he collapsed onto the bed, dragging the blankets over himself and closing his eyes.

A moment later, they snapped open as the door to the bedroom creeeeeeaked…

"Oh." Garcia said. "I'm sorry, sweet pea… I thought you were asleep."

"… Why… are you in our bedroom?" Reid grumbled.

"She's asleep." Garcia said, and Reid lifted his head. Rowan was in Garcia's arms. "Morgan said her bassinet is in here, and you would want her near you." Reid smiled.

"Yeah. I do." He said, and reached out for his baby daughter. Garcia beamed and scurried over, sitting down on the edge of the bed and laying Rowan down by Reid's side, helping him nestle the baby down in the natural cradle between his arm and torso. Then Reid just sighed and lay back, patiently waiting for Garcia to do her thing, fussing over him and the baby, tucking them in and kissing their foreheads before finally creeping from the room to join Morgan in the kitchen.

Reid sighed and smiled, turning and kissing his daughter's tiny head, and then drifted off to sleep.

In the kitchen, Morgan and Garcia sat down with some coffee.

"So… How's my sweet pea doing with motherhood? Fatherhood? What are we calling it?"

"Reid seems to have taken a shine to being a MOMMY." Morgan chuckled.

"Awwww…" Garcia cooed.

"And… he's really protective."

"Obviously." Garcia grinned.

"That protectiveness that let him to bite the breast feeding specialist in the hospital had him almost attack my mom."

"Your mom?! I thought she and Reid got on really well!"

"They do." Morgan nodded, sipping his coffee. "But Reid and I were asleep and the baby was awake. She was between us. And when it looked like she was about to start crying, Mom went to get her so that she wouldn't wake us. As soon as she picked up the baby, Reid was wide awake and in protective mode."

"Ah." Garcia nodded.

"He's gonna be the best mom…" Morgan grinned, glancing in the direction of the bedroom.

"Those circles under his eyes were really dark." Garcia commented.

"Yeah. He's tired." Morgan said. "We're supposed to take turns when the baby wakes, but Reid doesn't often let me. If the baby wakes crying, nine times out of ten, he'll insist on handling it."

"Why?" Garcia asked.

"He's anxious." Morgan shrugged. "And if she doesn't nurse, he has to use the breast pump. And he does NOT like it." The pair chuckled. "So he prefers to nurse her."

"He's going to wear himself out." Garcia pointed out.

"I keep telling him that." Morgan sighed, leaning back. "But he's stubborn."

Morgan and Garcia chatted in the kitchen for nearly two hours before they heard Rowan crying. Morgan stood and hurried back to the bedroom. Reid was blinking his bleary eyes as he cuddled his baby girl close.

"Here…" Morgan said, and Reid looked up at him. "I've got her. You keep resting, pretty boy."

"But she's hungry." Reid mumbled.

"And she also needs a change, and a bath. There's milk in the fridge, YOU sleep." Reid blinked again, then slumped back into the pillow and closed his eyes, slipping back to sleep almost immediately.

He was woken only a few minutes later by a loud, panicked cry.

"Oh my God… Reid! REID!" He bolted upright in bed, and heard the baby start to wail again. Reid flung himself out of bed and charged for the bathroom, his heart in his throat. Morgan was there, staring down at his daughter with a look of horror, and she continued to scream and flail her tiny fists.

"What?!" Reid gasped, terror filling him. Then, he looked down. There, in Morgan's cupped palm, was a small, brown shriveled something. Reid relaxed. "Morgan… that's her umbilical stump."

"It… it fell OFF!"

"Well, yeah." Reid said, pushing him aside and gathering up his crying daughter, cradling her close and rocking her, soothing her cries. "What did you THINK was doing to happen?"

"I thought we would take her to the doctor when it was ready to come off!" Morgan blurted. Reid smiled up at him in amused affection. He leaned over and gently kissed his husband.

"You're cute."

"Shut up." Morgan snorted, snatching the baby back and placing her on the hammock that held her suspended over her little bath tub, which was filled with warm water. She fussed; she did NOT like getting her bath. Reid sighed and leaned on Morgan, resting his head on his shoulder as the elder began to gently bathe their daughter with a sponge, grinning at her fusses. She screwed up her face, pulling the corners of her mouth down as far as she could, and wailed, her lower lip trembling something fierce as she did.

"Ohohoho!" Garcia laughed, and then hurried over and snapped a picture. "What a FACE!"

"Garcia…" Reid grinned, shaking his head. "Really?"

"She's so CUTE!" Garcia giggled. "And she's so MAD!"

"Yeah." Morgan chuckled, nodding. "She does NOT like her bath."

"Actually…" Reid smiled, "She gets mad whenever we take her clothes off…"

"Awww…" Garcia giggled.

"You go back to your nap now, Pretty Boy." Morgan said gently. Reid gave him a look.

"After the near heart attack and adrenaline rush you just gave me?!"

"… Sorry." Morgan mumbled, sheepishly.

"Come on, Butter Cream." Garcia said, taking Reid's arm and dragging him from the bathroom. Reid stammered and whined, looking back over his shoulder at the baby with wide eyes. "It's okay. She's with her Papa Bear." Garcia soothed taking Reid into the living room and forcing him to sit down on the sofa. Then she placed her hands on his cheeks and stared into his face with a beaming smile.

"Oh… you are just… the absolute sweetest and most adorable mommy ever."

"Garcia… you're squishing my face." Reid grumped, and sighed when she pinched his cheeks.

"Let's go out!"

"What?!" Reid blurted as the woman leapt to her feet.

"Go get dressed! I'm taking you out for some relaxing and pampering at the spa!"

"… SPA?!"

"And then we're going out to dinner!"

"What?! But… but the baby! She has to eat and—"

"Pump!"

"… I don't WANT to pump!" Reid argued, petulantly stomping his foot. "I don't want to leave her here!"

"She has Derek!"

"But I'm her mother!"

"That doesn't mean to have to sequester yourself into the house, sweet pea."

"Yes." Reid said firmly, stepping away from Garcia. "It does." She stared at him, then sighed.

"Okay, okay… I see you're ready to throw a tantrum."

"I am NOT going to throw a tantrum!" Reid howled.

"Come on." Garcia said, taking his arm and leading him into the kitchen. "You look so tired. Let me make you some tea and something to eat so you can nap again…"

Reid blinked a couple of times, but then just smiled and relaxed.

"Okay." He said, and within the hour, Garcia was tucking him into bed again.

"Here." Morgan murmured as soon as Garcia slipped out of the room. "I know you've been dying to do this." And he placed the baby in Garcia's arms. The woman's face split into the biggest grin Morgan had ever seen...

"Well..." Garcia cooed. "Hello there my gorgeous little Sugar Baby... I'm your Auntie Penelope..."

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