Disclaimer: I do not own CM, the Muppets, or the song ""Christmas is Coming"
A/N: I had this image of Emily singing this song for a couple days now, and it still makes me smile. I thought it would be a good way to start this chapter.
Chapter 9 Impending Holidays
As far as Spencer Reid was concerned, the most amazing thing he saw during the holiday season was Emily Prentiss singing and dancing Miss Piggy's part in the song "Christmas is Coming". They were at Emily's apartment, at she was playing her Christmas Together: John Denver and the Muppets CD. Emily sang:
"Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please to put a penny in the old man's hat
If you haven't got a penny a ha'penny will do
If haven't got a ha'penny then God Bless you"
Watching his girlfriend sing along with Miss Piggy and dance like a calypso dancer was both the funniest and most endearing thing he had ever seen.
Girlfriend. Reid was still getting used to the fact he had one. He mentally frowned at the word though, it didn't seem to match the depth of what he felt for her. It seemed such a short time since their relationship changed from friends to this. At the same time, it seemed like so much had changed. Often it felt like he was living in a completely different world now. He liked it.
When the song was over, she sat down next to him on the couch. He was still smiling. She loved it when he smiled. The two of them saw so much darkness and tragedy in their jobs, and he often times looked so serious. The moments when he smiled, he lit up the whole room. Did anyone else notice that, or was she the only one?
She was lost in these musing when Reid spoke, "Em, you know we have a couple things we have to figure out."
Emily was trying to gauge whether this was going to pleasant, serious or painful. "Like what?"
"Well holidays for one thing but something we keep avoiding talking about. Related to holidays."
"What do you mean?"
"We've been keeping things mostly low key, but we've never really talked about telling everyone about us."
"We did that first night, a little."
"All we said is we'd see where we were in a week. Then we said we'd tell people we knew what this was."
"How is this related to the holidays?"
"The holidays mean parties and gatherings. If we go together, people will know. I don't want to be like JJ and Will, thinking no one knows but everyone knows."
"Me either. I don't really want it to be a secret, but if people know… Reid, you know things will get dicey at work. Strauss will have something to say."
"I know. But I think we need to decide how we're going to handle the holidays and telling people. Not just at work. I mean our families too."
"Did you tell your mom yet?'"
There was a slightly haunted look in his eyes for a moment. "No," he whispered. The he spoke in am ore normal tone of voice, "I haven't told her yet. I've been dancing around it."
Reid told his Mom everything in his letters. It was how he kept himself from being completely guilt-ridden that he didn't see her very often. There was something so endearing in that. Emily's relationship with her mother was much more complicated. Suddenly, Emily made a decision. "You should tell her Reid. We should see her. You promised her you'd visit her soon, didn't you?"
"I did, but are you sure? I mean I don't want to force you into anything. I mean I like this, what we have, and I don't want to lose it."
"Do you think we'll lose it if tell your mother? Or mine? Or the team?"
"I don't know. Do you?"
"No. Do you want to find out?"
Reid was silent. " I don't know. Part of me just want everyone to know no matter what. Part of is afraid of what happens when they do. Part of me is afraid of this ending."
"Maybe part of you likes that it's a secret?"
His looked just a little bit guilty. "Maybe." Then he face looked more serious," But it can't a secret forever. Not if it's going to last."
"Then let's tell our families during the holidays and the team after the holidays."
"Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
"Not really, but I don't want this hanging over our head. What we have isn't a dirty secret. And either we will survive people knowing, or we won't. I think being open about this is the best way forward for us."
"You're right."
She smiled, there was something deeply gratifying about Reid saying she was right. "Now we have to talk about holiday plans. I really hadn't made any except for the party."
The BAU Christmas party, held at the office with friends and family invited. Everyone was hoping after the party there would be no cases until after Christmas. Of course, experience taught not to get their hopes up too high.
"What about spending Christmas with your family?", Reid asked. He honestly didn't know what Emily's family did around the holiday's and didn't want her to have to change any traditions.
"Yeah, well, there's actually a party between Christmas and New Year's but it's more like a formal event than a gathering. What do you do at Christmas, usually?"
"It depends. If Dr. Norman says Moms doing well I go visit. Otherwise…"
"Why don't we plan and going to see her?"
"What if she's having a bad day? I mean.."
Emily put her hand on Reid's hand, "I think it might be a good things to do, no matter what. If Dr. Norman thinks it's not a good idea, you can show me around Las Vegas. Or we could just stay in a hotel room."
He felt a certain amount of relief. He wanted to suggest this, but he was afraid. "So after the party, we go see Mom. And then to the Prentiss holiday gala?"
"That sounds good to me. And maybe after the holidays…"
"We tell everyone else we're dating."
"Yeah, I think it's time."
A/N: I wanted to the two of to get comfortable with each other before they told the team. Coming up next, the BAU Christmas party.
