Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

A/N: Shout out to ElisaC, tannerose5, and southernbeauty13 for reviewing chapter 9.

Sorry for the delay on this chapter. Before I started writing this chapter, I wanted to finish up Love Takes Away the Pain: Book Three and get started on its sequel Love Takes Away the Pain: Book Four, and on top of finishing and starting a story I was dealing with writers block for this chapter.

I decided not to write about Spencer's and Clarissa's honeymoon, and you readers can imagine these activities that Spencer and Clarissa did: all the trips to the beach, snorkeling, visiting historic towns, and lots of sex.

Let's just say that Spencer and Clarissa live in a one bedroom apartment a blocks away from MIT that MIT provided for Spencer in his full academic scholarship.

Let's just say that Ethel had a sister named Elena Brown who is currently institutionalized for paranoid schizophrenia that was caused by a drug addiction, and with there being no surviving family left, Spencer decided to take care of his adoptive aunt's care which Clarissa supports. And Elena was Diana's teaching assistant when she was alive, and became Diana's replacement after she died.

January

A few days after the spring semester started, Spencer and Clarissa were walking through a pet expo and Clarissa gasped when she saw a white Maine Coon kitten. She looked at her husband.

"Can we please get a kitten?" asked Clarissa.

Spencer looked at the tag.

"It's a Maine Coon, and that breed is known for getting large." said Spencer as the kitten batted its paw out of the cage.

"You are so cute." cooed Clarissa as she petted the kitten causing it to purr, "Please pet the kitten."

Spencer slowly reached out to the kitten, and the kitten surprised him by licking his finger.

At that moment a sales associate came forward.

"He hasn't liked anyone petting him until you two came forward." said the associate when he noticed the wedding band or bridal set that the young couple were sporting, telling him that they're newlyweds, "Getting your first pet together as a married couple?"

"We are since we want to wait a few months before trying for our first baby, and we decided on a cat." said Clarissa.

"Would you like to adopt that Maine Coon?" asked the associate.

"Yes please." said Spencer.

20 minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were leaving the expo with supplies and their new kitten that they ended up naming Merton after Thomas Merton.

Two weeks later Spencer and Clarissa woke up to the 6 AM alarm on Spencer's cellphone to seeing the power out and their bedroom a lot colder, causing them to look out the window.

"Damn." said Clarissa as she noticed all the snow on the ground.

"I'm use to snowstorms like this, and at least we prepared ourselves for this one." said Spencer as he thought back to how they stocked up on non perishables and blankets.

"Just think about the possibility of going sledding after this blizzard is over." said Clarissa as she thought back to the times they went sledding since meeting each other.

Spencer laughed.

"Or think about how we could keep each other warm." teased Clarissa as she winked at her husband, causing Spencer to groan when he felt his body reacting.

At that moment bedroom plans were diminished when Spencer's stomach growled causing, Clarissa to giggle.

"We should probably fuel ourselves first so we can have calories to burn off when we make love to keep ourselves warm." teased Clarissa as she led her husband to the kitchen, "Well its a good thing that we have a gas stove."

A few minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were working on making scrambled eggs, bacon, and homemade shredded hash browns for breakfast before Clarissa decided to sit on her husband's lap while they ate, and when Clarissa shifted Spencer groaned.

"You're so going to get it when we're done eating." growled Spencer

"Promises, promises." purred Clarissa as she shifted again, causing her husband to groan.

February

Spencer and Clarissa exited the movie theater after seeing "Kangaroo Jack", and Clarissa looked at Spencer.

"That movie was extremely funny." said Clarissa.

"I actually have to agree." said Spencer.

"Should we go to our favorite diner before heading to our apartment to continue celebrating our first Valentines Day as a married couple even more since we don't have work or school tomorrow?" asked Clarissa.

"Yes." said Spencer..

10 minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were sitting in their usual booth ordering burgers, milkshakes, and fries.

90 minutes later Spencer gulped when he saw Clarissa's red lingerie set, and he looked at his wife.

"Have I ever told you that I love seeing you in red?" asked Spencer as he felt his body reacting to Clarissa's lingerie.

"Countless times." smirked Clarissa as she removed her husband's shirt, and a few minutes later they were making out in bed.

A month later Clarissa looked at her husband as they sat down to eat the breakfast they cooked together.

"I got the week off for your spring break, so I was thinking that we can finally go on that promised trip to Las Vegas." said Clarissa.

"Vegas will do since I haven't been there since three months before aunt Ethel and uncle Gordon died, and that means I can go visit aunt Ethel's sister at Bennington Sanitarium." said Spencer.

"Why have you never taken it upon yourself to visit Elena after the deaths of your aunt and uncle?" asked Clarissa as she thought about meeting Elena at the funeral.

"I felt guilty having aunt Ethel leave her sister so I could attend Yale, and aunt Elena sometimes thinks that aunt Ethel is still alive when she's having an episode." said Spencer before looking at his watch, "You have work in an hour and I have class in 30 minutes so I have to get going."

"Should we make chicken stir fry for dinner tonight?" asked Clarissa.

"Sure." said Spencer as he got up and placed his empty plate in the sink.

Two weeks later Spencer and Clarissa got out of their rental car, and a few minutes later they were entering Bennington Sanitarium where Dr. Jesson instantly approached them.

"It's been over two and a half years since you showed up, Dr. Reid." said Dr. Jesson before looking at Clarissa, "You must be Clarissa Reid since Elena showed me pictures from the wedding."

"I am." said Clarissa.

"How is aunt Elena doing?" asked Spencer.

"When it comes to schizophrenia, she has good days and bad days, but your daily letters help her since you tell her the adventures you two have while writing about happy memories you had with Ethel to help her remember that her big sister is gone." said Dr. Jesson.

"She was my mom's teaching assistant before my parents were killed, and she's all I have left from my aunt Ethel." said Spencer.

"Well she will be glad that you were finally able to make it in person since she's been wanting to see you, and I need to talk to you about medication." said Dr. Jesson.

"I will track you down after I'm done visiting aunt Elena." said Spencer.

A few minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were sitting across from Elena, and Elena looked at her adoptive nephew.

"So why are you finally visiting me despite the phone calls we've had since Ethel died?" asked Elena.

Spencer sighed in relief, knowing that his adoptive aunt was currently lucid.

"I thought that I should let you know that I'm entering the FBI Academy in May." said Spencer.

"You're really becoming one of them?" asked Elena.

Spencer sighed, knowing that his adoptive aunt hated the government.

"I will be doing good for this country, and think about all the lives I can save while working for the FBI." said Spencer.

"I wish that you would have became a professor like your mom was." said Elena.

"I know, but as soon as Clarissa and I get a house I will make sure that you have my address." said Spencer.

At that moment Elena quickly remembered Spencer's and Clarissa's cat.

"So what's new with your kitten Merton?" asked Elena.

Spencer and Clarissa took turns telling Elena about Merton's antics, and 10 minutes into the conversation Elena spoke.

"Are you two here for my lecture?" asked Elena.

Spencer played into his aunt's delusion causing Clarissa to join in, and a few minutes later Spencer was meeting with Dr. Jesson before they left the hospital to go eat lunch at one of Spencer's favorite diners.

Two hours later Spencer and Clarissa were standing in front of the graves of Diana and William Reid.

"Hi mom. Hi dad. Last month was the 17th anniversary of your deaths, and by now you two are watching me with aunt Ethel and uncle Gordon who died over two years ago." said Spencer as he wiped his tears, "I thought I should let you two know that I'm OK since I got married last November to one of the most beautiful girls in the world, and I think that if you guys were alive you two would have loved Clarissa. I'm two months away from earning my third PhD, and after graduation Clarissa and I are moving down to DC since I got into the FBI Academy since I decided to become an FBI agent."

For the next 20 minutes Spencer told his parents about the past couple of years before he and Clarissa headed back to their rental car, and when they were about to leave the cemetery, Clarissa looked at her husband.

"Want to go try out the casinos?" asked Clarissa.

"With my card counting abilities I would probably end up getting blacklisted within an hour, but I guess we can go so I can make sure that aunt Elena's medical care gets covered for a really long time." said Spencer..

"If you get banned from casinos I won't say a word since we're at a legal age to gamble." said Clarissa.

A month later Clarissa was cleaning out her locker when her mentor walked by with coffee, causing her to sprint off to the bathroom, and a few seconds later her mentor was holding back her hair. A few minutes later Clarissa was brushing her teeth while Nurse Jolene smirked at her.

"I take it that you have a bun in the oven since my coffee caused you to deal with morning sickness." said Jolene.

Clarissa's eyes widened as she looked at her mentor.

"It's been over two months since my last period." said Clarissa.

"Let me contact the maternity ward and see if the on call gynecologist can squeeze you in since you're moving to DC in three days, and that means you have a good graduation gift for your husband." said Jolene.

An hour later Clarissa was allowing happy ears to stream down her face as she was told that she's currently eight weeks pregnant before allowing a transvaginal ultrasound to be performed and got prescribed anti-nausea medication.

Two days later Spencer smiled when he heard Clarissa, Haley, Hotch, Gideon, and Alex all cheering for him in the audience as he received his third PhD, and as soon as the ceremony was over he made his way towards Clarissa who ran into his arms.

"We are so going to celebrate later." said Clarissa as she thought about the celebration they were also going to have when she tells him that she's pregnant.

"I know." said Spencer

At that moment Gideon looked at him.

"Ready to start at the academy next week?" asked Gideon.

"I am." said Spencer.

"How much more packing do you two have to do?" asked Haley as she thought about Clarissa calling her and Aaron two days ago to tell them that they were going to be having their first niece or nephew

"We only a few more boxes to pack up, and we're driving down to DC tomorrow." said Clarissa.

"Have you heard back from Children's National?" asked Hotch.

"I got the job." beamed Clarissa.

"Well let's go out to eat to celebrate before we leave you two kids to finish packing your apartment." said Gideon.

Four hours later Spencer and Clarissa taped up the last box when Clarissa handed Spencer a sealed envelope.

"Congratulations." said Clarissa as she smiled at her husband.

Spencer opened up the card and gasped when he saw an ultrasound photo with a note.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PHD IN CHEMISTRY DADDY. MOMMY TOLD ME THAT YOU WILL TEACH ME A LOT ABOUT MATHEMATICS AND ENGINEERING WHILE SHOWING ME AN ARRAY OF MAGIC TRICKS THAT WILL GET ME TO SMILE AND LAUGH.

YOU SHOULD BE HOLDING ME BY DECEMBER 31ST DADDY, SO I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU AND MOMMY.

LOVE,

BABY REID

Spencer looked at his wife as happy tears streamed down his face.

"Really?" asked Spencer.

"I'm eight weeks pregnant and you are going to be a great dad." smiled Clarissa as she kissed her husband.

As soon as Spencer broke out of their kiss, he quickly thought about his future with the FBI.

"What about me starting at the academy next week?" asked Spencer.

"I don't want you to stop following your dreams because of me being pregnant, and you are only going to be missing five months of this pregnancy." said Clarissa.

"I won't quit my dream, but I'm sad that I will be missing out five months of this pregnancy since I am required to stay on base." said Spencer.

"I will be OK since I'll staying with Aaron and Haley the entire time, and Haley is already planning on attending every doctor appointment with me. I will send you letters with ultrasound photos." said Clarissa.

"OK." said Spencer.

"And when you graduate from the academy and receive your posting, we will buy a house with a fenced in backyard together since we have the money." said Clarissa a she thought about the trust funds they have since they were both orphans.

A few minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were celebrating the next step of their lives while knowing that it was going to be over 20 weeks before they made love again.

A week later Spencer was entering the dorms while knowing that Clarissa will be taken care of by Hotch and Haley.

A/N: Next chapter will take place 22 weeks later when Spencer starts his first day at the BAU.