AN: I am so sorry that this is late. I hate being a working adult. But, without further ado...I present, the one you've been waiting for.
Hotch has always enjoyed spending time with Garcia. And though the past two days have been trying they haven't been an exception to the rule. She's a little cranky because it's difficult to move or sleep but it's all very understandable. Especially when faced with the very real fact that she may not have any real relief for nearly a month. The doctor doesn't think it will be that long but she also doesn't have a strict timeline.
He tries to do what he assumes Reid does, make things as easy on her as possible. So he and Jack scrub the house, go grocery shopping and cook meals for the upcoming week. They do all the laundry including all the baby stuff, and Hotch takes the time to assemble the cribs in the nursery and takes the car to the fire department to have the car seats installed.
So he's pretty exhausted when Jack comes into his room at 4 in the morning and shakes him awake.
"Daddy, daddy wake up."
He blinks awake slowly and asks, "What is it buddy?"
"It's Aunt Penny. She sounds like she's in pain and I think she wet the bed because when I went to check on her the whole thing was wet."
It takes a minute for Hotch's brain to catch up enough to say, "Go get her go bag from downstairs and bring it up okay?"
Jack nods though he looks like he might cry.
"Buddy it's okay. I just think she's having the babies."
"But Uncle Spencer isn't here."
"Well I don't think we have a choice. Now go."
Then he forces himself out of bed and down the hall. He knocks before he pushes the door open.
"Garcia?"
She looks up at him and says, "Did Jack wake you? I told him not to. Nothing's wrong."
"Jack said your water broke," Hotch answers simply.
"Oh, yeah, but it'll still be hours and hours. Nothing can happen until Spencer gets here anyway."
"Okay," Hotch says slowly, "Well have you had any contractions?"
"I don't think so. Just these spasms in my back. I've had them for almost two days. It's nothing."
"Okay well Penelope I think maybe we should call Reid and have him come home."
"Why?"
"Because you are in labor. At least I think you are. Now what do you want to take to the hospital?"
Penelope takes a minute to process before nodding to herself.
"Why don't you go get dressed Jack?" Hotch suggests and his son nods and leaves the bag on the floor.
"Okay let's get you up," Hotch suggests as he stands and reaches a hand out to her.
"We need to call Spencer," Penelope says.
"I'll call Reid once we get to the car," Hotch promises.
"Okay, okay. He can't miss this. He'll never forgive himself," She rambles. Hotch reaches a hand out to stop her.
"Garcia get dressed and get your bag together. I'll call him now."
"Okay. Okay, right get dressed," She spins in a circle looking around at the room.
When she gets to the dresser and pulls out a dress Hotch walks outside and closes the door. He leans back and takes a breath before he pulls his phone out. This doesn't exactly help his case to keep them both. Though there's no use in dwelling on that right now.
"Dave, how fast can you get back here?"
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Spencer doesn't wake easily if they aren't on a case. Dave knows this from vast experience. It's no different when Dave wakes him and tells him they have to get home as soon as possible.
He's already called and booked new flights that leave out at 6am which gives them roughly an hour to get to the airport. So that's one less thing for him to think about.
"Spencer you're gonna be a dad today!" Dave finally yells through the door. He's getting ready to go get the spare key when the door opens to a frantic Spencer Reid.
"Now? She's in labor now?" He doesn't wait for an answer before he's turned around and stuffing things in his bag.
"Her water broke an hour ago. She's having contractions but they're still ten minutes apart. Hotch is taking her to the emergency room now."
Spencer stops and catches his breath.
"It's only a 3 hour flight. We'll make it. I've got us tickets on the 6am."
"Okay. Okay. Where's my phone?"
Dave walks further into the room and hands him his phone from the nightstand. He doesn't even acknowledge Dave as he takes it and dials.
"Derek, I need you to go to meet Hotch and Penelope at the hospital."
Derek must ask whats going on because Spencer answers, "We're taking the next flight. Just make sure one of you is always with her okay? She can't be alone."
Dave can literally see him sag with relief as he hangs up and calls Hotch. He goes on back to his own room to finish packing while they talk.
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Penelope is not afraid to admit that she's scared. Hotch and Jack walk her to the counter and accompany her upstairs to maternity where upon Hotch finds a waiting room for Jack to lay down in while he gets her settled and calls Jessica.
Jack is as sweet as can be as he reaches over to kiss her cheek and say, "Good luck Aunt Penny."
"Thank you sweetums."
It's rather sweet how Hotch fusses over her after he gets Jack settled. He tucks her in and goes to get her ice chips. He even fluffs her pillow.
She considers calling JJ but it's five am and JJ has a toddler who's just sleeping through the night so maybe later. Derek is also a possibility though she doesn't really want to scare him halfway through Savannah's pregnancy.
"Thank you Sir, for doing this."
"Garcia I wouldn't leave you alone," He states.
"Yeah, but being in the same room is different than holding my hand," She observes.
"Penelope," Hotch sighs, "You're my family and you need this so of course I'm going to do it."
Penelope nods and leans back on the bed.
"So it doesn't have anything to do with you feeling guilty about sending Spencer away?"
He doesn't answer.
"He'll make it you know? This will take hours. He'll be here. And you sent him on that trip because I should have had another three weeks and he needed some time to clear his head. I know that."
"I know that too, now let's get you settled. The doctor will be in soon to check you again."
Derek gets there when the doctor walks in. He moves to leave but Penelope waves him in.
"If Hotch can be here so can you sweetcheeks. And don't think that means you can leave," She reaches out a hand to stop the unit chief.
"How are you doing baby girl?" He walks over to stand near her head.
"So far so good. How did you even know? I wasn't going to call you until later."
"Oh you know, I have eyes and ears everywhere."
"Spencer called you didn't he?"
"He's worried and he didn't want you left alone for even a moment so he thought two heads would be better than one," Derek answers with an eyeroll.
"Well don't call JJ yet I don't want her rushing down here too. This might take until tomorrow."
"Actually," The doctor, not her doctor but the on call doctor, cuts in, "You're dililated seven centimeters. Now you said you were only two centimeters at your last appointment two days ago so your birth is actually moving pretty fast. I'd say we might have babies by dinner time."
"As long as my baby daddy has three hours to get here," She waves the doctor off.
"I don't think that will be a problem," The doctor finishes writing in her chart and pats her on the leg before throwing in, "I would get some rest if I were you."
As soon as the doctor has walked out Hotch says, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather have JJ here?"
"Yeah princess she's been through this before she'll probably be more help than we can," Derek seconds.
"No, no I'm going to need her later cause you two sure as hell aren't going to be in here when I'm pushing. So let her sleep for now," She answers because it's the easier than saying that she's scared and she wants the two of them to stay close.
They all sit around for a while. Hotch goes to check on Jack who is apparently sleeping soundly in the waiting room and being looked after by one of the nurses and Derek finds something on TV.
Penelope's just starting to fall asleep when the first painful contraction hits. It doesn't last long but if it's a sign of things to come she's done.
"I changed my mind I want the epidural," She says with a hand gripping Derek's.
"Are you sure?" Hotch asks mainly because he knows that she wanted to do this naturally.
"Yup, totally sure," She glares at him.
"Alright I'll go find a doctor," He says with a serious nod.
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By the time the flight lands Spencer is frantic. There are a million scenarios going through his head, some of which involve him getting there to find that he's missed their birth, and some of which are far more upsetting.
Dave spent most of the flight trying to calm him down, putting his hand on Spencer's arm and having the flight attendants bring him things. In fact Spencer's 58% certain that if it were a longer flight Dave would have slipped a sleeping pill in his water.
As soon as they're able Spencer calls Derek and Dave calls Hotch only to get the same answer, it's okay, she's doing well, it will still be hours before anything happens.
Still there's something in Derek's voice that puts Spencer on edge even if Dave doesn't look concerned.
"Will you stop already? They both said she's fine!" Dave finally loses his cool. Spencer stops grabbing at his seatbelt and forces himself to sit still.
"What if they're lying?"
"Do you honestly think that Derek Morgan could lie about something happening to Penelope?" Dave asks with a look in his eye and Spencer almost wishes that he felt spiteful enough to say that Hotch would except he doesn't.
"I suppose not," He finally admits.
"Now we'll be there in twenty minutes," Dave says before softening and continuing, "It'll all be okay. You'll see."
"You can't know that," He says. It's mean and he knows it but he has only a small amount of control left and it's all going to stopping himself from getting out and walking.
"No, you're right I can't. But I do know the facts here. Penelope has had a relatively easy pregnancy especially when considering her age and the fact that it's twins and I do know that her doctor is showing no cause for concern. Her blood sugar and blood pressure are fine. Aren't those the two things most likely to go wrong?"
Spencer doesn't trust himself to answer so he nods.
"So there you go, it will all most likely be fine."
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The doctor has her bent over a table as she puts the catheter in. Derek is in front of her, holding her hand when Spencer walks in. Dave's behind him, trying to stop him but Spencer isn't paying attention.
He doesn't even blink as he walks over and takes Derek's place in front of her.
"Hey, I see you gave in to the epidural," He smiles at her so Derek moves back and ruffles his hair. Spencer pays him absolutely no mind.
"Yeah I'm a wimp. The first painful one hit and I just knew," She kind of laughs it off.
"You did great Penelope," The doctor interrupts.
"Really? It's in?"
"It's in," The doctor confirms.
Derek moves to her other side and helps her into bed. Spencer looks pretty wild, hair sticking up in every direction and nearly shaking so Derek decides that they need a minute alone and excuses himself. He isn't sure that either of them notice.
"You sticking around?" He asks Hotch and Dave when he gets to the waiting room.
"For a while at least," Hotch answers, "Jessica picked up Jack an hour ago and I feel like they both need us."
"Ain't that the truth," Dave throws in, "I'm not going anywhere until they tell me to leave. You shoulda seen the kid on the way here. No way."
"That kid's gonna be a dad in a few hours," Hotch says with a small smile that makes Derek do a double take.
"So am I. Well in a couple of months," Derek says softly. They weren't planning to tell anyone else for a couple of weeks but he can't help himself.
Dave leans over to hug him and Hotch says, "Congratulations Derek."
"Thanks. I understand why Spencer's been so crazy lately now that I'm going through the same thing."
Hotch shrugs, "It's normal. We all feel that way."
They sit quietly until Hotch says, "Can you imagine Garcia as a mom though?"
Derek can imagine it, has been imagining it for months and he says, "Luckiest kids in the world."
"Without a doubt," Dave replies.
"Well I'm going to go check in," Hotch stands and moves to the door.
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Spencer helps Penelope get comfortable and takes a seat in the chair next to her.
"How bad is it?"
"Not so terrible yet. So far it's been more annoying than anything. We also might need a new mattress. My water broke in the bed."
"I'll send Derek before we go home," He promises.
"Oh, this is weird. I can't feel anything," She sounds mesmerized.
Spencer laughs at her, a bit of relief at having made it and everything being okay coming through.
"I'm glad you're here. I was scared you wouldn't make it," She admits.
"Me too," He answers, "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you."
Penelope waves him off, "It's fine. I had Jack looking in on me. Besides all that would have happened had you been in bed with me is that you would have gotten covered in fluid."
"Well I'm glad that Jack was there at least."
"Would you mind calling JJ? I haven't yet," She asks.
"Sure," He answers and takes out his phone.
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Most of the next 12 hours passes in a similar fashion. Both Spencer and Derek freak out, though at different times and for perhaps different reasons. JJ comes in and Savannah stops by after rounds to see JJ hit Derek on the arm and say, "I can't believe you didn't tell me. Congratulations!"
They all take turns in the room with Penelope so as not to overwhelm her though Spencer doesn't leave very often.
Dave plays poker with her, and tells her she's that she's gotten better. JJ keeps fluffing her pillows and holding her hand and Derek watches an old movie with her.
By the time Hotch comes in with her approved dinner she's pretty exhausted.
"Reid's eating in the waiting room. I think Morgan's teasing him," He informs her and she smiles.
"Good. He needs to let out some energy."
"Who? Reid or Morgan?" He asks far too innocently.
"Both."
He helps her sit up and puts her tray together.
"The doctor will be back in a minute," She tells him.
He nods and sits down on the end of her bed. For some reason she flashes back to being locked up in that room at the BAU.
"You know I never really thanked you for looking out for me."
"You never had to Garcia."
"I know but I should have. I've been thinking a lot lately about my parents, how much I wish they were here to see all this, and I keep going back to how they died."
Anyone else would have cut her off here but it's Hotch and he knows that she needs to say this so he nods at her.
"They died looking for me because I had run out that night. I didn't get to say goodbye, and the last thing I said to them was that they were awful parents. I've tried ever since to make sure that my last words to people are at least happy. But I think that as much as I've tried to make sure this job didn't change me it did because we're around death so much that it doesn't faze me the same way anymore. But I want to be better for them and part of that is thanking you for looking out for me."
"You're welcome. I'm just sorry that I couldn't do a better job," He says and she knows he's thinking about the hitmen ring and her being in witness protection. And well, everything that came after.
"I know. I know you pretty well you know? But even you don't have the power to stop all the bad things in the world. And that wasn't entirely what I was talking about."
"Oh?"
"The last few days, my entire pregnancy, the last 13 years, putting me on the team at all, keeping me out of prison, all of it."
"It was my pleasure."
"I know that too," She smiles at him.
"You really are going to be a great mother you know?" He says suddenly.
"Remind me of that next year," She laughs.
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By the time she's ready to push it's nearly midnight and the only people in the room with her besides the nurse are Spencer and JJ.
They've each got one of her legs and are helping her push as much as possible. Spencer's got one of his hands in hers. JJ does her best to help.
At some point Spencer tries to tell Penelope to breath but she screams, "Shut the fuck up! This is all your fault anyway!" And it's all JJ can do not to laugh.
Spencer doesn't seem to take it personally though, just keeps holding her hand and JJ is vaguely impressed. She also wonders what she said to Will in the same moment.
She can't remember and he'll never tell.
Finally after thirty minutes of pushing Penelope yells, "I can't do this. Spencer I need you to do this for me."
"I wish I could Penny I really do," He answers with sweat on his forehead.
"Penelope you can do this," JJ cuts in, "You can."
Spencer seems to get with the program then because he seconds it with, "You are so strong Penny. You can do this."
She's passed the point of tears she's sobbing so hard but she tries to push again.
"Penelope you just need one good push," The doctor says.
"Spencer you look," She orders and when he shakes his head she says, "I've got JJ and you know you want to see."
He nods and goes down to watch the first baby be born with a huge smile.
JJ leans over and grabs Penelope's hand while she grabs the bars on the bed to push one more time, there's a high pitched noise and then four people are crying.
"Alright Penelope you've got a few minutes before the next baby. Try to rest," The doctor says as she takes off her gloves only to replace them.
"Hi Bridget," Spencer says as they put the baby on the scale to clean her up.
"It's our little girl?" Penelope tries to lean over to see her.
"She's perfect. Ten fingers and ten toes," Spencer confirms when they put the baby in his arms and he walks over to her.
"Meet your mama," He whispers and lays her on Penelope's chest.
JJ watches from the side, not really wanting to interrupt the moment. Eventually Spencer looks up at her and says, "That's your Aunt JJ. JJ this is Bridget Elise Garcia-Reid."
"Well hello Bridget," JJ smiles with tears of her own and reaches out a hand to run over her head.
"She's perfect," JJ says to the baby more than anyone.
"JJ will you go tell the team?" Penelope asks.
"Sure."
And then JJ gets to go tell give a family some good news for a change.
They all stand when she gets to the waiting room and says, "We've got our first girl, Bridget Elise Garcia-Reid. 5 pound 3 ounces 20 inches long. Penelope's okay now but we've still got another one coming."
When she's finished Derek gives her a hug and says, "Thank God!"
Dave laughs behind him and Derek pulls away partially to throw a hand up and wave him off.
"Well I better get back in there. We're only half way."
As she turns around she sees Dave and Derek high fiving and Hotch smiling.
By the time JJ gets back to the room they're taking Bridget away and moving Penelope back into position.
"Just in time," Spence smiles at her.
"Alright let's do this again," The doctor says.
A few more expletives are thrown around and then, three pushes later there's another crying baby.
He's a bit smaller at 4 pounds and 11 ounces but his lungs are just as strong. As soon as she hears her brother Bridget joins in the crying.
"How is he?" Penelope asks while the doctor cleans her up and tells her that they aren't done and the afterbirth will be along shortly.
"He's got your nose and a full head of blonde hair," JJ answers staring at him.
She turns around just in time to see Spencer, holding Bridget close, lean in and kiss Penelope on the forehead.
JJ watches for minute while the doctors clean little Alfie off and they get the two babies situated on Penelope, "I'm gonna go out to the waiting room and let the guys know while you're doing your kangaroo care."
They don't even look up.
"And we have Alfie James Garcia-Reid!" She announces her second bit of good news in less than a half hour.
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The team sits around the waiting room for another couple of hours before Spencer comes out looking some strange mix of happy, tired, exhausted, excited, relieved, and smug.
"Penelope says you all can come back now but then she wants you to leave."
Dave isn't entirely sure that he knows what he's saying. They're all pretty tired by this point. But they get up and follow the new dad to the room that they've moved Penelope and the babies into.
"She doesn't want to send them to the nursery tonight but I don't think she's going to have a choice," He explains as they walk down the hall.
It's easy to why when they open the door. Penelope is happy certainly but she's also more tired than Dave has ever seen another person. She's got one of them, Alfie Dave's guessing from the blue hat but it is Penelope so it might be Bridget, in her arms. The other baby is fast asleep in the cradle next to her bed.
She looks up when they walk in and smiles, "Hey guys, meet Alfie. Bridget's already eaten and fallen asleep."
Spencer walks over and picks up the sleeping baby slowly and carefully before he sits in the chair next to her.
"Jayje? You helped with a lot of the hard work. You wanna hold him?"
With that little Alfie is being passed to JJ.
Derek walks over to Spencer who rolls his eyes and says, "Of course you can hold my little girl Derek."
Derek immediately smiles and says, "Welcome to the world baby girl," And kisses her on the head.
Dave watches while Derek dances around the room with her and Penelope hisses, "Derek Morgan if you wake her up so help me!"
Aaron though, only has eyes for Garcia. "How are you feeling?" He tries to distract her, smiling widely at the scene.
"Tired. But utterly content," She answers simply.
"No complications?"
"Not a one."
Aaron moves over to help her settle in and pour her a glass of water and Dave guesses that that leaves him with Spencer so he walks over and sits down next to him.
"Was it as terrifying as you thought?"
"More so," He answers with wide-eyed guile.
"Was it worth it?"
"More than I could ever express," He says and Dave knows he's going to be okay and that he isn't leaving anytime soon.
They switch off, JJ handing Alfie to Dave and Derek handing Bridget to Aaron. Aaron looks at Bridget like she's a complicated puzzle that Spencer just solved and then surprises everyone by making a funny face and saying, "You are going to drive your Daddy and your Uncle Derek crazy aren't you young lady? Well if you ever need to be bailed out you just call your Uncle Aaron. No judgment here."
Which just has them all snickering.
"Don't listen to them. Just because I would never bail any of them out..."
Dave looks down at the little one in his arms and says, "If either of you ever need to be bailed out you call me, Papaw, I won't even ask questions and I know great ways to hide bodies."
"Hey! I did not give birth to serial killers!" Penelope interjects causing everyone to laugh.
"Of course not Penelope, that's just the only way they know to relate to people," JJ sends them all a warning look.
"Now I've got a list for you, life advice and whatnot. I would give it to you now but your mother might actually kill me so I'll give it to you with your first beer at 16 like normal people."
"I don't think so," Penelope and Spencer both jump in.
"And we won't tell your stick in mud parents about it."
"I think you should all leave now. You are all bad influences and I don't need my children exposed to you," Spencer jokes but Dave can see the very real exhaustion on everyone's faces.
"Alright kid you and me will talk later."
They shuffle a few more times, until everyone has held both babies and then start to make their excuses.
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That night after the team has left Spencer finds himself the only person in his family awake. Penelope is completely out as is Bridget. Alfie keeps fusing in his sleep so Spencer picks him up and just holds him. It seems to settle him.
He looks exactly like his mom. He's got blonde hair, blue eyes, and her nose. He's got Spencer's chin and long fingers. This perfect like meshing of the two of them.
He reaches out and grabs onto Spencer's shirt with those long fingers and won't let go. A few minutes later he starts moving his face around and Penelope speaks up, "He's probably hungry. Hand him here."
Spencer helps her get situated on her side with the baby in her arms and he just sort of watches while she feeds their child.
"Are you staring at my boobs Doctor Reid?"
"What no, no. It isn't sexual I promise. It's just..."
"Relax cupcake I know. I was just joking. It's kind of amazing isn't it?"
"Very much so."
"The way my body can make both people and food. It's strange."
"It's awesome."
"That too. You may as well get her. We'll see if she'll eat once he's finished."
Bridget also has blonde hair though not the same platinum blonde that her brother has, it's more of a dishwater blonde and there isn't nearly as much of it. She's got blue eyes and Spencer wonders if their eyes will be the same color in the end. She has his nose and Penelope's cheek bones. And she gives him the same look her mother does when he wakes her up.
"I'm going to have Derek and Hotch go to the house tomorrow and get things ready," He tells Penelope.
"Hotch already did a lot of it. The cribs are built and he took the car and had the seats put in. He set the pack in play up in our room."
"Good. We still need to clean the mattress. I'll have Derek do a load of laundry while he's there."
It's weird how normal it is to be so domestic but he thinks he likes it.
"Thank you Penelope," He whispers when they try to change out babies.
"Thank you Spencer. I didn't realize I was missing something. But I was missing them," Penelope responds without even looking at him.