On the plane back from Nashville after saving the last victim from the stalker, everyone was relieved to be going home. It had been a difficult few weeks for the team. Even though it was only noon Eastern Time, the entire team was exhausted. Morgan was leaning back with his headphones listening to music and trying to sleep. JJ and Prentiss were sitting across from each other in quiet conversation and Reid was playing cards with Rossi.
Reid kept looking at his watch between hands so Rossi spoke up, "Anxious to get home, kid?"
"Of course, isn't everyone?" Reid answered confused by the question.
"Sure, but everyone isn't looking at their watch every five minutes" he said nodding towards Reid's arm.
"Oh, I didn't even realize I was doing that." He said quietly. "Chelsea went to New York to visit her friend Joann while we were gone. I think she mainly wanted to get away from all of the sadness but she also wanted to tell her the news in person."
Rossi only nodded and Reid continued, "Her flight is scheduled to land at Dulles soon so I'm trying give her time to get out of the airport before I call." Almost talking to himself he said, "I wish I could have been there to pick her up."
"She knows that." Rossi commented and laughed when Reid seemed surprised he had spoken the last words out loud. Continuing he said "When are you going to tell the team?"
"I was hoping tonight, if Chelsea and everyone here feels up to going out." He said looking around at everyone in the plane.
Just then his phone rang and his face lit up. Rossi smiled and said, "I think I'll go refresh my coffee and give you some privacy."
Reid nodded his thanks and answered his phone with a smile. "Hey, how was your trip."
When Rossi returned, Reid was smiling. "So, she's up for a night out?" he asked.
"Actually, she wants to have everyone over to our place. She thought it might be more relaxing for everyone than going out. She plans to ask Frank if he can pull something together sort notice, but if not we can always order something to be delivered"
"That sounds good, as long as she's up to it." Seeing an affirming nod from Reid he said "Why don't we go talk to JJ and Prentiss now and we can ask Morgan when he wakes up. I bet everyone will like the thought of getting together not involving a serial killer. Plus if Frank can make the dinner, no one will want to miss that!" He said remembering the last time he made dinner for the group.
When they landed a couple of hours later, Spencer couldn't wait to get home. The first thing he noticed as that Chelsea was wearing her ring. Smiling he grabbed her hand, kissed her knuckles and then pulled her in for a kiss. They kissed until the need for air became too great.
After catching her breath, Chelsea saw Spencer's mind racing and asked, "What are you thinking?"
Spencer looked confused, "I really don't know. My mind's gone completely blank."
She laughed feeling the same reaction from the kiss. She kissed him again, this time only lightly brushing her lips against his. "Let's get your bag to the bedroom."
He smiled a goofy grin and nodded while grabbing his bag to follow her.
#
Several hours later, they had both showered, made the bed, emptied his go bag and were setting the table for the dinner. Chelsea showed him the champagne that Rossi had ordered and had delivered in the refrigerator saying, "It was nice of David to send this. I got a call from the security desk downstairs about the delivery only an hour after I got home. He certainly has some good resources in the city."
"Wow, he didn't tell me he was going to do this. He must have called right after we invited everyone. By the way, Will and Kevin are definitely coming, I meant to tell you when I got home, but I got distracted," he said as a slight blush touched his cheeks.
"I added them to the count for Frank just in case. I'm happy he was able to make us dinner on such short notice. I stopped at the deli before I even came upstairs to see if he could do it. And when I told him about this," she said pointing to her ring, "he came around the counter and picked me up off my feet," smiling as she thought of the memory. "I bet he is planning something special, even though I didn't give him much time. I also called and told him about the champagne after the delivery, just in case he was planning that also."
Then changing the subject, "Grandpa is coming. I also counted, Hotch and Jack, hoping they will all be here too. Have you heard anything about how he's doing?"
"I don't know how he's doing, but I just received a text from Rossi. He went to see Hotch when we got back and he agreed to come, but Jack is with his aunt tonight." When Chelsea looked disappointed, he continued, "I haven't talked to anyone, but my guess is he plans to tell us his decision on if he is coming back to work or not and doesn't want Jack to hear the details."
"That makes sense, do you know his decision?"
"No. I guess we will find out soon enough."
#
Spencer was anxious as everyone arrived. He didn't want to spoil the surprise before they all showed up. He noticed that Chelsea managed to keep her ring hand hidden and mostly kept herself busy in the kitchen sorting through the array of Italian dishes Frank had delivered just before the team started to arrive. He smiled thinking about their big announcement and knew she was afraid a room full of profilers might figure out the secret before they had a chance to tell them. Fortunately, the appetizers that Frank and made kept the group happy and entertained in the family area.
Hotch was the last to arrive. Once he was there, Spencer took the opportunity to call Chelsea out of the kitchen and make the announcement. Before Spencer could even finish his announcement, Garcia was screaming and jumping up to grab both of them in a huge hug. She continued to squeal and bounce up and down until Morgan came and put a hand on her shoulder laughing, "Come on baby girl, you don't want to break either of their necks."
"Oh, oh I'm sorry. I just am so excited for both of you." She continued bouncing as she let them go.
"It's alright" both Spencer and Chelsea said together laughing. Before they had a chance to say anything else they were both engulfed in hugs from everyone in the room. They were all excited to look at her beautiful diamond engagement ring, she sometimes felt like her arm was going to be pulled off. Emily noticed the odd angle her arm was at and said "Hey guys," trying to get their attention, then again louder, "Hey guys!" everyone stopped and looked at her. "Can Chelsea have her arm back?" Everyone laughed when they realized what they were doing and let go Chelsea's arm.
Now that things had quieted down a bit, Chelsea reminded Spencer about the Champagne and he grabbed Morgan, Rossi and Will to help open the bottles and pour glasses.
Once everyone had a glass in their hands, Hotch got everyone's attention and lifted his glass in the first toast. Once Rossi and Morgan added their heartfelt toasts, Spencer then lifted his glass saying, "Chelsea I love you and I plan on spending the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you as happy as you make me."
Chelsea could feel the tears that threatened to fall and grabbed him in a hug. She almost forgot everyone was there until she heard all of the "aaawws" from the group. Looking around she noticed she wasn't the only one with tears in her eyes. With everyone's attention on them she decided to announce it was time to eat.
Sitting down at the dinner table Chelsea couldn't keep the huge smile off her face. Looking over at Spencer in a conversation with JJ and Will, she could see her smile mirrored on his face. Engaged, she thought to herself, she was now officially engaged. It seemed more real now that the team knew. She knew within weeks of meeting Spencer she wanted this but she never really imagined this a day would come. He tended to be a very private person and she was amazed at the toast he had given just minutes before.
Her grandpa that was sitting next to her, interrupted her thoughts when he whispered, "you look deep in thought."
"I'm just happy and loving that everyone is here to celebrate our engagement."
"He really has opened up this year. It's hard for me to believe the kid I met last year is the same one that gave that toast," he continued smiling. "I'm happy for both of you."
"I really am glad you kept bugging him to ask me out. I think you have some sort of a sixth sense to know we would be good for each other," she said as she gave him a hug.
"I'm happy I did too. I don't think I'm physic but I did imagine you this happy with him. Your dad would have loved him also."
Chelsea swallowed holding back tears thinking about her dad just as Morgan spoke up. "Spencer, tell us how you proposed. I bet everyone here would love to hear the story."
Spencer looked at Chelsea who nodded her approval and he told the story. He started by mentioning that he had been thinking about it since the day he introduced her to the team, but after he was shot, he wanted to wait until he was off his crutches and could get down on one knee.
Garcia interrupted with "aww, you always have been the perfect gentleman."
Spencer blushed more and said "Thanks" as he continued the story and explained why he had proposed at the Rifle Club.
"You really are a romantic." Morgan said when he was finished.
Chelsea leaned over giving Spencer a quick kiss saying, "You have NO idea."
Everyone laughed as Spencer once again blushed a deep read.
Rossi saw that Spencer looked a bit overwhelmed with all of the attention and took pity on him by changing the subject. "Hotch, have you made any decisions about work yet?" although he already knew the answer.
Hotch cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, I told Strauss this morning I plan to come back. I have my final psych eval tomorrow and should be back at my desk on Monday."
When dinner was over and everyone had moved around the condo into small groups for conversation Garcia gabbed Chelsea in another huge hug nearly crying, "I'm sorry one of our sickos ruined the moment for you."
Chelsea sighed, "Not ruined. Just delayed." Looking over at Hotch with the group of guys who were talking with Spencer, "I just wish there was a different outcome" she said trailing off.
JJ smiled and hugged her, "Don't let those thoughts ruin your happiness. Hotch is really happy for Spence, just look at them all over there. They look like a group of gossiping women! We needed some good news like this. I'm really happy for you, both of you."
Chelsea said thanks and JJ left the girls to join the guys. When there was a lull in the conversation, JJ pulled Reid aside to give him a big hug. "Do you know you have been blushing the whole night?"
His face blushed even deeper with her words looking down at his Converse. "I'm not really good at being the center of attention." He answered truthfully.
Smiling she hugged him again. "Well you're going to have to get used to it. Everyone will be looking at both of you at the wedding." Pulling away she looked and continued seriously, "I'm so proud of you. I'm glad you figured out that she wasn't going anywhere without you by her side. She loves you very much."
Smiling with another blush, "I know. I can't imagine my life without her."
#
As everyone was getting ready to leave for the night, Chelsea pulled Hotch aside, "Hotch, I'm really glad you decided to stay with the BAU. I feel safer knowing your whole team is together. I know that you will all do whatever it takes to get the unsub, but you all take care of each other like family."
"I don't think I am me without this job. I really can't walk away from it. Hailey understood that, but couldn't live with that knowledge. I don't think Jessica really likes it either, but she also understands that this job is a part of me and wanted to offer Jack some stability. He needs that and I'm very grateful for her help." Hotch said thoughtfully.
"That's partly what I wanted to talk to you about. Remember that Hailey allowed me to watch Jack before so I'm sure Jessica would approve also. If she is ever busy and can't get Jack when you get a call to leave town, or she needs help when you are gone for a long time, I want to help. If your gone, Spencer's gone also, so I definitely can make time to spend it with Jack."
"Thanks. I'll let her know you offered. I'm sure she will welcome the help if needed." Then hugging her he continued with his voice full of emotion, "I really do appreciate it and I'm sure Hailey would also. Thank you."
"No problem Hotch, he is a sweet boy and when Spence is gone, I could use the distraction also." She said smiling.
#
On the way out, Rossi was in the elevator with Hotch and said nonchalantly. "I noticed you and Bob having a nice conversation."
"Dave, you know I don't have an issue with alcohol."
"I know, but I think talking to someone that has gone through some similar things as you would be a good idea. That's all I'm saying."
Hotch nodded, "He's easy to talk to and I don't want the bureau, or especially Strauss second guessing my decision to return. If I pass bm eval tomorrow…"
Rossi cut him off laughing, "There isn't a profiler that can't walk that line and pass the Bureau's psych eval and you know it. If one of us didn't pass, I'm sure I wouldn't want them having my back."
Hotch smiled, "Yeah, most of us helped write the questions and getting back in the saddle is our best therapy. But, sometimes it is good to just talk to someone that has been there without trying to analyze if you are fit for duty. You know?"
"Yeah, you know my door's always open if you want to talk, but I'm glad you had a chance to talk to Bob. He's a good man. Plus everything is private, I know he has talked to lots of people in similar situations to yours. He's probably happy to talk to someone before they let an addition take over their lives. Not that I'm suggesting that you will." Rossi finished squeezing Hotch's shoulder.
"We are going to lunch next week. A more private time to just chat about things." Hotch then changed the subject, "I'm so glad that Spencer proposed to Chelsea. She really is good for him. But I'm sorry that my personal life interfered with their happiness and they had to wait so long to tell us."
"It wasn't your personal life, it was Foyet that interfered. Don't put that on you. Spencer didn't want Chelsea on Foyet's radar with a public announcement, then there was the funeral and then the stalking case," he paused shaking his head. "The timing to tell us was never right."
"You knew didn't you?" Hotch said with a smile.
"Yeah, I knew he was thinking about it. I even brought it up back when he was laid up with his bad knee. I drove him to get the ring in early November. He hid the ring until he was off the crutches. Unfortunately, it was the same night Foyet reared his ugly head again."
Hotch smiled saying, "I'm glad you two have become so close. It's good for him to have a strong male role model both professionally and personally. I wasn't sure you were even going to like him when you first returned to the BAU." He finished with a laugh.
"He's an acquired taste." Joining Hotch's laughter. "But honestly, he's a good kid. It's almost like the son I've never had and I am happy that he found someone to love. This is a crazy business and having personal connections helps keep us human." He finished thoughtfully.
"So you changing your will?" Hotch asked only half joking.
"Could be." Rossi smiled. "Haven't done anything yet, but right now most of it is going to charities, I might make some changes and give him the surprise of his life," he said almost laughing.
Hotch shook his head at his friend smiling also, "I can't think of anyone that deserves that type of surprise more than him." They said their goodnights each getting into their own vehicles still smiling at the conversation.
