Spencer could barely contain his nerves as he pulled into the Le Montanes driveway, Charlie seated next to him in the passenger seat. There was no doubt in his mind JJ had filled Will in on the situation and this would be the first they would have had a chance to talk since it all happened. Sure they had seen each other when Will came and collected Mia and Elijah but there hadn't been time to chat. Who knew what Will was thinking.
"You ok?" Charlie asked raising an eyebrow at his stepfather's change in body language.
"Yeah I'm fine it's been just been a tough day," Spencer admitted grimly. Neither said a word as the approached the front door, Spencer ringing the doorbell. Shortly after will greeted them with a sympathetic smile.
"Mia, Eli your dad's here," he called over his shoulder.
"Daddy," Mia squeals racing down the hall into Spencer's arms.
"Little Bunny," he replied with just as much excitement, smiling at Elijah who followed shortly after. The young boys arms automatically wrapped around his fathers waist, "hey there buddy, I missed you guys so much.
"Uncle Spencer," Henry and Michael grin running towards him, well more like tottering in Michaels case.
"Well that's not a sight I thought I would be seeing so soon," Will chuckled lightly at the sight of the four kids all latching onto the young doctor.
"Don't leave me like that again," Mia mumbled into Spencer's shoulder causing him to swallow slightly guilt settling in his stomach.
"What am I chopped liver," Charlie teases catching his siblings attention, his joking manner a cover up of how unwelcome he felt despite no actions suggesting it.
"Charlie," Mia and Elijah cry out in excitement once again. Eager to get to her older brother Mia squirmed viciously in Spencer's arms as he lowered her to the ground, the three boys still latching onto him releasing him from their embrace..
"Henry, Michael, come meet Charlie," Elijah called to the boys who followed him over the teen, Mia nearly asleep in his arms already.
"You've got a quite the little unit," Will smiled with pride at his good friend.
"I know, I just wish you got to see it complete," Spencer admitted smiling softly at children, a feeling of sadness washing over the mood.
"They will find her," Will tried to reassure him,. "You, JJ and the team will find her and you can be a full unit once again."
His amazing wife had filled him in on everything and watching the scene in front of him. hurt his heart, In the years Will had known him Spencer had gone through so much and he did not deserve this, no one did. Life was a cruel being who left no one untouched.
"Alright as much as I love that you are all having fun, it's getting later by the minute and I'm afraid we need to head home," Spencer the four young kids who were avidly chatting with Charlie, even Mia who could hardly keep her eyes open. His words earn a flood of awe's and groans but reluctantly everyone said goodbye, Mia, Elijah and Charlie following Spencer back to their car. With everyone picked up and in the car it didn't take long for the incomplete Reid family to return home.
"How about the two of you choose a movie while I put this sleeping beauty to bed," Spencer suggested referring to the sleeping Mia in her arms.
"Yessss," Elijah cheered rushing off into the lounge Charlie following behind.
Despite the seemingly happy moment a veil of sadness lay underneath. Tonight they just needed to relax and forget a little tomorrow they could worry and being to process.
"With a sigh Spencer carried Mia to her bedroom gently laying her in her bed, the moment she touched the sheets her body curled up under the weight of the duvet. He couldn't help but soften kissing her on the forehead.
"Hopefully Mummy will come home soon," she mumbles sleepily
"I hope so to sweetie," Spencer sadly replied, "I love you little bunny."
"I love you two daddy," Mia smiled her eyes closed before soft snores echoed through the room. With Mia now asleep Spencer joined Elijah and Charlie in the lounge who had already picked out a movie. Well it wasn't exactly a movie but the first season of Dr Who.
"You did say you wanted to show us this series," Elijah shrugged with a grin, "plus don't we all need a distraction."
For a ten year old Elijah was wise beyond his years, out of the three kids he seemed to be the one processing the days events the best. Still Spencer knew he had to be careful because it could mean Elijah was very could at hiding that he was upset or he wasn't processing it at all. Either way ha had to watch all three of them because each of his kids were processing everything differently, all which could turn sour at any point.
"Well you must have read my minds," Spencer chuckled ruffling the you boys hair.
"I've got the snacks." Charlie declared disappearing into the kitchen. When he returned the lounge the three of them dove into the world of the great and powerful of Dr Who. The rest of the night consisted of Spencer's constant commentary as they quickly got through the first season.
"Alright that's enough for tonight, off to be you two," Spencer paused the TV, "we all need some rest.
"Knowing not to push it Charlie and Elijah both headed to there rooms while Spencer cleaned up. Loading up the dishwasher a new wave of reality washed over him, causing him to grip the counter top. The whole day he had been worrying about Darcy and his kids but he hadn't stopped to look after himself.
Before he could get any further lost in his own mind; a place which ultimately scared him sometimes, the sounds of his ringtone cut through the air. Much to Spencer's surprise he found it was his old team Derek Morgan calling. Morgan had left nearly three years ago to be around for his wife Savannah and their son Hank. Wrapped up in his own life Spencer hadn't really contacted him since he left not even after getting out of prison. Spencer wasn't even sure if Derek was even aware of his jail time, the thought tying nervous knots in his stomach. The only one he could think of who would tell him was Penelope after all she would always been Derek's baby girl. However even she was so frazzled by the situation it could have slipped her mind easily.
"Hello," Spencer answered ready for whatever reaction was thrown his way.
"So kid, I hear you've been keeping secrets," Derek's vibrant and confident voice replied down the phone. "And so soon after getting out of jail. Why all the secrecy. "
"Wait you knew about my stint in prison? Spencer asked in surprise. Well that answers that question then.
"What like my baby girl wouldn't have told me," Derek's chuckles could be heard down the phone. Despite the more flirty nature of his friendship with Penelope, Savannah would always have his heart.
"But that's not what I'm you about," Spencer knew what was coming next, it was clear from Derek's tone. "What's this about you having girl genius and baby geniuses all these years."
"Yeah I'm sorry about that," Spencer apologised to him for all the years of sneaking around. "Most of all I'm sorry I haven't been much of a friend in these last few years.
"Neither of us made the effort, and the BAU can get pretty crazy ," Derek reminded him. "You like a bother to me if you ever need anything I'm to help just flick me a call.
"You got that right," Spencer chuckled slightly as Mia's voice called down the hall clearly upset. "I might just take you up on that offer some day."
"I got her," Charlie called out shortly after.
"Hey everything ok?" Derek asked, voice softening in concern.
"Garcia didn't tell you," Spencer was surprise at this, if Derek knew about his family then Penelope would have surely told him what's happened to Darcy. Taking the silence as a yes Spencer Continued. "Things are a real mess around here, I just don't know what to do."
It all came out in a rush after that, everything that had been bottled up exploded.
"Oh kid I had know idea she was missing, Garcia didn't get far from the fact that you had a family, " the increased shock was evident in Derek's voice as he spoke. "Listen to me kid, I know you feel like this is all you fault cause I know you, but the only persons her fault this is, is the son of a bitch who took her. No one else's. As for those little Reid's your raising, I can tell you love them just as much as I love my Hank, and the way you are with Henry and Michael, I already know you are an amazing father. Those kids have no one better too help them get through this. If you need anything, any help at all feel free to give me or Savannah a call.
"I'm sorry to put this all on you," Spencer whispered pinching the bridge of his nose to keep from crying. "I need to go and check on Mia, thanks for being such a good friend."
With quick goodbyes Spencer headed to Mia's room allowing Charlie to return to his own
"Hey little bunny you ok," Spencer asked softly tucking her sobbing body into his side.
"I just want Mummy," she sniffled.
"I know honey," Spencer held her tightly, her words clenching his heart in guilt and sadness.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight," she whispered looking up at her father.
"Of course you can," Spencer smiled softly at his daughter before the two of them returned to him and Darcy's room. When they did the light in Charlie's room turned on.
Charlie stared at the sealed envelope in his hands, he had found it stuck under his window sill addressed to him. It's contents unknown he ripped open the seal curious to see what was inside. Unfolding its pages he found a letter.
"To my son," he read eyes widening at the words
Sorry for the long wait I have a few more chapters which will be posted in the next few days. Hope you all enjoys
Molly XX