Anthea smoothed her hair for the fifth time since she'd gotten out of the car, waiting patiently while Spencer unloaded the trunk of the car of presents she had picked out, with his minimal help. She did a final once-over of her outfit and wondered, once again, if she should have worn something nicer. The forest green dress reached just above her knees, and her off-white heels matched her small purse and the pearls she wore in her ears and in a single circlet around her neck. She tried not to look too frazzled as Spencer finally straightened up. Once the two boxes were securely tucked under his arm, he offered Anthea his free hand, which she accepted gratefully.
He glanced at her as they began walking. "Nervous?" he asked again.
Anthea let out a shaky breath. "Five," she answered, and squeezed his hand. "Thank you for bringing me. You didn't have to."
"I wanted to," said Spencer simply. They began making their way up the path, and Anthea was glad to see there were more people than she had anticipated. Despite her slight discomfort with crowds, she knew distractions would be necessary in case it all went to hell.
Which it wouldn't, she reasoned with herself as Spencer waved at someone seated under the tent and knocked on the door. She was a successful professor at a prestigious university, and a young one at that. True, Spencer was kind and brave and incredible, but she didn't have to prove anything to anyone. However, when he gave her a look to say he would drop the boxes inside and be right back, Anthea bit her lip as the irrational fear bubbled up inside her, but gave a small nod anyway. The door was opened by an unfamiliar person, even to Anthea, and Spencer merely ducked inside. The woman gave her a cursory glance and a polite smile, but didn't stay long. Anthea had just turned around to do a mental head-count of the people milling about when she heard a slightly familiar voice speak.
"Reid, that you?"
Anthea froze, and it was only the warm hand that rested against the lower back which prevented her knees from shaking. She fought to keep her face pleasant, but aloof, as a tall man in a suit approached them. She recognized him immediately.
"Hey," answered Spencer. He stepped out from behind Anthea, moving his hand from her back to her wrist, and tugged her forward gently. His movement made Anthea blink, and she smiled at David Rossi as she descended the stairs and accepted his offered hand. "Rossi, you remember Anthea Grayson."
"That I do," said Rossi, his eyes crinkling kindly. "So you're the plus one we've heard nothing about?"
Anthea managed a slightly more genuine smile at his words, sensing the teasing behind them. "I guess so," she said, her voice surprisingly smooth. "It's nice to see you again, Agent Rossi."
"Call me Dave, please," said Rossi, waving a hand. "I should have known it was you. No wonder Spencer wanted to go back to the fair the day after we left. Have you met the others yet?"
Anthea laughed and shook her head, and Rossi gestured for her to accompany him. She threw a quick look at Spencer, and his hand tightened around hers as he began to follow the older man. She breathed a small sigh of relief, ignoring the quiet chuckle that came from Spencer at her actions.
"So, Miss Grayson, what are you up to these days?" asked Rossi as he navigated the tastefully decorated tent towards a group of men and women who were watching them approach curiously.
"Anthea, please," she answered quickly. "I, uh, teach at Georgetown. Literature, Renaissance mostly."
"Fascinating," said Rossi, sounding genuinely interested. "So, you're Professor Grayson, then?"
Anthea nodded, but Spencer interrupted. "Dr. Grayson, but she'll never tell you that unless you ask her. She just submitted her proposal for her second doctorate last week."
"Second?" Rossi looked impressed. "Trying to give Reid a run for his money?"
Anthea laughed, surprising even herself. She noted Spencer's pleased smile. "I don't think I'm nearly as smart as Spencer, but it is nice to know I can keep him on his toes," she leaned against his shoulder affectionately, her eyes teasing. She moved away almost immediately, of course, but she saw Rossi's eyes twinkle at her gesture.
"Look who I found!" he announced as they reached the group. Three women and two men, noted Anthea, and… children? She blinked at the two blonde boys who each held a different man's hand, and the small toddler that was on the blonde woman's hip. Spencer's hand tightened around hers reassuringly: she had not been expecting so many people.
"Hi," she managed to say faintly. The answering smiles she received, however, were almost blinding. She could have sworn the blonde woman with glasses who wasn't holding a baby would have hugged her if she hadn't looked like she restrained herself at the last minute.
"It's nice to finally meet you," said the other woman kindly. She adjusted her grip on the child and reached out her free hand, smiling gently. "I'm JJ, please call me Jennifer. And this is my son, Michael."
"Nice to meet you too," said Anthea. She looked at the toddler and couldn't help the smile that took over her face. "He's adorable."
"Thank you," Jennifer beamed.
"I'm Penelope!" said the other woman, who clearly looked like she had been making a huge effort to stay quiet. "Are you Reid's girlfriend?"
Anthea couldn't help but exchange a bemused look with Spencer, who had turned slightly pink at the question. However, he answered for her. "Yes, she is, Garcia."
"How long have you been dating?" she demanded.
Anthea looked at Spencer again expectantly, but this time she was smiling. Spencer grimaced. "Five months?"
"Six," corrected Anthea. Spencer raised an eyebrow at her, and she cocked her head to one side, forcing him to remember the first month when he had refused to commit but she had made it plain they were together anyway.
Four seconds later, he sighed. "Six," he conceded.
Garcia squealed, and finally Anthea was tackled in a hug she probably should have expected sooner. She held her ground, despite the force of the attack, however, and managed to let out a short laugh at the gesture. She squeezed back. "It's very nice to finally meet you, Penelope."
"Darn right, it is! The good doctor has kept you a secret for far too long," Garcia let her go and threw Spencer a dirty look. "We will be having words, Reid."
Anthea giggled and turned to the rest of the people. She shook hands with Tara Lewis and Will, JJ's husband, before turning to their son, Henry, who gave her a shy smile. She planted a kiss on his cheek and shook his outstretched hand, doing the same to the other little boy who introduced himself as Jack. His father, she realized as she stood up, was Aaron Hotchner.
"Aaron Hotchner," he introduced, shaking her hand. His face was relatively stoic, but his eyes twinkled. "It's a pleasure, Anthea."
"Likewise," Anthea gave him a bright smile, and felt Spencer's hand touch the small of her back again. She leaned back into his touch, feeling the tension leave her shoulders. The worst was over.
