The tables slid back nicely against the bookshelves while the sofas and chairs seemed to fit neatly around the walls, leaving a generous amount of space in the centre of the room while keeping the same amount of seating. There was ample surface space too, enough to lay out food and drinks for all the guests and then some. But still, something worried Spencer, quite visibly.
"Spencer, what's wrong?" Anwyn asked, placing the last of the wine glasses on a side table. He glanced to her for a brief moment then continued to stare into the centre of the room.
"I don't know, I just… this is the first time I'll have hosted anything like this." His eyes wandered around the room, scrutinising every placement, position and dimension, checking for perfection. It wouldn't take any kind of special observational skills to notice that he was overly stressing about something that would so simply be a success.
Stepping up to him and placing her hands gently against his chest, she smiled sweetly, trying to let him feel her as an anchor. All he could do was smile back meekly for a moment as he tried desperately to convince himself that everything was set and ready.
"They don't care if it's perfect, they'll just enjoy the company of their friends for new year, because that's what it's all about. Being with the people that you want to wish a happy new year to, not if all the glasses match or if the seats will suit everyone. I bet your friends would be happy with mismatched plastic cups if it meant being here tonight." Spencer sighed, tipping his head back as the words sunk in before gripping her shoulders lightly.
"Eugh, you're right. I know, I'm just… I'm spending too much time in my head, I need to just let things take their natural course." He chuckled lightly to her before kissing her forehead. "Thank you."
"Thank me when we're done here." She replied, grinning and patting his chest playfully. Spencer released her, watching her move away with some confusion.
"But… I thought we were?" He asked, following her as she moved into the kitchen.
"What's a party without…" She approached her bag, which had been sat on the counter, pulling out a bundle of silver banners and streamers. "Decorations!" Spencer beamed at her excited smile, stepping aside to allow her to rush past into the living room once more.
Spencer watched with admiration as she flitted around, hanging streamers and placing banner on the walls. Her vision seemed complete and inspired, leading him to the conclusion that he should leave her be and let her work her magic, so to speak. Letting his attention move away, his eyes moved to the clock. Ten hours till the new year. Six hours till they arrived.
It had all been Anwyn's idea at the base of it. She'd asked several times to meet his friends and colleagues, so when Spencer suggested a new year party, she jumped at the idea they host it. The responsibilities would be split between upstairs and downstairs, where the guests would be hosted upstairs in Spencer's apartment, while food, drink and other preparations would be brought up from Anwyn's apartment. It was the perfect plan, wasn't it?
...
Anyone would have thought that the knock at the door had almost made Spencer give birth to a litter of kittens as he jumped up in utter panic. It was six hours till the new year, no one was supposed to be here for another two hours and the thought of anyone turning up this early was a sign of sheer chaos to him. Anwyn chuckled as she strode past him to the door, shaking her head lightly before speaking.
"Spencer, calm down. It's just Aiden and Allison. I asked them to come over early to help out." She said, taking hold of the handle and pulling open the door. "Hey guys." She exclaimed as she saw her friends.
Allison beamed joyously at the sight of the apartment almost bouncing through the door with excited glee. Aiden, on the other hand, kept a mildly amused smirk, taking in the shiny streamers and banners while being quietly impressed by the transformation.
"I see you got the decorating part out of the way." Aiden said to Anwyn as she stepped inside, raising a hand in greeting to Spencer.
"Oh, it's wonderful, isn't it?" Allison blurted in awe as she rounded on Spencer. "How was Christmas in Vegas?" She asked him, ignoring his overwhelmed stare.
"I… er… it was good. My mom and Anwyn seemed to get along really well." He said, finally feeling a little more comfortable in himself. Allison looked from Spencer to Anwyn then back again with a childlike smile.
"What?" Anwyn asked, laughing and closing the door. "Why are you looking at us like that?"
"She thinks that the whole, meeting the family bit means that…" Aiden started but Anwyn interrupted.
"Why do people keep saying that?" She asked, walking over to Spencer, linking arms with him and smiling. "Why can't we just date for a while without people jumping to that?" Aiden shrugged.
"When your world is full of rainbows and bubbles, anything cute and romantic seems like the most appealing option." Aiden suggested while receiving a glare from Allison.
"That reminds me," Spencer piped up. "Allison, I think you will make a friend tonight."
"Oh?" She asked, to which Spencer replied with a nod. "Then, let's get started!" She chuckled, jumping to conclusions in her head.
...
The tables were covered in every kind of nibble and cooked snack you could think of, each with their own tray or dish. The only places that didn't have food on them were the spaces taken up with wine and champagne.
Much to Anwyn's amusement, Allison had forced a silver, conical party hat onto Aiden after she'd finally sprayed her hair in place. Needless to say, Aiden was less amused and had tried exchange Allison's colourful eye shadow with a dark black one, however, she was unsuccessful. The girls had been offered Spencer's bedroom to get ready as he himself had been dressed and ready for hours, leaving him no use for it at that time. He sat, awaiting his fate in the living room, glancing at his watch every now and then.
When Anwyn stepped back through the doorway, his eyes lit up. She'd bought a short, black, bias-cut dress which ended just above her knees. Her matching, matte black, high-heeled wedges brought her to within a few inches of his height when he stood to meet her as she walked bashfully towards him. Her dark brown hair hung in light curls as it framed her shy but naturally beautiful features.
"How do I look?" She asked, almost finding it hard to look him in the eye out of embarrassment. Spencer could feel her apprehension, now that she was dressed and ready with only a half hour to go till guests arrived.
"Anwyn, you look absolutely stunning." He replied, tipping her chin up with his finger and beaming with adoration. "How did I ever meet anyone like you?" Gently and slowly, he kissed her soft, pale-red lips, smiling against them as he felt her lean upward and her hands touch his cheeks.
"Aww." Came a soft voice from behind Anwyn, causing them to part lips and smile before looking round. Allison had finished getting ready too and was stood in the doorway with a quaint smile, letting her shoulders sag. "You guys better not make me cry tonight, I swear, this make-up isn't cheap." She placed her clutch bag down on the prime retail that was an empty space on the table before wandering over to hug her friend, her stilettos clicking with each step on the hardwood floor. Spencer stepped aside, allowing the two friends to hug, noticing Aiden walk through the door at the same time.
"What kind of love-fest did I just walk in on?" She asked with feigned disgust as her friends turned to see her. Allison smoothed down her colourful sundress with her palms then held out her arms.
"Does someone else need a hug?" She asked playfully, causing Aiden to smirk. She stepped forward as quickly as her sleek, black cocktail dress would allow, throwing her arms around them both.
"You both know that I love you guys." She said, pulling Anwyn and Allison in as tight as she could. Spencer looked on happily, seeing the joy this small group of friends brought to each other and how happy Allison and Aiden were for him and Anwyn.
It was a treasurable moment that was interrupted suddenly by a heavy knock at the door, causing the trio to split and turn to face it. Spencer looked at his watch in mild panic but seeing that there were less than thirty minutes he would accept it as fashionably early. Standing promptly, he moved across the room to open the door, revealing an always dashing Derek Morgan and a very pretty Penelope Garcia.
"Hey Kid, Anwyn." Derek greeted as he saw the occupants smiling at him. "Thanks for the invite."
"Right, wouldn't miss this for the world… and being escorted by my big hunk of love is always a plus…" Garcia added but before Spencer could retort. "So who do I interrogate?" She joked, feigning an intimidating glare across the room.
"Come in guys." Spencer said, finally ushering them inside. "Derek, you've met Anwyn but this is Aiden and Allison…"
"Hi." Chorused the pair with a polite smile as Anwyn awaited her introduction to Penelope.
"And this is Anwyn… my er… my girlfriend." Penelope squealed with excitement, pulling Anwyn in to hug her, much to her surprise.
"If you hurt him, I know a lot of people with guns." She said, still chuckling as she released Anwyn.
"I have no intention of hurting or letting this one go." Anwyn responded, looking to Spencer.
"Awwwwww." Chorused Penelope and Allison, which made Penelope pay more attention to the others in the room.
"Oh my God, I love your dress, it's so…" Penelope started, trying to think of a descriptive.
"Rainbow chic?" Aiden asked sarcastically.
"Exactly!" Exclaimed Penelope, completely unfazed by Aiden's joke which made Allison smile from ear to ear.
"Knock, knock!" Came a voice from the open door, making them all turn to see a grinning David Rossi and a lesser-spotted smiling Hotch.
"Hey!" Spencer greeted the pair. "Come in and meet everyone."
"Thank you," replied Hotch. "I think JJ and Emily are on their way up, something about last minute checks?"
"Understandable." Anwyn said, offering a hand to Hotch with a smile. "You must be Aaron. I've heard a lot about you all." His smile grew as he took her hand and shook it.
"And you must be Anwyn. It's a pleasure to meet you." Hotch beamed and looked around in time to see Emily and JJ looking into the room.
"Aww, Spencer, this is amazing." Emily said through a broad smile.
"Don't look at me, this was all Anwyn." He smiled, taking her hand in his as the compliments flew to her.
The guests quickly started to mingle in with each other as Garcia and Allison ganged up on Derek while JJ and Emily talked with Aiden over a couple of glasses of wine. Anwyn had been talking to David for quite some time when she wandered back to Spencer.
"That man is a wealth of knowledge in what not to do in marriages." She chuckled. "And FYI, he also hinted at something to do with us getting married." Spencer chuckled back to her as he poured them both a drink.
"Yeah, three wives have experienced his dedication to his job. Maybe you should run while you can." He joked and she smiled, putting a hand on his arm.
"Spencer, you couldn't scare me off now… because…" She paused looking to her feet for a moment then back into his eyes. "Because I love you." The colour disappeared from Spencer's face in an instant as anxiety set in.
"Anwyn… I… I…" The world around him disappeared and there was only her scrutiny and her feelings on the line but he couldn't say a word.