[A/N: Hi! Thank you for reading and for leaving me feedback. I greatly appreciate your interest. In case you're unaware, I've posted a side-shot story focusing on Morgan/Garcia, and Prentiss/Rossi. Click my author name to get to it. I don't own Criminal Minds, nor do I infringe.]
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Chapter 21.
Previously…
He saw the smile on Aaron's face, and he felt giddy. "I'll get the wine and put the mushrooms in the fridge. We can have them later or tomorrow, I don't care."
When Spencer Reid climbed the stairs fifteen-minutes later after cleaning up the kitchen, he was surprised to see candles. He didn't expect the candles.
##
Hotch was sitting on the bed in his boxer-briefs, waiting for his lover to come upstairs. They'd been able to really connect while Hotch had been working from home. Most nights, when Spencer got home from work, Aaron had a meal on the table and after Jack was in bed, they made love in many different ways. It was healing, if Hotch thought about it. He had a man who loved him, and that man wasn't at all hesitant to show him. More of that was what Aaron was hoping for that night.
When Spencer walked in, Aaron saw the smile and it lit up his heart. "Well, Genius, don't stay over there. Come here and show me who I belong to," he teased as he pulled out the lube from the nightstand and placed it on top.
He watched as his lover pulled off his shirt, undershirt, trousers, shoes, and socks. He joined Aaron on the bed in his tightie-whities, and when their skin met, Aaron couldn't help himself. He quickly slipped the underwear down and engulfed Spencer's hard cock into his mouth, taking as much of his lover into him as he could. The gasp he heard was reward enough.
An hour later, the two men lay panting next to each other with bright smiles on their faces. Spencer had given Aaron exactly what he'd asked for, pounding into him enough so the man would feel it the next day. He'd also sucked Aaron dry, which was a pleasure unto itself.
"You okay?" Aaron asked.
"I'm fine. I didn't hurt you, did I?" Aaron could hear the apprehension in Spencer's voice, but it was unnecessary.
He turned onto his side and rested his head on Spencer's chest, looking at the man of his dreams. "No. You definitely didn't hurt me. You did me just fine. So, you hungry? We don't have to grill anything," Aaron offered.
"Let's have some cereal while you explain to me how we all don't get brought up on charges for fraternization? We're a pretty close-knit group, Aaron. This won't go unnoticed by the brass," Spencer speculated.
The two men rose and slipped on pajama pants and t-shirts…Aaron's were blue checked cotton with a white t-shirt, and Spencer's were Fibonacci Spirals pants with an accompanying black t-shirtAaron had found on a website. He bought them immediately, knowing how much Spencer would love them.
They made their way downstairs and went through the motions of finding bowls, cereal, and milk. Of course, Spencer coated his in sugar, but it was something Aaron had come to expect.
"Tomorrow night, we're going to come clean with everyone. We all have to be honest with each other regarding our relationships so we can stand together as a unit if there becomes some sort of accusations brought against us, or we'll be dragged through the mud. As long as we all remain professional and do our jobs, I believe we'll be fine. You'll be okay, right?"
They sat at the counter in the kitchen, and Spencer smiled at Aaron. "You're willing to tell the other members of the group you don't mind taking a jackhammer up the ass?"
Aaron nearly spit his Crispix over the countertop. "Really? You think you're a jackhammer? You've got a good stroke, but baby, I'm much harder on you than you are on me," he reminded.
When Spencer giggled, Aaron laughed. "Oh, you don't think I can…yeah, you're right, I can't even play it off. I'm a total failure at trying to be a dominant partner. Thank you for humoring me," Spencer stated with a wink.
"You know we're equals, right? Jobs…sexual orientation…background? None of that matters, Spence. We're equal in this house. When decisions need to be made, we make them together, right?" Aaron asked.
When Reid smiled at him and lifted his spoon full of Cheerios, they touched their spoons and ate their food. The bowls went into the sink and the two men climbed the stairs with clasped hands. After they settled into the king-sized bed, they both fell asleep. Both of them with happy smiles and contented hearts.
…
"Tonight, we're not sleeping in pajamas. What the hell is wrong with us? We're home by ourselves for the first time in…Hey, Dave," Aaron sputtered as he and Reid stood at the front door of Rossi's large home in McLean. When it opened before they'd knocked, the two of them were caught off guard.
The house was a gorgeous showplace. The whole team had been there for many gatherings, including JJ's wedding, but never as couples. Aaron wasn't worried…Spencer was.
"Hello, gentlemen. Please come inside," Rossi offered as he stepped aside to allow them entrance.
It seemed Spencer was stuck on the porch, so Aaron pulled his hand and he stumbled inside, offering a bottle of the Bordeaux they loved, along with a bottle of sparkling lemonade they'd found at a gourmet shop they stopped in their quest for a specific type of cookies Aaron remembered Rossi mentioning on more than one occasion.
"These are Amoretti cookies. Aaron said these are a favorite of yours," Spencer stated as he pointed to the box in Aaron's hands. Rossi took it and smiled.
"Spencer, why are you so nervous? I've known about you and Aaron for months. I'm in your camp, so stop with the panic. Come inside. Emily will love the lemonade," Rossi told two of them as they followed Rossi inside and out to the veranda.
Aaron saw Emily lighting candles with a smile on her face. She looked incredible. Obviously, the pregnancy agreed with her.
Spencer went over to speak with her, leaving Aaron a moment with Dave. "Are you going to announce tonight? I mean, she's only in her first trimester. Is she…um, this is a little awkward," Aaron stated quietly.
Rossi didn't hesitate to grab him and hug him tightly. "I'm fifty-three years old and I'm going to be a father. She's decided she wants to do this. I can't tell you how excited I am. I want to tell everyone who will listen."
Aaron hugged him back and when they pulled away, he saw Emily hugging Reid. The smile was enough to know she'd come clean. It was going to be a great night.
…
The group was enjoying several wonderful Italian dishes made by David Rossi, the 'Reluctant Gourmet' of the group. Incredibly, Garcia had been his handmaiden, or sous chef, through the process. Spencer had lent a hand with the chopping, and Aaron wore a bright smile he couldn't shed. The group was together, including Will and JJ, and everyone was having a great time, though Morgan was missing.
Once the mussels finished, Rossi placed them in a large bowl, and everyone carried out a dish or a basket of bread to the seating area. Glasses were filled, and everyone sat around the large, teak table Rossi had on the veranda of his home. He cleared his throat to offer a toast, as the man was known to do.
"I'm happy to welcome all of you to my home, once again. I always enjoy having you over, and this time is no exception, but it's more special, if that's possible. I just want to offer a toast to all of us. We've been to hell and back together, and we've come out ahead, thus far. I think that's an accomplishment to celebrate. Here's to the BAU," he offered. Everyone drank, touching glasses.
Before anyone could say anything, Rossi lifted his glass again. "I also have some very good, unexpected, but welcome, news to share. Seems I'm going to be a daddy," he stated as he looked at Emily. When she smiled and lifted her glass of lemonade, applause broke out around the table. Everyone was happy to hear the news, and no one seemed to be surprised. Aaron was sure either the women deduced it or Emily had told them. The only person who raised an eyebrow was Will LaMontagne, but then he just laughed. Never a dull moment.
After they all settled back into chairs, having given each other plenty of hugs, they began filling plates. The food was amazing, as it always was when Rossi invited the group over. The wine was incredible, and everyone was talking and laughing. When Aaron saw most of the plates were emptied and everyone was slowing down with food, it was the perfect time to explain things.
He tapped his knife against his wineglass and stood. When he had everyone's attention, he cleared his throat. "I'm glad we're all here together because I, too, have an announcement to make to all of you, my family. It will be announced on Monday at the Bureau, but I wanted to explain things to you first.
"We have quite a history within this group. As I look around, I can think of many times when we've each had issues, but I think we've all agreed to support each other through the good and the bad," Aaron began.
After he saw the smiles and nods of support, he continued. "On Monday, I will be taking over the job as Section Chief…of the BAU."
He stood there, waiting for any reaction. When Spencer stood next to him and pulled him into a kiss, Aaron heard the collective laugh. When the couple broke apart, the smiles were supportive. "I guess that's not really a surprise, but since you know, it's time to explain some things.
"Dave, thank you for stepping up to keep the group together while things were being sorted out. Come Monday, you're relieved of your duty," Aaron began, watching everyone laugh, knowing how relieved Rossi would be at the news.
"If he accepts, Derek Morgan will be the new Unit Chief. Penelope and Kevin Lynch will be assigned to a new BAU IT Unit, reporting directly to me. They'll be hiring another tech so they're not stretched…" Aaron explained.
Garcia giggled. "Please tell me I don't have to make room for a man in my lady lair." The group laughed.
"The only person relocating will be me. I'll be taking Strauss' old office upstairs, though I hate the idea. Garcia, you and Lynch will keep your respective offices, and we'll make room for the third analyst once that person is hired. The IT Group will work for the four Units assigned to me, and it will answer to me directly. We'll work out the parameters once things are official. I'll expect you to head up the group and assist me in the hiring process of the third analyst, Supervisory Tech Analyst. Yes, Garcia, it's a promotion.
"Derek has his own office, but he can move into mine if he wants. Prentiss, you're welcome to whichever office Morgan doesn't want if you want to get out of the bullpen. Spence, would you like me to find you a separate office out of the bullpen?" Aaron asked with a tender smile.
When Reid laughed and stood up again, he turned to Aaron. "If I had my way, I'd work with you upstairs. Since that's not possible, I'll stay where I am. I don't mind being in the bullpen with Anderson. He's not a bad guy," Reid responded.
Everyone laughed because Agent Jerry Anderson was a great guy, but he was truly as straight-laced as anyone they'd ever met. The chances of Anderson and Reid bonding were small, but it felt good to laugh. It felt good for all of them to let go for the night. It was a great moment.
…
[E/N: A few things straightened out, and a happy bit of fluff. This story is drawing to a close – three more chapters and an epilogue to come. Thank you for reading. Xoxo ML]