Hi everyone!

Ok, first of all: I AM SO SORRY for the long wait. I know it took me forever to update and I feel so bad I kept you waiting this long! But there's a lot of (good) stuff happening in my life right now and I've been beyond busy. So I hope you forgive me!

Then, of course THANK YOU for all the reviews on the last chapter! I am overwhelmed at the response! Also, thank you for the PM's, urging me to update. It means a lot to me that you're all enjoyin this story so much!

So, without further delay, new chapter!

I love you all!

xoxo

ReidsGirl

Chapter 25

Annie was sitting on the edge of her seat as they waited for the doctor to arrive. After she had felt Spencer's leg move, he had been quick to dismiss it as another case of hyperreflexia. But she had disagreed, remembering the doctor had told her those would only occur in the first three to four weeks after the initial injury. So she had urged him to try and move it again and he had been able to slightly shift his right leg.

It had sent her heartbeat racing even more and she had felt tears of joy in her eyes. But she had tried to calm herself, knowing it would do neither her nor Spence any good to get too excited about something that might just turn out to be a one-time occurance. She had still insisted on driving to the hospital right away to get it checked out. Oh how she hoped the doctor would be able to tell them if this was really a good sign or if they had gotten their hopes up too soon.

Spencer looked over at Annie who was literally sitting on her hands as her foot kept tapping on the floor. She was biting her lip and he could tell she was just as nervous as he was, if not more. He had been surprised when his leg had actually moved and he didn't know if he was imagining it but he thought he could actually feel his hands that were resting in his lap.

He tried to stay calm and not get his hopes up too soon. What if it had just been a one-time thing? He didn't want to face the disappointment if it turned out to just a reflex. Lost in his thoughts he suddenly felt Annie's hand on his and looked up to see her give him an encouraging smile.

"Whatever this turns out to be, we'll take it as we go, ok?" she asked, squeezing his hand as she leaned over to plant a small kiss on his lips.

Spencer nodded his head and chuckled. "If Garcia was here she'd be asking if it was really my leg that moved..."

Annie gave a little snort when she saw Spencer's smile turn into a frown. She could guess that what had been intended as a joke had just reminded him of their currently non-existing sex life.

Spencer bit his lip as he cast his eyes down. Damn it, why did he have to go and make that joke. For a minute he had forgotten about the possibility that he might never make love to Annie again. Yes, there were other things they could do besides actual intercourse... But since he had gotten home from the hospital their physical contact had been limited to cuddling and kissing. Sex had been the last thing on is mind as he adjusted to their new life and he was sure she felt the same way.

But now the reality of what his paralysis could mean hit him again with a force he hadn't expected. If this whole leg moving thing would turn out to be a false alarm he really had to face the possibility of never becoming one with her again. And then another thought struck him: They might never be able to have kids of their own. At least not the traditional way. He hadn't thought about it a lot but now he couldn't help but admit that that was something he desperately wanted.

His thoughts were interrupted when the doctor walked into the room. Spencer cast another nervous glance at Annie.

"Spencer. Annie." the doctor nodded as he shook each their hands. "So the nurse tells me you've had some movement in your legs?"

Annie eagerly nodded her head, barely able to conceal her excitement. "He still thinks it could be hyperreflexia and at first I agreed. But then I urged him to deliberately move them and his right leg did!" she explained, her voice rushed.

"Yes, but just a little." Spencer added.

"Well, even a little can be a good sign. I'd like to perform some more tests and exercises with you to determine what we are really dealing with here." the doctor explained. "But remember, even if it really turns out that you are gaining back movement it doesn't mean you'll make a full recovery. It is a start, but everyone is different and we have to see how you progress."

Spencer nodded his head. "Of course."

He felt Annie squeeze his hand again. Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes he sent a silent prayer that he wouldn't disappoint her...

"Are you serious?" Penelope gasped as she tightened her grip on Derek's hand, making him flinch as her long, sparkly fingernails dug into his flesh.

Derek shot a questioning look at the bubbly blonde from his seat on his couch next to her, mouthing a silent "What?". But Garcia only waved her hand in a dismissing manner before focusing on her phone call again. All Derek could do was wait and try to make anthing out of the snippets of conversation he managed to catch. He was slowly starting to get impatient when Penelope shot him a dazzling smile before finally ending her call.

"Okay sweetie, I'll tell Derek right now and we'll talk to you later!" she said excitedly before she hung up and turned to face Morgan, her mouth spread into a huge grin, her eyes full of a twinkle he hadn't seen in weeks.

"What's going on?" he asked when she didn't say anything.

"You'll never believe it! That was Annie. They just got back from the hospital. Reid moved his legs earlier today and they went to check it out. To see if it was just reflex or actually a sign of recovery." she replied, the smile still not leaving her lips.

"And?" Morgan asked expectantly.

"Well, of course they can't predict to what extent he'll gain back mobility but..." she made a small pause, enjoying to taunt her chocolate thunder for a few seconds.

"Damn woman, this is not the time for one your games." Derek said impatiently but with a little wink that told her he was just teasing her back.

"Well, the doctor said there is definitely some improvement in mobility and they'll focus on increasing that even more in his physical therapy." she exhaled. "In short, there's a chance that in time, with lots of hard work, he'll walk again."

Derek felt a tension he hadn't realized had still weighed on his shoulders suddenly leave him at Garcia's words. He let out a deep breath as his mind processed the possibility of his best friend regaining the ability to walk. He felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth that soon spread into a grin just as wide as Penelope's.

"Baby Girl, I think that's the best news we've had in a long time!" he beamed and pulled her into a bear hug.

Penelope nodded her head against his chest, that warm feeling of happiness still spreading through her. She could even feel a couple of happy tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She knew both Spencer and Annie still had a long and at times hard road ahead of them. But at least now there was hope. Hope that some day everything would be back to normal.

Pulling away from Derek she quickly wiped her cheeks, ridding them of the tears she hadn't been able to hold back after all at the thought of her favorite lovebirds finally receiving some good news.

"And Annie invited us over for dinner tomorrow night, she thought the occasion called for a little celebration." she smiled up at Morgan who nodded his head.

"Oh yes it does baby girl, it really does." he smiled, pulling her into another hug.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" Spencer asked as he took another bite of the sandwich in his hands.

Annie and him had returned from the hospital a couple of hours earlier, both feeling kind of exhausted from the events of the day. She had called Garcia when they got home, feeling they should at least call one of the team to let them know that there was indeed hope. And of course Penelope had been quick in spreading the news.

And before they knew it, both their phones had started ringing almost at the same time. The first one to call had been JJ, who had barely been able to hide the excitement in her voice. Will had sent his greetings and Henry had blabbered on about how he had wished for Spencer's legs to get better every night before he went to bed and how he was so happy it seemed to work. The next one had been Hotch, serious as always, asking about all the details the doctor had told them. But even through the phone line the smile in his voice had been evident. Emily and Rossi had called after that and of course Morgan hadn't been able to resist hearing the news first hand.

Now at last they had settled down on the couch, Annie still having to help him out of the wheelchair onto the soft leather cushions. But for the first time in weeks Spencer couldn't help but feel just a tiny bit hopeful that things might be back to normal. He was starting to feel the faintest touch when pressing his hand down on his thigh. And if he tried really hard he could shift his leg, even if it was barely an inch.

"Sunshine?" Spencer asked again when she didn't answer.

Annie snapped up her head. "Hm?"

"I asked if you weren't hungry?" Spencer chuckled.

"No, not really. I'm feeling kind of nauseous." she shook her head. "I think it's from all the excitement." she added quickly, seeing Spencer's concerned frown.

"I'd offer to make you some tea, but..." he broke off.

Annie quickly scooched closer to him when he saw a hint of sadness return to his eyes. "I think I just need to rest."

Spencer smiled as she swung her legs up the couch and slowly lowered herself so that her head was lying in his lap. He carefully set his now empty plate on the table beside him and rested his arm on her upper body while his other hand gently stroked her hair.

"Spence?" she whispered, her voice tired.

"Hm?"

Annie moved her body again, grabbing Spencer's hand that was now resting on her belly while she looked up at him. Her other hand reached up and cupped his cheek.

"I know you told me not to be to excited. But I know you'll walk again, I just know it. If anyone can do this, it's you." she smiled.

"Annie..." he started but she immediately cut him off.

"Shh. No doubts honey, we both have to fully believe in this. It'll be a lot of hard work but it will happen." she declared solemnly.

Spencer held her gaze as her thumb caressed his cheek. There was no doubt in her eyes, she truly believed this. She believed in him. His heart burst with happiness, knowing she would be there every step of the way. And that's when he knew she was right. With her beside him, he'd walk again.

Annie sat up and brought her other hand to his face, placing a light kiss on his lips.

"So do you believe in it?" she asked.

Spencer nodded his head. And when his mouth captures hers in another kiss he knew he would waste no more time. He would not wait any longer to ask her the question that he thought about every time she flashed him a smile. Everytime she helped him in or out of bed. Every time she kissed him like she did now...

I hope I made up for the long wait with lots of fluffiness! ;) Review as always. I promise I won't take as long to update this time! :)