Title: Life's a Journey (Part 25 of 40)
Author: trista groulx (dustytiger)
Rating: T (same as the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I am still a poor barista, please don't sue me. I know that CM is owned by lotsa ppl who are not me, including the network, creator, writers, actors and actresses that bring the show to life weekly.
Summary: After the events of the Doyle storyline Prentiss and Reid's lives change. Will they come together again?
Notes: Aemelia's growing up... She's in preschool... Thank you for the support everyone I've had a rough few days and knowing I'll get some positivity in my inbox helps a lot. I know saying the same thing can seem silly but I like to know what people think.
Reid was surprised that he was asked to come into the pre-school for a meeting so soon after he had enrolled Aemelia. He had read all of the reports about what she had done that day, and there weren't any negative comments. He knew that her family life was a little different but everyone knew that before she started there. He was worried there might be something wrong that he had missed.
"Doctor Reid, I'm glad you were able to make it," said the administrator, coming into the office.
"I apologise about our last meeting needing to be cancelled, sometimes cases go longer than we expect them to, that's why Aemelia's nanny lives with us."
"I understand, all the kids here have different home situations. Doctor Reid how much time would you say you spend a week with your daughter?"
"It depends on the week but I would say on average about twenty five hours a week about five more if you count the time I spend on the phone with her while we are on a case. I don't count the time I spend before leaving on a case because her morning routine is with her nanny."
"That's impressive, and this is hands on time?"
"Of course it is, we usually like to spend our time reading books together, or building with her blocks, or drawing. Average kids' activities."
Reid still didn't know what the meeting was about. He was worried that he might be doing something wrong with his daughter. When he was home he always tried to spend as much time with her as he could. He felt guilty sometimes that he had chosen to stay with BAU after being given custody of Aemelia because it took him away so much; but she needed a roof over her head and the BAU was the only family he could provide his daughter on a regular basis and he didn't want to deny her that. He enjoyed spending his free time with the little girl, and hoped he had been doing the right thing for her. In the books he'd read he discovered that the best way to spend time with your child was to engage them in their favourite activities, and that's what he always tried to do with Aemelia. He wondered if he had somehow influenced Aemelia to enjoy reading and building and now that she was in preschool she was finding her own likes and dislikes that were different from what he'd always thought they were.
"Actually, Doctor Reid an average child spends a lot less time with their parents, and when they do spend time with them it's more hands off than that. Most children spend a lot of time watching TV or playing on the computer."
"Oh, we don't own a personal computer and she only watches movies occasionally, usually as a treat when her cousins are over," he explained. "I feel that when I am home I should focus on my responsibilities as a father."
"That's good to hear. I'm glad to see that you spend so much time with Aemelia, and that she has a love of reading. But are you teaching her as well?"
"Humans are curious by nature, and that what makes us such good learners, so if Aemelia wants to learn something I'll help her by teaching her what she wants to know. I don't find anything unusual about that."
"There isn't but the way Aemelia learns is unique. A lot of parents try to teach their children at an early age, but most children still only learn the basics when they are in kindergarten. Aemelia seems to have mastered them. She knows her alphabet, shapes, numbers, animals she is grasping at the basic concepts of reading."
"What's the problem with that?"
"Of course not," she assured him. "That is accelerating learning, Doctor Reid if we were to give her a standardised test she would score very high. We love having Aemelia here, she's a wonderful child she's a joy to teach, but this might not be the best leaning environment for her. There are schools and programmes that can help nourish Aemelia's gifts."
"I'm aware of what options are out there for a child like Aemelia, academically I know the advantages they can have, but I also know the dangers. I am aware that they are mostly social but I want her to have well rounded education academically and socially. Is her being ahead in her learning affecting how she interacts with the other children, or how she makes friends?"
"No, not at all, she's a very social child. She likes to tell stories to her group, and help her friends when she can. We have no concerns at all about her social skills."
"Then I would like her to stay here."
"That's your choice doctor Reid, but she might become bored in school when she gets there."
"I'll cross that bridge when it becomes a problem. I want her to be surrounded by her peers for as long as possible. If her behaviour and attitude changes then I'll look at her options, but until then I am confident I am making the right choice. She's happy and that's what matters most."
"You are her father and I have to respect your choice, but if I had a child like Aemelia I would want to give her all of the advantages I could."
"That's exactly why I'm trying to provide for her. I grew up taking accelerated classes, and regret not having a childhood. I am trying to give her a childhood and help her to learn at the same time, thank you for your concern. If you notice any behavioural problems I would like to know as soon as possible so I can reassess what is best for her."
"I will Doctor Reid, thank you again for coming."
They shook hands and he left the office. He was glad that the meeting had gone well. He had been worried there might be a serious problem with Aemelia. He had been trying to tell himself that Aemelia was just a quick learner, that she wasn't that far ahead of her peers for months now. It was part of the reason he wanted her in preschool, now it had confirmed his worst fear. His daughter might be as smart as he was, and he was terrified that would cost her being a child. He loved watching her learn, but he also enjoyed getting to watch her just be a child, like when she would spend hours playing an imagination game with Henry. He wanted her to have everything and he felt keeping her in regular classes as long as possible would give her the best chance of that.
End Part 25
Notes: Reid wants something different for his daughter. Aww... we're getting closer to the big reveal guys... but in the meantime there are a few more things I wanted to deal with. Sorry if I'm drawing this out, it's just what I felt worked for the fic.