Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.
A/N: Shout out to OhSnapItsMadison, tannerose5, and Hippichic81 for reviewing chapter 25.
Even though Albert and Ava were born on May 29th, Spencer and Olivia decided that they would throw the twins birthday party on Saturday May 31st.
Depending how much time I get to write this week I might get one more chapter posted before Thursday since I'm leaving to attend the annual Autism Society of Wisconsin Spring Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells this Thursday.
Hotch was working on paperwork from their most recent case in his office when there was a knock on his open door, and he noticed it was Gideon.
"Even though you decided to retire again to do some traveling, why are you here?" asked Hotch.
"I thought that I would come here, say hi to the team and see if Spencer wanted to play a game of chess during lunch, but I was surprised that he wasn't at his desk and bags aren't under his desk. Did he decide to take some time off so he, Olivia, and the kids could go to Vegas to visit his mom, aunt, and uncle?" asked Gideon as he came into the office and sat down in front of Hotch.
"No, but I was already on planning on calling you today since we're on mandatory stand down for two weeks due to the last case we dealt with five days ago." said Hotch.
"What happened?" asked Gideon.
Hotch explained what happened in Texas, and when he was finished Gideon looked at him.
"Is Spencer OK?" asked Gideon.
"When Jack and I were over there for dinner last night he was looking much better than he was in the hospital, but with all the blood he lost he's very pale and having to deal with energy problems." said Hotch.
"What about emotionally?" asked Gideon.
"He's already dealing with PTSD since he had a flashback the morning after he got out of the hospital when Olivia told him that it's time to take his antibiotics. And last night Spencer told me that he saw his psychologist yesterday." said Hotch.
"How long is he on medical leave for?" asked Gideon.
"Three months, and he didn't even argue." said Hotch.
"I'm glad you're making sure that his return to the team doesn't happen like his return did after Hankel." said Gideon.
"He has Olivia and the kids to think about, and since he married Olivia and becoming a father he has been making sure to be more careful in the field. But I know that with this last case, we didn't even know that we would be dealing with a corrupt police force that would be willing to kill us to hide what they were doing like we didn't realize that Hankel was the unsub until after I sent Reid and JJ out there." said Hotch.
"Is he going to be spending the next three months in DC while he recovers?" asked Gideon.
"Spencer, Olivia, William, and the kids are going to stay in DC until after Piper's second birthday next month due to all the doctor appointments that Spencer has to go to." said Hotch.
"Where are they traveling to after Piper's party?" asked Gideon.
"They are going to drive out to Vegas where they will stay for six weeks so Diana can spend more time with her grandchildren since she's been doing very well lately." said Hotch.
"Six weeks in the desert should do him some good." said Gideon.
"I agree, and Spencer and Olivia already booked plane tickets for a trip to London to visit Emily." said Hotch.
"When are they going to London?" asked Gideon.
"Spencer's and Olivia's trip to London will happen during those six weeks in Vegas, and William and the kids will stay in Vegas." said Hotch.
"What else aren't you telling me?" asked Gideon.
"After Piper's birthday party Blake is resigning and moving to Boston to be with her husband. I know that she could have done it right away, but I'm glad that she's staying here for a bit longer so I'm not two agents down." said Hotch.
"So are you guys going to be two agents down until Spencer comes back?" asked Gideon.
"Simmons from Garrett's team will be joining us on cases." said Hotch.
Gideon looked at the clock.
"Do you think I should go visit Spencer this afternoon?" asked Gideon.
"Olivia and Spencer requested that before any of us visit, we should call first just in case Spencer's sleeping or they are at one of his doctor appointments when any of us decide to stop by." said Hotch as his phone vibrated and he saw a picture message from Olivia.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS SINCE SPENCER GOT HURT, PIPER'S STILL VERY CLINGY TO HIM. ~ OR
"What is it?" asked Gideon.
"I don't think Spencer would be happy if he sees this picture, but Olivia loves taking pictures like this to show off how he's a great father." said Hotch and he showed Gideon a picture of Spencer and Piper sleeping in bed together with Spencer's left arm wrapped protectively around Piper.
"At least Olivia and the kids will keep him from going crazy for the next three months." said Gideon.
"Instead of arguing, Spencer and Olivia started talking about what they could do for the next three months." said Hotch.
A week later Dr. Black looked at Spencer's neck after he cleaned it.
"You can relax now since I've removed the stitches, but I want you to continue wearing a bandage for at least another week and watch for signs of infection." said Dr. Black as he applied a much smaller bandage.
"At least you won't be wearing a bandage when we have the twins birthday party next week Saturday." said Olivia.
Dr. Black looked at Spencer.
"You're still not going to be your normal self for a few more weeks, so please make sure to get a lot of rest." said Dr. Black.
A few minutes later Spencer and Olivia were in the car heading home, and Spencer squeezed his wife's hand.
"Today is the third anniversary of the day you approached me in that coffee shop in Pasadena." said Spencer.
"You feel up to doing something tonight to celebrate being a couple for three years?" asked Olivia.
"Absolutely." said Spencer.
"I will take care of making the arrangements this afternoon." said Olivia as she thought about booking a hotel wouldn't be a bad idea.
"OK." said Spencer.
William looked at his son and daughter in law as he watched Olivia set a packed suit case by the front door.
"So what are you two going to do for your three year anniversary of meeting for the first time?" asked William.
"Go out for dinner then go to a hotel." said Olivia.
"Is anyone staying here tonight to help me deal with the kids?" asked William.
"Penelope." said Olivia.
At that moment the doorbell rang, and Olivia allowed Garcia into the house and as soon as she set her bag down she looked at Spencer.
"You're looking a bit better right now." said Garcia as she gently hugged Spencer.
"The stitches got removed today, but I have to wear a bandage for one more week." said Spencer.
Garcia looked at one of her favorite couples.
"Now off you go, and Piper, Albert, and Ava are going to have fun with their fun auntie Penny and their grandpa." said Garcia.
Olivia picked up their bag, and a few minutes later they were driving to Spencer's favorite Indian restaurant.
While they waited for their food, Spencer looked at Olivia.
"I can't believe it that Albert and Ava will be one next Thursday." said Spencer.
"I don't like how fast my baby boy is growing." said Olivia.
"I don't like how fast my two little girls are growing too, Livy." said Spencer.
Spencer lifted his glass of water.
"Here's to the best three years of my life since you approached me saying "Excuse me, do you really read that fast?" said Spencer.
Spencer and Olivia clinked glasses as their waitress approached them with their food.
"Is it your anniversary?" asked the waitress when she noticed Spencer's wedding band and Olivia's bridal set.
"It's the three year anniversary of the day we met." said Spencer.
"How long have you two been married?" asked the waitress.
"974 days." said Spencer and Olivia in unison.
After they closed the door of their hotel room, Spencer and Olivia started to help each other get undressed, and Olivia looked at her husband.
"Are you sure you're ready?" asked Olivia.
"It's been two weeks." said Spencer as he felt his body reacting to seeing his wife naked.
"Get in bed and lay your head on a pillow." said Olivia.
Spencer followed his wife's instructions and before he knew it he felt his wife straddling him.
A few hours later, a sweaty Spencer and Olivia were lying naked together, and Olivia looked at her husband.
"How's your neck?" asked Olivia.
"A little bit sore, but having me stay on the bottom with my head on a pillow was good thinking on your part." said Spencer.
"When I talked to Dr. Wolfe about your post operation care, he said that we needed to wait at least two weeks before having sex. So let's clean up before we get some sleep since we have three kids who will be happy to see us tomorrow morning." said Olivia as she got out of bed before helping her husband get out of bed.
Two evenings later John pulled up in front of the Reid family home and a few minutes later he was driving Spencer to the church where Beltway Clean Cops was held. John looked at his passenger.
"How are you feeling?" asked John.
"Better than I was two weeks ago, and two days ago Livy and I celebrated the three year anniversary of the day I asked her out." said Spencer as he scratched his chin a bit.
John noticed the light stubble on Spencer's chin and around his lip.
"Facial hair making you uncomfortable?" asked John.
"I haven't shaved since getting the stitches removed two days ago." said Spencer.
"Deciding to grow out a beard and mustache during the rest of your medical leave?" asked John.
"Just until after my high school reunion next month. I want to make myself unrecognizable to my former tormentors, and everyone has been telling me that I have been more successful than a bunch of my former tormentors." said Spencer.
"I think your wife and teammates are correct Spencer. You have been successful since college, become one heck of a profiler during your 10 years in the BAU, and you're famous in both the academic and law enforcement community due to your published works in academic journals and police journals." said John.
Spencer decided stopped talking and before he knew it John pulled up at the church.
"You ready?" asked John.
"Let's go." said Spencer.
A few minutes later Spencer and John had taken seats in the front row.
"Need anything before the meeting starts?" asked John.
"I'm fine." said Spencer.
"Just let me know if you need anything." said John.
"I know." said Spencer.
"Anyone want to speak?" asked one of the leaders of the group.
Spencer slowly stood up, and John also stood up and picked up Spencer's chair before setting it down at the front.
"Sit down, Spencer." whispered John,
Spencer slowly sat down and John poured a cup of water and placed a straw in it before handing the cup to Spencer and gently squeezing his right shoulder before he went back to his seat. After a few seconds of allowing the room to quiet down, Spencer decided to start.
"Hello, my name's Spencer." said Spencer.
"Hello, Spencer." chorused everyone.
"I used to have a problem with Dilaudid, and I'm less than a month away from being seven years sober which I'm very proud of. I got shot in the neck during my last case two weeks ago, so that's why I'm sitting down due to all the blood I lost is causing me to get tired easily." said Spencer.
Spencer took a sip of his water before continuing.
"My wife and teammates made sure that I wasn't given any narcotics while I was in the hospital, but I'm currently dealing with post traumatic stress disorder right now since antibiotics are drugs that I can't avoid even though I am deathly allergic to beta lactams." said Spencer before he started explaining what happened at the hospital and the flashback he had when his wife told him that it was time to take his antibiotics, "I was told that if the bullet went two millimeters to the right, it would have hit the carotid artery and I wouldn't be sitting here right now."
Spencer stopped talking and took a sip of the water before continuing.
"But other than getting shot, my personal life has been going extremely well since my wife and I have two birthday parties to throw within the next month since my two youngest are turning one next week while my oldest turns two in less than four weeks. Thank you for listening to me." said Spencer.
Spencer slowly got up and John quickly got up so he could collect Spencer's chair while everyone clapped and a few officers and agents told him to get well soon. A minute later Spencer was sitting down next to John.
"You're feeling OK?" asked John.
"Yeah." said Spencer.
Eight days later Spencer and Olivia were getting ready for the day, and Olivia looked at her husband who still looked too pale for her liking.
"Are you sure you're up for today?" asked Olivia.
"I am since we still have to throw a birthday party for the twins since they turned one two days ago, and this is the first time having the entire team over since I was shot." said Spencer.
At that moment there was a knock on the bedroom door before hearing uncle Gordon's voice.
"Breakfast will be done in five minutes." said Gordon.
Five minutes later everyone was sitting around the dining room table, and Ethel looked at her nephew.
"You just take it easy today while Olivia, Joanna, and I take care of decorating the yard and William, Andrew, and Gordon manage the kids." said Ethel as she looked at Piper, Rachel, Albert, and Ava who were all eating breakfast without any help.
"Yes ma'am." said Spencer.
Olivia looked at Ethel.
"I got a call from Garcia earlier, and she said that she, JJ, and Emily will be here after lunch to help out." said Olivia.
"The more helpers the better." said Ethel before looking at her nephew, "When are you going to start shaving again?"
"I'm going to wait until after my high school reunion since I really don't want any of my former classmates to recognize me at first." said Spencer.
An hour after lunch Emily stepped into the house with JJ and Garcia and made her way over to Spencer who was sitting on the couch reading to Piper.
"What are you two reading?" asked Emily.
A grinning Spencer and Piper looked up from their book.
"Emmy." said Piper as she got off the couch and ran over to Emily who scooped her up right away.
"You have gotten so big since I saw you, and I can't believe that you're going to be two in 17 days." said Emily as she set Piper down.
"Hi Emily." said Spencer as he gently stood up and made his way over to her.
Emily pulled Spencer into a tight hug.
"I'm glad you're OK." said Emily.
"I think everyone's glad that I'm going to be OK." said Spencer as he released Emily.
Emily laid her eyes on the still healing scar on his neck.
"You've got to be more careful, Spencer." chided Emily.
"Everyone has been telling me that the past three weeks, and I have been going to therapy twice a week over the past two weeks since I'm already dealing with post traumatic stress disorder." said Spencer softly.
"Good." said Emily before looking around, "Now where are the birthday boy and birthday girl?"
"They're taking a nap, and I just woke up from a nap 20 minutes ago since Piper and I took a nap together." said Spencer.
"She's still clingy to you?" asked Emily.
"Yes, and I will never forget the look on Piper's, Albert's, and Ava's faces when they saw the bandage." said Spencer.
"At least they're too young to remember what happened three weeks ago." said Emily.
"I know, but when they're older they are definitely going to ask about the scar on my neck, and I'm not really going to lie to them." said Spencer.
Emily looked at the scar that was almost completely healed, then at Spencer.
"Thinking about being Frankenstein for Halloween?" asked Emily.
"Already planning on it." said Spencer.
An hour and a half later Hotch and Garrett were standing a distance away while they watched Spencer and Matthew interact with their sons.
"How's Spencer doing?" asked Garrett.
"He's recovering very well on the physical side, but mentally he's been dealing with PTSD when it comes to hearing loud noises and being told it's time to take his antibiotics." said Hotch.
"Why antibiotics?" asked Garrett.
"One of the unsubs actually tried to inject Carbenicillin into his IV port since he's severely allergic to beta lactams, and luckily Spencer didn't get any in his system." said Hotch.
"Was Olivia in his hospital room when it happened?" asked Garrett.
"Luckily she wasn't since she went to the cafeteria to get herself come coffee and more jell-o for Spencer." said Hotch.
"That's good." said Garrett.
"Spencer's going to therapy for his PTSD, and I'm glad that he's making sure that his return to work doesn't end up like it did over seven years ago when he was abducted and tortured." said Hotch.
"First few cases back after a traumatic event are always the hardest." said Garrett.
Hotch instantly thought back to his and Spencer's first case back after his stabbing and Spencer's shooting.
"I know, but this time he isn't dealing with his recovery alone since he has Olivia and the kids, and I don't regret allowing him to take that four month long sabbatical three years ago." said Hotch.
"Wasn't that when Olivia entered his life?" asked Garrett as he watched his wife, Olivia, and Kristy talk and laugh while they interacted with Ava.
"It was." said Hotch.
Hotch felt someone collide with his legs and smiled when he saw that it was Piper. He instantly scooped up the 23 month old toddler.
"How you doing, Piper?" asked Hotch as he kissed his goddaughter's cheek.
"I good." said Piper.
"Aren't you turning two in a few weeks?" asked Hotch.
"Yes." said Piper as her curly pigtails bounced.
Garrett looked at Piper.
"You have gotten so big since the last time I saw you." said Garrett.
"I got big girl bed." said Piper.
Hotch looked at Garrett.
"Piper was nearly 19 months old when she was escaping her crib, and she was coined Little Miss Houdini by her father." said Hotch.
Garrett laughed.
"Very fitting." said Garrett.
Piper looked at her godfather.
"Mommy say food on way." said Piper.
"Excited about eating pizza?" asked Hotch.
"Yes." said Piper.
"Are you going to sit next to me or your daddy?" asked Hotch as he lifted up Piper into the air a bit before blowing a raspberry on the 23 month old toddler's belly, causing her to squeal with laughter.
"You." said Piper.
Hotch set Piper down and she ran over to her daddy was. Hotch smiled when he saw Spencer give his oldest child a kiss on the cheek before he saw a smirking Garrett looking at him.
"What?" asked Hotch.
"As a father to two daughters myself, I have to say that watching you interact with your goddaughter is adorable." said Garrett.
Hotch glared at Garrett.
15 minutes later everyone was eating pizza in the backyard, and Olivia looked at her husband as she looked for signs of tiredness and pain.
"You doing OK?" asked Olivia.
Everyone became quiet.
"I'm a bit tired right now, but I don't want to bail on everyone since it's Albert and Ava's big day." said Spencer, causing a bunch of the adults to look over at him.
"If you're really tired right now, none of us would be upset if you go lay down since you're still recovering." said William.
Every adult nodded in agreement.
"I just want to stay for cake since I want to help blow out one of the candles." said Spencer
"Then we will do cake right after everyone's finished, and after cake you can go lay down." said Olivia in a louder voice so everyone could hear.
Albert and Ava were sitting in their high chairs, and Spencer looked at Olivia as they lit the candles of two small birthday cakes while JJ and Ethel worked on cutting the big birthday cake that everyone else was going to eat.
"I do Albert and you do Ava?" asked Spencer.
Olivia nodded and a minute later everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" as Spencer and Olivia carried the two individual birthday cakes to their two youngest. After Spencer and Olivia each blew out a candle, they dipped a finger into the frosting before sticking it in their mouth and making sounds to show them that the cake is yummy before stepping a few feet away while watching their two youngest.
"Albert's making the same face that Spencer makes when I can see the wheels turning in his brain." said Rossi.
"What are you going to do, Albert?" asked Spencer as he smiled softly at his son.
Albert reached for the fork that was near him and looked at his daddy.
"Eed me daddy." said Albert.
William burst out laughing as he watched his son make his way over to Albert and start feeding him his cake.
"What's so funny?" asked Garrett.
"Spencer was just like Albert when it was his first birthday." said William.
Olivia looked at Ava who hasn't even touched her cake since she was watching her daddy feed her older twin brother.
"What are you going to do with your cake?" asked Olivia.
Ava grabbed her fork and held it out to Olivia.
"You want me to feed you?" asked Olivia.
"Ya." said Ava.
Olivia fed Ava her cake by fork as Spencer looked at his wife while he continued to feed his son.
"I wonder if they don't like the stickiness of the frosting?" asked Spencer.
"Probably, but at least it will be easier to bathe them instead of having to clean two cake covered toddlers." said Olivia.
Henry spoke up.
"Can we eat cake now?" asked Henry.
JJ spoke up.
"Cake has been cut so anyone who wants cake can go into the kitchen and help themselves." said JJ.
Everyone started heading towards the table where there was over 20 pieces of cake cut up, and after Spencer set down Albert's fork he looked at his wife.
"Can you guys save me a piece for later?" asked Spencer as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"Going to go lay down?" asked Olivia.
"Yeah." said Spencer.
Olivia stood on her tip toes and pecked Spencer on the lips.
"I will check on you in a half hour." said Olivia.
Spencer started to head towards the stairs and stopped when he heard Piper's voice.
"Ere you going daddy?" asked Piper.
Spencer slowly turned around and looked at his oldest child.
"Daddy's tired so I'm going to go to bed and take a nap." said Spencer.
"Can I ake nap wit you?" asked Piper.
"Sure." said Spencer before looking at Olivia,"I need help lifting Piper so I can carry her."
Olivia came over, lifted Piper and helped get her settled on Spencer's hip while making sure that Piper didn't touch her daddy's neck.
"Be careful of your daddy's neck, sweet pea." said Olivia while she made sure that Spencer had a firm hold on his daughter.
"Yes mommy." said Piper.
Spencer started heading to the stairs and everyone heard him.
"Need to go potty before we lay down in bed?" asked Spencer.
"Yes." said Piper.
As soon as Spencer and Piper disappeared, Garcia looked at Olivia.
"Piper wanting to take a nap with her daddy is so adorable." said Garcia.
"She always been a daddy's girl before she was born since she always kicked when she heard the sound of his voice." said Olivia.
Later that night Spencer and Olivia were cuddling in bed, and Olivia looked at her husband.
"I can't believe that Piper's turning two in 17 days." said Olivia.
"Me either, and she's growing way too fast for my liking." said Spencer.
"You excited about heading out to Vegas after Piper's birthday party?" asked Olivia.
"I am." said Spencer.
"I was thinking that while we're driving out to Las Vegas we can drive down to Texas and visit Dr. Wolfe and allow Piper to thank him for saving your life." said Olivia.
"You got that idea from watching "Untold Stories of the ER"." teased Spencer.
"I did." said Olivia.
"We will drive through New Mexico and Arizona, but that will work even if it means that our drive out to Vegas will take over a day longer." said Spencer.
"And we would need to stop to eat, sleep, shower, get gas, and run Einstein." said Olivia.
"Einstein is definitely going to love running around my uncle's ranch, but we will all need to watch our step since it's been rattlesnake season in Vegas for nearly two months already." said Spencer.
"Even though I do miss the dry heat that was always around in the southwest, I really don't miss rattlesnake season." shuddered Olivia.
"When dad and uncle Gordon took me hiking in the desert for the first time, uncle Gordon made sure that I was able to identify every snake that resided in Nevada for my own safety." said Spencer.
"My parents were like that too." said Olivia.
"So back to our upcoming vacation, what time should we hit the road?" asked Spencer.
"9 PM on the 17th, and your dad and I will take turns driving trough the night while you sleep in the back seat with the kids." said Olivia.
"That would work. So how about from now between Piper's birthday we map out certain places we want to see while we're driving out to Vegas since we need to be there the day before my high school reunion." said Spencer.
"We can start doing that after Mass tomorrow." said Olivia.
Spencer yawned and Olivia looked at her husband.
"Let's get some sleep since we have three toddlers to chase around tomorrow." said Olivia.
"Love you." said Spencer as he set his glasses on the night stand.
"Love you too." said Olivia.
A few minutes later Spencer and Olivia were fast asleep in their bed.