Thanks for the support!
Chapter Twenty-Nine:
"I admit Spencer, I did not suspect you were a Japanese cuisine lover," Felicia said digging into her sesame chicken.
"I'm not actually," Reid said. "But I thought I'd try something new with you," he said digging into his own meal.
"How romantic," she said with a grin. "So tell me about your favorite thing about your work."
"The students," he said. "I learn something new from each of them, even those who do not excel either by choice my curriculum standards being too high. How about you?"
"The sense of discovery," she said. "I spend a lot of time in archives and you never know what you'll find. Like we recently found the sketches of the first lady's ball gown from the 2024 inauguration by Annamaria Shinel. They're stunning."
"I can imagine," Reid said. "When I was with the BAU I enjoyed analyzing objects such as how the RBL killer used a butcher knife, but it wasn't one in a set in the house. He brought the large knife with him and left in the kitchen sink of all places for us to find."
A waitress gave them an odd look as she passed by them.
Reid turned a pale shade of pink.
"I'm sorry. I get caught up in describing my work at times."
"Don't be," she said. "I enjoy hearing the details of your job. It is like listening to a true-crime novel."
"Have you read any of Rossi's" he asked.
"Does it make me sound like a fangirl if I said read all of them?"
"No," he said.
She leaned in towards him. "What if I said I read them all because I wanted to get a better understanding of who you were?"
Reid didn't say anything for a moment. "Felicia, how long have you wanted me to ask you out?"
She smiled. "Since Aria's last birthday when Jenna gave her a hand-made friendship bracelet. I saw the look of pride on her face at making something for my daughter and I saw the way you were positively glowing with joy. You love seeing your daughter happy don't you?"
"What father doesn't?" he said sheepishly. "Jenna and I went to a craft store and picked out everything together. How could I be so blind to your, your, affection?"
"You still haven't been a widower that long. Jenna also started acting out after that."
Felicia's husband died oversees during a training accident when Aria was two.
Reid was at a loss for words.
Felicia started eating again. "So I hear you're a big Beethoven fan. Well I'll tell you I am Mozart person all the way."
Reid smiled. "Well there is something we disagree about. I find listening to Beethoven brings me a sense of tranquility no other composer can provide."
"The same goes for me and my Mozart," she said.
They both laughed together.
…
"Our kids are going to be thrilled by this development," Felicia said.
"I know, I think our Jenna and Aria were more excited about this date than we were," Spencer said. "Or at least me."
She gave him a mischievous smile. "I'll never tell."
Reid walked her to her door. "I had a great time," he said.
"Me too," she said. "I'd love to do this again."
"Me too," Reid said. "You pick this time."
"Sounds like fun," Felicia said. "I'll call you tomorrow to set things up."
"Great," he said and leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night Felicia."
"Good night Spencer."
…
"Well how was it? How was it?" Jenna asked eagerly the minute he entered their home.
Ally looked helpless from couch. She offered to babysit while in town on business.
"She just wouldn't go to bed until you got home," she said. "I figured why fight it since it wasn't a school night."
Reid looked to Jenna. "I should be mad at you for giving Aunt Ally a hard time."
"But you're not, because you had a good time with Ms. Long," she said. "So did you make plans for a second date?"
"Your punishment for giving Aunt Ally a hard time is, you don't get to find out tonight. Now go to bed."
Jenna groaned but walked to the hall. She turned around briefly. "Did you kiss her goodnight?"
"Bed!" he ordered.
This time she did as told.
Reid walked over to the kitchen. "Can I make you a cup of coffee before you go head back to the hotel?"
"Sure," she said taking a seat at the kitchen table. "So how did it feel getting back in the game?"
"It felt weird, uncomfortable, yet also exhilarating," he said and turned to Ally. "And a little guilty."
Ally waved her hand. "There is nothing to feel guilty about. Jane would want you to be happy and thereby Jenna happy. You have my blessing."
Reid didn't miss a beat. "Thanks Ally."
"You're welcome Spencer."
