Three weeks later, Spencer couldn't be more excited to be going on a trip to see his mother. The day before they left, he was sitting in JJ's office while he still had time on his lunch break.

"She did not."

He smiled, holding out the phone to her. "She walked her little butt around the table. Granted, she kept a grip on the table the whole time, but she did it!"

She took the phone, watching the video. "She's growing up too fast on us, Spence."

"You're telling me! Just 28 weeks ago, she was a little squirming bundle in my arms I couldn't put down. Now, I can't get her to sit still long enough for a picture!"

"I think you need to have another one for me to play with."

"Oh no, I believe it's your turn to provide the team with a new toy."

She smiled, handing the phone back to him. "Pretty soon? She'll be walking and talking. Anything since 'dada'?"

"Little things, nothing too significant. Then again, she's almost 7 months. It's surprising she really has anything."

"Well, she does have a genius for a father."

"That she does," he said, tucking the phone in his pocket.

"Are you ready for your trip?"

"Bags are all packed and we leave tomorrow morning."

"You're excited for your mom to meet Parker, aren't you?"

"I wrote to her in my last letter to tell her. She's excited. Though this time, she sent a letter for Derek too."

She raised her eyebrows. "Morgan's writing to your mother?"

"I guess. I don't know why. Maybe familiarizing himself with her so when they meet again, she doesn't get anxious?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. Smart move on his part. Where are you guys staying, anyway?"

"Hotel on the strip. Above one of the casinos I'm not currently banned from."

She opened her mouth to ask which ones he was banned from, but realized that would result in a long explanation. She checked the clock. "Time for you to get back to work."

He looked at his watch and got up. "Thanks for the talk."

"Anytime, Spence."

He smiled, shouldering his bag and walking out to his desk.

A while later, JJ got up from her desk and walked to Morgan's office, knocking.

Morgan looked up to see her standing there. "Yes?"

She walked in, closing the door. "You wrote to Spence's mom?"

"Yes? With her being a paranoid schizophrenic, I figured writing her a few times before our visit couldn't hurt."

"How many times has she written back?"

"…Twice? Why do you care?"

"Just looking out for Spence is all."

"Don't worry, I'm taking good care of him."

She leaned against his desk. "I know I've asked this before, but I need to know your intentions with him. I don't want him to get hurt."

"That makes two of us," he said, looking up at the door. "Locked?"

"…Yes?"

"Get the blinds."

"Why-"

"Do you want to know or not?"

She groaned, walking over and closing the blinds. She walked back, looking at him. "Now what-"

He put his finger to his lips, unlocking the top drawer of his desk and opening it. He motioned her over and pointed inside. She glanced in, then looked up at Morgan.

"Do I have it?"

She smiled, wrapping her arms around him, hugging him and nodding.

Spencer looked up at Morgan's office, curious.

"I can hear your brain ready to explode over here, Reid."

He looked over to see Emily staring at him. "Sorry."

"What's on your mind, besides everything?"

"JJ went into Derek's office five minutes and forty-two seconds ago, and hasn't come out. Not only did she lock the door, but the blinds are closed too."

"I'm sure it's nothing you need to worry about. Maybe work related and they can't discuss it with the team just yet."

He sighed. "Maybe." He turned back around, picking up his folder and trying to get his mind off of it.

That night, while Morgan was double checking their luggage, Spencer sat at the kitchen table, putting together several small Ziploc bags. Morgan walked out to the kitchen, looking at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Making all the other passengers on the plane like us," Spencer said simply, putting a tag on each of the bags. Morgan picked one up, reading it.

I'm taking my first flight today and I'm teething, sorry if I'm loud.

He shook his head, looking inside and seeing a pair of earplugs and several pieces of candy.

"You're bribing the other passengers?"

"Not so much 'bribing' as 'making them hate us a lot less if she starts crying'."

"She's going to be fine, Pretty Boy. We have the diaper bag packed for the flight with the pacifiers so her ears don't pop, she has a seat for her carseat, and if need be, we have the sling so we can have her on one of us if she doesn't like sitting alone for the four hours."

"Four hours and ten minutes," Spencer corrected.

"Sorry, four hours and ten minutes. Not to mention the flight time is around her regular naptime, so she might just sleep through it."

"Let's hope so," he said, putting all the bags into his satchel.

Later on, they were laying in bed together. Morgan was humming softly, rubbing Spencer's back.

"Are you nervous, Pretty Boy?"

Spencer shrugged, curling closer to Morgan's body. "Not really. I know she loves me no matter what, and therefore has to love her no matter what. When I originally told her I was pregnant? She essentially yelled at me via letter. Jabs at being irresponsible and such. But after that? All she told me was how excited she was to be a Nana, and she specified Nana, because everyone else seems to go by grandma."

Morgan smiled. "You've been sending her pictures, right?"

"Pictures, written updates, and weekly videos, so she's up to speed on everything she can do."

"Think she's ready for our little energy ball?"

"Only one way to find out."

The next afternoon, after they boarded the plane, Spencer went around, handing the bags to everyone on the flight and giving advanced apologies. While he did that, Morgan fastened the carseat onto the middle seat in their row and took out the sling in case they needed it. He also took out a few of her toys and a bottle, for easy access. Spencer sat down on the aisle seat, looking at him.

"Are you sure she's going to be okay?"

"She's going to be fine. Look, she's already asleep."

Spencer leaned over, moving the shade, and saw Parker fast asleep with a pacifier in her mouth. He took a quick picture, sending it to JJ.

Wish us luck on the first flight.

She checked her phone, smiled, and replied. Don't think you'll need it. See you in a few days.

Spencer exhaled, turning off his phone, tucking it in his pocket and buckling himself in. He then looked over at Morgan.

"Ready?"

He smiled, leaning over and kissing Spencer's cheek. "Ready."

In the middle of the flight, Parker woke up, whimpering. After Morgan took her for a diaper change, he wrapped her in a blanket and put her in the sling, letting her rest against his chest. Once she had a bottle and a pacifier, she spent the entire flight looking up at him in amazement.

Spencer looked over, smiling. "Papa's girl."

"And don't you forget it."

Luckily, the flight had gone extremely well for them. Once they landed, Morgan went to get their luggage while Spencer grabbed Parker and her diaper bag for a change in the airport bathroom. After she was changed and their things were collected, they picked up their rental car and went to the hotel.

Morgan reached over, squeezing Spencer's hand. "It's going to be fine, Pretty Boy."

He took a deep breath, nodding.

"Do you want to gamble, take some of the edge off?"

"I'd rather not start our family trip with our daughter seeing me getting thrown out of a casino, but thank you."

Morgan shrugged. "The option is there if you want to change your mind."

Spencer rolled his eyes. "You only want me to play so they give us a good suite."

"That would just be an added bonus."

While Morgan unpacked in their room and set up the crib, Spencer went out onto the balcony to call his mother's doctor. Unfortunately, she wasn't up for visitors that day, but he would be allowed to come in with Morgan and Parker tomorrow.

He walked back in, sitting on the bed.

"Is tomorrow okay?" he asked, looking up at Morgan.

"Tomorrow is perfect. I'm not sure she'd want to meet her granddaughter when she's jet-lagged anyway," he replied, putting their clothes away in the drawers.

Spencer sighed, nodding.

"What are you so worried about? You've been on edge since yesterday." Morgan said, setting Parker down in the crib with a few of the toys they'd brought.

He shrugged. "I just hope she's having a good day tomorrow."

"I'm sure everything's going to be fine."

"You were writing to my mother to familiarize yourself, right? So she's not going to worry when she sees you?"

"Just like you requested."

"And you know that if she acts offended, not to feel insulted?"

"I know. I've met her before, you've told me everything about dealing with her, and I've learned over the years after dealing with several unsubs."

He chewed on his lip, wringing his hands. "What if I become like her
one day?" He spoke in a hushed tone, trying not to be too loud so Parker wouldn't hear. "Or it passes on to her?"

"We'll worry about that day if it even comes. Until then? We enjoy every single second like we have been."

He sighed, nodding.

Morgan sat in front of him, hooking his finger under Spencer's chin and looking him in the eyes. "You need to stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine."

"But what-"

"Uh uh."

"Well what about-"

"No."

"But Derek, what if-"

Morgan shook his head, capturing Spencer's lips with his own. He pulled back, looking him directly in the eyes again. "Calm?"

He nodded.

He smiled, kissing his forehead. "Good."

With the help of Morgan calming him down, Spencer slept extremely well that night. He was woken up by the smell of coffee. He sat up in bed, taking the cup Morgan offered him.

"Now I know if I ever need to wake you up, hold a cup of fresh coffee near your head."

"And this is why I love you," he said, pushing the blankets off of him and sipping the coffee.

"Nauseatingly sweet, just like you like it."

He held up the cup with a silent thank you and continued to drink it while Morgan got Parker fed, changed, and ready for the day ahead.

After Spencer finally woke up for the day, he got out of bed, digging through the drawers for his clothes, and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

He walked out and looked over at Parker, smiling. She was currently wearing a bright purple shirt with the saying 'I Love My Nana'.

"Derek, you didn't."

He shook his head. "I wish I could take credit for that one. That's from Aunt Emily."

He picked up Parker, kissing her forehead. "Well, don't we just look perfect for Nana? She's going to just eat you up."

Before they left, Spencer was sure to call ahead and be sure she was having a good day. When he was reassured that she'd be fine for visitors, he walked back into the room. He put Parker in her carrier and handed the diaper bag to Morgan.

"Are we walking or driving?"

"It's about twenty minutes away. I'd hope you wouldn't make me walk that far."

Morgan reached over, grabbing the car keys and walking out of the room. Spencer took a deep breath before following.

When they arrived, Morgan looked over and saw Spencer's leg twitching.

"Do you need a minute?"

Spencer nodded, looking out the window. He only realized how long it had been when Morgan squeezed his hand and he looked back at the clock.

"Sorry. It's just been a while."

"I get it. Don't worry about it."

"She um, she gets upset when I don't visit her for a while. I haven't since right before I found out I was pregnant with Parker."

"I'm sure she understands. Flying during pregnancy isn't recommended, and you did it enough for work that you didn't need the added strain of a visit. She's been there and she won't be mad."

"I hope not," he said, getting out and opening the back door, lifting out Parker's carrier. He put the blanket his mother had sent over her and walked over to Morgan, who rested a hand on his back as they walked inside.

As they walked to her room, Morgan took Spencer's spare hand and squeezed it to reassure him.

"Everything's going to be fine, Pretty Boy."

He nodded, walking to her room, knocking.

She came to the door and opened it. She greeted them with a warm smile.

"Spencer!"

"Hey, mom. Mind if we come in?"

She held the door open, stepping back. They walked in, Spencer setting down her carrier, unbuckling her, and picking her up. He straightened Parker's shirt and looked over at her.

"Mom, there's somebody I'd like you to meet. This is Parker."

"She's even more perfect than the pictures," she said, walking over and taking her, sitting in her rocking chair.

Spencer smiled, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I don't know if my latest letter arrived yet, but the other day? She walked around the living room table. She held on for dear life, but she still did it."

"Did you really?" she asked, looking down at Parker. "I think we may have another little genius on our hands."

Spencer looked over at Morgan.

"That we do," Morgan spoke up. "Her doctor says she's already tall for her age too. I think she's going to be her Daddy, right down to the lanky body."

"Speaking of, Spencer, are you eating right?"

He looked between them. "Teaming up on me, I see. Is that what you two were writing about?"

"Well," Morgan started, "that was your mother's concern. She wanted me to promise I was taking good care of you. And my response was-"

"Better than I take care of myself, because he's everything to me," Diana spoke up, fixing Parker's blanket.

A while later, they'd gone out to the yard, to show Diana how well Parker was crawling around. Morgan set her on the ground, and no sooner had she taken off.

"You're doing a great job, Spencer," she said, turning to him.

He smiled. "She's pretty perfect, isn't she?"

"I was actually talking about Derek."

He shook his head, blushing. "You really think so?"

"A mother knows."

"So you two have been talking. Should I be concerned?"

"Not in the least."

At one point in the day, Spencer had Morgan go introduce the nurses and doctors to the granddaughter his mother was telling them about while he spent some time with her.

"What are you so nervous about?" she asked, looking over at him. "You're shaking. Maybe you should stop drinking so much coffee."

"It's not the coffee. I just," he exhaled, looking up at her, "I want to know I'm making the right choices."

"Well, are you happy?"

"As happy as I can ever remember being."

"Are you making the right decisions with your daughter?"

"I think so, anyway. She's happy and healthy and progressing well, so I guess I couldn't ask for anything more."

She reached over, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Do you love Derek?"

He didn't hesitate with this answer. "Almost as much as I love Parker."

"Then you're doing fine," she said, patting his shoulder.

Before they left, Diana was able to spend as much time as she was allowed with Parker. Spencer said his goodbyes and shouldered the diaper bag, promising that he'd write more often, and walking out of the room.

"Diana?" Morgan asked, turning to her.

She looked up, patting his arm. "Thank you for taking good care of my son and my granddaughter."

"The pleasure is all mine, believe me."

She went over to her desk, handing him a letter. "My answer." She held his hand with the letter. "Don't let me down."

"I promise I won't."

Spencer turned around. "…Are you coming, Derek?"

He tucked the letter into his back pocket, grabbing Parker's blanket and walking down the hall.

"What was that about?" Spencer asked, pressing the button for the elevator.

He shook his head. "Just telling me to never hurt you."

Spencer scoffed. "Like you ever could. If my mom couldn't get to you? Garcia and JJ sure as hell would."

The next night, after they landed back home, Spencer saw a missed call from JJ. While they were driving home, he gave her a call.

"Hey, Spence. Are you guys home?"

"Just landed a half hour ago. We're on our way back to the apartment now."

"How'd it go?"

"…Better than expected. She was having a really good day."

"Does she love Parker?"

"So much. She's such a proud Nana."

"Just like I told you she'd be."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Did you do any gambling?"

He rolled his eyes. "No, JJ. I didn't do anything to get me kicked out of yet another casino."

"Just checking. Hey, can I talk to Derek for a second?"

He raised his eyebrow, holding the phone out to Morgan. "It's for you."

He took the phone, holding it against his ear. "Hey, JJ."

"Can he hear me?"

He looked over to see Spencer preoccupied, turned around and looking at Parker in the mirror.

"Distracted."

"How'd it go?"

"She told me she approves. She likes how well I take care of Parker and her son."

"Did you guys talk?"

He quickly glanced over to be sure Spencer wasn't paying attention. "We did."

"And…?"

"Just like we thought."

"You are totally getting my help on this, whether you want it or not."

"Oh, trust me, I want it."

Spencer raised his eyebrow, looking over at him. "Want what?"

He shook his head. "I'll give you back to your brother," he said, handing the phone to Spencer.

"Want what?" Spencer repeated.

She smiled. "Nothing. Enjoy your first night back home. I'll see you at work in the morning."

"Thanks, Jayje. We will."

"Oh?"

He rolled his eyes. "We'll enjoy being back in our own bed. Mind out of the gutter."

"Not what I was implying. Maybe I'm not the one with my mind in the gutter, sadistic little kitten."

"Goodnight, Jayje."

"Night, Spence."