Chapter 36
Long Buried
Once we got into the car, JJ called and gave us an address. The boy was still alive! But if we didn't hurry he wouldn't be.
"I'm driving!"
He tossed me the keys I drove like a crazy person. When we got there we went inside and searched the house. I made my way to the basement. I wouldn't let Spencer go down there.
"I've got him! I've got Michael!"
I heard Spencer shout and ran back upstairs. He had the boy in his arms and I smiled in relief. The boy was holding onto Spencer.
"Hey there Michael. It's okay, everything gonna be okay now."
"I want mommy."
I nodded.
"Your mommy is on the way. So id daddy. You're going home and this lady won't bother you again okay."
He nodded and smiled a little. Spencer and I stayed with him and tried to help pass the time until his parents came. When they did Hotch came to get him. He waved good-bye to us and I smiled. We walked outside and I saw him run to his parents. He looked at Spencer again and waved. Spencer waved back and I laughed softly.
"You'll be an amazing father one day." I said.
He smiled.
"One day."
I nodded and Morgan walked over.
"You know this is as good a day as we're gonna get on this job."
"I know."
"And yet you're still thinking about a kid you aren't even sure you knew." said Morgan.
The wind blew my hair in my face as I looked up at Spencer.
"When I was four my mother had a sense that I was in danger." he said.
"Reid, your mother wasn't well."
I shook my head.
"Even then a mother always knows when her child is in danger." I said.
"I know facts about the case." Spencer said.
"Reid you've got a photographic memory. Odds are you saw the story, he was just a kid like you and it got into your imagination." Morgan told him.
Spencer looked at him.
"I don't really think that you believe that."
"You wanna know what I really believe? I believe you could've done anything in your life and you chose to do this. Hermane Carol Young says our subconscious is the key to our life's pursuits. So for whatever reason that case has been stuck in your head all these years, and it not only led you to this career choice, but for the same city where your mother lives and for us to have the opportunity to save this child." Morgan said.
"Yeah."
"Like I said, it's about as good a day as we're gonna get. Enjoy your moment."
We all smiled and Hotch walked out.
"Hey Hotch, do you think it would be possible to wait until the morning to return home?" Spencer asked.
"Yeah." He looked at Morgan. "You think you can find something to do in Vegas for a night?"
Morgan and I started to laugh. Spencer and I went back to see his mom. As we approached she smiled.
"I'm proud of you two."
I smiled and Spencer looked confused.
"For what?"
"Saving that boy."
He frowned.
"How'd you know?"
I chuckled and shook my head.
"I told you, a mother knows."
He smirked.
"Uh, Dr. Norman gave us permission to sleep on the couch in your room if that's alright with you." Spencer said.
She looked up at the doctor.
"If anyone tried to keep them here any longer, I'll scratch your eyes out."
I bit back my laugh and the doctor said only one night. He walked away and Spencer slowly looked at his mother.
"It helps if they think you're crazy. They don't argue." she said.
I laughed and she smiled. That night Spencer woke up again. I sat up and wrapped my arms around him.
"Spencer." I whispered.
He was sweating and breathing hard.
"Shhh! It's alright, you're alright. What happened?"
"It was the same dream only this time I….."
"This time what?"
"I saw my dad. He killed Riley."
"Mi amor…..you're still angry for what he did, but please listen to me. Don't go down this road, I cannot bear to think of you in such pain or feeling such anger, and I do not want to feel it. Please Spencer don't do this."
He looked at me.
"I have to. But….I can't do it without you."
I bit my lip and then sighed. I put my hand on his face.
"You won't have to."
He kissed me and then held me in his arms.
"Just remember something Spencer, elija la esperanza sobre la ira, elija el amor. Pick hope over anger, choose love." I said.
He sighed and I kissed his cheek.
"Parents do what they do with what they know. Now let's try and get some sleep."
He nodded and lay back down.