Disclaimer: See chapter 1
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Reid barely recognized his dining room table now cloaked in a white linen tablecloth with red and green napkins folded diagonally into neat triangles at either end. Phoebe had suggested the idea that since it was a Mexican feast the red napkins at one end and the green on the other would be reminiscent of the Mexican flag. Phoebe had also practically concluded that once the night was over the colors would also be good at Christmas time. Reid had told her he didn't entertain much, even at Christmas and Phoebe had responded that that situation could easily change, especially now that Fletcher would be with him for the holidays.
Theresa was thrilled when the pair had arrived at the apartment after a couple of trips to lug everything up. She admitted to being pleasantly surprised that they had even thought of tablecloths and napkins, let alone red and green and even candles. "Well that's because we had…" Fletcher began only to be nudged by Spencer, "two geniuses on the job." The boy stuck out his hands and shrugged, "How could we fail?"
Fletcher had also been excited to show Theresa the bedding he'd chosen for the new loft bed they'd picked out and that would soon be taking up residence in what was now Spencer's office. "That way I can sleep up top and have my desk, computer, books, CDs and everything under the bed," he explained. "This is going to be nothing like my old room. Isn't that the greatest?"
Theresa had smiled and admitted that it was indeed the greatest, hugging the boy warmly. She'd glanced up at Spencer as she held the child. "Thank you," she mouthed silently.
The apartment had smelled of a mixture of aromas, garlic, onion, chilis and yet nutmeg and cinnamon. Reid knew from the melding of the various aromas that whatever Theresa was cooking was going to taste fantastic.
Reid and Fletcher spent the afternoon playing chess while they listened to Theresa's never ending chopping. They put the tablecloth on the table and folded the napkins the way Phoebe had suggested. Theresa had been very impressed with the look. Reid put some plastic he'd bought on the ottoman and covered it with another tablecloth since Theresa was going to use it for appetizers. That had been another suggestion of Phoebe's to protect the ottoman from spills and stains. The guys felt they owed Phoebe big time for Theresa's mood evidenced by the humming that was coming from the kitchen.
Theresa finally announced that everything was as in order as it could be at the moment and she was going to shower and change. "Do we have to change too?" Fletcher asked looking at his T shirt and jeans.
Reid looked down at the black polo shirt and chinos he wore. "I suppose I could change my shirt. I don't think people are dressing up." After some time had passed Theresa came out of the bedroom in the black dress the girls had insisted she had to have and her new black pumps. "Oh yeah," Reid said, "we better change."
Reid entered the living room after exchanging his polo shirt for a black mock turtleneck topped with a black grey and cranberry striped shirt that he'd left untucked and open. Fletcher emerged from his room in black pants, a black T shirt and a striped shirt in various shades of blue open and untucked like Reid's. This had to stop, Reid thought. Tomorrow he decided he and Fletcher were having a talk about his clothes. Maybe he could get Morgan to take him shopping. He figured then he'd end up with T shirts and jeans and knowing Morgan, he'd bring him home with a tattoo or something. He couldn't ask Hotch. Fletcher'd end up with black suits and ties that were way too tight. Maybe David was the man for the job. He had a casual understated style that would be good for Fletcher. Reid was in the midst of these musings when the buzzer rang. Reid answered it to hear Morgan's "It's me man, open up." Reid pushed the button to release the doors.
When Morgan's knock sounded on the door, Fletcher hurried to answer it only to be stopped by Reid's, "Let's let Theresa get the door. It's her party. She's the hostess."
"Really Spencer, it is not necessary," she said as she made her way to the door and opened it for Morgan.
"Wo girl, look at you miss thang!" Morgan said as he entered "You are some kind of beautiful." Theresa thought he didn't look too bad either. He'd ditched his usual jeans for a pair of tan dress pants and an ivory rib knit sweater with a crew neck. He handed Theresa some CDs. "In keeping with the Mexican theme, I brought some music. I figured my man wouldn't have any, Julieta Venegas, Jimena and the man himself Mr. Jose Feliciano." He flipped through the CDs showing them to Theresa.
"Gracias Morgan, you did not have to bring anything. This party is for me to thank you."
"Face it Theresa, you're part of this odd little family we got goin' on here. You'll just have to get used to it."
Theresa handed the CDs to Reid. "Would you like to put one in the CD player? I will warm the appetizers. Theresa headed for the kitchen while Reid placed all three CDs in the player and set it on shuffle to play softly in the background.
"Beer," he asked Morgan.
"Yeah."
"I'll get it," Fletcher said and ran to the fridge coming back a few moments later with a bottle. "Spencer said you guys don't usually use glasses."
"You should at least off…" was all Reid got out before the buzzer sounded again.
"It's us," three female voices responded to Reid's hello. He pushed the button to let them in.
Theresa answered the door again to find JJ and Garcia on either side of Emily who was obscured by a massive flower arrangement. "That dress looks great on you," Garcia said as they walked in.
"Where do you want me to put this?" Emily asked. "We thought maybe your table could use a centerpiece." Reid relieved Emily of her burden and set the arrangement of tulips and dahlias in the center of the white tablecloth. JJ was dressed in a denim dress that fit tight to her body, ending just above the knee with black suede boots. Emily had chosen a black flared skirt with a black tunic featuring sequins around its V neck. Garcia wore a burgundy and ivory patterned skirt with a pink low neck top that showed some cleavage topped with a burgundy cashmere shrug.
"We thought we'd bring dahlias…" JJ began.
"Since they're the national flower of Mexico," Reid finished.
"Yes, boy wonder, we looked that up." Garcia looked at the others, "We should have just asked.
"They are so beautiful," Theresa went to the table and touched the lovely flowers. "You are all being so kind and bringing me things from my homeland. I am supposed to be doing for you not the other way around."
"From the smell of things mama, you've done a fine job of doing for us," Morgan responded. "Reid's place never smelled this good."
"I have made a pitcher of Mojito Del Sol, if anyone would like?"
"Sounds great to me, I'll help you," JJ said as she and Theresa headed for the kitchen to get the drinks.
The buzzer sounded again and Garcia who was nearest hollered, "Who goes there?"
"It's Hotch and Jack," came the reply.
"Enter if you dare," Garcia countered as she pushed the button releasing the door. She turned to take her mojito from JJ. Theresa placed a platter of quesadillas on the ottoman while JJ followed with a tray of tortilla chips and three dips.
"The red is pico de gallo, a salsa, the others are guacamole and sour cream. Enjoy please," she said as the doorbell rang and she was off again to answer it. She opened the door to see Hotch and a little boy. "Hello Hotch and this must be Jack," she said as the pair entered.
"I thought perhaps this could add to the festivities," Hotch who had dressed tonight in charcoal grey dress pants, a blue shirt topped with a navy sports jacket and no tie, said as he handed Theresa a bottle of tequila.
"Do I do it now Daddy," Jack asked eagerly. Hotch nodded and the child pulled a hand out from behind his back which held a gift wrapped box. "This is a gift for the hostess. It's chocolates. I helped pick them out myself. I got to taste them in the store."
"Jack," Hotch shook his head, "you're not supposed to tell."
"Thank you so much Jack. Would you like to have one?" she whispered. The child nodded and Theresa opened the box and Jack chose one of the sweet treats. The others looked on and smiled at the scene.
"Hotch," Reid said, "there's, well tequila, beer and Theresa has made a pitcher of mojitos."
"I'll just have a beer."
"Right," Reid said and headed for the kitchen. "Is there anything in here for the kids," he asked Theresa.
"Of course, I would not forget the children. The red liquid," she gestured towards a smaller pitcher, "cranberry juice and 7up. Put a slice of lime in it." She took Hotch his beer and a glass.
"These quesadillas are to die for," Emily said as she chewed. "You have to give me the recipe."
"Ches, I will be happy to," Theresa said as the buzzer sounded once again. The door was released and a few minutes later she opened the door to Rossi. "Agent Rossi, please come in."
Rossi entered the room carrying two bottles of wine. "It's Dave, a little something from my collection," he handed over the wine. I brought one white and one red. I know Garcia only drinks red." He also held a bag, "And these are for you."
Theresa looked in the bag, "Crystal wine glasses, mucho gracias agent…uh…Dave." Theresa put her hand over her mouth and tears filled her eyes. "This is all wrong. I am supposed to be the one giving to you and you all come with things for me from my homeland." She looked at the bottles of wine she held, "Casa Madero of Parras, this is Mexican wine."
"That's the oldest winery in the western hemisphere," Fletcher interjected making everyone laugh.
"How does an eight year old know that?" Garcia asked.
"I come from wine country. It's like somebody from Idaho knowing about potatoes."
Reid got Rossi a drink while Theresa busied herself in the kitchen and returned with the soup tureen full of gazpacho. "Is that what I think it is?" JJ asked as she chewed on a tortilla chip.
"If you mean, is it gazpacho, then ches, you are right. You may serve yourselves whenever you are ready."
JJ jumped up. "I've been saving myself for this all day," she said as she dashed for the table.
Hotch eyed the red soup, Reid's furniture and Jack, thinking the three were not a good combination. Fletcher noticed Hotch's expression. "Hey Jack; want to eat with me over at the island. You can sit on one of the high stools. It's fun, come on." Jack followed the older boy to the stools and Reid stepped in when Fletcher's attempts to lift the smaller boy onto the stool failed. He quickly lifted the young Hotchner onto the stool and brought them some soup.
"Nice save," he said to Fletcher.
"My soup is cold Daddy," Jack hollered when he took his first mouthful.
"It's supposed to be cold," Fletcher explained. "It's a liquid salad so that's why it's cold. It originated in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia in the middle ages. It didn't come over to the western hemisphere unt…"
"Uh Fletcher," Reid said and the boy turned to look at him and Reid drew his index finger across his neck which sent the team into gales of laughter. "What?"
"That's a good one man, you tryin' to shut the kid up when he sounds exactly like you," Morgan laughed. "Now you know what we have to put up with every day."
Theresa began to gather up bowls. "Let me help you Theresa," Emily said and the other two women jumped up as well, helping put dishes in the dishwasher and bringing things from the oven to the table. It all smelled glorious Emily thought as she set a platter of chicken and rice on the table.
Theresa identified the dishes for the team. "These are Arracheras," she said pointing to steak peppers and onions wrapped in tortillas. "These are chicken enchiladas covered with sauce and grated cheese." She pointed to the next dish, "Arroz con Pollo, chicken with rice. And the last dish, refried beans."
The team dug in heartily while Reid opened the wine and served it to the guests. "Theresa, this is absolutely delicious." Garcia said as she tasted the steak tortilla.
"I am glad you are enjoying it. It was my pleasure to make it for you. Make sure to save room for dessert. I have made a pecan cake with cajeta, which is a caramel sauce, and crème fraîche."
"My mother is going to be so thrilled when she finds out you can cook like this," Emily remarked.
"How did it go with Emily's mother?" JJ asked.
"It went very well. The ambassador was so kind and did the interview mostly in Spanish."
"Yeah, and Spencer and I got iced tea, sandwiches and little dainties while we waited so it was really good."
"Looks like things are looking up for you girl, I'm glad," Morgan told Theresa.
"Ches, now I must work on getting this GED."
"We'll help Theresa," Emily said. "We can have a girls' quiz night. It'll be fun."
Reid just about choked on his enchilada, "What?" Garcia asked.
"Oh, nothing, just wondering how much you'll get accomplished. I remember what happened on the last girls' night out. I think she'll get more done with Fletcher and I helping tutor her."
"Hmm girls, that sounds a little bit like a challenge. We'll just see about that, won't we," JJ said with some confidence.
"That is why I wanted to have this dinner; because none of what has happened to me would have happened without all of you. Hotch, he came to be my lawyer and talked the policía into letting me go. The others worked so hard to prove that I did not do this. Emily asked her mother to give me a job cooking for her. And Spencer, you have taken me into your home and looked into opportunities for my future and now you are all again offering to help me. I just do not know how to thank you all. This is the only way I know to say mucho gracias for all you have done for me."
There was a murmured you're welcome from the team. Reid set his plate down and picked up his wine glass. "Uh, I'm probably the least qualified person to do this but here goes. Theresa, each of us only knows a small part of all the struggles you've gone through to get to where you are now. You are a good friend, a wonderful cook and a beautiful person inside and out. You're starting on a new path in your life and I know it's going to be an adventure. It won't always be easy but I know you'll work hard and you'll do fine, better than fine; you'll be great." He looked down at the glass in his hand. "Remember we're always here for you; knowing these six people like I do, I can honestly tell you, they're the best. You're welcome to come and cook here anytime, especially now that I have a soup tureen." The group laughed. "We all wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors." He raised his glass, "To Theresa." The group echoed Reid's toast and glasses clinked, even the children sitting at the island as tears ran down the young woman's face.