It didn't take the team long to identify the 'Toy of Moral Turpitude' that the religious zealots were currently protesting. Once the locals knew what was involved, they were able to narrow the suspect pool down considerably. And, following that, identifying and arresting the miscreant was relatively easy. Informing Emma that she was going to have a bodyguard did not go as smoothly.

"How can I do my Christmas shopping?" she demanded. "Everyone will know what I bought. And, I need to go to the university library to do research. I can't have Al following me around through the stacks!"

"As long as the person you bought the present for doesn't know, that's all that matters," Garcia patiently explained. "And, you can do a lot of your shopping on line. That way no one will know what you bought."

"As for Al going into the library with you, he might come in handy to carry the books you need to consult," Blake suggested. "I know there have been times when I could have used some 'muscle' when I was doing research."

"Doctor Compton wants you off your feet as much as possible," Reid pointed out. "And, if you don't comply, he is likely to put you on bed rest."

"Sounds to me like you don't have a whole lot of choice in the matter," Rossi observed dryly.

Despite her protests, Emma managed to finish her shopping and her research and settled back to enjoy the holidays. Soon, Reid and Rossi found a new surprise every time they arrived home – Freshly baked cookies, the house having been decorated (inside and out) and, Reid's favorite, the tree having been put into its stand and positioned in the great room ready for an evening of decorating.

Hotch's team was on 'Stand Down' for the week between Christmas and New Years, and most of the team members headed out of town as quickly as possible to spend the holiday with family.

"Spencer, are you sure you don't want to go to Vegas to see your folks over the holidays?" Emma asked. "Even if it is just for a day or so? I'll be okay here by myself."

"NO!" was Reid's definitive reply. "You can't fly and I am not going to leave you here by yourself. Besides, you already mailed their gifts and we can call them up and Skype on Christmas Day."

"If that's what you want," Emma replied. "Your father already called me and told me that the packages had arrived safely. I listened while he opened the small one I had packed separately and he was thrilled with the framed print of the latest ultrasound. He said he was going to put it on his desk in his office."

"Well, I know Mom is going to enjoy the books we sent," Reid smiled. "Even though she thinks Christmas is a government plot to separate people from their hard-earned money.'

"Not so much anymore," Emma told him thoughtfully. "The new medication she has been on has managed to eliminate most of her delusions. She is actually planning to spend Christmas Eve Day through Christmas Day with your father at his house. They are viewing it as a trial run for when they come to visit us after the babies are born."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The afternoon and evening of Christmas Eve were dedicated to observing a long-standing Rossi family tradition. After some urging from the senior agent, Emma, Reid, and Garcia all accompanied him to family gathering at the home of one of his relatives (Emma wasn't sure which one) where they were all warmly welcomed.

"Dave is actually introducing me to his family!" Garcia whispered to Emma. "And, no one is staring or asking for overly personal information!"

"Ginny probably already filled them in," Emma whispered back. "I know she told everyone about Spencer and me and the twins."

"Now, I swear, if one more person tries to feed me I am going to – " she continued before breaking off to smile as yet another of Rossi's female relatives approached her carrying a plate containing yet another Italian delicacy 'For the babies'.

Promptly at 11:00 p.m., all the food was cleared off the tables and stashed in refrigerators as the entire family packed up to leave to attend Midnight Mass.

"I don't usually participate in religious ceremonies as I consider myself to be an agnostic," Reid commented to Emma as they walked into the cathedral where Rossi's family worshiped. "But, as this particular date is one of the significant cornerstones of the Christian religion, I feel compelled to attend as an interested observer."

"You do know that Dave is going to expect us to have some sort of a christening and/or naming ceremony for the babies after they are born, don't you?" Emma replied. "So, take note of any observance we may want to incorporate into our ceremony."

As the Christmas Eve service progressed, Emma and Reid both found themselves caught up in the solemnity of the occasion and neglected to look around at the other attendees. If they had, they would have noticed two people standing at the back of the sanctuary intently studying them.

"There she is - With my babies!" Moira thought angrily as she stood staring at Emma's back. "And, 'My Spencer' is standing there with his arm around her!"

"They arrived with Agent Rossi," Elliot leaned over to whisper in her ear. "That must mean they are staying with him."

"We pretty much eliminated all the other agents in their team," Moira agreed. "As well as their Section Chief. We do have an idea of where he lives so we can easily follow them when they leave here after the service and find out the exact address. Once we are sure, we can start figuring out how to get her and the babies out of there."

"SH-H-H!" Several people near them hissed. So, after exchanging glances, the two slipped quietly out of the church and prepared to follow Rossi's car through the darkness to his home.