Hello my lovely readers!
So, this is it. My final chapter! I know (or rather hope) you can't wait to read it but I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to each and every single one of you. I am still moved beyond words that this story has gotten so much attention and that you all enjoyed this little journey as much as I did.
I especially want to say thank you to all the faithful reviewers out there who have encouraged me to write more. Reviews are a writers drug and you guys never failed to make my day! This chapter is for you:
Sue1313, gabbyreid, deathly hallow girls, Criminal-Minds-superfan, tannerose5 and Leaa980
Thank you to adorkable-oxo for inspiring me to get back into fanfiction with your awesome story!
And last, but definitely not least, I want to dedicate this chapter to my faithful follower, reviewer and dear friend sunset's last lullaby! I'm glad I made a friend halfway across the world through our mutual love of Criminal Minds and the awesomeness that is Spencer Reid / MGG! (Also, check out her story "To Heal a Heart", it's awesome!)
I love you all!
xoxo
ReidsGirl
Chapter 43
Annie's brows furrowed as she mentally checked off the items lying in front of her. After calling Garcia she had driven right to the cafe to get started on the food. As soon as lunch hour was over, Josh and the the new kitchen porter Max had agreed to stay on and even cover the afternoon shift. She knew she wouldn't be able to pull this off without their help. The three of them had worked like madmen to get everything ready in time. She usually would have liked to offer a more varied selection but on such short notice, this had to do.
There was a "Creepy-Crawly Pasta Salad", with fresh veggies, mozzarella and herbs and some "Eyeball Foccacia" to go with it. She had come up with that recipe last year, green olives stuffed with almonds creating the creepy effect. Knowing the team would love a warm home-cooked meal after five days of take-out, she had also opted for a hearty beef stew. Everything was topped off with a batch of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin muffins.
Looking up she saw Sarah walk into the kitchen. She had texted her earlier and her best friend had immediately agreed to help out.
"Got everything ready?" Sarah asked as she reached her.
"Yes. So, you're gonna drive this over to Will's and JJ's house and I'll go home and pick up my costume and then drive by Spencer's apartment to get his, alright?" Annie replied, giving her best friend a hug. "Thank you so much for helping me out today."
Spencer had suggested to exchange keys for their apartments a couple of weeks back after he got called away to a case late one night while she was at his place. It just made things so much easier, now she could get comfy on is couch while waiting if she knew he'd be home late. Now she was once again glad they'd done it as it proved useful today.
"No problem sweetie. Anything for you. By the way, what are you guys dressing up as?" Sarah interrupted her thoughts.
"Not telling you! We had a hard time deciding on matching costumes but we figured out something really cute." Annie laughed.
"Alright, alright. Can't wait to see it. So you go along, I'll load this into my car. And I'll go home and change once everything is done. So Garcia is already at JJ's?" Sarah replied, pointing at the boxes of food.
"Yes, she should be there by now and probably already got started on the decorations. See you later!" Annie replied as she grabbed her purse and rushed out of the kitchen.
As Annie walked up the flight of stairs to Spencer's apartment she felt giddy with excitement. Unlocking the door she stepped inside and walked into the bedroom. Stopping for a moment she sat down on his bed and picked up the framed picture on his night table. Penelope had taken it at their last cook-out at Dave's house. On it, she was sitting on Spencer's lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. She remembered that night like it was yesterday. Her heart did a little flip knowing she'd soon hold him in her arms again.
As she walked over to the closet, she quickly pulled out his costume for tonight and went back into the living room. Taking one last look around, she picked up the shoes she knew he wanted to wear tonight before she walked outside. Hurrying down to her car she jumped inside and noticed the time on the digital clock on the center console Roaming through her purse in search of her phone she finally found it and quickly typed a text to Spence.
Hi my love. Please tell the team to get into Halloween mode and be at JJ's at 8 pm sharp! And tell them: No costume, no fun. ;-) Tell Hotch to bring Jack! I'll meet you and JJ at her house as soon as you get back. Counting the minutes till you get here. Love you! xoxo Annie
Hitting send she chuckled to herself before she started the car. There was still a lot left to do.
Sitting in the plane with the rest of the team, Spencer found it hard to focus on the book in his hands. He knew Annie was up to something and he was curious to find out what it was.
Looking up from his mp3 player, Morgan noticed how Reid rubbed his fingers together, something he always did when that brain of his was working.
"Reid, you okay?" he asked and grinned when his friend's head snapped up in surprise.
"Hm?"
"I asked if you're okay?"
"Oh, yeah. Yeah sure. I'm just trying to figure out what Annie is planning..." Spencer replied.
"Let me give you one advice kid, don't even try to understand what's going on in a woman's head sometimes." Dave laughed from the seat next to him. "Even a dozen genius profilers couldn't."
"He's right. But she's probably taking us all out for drinks." Aaron joined in from across the cabin, raising his brow at Emily who was sitting opposite him.
Spencer nodded his head. "Yeah, you're probably right. But.." He stopped when he was interrupted by his phone buzzing in his pocket.
"Excuse me." he said as he pulled it out and opened the text, his nose crinkling when he read it. "This is weird."
"What's weird?" JJ asked as she walked past them on their way back from the bathroom.
"Annie wants us all to be at your place at 8, and in costume... And I should go straight to your place after we land." Spencer replied, looking up at her. "You don't think she..."
"Is throwing the party at our place after all?" JJ interrupted him with a smile. "Naw. she couldn't have prepared everything in the past couple of hours."
"I'm wearing no costume." Derek protested. "What am I, 10?"
"Don't be a spoilsport Morgan!" Emily insisted with a laugh. "I'm sure you can find something in your closet. And if not I'm sure Garcia will lend you one of her princess crowns."
"You think they'll like it?" Annie asked, giving Will a questioning look as they sat down on the couch in the large living room. Penelope and Sarah had gone home to change into their costumes and Will had just brought out two cups of coffee for them.
"Like it? They'll love it, I'm sure." he smiled at her encouragingly.
"Yeah, you're right." she smiled back at him as she looked around the room. "Thank you so much for agreeing to do this and helping out."
They had spent the past hour getting everything ready and with the help of Penelope, Sarah and of course little Henry they had given the living room the true Halloween spirit. Cobwebs with spiders were hanging from the ceiling, a skeleton couple was ready to greet the guests at the front door and the ceiling lights were turned off in favour of carved out pumpkins giving the room a faint glow. Will had even produced some colored spotlights to highlight the mummy sitting in the armchair by the window.
Annie practically jumped up from the couch when she heard a key turning in the lock.
"They're here." she grinned as she rushed to the door.
As he stepped into the house behind JJ, the first thing he saw was Annie's beaming face as she rushed towards him. Dropping his bag, he wrapped his arms around her waist, slightly raising her up as he felt her arms around his neck. Nuzzling that patch of skin behind her ear he loved, he closed his eyes and breathed in that heavenly scent he had missed so much. Opening his eyes again he caught sight of the room and he let out a little gasp. Pulling away from her he quickly placed a kiss onto her lips. Taking a few steps into the room, his hand still on her waist, he shot her a surprised look.
"Annie.. what..." he stammered, too surprised to form a coherent sentence.
At his words, JJ glanced up and took a step forward, little Henry, who had come running at his mother's arrival, still in her arms. Her eyes widened as she took in the decorations.
"Did you do all this?" she gasped.
Annie smiled and opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by a screeching Henry.
"Yes mommy! T'was Annie's idea but daddy and me helped. And auntie Penelope and Sarah! Do you like it uncle Spencer?"
"In fact little man, I love it." Spencer replied before he turned to Annie. "You did all this for us?"
"Yes, we're gonna have a proper Halloween party after all."
Seeing her nod and bite her lip he could only pull her closer again, hugging her tight. Of course he knew how wonderful she was, hell, this woman had turned his life around in the past 6 months. She made him happier than he had ever been. But the fact that she had gone to the trouble and planned this whole party in just a few hours for his family almost made him speechless. Glancing over at a smiling JJ and his beaming godson he squeezed Annie once more.
"Thank you." he whispered in her ear.
"No need to thank me." she whispered back and pulled away from him. Turning around, she looked at Henry.
"So little man, ready to show your parents and uncle Spence your costume?" she winked.
And they all burst into happy laughter when he raised his hands and screeched: "Yay!"
"So, what do you think?" Annie asked as she stepped out of the en-suite bathroom of the guestroom.
"You have to be the hottest nanny I've ever seen." Spencer laughed as he took in her outfit of a black, slightly flared skirt, red belt and the white blouse with a little red bow at the collar. The ensemble was completed by a black hat adorned with white daisies, her hair pulled back underneath it, and an old-fashioned purse and a black umbrella. "I don't remember Mary Poppin's skirt to be quite so short."
She laughed as she gave a little twirl. "Well, I thought a little creative adjustment was in order. And I think I've never seen a chimney sweep that looked this handsome." she replied, walking over and placing a small kiss on his lips.
And he really did look handsome in black slacks, held up with a pair of suspenders, a dark-grey shirt and the old-fashioned vest in a lighter shade of grey. A dark-red scarf was loosely tied around his neck and a flat cap rested on his ruffled hair.
"There's just one thing missing." she added and quickly retrieved her eyeliner from her make-up bag. Drawing a few lines on his face she gently smeared them with her hand to create a dirty look. "Perfect." she exclaimed, examining the result.
Stepping in front of the mirror next to Spence she gave a small nod at their apearance. They had spent a whole evening discussing what couple they wanted to be for Halloween. Their first idea had been, of course, a Star Trek theme but then they had both agreed it was far too boring and predictable. Then they had talked about going as a famous couple from literature, like Romeo and Juliet. But it would have been too cheesy and the costumes would have taken ages to make. And then, one night cuddling in bed she had told him that one of her favorite movies from her childhood was Mary Poppins, adding one more thing to the list of things they shared. And Spencer had come up with the idea to dress up as the iconic nanny and jack-of-all-trades / chimney sweep Bert.
"I have to say Doctor, we do make a nice couple." she smiled as he pulled her into his arms again.
"I'm so glad you're back." she whispered, her nose touching his.
Cupping her face with his hands, Spencer looked into her eyes before his mouth took hers in a tender kiss, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. Her arms wrapped around his waist, he felt her lips part and his heart picked up the pace as she increased the pressure, a small sigh escaping her throat.
Pulling away from her he smiled. "So am I."
"As much as I'd love to be alone with you, there's a little guy waiting for me to help him get dressed." Annie said. "You wait downstairs okay?"
"Sure." Spencer chuckled. "Can't wait to see what his costume is, you two made such a secret out of it."
Annie laughed, placing another small kiss on his lips. "You'll love it."
"Okay buddy, I'll go downstairs and gather your mommy and daddy and uncle Spence and then you come down the stairs okay?" Annie smiled at Henry as she quietly opened the door of his room.
He gave a solemn nod, an excited grin on his face.
As she walked down the stairs she couldn't help but share his excitement. The costume had actually been Henry's idea and he looked absolutely adorable. Reaching the bottom of the stairs she saw Spencer, JJ and Will sitting on the couch.
"Can I have your attention please?" she announced.
The three of them quickly stood up, their faces expectant.
"After you came back from a case a couple of weeks back, Henry told me all about how you guys are superheroes for catching all the bad guys. And I agree." she continued with a smile. "And that he wanted to be a superhero too when he grew up."
"Great, my son wants to be a profiler." JJ laughed, rolling her eyes at her husband.
"Ah ah", Annie winked, wagging her finger. "For this Halloween he wanted to be his favourite profiler!"
All four of them looked up at Henry stumbling down the stairs, wearing a pair of brown curdory pants, a blue shirt with a grey cardigan and red tie, a brown messenger bag slung around his shoulders. They had even crafted a little fake FBI badge for him.
"Woow." Spencer exclaimed, crouching on his knees as his godson ran towards him. "You look great Henry." he called out excitedly, giving Henry a hig-five.
Annie looked over at JJ and Will who were both cheering as they looked down on the two. Bending down to Henry she whispered in his ear. "Tell him."
Henry furrowed his brows for a moment before saying: "E equals mc²!", resulting in another round of "Awwwees" from he group.
As Henry ran over to his mom and dad, Spencer got up and looked at Annie. "So this was the big secret." he laughed.
"Yeah, we really wanted to surprise you." she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. "So what do you say, should we take Mini-Reid out for trick or treating?"
Spencer's smile grew wide as he nodded his head. "I think we should."
A couple of hours later they had returned from collecting candy - at which they had been immensely successful, much to Henry's delight - and the other team members had arrived for the party. All had voiced their joy at this surprise Annie had prepared and had immediately tucked into the food. The party was now in full swing.
Hotch had brought Jack, who was now sitting on the floor with Henry, both counting and comparing the candy they had gotten. Will, dressed up as a Southern Gentleman, true to his roots, was animatedly chatting with Sarah, who made quite a sexy version of the little mermaid, and Garcia, who had decided to go as Sandy from Grease. Hotch and Jack had shown up in matching pirate outfits, with eypatches and swords. The only ones not really dressed up were of course Morgan - who had arrived wearing a black suit and sunglasses, insisting he was Agent Jay from the Men in Black movies - and Rossi, in a black tux with a rose on his collar, declaring he was the Godfather and that would be the extent of his dressing up. JJ looked great in her "I dream of Jeannie" outfit, while Emily bore a striking resemblance to the original in her white and gold Cleopatra gown.
"Thank you so much for putting all this together." JJ said as she took a bite of then muffin in her hand.
"I enjoyed doing it. I'm just glad you're not mad at me for taking over your house." Annie laughed.
"Are you kidding? This is exactly what we needed." JJ replied, squeezing her shoulder.
"She's right kiddo." Dave agreed, giving her a little wink.
"But it wasn't just me!" Annie insisted. "I couldn't have done it without Garcia, Will and Sarah!"
"And me!" Henry screeched from his spot on the floor, causing everyone to laugh out loud.
"But it was our cupcakes idea." Penelope declared loudly.
"So I guess we all owe you one. Drinks on me on our next night out!" Emily chuckled. "Except for the little guy." she added, tilting her head in Henry's direction.
"That's what I call a deal." Sarah called out with a wink.
"You know we already consider you family, but I'd say you've officially qualified with this party." Hotch adressed Annie, giving her a warm look.
She felt Spencer squeeze her hand as he flashed her a happy smile and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
"Thanks Aaron. I'm happy to be part of it." she replied, her cheeks blushing. "But enough with the compliments. I'll quickly put these away." she added, already collecting some of the dirty dishes on the table.
"Oh no, let us do that." JJ objected. "You've already done enough."
"It's no bid deal, I'll be right back."
"At least let us help." Emily insisted, putting her glass down to help. "Guys?" she asked with a questioning look at Morgan.
"Oh, I think you ladies got it covered. I'll just make more of a mess than there already is." he winked.
"You're so macho." she laughed back.
"I'll help you." Spencer chimed in, giving his girlfried a smile.
"No it's fine Spence. But how about you get me a drink?"
"That I can do." he winked, giving her another kiss before she, JJ and Emily disappeared into the kitchen.
As she re-entered the room, Annie walked up to Spencer who was sitting on the couch talking to Morgan. As he smiled up at her, she lowered herself onto his lap and took of her hat, his arms immediately sliding around her waist.
Returning his smile she pressed her lips on his, both oblivious to Morgan's grin.
"Girl, you've really outdone yourself with this." he interrupted them, nodding towards the room filled with laughter and chatter.
"Anything for my second family." she grinned back. "And my favorite profiler." she chuckled in reference to Henry's costume and nuzzled Spencers neck.
Breathing in his scent she was interrupted by a screech from across the room.
"Annie! Look we counted all our candy!" Henry called out to her, both him and Jack waving for her to join them.
"I'll be there in a minute!" she laughed and turned to Spencer. "You think you can spare me again for a couple of minutes? I am, after all, the world's most famous Nanny." she winked.
"Sure." he nodded, taking her mouth in another kiss. "I love you." he whispered.
"And I love you." she replied, rubbing her nose against his.
As Annie hopped over to where the two boys were sitting, Spencer watched her and smiled when she sat down next to them, her face beaming at Henry as he shared a piece of candy with her. His heart skipped a beat when she looked up at him across the room, her eyes sparkling.
"You got yourself a keeper there kid. Ever think about making her Mrs. Spencer Reid one day?" Morgan chuckled.
Misjudging Spencer's facial expression, he sat up. "Just teasing you man" he laughed.
Spencer turned his head again and gazed at Annie, her head thrown back in laughter as his godson goofed around. His mouth curled into a smile, as he replied, his eyes still fixed on his girlfriend.
"In fact Morgan, I know I will."
Don't be mad I stole the idea of Henry's costume and tweaked it a little, I just recently watched that episode and just couldn't resist. Sooo adorable. :D
As always, don't forget to tell me what you think, I cherish every single review!
Oh, and guys, did I mention there's gonna be a sequel? (You didn't really think I'd end Spencer and Annie's story here?) *winkwink*
EDIT: My sequel called "Will you still love me tomorrow?" is now online!
