For my readers who are interested in the pairing of Claire and Morgan...it's in the works. There will be glimmers of it in this story but the main focus of this tale is Maggie and her dear, darling Spencer. My main objective here is to get them married off. So mentions of Morgan and Claire's budding romance will be spotty at best. Do not despair (Tina) There will be a spin-off of sorts after we see Spencer and Maggie safely off to their honeymoon.-J
"Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad."-America 'Tin Man'
Garcia paused in her blowing up of balloons to eye Reid suspiciously.
"What's he still doing here?"
"I'm leaving as soon as Morgan gets here to pick me up."
"So, off to some sort of bachelor party type activity, my love?"
"I told you, I talked him out of throwing me one. We're going to grab some food at this sports bar. There's some big basketball game today and Morgan's going to explain basketball to me. He says it's less complicated than football."
"Well have fun with your male bonding activities."
"And you have fun with your hen party. Oh there's Morgan now. I love you, Maggie."
"I love you too."
Spencer left and Garcia turned to her friend.
"You trust him out with Morgan?"
"I thought you liked Morgan."
"I do, he's wonderful but I don't think I'd trust Kevin out with him. He's a bit of a player."
A shadow came over Maggie's face.
"I wasn't aware of that."
"Reid didn't tell you?"
Maggie shook her head.
"Okay, Magpie, you have to tell me what's wrong because we are about to celebrate your impending nuptials and you don't look very celebratory."
"You know Claire?"
"Yeah, I like her. She's fun and she's a good friend to you. Oh wait, did she and Morgan?"
"She likes him and he mentioned to Spencer that he thought she was pretty and wanted to ask her out and he did and she said yes. They went out once and she said they had a nice time and he only kissed her when he walked her to her door."
"Don't worry buddy, I am sure that Spencer won't let him be a cad to Claire."
"Claire's not like I am. She's much more confident but I still don't want to feel like I introduced her to someone who would hurt her in any way."
"I'm sure Derek wouldn't hurt her. Just talk to Reid about this later."
"You're right. Spencer would look out for her a bit, wouldn't he?"
Spencer looked around and for a moment felt like the whole world was made of people who knew he didn't fit and were just waiting for the opportunity to shove him in a locker or tie him to a goalpost. But then he realized that he fit as much as anyone else and was mesmerized by the very thought that he was sitting in a sports bar eating wings and pizza and drinking beer while watching a ball game. This was the life of someone normal.
"Okay Pretty Boy, what are you thinking about? I can hear the gears turning in there."
"When did I get to be normal, Morgan?"
"I wouldn't call you that, kid."
"Funny; no, I mean I'm here hanging out with you just like a normal guy while my wife to be has a hen party at home."
"You are just a guy. You're a very smart guy but it doesn't negate that you are just a man like the rest of us."
"Okay, so define what a charging foul is again. I think I almost have this game figured out."
Meanwhile the house was filled with balloons and streamers and giggling women. In attendance were Prentiss, J.J., Garcia-who was hosting the parting in keeping with her role as maid of honor, Claire, a few select friends from Williamsburg and what looked to be the entire female faculty of Georgetown. There were presents piled to the ceiling and as Maggie opened the gifts, everyone was keeping count of how many ribbons were broken.
"You're up to about ten kids now, Maggie Mae," quipped Garcia.
"Given how I'll have to conceive, maybe I'll pop a litter that would put octomom to shame."
There was much laughter. Maggie kept working at the pile of gifts discovering towels and dishes, pots and pans and many other things as well. Finally Garcia presented her with the last present of the day.
"This one is from me my little chickadee."
Maggie slid the wrapping off of the box to find that there were many things inside the package. She looked up at her good friend with a wondering expression.
"Just put the whole thing in your suitcase when you pack for your honeymoon."
On the top of the box, Maggie first spotted lingerie of the type she rarely wore but knew Spencer would probably appreciate. Teddies and negligees and lacy panties with matching bras and Maggie giggled a little thinking of what Spencer's response to these items would be. She could see that sexy blush of his forming already. Also in the box were various massage oils and lotions that Maggie could already imagine rubbing all over her dear husband (!). She had never really thought the word like that. She had thought of fiancé and husband to be but never really thought like that. Wow, this was getting really real and while it was intoxicating and exciting, it was overwhelming and a little scary too. At the very bottom of the box was a new copy of Sonnets from the Portuguese. When Lizzie had really come into her own. The poems that reflected Maggie's own uncertainty. Of course Lizzie was physically infirm and had been raised by a domineering and abusive father so naturally she had doubts of her Robert's love for her. But his heart had indeed been true and in marriage they had not only lived happily ever after, but she became well enough to bear a child. And here was Maggie. She was not physically hampered in any way and according to Spencer she was beautiful but she had never thought that of herself. She was shy and awkward and every bit as scarred by her upbringing and her parents as Lizzie had been. She never could have believed in a million years that someone would love her. And not just that someone would but that the someone would be so beautiful and soulful. Maggie nearly wept at all of the thoughts as well as the thoughtfulness of dear Penelope.
"Thank you so much, Pen. Now if I just knew where I was going on my honeymoon."
"I think I heard something about Peoria."
"You do know!"
"I do and I will not ruin the surprise!"
And this was Maggie's first glimpse of what it was like to have girlfriends with whom she could kid around and laugh and joke. It came while Spencer was discovering that he was just a man like anyone else and that had he not been socially held behind by his advanced intellect, that he would probably have been every bit the average Joe.
