Title: Feels Like Home
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T same as the show
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or Criminal Minds sadly. I remain a poor barista and artist who is borrowing all these lovely characters who belong to their network, creator, writers, actors and actresses who bring them alive, to play out a fan fueled idea.
Summary: Spencer Reid meets Abby Sciuto at a lecture, and things grow form there.
Notes: Time for the epilogue kids! I can't believe how long this got, and yet I can't believe it's over. I have some other ideas rolling around my head and we'll see how that goes. For now I'm done with this, but I love the pairing so I will likely revisit. Thank you soo much for the support it means a lot to me.
When Reid got home he smiled hearing his daughter running to greet him, it was the best part of coming home from a long case. Artemis was now six years old and flew into his arms for a hug, She looked a lot like her mother, but her hair was lighter and she liked to dress in frilly sparkle laden skirts, and leggings when it was cool out. She had on a sweater, but her feet were bare, and like icicles.
"Daddy!" Artemis giggled. "You're home! You're home! You said you were gonna be late!"
"I wanted to surprise you and your brother angel," he told her, lifting her into his arms and kissing her cheek softly. "Where is Isaac?"
Their son was not as outgoing as his sister, he was four and was shy like his father had been at that age. He was standing in the doorway of his room holding a stuffed dinosaur toy Gibbs had given him by its tale. Reid put Artemis down then keeled down and his son gave him a hug. Isaac hugged his dad.
"What wrong, Isaac?" Reid asked the little boy.
"I bumped over the block house we made in my room on accident," he told him, his lower lip quivering.
"After dinner we can rebuild it, it's all right big guy."
"Okay Daddy."
Abby was watching from the kitchen, a smile crossing her lips. She loved getting to see them interact with Reid. Artemis was always excited when her parents got home, or her aunts and uncles came to visit. She always wanted to give hugs, just like her mom. Isaac on the other was a lot like his father, he held back but it didn't mean he loved them any less. When he got overwhelmed he would hug his dinosaur toy, which almost never left his side.
"What a nice surprised," Abby told him kissing his cheek softly. "I was thinking taco night tonight."
"Yes!" Artemis exclaimed. "I LOVE taco night!"
Abby laughed, "how about you little man?"
Isaac shrugged. "Sure, Mommy, could I help?"
"Of course you can sweetie."
Isaac enjoyed helping with dinner, and they often found he would eat more if he had the chance to help. There were times she worried about him, but Diana assured her that Reid had been the same way growing up and was fine. Isaac sat his toy down on his booster seat then washed his hands to help with dinner. While Abby and Isaac made dinner Reid and Artemis worked on a puzzle together. It had been a gift from McGee but she would only work on the big 3D puzzle her father was home to help her.
"All right sweethearts," Abby called from the kitchen. "Time to eat."
They both got up and went to the kitchen. They didn't get to eat as a family often enough so the times they got the chance they cherished it. Taco night was always a hit the kids loved getting to put their tacos together themselves.
"What did you do at school today?" Reid asked Artemis.
"Um," Artemis replied thinking.
"We did letters," Isaac told him. "But already know mines so helped my friend Cole."
"That's great little man," Abby told him.
Isaac smiled. "Artemis said she got to read a different book from everyone at reading time."
"Oh yeah!" Artemis exclaimed. "My teacher gave me three new books for reading time 'cause I finished all t'other ones! She said some 'em might be hard and I wouldn't know all the words, but I finished one and I didn't have to ask for help."
"I'm proud of you angel," Reid told her smiling, amazed how much his kids were like him already.
After everyone was done eating Reid went to help Isaac build a new house with blocks while Abby and Artemis went to go use the telescope Diana had bought her. With it being winter they were able to use it a little before bed time. Both kids enjoyed learning new things and it was nice when each parent could spend one on one time with each of their children.
"All right big guy," Reid told Isaac as they finished rebuilding the block house through his yawn. "Why don't you get Dino and get into your pajamas."
Isaac yawned again. "Can you read me my story?"
"Of course, go brush your teeth while I get the book."
Isaac went to brush his teeth and came back with his toy and in his pajamas. Reid began to read to him, and as usual he was out after only a few pages. He stayed close to his son until Abby came into the room.
"Artemis is ready for her book," she told him her voice soft, as she fixed the sheets on Isaac's bed. "Don't give me that look it's fine they get so excited when you're home I get bed time all to myself more than you. My silly Spencer this only makes me love you more." She kissed his lips softly before he left the room. "Sweet dreams my perfect little man." She kissed his cheek softly then went into the living room to read a book.
Reid had gone into Artemis' room she was in a bright pink nightgown and ready for bed. She had her favourite elephant toy next to her. She already had her book picked out. Reid read her the book she'd picked out. She usually didn't fall asleep before he was done reading, and she gave him a hug.
"I love you Daddy," she whispered in his ear.
"I love you too my sweet angel," he told her. "Sweet dreams."
He then tucked her into bed and went out to going Abby in the living room. Abby stood up and pulled him into a fierce embrace. He pulled away a moment later and ran his fingers along her cheeks. She put her hand on his cheek and tears began to fall.
"Pen told me about the case, Spencer," she told him.
He nodded. "It's never easy with such young victims, but I'm glad I have you and the kids to come home to now."
"Yes you do and we will always be here for you."
"I know, and I hope you'll support my decision to take another offer so I can spend more time with our family. Everyone we care about will still be in our lives but it's going to be different."
"Of course I support you Spencer."
"Thank you Abby. I love you."
"I love you too."
The End
Notes: I wanted to write a wrap up paragraph but I feel like I already wrote it so this is how I thought it should end. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every reviewer you're all great. I loved all the support and I will hopefully have a new write up soon but you know how muses are. Heart to all of you who took a moment to read this long fic. hugz -trista
