Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or Winter the Dolphin.
A/N: Shout out to fishtrek, criminalmindsrocks, Daisyangel, and mirajanewolf46 for reviewing chapter 24.
Here's a warning that I'm a bit harsh on Garcia a bit on this chapter, but don't forget about JJ's reaction about everything Garcia bought for Henry in Exit Wounds. Even though "Dolphin Tail" didn't come out until 2011, I had to feature Winter the Dolphin because of Caden.
Bridget opened up her birthday gift from her parents and grinned when she saw an iPad, "Thank you, daddy. Thank you, mommy."
Spencer smiled as Bridget hugged him, "After seeing you borrow your mother's, Diana's, and my iPads, your mother and I thought that you deserved an iPad of your own to use after Heather suggested that you get your own iPad."
"You have an iPad?" asked Garcia.
Spencer nodded, "Clarissa and I each got one when they came out while Diana got hers when she won the school-wide spelling bee at school."
"Do you use your iPad?" asked Garcia.
Spencer nodded, "When I was studying for my PhDs in mathematics, chemistry, and engineering I had to use computers while I keep up to date on all technological advances that are made each year as an engineer. Plus I'm raising kids who are born in the 21st century and I knew that they are going to learn how to use iPads, computers, and smartphones like the teenagers at my family's church," said Spencer as he reached into his messenger bag and pulled out his iPad, "I use mine for Skype, playing chess, and look at pictures and videos of the kids. I don't use my iPad for reading books since I read faster on paper than computers."
A few minutes later Bridget's eyes went wide when she saw three huge gift bags filled with wrapped presents or just clothes from Garcia.
Spencer sighed as he looked at his godparents, his grandparents, his aunt Mary, uncle Joe, and his cousins, "Can you guys please keep the kids occupied while Clarissa, my teammates, and I have a brief meeting?" asked Spencer.
"Sure," said Alex.
A few minutes later Spencer, Clarissa, Hotch, Emily, JJ, Morgan, Garcia, and Rossi were in another room that the aquarium gave them to use to play a game in during Bridget's birthday party when Spencer gave Garcia a look that he perfected on Diana, Bridget, and Evan when they're misbehaving, "The next time you go shopping for birthday and Christmas gifts for Clarissa's and my children, please talk to Clarissa and me about what you want to buy for that said child first while you only spend a maximum of $30 on each child. Everyone else including Morgan always asks either Clarissa or me about what the kids don't have or they already have before they buy that gift while they make sure not to spend too much money."
Hotch nodded in agreement as he thought about how many gifts Garcia bought for Jack for Christmas and everything she bought for Wesley and Sabrina after he and Emily got to adopt Wesley and Sabrina on the spot, "I'm going to give you the same rules too when it comes to Jack, Wesley, and Sabrina."
"I agree with Aaron," said Emily.
JJ looked at Garcia, "Even though you claimed that buying gifts for kids are good for the economy before we had to travel to Alaska for work, I agree with Spence on giving you a limit on how much you can spend while you have to go through Will and me first about the gift you want to buy for Henry and Maggie."
"I'm lucky that everyone allowed me to set up a college education funds bank account for the kids," said Rossi.
"Not every child would have the opportunity to go to college on a full academic scholarship or a sports scholarship. So we appreciate your generosity on making sure that the kids have plenty of money to help them get through college without working or buy a starter home or an apartment," said Clarissa.
Spencer looked at Rossi, "Clarissa and I are both glad that you prefer to write a $50 check for each child's birthday and Christmas because we allow each child to buy an outfit, toy, or two books before the rest goes into their savings account."
Clarissa looked at Garcia, "If you already got rid of the receipts, I hope you know that Spence and I'll be donating 75% of the toys and clothes that Bridget doesn't want to Children's National, our church's homeless shelter, and the domestic violence shelter where I help give medical care to children at. We did that after Evan's birthday party since we weren't happy about how many toys and outfits you bought for Evan."
Garcia opened her mouth to protest causing Clarissa to give Garcia her 'Hotchner glare', "Even though Spence and I have enough money that lets us give the kids everything they want, we don't give our kids everything they ask for or buy gifts that our children don't need since spoiling them the way you do encourages tantrums if Spence and I don't buy them certain toys and outfits. Spence and I teach Diana, Bridget, and now Evan that there are children who won't get gifts for their birthdays or Christmas from their parents because of their parents losing their jobs, being raised by a widowed parent or a single parent who can barely make ends meet, losing their home to fires and natural disasters, or their parents can't work because of their children or themselves becoming sick or recovering from an accident. So it's important to give back to others who are in need when they're struggling instead of focusing on spoiling children and yourself with toys and clothes."
"Then why get Bridget an iPad while you guys are leaving for a big vacation in Florida this evening?" asked Garcia.
"The only reason why Bridget got an iPad for her birthday is because of her occupational therapist suggesting that we get her one to use as a communications device when she has a meltdown and can't use sign language with someone who doesn't know sign language. The big vacation that Spence, Diana, Bridget, Evan, Lucy, Anthony, and I are leaving for this evening is a reward to Diana, Bridget, and Evan for being such a great help around the house after Spence got shot when I was pregnant with Ariel and Caden. Diana, Bridget, and Evan already know that Spence and I will be giving them each a limit on how much we'll pay for on souvenirs at SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World when they run out of spending money that they brought from their piggy banks."
Morgan looked his wife, "I agree with the rest of our teammates and Clarissa about you needing to learn how to control your spending habits on our kids, the children of our colleagues, and the clothes and shoes you buy for yourself. I hate to admit this, but if you don't start controlling yourself on your spending habits I will be filing for divorce and most likely demand for sole custody on Hank and Barbara."
Tears started to fall down Garcia's face, "Why?" asked Garcia.
"Your spending habits are affecting the budget I made for buying materials I need to help me restore the properties I buy and rent out," said Morgan before sighing, "When my dad died, my mom struggled to make ends meet by only using one paycheck to pay for food and clothes for Sarah, Desiree, and me while my mom couldn't get me everything I asked for. If I end up getting killed in the field, you'll be having to raise Hank and Barbara on one paycheck, so you need to think about what you want to spend your money on just in case anything happens."
"I'll start controlling myself," said Garcia.
Morgan looked at Spencer and Clarissa, "I'm sorry to say this, but I'm going to leave my goddaughter's birthday party and go work on one of my properties to help me not lose my temper around 20 children or babies."
"It's OK, man," said Spencer.
"I'm not upset about you needing to leave, Derek," said Clarissa.
A few seconds later Morgan was saying goodbye to Hank, Barbara, and apologized to Bridget about having to leave her early birthday party early before catching a cab to one of the properties he was currently restoring.
After Bridget's birthday party was over, Garcia walked over to them, "I'm sorry if I ruined Bridget's birthday party."
"I just hope that you take the new rules we you gave you seriously," said Clarissa before reached into her wallet and pulled out a business card and passed it to Garcia, "My best friend from high school is an accountant and she'll be able to help set you up a budget to help you manage how much you can spend on clothes and toys for children."
"Thank you," said Garcia.
A few hours later Spencer was in the driver's seat and Clarissa was in the front passenger seat as he looked at his three oldest pajama-clad children who were sitting in the backseat with Lucy and Anthony, "Since its currently 7 PM and Anthony and I will take turns driving through the night, your mother and I decided that we'll stop in Daytona Beach to move around at the beach."
Bridget thought about her favorite book that she always have to read at bedtime is "Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again" by Craig Hatkoff, "Will there be time to see Winter the Dolphin too?" asked Bridget.
"That's why we're leaving now and driving through the night so we can get at least three hours at the beach in Daytona before we go to our hotel in Orlando to clean up. After we clean up, we'll be going to Clearwater, Florida for a few hours since we have tickets to go to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium," said Clarissa.
"Yay!" cheered Diana, Bridget, and Evan.
A minute later Spencer was pulling out of the driveway and taking the road that would lead him on the highway that led them to Daytona Beach, Florida.
Later on the next morning Diana, Bridget, and Evan smiled as they saw the beach in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Diana who was wearing a one-piece purple swimsuit and a life jacket grinned when she saw the Atlantic Ocean, "Its hard to say if I like the Atlantic Ocean better in Virginia and Maryland or here."
Bridget who was wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit and a life jacket nodded, "Me too."
Evan who was wearing Thomas the Train swim trunks and a life jacket nodded, "Me three."
Clarissa who was wearing a purple bikini held up her camera, "Let's get a picture of you three taken on the shore before you guys can play in the water with daddy and me or build sandcastles and collect seashells and find Patrick the Starfish and his family with Lucy and Anthony."
A shirtless Spencer who was wearing purple swim trunks that covered up his gunshot wound looked at his kids, "In an hour we'll be reapplying your sunblock too."
"OK," said Diana, Bridget, and Evan in unison.
Lucy who was wearing a one-piece swimsuit with a swim-suit cover looked at Spencer and Clarissa, "Why don't I take a picture of all five of you so we can start on having fun."
A minute later Spencer and Clarissa were standing behind Diana, Bridget, and Evan in ankle-deep water as Lucy took a picture of them before Spencer and Clarissa started to play in the water with Diana and Evan while Lucy and Anthony built a sandcastle with Bridget.
An hour later Spencer was at the concessions stand getting him, Clarissa, the kids, Lucy, and Anthony some water and hotdogs for lunch when a younger woman in a pink bikini walked over to him.
"I'm Brittney and I never saw you at this beach before. Why don't I show you around before you rub tanning oil on me," said Brittney as she admired the six-pack and muscular arms and shoulders that the man in front of her sported.
Spencer looked at the woman who looked too tanned that caused him to think about the risk of skin cancer and bottle blonde hair inwardly shook his head, "I'm Spencer and I've been happily married for seven years, eight months, and two days while I have five kids under the age of seven," said Spencer as he held up his left hand to show off his wedding band.
At that moment Clarissa walked over with Diana, "Need some help, Spence?" asked Clarissa.
"Yes, please," said Spencer.
Diana gave the woman a sweet smile, "Instead of trying to waste your time flirting with my daddy, you should think about getting help for spending too much time tanning in the sun or tanning beds. Did you know that melanoma is a very common cancer that women in their teens and 20s have to battle because of wanting to get the perfect tan instead of taking care of their body by applying sunblock and reapplying it every 90 minutes?" asked Diana.
Spencer and Clarissa held back their laughter at the look on Brittney's face while Clarissa looked at Brittney, "I'm a pediatric nurse who have administrated chemotherapy drugs to teenage girls who developed melanoma after spending so much in tanning beds. So you should think about getting help on your tanning problem while you think about letting your hair stay its natural color instead of bleaching your hair."
Brittney huffed as she walked away while Spencer and Clarissa burst out laughing as they collected the food and drinks that Spencer ordered.
Later on that afternoon the Reids, Lucy, and Anthony were at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium when Bridget's eyes went wide as she looked at the sea wildlife that were swimming in the tank, "This is awesome," said Bridget.
Spencer nodded, "It is since this is a rehabilitation place for dolphins, sharks, turtles, and a few other animals to get medical care before they're released back to the ocean."
Diana's eyes went wide when she saw Winter the Dolphin swimming without her prosthetic tail on, "There's Winter."
A minute later Diana, Bridget, and Evan had their hands and noses pressed against the glass when Diana looked at her parents, "We should get Caden on Skype so he can see Winter."
Clarissa smiled as she pulled out her iPad and connected Maeve who was staying with Ariel, Caden, and her grandparents-in-law on Skype.
"Is everything going OK?" asked Maeve.
"We're at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Diana wants Caden to see Winter the Dolphin," said Clarissa.
"You're lucky that he's awake, so I'll put him on," said Maeve.
A minute later Caden grinned when he saw his parents on Maeve's phone, "Mama. Dada."
"Hello, Caden. Daddy, Diana, Bridget, Evan, Lucy, Anthony, and I all miss you and Ariel right now," said Clarissa.
Spencer grinned at his youngest son, "Mommy and daddy have something to show you, chipmunk."
A few seconds later Caden's eyes went wide when he saw a dolphin without a tail swimming causing him to point at the missing tail and babbled.
Winter let out a few tweets as she saw a baby without a leg looking at her on a phone.
"Winter sees your missing leg, Caden," said Diana.
Caden grinned, babbled, and laughed as drool fell down his cheeks.
"In a few years, daddy and I will make sure to bring you here to meet Winter, Caden," said Clarissa.
"I'll let you guys get back to your vacation. Ariel and Caden will be fine with Stephan, grandma Lydia, grandpa Evan, and me," said Maeve.
After saying goodbyes, Clarissa disconnected from the Skype call when one of the employees walked over to them.
"Are you guys enjoying Winter?" asked the employee.
Bridget nodded, "My baby brother Caden got a leg amputated on May 28th."
"When Caden turns a year old, he'll be getting a prosthetic leg," said Clarissa as she showed the female employee a picture of Ariel and Caden, "Ariel and Caden just turned eight-months-old and we left them at home since there's not too much for Ariel and Caden to do while Caden has physical therapy."
"If Winter can swim with her prosthetic tail, your youngest son will thrive with a prosthetic leg," said the employee.
"We hope so too since my wife and I both dealt with injuries that took us a few months to walk unassisted before we met and last year," said Spencer.
"How old are you three kids?" asked the employee.
Diana grinned, "My name is Diana and I'm six-years-old."
"I Evan. I two," said Evan.
"I'm Bridget and I turn three on Saturday," said Bridget.
"Well happy early birthday then," said the employee before smiling at Bridget, "If your parents take you to the gift shop, tell the cashier that Hillary said that you get a free stuffed animal because of your birthday being on Saturday."
Bridget smiled, "Thank you, ma'am."
"Hopefully your little brother can come down here in a few years to meet Winter," said Hillary.
Diana grinned, "Mommy and daddy already promised Caden that he'll meet Winter when we Skyped with him so he could see Winter before you joined us."
A few hours later Spencer and Clarissa were tucking Diana, Bridget, and Evan who were all fast asleep from their exhausting day into the two beds of the two-bedroom hotel suite that would be their home for the next week before they went to bed themselves.
A/N: Part two of the Reid family's Florida vacation will be posted after Christmas. I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Aside from spending a maximum of $18 on my 14-month-old step-niece's Christmas gift, I gone to the beach a lot as a child since my hometown is along Lake Michigan and my family would take a lot of pictures.