Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
A/N: Shout out to criminalmindsrocks, Daisyangel, fishtrek, and Victorie96 for reviewing chapter 21.
All I can say is that writer's block and catching a cold sucks.
This chapter starts right after the ending of the last chapter and John from Elephant's Memory appears since I decided that I would have Spencer attend Beltway Clean Cops as soon as he returned to Washington D.C. after Revelations as a way to help him deal with the cravings for Dilaudid.
When it comes to In Name and Blood being referenced, I liked this episode since the team was in my home state. I've been to Milwaukee a few times when it came to the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Public Zoo while my family, classmates, and I drove through the city during for various vacations or class trip to Washington D.C.
Spencer looked at his wife in shock, "You're wanting to quit the job you worked so hard to get?" asked Spencer.
Emily nodded, "The Wicked Witch of the West's goal of using me as her political pawn is affecting Serilda's, Kalina's, Xander's, and my health by questioning me about Hotch's actions in the field."
Spencer took hold of his wife's hand, "You need to tell Hotch or your mother about Strauss's actions before Dr. McGuire forces you to spend the rest of your pregnancy on bed rest."
"I know, but can you please not say anything to the rest of the team about Strauss is making me do? Morgan, JJ, and Garcia all gave me the shovel talk when we revealed to them that we were dating and I'm afraid that they'll hate me when they learn the real reason why Strauss hired me," said Emily.
"I promise not to say anything," said Spencer.
The next evening Spencer was fixing himself some coffee at a Beltway Clean Cops meeting when Assistant Director John Benson approached him.
"Nervous about your upcoming parenthood with triplets?" asked John.
"I'm nervous, but I'm excited too since fostering Declan has been giving me great experience on parenting," said Spencer.
John looked into Spencer's eyes, "You looked stressed about something, Spencer."
Spencer sighed, "Had a bad case in Arizona yesterday. My boss got suspended because of Derek and I not being able to save the unsub or copycat from their deaths while my wife wants to resign because of Erin."
"Let's go for a walk and you can tell me everything that happened from your point of view," said John.
A few minutes later Spencer and John were walking in a nearby park while Spencer told John about what Strauss was doing to his wife and Hotch while John recorded everything he was saying with the tape recorder he asked to borrow from one of the police officers at the meeting.
When Spencer was finished explaining everything that his wife told him, an upset John turned off the borrowed tape recorder and looked at Spencer, "Thank you for telling me, Spencer. Strauss has no right hiring your wife to be her spy or to suspend Agent Hotchner over events that you and your teammates weren't aware of until the last minute."
"What should I do to help Emily?" asked Spencer.
"Keep on being there for her and follow your wife's plans. When it comes to yourself, I need you to stay below the radar and not repeat this conversation to anyone so Strauss doesn't know that I'm onto her about her mismanagement of the B.A.U.," said John.
"I promise," said Spencer.
"Now go home to your wife, foster son, and mother-in-law and maybe you should consider taking the next two weeks to take Emily and Declan to visit your parents before Emily can't handle flying commercially anymore," said John.
"I'm going home now and I'll see about taking my wife and Declan on a trip to see my mom," said Spencer before walking away.
A minute later John was pulling out his phone as he called a few people to report Strauss for mismanagement and needing someone to bug Chief Strauss's office for the next two weeks while needing an Internal Affairs hacker to go through Strauss's computer.
An hour later Spencer entered Declan's bedroom and smiled at the sight of his foster son sleeping before he leaned down and kissed Declan's forehead, "Dad loves you," whispered Spencer.
Declan opened his eyes, "Love you too, daddy."
Spencer looked at the book on Declan's nightstand, "Do you want me to continue reading "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" to you?" asked Spencer.
"Yes, please," said Declan.
A half-hour later Spencer entered his and Emily's bedroom and smiled as he watched his wife sleep. After taking a quick shower, he joined Emily in bed.
"How was the meeting?" asked Emily.
"How long were you awake?" asked Spencer.
"Five minutes," said Emily.
"It helped after yesterday's events," said Spencer before looking into his wife's brown eyes, "Since we're on stand-down for the next two weeks, what do you think about us taking advantage of Declan's half-day at school on Friday and fly to Vegas for the weekend?" asked Spencer.
Emily rubbed her 16-week baby bump, "Dr. McGuire did recommend that we find time to take a commercial flight to visit your parents before I reach 18-weeks."
"So you're up to going to Vegas?" asked Spencer.
Emily nodded, "I am."
A few days later Spencer, Emily, and Declan headed to the baggage claim and Declan grinned when he saw William.
"Grandpa!" exclaimed Declan as he ran to his soon to be adopted grandfather.
William hugged his soon to be adopted grandson, "How's first grade going, Declan?" asked William.
Declan grinned, "I love the first grade."
Spencer and Emily approached William.
"Hi, dad," said Spencer.
"I'm glad that you three have some time to come here for a weekend," said William.
"Me too," said Spencer.
Emily rubbed her 16-week baby bump, "Pretty soon I won't be comfortable during commercial flights."
William rested a hand on his daughter-in-law's baby bump, "How are you feeling?" asked William.
"I feel like that I'm seven-months pregnant, but I'm grateful that I'll only have to deal with one pregnancy and be done," said Emily.
A half-hour later Spencer, Emily, Declan, and William entered Diana's room at Bennington Sanitarium and Diana grinned when she saw her son, daughter-in-law, and soon to be adopted grandson.
"I'm glad that the government is letting you three come out here one weekend a month to see me," said Diana.
Emily smiled, "Pretty soon I won't be able to fly on commercial flights."
Diana looked at her daughter-in-law's baby bump, "You are looking more beautiful every time I see you, Emily."
"Thank you," said Emily.
"How are the triplets doing?" asked Diana.
Emily smiled, "They're developing right on schedule and Spencer is taking great care of me and getting me everything the babies and I are craving."
"Good," said Diana before giving her son a wistful smile, "If it wasn't for your father and me both being scared when I went off my medication when I was pregnant with you so you could be born healthy, I would have given you at least one or two more siblings. After I held you for the first time, I knew that I couldn't mess with perfection."
Emily smiled, "My mom thought about giving me a sibling once, but it was hard for her to raise me while traveling all over the world."
"I can imagine that, but I'm grateful that I'm getting four grandchildren from you two," said Diana.
Spencer looked at his mother, "Since it's time for dinner, what do you think about joining dad, Emily, Declan, and me on a trip to Binions?" asked Spencer.
Diana smiled, "Wonderful idea," said Diana before looking at her daughter-in-law, "Please help me find something to wear."
"OK," said Emily.
A minute later Emily was helping Diana pick out a dress to wear and 20 minutes later Spencer, Emily, Declan, Diana, and William were heading to Binions in William's car.
The next day Spencer was having alone time with his mother when Diana looked at her son, "With your birthday happening in less than 20 days, I want to tell you about your father's and my birthday gift to you today," said Diana.
"What are you and dad giving me?" asked Spencer.
"The gift of living closer to you, Emily, and my grandchildren," said Diana as she got up and walked to her desk and pulled out a pamphlet for a new sanitarium in Alexandria, Virginia that William learned about when he went to visit Spencer, Emily, and Declan a month ago, "After Serilda, Kalina, and Xander are born, it's going to be hard for you and Emily to bring Declan, Serilda, Kalina, and Xander out here to visit your father and me. So your father and I decided that we'll be moving to Alexandria, Virginia so we're closer to you and your grandchildren."
"Are you sure about committing yourself to another hospital after I committed you against your will the first time?" asked Spencer.
"I want to do this," said Diana.
Spencer hugged his mother, "You choosing to move to Virginia is the best birthday present you're giving me, mom."
Two days later Ambassador Prentiss looked at her daughter, son-in-law, and Declan as they ate dinner, "How was your time in Las Vegas yesterday?" asked Ambassador Prentiss.
"My mom was lucid the entire time," said Spencer.
"That's great," said Ambassador Prentiss.
Spencer smiled, "Mom's doctor believes that becoming a grandmother was what my mother needed to cooperate taking her medication and stay lucid."
"Did your mother also tell you the surprise they have for you?" asked Ambassador Prentiss.
"You knew that they are moving out here before my birthday?" asked Spencer.
Ambassador Prentiss nodded, "I told your father that he can pick one of the two remaining bedrooms to move into instead of spending a lot of money renting an apartment or buying a house. He accepted my offer because he wants to help take care of Serilda, Kalina, and Xander after they're born."
Emily looked at her husband, "At least between my mother, your father, and Louise there will be plenty of help taking care of Serilda, Kalina, and Xander when we're both back at work."
"I know," said Spencer.
Two weeks later Spencer was sitting in Gideon's office looking at the chessboard that he set up when Emily entered, "Gideon hasn't shown up yet?" asked Emily.
Spencer shook his head, "No."
Emily looked at the clock and noticed that it was 7:30 PM, "I already agreed to stay here longer so I could work on my backlog of paperwork and you can play a game of chess with Gideon, but we both promised Declan that we'll be home to tuck him."
Spencer sighed, "Why don't you head home and I'll stay here."
Emily shook her head, "Dr. McGuire doesn't want me to drive anymore and I'm not leaving here unless you leave with me. You should be lucky that I can't shoot you with my gun right now since Hotch took away my gun so I couldn't shoot anyone while I'm hormonal and angry."
Spencer sighed, "Can you call Gideon while I'm driving?" asked Spencer.
"I can do that," said Emily.
A few minutes later Spencer was driving Emily and himself home while an angry Emily called Gideon about missing out on the chess game that he promised Spencer.
The next morning Spencer and Emily were getting dressed for work when Spencer looked at his wife who was going to give her resignation to Strauss that morning, "Are you sure that you want to still leave the B.A.U.?" asked Spencer.
Emily nodded as she rubbed her 18-week baby bump, "I'm sure because I want to focus on Declan more before Serilda, Kalina, and Xander arrive in January or February."
"What should I tell the team if we get a case?" asked Spencer.
"Tell them that I'm staying behind because of a parent-teacher conference at Declan's school at lunchtime," said Emily.
"OK, but I'm not happy about having to lie to my teammates," said Spencer.
"I'm not happy either, but I'll make it up to you when we celebrate your birthday next week Tuesday," said Emily.
"As long as we do something special for your birthday next week Friday too," said Spencer.
Three hours later at the Reid-Prentiss mansion, Elizabeth looked at her daughter, "Why aren't you heading to Milwaukee with Spencer right now?" asked Elizabeth.
Emily sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "I'm tired of Chief Strauss using me as her pawn to help her get rid of Hotch so I decided to quit and become a stay at home mom."
Ambassador Prentiss's eyes widened in shock before she spoke firmly, "Please explain everything."
Emily quickly recounted the conversations she had with Chief Strauss since her engagement.
When she was finished Elizabeth looked at her daughter, "Have you told Spencer and Aaron about what Chief Strauss is making you do?" asked Ambassador Prentiss.
"I told Spencer, but I haven't told Hotch since he never approved my transfer," said Emily.
"I know that you're too loyal to do anything that would break your team apart, but I could have dealt with Erin if you told me everything when you came over for Mother's Day brunch," said Ambassador Prentiss.
Emily sighed, "I thought that you supported her."
"I won't support anyone who's wanting to hurt you and my son-in-law by trying to get rid of a man I trust yours and my son-in-law's life with," said Ambassador Prentiss as she whipped out her phone and called the Director.
Emily was sitting up in bed while resting her feet on a pillow when her mother's voice sounded through an intercom.
"Can you please come downstairs, Emily?" asked Ambassador Prentiss.
A few minutes later Emily climbed down the stairs to find Hotch, "What are you doing here?" asked Emily.
"Morgan told me that your husband is struggling without yours, Gideon's, and my presence and I know that Chief Strauss wanted you to get dirt on me," said Hotch.
After Hotch and Emily were done talking, Hotch looked at Emily, "The Director arranged a private jet to take us to Milwaukee, so are you going to join me in Milwaukee to help put your husband at ease?" asked Hotch.
Ambassador Prentiss looked at her daughter, "As much as I enjoy having you home with me, I'm tired of you moping over not doing what you love."
Emily smiled, "I'll join you."
After the case was over, Spencer and Emily exited the elevator with their teammates and Chief Strauss when their eyes went wide when they saw Director Jack Fickler standing in the bullpen.
"What are you doing here?" asked Chief Strauss.
"Chief Strauss, Detective Wolynski filed a complaint against you for your behavior towards him and your agents while you've been under investigation for the past two weeks when I heard about what you've been trying to do to Agent Hotchner and Agent Prentiss. I'm sorry to say that you're fired while you and your family will be relocated so you can't bother Agents Hotchner and Prentiss anymore," said Director Fickler as he motioned for two security guards to join them, "Please escort Miss Erin Strauss out of the building."
After security guards escorted Strauss away, Director Fickler looked at Emily, "I hope that the stress that Strauss put on you hasn't done any harm to you and yours and Dr. Reid's unborn triplets."
"Serilda, Kalina, Xander, and I are all doing fine," said Emily.
Director Fickler looked at Hotch, "I'm sorry about what happened while I assure you that you still have your job in the B.A.U."
Hotch looked at Director Fickler, "Who's going to take over for Strauss?" asked Hotch.
"Me," said Gideon.
Spencer, Emily, Hotch, JJ, Morgan, and Garcia turned their heads to find Gideon standing in his office.
"Where were you?" asked Spencer.
"Two weeks ago, I was at my cabin preparing to travel all over the country when A.D. Benson called me and told me that we needed a new section chief fast and I was eligible for the promotion," said Gideon.
"You were just going to run away just like my dad did?" asked Spencer.
Gideon pointed at Emily's 18-week baby bump, "Finding out that you and Emily are expecting triplets made me realize that I couldn't abandon you since you became a second son to me. Even though your father is stepping up as a grandfather, I'm hoping that you'll let me also be a grandfather to your children."
"Emily and I already agreed that you would be the kids adopted maternal grandfather," said Spencer.
A few minutes later Spencer and Emily were leaving the B.A.U. after Director Fickler told the entire team that paperwork could wait.
Over an hour later Spencer and Emily were eating a late dinner with Declan who was eating a bedtime snack before they tucked Declan in together.
A/N: JJ was the one to knock on John and David Smiths' door instead of JJ because of an 18-week pregnant Emily being grounded at the police station while Spencer, Hotch, JJ, and Morgan accompanied Detective Wolynski to arrest David Smith.