Hey! Sorry for the delay on this chapter. I lost my motivation for a couple of days, but I'm back. I have decided that after this chapter there will be only two more. To Trying to Help: Thanks for your review. I went back and read the previous chapter again and you were right about a lot of what you said. I went back and fixed most of what you mentioned. A couple of things I wrote the way they were written on purpose. Such as the waterproof khakis. I called them that because I couldn't figure out what else to call them. Khaki is the color, not the style. The souvenir shopping is something that is just fun for me personally to research and write about. When I go on vacation, especially to an exotic place, I bring back souvenirs for people. Especially my students. Thanks again for your help. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter. Please read AND review. Thanks!
When Reid and Max arrived at the airport in DC, they were met by Michelle and Sammy.
"Aunt Max! Uncle Spencer!" The little boy called out throwing himself at the newly-weds.
"Hey, Sammy! How are you, buddy?" Reid greeted his newly acquired nephew.
"Great! Did you have fun in Greece?" was the excited reply.
"We did. And we brought you back a present."
Sammy's eyes lit up even more as he exclaimed, "Really? Where is it?!"
The grownups laughed and Michelle admonished gently, "Honey, they just got back. Give them time to get their bags and get settled in."
"It's ok. But Sammy, you will have to wait. Your present, along with everyone else's, is in our luggage. We'll bring it to you tomorrow." Reid explained.
Sammy reluctantly accepted that answer, and the group headed to the baggage claim to pick up the luggage before heading back to Reid's apartment. Reid and Max were going to find a new apartment eventually, but until they did, they would be staying at Reid's place.
"Michelle, we may need to stop by my place first. I may need some things that I don't have in my luggage."
"But Aunt Max, we..." Sammy began, but was silenced by a look from his mom who then replied, "I bet you have enough for one night. You guys are probably tired. You should go tomorrow when you can have time to go through everything."
"But we need to get a mattress to use until we can get the bed set up." Max pointed out.
"I thought you might need one. I have ours in the trunk." Michelle informed her sister.
"Thanks. We appreciate that." Reid responded.
When they arrived at the apartment building, Reid and Max were surprised to find several familiar cars in front of the building.
"What's dad doing here?" asked Max in confusion.
"And why is JJ here? And Emily and Penelope?" Reid added.
Michelle just smiled as Sammy tried to hide a giggle. Michelle and Sammy helped the couple carry their bags up. Reid unlocked the door and opened it to discover that it wasn't empty.
"Welcome back, you guys!" Max's dad said as he hugged his daughter and son in-law.
"Did you guys have a good time?" Rossi added.
"We did. What are you all doing here?"
"Well, we knew you guys would be exhausted when you returned, so we got the place ready for you."
"Come see your room!" Sammy blurted out unable to contain himself any longer.
He pulled Reid and Max by the hand and led them to the bedroom.
Henry and Michael were in there trying to straighten up the bedding.
"Uncle Spence, we made your bed for you!" Michael excitedly told his godfather.
"I see that. You guys did a great job." Reid assured the boys with a smile. JJ and Emily had found the bed linens the couple had been given and Will and Simmons had set up the bed. The room was all ready.
"There's food in the fridge. Enough to last a few days." Garcia stated.
"Penelope, you guys, you didn't have to do this." Max uttered.
Emily smiled and squeezed the other woman's shoulder. "We wanted to. We're family. We did this because we care."
"Thanks guys. This is great." was Reid's response.
"We'll get out of your way, now. Glad you guys are back safely." JJ spoke up.
Reid pulled her into a big hug before he and Max hugged each of the others in turn.
"Thanks for everything, guys." Max said to them all.
Max's dad hugged her and Reid and told them, "I love you two. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Thanks dad. Bye." Max responded. One by one, everyone left, and Max and Reid were once again alone. They flopped down on the sofa and enjoyed the peace.
The next day, they mailed and delivered the souvenirs. Everyone absolutely loved what they had been given. Sammy, as they'd expected, insisted on a backgammon match with Reid immediately.
A few days later, Reid got a video of Hank on his phone from Morgan.
"Hi, Uncle Spencer! Thank you for my donkey!" the small boy shouted.
Morgan then came on and said," Thanks for the presents, you two. They were a big hit with the entire Morgan family. Pretty Boy, call me when you have a moment so we can really catch up. Love ya, man."
"Love you, Uncle Spencer!" Hank broke in.
"That is the cutest thing ever!" Max exclaimed when Reid showed her the video.
"I think you may be right." Reid agreed.
Over the next few weeks, Reid and Max looked at several townhouses and condos with the help of Donna Nichols, a local real estate agent.
"This particular location has three bedrooms and four baths. It even has a den with a fire place. The neighborhood is very nice and it's one of the safest neighborhoods in the area." the couple was informed. Reid and Max looked at several more locations but ultimately decided on the three bedroom four bath townhouse in Woodbridge Virginia.
As soon as the sale was complete, the team and Max's family were on hand to help the couple move in. They found some nice second-hand furniture to furnish their home and Garcia insisted on throwing them a housewarming party as well. Reid insisted on disinfecting everything,of course, but It didn't take long at all for the house to feel like a home.
A few months later, Max started feeling sick. She thought she had a bug but couldn't seem to shake it.
Finally, Reid insisted, "Sweetie, you really should go see a doctor. This isn't normal."
"Ok. I'll set up an appointment." Max agreed.
A couple of days later, she found herself sitting on an exam table with her husband holding her hand. They were waiting on the results for some tests the doctor had just run.
When the doctor returned, his expression was unreadable.
"What's going on, Dr. Stuart?" Reid demanded.
"Is it serious?" Max added anxiously.
"Well, I did find something." Dr. Stuart began.
Reid and Max gripped each other's hands tighter and waited with bated breath, praying that nothing was seriously wrong.
Well, what could be wrong with Max? Is it treatable? Is it deadly? Tune in on Sunday to find out. Thanks for reading! Catch ya later!