Hi. I'll leave this here.

Chapter Fifty-Eight:

Bruce and Iris were leaving the same weekend. Bruce was going to Disney World with his family. Iris was settling in an apartment shared by other women from abusive situations.

Two other people were leaving on Friday, so a big party was being held on Thursday. Iris dragged Reid onto the dancefloor a couple of times. Juno dropped by also.

"A toast to Dr. Spencer Reid!" Bruce cheered. "I want to hear a detailed analysis of World War Z when I come back to visit!"

Reid nodded.

Iris stood up and someone hit music.

"I've heard it said/That people come into our lives for a reason/Bringing something we must learn/And we are led/To those who help us most to grow/If we let them/And we help them in return…"

Reid stood up at the end and hugged her.

"How am I going to do this without you?" she asked tearfully.

"I believe in you, Iris," he said. "Take care."

"I'll see you on Monday for coffee," she said.

"Promise."

Reid let go and smiled. Iris had grown so much over the year. He was extremely proud of her.

…

They arranged for him to visit Nadia's son at the Birch-Fitch school on the weekend to take his mind off the exit of his friends.

The van dropped him off early so he waited in the lobby.

"Dr. Reid?"

Reid looked up and saw Dr. Ernest Benton approaching him. He had done a couple of lectures with the sixty-year-old child psychologist.

"Dr. Benton," he said. "What can I do for you?"

"I understand you're in the process of developing a new school."

"Nothing is official. I'm just trying to get some ideas and funding together. How did you find out?"

"I'm helping reshape the care plan for a mutual friend of ours," he said carefully.

Reid understood: Nadia.

"Dr. Reid, Birch-Fitch has an enormous waiting list. There aren't enough resources for the neurodivergent population. I have a network of people who'd like to help you, including me. I'm ready to retire and I need something to do."

"Can I think about it?"

Benton handed him a flash drive. "Here is everything you'd want to know about the resources I can offer."

"Thank you," Reid said.

Nadia appeared. "Sorry, I'm late. I seriously need to get a car."

"Isn't your new firm offering you one?"

Benton waved as he left.

…

They sat in the common room. Nadia looked nervous, while Reid was prepared to accept whatever reaction came.

Colin Dells had blond spiky hair. He had a Donald Duck shirt on and a Lego watch.

"Huey, Dewy, or Louie?" Colin asked.

"Dewy," Reid said.

"Louie!" Colin said.

"Webby," Nadia said.

"Woodchuck scout rule number two!" Colin said.

"All Junior Woodchucks must be open to the unknown in their quest for the truth," Reid said.

Colin looked at Reid with wide-eyed wonder. He rushed forward and hugged Reid's legs. Nadia gave him the thumbs-up.

Reid was careful not to hug him.

"Della's lullaby!"

Nadia began to sing. Her voice was small and sweet.

Colin took Reid's hand.

"To infinity and beyond!"

He had been on a Toy Story kick. This would be the fourth time Nadia had seen it in a month. She smiled gamely as they sat down. Colin plopped himself in Reid's lap.

"Can you be my dad?"

Reid had no idea what answer would set him off.

"Ask me the next time I come."

Colin turned his attention to the movie. Nadia was blushing.

…

They went into town for a late lunch afterward. They found themselves in a classic fifties-style dinner. After placing their orders, they stared at each other.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Nadia said.

"I'm moving in with Rossi in two months and I'm scared," he said. "I'm scared of getting hurt in the outside world. I'm scared I'm being too ambitious with this school. Of disappointing people."

"You could never disappoint me, Spencer."

"What if today with Colin was just a fluke? What if I break down in public?"

Nadia started to say something when both their phones beeped. It was a headline: The president had been shot during a funeral at the National Cathedral. The city was being locked down as suspects were being hunted.

"May you live in interesting times," Nadia said with a sigh.

"It's not a Chinese curse," Reid said as he answered a text telling him to shelter in the town.

"But it is the name of a great Terry Pratchet book."

Their waiter came with food.

"What hotels are open right now?" Reid asked.

"The Red Ridge Inn just opened up," she said. "A lot of people are trapped now."

Reid turned to Nadia. "I'll split it with you."

Nadia smiled uneasily.

"We don't have to do anything," he said once the waiter left.

"What if I want to?" she asked as she put her hand forward.

"That works too."

…

The Red Ridge Inn was a dated facility. It was floor-to-ceiling floral prints. The elderly couple didn't question the fact they had different last names. The husband did wink at Reid as they went upstairs.

"I see why this place only has half a star," Nadia said as looked at the daisy print bedspread and green vine-covered walls. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"I've survived worse with worse company."

Nadia took her shoes off and sat on the bed. Reid went to the other side.

"I'm not ready," she said suddenly. "I'm sorry. I thought I was but I'm not."

"Neither am I."

Reid took off his shoes and laid on the bed. Nadia moved towards him. Their shoulders touched. They held hands. Their foreheads touched. This was all they wanted. All they needed for now.