A/N: Hello again, everyone!
A shout-out to Quilter1993, fishtrek, and LilMixer.
I hope you all had a good holiday season!
First chapter post of 2022.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
My apologies if I made any mistakes but enjoy the chapter!
"Aw, these are so adorable!" Élise prattled at the photographs she and Reid got from Luna. Gasping, "Oh, look at this one."
It was a photograph of Isaac surrounded by fallen leaves and fall flowers and resting his head on a giant pumpkin.
Élise squatted to a cooing Isaac's size in the baby stroller and showed him his photo. "Aw, you look so adorable. Like a little model."
Isaac squealed in response.
"Aw, he's so adorable!" Luna prattled.
Isaac squealed again and began to smile.
Élise stared into her favorite Goyard luggage on the bed, making sure she had everything for the Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas.
She went over her list on her phone. She mumbled that she had her clothes, accessories, toiletries, and anything extra that she might need.
After that was done, Élise closed her luggage and placed it against the wall. All of a sudden, she clutched her stomach, already feeling his nausea feeling. She walked into her closet and stumbled upon her shoe boxes. Kneeling down, Élise took a look inside some to see if she could donate them before she came across a small unfamiliar box. Élise peeked inside and jumped before immediately closing it.
Holy s—, she said in her head; she didn't even want to finish that sentence since it's been so that…Élise was surprised to have kept it all these years.
"Élise!"
She heard Reid call out for her. Élise placed the box on top and was surrounded by a bunch of other boxes and stuff. Rising back up, she shook her head, slid her hair back, and walked out with grace and poise. Élise smiled when she saw Reid carrying Isaac, all clean from his bath, and Séraphine being followed by Opal.
"Hey, Ziggy-Zaggy," Élise gracefully coaxed him from Reid's arms and kissed his temple numerous times. "Did you have a good bath time?"
Isaac babbled as he played with the squeaky yellow rubber ducky in his mouth.
She gently bounced him. "You love that rubber ducky so much, huh?"
"I think they're another reason why he loves his rubber ducky," Reid said with a sly smile.
Élise tilted her head a bit, wondering what he meant before she took a closer look inside his mouth. Gasping, she pulled Reid closer and whispered, "His first tooth's coming in."
"Mm-hmm," Reid nodded.
Élise's eyes began tearing up, and she repeatedly kissed his forehead. "My little boy's growing up."
"Here you go, Fifi," Reid helped Séraphine make a pumpkin thumbprint, using orange and white construction paper and crayons. He had her place her thumb on the white paper and trace a circle around. After coloring her thumbprint orange and making a brown stem, Reid oversaw Séraphine to glue it over the orange paper. "Good girl."
Séraphine clapped. "Yay!"
"Hey, what's going on?" Élise wondered as she walked into the great room carrying Isaac, still teething to Sophie the Giraffe and babbling.
Reid explained, "Pumpkin crafting." He soon cut some more orange and white squares.
"May we join in?"
Séraphine babbled. "Yea!"
Élise sat down across from Reid and Séraphine and had Isaac propped up in a froggy position.
"Mmm…" Élise helped herself to a chocolate chip lactation cookie; she baked a dozen of them after allowing them to cool on the rack in the kitchen. She licked her lips and had another when Reid walked in, holding Séraphine's hand.
"Mommy!" Séraphine hugged her legs.
Élise stroked her head. "Hi, Fifi. Did you have a good playdate?"
"Yea!" Séraphine bounced before her big eyes spotted the cookies, pointing them out.
"Do you want one?" Élise asked; Séraphine nodded. "What do we say?"
Séraphine batted her eyes. "May I hav one, pleaze?"
"Good girl," Élise handed Séraphine one in a paper towel. "Here you go."
Séraphine replied, "Tank you."
Reid helped himself to one and chewed. "Delicious."
"Hey, Élise."
"Lovey," she replied. "Did you see the news?"
Reid looked at the screen in the bullpen before looking around to see the other agents and D.C. police officers the team will be working.
"Yeah, high schoolers in the D.C. area have gone missing in a bus hijacking," Élise shuddered. "Crazy scary. Thank God I lived a walking distance when I was in high school and stopped taking the school bus after middle school. Make sure you bring those kids home safe and sound."
Reid whispered, "Yeah. Love you."
"Love you, too."
After hanging up, Reid, along with JJ and Morgan, talked to some of the agents working with them about the mass abduction of the students and the adults riding the bus being possibly still being in the D.C. area before everyone headed to Central High to set up as their command center.
Élise was in chambers, still having her eyes googled to her phone about the mass high schooler abduction before calling Rose at her.
"Hello," Rose answered after the second ring.
Élise spoke up, "Hey, Rose."
"Élise. Did you see the news?" she asked.
Élise massaged her eyes. "Oh, God, yeah. But how are my darlings?".
"Mommy!" Séraphine came to the phone; Isaac was cooing and babbling.
"Hey, you two," said Élise. "Are you being good to Rose?"
Rose laughed. "Oh, they're a joy to be with."
Élise smiled. "In the meanwhile, Rose, can you help me pack up when I get home?"
"Absolutely."
On their way to Central High School, the team realized that the mass abduction might have been planned after the kids' cell phones were found far away and that other school buses had the same route, but this one particular bus was the target.
Some of the team made it to the high school in Fredericksburg, set up headquarters in different parts of the school, and talked to some of the parents.
Reid and Blake went back to the site where the bus stopped and noted the unsub must have used a ruse.
After finding the bus driver dead, Garcia sent coordinates to an abandoned barn.
They managed to the missing children, but only a fraction of them.
Meaning that the others are still missing.
After freeing them and getting them to relax about what happened, the kids told the team that there were two unsubs. They wore gas masks to conceal their identity, tied their hands with white zip-ties, and made Mr. Webster drive them to the location.
They lined the kids up, put collars around their necks, and picked ten certain ones before abandoning them and taking the others with them.
"Okay," Élise made sure the front door was locked before walking down the pathway and met up with Rose by their cars. "Security system, locked in." She tapped on the phone's app to verify the alarm. She walked to Chevy Suburban backseat windows, ensuring Séraphine and Isaac were secured in their seats and that their luggage was in the trunk.
Rose raised her hand and pointed to her car. "And I got Opal."
Élise ran up to Opal in the backseat window of her car. "Be a good girl for Rose, okay? We'll bring you back a treat or two."
Opal barked in response before licking Élise.
Élise laughed before rushing to the front seat. Strapping herself in as Marshal Johnson drove off, she got a text from Reid.
FOUND SOME OF THE STUDENTS; STILL SOME MISSING.
Élise leaned back in her seat and rested her hand on her face.
"Is it about the missing D.C. students?" Marshal Johnson knew.
Élise shook her head as an answer.
The team wondered why the unsubs would take ten students before Rossi suggested it's about Gods of Combat, a video game consisting of five players. Meaning that the unsubs might have gotten their choices from the kids' social media platforms.
The addition to the game led to their violent behavior and tendencies.
Reid was walking down the hallway with Detective Richards when Garcia approached them with millions of Gods of Combat players in D.C. who were kicked out for hacking and lost their gaming history, thus not just recreating the game.
Garcia found two players with the same IP address, and the relationship went deeper than they expected.
The unsubs are brothers.
Élise oozed at the pictures of baby clothes Maeve's mother's knitted for BJ and Charlotte. "Oh, Maeve. That's so cute." Her mouth dropped. "Ooh. I love the blue and white sweater. Ah. I love the pink and gray jumper."
"Ever since she's started knitting, she's been nonstop," Maeve chuckled. "You should see the living room. I mean, she knitted the rug, the pillow covers, blankets. She even knitted me a bag."
Élise pursed her lips out. "A knitted bag. The new fashion accessory of the year." Élise looked at her phone again; still no new developments about the missing high schoolers. "I swear, these kids…"
Maeve sighed. "I know. Makes me want to homeschool and tutor BJ and Charlotte, just to lock them away until the world's a safer place."
"Same here," Élise agreed. "But then, they would never get out."
"True," Maeve replied.
"Oh, man," Rossi was mentally drained from the case as he and the team stepped into the elevator. "At least we got one of the brothers, and the other one is dead."
Morgan exhaled. "Mm-hmm."
"Yeah, but what about the kids we saved?" JJ wondered how the children would be able to get past their harrowing experiences. "And that one girl who was forced to shoot one by the unsubs? No doubt she's going to be haunted by that for the rest of her life. And all because of a video game."
"You know, Frederick Douglass said, "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.""
Reid nodded. "It might be too late for the brothers, but the kids will be able to get past the experience. Which reminds me to talk to Élise about our children and video games."
The elevator doors opened, and everyone stepped out. "After I get everything I need, I'm going to be with Jack 24/7. And because it's Thanksgiving tomorrow, we don't work any case until Monday."
"I can deal with that," said Morgan as they strode into the bullpen. "I'll be visiting family in Chicago."
JJ raised her hand and agreed. "Same in Pennsylvania."
"Hey, everyone."
Élise was sitting at Reid's desk with their luggage and Séraphine and Isaac sleeping in the stroller. She placed her index finger on her lips, signaling everyone to whisper and/or stay quiet.
"Hey, wifey." Reid grinned when he saw Élise before he gave her a quick lip kiss. He waved to his sleeping children. "Hi, my little beans."
"Where are you guys headed for Thanksgiving weekend?" Rossi smirked.
Élise answered. "Las Vegas."
"Say 'hi' to Aunt Ethel for me," Morgan chuckled.
Reid got the luggage. "Ha-ha."
After Reid put away related to the case away, Marshal Johnson escorted Reid, Élise, and their sleeping children out of the FBI building and to Reagan Airport.
Arriving at the main terminal at McCarran International, Reid and Élise made their way to the baggage claim area and got the luggage.
"Spencer! Élise!"
Reid searched his head in the direction of who was calling them, and her mouth dropped and formed a smile. Waving back, "Dad!"
William Reid smiled as he approached the family. He was about to speak again, but he saw Séraphine and Isaac still asleep. Instead, he whispered, "How's everyone doing?"
"We're good," Élise hoped so since someone back in D.C. is sending her threatening notes. "Ready for the year to be over."
William warmly smiled. "I know what you mean."
Reid handed his father some of their luggage before exiting the airport in William's Toyota Prius hybrid for a good night's rest.
Reid stretched his back as he walked into the dining room. There, he saw his father serving breakfast and Élise feeding Isaac in his lap.
"Here you go, princess," William gave Séraphine a nice helping of pumpkin pancakes, maple turkey bacon, and blueberry French toast casserole.
"Tank yoo, Granpa!"
Reid caressed Séraphine's head before he kissed it. "Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, son," William gave his son his plate. "And Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving," Reid scrambled his plate a bit before he had a bite. "Mmm. Thanks, dad. It's delicious."
Séraphine agreed with a mouthful. "Yah!"
Isaac let out a squeal, kicked his little feet, and smiled.
"Oh, this is going to be a great Thanksgiving weekend!" Élise exclaimed before she ate one of her two bacon strips. "Mmm." Licking her mouth, "I got tickets to see Blue Man Group at the Monte Carlo and David Copperfield at the MGM this weekend."
William spoke up. "Ooh! How about Donny and Marie Osmond?"
"Maybe next time," said Élise. Looking at the time on her phone, she wondered, "Think Ethel has been up since the crack of dawn getting Thanksgiving dinner ready for her family?"
"Yup," Reid answered straightforwardly before looking at the menu William's preparing for Thanksgiving.
Roasted and Braised Turkey
Stuffing
Regular and Sweet Potato Purée
Roasted French-styled Vegetables and Harvest Salad
Buttermilk Biscuits
Mixed Berry Cobbler with Homemade Sugar-Free Ice Cream.
William offered to babysit Séraphine and Isaac while Reid and Élise volunteered at least two hours of their time to a local homeless shelter.
"Oh, thank you both for your time," the head of the shelter, Patrick Yates, said to the couple.
Élise wrote up a check and gave it to him. "Anytime, sir. And have a Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving."
"Dr. Norman!" Reid smiled when he and Élise saw Dr. Norman working with a receptionist behind the desk.
Dr. Norman excused himself and came from behind the desk with a file in his hands. "Spencer. Élise. It's been so long. How are the children?"
"They're getting bigger and more wonderful every day." Élise grinned to herself.
Reid asked as he stared at his mother, reading, "So, how's my mother these days?"
"Still has her on-and-off days, but most of the time, it's been good," replied Dr. Norman before a petite secretary came up to the doctor and gave him another file. "Excuse me."
Dr. Norman and the secretary left, leaving Reid and Élise to walk up to Diana and call out for her slowly.
"Mom…"
Hearing her son, Diana looked up from her book and smiled. "Spencer, baby!" She grinned and widened her eyes before rushing to hug him. "Mmm! I love it when you visit." She pulled away and hugged Élise next. "Ooh, Lise. You get more pretty every time I see you."
Élise blushed. "As do you, Mama D."
Diana chuckled. "Now, where are my gushing grandchildren?"
"They're with dad at his house," Reid explained. "We've decided to have Thanksgiving in his house and then maybe go to Aunt Ethel's house afterwards for a bit."
Diana exhaled. "Well, it's a good thing I showered and changed right away, huh?"
They spent at least ten-fifteen minutes chatting before everyone went back to William's house.
For the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon, Reid, Élise, Diana, and William took turns in the kitchen while caring with Séraphine and Isaac on toddler/baby duty.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Élise put on her amethyst-and-gold stud earrings and fluffed her hair a bit.
Reid walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a purple sweater, black pants with a leather belt, and slippers. He walked out of the bathroom with Séraphine, in a red and yellow dress, Mary Janes, and a ribbon bow in her hair.
Élise spun around, showing off her black long-sleeve blouse, high-waisted plaid pants, and slippers.
Séraphine complimented, "You look pretty, mama."
"As you do."
"Tank you, mama," Séraphine waddled over to hug Élise's legs. "Yoo too."
Élise smiled when she picked Isaac up from the carpet. "Aw, don't you look so handsome in your little outfit, Ziggy."
Isaac wore an orange and brown sweater, matching color socks and booties knitted by Ethel, and black chino pants, teething of a rubber turkey.
"I bet Aunt Ethel is going to call him a movie star," Reid wanted to mimic Ethel's voice but knew it wasn't a good idea.
Élise laughed. "Yeah, probably."
The two parents walked the children out of their room and to the dining room, where William, dressed in a sweater over a dress shirt, khakis, and slippers, finished setting up the table.
An orange tablecloth covered the solid-wood rectangular table, autumn-themed porcelain plates and chargers, polished silverware and glasses, a floral pumpkin centerpiece, and spread of food.
Diana walked in, clad in a black knee-length dress, beige woven cardigan sweater, and silver flats, and gasped. "Wow, William. This looks amazing."
"I read a little bit of Martha Stewart Living," said William as he escorted Élise and Séraphine to their seats.
William sat at the head of the table, following Élise and Isaac on her lap, Séraphine, Spencer, and Diana.
"Let's all say a little prayer before we say what we're thankful for."
Everyone joined hands, and William began the prayer.
"Lord, thank you for this meal in front of us. We thank you for bringing us here as a family on Thanksgiving. We thank you for the love and strength that grows every day for us. We can never thank you enough nor stop thanking you every day. Amen."
"Amen."
William folded his fingers. "So, who would like to say what they're grateful for first?"
Diana raised her hand. "I am. I'm thankful for being able to spend my Thanksgiving with you."
"I'm thankful for my family," said Reid. "And being able to spend every waking moment of my life with you."
"Fod an famly," Séraphine giggled.
Isaac babbled before he burped.
Everyone laughed.
Élise beamed. "I'm thankful to be alive and have my family and loved one."
William was last. "And I'm thankful for being here with everyone I love and who loves me."
Soon, everyone began and ate dinner while discussing their New Year resolutions.
After an hour-and-a-half, Reid and Élise dropped Diana back at Bennington. They decided to visit Ethel and Gordon's place for Thanksgiving.
The Bastien-Reid family knocked on the front door and waited for someone to answer.
Gordon answered, clad in a gray dress shirt, khakis, and slippers. "Hello, everyone!"
"Hey, Uncle Gordon," Reid cradled Isaac as Élise helped Séraphine step inside the house.
"Unca!" Séraphine cuddled his legs before he scooped her up.
"Hey, Séraphine," he hugged. "How is everyone?"
Reid replied, "We're good." he sniffed the air, smelling of warm butter and herbs. "How was Thanksgiving dinner?"
John walked out of the kitchen; in a crewneck, navy blue trousers, and oxfords, wiping his hands with a clean white towel. "Hey-hey, everyone!"
"Hello, John."
"John," a voice came from the kitchen. Ethel was in an olive-green midi-length dress and flats, smoothing her hair and a smile came on her face. "Hello, everyone!" With open arms, she strolled her way to the Bastien-Reid family.
"Antie!"
Ethel gently took Séraphine from Gordon's hands. "Hi, cute girl." Gasping and her eyes beamed when she saw Isaac. "My handsome nephew! Looking like a model."
A blush-pink-jumpsuit-attired Melissa walked into the room with Sabrina in a red and black dress and Samuel in a jumper with turkeys on it. "Hi!"
"Ooh, Melissa!" Élise looked up and down and smiled. "You look so good."
"Thanks," Melisa flexed. "I've been doing workout videos on YouTube."
Knock-knock-knock!
Gordon opened the door, and there was Anna, in a red wrap dress, Burberry coat, and tall boots, with Nathan, in a blazer, dress shirt, khakis, and dress shoes, carrying a plate wrapped in plastic.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" the couple stepped into the house.
Ethel greeted her daughter and son-in-law with hugs. "Mmm. How was your Thanksgiving dinner?"
Nathan rubbed his stomach. "A bit stuffed, but we're good. I brought Songpyeon."
"Yay!" Élise cheered. "I haven't had them since our honeymoon in South Korea. Speaking of honeymoons, how were yours?"
Anna smiled dreamily and clutched to Nathan's arm. "So beautiful. We got pictures of the Northern Lights if you want to see them."
"Oh, please!"
The families began catching up and discussing their plans for next year.