Halloween was usually Spencer's favorite time of year. That was until he met Lacy. When she was around, nothing excited him. She took the fun out of absolutely everything. The team was coming over for Rossi's annual Halloween Booze Bash and it was the first time Spencer didn't care.

He knew the team promised to save him from Lacy, but it sure didn't seem like it. Everything seemed normal to him. The days dragged on endlessly. He found himself disgusted that he actually prayed for a case to take him away from her.

He sat in the window seat looking at the leaves falling from the trees. He felt a lot like those leaves. Ripped from the safety of his branches. Floating helplessly into the unknown.

"Hey pouty Pete, you getting dressed or what?"

He turned to see Lacy staring at him from the bathroom doorway. She was wearing gold booty shorts and a red sports bra that barely contained her breasts.

"What the hell are you supposed to be?" he said scrunching his nose in disgust.

"Winnie the Pooh, moron," she said rolling her eyes.

"That is not Winnie the Pooh. That is … I'm not sure what that qualifies as but it's certainly not the beloved classic Pooh bear," he scoffed.

"You're just jealous," she said flipping her hair.

"Yep, that's it. Jealous," he said looking back out the window.

"Well what are you dressed as?" she said as she looked him up and down.

He wore his normal work attire. He had no intention of changing.

"You look like a nerd."

"You nailed it. That's exactly what I dressed as," he replied.

He heard her fingers snapping.

"Hey, look at me."

He turned to look at her again. Her hands were back on her hips as she glared at him.

"I'm going to assume you're just having your man period tonight and your little piss poor attitude is going to change. Get your ass up, throw something festive on, and put a smile on that stupid face," she growled. "You know the consequences otherwise."

He rolled his eyes before standing up from his seat.

"Yes ma'am," he said as she nodded her approval.

"Good, I expect to see you downstairs in 15 minutes and you better be in good mood."

(xxxxx)

He did as he was told. 15 minutes later he was wandering into the kitchen where he found Krystal finishing up a veggie tray as Lacy sat by on her phone, doing nothing as usual. He wanted to scold her, but it would do no good. She wouldn't help. She would just fuss at him.

"Spencer, honey, you look so handsome," Krystal said with a soft smile.

He blushed as he gave her a thank you. Lacy looked up and observed him.

"Not sure what you're dressed as but it is pretty sexy," she admitted.

Spencer looked down at this black suit and tie through the dark shades over his eyes.

"Secret service," he replied. "Best I could come up with."

"Well, despite how stupid it is, you look hot, so I'll let it slide," Lacy said as she went back to her phone.

Spencer saw Krystal's lips purse in anger. Thankfully, the tension was broken as Rossi came into the room with his arms full of wine bottles.

"I bring libations," he said with a smile. "Hey lookin' smooth kid."

Spencer grinned as he helped unload Rossi's arms.

"Thanks, I see you went all out on your costume," Spencer teased.

Rossi wore a pin stripped suit.

"I'm a mobster," he said with a chuckle.

"He does it every year. It's the best I can get out of him," Krystal said as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"For you, dear, I would dress like a clown," he cooed.

"You most certainly would not, but I love you anyway," she giggled.

Before long the house was filled with partygoers. Most of the people, Spencer knew but there were a few he'd never seen before. As usual, he tried to blend into the background. He sipped on his drink and observed his surroundings.

Lacy on the other hand was mingling with any guy she could find. Despite her obvious pregnant belly, the men didn't seem to care if she was single or not. They all flocked around her, flirting right back. He didn't care though. Kept her away from him.

At some point in the party, after the doorbell rang, Emily walked into the room. His heart nearly stopped as he stared at her. She was dressed as a vampire with a full tight leather suit and long black cape. It hugged and emphasized every sexy curve of her body. He slowly made his way over to her and just as he reached her, a man appeared at her side.

He was dressed as a Roman Warrior and, damn it, if he didn't have every woman in that room drooling over his glistening muscles. He slipped his arm around Emily's waist and smiled at Spencer who now stood only a few feet from them.

"Dr. Reid, long time no see. You look sharp my man."

"Mick," he practically whined.

He was grateful they couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses. He knew they would be able to read every horrible emotion running through them, at the moment.

"Um, hi, hey," he said snapping himself out of it. "How … how are you?"

"Ah, good I suppose. You know how it is," he said with a dazzling smile.

"I didn't know you were in town," Spencer said scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Flew in a few days ago. It's been great reconnecting with Emmy, if you know what I mean," he said with a wink and chuckle.

Emily elbowed him and shot him a look.

"I think I'll go get us some drinks love," he said before pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Good to see you, Dr. Reid."

"Yea, um … you too," Spencer stuttered as he walked away.

He slowly looked back at Emily who was nibbling on her fingernails.

"Mick, huh?" he said knowing his voice was dripping with sadness.

"I … he … he was in town. It just … sorta happened. I wanted to tell you in person –"

"Well, you certainly did," he replied cutting her off.

"Spence –"

"No, Em, you have every right to date whomever you choose. I just … Mick Rawson?"

"What's wrong with him?" she asked defensively.

"Nothing as far as looks go. I'm pretty sure he was chiseled out of marble stone," he said making Emily snicker under her breath. "But … isn't he … a bit on the shallow side? I thought you were more into intellectual types."

"Not everyone can be you, Spencer," she said rolling her eyes.

"That's not what I meant. I just think his ego is bigger than his muscles."

"On the outside sure, but if you gave him a chance you would see he isn't really all that bad. He does actually have a lot of interesting things to talk about," she explained.

"I guess it doesn't matter much what I think," he said.

"No, it doesn't really," she said softly. "But I hope you won't let it create a wedge between us. You know I still care about you."

He sighed as his heart broke inside. He nodded.

"I know … and it won't. I promise," he said forcing a small smile.

Emily patted his arm before walking off to say hello to everyone else while Spencer shrank further into the wall. Not only did it seem like they weren't helping him rid himself of Lacy. Emily was moving on with the sexiest man alive. It felt like he was falling back into the hole he worked so hard to climb out of.

(xxxxx)

Another month went by with no change. Lacy was still the nagging leech by his side, while everyone else went about their days as if they hadn't promised to help him. He wanted to question it. To scream at them and ask when exactly they planned on helping him, but ultimately, he held his tongue. This was his mess, and he really shouldn't rely on them to clean it up.

He also found himself sinking deeper and deeper into his depression. Emily and Mick seemed to be joined at the hip. Showing up to all the events and nights out together. It crushed him to know that even if he ridded himself of Lacy, he would now have to compete with Mick and let's face it, there was no competition.

It was three days before Thanksgiving when Lacy woke Spencer in the middle of the night.

"Hey, wake up," she said shoving him roughly. "My water just broke."

Spencer sprang into action and within 20 minutes they were arriving at the hospital. Four agonizing hours later, a loud cry rang out in the room as his son took his first real breath. He watched through watery eyes as they weighed and measured him. After cleaning him, they wrapped him in a blanket and turned to Spencer with a smile.

"Would you like to hold him?"

"Could I?" he said as if it weren't his child.

The nurse giggled as she passed him over. Spencer nervously cradled the boy to his chest as a tear slipped down his cheek.

"Hi … hello …" he sniffled happily. "I'm your dad. It's nice to meet you."

"Oh my God, he can't hear you stupid," Lacy said as she observed them.

Spencer felt himself turning red with embarrassment as the nurses and doctor glanced at one another.

"Actually, he can hear you quite well. Your voice is comforting to him," the doctor stated.

"It is?" Spencer said lighting up at the thought of being a comfort to the child.

"Absolutely. These next few months bonding with your son will be vital to his growth. Talk to him just as you would a grown up. He won't understand what you're saying but he will thrive hearing your voice."

Spencer's smile grew as he kept his eyes glued to the sleeping baby in his arms.

"Have you chosen a name yet?" the doctor asked.

Spencer looked at Lacy who was playing on her phone not paying any attention to the newborn.

"I'd like to name him shi-thead," Lacy smirked as a few of the nurses furrowed their brows.

"We are not naming our son that," Spencer said angrily. "Since you aren't interested, I'll name him."

Spencer walked over to the nearest couch and sat down.

"What do you think little guy? Do you think you should have a strong name like Maximus? Maybe a literary name like the adventurous and sometimes mischievous Huckleberry Finn? Maybe a name that means blessing since you have blessed my life."

His son's little eyes opened momentarily and as though he could see, a little smile crossed his lips. Spencer felt as though his heart would burst out of his chest.

"All I think of when I look at you is complete and utter happiness I have never known in my life. You bring me so much happiness. What do you think about a name that means happy?"

The bundle in his arms squirmed.

"What do you think of Asher? Is that a good name for you?"

"That sounds like one of Santa's reindeer," Lacy laughed.

Spencer scowled at her before looking back at his son.

"I can't wait to be free of that woman," he said under his breath.

He sat up a little straighter. A name meaning free. It also happened to be one of his favorite writers. His smile grew. Yep, that was it. That was the perfect name for his son.

(xxxxx)

A/N: I'm back. So sorry again for the delay. I just got completely stuck. I want to wrap this one up soon as I have another idea fighting to get its way out and it's making this harder to write. Let me know what you think of this chapter and without cheating make a wild guess what you think Spencer named the baby. Thanks for reading! xoxo