A/N: Hello again, everyone!
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. No copyright infringement is intended.
My apologies if I made any mistakes but enjoy the chapter!
About two-three weeks ago….
Reid and Élise were in the great room, looking through images of a nursery on the tablet while watching Séraphine and Opal.
"Oh!" Élise fingered a deep navy-blue nursery decorated with sophisticated furniture. "I love this one. It'll make him feel like royalty."
Reid looked at the nursery picture, cocked his head, and pursed his mouth, "Yeah, a little too mature, don't you think?" He saw one nursery that piqued him. "How about this one?"
It was a Star Wars-themed nursery.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Élise twisted her lips shook her head. She gasped when she saw another one. "Ooh! This one looks like fun."
It was a Dr. Seuss-themed nursery.
"Too over-the-top." Reid lowered his eyes. "And you didn't like the Star Wars nursery."
Élise burst into giggles.
Suddenly Séraphine rose and started waddling towards Reid and Élise, causing Reid to hoist her up and onto his lap. Grunting, Reid playfully groaned, "Hello, my love. Want to help us pick out a nursery for your little bro?"
"Yea!" Séraphine started to play with the tablet and used her hand to go up and down the screen.
"Hold on, my love, really quick," Élise went into the settings and adjusted the brightness on the screen. "Here we go again." Élise whispered in his ear and as she strolled down the screen, "Let's hope that when she doesn't get to attached to the computer when she gets older."
Reid sighed, "This is why I'm glad to be old-school. Most of the time."
Élise laughed before Séraphine began tapping on the screen. "Hey-hey-hey, careful, Fee. You don't want to break the tablet. What do you see?"
Séraphine baby-pointed to an astronomical-themed nursery.
Reid bounced Séraphine on his knee as he and Élise zoomed in on the image. "Mmm. The stars in the skies look so realistic."
"And it does add a level of sophistication," Élise replied. "And you can have a little bookshelf in the corner."
Reid smiled. "Want to do this nursery?"
"Mmm-hmm," Élise nodded her head before scooping Séraphine and cuddling her. "Do you want to do this nursery for your little brother?"
"Yea!" Séraphine giggled.
Present-day…
"Okay," Élise supervised Reid and Rossi putting up the stars in the skies poster in the new nursery, and she gulped down the rest of her ice-cold liter bottled water. Tossing that to the side, "That's a little too low." She stretched for a moment and groaned. "A little too higher." She used her hands to help visual the angles of the poster. "And…perfect!" She gave them the thumbs up before they hammered it in.
"It looks good," Reid admired the poster he and Élise picked out.
And to think, they almost didn't know what to do for their son's nursery.
Morgan cried, "We're coming in!" He and Hotch carried in the white 5-in-1 convertible crib and placed it against the poster.
"Let's adjust it a little bit more," Reid suggested before Hotch and Morgan lifted it again to the left. "Take it back an inch more to the right." Hotch and Morgan raised the crib again. "And…perfect."
"Whoo!" Morgan wiped his forehead with his hand before placing both hands on his waist. "I hardly broke a sweat the second time around."
"Yeah-yeah-yeah, everyone back up really quick, please," Élise ordered the men as she was still trying to visualize the nursery; her eyes were closed. She took a few steps forward and held her arms out before opening her eyes. The solar system-themed crib mobile to the gray rocking chair from the white bookshelf to the crib.
"It's perfect," Élise declared, inhaled, and exhaled before cupping her hands together. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Reid kissed her lips, "Anything for our boy."
Reid, Morgan, and Hotch smiled at the little moment before they heard the front door being opened and closed.
"We're here!" A voice cried.
Reid replied loudly, "We're in the new nursery!"
"Mama! Dada!" Séraphine ran over to Reid and Élise.
Reid scooped her up, "Hi, Seri." He smooched her cheek, making her giggle. "Do you like the nursery we design for your little bro?"
"Yay!" Séraphine cheered, clapping her hands.
Opal dashed into the room, barked, and started cuddling Élise's belly.
Rose rushed into the room with giant white bags in her arms. "Hello." Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped when she first saw the nursery. "Oh, my God. It's so stunning. So clear and organized." She took a quick wander around the room. "The electrical outlets are covered, no stray cords, and medicine out of reach. I give you an A-plus."
Reid grinned and blushed, "Thank you. I never received anything less than an A-plus."
"Except for your firearms qualification exam seven years ago," Morgan muttered under his breath, causing Hotch to stare at him with folded arms.
"I, uh, brought some food from Natural Taste," Rose pulled out some recyclable food containers. "They do organic food, so I thought…"
Élise replied casually, "That's okay. Plus, I ate there a few times, and they had these ah-ma-zing organic cupcakes."
"Oh," Rose pulled out a small green container with a red velvet cupcake. "Lucky I bought one."
"Yippee!" Élise exclaimed and clapped her hands. "Let's eat!"
Soon everyone gathered at the dining room and ate lunch.
Reid sighed as he shut the bedroom door and made his way to the bed. "I finally got Séraphine down to bed."
"That's good, babe," Élise said without looking from the birth plan she and Reid were filling out. "Mmm…" She tapped her MontBlanc pen against the clipboard and wondered, "Since we're going to have a boy, can I ask you a tricky question?"
Reid got into the bed and asked, "Should we do a circumcision on him?"
"I think we should. Why?" Reid saw Élise's worried facial expressions. Élise showed him an article on her tablet. Reid sighed, "Lise, this was the 1960s."
"Yeah, but still…" Élise hissed.
Reid explained the reasons to go for one. "From what I read about them, it helps with…cleaning their area."
Élise had her hand on her belly, "I feel squeamish just thinking about it."
"Also, reduces the risk of some sexually transmitted diseases in men. It'll protect against penile cancer, a lower risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners as well as a lower chance of urinary tract infections. Doing this will help with the prevention of balanitis, the inflammation of the glans and balanoposthitis, the inflammation of the glans and foreskin."
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph." Élise had her hand on her head. "I'm so scared."
Reid took her hand and comfortably patted. "Nothing's going to happen. I promise."
"Okay, we'll do the surgery, but nothing better happen to him."
"Congratulations, my love," Reid whispered as he brought a cupcake with a lit candle to Élise, who was just waking up from her nap. "You're at the end of the second trimester."
Élise sluggishly sat up. "Yay!" After Élise blew out the candle, she set the cupcake down on the bedside table and gave Reid a loving lip kiss. "Thank you, my darling." She placed her hand on her belly when she felt something and groaned, "Oh."
"Our boy's pushing your stomach," Reid explained and placed his hand on her belly. "How many movements have you felt so far within the last hour?"
"About five, maybe six," Élise recalled before she placed the cupcake liner on the plate and took a bite. "Mmm…" She licked her lips. "I so needed something sweet."
Reid helped himself to a bite, "That's good, ain't it?"
Élise set the half-eaten cupcake on the bedside table again and laid on her side, "Oh, this pregnancy, babe…"
"Are you feeling constipated right now?" Reid asked with concern.
"Maybe," Élise guessed. "And my restless legs?"
Reid kissed her forehead again, "Okay. How about I refill your water bottle again, and I'll get you some berries? You finish up the rest of this delicious cupcake that I just took two bites out of, and I'll go do that for you."
For the next few days, Reid and Élise took a beginner barre and Tai Chi classes, took a couple of parent and me classes, and did some exercises together, from swimming to walking.
"Hey, family," Dr. Patterson's face brightened when she saw the Bastien-Reid family; Élise lay on the sheeted table. "How are we doing?"
Élise sighed; her lips flapped, groaned, and smoothed her belly, "A lot happening. I want to see my little boy right now."
"It'll be okay, Élise," Dr. Patterson comforted her and patted her hand. Dr. Patterson faced Reid, who had Séraphine on his lap and clutched her dolly. "Oh, what a pretty dolly, Séraphine. What's her name?"
"Dolly." Séraphine babbled as she stroked her doll's hair.
Dr. Patterson giggled. "That's a cute name. I like it."
"Tank yoo." Séraphine babbled, and Reid kissed the top of her head, making her giggle.
Dr. Patterson walked over to Élise's side, looking at her clipboard, "Well, congratulations, everyone, you're at the 28th week. That means you're at month seven and near the end of the second trimester and onto the third and final trimester."
"Oh, if only we could fast forward to my due date because I want to see this boy right now." Élise gently tapped on her belly with her index finger. "Come on, boy, I want to see you."
"Actually, did you know that only 4% of babies are born on their predicted due date, but about 90% are born within two before or after?" Reid gave them a fact.
Élise curled her lips, "Mmm…I guess that explains why Fifi came earlier."
"That happened to me as well," Dr. Patterson raised her hand as she continued looking at the charts. "According to your results, everything's copacetic, and nothing is out of range, not even your weight and blood pressure. Your iron levels are good. Are you still taking your prenatal vitamins?"
Élise answered, "Yup."
"Are you drinking eight to twelve glasses of water every day?"
Élise pulled out a liter of bottled water. "You know it." She untwisted the cap and drank the same before twisting the lid back on.
"How's the swelling?"
Élise untucked her necklace and showed the doctor her wedding ring being used as a pendant. "This is not my first rodeo, doctor." She showed the doctor her spread-out fingers. "I feel as if I have sausage fingers."
Dr. Patterson set the clipboard on her desk and put on her stethoscope, "Now, we're going to listen to your boy's heartbeat."
Reid and Séraphine watched as Dr. Patterson examined Élise before showing them more sonograms.
After Reid gave Élise her breakfast in bed, she returned and started using her lap desk to work on her laptop. After sending an email to a colleague, Élise looked up from her work and saw Reid handsomely dressed. Reid had just put on a brown blazer over a navy-blue gingham dress shirt, matching sweater vest and tie, ironed dress pants, and Converses.
"Oh, I swear you were a Burberry and Ralph Lauren model in the past life." Élise was smitten by his attire.
"Actually, did you know that Egyptians believe in the afterlife?" asked Reid as he was fixing his belt.
Élise answered as she continued typing, "Actually, I did. Thank you, The Mummy movies."
"Plans for today?" asked Reid again as he put on his silver watch.
"Finish up this work, update the retirement beneficiaries, get as much bed rest as I need," said Élise. "Rose is going to help out with Fee, so no need to worry."
Reid stroked Élise's hair after walking to her bedside, "It's my job to worry about you; you're carrying my son."
Élise took Reid's hand and kissed it, "I'll be fine, and if anything, I'll let you know."
Reid lifted Élise's head with his index finger and passionately kissed her lips. "I love you."
"I love you times pi." Élise patted his cheek and watched him depart their bedroom.
After the team talked about the case involving a series of Gothic and ritualistic murders, Reid texted Élise.
GOING TO PORTLAND, OREGON!
Just as he left the roundtable room and went to his desk in the bullpen, he got a text back from her.
BE CAREFUL! AND IF YOU DON'T BRING ME SOME FOOD FROM PORTLAND, ESPECIALLY MARIONBERRIES, I'M GOING TO BEAT YOUR ASS!
Reid chuckled since he knew it was the pregnancy mood swings.
On the plane ride to Portland, the team discussed the life of the recent victim: a divorced and lover of all things Gothic math teacher. They turned the conversation about the Renaissance as the victim was found in a Renaissance costume.
Reid and JJ went to a manufacturer while Hotch and Rossi met Detective Gassner at the crime scene where the victim was found. Morgan and Prentiss visited the M.E.'s office.
The gentlemen told them that the victim's fabric was custom-made, and the seams on the dress were uneven.
Reid and JJ deduced this could be part of a team; the seamstress may be a teenager and a potential compelled accomplice.
"Mmmm…" Élise moaned when her head started buzzing before realizing her phone was vibrating under her pillow. She fumbled behind the pillow to try and get her phone. Her eyes squinted, and she wrinkled her nose when she finally got it and answered into the speaker. "Hello?"
"Hi, my love."
Élise chuckled tiredly. "Oh, bunny…"
"I take it I woke you up?" Reid correctly guessed.
Élise rubbed her eyes and tried to say something. "Aaauupppp." She accidentally burped into the phone and covered her mouth in embarrassment before whispering, "Sorry about that."
Reid chuckled. "That's okay, honey. How was your day?"
Élise scratched between her nose, sniffed, and yawned, "Other than to brush my teeth, urinate, poop, and to try to care for Séraphine, I feel like the laziest person in the world."
"Awww." Reid felt for Élise. "I know the phrase has been said over and over, but it will be worth it when we hold our boy in our arms."
"Yeah," Élise quietly agreed before she yawned again. "I need my sleep, babe, so nighty-night."
"See you in my dreams?"
Élise giggled; Reid was so adorably cute when he said that.
Now the team got news of another victim; while Rossi and Prentiss checked out the scene, Reid was at the police station with JJ, Morgan, and Hotch. They got new information about the current victim and a new victim who went missing a month prior.
Reid cross-referenced the dates of when the victims went missing to Satanic sacrifice holidays.
Another important holiday would be coming soon, meaning that the unsub could be hunting for his next victim today.
After Rossi and Prentiss returned, the team gave the profile to the Portland police station.
Élise gently closed her laptop after it shut off, placed it back in the case before tucking it away in a safe place. She looked at the time on her cell phone, and it had just past eleven o'clock. Exhaling back, she walked out of the bedroom and made her way towards Séraphine's nursey—knowing she was done with her first nap—when she ran into Rose.
Élise groaned and stretched, "Hey, Rose."
"Hello again, Élise," Rose smiled, adjusting the rolled-up sleeve on her pink button shirt and slicking back her ponytail. "Were you going to wake up Séraphine?"
"I'll go wake her up," Élise said before politely suggesting. "Why don't you go fix us some lunch, please?"
Rose wondered, "What would you like?"
"Whoo!" Élise stretched again, "In all honestly, I'm craving for a Swiss turkey wrap and Séraphine, a peanut butter sandwich please with some cut-up fruit."
"I'll go do that." Rose placed her hands together, half-bowed, turned around, and walked in the opposite direction to prepare lunch.
Élise knocked on Séraphine's nursery door three times before creeping towards her nursery. She'll never get tired of seeing Séraphine waking up. And when she did, sometimes, she would like out this precious little squeal, which reminded Élise of her being born.
Like what she was doing right now, making Élise burst into this grin.
"Oh, did mommy's girl have a good first nap?" Élise asked Séraphine, who started rubbing her eyes, smacked, and licked her lips in a cutesy voice.
Séraphine blinked her eyes a few more times, "Mama…"
"Ah, you cute little girl," Élise beamed brighter than the sun, cuddled her, and kissed her forehead. "Rose is making us some lunch, so it's time to go eat, and maybe after that hour we eat, we can watch a good old-fashion Disney movie?"
"Yea!" Séraphine smiled.
Élise took Séraphine down to the dining room and ate lunch with Rose and Opal.
The team talked about the unsub using costume gowns from one of William Shakespeare's rare plays about the middle-class, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and the white face makeup during that time for only the upper-class women as a symbol of purity and virginity.
They concluded that the unsub sees himself as a vigilant against some evil. He's testing the victims via the Salem Witch trials; by drowning them, they were innocent, but if they lived, they were guilty before also concluding he's fighting the devil.
Reid excused himself as he needed to make another call.
"Hello?"
Reid grinned, "Hello, my love."
"Spenny!" Élise squealed. "How are you?"
"Still working on the case," Reid shoved his free hand in his pocket. "Hopefully, we can finish the case soon so that we can start the Easter weekend."
Élise insisted, "Do what you have to do, honey bunny." Her voice lowered. "But if you don't get me some Portland food and marionberries, I'm going to hurt you."
Reid laughed, "I already have someone getting you some food and some of those delicious and juicy marionberries."
"I love you," Élise said sweetly.
Reid replied. "I love you, too."
The team finally managed to get the unsub's name.
James Heathridge, the twenty-six-year-old son of Catherine Heathridge, a textile heiress. His father died when his mother was pregnant with his now sixteen-year-old sister Lara. Their grandfather raised them after his mother was committed, who died the year prior, making that his stressor.
The team managed to save Lara, but James accidentally fell to his death in a well during a struggle with Hotch, despite trying to save him.
Most of the team was asleep on the plane ride home while Reid looked at his phone again and saw a text from Élise after Reid sent her a text earlier that they were coming home.
GREAT! AND I BETTER BE A HELL OF LUCKY YOU GOT MY MARIONBERRIES. OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE KICKED YOUR ASS! AND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON THE COUCH TONIGHT!
Reid smirked.
Reid arrived home in the earlier hours. He checked on Opal and Séraphine before making his way to his bedroom, kissed a half-sleepy Élise's cheek, took a shower, changed into his sleepwear, and cuddled next to Élise.
"Here you go, my angel," Élise presented Séraphine her breakfast: organic and whole grains oats and quinoa with cinnamon, raisins, and cut-up marionberries.
Séraphine prattled, "Tank yoo, mama."
Élise beamed before she noticed Reid walking into the breakfast nook. "Good morning, my love."
Séraphine already had her mouth covered in oatmeal, "Dada!"
Reid stroked his fingers through Séraphine's hair before kissing her head, "Good morning, my precious one."
Opal dashed into the nook and cuddled Reid's leg, growling with affection.
"Hi, Opal." Reid scratched behind her ears and filled her bowl. He sighed as he took a seat at the table, "Oh, what a case we had yesterday."
Élise already had a bite of her organic cinnamon roll and asked after she swallowed, "Want to talk to me about it?"
Reid whispered in Élise's ear about the unsub's doings, and his mother cut off the left arm of her infant daughter, leaving her with broadened eyes and a gaped jaw.
"For real?"
Reid nodded his head to confirm what he had just told her. "Oh, yeah."
Élise shook off the chills she felt and took another bite of her roll. "Wow." She swallowed and took a sip of her freshly squeezed orange juice. "At least we can forget about that and focus on our Easter weekend tomorrow. I can't wait to see the family again, especially dear Aunt Ethel and Mama Diana."
"I can't wait to see them again," Reid replied. "Are you ready to see Grandma Diana and Grandpa William again, Fifi?"
"Yea!" Séraphine babbled with a mouthful.
Reid and Élise enjoyed their breakfast, spent the day working from home, and packed for their weekend trip.