A/N: Hello again, everyone!

A shout-out to Quilter1993, fishtrek, and amanda-jean-rhodes2022.

Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.

My apologies if I made any mistakes but enjoy the chapter!

"Can you say, Grandpa, Ziggy?" William was on the couch, holding Isaac as Spencer, Élise, and Séraphine prep their bags for their flight back to D.C. "Can you say Grandpa, Ziggy? Grand…pa…Grand…pa."

Isaac babbled, making William laugh even harder.

"You're getting so big, huh? Next thing you know, you'll be asking for girls' numbers."

"Yeah, that's not going to be happening for a long time, Papa Reid," Élise strolled into the living room, carrying her luggage and handbag. "Oh, let me have my boy; he still needs his mama."

William tenderly gave Élise Isaac and started cradling and kissing him. "Oh, did my little boy enjoy spending some time with his grandpa?"

Isaac giggled and let out a squeal.

"Hey-hey-hey."

Reid walked in, holding Séraphine's hand and bringing the rest of the luggage. "Is everything packed and ready?" he asked.

"Mmm-hmm," Élise rocked Isaac.

William sighed disappointingly. "I wish you guys could stay a little bit longer, but you all have to get back to D.C."

"Unfortunately, yeah," Élise whispered. "But at least you got to see us before the year ended."

William lifted his face a bit. "Oh, yeah."

"Seriously, this was the best Las Vegas Thanksgiving yet!" Élise beamed.

"Buh-buh, granpa," Séraphine squeezed William's legs before he lifted her and kissed her head.

William melted. "Aw, you miss me already."

William drove the family to McCarran, and within nearly four hours and thirty minutes, they were officially back in D.C.

"Come on, Opal," Élise opened the car door for Opal to get out before she unstrapped Séraphine and Isaac in their car seats.

"Oh, someone's growing and glowing," Reid joked when he helped Séraphine out and held her hand while he got their luggage out of the car trunk.

Élise got one of their luggage bags before walking up the pathway to the house to unlock the front door, allowing Opal in after she wiped her feet.

"We got you a treat while we were in Las Vegas," she set aside one of her luggage bags while steadily holding Isaac.

Opal barked.

"We'll get the treat after daddy, and I put away our luggage, okay?" Élise promised. "Sit."

Opal obeyed Élise's command as Reid and Séraphine walked in. Putting his luggage to the side, Reid said, "It's so good to be home."

Opal barked before going to the great room and took a nap in the corner; Séraphine followed and laid down next to her.

"Oh, isn't that cute?" Élise couldn't help but capture this moment on her phone.

"And that was the last of it," said Élise as she collapsed her back on the bed after they unpacked their luggage. Sighing exhaustingly, "I feel so tired."

Reid joined Élise next to her. "You got that right."

Now, they heard a sudden vibration and just knew realized it was one of their phones.

Élise groaned and scratched her eyelashes. "That better not be work."

Reid chuckled as he sluggishly sat up on the bed and answered Élise's phone for her. "Hello?"

"Dr. Reid?"

Élise instantly sat up on the bed and put the phone on speaker. "Hello, Ophelia."

"Oh, did I catch you two at a bad time?" Ophelia was remorseful.

Reid assured, "No-no. We came back from Las Vegas about an hour, eight minutes, and nine seconds."

"Oh, okay," Ophelia released a sigh. "I have good news for you two!"

Élise tittered, pumping her arms. "I like news when it's good."

"Congratulations. You got the house!" Ophelia announced.

If Reid hadn't reminded her that the children were asleep, Élise would have jumped up and down in the air and praised to the higher heavens. "Yay!" she clapped her hands and silently screamed.

Reid felt chills. "Wow. That's great news, Ophelia."

"They're still some stuff that's needed," Ophelia reminded the couple. "The loan approval, appraisal, insurance, inspection before we can get the house closed, but yes. You two got the house."

"Well, we never would have gotten it without you, Ophelia," Élise had her locked fingers to her heart. "Thank you so much. We owe you big time."

Ophelia blushed. "Aw, thank you both. It's a pleasure to help you on your new journey for a home. I'll send you the paperwork, and we'll take it from here."

"Absolutely," said Reid. "And Ophelia. Again, thank you."

"You're welcome," she replied. "Have a good day, you two."

Élise added, "You too, Ophelia," she hung up the phone and tossed it aside. "We have our dream house." Élise softly threw Reid on his back in bed and snuggled closer to his body. "We have our dream house."

"Mm-hmm."

Sitting at his desk, Reid went through and organized case files before going through the paperwork Ophelia mailed to the bullpen. He was reading some information about the house when he saw his phone vibrating. Picking it up and looking at the caller ID, he answered and placed the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Lovey!"

Reid smiled. "Hi, honey. Did you make it to work alright?"

"Mm-hmm," she answered. "Anyhoo, I got some good news. I just got a letter, no—" Élise corrected that. "An invitation from the British embassy by Her Majesty's Ambassador in bestowing a man named Jason A. Ryder the title of honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order."

"Ooh," Reid nodded. "Sounds fancy. When is it?"

"Saturday," she answered. "Which reminds me, I need a new gown, my hair touched up a bit, mani-pedi, maybe some new shoes and perhaps a face threading. It's been a while since I've been to an event like this."

Reid chuckled. "Well, you'll be the best-dressed and most beautiful belle at the event."

Élise replied, "Well, there's no doubt you'll be the most handsome and the most, dare I say, and I don't get to say this often, sexiest man there."

Reid's cheeks were now a flush red, which he quickly took deep and slow breaths when Hotch pointed that a case had just come in and they needed to get to work. Using a book to cool himself and get rid of the blushing, "I have to get going. I love you."

"I love you times pi."

Reid chuckled again before hanging up. He looked at his reflection in a small compact mirror next to his desk, and his cheeks were less red and slowly going away. He meticulously placed his book back to its spot before rushing to the roundtable.

After everyone settled in, Garcia presented to the team a case involving two victims stabbed to deaths in their own homes in Seattle.

Élise glanced at the text she had just got from Reid.

GOT A CASE IN SEATTLE; WILL TRY AND BRING YOU BACK SOME SPECIALITIES. LOVE YOU.

Élise smirked and texted.

I LOVE YOU TOO!

Élise was startled when her phone vibrated again. Quickly answering it, "Hello?"

"Hello again, Élise. How are you these days?"

Élise answered honestly and lightly sighed, "Surprisingly good."

The caller asked, "Have you been getting random phone calls?"

"No."

"Have you been getting threatening notes, emails?"

Élise pouted her mouth and lowered her eyebrows. "Now that you mentioned it, no. I am being careful, though. I've been checking my computers, cellphone, and email like some bloody mad person."

"Well, I'll still be keeping a close eye on your activities, okay?" the caller promised. "Just to make sure of anything."

"You go do that," replied Élise before hanging up and walking into a meeting with her colleagues, including the D.C. Cir. Chief Judge, Nathan L. Oakley.

Reid and Rossi visited the M.E. for the cause of death the victims died from and the murder weapon being an unusually curved knife, and the killings were ritualistic styled.

They left the M.E.'s office for the police department and caught up with the team about a potential someone the last victim saw alive.

Barry Flynn, a famous motivational speaker.

"Love the gown, Candace," Élise complimented to the blonde-hair Saks salesgirl about the merlot red halter gown, staring at her reflection in the floor-length three-way mirror after walking out of the private dressing room.

Candace smiled. "There's another one you have to try," she pulled another gown from the rack. "Wait until you try this."

It was a pristine-white stretch crepe gown with an asymmetric twist neckline, banded cap sleeves, and a right thigh slit.

Élise gasped. "Love."

"Can never go wrong with Halston."

Élise took the gown from Candace and went back into the private dressing room. She was about to undress when her phone vibrated. She looked at the caller ID and grimaced her face. Answering it, "Garcia?"

"Hey-hey-hey, Élise."

Élise tilted her head. "I don't often get your phone calls, but still, how are you doing?"

"I'm tickled pink," Garcia sounded peppy and energic. "Chocolate Thunder got an invitation to the British embassy on Saturday to give a speech for a friend."

Élise wrinkled her nose. "Really?"

"Like, for real. I stumbled on the guest list and saw you were going. The same with Madonna, Stephen Hawking, and other VIPs."

Élise frowned and raised an eyebrow. "What?" Élise groaned and tapped her foot. "Oh, Garcia. When are you ever going to stop doing under-the-radar hacking?"

"You know I can't help myself," Garcia pleadingly defended her actions.

"Garcia…" Élise pulled a Hotch-tone on her and closed her eyes. She lifted her head and sighed tediously, opening them again. "I'll deal with you later. I'm busy right now. Bye." Shaking her head and clicked her tongue after hanging up. "Penelope Garcia, you are something else."

She changed into a new gown. Walking out and placed her hands on her waist, looking at herself. "Oh, I look hot."

Unfortunately, the team began to have second thoughts when Barry Flynn suddenly ends up missing, and the evidence suspects he's been abducted.

After realizing Flynn might have been the true target, the team delivered the profile to the police department about the unsub being more than just an obsessive fan, but an erotomaniac, minus the romantic love, who wants to prove Flynn he's worthy.

Afterwards, they wondered the motive for the victims' overkill death before realizing the unsub must have seen them as evil.

"Hi, bunny," Élise stretched her back as she was on the phone with Reid, checking on a sleeping Séraphine, Isaac, and Opal for the second time. "How's the case?"

Reid sighed heavily, "Quite an interesting one. We're dealing with an erotomaniac."

"Oh," Élise pressed her hand to her neck, feeling this tight stiffness. "I-I-Isn't it a delusional disorder where someone thinks a-a person of higher status is in love with them but isn't?" she stuttered.

"Actually, yeah," replied Reid. "Only this unsub seems to want to prove their worthy to this motivational speaker. Have you heard of him, Barry Flynn?"

Élise answered, "I have, but there's just something about him that turns me off."

"We have our work cut out. How's everything back in D.C.?"

"Decent," Élise quickly responded. "Just put the kids down for bed; Opal's sleeping, too. And by the way, Garcia called me while I was gown shopping and hacked into the guest list.

Reid deadpanned. "And let me guess, Garcia called you when she saw your name on the guest list."

"Mmm-hmm. But on the bright side to it, Madonna and Stephen Hawking are going to be at the embassy dinner." Élise shook her head. "I swear, sometimes I just don't get Garcia."

"No. Way," a stunned Reid said. "No way in a billion years I'm missing a chance to meet Stephen Hawking."

"Hopefully, you can get the case finished as soon as possible." Élise yawned. "I'm going to bed right now. Love you."

"I love you, too."

Élise smirked as she hung up but slowly disappeared and burst into Séraphine and Isaac's rooms again, only to see them soundly asleep. She dashed into the great room and saw Opal sleeping in her pen and snoring a bit.

She sighed to herself before strolling to her bedroom. Thinking she heard a noise, she jerked the curtains open, looked at the window to make sure there was no one before pulling the curtains back.

The following day, the team got word of another victim. Not only was the unsub's developing but left a bloody message.

Despite the latest victim not having a connection to Flynn, the team came across an 800 number, and Garcia got a name.

Carl Finster, a terminated customer service rep.

Reid, Rossi, and Blake met with his boss to get more information about him.

Reid realized that he has a condition where he can literally see words, and the colors he sees represent the emotions of the speaker's credibility.

Reid yawned as he poured himself a cup of freshly brewed coffee from the beans he got from Seattle. He finished fixing everyone's breakfast plates while Élise walked in with Séraphine and Isaac, Opal following them.

"Morning, love." Élise puckered her lips for Reid to give her a kiss.

"Dada!"

"Hi, princess," Reid scooped Séraphine up to kiss her head before setting her down at the breakfast nook and coaxing Isaac from Élise. "Good morning, little man. How are you doing this morning?"

Isaac squeakily yawned.

Élise took hers and Séraphine's breakfast plate of whole-grain berry waffles, protein-packed-fat-and-sugar-free Greek yogurt, and two orange juice cups and began eating. "So, feeling okay from yesterday? You guys saved a family and Barry."

"Surprisingly, yeah," Reid answered as he took his breakfast plate. After swallowing, "I had a talk with Hotch on the plane."

"Garcia?" Élise smirked as she took Isaac from Reid and placed him on her lap.

Reid replied, "Yup. Hotch had some words with her. Long story short: write-up and no more under-the-radar unless otherwise."

Élise sighed. "That's good. I get Garcia's intentions, but sometimes, she just has to take things too far with her hacking." she soon began feeding Isaac with the pumped breast milk bottle.

"Where do you start?" Reid recalled Garcia trying to find out about Élise after Morgan blabbed, then Ashley Seaver.

Élise changed to another topic. "So…I got a new gown, shoes, mani-pedi," she showed off a well-groomed manicured hand. "And…my face threaded."

Reid gave a look, almost looking like he wanted to laugh. "You got your face waxed?"

Séraphine grimaced. "Ew."

"Ha-ha, no," Élise sarcastically replied and explained. "A face threading is hair removal using threading and removing unwanted hair on the face, especially the upper lip area. It's gentler than waxing. I even gave my eyebrows better definition." she pointed to her eyebrows.

Reid examined Élise's eyebrows. "They look good." he asked Séraphine, "Fifi, you like your breakfast?"

"Mmm-hmm," Séraphine nodded her head and had a mouthful.

Élise placed the small bottle on the table and gently patted Isaac's back. "You got more than enough, didn't you, Ziggy."

Ziggy burped loudly and started babbling.

"Yoo lok gad, dada," Élise batted her eyes and smiled as she saw Reid stroll into the great room, wearing the new fitted Hugo Boss tuxedo Élise got for his last birthday.

Reid adjusted his bowtie. "Aw, thank you, Fifi." he looked into the small wall mirror and brushed his fingers through his hair. "I look amazing."

"You and Élise are going to have a good time at the embassy reception," said Rose as she had Isaac on her lap. "You guys should be back by ten-eleven, maybe midnight?"

"Mmm-hmm," Reid fine-tuned his cufflinks.

"I'm ready," cried Élise before she sashayed to the great room. She was clad in her new white gown, Manolo Blahnik heels, a gold Swarovski-crystal encrusted clutch, her short, permed hair in a low chignon, natural evening makeup, and gold jewelry.

Reid wolf-whistled at the sight of seeing his wife decked out.

"Wow, mommy," Séraphine's eyes widened.

Élise moved some of her hair behind her ears. "I look good, don't I?"

"Mmm-hmm," Reid licked his lips before looking at his watch. "Ooh, we better get going." Reid ran out of the room to grab their coats.

"Be good for Rose, okay?" Élise kissed Séraphine and Isaac.

Reid put on his coat before putting on Élise's wool-blended coat for her. "We love you," he gives the kids a quick kiss.

"Luv ya!"

Isaac babbled.

Reid and Élise stepped out of their car and stared at the British Ambassador's residence, a large English Baroque inspired like estate in a wealthy D.C. neighborhood.

"Wow," a stunned Élise gazed as Reid came to her side. "Fancy home."

One of the tall and suited men approached them in front of the steps. "Invitation?"

Élise showed the gentlemen the invite, allowing them through. Once entering it, they went through security, ensuring there would be no threats or potential ones before finding themselves upon members of the D.C. elites, including some exclusively prominent VIP guests.

"Whoo," Élise fanned herself, feeling a sudden headrush. "I just believe we've just chatted with Madonna and Stephen Hawking."

Reid beamed, gripping Élise's arm. "It'll be a moment I've treasured for the rest of my life."

"Mmm…"

A voice called. "Well-well-well..."

Reid and Élise smirked at the sight of Morgan, obviously in a fitted black tuxedo, and Garcia, clad in a conservative-but-still-Garcia-styled gown, contacts, and swirly gold jewelry, coming up to them.

"Heyyy…"

"Pretty Boy and Lady Law," Morgan chuckled. "How are we doing this evening?"

"Surprisingly good, thank you," Élise helped herself to a gourmet canapé before being offered a glass of water. "Rumor has it you're making a speech."

"Actually, I wasn't at first," Morgan confessed. "But I decided to come, make my presence known and honor a friend," he soon asked, "What are you two doing here?"

Reid explained. "Élise got an invitation."

"I'm surprised Garcia didn't tell you," Élise sneered, lowering her eyes as she had another sip.

Morgan smoothly looked to Garcia, who had an innocent look on her face.

"What?"

Élise was about to say something when a woman with perfectly shiny chestnut hair, flawless skin, and dressed in a navy-blue gown boldly approached her.

"Élise Bastien?" she shook her free hand and flashed her white teeth. "Deborah Harrington, editor-in-chief of D.C. Metro Magazine."

Élise nodded. "Hello. A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Harrington."

"Please, call me Deborah," she insisted. Might if I have a word with you?" she batted her dark brown eyes. "It's about an article the magazine came up with, Women in D.C."

"Oh," Élise's eyes widened. "Uh…okay," she slowly accepted. Turning her attention to Reid, and patted his hand, "I'll be back, sweetheart."

"Absolutely," Reid let Élise walk away and mingle with her, leaving him with Morgan and Garcia.

Garcia gasped. "Look! It's Chloe Irving. Founder and CEO of CleanTech. I have to meet her." she cleared her throat and fixed herself a bit before making her way to her, leaving just Reid and Morgan.

They had a quick chat about Garcia's hacking before mingling with some guests.

After the dinner, Morgan was up on the podium with a few guests on stage and spoke about Jason Ryder, Morgan's deceased father's Chicago partner.

Élise chuckled as she had a few sips of water when a man just now walked away with Morgan's wine glass at the corner of her eye. Knowing how the man just took Morgan's glass and everyone else's, she finished the rest of hers and politely excused herself, whispering in Reid's ear that she needed to use the ladies' room, taking her bag with her.

Staying just a few feet away, Élise inhaled deeply and exhaled, hoping to confront him—and hopefully not make a scene—when someone called out for her.

"Ms. Bastien?"

Élise turned around, and it was an average-height pale woman with rimless glasses, brown eyes, and short dark hair.

"Noreen Nesbitt, CEO of Prescott Publishing US. Would you mind if I have a word with you?"

Élise turned her head again, and the man who took Morgan's glass was not there anymore before facing the smiling CEO. "Sure."

Little did Élise know that the man who took Morgan's glass had big plans with it, but not before he murders a man and replaces one of his legs with another.