Hi.
Chapter Twenty-Three:
Prentiss:
The day they were to depart, she shook hands with the men who helped them retrieve Reid.
"I wish there was some way I could show my gratitude better," she said.
"Live and enjoy life is all we ask in return," the leader said.
"We'll try."
Reid was loaded into the handicap-accessible van. Garcia had left earlier to deal with the fallout at home. Prentiss noted he was in better spirits than she'd seen him since they were rescued.
Everyone was quiet as they were driven to the airport. It felt like there wasn't much left to say.
"It's a girl," J.J. said.
"What?" she said.
"The sonogram confirmed it's a girl," she said with a smile. "I'm finally getting my girl."
"Congratulations!" Rossi shouted over the clapping.
"Do you have any names picked out?" Lewis asked.
"I like Diana," J.J. said.
"Is Isla too on the nose?" Reid asked.
"Yes," J.J. said with a laugh.
"Diana is the name of Wonder Woman," Alvez said. "And she was born on an island."
Prentiss laughed. "Since when do you know anything about superheroes?"
"I liked the last Wonder Woman movie and paid attention," he said defensively.
"I like it," Reid said. "But let's not rush into anything."
Prentiss couldn't stop herself. "Have you guys decided on anything?"
"Garcia found a therapist who specializes in open relationships," Reid said.
"Will wants everyone to be happy," J.J. said. "He's willing to put all the effort into making whatever we want work."
"What about Senator Wallis?" Rossi asked. "I sensed there was history."
"soon-to-be-former senator," Reid said. "We're taking it slow to see where it goes."
"Maybe for once in your life you'll be a trendsetter," Simmons said teasingly. "Make people rethink whether the concept of monogamy is sustainable."
"Whatever happens," Prentiss said. "No one is icing anyone out. We're going to keep calling and checking on one another. We're going to be there for one another."
"No more running away," Reid said.
"Absolutely not," she said. "It is going to be hard at times, but we've been through worse physically if not mentally. We can get through things, together."
"You're still talking like you're in charge," Alvez noted.
"That's my punishment. For pushing for that trip, I intend to lead and guide for as long as I live."
"Do we have a choice?" J.J. asked with a smile.
"No."
Day 56
"Look around. Look Around. How lucky we are to be alive right now," Prentiss sang.
"History is happening in Manhattan," J.J. sang.
"And we just happen to be," Lewis sang.
"In the greatest city in the World," they sang together and twirled.
"Angelica," Prentiss sang.
"Eliza," Lewi sang.
"And Peggy!" J.J. sang.
They bowed in their grass skirts.
The guys did not clap.
"We wasted Reid's time of lowest migraine pain for this?" Simmons said.
"Hey, we weren't that bad!" Prentiss said.
"What you sang might have doubled as a distress siren," Alvez said.
"Or deter our rescuers," Rossi said.
"You're mean!" J.J. said.
"Like you guys could do better," Lewis.
"Like we'd dare after that," Simmons said.
J.J. put her hands on her hips. "What did you think Spence?"
"That this might be proof we're losing our minds," Reid said sheepishly.
J.J. took off her skirt and rolled it up. She then walked over and hit him in the shoulder with it.
"Ow," he said lightly.
"Wait until the pregnancy hormones really kick in," J.J. said.
Prentiss just drank it all in. Getting razzed by the boys was worth it if it kept morale up.
"Remember, the talent show in three days! Remember the rules—Rossi, recitation isn't a talent."
Rossi gave her a dirty look.
The team disbursed.
Lewis touched her shoulder.
"You're doing a nice job."
"Thanks."
"Remember how Tom Hanks depended on Wilson for company?"
"I hope we're keeping each other saner than a volleyball with blood on it."
Lewis laughed. "We are. Though now I'm never going to do karaoke again."
"No, it was the group of us that didn't work. We were dragging each other down."
Simmons approached her and Lewis took it as her cue to leave.
"Reid is worried we depleting the shallow water fish supply we have around here. Have you given any more thought to the raft?"
"Show me the experiment Reid has been running with the tides tomorrow. I really don't like the idea of you guys venturing out truthfully."
"I know," he said. "But we need to think long-term."
Alvez appeared with a bow and arrow.
"I think I've finally got a working prototype," he said. "We're going to need something besides fish for J.J. to eat."
"Matt we'll discuss this tomorrow," Prentiss said.
"I'll hold you to it, boss," he said.
"Luke, I want to see what you're up to. But first I want to check on Reid."
"Got it," Alvez said.
Prentiss walked around the island until she found his shelter on the harsher edge of the island. He was laying down with a stick drawing in the dirt.
"I hope our singing didn't bother you that much."
"It didn't," he said. "The diet we're on is actually helping with the pain."
"So maybe you won't go back to bagels and coffee when we get home?" she said jokingly.
"I'd rather focus on the here and now."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's just easier to plan as though J.J. will give birth here. The island is easier to focus on."
"I get that."
"I have a working map of food sources. Would you like me to review it with you?"
"I'd appreciate it," she said as she got on his level to look at his sketch.
Being in charge was tough at times, but Prentiss was up for the challenge if it meant keeping her team as happy, healthy, and safe as possible.