As Eden had suspected, the worst of Reid's injuries was the concussion, but along with his bruising and cuts were two broken ribs, thanks to the pipe slamming on his side. Doctor's orders were to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week, which corresponded with the end of Reid and Riley's honeymoon. Disappointing, yes, but neither could deny how much they wanted to go home.
Riley remained diligent by his bedside through the night, just as he had been to her. The only time she left was to get herself some breakfast from the cafeteria, which only took fifteen minutes. Late in the morning, as she was adjusting Reid's pillows behind his back, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Reid called, having a good prediction of who it was.
"Hey, guys," Hotch said as he stuck his head in. "Everyone's here and they'd like to see you, is that okay?"
He was feeling a bit tired this morning, but he wanted to see his friends. "Yeah, come on in."
The whole team was in attendance. As usual, Garcia was first in line, hurrying over to give the patient a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay, Reid!" She cried, carefully pulling him into his arms.
He returned her hug just as warmly. It was then Reid noticed the sparkling talisman around her neck. He'd been so distracted and upset before, he hadn't even seen it. With such a great memory, he recalled all the interesting and unique pieces of jewlery that Garcia wore and he'd never seen this one. He had a strange feeling this one was very special.
"That's a nice necklace, Garcia," Reid mentioned as she pulled away.
Riley leaned over to see. "Oh, it is pretty... where'd you get that?"
She smiled brightly. "Kevin it to me right after the wedding. It's... kind of special."
"No!" Reid smiled, catching on immediately. "Are you getting married?"
Riley was surprised as Garcia nodded. "How did we not know you got engaged?"
"Oh, you guys had a lot on your mind. It just seemed selfish to bring it up... or even be happy about it." Her fingers lightly played with glittering skeleton key.
"You have every right to be happy, congratulations!" Riley cried, hurrying over to give her her own hug. "Just be careful where you choose your honeymoon."
As Garcia laughed, JJ came over. "I'm next!" She cried. Very gingerly, she, too, gave him a warm hug which Reid returned wholeheartedly. "I'm so glad you're okay, Spence."
"Thanks," Reid replied, his chin resting on her shoulder. He lowered his voice to whisper so only she would hear, "Thanks for looking out for her."
"No problem," She mumbled, giving him an extra squeeze.
As Reid and JJ said their hellos, Hotch took the opportunity to greet Riley. "Are you doing okay?" He asked, as he held her in his arms.
"Better now," She nodded, emotion creeping into her voice. "Thank you so much for coming here."
"Anytime," He said with a smile as she pulled away.
Greetings from Rossi, Emily, Morgan, and Hotch were exchanged and soon the group settled around the room. As the faithful wife, Riley took her place beside Reid on the bed, clutching his hand. Just from that simple gesture, the others could tell she wasn't about to leave his side for a long time.
"How long do you have to stay in the hospital?" Garcia asked.
"The doctor said at the earliest, until Friday." He assured.
"Will you be able to fly?" Rossi asked.
"It'll be alright, it's not like I wouldn't get an okay from a doctor." He said, glancing up at Riley.
"No, don't even think about. If you can't fly, I am not clearing you." Riley protested.
"Oh, come on." He grinned. "It wouldn't be the first unethical thing you did in your career."
She scowled, "You're lucky you're in a hospital bed."
"Well, if you guys do have to stay longer, we'll make sure your room is paid for with ours, as long as you need." Hotch assured. "And Garcia will make sure you have a first class flight back."
"Actually..." Riley spoke up. She hated to ask after all they'd done, but Spencer was already uncomfortable. One of those commercial flights would be agony. "We were hoping... if you guys could wait... we'd like to fly back with you."
It looked as if Hotch were about to say no. It was a lot ot ask, the team taking a whole week off of work and leaving their families that long. But with a twinkle in his eye, Hotch looked to them. "What do you think? Can you guys entertain yourselves in London for a week?"
"I think we can manage it." Morgan replied.
"Looks like I'll be playing tour guide for you." Emily said with a smile to Garcia. She was very delighted by that, but even the always in control Emily Prentiss couldn't hide the sadness in her eyes and the hollowness of her voice. Something was definitely bothering her. Riley tried to catch her eye, but Emily was doing her best not to look at anyone.
"Okay, guys," Rossi announced. "I know this isn't exactly what you want to talk about right now... but we're all curious. How the hell did you get involved with this?"
Now that it was over, it didn't seem so bad. Maybe it was because, though it was a horrifying experience, Reid and Riley knew they would always have each other to lean on. They could get through anything as long as they were together. That was what marriage was all about, after all.
"It's a long story." Reid said. "But... if we're going back to the beginning. I guess it all started at the wedding. The whole night had been wonderful, better than we ever could have hoped for, from the moment I saw Riley coming down the aisle to falling asleep in each others arms in the wee hours of the morning."
He looked at Riley and felt his breath taken away. The way she was looking at him... with all the love in the world. And it was that moment that Reid knew, as long they worked together and were always truthful with each other, they were going to be together forever. He wanted to marry her all over again in that moment.
"Reid," JJ pressed. "You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry," He muttered, turning away. "Anyway, during the reception... Hotch pulled me aside..."
They regailed the tale of their misfortunate honeymoon up to the point where the team came in and some time after, including Reid's mistake of falling asleep before receiving his full body massage, which Morgan found unspeakably funny. Once their story was finished, it seemed to give closure to whole ordeal. It was really over.
"We at least have good news for you guys," JJ said after they finished. "I called the Grislow this morning, just to ask them to pack up your things so they could be picked up. They've announced your entire stay is on the house. They're not going to charge you a dime."
"Funny how a hotel is so willing to foot the bill when one of it's guests almost die." Rossi mentioned.
"Especially when their neglect let the killer in." Emily added.
"I've got even better news." Hotch revealed. "I was speaking with Leo this morning and, as thank you for our help, Scotland Yard will be paying for both your hospital bills."
Both Reid and Riley were stunned by this, so thankful of the generosity. He gave her a nudge in the ribs. "And you said we wasted money coming here."
She smiled at him, but he could tell what she was thinking. She would have gladly wasted the money to avoid any of this from happening.
...
It was early afternoon when everyone decided to take off for the day. Visiting Hours would be over in thirty minutes, anyway. The girls were excitedly making plans on where they wanted to explore today, asking Emily's advice where they should go first and have dinner.
"We'll be back to see you tomorrow, Reid." JJ assured as each girl came forward to give him a farewell hug.
"Riley, you know, you're welcome to come with us." Emily said, a little hopeful.
"No, I'm okay here. But thank you." Riley replied, patting Reid's hand that she still clasped tightly. "But if you girls wouldn't mind stopping in our hotel room and bringing a few changes of clothes tomorrow, that would be great."
Reid felt so guilty as he turned to her. A hospital room was not a suitable vacation spot. "Why don't you go with them? You'll get to see the city."
"I don't want to see the city, I want to be with you." Riley stated plainly.
"Sweetheart please, you shouldn't be couped up in here just because I am. I want you to go out and enjoy yourself. You'll have a lot more fun out there than in here."
"Really?" She asked with a smirk. "Because, I was thinking, as soon as everyone was gone, I'd grab that basin over there, fill it with hot, soapy water and give you a sponge bath."
Reid had to admit, he was really liking this married thing. Whoever said the first year was the hardest was crazy. He tried to keep his voice from cracking as he turned to his friends, "Why don't you girls go ahead."
They were trying to stiffle their giggles as they headed to the door. "We'll see you guys tomorrow." Emily said and they stepped out of the room, finally leaving the newlyweds alone.
As they exited, they saw Morgan was the only one remaining out there. He was very pensive, his arms folded as he just stood there. Emily watched him cautiously for a moment. After they had departed last night, she quickly left him behind, not wanting to hear the heart breaking words he was destined. Morgan had been grateful. It was going to take some time to work out exactly what he wanted to tell her... and even longer to find the strength to say it aloud.
When the door closed, they realized he was staring through the window at the happy couple. They were just talking, laughing, holding hands. Looking so deeply into each others eyes, it was like they were one soul. He couldn't remember ever seeing that doopey grin on the kid's face before that girl came into his life. He remembered Reid when he was a rookie, and he always seemed so envious of the lifestyle Morgan lead. All the girls that flirted with him in bars and gave special smiles to him in the halls of the FBI. Now the tables had turned. Reid had one woman who spoke to him like there was nothing more important in the world, that made him glow with happiness, feeling nothing but love... Morgan had never been so jealous of anyone in his life.
"Something the matter, my sweet chocolate bunny." Garcia's voice interrupted his thoughts with a touch on his arm.
"Yeah, I'm just... thinking." He shook his head. "It's not fair... they shouldn't have to go through all this just to spend the rest of their honeymoon in a hospital room."
"I know, it sucks." JJ agreed. "I wish there was something we could do for them."
Now that was an idea. "Maybe we can." Morgan announced.
Emily knew Morgan very well and from that glint in his eyes, she could tell he was forming a plan. "What do you have in mind?"
...
Everything was finally going smoothly. It may not be the ideal honeymoon, being in a hospital room with injuries. They closest they could really get was holding hands and quick butterfly kisses, but at least they were together. But they were together. They were happy just to have that, especially considering they almost died within 24 hours of each other.
That was why deciding to bring this up was such a dilemma for Reid. He couldn't ignore what Riley said... and he needed to know if perhaps her feelings on the subject had changed. Maybe she was just too scared to bring it up, or wasn't sure if she had come to final decision. Either way, it was time to talk about it again. They were alone now, it was the perfect opportunity to talk and he didn't want to put it off any longer.
Riley returned from the bathroom with the plastic basin, filled halfway with pleasing hot water and soap. If a sponge bath was a close as they could be right now, he would take it.
Carefully, she helped him situp and untie his dressing gown. As her arms went around him, she slipped a kiss on his cheek. It made him smile, his face turning warm.
"I can't believe you still blush when I do that." She giggled as she lifted the gown over his head.
"I can't help it." He said, smiling. "Pretty girls don't usually like me... and now I have the prettiest girl in the world stealing kisses from me."
Now it was Riley's turn to blush. She dunk the wash cloth into the water, soaking it and ringing it out a few times. "Don't put me through this again," She said softly, "I couldn't bear it if I lost you."
"Yeah, I know the feeling," He said, reaching over to brush a piece of hair off her cheek. It was extra wild today, thanks to sleeping at an awkward angle in the chair beside him. It was odd how much he liked her hair out of control; disheveled and frazzeled made her look so cute.
Cloth in hand, Riley turned to start her work. Her eyes landed on his stomach, which had become a log of all the horror they'd been through over the years. The five stitch marks that indicated the stab wounds... the gun shot wound on his left chest from last year... and now the bruises from the strike of the pipe. Her eyes watering, she reached a damp hand over to brush one. Reid couldn't help from wincing, taking in a sharp breath of pain.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Riley exhaled, pulling her hand away.
"It's okay," He took her hand before take it out of sight. "It's not that bad... and it was worth it. We got through it, just like we always do."
"Don't tell me there's no such thing as fate." She shook her head, her eyes on the bruise. "If we keep surviving all these bad things... there has to be a reason why we're here, why we're still together."
Now was the perfect moment. Reid said it before he lost his nerve. "Maybe for our kids."
The only sound in the room was the slosh in the water as Riley rang the wash cloth one more time. She was suddenly frozen, caught off guard by his words. Gathering her composure, she turned and ran the cloth carefully over his face, wiping his cheeks and brow. "Haven't we had this discussion?"
"And we said we'd talk about it again." Reid said.
Her attitude had suddenly become so stiff and cold. "Do we have to talk about it now? What the hell made you think of it anyway?"
"The other night when you were high," He explained. "You mentioned... moving to London. You thought it would be cute if our kids had the accents."
That softened her a bit, moving the wipe around his neck. The warm water soothed his skin and the hospital soap smelled awfully nice. Like fresh flowers in a meadow. "Have you been thinking about it?" He asked.
"If you want the truth, yes." She stated, looking up to meet his eyes. "I have been thinking about it... and..."
But she wouldn't continue. "What?" Reid pressed.
"I haven't come to a decision." She grumbled. "But... lately I've been... trying to think... outside the box. I'm trying to see a different scenario other than my life in shambles and my child hating me."
"Our child would not hate you." Reid cried, but backed off before he started yelling. He could argue his points all he wanted, Riley still had to meet him halfway.
"You don't know that!" She exclaimed. The cloth fell back into the water as Riley turned away from him, not wanting him to see her get upset over this. "I could go into this with all the best of intentions, with the greastest hope that we could have a perfect family... but the risks are so high. The chances that things would work out just the way we want them too... That's not fair to you, and more importantly, it's not fair to our child."
"There's another person you're forgetting." He clarified. "You. You're thinking about me and our child, but you don't cross your mind... that says it all, that your main concern is the welfare of your family. How could you even believe you would be less than a good mother?"
She was crying now. Reid brushed on her arm, wanting her to look at him. "I don't want to talk about this anymore." She sobbed.
"We have to." He ordered. "We have to figure this out, and if not today, we have to at least come to a stalemate. You're against the idea of children, but not because you don't want them. It's because you're afraid. That's not a good enough reason to not have kids. Because every parent is scared. Do you know how scared JJ was when she had Henry? I'm sure you remember Hotch when he had Jack... they were terrified, but the benefits... no, I don't have experince, but from what I've seen the benefits outweigh the fears."
"You said this wasn't a deal breaker." Riley stammered.
"It's not," Reid shook his head. "I want you for the rest of my life... but if you were certain you didn't want to have children, I would know and I would let this go. You're curious about the idea... you have maternal instincts and their not as easily silenced as you'd like everyone to believe, and now that you're in your thirties, they're even stronger. I just want to discuss it with you without that constant doubt taking over. Don't think about the child or me... think about yourself."
Riley didn't know what to say, and after a long silence, he brushed her arm again. "You don't have to come to a decision now. But think about it for awhile... at least try to see it through your own eyes... how you would feel about being a mother."
At that she nodded, "Okay, I'll try." She whispered. Her bloodshot, puffy eyes turned to him again, her moist hand reached to brush his soft cheek. "You know this has nothing to do with the way I feel about you."
"I know," He gave a nod. Suddenly, he felt like crying, too.
"Good," She stammered, another wave of tears taking over, "Because I love you... I love you so much, sometimes I can't breathe."
She reached forward quickly and brought him into a warm kiss. All the love she felt for him came out in that kiss, which Reid returned whole-heartedly. It might have been the head injury that was making him so dizzy, but he had a suspicion it had more to do with the power the kiss, being so taken by the feel of her lips.
As the kiss ended, he held her close to keep her from getting away. Reid let her cry on his bare shoulder for a moment, a way of letting her know no matter what, he still wanted her. No matter what, he loved her and always would.
...
It was midnight. Interesting how just 24 mere hours ago, he was waking up after almost losing his life. It was perfect proof no matter what horrible things happened to a person, life goes on.
The room was dark, with only the light of the moon coming in. It was reflected off the Thames River. The bridge was too far away to be seen from here. Reid wasn't sleeping, though he still had a sedative in his body. He didn't want miss anything.
Riley was sharing the bed with him tonight. They were squished together on the tiny bed, forcing them to be in each others arms, not that they minded. After crawling under the covers, they talked for awhile, about both silly and serious things. After some time, they pulled out Riley's book and took turns reading to each other. She had drifted off on Reid's third turn, her head on his shoulder. Setting the book aside, he switched off the bed lamp overhead and bathed the room in darkness, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Hours passed, but Reid couldn't bring himself to go to sleep... all he wanted to do was watch her. Breathing in... and breathing out.
There was a click and Reid turned to see the door opening slowly. He thought it was a nurse coming in to change his dressing or IV bag. It took a moment to recognize her, but as she closed the door, he realized it was Inspector Eden.
"Hey," he whispered. "What you are you doing here so late?"
She noticed Riley sleeping peacefully and kept her voice low. "I just wanted to see you one more time before you left."
"We're not leaving until the end of the week, you had time." He said. "But it's nice to see you."
Eden grinned. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, the doctor said I'm healing nicely." He glanced at Riley and tried to wiggle the fingers on his left hand. "My arm's asleep, though."
She couldn't help but giggle. "I'm sure you know this, but she really loves you. She was downright mental when you were missing."
"I never tire of hearing that," He gave another soft kiss to her brow. Riley let out a soft sigh and stirred ever so slightly, but didn't wake. Smiling, he turned back to Eden. "So what brings you here so late? You know you could have come during the day. Coming here in the middle of the night, it says there's something on your mind."
"I'm not sure I like profilers." She laughed, "But, you are right. There is something on my mind... and I just wanted to say thank you."
Confused, "Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"
"Well, yes, but this is different." She explained. "Reid... I saved your life."
"I know," She muttered. "And I can't tell you how grateful I am-"
"No, I don't say that because I want gratitude or recognition... it's the truth. I saved your life. I saw an injured man and suddenly... I felt alive again. I rushed to his aid to help him, I kept him conscious on the way to the hospital, I read off things to the doctor that a normal person wouldn't know... it made me feel like myself again. And now... I know what I have to do."
"What?" He asked, captivated.
Eden cleared her throat. "I'm going to speak to a lawyer friend of mine, with both his and Alex's help... I'm going to get my medical license back."
"You're going to be a doctor again." He stated with amazement.
"I was happiest then. I really felt I was helping people. I was really saving people, not after the crime had been committed. I ran because I was a coward, because I was scared what would happen to me... I didn't even try to fight. But now... I'm going to put up a hell of a fight. I'm going to do what I'm meant to do... and I have you to thank for that, Dr. Reid."
He reached his free hand over to clasp hers. "I'm happy for you. I hope everything works out for you, and if there's anything I can do, please let me know."
"Well, actually, my lawyer has already informed me that I need character references from at least three medical doctors. I was wondering if... maybe you could ask your wife to write one? She could describe how I saved your life."
"I'm sure she'll be more than willing." Reid nodded. "It'll be the first thing we do when we get home."
"Thank you," She gave his hand a hard squeeze. "I doubt I'll get to see you again before you leave, so I wanted to say goodbye and good luck and... congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you," Reid replied. "And thank you for everything. If you're ever in Washington, DC, please look us up."
"I will," Eden smiled. "I always wanted to see the States. Maybe I'll try to get a job in New York City or something. I hear you Americans complain about damn foreigners stealing your jobs, maybe that could be me."
Reid laughed quietly. One more clasp of her hand and Eden headed towards the door. "Be safe, Dr. Reid," She said as she opened it to the hall.
"Take care, Dr. Eden." He added. She grinned and exited to the hall. The door closed and the room was dark once more. Reid turned back to his sleeping wife, who had remained undisturbed the whole conversation. Reid snuggled closer to her, resting his head just above hers. He breathed in the smell of her hair, still perfumed by the bath oils, but it was there... the smell of roses. It wasn't going to last long, he knew, because it never did, but at least for a moment... he was perfectly content.