Chapter 14: Old Scars Bring Back Memories but Don't Dictate the Future

It was now the end of August and summer was coming to an end. It was also one of the rare times that the team hasn't been slammed with back-to-back cases. Emily and Spencer took a few personal days so that they could start getting their home ready for the baby. They were still in the process of making their new house into a home. They were currently working on the nursery.

"Is that mine?" Spencer asked Emily already knowing the answer to that question. She was wearing one of his hoodies with a pair of yoga pants. He loved seeing her in other outfits that weren't her usual work pantsuits. Not too many people got to see the side of Emily Prentiss that Spencer did.

"Maybe it is." She teased as she started putting another coat of paint on the wall. She paused for a second to put her hair up in a messy bun, so she didn't get paint in it. Emily was so into painting that she didn't notice Spencer sneak a picture of her using his phone, or so he though she didn't.

"You're beautiful." He answered back as he tried to get another picture of her. She finally caught on and put the paint brush down to cover her face.

"In a hoodie and yoga pants with no bra or makeup?" She asked still trying to avoid being in another picture. In the process, she got a smudge of paint on her nose. He noticed this and laughed.

"Yes, you're always beautiful." He said as he wiped the paint off her nose. Spencer reminded her that he was not the only one that thought so. He wished that Emily could see herself through his eyes. They continued painting until they completed the current coat of paint.

Since they wanted the baby's gender to be a surprise, they decided to go with a color pallet that could go either way. After debating one what colors to use for months, they finally agreed on aqua and yellow. Emily wanted something unique, something that was different from what everyone else did for a gender-neutral nursery. Spencer wanted something that was bright and inviting. He vetoed Emily's monochromatic blues and she didn't want something that was too bright. The cool and calming shade of aqua balanced the brightness of the yellow.

"I guess it's safe to tell Penelope out color scheme." Emily put the paint brush down and grabbed her phone. Her friend had been asking them what colors they were going with the day Emily told her she was pregnant, and now they had some to give her. She wanted to knit a blanket for the baby and wanted the colors to match the nursery. Emily sent a quick text to Penelope telling her that they finally agreed on aqua and yellow.

"Ready to call it quits for today to let the paint dry?" Spencer asked as he finished up what he was working on. She agreed that there was nothing more that they could do until the paint dried. Emily was going to go enjoy a relaxing hot bath, and Spencer was going to take this opportunity to write a letter to his mother.

"I think I'm going to go enjoy a nice relaxing bath." Emily made her way out of the nursery. He stopped her before she could walk out.

"Is there an update for grandma to add in this letter?" He asked knowing what he wanted to white his mother.

"You can let her know that we finally agreed on a color for the baby's nursery, and that he or she makes her presence known very often." Emily also told him to ask her what she thought the baby was going to be. So far, most people were convinced that they were having a girl.

"I'll let her know all of that." He chuckled. Spencer's mom adored Emily and always asked about her, and now she's asking about her and the baby in her letters to her son. Spencer grabbed his pen and paper and started to write his letter.

"Dear Mom,

Today was fun! We finally agreed on a color for the baby's room in our new home together. We decided to go with aqua and yellow. Emily gets her unique color pallet and I get something that's bright and colorful within reason. Penelope started knitting a blanket for him or her the second we told her what colors we were going with.

Between me and you, I think we are having a girl. Most of our friends seem to think so too. Emily isn't convinced and said all those old wives' tales aren't accurate at all. I know that too, but I think it is fun to hear people's predictions. She also says that the baby is making his or her presence known quite often now. What do you think we are having?

Speaking of Emily, she is absolutely glowing. This is the happiest I've seen her in a long time, and it's a good look on her. She deserves it. Ever since she came into my life, I've been the happiest I've ever been. I know you will keep my secret, Mom. I'm currently saving up to buy her a ring. I want to ask her to marry me.

Love,

Spencer"

Emily was letting the bath fill with bubbles before getting in. While waiting she was observing how much her body had changed over the past six months. She wasn't at the point where she couldn't see her feet yet, but she had a noticeable bump now. She now had to take things slower so that she wouldn't lose her balance and fall. After shutting off the water she eased herself into the hot relaxing bubble bath.

She got out when the water started getting cold. It was when she was drying off that she really noticed it. Every time Emily looked down at her body, she was reminded of that awful man and that awful day. Some days were better than others. This was not one of those better days. She knew her monster was gone, but she still cried like he wasn't. In a way he would always be around to haunt her. Emily Prentiss was too distraught to hear the gently knock on the door. He must have heard her crying.

"Em," He noticed that the door wasn't closed all the way. "Are you okay?" He asked as he waited for a response. Still no response from her. He gently knocked again, thinking that maybe she didn't hear him. Just as he was about to walk in, she met him at the door. "What's wrong, Love?" He asked looking up into her eyes.

"I'm just having a bad day." She finally spoke. He knew exactly what she meant by that and it broke his heart that she still has them sometimes. "Being pregnant and hormonal added to it." She added trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal and that nothing was wrong. Spencer saw right through that though.

"Want to talk about it?" He asked.

"It's nothing really, but sure." She tried to downplay her emotions again.

"It can't be nothing if it upset you this much, Emily." She sighed. Spencer wasn't giving up on her. This was something that Emily was still getting used to. Most people would have given up on her at this point.

"I noticed how much my body has changed over the past six months, and I was reminded of the one thing that didn't." She spoke calmly. He knew exactly what she was referring to. She was reminded of that traumatic case every time she looked at that clover shaped branded scar above her breast. Spencer knew where she was about to go with this and spoke before she could say anything about it.

"You can always get it covered up after you have the baby." He suggested knowing that her scar should be completely healed by that point. Emily was already contemplating the idea of getting another tattoo. That was one way to hide it. The other way was to have it removed, but before she could do anything it had to heal completely and that could take a year. She would also have had the baby by then as well. Spencer also reminded her that she has other scars as well. "I think it shows your triumph over another case along with all of the other scars you've gotten over the years. We all have them, Emily." He gestured to the knee that he had been shot in, and to some of the marks on his arms.

"Some scars hurt more than others." He knew what she meant by that. Every time she saw that four-leaf clover branded on her skin, it reminded her of the child they lost. I hurt Spencer too but he didn't let her see that. It killed him to see her hurting like she did, and he never knew how much he wanted a family until he experienced that loss.

"They don't define you though." He reminded her of that. To him they were just marks that showed just how good she was at her job. Spencer thought Emily was beautiful, scars and all. She knew they didn't define her, but this one still made her feel awful about herself for multiple reasons. "I do believe Rossi once told us scars show where we have been. They don't dictate where we are going." He reminded her that they have a future to look forward to. Spencer as curious about her past that she kept to herself, but he never wanted to pry. She would open up to him about it when she was ready.

Emily grabbed her silk robe and put it on. She found Spencer in the den looking at the menu to one of their favorite take out places. After looking over the menu and making a decision, he handed the menu to Emily. Either Spencer could read her mind or he had the same idea that she did. Emily made her decision and let him know what she wanted.

"Either you read my mind, or we both had the same good idea." She said as she placed the menu down on the counter. She requested her usual from the nearby Mexican restaurant that they frequented. She also wanted extra tacos and an order of chips and queso. He appetite was another thing that had changed. "I want my usual and some extra tacos. I also want some chips and queso." She requested. Emily knew she didn't have to write it down because Spencer remembered everything. They told Spencer that the food would be ready in ten to fifteen minutes.

"That's quick." He said after hanging up the phone. He was expecting it to take the usual twenty-five to thirty minutes. He realized it was a weekday and thought they might not be as busy. It was a Monday after all.

"Is that a bad thing?" Spencer shook his head and grabbed his keys. Emily didn't know exactly what Spencer was up to, but she knew he was up to something.

"No, it was just quicker than I expected." He replied hoping that she wasn't on to him. After he managed to calm her down from earlier, he decided that he was going to remind her just how beautiful she was and what she means to him. His little family meant everything to him.

"Do you mind if I stay while you go pick up the food?" She asked hoping to relax for the rest of the evening. He didn't mind at all; in fact he was hoping that she would stay while he ran out. Even though they were staying in for the evening he still wanted to make it a romantic dinner. He would have to find a substitute for the wine, but that wasn't an issue at all. He also noticed that she has been favoring sweets as well.

"Not at all." He encouraged her to rest since they got a lot accomplished. The nursery was pretty much done. All they had left to do was to add a final coat of paint, assemble the cradle, arrange the furniture, and finally decorate. They have yet to buy the cradle, furniture or decorations. That was a shopping trip that they would need to do sooner rather than later.

"I know I didn't do too much to help today, but I am exhausted." She felt like she didn't contribute nearly as much towards finishing up the nursery. Emily was not one to slack when it came to getting things done.

"Emily, don't beat yourself up over that. You are doing most of the hard work." He reminded her that her body has yet to take a break. "Your body is literally growing and nurturing our child." He added as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading out.

Once out of the house, Spencer went to the convenience store to see if he could find the sour gummy worms that he noticed Emily had been craving lately. He was going to get one step ahead just in case and bought every bag on the rack. Sometimes she would wake him up at some unreasonable hour and ask him to get whatever it was that she was craving, which has been sweets lately. He also grabbed her some more hot fries, pickles and few other things. After getting what he needed, he found the shortest checkout line and got in it. After the quick checkout, Spencer headed to the Mexican restaurant to pick up their dinner.

Emily was still on the couch when he returned home. He put the away the snacks and placed the food on the counter. After plating their dinner, he called out to her. There was no response.

"Emily, I'm home and food is here." He called out again hoping that she would come to the kitchen. He went back to the den to see if she was still there. He wasn't really surprised when he found her asleep on the couch with her book still in her hand. "Em, it's time for dinner." He gently tapped her causing her to stir.

"I'm sorry." She apologized for falling asleep for so long. "How long have I been out?" She asked hoping that she wasn't asleep for too long.

"I've only been gone for thirty minutes so not too long." She was relieved to hear that she hasn't been asleep for hours. Sometimes her naps lasted longer than what she had intended. What he did not tell her was that he had set up dinner before waking her. Emily started crying again when she saw the vase of flowers on the coffee table in fron of her.

"Thank you." She wiped away her tears. "Blame the hormones." She assured him that those were happy tears. He knew her so well, she loved flowers.

"Anything for you." He meant it too. She turned off the TV and joined him at the table. Emily and Spencer enjoyed their nice romantic dinner at their table in their new home as a family. He had more planned for them this evening. After finishing their food, Spencer tried to get Emily to sit down and relax while he picked up and did the dishes, but she insisted on helping.

"I'll help." She insisted as she put the leftover food away and started helping him with the dishes. After the dishes were cleaned and put away, he led her to their bedroom.

"Now it's time for dessert." He teased as he untied her robe causing it to fall off revealing that she had nothing on under it. Maybe this was her idea to begin with he thought to himself.

"What's on the menu, Dr. Reid?" She asked going along with it. Ever since she made it to her second trimester her sex drive has increased a lot, which was one thing Spencer did not mind at all.

"I guess you are just going to have to find out." Spencer wasn't giving anything away. He gently pulled her towards the bed. She was more concerned with stripping him of his clothing.

"I can't be the only one naked." She tossed his shirt aside and made her way down to his pants. She grabbed his belt and started to unbuckle it. He did not protest when she started unbuttoning his pants and pulled the zipper.

"Impatient now, are we." He teased as he took his pants off and kicked them off to the side.

"Very." Her eyes went straight down to his boxers that were still on him. He noticed where her eyes were looking. "Those have to go too." She nearly ripped his boxers off him. She wasn't in the mood for a flower petal and candlelight kind of night she just wanted him now.

He grabbed some pillows and placed them where he needed them. He gently pushed her on the edge of the bed using the pillows for support. Spencer got on his knees in front of her and went to work. The only downside was now it didn't take much for her to reach an orgasm and that her breasts were very sensitive. Spencer was now very cautious with her, and sometimes that really annoyed her. He had to get creative and constantly change things up. The sounds coming from Emily proved that he hasn't failed yet. He stopped abruptly before she could climax. He stood up and backed away for a second causing Emily to speak up.

"Why the hell did you stop!?" She managed to choke out. "I was almost there!" She added hoping to get her point across. Before saying anything else he motioned for her to roll over and to get up on the bed completely.

"On your arms and knees." He instructed. She did not protest and did exactly what he said. Seconds later he was thrusting into her from behind.

"Faster, Spence!" She demanded. He knew better than to hold out just because she was pregnant. She assured him many times that the baby would not be harmed and that she wouldn't break. She told him that she would let him know if something wasn't working for her. He knew better than to deny her a good time.

"Fuck…Emily." He was about to climax himself. The second he picked up the speed he sent her over the edge. He wasn't far behind her. She collapsed on the pile of pillows supporting her after he pulled out of her.

"T-T-That w-was amazing!" She sputtered. Minutes later they were both in bed watching a show together.

"Hey Em, do you have any names in mind yet?" He asked as he grabbed the remote to turn off the television. No response from her. He looked to his side to find her already asleep. She looked so peaceful.

Her slumber was short lived when baby genius woke her up at 3am demanding sour gummy worms. This was definitely Spencer's child she thought. While Emily did like sweets, she didn't like them nearly as much as Spencer did. Little did she know that Spencer was already one step ahead of her.

"Spence…" Emily tapped him gently trying not to startle him. This wasn't the first time that Emily woke him up for food at some unreasonable hour in the morning.

"Are you okay, Em?" He asked still trying to wake up and process what she was asking him.

"I'm fine, but your child is demanding sour gummy worms again." She placed her hand over where she felt movement. Spencer rolled over towards the nightstand and turned on the lamp. He opened the drawer and took out a bag of sour gummy worms and opened it for her.

"Anything for the two of you." He said has he handed her the open bag. He turned out his lamp and turned over to go back to sleep. Emily left her lamp on but dimmed it so that Spencer could go back to sleep. After satisfying her craving, Emily tried to get comfortable. Thankfully for her the baby decided it was time to go back to sleep.