Hello, long time. I'll be posting this across all the updates. Some are shorter than others but I am hoping to get back into the running of things. The last year or so has not been easy for me and I did sink to a low point. Most of the writing I had, I deleted because in the bad times, I thought it wasn't good enough. Here is an update and hopefully see you soon.
Thank you for all being so patient and for the reviews.
Enjoy and all mistakes are my own
Morgan couldn't stop his eyes watering as he sat in the waiting room. Garcia held his hand tightly and kept him anchored. He'd hugged her fiercely and showered her her cheeks with kisses the moment she had arrived at the hospital. She had told them everything about how she was able to find Spence so quick. Garcia had given Spencer a watch as a gift but had hidden a gps in there as a safety precaution and had told them that she had only ever promised herself to use it in emergencies. She had done this all after the frightening night that Spencer had gone missing not long after his mother's death. Morgan remembered that night vividly. They had searched everywhere for him, even at his mother's grave for hours and had only found him by chance.
He remembered driving by the library only to see the police handcuffing his son against the car. He had managed to smooth everything out with them and carried a drunk Spencer back to his car.
That night, Spencer had sought sanctuary in the one place he'd felt safe as a child. The library. He had managed to break in and was found with some alchohol huddled in a reader's chair.
Helpless was what Morgan had felt that night as he held his son after he had thrown up and couldn't stop crying. He hadn't been able to give Spencer back his mother, the one person who could heal the gaping wound in his young heart, and felt like a failure.
Garcia couldn't face feeling that panic and fear again so had decided the GPS was one way of preventing that for all of them.
The door opened and a young doctor walked in. "Which of you is Derek Morgan?"
"That's me," he said rising to his feet quickly." How is my son?"
"Maybe we should speak somewhere more private," the doctor said before motioning to everyone else.
"We're family. Whatever you have to say to me, you say to them."
The doctor nodded. "Spencer has a broken arm, a laceration just above his forehead along with bruising. We've stitched the laceration. We found a small fracture in his cheekbone too. He has deep bruising to his face alone with a very swollen black eye. An x-ray also revealed two fractured ribs. With time and rest, he'll make a full recovery. He'll have to keep the cast on his arm for about six to eight weeks to ensure it heals correctly. I'm going to keep him overnight for observation and reassess his condition again tomorrow. He's sleeping but you can see him. All of you for a few minutes and then maybe just one."
Everyone rose up and immediately followed the doctor to Spencer's room. The doctor aside as they reached the door and gave them a comforting smile. "Remember, only a few minutes and then just one. Call a nurse if you require any help."
The doctor had barely taken two steps before Garcia pushed open the door and rushed to Spencer's bedside. Morgan quickly followered while the other stayed at the back of the room to give them both space.
Out of all them, out of a family bonded by love not blood, Morgan and Garcia had raised Spencer the most. Garcia, who now kissed his forehead and held his hand, had cared for Spencer in the ways of a mother. She'd held him through sickness and had let him cry in her arms when his mother had passed from the world. Garcia and Morgan, soulmates in friendship, were an unstoppable force when together with both willing to do anything to protect the boy who had confounded them with love.
"Oh, my baby boy," Garcia whispered as Spencer slept. "Don't you worry. I'm going to treat you like a king while you get better."
Morgan reached down, squeezed Spencer's hand and then let out a long shaky sigh of relief. "I'm here, son. You're going to be okay."
"You've...always been there...for me," Spencer said groggily as he slowly opened his good eye. "H-Hey Dad."
"I'm so sorry," Morgan apologised. "He did this because of me."
"He did this because he let his grief twist his mind. Not your fault."
"I'm supposed to protect you, kiddo."
"You do," Spencer smiled as best he could. "You've been protecting me since the day you lifted me out of that cupboard and held me. You found me and saved me. That's all that matters."
"Actually, you have Garcia to thank for us finding you so quickly," Morgan said.
A puzzled look came over Spencer's tired face.
Garcia squeezed his hand. "I'll explain later. You look like your about to drift off again. Go to sleep, baby boy."
Spencer looked at each of them. "I love you both."
He closed his eyes and drifted back off to sleep within seconds. Garcia couldn't stop her bottom lip quivering or the sob from escaping her throat. Morgan rushed to her before anyone could take a step and held her close.
"It's okay," he soothed. "He's okay."
"I don't ever want to lose him. We almost did. He's my sweet boy and someone hurt him."
"That bastard will pay," Hotch spoke up. "Spencer needs both of you. We're all going to make sure this is handled."
"I'm not going anywhere," Garcia wiped her eyes. "I'm going to stay till he is all better."
Spencer woke up to the sound of knitting needles clashing but knew it wasn't Garcia doing the craft. The clicks were too slow. He turned his head to the right to see Garcia asleep in the chair with her hand cradling his own. He turned to the left to see Emily frowning at knitting she was attempting. She looked up and noticed he was awake.
She chuckled as she put down the needles. "I don't know how Garcia does it so quickly."
Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, she motioned to Garcia. "She tried to stay awake but it's been a long day. Especially for you. How are you feeling?"
"Okay," he sighed before flicking his tongue out to feel the healing cut on his lip.
Emily raised her eyebrows. "Don't lie to a pro. You can be honest with me."
Closing his eyes, he took a moment before speaking, wanting to find the right words.
"I thought he was injured," he began. "He was lying down near the car. I just wanted to help. He grabbed me by the throat, caught my hand when I tried to hit him and then he hit my head against the car twice. Dad always tells me I have a strong head."
A shuddery breath escaped his lips as he closed his eyes for a moment. Emily reached down and held his casted hand as best she could. "You're safe. No-one will hurt you."
"I woke up and my head hurt so much," he continued, opening his eyes. "I wasn't sure where I was at first and then the panic hit me. The tape around my hands and wrists felt so rough. All these memories came rushing forward. The cupboard, that women who took me and everything William did. The tape brought it all back. He realised I was awake then and called Dad. You know that part. I can still feel his beefy hand over my fucking mouth."
Spencer breathed in hard and gripped Emily's hand tighter. He startled slightly when Garcia rose up from her chair while still holding his hand in a soft but iron grip.
"Shhh, he's not here anymore," Garcia soothed.
"I tried to fight so hard. Every second I tried to slow him down because I knew I needed to buy time. I grabbed roots, trees and anything I could get a hold of. He got so angry. I couldn't move quick enough to stop him from stamping down on my arm. I screamed so loud. I-I thought I was brave and fearless but I'm not. F-Far from it. I don't want to die. I want to make you all proud and live a good life.
Garcia stroked Spencer's cheek with a featherlight touch. "You make us proud everyday. No-one is fearless. Fear is a part of everyone and we need it because it shows us how brave we can be and how much life is out there for us to face. You fought him and you didn't stop. We love you so much, all of us, and never think you have to prove a damn thing for that love."
Spencer raised the bed with the control. He reached his arm up and Garcia came down to hug him.
"I love you, Mom," he cried against her.
Garcia kissed his forehead and let out a small cry of her own. "I love you too, baby boy."
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