Thanks, as always for the support!
Chapter Nine:
I watched Colin sit in the captain's chair like it was the throne of England.
"Wow!" he said with a big goofy grin.
Spencer was smiling too. It had been a good dinner. He asked the kids what they liked to do and could discuss accounting issues with Colin. The family was going to get along fine.
"The library reminds of the one in the Beauty and the Beast," Drake said.
"Mom, can we watch more Doctor Who some time?" Eliot asked. "I know I said it was lame, but after walking into a TARDIS, it sounds like fun."
"Not tonight," I said. "You still have schoolwork."
"Wouldn't hanging out with my billionaire uncle sound like a valid excuse?" Drake said.
"In your dreams."
I could see from the look on Colin's face that he was fantasizing.
"Come on, Captain Picard," I said. "We need to get home."
He stood up slowly.
"Only if you'll be my Beverly Crusher tonight," he said into my ear.
I rolled my eyes. Sometimes I dearly regret getting that costume.
"Dad, did you whisper something dirty into mom's ear?" Drake asked.
"No!" we both said at once.
"How would you know?" Colin asked.
"Because of the way mom rolls her eyes whenever you do," Eliot said.
Spencer let out a snicker.
"Maybe profiling does run in the family."
"Cool," Eliot said.
"You promise to tell us more about the bad guys you've caught next time," Drake said.
"I will," he said.
"Good night Spencer," I said.
The boys hugged him and Colin shook his hand. Spencer looked the happiest I'd seen him since we opened the wing. He didn't need fancy things, I realized. To make him happy, he just needed to around people who loved him. I made a mental note to bring the boys around regularly along with my husband.
As we walked out the door, Colin asked.
"Beverly Crusher?"
"How about Bellana Torres?" I said resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
"Don't hold back," he said.
"When have I ever?" I said as we walked to the car.
"That means I'm going to be sore," he said. "I like it."
"What are you two talking about?" Eliot asked as we got to the car.
"Nothing," Colin and I said again in unison.
"Sex again," Drake said.
"Just keep it down," Eliot said. "You woke me up last time and it was gross."
"So, Drake, how's that essay on Florence Nightingale essay going?"
I looked back at the house and noticed a shadow in a window and waved. We were just a normal family at the end of the day. Something Spencer seemed to crave. I promised Jensen, I would help him and I intend to keep helping him until he gets what he truly wants out of life.
…
"Oh my gosh, Paul, he's magical," I said at the coffee counter. "He finished an equation that had been vexing me for days. And he wants his own work space!"
"Are you going to situate it next to yours?" he asked playfully.
"There's actually more space at the end of the building," I said with a sigh.
"Then make space near you, if you want him," he said.
"No, I need to be smart about this," I said and paced. "I don't know if he likes me or just my equations. I don't want to be a fangirl to him. I'm not Ginny Weasley to Harry Potter."
"I have only seen like half the movies so I don't get that reference."
"I want to be seen as equal, not just a girl who loves him because he's Spencer Reid, the heart-of-gold, genius, billionaire, extraordinaire."
Paul sighed.
"I like seeing you in love, Ness. What are you going to wear to the gala?"
"My usual black sheath dress," I said.
"How many times have I told you ditch that thing? Do you have any shopping pals?"
"My sister is in Nepal, my mom won't be visiting for another month, and I'm not close with any of my D&D friends."
"What about work buddies?"
"I'm the top of the food chain," I said. "Do people want to go out for drinks with me every once and a while? Sure. But no one wants to shop shoes with me."
"Fine," he said. "I know I am embodying every gay stereotype by doing this, but I'm going to help you buy a new dress."
"I didn't ask you for anything," I said. "You don't have to. My black dress is fine."
"I'm going to burn that thing," he said and pulled out a marker and pad. "I'm off on the weekends. Pick me up at this address at noon on Saturday and bring your credit card."
"You really don't have to do anything for me," I said.
"If you want to snag that billionaire bachelor, you're going to need my help. Every gal at the gala is going to be dressed to impress that man. You need to up your game."
"Thank you?" I said.
"Just don't call me you fairy gayfather."
…
"My lawyer, who will be representing Augie and me, said we have a very good case at getting that will thrown out," I said confidently to the camera and the producers. "The night of the gala will be my coming out as a billionaire!"
"I'm so proud of her for standing up for herself and Augie while he is wrongfully detained," Momma said. "The gala will be a celebration of the Jensen legacy!"
"Cut," the producer Greg Davis said.
"What do you mean cut?" I asked sharply.
"Carina, we've decided to pursue a new angle for the project," he said calmly.
"But I'm going to be a billionaire!" I practically screamed. "Nothing's changed. There was just a slight snag. But it will be fixed by the time of the gala."
"Carina, the lawyers at the BEU life channel have looked over the will and can find no faults," he said.
"But that's not what the lawyer said yesterday!"
"Liam Harris has a terrible track record and nearly got disbarred twice in the last three years. I would cut ties with him before he takes more of your money."
"What do you mean by different angle?" Momma asked in a lethal tone. "You're going to see if HE wants to be on you show!"
"Let me be honest for your sake ladies," he said carefully. "The spoiled rich girl angle has been played out. Find another source of income."
My mother had to restrain me from attacking him as he walked out with the camera crew.
"TRAITOR!" I screamed. "TRAITOR!"
"Don't worry darling," momma said soothingly. "We're going to get our revenge."
"How?" I sobbed. "Everyone seems to be set against us. It's not fair!"
"I'm going to use some of my money to help you get what you deserve," she said.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"I am hiring PIs to find every piece of dirt we can find on Spencer Reid. By the night of the gala, he'll just want to give you what rightfully belongs to you and Augie."
"You always know what to do," I sniffled.
"I won't let Spencer Reid get away with this," she said. "I promise."