Reid reveals he never believed in Santa. Burdened with recent family deaths and his mother's declining health, the team is determined to cheer Reid up, possibly with the help of someone from the North Pole.
Hi. I will leave an elaborate note when I leave. I will try to finish at least a few stories before I do. I am doing better mentally than I have in years, and I'm trying to figure how writing fits in. I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. I love how it brings out the best in people, hate that we need a holiday to be nice to one another. It is fun to play with these themes. Happy Saint Nicholas Day! No guarantee this story will be completed by Christmas, so the joy may spill into a couple of months.
Getting Reid to Believe in Santa
Usually, when a case wraps up so late at night, the team would spend an extra night where they were. But a storm was brewing in Boulder that would prevent them from leaving if they left any later. Paperwork was hastily filed and notes were quickly thrown in boxes, just as the wind was about to pick up.
Adrenaline was running high, so no one was sleeping at midnight when they boarded the plane. Simmons shot the unsub while Reid arrested his accomplice escaping out the back.
"That was quite a tackle," Alvez said. "There hope for you yet!"
"I'm not joining any football games," he said without looking up from his book.
"There is no tackling in tag football though," Simmons said. "You know how to run."
"No thanks," he said.
Prentiss noted he only turned the page after two minutes. That was slow for him.
J.J. turned around with her phone.
"I have the best husband," she said. "He even laced ribbons through the boy's sneakers."
J.J. showed off decorated shoes for the boys with presents by them.
"Right, it's Saint Nicholas's day tomorrow," Prentiss said.
"Does Michael still believe?" Rossi asked.
"He's starting to wonder. Henry knows to lie when he asks. But I think this will be the last year he believes."
"All my kids still do," Simmons said. "So many letters to Santa."
"That is such a sweet time to be alive," Lewis said. "Their reason functions haven't developed far enough for them to understand what is being said in the world. They believe their parents the most."
"I believed until I was ten," Alvez said. "It must be harder now for kids to believe with the internet and social media."
"There are parenting sites dedicated to helping keep up the ruse," J.J. said.
Reid blinked a few times.
"Excuse me," he said.
Reid went to the bathroom.
Prentiss sighed. "I knew it was too soon for him to come back."
"I hate the nature of Covid-19," J.J. said. "To lose four family members, in three months is too much."
"At least it wasn't his mom," Lewis said.
"He said he was getting along better with his dad and that's all. He loved his aunt and uncle. The cousin he didn't know was the super spreader."
"I know losing my mom was rough earlier this year," Prentiss said.
"I had to teach my daughters what sympathy cards were for the classmates they lost," Simmons said. "No one that young should die."
Reid returned. Prentiss didn't want him to think they were talking about him.
"Hey Reid, when did you stop believing in Santa?" Prentiss asked.
"I never did," he said as he pulled out some headphones.
"What?" J.J. said.
"My mom explained to me how St. Nick was an amalgamation of several different European holy figures who became commonly known as Santa Claus by the early eighteen hundred's. His popularity in America grew with commercialism. He is mainly a means for children to ask for gifts without having to worry about whether their parents could afford them."
"Why did she do that?" Simmons asked slowly.
"Because she thought I was too smart to believe in Santa. She also didn't want me to think of her as a liar."
"How am I just learning this?" J.J. asked.
"Because I'd dodge the question whenever it was asked. I would never want to ruin the magic for your kids, J.J. My mom meant well, but she could have waited. I believe believing in Santa has a purpose in today's society. Children should get to believe in magic as long as they can."
"Well-said Reid," Lewis said.
"I'm going to go practice some meditation," he said.
Reid sat in the furthest corner and put his headphones on.
"Just when I thought his childhood couldn't be more screwed up," J.J. said slowly.
"I'm glad he learned it is better to keep some of the magic alive," Rossi said.
"Maybe we should try to get him to believe," J.J. said. "Hide some treats in his apartment."
"He'd know it was us," Lewis said with a sigh.
"We have to come up with something," Rossi said. "The poor guy has never believed in magic. I think we need to try."
"We'll get Garcia involved tomorrow," Prentiss said.
"Good idea," Simmons said.
"I'm texting her now," Alvez said.
"What did you say?" Prentiss asked.
"Let's make Reid believe in Santa."
…
It rained as Reid drove home. Memories from an old conversation resurfaced:
"What do you mean you told him Santa wasn't real!? He's not even four yet!"
"He's too smart! He's already reading on his own!"
"That doesn't mean we should ruin the magic for him."
"Magic doesn't exist."
"You're a medieval scholar! You're supposed to believe in fanciful things."
"There a difference you moron! You think…"
It made his life easier in some ways. He knew better than to ask for things such as cure to what made his mom so agitated. He couldn't ask that his parents fought less. For bullies to leave him alone. None of those things would fit under a Christmas tree anyway.
He pulled into the lot. The holidays were easier with the team. He always had gifts to open. When he couldn't see his mom, he was always welcome at J.J.'s house.
The rain grew harder as he crossed the lot to get to his building. Reid didn't know what possessed him to finally admit he never believed. It probably had something to do with the death of his father. He felt slightly relieved to tell them after spending the last fifteen years ignoring the subject of Santa.
Reid shook his hair out as he got to his floor. There was something shiny at the base of his door. Ribbon.
A thin box with a bow on it was in a trainer of his by the door. Curious, he unwrapped the gift.
"Who!?" he thought. He never told a soul he wanted this as a kid.
It was an astronaut Barbie from the eighties. He had seen the ads and thought, while highly unrealistic, they looked like fun to play with and had more motion than other toys.
Reid looked around. No one was there. He quickly unlocked his apartment and went in with the doll and his shoe.
It was probably someone from the team. Reid couldn't wrap his head around why this toy though. He hid it in his closet and got ready for bed. Something told him though, this was just the start.