(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters)
Ahhh! CHAPTER 40! Here's an extra longer chapter for you guys!
Thank you for all of the reviews on the last chapter. Quick shout out to ahowell1993, lailyspenstar, Daisyangel, fishtrek, Rookblonkorules, Astrahan, AZCatmom, Guest, purplecat21, Diana, Gawain, and poxyTraitors.
The team are going out for a family day! Let's hope they don't get interrupted this time.
Enjoy!
Previously:
"Otay," he said with a defeated sigh. "Is uncle Sean coming?"
"Uh... I'm not sure if I should muscle in on-"
"Peas," Spencer pleaded.
"Yea, please come uncle Sean!" Jack begged.
"Fine! Now let your brother go to sleep," Sean said, winking at Jack. Spencer grinned and closed his eyes; his head filling with thoughts of what the next day would be like.
Morgan threw his swimming shorts into his bag along with a black towel he'd pulled from the cupboard.
His phone started buzzing and he grabbed it while he pulled on his socks.
"Morgan," he said.
"Where are you?" Garcia's voice was high pitched and pinched with annoyance.
"Uh... at home," he replied obviously, slipping his foot into one of his boots.
"What?! Why haven't you left? We're meant to be there in an hour," the tech analyst cried. Morgan sighed and tied up his laces.
"I'm about to leave now; chill out, mama. It ain't gonna take an hour to get there."
"But you're picking Emily up as well. Derek Morgan, we don't have many days off so don't... don't screw it up," chided Garcia.
"Well, I can't be talking to you and getting ready at the same time-"
"You're not ready?!" She gasped, cutting him off.
"I'll see you in 10," he said quickly, hanging up and slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Clooney!" He called as he opened the front doors. The big German Shepard came bounding over, his tail wagging eagerly.
"Sorry, mate, I'll see you later. Be a good boy," Morgan grabbed Clooney's chin forcing the dog to look up at him. "And don't even think about going to my bed," he warned. The dog licked Morgan's hand, his ears pricked; eager and ready to leave. Morgan grabbed a ball from the shoe stand and threw it down the hall. Clooney sprinted after it giving Morgan the perfect opportunity to escape.
Spencer was too busy watching the TV to hear JJ call his name. It wasn't until Jack snatched the remote up from his lap and changed the channel did he snap back to reality.
"Hey! I was watching dat!" He cried.
"I don't want to watch the nature channel anymore," Jack retorted. He flicked over a few channels until the screen filled with wrestlers. Sean who was watching from the other end of the couch felt it was his obligation to be the adult.
"Jack, don't snatch. You could've asked Spencer."
Jack shrugged and got comfortable in his seat that was pulled up close to the screen.
"Is everyone deaf in this house?" JJ queried as she walked in. Spencer's head flicked up to her. "I called you guys for breakfast. We're going soon," she reminded them. Spencer wriggled off the couch and hurried over to her side.
"Sowwy," he said looking up at her with soft brown eyes.
"Won't we sink if we eat before swimming?" Laughed Sean.
"Atually That's-" Spencer started but JJ put a hand over his mouth, stopping him abruptly.
"Boys," JJ called again to Jack and Henry who were suddenly engrossed with the TV screen.
"One minute," Jack whined.
"Oh well, looks like daddy's going to eat all of the waffles."
Upon hearing this both boys leaped from their seats and bolted past JJ and Spencer.
"That was easy," Sean chuckled.
"How come I can't go with uncle Sean?" Henry groaned, smacking his head into the back of his car seat.
"Because your seat isn't easy to take out; just like Spencer's," JJ pointed out as she turned the wheel and paused at a traffic light. She exchanged a smile with her boyfriend.
"Yea, But Spencer's a baby!" Henry argued.
"No, I'm not!" Spencer retorted loudly.
"Yea you are."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Daddy!" Spencer wailed and Hotch chuckled.
"Boys," he warned.
"You'll always be my babies," JJ added. Henry moaned at this and turned back towards the window. He waited until JJ shot off the traffic light and spoke softly to Aaron before he turned his head and leaned over to Spencer.
"Are too," he whispered.
JJ parked the car and went around to the back door. Hotch let out Henry and took his hand, which didn't go down well with the boy.
"I don't need to hold your hand!" He snapped.
"Yes you do, look, Spencer has to," Hotch said motioning to the toddler who took JJ's hand without fuss.
"Yea, But he's a baby."
"He's not really a baby, Henry. He's just younger than you."
"You treat Jack like a big boy," Henry muttered, looking down and shuffling his feet. "Why do you treat me and Spencer like a baby? I'm not a baby!"
"Okay," Hotch sighed, crossing the parking lot with Henry's hand in his. "You want us to treat you two differently?" He asked.
"No, just me cuz Spencer is a baby and you have to look after him, but I'm a big boy."
"I'll speak to Mummy and I'll see what we can do. If you want to be treated like a big boy, you have to act like one," Hotch said, pushing open the glass doors.
"Yes, sir!"
They got inside and found the team, Jack, and Sean waiting for them.
"Bout time," Morgan laughed.
"Hey, you try getting 3 kids ready," JJ retorted and Garcia scoffed.
"He can barely get himself ready on time," she snickered.
"No fair, Mama," Morgan pouted. Rossi patted his back and led him to the changing rooms.
"That's life, my friend," the Italian said wisely.
Hotch dragged Jack and Spencer into a cubicle and started tugging out a tiny set of swimming shorts and rash vest from his bag. Spencer somehow managed to shimmy his trousers off and pull up his shorts quickly as a blush crept along his cheeks. Jack was already in his swim shorts and was adjusting a pair of goggles on his head. Hotch pulled off Spencer's shirt while he protested about being able to do it himself.
Hotch grimaced when he saw the slight tint of bruises on Spencer's chest where they had nearly faded. He quickly pulled the light blue rash vest over Spencer's head and helped the boy work his arms out. Spencer straightened it out and grinned up at Hotch. Jack, who had been sat blowing up the water wings on the bench handed his father one.
"I don't need dem," Spencer insisted.
"They help you float, Spence. Henry still has them," Jack put in. Spencer considered this for a moment but Hotch was already pushing them up his arms.
"All done. Jack, you and Spencer go wait by the lockers while I get changed, Okay?" The boys nodded; Jack took Spencer's hand and led him from the cubicle.
Morgan was already changed. He had short trunks that showed off his toned legs and they were pushed far down to give the ladies a good view of his body. When Spencer saw him he covered his eyes and gasped.
Jack laughed and Morgan raised an eyebrow.
"Uncle Dewek's naked!" He cried. Both Morgan and Jack laughed and the older boy bent down to explain to Spencer despite the boy already knowing exactly what he saw and said.
"Yo, Hotch, man, come sort out your kids," Morgan called grumpily and from one of the cubicles, he heard Rossi chuckle. JJ and Henry came out of one of the cubicles both smiling widely. Henry was carrying his own water wings as he skipped beside his mother.
"Are you two upsetting Morgan?" JJ asked.
"No," Jack and Spencer said in unison, looking up innocently.
"Yea right. I'm going in," Morgan huffed and Jack followed him eagerly.
"Me too."
"And me," Spencer said, marching along behind, but JJ grabbed his rash vest and pulled him back.
"Wait for the others," she said.
"How come Morgan and Jack get to go in?" Henry whined.
"Because they're older and I trust them both alone."
Henry folded his arms across his chest and glared at the floor. It's not fair, he thought.
Spencer stomped up to the cubicles (although his tiny feet against the damp floor made more of a pitter-patter.) "Tome on!" He whined, tapping on one of the locked cubicles.
"Spencer," JJ hissed as a young woman walked out in a bikini and smiled down at Spencer. "Sorry," JJ apologised with an awkward smile as she pulled a flushed Spencer towards her.
"That's okay. Are you going swimming, sweetheart?" The woman asked, bending down and brushing Spencer's hair from his eyes.
"Yes, ma'am... sowwy... Fank you," Spencer said quickly and nervously and the woman chuckled and stood up before gracefully trotting to the pool. Spencer pressed against JJ, his cheeks hot with embarrassment.
Finally the others started coming out of their cubicles. Emily was in a plain black swimsuit, unlike Garcia who's costume had a hemmed skirt and came in all shades of glitter. JJ wore a simple red costume which matched Hotch's red swimming trunks. Rossi has stripy black and green shorts on.
"Let's go!" Henry cried, pulling his Mum with Spencer's help.
They got into the pool area which was surprisingly quiet. The several people they were sharing the pool with had migrated to the deep end. Jack and Morgan were splashing about in the middle of the pool. Jack had his water gun aimed at Morgan who was pretending to surrender. The team started to pour into the pool, except Spencer and Rossi. Spencer took Rossi's hand and the senior agent looked down and grinned. He sat on the pool's edge and traced his feet in the water. Spencer followed him and dipped his own feet in. He squeaked and stared up at Rossi.
"It's told," he gasped.
"Yea, but you'll get used to it."
The others started to dunk themselves under the water and chattered loudly with each other. Spencer watched for a while and uncomfortably pushed his water wings up his shoulders.
He huffed and stood up.
"What's up buddy?" Hotch asked.
"I feel like Uncle Dewek," Spencer sighed as he tried to move his arms awkwardly around. Rossi frowned at him, as did Hotch and Emily.
"How so, Kiddo?" Rossi asked.
"Cus he had big puffy awms and he walks awound lite dis," Spencer attempted a terrible impersonation by raising his shoulders to make it appear as if he was bulky which was not something a scrawny two-year-old can't do. They all laughed at Spencer who turned to look at Morgan innocently.
"They're not puffy they're muscular and- you know what- that's it," Morgan grunted. He lifted the water pistol up and aimed at Spencer who squealed and attempted to duck. It was futile as the cold jet of water hit the back of Spencer's head and he yelled as he attempted to cover himself.
"Do you have a license for that weapon?" Hotch asked; a serious expression on his face. This gave Spencer a chance to recover and he darted behind Rossi and peeked over his shoulder. Morgan started to fill up his gun again.
"Nope. What are you gonna do about it?" Challenged Morgan. He was about to level the gun on Hotch when a Tarzan shout filled the air and Jack cannonballed into the pool sending a tidal wave over Morgan. Hotch lept into action and grabbed the gun, turning it on Morgan who barely had a chance to wipe his eyes. He raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm unarmed! You wouldn't shoot me, would you?" He pleaded.
"What do you think, Spencer?" Hotch asked. Spencer ventured out from behind Rossi and stood by the waters edge with a confident smile.
"S'oot Him!" Spencer ordered, bouncing eagerly.
"Sorry, Morgan, I have orders," Hotch said before he let rip and sent Morgan spluttering below water to get away from the spray.
Spencer was about to sit on the side beside Rossi when his foot slipped on the watery poolside and he tumbled in. Rossi heard the small splash and whipped his head around to see Spencer no longer at his side.
Hotch, who had watched the fall transpire, dived over. "Spencer!" He cried as he grabbed the boy's waist. The water wings had kept him afloat. Spencer gasped and coughed and looked around in bewilderment.
"Is he okay?" A lifeguard on the sidelines asked.
"I'm fine," Spencer confirmed and he wiped his face and smiled.
"You should be more careful," Hotch cautioned.
Spencer got back onto the side and sat closer to Rossi. He pressed into the Italian for warmth as his teeth started chattering. He watched as the team splashed around nearby.
He felt tears prickle his eyes at the sight of Henry showing off his breaststroke to his mother, and of Sean teaching Jack butterfly stroke. He had never had that experience. He'd never been to a pool with his own parents. It had always been on his bucket list: learn how to swim. It was ironic that he knew everything about it and yet he couldn't physically do it.
"I'm going to do some lengths, you coming, Kiddo?" Rossi asked and he slowly slid into the pool; the water only got to his waist.
"Um," Spencer's lip shivered and he wrapped his arms around himself together. " I'll jut' watch," he mumbled.
Rossi started wading through the water and he gave a fleeting glance at the boy to make sure he hadn't fallen in again.
Spencer swirled the water around his feet as his teeth chattered from his wet clothes.
Hotch had been swimming circles around JJ and talking to her about lunch when his eyes caught Spencer alone. He swam over and caused the boy to jump when he emerged from under the water.
"Come on in, Spencer," he said and Spencer shook his head insistently.
"Why not? You'll warm up if you do-" Hotch noticed the tears amongst the droplets of water and he stood up rather than treading water. "What's wrong?" He questioned. Spencer wiped at his eyes and shrugged.
"Is it because you fell in?"
Spencer shook his head.
"I'll make sure you don't fall in again, I promise," Hotch said. "Just get in slowly this time," Hotch Chuckled, but still the boy refused. His head hung sadly.
"I tan't," he whispered.
"Can't what?"
"Swim... I-I nevew went swimming," Spencer admitted sheepishly.
"Why didn't you tell me? You don't have to sit out this whole time. I can teach you."
"You-you tan?" Spencer gasped.
"Sure, I taught Jack," Hotch motioned to the older child who was swimming like a fish. "And he seems pretty good," he added smugly.
Spencer got to his feet eagerly and hurried over to the steps.
"Slow down," Hotch warned. Spencer's steps became more ginger until he got to the shallow end. He hopped down the first step and the water reached his knees. He squeaked at the chill and hopped down the next step; the water lapping at his chest now.
"That's it," Hotch said, but Spencer seems to get skittish and he retreated back.
"I tan't do it," He wailed.
"Yes, you can. Go to the third step and the water wings will keep you stay afloat."
Spencer saw and understood the rationality in what Hotch was saying and he knew a body naturally floated. He carefully got back to the second step and while gritting his teeth he went to the last step which his toes barely reached. His arms started to flail with fear as he lost his footing. I'm gonna die, he thought to himself and he held his breath. Water splashed over his face, but his head was still above water. He looked around in amazement. Hotch quickly swam over and held Spencer's hands pulling him deeper.
"I t-tan't," Spencer cried suddenly, his legs smacking against the water in terror.
"It's okay, buddy, don't panic," Hotch mumbled calmly as he pulled the boy through the water towards him.
"N-no! Daddy I tan't," Spencer wailed as he floundered.
"Yes, you can," Hotch replied with a smile and Spencer gritted his teeth and kicked out at the water and strugged towards Aaron. He made small endearing noises of effort and Hotch took pity on him and pulled the struggling toddler into his arms.
"You did it, Spencer!" Hotch cheered as the small boy grappled at his arms and gazed back at the shallow end. He gasped when he saw how far he'd come and he glanced down at the water below him and Hotch. Hotch could easily touch the bottom but for little Spencer it was quite a drop to the pool bed.
"I did it!" Spencer mumbled triumphantly and he hugged Hotch roughly. Hotch chuckled and ruffled Spencer's hair. "Tan I do it again?" The toddler asked, bouncing in Hotch's arms and splashing water up at his face.
"Sure, buddy. Remember: just keep kicking and use your arms to pull you along," Hotch instructed and Spencer nodded solemnly.
"Otay, I got dis," Spencer said, biting his lower lip with excitement. Hotch waded back to the shallow end and deposited Spencer on the steps where he could reach the bottom. Spencer was about to jump in but Hotch had to hold him back.
"Hold up, buddy, let me just step back first." Hotch took a few steps back and then beckoned the two-year-old towards him. Spencer hopped back in the water, taking full advantage of his new found confidence and he did as Hotch instructed. He kicked his legs fiercely and paddled his arms forwards. If he didn't have the water wings he knew he would've sunk in an instant. He panted heavily but locked his eyes on Hotch and urged himself towards his target. You can do this, he thought. Hotch took a step forward and scooped Spencer out of the water, throwing him in the air and whooping.
"See! You're a natural," Hotch exclaimed. "Come on, let's go join the others," he said, hitching Spencer on his hip and floating over to the rest of the team.
Jack flipped under the water and stuck his tongue out at Sean. He turned his head and waved at Spencer and Hotch.
"Hey, Spence!" He called.
"Yay! You came in," Henry added and Spencer nodded with a toothy grin.
"I Tan swim now!" Spencer cried and Jack applauded wholeheartedly.
"Can you do this, Spence?" Henry asked and he ducked under the water and resurfaced a metre away. Spencer struggled in Hotch's arms to try what Henry had shown him, but Hotch held him tightly.
"I think he needs more practice first," Hotch chuckled, patting Spencer's back meaningfully. Spencer huffed, but stopped squirming and watched Henry dunk down and let his own water wings bring him back to the surface where he spat out water and giggled madly.
Jack was doing cannonballs off the side, trying his hardest to splash Morgan who was speaking to pretty girl in the pool.
"Tan I do dat?" Spencer asked eagerly, turning to Hotch and gazing up at him with pleading eyes.
"Sure, but don't run," Hotch said and he floated over the poolside where Jack had just struggled onto.
"Will you tatch me?" Spencer asked nervously as Hotch gave him a boost onto the side where he shimmied into a puddle and got to his feet.
"Course I will. Warn me before you jump," Hotch added and Spencer nodded happily.
"Cowabunga!" Jack yelled and he jumped in and covered Morgan in water. The older man laughed and shook himself off and the woman he was with chuckled lightly. Spencer tiptoed to the spot that Jack had just dived off and took a step back.
"Weady?" He asked Hotch.
"Let's see what you got," Hotch challenged. Spencer shuffled forward before hopping into the water and into Hotch's waiting arms. Hotch made sure to keep the toddler's head above the water, not wanting to frighten the boy with an unpleasant dunk when he had not long braved the water. Spencer giggled happily and wriggled to get back to the side.
"Again!" He cried and Hotch chuckled as he let the boy swim (with the guidance of Hotch's arms) back to the edge of the pool.
Hotch managed to pass Spencer onto Morgan whose lady friend had left. He caught sight of his brother chilling at the deep end. He swam over and waited for Sean to notice him.
"So, how was he?" Hotch asked, leaning against the edge of the pool and looking at his brother.
"Damn profiler," Sean muttered. "He was alright." He shrugged.
"And?" Hotch raises his eyebrows and Sean frowned.
"And what?"
"Come on. He's not perfect; what did he do wrong?" Hotch asked bluntly.
"Look," Sean said, pressing a hand on Aaron's shoulder. "He had a timeout for anything bad he did, Okay."
"I'm not going to punish him. I just want to know what he did. He's my son after all; I'd like to curb any bad behaviour," Hotch said and Sean sighed.
"Where do I start..." Sean chuckled.
JJ glanced around the pool with a smile. Hotch and Sean were doing lengths which had become a competitive race. Jack, who had been trying to join in, gave up and was swimming beside Rossi, who didn't look too pleased with the talkative company.
Henry, Morgan, and Spencer were playing in the middle of the pool. Spencer was mostly sat in Morgan's arms and Derek entertained Henry by shooting a water gun one handed. Henry was pretending to be a deep-sea diver and Morgan would jump every time Henry would poke him under the water before resurfacing and cackling evilly and the boy would be submerged again before Morgan could spray him with the gun.
Emily and Garcia were with JJ at the shallow end. Garcia had taught them 'the bike' where they'd hold onto the side and pedal their legs underwater like a bike. They chatted eagerly and watched the rest of their family enjoy themselves.
Morgan, who was fed up of being poked and prodded by the deep sea diver, set Spencer on the side of the pool, where he started to shiver when the cold air hit him, and turned on the other small boy, grabbing him around the waist.
"Ahhh!" Henry cried as Morgan threw him in the air. His arms flailed before he landed into the water with a splash. Henry broke the surface with a loud laugh.
"Hey!" He chuckled, spraying water from his mouth. Spencer giggled and clapped his hands at the display.
"My tuwn!" He cried, holding his arms out for Morgan.
"Okay, Spencer's turn," Morgan said, lifting the boy up into the air. Spencer looked around swinging his legs with excitement.
"Thwow me!" Spencer said suddenly; he didn't know what came over him but before he could change his mind Morgan heaved him into the air. Spencer squeaked as he hit the water and went under. Morgan surged forward quickly.
The toddler resurfaced with a gasp and Morgan, seeing that he was struggling, scooped Spencer up in his arms and patted his back. He sent a worried look around, hoping JJ or Hotch hadn't seen that. Spencer coughed and then laughed.
"That was awesome!" He cheered.
"Jeez, kid. Don't do that to me," Morgan muttered with a sigh of relief.
"Morgan."
"Damn," Morgan hissed and he turned to see JJ and Garcia looking at him with furrowed eyebrows. I guess they did see, he thought in defeat.
"Hand him over," Garcia ordered and Morgan quickly did as he was asked, pushing the toddler into Garcia's waiting arms. Spencer tried to kick out and swim to her himself but clearly, the adults had other ideas. Daddy would let me, Spencer thought and then he shook his head suddenly. Hotch...Hotch would let me.
"Aw, man, we were just having some fun," Morgan whined.
"If you want to throw someone in like that find Jack or Henry, or better yet, Rossi, but Spencer is just too little for that right now," JJ said and Spencer opened his mouth to protest. "Despite what he might tell you," JJ interrupted.
"Fine. It was his idea by the way," Morgan grunted before he skulked off. JJ and Garcia exchanged a look before returning to the shallow end where they'd been chatting. Spencer went to hop on the first step, but Garcia refused to let him go.
"-and Kevin thought that I would just be okay with that," Spencer caught the middle of her sentence and frowned in confusion. He'd never get 'girl-talk.'
"You're kidding?" JJ gasped.
"Nope. I told him where to stick it and we haven't spoken since."
Emily saw Spencer getting frustrated and she attempted to take his hands and guide him to the steps, but Garcia had other ideas and she held onto him like a vice.
"Hey, Pen, I know you just want to hug him forever, but I think he might be getting bored," Emily pointed out and Spencer nodded in agreement. Garcia looked down at her charge and sighed.
"But he's so huggable," she moaned as she released her anaconda grasp.
"Fanks," Spencer squeaked as he leaped into Emily's grasp.
"Wanna go for a swim?" She asked, taking his hands and gently pulling him along.
"Uh Huh! Daddy taught me!" Spencer exulted, kicking his legs as Emily pulled.
"Really? Because I think you're a natural," Emily replied and Spencer giggled happily.
After watching them for a moment Garcia continued her story. Emily stayed close to hear the gossip and she smiled every time Spencer Squealed or laughed. It was only 15 minutes later that Spencer started to slow down, his little legs stopped beating against the water feverishly, instead he softly drummed with his feet.
"Are someone's legs tired?" She asked and Spencer nodded slowly.
"-I'm not sure he's into that- Wait, did you say Spencer's legs are tired?" Garcia asked midway through a new piece of gossip.
"Yea."
"I'll be taking him back then," she insisted, seizing Spencer under the arms and pulling him into her embrace. Spencer didn't mind as he leaned his head on her shoulder. He was tired; he wasn't sure his body had worked this hard since he 'changed'. He looked over Garcia's shoulder at the guys who were also talking and laughing. Henry and Jack were talking quietly, their water guns held close to their chests and the eyes glancing anxiously at Morgan who was distracted again.
"Aw, I don't think it's just his legs that are tired," Garcia said as she stroked Spencer's wet hair which had turned into crazy curls from the water.
"It is time for his nap," Emily pointed out.
"I'll take him out," JJ sighed, but Garcia stepped back and put Spencer out of her reach.
"I can get him changed. You guys can have a bit more time in here," she said.
"Are you sure?" JJ asked, but Garcia wasn't handing the toddler over.
"Yep. Besides I need at least 20 minutes to dry my hair and do my makeup."
"Alright. His clothes are in my locker," JJ handed her the key and watched as Garcia trotted out and shifted the toddler in her arms. Spencer has jolted awake when they got into the cold air and he started shaking.
Garcia grabbed their stuff and headed to the family shower when Spencer started whining and trembling.
"It's okay, sweetness, we'll get you warm with a nice hot shower and then you can have a sleep."
"Whewe's Mummy?" He asked as he plodded along beside her and passed a middle-aged couple. They grinned at the little boy as he passed slowly, his hand in Garcia's.
"She's still swimming. You need a nap. Come on," Garcia locked the door behind her and turned on the shower. Spencer jumped back but sighed when he realised the water was warm and soothing on his skin. While he was distracted Garcia pulled off his rash vest. Spencer let her and helped her run shower gel over his skin, he giggled when bubbles covered his hands. Garcia lathered his hair in shampoo and then her own and she pushed his head back to get the bubbles off.
"Done," She announced and Spencer looked down at himself and smiled. She put his hooded towel on while she washed and conditioned her own hair. Spencer rubbed his eyes as he waited and let out several big yawns.
"Aw, my little baby bear is sleepy," she cooed through the stream of water and Spencer squinted up at her, too tired to fully comprehend what she'd said.
When Garcia finally stepped out of the shower she saw Hotch coming out of the communal showers. She picked up Spencer who was practically nodding off on the spot and hadn't noticed her finish showering.
"Hotch," she called and her boss spun around and grinned. Garcia trotted up to him and handed over the toddler. Spencer's head lolled a little before falling under Hotch's chin on his warm chest.
"It's going to take me a while to get changed," she explained to the bewildered agent, giving over JJ's bag before she skipped off to a cubicle. Spencer looked up sleepily at Hotch.
"Sorry, buddy," Hotch sighed, walking over to a family cubicle which had a changing table and considering Spencer was basically in a sleep trance it would prove easier than changing him standing up. "You probably just want to sleep, not be passed around."
"Uhhhnnn," Spencer mumbled.
Aaron lay the boy on the changing bench and he seemed to drop off instantly. He changed the boy quickly into a stripy long sleeve top and a warm knitted jumper, with soft grey sweatpants and odd socks. Spencer had refused to wear his pyjamas in public so they went with the next best thing. Hotch covered the boy with a towel before quickly changing himself. Spencer stayed asleep throughout and Hotch found himself carrying the toddler out of the cubicles and over to the mirrors
Lucky for him, Jack had gone with Sean, despite whining that he was old enough to change himself and the others seemed to taken up most of the free cubicles.
Hotch sat down on a plastic bench and shifted Spencer in his arms. He glanced down at the sleeping child and grimaced. He knew he was going to have to have a conversation with him about his behaviour and he was sure that Sean missed out some other details. There would be no more cookie heists in his house.
He was considering his options on confronting the boy when a cubicle door swung open nonchalantly and a fully bedazzled Garcia strode out. Without her heels on Hotch noticed the full extent of her shortness and he smiled. If Spencer wasn't 31 inches tall then she would most definitely be the shortest team member. She hobbled up to the mirror and grabbed a hairdryer. She gazed at Hotch and pouted.
"You guys have it easy; I wish I could just sit and cuddle my little bundle of snuggles..." she sighed and dragged a brush through her hair before turning the hairdryer on. "Oh well, the things girls do to look good," she shouted over the sound of the hairdryer. Morgan was next to come out and Garcia moaned something about how easy it must be to have no hair, to which Morgan protested that he did have hair.
"Well it's not on your head," Garcia tittered.
"Yea, wouldn't you like to know," scoffed Morgan as he checked himself out in the mirror.
"Oh, I would!"
"Can you two keep your voices down," Hotch hissed, motioning his charge who's arms hung loosely around his neck
"Sorry, Sir," Garcia apologised but Morgan just smirked and ruffled Spencer's damp curls.
"Yea right," Morgan said sarcastically. "He ain't getting up anytime soon. He's out for the count," He chuckled and Hotch scowled at him and pulled Spencer out of his reach.
"So if he does wake up you'll deal with his mood?" Hotch Questioned.
"Aw, come on, he's not that bad," Morgan said and both Garcia and Hotch stared at him with raised eyebrows. "Seriously?"
"I think Derek just volunteered to babysit next," chortled Rossi from behind them.
"No, I didn't-" Morgan argued as he whirled around.
"That's great! Thanks, Morgan," JJ said, interrupting Morgan as she and Henry joined the team.
"Can I stay with Uncle Derek too?" Henry asked and Hotch nodded.
"Course you can, buddy."
"The more the merrier," added Rossi with a wicked smirk.
"You guys are so de-" Morgan started through gritted teeth when Emily interjected. She too had hurried over to highjack the conversation.
"You can do it next time we go out for drinks," she put in and the rest of the team nodded in agreement, except Morgan of course. Jack and Sean trudged out of a cubicle opposite and started towards them.
"That's a great idea, Em!" JJ exulted. "It's been a while since we've gone out for a drink...what with the kids."
"Hey, I haven't agreed-" Morgan protested but the smug Italian cut him off again.
"So it's settled. Drinks on me at Mcallister's after the next case and Morgan's looking after the kids."
"Morgan?" Hotch asked, shifting Spencer who whimpered a little but stayed asleep. Henry looked up at Morgan with pleading eyes.
"Well... I don't have much choice, do I?" He looked around and the team nodded solemnly. "You owe me big time," he added.
Rossi clasped his hands together and grinned broadly. "Great, now that's sorted, how about we get some lunch."
Thanks for reading!
Please leave a review! Honestly, anything and everything is appreciated, even if it's only one word. This chapter has probably taken 4 hours if not more to make so please just take a moment to review it, it really does motivate me.
Thank you to the constant reviewers, without you I'm really not sure where I'd find my motivation... probably at the bottom of a bag of popcorn.
I must apologise, as I proofread this while I was at a party and was highly tipsy... oops. Anyway, I'm probably going to have to go back through this as I don't trust myself. Just got myself a bowl of popcorn. Let's do this!
I should explain that some things in this chapter may not be typical in America as it's based off my local swimming baths. Some words may be the British versions of what you're used to, which is typical of all my chapters, although I do try to change most into American terms. So things like couch I have to change as I call it sofa. Or diaper, I would call it nappy normally, and candy (I've never called it that ever unless I'm writing about it) have always been known as sweets to me, but I know some people may be unfamiliar with British terms (especially fag, which has multiple meanings for us, it is a variation of cigarette, if you didn't know) so if there are any words that you don't understand just ask in the reviews because I'm trying to avoid British terms considering this is set in America. If I slip up please tell me. Thanks.
Okay, I ended up with the entire bag of popcorn, but it got me through. Hope you guys enjoyed.
See you in the next chapter, which, by the way, will be a continuation of this chapter. So expect a family meal and perhaps a stern conversation about stealing cookies.