Christmas Presence

"Perhaps love is the process of my leading you gently back to yourself." —Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Chapter 1

Dave Rossi stood at the head of the table as he watched his wife of less than a year while she made her way over to him with the carving knife and fork. He shook his head as he inwardly thought to himself, I can't believe this is happening. Things are going too well. He was hoping the other shoe wouldn't drop and take all the air out of his balloon. There were definitely many thoughts running through his mind. He felt different as he kept trying to wrap his head around all the swirling thoughts while he tried to figure it all out.

So, there they were, all seated at the Rossi's huge table, which was brimming with hot and delicious food for their first annual Christmas gathering. Fran and all the girls worked so diligently to prepare and cook the feast before them. Dave had just finished carving the turkey. All the trimmings were served, and all their mouths were watering in anticipation.

Fran decided she would be the one to give the blessing to the group and asked everybody to join hands as she did so. When she was finished, her husband stood up with glass in hand and announced, "Alright, my beautiful family, as the patriarch to this motley crew, I've decided I will be the one to give the toast."

They all nodded in agreement as Derek wisecracked, "Hurry up, old man. The food is getting cold."

The whole room laughed as he retorted, "Old man?! I'll show you who's an old man, Sonny boy."

Penelope leaned over towards Derek and playfully smacked him on his chest, "Be nice, Hot Stuff."

"Anything for you, Baby Girl." They both shared a chaste kiss before returning their attention back to Dave.

The entire family, including the kids, Jack and Henry, lifted their glasses and expectantly awaited Dave's words of wisdom. He always gave the best toasts.

As he stood there holding his glass, he scanned around the table to see all the smiling and content faces. The group gathered together was Fran Morgan-Rossi, who he'd incidentally married this past Valentine's day in 2012. She was now the official matriarch of the BAU family, while David Rossi was the official patriarch. Also present at the mansion were Fran's two daughters, Sarah and Desiree, along with Fran's beloved son, Derek, as well as his girlfriend, Penelope.

The rest of the family present was Hotch and his wife, Emily, his son Jack, Spencer, his wife, JJ, and their son Henry.

As he remained in place, holding his glass up, he remembered he always dreaded this time of year and his birthday as well.

For many years, when it came to those two times, he possessed nothing but bad memories. He always associated his birthday with Tommy Yates and death. His birthday was the day in which Yates insisted he come and visit him every year to receive another name off his extensive list of women he killed. The deal was, every year Yates would not only provide the name but also where he buried a particular young woman. The only part he was thankful for was that he was able to give closure to the victim's families and allow their loved ones a proper burial.

While he lingered there in a daze, he remembered the effort Fran made to give him a wonderful birthday celebration this past year. He didn't know it then but later realized Fran wanted to start to make his birthday special again. He was grateful but still held some sadness within himself. But he loved her all the more because of it. Fran was a special lady and was determined to not allow him to give in to the bad memories, so hopefully, the future would hold more cherished memories for them.

Then he thought back to twenty-four years ago when everything changed for him regarding this time of year. He couldn't stand Christmas because he associated it with three small, frightened children whose parents were murdered with the same axe their father used to cut down their holiday tree. Ever since that case, he'd been unable to put up another Christmas tree.

After explaining all those god-awful memories to Fran after they were married, she vowed to change his mind to make things happy and fun again for him. Thus, the big family shindig. She insisted they put on this entire family celebration. She also hoped he would enjoy it and find his love for the holidays again. For Fran's sake, he promised he would put on a happy face and try to relocate his holiday spirit for the family.

All of a sudden, he felt a calming presence and feeling surround him. He knew something was different.

It all began during the previous weekend when the whole bunch of them went trekking through the woods in the next town over to hunt for their Christmas tree. After a couple of hours of hiking, they spotted the perfect tree, cut it down and brought it home. It was put to a vote, and they all decided it would be decorated on Christmas Eve.

So, yesterday, on Christmas Eve morning, the troops arrived and started their day with a sizable early brunch after everyone got settled into their accommodations. The plan everyone decided on was the entire family would sleepover at the Rossi's mansion on Christmas Eve.

He still hadn't moved as the memories kept flickering through his mind like a movie reel. He remembered the boys wanted to make their gingerbread houses, so all the adults decided they would break up into teams of two. Sarah teamed up with Jack, and Desiree took Henry. The rest were split up into each of their respective couples. Everybody laughed, listened to Christmas carols, and had a blast, even himself, as he recalled. Later, the boys wanted to play in the snow. Adults and children alike suited up and went outside, where they sledded, made snowmen and snow angels, and got involved in a snowball fight. A fun time was had by all.

As the afternoon waned on, they all got too cold and wet. It was time to go back inside, where everybody enjoyed Fran's famous hot chocolate, homemade Christmas sugar cookies, and double chocolate chip cookies. Then the group decided they would decorate the front porch with some lights, along with the living room and the staircase with different colored lights, garland, ribbons, and, of course, some mistletoe.

Once the decorations were completed, he heard the sweet voice of his beautiful wife as she proclaimed dinner was ready. Afterward, they would all decorate the tree. Dinner was delicious. Everyone enjoyed all the effort he and Fran put into their traditional Italian dinner. It consisted of a couple of huge antipasti, spaghetti, cheese ravioli, meatballs, sausage, and garlic bread. Their feast ended with none other than Tiramisu.

After dinner was complete and everyone helped with the clean-up, they all made their way into the living room where the boys were excitedly waiting to decorate the enormous tree. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered all the happy voices, laughter, and singing of more Christmas carols. Henry was chosen to put the angel on top of the tree. Henry decided he wanted his unofficial grandfather to help hoist him up to reach the highest branch. Fran videotaped it as Henry squealed out in happiness when he completed his very important task and gave his Nonno a bear hug around the neck, which Dave had to admit that sentimental gesture brought about a tear or two. It was then Jack's turn for his just as valuable task. Dave couldn't help but chuckle when Jack crawled beneath the tree and plugged everything in. Bam, suddenly all the lights went on, and the room was cast in blinking colors of green, red, white, blue, orange and yellow lights.

After the tree was all lit, Fran snuck over to the wall and switched off the lights, which just left everything bathed in Christmas tree lights and the glow from the burning fireplace. Everyone was excited as Derek took Penelope by the hand and led her to stand right in front of it. It'd taken many years for Derek and Penelope to pull their heads out of their respective butts and admit their true feelings for one another. They started dating during the summer, and Derek couldn't wait to pop the question to his Baby Girl.

The rest of the family gathered around as Derek fell to one knee. Penelope gasped while he popped open the purple velvet box, reached for his Baby Girl's hand and proposed. After Derek finished pouring his heart out, all she could do at first was bawl and nod her head. After he placed the ring on her finger, Derek stood up, and she cried out, "Yesssss, a thousand times. Yes!" The newly engaged couple kissed passionately as the group cheered, clapped, and yelled out their congratulations.

Dave had made an immediate bee-line to Derek and his future daughter-in-law, then plied them with both with a kiss on each of their cheeks. He was so happy and bursting with pride. He and Fran then ran for the kitchen, grabbed the chilling champagne and some glasses. When they returned, he offered up a wonderful toast for a long life, nothing but joy and many bambinos in the future, which his wife, of course, seconded it. Fran wanted nothing more than a gaggle of grandbabies.

The night was closed out with the boys leaving milk and cookies for Santa along with carrots for the reindeer. The boys begged him to read them the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' which, of course, he couldn't turn down. When he finished, they each gave him a hug and kiss. They said their goodnight's as Hotch and Spencer took them up to bed and tucked both boys in. The adults stayed up much longer, making sure to place all the presents for the whole family under the tree, especially the gifts marked 'From Santa'. They all celebrated the engagement some more before the entire family went to bed with nothing but sugarplums dancing in their heads.

Their Christmas day began with the early morning scampering of the children, Jack and Henry. They were completely excited by the visit of old St. Nick, so most of the morning was taken up with joy, laughter, and happiness with everyone exchanging and opening their gifts.

Besides the chatter and gratitude regarding all the gifts given and received, the main topic of the day was, of course, centered around the upcoming nuptials and wedding plans for everyone's favorite couple.

Lost in thought, it finally began to dawn on him while he was standing there that he was indeed enjoying himself. He loved being surrounded by everyone and all the different activities that'd taken place in the last few days.

As he continued running all the beautiful memories through his mind, the rest of the group were staring at him and throwing confused looks at each other. They were all getting a little nervous, most especially Fran. She tried to call him out of his fugue state, to no avail. She finally stood up and walked beside him as she tried to talk to him again. Still no response.