Disclaimer: see my profile
A/n this takes place post-series finale. Please enjoy and Merry Christmas.
"How are you, babe," Max asked as she started the engine and put her car in gear.
"I'm fine." Spencer sighed, and instead of looking at his girlfriend of seven months, he focused on a wintery day.
"You sure."
Spencer watched large snowflakes fall onto the windshield and the wipers sweeping back and forth over the glass.
"Yeah. Sorry, I'm a little out of it."
"Hey, don't worry about it. She's your mom, Spencer. You have a right to feel sad."
"Yeah. Luke said the same thing yesterday when we were finishing our paperwork. I'm happy that I have the holidays off this year, but –"
Max glanced over at him, then flicked her eyes back to the road. If they could make it back to her place before the storm cranked up, she'd distract him.
"I know," she said and reached out to click on the radio.
Max's favorite Christmas song, "Merry Christmas, Darling," played, and she sang along under her breath.
"I've never heard that one," Spencer said.
"Seriously."
"No."
Max risked another look at him, and he was looking out the window at the snowfall. "It's my favorite."
"It's beautiful," he said and continued to stare at the whiteness around them.
Max increased the wipers' speed and slowed the car a little as they approached a cross street. The light turned yellow, and she slowed to a stop, just as it turned red. "I'll be glad when we get back to my place."
"Me too."
Max saw with relief that the entrance to the freeway was a block and half ahead, and then she noticed an electric street sign warning that a ten car pile-up had occurred, and the southbound traffic was at a standstill. The radio advised that the highway patrol closed the entrance she'd intended to take along with a stretch of road well past the exit for her apartment."
"Take the next right," Spencer said.
"What? Why?"
"Trust me."
Max took a right because Spencer's tone was insistent. Snow nearly covered the side street, but the speed limit was thirty-five instead of fifty, and there were fewer cars.
"Take the next left."
"Right," Max said. "I've never used this back road. How do you know about it?"
"I memorize maps."
"Okay.
"It's a slower route but safer in this weather, and we're away from the Christmas traffic."
Twenty minutes later, Max parked in her reserved space and followed Spencer inside. Snow pelted down on them as a wind began to buffet them.
"I thought the storm wasn't supposed to hit until later," Max said when they reached her front door. "I'm glad we decided to spend the night together."
"I'm glad to be off the road and inside. I love your place."
He surveyed the Christmas decorations she'd added since his last visit. The tree stood in one corner with gold and silver ornaments and multi-colored lights that came on when Max flicked on the light switch at the door. An angel stood atop the tree, and fir boughs with red ribbons lay in strategic places around the living area. She'd hung more lights and tinsel from the walls, and a red and green checked blanket lay over the back of her chocolate brown sofa.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I love it. You have a way with decorations." Reid said as he took in a small nativity scene in another corner of the room.
"I like your tree with the Doctor Who ornaments," Max teased.
"Henry convinced his mother to buy then for me last year," Reid told her.
"That's cute."
Max let Spencer hug her tight. She pulled away and said. "What now?"
"I thought I'd make coffee."
"Nope," Max said and yanked him forward toward her bathroom. "I can see that you're freezing and in need of a hot shower."
Spencer smirked at her. "I thought you'd never ask."
"Funny. Behave yourself, or I won't make my famous Pad Thai for you."
Spencer held up his free hand. "I'll be good. I promise."
"I am serious, Spencer. Feel free to take a shower or soak in the tub. I'm going to get started on an early dinner."
"You sure you don't want a shower?"
Max shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Not know, maybe later."
"Okay. If you're sure."
"I am." Max pushed him gently toward the bathroom. "There's plenty of clean towels. You know where."
"I do."
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Upon opening the door to the bathroom and flicking on the light, Spencer noticed that Max had placed new candles on the countertop, making him smile. He surveyed the sparkling clean surfaces and could detect the faint odor of cleaning products.
"You cleaned," he yelled out the door.
"You want dinner," Spencer smirked at her irritated tone.
'Yes."
"Then stop with the smart remarks."
Spencer shut the door and laughed as he lit a couple of the candles. The scent of pine mixed with berries began to waft into the air, and he started to relax.
Morgan had once teased him about candles in his bathroom. Spencer had told him to try it, but Morgan refused until he met Savannah, and she'd convinced him that scents were fun in more ways than one.
Spencer shook his head and decided not to think about Morgan. That was not conducive to the erotic mood he wanted to keep. He stripped down, turned on the shower, and stepped in when it warmed.
Fifteen minutes later, he'd dried off, changed into a pair of jeans, a tee-shirt, and a pair of mismatched socks. He padded out to the kitchen and sighed when he detected the unmistakable smell of Max's specialty.
"I forgive you for not joining me in the shower," Spencer said as he approached Max.
"Ha. I knew you needed some time alone to think."
"You know me too well."
"I know our visit to your mom was difficult, babe."
"It would have been worse without you there. I never realized that having someone I love –"
Max dropped the spoon she was using to stir her Pad Thai. "What?"
Spencer stared at her as though struck dumb, then he said, "Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes."
"I – um, I never intended, I mean, I didn't want to say it in the middle of your kitchen. I was going to tell you but –"
Max reached up and kissed him until he desperately needed oxygen. "Shut up," she said gently.
"But –"
"I love you, too, Spencer Reid. I've wanted to say it since our third date."
"Don't remind me of that night."
"I know I said back then that I wanted to take it slow, but since then, we've broken that rule multiple times. We have done it all, Spencer, kissed, touched, held hands, had fantastic sex. Now, I want to tell you that I love you more than I can handle sometimes. You're sweet, gentle, hot, wise, caring –"
"You're all of that and more," Spencer interrupted, then kissed her.
"Oh no, it's starting to burn," Max said when a bit of smoke began to waft from their supper.
Max switched off her electric wok. "Well, it's a little extra brown and crispy –"
"It'll be fine," Spencer said.
"Yeah, um, you want to eat."
"Sure."
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Max curled up with Spencer on the sofa and sipped a cup of hot chocolate she'd made. Spencer agreed to a cup only if she added a generous dollop of whipped cream instead of marsh mellows.
Max giggled when Spencer sipped his drink and kissed him despite the whipped cream on his lips. "Mm, that's good."
"I thought you were tired," Spencer whispered in her ear.
"I am, but it's Christmas Eve, and tomorrow we have a full day of visiting my family and volunteering. Tonight, I want to spend time with you."
"I agree."
They sat silently and watched the snow falling outside her window.
"Max, about that spontaneous declaration I made earlier. I don't want you to think that you have to say you love me."
"I do, and I did say it. You showed me that I didn't have to be afraid of the words or that we're moving too fast."
"I'm glad because I do love you. I want to show you every day."
"Why don't we start with tonight?"
"I concur."
Max chuckled and said. "This is your night. What do you want."
Spencer told her what he wanted, and she frowned then rolled her eyes. "Are you sure that's what you desire?"
"Interesting choice of words, but yes."
"Alright, but we'll need your handcuffs."
"They're in my bag."
"Of course they are. I should know better."
"Yes, you should."
Max turned irritated eyes on him. "You better watch it."
"I'm not scared."
"You should be. I'm tougher than I look."
Spencer looked her up and down, and she smacked his arm. "Spencer."
"I'm simply admiring your physical attractiveness as the first step to foreplay."
Max leaped at him, kissed him, and then grabbed the bulge in his jeans. "Oh, I see."
"Stop teasing me."
"Alright, go get your handcuffs."
"You're too good to me," Spencer said after stealing another kiss.
"You better believe it. Now go."
"I will. Merry Christmas, Max."
"Merry Christmas, Spencer. I love you."
"I love you too," He said and followed her to her bedroom.