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Chapter Eleven:
Amy carried the decorations, and Wright carried Aria. They arrived on the landing and got to work.
"Remember when we used to do this our dorms?" Amy said.
"Of course," she said putting balloons up. "It was fun."
"Do you think his neighbors will steal any of this stuff?" Amy asked as she attached cards to the wall.
"He's mentioned one of his neighbors is older," she said. "I don't think so. He wouldn't live in an unsafe complex."
Wright attached a big "thirty" to the center. Below it she put a card with Aria's hand print in it.
"You two haven't been close in a while, but I think he'll like it," Amy said.
"I hope so. I wonder what his team is doing for him?"
"Something big I bet," she said. "Come on, let's get going."
Wright looked at the door one last time. It did look like a pair of college students had attacked it with decorations instead of a couple young professionals. She hoped he liked it.
…
A few days later, Wright had just put Aria to bed when Reid called.
"Thank you," he said.
"It was fun," she said.
"My team forgot," he said sadly.
"That's unusual," she said. "I'm sure it wasn't on purpose."
"I know," he said. "I just thought I would have accomplished so much more by now."
"Spencer, you've saved countless lives. That's not nothing."
"I know. I just wish I had something more to show for thirty years of life."
"Thirty years young, I wouldn't be the reasonably successful prosecutor I am today if you hadn't asked for a seat with my law homework piled everywhere."
"I'm sorry I pushed you away," he said suddenly. "I really do care about you, Aria, and Amy."
"I understand Spencer," she said. "A friendship like ours is meant to last."
"Let's pick a date to go to the park some time before the weather changes," he said.
"I'd like that," she said.
"I'll call again soon."
"I look forward to it."
Wright hung up and saw Amy was watching.
"You two make up?"
"I don't think we really needed to, but yeah," she said with a smile.
…
Wright rocked Aria as she and Reid watched Amy at archery practice.
"She is really quite good," Reid said.
"A friend gave her Hunger Games and now she is preparing for the end of the world," she joked.
"A crossbow would be more functional for surviving a dystopia because accuracy is higher. Bullets are more likely to run out than other projectiles."
Wright laughed.
"You think of everything, don't you?"
"If the bees go extinct, we might be in for an environmental catastrophe," he said.
"Bees go buzz buzz buzz!" she said to Aria and she giggled.
"More like this," Reid said and made an odd sound. This got a bigger laugh from Aria.
"Are you making silly noises without me?" Amy asked as she approached them.
"You're doing great," Reid said.
"Thanks," she said. "That kid is going to learn to aim before she knows her ABCs."
"Learning special relationships is important," he said.
Reid's phone began to beep. He sighed.
"I have a case," he said.
"This was fun," Wright said. "Maybe next time we'll make it to lunch."
"We'll try," Reid said and leaned close to Aria. "Bye, bye, Aria," he said waving at her.
Aria almost seemed to wave back at him.
…
Time seemed to fly with Aria. While she didn't see every moment while working full-time, she enjoyed every minute she was part of. She was a red-head with blue eyes. While she kept her up constantly, Wright didn't mind as she knew wouldn't be able to hold her as a baby forever. Time a flew and Wright held on for dear life.
At first, she thought it was Aria who woke her when she heard a noise. It was Amy. She looked grim.
"Spencer's been shot," she said.
"Oh god," Wright said bolting awake.
"The injury wasn't bad. It, gets worse," she said. "You remember that lab partner of mine who you had me link up with Spencer? She was shot dead in front of him. I have a friend in the morgue who filled me in."
Wright immediately began to change.
"Go, I'll stay with Aria," she said.
"You're the best, Amy."
"I try."
…
Reid's arm was in a sling when he opened the door. His eyes were already red-rimmed. Wright reached for him, and he sobbed into her arms.
He pulled her into his apartment, and he collapsed on the couch. Wright held onto him. Reid didn't say much; he didn't need to. His body quaked with emotion against her.
Wright had often imagined Reid in her embrace, but never like this. She was happy to be there for him, yet she ached for how much pain he was in. It was a horrible mix of emotions.
She stayed awake the whole time, while he eventually fell asleep in her arms. Sleepless nights with a baby had prepared her for all-nighters. Wright watched the sun rise as he slept.
There was knocking on the door.
"Spence!"
It sounded like this J.J. person she had heard so much about as she knew he called him "Spence."
Reid woke up to a start.
"Spence!"
Reid looked at Wright and shook his head.
"Knock to show you're conscious," another voice said.
Reid stood up unsteadily and knocked.
Eventually they heard them go down the stairs.
Reid looked at her.
"Thank you," he said. "You're due in court."
"It can wait," she said.
"No, it can't," he said. "Thank you, but I want to be alone right now."
"Okay," she said. "I love you Spencer."
"I love you too, Chloe," he said.
She left wondering where this relationship could possibly go.