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A/n thanks again to all my loyal readers and especially to those who review as a guest. All feedback is appreciated. Please enjoy the next chapter.
JJ watched white clouds grow ever closer to the underside of their aircraft as it descended into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The sky was so blue, it almost hurt her eyes to look at it and she didn't know if she were ready to face what Morgan had once dubbed, "The grown folk's playground."
"Hey," she turned her head to see Spence smiling at her. He reached over and took her hand. "You okay?"
"Just thinking, that's all."
"I thought I was the one that lived in my head," Reid lightly teased.
"True," she agreed and squeezed his hand. "I was wondering if I'm ready to meet your mom again, now that we're engaged."
"Okay, I get that you're nervous, but it's going to be okay. Bennington is a great environment and –"
"Hey, I'm not afraid of going to a mental health institution, Spence. I've read everything I can on your mother's condition, and I'd like to think that the job has prepped me to handle most situations."
"What is it?" He inquired.
"What if your mom doesn't like me, or what if she remembers me from last time. I wasn't very friendly to her."
"Jen, you barely had time to meet her before the case ended and I had to bring her back here. Mom is going to love you."
"Don't you think we're springing too much on her," she asked. "She meets me and learns that we're engaged."
"She can handle it, Jennifer. Her condition is stable, and I've already written to her about you and our engagement."
"Of course, I don't know why I forget that you write to her every night."
"Don't worry about it. It's like part of your routine now, to see me write to her."
"Routine," she laughed, then smirked when a woman across the aisle looked over at them. "Guess that's what we're in now."
"There is nothing routine about us," he whispered.
"We better keep it down. I'm so used to the jet, and everyone talking and laughing."
"Yeah, it's not as comfortable as the jet," he complained. "I need more leg room."
She shook her head and giggled softly. "Well, if I had your long legs, I'd complain, too."
"Feel better," he asked after another minute in silence.
"Yes, as usual, you know how to pull me out self-doubt."
"Good, because we're about to land."
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Reid clung to JJ's hand as they hurried out of the Vegas sunshine and into the cool world of Bennington Hospital. He felt his new fiancé squeeze his hand and he turned to see her smiling up at him and her lovely eyes gave him enough strength to smile back at her.
"Dr. Reid," greeted Diana's nurse Marcie. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, um, this is my fiancé, Jennifer Jareau. Is mom having a good day?"
"Yes, and it's nice to meet you, Jennifer. I'm Marcie."
"It's nice to meet you, Marcie." JJ shook hands with the nurse, who stood no more than five three but radiated an authority that made JJ think her patients must respect her position. The nurse wore pink scrubs, white running shoes and her dark hair in a ponytail. Her green eyes smiled at the couple as she led them down the hallway to the common room.
"She's writing in her journal, but she knows you're on your way to see her, Dr. Reid."
"Thank you."
The group entered the common room and he spotted his mother dressed in a simple blue dress with a white sweater sitting at a table with a small book open and writing furiously. JJ squeezed his hand again and they walked forward.
"Hi Mom," Reid said quietly.
"Oh, Spencer. There you are. I've been waiting for you."
He leaned done to hug and kiss his mother's cheek. "Mom, remember I said I was bringing someone to meet you."
Dianna Reid looked at JJ and something stirred in her eyes. "Yes, I remember you, Jennifer. How are you, my dear?"
"I'm fine, Mrs. Reid. It's good to see you again."
"Please, call me Dianna."
"Thank you, Dianna, I'd be honored."
"Why don't you sit down. I don't like to talk to people standing over me."
Reid and JJ took chairs at the table with Dianna. "How are you, Mom."
"I'm fine, son. I'm happy you're here."
"Me too."
Dianna faced JJ after a moment of silence. "Jennifer, I'd like to ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me."
"Of course, Dianna."
"I know everything about you that my son has shared in his letters, but there is one question that's nagged me for about three years, and Spencer won't elaborate."
"Mom!"
"Hush, Spencer. Jennifer can speak for herself. Why did you agree to go to a football game with my son, when he thought it was a date? You invited another person along without telling him until it was too late. I don't see that as the actions of a trustworthy young woman."
"Dianna, I invited Garcia because I thought all the youngest members of the team could go have a good time. It never crossed my mind that Spence thought it was a date until I'd asked Garcia to go with us."
"What did you think he'd assume, Jennifer. You knew he had a crush on you."
"Mom!"
"Yes, I did know," JJ answered honestly.
"I assume you knew that Spencer hates football because of what happened to him as a child."
"You knew about that," Reid asked in disbelief. "I never told you."
"You think I didn't know my son," Dianna said. "I heard you talking in your sleep and I put it together. I went to see your Principal, but he said there was nothing to be done. The kids on the team would back each other up, and unless there was proof or a witness – well, I got the impression he thought it was boys will be boys. I should've done more to protect you, son. I'm sorry."
"Dianna, Spence did tell me shortly after we began to date. I was – am, outraged by it. I'm glad Spencer chose to forgive me for what I did."
Dianna studied them as they held hands and then she smiled. "I know you've proven yourself to my son. He loves you and you make him happy. I can't ask for more than that in a future daughter-in-law."
"Thank you, Dianna. You'll never know what that means to me."
"I only wanted one child, but if I'd had a daughter, I'd want her to be like you. You're kind, strong, intelligent and unselfish with your time and caring for others. I'm happy Spencer found you."
"I'm glad I found him, Dianna. I love him more than my life. He's an amazing man, who's strong yet, gentle. I believe he gets it from you."
"Thank you, my dear, but I'm just a mentally unwell woman who loves her son."
"There are plenty of mentally well women who don't give a damn about their kids," JJ said.
"True," Dianna agreed. "I'm sure that's not the case for you. Spencer told me about what happened to your mother, Jennifer. I hope she's well."
"Yes, she's fine, thank you for asking."
"Good. Spencer had nothing but great things to say about her."
JJ glanced at Spencer and saw his face was a bit pink in the cheeks. She winked at him and he smiled. "Mom, we're going to be here for another two days. Is there anything I can bring you?"
"I'm almost finished with this journal. A new one would be nice."
"I'll take care of it."
"Now, the weather seems to be holding. Why don't we go outside for a bit?"
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JJ found Reid snoozing on the couch in their living room. She grinned at the peaceful expression on his dear face. He reminded her of a little boy when he slept, and it made her heart beat painfully in her chest because he hadn't had a so-called normal childhood.
Neither did you!
"Spence."
He jerked and opened his eyes. He blinked, rubbed his face and sat up. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, babe. I wanted to talk to you for a minute."
He looked expectantly up at her with eyes that saw everything. She sat and took one of his hands. "I have an idea I'd like to propose."
"Okay."
"When you asked me to marry you, I was surprised. We'd moved into a new place and I was happy with the status quo. You said that you didn't want to waste time and that we need to seize our days together because it could all end in an instant. I agree with you which is why I want us to get married, here, tomorrow."
He stared at her like a statue of some beautifully carved angel. After a minute he blinked and squeezed her hands. "Jennifer. I want to marry you, more than anything, but what about your mom and the team and – "
"Spence. The team is our family, but we can always have a big party when we get home. As for my mother, she'll understand. I want to do this so your mom can attend. She deserves it."
"No," His mouth firmed up in determination. "I'm going to call your mom. I never asked her permission to marry you and it's the least I can do to fly her in for the wedding."
"Are you sure you want to do that."
"Yes."
"Thank you, babe. I'm sure she'd love to talk to you."
He hurried out of the room and JJ picked up her phone. She dialed a number and said. "It's a go."
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JJ nearly burst out laughing at the expression on Reid's face when she walked into the Chapel of Eternal Love, with their respective mothers. The décor was standard Las Vegas tacky with pastel colors and copies of famous paintings depicting old romantic vistas on the walls. The entryway held two large, urn style vases with pink roses and carnations. The carpet was gold with pink accents and had several chairs and two sofas covered in pink velvet situated at both sides of the room. Double doors face them, and JJ assumed they led to the chapel. Still, she doubted it was the décor that had Reid resembling a statue, again. The team stood together and had turned as one to see them enter.
"Sweetcheeks." Garcia hurried over and hugged him tightly. "Happy Wedding Day."
A couple occupying one of the sofas watched them in surprised amusement. Another couple stood as a man entered the room and motioned to them. They hurried away and Reid suddenly felt nerves tug at his gut. He was about to get married and it was happening so fast, he didn't have time to think.
"Only you would embrace the Las Vegas cliché," Rossi said, and then hugged him and kissed his cheeks.
"Guys, this was JJ's idea."
"Was it?" Emily said in surprise.
"Way to go, Blondie," Morgan put in as he went to Reid and gave him a backslapping hug.
"Congratulations," Hotch said. "You guys never fail to surprise."
"Yes, because we wanted Dianna to attend," JJ answered Emily's question. "Thank you, Hotch and watch it, Derek, I still have my gun."
They all seemed to notice the mothers at the same time. "Hello," Sandy Jareau greeted. "I'm so glad to meet you all. Jennifer talks about you all the time."
"Guys, this is my mom, Sandy Jareau. Mom, this is Derek Morgan, Emily Prentiss, David Rossi, Aaron Hotchner, and Penelope Garcia."
JJ then indicated Dianna Reid. "I think Morgan, Garcia, and Hotch have met Dianna. Dianna, this is Dave Rossi and Emily Prentiss."
"It's lovely to meet you. Spencer writes about you in all his letters. I remember you," Dianna said to Hotch. You're the technical analyst, yes," Dianna asked Garcia.
"I am," Garcia said. "Please call me Penelope."
"I will, thank you."
Dianna faced Morgan. "You're the one my son thinks of as a substitute older brother."
"Mom!"
"If he does, then I'm honored, ma'am."
"Folks, are we ready," said a tall man who'd come into the room behind them.
"Yes," they all said together.
JJ drew Rossi aside. "I didn't get a chance to ask, but would you step in for my dad and walk me down the aisle."
"I'd be honored, Jennifer."
"This is it," JJ said to Reid and they followed their family through the double doors.