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A/n some holiday fun. Please enjoy.
JJ removed her phone from her bag and dropped down on their sofa. She began to peruse all the photographs she'd take of their three days in the mountains. She grinned and Reid said. "What's so funny?"
She glanced over to see him at his chessboard, but he wasn't concentrating on the game. "I found the picture I took of you and Kant."
"Oh, man, I hoped it wouldn't come out." He moaned.
"Why are you complaining? It's obvious you have a friend for life."
"Yes, but did he have to leap at me like that. He nearly knocked me over. I thought dogs could sense when a person is hurt."
"Perhaps he sensed that you're nearly healed and decided to take a chance," she suggested as she giggled.
"That is not funny," he complained.
"Yes, it is," she said.
He limped over the join her on the sofa. "Let me see."
She handed over the phone. "What's it worth to you that Morgan never sees this," he asked.
Her eyebrows went up. "Oh, you do not want to leave my options wide open, my gorgeous husband."
"Jennifer?"
"Fine, I have only one request."
"What is it?" he asked, and she saw in his eyes hope, fear and resignation.
"I want to start trying for a baby."
His eyebrows went up. "That's it?"
"You say it like it's a casual thing, Spence."
"No, I only meant that I expected you to – never mind. Yes." He said. "I want to start."
"Good. Let's look at the remaining photos."
He smiled and searched through them until he found his favorite. "That's the one I like."
It was a picture of JJ standing near a tree covered in scarlet leaves that remained in place despite the December cold. She had her hands in her coat pockets, and she smiled with such happiness, it lit up her entire being. The sun couldn't compete with the golden tints of her hair, and her blue eyes out did the winter sky.
"It's good," she agreed.
"What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that I'm the luckiest woman on the planet. I have the most amazing husband, a great job, a cozy little home and now we're going to have a baby. I can't ask for anything more."
"I have nothing to add," he agreed. "You summed up exactly how I feel every day I'm with you."
She kissed him and then she touched his face. "What do you want for Christmas, babe?"
"Nothing," he said. "I want to spend time with you."
"You want to go see your mom?"
"Yes, but I thought you'd want to see your mother."
"I've already spoken to her and she suggested that we see Dianna this year and go to her next year. I thought we could invite mom here for the New Year. We have an extra room."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then let's do it."
"Now," JJ slapped his leg. "You want to help me decorate?"
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As JJ entered Bennington with Reid, she noticed an immediate change in him. His shoulders hunched a bit and his forehead furrowed. She watched him take in the Christmas decorations around the lobby and in the hallways.
"It's going to be okay," she said.
"How do you know?"
"Because it's the holidays and I believe in good things at Christmas time."
"I hope you're right. Christmas can be difficult for her because of the idea of Santa watching your every move. I know in her head she knows he's not real, but with her condition – it can be touch and go."
"Let's not worry until we talk to Marcie."
"Okay," he breathed out and smiled at a woman passing them in the opposite direction with two children in tow.
They passed more visiting families and nurses, on their way to Dianna's room. When they stepped off the elevator, Marcie was at the desk. She talked to a doctor and didn't notice them for a minute, then she looked up and smiled. "Merry Christmas, Spencer."
"Merry Christmas, you remember my wife, Jennifer."
"Yes, but she wasn't your wife the last time we met. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Is she having a good day?"
"Yes, and she knows you're coming. Go ahead, she's in her room."
He blew out a breath and JJ took his hand. "I told you it would be okay."
"I'm glad you were right."
They turned into Dianna's room and Spencer tapped on her door. "Hey mom," he greeted.
Dianna looked up from one of her photo albums. "Oh, Spencer. It's so good to see you."
She hugged him tightly and smiled at JJ over his shoulder. "Hello, Jennifer. How are you, my dear?"
JJ and Reid sat on the sofa after JJ took her turn at a hug with her mother-in-law. Dianna perched on a chair near a small table by her window. "I'm fine, Dianna. How are you feeling?"
"Surprisingly good for Christmas. I'm thrilled you were able to take off work."
"We're off rotation until after the New Year. Management owed us," JJ said and made Reid smile.
"Good, it's about time the FBI realized that you need to rest your brains and bodies once in a while."
"True," JJ agreed.
"How is my son treating you?" Dianna wondered.
"Mom!"
"He's the best husband anyone could ask for. He treats me like a queen."
"Good."
Reid shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Mom," he repeated, and Dianna laughed.
"Okay, I'll stop teasing you. Now, how is Jennifer treating you."
JJ smirked and held back a laugh while Reid looked between the two women that flanked him. "What's the right answer to the question," he finally asked JJ who burst out laughing.
"The right answer is that I cater to your every whim."
"Ha," Reid said then jerked away from JJ when she tried to smack him.
"Not funny."
"You two are so adorable," Dianna said.
"Can we talk about something else?" Reid asked.
"Why don't you give your mom her gift," JJ suggested.
He handed over the gift bag he carried into the room. "I wasn't sure what you wanted and then JJ went shopping and put these together for you."
Dianna opened the bag to find a new Scrabble game, stationary, a couple of books on Medieval Europe and some replacement shampoo, toothpaste, and other essentials.
"Thank you, I can use all of this."
"Good."
"I wish I had something in return for you, son."
"I don't need anything from you, mom. Spending time with you is all I want."
Dianna reached over and squeezed his hand. "You're the best son a mother could want."
"Thanks, mom," Reid glanced at JJ who nodded.
"Dianna, we have more news for you. Spence and I have talked and we're ready to start trying to get pregnant."
"Oh, that's wonderful." Dianna moved to hug them both. "I admit that I've been wondering if you were thinking of it. You have a look," she directed at JJ, who smiled and turned her eyes to her husband.
"A mother always knows," Reid said and made Dianna chuckle.
"Yes, that's true."
"I will call you when it happens," Reid promised.
"I'll be waiting," Dianna said. "Now, tell me what else is going on in your lives."
They talked together for about an hour before Dianna began to tire. The sun was low in the sky and it would soon be dinner time for the residents. They said their goodbyes and hurried out to the rental car they'd picked up at the airport.
"I told you she'd be fine," JJ said to her husband when they arrived at their hotel.
"I'm so glad you were right, Jennifer. I needed to see her happy today."
"I know." she tugged on his hand. "Let's go find something to eat and then we can settle in for a long winter's nap."
"We must be getting old if you want to go to bed early."
"Well, I figured that we could make out, then go to sleep."
"You did. What if I say I'm too tired, Mrs. Reid?"
"I'd say you're lying, Dr. Reid."
He laughed and slapped her butt. "I love you."
"Watch it," she warned, and then she kissed him. "Love you, too."
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Reid awoke on the morning of New Year's Eve to find JJ's side of the bed empty. He sat up, drew in a breath and smiled. The delicious smells of fresh coffee, and eggs, onions, cheese, and bacon filled the air. JJ said that her mother always made them a huge breakfast casserole for New Year's Eve morning.
He climbed out of bed and smiled again because a week ago, he'd given up his cane. His knee still ached from time to time, but he'd finished PT and the doctor said he'd see him in six months. He hurried to shower and dress. When he made it into the kitchen, he found JJ and her mom, dressed in jeans and sweaters. They talked and laughed as Sandy pulled something wonderful smelling from the oven. "Oh," she said and gave him a happy smile. "You're just in time, Spencer."
"Smells delicious," he assessed as he poured out a mug of coffee.
"I told mom she didn't have to do this, but she insisted."
"Spencer's too thin. He needs the calories."
"Mom," JJ protested as Reid turned pink.
"I'm teasing you, honey."
"Sorry, Spence. Mom loves the holidays and it brings out the wacky part of her personality."
"Don't worry about it," he said as he busied himself with adding three teaspoons of sugar to his coffee.
"I told you, mom. Spencer has the metabolism of a rabbit on speed. I hate him."
He grinned at them and sipped his coffee. Sandy chuckled and began to portion out her specialty. "Men can always lose weight whenever they want, Jenny, it's a fact of life."
"I don't have to like it."
"Happy New Year," Reid said and smirked at his wife.
"Bite me," she suggested, and her mother shook her head. "Jenny."
"It's okay, Jennifer talks a big game, but she's a softie at heart."
"Keep it up, and you won't get to partake of mom's special New Year's Day breakfast casserole," JJ threatened.
"Enough wisecracks, let's enjoy brunch."
"I agree," Reid said. "I'm starved."
After a long, leisurely breakfast, they carried mugs of hot spiced cider that JJ had made, to the living room.
"Mom," JJ brought Sandy a beautifully wrapped gift she'd collected from under their Christmas tree. "This is from both of us."
"Oh, thank you, my dears." Sandy tore off the paper and squealed delightedly. "Yes, just what I wanted."
The large, hard-bound book featured photographs of faces from around the world, in countless poses and candid shots.
"You said you wanted pictures of people in exotic places for your coffee table.
"Yes, this is amazing. Look at this little girl," Sandy pointed to a stark, black and white photo. The small child stood with her mother on a rutted dirt road with fields behind them and a lonely tree in the foreground. "I could never carry a basket on my head."
"Actually, carrying loads on one's head is a marvelous method of natural movement exercise. These women start as little girls, so their neck muscles are trained and become stronger over time. They walk with a smooth gait and have exemplary posture, balance and muscle control. Also, they normally place a cloth or some other padding on the top of their head to cushion the load."
Sandy raised her eyebrows and JJ chuckled. "That's my Spence, a man who knows a little about almost any subject."
"Hm…" Sandy said as she tried not to laugh. "I remember taking a modeling class and we had to balance a book on our heads."
"Do you remember the county fair and the year we saw that female contortionist. She got her body into positions I still can't believe." JJ reminisced.
"Yeah, Rosaline wanted to be a contortionist," Sandy said.
"I remember," JJ said with a wistful smile.
"You never wanted to be in the circus as some kids. I remember once you said that the lion tamer was dumb for getting into the cage with the lion."
"Did I?"
"Yep."
"I don't remember."
"You were six at the time."
"Hm, I guess I never thought joining the circus was something fun," JJ mused.
They were silent for a moment until Sandy said. "I have a gift for both of you." She left to fetch a gift bag from her room.
"What is it," JJ wondered.
"It helps to look," Sandy said.
"I suppose," JJ said and withdrew tissue paper from the bag. "Oh mom, where did you find this?"
"What is it?"
JJ held up a beautiful crocheted blanket made from snowy white yarn and lace. "This was Rosaline's when she was a baby."
"I had it in storage and when you told me that you and Spencer had decided to try for a baby, I got it out and had it cleaned."
"Mom, I don't – are you sure, after all, it was Rosaline's and -"
"It's okay, Jenny. I know you're trying at this point, but I hope you'll get to experience the joy of having a child can be. You are my greatest happiness, daughter."
"Oh, mom, I love you. Thank you."
"Yeah, thanks, it's beautiful."
"You're welcome."
"Now that I've made it clear what I expect from you - soon, I think we should go for a walk. The weather is good, and I need it after that brunch."
Reid groaned and the women chuckled. "It'll do you good," JJ sided with her mother as she carefully folded the blanket.
"Okay," Reid agreed because he knew he wouldn't win against two Jareau women. "Let's go."