Disclaimer: see my profile.
A/n hello all, once again, thank you for your kind support. This chapter deals with Mosley Lane.
Reid took a seat on the park bench next to JJ and tried to catch his breath. "I can't believe you can run like that at twelve weeks pregnant."
She smirked at him and tousled his long hair back from his face. "Honey, I'm sorry to break it to you, but that was slow for me."
He sighed and took a swig from his bottle of water. "You're kidding?"
"No, and you would know that if you ran with me more often."
"I don't see the appeal of sweating and risking injury to your knees and your back. Did you know that running is the highest impact of all aerobic exercises?"
"Yes, but the upside is that I get a runner's high, Spence. The endorphins released with vigorous exercise can help with pain, depression, lower blood pressure, etcetera."
He leaned over to her and whispered in her ear. "I can think of vigorous exercise without dangerous impact to the joints."
She reached back and tugged hard on a lock of his sweaty hair.
"Ow," he complained. "What was that for?"
"Don't play innocent with me, mister."
He rubbed his head, then took another drink from his water and she chugged down half her bottle. "I can't help myself. You're sexier with every passing day."
She narrowed her eyes at him but found that she couldn't stay mad because his eyes twinkled, and he smiled broadly. "If you think that flattery will save you from my wrath, you're mistaken."
"Truce," he suggested.
"Perhaps, if you behave until we get back to the house."
"Then, I suggest we go." he shot to his feet and ran like he might be chased by the devil.
She swore and sprinted after him, but the urge to laugh made her slow. Still, she caught up to him a block from home and they slowed to a walk. He grabbed her hand and they continued in contented silence to the house.
"Dibs on the shower," she said and ran for the bathroom.
He tore after her and joined her despite her attempts to keep him out. After all, he reasoned as he slipped out of his sweaty clothing, two in the shower meant less hot water used.
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"You owe me," JJ said later after she'd dried her hair and brushed it smooth. "I was not in the mood for shower sex. Can't a girl just wash her hair in peace."
"I would thank you," Reid said as he buttoned his shirt. "But I know you enjoyed our water games."
"Nice," she said. "Since when are you so flippant."
"When I married you."
She threw her towel at him. "A genius like you should know that you're treading on shaky ground."
"I'm sorry."
"I'd believe you if you weren't grinning like a satisfied cat."
"Jennifer," he dared to approach and put his arms around his irritated wife. "I know enough about conjugal relations to be sure that there are times when you're not as enthusiastic as I am, and yet you don't complain. Men equate sex with love and women are in it for the emotional connection, which means there will be times you're not in the mood and there will be times I won't be."
She pushed him away and began to chuckle. "Hasn't happened yet."
"I'll give you that," he admitted.
She eyed him speculatively. "I suppose we better enjoy it while we can because after the baby is born, we'll be too exhausted."
He frowned, "I hate to admit it, but you're probably right."
"Speaking of the baby, do you want to tell the team."
He finished tying his shoes as she pulled on a pink sweater and navy-blue slacks. "I suppose it is time."
"Don't pout, darling. We can't keep it a secret forever. You can deal with Morgan's teasing and Garcia's enthusiasm. I believe in you."
"Jennifer!"
"I do! You're not the same man I met four years ago. You're more confident in your skin. It's very attractive."
"Say what you think has merit," he said as he watched her put on lipstick. "That won't stop Morgan from teasing me, or Garcia from spoiling the baby."
"No, but you have me, and I'll be the voice of reason, or I'll kick Morgan's ass."
"I have no doubt," he said and kissed the top of her head. "Let's make a deal. You hold him down and I'll beat him up."
She laughed until her phone began to beep. "Damn it."
She answered and her face took on an expression that he recognized. "Yes, we'll be right here."
"Work," he said.
"Yep, our Saturday's over. We have a child abduction from a fair less than thirty minutes ago."
He sighed and held out his hand. "Let's go."
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"Guys," Morgan got the attention of the group after Sarah Hillridge left with Charlie and Jake.
He and Reid had joined the remainder of the team as they put away case files and cleared the murder board.
"You want to go celebrate at O'Keefe's?"
"Yes," Rossi, Emily, and Garcia said in unison.
"Ah, guys, before we leave, Spence and I have something we need to tell you."
Everyone turned their attention to the couple. "Don't tell me there's trouble in paradise already." Rossi teased.
"Yeah, what did you do, Pretty Boy," Morgan asked.
JJ glanced at her husband and raised her eyebrows, he nodded, and she said in a calm tone despite the uproar around them. "He got me pregnant."
Emily blinked. "Shh," she snapped at Morgan. "What did you say?"
"I said, I'm pregnant."
Garcia hurtled into JJ's arms. "Yes," she shouted. "It's about time."
JJ managed to extract herself from Garcia's hug without bruising to her ribs. "Pen, we've only been married a few months."
"Yeah," Morgan said, "Calm down, Baby Girl."
"I can't," Garcia squealed. "JJ's going to have a gorgeous blonde baby genius."
"Slow down," JJ retreated to Reid's side and clasped his hand. "We have no idea if the baby will be blonde or a genius."
"Congratulations," Hotch said, as Rossi kissed them both on their cheeks and grinned. "Yes, congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Hey," Emily hugged Reid and then JJ. "I'm so happy for you both. How are you feeling, JJ?"
Emily inspected her friend as Morgan hugged Reid and slapped his back. "I'm fine."
"Is she," Emily turned to Reid.
"Yes. She's great."
JJ beamed at him and Morgan said. "Oh, look at the happy couple."
"You're just jealous," JJ said.
Morgan put a hand to his heart. "Woah, Blondie. That's cold."
"That's what you get for all your smart remarks in the last five years."
"Wait," Garcia held up a hand. "If your past twelve weeks, that means you've already had an ultrasound. Where is it?"
JJ blinked then glanced and Reid who shrugged. "We didn't think about bringing it in, Pen."
"What? You must let me see baby Reid. I demand it."
"There's nothing to see," Reid said and nearly flinched at Garcia's expression. "The baby is the size of a grain of rice."
"Yeah, PG, the tech had to circle the baby on the print out because Spence and I couldn't see it."
"Please let me see it," Garcia begged. "I need to come up with names."
"Wow, baby-girl, first of all, that's their job," Morgan wagged a finger between the couple, "And second, you need to take it easy. Reid and JJ got it all under control."
"Yeah," JJ assured her friend. "I promise we'll let you see the ultrasound if you promise not to spoil the baby."
"Oh, peaches," Garcia protested. "I have to spoil the genetically perfect offspring of Jennifer Jareau Reid and Dr. Spencer Reid. This baby's going to be beautiful, smart, athletic, kind, kick-ass and –"
"Mama, we get it," Morgan said. "Can we talk about something else?"
"Yes, celebrating," Rossi suggested.
"I can't go with you to O'Keefe's," JJ said. "No alcohol for the baby on board," she put a hand on her abdomen.
"Ah, that's so cute," Garcia gushed.
"Let's go to Fellini's," Rossi said. "Mama Fellini makes the best Carbonaro, after mine, of course. We'll get nonalcoholic vino for you," Rossi gave JJ a slight bow.
"What do you think?" JJ asked her husband. "Do we go out with these crazy people or go home and spend a quiet evening?"
Reid observed his team and thought that he wanted a quiet night, but he couldn't stop thinking about the case. Perhaps an evening with his best friends outside of work would help him decompress.
"Yeah, I think I can handle it."
Morgan tousled his hair. "Oh, someone is confident."
Reid smiled at his wife and she squeezed his hand. "Come on," she said. "Let's go enjoy Mama Fellini's amazing pasta."
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"So," JJ joined Reid in bed after they'd spent an evening on food and laughter. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"I know you talked to Sarah Hillridge about Charlie. I wondered what you were feeling."
"She knew her son was alive and with all my faith in statistics and facts, I can't understand it, fully. My mom says that mother's feel things, that they're animals. I never thought it was true until today. Maybe we must rely on faith in some situations, what do you think?"
"I know that I feel terrible for putting her off every year as a woman that wouldn't face the truth. Now that I'm going to be a mother, I get how she must feel. She was so kind to us at the end and thanked us. How could she when I never believed her?"
"You did," He reached over and touched her hair. "You did when it counted, and we saved three children's lives. That means something to the parents."
He'd never forget the expression on the faces of the families that reunited and the families that lost all hope. How do you celebrate life given and life taken in concert? How did Steven's parents reconcile losing him just a day before their others were found? Would they take comfort in the fact that he'd died saving a life?
"I know you're right, but I feel like it never ends. There's always someone else out there."
Spencer went very quiet. JJ studied him and touched his arm. "What're you thinking?"
"I was thinking about our baby. Jen, what are we going to do when it comes? I don't like the thought that both of us will continue to risk our lives. It's different with us because we're adults and we understand, but what if something happens to one or both of us."
She sighed and dropped her shoulders. She firmed her lips and met his eyes. "I've been thinking about it too, Spence. I love my job, but I don't know what I'll feel like when the baby is born. I don't want to change, but you're right it's not fair to put ourselves into danger when we have a child."
"On the other hand, there are married couples in the FBI who make it just fine with kids." he pointed out.
"You're right," she agreed and shifted to lay her head on his shoulder.
"I love the smell of your hair," he said and hugged her close. "It reminds me that we're always here for each other."
"I like the beat of your heart," She laid her hand on his chest. "I don't want to lose it."
"Hey," He said, and she lifted her head to find him frowning down at her. "I'm not going anywhere, Jen. I'm sorry if talking about the dangers of our job made you afraid."
"I'm not afraid. I just want all of us to be happy and safe. Is that too much to ask from the universe?"
She reached up and began to finger her pendant. He covered her hand and squeezed. "No, that's not too much to ask."
"Maybe we should table this discussion for a different time and enjoy this rare moment of quiet."
He nodded and then yawed so widely, that she began to laugh. "I nearly saw your toenails, this time."
"I think you're exaggerating."
She wiggled her eyebrows and made him laugh. "Come on, Mrs. Reid. It's getting late. You and the baby need rest."
She switched off her bedside lamp and snuggled down beside her husband. He laid a gentle hand on her abdomen and said. "Hi, baby. Another day is done. Your mama and I love you very much. Stay safe and grow strong."
"I love to listen to you talk to the baby," she said into the comforting darkness around them.
"I love talking to the baby."
"Get some sleep," she said quietly.
"Yes, ma'am."