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JJ squeezed her husband's hand when they entered the elevator to the sixth floor. "What do you think he'll say," Reid asked in a tone that was nearly a whisper, as if he feared that somehow, Hotch would overhear them.
"I don't know, but I am wondering if telling everyone is wise. It's three days before my due date and we might be pushing our luck."
He pursed his lips and watched as the numbers over the door changed. "I don't see what your due date has to do with telling Hotch. Yes, it's stressful, but remember that first babies have a reputation for late arrival."
"I sincerely hope you're wrong, Spence."
"I concur," he said and smiled down at her.
She blew out a breath when the elevator doors slid open to reveal the entryway before the double doors leading to the BAU bullpen. No one stood in this area and the lack of agents in the hallway as they walked made her distinctly nervous. It was Friday before a holiday, but still, she expected more people on the floor.
Reid let go of her hand as they approached Hotch's office. She was relieved to see that Emily and Morgan hadn't arrived and Rossi was in his office. Garcia didn't appear and as usual, Hotch worked at his desk when she tapped on the door.
"Come in," Hotch said and looked up when they didn't greet him. "Reid, JJ, what can I do for you."
Reid found it nearly impossible to read his bosses expression, but he thought that Hotch's tone indicated that he was aware they had an announcement he might not like. Hotch indicated for them to sit, then he went to the door and shut it.
"Hotch, um, Jennifer and I have something we need to tell you."
"Yes," Hotch said and cocked his head. "What is it?"
"We're leaving the BAU and Virginia," Reid announced, then turned pink in the cheeks. "Sorry, didn't mean to blurt it out like that."
"You're leaving," Hotch repeated and the surprise in his tone made Reid more nervous for some reason.
"Yes, we've been talking about retiring from the FBI for a few months, and we both have offers on the table that we've accepted."
"Well," Hotch sat straight in his chair. "I understand why you want to leave, but this is sudden. Are you both sure you're ready?"
"Yes," JJ said. "I want to be home at a decent hour every night. Working with my friends in an established PR firm makes that possible."
"I agree," Reid said. "I want to be home for bath time and to read to my daughter every night."
Hotch nodded his head and his dark eyes were full of understanding. "And, I'm sure that neither of you wants to put yourselves in harm's way."
"No," Reid said. "We've gone back and forth, and in the end, we decided that for both of us to be in the field was unacceptable. I was thinking of asking you to be taken out of the field, permanently, but then I got a call from a researcher at Cal-tech, who's done brilliant work in stem cell advancements. His latest project is directed toward improving mental health, and I've decided to join his team. I want my mother around for the sake of my daughter and working with Dr. Slade may make that a reality.
"Then go," Hotch said. "You know you have my support no matter what you decide."
"Thank you, Hotch."
Hotch stood and to JJ's surprise he hugged them both and there was something in his eyes that made her think that he longed to be free of the BAU, but then his eyes shut down and he said. "When will you tell the rest."
"JJ's wanted to be here despite beginning her maternity leave, so we'll gather everyone and tell them this morning."
"I'll call them in right now," Hotch said and they left his office.
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"Hey," Morgan said as he trailed into the room with Garcia at his side. "Why're you here, JJ? Couldn't stay away?"
"Spence and I have something to tell you."
"Don't tell us you're having twins," Rossi asked, and Emily snorted out a laugh.
"I'd love to see Pretty Boy with two babies," Morgan teased.
"I'm not having twins," JJ interrupted their speculation. "It's one baby and I can't wait for her to get here because I'm done."
"Then what's so important," Rossi wondered.
"Spence and I are leaving the BAU."
The group stayed quiet for so long, Reid began to wonder if they'd been turned to statues. No, that's ridiculous, he thought and shook his head.
"Wait, you're leaving," Garcia squeaked. "Why?"
"Because they're smart," Rossi said.
"JJ," Garcia whispered. "It's not true."
"It is, Pen. We decided that we needed less demanding and safer jobs. We've been discussing it for a while and then Spence got a call from a researcher at Cal-Tech and I got an offer from a friend in LA with a successful PR firm."
"You're moving to California," Garcia gasped. "How am I supposed to spoil baby Reid if you go so far away?"
"Pen, please don't make his harder than it is," JJ said, and tears gathered in her eyes."
"You're right," Garcia sniffed and squeezed Morgan's hand when he touched her arm. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," JJ said and sighed. "We feel the same way. Morgan, we didn't know we were moving across the country when we asked you and Garcia to be godparents, so if you want to back out –"
"No way," he and Garcia said in unison. "You're stuck with us."
"Yeah, we have Skype and email, and texting, social media," Garcia babbled.
"And, we can fly out to see you," Morgan said. "I'm pretty sure that we'll have at least one more case in LA before any of us retire."
"Actually the odds –"
"Stop right there," Morgan pointed at Reid. "Don't jinx us."
"Yeah," Emily agreed. "Let's think on the bright side."
"I agree," Rossi said.
" As JJ is on maternity leave, she won't be coming back and Reid has to be in LA in a month.
"Then I think he should buy lunch for everyone," Rossi said.
"Why?" Reid squeaked.
"Because I said so," Rossi said, and they all laughed.
Reid shrugged. "Okay, what does everyone want to eat?"
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"You okay," Reid asked the next day when his wife put a hand on her back and groaned.
"I just had a sharp pain in my back."
"Is it more Braxton-Hicks?"
"I'm not sure."
"Sit down, babe. You can help me organize books another day."
Instead of arguing, she sat which made him nervous. "Now I know you're tired," he tried to joke but flinched away at the irritation in her blue eyes. "You should be afraid, Spencer Reid. It's your baby inside me and I want her out of me, now."
"Honey, take it easy."
He realized his mistake when she tried to reach over and smack his arm, but instead, she burst into tears. "I'm tired of waiting," she wailed. "When is she going to come out, Spence."
He opened his mouth, then decide that the question was rhetorical, and he'd live longer if he didn't answer with one of the many statistics lodged in his gray matter. "Jen," he said and slid over to kiss her.
She turned and hugged him as tight as her pregnant belly would allow. "I'm sorry, babe. You're so patient and I'm a complete bitch."
He didn't agree or try to argue. He held her until she pulled away and pushed up to her feet. He leaped to his feet and took her hand. "Jennifer, I love you."
"I know, Spence. I'm going to bed."
"All right, I'll be in later. I'm going to finish organizing books."
An hour later, he'd finished with his books. He sighed and was about to sit at his chess board for a quick solo game when JJ called out to him. "Spence, my water just broke."
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"How much longer," Garcia complained as she waited with Morgan, and Emily.
"Baby-girl, you asked that ten minutes ago."
"Yeah, PG, babies come when they want to come."
"I know, but I want to see my god-daughter."
Morgan reached for her hand and squeezed it tight. "Reid will come to tell us when they're ready."
Another half an hour later, Garcia looked up to see Reid walking down the hallway to the waiting room. He wore blue scrubs over his clothing, booties over his shoes and a tired, but happy expression on his face. His hazel eyes were exultant, and he greeted them with, "It's over, our little girl is here. She weighs eight pounds exactly and is twenty-two inches long. She's beautiful and amazing."
"Wow sounds like she'll be tall like her father," Emily said and joined Morgan and Garcia in a happy group hug.
"You did good, little brother," Morgan said and slapped his back.
"I'm so happy for you," Garcia squealed.
"Thank you. I can't quite believe she's finally here."
"Yeah, it's about time," Garcia said, and Morgan rolled his eyes.
"Baby-girl, settle down."
"Not until I see my god-daughter."
"We'll go up in a few minutes. They're taking care of Jennifer and getting her moved into a room. The nurse will come a get us soon."
"How are you, dad?" Emily asked with a grin.
"Happier than I've ever felt. I never knew it was possible to love someone at first sight, but I adore my little girl."
"Of course," Emily said. "She's part of you and JJ."
"What's her name?" Morgan wanted to know.
Reid smiled like someone with a secret more precious that the location of the Holy Grail. "JJ and I will tell you later."
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Hotch and Rossi joined the group just as the nurse came in to say that JJ was asking for her husband and visitors. "Oh, I can't wait," Garcia gushed happily.
When they entered JJ's room a few minutes later, she sat up in her hospital bed with a small bundle in her arms. She smiled radiantly at them, then turned her eyes to Reid who smiled so hard, Emily thought he might split his face in two. She smirked at the happy couple and said. "Oh, wow, she's gorgeous."
They crowded around the bed and Garcia sighed in complete happiness. "Em is right. She's beautiful and she looks like her daddy."
"She has his hair, his nose, and his hands. We're not sure about her eyes because they're newborn blue right now."
"I was hoping for a blond," Reid said but didn't sound disappointed.
"She's molto bella," Rossi said and leaned down to kiss JJ on the cheek.
"Congratulations," Hotch said and smiled in a way that changed his face completely. "I'm happy for both of you.'
"Thanks, Hotch."
"Yeah, thanks," Reid said and smiled at his former boss.
"Hey, Morgan, you want to hold your god-daughter."
"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Sure, it is," Garcia said. "Remember to support her head and you'll be fine."
Morgan looked at Hotch who shrugged his shoulders and then he sighed and took the baby from her mother. "Hey there, princess. I'm Derek, your god papa."
JJ and Emily watched him melt down into an infatuated puddle and smirked at each other. "What are you naming this girl," Emily asked.
"Well, we wanted to honor all the strong women in her life and coming up with a name to do that was quite a task. We decided to name her Caroline Alexandra. Caroline means pretty woman and its JJ's grandmother's middle name. Alexandra means protector of the people and is my grandmother's middle name. We want her to know that she's beautiful on the inside and the outside, but more importantly, she has role models that protect their families and others."
"I think it's a wonderful name," Hotch said.
"I agree," Rossi said.
Emily and Garcia nodded their heads as Morgan continued to coo over his god-daughter. JJ smirked at Reid and he shook his head. "Hey, Morgan, you listening?"
"Yeah, Caroline Alexandra. It's perfect, isn't it princess."
Caroline blinked open her eyes and wiggled in his arms. She opened her mouth and began to cry, loudly.
"Oh, I think someone wants her mother," he handed her off to JJ as if she were a scalding potato fresh out of boiling water.
"You're going to have to learn not to panic," JJ said and took her little girl. "Hey baby, what's all the fuss?"
"She might be hungry," Emily said.
"I think that's our cue to leave."
"I'm coming back tomorrow," Garcia promised.
"Okay, but we're getting out of here around noon," JJ said.
"Don't worry, I'll be here as soon as visiting hours start. I want to hold my god-daughter without the big bruiser here to monopolize her," Garcia smacked Morgan's shoulder.
"Hey."
The team left the room together and Reid smiled when the door closed on them. He watched as JJ shifted her hospital gown so that she could nurse Caroline.
"What are you thinking?" She inquired as he took the easy chair next to her bed.
"That I am the luckiest man on earth. I have a beautiful, intelligent, strong wife, and a newborn daughter that's breathtaking. I hope she grows up to be just like you."
"I hope she's just like her father."
"I won't argue with you because it won't get me anywhere."
JJ smiled and her blue eyes sparkled. "It's about time you realized that you can't win."
"That's not nice," he complained.
"Perhaps not, but it's true."
He decided to watch his wife with his daughter and bask in the knowledge that his life was finally falling into place.