1 YEAR LATER
Penelope woke to the sound of knocking on the front door. She opened her eyes and shook her self from her sleep induced haze, eyes squinting at the sun seeping through the curtains. After quickly scanning her surroundings to make sure her husband and son were okay she pulled herself from the warm confines of her bed and made her way downstairs.
She carefully walked down the dark wooden stairs towards the front door of her families home. Upon reaching the front door she looked through the peep hole and smiled at who it was. She opened the door and was greeted with the sight of Derek and David.
"Good morning Mama," Derek said with a bright smile.
"Morning, Sugar," She replied embracing him in a hug.
She took a few seconds to get lost in Derek's warm embrace before pulling away to show David the same love.
"Where's my grandson and that husband of to yours" David asked while embracing her in a hug.
"You know Alex and his father could sleep through a tornado nowadays," She said.
It was true. Spencer blamed it on the fact that he missed sleep after such long nights when Alex was younger, but she would always tell him he was feeling the affects of being a father...and he was getting old. She let a small smile slip at that thought. Spencer was adamant he couldn't be that old with only a now one year old.
"Why did you guys knock anyway? You both have keys," She wondered.
Derek looked at her hard and raised his eyebrow.
"I will never use a key to this house again unless it's an extreme emergency. I've seen more of you and Spence that I wish to see I'm two lifetimes," he said.
Penelope blushed as she recalled all the times they had been caught in a few choice embraces. It wasn't really her fault. With a baby at home they took any chance they could get at some alone time.
David's laugh shook her out of her thoughts.
"That's besides the point. You go get the little birthday boy, I'll get the mail , and Derek will start getting food prepared," David instructed.
"Derek in the kitchen," She laughed, "oh no."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she turned and darted up the stairs laughing. The sounds of Derek defending his culinary skills fading into the background.
She quietly crept into their bedroom making her way to her sons crib. To her surprise he was wide awake with a small smile on his face. She smiled at her adorable son and reached down to pick him up.
"Happy birthday my little angel," She spoke quietly.
She held him up and bounced him back and forth cooing at him and kissing him while he giggled.
"Let's go wake up daddy," She said.
She turned her body and made her way over to her sleeping husband. She sat down on the bed and laid her son between herself and her husband. Reaching over she began to kiss him awake.
"Wake up sweetie," She said.
He began to stir slightly, but still sleep. After trying for a few minutes she finally decided it was time to just shake him awake. Alex, following his mom's lead began to pound his little fist on his father's back.
"I'm up...I'm up," he said.
He rolled over slowly and smiled at his wife and son. He pushed himself into sitting position and picked up Alex.
"My little boy is one today. Happy birthday little man," he said with a smile.
Penelope smiled at her little family and learned her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Well now that you're up I can go get showered and dressed while you entertain the birthday boy," She said with a smile.
He looked at her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, "There's nothing I'd rather do," he replied.
SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPS
Now that they were dressed and ready they made their way downstairs to join the rest of their little family. Upon reaching the kitchen Derek wolf whistled at the sight of Penelope.
"Looking good baby girl." He complimented.
"Still my wife Derek," Spencer said with a lighthearted laugh, "but she does look amazing.
Penelope wore a flowy white off the shoulder dress decorated with pastel pink flowers that hit mid thigh. She paired this with a pair of black strappy sandals. She had her hair pulled into a loose bun at the top of her head and she kept her makeup light.
She only jewelry she wore was her wedding ring, a pair of diamond earrings Spencer had gotten her, and a necklace with all her families birthstones which was a mothers day gift.
All the men dressed just as casually being as though it was the summer and very hot. Spencer wore an outfit that perfectly matched his sons. The boys each wore a pair if loose jean shorts and a plain blue t-shirt. The only difference was that Alex had the words Birthday Boy printed across his shirt.
"The family looks adorable." David said with a grin.
Penelope carried her son over to the backyard doors and opened both doors leading to the outdoor area. Spencer followed closely behind.
"I'll take Alex, and Derek and David can come out with me to set up the grill." Spencer said kissing her lightly on her lips.
"Well lets go then. Penelope the mail is on the table." David spoke.
The three men made their way to the backyard with the baby.
Penelope smiled as her family walked into the backyard and proceeded to grab the mail. Sitting on the barstool she leisurely looked through the mail. Bill. Junk. Junk. Bill. Magazine. Letter. Jun... wait letter. She hurriedly grabbed the letter and examined the envelope. It was plain white, a basic rectangle. There was no incriminating writing on it except for the strangely familiar handwriting addressing it to the "Reid" family.
Never being one to wait, she ripped into the envelope. Enclosed was a letter. She quickly unfolded the letter and began reading as she was anxious to find our who had written them.
Dear Penelope and Spencer,
It's been a long year. I'm not sure if that was a good way to start off this letter but I'm honestly at a loss for words. I miss you guys. I never stopped thinking about you guys and I never will. I've always felt that I lost the four most integral pieces of my family. I hate the fact that you guys left and I'll always blame myself for it. I often times wonder how you be been doing. I have the means to find out, but I don't want to intrude on your privacy. The most I would allow myself to find was your address to send this letter.
The unit hasn't been the same since you guys left. Hotch turned into a bit of a dictator and JJ pulled away more and more everyday in favor of her family, which no one could really blame her for. We finally fell a part a few months ago. We all knew it was coming.
I was lucky enough to be able to go to London and run things there. I don't know if Spencer ever told you that Hotch and I were in a relationship. I always had a feeling that he knew. I've always felt that it was the real deciding factor for you guys to leave. He took advantage of me being "dead" to visit me and pursue a relationship without the rest of you knowing.
I feel like I've ranted long enough. There's not much for me to say besides sorry. I hope you guys are living the life you always wanted. I'm sad that after everything it couldn't include me being close to you guys anymore. I'll always love you guys. Never forget that.
With love, Emily
Penelope dried her eyes as the letter came to a close. She had often thought about her old team and wondered how they were. She didn't let her tech abilities to allow her to check in on them.
In some ways it saddened her that the B.A.U has come to an end, but she knew she was living the kind of life she'd always wanted.
With that being said she folded up the letter and tucked away somewhere the men would never find. The endeavor was still something that they felt strongly about and today wasn't the day for anger. It was a day to celebrate their wonderful little boy. It was a day to celebrate family. It was a day to celebrate life. So she walked toward the back yard with a smile.
She was going to do just that.