Thanks for the support!
Chapter Eleven:
Reid was quickly buttoning his shirt when J.J. found him in a hospital room.
"Where's the fire Spence? You need your rest. That guy beat you pretty badly," she said.
"If I get a taxi to Oakland, I can still make the red-eye home. It is Jenna's first day of school tomorrow."
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"I know she's been in pre-K but this is different. It's her first year in the American education system. I want to be there with Jane to take pictures and wave good-bye."
"What did the doctors say?" J.J. asked.
"Bruised ribs and small contusions on my legs arms and legs. No serious injuries to prevent me from flying."
"Just try to get some sleep on the plane then," J.J. said. "Those eyes look like they could use a ton of rest. Give my love to Jane as always."
"Thanks J.J. I'll have all my paperwork finished tomorrow."
"Just get some rest, it's been a long night."
…
Jane was reading a book on her tablet when Reid entered the bedroom.
"You look like a four-letter word."
He patted his hair down. "You didn't have to stay up. I only texted you to let you know I was coming home tonight."
"And I wanted to be awake to tell you that coming home was a mistake. Jenna knew you were on a case. Not a lot of dads are going to be there anyway."
"Jane, I have made it my priority to be here whenever I can even when I am feeling worn down."
Jane stood up an approached him slowly. She swiped right on the tablet and news article appeared with the headline. "Suspect caught after violent altercation with law enforcement."
She touched his arm and he winced.
"I do hope you didn't check yourself out AMA."
"Just bruises, nothing serious," he said.
"I still would have preferred you in bed somewhere rather than sitting in a chair on the red-eye. Your health is important."
He placed his hands on her cheeks. "Being here for you and Jenna is too."
"Please don't do this again," Jane said. "We agreed that your work would be important to the extent that you would look after yourself and try to come home in one piece."
Reid hugged her. "If it means that much to you, I won't I promise. I'll get the rest that I need."
Jane kissed him deeply. "You're very tense. Let's get you in the shower."
"Won't Jenna hear?" he whispered.
"You know she is a heavy sleeper."
"I know but things can change at the stage of development for someone her—"
"Spencer," she said between kisses as she pulled him to the bathroom. "Shut up."
…
"Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!" she waved cheerfully with one hand and the other holding a purple lunch box. Her backpack was yellow and purple, and she had on blue shorts and a dark pink shirt.
Some of the kids were crying and aids were helping out. Jenna kept waving and then quietly followed the teacher up the steps to the school building. Reid detected a slight spring in her step as she moved.
He and Jane held hands, at a loss for words. Their sweet little Jenna was officially a kindergartener. They heard a laugh behind them.
A woman blond hair and blue highlights appeared. "It is always so hard seeing them leave the first time."
"It's our only child," Jane said.
"Then it must be twice as hard seeing her go. This is my third and it does get a little easier. Yours' wasn't a crier I see."
"I don't know how that makes me feel," Reid admitted. "I should be happy as a parent to see her prepared to face academia but I still feel—"
"You feel sad that she is already moving on without you," the woman said.
"I guess," Reid said.
Jane clung to his hand. "I know. I didn't want her to melt down but I wasn't prepared to see her so excited."
"Live in the present then. She won't be backpacking through Europe any time soon. Be there to welcome her home and enjoy every minute you have with her."
Reid squeezed her hand back. "We will."
"As best we can," Jane added.