Sorry it took so long to get the previous chapter out-I musta rewritten parts of it 6 times, but it was pivotal, no? Also, William's fate is decided-a big thank-you to all who voted. I like the outcome ;-)
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds and the cannon Characters. If I did there would have been a lot more about Reid this season! Also, I am making no profit from this story.
Chapter 10-Oatmeal
Fortunately, Hotch had just dried his and Spencer's tears when the door opened and Bonnie the CNA walked in bearing the breakfast tray, which she placed on the bedside table and swung around in front of Spencer, and a paper bag she handed off to Hotch, explaining it was just dropped off by agent Rossi. A peak inside revealed a breakfast burro and coffee, for which Rossi received a whispered blessing from the hungry section chief. Hotch removed the cover from the boy's plate to reveal a bowl of oatmeal, toast, scrambled eggs, and a banana half. Spencer's eyes went wide at the sight of all that food-for him! But what about Daddy? He was about to ask when Aaron held up his bag and said "Daddy's breakfast is in here. Do you know how to use a fork?" he asked as he opened the little packets of salt and pepper and sprinkled them over the eggs, then removed the covers from the bowl of oatmeal and cup of juice and opened the little carton of milk, popping in a straw. The boy nodded yes, then speared some of the eggs and brought them to his mouth, chewing happily. As the boy quickly finished the eggs and toast, Aaron applied himself to his burro, which was soon gone.
Spencer then dipped his spoon, and carefully brought the oatmeal to his mouth without spilling a drop, only to make a face as he chewed and swallowed. Aaron barely held back a smile at the boy's quizzical look. "Oh, I forgot to fix up the oatmeal" he apologized and rapidly added the sugar from the packets, pat of butter and a splash of milk, then stirred. "Try it now." With a glance that clearly said "OK, I'm trusting you on this" the boy carefully raised another spoonful, smiling this time as he tasted the sweetness. Soon even the banana half, apple juice and milk were finished, and the boy had a full tummy for the first time he could remember. It was a nice feeling. Tired from the morning's emotional conversation, and spurred by warmth of the blanket and a full belly, the contented child dropped off to sleep, hugging his bear.
Pulling out his phone, Aaron first snapped a picture, then moved to the chair at the far corner of the room and called Garcia for an update.
"Good morning Sir! And how is the newest little Hotchner doing this morning?" gushed the perky tech.
"So, Rossi told you huh?" sighed Hotch, shaking his head. "But of course, Mon Capitan! Oh sir, Jack is going to be so happy to have a brother near his age to play with, and I already heard how brave he is, just like his new daddy! Please tell me you have pictures…" Garcia chirped enthusiastically.
"Check your e-mail" chuckled Hotch, "He just loves that bear. Thank-you, Penelope. I think you are already his favorite aunt." Turning serious, Hotch continued, "Speaking of Spencer, I want those bastards that raped him Garcia, and hear me when I say that I don't care who you have to hack to find them. This is about family, and I know you won't let me down."
"Perish the thought, mon ami! There is not a rock those degenerates can hide under from the wrath of Auntie Pen! Don't worry my liege, I will deliver them to you no matter what it takes. Not that you know about it or anything. I do already have news on the Duncan front though. He was found dead an hour ago in his apartment. Neighbors describe a suspect who sounds surprisingly like Trinidad Jones fleeing the scene in a black Hummer. Guess what Mr. Jones drives? That's right, a black Hummer! There is currently an APB out for the perv, and I will call you as soon as they catch the skeeve." Declared Garcia breathlessly.
"Well done as always" praised Hotch, "Keep me posted". Next, he called the hospital social worker, who promptly answered, and after hearing Spencer's story volunteered to get the paperwork together for emergency foster parenthood and for adoption proceedings and bring them to the child's room for him. Shortly after starting on the delivered paperwork, Dr. Martin entered the room on rounds to check on the boy.
"Well hello Agent Hotchner, or should I say Daddy Hotchner?" she greeted. "Let me just check him over and we'll talk, OK?" Nodding his assent, Hotch gestured toward the child with a smile.
"Hi sweetheart" Dr. Martin cooed, as she moved the bedside table out of her way, and leaned over the groggy child. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"OK. Just tired. How come Spencer tired? An down there hurt, but down there always hurt. No feel wet, so no blood." Responded Spencer earnestly.
"Well, you are tired because for a very long time you were not given enough food and water, and bad things were done to you. This all made your body tired, and it will take awhile of your body getting rest and enough food and water for you to stop feeling tired." the doctor explained. "Don't worry because it is normal" she said, for both Hotch and Spencer's benefit. "Can I look down there and make sure everything is ok?"
After Spencer nodded his assent, the doctor checked him over head to toe, and declared that all was healing nicely, including the infected bites. She applied a little antibiotic salve to those, as well as the stitches in the anus, and went to wash her hands, shedding the soiled gloves and throwing them away.
Handing the boy the TV remote, she suggested he find something to watch while she talked to Daddy. Spencer was thrilled-after all it had been over three years since he had been allowed to watch TV. He eventually settled on a Discovery Wild channel offering on meerkats and watched in total fascination, leaving the adults free to talk.
"He is an exceptionally intelligent child" stated Dr. Martin, as she led Hotch to the other corner of the room. "It is amazing he possesses the speech and social skills he has displayed considering the last 3 1/2 years were spent mostly alone in a basement without normal social contact. Granted, his verbal skills are on a much lower level, but that is common in children with Asperger's syndrome, which I rather suspect considering his intellectual level versus his social and verbal level. But it is way too soon to say, considering his captivity. I would suggest you have him evaluated in 6 months or so, after he has had a chance to adapt to his home environment. I will be ordering occupational therapy for him, to help teach him some of the self-care skills like dressing, and tying his shoes, brushing his teeth and hair, bathing, toileting…all the skills he was denied while living in that basement. He will also have an evaluation from speech therapy to see what can be worked on while he is here. After you get him settled in at home I would recommend you have him see some-one in Virginia, I will give you a referral. And, of course, he will need to see a counselor to help him deal with the long term sexual and physical abuse. There are several excellent practitioners in the DC area, and again, I will give you a referral. I realize this is all rather overwhelming, but considering that you are a profiler, I kinda figured you already knew everything I just told you." smiled the doctor.
"Well, most of it" admitted Hotch, "but the Asperger's wasn't something I had considered. I have a 5 year old son, and was hoping that contact with him would help teach Spencer normal social interaction, normal speech patterns, and how to play."
"Excellent, that should make a tremendous difference" she responded, a gentle smile on her face. "And how do you think your son will react to having a new brother? What does your wife have to say about the plan?"
"I'm a widower" Hotch admitted, "and my sister-in-law usually takes Jack when I am out on a case. I haven't spoken with her yet, but if she isn't ok with this I will hire a nanny. If I know my son like I think I do he will be happy to have a brother and will take him under his wing. He is a very loving child, and already shows compassion."
Dr. Martin's smile broadened, and she looked very pleased. "It sounds as if Spencer will be entering a most supportive and nurturing environment, and that makes me very optimistic about his recovery and eventual prognosis. For now, I can tell you that he is recovering well physically and I foresee removing the IV as soon as he gets his antibiotics tomorrow morning. He is taking food and fluids well and keeping them down, so I will upgrade him to a regular diet tomorrow as well. Meanwhile, just continue to encourage him to drink fluids and see if you can get him to eat snacks between meals. They keep pudding, fruit cups, and Jell-O in the unit kitchen, along with juices and milk. Whatever you can get him to take. Now, do you have any questions for me?"
"Yes," Hotch responded, "when do you think he will be released? I'll need to make arrangements for his care and safety before then."
"The day after tomorrow, barring a high fever or unforeseen complication. We may be able to admit him into the re-hab center for as long as a week, depending on how well he catches on to things. I'll need the assessments from OT and speech to tell you more" the doctor explained.
"That's fine, just keep me posted." Replied Hotch, already making plans in his head for various possible outcomes. "There is no telling at this point how long we will be here on this case, but of course I am hoping to make major progress soon".
"Just promise me you will catch and punish the rest of the degenerates that hurt this child." The doctor said, with fire in her eyes.
"I won't rest until we do" promised the agent, voice firm with determination. "None of us will."
With that, Dr. Martin took her leave to continue rounds, and Hotch joined his new son to learn about the life and culture of meerkat colonies.