Welcome back treasured readers! Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites! I apologize for the long absence, but I'm baaack. Further apologies for the shortness of this chapter, but I promise to post again soon. As always, don't own and no profits made. All comments and criticism welcome…
Chapter 37
Fortunately, Spencer slept peacefully through the night, and Hotch found himself waking the boys for a breakfast of scrambled eggs and potatoes with toast and jam. As they played in the backyard, Hotch found time to bring clothes out of storage in the garage and filled the drawers in the new bunkbeds with clothes for Spencer. He added the new underwear he had purchased, then divided the closet between the boys. Satisfied, he brought the boys in for a lunch of PB&J with chicken noodle soup. After a nap, the boys played trucks in their room until dinner, then a movie until teeth brushing and bedtime.
Another peaceful night for Spencer had Hotch feeling good about the decision to have the boys share a room. Jack's presence seemed to make Spencer feel safe. He hoped this lasted,
Cook-out day dawned clear and sunny, and both boys were excited as they ate their oatmeal. "Are all the Aunts and Uncles coming Daddy?" inquired Jack as he munched his last piece of toast. "Even Aunt Jessie?"
"Yes Jack, Aunt Jessie is coming, along with the whole team," responded the amused Dad.
"Does that mean I get to meet Aunt Penelope, who gave me the bear and all the books?" Spencer asked excitedly. "I really want to thank her."
"Don't worry-she wouldn't miss it!" reassured Hotch, "And I bet she'll bring cupcakes. She makes REALLY good cupcakes."
"Yeah!" piped up Jack, as Spencer smiled widely, then asked "What is a cupcake?"
"Just wait, you'll like 'em" declared Jack with a grin, and Hotch deferred to his son.
After getting the boys dressed and ready for the day, Hotch started getting things ready for the cook-out, and got the charcoal started on the grill. Soon the team began to arrive with their contributions to the feast, then repaired to the backyard to bask in the warm afternoon sun. The boys were joined by Henry, and the group amused the partygoers with their enthusiastic play. Soon Derek joined them in a game of horseshoes. It was amazing how well Spencer maneuvered on his crutches, however this talent did not extend to his ability to throw a horseshoe. Chuckling, Emily retrieved said object from a bush and returned it to Spencer's small hand.
"Don't worry sweetheart, it takes a lot of practice to reach the post" she encouraged. "Just keep trying." Spencer looked shyly up at her and smiled. Emily felt her heart melt right then and there as the boy stammered out a thank-you before redirecting his gaze to his feet. He glanced back up at her and shyly asked "Will you help me?"
Smiling gently, Emily nodded in the affirmative and gently wrapped his hand around the horseshoe, then carefully gripping his arm she guided the boy in tossing the shoe toward the post. It landed a mere 6 inches from the target, to the boy's obvious delight. "Thank-you Aunt Emily! It almost made it!" Spencer exclaimed with a grin brightening his little face. "You're the bestest Aunt ever!"
"What about me?" came an amused voice from behind them. Spencer whirled around to spy a jolly blonde woman, her hair streaked with hot pink and adorned with sparkly clips. In her hands was an enormous platter of brightly frosted cupcakes. "Hey PG!" smiled Prentiss.
"Are you my aunt Penelope?" inquired the boy, eyes wide. "I sure am Dumpling!" Garcia replied with a cheeky smile. "But you can call me Penny if you want."
The child enthusiastically launched himself at her, and hugged Garcia's knees, exclaiming "Thank-you so much for the bear and all the wonderful books! I love them so much! I can't believe it-I never saw so many books before, and there are all so interesting. And my bear makes me feel safe at night. And Jack and the bear keep the bad dreams away…Thank-you!"
"You are so welcome my little genius" Garcia replied with a happy grin, "And if you ever need to talk to anyone, about anything at all, you can always call me. Your Aunt Penny will always be there for you my precious darling."
"Thank-you Garcia" spoke Hotch, unshed tears brightening his eyes. "I can't thank you enough for everything you have already done, but I have an enormous favor to ask of you. Would you do me the honor of becoming Spencer's Godmother? I plan on having him baptized as soon as the adoption becomes final."
"Of course!" squealed Penelope in enthusiastic delight. "The honor is all mine!"
"And just who were you planning to ask to be the Godfather?" queried Rossi with raised eyebrows.
"You, of course, if you are willing. You have already done so much I hate to ask, but…"
"Nonsense!" declared the fiery Italian. "I would be devastated if you didn't ask me. The piccolo has stolen my heart already."
"Thank-you my dear friends. All of you have been so supportive of the adoption, and so good to Spencer. We truly are one big family. One I am proud to be a part of." Aaron declared tearfully.
After first ensuring everyone had a beverage in hand, Rossi raised his glass and toasted "To the newest member of the BAU Family…Salud!"
"Salud!" echoed the rest of the assembled friends, and they drank to celebrate the newest Hotchner.