The end is near!
Chapter Twenty-Six
Episode Twelve:
Leah brushed her hair and fastened her earrings.
"Today is the day my life changes, I can just feel it. I don't know if he'll choose me, but I want to believe he only cares about what is best for me. I hope I'm the one."
Bella strapped her sandals on and touched up her makeup.
"Spencer is a unique soul. I care about him deeply. I hope he feels the same way. I want to be the one by his side forever."
Reid waited at the top of a hill with views overlooking the ocean.
"There books about this experience, but none can begin to describe what it is really like. I have never felt a combination of nerves, excitement, or remorse, in my life. I believe I am making the right choice this time around."
Then Leah appeared. Her long blond hair was tied back in a partial ponytail. She was wearing a long turquoise print dress. She looked stunning.
Once she was at his level, he held out his hand and she took it.
"Leah," he said and then choked. He burst into tears.
"I'm so sorry."
She let go of his hand and hugged him.
"Hey, it's alright."
"No, it's not," he said hiccupped. "You deserve better."
"Spencer, I love you and I always will," she said as tears began to fall. "But I know there only room for one of us in your heart. I understand even if I don't like it."
He let go. "How are you taking this better than me?"
"Because you're a sensitive soul," she said. "You care about things deeply and that is what makes you so spectacular."
"I don't ever want to hear you putting yourself down Leah," he said as began to regain his composure. "You are a wonderful woman and I wish you all the happiness in the world."
"I know I am a great person, because of you Spencer," she said. "You are one of the best ego boosters in the world. Your compassion has transformed me into to a stronger woman. I am miles away from the woman my parents think I am. My heart is broken but I won't let that keep me from one day finding my Dr. Spencer Reid."
"I wish you all the best Leah," Reid said.
"I wish the same for you."
They hugged one last time and then Leah walked down the hill.
"I am disappointed but I refuse to let my head hang down," she said in the limo. "Spencer picked me out of all those women. He saw something special in me."
She grabbed some tissues. "I will never stop loving him but I do believe true love for me is out there. I'll probably wallow for a little while. Get some ice cream. But then, I want to change a few things in my life. I want to be a better person like Spencer."
…
Bella was dressed in a long lilac dress. There was a wreath of flowers were woven in her long reddish brown hair. She looked positively radiant.
"Hi," she said lightly.
"Hi," he said nervously. "Bella, this has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. You stunned me when you came out of the limo wearing that dress and then kissed me. I sensed there was more to you though and I was so happy to be right. You have special a place in my heart Bella. Will you fulfill my lonely heart?"
"Yes!" she said and hugged him. He lifted her up in the air. Tears started to form.
"I have something for you," he said and they let go. "It isn't a ring. Not yet."
It was large square velvet box. He opened it and revealed a gold necklace with an opal on it.
"It's my birthstone," he said. "A little reminder of me to wear around your neck."
"You already exist in my heart, Spencer," she said.
"And you in mine," he said and fastened it around her neck.
"I knew you could see beyond my initial appearance," she said. "I knew you were special. Like no one else. You're not easily understood and there still are things that I don't know about you. I look forward to getting to know you better and the depths of your love."
"I can't wait to get to know you better too," he said.
They leaned in towards each other and kissed.
…
Episode Thirteen:
Lonely Hearts: Lonely No More
There was cheering from the audience. Reid and Bella appeared hand in hand and the audience rose to their feet.
"Wow," Drake said. "What an ending!"
"It's a beginning Drake," Bella said. "A beginning."
"What a beginning!" Drake said. "I'm Drake Roland and this is Lonely Hearts: Lonely No More live. So how are you two feeling?"
"Great," Reid said beaming as they took seats.
"Wonderful," she said.
"What has it been like keeping it a secret for so long?"
"We've exchanged letters," Bella said. "He has incredible handwriting. It has been kind of fun in some ways."
"And frustrating in others," Reid said. "Meeting in secret has been difficult at times."
"Now it is time for the big questions," Drake said. "Bella, are you any closer to getting that engagement ring?"
"Love is not a race Drake," she said. "Love is about getting to know each other and deciding together when the best time is to take our relationship to next step in life."
"Now Bella, you live in Seattle and Spencer you still live in DC. Do you plan on finding a middle ground?"
"We've decided to move in together in DC," Reid said.
"I can't wait to start a business during cherry blossom season," she said.
"Now what have you been up to Spencer, while staying in relative seclusion?"
"I have been living with a friend who has been incredible to me," he said. "During that time, I have consulted on some cases remotely while working on a book about my first ten years in the FBI."
"So, nothing about your dating experience on Lonely Hearts: Deceptive Love Edition?"
Reid smiled. "That is for volume two. The book is titled: The F Stands for Family: My life in the FBI."
"What a great title!"
"And one hundred percent of the profits will go to Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America, SARDAA. Because my mother has the disease."
"Is that why you've been careful not to discuss her?" Drake asked.
"Yes," he said and grabbed Bella's hand. "I'm opening up now in hopes to educate people and raise money."
"What a worthy cause," Drake said.
"Thank you," he said.
"Now we've put together a highlight show of the journey of your relationship," Drake said. "We'll be right back."
"I'm so happy Bella won!" Brianna said.
"I was rooting for Leah," Jessica said with a sigh.
"I didn't care," Marci said. "Both women were winners in their own right and Spencer was guaranteed happiness with both of them."
The door to her apartment opened. Marci's husband Connor appeared.
"Hi ladies," he said. "So, who won?"
"Bella," they said in unison.
"That was who I picked."
Marci went over and gave him a quick hug.
"So, do you still like him for the job?" he asked.
"More than ever," Marci said.
She went left the living area with the wine glasses and passed the end table where she had dropped her FBI credentials. She looked out the window in her kitchen a could see part of the New York skyline. Marci wondered if Reid would like it.