A/n Yay, the dreaded move is over, and I can post again. Thank for your patience, and here is the next chapter.
Same warnings and disclaimer apply.
"A toast… to the best sister any guy could have. Jenny, you took a lot of teasing from three older brothers growing up. I like to think it was character building. Look at you now, the FBI's premier media liaison. Your career has led you to a great guy, who seems to love you, although I don't know why. Be happy, and give mom some more grandkids."
Sam Jareau sat down to a chorus of cat calls, and general laughter as everyone drank. No one paid attention to the fact that JJ had a glass of sparkling cider in front of her. The announcement about the baby was coming right up. Then, she would kill her brother for his smart remarks. She turned to Spencer, and he winked at her, as he squeezed her hand.
Everyone had met at Spencer, and JJ's favorite restaurant in DC. It was a place with a private banquet room. The food was superb and the service flawless. It had the unlikely name of, "The Hole in the Wall," and was one of DC's best kept secrets.
They'd found it one evening, after a play they'd seen at a small theater-in-the round in downtown. While trying to decide on where to go for a late supper, JJ had turned, and seen the sign pointing to a basement restaurant. JJ had been intrigued by the name. Spencer had been sure the name indicated a dive. She convinced him to try it, and they had been pleasantly surprised.
It was all mahogany woods, and dark draperies. There were light fixtures molded after eighteenth century gas sconces. The maitre'd had been wearing a tuxedo, and Spencer was glad he had a coat and tie on. It wasn't stuffy though, everyone seemed to be friendly, and the guests were all having a great time. Since then they'd come back so often, they were on a first name basis with most of the staff, and the chef. When the chef learned they were engaged from one of the waiters, he insisted on doing their rehearsal dinner. That was okay with JJ, she'd wanted it there anyway.
Her parents, and her brother, who'd been able to get a flight in a day earlier, were at the dinner, and so were her boss, and all her friends from the BAU. She felt terrible that Spencer's mom couldn't be there. He had no blood relations there. It was unbearably sad for her. He assured her that it was okay. He said her family, and his friends at work were all he needed. He said he had a father in Gideon, and a brother in Morgan, so he was all set.
Spencer leaned over, and broke the chain of her thoughts. "Honey… it's time," he said, giving her one of his beautiful smiles. He always seemed to know what she needed in any given situation. It was what she loved the best about him.
"Everyone," she banged on her glass with the end of her knife to get their attention. "Spence and I have an announcement to make."
"If it's that you're getting married, we already know," Morgan called from down the table, everyone laughed. Penelope high-fived him, and Hotch rolled his eyes.
"Hey Morgan, I'd give you the one finger salute, but my mother's here." JJ said amid whoops of laughter and comments like "you go girl" from her brother. She stood, and patiently waited for silence to descend.
"First I want to thank everyone here. You all helped Spence, and me through a very difficult time last summer, and we love you for it. Secondly, you all know that we've been trying to have a baby. Well, I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow for confirmation, but it looks like I'm pregnant."
The restaurant had seen, and heard many positive reactions to good news in its one hundred and seven year history, but nothing like the noise this party of guests made at this pronouncement. They attracted the attention of one waiter who curiously asked Kevin Jareau what was happening. He told the young man who went directly back to the chef.
Chef Michael had already prepared a dessert for them, but when he heard the news, he put it in the freezer and, started over on individual chocolate soufflés. All were the same except for JJ's; hers was made with a delicious filling of white chocolate, and decorative raspberry on top.
When they'd finished their meal, Chef Michael served the dessert, and stood waiting for the results of his labors. This chef was not a stereotypical chef; he stood six and half feet tall, and was as thin as a rail. His skin was as black as midnight.
He was a Parisian trained chef, but he had been born, and raised in Harlem. His employees adored him, and his customers were loyal returning again, and again just like Spencer and JJ. He stood nervously waiting the verdict. He was used to succeeding in his chosen field, but he'd taken a real liking to this young couple. He wanted everything perfect for them.
Everyone raved over the chocolate goodness. Upon tasting hers, JJ said in a loud voice to Spencer, that she had decided she didn't need him for sex anymore. She would just come in here for chocolate soufflé when she was in the mood. Where upon Spencer flushed crimson, and everyone laughed. Chef Michael said that was the best compliment he'd ever received for his cooking, and left the room in triumph.
After more toasts to the happy couple, it was time to leave, but no one wanted to go home. They decided to take in a movie together, and went to one of the Hollywood blockbusters, that were playing in a multiplex down the street. Morgan was with Penelope of course, and much to Spencer's delight Martin was with Emily. She seemed to adore him, and they remained joined at the hip for the entire evening.
JJ heard Hotch say to Haley, that he hoped this didn't mean he was going to lose another media liaison. She repeated this to Spence, and they giggled about it on the way home.
When they did make it home, Spencer did his best to prove to JJ that chocolate soufflé was highly over rated. She had to admit, he was right.
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The next day was spent on very last minute arrangements for the ceremony. JJ saw her doctor for a confirmation pregnancy test. She wasn't surprised when the results were positive. Her doctor gave her an approximate due of August 12th.
Spencer spent a good portion of that day whining to JJ about spending the night with at home with maid of honor Garcia for company, and kicking him out to Hotch's guest room. She said the groom couldn't see the bride before the wedding. She claimed she didn't believe in bad luck, but she wasn't going to take any chances.
"Babe, it could be worse, you could be sleeping on Morgan's couch."
"Jen come on… it's a stupid tradition. I can't sleep without you." He turned those beautiful eyes on her, and gave her his best lost puppy dog look.
"Don't start Spence, now come on it's time for the party, Hotch will be here at any moment."
His pout only deepened at the prospect of what the guys had planned for him. Oddly enough Hotch had offered to host the party, so Reid was highly suspicious about the shape the evening would take.
"Babe… do I have to go, it's embarrassing."
"Don't be a spoilsport Spence; I'm sure Hotch won't let the guys humiliate you too much."
She patted his cheek, and he pinched her behind making her squeal. "It's not too late to call the party off; I can just phone everyone, and tell them you're sick, in bed. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"You know, it's fascinating how big of a sex maniac you've turned into. The answers no… so go get your coat."
The door bell rang, and it was Hotch with Haley and Jack, Haley had decided to keep JJ company. She didn't want anything to do with the boys, and their party. Reid had no choice but to grab his coat, and bag and head out the door.
"Don't worry JJ, he's in good hands," Hotch promised her with one of his very rare smiles.
"That's what he's afraid of Hotch." She kissed Spencer, and shut the door behind them.
"So do you think the guys will play nice tonight?" Haley asked, as she put Jack down on the floor, and dropped the diaper bag on the couch.
"Not a chance, but I wasn't going to tell Spencer that, he would've found some way get out of it."
"Well, come on then, let's make some popcorn, and watch a tear jerker while we wait for Emily and Penelope, what do you say." Haley said, with a large smile as she rubbed her hands together.
"I say that's a great idea, Haley."
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"Come on Reid, I promised JJ we'd be nice tonight." Hotch turned down the street to his home, and glanced over at Reid, who was nervously pushing his hair back. He looked even more pale than usual.
"Gideon will be there so had bad can it be?"
It never failed to amaze Hotch that someone so kind, and gentle could work up a glare like the one Reid just turned to him. Aaron Hotchner prided himself on his stern demeanor at work. After all, he was a supervisory agent. Someone had to be the bad guy, especially when the Unit chief was more interested in profiling, then actually dealing with employee issues. That was okay, as an ex-prosecutor, Hotch did what he had to do to keep the personalities on the team from killing each other.
He did know how to smile, contrary to popular belief; there just wasn't a lot to smile about in his job. Haley and Jack knew he could smile; after all they were the ones that responsible for the majority of the happiness in his life.
Even though he knew Reid was dreading this party like a visit to the dentist for a root canal, the drive did end, and they were in front of Hotch's home. Hotch exited the SUV, and came around to the passenger side, when Reid just sat there. He just stood there with the look that said, "I'm your boss, and you better get a move on" it worked, because Reid reluctantly got out of the car.
"Good, I was going to tell you that if you're waiting for me to open the door for you, you better think again."
"That's real funny Hotch."
When they entered the house, Reid was surprised to see Gideon. Hotch had said he would be there, but Reid didn't think he would actually show up. He felt slightly better about all of this. If his boss was there, then things couldn't get too out of hand, could they?
The guests also included Morgan, Costa, Kevin, and Sam Jareau. There was a basketball game blasting on the TV, and every man in the room, including Gideon had a beer in their hand. His hope for a sober boss to back him up was dashed.
"Hey there he is," Morgan jumped up from the couch, and grabbed him, pulling him into the room, and shoving a beer into his hand. "Sit down Reid, have a beer, and enjoy the game, it's your last night of freedom you know."
It looked like Morgan was already well on his way to getting really happy. Reid sighed, and decided that since he was there, he knew he wasn't escaping without some form of humiliation, so he opened the beer and took a drink. Morgan was delighted, and slapped him hard on the back nearly knocking him off the couch.
"So Morgan said you're the one that saves their buts on a regular basis.'
"I did not say that," Morgan said loudly. "I said he was the one we had to save all the time."
Sam Jareau winked at Reid, and mouthed, "He's lying."
"Morgan thinks it's funny to tease me, it's his favorite pass time."
"Hey little buddy, you know it's all in good fun!" He threw an arm around Reid, and said, "You're my best friend, you know that?"
Afraid that the situation was getting maudlin, Reid tried to move, but even a drunk Morgan was too strong, and so he stayed where he was, listening to the man babble and his new brother-in-law laugh. Soon the conversation was on the game, and Sam, Kevin, and Morgan got into a large, good natured argument about players, and game statistics.
Morgan still managed to give Reid his "the genius strikes again" look when Spencer chimed in on the some very archaic game stats.
"See, you do know everything." and surprisingly he looked at Reid with pride. Well this was a new turn of events. He was just glad they weren't dragging him to a strip club. Then the doorbell chimed.
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The door bell rang at JJ's. Haley opened the door to find Penelope and Emily standing there. Penelope carried a bottle of tequila in one hand, and an Ouija board under the other arm. She breezed past Haley into the living room.
"Hey guys I'm here, we can start the party now!" JJ giggled at the enthusiasm this woman always wore like a second skin.
The girls hadn't started the movie yet, and Penelope vetoed that for a drinking game involving the spirit board.
"Not to sound like a spoil sport, but do you really think it's a good idea to drink, and try to contact the dead at the same time?" This was asked by Emily in a quiet serious tone. The others watched her for a moment, and then she burst out laughing and said. "What's with looking at me like I'm Reid?"
"Hey there will be no sarcastic remarks about my fiancé unless I make them." She tried to be serious but they way the others were looking at her made her laugh out loud, and Garcia said, "Hey good one, JJ."
"Still this isn't going to be much fun, JJ can't drink, and I've got the kid here to take care of, so how about we just watch the movie, and eat a lot of junk food instead." Haley suggested to a chorus of boo's and "No way" from the peanut gallery.
"Just think, we get to watch those two get sloshed, I bet Emily gets sentimental and Penelope gets mean." JJ whispered as the other two went to the kitchen to find shot glasses.
"Hey… what kind of kitchen is this… you don't have any lemons, how are we supposed to do shots with no lemons," Penelope complained loudly from the other room.
"I don't know girlfriend, you'll have to do without." This was greeted with language that would make a sailor blush when she emerged from the kitchen.
"Al right ladies lets ask the spirits some questions." Garcia plopped the board down on the coffee table and poured drinks for herself, and Emily.