Spencer arrived at Melissa's apartment just after four-thirty p.m. She opened the door, making a mental note to get a key cut for him and found herself face to face with an enormous bouquet of flowers. Taking the arrangement from him, she stood on her toes to kiss him in greeting, thanking him for the flowers.

"Mommy, who is—" Anna's words were lost as she recognised their caller and bounded towards him, propelling herself into his waiting arms. He'd seen her coming and immediately knelt down to her level, knowing how she routinely welcomed him in that manner. They both laughed as her little arms tightened around his neck.

"My, oops, Mommy's Spencer!" He stood up and swung her around as he always did, then set her down on her feet and said,

"Anna, go put on your favourite, best dress." She clapped her hands together in happy anticipation and immediately retreated to her room to do as he'd just asked.

Melissa watched as Anna left, looked ruefully down at her attire and told him she was just going to be a few minutes, she wanted to change into something more appropriate too. While his girls were away getting dressed, Reid pulled out his cellphone and made a call. He had just concluded his call when Melissa reemerged, looking absolutely gorgeous in short dark dress. She'd put her hair up, exposing her neck and Spencer felt his knees wobble as he took in the beautiful sight before him. He told her how stunning she looked as Anna rejoined them, wearing her favourite Minnie Mouse dress.

"Is this okay, Mommy's Spencer?"

She twirled around, taking her mother's hand and twirling her as well. Spencer smiled at them, nodded and told them,

"We are going to the nicest restaurant in DC for a very, very special dinner."

"She's four," Melissa pointed out, fretting that Anna would never be able to sit through an elaborate dinner and worried about the resulting behaviour.

"Bring crayons and paper," Spencer suggested. Melissa went to gather those items, as Reid picked Anna up and very solemnly said,

"This is a very, very special night, Anna."

The perceptive child promised, "I will be very good, Spencer. I will be so very good you will love me."

"I love you anyway, Anna," he assured her, hugging her close. "But I really would appreciate it if you could be extra special good tonight. It's a very special night for your Mommy and me too."

Anna nodded and promised as Melissa rejoined them, now armed with a bagful of distractions for Anna.

CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*CM*

The table they were seated at was situated in a cozy corner away from most of the other tables in the restaurant. It was set with crisp white linen, crystal, fine china and genuine silver cutlery, and there was a huge vase filled with red roses at its centre. More roses sat in vases along the windowsills behind them, and two enormous planters filled with more roses provided a privacy screen from the nearest tables. Rose petals were scattered on the floor around their table, as well as across the tablecloth. Several tea lights softly lit their table. Anna was transfixed by the beauty; Melissa touched by the attention to detail Spencer had pre-arranged. The waiter had already placed water in stemmed crystal glasses before each of them and he returned with champagne and ginger ale. With a flourish, he poured ginger ale into a fluted glass and presented it to Anna who reacted with muted delight. Champagne was poured for the adults, and the waiter melted away to leave them alone for a few minutes.