Dave was whistling when he walked into work Wednesday, smiling at everyone as he headed for his office. Derek glanced at Emily who immediately phoned JJ and Penelope. By the time Dave sat down in his chair, the entire team was standing in his office.
"Do you folks want something?" he asked, doing his best not to smile.
"We take it by the fact that you're here and not at the courthouse means the case is over," JJ said.
"And the fact that Hotch didn't have to bail you out of jail would indicate a positive outcome," Spencer said.
Dave didn't say a word. He just leaned back in his chair for a moment. He linked his hands behind his head then finally spoke. "You are looking at the man that just got permanent custody of his daughter," he said, breaking into a big smile. Everyone began congratulating him.
"Thank you, thank you," he said, sitting up. "Now, assuming we aren't on a case, there will be a celebration at my house on Friday, significant others and children are included. Party starts at ten." With that, he shooed everyone out.
Hotch stayed behind after the others left. "Would now be a good time to say 'I told you so'?" he asked, trying, and failing, not to smirk.
"There is never a good time to say that," Dave said, "unless I am the one saying it." He sighed. "I was ninety-nine percent sure I was going to get custody," he said, "but there was always that one percentage point that said something could go wrong and I would lose her."
"Do you think her mother will appeal?" Hotch asked,
"Not if she has any brain cells at all," Dave snorted. "If she does appeal, what we just had will be a walk in the park compared to the next one. She should consider herself lucky I'm not suing for child support and leave things as they are."
"Why aren't you?"
"I don't need it and I think Skylar would just as soon forget the woman exists," Dave explained. "If she starts any trouble, that could change." He leaned back in his chair again. "Right now, I just want to have my daughter with me without anything hanging over our heads."
Thankfully, the case caught Wednesday afternoon was handled over the phone and ended by Friday morning. Since it was still winter and too cold to grill, Skylar decided she wanted Italian for the party. That meant she wanted lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs and chicken alfredo and that meant Dave was doing most of the cooking.
Everyone in the Rossi household was up early Saturday morning to get ready for the party. The lasagna as well as the spaghetti and alfredo sauces were made the night before. It was just a matter of putting everything together. Mrs. Nichols and Skylar handled the salads and trays. The desserts and drinks were chilling in the fridge. It was almost party time.
"Daddy, did you tell them?" the little girl asked.
"About you talking?" Dave asked and she nodded. "Nope. I thought I would let you do that however you wanted. Who are you going to tell first?"
Skylar thought for a moment. "Auntie Pen," she finally said.
"Good choice," he said. "That way, you won't have to tell anyone else." That got a giggle out of her. Just then, the doorbell rang. "Let the fun begin."
When Mrs. Nichols opened the door, she found the entire team standing there and motioned them in. They were taking off their coats when Dave and Skylar walked into the room.
"Welcome, welcome," Dave said. "You can put your things in the guest room. Aaron, you get to play bartender. Red wine and bourbon here, white wine, beer and lemonade in the fridge. Appetizers are on the coffee table."
It took about twenty minutes to get everyone's things put away and a drink in hand. Skylar was being hugged within an inch of her life and she knew it would be worse when they found out she could talk. Time to break the news. She grabbed Pen's hand and started pulling her to the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Pen asked as they walked into the other room. Skylar didn't say anything. She just pulled out a chair and pointed to it. Pen sat down and looked at the little girl. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Skylar shook her head then motioned for her to lean forward.
Skylar leaned over. "I have a secret," she whispered in Pen's ear.
"What's that?" Pen asked, not realizing what had just happened. Skylar just covered her mouth and giggled.
It took Pen a few seconds to catch on. When she did, her eyes went wide. "OH MY GOD!" she shrieked. Grabbing the little girl, she stood up and whirled her around.
The noise caused everyone but Dave to head for the kitchen. He knew what had just happened. Before anyone could say anything, Pen put Skylar down and they made their way back to the living room and over to Dave. She punched him on the arm.
"Ow!," he yelped, rubbing his arm. "What was that for?"
'For not saying anything," she said. He just smirked.
"Baby girl, what's going on?" Morgan asked.
"Well," Pen said, looking at Dave. "Tell them."
"Nope."
Pen then looked at Skylar. "You tell them," she said.
"No, you tell them," she said.
The room fell silent. Everyone looked at Skylar who took a step behind Pen. She peeked out. "What's everyone staring at?" she asked.
"She can talk," Emily whispered.
"Yep," Dave said.
"When did this happen?" Spencer asked.
"Last day of court," Dave said. "Things got a little... emotional and it just happened."
"Daddy almost got arrested," Skylar informed them.
The others looked at Dave. "Just a little contempt of court citation," he said, waving it off. "No big deal."
"They were going to throw him in the jail," Skylar pouted.
"But they let me off with a fine," Dave said, mock glaring at his daughter, "a large fine."
"Well, it looks like everything is working out for you," Hotch said with a smile.
"That it is, that it is, my friend," Dave said.
"Dave, this is wonderful," JJ smiled. "You've got your family now."
"A toast," Derek said, lifting his glass. The others followed suit. "Here's to friends and family. May we always have plenty of both."
After taking a drink, Dave looked down at his daughter. "We're doing good, kid," he smiled.
"Love you, Daddy," Skylar smiled.
"I love you, too, sweetheart."
A/N One more chapter left and it's an epilogue. Thanks to all my readers and reviewers