With Penelope's attacker gone for good, things returned to normal fairly quickly. Penelope healed well and like the rest of her workaholic team, took no where near enough time off before she returned to work. It took a while for me to get over the fear and panic I'd felt that night, holding a gun, ready to fire to defend myself and my friend, but while I still tended to be a bit jumpy at night if I was alone, I was slowly getting over it.
Time flew by as the weather got colder and Christmas drew near, but it wasn't until early December that I realized Spencer and I hadn't discussed our plans for the holidays yet. He must've had the same thought as one night, while we were finally watching the last of the Star Wars movies, he brought it up.
"What date are you flying out to see your parents?" He asked as he lazily stroked my legs that were flopped across his lap.
"I'm actually not going this year," I informed him causing surprise to flash on his face. "Last year was just so difficult. Things are so tense between us and I know I should be trying to fix it, but it's hard and exhausting. I don't want to spend Christmas like that again. I'd rather be here with people who make me happy."
"Oh...I, uh, I just assumed you would be," He said, looking much sadder than I would have expected. "I'm going to visit my mom over the holidays this year."
Now I understood his disappointment as my heart deflated a bit as well. It would have been nice to spend Christmas together, but then I got the idea that maybe we still could.
"I don't want to intrude," I started, not sure how he would take what I was about to say. "But I could maybe come with you? No pressure, but I'd love to meet your mom if you'd like some company."
Spencer's jaw tensed at my suggestion, but I waited, ignoring the urge to tell him to forget about it before he could reject me.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," He said quietly after a few moments. "My mom, she's not like other moms."
"She's schizophrenic, Spencer, I know that," I reminded him. "If you don't want me to come, it's fine. I know you don't see her very often, if you want your visit to be private, I understand."
"It's not that," He sighed. "I just want you to know what you're getting into. It's hard to tell what kind of mood she'll be in. Sometimes she's doing really well, but if she's having an off day then it won't be much fun."
I shrugged at his nervous explanation.
"I know that," I assured him. "Obviously I would like to meet her on a good day so I can get a chance to get to know her and be able to really tell if she likes me or not, but I won't take offense if she's having a bad day. In fact, do you stay with her when you visit?"
"No," Spencer shook his head. "Guest aren't allowed to stay with patients."
"Then I wouldn't even mind staying in the hotel until you've assessed what kind of day she's having and only joining you if she's doing well."
"That would be a boring Christmas for you if she's having a bad time."
"I really don't mind," I repeated with a smile, trying to wipe the frown of Spencer's face. "I want to meet her and I know there will never be a guarantee of what kind of mood she'll be in, it'll always be a risk."
"Alright," Spencer nodded. "If you're sure that's how you want to spend your Christmas then you're welcome to join me."
I smiled and sat up, leaning towards him to place a kiss on his cheek.
"I can't think of a better way to spend my Christmas than with you."
A soft smile slid onto his face as he turned his head to capture my lips with his own.
"Did Garcia tell you about the team Christmas dinner next weekend?" He asked as we parted a few minutes later. "I wasn't sure you'd be around for it, but you're welcome to join now you will be."
I shook my head.
"No, she didn't."
"Oh, well Rossi's throwing a big dinner. Friends and family welcome so that includes you if you'd like to join us."
"Of course," I smiled. "I love Christmas parties!"
"Perfect," Spencer chuckled. "Prepare yourself for lots of hearty Italian food and expensive wine."
"I can't wait!"
I snuck one last kiss before leaning back against the couch as we turned our attention back to the movie, my thoughts wandering to how nice it will be to spend Christmas with my boyfriend.
"Merry Christmas!" Spencer and I cheered as Rossi opened the door to his home.
"Merry Christmas to you both as well," He smiled, taking the giant poinsettia we'd brought from my hands. "It's lovely to see you again, under much happier circumstances."
I hadn't seen Rossi since the night Penelope was attacked so it was a much better time to meet. He seemed like a very nice man though as he pulled me in to greet me the way I'd grown accustomed to in Europe, a kiss on each cheek.
"Spencer informed me that you already had an extensive selection of wine, but I didn't want to show up empty handed so we settled on the plant instead," I explained as he lead the way to the living room. "I hope that's alright."
"It's beautiful," He assured me.
His house was massive and I was a bit in awe as we walked through to the room where every one else was gathered. It seemed we were the last ones to arrive and were greeted by the entire team when we walked in.
"Spender!" A tiny voice yelled as Rossi put down the plant and moved to take our coats.
I looked around for the unfamiliar sound and my eyes settled on a little boy balanced in Hotch's lap. I guessed he was about two and from what I'd heard, I could only assume it was his son.
"Hi Jack!" Spencer grinned back. "You've gotten so big since the last time I saw you!"
"I two now!" He announced, scrambling down from where he was perched and running over to Spencer.
"I know!" Spencer grinned, scooping him into his arms. "Sorry I missed your birthday, but I got you something to make up for it."
"A present?"
"Yeah, buddy, for your birthday AND for Christmas," Spencer explained, my heart warming at the sight of him with the small boy. He flicked his eyes from Jack to me as the rest of the team watched. "This is my girlfriend, Mickey."
"Mickey Mouse?"
I smiled at the connection he'd made and nodded.
"Yeah, just like Mickey Mouse," I told him, holding out my hand for him to shake. He took it reluctantly, probably wondering what this had to do with his present. "It's nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you."
Jack stayed quiet and looked up at Spencer expectantly causing Spencer to chuckle and adjust the little boy on his hip.
"If you ask Mickey really nicely, she has your present in her bag and I'm sure she'd be happy to give it to you."
"Present?" Jack asked me, looking awfully shy. "Please?"
I smiled and reached into my bag to pull out a carefully wrapped box. Jack took it from me eagerly before ripping off the paper before anyone could blink.
"Wow!" He said, his eyes big as he tossed the paper onto the floor earning a scolding from his father that he promptly ignored.
"It's a puzzle of the solar system," Spencer explained. "That's what's up in space where the astronauts go. Would you like me to help you build it?"
"Yeah!" Jack cheered, squirming desperately to be put down.
Spencer obliged and led him over to a carpeted area where they both sat down and cracked open the box. Smiling at the pair of them, I moved over to the couches where the adults were gathered, accepting a glass of wine from the host.
"He wanted to get him one of the periodic table of elements, but I managed to convince him that might be too advanced," I told the group earning a chuckle. "He's good with him though."
"It's a rarity," Aaron laughed. "There's something called the Reid affect that we've noticed over the years."
"What's that?"
"Babies, dogs, any animal really," Derek began. "Usually they don't take very fondly to Reid. They usually cry or bark or hiss, however they show they're unhappy, they do it when they're around him."
I giggled as Spencer shouted over something about the lack of data to prove that theory.
"He's just misunderstood," I smiled, watching as he helped Jack put a piece in place. "But how is everyone? Big plans for the holidays?"
Everyone pretty much agreed they were just having a quiet Christmas and we fell into easy conversation. They were a great group and really were like a family. I was glad that I'd been so easily accepted and welcomed among them.
"Are you nervous to meet Reid's mom?" Jennifer asked as we all settled in around the table later in the evening.
"Terrified," I nodded as Spencer smiled and reached for my hand. "I know Spencer's her only child and how proud she is of him, I'm scared she'll think I'm just some dumb yoga instructor and not good enough or smart enough."
"Don't be ridiculous," Spencer told me for at least the fifth time since we discussed our trip to Vegas the week before. "She'll love you. I've told her all about you in my letters and she knows how happy you make me."
"I remember when I met my first wife's parents," Rossi chimed in. "I was so nervous and desperate to impress her father that I offered to open the Champagne, but the cork popped off and broke a priceless antique vase passed down from her great-great grandmother. Needless to say, they weren't impressed. But as time went on it became something we could all laugh about."
"First meetings are hard," Emily nodded. "My high school boyfriend didn't tell his mother that I'm allergic to shellfish so of course that just had to be what she'd prepared for dinner. I was too shy to tell her and ruin the evening that I ate it anyway and ended up spending most of the evening in the hospital."
"Mrs. Reid is wonderful though," Penelope smiled as everyone laughed at the stories that had been shared. "If I was you, I'd be more worried about introducing Spencer to your parents than meeting his. Your dad is one scary man."
Spencer paled at her words, but I rolled my eyes.
"He's all talk," I insisted. "He's not nearly as intimidating as he wishes he was. Anyway, Spencer is a million times better than any guy I've ever dated so I think he'll just be relieved that you actually have a job that isn't illegal."
Everyone laughed once again before Rossi raised a glass, toasting to everyone's health and success in the coming year. Jack's voice rang out louder than anyone elses as he joined in with the 'cheers' lifting his sippy cup to clink it against everyone's glass.
We all broke up into separate conversations after that as we tucked into the delicious meal that was in front of us and I took the opportunity to speak with Penelope who was sitting beside me.
"So," I started, a smirk on my face. "You didn't want to bring your partner in crime to this lovely dinner?"
Her eyes widened as she looked around to make sure no one had heard me.
"Shhh," She hissed. "I told you before that the team can't know about us. There's rules against fraternising!"
"You can't hide him forever," I pointed out, keeping my voice hushed as well. "And your team won't care, no one will turn you in for 'fraternising'."
"I'll tell them eventually," She assured me. "But it's all still new. There's no point in telling them if it's just gonna fizzle out in a few weeks anyway."
"I dunno, Pen. You seem pretty happy. I wouldn't be so sure it'll fizzle out that fast."
"He is pretty great," She smiled. "I do really like him."
"I'm happy for you," I smiled back. "You deserve it."
She blushed and mumbled out a thank you so I let the issue drop after that and we turned our attention to the other various conversations happening in the group.
Overall it was a wonderful evening. We laughed, shared stories, teased each other, watched a magic show that Spencer put on for Jack and let all the worries and stress of life disappear for a few hours. There was no talk of serial killers or the monsters they face every day, it was just a happy evening with our little found family and I couldn't have been more grateful that my best friend had introduced me to this amazing group of people and to the man that I loved.
Note: I was planning on posting this yesterday, but I had a bit too much fun on Saturday night and spent my entire day yesterday almost dying...Not a great choice haha But anyway, here it is now! My brain still feels a bit fuzzy so please excuse any editing mistakes.
