AN: This is it! The FINIAL CHAPTER! I like to thank everyone who reviewed, added this to their story favorites and/or alerts. I really appreciate the support which is big for a novice CM writer like me. I also want to send a HUGE shout-out to What-ifonly for giving me advice and steering my story in the right direction. So without any further adieu, here is the last chapter of Childlike Wonder. ENJOY!

Return to Innocence

Luna's Nursery- Sunday; April 6, 9:37 A.M.

Spencer Reid kept staring at the same flower patch for the past 22 minutes and 11.4 seconds. He wanted to show JJ how sorry he was and how much their friendship meant to them. He thought saying them with flowers was the best way to do it. But every specific flower had a specific meaning to it and Spencer's problem was finding the right ones for this occasion. Hence, the constant staring at the flowers.

The owner, Luna, noticed Spencer standing in front of her azaleas for a minute and decided to come over and check on him.

"Having trouble finding what you're looking for, young man?"

Spencer looked at the fifty-something Caucasian woman in loose-fitting jeans, and a Pink Breast Cancer T-Shirt. Her graying blonde hair was tied back in a messy ponytail with a baseball cap over it.

"I was just looking to get flowers for somebody."

Luna smiled. "Your special lady?"

"Not really," Spencer laughed. "Although, my wife did recommend your nursery."

"Well, that's a new one. Most husbands wouldn't even listen their wives' recommendations."

"I'm not most husbands."

"Well, let's see if I can help." Luna offered. "If these flowers aren't for your wife, who are they for?"

"She's a very special friend." Spencer replied.

"Is she a mistress?"

"No!"

"Just checking."

"She's my best friend but we haven't been spoken in three years."

"Three years?" Luna gasped. "Honey, why so long?"

"It's complicated." Spencer explained. "But this is the first weekend we've actually spent together and I want to sort of, well…

Luna held up her hand. "Say no more, son." She said. "I know the perfect flowers for your situation."

She motioned Spencer to follow him and led him further down the nursery where she kept all of her flowers. They stopped at a cooler filled with colorful bouquets. Luna opened it and pulled out some pink Roses, white Tulips and Peonies.

"Pink roses symbolizes friendship and white tulips symbolizes forgiveness." Luna explained.

"What about the purple flower?" Spencer asked.

"Oh, the Japanese Peony? It's a very unique flower, native to Asia. It represents healing. These three would make a beautiful bouquet."

Spencer nodded. "Do have any lilies? They're her favorite?"

"Of course, I do." Luna smiled. "Would you like a card for your purchase? I sell those too, you know?"

"Sure, why not. Let me get three of each flower."

Luna nodded and picked out three peonies, three pink roses, three white tulips, and three lilies from the cooler. After cutting the stems, she put them in a ceramic vase filled with water.

"That'll be $21.20." She said. "Cash or credit?"

"Credit." Spencer replied as he took out his wallet.

After 2 seconds of fishing, Spencer pulled out his Platinum Visa Card and handed it to Luna. The gardener was about to scan the credit card using her hand-held device when she looked at the name.

"You're Spencer Reid?"

"Dr. Spencer Reid," Spencer corrected.

"I know your wife, Gatsby." Luna explained. "She comes here almost every other weekend to buy fresh herbs. She talks about you constantly."

"I'm not surprised."

"Sweet girl, you're a lucky man."

"Thank you, Ms. Luna."

After Luna finished her transaction, she handed the card back to Spencer.

"I keep the cards back up front," She said. "Whom do I make this out to?"

"Jennifer Jereau. But she prefers 'JJ'."

Reid Home-April 6, 11:19 A.M.

JJ Jereau and Will LaMontgane arrived at Reid's house a little later than expected. They wanted to stop by and pick up some breakfast food. JJ and Gatsby planned an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids but it was Spencer's idea to invite the adults for a Sunday brunch. When JJ rang the doorbell, she was a little surprised to see who answered the door.

"JJ, Will! You made it!" Beth Clemmons chirped. "Come in, David, and Celeste are already in the kitchen."

"Thanks, Beth." JJ said, still slightly confused. "Where's Spence?"

"He stepped out for a minute, said he had to take care of something. I didn't pry."

JJ nodded but inside she was panicking. What if he was already sick and tired of her? She felt her chances to renew her friendship with Spencer slipping through her fingers. Will sensed JJ's apprehension and placed a loving hand on her shoulder.

"So Beth," He said. "Do Rossi and Celeste need help in the kitchen?"

"They said they don't but I believe they do. They've been arguing for the past 15 minutes."

"I gonna see if I can help then."

After giving JJ a brief kiss, Will headed towards the kitchen, carrying a plate of wine battered crab-cakes with him. JJ got herself comfortable in the living room.

"You need anything to drink?" Beth offered.

"No, I'm fine." JJ replied. "Did you come here with Hotch?"

"Yeah, he told me about the brunch you and Gatsby were planning this weekend and invited me."

"Well, we actually planned the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. It was actually Spence's idea for the brunch. Where is Hotch by the way?"

"In the backyard, playing with the kids."

"Oh. I hope they don't wear him out too much."

Suddenly, two grown men came into the living room wearing funny hats and bed sheets. They were drenched with water and paint. JJ and Beth tried hard to maintain their laughter.

"What on earth happened to you two?" Beth asked.

"We're playing Superheroes," Aaron Hotchner explained. "The Marvel/DC Version."

"We're the villains." Kent Bradley added.

At that very moment Celeste Bradley came into the living room to say hello to JJ when she saw her husband and her best friend's boss dressed up in homemade costumes.

"Who are you supposed to be?" She asked.

"Hotch is Green Goblin." Kent explained. "I'm The Joker."

"Suits you, dear."

Kent gave his wife a look.

"Anyway, we came back for more ammo for our Nerf guns." Hotch explained. "Do any of you know where Reid and Gatsby keep the girls' toys?"

"Um, I don't think so." JJ answered. "I don't think the twins even play with those type of toys."

"Minnie does." Celeste clarified. "Every time Kent and I babysit them, she and Vaughn go to town with those things." To Hotch, she replies: "But they keep the toys in a pantry down the hall; second door to your right."

Hotch and Kent yelled a cheering noise and "flew" down the hall. The girls all started laughing incessantly. Rossi and Will came into the living room to see what all the fuss was all about.

"What's so funny?" Will asked.

"Hotch and Kent are playing "Superheroes" with the kids," JJ explained.

"And they were dressed up as super villains." Beth added.

Will chuckled while Rossi just shook his head.

"Well, fatherhood tends to bring out your inner child." He remarked.

The Easter Egg Hunt; 12:25 P.M.

Spencer managed to arrive at his house just in time to see the kids begin the Easter Egg Hunt. The kids were put into boy/girl teams of two: Henry LaMontgane & Isadora Reid, Vaughn Bradley & Olivia Bradley, and Jack Hotchner & Minerva Reid.

"Okay, kids." JJ announced. "The rules are simple. The team that collects the most Easter eggs in 60 seconds will win the Big Baskets."

"But you're all winners because everyone of you gets to go home with a basket." Spencer added. "The rules are simple. No cheating, no pushing, no shoving or stealing."

"Okay, you guys ready?" JJ said.

"YEAH!" The kids cheered.

"On your mark. Get set. GO!"

As soon as JJ said go, the kids took off. She and Spencer worked extra hard last night to hide the eggs as inconspicuous as they could so they could make it a challenge. But not so much of a challenge that the kids would be easily frustrated. The adults were cheering them on, not caring who the winner might be. Spencer looked at his watch and realized that it was less than 25 seconds left on the race.

"22 Seconds!" He called out. "Let's go you guys!"

The kids searched for those eggs like they were searching for lost treasure. They wanted their prize for finding the most. If they didn't, well…at least Spencer and JJ packed something good inside them.

The kids were so engrossed in their search, they barely heard JJ yell: "TIME'S UP!"

Spencer and JJ knew it was going to be a close race because those were some pretty determined children. But after careful counting, they concluded that Henry and Isadora had the most eggs so they won. To the kids, however, it wasn't really a competition. They were already sharing their candy, trading their toys and playing with them. Even the adults were joining them in their little playtime. Spencer and JJ were watching this from afar.

"I gotta say, Dr. Reid," JJ said. "I never thought we'd pull this off together. But we did."

"Yep." Spencer agreed. "And everyone seems to be having fun."

As they were watching Beth, Will and Celeste play in the baby bunny zoo with Olivia, Henry and Isadora, Hotch, Rossi and Kent were up in the girls' tree house teaching Jack, Minerva and Vaughn how to throw a proper water-balloons. Their targets: Jennifer Jereau and Dr. Spencer Reid.

"Alright, what you gotta do here is aim for your target." Hotch instructed. "Find an unsuspecting person and let her rip." Kent added.

"Also, when someone looks at you," Rossi imputed. "Plead the fifth."

"What's 'the fifth,' Uncle Dave?" Jack asked.

"It means you don't know anything."

"Ohhhh…" The kids said.

"So, can I hit Auntie JJ and Daddy, Uncle Aaron?" Minerva asked.

"Go for it, sweetie."

Minerva was practically shaking with happiness. She took two water-balloons and dropped them both on JJ and Spencer, effectively hitting them. The two bewildered agents were so stunned at by this attack; they didn't have time to react angrily.

"What the…" JJ started.

"Who hit us with water-balloons?" Spencer exclaimed.

Fortunately, Beth saw it and, while trying to force down her laughs, told the wet pair to look up. When they did, they saw Hotch, Kent and Rossi laughing their brains out along with three of their kids. Minerva was laughing the hardest. Spencer gave his daughter a mock glare.

"Minerva Harper Reid." He started. "Did you hit me and Auntie JJ with water-balloons?"

"I pleads the 5!" The brash five-year-old exclaimed.

Sunday, 2:45 P.M.

"I really enjoyed this weekend," Spencer revealed. "Honestly, I thought it was going to horrendous and borderline torture. But it was really one of the best weekends I've ever had."

I'm really glad, Spency. Gatsby commended. To be honest, I actually was having some second thoughts about leaving you alone with JJ this weekend.

"Why?"

I don't know. I guess because of the whole wedding debacle, I didn't want you to get hurt again. But at the same time, I knew how much JJ's friendship meant to you."

"Well, I'm glad you followed your instincts, baby."

Don't I always? So, where's JJ now?"

"She stayed behind here to help me clean up the mess around this house," Spencer replied. "The rest of the guests left and Hotch agreed to keep the kids for the evening so the girls' are at his house."

All right, then. Gatsby said. Man, I wish I was here with you guys. I really wanted to see that egg hunt.

"I got it on my iPhone so I'll send it to you."

You're the best, smartest husband ever.

"Aww, you're the best, coolest wife ever." Spence cooed. "I can't wait for you to come home Tuesday. Well, I got a friendship to repair. So I got to go."

Okay, you need any help on what to say?

"No. I got it covered. I love you more, Gatsby Cecilia Algernon-Reid."

I love you best, Spencer Andrew Reid.

After he ended his conversation, Spencer went to his room to get the flowers. He then went looking for JJ, who was in the living room the last time he saw her. When he went in the living room, however, he realized that the blonde woman was nowhere to be found.

"JJ?" He called out. "Are you here?"

"I'm in the twins' room." JJ called back.

Confused, Spencer made his way to his daughters' room. He arrived there and found JJ in a Disney Princess camping tent, legs crossed, reading a book.

"What are you doing in there?" Spencer asked.

JJ looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey Spence." She said. "Your daughters have an awesome fort. I never had anything like this when I was growing up."

"Oh, is that what you call it?"

"You didn't know that?"

Spencer shrugged. "I thought they wanted a camping tent just because. Shows how much I know."

"You want to come in?" JJ offered. "Usually it's a 'No Boys Allowed' Policy but I might make an exception this time."

Spencer smiled as he went inside the fort. He was amazed at what he saw: it was practically a mini-room! Isadora & Minerva, his twin daughters, did an amazing job decorating such a small, compacted space.

"I can't believe my five-year-old daughters decorated this." He breathed.

"Yeah," JJ agreed. "Imagine how much damage they can do 10-15 years from now."

"Don't remind me." After a brief pause, Spencer took a deep breath and grabbed the flowers. "Uh, I…I brought these for you, JJ."

JJ was at a lost for words as she took the flowers from Spencer's hand. She looked at the bouquet. It was a blend of pink roses, white tulips, peonies and lilies.

"Spence, these are beautiful." She said.

"I wanted them to mean something," Spencer explained. "I know your favorite flowers are lilies. And the pink roses represents friendship, the peonies represents healing and the white tulips forgiveness."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"JJ, I am so sorry for the way I treated you these past three years. It was spiteful, cruel and you didn't deserve any of it."

"Yes I did, Spencer." JJ objected. "You shouldn't be the one apologizing. I lied to you, I embarrassed you at your wedding by showing up drunk…"

"Gatsby told me about your addiction."

JJ fell silent. Her blue eyes grew wide and she felt her skin tingling. Her binge drinking was the last thing she wanted Spencer to know about especially considering his serious addiction.

"I didn't want to tell you," JJ lamented, her voice breaking. "I was afraid you'd look down on me."

"Why would I do that?" Spencer asked.

"You came down on me before. If you knew that I was an alcoholic…"

"You're not an alcoholic, JJ. Strauss is an alcoholic. You binge drink, which is a drinking problem but it can be very treatable." Spencer put his arm around JJ's shoulder. " You're my best friend and I love you. I want you around for awhile."

JJ looked at Spencer, her eyes glistening with tears. "You still love me? Even after what happened?"

"You and I can both agree that neither of us were in our right minds that day," Spencer said. "But I can never hate you, Jennifer. So, can we start over?"

"I'd like that." JJ sniffed.

She leaned against Spencer's chest and proceeded to cry. But they weren't sad tears. These were tears of relief and joy. Finally, after three years, a weight has been lifted off of JJ's shoulders and her heart was 40 sizes lighter. She got her best friend back, in a childlike way but good otherwise. Spencer felt at peace for the first time in a long time. He got his best friend back and he felt his family become whole again. Spencer held JJ close to him as she cried. He silently thanked his wife who never gave up on him no matter how much he whined.

"Do you forgive me?" JJ asked, in a croaked voice.

"I already have." Spencer smiled as he wiped her tears. "You forgive me for being a jerk?"

"Maybe."

"Just maybe?"

"Just playing."

After they shared a laugh, they remained silent for a moment. Then JJ broke it.

"So what do you want to do?" She asked. "Watch some TV?"

"Nah," Spencer replied. "I kind of like it in here. The girls have some playing cards in this room but I think it's UNO."

"Oh! I haven't played that game since I was 15!" JJ cheered. "Let's play that."

Spencer smiled as he grabbed the playing cards from the lampstand nearby. He was amazed at how this weekend turned out. He originally agreed to this to entertain the children but now he was starting to see. This weekend was actually about him and JJ repairing the damage in their relationship so they can be best friends again. Of course, none of them was perfect. Strong addictions and a three-year grudge were living proof of that. But that was the beautiful thing about friendship; it can survive any tough storm, especially if it's a strong one. Spencer looked at JJ shuffling the UNO cards.

"Hey, JJ?"

"Yeah, Spence?"

"I'm really miss this," Spencer revealed. "You and me, just hanging out? I'm glad this weekend happened."

"Me too." JJ smiled. "I'm glad you married a genius."

Spencer gave JJ a look that made her laugh. He couldn't hold it any longer and laughed along with her. After they calmed down, Spencer came over and kissed JJ on the forehead.

"If you have any problems," He whispered. "You feel stressed out in any way and you feel like you want to drink 7 airplane-sized tequila bottles, call me."

"Thank you." JJ whispered back. "And if you feel like you want to put a needle full of Dilaudid in your arm, I'm one phone call away."

"Thanks. Now, let's cut all the sensitive crap because I'm ready to beat you at UNO!"

"Please! I'll have you know, Dr. Reid, that I was the reigning champ of UNO at my Junior High school all four years."

"They had UNO tournaments at your school?"

"I lived in a small town, okay?"

Spencer chuckled as he and JJ started their game; leaving their past behind, living in the present and focusing on their future as friends. After all, this is Spring, the season for renewal.

"When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive"

- Alan Paton

The End.