Title: Au Natural (Part 21)
Author: dustytiger aka Trista Groulx
Rating: T (like the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I do not on CM. I am still poor. CM still belongs to its creator, network, writers, actors and actresses who bring it to life weekly.
Summary: Prentiss and Reid are getting married, but what brought them to this point?
Notes: We finally had a storm! How I've missed them... Anyway thank you as always for the support. I know the last part wasn't very happy but I thought it fit Diana better. You'll see what happens and Reid will make up for her leaving in a couple of parts.

Reid was trying to enjoy his visit with his mother but his mind was reeling about what had just happened. He wanted his mother to get along with Prentiss, and instead he was with his mother and Prentiss was in a coffee shop. His mind was reeling and he wondered if they would ever get along. He knew it was wishful thinking to hope that his mother would understand that Prentiss was different.

"Spencer," Diana whispered. "I so rarely get to see you the least you could do is focus."

"Mom," he sighed. "She's different from the other women I've introduced you to. I've known her for years. We didn't jump in and change our relationship. There's something deep inside of me that is telling me that she's supposed to be in my life for the rest of it."

"I am happy that you think you've found that, but I am disappointed that she's a succubus."

"Mom!"

"I know you don't want to hear this Spencer. Just because she has used her supernatural feminine whiles on you doesn't mean she can do the same to me. She knows that I know that's why she left."

"Emily left because she knows how much you mean to me and she wanted us to have some time together. That should prove to you that she's not like the other women I've tried to introduce you to. She is trying to understand you and you're treating her like she's a…" He was at a loss for words.

"Succubus," she told him. "Why else would a woman want to be with a younger man?"

"Because she knows me very well, I've always been around people her age growing up, and she understands that. We've been through so much together. She is the first person I have been able to forgive after leaving."

"That's all well and good Spencer but it's because of what she is that you have forgiven her and have fallen into bed with her."

"Mom I can't do this," he sighed. "You'll see the truth when you're ready to accept it. What has you so worried is that you know as well as I do how serious this is and you're afraid I'll stop visiting you. I would never do that."

"You're a good boy Spencer even if you are stubborn."

He sighed and knew that was the best response he could get. "Do you want me to read you an act or two from your book?" he offered.

"You always did like Hamlet," she told him handing him the book.

He sat down across from her and picked up the book and began to read to her. He always felt at ease when he got to read to his mother. As much as he liked to visit with her often times it was easier to sit with her and read for hours like she used to do for him when he was younger. He ended up reading more of the book than he'd planned to. He always lost track of time when he read.

"I'm getting tired Spencer," Diana told him.

"All right Mom, I should leave," he assured her.

"How long are you here for?" she asked him.

"I think the plane is going to leave in the morning. We were on a case."

"You tell pilot to be safe. I hate all that flying you do Spencer it's so dangerous."

"I know Mom but at least this time it meant I got see you."

"I suppose you're right. I love you Spencer."

He smiled. "I love you too Mom, hopefully I'll be able to visit again soon."

"I hope so too."

He hugged her then left the room. As he was leaving he called Prentiss, and while waited he talked to her doctor about how she was doing like he always did. He saw the car and shook the doctor's hand and went outside. Reid got into the car and sighed softly, he was glad that she had come back.

"I'm sorry Emily," he told her.

"It's okay, we both knew this could happen." She took his hand.

"I wanted her to at least tolerate you. She's convinced you're some kind of succubus whose goal is to brainwash me. I tried to reason with her but she got so upset."

"Spencer you know she only has so much control of what she thinks. This doesn't change anything between us. I can accept it if you go and visit her and she doesn't ever want me there. I can entertain myself for an afternoon in Las Vegas."

He nodded. "I thought this time it would be different with her. I've tried to introduce her to a few people before, and she always reacts like this and then-" he sighed softly.

"I'm not going to leave because of this. I almost lost this once and I'm not going to risk it again. I can accept it if your mother never accepts me. I understand how close you two are and I would never try to do anything to get between that."

"But you've told me you want children at some point."

"I do want that Spencer."

He took a deep breath. "What if my mother doesn't accept our child?"

"I don't think she could do that. She loves you Spencer she thinks you are the best thing that has ever happened to her, and therefore she will think that your child is just as amazing."

"Even if she doesn't accept my partner?" he asked.

"I think so. I don't think she'll ever fully accept that you're not her perfect child and that you have grown into an amazing man but I really think that when you have a child she'll just see it has an extension of that."

"You might be right. Thank you Emily. Are you hungry?"

"Yeah I could go for some dinner, what do you feel like?"

"How about sushi?"

"Sure."

They pulled away from Bennington's and went toward his favourite sushi place. They were both glad that they had told his mother the truth, even if it didn't go as well as they had hoped. They were no longer lying to her, and Reid hoped that at some point she would accept his relationship.

End Part 21

Notes: Well that was that... I hop you liked it.