Rosa reached for Reid's right hand as their plane began to descend from its cruising altitude. She squeezed it when he gave her a nervous smile. Light from the window made his hair golden and beautiful, but his eyes were a mix of hope and some sadness.

"It's going to be fine."

"How do you always know what I'm thinking?"

"Because you're easy to read. You wear your feelings all over your face."

"I'm not sure that's a good thing."

"Why?"

"How can I be inscrutable if you can read me so easily?"

"You want to be inscrutable?"

"Yeah, if you can claim to be mysterious, then so can I."

Rosa stroked the back of his hand with her thumb. "You're trying not to think about the next stage of our trip. Why?"

"I'm just thinking about Mom and how she'll react to our engagement."

"You think she'll be upset?"

"I could see she liked you when she met you a few months ago. I want to hope that means she'll be happy, but what if she's having a bad day?"

"Spencer, I can't pretend to know what it was like for you as a child and now as a man dealing with your mother and her challenges, but I think you should think about her and what she's feeling. I think she's going to have a good day."

"Why?"

She smiled at his tone of confusion. "Because, I'd rather think positively instead of borrowing trouble."

"You're right."

"Of course I am," she shot back and winked at him.

He drew in a big breath, let it out and she felt his strong, beautiful fingers relax under her grasp. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too, I'm so excited to see your mom and Mary."

Reid's face lit up as she'd hoped at the mention of little Mary. Despite living nearly three thousand miles away, he loved and missed that little girl like she was his own child.

"I can't believe she's two."

"I know, time flies."

He chuckled a little then frowned again. She reached over to stroke her hand through his hair.

"You're thinking again," she said with a teasing lilt to her voice.

"People always talk about time as if it's fluid, when it reality, time only moves in one direction and at the same rate. Just because a person may be anxious about an impending engagement, or waiting for something incredibly important, doesn't mean that time slows down. On the other hand, engaging in something pleasurable doesn't mean that time speeds up. The notion that time flies just because you're distracted or away from someone you care about is just your perception of time."

"You're babbling, again."

"You're right," he sighed then sat up straight in his seat. "I'm trying to keep my mind off Mary."

"Why?"

"Because she's two years old."

"And you're upset because you think you're missing out on watching her grow."

"How do you know what I'm thinking?"

"I know because I feel the same way. Yeah, I know that Lee checks up on her, but we never get to see her."

"Yeah," he gripped her hand again. "It sucks."

She laughed and he went a little pink in the cheeks. "What?"

"You've got this huge vocabulary and you use the word, "Sucks," it's cute."

"I learned it from Morgan."

"Well, that explains everything."

He smiled for her and she rolled her eyes. He laughed and sat back in his seat. "You always help me to keep things in perspective."

"Thank you," she said primly.

He laughed again and ran his hand from her shoulder to her wrist. "Love you, Detective Castillo."

"Love you too, SSA Dr. Reid."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

Las Vegas was sunny and warm, a far cry from the cold, snow and ice of DC and Quantico. The golden sand seemed completely out of place on December 24th, but it was home.

"Remember two years ago when we first met?" Rosa asked.

"Yes. I remember that I was feeling like everything in my life was wrong. Then I went on that walk and everything changed."

"I'm glad you decided to go for a walk that night. I can't imagine never meeting you."

"Me too," he agreed. "I'm also glad I found Mary."

"So am I."

Reid turned into the parking lot of Bennington, parked, shut off the engine and turned to her. "We're here."

"Yes, we are and it's going to be a good visit."

She followed him through the sunlight shinning down from a winter blue sky, devoid of clouds. The building was brick, and nondescript on the outside, but decorated for the season on the inside. When they opened the double doors leading to the main entrance hallway, a Christmas tree stood to their left in a little waiting area. It had simple ornaments, silver icicles and lights in all the festive colors.

The young woman at the reception desk gave them a smile as Spencer signed in to see his mother. "Hi," she said. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Rosa responded.

They went up to Dianna's room and were stopped by a nurse. "Hey, Dr. Reid. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Jessica. How's my mother?"

"She's looking forward to seeing you."

"Is she in her room?"

"No. She's in the common area."

"Thanks."

They made their way down the hallway, which had more Christmas decorations on room doors and along the walls. He took in the holiday wreaths and wondered who made them.

"Looks great in here," Rosa said quietly as they passed nurses and aides going about their work.

"Yeah, they try to make it as festive as they can for the holidays."

"I'm glad."

He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "My mother's not a big fan of Christmas. That's why I thought she might have a bad day."

"Jessica said she's having a good day, remember?"

"Yes."

They entered the common area, which had another decorated tree in the corner and more wreaths with red and gold ribbons. His mother sat in her usual place with one of her journals open on the small table.

"Hi, mom," he greeted.

She looked up and smiled broadly at him. "Spencer, I'm so glad to see you."

He hugged her tight for a moment and then stepped back. "I brought Rosa with me. You remember her from my last visit."

"Of course I do. How are you, my dear?"

Rosa gave her a brief hug. "I'm fine. It's so good to see you, Mrs. Reid."

"Please call me Dianna."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Merry Christmas, mom."

"You know I'm not a fan of the holidays," Dianna said, as she opened her gift.

"I know, mom, but I wanted to give you a present."

She pulled out a stack of new hardcover books from the colorful gift bag. "Oh good, new reading material. Thank you, sweetheart."

"You're welcome."

"Dianna, I have something for you, as well."

"Why thank you, my dear. You didn't have to go to the trouble."

"It's no trouble. I'd like to think we're friends, ma'am."

"I'm glad," Dianna said as she pulled more gifts from another brightly colored gift bag. "How did you know I needed a new journal? And, more stationery for letters. Thank you."

"Spencer told me you write every day in your journal and I thought you might need a new one. I figured if you write letters like Spencer you need more paper and envelopes, as well."

"I like her, Spencer. She's got common sense. So unlike many girls these days."

Rosa smirked at Spencer and he grinned back at her. "She's also a smart ass," Spencer complained.

"Good," Dianna nodded and Rosa began to laugh. "You need some fun in your life, baby."

"Mom!"

"Honey, I know you love statistics and facts, but you need humor to."

Spencer rolled his eyes, and Dianna giggled like a young girl. "Why don't we talk about the reason you're here."

Spencer and Rosa looked at each other. "You want to tell her, or should I?"

"We're getting married," Spencer said rapidly, as though confessing a sin.

Rosa turned her ring around so that Dianna could see the diamond and held out her hand. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes," tears began to roll down her cheeks and Spencer frowned.

"Mom?"

"I'm so happy for you, baby. Congratulations."

Her throat clenched as she watched them together. More than anything, she wished for some way to turn back the clock and make his mother healthy for him so that they could do everything she enjoyed with her mother. It wasn't fair that he'd spent his childhood without all the blessings she'd enjoyed as a child. Her hands clenched together in her lap as tears ran down his face. He looked at her and forced a smile. She made her hands relax when they parted. He'd notice and she had to be strong for him.

"Thank you," Dianna was saying to her.

Spencer was studying her with an expression she recognized. "Why are you thanking me?"

"Because you've made my son so happy."

She took Dianna's hands in her own and held them tight. "You're welcome, Dianna."

Dianna reached up and stroked a strand of her hair back from her face. Her hands were warm and soft, and they made a little shiver dance along Rosa's spine. Did it really matter that she wasn't the traditional mother. She obviously loved Spencer unconditionally. Wasn't that the most important thing?

They took the offered lunch from the staff at Bennington and ate in the common room with Dianna. The taste of the food surprised Rosa in a good way. It wasn't five star restaurant quality, but it was tasty. The mood of the visit changed, too. She was surprised to find that Dianna had a wonderful sense of humor to go with her intelligence and wisdom. They teased Spencer unmercifully, but he didn't seem to mind. When it was time to say goodbye, she found tears in her eyes.

"What are you thinking?" Spencer asked her as they entered the car while the sun set in a riot of orange, purple and red.

"I thought that was my usual question to you?"

He stopped in the act of putting his key in the ignition. "Answering a question with a question is a sign of evasion."

"Actually," she pulled her seatbelt over her middle. "I was thinking of our childhood experiences. When we told your mom about our engagement and you were hugging her I thought it was so unfair that you had such unhappiness when you were little."

"Rosa –"

"Let me finish, please."

He nodded and she said. "I realized that it's pretty arrogant of me to think that just because I had the so-called normal childhood with two parents and siblings and all the things we think all children have to have to be well adjusted as adults."

"I don't think that of you."

"I know you don't, but I did think for a minute that I was sorry for you, then I saw today that it didn't matter. Your mother loves you with everything she is. She sacrificed her mental wellbeing just to give you, life. That's astonishing, Spencer."

"It took me longer than I want to admit to come to your realization."

She rubbed his forearm. "I have the benefit of existing outside your experience. You don't have to apologize."

"This is one of those times when it is easier said than done."

"I just wanted you to know that I'm glad she's your mom. She's incredible."

"Thank you, Rosa."

"Now, can we stop the mushiness and go? I'm hungry and I want the chicken fried steak at "Martin's Place."

Spencer snorted out laughter and she cheered inside that his eyes were full of happiness and calm. "Las Vegas has a multitude of fancy restaurants and you want to go to a dive like "Martin's Place."

"Yes!"

"Good choice, the meatloaf and mashed potatoes are exceptional."

She dug her fingers into his bicep. "Not funny, G-man."

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

He started the car and she watched the sun going down as he drove away from his mother and her physical presence. He'd always have her in his heart and she knew that for him, it was enough.