Author's Note: For back stories: Three new recruits, all of them original characters I created joined Team One. They were first introduced in a one-shot Flashpoint-Criminal minds crossover fan fic entitled, "What's the Third?" They are Jean Martin, Aiza Yamamoto and Frank Knight. Later, they appeared in the story, 'Promise Me.'
Sadie's "Snapper" nickname, hybrid of sniper and napper, was first mentioned in the story "The Love Offensive'.
The Gathering
Forty eight hours after the birth, Winnie and little Mika were discharged from the hospital, but it didn't come easy. It was a hard won battle! For if it were up to Spike, they'd be there for at least a week just to be sure everything was perfect. She told him, insistently, "I gave birth, a marvel that millions of women have done. In fact, there's a baby born every second of every day around the world. I don't have a medical condition that requires for me to be poked and prodded."
Throughout her hospital stay, Winnie's only concern was how well she'd cope with breast feeding. She discovered it wasn't as easy as it looked; that it wasn't as instinctual as some people made it seem. In her case, she had to be instructed how to do it. A lactating nurse was always on hand every feed time to assist her, show the correct position to avoid back pain; encourage; and give pointers and information. She breastfed Little Mika "on demand" which in their case meant feeding every two hours. When she was satisfied that she's got the hang of it, there was no stopping her. The new father, though initially ambivalent, was happy to take them home.
He didn't tell her but waiting at home was Ma. The happiest Nonna this side of the universe. She arrived in the morning, but though jet-lagged was not able to put her feet up as she waited for them to come home. She pottered around the house as she anxiously waited to see her granddaughter.
Win was surprised to see her Mom-in-law but recovered from it quickly. "So beautiful," the grandma kept saying over and over as she gushed over the baby. Win, though had mixed feelings. On the one hand, she was happy to have her in-law but on the other hand, she was struggling with misgivings about sharing her baby.
She fought valiantly the unwanted feelings of possessiveness and jealousy of a first-time mother but sensed that she was failing. At one point, she excused herself to phone her Mom in the privacy of their bedroom. Winifreda was delighted to hear that they were home and happy to hear that her mother-in-law has joined them. And listened to Win expressed her fears about sharing her baby.
The wise Mrs Camden said, "Sweetheart, we don't have exclusive right to love our children. Fact is, the more people love our children the more protection they have." The wisdom of it was razor sharp, so Winnie, as usual said, "Thanks Mom. I'll remember that."
"One more thing," said Mrs Winifreda Camden, "Your Mon-in-law would feel uncertain as well. So make sure you include her in the care of baby Mika."
She came out of the bedroom feeling much better and just in time to feed Little Mika. When she was done, she handed the baby over to Spike to burp, who happily rested the bub on his chest as upright as he could so she could expel air. A bit of regurgitation occurred which the first-time father thought was amusing. In all of this lovey dovey, Michelina felt like a witness, looking in.
Winnie left them to it and went to the nursery to prepare the baby's bathwater. When she came to take Mika from Spike, she asked her Mom-in-law if she would like to bathe the baby. Michelina, pointed to herself, and asked with some measure of uncertainty, "Me? Bath Mika?"
Winnie beamed widely, nodded and said, "Yes, if you're up to it."
"Yes! Yes, of course, of course," she said excitedly; Spike looked on as the bath-time diplomacy won over his Italian Mom.
She handed Mika over to her Nonna and led the way to the nursery, which til then, Michelina hasn't seen. She marvelled at the décor, the mural, the space and the bright and airy atmosphere. When she was done marvelling, Win asked her if the water was just right. Michelina dipped her hand in it up to her wrist and smiled, "Perfetto." It was Spike who was left to hover over at bathing time.
Win prepared the diaper and the changed of clothes; and when it appeared to her that Spike wasn't going to leave his mother alone to enjoy the moment with her only grandchild, she dragged him out of the nursery.
Over the week, they settled into a routine. Michelina helped with keeping the household running, too efficiently, according to Winnie; with the day-time bathing and burping when Spike wasn't around.
Two weeks later, came a very big day.
So many people were asking when they can meet the baby, so "What the heck" said Spike, "let's make it one huge bash. Get it over and done with." So one Sunday afternoon, everyone who mattered to them dropped in.
First to arrive were Winnie's parents. An introduction was made, Michelina telling them what a wonderful daughter-in-law she has.
Spike's newest team mates, Jean Martin, Frank Knight and Aiza Yamamoto arrived early. Winnie thanked them once again for their help in saving her skin, referring to an incident that nearly caused her her life. "We didn't do much, Spike did it." said Frank humbly.
"He can't have done it alone," she said. "By the way, are you all still with Team One?"
"I'm not," said pint-size Aiza, nicknamed the Wii One. "I moved to Team Three. They needed someone cute and deadly."
They were soon followed by Leah Kearns who arrived with Fireman James, Spike hurried over and whispered clandestinely, "So..."
The fiery ex-firie smiled and whispered back, "So..." But the conversation was truncated when a mass of guests suddenly descended all at once.
With most guests present, Spike showed off his Mom, Ed said, "So today is a double celebration."
"Yup, three generation of Scarlattis. Good to see, eh."
"And to think it nearly didn't happen," said someone with a funny accent.
"Billy!" Hugs and congratulations all around.
"Where's the bub?" asked Sam Braddock.
"With Raf, over there," she pointed him out, huddled with another first-time Dad, Joe di Nozzi.
"Baby boom... must be the water," remarked former SRU Sargent, Greg Parker.
Food, drinks, treats AND babies got passed around. The adults felt free to make comments about the poor parents.
Baby Oliver ended up in Spike's arms, and jokingly said,"Looks like Les, thank God." Far from being insulted, the proud father said to one and all, "I thank God, too." Begrudgingly, Spike admitted that Oly has his mother's fair skin, dimples and brown hair, and has inherited his father's handsome face, who happened to be a Martin Sheen look-alike.
Raf introduced baby Rafael, "El for short," he said. Everyone shamelessly expressed their opinion, the majority saying, "He looks like Raf."
Greg even added, "Luckily he has long limbs... looks like he's going to be tall."
"What did he get from Billy?" asked Wordy.
"Nothing," replied Raf until the baby fussed angrily. And that according to everyone was what he got from her, who surprisingly took the teasing in stride.
Not to be ignored was "Snapper," Sam and Jules' one year old. The little brown haired, brown-eyed girl with a happy disposition and an independent spirit preferred to be left alone on the floor. "She looks more and more like mini-Jules," observed Shelly Wordsworth.
They observed that the only thing she got from her Dad was the hard stare that says, "Don't mess with me."
"What about Mika, who does she look like?"
"She's a mix," said Aiza.
"Let me see," said Sam. "She's got brown hair and brown eyes. She's got Win's frizzy hair, nose and lips. Spike's dimples, skin tone and forehead. This baby's gonna be a genius."
Unconvinced, Billy said, "Let me see." Spike handed Mika over to Billy who said, "Ok GG..."
"Who you calling GG, her name is Mika," said Spike.
Billy replied, "Mika's her name, GG is her nickname."
"GG for what?" asked Jules.
She answered, "Geek's Girl." And everyone laughed their heads off.
Not to be outdone, Spike hurried over to Raf, took Baby El in his arms and said, "This baby's nickname is BB."
"For what?" they asked.
"Baf's Boy."
"What about Oly, what's his nickname?" asked Winnie.
"That's easy," answered Raf, quick to the punch, "We'll call him 'Heartthrob'."
Before the feastivity ended, Spike took a photo of the four offsprings. He emailed it to one and all, a copy of it reached Commander Holleran's computer. The veteran chief of SRU smiled contently at the photo and the caption.
It said, "Meet the Future: SRU Team One circa 2028, from left to right, Mika Louise "GG" Scarlatti, Oliver Angelo "Heartthrob" di Nozzi, Sadie Abigail "Snapper" Braddock and Rafael Mabo "BB" Rousseau. The future is secure."