Author's note: Back again with more of the story! First off, thanks to all the readers who have followed and/or favorited the story and/or left reviews. Seeing those numbers increase each day brings a smile to my face.
Anyway, I left off a summary of Reid meeting a new friend who becomes a light in the darkness surrounding him. As the chapter title says, it is obviously little Henry! As you probably know, this is Season 4 and instead of creating an original unseen moment, I decided to just write the end to "Memoriam", quote for quote. I just added in the thoughts/narration.
A quick thanks to the reviewers who agreed with me on the relationship between JJ and Will. I now know for sure I'm not alone.
Speaking of which, I do apologize for that rant in the post-chapter author's note. As you can see I have a strong opinion on JJ and Will. But, I realize that there are people who do like JJ and Will together (though I doubt any of them will ever read this story). I apologize again for that rant (even though most of you agreed with me on those points).
Anyway, read and review this chapter, please. Your opinion matters!
November 12th, 2008: Washington, D.C.
Spencer had literally just gotten off the plane from Vegas with Rossi and Morgan, when he got the call. JJ was in labor. He ran into the hospital following Morgan and Rossi and joined the rest of the team in the waiting room. The nurse eventually came out and informed everyone that baby Jareau had arrived. Reid was extremely hesitant to enter the room. He remembered his whole relationship with JJ. It made him hurt to think of her having another man's child. It took forever for Reid to get the courage to even think of entering, but he did eventually.
"Is there room for one more in here?" he asked as he entered.
"Spence, hi," JJ said.
Hotch shook his hand. "Welcome back."
"Thanks," Spencer said. He looked at JJ's newborn son. "Wow." He looked at Will and extended his hand. "Congratulations," he said as Will shook his hand and thanked him.
"How is it I just went through 15 hours of labor and you look worse than I do?" JJ asked Reid.
"Don't be ridiculous. You look beautiful," he replied, his thoughts reversing back to the moment he first told her that when they were dating. The memory only made him feel worse.
Will, sensing JJ wanted to talk to Spencer alone, offered coffee on him to the others. Once they were all outside, she spoke.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Wow. Yeah, yeah," he replied.
"You sure? Because there's something I wanted to ask you, but it can wait."
"What is it?"
"Will and I were talking and… we want you to be Henry's godfather."
Spencer was flustered. Not only was the idea of the "Reid Effect" coming back, but JJ was asking to be godfather to a child she had with another man knowing full well of their past. "I don't – I mean, I don't know…"
"Here. You wanna hold him? It's okay," she said as she handed Henry to Reid. "Watch his head." He picked up the newborn boy and all of a sudden all of his worries – the "Reid Effect" and his past with JJ – disappeared. The newborn did not cry in his arms. In fact, Henry seemed as calm as could be for a newborn. He looked down at this new light in his life. All of his bad memories – his father and Elle and Gideon leaving, Tobias Hankel, Riley Jenkins, all the bullying he suffered in high school, his childhood – were nothing but ghosts when he held Henry.
"Hi. Hello Henry," Spencer whispered to the newborn.
"If anything happens to us, it's up to you and Garcia to make sure this boy gets into Yale," JJ said.
"Ooh. Yale. Yale! You wanna go to Yale, Henry? That was your godfather's safety school," he said. "Don't worry. I can get you into Cal-Tech with one phone call," he whispered to Henry. He looked and smiled at JJ. Despite all the hell he'd been through, it was days like this that kept him going. He knew that no matter what, this boy would be his light that guides him through the darkness around him.
He would never leave Henry. He wasn't going to be like they were. His father, Elle, and Gideon couldn't handle it. He could. He was stronger than they were.
Meanwhile, JJ was thinking deeply. Henry was calmer with Spencer than he was with Will. Does that mean anything? She thought. Maybe, maybe not.
Yes, I had to have that moment of her wondering. Anyway, thanks for reading this chapter. So, what did you think? Did you fall apart at Reid holding Henry and mentally declaring that he would never leave the little boy? Do you think JJ's right to wonder what's up? Could there be something there that we don't know?
Remember to review the story and give some feedback; I would love it. Now for a preview of what's coming up next chapter:
Reid calls JJ just in case he doesn't make it.
Can you figure out which episode is next? Take your best guess! I'll see you next time!
- D.C. al Coda
