Author's Note: This update's quick upload can almost solely be attributed to MiaR and Sue1313! I loved their reviews on the last chapter, so thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I hope everyone likes this chapter, but the only way that I'll know is if you REVIEW :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything outside of Avery and her little family!

Chapter 17

Spencer's POV:

As Avery opened her front door and we all yelled 'SURPRISE' I savored the lovely surprised look on her face with a huge smile. I was beyond happy to see her surprised expression morph into that cute little smirk that I've grown so fond of.

"Only you all would throw me a surprise party when I'm all sweaty and disgusting", she chuckled. I laughed too, simply because she had. I was fairly powerless when it came to her sweet little giggles. It was only then that I realized that she was as she put it 'disgustingly sweaty'. Except, I didn't find her disgusting in any capacity. In fact, I thought she looked beautiful with her hair plastered to her forehead and her skin all shiny and glowing. As she excused herself upstairs to change, I couldn't help but think of Avery at the gym. From what I'd gathered about her over these past few weeks, I only assumed that she attacked her exercise routine with as much passion as she did for everything else in her life. I could practically picture her wonderful features tightened in concentration as she was working out. I'd be an atrocious liar if I didn't admit that the mental image was…endearing.

But we were taking things slowly, so I shook my thoughts of Avery exercising, and returned to the party at hand. I was glad that she was seemingly excited about the surprise, given that she'd initially been apprehensive of the entire idea. Hopefully she'd be able to muster up enough excitement to play along, because Garcia was beyond excited. Somehow I doubted Avery would ever show anything less than her usual fervor, even if she was annoyed. I don't think she would be upset however; Garcia had gone to her usual lengths to make this party amazing. She'd even managed to invite Avery's best friend, whom I'm pretty sure was named Olivia. I was fairly certain I'd caught her unceremoniously staring at me a few times. Perhaps it was her own way of judging me. Seeing if I were good enough for her best friend I suppose, and given that she was the only friend I'd ever really recalled Avery mentioning this seemed like a big deal. The thought was terrifying. Sure, being judged by Hotch was scary, but if I considered all the knowledge I had about women, then I could only surmise that being judged by a girl's best friend would be exponentially more petrifying. Additionally, I was certain that Avery would seriously value her opinion.

As Avery returned down the stairs, clad in her usual leggings, t-shirt, and bandana tying her hair I couldn't stop the huge smile that spread across my face. I just hoped I met Olivia's standards.

Avery's POV:

As much as I hated to admit it, I really was enjoying this surprise party thing. I mean I could count the amount of actual birthday parties I'd had on one hand, but somehow this one beat every one of them. I was initially really excited to see that, some way or another, Penelope had gotten Olivia and Carson to come as well. After all the talking I'd done about my new family (and trust me it'd been a lot) I was beyond enthused to finally have her meet them. If her reactions to our conversations were any indication, she would be all too curious to see them in real life. I sincerely hoped she liked and approved of them, after all she was my best friend. Her opinion was important to me, but at the same time I wanted my new family and friends to approve of Olivia too. All in all it was promised to be an exciting, if not nerve-wracking, night for me.

As the night went on I became more and more relaxed. Olivia and I had always been able to communicate through our facial expressions, and based on the ones she was sending my way, she loved my new friends. I already figured she would love Penelope; they were practically the same person, both a little over-the-top and crazy, but totally lovable. They both also apparently had an extreme sense of attraction to Derek Morgan. The look that Olivia had shot me after speaking to Morgan had clearly said 'Oh damnnnnnnnnnn'. I'd had to roll my eyes at that one; Olivia may think Derek was attractive, but I knew that she was completely head over heels for her boyfriend, Carson's dad. She seemingly approved of everyone she'd met, and she'd met nearly everyone.

Nearly.

She hadn't given me any clues as to whether or not she liked Spencer yet. Maybe I was overthinking things too much, but it seemed to me that Olivia was purposefully keeping a very straight face while anything regarding Spencer had happened. And Spencer was also the only member of the team she hadn't directly spoken to. I sincerely hoped that she wasn't planning on cornering him or something. Cause nothing spoke truer to Olivia than the Shakespearian quote, "And though she be but little, she is fierce". What if she secretly hated him and was just waiting to chewing him out privately? What if she scared him away? I couldn't stop thinking about it.

As I tried to push away my anxiety, the party was in full swing. I had to give it to Penelope, she did an amazing job. The kids were happily occupied with their candy they'd won during some of the games that she'd organized. Amelia, however, had been asleep for the majority of the party, although she'd never made it to her crib. Rather my enthusiastic party guests had preferred to shift her from person to person, leaving her sleeping peacefully in their arms. Currently she was with Spencer, as he watched with kids with a contented look on his face. I smiled, feeling some of my anxiety fade away; how could Olivia dislike Spencer? There was just no way.

"Okayyyy! Time for presents!" Penelope squealed. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, and I saw Olivia chuckle.

"Ohh don't worry Avy-baby. You can't get hurt by a few presents", Olivia said loudly. Everyone else chuckled, and I settled in to watch Henry rip open a few presents. He got more and more excited each time, and Jack seemed to be just as happy as him. Carson just sat on the floor ripping up the discarded paper like it was the most entertaining thing he'd ever done. I just plopped myself down on the floor next to where Spencer sat on the couch and watched with amusement. Everyone seemed really happy, and though I wasn't thrilled to be receiving hand-outs, the kids were really happy. And besides I'd already bought the essentials for my kids and me myself. Second-hand, and from the daycare I worked at, but they were our things. So what harm could a few toys do?

"Alright Avery your turn", JJ said. I did my best to put on a happy smile, but Derek just rolled his eyes at me.

"Don't be weird, just open your dang presents", he said, laughing. I fake saluted.

"Yes sir", I mocked before beginning to open them. One by one I opened them up, reacting pleasantly to each one. A new CD from Derek, some new band t-shirts from Olivia, and some other odds and ends from the others. All and all, it really wasn't so bad. At least I'd gotten through a Penelope party relatively unscathed. As I stood up to thank everyone, I heard Spencer clear his throat next to me. I turned to see him nod his head towards something on the floor near me.

"I ah think you missed one", he said flashing me that smile that I loved. The quirky, self-conscious one that made me melt. I smiled back, grabbing the last present and ripping it open. When I caught a glimpse of what was inside, I gasped, my hand flying to cover my gaping mouth.

"Avery? What is it sweetie?" Penelope questioned. I paused, a little too surprised to respond.

"It's a locket I've been wanting for practically my entire life. And there's another one, but I don't understand", I looked at Spencer curiously. "Why two?" He shot me that smile again before nervously clearing his throat again.

"Well I remembered how you said you'd always wanted one, and how you'd put a picture of your kids in there, one for each side. I thought maybe Amelia would want one too, for pictures of you and Henry…", he smiled sheepishly and trailed off. I grinned so hard I thought my face might fall off, and I swear if he weren't holding Amelia, I would have tackled him in the biggest hug of his life. Since my baby girl was indeed asleep in his arms, I settled for jumping on the couch and hugging his shoulders the best I could.

"SPENCER. This is the best present ever. Thank you!" I said smiling wide at him. He looked flustered; probably because I'd just hugged him in front of everyone. I gave him one last smile before standing up and heading towards Olivia with the box.

"Help me put it on?" I asked her happily. She looked amazed, and just nodded. I turned around and she began clasping the necklace around my neck.

"Babe. You're right. He's such a keeper", she whispered as she finished with the small clasp. I felt my smile widen. To anyone else in the room, it would've seemed like I was just excited about my necklace, but we both knew that she'd just given me the best gift of the night. My best friend didn't hate Spencer, in fact she loved him. She loved my whole new family. I was finally surrounded by people who cared about me. Maybe Penelope should throw these parties more often.

Spencer's POV:

Avery's party was quite possibly the greatest party that I'd ever been to. Not that I'd been to a lot of parties, but even so I was sure this one would have beaten any of them. The sheer amount of happiness I'd seen radiating off of Avery's face all night was enough to have put me in a good mood for days. I was walking on air as they say.

As I headed out the door with Morgan, we turned to say goodbye to Hotch. Avery and Olivia were upstairs putting the kids to bed. Apparently Carson, Olivia, and Garcia wanted to spend the night, and Avery couldn't have looked happier about it. I sent one last smile up the stairs before heading out the door. Morgan was standing near Hotch, saying goodbye, when I stopped; I saw something on the front steps. Frowning, I bent down to pick it up. When I did, I felt all the happy feelings from tonight completely dissipate. Every smile, every laugh, completely forgotten. Wordlessly I turned to the three still in the doorway, holding up what I'd just found.

An envelope. Addressed to Avery. Same as the first.

The unsub that was stalking Avery had been here, left this note while we'd all been inside. The mere thought made my blood boil in a way I'd never thought possible. I watched as the blood drained from their faces. Morgan looked like I felt. Ready to cry or kill someone. Hotch paused only for a moment before he grabbed the letter from me, turning to watch his back.

"Listen close. We are not telling Avery about this. Not yet", he said, very hushed, quick voice. Seeing the apprehension on our faces, he continued, "The last letter frightened her. Too much. I am not letting her life be ruled by fear, not until we have an idea of who this unsub is. So for now, we are not mentioning this. But we are going to find this son of a bitch, as fast as we can. Clear?"

Reluctantly Morgan and I nodded.