Chapter 24
Avery's POV:
Getting an MRI was possibly the scariest thing I've ever done to date, and considering the circumstances of my life currently I sincerely hoped that it continued to claim the top spot for a while. Arrow had been so sweet through it all, and Niki had done her best to calm me down as well. Their soothing words convinced me to try it, but once I was getting slid into that bright white tunnel, where I was CONVINCED I somehow could, and would, get stuck I panicked. I trembled so hard that they had to pull me out and start over because the image wasn't clear enough with all the movement. I very nearly cried, but decided to suck it up and trust the doctors and Arrow, who was doing his absolute best to convince me that nothing bad would happen.
Eventually, I was still enough that the doctors got the pictures they needed and they wheeled me back to my room for the blood draw. That part was easy-peasy; I'd never been sick around blood, either mine or anyone else's. When she was finished, Niki smiled at me and patted my knee, saying she'd be back in a few hours with my results.
Sitting in my room with Arrow after the blood draw, I couldn't help but be a little bothered that Spencer didn't appear to be around. I frowned, wondering why he would have promised to stick around before ditching out; it seemed out of character for him to break a promise, but maybe I didn't know him as well as I thought I did.
"Are the kids still with Olivia?" I asked Arrow, keen for a distraction from my thoughts. He was bent over his cell phone, smirking, and seemingly didn't hear me. I rolled my eyes.
"Arrow. ARROW", I practically screeched. His head finally snapped up and I waved at him sarcastically.
"What?" he said innocently.
"I've been trying to get your attention for like 2 minutes!" I exclaimed, semi-jokingly. He shrugged, as if to say 'whoops?' and I rolled my eyes dramatically. He chuckled, shaking his head, and I raised a questioning brow at his antics.
"You know, I thought I had YEARS until Jack turned into a sassy teenager, but now I see I'm going to be getting a crash course from you first", he said playfully, his eyes sparkling with humor. I gasped dramatically and grabbed my chest with a flourish.
"Who me?!", I exclaimed, using a Scarlett O'Hara esque accent. "Wherever did you get the idea that I was being dramatic? Why I'm sweeter than a big 'ol bowl of honey!".
Arrow laughed at the way my fists ended up on my hips, and the way I wiggled my eyebrows and pretended to flip my hair. I laughed too, happy I could make him smile for the first time in a while. The last few days certainly hadn't been easy, and I was glad that I could brighten Arrows day a little, rather than being the reason it sucked.
"You're something else", he said fondly. I smiled my biggest, cheesiest smile and then stuck my tongue out at him. He pretended to look shocked for a minute, making me giggle a bit, before scrunching up his face like mine and sticking his tongue out. I laughed harder at the sight of my strong, stoic uncle looking like a scorned three year old.
I heard a knock at the door, and saw Spencer peek his head in. I immediately grinned from ear to ear, a smile which he readily reciprocated.
"Hey Spence", I said happily. "Where were you?"
"Well the nurse said the testing was taking a while, so I decided to go pick something up quickly" he replied, not moving away from behind the door. I furrowed my brow, wondering why he wasn't coming in.
"Well thanks Spencer, but can you like come all the way through the door? You're freaking me out a little", I said chuckling a little. His smile got even bigger and sweeter (which I hadn't known was possible till now) as he started to step aside. Curious, I waited patiently for him to enter, but instead he opened the door wide and stepped out of the way.
"AVERY!" I heard a chorus of little voices yell as I watched Henry and Jack rush into my small room excitedly. I gasped softly remembering just in time not to fully fill my lungs, as they all ran to my bed and eagerly started climbing up. I looked to Spencer who'd moved into the room holding Amelia and looking pleased with himself. My eyes immediately filled with grateful tears, I was so surprised and joyful at the sight of my kids.
"Guys, be careful, Avery's sick remember?" I heard Arrow say from my side. The kids sheepishly slowed down and hovered at the foot of my bed timidly.
"It's okay guys, just one hug at a time, and be gentle okay?" I said smiling warmly. They both nodded solemnly, and Henry crawled up into my waiting arms first; after adjusting him slightly to account for my ribs I snuggled his tiny body tightly to mine, eyes closing with relief and comfort.
"I missed you", Henry whispered quietly in his small voice I knew was only meant for me to hear. My heart warmed and I gently kissed his forehead and whispered that I'd missed him more. He pulled back and kissed my nose before retreating back to the foot of the bed and allowing Jack to crawl up. I squeezed Jack just as snuggly tight and buried my head into his curly hair, kissing his head.
"Are you gonna be better soon Avery?" he asked, pulling back from our hug. I smiled.
"I hope so buddy, cause I need to get back home with you guys!" I said. This seemed to satisfy him, and he too crawled back to the foot of the bed. I turned to Arrow, who was watching with amusement, before turning to Spencer with outstretched arms.
"Hi babyface! I missed you so so much!" I gushed as he handed Amelia over to my waiting arms. I kissed her chubby little face all over before letting her rest her head in the crook of my neck. I breathed in her familiar baby scent contently before turning back to Spencer. His handsome, smiling face greeted my eyes and I reached a free hand out to grab his open hand. "Thank you so much Spencer, I can't explain how much this means to me", I said tearfully. He smiled warmly, squeezing my hand gently before stepping away towards the door.
"I'm glad you enjoyed your surprise, but there's a bit more to it than that" he said, peeking his head into the hallway. I furrowed my brow slightly. There was more?
In through the door walked a shy looking Peyton, followed closely by her mother, Olivia's son Carson, and Olivia who was holding a very lopsided, sprinkle doused cake in tow. My eyebrows shot up, and I smiled once more. I waved at Peyton, who carefully approached my bedside with a bunch of dandelions crushed in her little fists.
"Hi Miss Avery", she said quietly. "I brought you some flowers to help you feel better". She handed me the wad of flowers, which I tearfully accepted, and moved to give me a hug before stepping back towards her mom.
"Peyton and I just wanted to stop by and tell you how thankful we are for what you did" Peyton mother said. "Who knows what would've happened if you hadn't caught her!".
The next few hours were a swirl of activity, Olivia and Carson presented the cake they and the boys had made, Peyton and her mother left, Niki informed me that my tests were normal and that I'd be discharged tomorrow, Spencer left, and eventually it came time for all the kids to go home for the night. I tearfully said goodbye, and Arrow took them all home for supper and bedtime. Amelia cried as she was taken from the room, which broke my heart nearly in two. JJ and Prentiss stayed with me after all the commotion was over, each trying to cheer me up the best they could.
"I know it's hard to be away, but you'll see them again so soon", JJ soothed, patting my knee softly. Emily nodded, and I shrugged.
"It just sucks. I've just never spent so much time away from them, ya know?" I said glumly.
"I know how you feel" JJ said. "I always hate being away from Henry, even if it's just for a night. Maybe some tea will help, it always helps me calm down before bed. I'll go grab you some from the cafeteria. Chamomile okay?" I nodded.
"Thanks J. Maybe it'll help" I said, leaning back into the pillows, bringing my hands to rest behind my head. Frowning, I sat up quickly when I felt something strange in the back of my head. Feeling around, I realized that in order to stitch up my head they must've shaved a patch of hair off.
"What is it?" Emily said, concerned. I dropped my hands to my lap sadly and sighed.
"They shaved my head", I said dejectedly. "I'm sure it looks just awesome" I moaned, covering my eyes with my palms. When I removed my eyes I saw Emily scrunching her face in sympathy and I smiled lightly. "Hey, all part of the job right?" I joked lightly. She laughed as well, and I saw a flash of something cross her eyes before she smiled widely.
"I think I have something that will cheer you up", she said waggling her eyebrows. I raised mine in response giggling a little.
Spencer's POV:
After I left the hospital Avery was all I could think about. The way her face lit up when she saw me, the joy in her eyes as she hugged her kids, the way she'd laughed at everyone during the visit everything about anything and everything; she'd looked happier than I'd seen her in weeks. I smiled lightly and shook my head, leave it to Avery to turn a hospital visit into a positive scenario. As I sat in Hotch's house waiting with the rest of the team for Avery to arrive back home, I couldn't help letting my mind linger on her smile; it was so radiant, so beautiful I'd never tire of seeing it. I was brought out of my thoughts abruptly when I felt Morgan elbow my side. Snapping out of my daze, I turned to look at his grinning face sitting next to me on the couch.
"Just thought I'd interrupt that little fantasy you looked like you had going on before things went too far", he said chuckling. I felt my face heat up marginally, but it must have been noticeable because his small smile turned into a full blown smirk. I cleared my throat audibly.
"Admit it kid, you're so smitten", he laughed. I simply smiled, how could I possibly disagree? It wouldn't matter if I did Morgan wouldn't believe me, and in all honesty I didn't feel the need to hide the way I felt about Avery anymore. I was in need of some assistance however, and somehow I thought Morgan would be a fitting source of information. Although, looking at his smirking face I wasn't so sure anymore. I cleared my throat again, and he raised a curious brow.
"So- ahem- I have a question. It's about… dating", I said cringing a little at the way I sounded. To his benefit, Morgan didn't laugh like I'd expected. He simply crossed his arms and leaned back into the cushions, indicating I should continue. I took a deep breath in.
"You are well aware that I've never dated in any capacity before, let alone in a situation like this where things are so complex and involved, although perhaps relationships are always this complex and involved, as I said I don't know, and I was just questioning how things should-" I babbled quickly all in one breath before Morgan interrupted me.
"Whoa whoa whoa genius, slow your roll", he chuckled. "I'd like to think there was a question in there, but if there was I definitely missed it. Now tell me, calmly, what the heck you're trying to ask me" I nodded.
"Well I just was questioning how one goes about asking someone out, you know like on a date" I said much more slowly. A knowing look passed Derek's face, and he smirked once more. I was beginning to regret asking him anything at all, but realistically I knew that there was no one else I could talk to about this subject. I began to panic at his silent smirk, and my instinct to talk began to work in overdrive. "Nevermind, it was a stupid question, silly really and you don't have to answer me in the slightest I just couldn't think of anyone else to ask about something like this and-" Morgan put his hands up in surrender.
"Kid, this isn't something to be embarrassed about, just take a breath and let me think for a second!", he said goodnaturedly. I nodded. "Now I personally don't think that you have anything to worry about when it comes to asking out Ms. Avery because that girl couldn't be crazier about you if she tried. You both have been dancing around the subject for a long time now, and I for one, am glad you're finally gonna man up and ask her out" he said, clapping a hand on my back. I looked down.
"But how could I possibly invite her to a date when I don't even know how to properly ask you a question about the subject" I asked quietly.
"Look Reid, you planned that whole surprise thing at the hospital the other day, you talk to her constantly, and trust me kid you might just know her better than all of us. Just think of something that you know she'd enjoy doing, and then just ask her to do it with you. It really won't be as difficult as you're making it seem, I promise", he said matter-of-factly. "There's no way lil' mama would turn down time with her favorite genius, date or not. So don't worry too hard, alright?" I nodded and smiled gratefully, something Morgan returned. He clapped me on the back one last time before getting up for something. Could it really be as simple as Derek made it seem? The way he made things sound it was clear the whole team was aware of Avery's and I's feelings towards each other, which was both terrifying and liberating at the same time.
Unfortunately, I didn't get much time to muse on the situation any further, because soon after Morgan got up the front door opened and Hotch entered, carrying some of Avery's things with him. I stood and walked over, wondering where Avery was.
"What took so long, I thought she was released this morning?" Morgan questioned, echoing the question I'd just thought.
"Emily wanted to take her somewhere first, and I approved so we made a slight detour" Hotch replied with a twinkle in his eye that I'd rarely seen before. It was incredible really, the difference Avery had made in my boss, he was lighter and less serious than usual.
"So where is our girl?", Morgan asked curiously.
"She's right here, and she's got a new do!" I heard Garcia's familiar enthusiastic voice call from the entryway. All three of us turned to the doorway to see a rather triumphant looking Avery crossing the threshold slowly. I felt my face burst into a smile. And she did indeed have a 'new do' as Garcia had so eloquently put it. Her once long blonde locks were now at least 3.5 inches shorter than before, and it looked as if her hair had gone a few shades darker as well. It looked absolutely breathtaking on Avery's smiling round face, but in all truthfulness she could have no hair at all and I would still find her completely stunning. She slowly,made her way into her home, and once I had snapped out of my daze I took her arm in mine and led her into the closest chair and helped her into it. She looked up at me with a grateful smile and I swear my heart stopped beating for a moment. Hair change or not, her eyes were still as clear and intoxicating as ever. Would they ever cease to catch me off guard? I sincerely hoped not. As I turned to face the rest of the room Avery spoke up.
"So what do you all think" she animately asked the room. As the team all voiced their opinions in the affirmative, I smiled contentedly, knowing that Avery was happy and safe. She was home.