"The next step is finding you a place to live." Christine and the three agents were sitting in the coffee shop at the hotel where Christine was still staying, and Reid was approaching the situation in his usual methodical manner.
"From what I have seen, the area immediately surrounding the hospital is mainly single family homes, and I definitely don't want to undertake the responsibility that living in a house involves," Christine replied. "It doesn't appear that there are any apartments close by. I was planning on contacting a real estate agent to see what they can suggest."
"Move in with me!" Rossi seemed surprised by his own words. "I'm within five miles of the hospital, and I have plenty of room. Besides, Sonia, my housekeeper, is always complaining she doesn't have enough to do."
"Dave, are you sure?" Christine questioned. "Do you really want another person invading your space?"
"You won't be invading my space," Rossi assured her. "It's a big house. I can have a door put in between two of my guest rooms, and you'll have your own suite at the other end of the house. We won't even have to see each other if we don't want to. Of course, your bathroom will be across the hall."
"If you are sure, that just might work," Christine spoke slowly. "That will also solve the problem of my being alone during my third trimester. However, I insist on paying for any work you have done." She wanted to make that clear. "And, we will have to determine a fair amount for me to pay you for room and board."
"Are you sure Sonia won't mind?" she asked as an afterthought.
"Sonia will enjoy fussing over you," Rossi smiled. He was beginning to like the idea. "I know both she and her husband, Luis, are lonely now that their youngest daughter has moved away. And, as for paying, I refuse to accept anything!"
"I'll talk to Morgan and get his thoughts on installing the door," Hotch offered. "And, I insist on paying for it!"
"Aaron, you're not even sure you are – responsible – for this," Christine protested.
"My offer still stands," Hotch sternly reminded her.
Within a week, Christine had moved into two of Rossi's guest rooms. Morgan had personally installed the door between the two rooms and had refused take payment, either for the door or for his work. "Just invite me over the next time you put some steaks on your grill," he told Rossi.
The discussion about Christine's paying for room and board didn't go as smoothly. "I can't just move in here and take advantage of your generosity!" she had protested.
"And, I refuse to take anything from you!" Rossi had returned.
In the end, they had fashioned a compromise. Christine would contribute to the weekly grocery bill, giving the money directly to Sonia. For the remainder of what monies she felt she owed, they drew up a list of several charities and a monthly donation was made to one of them in Rossi's name.
Sonia cheerfully accepted Christine into the household. "I'll take good care of her and her babies," she confided to Rossi. "I've seen many women in my family through their pregnancies, and I know what she needs. Now, you need to kick those two jackasses into line and make sure one of them marries her!"
Rossi didn't have the heart to tell Sonia that, from what he knew, Christine had already turned down one proposal of marriage.
After the first week, Sonia cornered Rossi early one morning to speak with him privately. "She's a good girl," was the declaration. "She helps out around the house and she shows respect. You need to make sure she gets herself a good husband!"
Over the next few weeks, Rossi found himself looking forward to coming home in the evening and finding someone waiting there for him. On more than one occasion, he found himself smiling and whistling in the car as he drove homeward.