As the two women left the study to rejoin the party, a man's voice echoed through the house. "I am here to see Christine!" it proclaimed. "She is supposed to be here! Where is she?"
"Oh, No!" Christine exclaimed. "It can't be!"
A woman's voice joined in. "We were invited," it proclaimed. "She is supposed to be here!"
"That is?" Garcia questioned.
"My brother and sister-in-law," Christine groaned. "Dave was suffering from an excess of Christmas spirit when he insisted I invite them. You know how he believes in family!"
Garcia squeezed Christine's hand. "I'll be right here," she promised as they walked towards the foyer door.
"Charles – Nadine," Christine plastered a smile on her face. "So glad you could make it. I understand you have already met Dave."
"Yes," her brother acknowledged. "When we looked at that attic you were living in."
"We thought he was the building superintendent," Nadine looked at Rossi. "Now, we find out he is a writer of sorts."
"A very successful writer of sorts," Rossi corrected her. "Now, what can I get you two? Drinks? Something to eat?"
As they followed Rossi into the formal living room, Charles looked around. "You're living here now?" he asked Christine as he perused the well-appointed space and noted the expensive decor.
"Yes, Dave was kind enough to invite me to move in with him until after the babies are born," Christine replied. She turned to include her sister-in-law in the conversation. "And, how have you been, Nadine?"
Nadine looked the pregnant woman up and down. "I see you are expecting again," she commented tartly. "Do you know who the father is this time?"
"I knew who the father was last time," Christine reminded her. She remembered Hotch telling her that Dave had insisted on informing her family when the twins were born.
"Yeah, right. Probably some deadbeat. I understand he has the bastards now," Nadine sneered.
"Those 'bastards' happen to be my children!" Reid was suddenly standing behind Christine.
"And my godchildren," Garcia spoke up.
"And mine," Rossi had stopped and turned to face Nadine. "So, I suggest you not refer to them that way in this house."
Charles looked at the men. "You all seem pretty defensive of my sister," he commented. "Is there any reason why?"
"Maybe it's because we feel she needs it," Chief Cruz and JJ had walked over. "And, I will have you know that Dr. Nielson is currently in the protective custody of the FBI," he added.
"After what she has been through in the past several years, we want to make sure she is well protected and taken care off," JJ added.
"Also, I would like to point out that this conversation is not appropriate to the season," Blake and her husband, James, joined the group.
"Or, actually, to any season," Hotch walked over and put his arm protectively around Christine, pulling her close to him.
"Now, you are welcome to stay," Rossi reiterated his invitation. "However, if you can't treat Christine with the respect she deserves, I will have you escorted out. It's your call." Morgan was suddenly looming over the pair.
Nadine had been looking around the adjoining rooms. "Is that Valerie Prescott?" she exclaimed. "I've seen her on television! Her husband just got elected to something important, and she is raising funds for a shelter for abused women!"
"And, is that a Supreme Court judge?" Charles was also checking out the other guests.
"The bar is over there," Rossi pointed. "And, the buffet is set out next to it. Enjoy!"
As Charles and Nadine headed towards the food, the drinks, and the celebrities, Garcia turned to Christine. "If you think they are bad, you should see my family," she commented dryly.