It was a cold evening in late January, when Rossi looked up from the book he was reading to see Christine coming out of the bathroom. "Bella, I thought you were going to call me to help you climb out of the tub," he gently chided her. "I don't want the three of you getting hurt."
He sniffed the air and then commented, "That smells good! Did the bath help?"
Christine smiled at him as she carefully climbed into their bed. "Yes. There is something about being submerged in pleasant smelling warm water that is extremely relaxing. It probably has to do with repressed memories and a desire to return to the womb."
"That sounds appropriate. In approximately four weeks, you are going to be expelling several residents of your womb," Rossi observed as he put the book to one side. "And, I want you to know that earlier today I battled my way into the Bureau's Human Resources Department computer and changed my marital status and contact information so you are now officially my 'Next of Kin'."
"Now, I have been thinking," he continued. "Maybe I should start taking some of my vacation time now so I can be with you for the next several weeks."
"Dave, I don't think that is necessary. Didn't Chief Cruz tell the team that you are going on 'stand down' beginning the week after next?" Christine reminded him. "Besides, it's not like I am by myself. Nurse is with me, as are Sonia and Luis. And, Penelope is just a phone call away. Don't worry!"
"And, you need to think about the probable repercussions of your doing that," she added.
"What repercussions?" Rossi questioned puzzled.
"If you take time off to be with me, Aaron will feel obligated to take time off to spend with me, which will lead to Spencer taking time off to keep up with Aaron - ," Christine paused to catch her breath.
"You're right about that," Rossi conceded. "Cruz has managed to keep them separated as of late, but if they both show up here they will annoy not only you but also both Sonia and Nurse. And, I would not want to have to deal with that uprising!"
"How has Matt been handling keeping them separated?" Christine asked.
"Well, for the past two weeks Aaron has been delivering 'Welcome To The Bureau' lectures to the newest group of cadets at the Academy," Rossi began.
"Oh No!" Christine groaned. "How many has he managed to scare off thus far?"
"Only three," Rossi grinned. "And, to be honest with you, I don't think that one would have made it anyhow."
"What about Spencer?" Christine questioned. "I heard bits and pieces of a story, but I don't have all the details."
Rossi's grin got bigger. "Another of Cruz's brilliant ideas," he crowed. "It seems that Metro Police asked for some assistance on several cases they were thinking of declaring 'Cold'. So, Cruz sent Reid over to review them. When he got to the second case, Reid called Garcia and had her check out some information. He then called Morgan, told him to round up Anderson, and for both of them to come over to the station. The three of them, plus the Rookie that had been assigned to assist Reid then went out and arrested the unsub!"
"What? How did Spencer know?" Christine was amazed.
"It seems that the unsub's MO matched that of a case Morgan did a consult on almost a year ago for the Missouri State Police," Rossi explained. "And, at the time he had discussed it with Reid. After the state police received Morgan's profile, they knew exactly who they were looking for. Unfortunately, when they arrived at his home, he had disappeared."
"He crossed jurisdictions," Christine guessed.
"That's right," Rossi confirmed. "It was just his bad luck that someone with knowledge of his previous crimes got hold of the file."
Now, Bella," Rossi leaned over to kiss her. "Why don't you try to relax and let's see if the terrible twosome will let my wife get some sleep tonight?" He smiled as he watched Christine's attempts to get comfortable.
"I can't remember which side I am supposed to be sleeping on," she complained.
"I could call Reid and ask," Rossi teased her. "I am sure he is up on the latest research into that issue."
"The problem with that suggestion is that after a conversation with him I always end up feeling like one of his science experiments!" Christine commented as Rossi snuggled up behind her and put his arms protectively around her and the babies.