It was a week later and Christine and the babies were home from the hospital. Rossi was propped up in bed going over the proofs of his latest manuscript. He looked up as Christine joined him, kissing his cheek, and then curling up by his side.
"Rough day, Bella?" he teased her.
"If nursing two babies, playing with them, and telling them they are the most beautiful babies in the world is rough, then, yes," she replied.
Tired?" he noticed that she looked pale and that her eyes were partially closed.
"Yes," she told him. "I just want to get some rest."
He kissed her on the forehead. "Just close your eyes," he told her. "I'm right here."
The next time he looked over at Christina, he noticed that she didn't appear to be moving. Frantically, he checked her neck for a pulse.
He pushed the button on the intercom to the nurse's room. "Get in here right now," he yelled. "Bring your bag."
Even as he dialed 911 on his phone, he knew it was too late.
Don't kill me just yet - Please keep reading -
Epilogue
It was ten days after Christine's death and the BAU team, as well as Christine's brother and sister-in-law, was gathered in the lawyer's office. After the lawyer had ascertained that everyone was present, he nodded to Rossi, who moved to stand in the front of the room.
"Thank you all for coming," he began. "As you all know, Christine died of a congenital heart condition, a form of cardiomyopathy. Because she had never had any symptoms, nobody ever suspected it existed."
"And, as you also know, six weeks ago we were married," he continued. "That makes me her legal heir. Christine also left a will in which she named me executer of her estate. We are going to see that will now."
The lawyer inserted a DVD into the player unit on the wall and Christine appeared on the flat screen.
"Thank you all for coming," she began. "I wish I could be there with you but, unfortunately, that's not possible."
"I am amazed at how my life has changed over the past few years," she continued. "I went from being a penniless grad student living in a turret to being a best-selling author, a mother, and most surprisingly of all, a wife. Dave, I just want you to know that I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I am proud to be the fourth Mrs. David Rossi!"
"My life has taken some strange turns along the way, and I have made a lot of mistakes. However, I hope I have also been able to do some good. Only time will tell."
"Now, to get down to business. Currently, I am pregnant with twins. I don't know who the father or fathers are, and I don't care. What I do know is that David Rossi has been there for me from the beginning, and I trust him to always do what is right for my children. Therefore, regardless of what the DNA tests show, I hereby appoint him their legal guardian now and forever."
"Great!" Nadine spit out. "We don't have to be concerned with the bastard brats."
"Next, as you all know, the proceeds from my first novel have been earmarked for The New Life Yoga Center. The women there literally saved my life and helped me find myself. In return, it is my intent to continue supporting them. However, the stipend that I have been drawing from those funds to pay for my living expenses will, in the future, be directed to Penelope Garcia-Morgan to be used however she sees fit."
Garcia caught her breath and looked around. "Me?" she asked.
"Yes, you," Rossi assured her with a smile. "Christine thought you might be able to put the money to good use."
"Novel? What is she talking about?" Nadine asked.
"HUSH!" was the general comment.
"Next," Christine continued. "My next book is set to be released this spring. I have arranged for the proceeds from that volume to go into a trust fund for David and Diana, to be used to pay for their educations or whatever else they might need. Spencer, I know you have probably already made arrangements for them, but please let me do this. I want them to know that, despite everything, their mother loved them and always wanted what was best for them. Again, there is a small stipend that has been earmarked for my use. This is to be directed to Jennifer Jareau, to be used however she sees fit."
Tears began running down JJ's face. "After the way I treated her?" she sobbed. "She still thought of me?"
"Second book?" Charles questioned. "What is going on here?"
"As for my third book," Christine continued. "It currently is undergoing its final editing, and by now it may be completed. When the time comes and it is released, the monies from it are to go into a trust fund for my yet unborn twins. I know their father or fathers will undoubtedly make arrangements for them, but I intend to take care of my own children. Again, there is a stipend I have earmarked for my use. It is to go to Alexandra Blake, to be used as she sees fit."
"It is my hope that these three women, Penelope, JJ, and Alex will occasionally get together for lunch, and think kind thoughts of me."
"We will, I promise!" Alex choked out as tears ran down her cheeks.
"To continue," the video ran on. "There is a fourth book that I have finished outlining and have started work on. I am confident that Dave and my publisher can complete whatever work is necessary to get it to market. The proceeds from that book are to be used to set up foundation to assist victims of childhood sexual abuse, under the direction of Derek Morgan. Derek, I know this is something you have always wanted to do. I leave it to you to handle the details."
"What?" Morgan blurted out. "I don't know what to say!"
"Just see that the foundation gets set up and running," Rossi told him, sternly. "I will be watching!"
"Now, believe it or not, I also have a fifth book in the works," Christine smiled at them. "Dave, I know that if there is any way it can be brought to market, you and our publisher can do it. In that case, any monies generated are yours to use in any way you see fit. And, I hope you throw one heck of a big party!"
"Well, that only leaves one person – Aaron Hotchner. Aaron, you didn't think I would forget you, did you? When you found out I was pregnant, your first impulse was to ask me to marry you. It didn't matter to you whether or not you were the father of my babies, you just wanted to do the right thing. That's one of the things I love about you."
"I turned you down because, among other things, it wouldn't have been fair to Jack. He is now and always should remain your first priority. That is why I am leaving you my bank accounts. Dave and my accountant can go over the details with you, but there is more than enough money for you and Jack to go adventuring. Just get together and try something new – Skiing in the Alps, canoeing in Boundary Waters Park, snowboarding on a glacier, whatever. Just do it and do it together."
"There are several other smaller bequests," Christine continued. "My lawyer has the details and will be contacting the individuals involved. However, there is one more major statement that needs to be made, and I know my sister-in-law, Nadine, is waiting to hear this. On behalf of my four children and myself, I hereby renounce any claim I may have to my parents' estate, now and forever."
"Great!" Nadine declared. "That settles that. But what is all this about books and novels?"
"You don't know?" Garcia demanded.
"Know what?" Charles asked.
"Your sister is Nichole Spencer, author of Summer Smiles, Winter Tears," Rossi told him.
"What? She's rich? Nobody can take the money away from us – We're entitled to it!" Nadine shrieked.
"Talk to a lawyer!" was Rossi's advice.
***FINI***
To all those who were expecting this to be a "Happy Endings" story - Sorry. I knew almost from the start that that was not going to happen, and I actually wrote this ending when I was about half way through 'Things Are Seldom What They Seem'. I hope you understand.
To everyone who has stayed with me through all my stories - Thank You! I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. Thank you also taking the time to send me your comments, recommendations, and suggestions. An author lives to hear from their readers!
Until next time!