Hey everyone, sorry this has taken so long. Coursework has been driving me crazy. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. I will warn you this show does reference Castle characters. But don't worry if you don't watch Castle. I tried to make it as basic as possible, just names involved. Anyway Enjoy!

Chapter 14

'Enjoy this time you have now, live in this moment and never look back. Whatever happens, happens. Don't stress' Kemmy Nola

The next two days passed quickly and both Livie and Reid enjoyed catching up with their families. It was nice to catch up with them and seek advice from their mothers who really did know best.

Yet they missed each other terribly. They spoke in the morning and in the evening and texted each other throughout the day, yet it wasn't the same; they both wanted to see each other again, and although they were enjoying seeing their families, they couldn't wait to see each other.

Reid was going to be heading back to Quantico first since he wasn't meant to stay with his mother for more than a couple of nights. He was just packing up his bag when his phone rang and he saw that it was Livie.

"Hey" he said eagerly answering it. "Hey" she breathed sounding breathless "where are you? You haven't gotten to the airport yet have you"

Reid frowned "No I am still at the centre, why?"

"Good" Livie said "because I want you to book a flight to JFK ok"

He frowned. "New York" he questioned "Why is there a case there or something"

Livie laughed "no silly I want you to come meet my family"

Reid froze "w… what" he stammered.

"I want you to come to New York and meet my family" Livie repeated patiently.

Reid gulped "Um I don't know Livie" he mumbled "I um have never gotten this far in a relationship before and well I don't think I will make that good first impressions to your parents"

"Spence" Livie said soothingly "come on it'll be fine, I have told them so much about you and they really want to meet you, especially Kaylee… I told her about your magic tricks so you might want to buy some camera film canisters or something so you can do that trick that involves shooting one across the room" she paused obviously sensing his unease "Spence they'll love you I promise, I am more worried about you not liking them I mean my dad can be very eccentric especially when Kaylee is with him. Come on I wouldn't invite you down if I didn't feel positive about this"

Reid thought quickly. He was nervous about the idea of meeting Livie's parents but he wanted desperately to see her and he knew she wasn't planning to return for another day or so, all he would be doing in Quantico would be reading and finishing off the rest of his week off. So why shouldn't he spend that time with Livie?

"Ok" he said "I'll text you my flight information when I get to the airport"

Livie sounded delighted when she answered "great and I'll be there to pick you up" she said "see you soon"

"See you" Reid managed before he ended the call. He stood there for a minute wondering if he had made the right call. What if he made a fool of himself? What if they didn't like him? What if this ended things with Livie?

"Spencer" he heard and he looked round to see his mother standing there looking at him confused "what's wrong." He stared at her for a minute before he found his voice. "Um… I… er… Livie invited me down to New York to meet her family" he said in a rush. His mother just looked at him at first and then she smiled "well Spencer she really must love you if she wants you to meet her mother and father" he frowned "really" he asked and Diane nodded "a girl wants her mother and father's approval when she meets a guy. She wants them to be proud of her and her choice of man, it is all psychology isn't it?" he nodded and looked up at his mother "what if they don't like me" he fretted.

"Spencer" his mother chided "they'll love you if you let them see the man you are. Don't try and be someone you are not, be who you truly are and they will love you I promise." She moved forward to cup his cheeks and he gave her a small smile as she looked at him with motherly love.

"You should go catch a flight" she said and he nodded turning to lift up his bag. As he was leaving though his mother called out "oh and Spencer" causing him to turn back to her.

Diane gave him a pointed look. "Next time you have time off or you have a case here in Vegas you bring her here yes." "Oh course I do" she said smiling at him "A mother wants to know what girl has stolen her son's heart from her" she said. Reid smiled "not stolen just sharing" he said and gave his mother one last hug before they walked to the front door and said their goodbyes.

As he hailed at taxi and headed to the airport Reid thought about what his mother had said. Indeed Livie had stolen his heart. But not from his mother, from him. He knew that he would never be able to love again like this; Livie would always be his one and there wasn't much he could do about it.

XO

The flight to New York didn't take too long thanks to good tail wind and when he entered the arrivals lounge Reid looked around for Livie. His first glance around didn't spot her so he tugged out his phone to make sure there wasn't a text from her saying that she was running late.

As he did so though he was startled as two arms wrapped cheekily round his shoulders. "Taxi for a Dr Reid" a playful voice asked in his ear and he grinned before he turned round to see Livie grinning up at him. "Hey" she exclaimed delightedly before she wrapped her arms around him hugging him tightly as he dropped his bag to hug her back. "Hey" he breathed as his arms moulded into their favourite position, holding her close as she cuddled up to his chest for a few minutes before she looked up at him. "Missed you" she murmured and he smiled "missed you too" he said softly.

She looked up at him grinning "come on" she said grabbing his hand "come meet my mom." Reid gulped as he grabbed his bag and allowed her to drag him through the crowds "your mom is here" he asked "Yeah" Livie said "she volunteered to drive me… there she is"

As they neared Livie's mother Reid was struck by how similar they did look. They were as Livie had said, like each other's doppelgangers. Every inch of Livie was a carbon copy of her mother. From her light brown hair that tumbled down their backs in large curls to their warm green gold eyes that were full of life and spirit. They even, he noticed, had the same warm smile.

Livie's mom smiled warmly at him "hi Spencer" she said "it is lovely to meet you, I'm Kate, Livie's mom." "Hi" Reid managed "it is nice to meet you too." Livie grinned "come on lets get home" she said "yes and hopefully the troublesome trio will have disappeared" Kate added as they headed to the parking lot. "Danny and Jake" Livie informed him "those two plus Kaylee equal trouble, though including dad it should be the troublesome four." Kate laughed "indeed" she said as they arrived at a car and scrambled in "sometimes I do feel like the only sane one in the apartment now you have gone Livs" she said and Livie grinned.

They chatted about pretty much trivial things as they drove through New York and Reid soon found himself relaxing. Livie's mom was kind and he could see how much Livie adored her. He knew that Kate had gotten pregnant at 19 and had raised her daughter alone whilst rising through the NYPD ranks until Livie's kidnapping when she had gotten close to her now husband. He could see that the relationship was less like a mother daughter relationship and more like a sisterly relationship.

Eventually they pulled into the underground parking lot of a rather fancy looking building and they rode up to the top floor where Reid was taken into one of the most amazing loft apartments he had ever seen and it was all he could do not to stand and gawk.

Luckily there was a distraction as he heard what sounded like a heard of elephants crashing around upstairs and Kate sighed "oh dear the boys are still here." "Oh hey" came a voice and they turned to see two men standing in the kitchen helping themselves to food "didn't think you guys would be back so soon" one of them said. He was tall and muscled with Hispanic skin and bright hazel eyes that flicked between Kate, Livie and Reid keenly. The other was smaller with grey eyes and light brown hair and he was smiling in an almost innocent way. "Yeah" he added "and the kids and Rick are halfway through a game of laser tag and we didn't want to drag them away when they were having so much fun"

Livie raised her eyebrows at them before she folded her arms "so dad didn't happen to mention that we were picking Spencer up from the airport and you didn't feel the need to stay and evaluate him yourselves"

"Not at all" they both said together and Livie scowled at them. Kate stepped forward "Spencer" she said "this is Detective Kevin Ryan" she indicated to the smaller one "and Detective Javier Esposito, they work with me at the 12th precinct, they are Danny and Jake's fathers. Boys this is Spencer Reid. He is a profiler with the FBI BAU unit in Quantico"

"Hmm a Fed" Ryan said narrowing his eyes at Reid who shuffled "gone to the dark side have you Livs" "Oi I'm a Fed too" Livie growled "now back off you two" they continued to stare at Reid for a minute before in sync they both grinned and leapt forward "hey nice to meet you man" Esposito said pleasantly and Reid grinned shyly as he shook their hands "don't worry unless you are a suspect their barks are worse than their bites" Livie said and he relaxed.

There was more crashing and war cries sounded as two boys came charging down the stairs and leapt over the sofa to crouch behind it. Reid stared gobsmacked as with an even louder war cry a young girl came ducking down the stairs firing what appeared to be a laser gun at the two boys shouting "die rebel scum" as she ducked behind a pillar.

"Kaylee language please" Kate warned and Livie's little sister looked up. Before she could protest though an older man came charging down after the children shouting "where's those gorram rebels then Kaylee, lets end this shindig." Kate and Livie both gave identical eye rolls as laughing the two boys poked their heads up and fired their guns at him shouting "death to Voltar"

Laughing Kaylee fired back defending her father ducking out of sight as they fired back. That was when she spotted Livie and Reid standing side by side and her bright blue eyes widened and she hollered "Time out look Livie's boyfriend is here" and with that she switched off the flashing vest she was wearing and ran forward.

"Livie's boyfriend is here" her father echoed coming out from behind the bookcase eagerly before he stopped and scowled as the two boys fired their lasers at him causing his vest to flash red. They both whooped "death to Voltar" they roared giving each other high fives. "That didn't count" Livie's father whined "come on I got distracted"

The two boys laughed and ran over to stand by their fathers who introduced their sons as Jacob Ryan and Daniel Esposito whilst Livie's dad moved over grumbling.

He took off his vest and moved over to stand beside Kaylee and joined her studying Reid who shuffled his feet under the scrutiny he was undergoing. "Dad" Livie warned "you promised." "Damm I did didn't I" he mused "ok then"

He grinned a very childish grin "hi" he said holding out his hand "I'm Rick, it is good to meet you Spencer, Livie has been telling us so much about you" "oh really" Reid said "good things I hope." "Yeah they are good things" Kaylee said and she grinned at him "hi Spencer" she chimed sweetly "I'm Livie's favourite sister." Livie snorted "most annoying sister that's for sure" she said and Kaylee pouted at her before she turned back to Reid "Livie says you can do magic, can you show me?" She asked

Reid smiled and bent to her level "let me ask you one thing first" he said as he reached behind her ear "why do you have this chocolate bar behind your ear" he asked as he pulled one out. Kaylee's jewel blue eyes got huge as she stared at the bar of chocolate and her jaw dropped in amazement. Livie burst out laughing "well that is the first time she has been stunned to silence" she giggled as everyone else joined her laughing.

Kaylee caught hold of the chocolate bar and opened it as though checking it was real. "Can I eat it" she asked and Reid nodded watching as she took a bite before she grinned "do it again" she demanded.

Reid grinned and turned to her two friends standing watching "well I would also like to know why you have one" he said pulling one out from behind Jake's ear and then looked at Danny "and are you planning a midnight feast" he asked allowing Hershey's Kisses to rain down on the floor making both boy's jaws drop before they laughed and dove upon the chocolate.

"See told you he'd win them over" Livie said and Rick grinned at her. "Well time to go" Esposito said "Danno stop eating, you are having dinner when you get home, come on buddy" grumbling both boys got to their feet and said goodbye to everyone before they and their fathers slipped out of the apartment.

"Do you know any other magic tricks" Kaylee asked Reid and he nodded making her beam "show me" she demanded "later" Kate told her "Now go tidy up the mess you and the boys made before dinner please" Kaylee huffed but did as she was told and grabbed the laser tag vests and guns and stomped off upstairs to tidy up.

"Make yourself at home Spencer" Kate said warmly and he smiled shyly before looking at Livie as she grabbed his hand "come on I'll show you round" she said eagerly and she dragged him round showing him all the rooms. "Sorry about that scene with the boys and then the laser tag game" she said "dad really is like a nine year old on a sugar rush sometimes." Reid smiled "it's ok, it was kind of amusing actually" Livie smiled as they moved up the stairs "don't say that to Kaylee or she'll drag you into a game" she warned and grinned.

"This is my room" Livie said and she pushed open the door to a bedroom stepping back to allow him in. Reid looked around the bedroom and smiled. It was still furnished how he suspected Livie had left it when she had left for university, with light green and white walls, a white and green duvet on a white wooden bed and shelves and shelves of books neatly arranged in order of author surname and series. There was a white wooden dressing table with jewellery and other odds and ends scattered across it and a cluttered desk covered in odds and ends and lots of little trinkets. Pictures were stuck haphazardly on the walls of Livie and her family, horse and friends. A small futon in the corner had a brightly coloured throw over it and odd items of clothes which Livie quickly scooped up and shoved into her wardrobe before she turned to smile.

Reid grinned back at her "it is very you" he said and she smiled at him before she led him over to the bed and sat down next to him. "I've missed you" she whispered gently as her hand cupped his neck "I missed you too" he whispered gently placing his hand on her hip as she leaned in close closing her eyes and he quickly tilted his head to kiss her lovingly.

Lost in the moment they didn't realise that they were being watched until someone cleared their throat from the doorway and they quickly broke apart turning to see Kaylee standing in the doorway watching them with her arms folded yet a cheeky gleam in her eyes. "Hey now nosy I thought you were meant to be tidying up" Livie said pointedly. "I have done" Kaylee said proudly "mom told me to come tell you that dinner is ready."

"Ok thanks Kale" Livie said pointedly "we'll be down in a second ok" Kaylee nodded and turned and flounced off down the stairs calling "Livie says she'll be down in a second, she and Spencer are making out." Livie groaned "I'm gonna kill her" she growled and Reid smirked at her before they both rose and headed down the stairs.

Over dinner Reid found himself being almost interrogated by Livie's father and Kaylee whilst Livie glowered at them both from across the table. He told them about himself and found himself relaxing into the family atmosphere which he had been welcomed into as he learned more about Livie's family.

After dinner he helped clear up before he watched Kate battle Kaylee up to bed and Livie tease her father before they settled down and the adults talked some more over a glass of wine and when they finally stopped talking it was quite late so they retired upstairs and grinning Livie dragged him into her room.

Slowly they changed into their nightwear and settled down in her bed and Livie smiled as she cuddled close looking up into his eyes for a few minutes before she burrowed her head into his chest as Reid breathed in the scent of her sweet smelling hair.

He drifted off to sleep feeling a total sense of serenity wash over him like a warm summer breeze. He was safe. He was happy and he was home.

XO

When Livie awoke the next morning she was surprised to find that she was alone. Frowning she slowly slipped out of the bed and grabbed a fleece before she moved over to the half open door and pushed it open. She could hear faint voices from downstairs so she slowly made her way down where she found Reid sitting with Kaylee at the kitchen counter with some black film canisters in front of them.

"Ok" he said "this is a good one, I still get all the team confused with this one, the trick is don't let them see what you do because after that it isn't magic, it's just science" Kaylee frowned "but does that mean there isn't any magic" she asked "oh there is magic" he told her "I'm just teaching you little tricks, real magic is something you cannot be taught, it comes from within"

"Like Harry Potter" Kaylee asked "yeah like Harry Potter" he confirmed "his magic is real" "I knew it" Kaylee whispered with a gleam in her eyes.

Smiling Livie stopped halfway down the stairs to watch as he began to show her how to do his little magic tricks. "Ok first you get some water, not much otherwise it will be too big" he showed her how to put a small amount of water into the canister. "Next you put half an antacid tablet in" he said "like aspirin, only half ok. Then you quickly put the lid on and put it cap side down… take a couple of steps back and…." As they backed away the canister fizzed before it pinged off the counter and went flying across the room.

Kaylee burst out laughing "that's so cool" she laughed before she leapt forward "can I try" she asked and Reid nodded and supervised her as she carefully repeated what he had shown her and she took a few steps back as it fizzed before it shot off narrowly missing hitting her dad on the shoulder as he exited his bedroom groggily.

"Whoa" he said leaping in surprise as the canister shot past his ear "what was that." "Dad Spencer is teaching me magic" Kaylee said giggling "I can make a canister fly" "oooo show me" he said eagerly. "Ok but turn around" she said "a magician never reveals her secrets" she looked at Reid who nodded approvingly. Grumpily Rick turned round until Kaylee told him it was ok and they watched as a third canister shot off the table hitting the shelf of DVDs making a few fall off with a crash and their mom to call out "what on earth are you doing out there" from the bedroom.

Reid pulled a face "maybe it is better to do it outside" he said slowly "ok" Kaylee said still giggling before she spotted her sister sitting on the stairs "Livie I like Spencer, he has cool tricks." Livie smiled as she came down the stairs "mmm I know" she said "it is cool isn't it" Kaylee nodded eagerly "dad can we make slime later" she asked "only if I can join in" he said and Reid grinned.

Livie smiled as she came and stood beside him "hey" she murmured "you get woken early" he nodded "she came knocking early, I was already awake though" Livie rolled her eyes but smiled at him.

"So what are you two lovebirds planning for today" Livie's father asked as he fixed them all some coffee. "Well I thought I'd show Spence some of New York" Livie said "since the only time he has come to New York he has been working" "Sounds like a good idea" Rick said smiling at her.

"What do you say Spence" Livie asked and he nodded without hesitating eager to spend the day with Livie. And he had read a lot about New York and it would be interesting to see it for real. "Great" Livie said "we'll leave after breakfast"

"Can I come" Kaylee asked eagerly "um no" Livie said and Kaylee's face drooped "what" she whined "why not Livie." Rick chuckled "because she wants to spend the day with Spencer Kaylee bear" he said ruffling his youngest daughter's hair. "But she can spend every day with him when she goes back to Quantico" Kaylee complained "you'll be annoying" Livie said "come on I spent the last three days with you, I even took you shopping and spoiled you rotten"

Kaylee could see she was losing the battle with her big sister so she turned to Reid who winced as her big jewel blue eyes widened and she stared at him beseechingly "Please can I come Spencer" she pleaded and her bottom lip quivered. Reid stared at her stumped by how she was making him feel totally helpless. "Um" he said struggling not to break but it was hard as Kaylee continued to stare pleadingly at him. He looked at Livie and saw her watching him a small grin on her face "I don't mind if she wants to come" he said eventually breaking and Livie raised her eyebrows "you want my little sister to be trailing round after us all day" she questioned as she moved over to him and he shrugged "what harm will it do? She's sweet and I am sure she just wants to spend time with you" then he leaned in to whisper in her ear "plus I can't say no to those big eyes" Livie burst out laughing and looked at him before she turned to look at her sister smiling sweetly at her.

"Oh all right" she grudgingly relented "you can come as long as you do as I say, you don't make inappropriate comments or embarrass us in any way" "hmm good luck with that one" Rick joked as Livie's mom came out of the bedroom "good luck with what" she asked and Rick told her what had been agreed.

Kate gave Livie a sceptical look "you are taking Kaylee… Kaylee with you on a tour of New York and you expect her not to embarrass you?"

"Yeah regretting it already" Livie muttered "but Spencer isn't immune to her charm and big eyes yet." Kate laughed "yeah he'll have to become immune" she said "otherwise he won't want to come here very often." "Hey" Kaylee said indignantly as everyone laughed.

After a casual breakfast they all grabbed their things and opened the front door and Kaylee shot out ahead excitedly already nattering. "Want some earplugs before you leave" Rick called as they walked down the hall and Livie rolled her eyes at him as she gave him a backwards wave.

They walked to the underground and got a train all the way into Manhattan before they walked to Times Square, covered in adverts promoting all types of consumerism and Reid was amazed by all the flashing lights, noise and how busy it was. He watched Livie chasing Kaylee up and down some steps making her sister giggle, they headed into a few shops and took some pictures with Kaylee's camera and explored the area around before they moved on to their next destination. At Central Park where Kaylee blew off some steam scrambling over the rock formations whilst Livie and Reid sat sunning themselves in the early spring sun. "Now this is nice" Livie mumbled "let's stay here all day."

Reid grinned "I don't think your sister will be entertained on the rock formation all day" he said "well you wanted to bring her" Livie said lazily "at least we didn't get lumbered with Danny and Jake as well, that would have been stressful" Reid smiled as he watched Kaylee sliding down the rocks feeling Livie rest her head on his shoulder. He did like this. He liked how mundane it felt to be here with his soul mate. He even liked the idea of having a kid with them. It felt surprisingly natural to him to keep an eye on the nine year old in case she should get hurt.

"Did you dream last night" he asked Livie gently and she sighed before she nodded "it wasn't as bad as it could have been though" she said "I have dreamed every night I have been home but this time of year that is normal and I can take it. I managed to wake myself last night which usually means they are fading. I'll be fine in a couple of days" she looked up at him "are you ok" she asked and he nodded "why wouldn't I be" she smiled weakly "not many guys like broken girls" she told him.

Slowly he stroked her hair out of her eyes "well you aren't broken" he said "I like every part of you because to me you are the strongest person I know because of what happened to you. You told me that you had accepted what had happened to you because it had made you who you are today and I like who you are today. I wouldn't change any part of you"

Livie looked up at him for a minute before she smiled "well who knew you could be such a romantic" she noted and he shrugged "didn't even know it myself" he said sheepishly.

Kaylee came dashing over then, her cheeks flushed but her eyes sparkling like the blue lake beside them "that is so fun" she breathed "we have to bring Danny and Jake here soon, hide and seek would be great, I found so many hiding places." Livie smiled "talk to dad" she told her sister "you finished?" Kaylee nodded "are you" she asked looking at the two of them snuggled in the grass.

Livie rolled her eyes "yes" she said exasperated "alright lets go" she heaved herself up before she dragged Reid to his feet "where next" he asked and she grinned "Staten Island" she said and he frowned "what's there" he asked "not much" she said "but on the ferry you get an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty" "cool I like boats" Kaylee said and dashed off towards the park exit. "Wrong way" Livie yelled "of course she loves boats" she muttered "there is a risk of her drowning" and she headed off in the right direction sniggering hand in hand with Reid.

For the rest of the day they toured New York, going to big tourist sights, smaller and more meaningful places to Livie and to places where they could get some peace whilst Kaylee was amused though it was entertaining when they ended up in the Museum of Natural History and Reid became their very own tour guide often outsmarting most of the tour guides much to Livie and Kaylee's amusement.

As it got later they headed to their final destination; The Empire State Building. As they joined the queue to go up Reid looked at Livie "why did you save this till last" he asked. Livie smiled as she slipped her hand through his interlocking their fingers "because this is the time to get the best view of New York" she said and she grabbed Kaylee's hand and dragged her into the elevator before she got left behind as she stared into space, lost in her own little world.

One surprisingly quick elevator ride and a short second queue later they stepped out onto the observation deck and Reid felt his jaw drop as he stared at the stunning view of New York silhouetted in the sinking sun that descended in the horizon.

He could feel Livie watching his reaction and he was too stunned to speak at first "wow" he breathed and Livie smiled before she led him towards the edge with Kaylee right beside her. Slowly they walked round and round the building until they found a free telescope and Livie gave Kaylee a quarter to entertain herself with before she and Reid stepped away slightly and they stared out at the view.

"This is amazing" Livie whispered "I can't believe I am here with you." She leaned against him and Reid wrapped his arms around her "me neither" he murmured resting his head on her shoulder feeling her curls tickle his cheek.

"Hey Spence" Livie murmured "whatever happens in the future, wherever we may end up. Promise me we will always have this moment" "Always" he murmured and he knew that it was true, he would never forget this moment. Because right here, right now, he felt like anything was possible. He felt like he was on top of the world.

'Everything in this world is temporary, you can take nothing when our time ends, so enjoy every second of your life' Abhishek Tiwari

Hope you enjoyed that :D

If you didn't understand anything Castle related feel free to inbox me.

Please review

Thanks

Mysticgirl