Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this one.

Chapter 39

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain… to feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it." Kevin Aucoin

1 Year Later

Reid entered the restaurant and headed straight to the restroom where he nervously fiddled with his tie and tried to tame his unruly hair before he gave up taking a few deep breaths to calm his nerves.

Then he headed back out to the rest room where he told the hostess his name and she directed him to a small table by the window.

He quickly settled down before he began to shuffle attempting to calm himself before he looked out of the window waiting nervously.

As he watched he saw a cab draw up and he felt his stomach clench as he saw her climb out of the cab and he sat up straighter watching as she paid before she turned and spotted him through the window.

She stood there staring at him before she smiled at him and slowly moved forward into the restaurant.

Reid watched before he slowly rose to her feet as she approached ducking her head almost shyly.

"Hi" she said gently.

"Hey" he said allowing his eyes to travel up and down her as she moved forward to gently hug him and he instantly encircled his arms around her feeling amazed at how quickly his arms fell to the small of her back cradling her the way he had a year ago.

He held her close relaxing as her familiar scent engulfed him washing over him like a sweet summer rain as she rested her head comfortably on his shoulder.

They held each other close before they pulled back to smile at each other. "You look beautiful" Reid said and Livie smiled as she ducked her head. She was wearing a pretty cobalt blue dress that accented her slender body and she had left her long curls hanging round her shoulder blades.

"Thanks" she said before her eyes flashed over him "you don't look so bad yourself" she said before she looked around. "Shall we sit down" he asked and Reid nodded and they quickly settled down.

At first they busied themselves looking at the menu before they ordered some drinks and Livie looked up at him. "So" she said leaning on the table to examine him "catch me up on everything I have missed" she said.

Reid smiled "well you know JJ and Will had another baby" he said and Livie grinned "I was so happy when I read that in your letters" she said "they deserve another baby." Reid nodded as he pulled out his phone to show her a picture "another little boy named Michael" he said handing her the phone "Henry is delighted to be an older brother."

"Oh he's adorable" Livie said smiling at the picture before she swiped on the screen "aww" she said turning the phone so that Reid could see the picture of himself holding the baby with Henry sitting next to him "hard to tell who is the cutest" she said and Reid found himself reddening.

"Morgan moved in with his girlfriend Savannah" he said "I think the day that happened single women everywhere mourned."

Livie laughed delightedly "good for him" she said smirking "what about everyone else."

Reid thought "I told you pretty much everything in my letters" he said but she just smiled "I know but I like listening to you" she said. Reid smiled.

"I have something for you" he said causing her to cock her head to the side in confusion as he reached into his pocket and carefully pulled out her silver ring making her smile as she slowly reached out to take it "old friend" she murmured before she slowly slipped it back onto her finger lifting her hand to admire it again "thanks for taking good care of it" she said and Reid smiled "thanks for entrusting it to me" he said softly.

They fell silent for a few minutes during which time the waiter came to take their orders. Once he was gone Livie looked back at Reid "so" she said leaning back to study him "what now" she asked.

Reid bit his lip "I don't know" he said "it is strange… I have been waiting for this day since the day I left you in Boston but now that it is here I don't know what I am supposed to do."

"I have been waiting for this day too" Livie admitted "I was getting pretty lonely."

Reid frowned "you didn't…" he trailed off as Livie shook her head "I got asked" she said shrugging "but it didn't feel right. And after going out with you… you made them all look incredibly dumb" she said and Reid smiled sheepishly as she grinned at him "you are a tough man to compete with Dr Reid" she said "I didn't find anyone who came even close to filling the shoes you left." She paused and looked at him "what about you" she asked and Reid quickly shook her head.

"I left my heart with you" he said "there wasn't anyone who came even remotely close to filling that void you left either despite the couple of attempts Morgan made at bars to get me to flirt."

Livie laughed "sounds like Morgan" she mused before they both feel silent again.

When Livie spoke again she sounded tentative "do you still… want… to pick up where we left off" she asked sounding cautious.

Reid stared into her eyes getting a sense of déjà vu as he felt the familiar sense of falling as he did so. He felt his heart begin to flutter irregularly and his stomach tightened again.

"Yes" he said softly "if that is what you want then there is nothing I want more."

Livie smiled "I would like nothing more than that either" she said.

"But what about work" Reid asked

Livie shrugged "I've been thinking about going back to college" she said "I learnt a lot about forensic linguistics in Boston and I'd like to keep studying that. And you never know maybe that will lead to more job openings closer to home." She smiled at him "and my home is wherever you are."

"Are you sure" Reid asked and Livie nodded "I had an amazing time in Boston Spence" she said "I learned so much and am grateful for the experience but… I wasn't completely happy there you know? It felt like a part of me was missing. And when I stepped into this restaurant I felt whole again… maybe I'll go to the academy and train and get more experience under my belt. I don't care what I do I just know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you Spencer Reid."

Reid smiled and slowly reached across the table to gently grip her hand as she stared into his eyes "I want to spend the rest of my life with you too Livie" he murmured making her smile widen "well it's a good thing we agree on that" she said.

They spent the rest of the evening chatting about menial things just enjoying each other's company until they had finished their food and they were sat gazing at each other.

"I take it you remember my first letter" Livie said and Reid nodded instantly. She smiled "how do you feel about the other thing I suggested" she asked.

Reid inhaled sharply as he thought about her suggestion to start a family again. He stared at Livie and he suddenly found himself imagining a baby with her light brown curls and his eyes and Livie's smile spreading across their face.

"There is nothing I would like more" he said and Livie's smile was like the sunrise as her eyes sparkled delightedly. "Good" she said.

The mention of children brought something else to Reid's mind "How's Kaylee" he asked. Livie smiled "good" she said "after I moved out of my apartment I moved back to New York for a bit. I didn't tell her or my parents I was seeing you tonight. I told them that I was going to visit Tali and have a girl's night. I don't think I would have been allowed to leave if I had said I was seeing you. Kaylee would have made me bring her. She asks about you all the time."

Reid smiled "I emailed her on her birthday" he said "she was pleased to hear from me."

Livie nodded "she loved that box of magic tricks you sent her. Scared dad half to death a couple of times but she really loved it."

"Good" Reid said "she did send me some pictures… I really hope that rabbit your mom and dad got her won't end up in some of the shows."

"Oh yeah he already has" Livie said with a grin "by the way she called him Spencer."

Reid groaned "oh god" he said and Livie laughed and as always he was entranced by the musical sound.

They finished their meal and headed slowly out of the restaurant together where they paused.

"So what now" Livie asked and Reid shrugged "are you staying anywhere" he asked and she shook her head "crashing at Tali's" she said.

"You could stay at mine… if you want" Reid suggested and Livie smiled as she considered him "sure" she said "I like your offer better."

Reid smiled as they walked to the edge of the curb to hail a cab. As they did so he felt Livie's hand slip into his and their fingers interlinked gently. He looked over to find her smiling at him "I missed you" she whispered and he smiled "I missed you too" he murmured as they slowly moved closer together until their lips gently met.

Instantly they both pressed themselves closer to one another as Reid found his hands at her waist holding her close as her hands ran through his hair pulling him closer until there was a gentle toot and they both jumped as a taxi pulled up beside them.

Livie smiled as she bit her lip "maybe we could continue that when we get back to your place" she suggested and Reid nodded as he opened the door to the cab for her feeling a small sense of excitement as he clambered in after her.

The ride back to his apartment was quiet and once they had leapt out of the cab and dashed up the stairs Livie grinned as she waited for him to unlock his front door. "This takes me back" she said softly and Reid smiled at her before he pushed the door open and watched as she slipped inside.

She grinned as she looked around "it's exactly the same" she said "how is it possible that nothing has changed."

She looked round before she smiled as she spotted a picture "that's new" she said as she moved over to it and Reid smiled watching as she picked it up. Garcia had given it to him not long after he had returned from his first case without her. It was the same picture she had given Livie; of the two of them standing together, Livie was focused on someone else clearly talking whilst Reid was completely entranced by her.

Livie looked up at him before she replaced the picture and moved towards him lifting her hands to tuck his hair behind his ears. "I can't believe I am here with you" she whispered "god I can't believe this is real."

"Me neither" Reid whispered lifting a hand to cup her cheek gently "that year without you… it was the slowest year of my life."
Livie smiled before she stretched up to kiss him again and this time they didn't stop. Each kiss got more and more frantic as they stumbled backwards into his bedroom leaving a trail of clothes behind them until they fell onto the bed still kissing each other all over.

That night time stood still as they made love, relieved to have been reunited and desperate to make up for lost time.

XO

When Reid awoke the next morning he found himself feeling oddly content. He shifted before he rolled over reaching out across the bed seeking the warmth of the person he knew lay beside him.

He found her at the same time that she began to stir and she mumbled as he slowly propped himself up on one arm to admire her as she slowly began to awaken mumbling as she shifted before she slowly opened her eyes.

When she saw him staring down at her she smiled at him. "Hi" she mumbled sleepily. "Hi" he said back as he reached out to gently stroke her hair.

Livie smiled as she leaned into the touch. "Well last night was fun" she mumbled. "It was amazing" Reid whispered and she grinned as she reached up to kiss him, then she rolled over and snuggled up against him as he wrapped his arms around her kissing her bare shoulder as she caught hold of his hand and played with his fingers gently as Reid snuggled close.

They lay there together dozing until a shrill ringing sound came from the floor. Livie groaned and leaned over the side of the bed groping around until she found the phone and she picked it up.

"Hello" she mumbled.

"Err" came a voice she recognised "Did I dial the wrong number… I'm looking for Reid."

"Oh right this isn't my phone" Livie mumbled.

"Livie is that you" Morgan exclaimed and Livie winced pulling a face "No" she tried.

"It is isn't it" Morgan crowed "you are back kid I knew it. About damn time."

Livie pulled another face as she held the phone out to Reid "it's Morgan for you…prepare for an earful."

Reid groaned and took the phone "Hi Morgan" he said.

"Well hey there pretty boy" Morgan said teasingly "have fun last night, you said you were just going back to your apartment and read."

"Well I ended up back here" Reid said playing with Livie's hair as she snuggled back to his chest.

"Oh I am proud of you… so proud" Morgan said.

"What do you want Morgan" Reid asked looking down at Livie who rolled her eyes.

"Oh well I thought I would let you know that we have a case and that you need to come in for a debriefing and you should definitely bring Livie with you" Morgan teased causing Reid to roll his eyes as he let out a breath.

"I'll be in as soon as I can"he said before he closed the phone and looked over at Livie.

"We have a case to be briefed about" he said apologetically. Livie smiled "it's ok" she said "I probably should go get my car… I left it at Tali's house."

Reid smiled as he sat up and headed for his dresser to pull out some clothes as Livie grabbed his shirt and slipped it on before she began to retrace their steps locating all her clothes as Reid headed to the kitchen to make them some coffee.

When Livie came out she was wearing his shirt over her dress and had tied her curls up into messy ponytail.

"Morgan wanted you to come in you know" he said as he handed her a cup of coffee.

"Mmm I suspected" she said wrapping her hands around the mug smiling as she watched him move around preparing for the day at work. As he did so he stopped and reached into a draw. "Got something else for you" he said and she looked at him before grinning as he opened his hand to show her the key that she had used when she had lived here a year ago.

She smiled and reached out to take the key "why are you giving this back to me" she asked and he smiled "so you know that you will always have a home here" he said "if you want to move back in you can. If not, just keep it so that you know that you can come by as often as you like."

Livie smiled "thanks" she said "let's take it slow to start with but I like the idea of moving back in."

Reid smiled as she set the cup down and then slowly wrapped her arms around his neck smiling "maybe before you leave you could come back for round two" she suggested.

Reid smirked "technically it would be round four" he said and she let out a small laugh before she gave him a playful shove "go to work" she said "let me know if you are leaving today or not." He nodded and kissed her again "I wish I didn't have to go" he said gently.

"Me too" Livie murmured "But those serial killers won't catch themselves."

She urged him towards the door kissing the whole way until they were both in the corridor making out. After a few minutes Livie sighed "come on" she said "you really need to get to work."

They headed down the stairs and Livie quickly hailed a cab smiling "when you get back from this case we will work out the more finite details" she said and Reid nodded before he watched her clamber in and as it pulled away she blew him a kiss.

When he had disappeared from sight she settled back smiling before she gave the cab driver Tali's address and opened her hand to reveal the key still clutched in her palm. She smiled as she stroked the warm metal before she leant back grinning.

When she arrived at Tali's apartment she let herself in using the spare key she had been leant.

She wasn't surprised to find that Tali was already up since her friend usually went out running at 6am.

"Hi" she said chirpily earning herself a sceptical look from her friend. "Why did you even bother asking me if you could stay here when you knew full well you would be making wild love with Dr Genius all night" she asked and Livie smirked as she went for her bag that she had dumped there yesterday "needed somewhere to park my car" she said innocently "and you know I wanted a backup in case you know… things had changed."

"Did you honestly think anything had changed" Tali asked pouring her a cup of coffee as Livie quickly changed into some jeans and a clean shirt "I mean that guy wrote letters to you weekly… and not just little letters, proper two page letters."

Livie frowned "did you go through my bag" she asked and Tali shrugged "was bored last night" she said "But I didn't read many, they were a little rabbling and sickening at the same time."

Livie gave her a dirty look "you are so your father's daughter" she said and Tali winked. "So you heading back to New York tonight" she asked and Livie shrugged "I don't know… he had a case so it depends when he is leaving."

"Well I have to head to work" Tali said moving to give her a hug "come see me sometime soon though ok."

"I will" Livie said "here's your key, I'm gonna go pay some other people a visit"

They both headed to their cars together but just before they pulled away Tali yelled "I'll charge you for parking next time" causing Livie to laugh as she pulled away.

XO

When Reid arrived at work he nearly had a heart attack when the elevator doors opened and he found Garcia, Morgan, Emily and JJ all standing round the elevator.

"Err hi" he said looking at them all in confusion.

"Where is she" Garcia squeaked with a huge grin on her face.

"Where is who" Reid asked as he quickly stepped off the elevator and headed to his desk with everyone else following him.

"You know perfectly well who" Morgan said "come on pretty boy I know you saw her last night. Where is she? Where is Livie?"

Reid rolled his eyes "she went to get her car from her friend's house" he said "don't we have a case?"

"Not one as important as how it went last night" Emily said grabbing his shoulders and shoving him into his chair "now spill boy genius."

Reid smiled looking at them all as they watched him clearly waiting for him to say something.

"It went well" he said "really well."

"That's it" JJ asked "is that all you are going to give us."

Reid sighed "it was…" he paused trying to think of the word "… effortless" he said as a smile slipped onto his face "you know… it was like no time had passed at all… like we had never been apart… we talked and conversation came so easy… just like it always had."

"Aww that's so cute" Garcia cooed.

"Are you getting back together" JJ asked and he smiled "we are going to sort everything out after this case" he said "but we both want to get back together."

"Awww" Garcia practically squealed as her voice went up multiple octaves whilst Morgan just grinned at him.

They heard a throat clear and they looked up to see both Hotch and Rossi on the platform behind them having clearly been listening. "Let's get started on the case" Hotch said and they quickly all headed up the stairs to the round table room. As Reid passed though Rossi gave him a friendly thump on the back and Hotch gave him a rare smile and a nod.

As he settled down in his usual seat Reid did feel a small smile slip onto his face because for the first time he felt like his life might actually be heading somewhere rather than just staying the same constant direction.

They began their preliminary profile and debrief of a serial killer murdering young couples in Missouri.

They had been profiling for about an hour when Garcia looked out the window into the bullpen and her eyes widened as she let out a squeak before she bolted out of the room dashing down towards the familiar face moving into the bullpen. When they all spotted who it was the rest of the team all leapt to their feet and followed Garcia down to where Livie was standing.

When she saw them all she grinned before she let out a laugh as Garcia collided with her hugging her exuberantly.

"Garcia hi" she said as she hugged her back.

"You are back" Garcia gasped "I can't believe you are finally back. How was Boston?"

Livie gave her a sceptical look "let's all not pretend that you didn't check up on me regularly and I'll say that it was great" she said making Garcia grin.

"Hey out of the way baby girl" Morgan said and Garcia stepped aside so that Morgan could hug Livie practically lifting her up as she laughed in delight "Hi Morgan" she exclaimed as she hugged him tightly "look at you little one, you look amazing" he said as he set her down and stepped back to admire her. Livie grinned as she stepped forward to hug JJ "I feel great too" she said softly "I had a great time in Boston but I am so happy to be back right now."

"I bet" Emily said "urgh we have missed you around here" she added and Livie grinned as she hugged her.

She greeted everyone happily as they all moved forward to say hi before Hotch stepped forward smiling at her. "Hey" he said "you look good. It is good to have you back" he said. "Thanks" Livie said "it's good to be back."

She looked around at them all smiling back at her "I can't believe I am seeing you all again" she said with a smile "sorry for dropping by, I know you have a case but I wanted to see you."

"I'm glad you did" Hotch said "and as soon as we get back from this case we will have to have a proper catch up meal."

"I'll host" Rossi said and everyone grinned.

"Sounds great" Livie said looking round at everyone.

They hung around in the bullpen for a while catching up before Livie looked at her watch "I should probably let you get back to your profiling" she said "sorry for interrupting."
"You kidding we are delighted to see you" Morgan said with a smile.

"Anyway we aren't leaving until tomorrow morning" Hotch said "the jet won't be ready until then."

Livie nodded and smiled at them all as she began to say her goodbyes.

"Don't be a stranger" Hotch said and she grinned "I won't" she said before she turned to Reid "see you back at your place" she asked and he nodded as she circled her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss before she headed for the elevators giving them a backwards wave over her shoulder as she did so.

Once she was out of sight everyone turned to Reid who gave them all a small smile "you are very lucky kid" Rossi said and Reid nodded eyes drifting over to the elevators "I know" he said quietly.

As they headed back to the round table room he smiled to himself. Rossi was right, he was lucky, it wasn't often that someone like him got a second chance at a love like the one he and Livie had. Often you only had once chance with your soul mate and if things didn't work out then that was it. But Livie and he had that second chance and he knew he was going to make the most of it.

When he got home that night he found Livie curled up on his couch on the phone and he soon realised she was talking to Kaylee. She grinned at him as she continued to speak to her little sister "I know I said I would be home tonight Kaylee bear but I had fun with Tali yesterday and we are going to go out again tonight so I will come home first thing tomorrow… yes I promise I will take you to the cinema tomorrow… have I redeemed myself? Good… see you tomorrow sweet girl… love you" she hung up before she rose to her feet and moved towards him.

"Hey" she said as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck as she stretched up to kiss him.

"Hi" he said "how's Kaylee doing"

"Disgruntled that I haven't come home yet" Livie said "couldn't figure out why I wanted to hang out with Tali instead of her."

Reid chuckled as they headed over to the couch and snuggled down together.

"So you want to have that talk about our futures now or when you get back from your case" Livie asked.

"Now is fine with me" Reid murmured rubbing her arm gently as she looked over at him as her foot ran up and down his leg.

They sat quietly for a few minutes before Livie looked up at him "I started looking at some colleges in this area" she said "I found a couple that would be very interesting that I thought I could sign up for so that I could stick around here for a while."

"That sounds like a good idea" he said gently "but only if you sure that is what you want."

"Spence I have never been more sure of anything in my life" Livie said reaching up to cup his cheeks brushing his hair aside. "I'll get a job somewhere and I have enough money saved up to fund most of my studies, but I'll get to be with you a lot."

"Sounds nice" Reid said watching as Livie played with his hand gently. "How fast are you wanting to go with this" Reid asked.

Livie considered him for a minute before she looked up "I want to go further" she said "I mean we always hung back because we knew there was a chance I might have to leave. I want more now, but we should definitely take it steady I mean… we may have a head start on normal relationships but we should definitely act like it is normal."

Reid nodded "I like the sound of that" he murmured "and I want whatever you want Livie. You make me so happy and that is all that I want for you."

"Spence" Livie said with a smile as she gazed into his eyes "As I said last night, I felt like a part of me was missing whilst I was gone, now I am back… I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to seize the moment in every way that I can, starting with you."

Reid smiled as he leant forward to kiss her pulling her closer. "That is something that I am looking forward to doing with you" he murmured and Livie smiled as she rested her forehead against his.

"Well let's get started then" she whispered and Reid smiled into the kiss brushing her hair out of their eyes. He knew that from now on he wasn't going to let a single moment slip by. Every second he would cherish because indeed maybe now he might be able to get exactly what he had always wanted from life; a future with someone special. So from now on he was going to live his life taking in every opportunity that came his way. Because after all sometimes it wasn't about seizing the moment. It was about letting the moment seize you and making the best that you could from those situations that enabled you to live each day to the full.

Because that was what they had to do. Seize the day everyday. Carpe Diem.

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them." Orison Swett Marden

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Mysticgirl