Well everyone this is it. The very last chapter of Carpe Diem. A Massive thank you for sticking with me throughout my sporadic updates (which I once again apologise for) and baring with me when I struggled. Anyway enjoy the last chapter with a little bit of fluff.

Epilogue

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin" Mother Teresa

He cradles her tightly in his arms, rocking her gently as she squirms in the blanket pushing one hand free of the wrappings to wave around as she kicks her tiny legs. He finds himself smiling at her antics, still totally mesmerised by her.

It had taken an impressive twelve hours for her to be brought into this world and she hadn't come quietly; amongst the pained cries of her mother who was now sleeping in the bed beside him, she had been born screaming at the top of her tiny lungs, louder than he had thought possible for someone so tiny. She hadn't stopped shrieking as the doctors had pronounced her a girl, nor when she had been cleaned up.

It was only when she was placed in her mother's exhausted arms that she had begun to quieten down. Her cries had faded to mumbles as she had stared up at them both curiously with her baby blue eyes and when they had locked with his, they had captured his heart forever.

When the team, who had been waiting to meet her had come in he hadn't been able to stop smiling, he hadn't stopped since he had first seen her. He had watched proudly as she had been passed from each loving embrace slowly drifting off to sleep. He had grinned when she had been placed in the arms of her loving godparents; JJ and Hotch and his expression had been mirrored on their faces as they had been told the news. He had been happy watching her get loved by everyone else but he had still felt a small sense of relief and delight when she had been placed back in his arms as the team left and her mother fell asleep giving him some quality time with his daughter.

He stared at her now still feeling awed at the sight of her. He still couldn't believe that he had a daughter, let alone one as beautiful and as perfect as her. Indeed as he had watched her get placed in her mother's arms he had felt an ache in his chest thinking 'surely I cannot be so lucky as to have her for my daughter.'

But then she had been placed in his arms and after he had gotten over the over whelming terror that he might drop her or break her tiny body, he had stared at her as she had eyeballed him and he could suddenly see bits of him in her; the gentle arch of her cheekbones, the shape of her nose. The strong determined chin was her mother's but yes he could see himself in her and he had felt a thrill as he had realised she was indeed his daughter. He had a little girl.

He bounced her gently watching as her eyelids began to close again. Gently he reached up to brush one finger down her warm cheek and over her tiny hand. He was surprised as her tiny fingers suddenly clenched around his finger suddenly, holding on with surprising strength.

He found himself staring at her as she slept still clutching his fingers, memorising her every feature. She was adorable, with her rosy cheeks, pink lips and button nose. And underneath that tiny pink hat there was that light fuzz of hair, already the same colour as her mothers. He lifted her gently and pressed his lips to her small forehead breathing in her new-born smell.

He walked over to the window and stared out at the lamp lit streets. "It's a big new world out there sweetheart" he whispered "there is so much to see and learn but there are also dangers, you have to be careful of the monsters, especially the ones that hide in plain sight. Be careful of the wolves that will ravage your innocence. Don't let them corrupt how you see the world"

He glanced over his shoulder to check that her mother was still sleeping before he continued; "But don't worry, you have to be wary of the monsters yes but don't let them scare you too much because I promise I won't let anyone hurt you I swear. I'll always do everything in my power to keep you safe because that is what a daddy must do for his daughter."

He smiled at her peaceful face "and I won't be the only one" he told her "your mommy and the rest of your family at the BAU will protect you too, you'll have a whole army of FBI agents behind you… god help the first boy who breaks your heart, your Uncle Morgan won't go easy on him… though neither will I. To be on the safe side though lets agree no dating till you're at least twenty…five" grinning he slowly sank into the chair beside the window holding his daughter close.

"And don't you ever forget how much I love you" he added "because no matter what I will always love you. Always and forever… my little princess."

He heard a mumble and he looked over at the bed as Livie roll over giving a small wince as she did. "Hey" she said smiling as she spotted him sitting by the window with their daughter in his arms.

"Hi" he said as he moved towards her as she slowly sat up in the hospital bed "How are you feeling?"

Livie smiled weakly "very sore" she mumbled before she looked at their daughter cradled in his arms and the smile widened "have you even put her down yet" she asked and Reid grinned "no" he murmured "I can't she's just so perfect."

"Mmm" Livie murmured grinning as Reid ever so carefully lay the little girl in her arms and she smiled as she brushed the blanket aside and ran her finger down the baby's cheek. "Hey baby girl" she whispered smiling at her daughter "has your daddy been giving you a cuddle."

Their baby mumbled and stirred but kept her eyes closed. Reid smiled as he carefully perched on the edge of the bed wrapping one arm around Livie as she leaned affectionately against him. "She is so perfect" Livie whispered staring at her daughter with a mixture of amazement and awe. Reid smiled and he remembered the look of absolute joy on her face as she had finally managed to push their daughter free and they baby had been quickly placed on her chest wailing loudly. She hadn't been able to hold back the delighted sobs as she had hugged her daughter gently pressing her lips to her head as the baby wailed loudly.

He never wanted to forget that look on her face and he never wanted to lose the feeling he felt as he looked at Livie and his baby. "She's so beautiful" he whispered knowing he was totally smitten with the little girl lying in her mother's arms stirring as she waved her arm around making Livie smile.

"You should get more sleep" Reid murmured "you look exhausted."

"Get used to it" Livie mumbled not taking her eyes off the baby in her arms "I don't think we are going to get a good night's sleep or a day off for eighteen or so years."

Reid smiled "maybe longer if we have another" he said causing Livie to look up at him "hey I just spent twelve hours pushing this baby out, I'm not planning another for at least a couple of years" she said before her eyes fell back on the baby and she smiled "but I am certainly not saying no to another" she added making Reid smirk.

They sat in silence for a few minutes just admiring the baby before Reid whispered "she looks like you." Livie nodded "but I bet she has your big brain under there" she said stroking the fizz of hair poking out from under the pink hat.

Slowly Livie shifted closer to Reid as he wrapped his arms even tighter around her and she let out a sigh.

"So what do you think" she asked and Reid looked at her as she smiled "ready to start the next chapter of our lives"

Reid smiled as he gently kissed the top of her head.

"Definitely" he said.

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." Anthony Brandt

Well that's it folks.

I really hope you enjoyed it and want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has read the story and even more thanks to those who have reviewed. It is thanks to you that I was able to finish this story.

Please review one last time and let me know what you think.

Also let me know if you fancy a sequel because I am certainly not saying no to writing daddy Reid stories.

So for the las time thanks for reading

Mysticgirl.