"This is really nice Spencer," Emily offered.
"Thank you," Spencer smiled.
"How in the world did you get a reservation so soon? It usually takes months to get one," Emily said.
"Famous violinist," Spencer said modestly. "It does come with a few perks. I don't abuse them and don't treat others with contempt or arrogance like some of the famous do. It helps that my father is also quite famous. He was a great musician, except he played the piano before he took over the position as conductor here in New York. He's retired now for the most part."
"That's David Rossi," Emily said in Spencer nodded. "I've heard of him you're right, he's quite famous."
"Yes, he is," Spencer agreed, as he sipped his wine.
"I had no idea he was married," Emily said. "Of course, I haven't really kept up on all the gossip."
"Yes, he's been married for a long time now. About 20 years take a few months."
"But you're 28," Emily said.
"My mother was married before and my birth father was a bit of bastard. Dave adopted me as his son. I think my birth father said at the time, that he was glad to get rid of me, as I was nothing but a disappointment to him. I think he was happy to agree to let dad adopt me, so I could be a disappointment to someone else."
"How could any father think that about his child?" Emily said enraged shaking her head.
"I don't really care how he could," Spencer said firmly. "David Rossi is my father in every way that matters, other than DNA. My mother brought me a beginners violin when I was about five. She had noticed that I was always trying to make music. She was hoping that I had inherited her grandfather's talent. My great-grandfather was quite famous in his own right before he passed away. She met David Rossi soon, after my birth father walked out. I haven't seen my birth father since I was seven years old, and it's just as well."
"That is so sad but also so uplifting," Emily decided, as she took a bite of her dinner. The food of course was superb, but in this restaurant had a excellent reputation. It was also very exclusive. "I know very well that they a lot of man like your birth father in the world, but how any parent can treat their child so callously..."
"It doesn't matter, Emily," Spencer said wanting to get off the subject. "I have an excellent substitute in David Rossi and that's more than enough for me. He encouraged me to practice, hired tutors with no complaint about the cost and sent me to Juilliard at 16 on his own money, though I'm sure I could've gotten a scholarship. However, he insisted I save the scholarships for those students who weren't as well-off as my family was, as we weren't hurting for cash. I had a top flight education as I went to college afterwards and got several degrees."
This was an attitude Emily approved of and she was glad to see that Spencer's adoptive father had been everything a real father should be. This David Rossi she had heard so much about over the years, had encouraged his son's interest in music, when so many parents just ignored their children's obvious talent. Of course, sometimes it had to do with money, as not everybody was as well-off as Spencer's family, but there were different programs to help those that showed obvious talent in some field. A lot of parents never even thought about searching for special programs or scholarships for their children, which was very sad in Emily's opinion.
The two of them chatted as they enjoyed their dinners and Emily told Spencer some about her life.
"I would love to meet David Rossi he has always been one of my favorite musicians," Emily said. "I know he retired from playing sometime ago and I always wondered why, but now I understand it's because he met your mother and he wanted to be home with his family instead of traveling constantly."
"Yeah, he's the best," Spencer said with a soft smile.
"So any siblings? Emily asked.
"Four," Spencer answered smiling. "Having siblings was something I never expected as William Reid, my birth father, wasn't interested in having anymore. He had all the sensitivity of a slug and didn't care that my mother wanted at least one more, preferably two. He always said that having a son to carry on the family name was more than enough. He ignored my mother's desire, because I don't think he really cared about her feelings or maybe he just didn't notice how unhappy she was. I won't say he was self-absorbed exactly, but his opinions were set in stone and there was no changing his mind. I remember that part of my childhood very well and believe me I wish I didn't."
"How could you remember, you were so young," Emily said.
"Eidetic memory," Spencer explained briefly and Emily winced knowing what that was. "You know I often played the wrong notes on that violin my mother bought me just to annoy him. It was my form of revenge for his bad attitude. I doubt he ever realized that though, because he really didn't care about me or mom at all. It likely never even occurred to him that I was deliberately playing the wrong notes just to annoy him. I think subconsciously I was hoping to drive him out of the house permanently and he did walkaway not long afterwards. I'm actually surprised that he never tried to break my violin, though mom would've had something to say about that if he had. It's really not that hard to destroy one."
Emily deeply sympathized but she said nothing, as she knew that Spencer wouldn't want pity. She actually didn't pity him at all and in fact, respected the man he had grown into. One who was a genius on the violin, intelligent, personable and could converse on a variety of subjects. Emily had always liked music, but she had no talent in that area, so instead she had dated several musicians over the years, but none had worked out, though this time she was hoping it did. Their relationship had barely begun though so she was going to have to be patient.
Spencer was a cautious fellow, something that had struck her right away when she had met him and she couldn't blame him considering his past experiences. Having a father who basically ignored your existence could've turned Spencer against settling down himself, but his adoptive dad had apparently been a good enough influence that he was willing to at least try to find someone. If a couple's marriage was happy then that often translated into a child being happy and content with their own family once they were grown. A lot of people never settled down, because they didn't want to risk an unhappy marriage and Emily couldn't blame those people for that.
"Maybe your father knew that your mother would really give it to him if he did. Don't violins cost several hundred dollars at least?"
"The beginner ones can cost anywhere from 100 to 400," Spencer answered Emily. "Mom only wanted me to have the best, so mine is in the upper range. Now, of course, I have my great-grandfather's violin, as mom gave it to me for my first performance at 12. She said she knew I would take care of it."
"So who's the maker?" Emily asked interested.
"Amati, which means it's Italian made," Spencer said. "The Italian made ones are much more popular then other makers."
"Which means they can be quite valuable," Emily said.
"They can be, but I don't care about that, just that it belonged to my great-grandfather."
"So what happened to your first violin the one learned on," Emily asked.
"I'm saving it for when I have children. I'm hoping at least one of them displays musical talent, though I realize that if they do it might not be for the violin. Still, I can pass it on to my grandchildren or even my great-grandchildren, whichever one shows the talent."
"That's really sweet," Emily decided liking Spencer more and more. He obviously valued family despite his father being such a bastard. A man who valued his ancestors and his heritage was as rare as one who knew how to truly appreciate their family. She knew that Spencer could just buy an all new violin or any other instrument if a child showed an interest in a particular instrument, but he was saving his beginning instrument to be passed to the first child that showed the talent and was interested in learning. That showed Emily that Spencer had his priorities straight. He would be an excellent father one day, even if that wasn't with her.
Of course, that wasn't to say that more than one of his kids wouldn't show an interest in music, but since he could only pass on his first violin to one of his children he would have to buy a new one for the second child if they showed an interest.
The two of them finished their dinners and Spencer escorted Emily back to his car after paying the bill.
"I enjoyed myself tonight Spencer," Emily said.
"I did to," Spencer agreed, as he got into the driver's seat. "I hope you'll agree to another date."
"Of course, I will whenever you're free," Emily said. "I know you have a busy concert schedule. I would love to see you perform someplace other than in New York."
"That can probably be arranged," Spencer said. "You'd have to get a few days off work though. My next performance is in San Francisco. If you can take a week off I can show you the sites once I'm done with my concert. I won't have any time before then unless we go a few days early as I usually perform the day after I arrive. Sometimes, I have more than one performance in the same city, but usually different venues. I'll make all the arrangements if you can get the time off."
"That sounds great!" Emily said thrilled. "Just give me exact dates and how long we'll be gone. I certainly have some vacation time coming."
The two chatted excitedly about the possible upcoming trip and Spencer knew he was looking forward to it more than he usually did. He had never taken a girlfriend along, probably because he hadn't wanted the complication. Emily was different though, he had liked her from the first time he had met her and they had started chatting. She loved music and often attended concerts. They had a lot of the same musical taste. They also liked a lot of the same books. Spencer thought he was falling in love with Emily Prentiss, but he also wasn't one to rush into anything. He wasn't going to make the same mistake that his mother had with his father. He had certainly told Emily more of his past and he had any of his other dates, and she had sympathized without being pitying which he hated.
A lot of the females that he had told a portion of his past to had pitied him making him break up with them fairly quickly. Emily didn't pity him though, and in fact if he was reading her right she admired him for how he had dealt with it. For simply putting the past behind him and getting on with his life.
She was also intelligent and in no way an idiot like so many women who didn't seem to have anything between their ears but air or at least a lot of females acted that way even if they were intelligent. Spencer understood very well that hormones could hit someone particularly hard, but those women should've outgrown that stage by the time they were in their mid 20s. Spencer never dated anyone that wasn't at least 24 or 25 as four years age difference was enough and he wasn't about to date a kid. He mostly stuck to women about his age with only a year or two between them, but Emily was actually about three years older than he was at 31, which wasn't any worse then him dating a 24 or 25 year old, except in reverse.
"I'll text you the dates and times," Spencer promised. "I'll see you in a few days."
"Good night, Spencer I enjoyed myself very much. Give me at least a few days warning so I can arrange my leave."
"I will," Spencer promised smiling, as he rubbed his cheek after Emily got out of the car and shut her door gently.
Spencer smiled once he was sure Emily was inside her apartment building, then headed for his own place.
~~~Spencer and Emily~~~
"Spence!" came the voices of his two youngest siblings, as he entered his parents three level condo.
Hey! Colt, Em," Spencer said, accepting hugs from both his siblings remaining at home.
"We're so happy to see you," Em added, as she kissed he oldest brother's cheek in affection.
Colt and Em, were actually Colton and Emilia, which was kind of ironic and his sister's case as Emilia was just another version of Emily that he happened to be dating. Both his siblings were growing up as Colt was 16 and Emilia was 14. Spencer knew that his younger sister had been something of a surprise, as his parents had only been intending to have three. Still, that didn't mean she hadn't been a happy surprise, but his mother had made sure to have an operation so she wouldn't get pregnant again, as for one thing four was plenty and also his mother was getting on in years.
"Come in, Spencer, you're just in time for dinner," Diana said, as she came from one of the upstairs rooms.
"Why do you think I came at this time," Spencer said smiling making Diana smile back.
"Dinner is nearly ready folks," Dave's voice boomed. "Spencer would you mind setting the table please."
"Of course, dad," Spencer said.
Setting the table was a familiar duty until he had moved out. With him gone it became his two youngest siblings responsibility.
Spencer set the table and was done just in time for dinner to be delivered.
"Dig in everyone," Diana told her three children smiling. She was so happy that Spencer had decided to come to dinner, though he usually did that at least once a week. Her oldest son knew very well that his siblings wouldn't be children for much longer, so spent as much time with him as he could.
"So how did your date go son? Diana asked.
"It went fine mom," Spencer promised his eyes strayed to his siblings, which told Diana, Spencer didn't want to talk about it with his brother and sister present.
Diana fell silent but her look told her oldest son that he would not be getting out of talking about it after his siblings were in bed.
"Oh! Big brother is dating," Emilia said in a teasing tone.
Spencer winced but said nothing.
"So who is she?" Colton asked.
"What she is, is a secret," Spencer said. "No, I'm not going to tell you her name. We've only been dating a few weeks."
Spencer glared at his mother, as if to say 'see what you started.'
Dave said nothing, but hid an amused smile. This was the way it had always been since his oldest daughter had been born. Spencer was close all his siblings, but he also knew how to keep things to himself. Emilia especially could take it to far in her teasing, as she had not learned when to quit. Spencer never lost his temper with her or with Colton, but that didn't mean he couldn't get annoyed. It actually took quite a bit to annoy his oldest son, but if anybody knew where to get you where it hurt, it was family.
Spencer hated being teased about his girlfriends, even if it was harmlessly meant, so he never introduced him to his family until he had to and so far he and Diana had only met two of his former girlfriends, though those relationships hadn't worked out in the end.
Dave didn't know the reason they hadn't, but he suspected Spencer had found out something about both of them that had caused him to dump them. Perhaps they had just become a tad possessive, as a lot of people male or female were like that, perhaps they were greedy...well they're were a multitude of reasons that Spencer wouldn't keep up the relationship, as he would never get himself in a situation to where some female tried to cut him off from his family or got jealous every time he even spoke to another woman, even if there was nothing between them.
Spencer knew a lot of women, as least partly because of his profession, as many women were musical fans, and wanted to meet the musician. Dave knew that Spencer would never get involved with a woman that caused constant friction and discord, one that accused him of cheating at the drop of a hat.
Emilia, kept teasing Spencer about his girlfriend until finally Dave said, "Enough, Emilia. Spencer doesn't have to tell you anything and he'll only get more annoyed at you if you keep this up. Patience is a virtue and I'm sure he'll introduce her to the family eventually."
Emilia hung her head in shame, as she could see how annoyed her older brother had become, even though he said nothing. He never yelled or shouted or even lost his temper, but that didn't mean that he couldn't if she annoyed him enough. She knew she didn't know when to quit and that Spencer hated being teased about his girlfriends, which was probably the main reason she enjoyed doing it so much. She knew if she went to far Spencer wouldn't say a word to her whenever he came to visit and that always hurt her feelings, but she also knew, that she sometimes deserved his annoyance at her. Spencer didn't get mad or annoyed often, but there were certain subjects that could do it and teasing him about his relationships was one surefire way.
Spencer finished his dinner and then helped take the plates to the dishwasher without being asked ignoring his sister entirely.
"Don't you think you're being a little hard on your sister son, she didn't really mean anything by it," Diana suggested to Spencer gently.
"She knows not to tease me about that subject, mom, you and dad, have told her often enough. Since I don't want to shout at her, this is a way to let her know she did wrong, then ignore her for awhile, which will hopefully teach her a lesson about knowing when to quit. Yes, I know she's only 14, but she's got to learn sometime when to stop, before somebody who is not family gets annoyed at her. She knows perfectly well I don't enjoy being teased, particularly about that and it's one reason I don't bring my girlfriends around here often."
Diana sighed and knew Spencer was right her daughter needed to learn when to quit. Emilia was well aware that her oldest brother hated being teased about that subject, so she supposed the punishment was just. She knew that occasionally Spencer wanted to take his youngest sister over his knee, teach her a lesson, but that would be going to far for the crime. Diana knew that Spencer would make an excellent father someday.
"She will apologize before I start talking to her again," Spencer told his mother firmly. "Sincerely apologize and perhaps, she'll realize that there are some things you don't tease people about. Everybody's different, I know that and yes, I know she's young, but she has to learn when to quit sometime before she really gets hurt by somebody who doesn't care about her feelings. It's better if she learns that lesson at home then out in the big bad world. People will deliberately hurt you just because they are rude and have no manners and we can't protect her heart forever, as she'll be grown up soon enough. You know how sensitive she is."
Diana nodded, because Spencer was exactly right. Emilia had always been sensitive emotionally and could be hurt by peoples words and actions more easily. She had come home crying more than once after school because some of the students had been mean to her and said hurtful things in order to make her cry. It was just children being children but some never learned better.
"She will apologize eventually son," Diana said.
"I know she will, but she can also be stubborn," Spencer said smiling a little.
"Well, that just means she takes after me and your father both," Diana said smiling as well.
~~~Spencer and Emily~~~
