Author Note: I don't know if I'm just ready for fall weather or the fact it's bugged me for close to a year how unfinished this felt. Even more so the last couple days. So, I wrote this yesterday.
Hope you enjoy...
LIZZINGTON
Traveling down the tree-lined drive, Red smiled as autumn leaves floated freely about the road he drove.
The dew dampened leaves swirled about, blanketing those lucky enough to witness the frolicking dance in vibrant colors of marigold, amber and burgundy. Every so often, his eyes would trek a shamrock green leaf in flight before it became caught in the fanciful jewel-toned whirlwind.
Inhaling a deep breath, any lingering stress from the workweek evaporated as the distinct scent of woodsy musk and ripe apples filled his senses. The aroma of cedar and pine burning in chimneys scattered along their chosen path calmed his soul.
Red smiled when he heard the bright, infectious laughter of children fill the air. All were geared up and ready for an evening of make-believe before succumbing to upset tummies brought on by an overdose of candy.
He was sure a wonderful time would be had by all.
He couldn't believe it had been a year to the day of that fateful October night Ressler went off the rails... and changed their lives forever.
It wasn't a surprise when Donald lost his position as a federal agent to take on his new role as inmate in the Federal Penitentiary Psych ward.
Considering the circumstances, Red expected Ressler's lawyers to plead insanity and hospitalize him.
It seemed a lost cause, however, when their client boldly stood up in court, assuring all present he was in his right mind.
Thankfully for both client and lawyers, Ressler's proclamation was outright rejected, ironically enough.
Had Ressler been wearing pants at his arraignment, perhaps those present would have believed the man.
In any case, Ressler was now institutionalized and relegated to a rubber room, deservedly so.
In Ressler's absence, Elizabeth assumed the role of team leader and flourished as Red knew she would.
Red always said he and Lizzy were a great team and it showed. Without Donald there to question everything under the sun, they were closing a case a week.
With the more structured setting, it allowed the agents who worked at the Blacksite the opportunity to find a private life outside the office.
Cooper and his wife had reconciled and held a vow renewal in June. Samar and Aram began dating and moved in with one another just a month ago.
In his off time, Dembe had returned to college in pursuit of exploring his interests; one of which that led him to attend a dig in Giza.
Red's mouth lifted at the corner when he heard the slight intake of a delighted gasp beside him. He, too, found it charming Orson Welles' original War of the Worlds program was being broadcast through the radio, just as it had in its heyday.
Turning his attention a moment, he chortled quietly as he listened to the news delivered.
The Martians had landed, apparently...in Grove's Mill. Was that location anywhere near their present vicinity?
Red grinned at his fanciful meanderings.
Glancing at the woman beside him, Red's eyes softened as she tapped her foot along with the musical accompaniment.
Yes... it had been quite the pivotal year.
Besides her promotion, and being awarded a bonus for her stellar performance.
Lizzy had also pursued a private life of her own; a romantic life, to be clear.
After assuring Ressler had been taken into custody, and Lizzy had been well fed, they returned to her apartment. There, they shared an entertaining evening together.
Being witness to her joy as she loaded down trick-or-treaters with candy brought him joy. Sharing wonderful conversation in front of the fire as they sipped pumpkin cider... made for an enchanting memory.
It was that night they shared their first kiss.
It was that night they professed their feelings for one another.
It was that night they first made love.
The days of endless solitude and unhappiness were at an end for both. Since that night, he and Lizzy had become inseparable.
The days were now a constant haze of laughter and affection. Weekends were spent lazing around. Holidays they once avoided were now remembered with fondness.
"Can't I have just one hint?" Lizzy asked, excitement tinging her voice.
Smiling, Red steered the car around the bend. "...No."
"Oh, Red," she pouted effectively, "just a little peak."
Chuckling, Red grasped the woman's hand, placing a lingering kiss on the soft flesh.
Some would say it was difficult to date a profiler, for they were tenacious when a mystery was set before them. Red found Lizzy's relentlessness and persistence charming.
It, however, would get her nowhere, for he was just as stubborn as she.
"You are so impatient." He distracted the woman as they pulled up to their destination.
"I know," she replied sullenly, then brightened, "but you love it."
"I do," Red agreed, "and... I love you."
Placing the car in park, he leaned into Lizzy's sphere, placing a gentle kiss to her smiling lips.
As he sat back, he lifted the blindfold from Lizzy's eyes and grinned when the woman blinked owlishly.
"Well," he rumbled huskily, "what do you think?"
"I think," Liz smiled happily, "I'd like some more of that."
Allowing the woman to kiss him at length, Red slowly turned her chin, directing her attention to her right.
Kissing the curvature of her neckline, Red smiled when the woman startled after a moment's hesitation.
"Wha–" Liz gasped her surprise, lamely pointing out the window. "Is that..."
"It is." Red's eyes twinkled as he pushed his way out of the car and headed for Lizzy's side.
"Oh! It's... gorgeous!" Liz hurriedly scanned the large acreage, taking Red's hand when he opened the car door.
The gardens were lush with chrysanthemums, pansies, and snapdragons. Profuse bushes lined the still rich, emerald green lawn. Liz's nose crinkled when she noted the arbors covered in sprays of green ivy.
Leaves fell in a colorful cascade from the trees towering overhead and floated lyrically about the stunning acreage.
Everything smelled so crisp and alive, it made her feel sudden contentment.
Her attention shifted from one thing to the next before returning to the focal point of the property.
There was certainly a marked improvement since the last time she had been here.
Her eyes filled with wet warmth seeing the turn-of-the-century home and the land it sat upon returned to its former glory.
The home had been given a much needed overhaul. Fresh paint, new windows, new roof... even the front porch had received a make-over.
She would give anything to wrap herself in a blanket and lounge on the cushion of the divan sitting center on the decadent porch. If she happened to have her coffee and a good book as well, all would be right in the world.
Liz could only imagine how incredible it must look like inside.
It truly was a Currier and Ives print come to life.
Everything looked so pristine and cheerful, it made her heart happy.
Leading the woman down a newly laid cobblestone path, Red listened happily to the woman chatter away about everything she saw.
"Oh, look," she grinned, pleased by the find, "there's a fountain!"
Standing back, Red watched the woman search her surroundings with a keen interest. She stopped every few moments to feel the smooth richness of the new porch, smell the mellow fragrance of a nearby flower... to just bask in the orange glow of the sun shining down on them this beautiful fall day.
Closing his eyes, Red lost himself to the sounds of the leaves and bird song overhead, and the occasional titter of Lizzy's soft giggle.
Without warning, Red felt the slow ease of tension return with a vengeance.
Opening his eyes, Red shivered involuntarily when a shiver tickled his spine just as a wave of eerie nostalgia enveloped him. The sounds of tinkling chimes came at him from all sides, which was unexpected, as there was hardly any wind on this side of the palatial home.
Slowly turning towards the source of the sound, Red's mouth lifted into a smile as the sudden surge of melancholy gave way to overwhelming peace.
Running her fingers along the wind chimes, Lizzy grinned impishly when the pure tones caressed her senses.
"Do you like it?" Red asked, his tone as caressing on the ears.
"Like it?" Liz gaped, searching her surroundings once more. "I love it!"
"Even knowing its shady past?" Red teased, but still wanted to know.
"Oh, Red," Liz tsked softly, taking his hand as they walked back towards the house, "what house doesn't have a past of sorts?"
"Your time here was rather," Red searched for the words, "...unusual."
"Perhaps," Liz didn't deny it had been a bizarre evening, "but I chalk it up to being tired and starving." She shrugged careless shoulders. "Everyone can have an off moment."
"But now," Red glanced at the woman walking beside him, "you feel..."
"I feel," she closed her eyes, inhaling the aromatic winds, "peaceful, happy."
"I'm glad to hear that." Red was extremely so.
Peering through what she could see through a nearby window, she startled somewhat to see the sitting room filled with stunning furniture.
Knowing full well Red's penchant for trespassing, Liz grimaced.
Though, now that she thought about it, he had not done that so much since the change in their relationship.
They either stayed at her place, or hotels after an evening out on the town.
It wasn't outside the realm of possibilities, Red reverted to his old ways. If for no other reason but to show her how the place changed since their lives changed with it.
"Oh," she looked over her shoulder, just waiting for the owner to tell them to beat it, "does... uhm, someone live here?"
"That remains to be seen." Red replied. The smile on his face softened when the woman canted her head quizzically.
"It seems only fitting I do this here, where it all began," he chuckled quietly, "... for the most part, anyway."
"Red?" Liz's brow puckered as the man slowly approached and took her in his arms.
"I would love to share the rest of my life with you," Red began, "here, in this home... if you are so inclined."
Gaping at the man like a fish out of water, Liz's eyes widened with each passing word.
"More to the point," Red stroked his fingers along her rosy cheeks, "I would dearly love to marry you, and be a family... here, with you."
He hoped she would, as he had renovated the house with Elizabeth in mind. Since he began restoring the house and grounds, Red made note of everything Lizzy loved and incorporated it into what he hoped would be their new home.
"You want to get m-married?" Liz blinked, repeating the words said. "Have a family... here?"
Wrapping an arm about Lizzy's waist, Red pulled her flush against his body. "Yes," he ran gentle fingers through her long hair, "...I would love to do that."
"Yes?" Liz said.
"Are you answering my question with a question?" Red chuckled.
"No..." Liz searched the man's face, then winced, "I mean, yes."
"Yes, you'll marry me?" Red controlled his urge to laugh.
"...Yes." Liz blinked once more before comprehension took hold.
Liz's mouth fell agape when Red produced a diamond wrapped band seemingly out of thin air. She blinked her awe as the man slid the square-cut diamond on her finger before placing a loving kiss to her new adornment.
"I-I didn't expect this." Liz stared at the ring, her senses reeling.
"The ring?" Red laughed quietly, knowing damn well it was exactly what she wanted. After months of research, and watching the woman hover over them countless times before, he knew he chose well.
"No, the ring is beautiful." Liz assured hastily. "I mean, I didn't expect... this." She waved a hand between them, then around at the property they now stood.
"Is that okay?" Red murmured, kissing the woman's mouth.
"Yes..." she blurted.
Chortling, Red rested his cheek on the dark strands of Lizzy's hair. "You have a way with words, have I mentioned?"
"You r-really want a family?" Liz rested her cheek on the man's chest.
"I would love to share that with you... if that is what you wish." As long as she was by his side, Red was content with whatever path Lizzy decided.
"Good." Liz swallowed hard. "Because..." she cleared her throat, "...we're gonna have one."
Red smiled happily at the very thought of hearing little feet padding about the house once more, especially if those little feet were created by him and Lizzy.
Drawing back, Red's brows lifted in surprise to see trepidation in Elizabeth's eyes.
A literal lightbulb went off overhead as her words... her meaning... became clear. Now he knew how the woman felt just moments ago.
"You mean," Red shook from his stunned stupor, "... right now?"
"...Yes." she exhaled shakily. "Well, I mean... in a few months... yeah." She bit her lip anxiously.
The words repeated in his head in an endless loop, until they became so loud and clear, it was as if the woman gifted him the words aloud once more.
Unable to control his smile, Red pulled the woman back against him, placing his mouth firmly to hers.
Reaching between them, Red lay the large span of his hand against the woman's flat stomach, sighing contentedly.
Swinging the startled woman up into his arms, Red stalked his way to the porch and up the stairs. Catching the knob with nimble fingers, he pushed at the door, stepping over the threshold with his passenger in tow.
Kicking the door closed behind him, Red stopped, placing his mouth to Lizzy's once more before he slowly drew back.
Liz's eyes shifted about, scanning the room absently. It was more beautiful than she had imagined!
"...You're serious." Red murmured against her soft lips.
"...Huh?" Liz's brow furrowed. "Oh, is that a real Ming vase?" Her eyes widened with hope.
"Lizzy..." Red garnered the woman's attention. "Focus..."
Returning her attention to the man, Liz settled more comfortably in his hold.
"You're gonna marry me." Red wanted confirmation.
"Yes..." She blinked.
"And have my baby..." Red lowered his eyes to Lizzy's abdomen, desperately wishing to hear the words repeated.
"Yeah..." her nose crinkled into a small wince, still unsure how the man felt in truth.
Liz's heart thumped hard in her chest as the man turned about and marched down the hall. Nudging a door with his shoulder, he stepped into what she could only assume was the master suite, where he slowly lowered her down onto her feet.
"You're okay with–"
Capturing Lizzy's face in warm palms, Red pulled her into a deep, sensual kiss.
Grinning, as though it wasn't obvious enough as is, Red lay the woman back into the plush bedding.
"You're marrying me," Red lifted the woman's shirt and pulled it off overhead.
"Yes, I just said that..." Liz frowned, for she knew she had. She sighed her relief as Red yanked her bra off and tossed it carelessly over his shoulder.
"This weekend," Red clarified his original statement as Lizzy plucked at the buttons on his shirt. "Here, in our garden. You're going to marry me."
Shrugging the shirt off, Red flung it out of the way of his endeavors.
"Oh..." Liz nodded her understanding as Red removed her pants and panties in one movement. "Yeah, okay..." she smiled warmly at the thought. "I like that."
"Okay..." Red breathed his relief even as he kicked his trousers down his legs.
"You really are okay with this?" Liz searched the man's face methodically. She closed her eyes, gasping her arousal as Red stroked his long, thick erection along her clitoris.
Catching a glimpse of the glittering band decorating Lizzy's finger, Red's heart thumped hard in his chest.
Lizzy was going to be his wife... the mother of his child.
How could he not be okay with such a precious gift.
He closed his eyes and hissed as Lizzy rocked her hips upwards, taking his shaft inside her warmth.
"Oh, hell, yeah..." Red groaned his approval, in more ways than one.
Smiling brightly, Liz wrapped her arms about Red's shoulders as his weight came to rest against her.
Dropping her gaze, she watched avidly as his chest came flush with her own. The downy cushion of his chest hair brushed against her nipples, tightening them into sharp peaks... as they always did.
"Maybe..." she hid her teasing eyes from view, twirling her finger through the soft curls, "we should wait to do this then... until after the wedding?"
Sinking further into the hot, steamy abyss... Red slowly lifted his eyes to hers. His jaw clenched as Lizzy shifted under him, pushing him even deeper into her body.
"Or..." he suggested a counteroffer, "we view this as practice for our extended honeymoon."
"...I suppose that would be okay." Liz lifted wry eyes.
"Smartass..." Red grumbled as he rolled his hips. "Be quiet... and let me love you."
Liz stifled a laugh. "I thought you liked when I made noise?"
Lifting up on his arm, Red pumped his cock inside her, stealing the woman's breath away. Hurriedly circling Lizzy's clit, Red smirked when the woman cried out her arousal and babbled incoherently... just as he hoped she would.
"Oh, I do, baby..." Red assured.
Smiling, Red couldn't wait to repeat those words this weekend at their garden wedding.
"...I do."
LIZZINGTON
Red's eyes snapped open, rolling from the bed. Grabbing his robe, he hurried across the room, his senses on alert.
Approaching the small bassinet, he peered into the plush haven, his expression softening at the sight which greeted him.
"Shh," he hushed the fussy infant. "Shh, daddy's here."
Lifting the small bundle, Red smiled when he was awash with the scent of baby powder and lavender.
"What's wrong, angel?" He clicked his tongue, soothing his daughter.
Red's heart beat irregularly at the sight of her blue eyes blinking sleepily as she fought to stay awake.
"Ray..." Liz murmured softly as she struggled to sit upright. Gathering the blankets against her nude frame, she smiled tiredly as her husband came to the end of the bed.
Sucking fiercely at her chubby fist, the baby settled and snuffled quietly, cuddling to her father's warmth.
"I think," Red chuckled as Agnes stretched lazily, "our daughter is hungry."
Handing the baby over to her mother, Red proudly watched Lizzy situate Agnes at her breast before reclining comfortably against the mountain of pillows behind her.
Dutifully turning on his heel, Red made his way to the kitchen, intent on procuring a snack for his wife.
Lizzy was ravenous after feeding, and being the doting husband and father he was... he cheerfully went about doing whatever he could in which to keep his family happy, healthy and content.
Returning with his bounty, Red sat down beside Elizabeth, silently watching Agnes suckle.
The small rosebud mouth pulled hungrily at Lizzy's breast, before it gradually slowed to a stop and fell agape around its source of nourishment.
"She's got a drinking problem..." Liz chuckled.
Handing Lizzy her food, Red took the baby from her arms before settling Agnes against his chest.
"I can't say I blame her," Red rubbed the tiny back, coaxing the air from Agnes' tummy. Nuzzling her cheek, he smiled as the little girl belched, quiet loudly. "Mommy's milk tastes good... doesn't it."
"Does it?" Liz patted her breast dry before snagging a handful of grapes and cheese.
"Oh, hell yeah." Red assured wholeheartedly. Placing Agnes on the changing table, he went about changing her diaper before swaddling her and placing her back in the cushion of her bassinet.
Returning to bed, Red slid in beside the woman, hungrily eyeing her milk engorged breasts.
"Recently," Red traced the edge of the creamy white orb, "I find I have a strong craving to taste that sweet, warm cream of yours."
Leaning, he captured her nipple with his lips, drawing the soft flesh into his mouth.
Laying back into the bedding at Red's urging, Liz hummed quietly as Red flicked his tongue against her nipple.
"More than your bourbon?" She asked, running a caressing hand down Red's nape.
Red sighed blissfully as the sweet taste of Lizzy filled his mouth, just as he breathed in the sweeter aroma of her arousal.
"Damn right..." Red muttered around his treat before edging himself between her thighs.
Inching downward, Red listened to the quiet sound of his daughter suckling at her pacifier as he tongued his giggling wife's stomach...
Neither took notice of the tinkling of the wind chimes dancing in the warm spring breeze.
The End