A/N: Hello, everyone!

Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. No copyright infringement intended.

I decided not to do What Happens in Mecklinburg, but I will have it when the team comes back from Memphis.

The case seemed bittersweet. This was another one of those times the team felt for the unsub, though it was still no excuse for what they did.

Spencer texted Élise—though there would be a fifty percent chance that she and the children would be asleep, saying they were on their way home. He put away his phone and picked up his book to the page where he left on to exercise his already giant brain and stimulate his mind. He was already halfway through when he saw his phone hum and quickly got it again and looked at the notification he got from Élise.

I'LL BE UP WHEN YOU GET BACK.

Spencer smiled again.

Spencer walked through his house and sealed in the security alarms. He took a quick peek into the living room to see Opal asleep. Spencer waved at her before tiptoeing up the stairs and stopping outside his bedroom door. Setting his bags in a corner, he crept to Séraphine's bedroom and into her bedside, sitting on the edge and stroking her braided hair.

"Mmm…"

Spencer caressed her cheek. "Hey…I'm home. And I love you so much…" he pecked her temple and left her bedroom before sliding to Isaac's room and lying at the edge. "I'm home again, little man…I love you so much…" he kissed the top of his head and silently closed the door. He picked up his bags and strode into his bedroom, finding Élise in bed, sipping from her ceramic mug.

"Hey, babe…" Élise puckered her lips, waiting for Spencer to kiss hers, and smiled when he did. She waited for him to settle down and cool off his body after two to three days away from home. After showering and washing his face, he got himself in a matching plaid pajama set and snugged himself under the comforters.

He looked to Élise and asked, "Is it not too early to put Fifi in self-defense class?"

"Because of the case?" Élise positioned her cup on the bedside; she got a recap from Spencer earlier on the flight home. "Spencer, by the time she's in college, she'll be the next Laila Ali."

Spencer shook his head. "I swear, if anyone did anything to Fifi or Ziggy, I think…I would be in protective custody in a maximum-security prison."

"You and me, both," Élise toasted to that, though she finished up her drink.

"But due to my chemistry Ph.D., I don't think anyone would link me to the murder."

Élise almost forgot about his Ph.D. chemistry, though she doubted even without it, he'd get away with murder without question.

Thursday mid-morning, Spencer descended the stairs, carrying Élise's black cotton twill and leathered travel bags by his handles and set them down by the living room arch. She was off to Charleston, South Carolina, for a ceremony. "Lise! The car's here!"

Élise gave her children one last hug and kiss. "Mmm, I love you two so much…"

"We love you, too, mommy…"

Élise stood up straight and gave her legs a couple of shakes. She straightened herself up and adjusted her black dual button jacket that had a slight peplum hem, pencil skirt, sleeveless white tie-neck top, and three-and-a-half inch heels. She strolled into the entryway foyer and was given her bags by Spencer.

He kissed her on the lips. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you, too." Élise gave him another lip kiss. "It's just gonna be for a couple of days, so…" she shrugged her shoulders. "I should be back by Saturday afternoon. And, uh…next weekend or the weekend after that, I might have to go to New York..."

"Another reason why we're so compatible with each other," Spencer replied, making him and Élise smile lightly. "You get what I get work traveling from place to place."

The loving moment ended shortly when one of her security agents knocked on the door. Élise nodded her head and gave Spencer one last kiss. The agent escorted Élise out of the house and into the backseat of the Suburban. Spencer and the children watched as the car drove passed the wrought iron gates.

Spencer finished up the after-action report and just completed another book at his desk when a shadow appeared before him.

"Pretty boy."

He looked up, and there was Morgan. Spencer had just put his book preciously back to where it was and replied, "Hey…"

Morgan tilted his head and asked, "Might if I talk to you…somewhere private?" he nudged his head back, suggesting they take the conversation in his office around the corner. Spencer didn't seem to object to his question and followed him. once they got there, Morgan closed the door behind him.

Spencer observed Morgan's body language. From the way Morgan stroked his light-trimmed goatee beard when he sat down in his chair and twisted his mouth, something was up with him. He came out and curiously asked, "Are you okay?"

Morgan sighed heavily. "How were you when…you met Élise's family?" he finished the sentence with slight hesitation in the tone.

Spencer bit down on his inner cheek to think about how he felt meeting Élise's family. "Let's face it, who wouldn't be nervous meeting their potential in-laws?" he knew Morgan agreed with him about that when he nodded his head. Spencer went on, "Still, I see the way you talk about Savannah, and it doesn't take a profiler to know that you love her. And she loves you."

Morgan played with his pen, sighing again. "Yeah. I do. Still…our work schedules."

"Our work schedules are why we've been married for three years, nine months, and thirty days and have two adorable children." Spencer smiled. "Yes, we have hit some bumps, but…" he bounced his shoulders. "What relationship doesn't? Do you know what I think? I think you're afraid of something. Maybe it's because you think she doesn't get what we do when actually she does. Commitment because of what we do, and since you don't want to be the bad guy, you have her end the relationship and thinks she can do better than you. At this point, you have two choices: you either accept that you want a relationship and you make it work or stay single for the rest of your life and grow old and alone."

Morgan fiddled his pen at Spencer, and his mouth curved into a sly sneer. "Have you been talking to JJ about me behind my back?"

"Nope," Spencer replied coolly. "This is just me giving you my humble opinion."

Morgan slanted his head again. "Yeah, that was humbling, alright; enough for me to want a big piece of that pie."

"Actually, did you know that the expression 'humble pie' derives from umble pie, the original name for official meat pie…"

"Just how does Élise keep up with you?" Morgan carped amusingly after putting his pen back in the jar where he kept the other ones. "Are you going to charge me by the hour now?"

After dinner, Spencer got the children ready for bed and settled them down in his room for storytime.

"He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor of the rabbit hole and shut his eyes," Spencer whispered, "and shut his eyes, " pretending he was shutting Isaac's eyes and continued. "His mother was busy cooking…"

Séraphine asked curiously. "What was she cooking?"

Spencer thought of the best answer to give his tender-aged children. "Veggie burgers. Or…" he gasped and came up with another goofy answer. "Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

The three started giggling.

"Tay do'nut eat burers…" Isaac laughed.

Soon everyone heard Spencer's phone beside them, and Séraphine looked at the caller ID to see who it was; her jaw dropped, and eyes beamed.

"Mommy!" she shrieked. "It's mommy…"

Isaac raised his arms out for it, but Séraphine passed it to Spencer, making him cross his arms and purse his mouth up and tight. Spencer answered it and put the phone on speaker.

"Hi, ma…"

"Hi, ma…"

Élise giggled. "Hi, everyone. Are you behaving yourselves for daddy?"

"Uh-huh…"

"That's good because I'll be back tomorrow."

"Yay…!" the children cheered.

Élise opened the front door and set her travel bags. "I'm hooommme!" she announced loudly, hoping someone would hear her. "Hellooo…!"

"Mommy!" she grinned and cowered to her knees when her children shuffled, ran to her, and almost tackled her off balance to the ground. "You're home!"

"Yes, I am." Élise gave them big kisses on their head and stood back up straight. "Where's daddy?"

"He's coming." Spencer referred to himself; the children excused themselves into the living room. Coming into the entryway, Spencer still had a book in his hand. He gave his wife a loving hug and peck. "How was Charleston?"

Élise picked up her bags again, and Spencer caressed them out of her hands. "Oh, it was a great ceremony," she had her back again the wall and sighed. "So glad to be home, and I can relax and enjoy the rest of the weekend."

Sunday afternoon, Spencer, Élise, and Rose all had their eyes glued to the television about a horrific event that happened in Kansas, resulting in Élise getting a work call for the U.S. President himself.

Within the next twenty minutes after the call, Spencer watched Élise by the door pack her two travel bags and large tote bag.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone," said Élise zipping up her bags. "But in case of anything, I canceled my trip to New York this upcoming weekend." She slammed her hands on the mattress. "Columbia, Fort Hood, Franklin Regional, and now this. I've had enough of this senselessness."

Spencer agreed. "Yeah. Makes you wonder when will this end?"

Almost everyone in the bullpen, especially Spencer and Blake, couldn't stop staring at the screen. The red banner read OVERLAND PARK TRAGEDY, with the background being the community center scene and a brunette-haired female correspondent reporting on the tragedy.

"…Attorney General Élise Bastien releases a following statement Monday morning regarding the tragic shootings in Kansas…"

Élise's statement appeared in white lettering with a blue background. After about ten seconds, there was footage and photos of The President, Élise, and the Kansas state Governor visiting the families.

"It doesn't get any easier." Blake had her arms folded and one leg over the other and shuddered. She sighed. "When will this stop?"

Not even Spencer knew the answer.

Élise sat on the edge of her king-sized bed at the Anderton Kansas City, Kansas hotel suite on her tablet, preparing another statement and speech. This morning was hard and tomorrow and who knows how long she'll be here was about to get harder. She's told by Spencer and the team that talking to the victims' families would be the least likable part of the job, but to actually experience was another game.

Home. Maybe a phone call home would get her mind off what's happening. She laid flat on her back after unlocking her phone and pressed the app to let her video chat. She hoped Spencer would be home, knowing she was a time zone behind him. Finally, she saw his sweet face.

"Hello, love…" Élise waved at him when she heard water splashes in the background. Spencer pointed his phone to the children in their pool. "Hi, little guppies!"

Spencer turned the camera back to him with a smile. "Yeah, I guess you can say we're having our own pool party."

Élise sighed. "I wish I was there…"

"We still have this Easter weekend…"

The next few days went on; Spencer did his thing at work and took care of the children with Rose's help, and Élise spent time with the victims' families and attended an interfaith service before leaving and arriving back in D.C. at nighttime.

Along with some surprise visitors for this weekend.

Spencer offered to help Séraphine get changed for Good Friday services while Élise helped Isaac get changed. The previous night, Séraphine picked out an outfit and set it up for her. It was a sleeveless black dress with white lining and two-tone flats.

"You look nice, huh?" Spencer asked, rebraiding her hair.

"Uh-huh…" Séraphine nodded and soon felt her hair jerked back a bit. "Ow…"

Spencer hissed. "Oh, sorry."

"Daddy, what's Good Friday?" Séraphine scratched a spot on her head.

Religion was never really Spencer's forte, but he knew about it to try and explain it to her. "Good Friday is about beliefs and sacrifice; a man named Jesus sacrificed himself our us. It is also a day to forgive. Whether it's to forgive someone, no matter how much they wronged you, or even yourself..." now Spencer felt himself getting gloomy.

Séraphine put her small hand on his cheek. "It's okay to be sad, daddy…"

Spencer put a smile and drew Séraphine into a hug, and kissed her head. There was knocking on her bedroom door. Their heads turned, and it was Élise standing at the door with Isaac by his hand; she had her phone in the other hand.

"My parents are waiting downstairs…" said Élise, putting it in her bag.

Spencer hoisted up and took Séraphine by the hand.

All families went to the Three Hours' Agony church service

Élise welcomed herself in the guest house almost forty-five minutes after coming home. When she came in, from the corner of her eyes, her mother was pulling something out of the stove while her dad was on his tablet and had his headphones on, looking oblivious. She closed the door; her mother placed the sheet pan with whatever she was cooking wrapped in silver foil on the countertop, and her dad took off his headphones.

"Lise…" Mr. Micha casually waved to his daughter, put his headphones on again, and went back to his tablet.

Élise sniffed the air. "Whatcha makin'?"

"Baked salmon with vegetables," Ms. Geneva answered, gently tearing the foil and showing her the end result.

Élise got a whiff of the fish. "Smells good, but you know how Spencer feels about fish," she sighed, placing her hands on the back of her hips.

"Oh, yeah." Ms. Geneva snapped her fingers, just remembering that. "But salmon is also considered to be seafood, so…"

"At least his cousin Anna and Ethel are making a vegetarian option," said Élise.

The children were with their fathers in the basement family rec room. The men were watching The Passion of the Christ on the big screen while Séraphine and Sabrina were coloring in Easter theme coloring books; Isaac and Samuel played with blocks in one corner.

"How many times have you seen this movie?"

The dining table was set up with a white linen sateen cloth that had delicate floral blooms and decorative scrolls, baby blue placemats, pastel yellow napkins, handcrafted porcelain dining set, polished flatware, glassware for the adults and colored plastic cups for the children, and ceramic vases filled with pink and purple tulips and lilies.

Everyone gathered hands at the table.

"Dear Father, we come together to remember the sacrifice of our Jesus Christ King. Every day we look to you, protect us, and guide us. As always, we look to this day to reflect on the past, even our mistakes, what we can do in this present day, and look forward to a brighter future every day for as long as we are here in this Earthly world. Time is most certainly precious. We also take this day to forgive and never forget. Move on from the pain and suffering, learning to let go and heal. Forgive those who have wronged us or even ourselves; repent our sins and look to you for forgiveness. Thank you again, Lord, for giving us your love and respect on this beautiful day and many more days like this to last a lifetime. In Jesus' name, Amen."

"Amen."

It was almost afternoon on Holy Saturday, and Spencer thought he might see how his mother was doing. Leaving the children to their mothers and loved ones, he treaded up the stairs and into the hallway when he got to her bedroom door and knocked on it three times.

"Who is it?"

Spencer stifled a laugh. "Your favorite son."

"You may come in."

Spencer opened the door, and his mother sat in a chestnut-finished traditional-styled rocking chair in the corner, half her legs covered by the lightweight and handwoven cotton throw blanket. From where Spencer was, it looked like she was organizing something.

"So…" he strolled up to her side and asked, "What are you up to?"

"Just putting together some memories," Diana answered with breeze. "I still have these treasures that I want to keep."

Now Spencer stood behind her, had his hands on the curved back, and smiled at some of the pictures, realizing she was rearranging one of her old scrapbooks. Spencer's eyes popped when he recognized one memory. "Oh! That's me…"

Diana chuckled. "Yeah. That was the day we saw that magician duo at the Mirage…" she placed her finger at another photograph; this one was a young Spencer with spinning ribbons. "And that was the day we went to see Cirque du Solei as a reward for you graduating early…"

Spencer remembered. "I tried to mimic what the gymnasts and acrobats did, and I ended up getting tangled by the ribbons."

"Oh, yes, you did," Diana laughed heartily. "You looked like a human ice cream swirl, and I had to untie you. Ah," she took one of his hands. "These are the memories I wish I could relive. What I wouldn't give anything to see you as a little boy again, relive those memories again."

Spencer croaked. "I'm not a little boy again."

"I know. You have a family on your own. Hold on to these memories and never let them go." Diana kissed his hand and petted it.

Élise, Melissa, and Anna got a couple movable rectangular tables set up with paint, markers, glitter, glue, decorative stickers, and a bunch of other art supplies—Spencer even created a childproof dye, candy, and bright protective smocks for the children for them to help decorate Easter eggs for the hunt tomorrow; both in the backyard and a little bit around the approved spots in the house.

Élise had on a black waterproof cotton smock that went down to her knees and painted an Easter egg purple with gold swirly detailing and glitter.

"Pretty, mommy…" Isaac pointed to her egg; he finger-painted his egg red, blue, and green, as did Samuel.

"Aw, thanks, babe…"

Sabrina showed off her egg: a pink-colored one covered with yellow, lavender, orange, and aqua-blue polka dots. "Oh, that's a nice one, Briny…" her mother, Melissa, complimented.

Séraphine pulled back from her seat and sprinted to her mother's side. "Mommy! Mommy!" she presented a purple and pink glittered egg with butterfly stickers.

"Oh! Beautiful!"

Anna came out of the bathroom, slipped her head through her paint-smeared beige color apron's adjustable neck strap, and tied the long strings back her back. She looked down at herself and joked, "I look like my old high school art teacher, Mrs. Hartley, minus the oversized black frames."

"When I was in high school, I had an art teacher, Mr. Ryland," Melissa began telling a story. "To say the man was a free spirit would be an understatement. He always wore boho-hippie-styled clothes, and even if it was winter, he changed to flip-flops or flat shoes. He smelled like every kind of earthy scent you could think of and would do yoga or meditate during class."

Élise made a face. "For real?"

Melissa nodded her head, confirming it.

Soon the women and children all heard footsteps, and it was the men—Spencer, John, and Nathan, coming down with snack and drink trays.

"We got food!" the gentlemen set the food on another table.

"Yay!" the children set down their art supplies and were ready for some food.

"Hold it!" John stopped them. "Wash your hands first." He pointed to the two bathrooms across.

Séraphine and Sabrina went in one bathroom while Isaac and Samuel went in the other; John followed behind them to keep a better eye on them.

Élise took off her black rubber gloves when she walked up to see the snacks: carrot and celery sticks with peanut butter, hummus, and ranch side dips, cheese crackers, pretzels, fruit kebobs, Rice Krispy and Lucky Charms mix balls.

"Oh, they look nice." Élise admired what the men did and tried to help herself to one when Spencer swiped her hand away from them.

"Uh-huh-huh…" Spencer wagged his finger. "Wash your hands."

Élise surrendered playfully. She turned around and headed to the bathroom just as the children came out, and the guys gave them whatever snacks and drinks they wanted. Nathan approached the painting table and looked at the eggs the children and women made. "Oh!" he picked up a tie-dye-colored egg and observed it for a few seconds before setting it down with the rest. "These are pretty cool."

"And while we fill these babies up with goodies like candy, mom and dad have their own goodies to stuff these eggs with," said John, having some mini pretzels he just put in a paper cup. "And you know it's the usual."

Nathan took a guess. "Money?"

"Yup." John snapped his fingers. He picked up a paintbrush with semi-wet yellow paint on the bristles and a closed-lip Joker smirk on his face. From the corner of his eye, he saw Melissa snacking on a Rice Krispy treat. "Oh, Lissa…?"

Melissa perked her head up. "Mmm…"

"You got a little something on your shirt." John noticed an invisible spot on her shirt.

"Mmm…?" Melissa had no clue what he was talking about until he dabbed the brush on the bridge of her nose, leaving her with a yellow mark on it. "Oh…"

John snickered. Melissa knew just how to get back at him. She marched over to the table, snatching a paintbrush with green paint, and with a smile on her face, she coated some on his mouth and smeared it over his left eye and a bit on his right. He could still open that eye, and Melissa laughed in return.

"Aw, ain't that cute…" Nathan was interrupted when Anna, from behind, splattered some pink and white paint on his forehead. In response, he took the brushes from her hand and used them to stroke her cheeks and lips with it.

"Oh, it's on, now…" The four adults began to have a paint fight of their own, lasting for about nine seconds, with the children watching in amusement until Spencer stepped in.

"Hold it!" Spencer was the peacemaker. "Is this really what you want the children to see? I mean…"

Élise tapped his shoulder and plastered his face with purple paint with an X on his left cheek and an O on his right cheek. "I always say purple is your color."

The children sniggered.

It was lucky for everyone that the paint used to create the Easter eggs was water-based and easy to rinse off. Especially in hair, which is what happened with most of the adults, one of them being Spencer. He threw the towel he used to dry his hair into the white hamper and walked back into the bedroom, finding her relaxing on the bed.

She stared at him coming out. "You got it all out?" she joked.

"Yes, I did, thanks to you," Spencer scratched his head. "I guess this is one of the reasons why my mother and Ethel like my hair short."

"Next time, we'll wear shower caps," Élise patted his chest. "But on the bright side, we had some fun today. Tomorrow, it'll even be better since the Easter Bunny's comin' to Town," she smiled goofily and did a cha-cha dance with her shoulders.

As expected, Ethel and John were up and had been in the kitchen since minutes to six in the morning, preparing the usual breakfast for everyone; hot cross buns, waffles and pancakes, omelets, eggs, bacon, squeezed fruit juice, coffees and making sure everyone was fueled up for a good day, starting with church services.

After having breakfast with her family in the guest house, Élise was now in her walk-in closet after taking a shower and getting ready for Easter Sunday church services. She thought she looked lovely in her white and gold floral garden print dress she got the other day at Kate Spade, along with the two-inch block slingbacks, her favorite gold earring, stud earrings and necklace, and convertible crossbody bag.

After she got all dressed up and doubled checked herself in the mirror, she left and saw Spencer fidgeting his tie while tucking in his purple herringbone shirt into the waistband of his pressed tan wool twill trousers.

"Need some help?" asked Élise, carrying her bag by her elbow.

"Ta-da!" Spencer tied his tie and did a jazz hands pose after he was done.

Élise giggled.

Easter Sunday church services last for about an hour and a half.

After the toddlers napped, everyone changed into more comfortably casual clothes and retreated to the backyard. Almost everyone stood military-styled when Élise was on the terrace with her favorite bullhorn.

"Hello! Welcome to the Easter Egg Hunt at Manor de Bastien-Reid," just as everyone applauded for a quick second, Élise continued. "Now, some quick ground rules: make sure you stay safe in your group, no roughhousing in the house, no cheating, no dirty planning, and last but certainly not the very least…Have fun!"

She blew her whistle, and everyone scattered to collect eggs for over an hour.

Now it was dinner time. On the menu were glazed ham slices, roast chicken, a spring vegetable salad with a touch of mint, pureed potatoes, green beans, bread rolls, grasshopper pie, and carrot cake.

"Mmm…" Élise licked her lips after having some of the food. "This is delicious."

Ms. Geneva asked, "It's not too salty, is it?"

"Mmm-hmm…" Élise kept on eating and shook her head.

Anna coyishly looked at Nathan while sipping some lemon mint sparkling punch. She set her drinking glass down, and Nathan used his small silver spoon to lightly tap on the glass.

Nathan politely asked, "May I please get everyone's attention?" when they did, Anna continued, taking Anna's hand.

"As some of you know, we've been…trying to expand our family for quite some time and…"

"We've been approved for adoption!"

Everyone's reactions varied from dropped jaws to widened eyes.

"For real!?" John asked.

Melissa replied, "Really?"

Nathan bit down on his tongue, still having a goofy smile.

"Well, congrats to you both," Spencer raised his glass. "And Happy Easter."

"Happy Easter!"