Part 4

Four months later

Safina proposed and Spencer said that there were a few things that the two of them as well as Aaron needed to talk about before he accepted.

"I halfway expected this," Safina said. "So did my brother, so I'll just call him and he'll be here in a few minutes."

It wasn't long before Aaron appeared off the private elevator, that led into the large apartment that Aaron, his children and Safina were occupying.

Aaron studied his sister, then Spencer and then sat down. "It's that time is it," Aaron said.

"Well, you two sure do seem to read me well," Spencer said smiling a little. "Something not many people can say."

"We just know you by now, as both of us are observant. I suppose you can say we were profiling you," Safina said.

"So you wanted to talk to both of us," Aaron gently reminded Spencer.

"So I did," Spencer said trying not to appear nervous. "I've been thinking about this for sometime. What would happen if we got to the stage where we were talking about mating. As much as I hate to do this, I think it's necessary."

"What do you think is necessary?" Safina asked.

"I want a contract drawn up that will have certain clauses. Kind of like a prenup agreement. I think we both know by now that I don't trust easily, but there is a reason for that."

"We were halfway expecting this," Aaron said said calmly, not looking upset. "You're a cautious man and not just because of your job, but because there's something in your past that caused you to be."

"Yes, there is," Spencer said.

"So why don't you tell us," Safina suggested. "Get it off your chest."

"This is not my only relationship that turned serious," Spencer began in a neutral tone. "I met this beautiful Alpha in college. I went at 16, but only because mom wouldn't let me go any sooner. We became very good friends over the course of my freshman and sophomore years. We even moved into an apartment together. Just a few months later Maranda got pregnant when she went into heat. It turned out that the condom we had been using had minuscule holes in it and that it was a deliberate act of sabotage, as it would have had to be done at the company. We both wanted to keep the babies, since most Alphas and Omegas always have at least twins. We knew we wouldn't have time to take care of them, so I contacted mom. Mom was very upset at first, as she's one of those that believe that I should have at least finished my college education before having children, until I explained, then she was very sympathetic and very excited at getting some rather unexpected grandchildren. Maranda and I were so happy, even though her parents were rather upset, acting as if it was deliberate on my part. I was an Omega, so of course, I was to blame and I don't think they ever considered that there's no way I could have forced Maranda to do anything she didn't want to, since she had a very strong Alpha personality and she could have easily stopped me if she cared to. Of course, they wanted their daughter to get rid of the babies, but as she was 20 she refused. It was only a couple of months later that she somehow lost the babies and the doctor at the time couldn't tell us why. He just said that sometimes things happen, even though Maranda was perfectly healthy. While I was devastated, Maranda went into a rage taking all her hurt, anger, frustration and probably a little postpartum depression out on me. While we had agreed to mate after we finished college that was the last straw for me. I told Maranda that either she got help or we were over, as I've never been one to be abused and I knew it would likely happen again unless she got help. She refused to get help, so as much as it hurt, I left and switched colleges in the fall, so I would run into her anymore. I had to protect myself after all."

"That is so tragic," Safina said feeling rage at what Maranda had done so long ago.

"It happens, though not very often," Aaron said. "I'm very sorry that happened to you, Spencer, but it probably won't happen this time. There was probably just something in her genetics or maybe yours that caused it or it's possible that the babies were deformed and so her body got rid of them, which is no ones fault."

"I have thought of every single reason of what possibly could have gone wrong so long ago, but I have to admit, that sometimes there is no discernible cause. I'm telling you this so that you understand that one of the reasons I want that contract is so that if you start hitting me I'm gone, unless you agree to get help. While I don't expect that to happen, I'm taking no chances after what happened with Maranda, because I ended up with a broken arm and multiple bruises as it was.

"I'm lucky I didn't crack my head on the mantlepiece that was in one section of the apartment. Also another point is, that I will not be forced to give up my job and if that's not okay with you then I'm gone. I know very well an Alpha's need to protect, but I swore to myself, I would never allow any Alpha to make me into a House Omega, only being allowed to look after the children, to take them on outings, while having my own desires ignored. I would be driven insane in a very short amount of time, as I need something to keep my brain occupied.

"I can go off the grid if I have to and you'd never find me. Doing so might be a hard life, but at least I would have my freedom. I'm telling you this to make sure you understand Safina. I really wanted to bring it up a couple months ago, but things kept happening that prevented me. While I love you, I will never allow myself to be abused or turned into something I am not. Maranda was more than enough to tell me that I'd rather live my life in freedom then be bound to someone who in no way acknowledged I existed, except to give me orders or turn me into some kind of sex slave where that was all I was good for.

I'll never allow myself to get into such a situation. I'll kill myself first. Also, I will not be questioned every time I'm out of your presence for a few hours, I'll not have you be suspicious that I was cheating on you, when there's absolutely no proof that I am. I will not have you go through my things supposedly looking for evidence of the other woman in my life. You start behaving like that and I'll be gone I promise you, as it would be hell to be mated to someone like that."

Both Hotchners could tell that Spencer was very serious when he said that and they had no doubt that he knew numerous ways to kill himself.

"Yes, it would be," Aaron agreed, thinking about Hayley, who had been suspicious every time he was gone for a few hours and had displayed behavior very similar to what Spencer had described. He couldn't blame Spencer for not wanting to be mated to someone like that, as their would be constant friction like their had been between him and Haley for so long.

"Aaron had already guessed that this would be a subject you would bring up before you agreed to any permanent arrangement. He said that you hadn't become the strongest Omega mentally and emotionally by giving into Alphas to believe they knew better," Safina said calmly, though on the inside she was enraged that Spencer even thought that she would do such a thing. Aaron had warned her that she must keep her temper no matter what. He had said that Spencer would likely bring up delicate subjects that would enrage a lot of Alphas, but she had to acknowledge that such things as forcing an Omega give up their freedom had happened in the past and far more often then it did today.

"Those weren't my exact words, but it's close enough," Aaron agreed. "If you were weaker, then losing your babies would've broken you or at least made you afraid of ever trying to mate with anybody else. I didn't know about the babies you had lost, but I doubt anyone does except your mother."

"And also my sister and brother," Spencer said. "They helped me recover and also my mom found me a good psychologist. Still, the support of my family helped more than the psychologist I think."

That Spencer didn't mention his father was very telling, but Aaron said nothing. Spencer's father had likely been much like his own and that was abusive or at least neglectful.

"It messed me up for a long time, but that psychologist helped a great deal with it, as did the support of my family. The team has no idea about this particular aspect of my life, but I brought it up in order to explain exactly why I want that contract. While I don't exactly fear that you'll turn abusive, as I said, I'm taking no chances. Things can happen that no one can expect and while normally, I know that you're not like that, I just don't want to ever be in a situation that you hit me or one of the children, like if you lose a baby. My point is though, that Maranda wasn't like that either, until she lost the babies she was carrying. I know very well, how devastated somebody can be at the loss of a child, much less more then one, not just an Alpha. It might not ever happen, but you also don't ever know. I realize that medical technology has advanced a lot since that happened, as it's been over 10 years and technology has preceded in leaps and bounds since then, particularly medicine..." Spencer paused.

Spencer stared down into his glass of wine as if the answer would just appear in the liquid.

"But nobody can predict what will happen in the future..." Safina said and Spencer nodded looking momentarily devastated.

"I don't care if somebody rants, raves and screams at me, because I understand that the devastation for most women is just really strong, when something so tragic happens. It's some women's way to grieve for what they lost. The minute they hurt their mates though or husbands if you're human, is the minute you need to get help, if you want to maintain your relationship. I know very well, that some women aren't good at acknowledging that they have a problem, especially Alphas. Some of the things I've seen in my years with the BAU would make you sick unless you had a very strong stomach and other things would just make you sad at the state of sentient beings and what they can do to each other. I've never understood how anybody can abuse their own kids, though I know it happens. Maranda is one of the reasons that I wanted to join the FBI in the first place, though it's not the only one."

"So what's your other reason?" Aaron asked if only to lessen the strained silence. Here, was Spencer Reid, with all his defenses down, as he knew that he could trust him enough, not to use what they had been told against him.

"There was this kid that lived in the same neighborhood as me," Spencer said not looking up from his wine, his expression pensive. "His name was Riley Jenkins and one day he just disappeared. They finally found his body behind the furnace at his home and it was clear that he had been sexually abused, before being killed. The father of course, was the first suspect, but he hadn't even been there at the time, so was cleared relatively quickly. Riley, was only eight like me, my brother and sister. It turned out that there was a sexual predator in the area. My mother had noticed this guy in the park near the chess tables and something sent her instincts into overdrive. She was sure, her children were in danger and she insisted that we had to move, something I know she did to protect her children. My father finally gave into her, though I don't think he agreed, as he certainly put up a fight. It was only shortly after this that they discovered Riley Jenkins body. The father was devastated, as you can imagine and I heard rumors that he located the man that had done so by the name of Gerald Michaels. Michaels disappeared after that, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's dead, though there's no proof. I for one am not going to reopen that can of worms, because I have no doubt that if he really is dead that it's the father that did so, though I suppose, it's possible, that it could be someone else. Perhaps another parent who lost a child."

"Omega's have very strong instincts when it comes to protecting their children," Aaron said finally. "Your mother's instinct were likely telling her that her children were in danger and something this Gerald Michaels did just alerted her to that fact. It might not have been anything obvious."

"It could simply be that he smelled bad, and I'm not just talking about body odor," Spencer agreed and both Hotchners chuckled at the weak joke. "Our species do have very strong senses of smell. Some are more acute than others of course."

"That your father wasn't concerned about what his mate told him tells me that he wasn't a very good father. A good Alpha would at least listen to their mate, because as my brother said, they have very strong instincts when it comes to protecting their young, instincts that are heightened after they have given birth. They would subconsciously be looking for danger and would react at the first hint of it. It doesn't really matter what tipped your mother off, I'm grateful that she convinced your father to move, as something might've happened to you otherwise or to one of your siblings."

"I know," Spencer acknowledged. "I knew, even when I was a young boy, as much as mom tried to shelter me and my siblings. I was hardly oblivious to the evil in the world, as I was just too observant and intelligent to be."

"It must've hard to find your friend dead," Aaron said truly sympathetic.

"He wasn't precisely a friend, just a boy, I had seen around," Spencer said. "Still, that doesn't mean, that I wasn't impacted from what happened, because after all, Riley Jenkins was my age. Even at my age I could still easily imagine that happening to me or my brother or sister, though probably my brother or me, as I think he was a preferential offender, one who liked little boys. I know what I'm asking is rather unusual, and I'm sorry if what I want offends either of you, as that's not what I meant to do, but most Omegas don't have my experiences either. This doesn't have anything to do about money, not to me, as I have more than enough to live on the rest of my life, even if I quit the FBI entirely. I just want to feel like I have an escape, if things go sour, as any contract will of course include any children."

"You don't want to feel like you have no way out if things go bad," Safina said finally.

"I could just leave, I know that, but there's no way, I could leave any children we happened to have and even though, I'll be their father, I don't want it to be considered kidnapping. I just want you to promise me that if you're depressed, feel frustrated, angry or whatever your emotions are that that make you feel like violence, you'll agree to get help if necessary. Maranda refused to get help and while I know Alphas have their pride, our relationship might have survived past that time, if she had just acknowledged that she had a problem, got help. It took me a long time to get over what happened, not so much that she hurt me, as I know she was likely feeling emotions that were so strong that there could be no other reaction, though I wish she had hit a wall or something instead, but that the babies she was carrying were simply gone for no discernible reason. I know if I'd only I had a reasonable explanation after what happened I would've handled it better and so would Maranda."

Spencer finished his wine without really thinking about it, and set his wine glass down on the side table.

"I put off getting mated for a long time, because of what happened and while I love the team, as they are my family, it hurts me every time JJ brings in Henry and Lauren or Dave talks about his grown children. My sister is also settled down with a good mate and has several children of her own. As much as I love them, it hurts me to spend any time with them, because it makes me think of what it would be like to have my own kids. I'd rather be in emotional pain though, then be trapped, where I am used, abused and considered nothing more than an object with no feelings."

Spencer fell silent, not looking at anyone seeming lost in his own thoughts.

"I, at least, can understand your feelings very well," Aaron said finally, after a rather lengthy silence. "I think Haley often felt like that, even though I never abused her or my kids. I just think she believed I wasn't paying her enough attention, but then, I had an empire to run after all."

"You spend as much time with her as you could," Safina said leaping to her brother's defense. "She accused Aaron of cheating several times and he never did," Safina added in an aside to Spencer.

"No, I didn't and yes, she often accused me of cheating. Back then, there didn't seem to be enough hours in the day and maybe I should've waited to get mated until after I had my business well-established."

"It sounds like she was just too needy, as some women are, no matter the species," Spencer said glad of the change of subject, so he could get his emotions under control.

Talking about his past had been hard, but he had felt it was necessary and he felt better for it.

"Personally, I'd be surprised you didn't tear up her butt, as it sounds like she needed a good spanking," Spencer said. "Then again, I really don't know anything about the situation at the time."

"I did, several times," Aaron said. "Things would then go quiet for awhile and then she would start acting out again. I just finally realized that our relationship wasn't going to be fixed, as she was determined to make demands. All she did was whine, whine, whine. I didn't spend enough time with her, I was cheating on her with my female secretary or any other female I had contact with and on and on. She was possessive and didn't trust me to not cheat on her."

"I know you're not an unreasonable man normally, though I realize we've only known each other for five months," Spencer said. "I've learned enough about you in that timeframe though, to know that you usually don't use the part of you and that you have excellent control."

"Father was very abusive and I swore I would never be like him," Aaron said and Spencer nodded. "He often used his Alpha voice on his sons to make them do what he wanted. Finally, when I discovered her cheating on me that was the last straw."

"If you want my help I can introduce you to several Omegas or Betas, that will be nothing like your former mate, but if you don't want my interference just say so and I'll keep my opinions to myself," Spencer said. "Normally, I wouldn't risk making such a suggestion, but we know each other pretty well by now. I never would've told you so much of my past if I didn't trust you both."

"We know," Safina said, as she squeezed his hand in understanding. "I know how hard it was for you to bring up such a painful subject."

"I felt I needed to, so you especially Safina, would understand why, I believe that contract is necessary, but since you tell your brother almost everything I figured talking to you both was better," Spencer said. "I didn't want to have to go through anything twice."

"Neither one of us can blame you for that," Safina said looking at her brother.

"I certainly don't and I think you're very brave to tell us about what happened. I certainly feel honored that you trusted us enough to tell us something so painful," Aaron agreed. "I definitely understand your need to have kind of an escape clause if necessary after what happened to you when you were just 18. I know you understand that just because Maranda lost the babies she was carrying doesn't mean the same thing will happen with Safina."

"I know that," Spencer promised. "I might never need to enact that contract. It's not really that I'm concerned about if you want to know the truth. It's the fact that Safina can turn violent because of depression, or rage or sadness from losing a baby or for some other reason. I know everybody's different though and it might never happen."

"I think that we can arrange something," Safina said finally. "I can understand your fears."

"As can I," Aaron agreed calmly.

"I don't ever see myself turning violent, but I bet, Maranda never saw herself doing that either," Safina said. "She seems like she was a good person and she just went though some things that caused her to overreact. Something that's short-circuited her emotions for awhile, caused them to overflow."

"But we both know very well that we all have that violence inside us especially Alphas," Aaron added. "None of us can say for sure that Safina will hit you if she happens to lose whatever babies she's carrying, though I know she won't react with violence, at least against you, any other time."

"If I believed she would other than the situation we were just talking about then I never would have agreed to court for so long," Spencer said and the two Hotchners nodded. "A miscarriage might not happen like what happened over a decade ago, which was unfortunate. I know it's unlikely to happen a second time, especially with someone totally totally different..."

"But you still want to take precautions," Safina said.

Spencer shrugged not answering.

"Alright then, we understand your cautiousness. I always knew you would be something of a challenge, when it came to mating with any Alpha. You've made yourself into what you are and a lot of Omegas would've quit long since, since your profession can be violent, but your mind is your most important weapon. You're not one to let yourself be abused like a lot of Omegas are. A lot of Omega's have no idea what to do in that type of situation, don't know their rights, but that's not your problem as you know the law backwards and forwards."

"Which is why you suggested a contract," Safina said.

Spencer just nodded.

"You also need to meet my family Safina," Spencer added, after a moment. "You'll love them I'm sure. They've always been there for me."

"I'll be happy to," Safina said smiling. "I already knew that you would likely never agree to quit your job. Aaron made me understand that it's a large part of who you are and that if I forced you to just quit, you would be unhappy."

"I would never allow you to," Spencer answered simply. "You can intimidate me, but it won't work. There is also the matter of the team not letting you do that," Spencer added smiling a little. "Morgan in particular is really overprotective. I think he sees me as a baby brother, but then, he's the only boy in his family. He only has two sisters and also a female cousin. When he found out that someone was courting me he wanted to go into protective mode, make sure you had good intentions. I talked him down, but it wasn't easy. He has enough respect for my ability as a profiler that he just let it go."

Safina was not upset at that, because it was nothing more than she expected. It was very clear that Spencer was very close to his team so she had expected something along those lines. She had been rather surprised when nobody had ever threatened her of what would happen if she mistreated Spencer, but now she knew that Spencer had gone to bat for her. She was grateful.

"I think it's a good thing that you have people that genuinely care about you," Safina said. "You're a lot luckier then some Omega's who work where people don't care about them personally."

"I know I am," Spencer agreed smiling. "Rossi's like an uncle and Prentiss is like a sister and that covers the three Alphas on the team."

"So you mentioned JJ earlier?" Aaron said when Spencer didn't content.

"Jennifer Jareau, she's the media liaison. She's mated to Will LaMontagne Junior and as I said she has two children who I am also godfather for," Spencer answered smiling. "You'll have to meet them at some point. JJ and I have always been really close like brother and sister. I promise you I've never thought of as a possible romantic interest," Spencer added looking at Safina who nodded. "Next is Penelope Garcia who is the technical analyst and she is the best at it. What she can do with computers is simply amazing and I know a lot of people wish they had half her talent."

"Sounds like she'd be a perfect fit for my company. I can always use a computer expert," Aaron said mostly in jest.

"She'd never leave the BAU, as some people just don't care about money so long as they have enough support themselves," Spencer said, "I know Morgan for one would be very upset with you if she did, especially if you were the reason. Of course, all of us would be, as we really like her bubbly personality. She makes the job just a little less dark, but she and Morgan have always been exceptionally close and I always thought that they would get together, but it hasn't happened yet. I don't think Morgan's interested in settling down. The last is Grant Anderson who is a really nice guy, though I don't know him that well because he replaced Dr. Alex Blake who left to teach at the University full time. Her mate's Dr. James Blake, was with Doctors Without Borders for several months. I think they were about ready to start a family."

"As long as I agree to this contract you'll agree to mate with me," Safina said.

"I will, because as I said, I love you. Really, it's just precaution. I don't really expect the scenario I described to happen, but I also know life can kick you in the teeth when you least expect it. I seem to be life's personal punching bag and just when things are going really well something happens. You're going to have to put up with a lot, as I'm not going to be around as much as most mates are. I knew when I chose this course for my life, that it was possible I'd never have a family of my own."

"Why would you believe that?" Safina asked in surprise.

"Because working in at the BAU requires a large commitment, something that is hell on love lives and families, something I'm well aware of. You hear things about how husband and wives divorce all the time. I think it's one of the main reasons that Morgan hasn't settled down. It's hard to find someone that will accept our jobs. It's possible of course, just that it doesn't happen very often. Will for instance, seems to be accepting JJ's job and that she often isn't home, which is a pretty rare quality, especially in an Alpha, though humans can also be the same. The team is gone a lot, but when we are, I'll make sure I call you when I can or text, just to let you know I'm alright. We sometimes even get called in the middle of the night, on birthdays or anniversaries or holidays. If the unsubs don't take a break then neither do we. The bad guy don't care if it's Christmas, Thanksgiving or any other holiday. Our weekends even sometimes get interrupted. That's why I said it's a big commitment, because even if we'd rather be home with our families that's not always possible."

"I see what you mean," Safina said finally.

"Some people just can't handle that. Like for instance I know that Jason Gideon was married at one point, but his mate left him after Stephen and his brother were all grown up. I don't really know what went on in their marriage, but it is possible, that Gideon didn't look after the details. Didn't call to let his mate know when he'd be home or to tell her he was alright, even if he didn't give her any details about the case. It's that kind of carelessness that breaks up a lot of marriages, because it shows a complete disregard for the worry, fear or concern your spouse is feeling and for someone like Gideon who was intelligent and perceptive I really hope he wasn't that careless or thoughtless."

Spencer didn't mention how Gideon had abandoned him and the team several years ago, as he had been emotional enough for the moment.

"If you really think you can put up with me being gone so much then I'm willing, if not then I do understand. As I said it's a big commitment, something I'm well aware of."

"I don't think she's going to turn you away, Spencer," Aaron chuckled. "She was infatuated with you for sometime before you even met officially and now she really is in love with you."

Safina glared at her brother who looked back unintimidated, with eyes twinkling with mischief. Safina huffed, but finally gave in.

"He's right, even though he should have kept it to himself," Safina said.

"Why? It's not like Spencer is stupid and didn't notice, as he's too intelligent, to perceptive not to," Aaron defended himself.

Spencer watched this interaction between siblings and simply chuckled quietly. Both of them got along well and considering they were both very strong Alphas that was really saying something, especially since they hadn't grown up together.

"I'm more than willing," Safina assured Spencer who looked happy at that announcement. "Aaron helped me to see that you do need your freedom, to do what you want with your life. If I tried to keep you prisoner, then as you said, you would either kill yourself or simply leave, depending on the situation. That is not something I want to happen, but I know you understand that my need to shelter and protect is incredibly strong. I'll try my best to control my urges, but I make no promises."

"That's all I ask, that's all I expect," Spencer said. "I don't mind some coddling. It's something I've learned to live with, but there are some things I'll never give in on. You already know the two main ones. I'm also stubborn, so I'm sure we'll clash occasionally, but that doesn't mean that it won't work. I already know we're very compatible, there wouldn't have been a need to court for so long if we weren't."

"But compatible or not, doesn't necessarily mean that our relationship will last. We are both going to have to try to compromise," Safina said.

"That's what marriage is all about after all and that's compromising. I'll compromise on some things, but not on others," Spencer said. "I think we do pretty good compromising now and so long as we continue that I don't see any problems."
"So do you actually want a wedding ceremony or not?" Safina asked.

"That's not necessary," Spencer said. "My mother at least will be disappointed if we don't go through a wedding, if only so she can attend, but she also will understand that that it's not necessary. Also the FBI will accept that we just mated and didn't go through a wedding ceremony, so why bother? Unless of course, you want one and then I would be willing."

"I think we should and make it the event of the year and then send your father pictures of it," Safina suggested with a rather malicious smirk.

"I had guessed that you and your father weren't exactly close, just from a couple of comments you made over the last couple of hours," Aaron told Spencer when he looked over at the other Alpha.

"Understatement," Spencer snorted. "Let's just say mom threw him out. It's a good thing that mom had a job at Las Vegas University. I probably wouldn't spit on him if he was on fire, probably wouldn't even pour a bucket of water over the flames. I might actually enjoy watching him burn."

"That's more than dislike," Aaron said studying his soon-to-be brother-in-law intently.

"To me, he did some things that were unforgivable, to me, and to mom. While he also treated my brother and sister badly he didn't treat them as badly as he treated the two of us, which is another reason I absolutely refuse to become a House Omega. Father often implied that that's all I would become, all I was good for. He thought of my intelligence as a disease, something that was to be eradicated, along with the person that had the bad taste to be born more intelligent then any five people put together, instead of nurtured."

"That's a stupid attitude to have," Safina said hotly.

"Unfortunately, it's not uncommon," Spencer said calmly kissing Safina's cheek. "It's rare to find someone that accepts someone like me for who I am. I refuse to change for anybody, as that would just make me unhappy. That the team accepted me immediately meant more to me that I ever told them. But then they knew that Gideon never would've chosen someone that was unsuitable for the BAU, which is why."

"Just think of how many wonderful inventions we wouldn't have if not for intelligent people," Aaron said. "Intelligence like yours is to be nurtured and should not be disdained. You are what all people should seek to become, intelligent without being arrogant about it. You definitely don't have an ego the size of Australia like a lot of geniuses."

"Thank you," Spencer said blushing a little at the genuine compliment. The fact, that he really respected Aaron Hotchner for his ethics and the way he refused to use his Alpha to bludgeon others into submission had something to do with it as well. In a lot of ways, Safina was just like him, which was pretty amazing actually.

"Your welcome, but I was only speaking the truth," Aaron said. "I've come to know you quite well over the last five months. That you had the courage to actually tell Safina and I about something so painful says a lot about you. You've been through things that would've broken lesser men, human, Alpha or Omega."

"At the very least it would have made most men at least make them wary about trying again, unless you're the type that doesn't care whether or not your baby died. No one knows this except for Safina, but Haley had trouble carrying a baby to term. She had three miscarriages before she was blessed with Jack and Britney."

"I wondered why you only had two," Spencer said. "Alphas of your strength usually have at least five or six by now. Of course, I know it depends on how long you were mated and I thought maybe you had waited a few years to start a family. If those miscarriages devastated you like they did me, then I can definitely sympathize."

The two men shared a look of deep understanding, connected through their shared loss.

"Oh, yes, he was definitely devastated, I remember how upset he was all three times," said Safina. "I know how happy he was when Haley didn't lose Jack and Britney."

"She was a bed rest nearly the whole time which didn't make her happy, but that's what the doctor ordered considering the previous miscarriages and I was determined that nothing was going to happen too the twins she was carrying."

"I can't blame you there," Spencer said. "I can't wait to start a family of my own."

"Well, we can get started on that right away, since I should go into heat within the next few weeks," Safina said grinning at the thought.

"Well, if you want a wedding you don't want to be pregnant before it, do you?" Spencer asked. "People will talk, you know. I don't want them to say bad things about how you got pregnant before the wedding."

"I don't think Safina cares about that," Aaron said to dryly looking at his sister's expression. "If they try to claim that the only reason you're marrying Spencer is because he got you pregnant they are not really friends, are they? Some people don't care about facts just starting rumors."

"The team will understand, because they knew I've been courting for quite sometime now and as for anybody else, I'll just tell them to mind their own business. Mom won't care, neither will my siblings, because they know me well enough to know I wouldn't just get some Alpha pregnant and not live up to my responsibilities. Mom would box my ears, if I even thought about doing something like that and then give me the lecture of my life."

"She sounds like a good mother," Safina said.

"She's the best," Spencer said, his tone full of affection, which both Hotchners definitely noticed.

They made plans to take a short trip up to Las Vegas sometime in the next few days.

~~~Spencer and Safina~~~