A/N: Hello again, everyone! There are some days when I wish I owned Criminal Minds, but I don't, unfortunately. I hope everyone's okay—I'm still taking it one day at a time, but I'm hanging in there again. This chapter will take place all throughout August, and get ready for the surprise at the end.
"Hang in there, little man; Daddy's almost done." Spencer spoke in a soothing voice, trying to relax Alexander as he was getting his diaper changed after a busy morning. Crying, Alexei's face began to turn red, and he kept kicking his legs.
"And…" his cries grew louder. Spencer tried matching his volume to Alexei, swiftly fastening the fresh diaper on his waist. "Done!"
The three-month-old calmed down instantly and started cooing once he was in Spencer's arms again. "See, Alexei? Daddy told you I was almost done."
Alexei made a squeaky coo, and Spencer's mouth turned into a smiley grin. He flew Alexei securely up and down in his arms, and his tiny arms and legs wiggled, bringing him down for a belly raspberry, making the baby giggle.
"Knock-knock-knock," the nursery door swung open, and Élise strolled in, clad in a tailored pantsuit and black kitten-heel slingbacks, and carried her work tote bag by her elbow.
Élise's eyes widened when she watched Alexei coo around in Spencer's arms. "Hey, you cute little boy…" she took his hand and smooched his palm numerous times. "Mommy's gonna miss you while I'm gone."
It was Élise's first day back to work as Attorney General; Tracy Dawson spent the past two to three months as her Acting AG while she was on maternal leave. While a part of her was excited about returning to work, the other half felt a twinge of worry. Just her first day back, and she's heading off to Chicago for the weekend for the annual meeting for the ABA. The next few weeks wouldn't be so bad, but next month…there are the trips to New York, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and a little bit around the country. At least she'd still be in D.C. in time to see the kids for their first day/back to school.
"But I promise to bring you some souvenirs, okay?" Élise kissed his face again, making him gurgle. Turning her attention to Spencer, "Please don't let the kids or Opal drive you nuts while I'm gone, okay?"
Spencer crossed his fingers. "Scout's honors." The two kissed passionately before Élise had to depart for Chicago.
Élise had an early meeting with the President and Vice President before she left for Chicago, and she was welcomed back from her family leave. Since being nominated as one of the D.C. Cir judges, she's held a positive association with the two leaders of this country. And after being nominated and confirmed by him, that blossomed into a platonic friendship with both families. Why, a week or two before returning to work (she met the Nigerian President and First Lady and discussed opportunities to increase collaborations between the two countries), Élise introduced Alexei to both families, and they fawned for him.
But Élise was glad to be back in Chicago. Everything was the same as before the yoctosecond she got off her flight with her protective security detail, greeted by the courteous hotel manager who ushered Élise to her suite with two ushers and tipped them generously. After several calls home, Élise reviewed her keynote address about three times, ensuring it was perfect.
Overall, the event went exceptionally well—she got a full applause from the crowd for about a couple of minutes. Not to mention, she got to catch up with some of her old law firm associates and acquaintances from law school who were there. Most ended up as barristers, advocates, solicitors, litigators, counsels; management, entertainment, corporate, military, white-shoe firms, teaching, etc.
JJ adjusted the portable black fan's speed level to a four while studying the photos from an old case file and sighed heavily.
"Are you okay?" Spencer asked concerningly, given the liaison-turned-profiler's pregnancy. She was in the eighth month of her pregnancy, meaning she'll be on maternity leave after this month.
JJ had another sip of her cold bottled Ginger Ale and answered after she gulped a quarter of it down. "This little guy is kickin' alright." She took another gulp, put her hand on her chest, and removed her black designer flats. "And my feet are killin' me."
Garcia scurried to her best friend's side. "Hey-hey-hey, JJ. You have to take it easy, babe." She rested her hand on her very pregnant belly. "How is it you look so thin, yet you have a little person growing inside you?"
JJ chuckled to herself until the three of them noticed a tall, tailor-suited agent stepping out of Hotch's office; the two shook hands before Hotch acknowledged their presence with a head nod and closed the door. "How many agents has he interviewed so far?"
"Eleven," Spencer replied just as Morgan and Rossi joined them. "How long do you think it will be until we have a new agent joining us?"
"Whoever it is, better be nice." Garcia crossed her arms. I can't work or tolerate anyone who isn't nice," she sighed lightly. If only Em would come back, but then again, I wouldn't get to see London as much as I would."
Morgan relaxed his hand on her shoulder. "Give it time, Baby Girl."
Rossi had his hands in his suit pockets. "Our brains against any unsub—my money on us every day of the week and twice on Sundays." His smirk slowly turned into a scowl, and he sniffed his nose. The same is true for Garcia, Morgan, and Spencer.
"Who passed the…?" Spencer grimaced his face, sniffing his nose. And it was a foul smell.
JJ raised her hand with embarrassment and waved her hand in front of her face. "One of the many perks of carrying a baby is lots of gas…"
"Oh!" Spencer picked out a toddler-sized stripped cotton mesh polo shirt from one of the display tables. "How about this, Ziggy?" Spencer asked his oldest son, Isaac. "Do you like this?"
The kids' section at the Macy's at the Tysons Corner Center was semi-packed with parents picking out clothes, shoes, undergarments, and backpacks with the matching lunch box set from either the racks or display stands for their keen back-to-school or first-day-of-school kids; along with the occupied store employees asking the customers if they needed help or were busy doing their job—whether it was restocking, cashiering, etc.
Isaac shrugged and put his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts. Spencer folded the shirt back into two, precisely placed it back where it was on display, and scooped up a pair of Levi's denim shorts. "Do you think you'd like this?"
"Are you okay, buddy?" Seeing the sad and pouty expression on his face, Spencer crouched down to his size and asked him, "What's wrong, little guy?"
"I don't wanna go to school, Daddy," Isaac stared down at the tilted white flooring and twiddled with his fingers.
"Why don't you wanna go to school?" Spencer asked with worry in his tone.
Isaac shrugged again. "What if I don't like school? Or what if I can't make a friend?"
"You can't think bad like that, Zig. And you'll love school just as much as I did when I was your age." Spencer picked up his chin and lightly tapped him there, hoping he'd get a smile from him. Spencer pulled his son closer to him in a caring embrace. Isaac, in contrast, molten into the embrace, wrapping his arms around him.
"Are you feelin' any better?"
Isaac mustered up. "Uh-huh…"
"Lise…"
Élise groaned when she felt someone jolting her shoulder. "Mmm, wha…?" She felt a sudden wet, sloppy moisture come across her face, which woke her up quickly. Now alerted, "Opal!" After an alerted Élise wiped the slob away, she planted her hand on her head, tending to the throbbing headache she was currently having. Reclined on the sofa in the living room, Élise doesn't even remember falling asleep on the couch.
"What happened?" Élise asked in a droned manner, twisting her body and planting her socked feet on the ground.
Spencer helped her up from the couch. "You fell asleep. Again." He noted it was the second time today since she unexpectedly fell asleep. The first time she fell asleep was this morning during breakfast, and she almost got her meal in her white blouse. "It's dinner time."
"You okay?" Walking behind her, Spencer guided Élise to the dining room. The house smelled consolingly like cooked vegetables and cheese. Then Élise frowned from the strong garlic scent, and her nose lingered.
"Whoo!" Élise really felt that garlic aroma when she sat down at the table—there was a big plate of vegetable lasagna, a bowl of garlic bread, and a jar of sparkling berry water. "That bloody garlic..." It was good that the kids weren't there to hear that she semi-swore.
Spencer tried to waft the garlic scent away from Élise. Unfortunately, it was a little too late when she felt a wag of dizziness. Covering her mouth, she steadily rose from her seat and dashed to the bathroom.
"Mmm…" Élise had another sip of the hot tea Spencer made for her. "I'm so tired, babe…So effin'…"
Spencer treaded; Élise was on the verge of swearing again, "Élise…" he came to her head and felt her forehead for a few seconds. "You are warm…"
Élise massaged her forehead. "Something's not right. I'm so tired, I ache everywhere, and my period's way late…" Realizing what she said out loud, her and Spencer's eyes widened.
It was good that Élise had scheduled an early doctor's appointment. Spencer wanted to accompany her, so he warned Hotch that he would run late.
Élise sat on the cold table and placed her head in her hands. "And to think I could have gone to the store for a simple test, but instead, I had to come here…"
"Don't you always see the doctor at least twice yearly?" Spencer reminded her. "I know most people see the doctor every few years, but that's okay."
Élise shrugged, agreeing with him just as the doctor came in. "Hello again, you two…"
"So… what's the diagnosis, doc?" the two squeezed hands.
The female doctor smiled. "Congratulations, parents. You are currently expecting a baby."
TO BE CONTINUE…
A/N: I hope you liked the surprise I put in the end.