A/N: Hello again, everyone! More special events are coming in this chapter, from new potential career opportunities and, if you already guessed it—the birth of Baby Bastien-Reid Number 4. The chapter starts off on Saturday.
Due to the inconsistency within the timeline of S11 with Derek leaving the team arch (then again, the show's not known for consistency), I've been wondering how to do the rest of the chapters. But I will take it one chapter at a time and see where it goes.
Élise was kind of glad that this week was over—it had been a busy one, and she was getting closer to her due date. So far, she has supported the First Lady with various Let Girls Learn events, including another one tomorrow in celebration of International Women's Day, released statements, and delivered speeches on behalf of the DOJ.
Although she announced her maternity leave will be soon to the President in a press release, she's still due to testify before the Senate Judiciary—until then, Tracy Dawson will be her Acting AG. She's also having to deal with the news that the President is nominating his candidate for the vacant Supreme Court Justice seat. Rumor has it that the President has nominated her down to two other equally potential nominees.
"Spence, you ready?" she called out for Spencer after strolling into the main bedroom, dressed up in a black Jason Wu gown, two-inch Jimmy Choo pumps, and just one-carat diamond-cut earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. Her hair was in a simple, elegant chignon with a middle part and a lightly made-up face.
Spencer ambled back, already in one of his tailored black suits, tie, and polished shoes. "The kids are tucked in," he whispered, even though it was just him and Élise now. Are you sure you want to go to dinner tonight?" he asked with a mixture of curiosity and worry.
"Absolutely," Élise answered confidently before picking up her black clutch from the upholstered white bench against the bed. "I want to make the most of my last pregnancy."
Spencer shrugged his shoulders. "Okay." He held his arm out, and Élise looped hers around his.
It was typical that coverage of the Canadian State Dinner at the White House, honoring the Prime Minister and his spouse, would be massive, especially in the days leading up to the event.
The President and First Lady (and their children) entered with the honored guests, descending the grand staircase to the Entrance Hall before they posed for an official photograph.
The guest list included the usual D.C. VIPs, such as administration officials (like Élise), Congress members, journalists, philanthropists, the National Hockey League commissioner, and famous faces such as Michael J. Fox, Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy, Ryan Reynolds, and Mike Myers.
Upon entering the East Room for the dinner, the melodious hums from the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra accommodated the great crowd. The décor honored the coming of springs with shades of greens and whites, along with the orchids, hydrangeas, and amaranths blooming across into the Grand Foyer and Cross Hall to signify the rivers and tributaries between the two countries.
During the speeches by both the President and Prime Minister and the toast, there were some standing ovations and enjoyment among the crowd. Afterward, moving towards the State Dining Room for a performance by Grammy-nominated entertainer Sara Bareilles and the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir—local children from the D.C. area.
"Hey, kids," said Spencer, cleaning up Alexei's highchair table of General Mills Cheerios cereal crumbs with a clean wipe. He called for the kids, who came into the kitchen dashing in and were already dressed for the school day.
"Yes, Daddy?"
Spencer writhed the rag over the sink. After he was done using it, he placed it next to the sink faucet and used Dove to clean his hands. "As you know, Mommy has been resting in bed right now because of the baby."
"Uh-huh…" the two bobbled their heads.
"So, because the baby will be here soon, it is very important that she is always calm and relaxed, okay?" Spencer advised.
Séraphine and Isaac gave their father a thumbs up. "Okay, Daddy…"
As expected, Élise laid on her back in half, and the comforters covered half her body. She was playing around and streaming the live news on her tablet while Spencer ambled in, came to her bedside, and kissed the top of her head. "You okay resting for the day?"
"Mmm…" Élise adjusted herself in the bed. "Yeah, I'll be fine; I just wanna rest for the day but tomorrow, I'm back to being a go-getter until my leave." She pushed herself up.
"You are something else, alright?" Spencer joked and kissed her again on the head. "I love you."
Élise blew a kiss. "Love you, too."
Spencer was in the bullpen with Tara, JJ, and Garcia, watching the continuing news coverage of the passing of Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady of the late Ronald Reagan.
Rossi stopped by the group and watched the broadcast. He sighed, "What a lady she was."
"I know," JJ agreed with a subtle melancholy. "Not to mention, her fashion style is right up there with Jacqueline Kennedy."
"I'll admit, while her style is a little too conservative for moi's standards, she was a kick-ass First Lady." Garcia added to the conversation.
Tara shook her head before she turned her head to Spencer, focusing on his book. "Hey…" she tried to catch his attention.
It worked. Spencer picked his head up and startled around. "Hmmp...?"
"You're sure keeping your nose in those books, huh?" she joshed lightly with him.
"Just some last-minute baby reading," Spencer answered before he went back to reading. "The baby is due any day now until the fifteenth of the next week at best."
JJ asked, crossing her arms, "Have you two finally decided on a baby name?"
The only other times Élise got out of bed today were to get some food from the kitchen, use the restroom, or tend to Alexander. She pretty much had a lazy day in bed. She knew she said this an umpteenth number of times, but she was glad this pregnancy was going to be her last.
"Mmm…" she stretched her arms for the umptieth time since this afternoon. She glanced outside the window and glimpsed at the sunsetting sky, and broken clouds turned into swirls of purple, blue, fire yellow, and orange. She swayed herself to get back into bed when she spotted her personal cell phone buzzing on the nightstand.
Élise picked it up, and Maeve's name was on the caller ID. She slid her finger on the screen to accept the call and placed the phone to my ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, did you see the news, Lise?" Maeve asked quickly.
Élise made a confused face, drawing her brows down and grimacing a little. "Uh…what happened?"
"Turn on the news," she informed.
"Oooo…kay," a still puzzled Élise exited her phone app and clicked on the news streaming app on her phone. She gave it a moment for the live TV to load up, and when it did play, her mouth started to drop.
"Hey, Lise!" Spencer came into the room in a hasty manner with his phone in his hand; he almost sounded out of breath. "Lise! Lise!"
Élise shook her head once to get out of the cobwebbing thoughts from what she was streaming right now on her phone. On the screen was a middle-aged female reporter with a red banner with BREAKING NEWS in bold white lettering on her phone, staring her in the eye. It also read in bold white lettering PRESIDENT NOMINATES ATTORNEY GENERAL BASTIEN TO THE SUPREME COURT in a blue banner.
"…is set to formally nominate Attorney General Élise Bastien to the U.S. Supreme Court…"
"Spence…" Élise had tears running down her cheeks out of nowhere. Maybe it was pregnancy hormones doing this to her. "Did you hear what I heard?"
Spencer drew his arms around his wife and carried her closer to his chest, kissing the top of her head. "Oh, yes, I did. The whole country did."
"This is actually happening to me…" Élise sniffled, wiping her eyes and then her nose. "This is actually happening to me."
"Élise…" a faint voice called out to her.
Élise mumbled, trying to go back to bed and get more sleep. "Wha…?"
"Come on, Élise," Spencer gently shook her shoulders, trying to wake her up. You have a big day ahead of you today…" he sounded like a happy song. Spencer helped her sit up in bed. "There we go, honey."
Élise squinted her eyes with a loud groan and rubbed her sleep-filled eyes. She released a loud yawn and stuck her tongue out. "How is it that I'm about to make U.S. history, and yet I feel so tired? And bloated? And ready for this girl to finally make her way out of my body?"
Spencer's eyes meandered around the room. "I'm…not sure if I could answer that for you, but the symptoms…"
"Don't…list…the symptoms right now…" Élise gritted her teeth and wagged her finger at him; her eyes threw daggers at him. "And don't…get me pregnant after this baby…ever again."
Spencer swallowed a lumping gulp. "Yes, Élise…"
Spencer continued leading Élise down the staircase and stopped in the foyer. Élise took some Zen-centering breaths when she and Spencer turned their heads to their right when they heard indistinct talking.
They popped their heads into the living room. A woman from the chest up appeared behind the White House on the screen with two captions reading PRESIDENT MAKES SUPREME COURT PICK and WILL NOMINATE ATTORNEY GENERAL BASTIEN under.
"…Sources are telling us this morning that Attorney General Bastien will make history by becoming the first black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court. She has…"
Élise had both her hands on her belly when Spencer picked up the remote and channel surfed, only to see different news channels saying the same thing about Élise. "Oh, God… it's only just morning, and I'm already predicted to make history."
Spencer turned off the television. "And that's bad...how?" he asked.
"Believe me, it's not bad—I'm just nervous," Élise replied with queasiness in her voice.
Spencer retook Élise's hand and walked her down the short gallery hall, passing the displays of family photographs from over the years. They got into the spacious kitchen, where their kids were eating their breakfast, Opal was in the corner, and Rose was cooking over the stove.
"Morning, kids," Spencer perked up.
Séraphine and Isaac waved. "Morning, Mommy! Morning, Daddy!"
"Good morning, you two," Rose swirled around and placed a plate of half a dozen bacon strips on the countertops. "And congratulations, Élise."
Spencer pulled a wooden chair for Élise at the head of the table and gently pushed her in. "Thanks, Élise," she tried to sound excited but still nervous. "I'll just have a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, please."
Rose snapped her fingers. "Comin' right up."
Élise's cell vibrated. She checked the message she got, and it was from Gelila.
Morning, Lise. Kudos on the nom! I just landed in D.C. You gotta look your best today, so I've got you a glam squad.
Élise texted back.
Thanks.
Gelila made good on her word about getting a glam squad for Élise. Along with Gelila bringing out some Diane von Fürstenberg wrap dresses, Liam Elias did her hair and makeup, and two of his female assistants did Élise's nails and offered a massage on her hands and shoulders.
Back in the hallway again, Spencer examined Séraphine and Isaac's clothes just as Rose descended the staircase carrying Alexander. "Okay," she dusted off the children's small shoulders and bent down to their size.
"You kids, be good to Rose while she takes you two to school, okay?"
"Okay," the two children hugged their father as Spencer kissed them on their heads. Spencer straightened up and kissed Alexander's temple. "Love you all."
Rose opened the door; Séraphine and Isaac looked over their shoulders and waved goodbye to their father. "Bye, Daddy."
Stepping into the living room, he moved the heavy curtains aside and pressed his forehead to the window. He watched Rose load the kids into the Suburban and pull out from the driveway.
"Hey, Spence," he immediately placed the curtains back to their previous spot when he heard Élise's footsteps on the stairs. He moused back into the narrow hallway, Élise standing there in a purple, green, and white silk jersey patterned midi wrap dress, a midnight blue wool coat, black nylons, and black Tory Burch flats.
"I'm so nervous, babe," she replied, playing with her 18th yellow gold Cartier Tank Françoise watch. "I haven't been this way since the AG nomination."
"I'm gonna be right by your side." Spencer rested his hands on Élise's shoulders and pecked her temple.
Days like today made Spencer and Élise glad they lived in a gated community. Otherwise, reporters would be parked outside their house, and photographers and nosey and annoying neighbors would take unauthorized photos and videos of them or, worse, the kids, invading everyone's privacies.
Predictably, the level of attention matched Élise's Attorney General confirmation. On their way to the White House, Élise had been texting with her family back in New Jersey, some of her extended family in the Virgin Islands, Maeve and Bobby, the BAU team, old friends, employers, associates, and acquaintances. All of them, especially her parents, brother, and sister-in-law, wished her good luck and let her know God was protecting and watching over her.
After about twenty-to-twenty-five minutes of riding, Spencer and Élise arrived at the White House. The two passed through the rigorous Secret Service before they were escorted to the Oval Office for a meeting and short conversation with the President, the Vice President, and the First and Second Ladies before they led the way to the Rose Garden for the ceremony.
Located along the West Terrance and West Wing near the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, the Rose Garden had been used for small press conferences, receptions, state dinners, and weddings at the White House. There were more than 150 attendees: an audience of D.C. officials, dignitaries, and other honorable guests.
Spencer sat in the front row and watched with prideful joy as the President introduced Élise as his Supreme Court choice.
"I am thankful, honored, and privileged of the Supreme Court nomination…"
In her own home in New Jersey, Ms. Geneva and Mr. Micha watched with parental pride as Élise took the podium.
"Oh, I'm just so proud of her."
"Same," said Arthur with Brenda.
They were not the only ones watching the live formal nomination. Agents, including the BAU members, eyeballed the screens in the bullpen.
Élise is committed to spending most of her pregnancy relaxing and bed-resting; her OBGYN recommended it. She got right on it immediately after the Supreme Court nomination.
"Check this out, babe," she showed Spencer, who was still looping his tie, the trending tabs on Twitter.
"I can't believe it's been a day and we're still trending on Twitter," Spencer blushed embarrassingly.
According to Garcia, after photographs of Spencer emerged on the social media site, he and Élise were trending on Twitter, especially under the trending news and politics tabs, along with "inappropriate usage" and raunchy comments about him.
Élise turned her cell off and chuckled to herself. "Wow. I can't even…" she had her index finger pressed against her forehead and basked the back of her head. "All I gotta do now are the confirmation hearings in April."
"You'll be great," Spencer replied, kissing her forehead. "Love you,"
"Love you, too."
Spencer got to the bullpen (he held the door for a couple of fellow agents) when he bumped into someone. "Oof! My apologies…"
It was Rossi he bumped into, who was looking down at his cell. "Mmm…" he seemed almost indifferent and unaffected when the two bumped into each other.
Spencer asked concerningly, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's Stephen and Adina," Rossi answered. "Adina's father recently had surgery. He's okay, but the wedding's been postponed for now."
Spencer felt chills run down his body. He had hoped to see Stephen and Adina walk down the aisle sometime this year. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Rossi went on. "Yeah, but according to Stephen, it'll give them more time to evaluate some things."
Spencer shrugged without saying another word.
"So, the wedding's canceled?" asked Élise during a phone call with Spencer.
"Postponed," Spencer corrected her before he sighed, "Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are, but this was what they wanted to do, so…"
Élise moved her shoulders up and shook her head, agreeing with Spencer's words. "Alright. Any case today?"
"We're heading back to L.A."
Élise warned him, "Be careful. And please bring me back some of the local cuisine."
"Anything for you and our little girl."
On the flight to Los Angeles, the team discussed the now-three female victims and their lifestyles, the two days, and the unsub's claustrophilia/bondage M.O. and possible motives behind the killings.
After landing and arriving at the field office, the team greeted Agent Colfax, and Hotch gave everyone their assignments. While he and JJ set up, Morgan and Rossi visited the latest crime scene, and Reid visited the M.E. While there was no evidence of sexual assault, Spencer noted that the victims attempted to use the material to get some air, and the unsub smothered them.
"Clase," Ms. Reyes clapped her hands together to the pre-kindergarteners' attention. "Guess what's coming soon?"
The innocent, wide-eyed toddlers, including Séraphine, either shrugged their shoulders or mumbled 'what' or 'I don't know'.
"Spring!" Mrs. Ortega chirped. "Or Primavera. Say it with me, clase. Primavera."
"Pre-mah-ver-aa!"
"What the eff?!" If Élise wasn't committed to swearing less this time around, she'd be dropping F-bombs like no tomorrow. It wasn't every day (at least not during the end of her pregnancy) to hear the unsub (who had just murdered another female victim) was impersonating an FBI agent.
She squeezed her eyes closed and took at least four deep, yoga-like breaths. She sighed again before replying to her phone, "Please tell me you are kidding me…" Élise really wanted this to be a bad dream.
"Unfortunately, no," Spencer grumbled.
Élise massaged her forehead. "Find this SOB and bring him to justice. And you better bring me my food, or you'll be sleeping on the couch tonight."
Spencer gulped. "Yes. And I love you."
"I love you, too," Élise replied sweetly before the two hung up. She looked down at her pregnant belly. "Your Daddy's gonna catch the bad guy. Oh, yes, he is."
After discovering the unsub is targeting his female victims within a crime scene zone, the FBI and LAPD banded together to lure the unsub into a trap with undercover agents and cops.
It worked, but unfortunately, the unsub got away.
Spencer and Rossi arrived at the scene and talked to Detective Bob Oliver, who managed to wound the unsub despite getting shot twice by the unsub himself. From what they told him, the unsub introduced himself as Agent Miller, who definitely had the spider web tattoo (a witness mentioned it).
But when he mentioned a baseball cap with two (white and red) crossed rifles, the team found that it belonged to one of the agents…
After Garcia crosschecked the alumni who lived in the L.A. area with that hat design, Spencer and JJ went to that agent's house, only to find him dead—murdered by the unsub, no less.
"So, it's over?"
Spencer got home, and Élise was waiting for him in their bedroom's sitting room. On the coffee table were two small boxes of California-style pizza and food for Kogi BBQ. She helped herself to a slice of Margherita pizza after having a short rib taco and burrito, a slider burger, and a Kogi dog.
"Uh-huh," Spencer sat next to her. "Shot him twice."
"Mmm…" Élise muttered with a mouthful. "Wish you got this SOB alive; we'd prosecute him to the fullest extent the law would have allowed us, but I'm just as satisfied with him dead. And I'm twice as satisfied with you putting him down."
Spencer had a small slice of mushroom pizza. "Yeah." After he finished it, he slapped his hands against his legs and stood up, "I'll clean this up."
Élise was assisted as Spencer helped her off the small sofa. "And I'm gonna go get some sleep."
BUUUUZZZZ!
"What the…?" Spencer shot up.
Élise muttered, "Huh…?" Her eyes were still closed, and she put one of her pillows over her head, trying not to hear Spencer's cell ring. "Ugh…"
Spencer grunted while clearing his throat. "Sorry, honey," He rubbed his eyes harshly while getting his phone from the nightstand. Without looking at the incoming caller, he answered his cell. "Reid here."
"Sorry to bother you so late," it was Hotch. "But this is an emergency—something's happened to Morgan."
Spencer felt fainting hearing this. "W-what?"
"I'll explain more later. You and JJ get to where Morgan's cell last pinged right now."
The two hung up, and Spencer tossed his side of the comforters on the bed and bounded out of it.
"What happened?" Élise yawned.
Spencer spun around. "Something happened to Morgan."
"What?" Élise threw the pillow she had aside, baffled.
JJ offered to pick Spencer up from his place, and the two were on their way to the scene where Morgan's cell had gone dead. "Ah, I don't believe it," said JJ, keeping her focus on the ride.
"Who would want to take Morgan?" Spencer sat in the passenger seat, his finger on his temple. "Think this could be related to the online hitmen network?"
JJ replied, "I hope not. I can't imagine how Savannah must be feeling."
"Me too," Spencer agreed. "And Garcia." He couldn't imagine how she'd feel if anything happened to Morgan.
"Yeah-yeah, they're still here, Hotch," said Élise, opening the curtains a tad, only to find two Suburban SUVs parked in the driveway. She closed them and roamed around the living room. "Anything to find Morgan?"
"Nothing yet—JJ and Garcia took Savannah back to their place to see if they could find something."
Élise ran her fingers through her hair. "How is Savannah?"
"Being brave." Hotch answered honestly.
Élise closed her eyes and hissed; she felt a Braxton Hick contraction…wait, she mistook that for the baby kicking. "Oooh…this baby is getting her move on…"
"Try to relax, okay?" Hotch counseled. "You don't want to get too stressed out."
"I know-I know." Élise massaged her belly with gentle rub-downs. "Do whatever you can to bring Morgan home, okay?"
Hotch promised, "We will."
JJ phoned an old acquaintance from the CIA after Garcia discovered something back at Morgan and Savannah's place. Gathering back in the roundtable room, she explained that the people who took Morgan were a six-man team of international freelance mercenaries with specialized military training experience…
…As well as torture experience.
This meant that Morgan was in more trouble than they had thought.
"Mommy…?"
Élise chilled on the couch with her feet on the coffee table. She perked up when she heard Séraphine and Isaac coming from behind the sofa and joined her.
"Hey, kiddies," she yawned loudly. "What's up?"
"When Daddy's coming home?" asked Isaac, pouting his lips out.
Élise petted his curls. "Oh, Daddy's still at work…"
Spencer needed a moment for himself. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee—no one in hell was going to rest until they brought Morgan home. Spencer glanced at Savannah in Morgan's office. After he poured an extra cup, he ambled up the steps and knocked on the door.
Savannah opened it and allowed him to come in. She closed the door behind him as he offered her a cup.
"Oh, no thanks," Savannah politely declined and took a seat on the little black sofa. She sighed heavily. "I don't know how you all do this."
Spencer sipped before answering, "We're the best at what we do."
"How do you and Élise do it?" asked Savannah, writhing her hands. "The traveling, the crazy, long hours?"
Spencer shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes, I wonder how we do it, too. But I know it's not easy on either of us because there's the chance of missing out on the special moments."
Savannah smiled bitterly while letting a tear fall from her eye.
Eventually, Garcia managed to pick up on an encrypted line from one of the six men who abducted Morgan. Seeing how it's in the direction where Morgan could be held hostage, the team didn't wait any more time.
Spencer hurried to the elevators and held the door for himself, Rossi, JJ, and Hotch. He looked back at Garcia in silence exchanges.
With their Kevlars on, they raced to the helos on the roof, standing by for immediate transport, and were on their way to rescue Morgan.
By Spencer's correct calculations, they managed to get to this small white house on acres of land—in complete isolation—within ten to fifteen minutes. Spencer had his revolver and crept up the three steps, trying not to make a sound.
When he poked his head, there was Morgan—he looked like he'd been tortured—and a tall British man, ready to do away with him. "It's time to die."
No way in hell Spencer or anyone on the team was going to let that happen. "Not yet."
Spencer took the chance and shot him repeatedly in the chest, instantly killing him.
"Finished!"
Élise cheered for herself and did a little dance when she was done assembling her wicker basket for Morgan—French wine and champagne, Swiss cheeses, Ladurée macarons, a self-care package, and a bunch of other random items. It's been a rough three days since his abduction. Still, from what Garcia mass-texted everyone, Morgan had just woken up. Still, he needed to be kept in the hospital longer for further observation.
Spencer walked in just as Élise's mini-dance ended and went back to assembling. "Someone's excited."
"I'm just glad to hear Derek's gonna alright," Élise smiled.
Spencer nodded, "Same, but I don't think he'll be returning to work anytime soon."
Élise replied, "After hearing the extent of his torture, I agree with you."
Spencer rose from the sitting room sofa, yawning and stretching his body from his arms to his legs before he glanced at his watch.
"Spence…?" he heard Élise call for her just as the door closed.
"Yeah?" Spencer walked back out to the main bedroom, only to see Élise sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her belly. "Hey, you okay?"
Élise kept inhaling and exhaling slowly and grimaced, making a winced face. "Mmm…hnff! I think it's time."
Spencer came to her aid and helped her off the bed. "Are you sure?"
"Well, let's see, my back aches, and my contractions are ten minutes apart…" The two of them heard a loud squishy splash being made, and they looked down at the floor. "And my water just broke all over your feet."
A/N: BABY GIRL BASTIEN-REID WILL MAKE HER DEBUT NEXT CHAPTER!
And some special guests will be returning.