A/N: Hello again, everyone!

Unfortunately, I don't own Criminal Minds. I hope everyone's okay. I'm still taking it one day at a time, but I'm hanging in there again.

"Daddy…" Séraphine was in her nightie, the same with Isaac when the two crept slowly into Spencer and Élise's bedroom. Spencer was with Alexander, cradling the baby while he calmed down in the rocking chair. Élise dabbled on her tablet in bed, covering half her body with the comforters.

"Hey, you two…" Élise positioned her tablet on the night table. "Whatcha doin' up?" she picked up Isaac when he approached her bedside, scooped him up, and placed him on her lap.

Séraphine stood by Spencer's side and rested her head on the arm of the rocking chair. "Do you really have to go back to work, Daddy?"

Spencer caressed his long fingers through his daughter's head. "Yes, I have to go back to work, but on the bright side, you'll have Mommy, Ziggy, and Alexei to keep you company."

"But just like Daddy, Fee, Mommy has to go back to work in another month or two. And by summertime, we'll have all the time to do whatever we can until September," Élise petted Isaac's curls. "And when it's September, your little brother will be going to school, too."

"Yay!" Isaac cheered, clapping his hands.

Séraphine relaxed her hand on her cheek. "What can we do this summer?"

Spencer stroked Alexander's back with easing circles. "Anything you want to do—swimming, go to the movies, the park more often," He snapped his fingers. "How about I teach you how to ride your bike without your training wheels?"

Séraphine's big brown eyes extended. "Really?" She hugged her father, and he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, Daddy…"

Today was going to be a typical back-to-work day, Spencer told himself for the umpteenth time. It would be one month (technically, thirty-four days) for him to return to work from parental leave. He still couldn't believe it—he was now the father of three young children. And they were all growing up so fast before the blink of an eye.

The elevator pinged, and the doors opened. He stepped off and opened the door (holding it for a couple of agents) when he walked into the bullpen.

"Spencer!" His colleagues greeted him warmly and cheerily by the little kitchenette in the corner after his return, planting a smile on his face.

"Daddy Spencer…mwah!" As always, Garcia was the first to give him a hug. Then Rossi and Morgan drew him closer to them for a manly hug. "Oh, I missed you…"

"Welcome back, Pretty Daddy…" Morgan pinched Spencer's cheek, and the latter gently slapped his hand away. "Every time you come back from parental leave, you're lookin' less pretty," he pointed out his eyes with the dark circles under them.

Spencer replied, "Wait until you have kids of your own so I can say the same to you."

Morgan chuckled, massaging his goatee. "Last time I checked, black doesn't crack, and brown doesn't frown. I could be in my fifties, and I'll still look like this; ask Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, Ernie Hudson, the greats." He smiled with pride and a wide grin, which allowed him to show off his flawless pearly whites.

"Well, in that case, you have about a couple more years left until you get to your fifties," Spencer riposted, and his teammates' faces showed amused, dropped-mouth looks.

Morgan moved his tongue around his mouth. "Touché."

JJ was the last in the group to welcome him back to work, munching on saltine crackers and gulping down Ginger-ALe in the background. "Hey, Spence…"

"JJ," Spencer spotted her presumably six-month-pregnant belly. How are you and the baby doing?"

JJ sighed exhaustively, her back curved into her seat and her hand on her belly. "We're good, thanks. I thought this pregnancy would be easier the second time around, but it has its moments."

"And we're getting another BAU Boy up in here!" Garcia burst out and raised her hands up in the air and tittered. "I wish we had some BAU Girls for more girl power, but I live for BAU: The Next Generation." She gasped, and her eyes widened. "Oooh! That sounds like it could be a hot new teen show like Degrassi, Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls…"

"Well, as long as we're not going Kardashian-style or setting up in Los Angeles, I'd be all up for it." Rossi held his hands up.

Garcia grabbed Spencer's arm. "Please tell me you brought more photos of the little cutie."

Spencer rest assured Garcia, "I did." He motioned his head to check on Hotch and tried to see if he was in his office through the blinds, but he wasn't. "Where's Hotch?"

"Meeting with Cruz and the Director," answered Rossi. "On top of that, still looking for a replacement; you know how the bureau doesn't like to leave posts empty for long."

After bath time, a relaxed Alexander cooed softly as Élise massaged him down before his nap. "Hey, you like that, little man?" she asked, using calming lavender and chamomile lotions. With her manicured fingers, she made tiny circles on his head. She stroked down onto his forehead and gently pressed her hands from the center towards his temples.

While massaging him, Élise made some funny faces and laughed when Alexander tried to imitate him. "All done," she announced, tenderly picking him up and carrying him until she set him down in the bassinet, settling him down for his nap. "Time for nappy time, little boy."

Alexander yawned with a tiny squeal and tucked his palm back on his ear when settling down and drifted toward a nap. "See you in a few, Alexei." Pleased she got him down for his nap, Élise gave him a kiss and left the room. Descending the stairs, Élise made a sharp turn towards the kitchen when she heard a knock on the front door. Élise checked the security cameras, and Sadia was there.

Élise walked out and opened the door. There she was, in a simple tailored beige pantsuit and heels, her grown-out hair in a sleek ponytail, and her green eyes sworn. "Hey, Lise…" She gave her a hug, an air kiss-kiss, and was allowed to come in. "How's life treating you?"

Élise locked the door before her. "I'm good, and you and Edward?"

"Eddie and I are great," said Sadia as she was led into the living room by Élise and had a seat on the couch.

Élise had her hands tucked in the back of her pants. "Would you like to have something to eat or drink?"

"Oh, no thanks," Sadia politely declined. I'm just here for a quick visit and drop-off," she opened her briefcase, pulled out a catalog envelope, and handed it to Élise. "For you and Spencer."

"It's from Neveah," Élise breathed when she saw who it was from.

"Dr. Payen asked me to give this to you." Sadia placed her hands on her knees as she watched Élise open it with her finger and draw out what was inside—a few sheets of paper.

After dinnertime, Élise retreated to the living room and had another sip from her cup of pacifying, non-caffeinated herbal tea. She had her feet curled up on the couch and held the letter she had been given from Neveah this afternoon. It was minutes to seven, and this was about the fourth time she'd re-read it—she'd even be able to re-read word-for-word.

"Élise…" she turned her head and saw Spencer standing by the archway. He then joined her on the couch and saw what his wife was holding in her hand. "Are you still reading her letter?"

"Yeah," Élise sighed and began to read Neveah's letter out loud. "Dear Ms. Bastien and Dr. Reid, words will never be enough to express my gratitude for you two adopting the baby. Which is why I…" Élise had to stop right there. She couldn't read anymore and just tossed the letter on the coffee table. She started massaging her forehead and pitched her nose bridge. "Oh, Spencer, what if in the future, Alexei wants to know about her and she…"

Spencer basked his hand on her shoulder. "Élise, that'll be years from now. But you know we can't hide the truth from him nor lie to him."

"I know," Élise agreed, drinking the last of her tea. "I know."

It's another day in D.C., but today wasn't just any day. It was Spencer and Élise's fifth wedding anniversary. Spencer says they've been married for 1,826 days, 43,824 hours, 2,629,440 minutes, and 157,766,400 seconds.

Spencer strolled into the kitchen with a huge smile on his face, "Good morning to the most beautiful and wonderful wife in the entire universe." He pulled out a bouquet of fresh white daisies behind his back and witnessed the glowing grin on her face. Not only are daisies the flower of the fifth wedding anniversary, but they signify innocence, joy, and loyalty.

Élise bit down on her tongue and squealed before she gave Spencer a long and passionate kiss, and Spencer lifted her up and twirled her once. "Oh, I love you so much…"

Spencer kissed her again on the forehead and hugged her again, lounging his chin under her head. "I'm so glad I'll be spending the rest of my life with you, the love of my life." The two smooched again.

It was going to be a great day for them. Rose got a new Canon camera since she mentioned wanting to get back to her photography hobby for some time and offered to take pictures of them capturing their wedding anniversary. Of course, it includes giving the anniversary gifts, quality time with the kids for the afternoon, dinner reservations at Charlie Palmer Steak near The Capitol building, and finally, a show by the National Symphony Orchestra featuring music compositions of Tchaikovsky at the Kennedy Center.

"I would not have minded had we gone away for the weekend, but since we got Alexei…" she lifted her shoulders. "But, hey, as long as I get to spend it with you, I'm a happy gal." The two kissed again, and Spencer bundled Élise off her feet and carried her out of the kitchen, laughing.

Élise was done smearing a small amount of mineral sunscreen on her face. She flashed a smile at her reflection and winked before she walked out of the bathroom and back to the main bedroom. Her hands rested on the back of her hips. Élise's eyes caught a view of two dual rectangular picture frames: one sterling silver from Tiffany and one wooden. She picked them up and radiated from the photoshoot Rose did for their fifth wedding. They wore matching pink classic Ralph Lauren oxford shirts, denim pants, and white Converse. In each frame, one was colored, and the other was black and white.

She wasn't going to lie; Rose did an incredible job with the photograph. She also snapped the couple with the kids, and those were great as well. The day was just an overall amazing day. Spencer got Élise this beautiful large jewelry box with the words from American modernist E.E. Cummings, which were on her wedding cake, on the lid. Inside was a simply chic silver and sapphire jewelry parure set, while Élise got Spencer a custom wooden chess set and silver sapphire cufflinks.

"Wifey!" Spencer surprised her from behind and kissed her cheek. "It's Ziggy's third birthday party today."

Élise clapped lightly on Spencer's hand. "I know, know. And this year, he's gonna be starting preschool. He's growing up so fast, huh?"

Alexander started crying, and Élise glade to his bassinet to attend to him. "Hey, little man. What's up?" He looked so adorable in his short-sleeved plaid shirt and chino shorts. "You want some attention from Mama and Daddy?" Élise pecked his cheek and bopped his nose, making him squeal, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Happy Birthday, Ziggy!"

Spencer and Élise's son leaped into their arms after greeting him again at breakfast. Spencer held his hand out, and Isaac slapped his father's palm hard.

Isaac thumb-pointed towards himself as Élise got to the door when the doorbell rang. "I'm turnin' three today!"

Spencer ruffled his hair and pinched his cheeks when his eyes lit up. "Hey, Dad."

"Grandpa!" Isaac huddled to his paternal grandfather and jumped into his arms.

William set him down. "Hey, Isaac!" he patted his grandson's head. He greeted Séraphine and Élise with hugs and kisses before he got to his new grandson. "Oh, and this must be little Alexander."

He smoothly cajoled Alexander from Élise's arms, which she didn't seem to mind since the doorbell rang again. "Hey, little man…" His blue eyes widened when Alexander cutely smiled at him. "Aw, he likes me…"

"Family!" Aunt Ethel made her presence known in a show-offy sorta-kinda way before the rest of the Carney family came into the house, along with Uncle Gordon, John, Melissa, and their two kids. "I've returned," she wagged her finger at Spencer. "You better not say anything smart about me right now." Ethel spotted Alexander being swayed in Élise's arms and gasped dramatically.

"Is this little bitty Alexander?"

Élise nodded her head.

Ethel cupped her hands together. "Ah, what a year it's been for me so far; my nephew has a new addition to the family, as does my darling daughter and son-in-law."

Spencer and Élise's jaws dropped when they heard what Ethel said about Anna and Nathan. "You mean…?"

John whipped out his cell phone and passed it to the Bastien-Reid couple. It was a picture of a newborn baby boy with a full head of black hair and dark eyes.

"The adoption came though, huh?"

John shook his head excitedly. "His name is Nicholas Dae McGee, and he's already one month old."

Élise complimented, "He's so adorable."

"Yup. This year has been so good for all of us." Ethel smiled with pride.