A/N: Hello again, everyone!
Welcome to Book Four's first chapter: The Profiler and The Judge.
First, I just want to say that it's great to be back to my CM stories after taking another sabbatical because I have given myself some time to write after Book Three and think about what I want to do for Book Four. And I have to tell you, it's gonna be a bit of a challenge due to some of the surprises that were in store on CM. And do I have plenty of ideas I want to do despite the writer's block I'll encounter. I wanted to post yesterday, but I wanted to make some final touches on the chapter.
I decided to do a bit of a time jump, roughly a week or two after the last chapter. My apologies for the long note. I'll be having my moments of being on and off, but I'll always be back when I have the mindset again.
It's been said that life and reality are funny things when one thinks about it. And sometimes life's a hell of a thing, in good and bad ways. One cannot control what it throws and how far it goes, but one can decide how to handle the surprises and challenges along the way. This is one of them.
"Do you think they'll happen to us?"
"Us adopt? [...] That's a life-changing decision to make. […] Still, Spence…"
"It's a scary processing thought. […] But I think we'd be giving a baby the opportunity of a lifetime if we adopt."
"…I want us to welcome a baby into our home. I want to make a difference in their lives, and I know you want to, too..."
"You know adoption takes a lot of work, and I do mean a lot of work, but if you get through the steps right and don't give up, you'll be giving the baby you adopt the home they deserve…."
"We've been picked. […] Someone wants us to adopt their baby."
"Well, she's doing an admirable thing despite the…circumstances."
"Congratulations… You're now the parents of a healthy baby boy."
"Hi, little man…We're Mommy and Daddy…"
"And we love you."
It was a late Saturday night, the air crisp and cool. The sky was a breathtaking blend of dark purple and blue, with only a few stars peeking through the billows of clouds. The passing clouds resembled giant, fluffy cotton balls, some even obscuring the waning crescent moon.
It was about two in the morning in Washington, D.C.; most people should be asleep by now, but not everyone was.
"Hey, little man…" Spencer's voice was filled with a mix of exhaustion and joy as he settled back into the cushioned rocking chair. His mismatched socked feet rested on the ottoman, a sign of his relaxed state.
Spencer tickled his newborn baby's cheek, and a slosh came out of the little one's mouth. "What's wrong, Alexei?" Alexander was the name of their newborn son. "What, you couldn't sleep?"
Precipitously, Spencer felt a cold yet soft touch around his chest and a heavy rest on his head. "What's up, babe?" It was Élise, who now had her chin on top of his head. She smiled at the sight of Alexander.
"Hey, baby…" she used her index finger to bop his new, and another baby gush came out of his mouth. Élise planted her hand on her temple. "I still can't believe we're the parents of another little boy."
Adoption became a reality for Spencer and Élise. It was something they discussed during their engagement. It took them nearly a year to adopt (making sure they were approved and had all the paperwork and documentation), and here he was, staring them in the face.
When being escorted back home, the two could barely take their eyes off him. It was a good thing they had kept the extra car seat handy for the past month in case of anything. Once their Suburban coxswained into the motor court, one of Élise's assigned detailed agents opened the back door for them. Spencer got out first with the car seat in his hands and helped Élise, who carried the infant in her arms, out.
"Here we are, little guy," said Élise as Spencer closed the door behind him. She followed him up the stone steps to the Georgian colonial-style home. "This is your new home, buddy. I know you don't understand it yet, but it looks a lot like the house from Home Alone despite its borderline resemblance. We're gonna watch it every holiday."
Spencer stood away from the front door momentarily to whisper to him, "Mommy's obsessed with that movie and the sequel." He wedged the key into the way and heard. Once he listened to the spring clip click, he pushed it open and allowed Élise to enter the foyer first.
"We're home! And we have a special surprise for all of you!" Spencer announced, his voice filled with excitement as Élise gently rocked the baby in her arms; he hoped his voice wasn't too loud.
"Oh, I'm worried about the kids' reaction."
Spencer relaxed his hand on Élise's shoulder. "It'll be alright." The two smirked when they heard a mixture of stubbly, click-clunk heels footsteps descending the stairs and Opal barking until she reached the foyer. Séraphine, Isaac's, and Rose's mouths dropped open.
"Who's that, mommy?" Isaac asked, his finger pointing at the baby.
The tot cried a little when Élise squatted her knees to the children's size and soon quieted down. "This is your new little baby brother."
Séraphine tilted her head and scratched the top of her head. "What's his name?"
"We decided to name this little guy Alexander Jason."
"Ah, congrats, you two," Rose clapped.
Séraphine reached out and touched his nose, making him gurgle before he let out a big, open-mouthed yawn. "He's kinda cute," she giggled.
"He's tiny and squishy looking…" Isaac grimaced his mouth.
"Like you and Fee, Zig, he's gonna grow up big and strong and tall." Spence flexed his arm muscles. "And besides, you and Fee were that tiny and squishy-looking, too. And look at you two now."
"Be careful, Opal…" Spencer discreetly warned her as Opal barked once before she came over and sniffed Alexander before Élise took the chance to stand back up to her regular height.
Though it wouldn't be for months before Alexander could sleep in his new crib since he'd be sleeping in a bassinet, Spencer and Élise still wanted to show him his new nursery. Spencer opened the door and let Élise in first with Alexander, then stood in the middle of the room.
"This is your room, Alexei, even though it's technically called a nursey for you," Spencer embraced Élise closer to him. When he stared down at the infant, he was fast asleep. "I know today was a long day for you, kid. But seriously, you're in for a long journey with us."
Alexei released another yawn/squeal from his little mouth (there was even a hint of a small smile) before his eyes peek-a-booed opened. Spencer and Élise smiled, yet they almost wanted to cry and even had a tear in their eyes.
"Aw, you cute little boy," Élise gave Alexander a flying kiss, pressing her two fingers against her palms before lightly tapping his forehead while Spencer gave him a forehead kiss.
"We love you so much, Alexei…"
A/N: More will be coming soon...