Scarlet Rose

19

I smiled as my now six year-old kids ran past me hurriedly to get to their father, laughing as Spencer picked them up in his arms and spun them around with a large smile on his face.

"Time for the airplane to touchdown, kids. Daddy needs to say hi to Mommy." Spencer said as he set down the twins, the both of them giggling madly and running upstairs.

I smiled and turned back to chopping up vegetables, feeling Spencer's arms slide around my waist he placed a light kiss on my cheek.

"I talked to Emily today about you being able to resign." he said, resting his chin on my shoulder. "She said you could."

"Really?"

"Mmh-hmm. Are you?" he asked.

"Maybe. I mean, I love working at the BAU, but I don't like that we're leaving the kids for hours at a time." I said, setting the knife down and turning around to face him.

"Hm. So then you become a housewife and I stay at the BAU." He said softly.

I smiled and laughed lightly. "As much as I'd love that, I don't think I'd be able to stay at home all day."

"Good point." he said, thinking of something else. "How about you become a teacher?"

"Me and teaching? That won't turn out so well." I shook my head. "How about........a veterinarian? It works with both things that I love: animals and helping people."

Spencer smiled and kissed my forehead. "That works well. If you ever decide to leave the BAU, you have that to fall back to."

"But then I'd miss you." I said with a sigh. "and the team."

"But you'd be with the kids." he answered. "and I'd feel much better with knowing you're out of harm's way."

I smiled and slid out of his arms, having him turn around. "Dinner's almost ready. Go get the kids."

He kissed my cheek once more and walked upstairs to get the kids as I went back to chopping up the vegetables, setting the table; setting out the stir fry and vegetables.

"Mommy!" Emily ran down the stairs and threw her arms around my hips. "Can me and Morgan stay up with you and Daddy tonight?"

I looked down at my daughter. "Sorry, sweetie, but Daddy and I are going to be talking about work."

"I wanna talk about work!" Emily said.

"Not until you're older, Emmie. Right now, just stay a kid for as long as you can." Spencer told her, rubbing her head.

———

"Mommy?" Morgan's voice asked softly, his sister and him standing in the entrance to our bedroom. Thunder rumbled overhead and lightning flashed.

I sat up slowly and looked at my kids, glancing over and seeing Spencer sleeping beside me. "What is it, baby?"

"Me and Emmie had a nightmare. Can we sleep with you and Daddy?" he asked with a little pout.

"Of course, baby. Come here." I gently nudged Spencer's shoulder and he woke up, looking at me and seeing the kids jump into the middle of our bed.

"Hey, Emmie. Did you have a bad dream?" Spencer asked as he wrapped our daughter up in his arms and kissed her head.

"Yeah. Can we stay with you and Mommy tonight?" she asked in a quiet voice as she snuggled closer to her father.

"You can, sweetie." I answered, holding Morgan in my arms and pulling the covers over the four of us again.

"Mommy? Will you and Daddy keep me and Emmie safe?" Morgan asked.

"Of course we will, Morgan. We'll always be there to protect you." Spencer answered our son, smiling at me.