Façade//Spencer Reid

26. Imagining the future

Neither Y/N nor Spencer slept the night before the lunch date. Y/N was excited to spend some time with Spencer, considering how much she had missed him. Spencer was excited to finally attempt to tell her his feelings, although it would take a while - if he wanted to stick to the plan that Emily, JJ and Derek made for him.

No matter how hard Y/N tried, sleeping wasn't an option. She was either picturing how the lunch date with Spencer would go, or she was just imagining the idea of kissing him. As for Spencer, sleeping wasn't something he normally did, - considering his job - but he at least expected to get at least 2 or 3 hours of rest, but unfortunately he didn't.

Y/N dropped Carter at school before heading to the local library, while Spencer headed to work, a smile on his face. His friends instantly knew why he was smiling and made sure to increase Spencer's confidence as much as they could.

By 1 PM, Spencer watched from inside the café as Y/N crossed the street, heading straight toward him. He had messaged her the address an hour ago. Watching her walk, his heart raced. The weather was warm, which left Y/N in a nice t-shirt and cotton pants that reached down to her ankles. She looked beautiful and Spencer couldn't help but smile.

When she saw him, her heart raced. Even in the warm weather, Spencer didn't change his outfit, which made Y/N smile - considering he suited his outfits.

"You look beautiful." Spencer admitted as he gently wrapped his arms around Y/N's torso.

"You look handsome." Y/N smiled, hugging him back before they both pulled away, sitting down.

"How has work been?" Y/N asked, curious.

"Nothing abnormal has happened. Paperwork is a bitch, but no cases has popped up - thank god." Spencer chuckled.

"How's your GED going?" Spencer asked.

"I'm doing okay, I think. Your initial help was great." Y/N sipped the coffee that Spencer had ordered for her.

"Do you have a plan for what you're going to do with your GED?" Spencer questioned, curious. He leaned back, smiling.

"I do, actually. I know it may be silly, but I'm going try and get a teaching degree." Y/N admitted, exhaling.

"It's not silly. You're great with kids - your relationship with Carter proves that. You're passionate about helping people. All you'll need to do is complete your GED, spend 4 years in college and get a working with children license." Spencer explained.

"I'm glad that you have confidence in me." Y/N smiled.

"The only thing I'm not excited for is the parent-teacher conferences. I can't imagine having to face the parents of a child or two who won't behave." Y/N laughed, eyeing Spencer, who nodded.

"I think that I went to my parent-teacher conferences alone. My mother wasn't...able to attend and I was smart enough to "wow" my teachers." Spencer admitted, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'd rather be the teacher, than the parent, if I'm honest." Y/N explained, sipping her coffee.

"Why's that?" Spencer questioned.

"I went to Carter's first parent-teacher conference recently and to say that they were surprised to see me...was an understatement." She sighed.

"What do you mean?" Spencer asked.

"Carter's gym teacher - Mr. Harris - looked me up and down. It was like he was studying me. He asked if Carter's parents were around, and when I explained that I was his mother, he asked me how old I was. How old do I look, Spencer?" Y/N asked, watching as Spencer took a moment to think.

"You look at least 22 to 23 years old. What did Mr. Harris say?" Spencer furrowed his eyebrows.

"I said that I was 22. I watched as his face dropped. I could see him doing the math in his head." Y/N rolled her eyes.

"And he looked you up and down?" Spencer groaned.

"Yep. I hate male teachers. I'm glad that all of my male teachers were at least 50 years old. There was a slim chance of them checking me out." Y/N laughed.

"I- I have a question." Spencer's hands started fidgeting. He wasn't sure if he should ask this question, but if he didn't, he wouldn't know Y/N's feelings about her future.

"Go ahead. I'm an open book so-to-speak." Y/N smiled.

"How do you feel about...m- marriage?" Spencer didn't mean to sound nervous.

"I uh, like the idea...kinda. But, my life has gone so far off track that I don't know if marriage would suit me." Y/N admitted, lowering her head a bit.

"What do you mean?" Spencer questioned, curious. He looked at Y/N with intrigue.

"When I was a kid, my dad said that no matter who I married - from the nerdiest boy to the prettiest girl - he'd walk me down the aisle with the biggest smile on his face." Y/N let a few tears slip at the thought of her father.

"And now you don't think that'll happen?" Spencer asked.

"I always imagined myself walking down the aisle, my partner waiting for me. We'd say "I do". Then, a few years later, we'd have kids, a huge house and a dog - or cat." Y/N remembered the type of life she used to imagine living.

"That hasn't changed much, Y/N. It will still happen." Spencer reassured her.

"I'm a 22-year-old woman with a 5-year-old son who spent the past 6 years doing...less-than-legal things. I've been arrested - but never charged. I'm pretty sure that no sane man or woman would want to marry me with all the shit that I've been through and done." Y/N rolled her eyes.

"Anyone would be insane not to marry you. You're beautiful. You're smart. You have an adorable, caring and cute son. You may not believe it, but I do. You'll get the future you want, Y/N." Spencer held Y/N's hand, both their heart beats racing.

Y/N felt touched by Spencer's confidence-boosting speech. No one had ever shown this much confidence in her before. As for Spencer, he may not have had confidence, but that didn't mean that Y/N didn't need confidence. She must've felt so alone for the past 6 years, so being able to lift her spirits made Spencer happy.

———

After another 15 minutes, - talking about happier subjects - Spencer and Y/N stood outside the café, having just hugged each other.

"I really enjoyed this date." Y/N smiled.

"So did I. But I- uh, I was wondering if you'd like to go on a second date with me, a dinner date...maybe?" Spencer asked, feeling his heart race.

"I'd love to, Spencer." Y/N smiled. She said yes!

"Great. I'll pick you up from your apartment on Friday night at 7." Spencer nodded, his eyes lighting up with joy.

"What about-" She was about to finish her sentence, but Spencer stopped her.

"I'll sort everything out. All you need to do is figure out what to wear." Spencer reassured her.

"Alright then. See you on Friday." Y/N smiled, walking off. She headed back to the library while Spencer headed back to work.