never grow up, criminal minds

009. separation anxiety

"Okay, baby, you get to go to day care today, and Ellie will pick you up this afternoon." Spencer says.

"No." Clara shakes her head.

"Clara--"

"No!" She yells.

"Okay, okay, hey." Spencer coos. "I know it's really hard, but we both have school and work. Don't you wanna go see your friends?" Clara shakes her head.

"Go to work with you." Clara says.

"Baby--"

"I want you." She whines, her eyes tearing up and her lower lip wobbling.

"Okay. Okay, hey, it's okay." Spencer soothes, pulling her into his chest. He sighs, having an internal debate. "You can come with me to work." His words make the toddler relax, tightly hugging him.

+++

Spencer walks into the bullpen, bags in one arm and Clara in the other.

"Hey, hey. Little work visitor." Derek smiles at the girl who gives him a lazy wave back.

"Yeah." Spencer mumbles. "Honey, why don't you hang out with Aunt Emmy while I go talk to Hotch real quick."

"No." She shakes her head.

"Cla--"

"Mm-mm." She wraps her arms around his neck, squeezing onto him for dear life.

"Okay." Spencer sighs, kissing her on the head. He goes to Hotch's office and knocks on the door.

"Come in." He hears and opens the door. Hotch looks up, dropping his pen when he spots the doctor with the four year old attached to him. "Reid."

"Hi." Spencer mumbles. "I, uh, um..." He covers Clara's ears. "I know having her here could be inconvenient, but she just-- she needs a bit more time. She won't let go of me and-- and I don't have the heart to completely turn her away. I--"

"Reid." He cuts the man off. "It's all right. I understand."

"Really?" Spencer starts to relax.

"Yes. If we get called on a case, you can stay back with Garcia if you have to." Hotch says.

"Okay." Spencer sighs in relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Hotch nods as Spencer leaves.

"Okay, baby." Spencer readjusts his grip when Clara starts to slip. "You get to sit by my desk and play with your toys all day. That okay?"

"Cuddles." Clara says.

"Okay, but you know you can't face my desk." Spencer says and the girl nods.

+++

"Lunch delivery." Penelope walks in with multiple bags of food.

"Ooh, yes." Derek takes a couple bags from her, the two setting them down.

"Finally. I'm starving." Emily groans.

"Food!" Clara perks up, looking over her shoulder towards them, Spencer slamming the case file shut. He lets out a breath of relief at her not seeing one of the graphic images.

"Here, why don't you go help 'em while daddy finishes this last file?" Spencer suggests. He kisses her on the head before picking her up and putting her on the floor.

Clara anxiously glances between her aunts and uncles and her dad. She fiddles with the bottom of her shirt, biting her lower lip with a small frown.

"It's okay, baby. I'm right over here." Spencer assures.