Echos of a Genius | Spencer Reid

I Hate You

Stephie

It's weird to think that in 24 hours I will be standing at the alter, only this time, i'll be saying yes.

Penelope picked the most beautiful venue, and it's everything I could have hoped for and more. It's indoors and there's flowers hanging off of the ceiling, it's just beautiful. It's perfect.

Spencer and I decided we're not doing bridesmaids and groomsmen bcuz then the whole almost guest list would be standing with us at the alter. When I said we were keep it small, I wasn't lying.

Hotch
Jack
Rossi
Derek
Penelope
JJ
Will
Henry
Emily
Spencer's mom
My newfound Aunt Hanna
and that's about it....

"I miss Spencer," I say standing up from the couch to go get another drink from the kitchen. JJ boos me. Penelope won't let me and spencer see each other before the wedding so we said our goodbyes this afternoon and won't see each other until 6pm tomorrow.

"What? Like you'd survive this." I roll my eyes at her and shakes her head.

"I do, I always at work, i barely see Will. You and Spenver work together and practically live together. You're never apart." She points out and I nod my head. We're having a girls night tonight, so Emily, JJ, Penelope, and my Aunt Hanna are all here. It felt weird to invite her but, Emily thinks it will be good. And so far it has been.

The house is warm with the sound of laughter from the living room, but all I can think about is Spencer.

"She's not wrong, though," Emily calls from behind me. "It's rare to have a job where you're side by side with your partner. And if you can make that work, you're in pretty good shape."

I nod as I swirl my drink, watching the liquid catch the light. "I guess it just makes tonight feel...off. Like, he's missing, you know? Even though I know it's just for now."

Penelope's voice carries from the other room, "Enjoy it! Tomorrow is going to fly by. One second, you'll be walking down the aisle, and the next, you'll be dancing the night away with your husband."

"Yeah, you're going to blink, and it'll all be over," Aunt Hanna adds, her voice calm but warm. "But tomorrow's about more than just the ceremony. It's the start of everything after."

I lean against the counter, taking a breath. "I guess I just never imagined this would be the way it happened. It's perfect, but... different than I thought."

"You're not nervous, are you?" JJ asks, teasing me. She knows the answer, though. I'm ready for this—more ready than I've ever been for anything.

I smile, shaking my head. "Not nervous. Just...excited. Maybe a little impatient."

Penelope pops into the kitchen, giving me a sly grin. "Well, let's make sure tonight's fun. We'll keep you distracted until then. No more sad puppy eyes, okay?"

I laugh and follow her back to the couch. "Okay, deal."

The night starts slow, but soon the house is filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Emily and JJ get comfortable on the couch, already debating over which movie to watch first, while Penelope takes charge of the snacks, her usual vibrant energy lighting up the room. Aunt Hanna settles into the corner armchair with a glass of wine, looking at ease despite how new all of this is for her.

Penelope finds an old rom-com, something light and funny, to set the mood. We're all giggling by the time the opening credits roll, and I can feel some of the tension leaving my shoulders.