ARDENT [A Spencer Reid/Criminal Minds Fan-Fic]

SIX | INDEPENDENT

(LAUREN'S P.O.V.)

I helped Spencer from the hospital bed into the wheelchair. He persisted, "I am fine, Lauren. I can walk." I looked down at him, my eyebrows arched.

"Show me, doctor." I said, chuckling. He put his hands on the arms and pushed himself up. He limped forward, letting out a cry of pain. I darted towards him, holding him up, then lifting him back down to the wheelchair. 

"I am wheeling you out of this place whether you believe you need it or not, Spencer." I said to him. He nodded, sighing. I put my hands on the wheelchair and pushed him down the white halls. They were full of people with white gowns, coats. There were white rooms and white floors. Everything was white. It made me uncomfortable. After a week of being here, I was just happy to get out.

I wheeled him out to the car, where I helped him into the seat. I pushed the wheelchair back inside, where we would leave it. We didn't need it. I had his crutches in the backseat of my car. 

I jumped into my driver's seat, starting the car. We pulled out.

"It's weird pulling out as a family." Spencer said, turning to me, smiling. I smiled back at him. I looked down at my still-flat stomach. I reached my hand over and grabbed his. He held it tightly. 

(Spencer's P.O.V)

We drove down the road. I looked over to Russell Rd... I turned to look at something else, keeping my mind off of the accident and what I have and will have to put Lauren through. She and I were just now getting together, and she's pregnant. We'd only been living together for about a month now. Maybe two. 

Once in the apartment lot, I let Lauren grab my crutches from the back and bring them to me. I got on them, still in pain. She helped me up the stairs and opened the doors for me, like I usually did for her.

I unlocked the door and opened it slowly. I heard dead silence. I looked around the room and saw the team scattered around the room. Their conversations were paused and no one took another sip of the wine they were holding. JJ was the first to smile and run over to me, hugging me. 

"Thank god you are okay. I was worried." She said, her arms around me.

"I'm fine." I said, taking a seat on the couch. Morgan walked over to me, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Glad you're alright, pretty boy. Now share that special news Garcia won't shut up about."

I turned to look at Garcia, who was smiling innocently. I turned to Lauren, noticing her preparing to talk. She opened her mouth, which was in a agape grin.

"I'm pregnant." She blurted. Silence filled the room for about two seconds before everyone began to say, "Congratulations!"

She smiled weakly. She looked almost disappointed. I watched her as she looked down at her stomach, rubbing it, carefully. Was I forcing her into this...?

She looked back up at everyone standing around. 

"It's a ride." Jj said, lifting her glass. Blake looked at her and smiled. Garcia walked over to Lauren, hugging her. 

"I am just so happy for you both." She cheerfully stated. Lauren smiled, nodding. 

"Thanks, Penelope." Lauren said, putting her hand on Garcia's shoulder. She lifted a glass of wine. "To family, I guess." The glasses clanked together. She pressed it to her lips, drinking. I never really drank wine, so I stayed sitting. It was better on my leg anyways. 

***

After the small party, everyone left, hugging each other, and me. Lauren, exhausted, sat next to me on the couch. She tied her hair up in a ponytail. It hung down between her shoulder blades. She sat back, closing her eyes. I scooted closer.

I placed my arms around her. I kissed her cheek softly. 

"I know I've been working you lately, Laur." I whispered in her ear. She turned to me, smiling. 

"Spencer, you're not bothering me. That accident wasn't your fault, and you take more of the pain than I do anyways." She said to me. I looked down on her, arching my brow. She smiled, leaning in to kiss me subtly. 

After she pulled away, she stood up. She brushed off her jeans and looked at me. "Need anything?" She asked, preparing to walk to the kitchen. 

"Yes. I need for you to sit and relax. I am capable of doing things by myself, despite this leg, Lauren. I have been on crutches before, alone. You are fine."

She looked tiredly at me. Her eyes seemed droopy. I began to stand up, grabbing my crutches under my armpits. I was taller than her, looking over her. 

"We are going to bed, alright?" I said, lifting one hand up carefully to grab hers. She took my hand and placed it back on the crutch. She followed behind me as I hobbled to the bedroom. I threw myself onto the bed, painfully. She walked over, lifting the comforter over me. I turned and lifted the comforted from her side. 

She climbed in, looking at me. We kissed once before I turned off the light. In the darkness, I pulled her closer, against my chest. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling up her shirt, rubbing her bare stomach.

"Our baby." I softly said. She was already asleep.