In Hiding (Final Book in the Boss's Niece Series)

Christmas

"Mommy, mommy! Wake up! Santa was here!" Haley said, shaking me awake 5 days later.

I opened one eye to look at me digital clock. The bright, red numbers read, 6:00. I groaned and lay, face down on my pillow.

"Come on, Mel. Don't be a party pooper." Spencer said.

"Fine!" I groaned and sat up. Haley gave me a wide smile before racing out of our room and out to the living room.

I rolled out of bed, taking my small blanket with me. Spencer followed close behind. Haley sat by the Christmas Tree in the living room, organizing the presents.

"OCD, just like her dad." I said, smiling at Spencer.

"I do not have OCD." he protested.

"Whatever you say." I teased as I sat next to Haley. "Okay, who's going first?"

"I think you should, Haley." Spencer said, kneeling next to her and passing her a bright red gift bag with Haley's name on it.

"Okay!" she said, taking the present. Spencer laughed as he sat up on the couch.

Haley opened the present and pulled out a stuffed toy monkey, her favorite animal.

"It's a monkey!" she exclaimed.

Spencer and I looked at each other and laughed.

"Who's it from?" I asked, looking at the tag on the bag. "Aunt JJ."

JJ was my friend and a fellow worker on the BAU. She was also Haley's Godmother.

I slung my blanket around my shoulders and picked up the next present, which was also for Haley, from her Godfather and another BAU worker/friend, Derek Morgan.

"This one says 'To: little Haley, my favorite Baby Girl. Love: Uncle Derek'." I read, passing the wrapped box to Haley. She opened it. Inside was a baby doll. A baby girl. Haha. I get it.

"It's so cute!" Haley exclaimed.

I smiled and picked up the next box.

"To: Kid. Merry Christmas. From: Morgan." I read, throwing the box to Spencer.

He caught it and opened it. Inside was little chemistry set. One a little kid would get for school. Spencer laughed as he showed it to me.

"He'll never change, sweetheart." I said, laughing, too.

The next present was for me. The tag read "To: Section Cheif Melanie Reid. From: Your friends at the BAU."

I smiled as I opened it. Quickly, my smile faded and turned into a surprised gasp. Inside the shiny green and red wrapping paper was a book entitled "The BAU by David Rossi". David's new book. The one he was just on tour to promote before he passed away.

"It's Rossi's book." I said, my eyes watering a bit.

"Mommy?" Haley asked, looking at me concerned.

"Haley." I said, opening the book to the last page where there was a picture of David. "Come here honey."

Haley came over and climbed onto my lap. I put my finger on the picture.

"That's David Rossi. An old friend of mine and daddy's." I said. "He wrote storied about us."

"Are they good stories?" Haley asked.

"Maybe."

"Can you read them to me?"

I smiled.

"Daddy and I will read you one story per night, okay?"

"Okay!"

The little girl climbed off my lap as we started opening presents again.