Mini Reid (Book 3 in the Boss's Niece series #Wattys2016)

Talking To Rossi

Another long day at work came to an end. I'm now in the middle of my fourth month and boy, could you tell.

My bump was getting bigger and was definitely noticeable now. Every time someone would see me, they'd make a comment that I was glowing or something. And I really felt like it.

The baby was starting to move and kick more. It was a weird feeling at first, but now I'm used to it. It's just a constant reminder that that's my baby.

I was walking past David's office and noticed he looked frustrated.

His office was dark expect for a single lamp on his desk. He had a laptop in front of him and he had his hands on his head in frustration. I walked up and knocked on the door. He looked up at me.

"I'm going home now." I said.

"Okay. Bye." he said.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mel! Just go home, okay?!"

That took me back a bit. I've never heard David raise his voice before.

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow, Rossi." I said and went to leave.

"Wait." David said. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit stressed. My publisher wants a new book, but I'm always too busy with work and I have writers block."

I looked at David before walking into his office and sat across from him.

"I'm sure you'll come up with something. It shouldn't be too hard I mean, you've done a lot in the past few years." I said. "What about the Replicator?" David smirked at me. "Spencer told me."

"I guess that would make a good story." he said.

"The fact that you nearly killed Morgan?" I said. David chuckled.

"His finger prints were in the crime scene and it was my girlfriend at the time. If Spencer died and my finger prints were all over the crime scene, would you kill me?"

"I can't kill anyone. I'd just make your life a living hell." I said. He laughed. "You don't think I'd do it?"

"Oh no. I know you would." he said. "Just amused to think you wouldn't consider killing first."

"I'm not a monster." I shrugged. "I just catch them."

David smiled. He turned back to his laptop and stared at it for a moment. He tapped on the keys before erasing what he had.

"I could write about you, too." he said.

"What?" I said. I heard what he said. I just wanted him to say it again, to make sure I heard right.

"I could make one chapter about you. You've been through more then I have and you've only been here a year." he said. "You're like a magnet for trouble."

I laughed and said, "Well, I'm glad I'm inspiration."

The room went silent as David typed up his story. I sat back and watched as the office cleared out. Everyone going home and spending time with their families, their loved ones. I turned back to Rossi. So who does he go home to?

"Wanna hear it do far?" he asked.

"Will you have to kill me afterwards?" I teased. "Sure. I'd love to hear it."

He cleared his throat and read, "While I've gone through a lot in my few years of being on the BAU, there's one person I know that's been through way more in only one year. Her name is Dr. Melanie Reid, but if you were ever to meet her, don't you dare call her that. She prefers just Mel. She's been in the BAU for a little more then a year and she's been through more then most of us have in all the years we've been it. Only 29 years old and she's already one of the best in the BAU. In addition to being something of a genius and catching two unsubs in her first few days, Mel has experienced her own version if the Boston Reaper. She's been stalked, kidnapped, tortured and nearly killed, but she still stays strong and continues with the BAU-"

I felt the baby kick and I quickly put my hand on my stomach. David looked up at me with concern.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. The baby has recently learned how to kick and enjoys moving a lot." I said.

"Do you know what you're having?"

"No. We've decided to wait until he or she is born."

"Got any names?"

"We do, actually. If its a boy, Sammy Gideon. If its a girl, Haley Emily." I said. David smiled at me as I rubbed my swelling belly.

"Does Aaron know that?" he asked. "That you're naming your child after your aunt."

"No." I replied. "I never really thought about telling him."

We stayed silent again. David looked a bit torn, but he finally spoke up.

"I had a son." he said. "His name was James. James David Rossi."

"Was?" I asked. "W-what happened to him?"

"He passed away." he replied. His mood changed. He was upset. "He was only young. I had him with my first wife. She passed away over three years ago."

"Rossi. I-I'm sorry. I didn't know." I said.

"It's okay. My past is a little beat up. We all have our secrets. This isn't one I'm afraid to share." he said. "Well, it's getting late. I'm sure Spencer is wondering where you are. You better get home."

"Alright. Nice talking to you Rossi." I said and stood up. "Good luck on that book by the way. I think it'll be great."

"Thanks. Once I get over the rest of this writers block, I'll finally have it done." he said.

I began to leave, but stopped. I remembered what I had told Spencer a few weeks ago. I turned back to look at David.

"I wanted to be a writer." I said. "Before all this. I read your books and it inspired me to be a writer."

"Why didn't you become one?" he asked.

"Had nothing to write about." I shrugged.

"Well, now you have plenty." he said and smiled. "Goodnight Melanie."

"Night David."