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

Mel Says Goodbye To Haley

*Mel's POV*

Haley and I waited at the airport for Spencer's sister. I still couldn't believe he had a sister and he didn't even know about her. I couldn't believe Jason was low enough to threaten a sweet, innocent 5 year old girl. I couldn't believe I was saying goodbye to Haley for God knows how long.

"Mommy, when's Aunt Leah getting here?" Haley asked. She liked saying "Aunt Leah". Her whole life, her only "aunts" were JJ, Emily and Penelope. Now, she had a real aunt.

"Soon, baby." I told her, rubbing my swollen belly. I couldn't wait till all this was over so I could tell Spencer I was pregnant again. Unlike with Haley, I was planning on getting an ultrasound to find out the sex of this baby. I hoped it was a boy. I wanted a boy.

"Where's Aunt Leah taking me, mommy?" Haley asked, playing with her Captain America doll (something I gave her for her 5th birthday).

"Los Angeles, honey."

"And where are you going?"

"Chicago."

I was set up to fly to Chicago, Illinois, Gideon's home town. I was hoping to visit Gideon while I was there. He was in his late 70s, but he didn't look it. He could pass for early 50s.

We decided to fly me to Chicago because we thought that would be the last place that Jason would find me.

"Why aren't you going with me?" Haley asked. I knelt down and picked her up in my arms, pushing her short brown hair behind her ears.

"It's a grown up thing, honey. I'll tell you when you get older, okay?" I asked. Haley nodded. "Now, promise me you'll be good for Aunt Leah. Remember, this is only temporary, which means you'll be back with daddy and I very soon."

"I promise, mommy." Haley said. "Mommy, do you miss daddy, too?"

I looked at Haley, feeling my heart break a little. I pulled her close to me and hugged her tight. She wrapped her small arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes, letting a few tears escape down my cheek.

I don't know how long we were standing there, but I was finally snapped out of my trance when I heard someone calling, "Erin! Erin Strauss?!"

My eyes flew open to see a girl with blond hair walking towards Haley and I. This must be Leah. She was tall, like Spencer, and had brown eyes like him. She was fairly beautiful. Probably got more of her mother's features than Mr. Reid's.

She wasn't dressed as professionally as we would at the BAU.

"You must be Leah." I said. "Yes, I am Erin Strauss.'

"It's nice to meet you." Leah said and shook my hand. "And this must be Haley. Hiya sweetheart. I'm your Aunt Leah."

"Hi." Haley said and buried her face into the crook of my neck. Leah and I chuckled.

"She's a bit nervous when it comes to meeting new people." I told Leah. "Thank you so much for doing this, by the way. I'm sure we won't be keeping you from your job for too long."

"It's okay, Melanie." Leah said, lowering her voice. "I don't mind. My dad, Spencer's father, told me about Spencer. I always wanted to be a part of his life. Better late than never, right? I'm glad I get to meet you and little Haley."

Leah poked Haley's side, causing her to giggle. I smiled and kissed my little girl's cheek.

"Okay, you have to go with Aunt Leah now, okay?" I said to her. Haley nodded. "Be good and I promise-"

"This is only temporary, I know mommy." Haley finished before kissing my cheek. "I love you mommy."

"I love you, too, honey." I said and set her on the floor. She approached Leah and reached out her tiny hand. Leah took her hand.

"We have two hours before the plane leaves. I'm hungry, do you want something to eat, Hails?" Leah asked her. Haley nodded. "Alright, well we'll go through security and get you something to eat, sound good?"

"Very good!" Haley exclaimed. "Bye mommy."

"Bye baby." I said.

Leah and Haley went off. I watched them go through customs. Just before going through the detector, Haley turned back to wave at me. I waved at her and watched as she walked off. Going, going, out of sight.

I bit my lip to contain my tears. First, I have to leave my husband and now, my daughter had to be taken away from me. This was all my fault. Why did I have to be such a magnet for trouble. Maybe if I hadn't gone out that day Justin kidnapped me. Maybe if I hadn't faced him that day he was stalking me the first time. Maybe if I just let the BAU handle it, this wouldn't be happening.

But I couldn't wallow in my own self pity. I hated doing that, but after all that shit with Justin happened, I had been doing it a few times, especially recently.

I wiped the tears that were threatening to fall down my cheeks and grabbed my suitcase. I wheeled through security. I showed them my FBI ID and they let me go through.

I was starting to feel hungry, too, but I had to stay as far away from Haley as possible, so I decided to grab something from a vending machine.

My flight was leaving shortly after the one to Los Angeles. I waited patiently. I read a book, played some games on my phone, listened to music. Anything to keep my mind from Haley and Spencer.

Finally, they called for my flight. I was in the first row of coach, which meant I had to wait for the people from first class to board first. Finally, I boarded the plane and sat down. An elderly woman sat next to me.

She began to tell me about her husband, who lived in Chicago. He had cancer, so he couldn't go many places. She told me they had been together for over 40 years and their love just grew stronger with age. I loved her story. It made me hope that one day, I'd be sitting on the plane telling some younging about mine and Spencer's long and loving relationship.

As she spoke, I took a peak out the window to see the plane that Haley and Leah were supposed to be on beginning to pull out of the runway and take off. I felt tears sting my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away and turned back to the woman.

These were going to be the hardest days of my life.