February Night

Chapter 64

The smell of Christmas cookies filled the whole apartment since hours. Lucy was standing in the kitchen and baked. It didn't happen too often, but during Christmas time, she just loved to bake Christmas cookies. For today, she'd planned to do gingerbread cookies, raspberry/almond shortbread, cinnamon/maple sugar cookies and white chocolate/cranberry cookies. Yes, it was a lot but Phoebe was at the bookstore all day long today and she could spend some time at home. Spencer was in the bureau doing paperwork, so Lucy had the whole apartment to herself. And while she put eggs, flour and butter into a bowl, she listened to loud Christmas music and sang along to it. One needed to be in the right mood, no?

When suddenly two arms wrapped around her waist from behind, Lucy squealed. She hadn't heard Spencer coming home due to the music and now he had almost frightened her to death. "Don't do that again!", Lucy exclaimed as she put a hand over her heart and tried to calm it down. Then she kissed him before she turned back around again to continue working on the cookies.

"It smells amazing. What are you doing?", Spencer asked; his arms were still wrapped around Lucy's waist.

She smirked. "What does it look like? Baking Christmas cookies, of course", she replied. "You could help me if you want."

"Yes, please! I haven't baked cookies in years!", Spencer grinned and hurried to get changed into more comfortable clothes before he joined Lucy in the kitchen again. It was much more fun to bake together, Lucy thought as she explained Spencer what he had to do. Not long, and not only the kitchen was literally covered in white flour, but also Lucy's and Spencer's clothes. Being childish, they both had started to throw flour at each other while they laughed so hard they could barely breathe anymore.

"Oh...my...god", Lucy gasped and leaned against the sideboard. She was still laughing – since almost five minutes now. Spencer was laughing too and looked like a snowman. He was covered in flour from head to feet.

"That was fun", he giggled and Lucy just nodded. Yes, it really was. Lucy looked around and sighed.

"Now...the part that isn't fun...cleaning up."

~

Only two days after Spencer's and Lucy's cookie session, she was making new ones. And the reasons were Michael and Henry LaMontagne. JJ and Spencer had to go on a case and Will had to be at work as well. There hadn't been any chance to change that. So, Lucy had said she'd look after the boys and Roxy, which had been brought to her by Luke. "Thank you so much, Lucy", Will sighed as he kissed his boys goodbye.

Lucy smiled. "No problem. We'll have a lot of fun, right boys?" Both, Michael and Henry nodded.

"Can we bake Christmas cookies?", Henry asked with sparkling eyes and of course, Lucy couldn't say no. Luckily, she still had all the ingredients at home.

"But you'll have to take them home then", she said. "Uncle Spencer and I still have tons to eat."

The boys cheered and followed Lucy into the kitchen. Roxy, who had been woken up from her nap by the loud noises, came running to see what was going on. "Oh, you can't be here right now, Roxy", Lucy said, stroking her head. There really wasn't enough space in the kitchen for a dog as well plus she was sure Roxy would want to steal something to eat. She always did when she wasn't with Luke. "Roxy, get out." Lucy pointed to the living room and it seemed as the dog understood her. Roxy went away again.

Two hours later, Lucy and the boys had baked some of the easiest cookies – mostly with chocolate. The boys were stoked when Lucy put some of the delicious still warm cookies on a plate and put them on the coffee table. Roxy immediately appeared again but Lucy gave her some of her foods so she wouldn't steal the cookies. Roxy seemed to be alright with that.

"Do you want some hot chocolate with your cookies?", Lucy asked and of course, Michael and Henry both nodded. She went to make them some – including little marshmallows. It was almost Christmas. Everyone should be allowed to have all the sweet treats during that time of the year, Lucy thought.

The boys enjoyed their hot chocolate and the self-made cookies and when Lucy turned on the TV and there was a Mickey Mouse Christmas special, they were the happiest. Lucy snuggled on the couch with Michael and Henry and watched with them. Roxy was lying next to the couch, taking another nap. Yes, that was a perfect winter day right before Christmas.

When Mickey's Christmas special was over, Michael had fallen asleep on Lucy's lap. Henry stood up from the couch and joined Roxy on the floor and started to play with her. Smiling, Lucy watched them. It seemed as if Roxy liked the boy a lot.

She'd almost drifted away as well when suddenly the doorbell rang. Lucy winced and carefully put Michael off her lap and on the couch before she got up. Looking down, Lucy could see Henry's head placed on Roxy's body. They both were napping now as well. The doorbell rang once more and Lucy hurried to open the door.

"Will!"

"Hey", the police officer said with a little smile. "I'm done with work today and wanted to pick up the boys", he said as Lucy stepped aside to let him in.

"Oh, wow", Will said while he watched his sleeping boys. "How did you get them to sleep?"

Lucy chuckled. "I gave them cookies, hot chocolate and a Mickey Mouse Christmas special on TV, that's all", she replied as she folded her arms in front of her chest. Will woke up Henry first and then wrapped Michael up in his arms.

"Thank you so much, Lucy", he sighed and Lucy just nodded.

"Every time again. Bye, Henry."

"Bye, Lucy", the boy murmured, grabbing his father's arm. He looked as if he'd fall back asleep even while walking down the stairs. Lucy closed the door behind her and went to the living room. She started to bring the empty cups and the plate back to the kitchen.

"Roxy, come on! We go outside!", Lucy exclaimed when she was done. Luke's dog came running and looked excited. Of course, she did. She got outside again after hours. Lucy took the leash, put it on Roxy's collar and went for a walk. She didn't have to do anything else anyway. Spencer was still out on that case and although she was used to those nights already, she was still worried sometimes. But she tried to get rid of that feeling. Nothing would happen to Spencer or her brother or anybody else in the team. She refused to think otherwise.

When Lucy's phone rang, she almost winced – for the second time this day. While she walked down the streets, she searched for the phone in her bag and got it just in time before the caller could hang up. "Spence!" Lucy couldn't hide that she was happy to hear from him.

"Hey, love", his voice sounded from the other side of the line. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm good. Will just came to take the boys home. I'm on a walk with Roxy before I'll take a shower and then may go to bed with a book", she told him and could literally see the smile on his lips.

"That sounds good. I guess I won't see a bed anytime soon. Emily keeps us awake to solve that case as fast as possible", Spencer replied with a sigh.

"Awww, I hope you get to solve it pretty fast so you can come back home. Roxy, come back!" Luke's dog had just decided to not walk next to Lucy anymore but to chase after a squirrel that had been brave enough to come down from a tree.

"Spencer, I'm sorry, I need to catch that damn dog", Lucy hurried to say and after she'd heard Spencer's "I love you" she hung up and started to run. Seriously, she would have to tell Luke to train his dog better. Roxy was still way too stubborn sometimes and when it happened, only Luke could catch her again.