February Night

Chapter 68

"Seriously, is Rossi the king of throwing parties or what?", Lucy exclaimed as she turned her body from left to right to look at herself in the mirror. She and Spencer were getting ready for the New Year's party Rossi had invited them to. Well, in fact, he'd invited the whole BAU team including their families and loved ones.

"He just loves to throw parties, you know", Spencer chuckled as he walked into the bedroom. Lucy turned around to have a proper look at him.

"Oh, Mister Reid, you look fancy", she said smirking and stepped closer.

"Well, look at yourself! You look absolutely stunning", Spencer replied and his eyes wandered from Lucy's head to toes and back again. She was wearing a strapless dark blue dress that stopped right at her knees. On the upper left and lower right side of the top of the dress were silver sequins that let the dress sparkle. And she had to admit, that she loved that dress. At first, she had doubted it would suit her when she went shopping with Penelope and JJ. But both women had assured her that she looked amazing in it. And since it wasn't too expensive Lucy had decided to buy it for some fancy parties like the New Year's one at Rossi's.

"Is my hair alright?", Lucy asked Spencer. She wasn't completely okay with it but had no idea how to change it. She had put it into a bun, only a few strands were dancing around her face. Spencer took one of them between his fingers.

"Your hair is perfect." He leaned down and quickly kissed her. "Let's go now or we'll be late." He grabbed Lucy's hand and they left their apartment.

At Rossi's, there were already Tara, Emily, Penelope and Luke sitting in the living room, having some drinks. To Luke's feet, Roxy was taking a nap. But when Lucy came in, the dog looked up and immediately came running towards her – obviously excited and happy to see the young woman. Lucy laughed and leaned down to pet Roxy between her ears. "Heeyyyy, girl!", she cooed. Roxy licked her hand.

"As soon as she sees the dog, we're like air to her", Luke groaned but had a smile on his lips. He was just teasing her. And Lucy rolled her eyes at him before she came over to give him a hug.

"You alright now?", she smirked. Luke kissed her cheek.

"Hi sis", he simply said with the biggest grin. Lucy laughed and went on to say hi to the others. Then Rossi came to offer them something to drink. Spencer decided for a beer and Lucy liked to have a glass of rosé wine. She settled next to Penelope and clinked glasses with her.

The doorbell rang again shortly after Spencer and Lucy had arrived and the team members with kids finally had made it too. Matt and JJ both brought their families and Lucy was thrilled to meet Kristy again. She really liked that woman and had huge respect for looking after four children at once. The kids immediately were running around, greeting everyone and then got calm again when Rossi brought them beverages and food. It was like in kindergarten – six children at once. "I'm gonna look after the younger ones", Henry said and smiling, JJ nodded at her son.

"Sure, you'll do", she said softly.

The team and their loved ones were enjoying that evening to the limit. Rossi had cooked the most delicious spaghetti and sauces ever and everyone was impressed by his skills. He laughed and waved it away with a gesture. "I'm Italian, if I wouldn't know and be able to cook for dozens of people, I'd be ashamed", he grinned before he raised his glass of red wine to make a toast. "Thank you all for coming in tonight to celebrate the end of this year and the beginning of a new one!", he started. "This year has brought some ups and downs but I'd like to say the ups have won." With these words, he winked at Spencer and Lucy. They both smiled and Lucy reached over to grab Spencer's hand. Yes, this year has had some ups and downs. It had been like a roller coaster, in fact. But right now, Lucy was happy. Happier than she had ever imagined. Spencer looked at her with those loving eyes again and Lucy's heart jumped in her chest.

"It's almost midnight!", Henry suddenly screamed in excitement almost two hours of food and conversations later and everyone laughed.

"Oh, really?", Rossi said, glancing at his watch. "You're right, young man. Okay then, who wants to see some fireworks?" He got up from his chair and the children literally jumped from theirs. Of course, they wanted to see fireworks!

"Jake, Chloe! Come back here!", Matt shouted when two of his kids were about to run towards Rossi, who was currently busy placing the huge box into a right position.

"Henry!", JJ gestured at her son so he'd come back as well. "You'll see the firework much better with some distance", she explained as she ran a hand through his blonde hair.

"Ten seconds to go!", Penelope squealed and everyone started to count down the seconds. At exactly midnight, Rossi started the fireworks and lots of aaaah's and oooh's could be heard while everyone looked up into the sky that was filled with colorful, bright fireworks.

Lucy could feel an arm wrapping around her shoulders and she knew, it was Spencer that had come closer. "Happy New Year, babe", he whispered into her ear. She turned around and put her arms around his neck.

"Happy New Year, babe", she repeated his words with a smile, before he kissed her passionately. While Lucy felt his lips on hers, she really wished that the new year would bring her and Spencer more beautiful moments together, more laughter and even more love. But Lucy didn't doubt any of this. She loved Spencer so much and she knew that he felt the same for her. The next year would be wonderful.

Hugs and wishes were exchanged following the firework and Lucy found herself in Luke's arms. "Happy New Year, Lu."

"Happy New Year, Luke. Thanks for everything." She smiled up at him.

"I'm glad you're here now", he said and kissed her forehead.

Lucy smiled. "I'm glad too." She pulled away from her brother again to join Spencer. In that moment, Emily came hurrying from the hallway.

"I'm sorry to interrupt our little party but..." She sighed deeply, "we have a case." Everyone groaned and rolled their eyes. Having a case on New Year's Eve? Absolutely not what they wanted to hear tonight. But they didn't have any choice.

"No way", Luke groaned and Spencer just let out a heavy sigh. They knew they had to go.

"Where to?", Tara asked.

"Milwaukee", Emily replied.

"I'm so sorry, love", Spencer said and kissed Lucy one last time before he and the others went home to get their to-go bags.

"Please lock the doors when you leave", Rossi said and gave Will the key to his mansion before he left as well. Lucy stayed behind with Will, Henry, Michael, Kristy and her kids. Oh, and with Roxy. The adults decided to have another glass of wine since the kids were still playing together so peacefully. It was only when Lily came crawling into her mother's lap and Michael yawned when he lumbered over to Will, that they decided to finally leave. It was almost one in the morning and the children needed to go to bed. Lucy called for Roxy who came running towards her.

"Let's go home", Lucy said with a smile, said goodbye to the others and then made her way home. Of course, she'd look after Roxy for the time Luke was away. And although she wasn't all happy about how this evening and this party had ended, it still had been one of the best New Year's Eve's she'd ever had so far.