The Lady and the Genius.

Dinner and a letter.

I was in the kitchen cooking when there was a knock on my door. I rushed over and opened it to see Spencer.
"I thought you would have been last."
"Well the team knows where you live now so there's no point in being last." He told as he came in.
"I see your point. Well I'm nearly done with dinner if you wanted to help me in the kitchen." I told before quickly heading back to clean it up.
"I think I'll remove the picture of us from comic con a few months ago from the kitchen so they don't suspect anything." He told as he grabbed the frame.
"Go hide it in my draw. No one goes in there since I have books in there."
"Like what?"
"How to get away with murder. I use it to fall asleep when you're away." I told before I began to add the cream slowly.
He went away and there was another knock at the door. I quickly rushed to it and opened it to see Derek and Penelope with gifts.
"Welcome to my humble home." I told before quickly going back to the kitchen to stir the food some more.
"Your house fits you well." Penelope told as she came and sat in the kitchen at my bench.
"I would hope so I spend many moons here after all."
"Baby are we the first ones here?"
"Well...." I was cut off by the door being knocked on again. "Can you two please stir while I get the door? Thank you."
I rushed to the door to see Jj and Emily with wine and gifts.
"Welcome. Please come in Derek and Penelope are in the kitchen already." I told as I began to close the door.
"River wait!"
I opened the door more again to see Aaron walking up with some gifts as well. I allowed him in before checking to see if David was walking up which he was.
"La mia piccola figlia intelligente! How have you been?" He asked once he saw me.
"I have been good but what did you call me David?" I asked as I shut the door.
"Your smart yet you don't know Italian."
"I had no need to learn it but I will now." I told before heading back to everyone.
"Yo where is Pretty boy? He should be here by now he lives a floor above you." Derek asked as I took over for him.
"Yeah I would have assumed he would have been here by now. He is never one to be late." Emily told.
"Well...." I was cut off again by Spencer walking out and to us.
"Sorry I was in the bathroom. I see everyone is here now." He told.
"Yeah and they all brought gifts. Looks like your the bad guest here now Spencer." I told as I poked my tongue out to him.
"My gift is upstairs in my place. I thought I would give it to you later then now with everyone."
"What ever floats your boat dude. Now who is ready for my pasta?" I asked turning the oven off.

Once I got them all their drinks and we got our food with Penelope happy she got her own lot. We were eating and chatting away when Aaron stood up and tapped his glass.
"I would like to make a toast. Now, we have only known River for a few months some even for years."
"Been five months Aaron." I told making them chuckle.
"But River we welcome you with open arms to the team and to the family. We will be here for you as you will be us. To River!"
"To River!"
We all cheered and continued to finish dinner when David spoke.
"La mia piccola figlia intelligente, you were right. Your pasta is to die for."
"Why thank you David."
"I may just have to make you my fifth wife." He told making us laugh.
"I think my boyfriend will disagree with your proposal."
After we were done they decided to have a look around my apartment. I was putting the left overs in my fridge till people were ready to take it home.
"Hey kitten. Who are the people in this photo that was faced down?" Penelope asked as I came back to join them.
"That's my family. My mum, dad, brother and me."
"You must have been young when this was taken baby."
"I was 7. It was taken to celebrate me graduating being a sophomore." I told as I showed no emotion.
"Did I mention something bad?" Penelope asked realising.
"No. It was just the last photo I had with my mum that's all. Hence it being down since I look at it and brings up what happened when I was 8."
"What happened? If you don't mind telling us." Emily told as she gave a reassuring smile.
"My mother was murdered. Same way our victim today was murdered." I told giving a shrug.
"Your mother was murdered?" Aaron asked
"Yeah. One of the reasons the school wanted me to do therapy."
"That's why the case hit home for you." David said.
"Guys I'm fine. It was ages ago and I've talked through my issues I'm fine."
"Oh River. This painting is new....actually a few of these are new." J told as she pointed to the one that Spencer did.
"Yeah a few of my customers found out I like art and well for my birthday they either had done it or a grandchild of theirs did it. I love each and every one, so sometimes I have to rotate them after a month or two."
"This one has more dust then others." Emily told as she went closer to it.
"I can never bring myself to change it. I don't know I just always love looking at it." I told as I smiled.
"It's odd but I can see the appeal someone would have." Spencer told before the door was knocked on.
"You expecting anyone else tonight River?" Aaron asked.
"No. Just you guys." I told as I went over to open the door.
There was nothing there but once I looked at the door I saw another letter taped to it.
"I'm getting sick and tired of this! Isn't one a day enough?!" I shouted before pulling it off and slamming my door.
"Did you get another letter?" Spencer asked and I knew he was worried.
"Apparently they just had to give me another one." I told as I clenched the letter in my hand. "If you will excuse me I need to add this to the collection."
I began to walk to my room when I was grabbed.
"River. I love you but we need to know. We know your being stalked, we can help." J told
"How?"
"I don't know but maybe we can get something off of the letters. We want to help."
"Jesus ok. Fine just let me get them all." I told before heading to my room.