Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 46

The rest of their Vegas trip went by quickly, strictly sticking to visiting Diana and ordering room service from their hotel in the evenings. They'd had a week's worth of Vegas excitement in one night, and Amelia couldn't remember the last time a hangover had lasted for more than 24 hours.

They returned home that Sunday and once again found their footing that Monday. Spencer returned to work after leave, Amelia happy they didn't have a case on his first day back. As they weeks passed they found their balance. Most nights they'd end up home together, Amelia cooking dinner more frequently so they wouldn't have to order takeout. They'd find themselves curled up on the couch in the evenings, Spencer finally using the fireplace that had sat unused for so many years as the weather started to grow cooler. 

When Spencer did get called away on a case, Amelia had found ways to distract herself. She'd really grown into her job, happily bringing her work home with her. Many nights Spencer would call while he was away and hear her shuffling papers in the background, knowing she was going over case notes. When she wasn't working, she and Miranda would splurge on charcuterie and wine and pretend that neither of them were anxious about their significant others being away for work. Amelia was glad she could confide in Miranda about her fears of Spencer being in the field, knowing for once somebody would understand. She'd never let Spencer know just how worried she'd get, knowing he'd only worry about her in return, and the last thing she wanted to do was take his attention away from whatever case he was working on. 

But the nights he came home from a case in the field, those were her favorites. While before they'd end with the two of them being in bed early, recently Spencer had seemed to come home a little less lost, a little less forlorn. He'd often want to curl up on the couch, offering to read to Amelia which was something she would never tire of. 

This was one of those nights. Spencer arrived home around midnight, Amelia having fell asleep on the couch waiting for him. He set his bag down quietly by the door, making his way over to her. She had a stack of files on her belly that she must've been going through before passing out, and he watched as they rose and fell with her breath. He set them on the coffee table and lifted the blanket, scooting himself underneath and nestling alongside her.

"Mmm, you're home," she murmured without opening her eyes, instead nuzzling her face into his chest. He planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"Sure am. Missed you."

"Missed you more. Did you eat?"

"No, but I can-" he chuckled as she wearily placed a hand over his mouth. He could've gotten home at three am and Amelia would insist that he eat. He loved the way she expressed her concern, that for her, feeding people was an act of love.

"I made caldo de pollo. I'll heat some up." 

She rubbed her eyes as she got up, giving Spencer a soft kiss before heading into the kitchen. He turned to face her, resting his elbows on the back of the couch.

"How was the case?"

"Alright. Someone was targeting nannies, thankfully not the children, but we were able to save the last one." He rubbed a hand over his face thinking back on the case. He'd been gone for 6 days, but it felt like it'd been much longer. 

"How's work?"

"Alright. We have the last part of Chelsea's trial this week. I think this guy's gonna get locked up, thank god."

"That's good news. Do you need anything, anything Garcia could to do help?"

He watched as Amelia balanced two bowls in her hands as she smiled at him, making her way back over to the couch and settling in next to him. She handed him the bowl, which he graciously accepted. The warmth radiated over his hands and he didn't want to set it down to eat it.