Normal People - Strange Encounters Book Two

Chapter 48

Autumn came in full force in the weeks following Penelope's party. Emily, Miranda, JJ, Penelope, and Savannah had all hit it off that night and have been having weekly girls nights when work allowed. Cases had been slow, something Amelia was ever grateful for, since Spencer had only been away once so far for the month. As the leaves all turned and the air became crisp, Amelia found herself soaking in every moment.

Last fall had been hell, putting it mildly. October and November had always been Amelia's favorite months and she hadn't had a chance to enjoy them for a split second last year. While she'll always be grateful for the ways things turned out, she couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed in the past 365 days.

She'd been kidnapped (twice), nearly killed (also twice), abandoned her family and loved ones, and killed a woman. As Amelia strolled through the park near their apartment she settled onto a nearby bench, the weight of her thoughts slowed her momentarily. Whenever Alycia flashed across her mind it felt like the wind had gotten knocked out of her, as if she'd slipped on black-ice that had been perfectly hidden under twinkling snow. She'd find herself doing a mundane task, or just watching tv with Spencer, and out of nowhere Alycia's face would pop up in her mind and disappear just as fast, but still leave her chest tight and her stomach unsettled. While she truly had accepted what had happened, that didn't always make things easier.

As she steadied her breathing, she thought about all of the things she had to be grateful for. Her family was safe out of harms way, permanently. She had found a new family, in both the BAU and with Gladys and Simon. She had a second home in Maine for which she'd be forever grateful for. Her new life in DC was the perfect fresh start she needed, all of her friends helping to make the transition easier than she could've imagined.

And then there was Spencer. She couldn't help but bite back a smile simply at the thought of him. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she would know what it felt like to be loved, not the way which Spencer loved her. She'd never experienced a love so fulfilling and supportive, a love that would chase her to the ends of the earth if needed. Despite the way in which Spencer loved her, she never knew she could love so fiercely.

Sure, she loved her cousins and her family and would do whatever they may need without a second thought. But with Spencer, it was different. It was as if he'd become an extension of herself, something so familiar to her. Whenever he seemed sad, even if it was just disappointment of a book not being in stock at the bookshop, she felt the need to drive to 5 different bookstores in a 30 mile radius just to cheer him up. It was easy with him, something she'd never experienced in other relationships. They completed each other, and Amelia rolled her eyes at herself just thinking something so corny. As she tilted her face up towards the sun, taking in the last few peaceful moments before heading back inside to prepare for the week, her cell phone rang.

"So what, you were going to email me to tell me you were coming but not phone to give me details?"

"Wow, good to hear your voice too, G." Amelia laughed, knowing the older woman was right. She'd emailed her to let her know that she and Spencer planned on coming up to the cabin that coming weekend a few weeks prior and had meant to follow up with her. "Sorry about that though, honestly. Works been.."

"Intense?"

"You could say that."

"Well, that's all the more reason for you two to get your asses up here. So when can we expect you?"

"We took Friday off so we're leaving first thing in the morning, hoping to make it there by dinner time. Maybe 7 or so, depending on stops. We may stop in Philly briefly to see my family."

"How's a lil lobster bake sound? Just us and Simon, a welcome home."

"Do you even have to ask?" She smiled at the woman's laughter on the other end.