"I feel like a fool", Kari said, sitting down at a near by table.
"Why?" JJ said.
"I didn't know you guys were BAU. I don't want to seem like I was using you guys to get close…"Kari trailed off.
"To get close to the F.B.I.?" Rossi said. "Nonsense. I however, knew who you were."
"Really?" Kari asked. Rossi placed a book in front of her.
"The Killer in the Winds", Kari read aloud. "My first book." Reid picked it up from the table.
"I was hoping you would sign it", Rossi said. Kari blushed as she took the pen from Rossi.
"You knew she was a writer?" Hotch said.
"The name sounded so familiar. I didn't put it two and two together until I saw the card she gave Reid. I never forget when people quote from my work." Rossi said, taking the signed copy from Kari.
"I've read all your books! Do you know how hard it was for me not to geek out when I met you?" Kari turned around in her seat. "This is just awesome."
The calypso band started a new set, and Reid looked at Morgan.
"Go for it, Genius", Morgan said.
"Kari, would you like to dance?" Reid asked.
Kari blushed as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
"Are they totally cute or what?" Garcia said, watching them slow dance to The Girl From Ipanema.
"They are", Morgan said. "Can I interest you in a twirl, Mama?"
"You know I don't' dance, Dear", Garcia said.
"Please? For me? I really want to talk to you about something." Garcia sighed and smiled.
"Sure, Handsome", Garcia said. As they headed out to the floor to join the other couples, Morgan wrapped his arms around Garcia.
"Doesn't this feel right?" Morgan said, dancing very close to Garcia.
"Right, Sugar Cube?"
"Right. Like it's supposed to be you and me." Morgan said, dipping her slightly.
"It's always going to be you and me", Garcia. "You know that. Best friends 'till the end."
Morgan took a deep breath. "But what if I want more?"
The music stopped and Morgan and Garcia stood face to face on the dance floor. The whole garden stopped and watched them.
"More?" Garcia said, trying to pull away.
"More. Why are you trying to leave?" Garcia had wiggled herself free and stood facing the only man she'd ever really loved more than her father.
Garcia stepped real close to Morgan. "Hotstuff, have you been drinking?"
Morgan took a step back like he'd been slapped in the face. It took him a second to pull himself together. If this had been any other woman, he'd be very angry right now. But as he looked into her eyes, he realized her reaction was because she didn't see herself as someone he could actually fall in love with. He chuckled lightly.
"Not enough to cloud my judgment, Sweet Thing", Morgan said, coming closer to her.
"You can't mean me", Garcia said, backing away.
"Why can't I?" Morgan said.
"Yeah", Hotch said, uncharacteristically. "Why can't he?" Hotch looked at Garcia seriously. "I locked my feelings away for a long time. Look at what I might have missed out on." Hotch turned at looked at Emily holding Jakob in her arms and Jack clinging to her side. "Do you really want to miss out on 'what could be'?"
"I don't", Morgan said grabbing her hand. He got down on one knee in front of her. "Penelope Garcia", Morgan started. "Will you be my lady?"
The garden was still and quiet as Garcia stood there quietly and then began to shake with pure excitement.
"You betcha, Hotstuff!" she said as she kissed him softly.
"Does stuff like this happen a lot around here?" Kari said.
"All the time", Rossi said.
"Like now", Reid said leaning into Kari.
"Mom", make Dad blow out the candles with his mouth not the oxygen tank!" Alexis said as she laughed and tried to pull the oxygen tank from Reid. "He doesn't even need this!"
"Spencer", Kari said, bouncing her grandchild on her knee.
"What?" Reid said. "Can't an old man have a little fun?"
"An old man can, Pops", Charles said. "But you're not old."
"Ah, you flatter me, Son", Reid said, hugging his son. "Woman!"
"Oh, you're Grandpa is calling me, Little One", Kari said as her daughter Alice grabbed the baby. "You rang?" Kari said, stepping up next to him behind the cake.
"Since the kids are taking away my fun", he chuckled, "Come help me blow out this monstrosity before we set off the fire alarm!"
Kari and Reid leaned in and blew out the candles. Reid looked up.
"Will you take me to be your hubby for another 52 years?"
"You know it, Spence", Kari said. Reid leaned in for a small kiss and soon every thing went dark.
"It's Taco Tuesday!"
"She's going to make it, Dr. Reid."
"Has it been 40 years already, Kari?"
"I love you, Mrs. Reid".
"Dip me again, Spence!"
"It's a boy, Dr. Reid!"
"We have a daughter, Sweetheart!"
"I now pronounce you man and wife!"
"You're my girl right?"
"It's always been you."
"You know it, Spence",echoed through Reid's head as he finished the kiss. Spencer Reid took a stepped back. It was like a movie just played though his head. All the important moments of his life, flashing before his eyes with one kiss.
"Spencer?" Kari asked with concern. "Spencer, are you alright?
Looking around the garden, Spencer saw everyone coming over to him. He grabbed Kari's hand and headed to the inside of Rossi's house.
"Kari, do you believe in fate?" he said, sitting down at the kitchen table.
"I believe that we meet the people we're supposed to meet, when we meet them. So, yes I guess I do."
"See that's just it. I don't. I mean, I deal with facts. I base my thoughts and actions on the things I can see; the things I know are true. Dreams are just visions and vice versa. But just then, just now, when we kissed in the garden, my life played out…"
"Kinda like a movie?" Kari finished. "I know what you mean."
"Have you had that happen?"
"I did. Wanna know when?" Kari asked.
"When?" Spencer said, leaning closer.
"When we shook hands in the hospital about a week ago. Took me a second to get my bearings. I mean I saw everything. You, me, kids…"
"You like the name Alexis", Reid said.
"And you like Charles", Kari said. "After Charles Dickens."
"I also like Arthur, too."
"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! Neat!" Kari said, gleefully.
"This is crazy", Reid said. "Are we really sitting here, discussing kids, and baby names, and our life together?"
"I suppose it is sorta crazy. But I just witness two people who found love on a dance floor. It's a night for love and miracles", Kari sighed.
"OK", Reid said. "I'll go with this. But we set the pace. I want to get to know you, starting with discussing your book."
"You read my book?"
"Yeah. While we were at the table." Reid got up and took her hand. "Promise me one thing."
"Sure. What can I do you for?" Kari said swinging his hand as they walked back out into the garden.
"Do not make me participate in 'Taco Tuesday'. I hate tacos!"
"Duly noted, Dear", Kari said. "But just know, I love guacamole."
* Thanks for the love guys! I think at some point, there might be some shorter stories pulled from this. I feel a saga coming on. If anything, at least the weddings of Kari and Reid and Garcia and Morgan played out in separate stories*