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Chapter 27 Visiting Grandma

After checking into the hotel and dropping off their luggage Reid and Diana went to Bennington. Reid knew they would need to go right away, otherwise Diana would constantly ask when they were going.

Reid tried to hide it, but the team knew Diana had her Daddy wrapped around her finger.

Diana had made sure to bring along her pink scrap book. Inside were poetry and song lyrics she wanted to share with the Grandmother.

When they arrived at the hospital Reid signed in on the visitor's log. His first stop though was to see Dr. Norman to find out how his Mom was doing today before Diana saw her.

He had told Dr. Norman that he was bringing Diana's Granddaughter to meet her today.

At first Dr. Norman had been a little hesitant about bringing a five year old girl to meet a woman who was a paranoid schizophrenic.

Reid had assured him that Diana understood her Grandmother's condition.

They had found Dr. Norman in his office. He rose when he saw Reid. "Dr. Reid." Dr. Norman welcomed him. "How are you?" Dr. Norman said invitingly.

"I'm doing good." Reid said politely.

"So this is little Diana." Dr. Norman said looking at the little girl that was hanging off of Reid's arm. "Are you ready to see your grandmother?" He asked her.

"Yes I am." Diana said proudly.

"And she does understand her condition?" Dr. Norman asked Reid to be sure.

Reid looked down at his daughter. "Diana, can you explain schizophrenia to Dr. Norman?"

Diana looked directly at Dr. Norman "Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by a breakdown of mental processes and emotions. Patients will usually have hallucinations, most of the time it is voices and paranoia. Often patients will not take care of themselves like cleaning and eating."

Dr. Norman was obviously impressed. "Do you know what your Grandmother's symptoms are?"

"Grandma would hear voices and is paranoid. Because of that she didn't take care of herself." Diana said. "Her medication gives her a fog so she can function."

Dr. Norman was satisfied. He walked the two over to Diana's favorite seat by the window.

Diana Reid was sitting there writing in her journal when they approached.

"Grandma." Diana said proudly running towards her.

Reid stayed right behind Diana.

Diana Reid was taken by surprise for a moment. She then saw her son behind the little girl. "Spencer," she said proudly.

Diana looked at her granddaughter and cupped her chin in her hand looking at her face. Diana inspected it for a moment. "Your Dad's eyes and you were lucky enough to get your mom's cheek bones. I don't know about your ears."

"My mom says they are her mom's." Diana said undisturbed by the assessment that Grandmother was performing on her.

"Well then you got a piece of everyone." Diana invited her Granddaughter to sit next to her.

Diana happily popped up onto the couch.

Reid took a seat next to the couch and watched his mother and his daughter interact.

Diana had opened up her pink scrap book and showed her Grandmother her poetry and song lyrics she collected. She also recited several pieces she knew.

In return Diana showed her granddaughter her journals and such.

They sat and talked together for a long time. Reid couldn't help but think that his daughter had found the perfect companion.

After a while Diana got tired and she ended up sleeping in the lap of her grandmother.

Diana gently stroked her head. "She's very beautiful Spencer."

"I love her." Reid said.

"She's gotten over what happened to her?" She asked.

Reid had told his mother in a letter about Diana's kidnapping and about how the team had found her. He had also told his mother about the trial and Whitman's second attempt. Reid had also told his mother how proud he was that Diana used the profile to talk Whitman into letting her go.

"Yes she has." Reid answered.

"I know that was scary for you." Diana said.

"Kathy knew something was wrong before it happened." Reid reassured his mother about Kathy's ability as a parent. "I'm just sorry I didn't get there fast enough for her."

"You got her back. You were there for her when she needed you. Spencer you are a good father." Diana said. "Kathy is obviously a good mother."

"Yes she is." Reid agreed.

Reid talked with his mother until Diana awoke from her nap. It was now dinner time. The three ate together and then said good night.

At the hotel room, Reid and his daughter sat up and read all night. They had actually stayed up later than Diana's bedtime. Diana had finally won a battle in that war.

Reid had cursed himself the next morning for giving in. But he convinced himself that it was a special occasion.

In the late morning, almost noon, Reid took his daughter to breakfast and then to a Las Vegas style show. They had then gone back to the hospital and Diana continued to talk with her Grandmother. She told her about the show they had seen.

Diana had even practiced some of her ballet movements for her grandmother.

Diana Reid was fine with her granddaughter's career choice.

At the end of the week Diana had agreed to write her grandmother and send her poems and stories.

Diana said she would send some to her in exchange. They would be penpals.

Reid was happy that his daughter met the woman he revered so much that he gave her name to his daughter.

When they left the hospital to go home Diana reminded her son, there is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.

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Thank you everyone for sticking around and sending reviews and adding this story to your favorites.

This story was originally based on a kidnapping that happened in the early 90s. The police were so sure it was the Dad that they had concentrated their efforts on that instead of looking elsewhere. The girl was found dead a couple of days later. They never found out who actually took her and killed her.

One of the things that attracted me to Criminal Minds was how the episodes were based on actual cases and movies of crimes. This was something I had an avid interest in when I was younger, think Zoe from Zoe's Reprise. We would have gotten along.

A perfect example of this came from the first season "Won't be fooled again." The bomber in that episode who was covering his tracks is very similar to a case in Salt Lake City.

But again thank you very much