A/N: All right, my loves, this is it-last chapter! And, it's a long one, too, whew. Hope you like it-it's a real fairy-tale ending, no pun intended (or maybe just a little bit, heh...) Please review!
Love,
Seds
Spencer was comfortably curled up in bed, with a huge bowl of popcorn beside him and a large glass of milk positioned on the nightstand within easy reach. Actually-and, he hadn't mentioned this to Derek-the liquid in the glass wasn't "just milk."
Spencer had added a little sugar and vanilla to his favorite childhood beverage, then mixed in a generous amount of brandy. He'd tasted it, then added a splash more brandy and nodded his approval-definitely no longer a child's drink. He'd loaded up the popcorn bowl, grabbed his milk glass and started to head for the stairs, but after a moment's consideration, he'd grabbed the brandy bottle and stuck it in the pocket of his sleep pants.
He had no intention of watching Derek escort Amber Henley down the red carpet sober.
Back upstairs, he'd settled in and flicked on the television to find a pre-awards filler show, just in time to see Derek and Amber being interviewed by a local news reporter. Derek looked stunningly handsome, and there was no denying that Amber had an air of glamor about her as well. Spencer smiled grimly as he munched a handful of popcorn. "Hands off, bitch, he's mine," he muttered as Amber fastened herself to Derek's arm, and he threw a few kernels of popcorn at the screen.
Now, Amber was casting worshipful glances at Derek's face, but Spencer could see she was more interested in where the cameras were and who else was around them than her date, which made Spencer feel slightly better. He supposed they were lucky that Derek's co-star had been such a self-absorbed narcissist that she had managed to avoid developing a real crush on the good-looking action star, but still...
Spencer's cell phone rang; he checked the number and saw it was his mother. He punched "talk".
"Hi, Mom."
"Hello, son. Your sweetheart looks very attractive in formal wear."
"He does, doesn't he? So, you're watching?"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it. He's going to win, isn't he?"
"I hope so, he deserves to."
"I agree completely."
"Uh, Mom? You haven't even seen the movie."
"I know, but you told me all about it, and I feel like I've seen it."
Spencer grinned. "All right. Is Dad home?"
"Yes, and guess what-he's not going to have to travel anymore, ever."
"What? But-
"He worked something out with his boss-it means a pay cut, but he's going to be a lot happier. We both are."
"Well, that's great. I'm glad you can afford for him to do that."
"Oh, Spencer, we won't have any money worries ever again."
"You won't? Why's that?"
"Didn't I tell you? I met with that nice Damon Steinberg fellow yesterday, and-"
Spencer glanced at the phone, stunned, then put it back to his ear. "Damon Steinberg? You went to see Damon Steinberg?"
"Oh, good lord, no. He came here."
"Damon Steinberg came all the way out to Vegas to see you? Wow."
"Yes-and, you know, he really impressed me with his intelligence. He has a deep understanding of my work, the subtleties, the nuance. I'm sure he'll do a good job with the story, not like that idiot butcher who mangled it before."
"Mom-what the... You mean, you sold Steinberg the rights to From Earth to Oblivion?"
"Yes, dear, exactly."
"But-I thought you didn't want anything to do with Hollywood ever again."
"Oh, I put a lot of stipulations into it, one of which was that you're to have script approval and will act as my agent for every aspect of the production, ensuring that my wishes are carried out. And, you'll do all the publicity nonsense on my behalf."
"What?"
"Oh, don't worry, it's really not that big a deal. I'm sure you'll do fine. Apparently, Damon is very good friends with Leno, he's got you booked with him for two weeks from today. After that, you won't have to do any other public appearances yourself unless you want to."
"Oh, my God..." Spencer reached for the milk and took a big gulp.
"Well, I'm going to make some popcorn for your dad and me before the show starts. Best of luck to your beau-I hope he wins."
Beau? Spencer shook off the word and went back to the horror of what his mother was telling him. "But, Mom, I can't-Publicity? Script approval? I don't want to-"
"Now, Spencer, don't worry, Derek told me all about his friend Penelope, and I'm sure she'll be a big help to you, PR-wise. And, you certainly are familiar enough with the material to make good decisions about the script."
"Well... I guess. Okay. I'll do my best."
"I know you will, son. That's why I went along with this-I can count on you. Now, I really need to go get ready to watch the show-this is very exciting!"
"Okay. Thanks, Mom. Goodnight." Spencer hung up with a frown, and barely had a moment in which to recover from his mother's news, when the phone rang again. Spencer checked the number and downed a little more milk before answering.
"Hello, Emily."
"Don't you 'Hello, Emily' me. What the hell do you think you're doing, letting our boyfriend out of the house looking like that?"
"Um, well, first of all, he's my boyfriend, remember?"
"You always have had a problem with sharing. Fine, be selfish. Why'd you let your boyfriend out, looking so freakin' gorgeous? He's going to come back with hand prints and bite marks all over him."
"What was I supposed to do, take my Instamatic and go along, pretending to be one of the paparazzi? I don't think I could have pulled it off."
Emily chuckled and shook her head before responding sympathetically, "I'm sorry, Spence. The society we live in sucks. It should be you on his arm, not that red-headed bimbo."
"Well, I don't disagree with you, but that's the nature of his profession and this business. At least I know he's coming home to me."
"Yeah... Hey, you want some company? My class got canceled after all."
"Normally, I'd love to, but to tell you the truth, I'm a little depressed and I think I'd rather just stay here alone and wallow in my misery."
"Why're you depressed, honey?"
"It's just what you said-Derek goes to some big event, but I don't get to go with him. You know, he even called me Cinderella tonight. I try not to let him know how I feel, because he's already upset about it, but it's really hard, pretending all the time. And, it just keeps getting worse. Garcia won't even let us be seen together in public until after the movie goes to DVD." Spencer lifted his glass again.
"Oh, Spencer."
"Yeah. Anyway-I better go, the show's about to start. Thanks for calling, Em."
"Oh, sure. Hey, maybe things will ease up for you guys, now that the movie's out and everything."
"Well, that's a nice thought, but it's unlikely. He's already got three offers to do another big-name production, and that's without winning an award. If he gets this one tonight, he'll be a hot property for the next ten years. We'll be old men before we can so much as go out together for pizza."
"Spence-"
"Hey, it's starting. Gotta go-I'll call you later, okay?"
"Okay, hon, 'bye."
"Bye, Em. Love you."
"You too, sweetie. Good luck to our man, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Spencer hung up and settled back with his drink in his hand, wondering what a life of "happily ever after" really meant in Hollywood terms.
It was three o'clock in the morning before Derek managed to get Penelope to drive him home, shiny award in hand. Penelope was positively giddy and she chattered happily for several miles before noticing that Derek was oddly quiet. She glanced over at him.
"This is what success feels like, Derek Morgan. Revel in it. Are you reveling?"
"I'm reveling."
"Well, you don't seem to be reveling at all-in fact, you're downright pouty, which is adorable, but completely inappropriate for the occasion. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, baby girl. The fact that I had six offers to do drugs, five for oral sex and three for actual intercourse before we even got inside the building was a little disturbing, but other than that, it was a killer evening. I have to hand it to you, doll-you definitely got me to the right place at the right time, and I really appreciate it. "
"Well, I had the guy with the talent and the looks to pull it off. But, really, hot stuff, you don't look happy enough to have won a big award. You ought to be borderline hysterical by now."
"Yeah, sorry-I'm tired, and I just want to get home to my boy. I missed him like crazy tonight. I really-I really wished I could have looked out into the audience and seen him." Derek's voice now sounded raw with emotion. "I mean-what's the point of being successful if the one you love can't be there to enjoy it with you?"
Penelope patted his arm. "I know, sweetie. It sucks. Maybe the two of you can sneak off out of town somewhere together for a while. Didn't you say Spencer's dad has a cabin?"
"Yeah, we were going to go there once before, then Hankel shot Spencer and kind of derailed our plans, remember? But, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm tired of living this... this fake life. Pretending to be something I'm not, denying the person I really love-"
"I don't mean to be a witch with a B, but a lot of people would be willing to put up with a lot worse. For the money you're making and the opportunity to hang around with big name stars, and-"
"I'd chuck it all in a heartbeat, if I thought Spencer was up for it. And, I could, too, now that my contract's been fulfilled."
Penelope's eyes widened. "But, Derek-you've got offers! And, now you'll have a lot more! You can do anything you want, there's so much money to be made, and-"
"I'm sorry, but I don't care about the money. I've got enough now to live modestly for years, and I can always get work teaching martial arts or something."
"But, what about me? I mean, I'm doing all right, but-"
"Now, you know good and well that your name's on all kinds of lists as an A-1 agent. You're gold, mama, I'm not a bit worried about your future."
"But, you can't possibly be thinking about giving up the movie business, not when you've just hit the big time-"
"Oh, yes, I can."
"But-"
"Relax, angel, I'm just thinking about it right now-but, it's a real possibility."
Penelope was quiet for a moment, then she asked, "What did you mean, if Spencer was up for it?"
"I don't know... I just don't think he's as committed to this relationship as I am. He won't even move in with me, did you know that? I'm afraid..." Derek stared out the car window, watching the boulevard whiz by. "I'm afraid I'm not what he really wants in a partner. I don't read books, I don't know anything about science or astrophysics, or-"
"Spencer's crazy about you, idiot. I don't know why I'm stupid enough to say this, because it's apparently not in my best interest, but-he loves you. Don't doubt it, sweetness. I can tell, and I'm always right about these things."
Derek smiled slightly and looked down at his award. He'd only gotten to talk to Spencer for a few minutes on the phone after he'd won, but he'd heard the excitement and pride in his voice. Maybe Pen was right. Maybe he just needed to decide... what it was he really wanted.
"Yeah, you are. Okay. Well, we'll just have to see what happens next, huh?"
Pen shrugged and the car zipped along until they arrived at Derek's home. He planted a kiss on her cheek, hugged her, and waved the award triumphantly in the air as farewell. She waggled her fingers at him and gave him a big smile.
"Goodnight, Mr. Award-Winner. Congratulations!"
"'Night, Pen! Couldn't of done it without you, babe!"
Garcia watched him disappear into the mansion, then glanced up at the lighted window that she knew to be his bedroom. She shook her head, backed out of the drive, and headed for home.
The light was on in the bedroom, but Spencer was sound asleep, curled in a ball among the pillows, with spilled popcorn all around him-he must have cheered when Derek won-and an empty milk glass on the nightstand. Derek grinned as he bent down to kiss him, but the strong whiff of alcohol wiped the grin off his face. He picked up the glass and took a sniff, then saw the empty brandy bottle on the floor by the bed. He shook his head.
He didn't want this. Spencer should have been by his side tonight, not alone at home, drinking. He sighed, then headed to the bathroom to get undressed.
He returned a few minutes later, and Spencer stirred. "Derek?" he asked groggily.
"It's me, babe." He brushed the popcorn from the bed then slipped in under the covers beside Spencer. "How was your evening?" He pulled him into his arms and kissed him deeply, tasting brandy on his lips.
"Okay." Spencer kissed back, then looked up at Derek proudly. "You won." His words slurred a little.
"Yeah."
"Knew you would. How did it feel?"
"Kind of good. Amazing, to tell you the truth. But-I missed you so bad. I wish you'd of been there with me."
"Yeah... Missed you, too." Spencer cuddled into his arms and whispered, "So... Celebration sex...?"
Derek pulled him closer and kissed his forehead. "Not just now, baby. I'm pretty tired. Let's just sleep, okay? We'll get after it in the morning."
"'Kay." Spencer sounded as if he were already asleep, but he added, "Proud of you, Derek. Love you."
"Love you too, pretty boy." Derek pulled the covers up over them and tried to forget the insanity of the evening, the lights glaring into his eyes from the stage, the throngs of people wanting his attention, the noise. He focused on following the rhythm of Spencer's even breathing, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, Derek's cell phone jangled them awake. He groaned and Spencer whimpered in pain. "Make it stop, Derek," he pleaded.
Derek was no happier about the intrusion than Spencer. "Aw, man-I got no place I have to be today, who the hell-" He almost threw the phone across the room, but Spencer caught his hand before he could let go.
"Oh, God, no! That'll really make noise. Just answer it," Spencer mumbled, closing his eyes and pulling the covers over his head.
"Yeah, well..." Derek blearily checked the number, then clicked the phone on. "Penelope-what in God's name do you want?"
"Morning, sunshine! Wow, you sound grumpy. But, what a night, huh? How are you feeling?"
"Like I need to sleep another five or fifteen hours."
"Nah, you need to wake up and listen. I want you alert for this."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing! It's good news-Damon Steinberg wants you to star in From Earth to Oblivion!"
"Huh? What? From Earth-hey, I'm putting you on speaker. Spence, come out of there, listen to this. Now, what did you say?"
Penelope repeated her news, and Spencer slowly emerged from under the covers, eyes widened. "Huh? Wow..."
"That's your mom's novel, isn't it? She sold the rights after all?" Derek asked, and Spencer nodded, suddenly remembering the conversation with his mom from the night before. He wondered if she'd included offering Derek the right of first refusal among her stipulations.
Derek took a deep breath. "Well, damn. That's pretty exciting..."
Garcia squealed (making Spencer flinch painfully) before continuing. "Oh, baby, it's fantastic! And-guess what?"
"I can't guess, just tell me."
"Damon says he's always detected an undercurrent of homosexual energy in the lead male role, and he's going to write him that way!"
"What?"
"Yeah-so, if you come out publicly, it won't be that big a deal! Some people will think it's just a publicity stunt, others'll embrace you for it, and Damon's willing to risk losing the rest of the audience, because, turns out he's gay, too! At the age of 63, he's finally decided to come out, isn't that wild? So, he wants to make a big splash out of it and be the first director to have a big-budget action flick featuring a gay leading man. Cool, huh?"
Derek and Spencer looked at each other. Derek spoke softly.
"Yeah, Pen, that is cool. But, listen, I don't know-I have to talk to Spencer about all this."
"But-"
"I'll call you later." He hung up and he and Spencer sat quietly for a moment, feeling stunned. Then, Spencer took Derek's hand and gave him a worried look.
"Wow, Derek-if we thought the publicity machine was vicious before, this one'll really... grind you up and spit you out."
Derek nodded. "And, you won't escape it, either."
"Yeah. Plus, my mom wants me involved in all the scrip consultation, and publicity, and-"
Derek put a hand on his shoulder. "We can't do this," he said gently.
"What do you mean?"
"Spencer-I don't want this. I don't want... any of it. The money, the public scrutiny, the crazy schedule, what it's doing to you, to us-it's all a bunch of BS, real people don't live like that."
Spencer smiled tentatively. "Well-what do you want?"
Derek pursed his lips for a moment. "I want to wake up next to you every single morning for the rest of our lives. I want to grow old with you, I want to... I don't know, live a normal life with you. Have a home, a dog, maybe even a kid someday-go to the store, visit our parents, do something useful with my life-all without wondering what kind of stupid-ass picture's going to show up in the tabloids the next day." Derek was delighted to see that Spencer was brightening. "And, what do you want, babe?"
"I want all of that, too. I want to teach and study, then come home to you at the end of the day and just... be with you. That's all I want, Derek. You, and a normal life, out of the public eye."
"That means no more Hollywood."
"No more Hollywood is fine with me."
"Where could we go?"
Spencer grinned. "We could head to my dad's cabin for a while. Just to clear our heads, make some plans. Believe me, it's as far away from the Hollywood lifestyle as you can get."
"I'm in. When can we go?"
"I'll have to work something out at school. Plus, apparently, I have to do The Tonight Show in two weeks."
For the first time in twenty-four hours, Derek laughed. "The Tonight Show? Oh, my God. All right, two weeks. That'll give me time to deal with this house and to put my stuff in storage."
"Two weeks."
"Two weeks until we disappear."
"Off the grid."
"Out of sight..."
"...out of mind." The two looked at each other as they grasped the full magnitude of what they were considering, then Derek raised an eyebrow.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Now, I'm ready for celebration sex."
Spencer sighed. "You do realize I'm hung over, don't you?"
"I can celebrate alone, if necessary."
"Oh, come on-if you let me get some aspirin and another hour's sleep, I'll be good to go." He put his hand on Derek's arm and squeezed. "I don't want you celebrating without me. Please?"
Derek smiled. "Okay, kid. I can wait."
Two weeks later, Spencer was a charming guest on the Tonight Show. He then dispensed with his PR duties as quickly as possible, putting the rest into Garcia's capable hands. Over the course of the next year, he handled the script process mostly by fax and email from a cafe in the little town below his dad's remote mountain cabin. Eventually, the final version of his mother's story crystallized into everything she'd hoped it would be.
Derek Morgan did not appear in the picture.
For a while, he was too busy learning to fish, to chop firewood and pump water from a well, and Spencer called him his rugged mountain man. Later, Derek became fully occupied with getting running water and indoor plumbing made available as he and Spencer built the house of their dreams a little further up the mountain.
For a while, the press went crazy, trying to figure out what had happened to the handsome action star, Derek Morgan. Some deduced that he'd had a nervous breakdown and had been committed to some psych facility in Las Vegas. Others said he'd bought a tiny island in the Caribbean and was living on the beach. Still others speculated that he'd died in a car wreck on Highway 41, right down from where James Dean met his own tragic fate, but there was never any confirmation to that effect.
In reality, Derek immersed himself in building their home and becoming a part of the small, close-knit mountain community, where no one cared who you were or who you loved, as long as you paid your taxes and didn't bring a lot of unwanted attention to their town.
Both Derek and Spencer were very careful not to do that.
Three years pass...
Derek punched in a code at the security gate leading to the road that took him home. As always, his heart lightened as he drove the winding path and saw the structure containing everything he loved within it. He parked, strode up the walkway and entered the house, leaving his job as county sheriff at the door, but before he could even remove his hat, an exasperated demand emanated from up the stairway.
"Derek Morgan, thank God. I need you-now!" Spencer's voice had a note of desperation in it.
"All right, babe, I'm coming-what's going on?"
"I want you to see what your son did!"
Derek slipped the gun out of the holster on his shoulder and placed it in a locked safe box by the door before heading upstairs. When he got to the top, he stopped short at the sight before him.
"Oh, no." Derek broke out laughing-his son, Nicholas, the adorable product of insemination between him and Penelope two and a half years earlier, had gotten hold of a can of shaving cream and had decorated the hallway with intricate patterns and swirls. Spencer had the foam-covered child in his arms and Derek couldn't help but laugh even harder as he noticed the cream was on Spencer's chin and in his hair.
Spencer was not amused.
"And, we just got this painted after the crayon disaster. Could you take him and clean him up, please?" Spencer pressed a kiss into his son's curly dark hair, then held him out to Derek. Nicholas was now frantic to get to his father, screaming "Poppeee!" and attempting to dive-bomb his way into Derek's waiting arms. Derek carried him off to the bathroom and started a bath.
Spencer cleaned himself up, then knelt down to begin wiping away the half-dried mess from the wall, continuing the conversation as he worked.
"What the hell are we going to do when Olivia starts walking?" Olivia was their nine-month old daughter, still sleeping soundly in her crib. She was the precious result of in vitro fertilization between Spencer and Emily.
(Garcia had volunteered to carry the child for them, as she'd found she liked being pregnant; plus, she'd learned to use her delicate condition as an edge when negotiating terms on behalf of her many clients, and she had made it clear that she was available next time the guys wanted to increase their little brood. Not that that was looking too likely at this point.)
Derek grinned. "How about we hire a nanny? I've been telling you-"
"Oh, no, I'm not paying a stranger to raise our babies. I'll just have to give up working, is all." Spencer had been teaching evening classes at the local branch of the University of Idaho campus.
"But, you love teaching."
"I do, but I'm ready for a break. I can always go back to it when they're older."
"Well, that's fine, we can afford it."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, yeah. Between movie and DVD residuals and my cut of the Cherenkov franchise-did I tell you that they're making it into a Saturday morning cartoon?-neither of us will ever have to work again. My baby girl Garcia knew what she was doing when she hammered out those contracts." It amused Spencer that it was now necessary for Derek to distinguish between his actual baby girl and his beloved friend.
"Well, that's good to hear. And, if I have any empty hours, ha ha, I'll just work on my book."
"Yeah, it's taking long enough. Damon Steinberg's chomping at the bit, but there's only one person deemed worthy of writing the sequel to From Earth to Oblivion, and that's you."
"Well, if he complains, I'll take Nick to his office and remind him of what it's like dealing with a toddler."
Derek emerged from the bathroom with a freshly-bathed little boy and clean clothes on himself. Just then, the security system announced a vehicle at the gate, and Derek frowned.
"Now, who the hell could that be?"
Spencer rolled his eyes. "Don't you remember? Pen and Emily are coming for the weekend. And, each one claims she has a surprise for us. I don't mind telling you, I'm scared." Spencer went down to remotely open the gate, then watched from the door until a black SUV pulled up. Spencer turned to go back inside and announced, "They're here!"
Derek and Nick came down, and in a moment, the house was ringing with Garcia's laughter, Nick's squeals of excitement, and Emily's cheerful criticism of the decor.
"Oh, my God, you actually have wagon wheel furniture. You've got to be kidding."
"What's wrong with it? It's really comfortable."
Emily shook her head. "My poor little biological daughter. She's going to grow up thinking cowboy kitsch is normal."
Garcia hmph'd. "How do you think my biological son is going to feel, growing up with a gosh-darn mountain in his back yard? And to think, he could have had a marble swimming pool, like any normal movie star's child."
"I'm no movie star, Pen. Not any more." Derek gave her a warm kiss on the cheek, and Penelope whacked him on his bottom. Derek playfully yelped.
"Hey, now, respect the daddy-"
"Am I in the right place?" A deep male voice sounded from the foyer.
"Who's that?" Derek asked.
"My surprise!" Garcia chortled happily. "In here, sweetheart!"
Aaron Hotchner entered the room, carrying bags. He ruefully gave a nod toward Derek and Spencer.
"Hello."
"Sweetie, you remember Derek and Spencer. This is their son, Nicholas, and this is Emily Prentiss, Spencer's friend from college."
"Gentlemen. Miss Prentiss."
"Call me Emily. And, you are?"
Garcia squeezed Aaron's arm. "This is my boyfriend, Aaron Hotchner. He's head of the Legal Department for Damon Steinberg Productions."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hotchner-Garcia, I had no idea you'd landed yourself a lawyer," Emily teased.
"We met over a contract," Aaron said with a fond smile. "By the time we finished wrangling the terms, I was in love."
"He had me at 'twelve month exclusive,'" Garcia added dreamily.
Spencer and Derek exchanged grins, then Spencer asked, "Where's your surprise, Em?"
"Mine is getting our bags out of the car. Let me see if I can hurry him up."
Everyone glanced at each other, then they moved to look out the window. Both Spencer and Derek gasped as the surprise toted his and Emily's bags to the front porch.
"Hello, everyone!" The hearty voice of FBI agent Dave Rossi boomed through the foyer. He set the bags down as he entered the house and put his arm around Emily's shoulders.
"Agent Rossi!" Spencer was stunned.
"Damn, Prentiss, how did you two get together?" Derek asked.
Dave took the question himself. "I had the amazing opportunity to interview the delectable Miss Prentiss while I was working on the Hankel case. I was so glad when it was over and I could ethically pursue the lady of my dreams in style. And, pursue her I did." He nuzzled Emily's neck and she gave a girlish giggle, then whispered to Spencer, "Isn't he adorable? We're getting married next month!"
"Oh, Em, that's... fantastic!"
"And, guess what?" Garcia happily patted her tummy. "We just found out that we're going to have a little bundle of our own, aren't we, Aaron?" Garcia cast a devoted look at the tall man beside her, and the stern expression on his face melted. Aaron nodded and gave her a quick kiss. "Yes-and, we were thinking of getting married next month, as well."
Derek pulled Spencer into his arms. "Damn, all this marriage talk is giving me ideas. I think we need to make a trip to Iowa, what do you think, babe?"
Spencer looked at Derek in amazement. "You're asking me to marry you?"
"Yeah." He hugged Spencer. "About time, wouldn't you say?"
Spencer nodded and a heart-stopping smile spread across his face. "Yes, I would say so. I love you, Derek."
"I love you, too, sweet boy." He gave Spencer a warm kiss and whispered in his ear, "I'll take you to town and make a proper proposal later, okay, baby?"
Spencer nodded happily and turned back to the group. Emily looked at Dave. "You know, I can't think of a more beautiful setting for a wedding than this place, can you, Dave? Guys? Do you think we could have our wedding here?"
"Sure-what about you, Pen? You and Aaron want to use the Idaho wilderness as the backdrop for your ceremony, too?"
Garcia shook her head firmly. "No way, hon. We're going to Vegas. I need glitz for my big day. Right, honey?"
Aaron gave her a stoic nod. "Whatever you want, dear."
"Well, that'll give my mom an excuse to baby sit, so she'll love that," Spencer mused.
"Excellent." Derek looked at the baggage surrounding them. "How about we show you guys to your rooms and give you a chance to rest up from your drive? Spence, what are we doing about dinner?"
"I've got a huge roast in the oven, and-"
Just then, a baby's cry burst from upstairs and Emily's eyes widened. "My little princess! Come on, Dave, I want you to meet Olivia-she's going to have my looks and Spencer's brains, and Derek's going to teach her how to shoot guns and do self-defense techniques. She's going to be a super-hero!"
Later, everyone was seated at the large rustic dining table that Derek had made by hand. Spencer got the meal on the table, then sat back and looked around him. A swell of happiness rose in his chest, and he had to close his eyes for a moment as he thought of all the things he had to be thankful for.
His dear friends had found someone to share their lives. His mother had found a new treatment program and was slowly beginning to venture out of her house-and she and William had begun a new phase of their lives together.
Spencer was the father of two amazing children that he loved more than he'd ever imagined it was possible to love someone.
And, Derek. The man who made his life complete-his prince, his co-star, his mountain man-was soon to be his husband. Derek must have felt the warmth of Spencer's smile because he turned to him and squeezed his hand before giving him a loving kiss. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Spencer Reid."
"Me, too, Derek. Me, too." Little Olivia chortled in excitement, and Spencer began cutting up vegetables for her to eat. Derek took Nick on his lap to help him focus on his dinner instead of tormenting Rossi, and the conversation turned to Hollywood and all the news of the town Derek and Spencer had left behind.
They couldn't have cared less, but it was fun to hear the stories. Later that night, they settled into bed together and talked wedding plans before nestling into each other's arms to make love. A cold Idaho wind blew fiercely, thwarted in its efforts to invade their warm, secure house.
Once they'd settled down to sleep, Spencer caressed Derek's face. He was tired, but looking forward to the next leg of this extraordinary adventure the two of them had begun, following a chance meeting on a Hollywood sound stage. He knew leaving had been the right thing to do, but...
"Derek?"
"Mm?"
"Any regrets?"
Derek forced one eye open. "Regrets? About what?"
"Giving up your acting career. Leaving Hollywood."
"Oh, hell, no. I'm right where I want to be, right where I belong. Home with my babies-all three of 'em." Derek smiled at him, then gave him a kiss. "Now, stop running that incredible brain of yours and get some sleep. The girls want to go hiking tomorrow, and I just know we're going to end up having to rescue Garcia from a bear or something."
Spencer nodded and closed his eyes, thinking of possible excuses he could use to get out of a hiking trip. He supposed taking care of a baby and a toddler would do...
The three couples all had their weddings within a few weeks of each other, then everyone ended up in Vegas for a blow-out party at the senior Reid's house.
And, afterward?
They all lived happily ever after.
-The End-