Yes, I'm a Genius

“Daddy! Come look at this!” Our daughter says as she bursts open the door. With a loud groan followed by a smile, Spencer crawls out of bed, picks her up and says,

“Where to sweetheart?"

“My bedroom!” She says with a stifled giggle. Curious as to what this mystery was, I crawl out of bed too and begin to follow them. I check my phone to see a whopping 1:37am. In the bedroom I see that Kasey has just finished building her Lego friends set.

“Awww that’s awesome sweetie.” I smile from the doorway with a yawn, and see Spencer give her a big high-five.

“I love it. Which one is this?” Spencer asks.

“This is the best waterpark ever. I call it Kasey’s Kool Slides, but cool with a k. It has all the cool characters and I can make them fight each other! It says you can add water to it! Can I?” 

“As long as you do in the living room, where there’s no carpet.” I add with a smile.

“So! Wanna play?” She zaps while looking at us with the biggest grin I've ever seen. 

We both look at each other with tired eyes and smile. “Absolutely.”

“YES! Okay so this is Emma, she’s my favourite and she likes Mia, Autumn, and Stephanie. But the other girls are their enemies! They’re the mean girls at their school.”

“Are they mean enough to give a tickle attack?” Spencer laughs as he throws her on the bed and tickles her into a fit of giggles. 

“Stop!!! Let's go to the living room and fill it with water!” She giggles as she escapes from his arms and runs down the stairs. 

“Are you sure you’re not too tired honey?” I ask Spencer, seeing his giant eyebags. 

“Of course. How could I miss out on this waterpark drama.”

I smile as he picks up the Lego set and walks down the stairs. Kasey has already cleared a big spot on the living room floor and filled a cup with water. “Are you ready?” She asks us both.

“Mhm.” I say, as we sit down by her and watch as she pours the water in with a giant smile. I watch as Spencer takes one of the characters and begins to fight with the one in her hand. She gasps and pushes his down the slide. Both of them, smiling like idiots. I join in  and they eventually tire eachother out. She collapses on top of Spencer, who has already fallen asleep on my lap. I snap a picture and gently wake him up,

“Spence, wake up its 3 in the morning. Honey, wake up.” I whisper while gently shaking his shoulder. His eyelids shutter and he looks up at me.

“Hi beautiful.” He smiles and shuffles his position.

“Don’t move!” I whisper-shout while pointing towards Kasey. He slips her into his arms, we both walk up as I pick up the lego set. In her room he sets her down on the bed and pulls the covers up slowly. She opens her eyes and smiles at us. 

“Goodnight mommy. Goodnight daddy. Can we play more tomorrow?” 

“I’ll see what I can do about that sweetheart. I love you.”  He says as he places a soft kiss on her forehead, and I do the same.

“I love you so so soooo much sweetie. Goodnight.” I whisper.

“I love you too.” She mumbles as she snuggles into her blankets. We turn out the lights and quietly shut the door. 

“She’s so cute, oh my god.” I mumble as we walk back to the room.

“So cute.” he says with a sleepy smile. I show him the picture I took of the two of them sleeping. He smiles and whispers softly,

It’s been a long day at the office, everyone is gathered at the bar, Spencer has been his normal annoying self all night. I’m leaving the bar after everyone has left, except Spencer of course.

“Y’know today would’ve been so much better if you had just stopped talking. Seriously.” Spencer says as he walks backwards in front of me.  I stop, look at him, and of course he’s smirking. I’m finally done. I want nothing more than to rip that gross smirk off his face. So I do that, not in the only way I know how, but in the only way he wouldn't expect. I roughly grab him by the face and dig my lips into his, pushing him against the wall. 

“Yeah?” I say while tugging on his hair. He reacts quickly by groaning into my lips, like it's all he’d ever wanted. No. Needed. The barrier of tension around us has finally been broken, like a needle to a balloon. Now that I've popped it, I know this is it. I have to prove I can't be broken, won’t be broken.

“You really think you’re in control? God I know how badly you must’ve wanted this.” He says in a breathless whisper as he slides his hands under my thighs and lifts me into his arms. I feel my stomach flutter and my knees start to feel weak. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Something is uneasy about his eyes. The way they look at me feels hungry, starving. 

“Oh really? I’ve wanted this? Look at yourself, you’re barely holding yourself together.” I say, obviously lying. I lean into his growing bulge and he swallows with steady eyes on my every move. The reins of control are passed back and forth, no matter how desperately  I want him to have them.  I’m so afraid he knows that.  He puts one hand under my ass and the other around my waist and he starts to walk to his car. He plops me down and slams the door. He drives urgently to his place, arriving suddenly. I try to get out of the car and walk but he suddenly swings me over his shoulder, so easily. My legs start to tense. Why is this turning me on so much? 

“Put me down. What are you doing Spencer?”

“Carrying you to my bed. What else did you expect?”

The sudden calm on his face is scary but in a way that makes me want even more, an adrenaline of intrigue. To his apartment, to his room, eventually thrown on to his bed in a frenzy. 

“This is what you wanted? Huh? Tell me princess.”

This wasn’t what I wanted when I kissed him, but I want it now, need it now.

“Why don't you find out?” I tease while beginning to undress my shirt, taking a childish amount of time to undo each button. I notice his eyes getting darker with every single one. About halfway done, in a  swift motion, it's ripped off and discarded like nothing. With a small gasp from my mouth, I don’t know what to say.

“Really, you’re going to try and tease me? After you’ve already started this.” He rips off his shirt, then his pants, and everything. Looking at his body, I feel so needy. My once potent hatred, now waning. walking towards me , he spreads my legs, rips off my skirt, then gently clasps the edges of my panties, sliding them slowly over my skin, throwing them to the floor. I unclip my bra, nipples hard and aching. I swear I hear him whisper under his breath something along the lines of, “beautiful.” Pushing me further onto the bed, me now on my back. He begins to kiss and nip at the skin on my bare stomach. His fingers trail along my folds and he begins to dip his fingers in and out. Fuck. 

“All wet for me.” He says with that stupid smirk.

“Oh shut-up.” I groan.

He uses his free hand to grasp my breast, teasing soft circles around my nipples. I whimper blissfully. He kisses down my neck, then my stomach, sucking on my hips, then leaving peppered kisses down my pussy. I shutter. 

He slides on a condom just before he lines himself up with my entrance, gently slapping his cock over it.  

 With a cocky smile and a powerful push, he’s inside me, and he doesn’t stop. I moan and wrap my arms around his neck. He pounds into me with controlling movements, angry ones. With my fierce scratches carving into his back. He seems unfazed, maybe even happy. 

“I’ve always wanted to see you like this, to rip that witty demeanor you carry right off. And I have, you’re a mess.”

“You think you’re making me a mess? Trust me this isn’t what a mess looks like.” 

“Oh we’ll see about that.”

His anger turns me on, it sets me on fire. His anger gets worse and his thrusts only get harder, more urgent. I wrap my legs around his waist and he starts to go slower but still so fucking hard. 

“Fuck.” I cry. He smiles in response. His fingers wrap around my clit, urging me gently while rubbing sly circles. 

“Oh god I’m close” 

I groan. “Harder.”

He doesn’t disappoint and thrusts into me with even more force, leaning in to cup my breasts. Rubbing my nipples with his fingers gently, while pressing harder and pinching suddenly. I scream a moan in reaction. He leans down to suck my nipples, biting and nipping at them. I’ve never been touched this way, and he’s coming to know that. His groans and breathy whispers are so much more beautiful than I’d ever expected them to be.

“I’m gonna! Im-” I yelp as he pulls out just in time for me to not finish. He hasn’t finished either, but he wants to watch me squirm, and fuck, I do. Wriggling under him in incoherent whines. The line between pleasure and pain seems so distant it hurts.

“Please.” I pant in a small voice. His smile makes me boil but my desire is so much hotter. 

“Tell me you’re mine and I’ll let you cum.”

“What?” 

“You heard me.”

He slowly creeps his head down between my thighs, licking one soft stroke down the middle of my pussy, making me arch needlessly. His hands are big and rough lacing my outer thighs with silky strokes and gentle rubs. He lifts my legs onto his shoulders, moving even closer to the place I want him most. My hand hesitantly but eagerly grips onto his hair and pulls.

“Come on, you know you want to.” He whispers while looking up into my eyes, the darkness in them looking so much hotter than it used to. My brain fighting between giving in and taking the reins once more, finally being in control. Just as I’m about to resist him, he says,

“Alright then princess, you’re stronger than I thought.” and he begins to swirl soft circles around my clit, making me whine desperately.  Though everything is telling me no, god no, take back control, leave, walk out, get away, dont. I plead in a voice so needy it surprises even me, “Im yours. Please. I-I'm all yours. “ 

His head cocks back and he smiles, “Good girl, I knew you had it in you.” He hesitates for a second, looking at me. This time, I don’t know what his eyes are saying. Then he digs his head into my core, his tongue exploring what I like, and what I don’t. I’m loud enough so that he knows, and he loves it. He plunges his tongue inside me and takes it out, using my wetness to coat me in a lustful mess. Soft in some spots, rough in others. Fluttering his tongue around my layers, sucking slowly around my clit. Rolling my hips and swinging my arms above my head. My mewls and moans make him work even harder, incoherent words mumble from my mouth. Once I’m close, I cry, 

“Spencer. Oh god Spencer.” 

I’ve already given up control. This can’t be any worse. 

“You’re adorable when you’re like this y’know? All needy and wet,  and all for me. I was right.” He says in a breathless voice that makes me groan with pleasure.

I roll my eyes and mumble, “Right about what..mm?”

“You must’ve wanted me so fucking bad, to be rolling your hips and moaning my name. All this just for me. It’s hilarious.” He breathes with a bitchy smile. Everytime he talks against me, his voice vibrates my insides.

“Shut up.”

He laughs, “No shitty comeback, I must really have you on your knees, or well, on your back, about to come for me.” He smirks.“Y’know.” He says as he licks me up and down, making me shiver and writhe. “I think you look so perfect under me. All simple and helpless.” While before he can spit out anything else, I pull on his hair, pushing him even deeper into me. He doesn’t complain and eats me for all I’m worth, all I am. I cum in waves. Waves of pleasure and a sense of giving in. I’m overtaken, I’ve waited and this was it. I groan and shutter, twitching until it's over. I let out a shaky breath I didn’t know I had. Eyes closed, head held back. Spencer's eyes were on me, I couldn't see them but God, he was admiring me. He thinks I look so beautiful, a sweaty, blushing mess. But he’d never say. One day I won't need him too. The night ends with his arms around my waist, tangled in sheets. 

The next morning was a bliss shattered by a phone call. My familiar ringtone haunts me and my arm wrangles out to grab it, it’s Hotch. Picking it up I yawn, “Yeah? Hotch, is everything alright?” 

“You’re late. So is Spencer. Do you know where he is? He didn’t pick up. Also, come to work.” 

“Shit” I mumble while looking over at Spencer laid out on the bed, the sun hitting him in a way that curses me. 

“Yeah..uhm we hung out after the bar. So I stayed on his couch. We’ll be right there. Sorry!” Sounding so fucking unconvincing.

“You two. ‘Hanging out?’ Alright, just get here.” He said it in that one way, the way you know he’s suspicious of you but not angry, not that angry. He hangs up.

“That was the shittiest excuse I've ever heard. In what world would he believe that we were hanging out?” Spencer laughs from the bed, stretching as he sits up.

The walk to work

You live about a ten minute walk from the office, you love this walk, and cherish it really. It's the time to get your thoughts together, you always try to convince yourself to wake up earlier to have “you time”. You bet it’s overrated. Trying to find any peace while working as a profiler isn’t so simple. Any “you time” is spent trying to get into the minds of sadistic psychopaths. The year you've worked at the office has absolutely fucked you up. Not that you're not fucked up already. you are. You found a new family at the bau, one that by not much comparison, is way better than yours. Though, you still talk too much, still get those same “Please shut up” looks. There are only two people at the office who swear they could listen to you for hours, Spencer, and Penelope. Even so, you think sometimes Penelope gets tired of you. 

Walking into the office you're greeted with the sweet smell of coffee, old paper, and a smell you can only find in an office that you can't quite describe. It’s welcoming, you can’t deny that. you spot Spencer studying his computer and walk up to him.

 “Hey spence.”

He lifts his head up and gives you his sickeningly sweet smile, “Hey come grab your chair and roll over here, I wanna show you something.” 

There's a simple sparkle in his eyes that excites the shit out of you. That look makes your stomach flutter. 

“Ooooooo! I’m excited. Is it that coffee mug I was showing you? Did you look at their website? I heard that it almost got shut down, which is crazy knowing how much detail and effort goes into their stuff. Still shocked that all of it could be handmade.” you ramble as you roll your chair next to him in a swift motion. 

“I’m sorry to say it is not, it’s even better.”

He’s right. He is so right. It’s a photoshopped picture of Hotch with an anime body pillow. On a t-shirt. You start laughing so hard, you can't stop. And as one of those people who explode onto the floor in a silent wheezy laughter, you do just that. It’s an ongoing battle between you two to find the funniest thing Hotch could do, there has been him riding a unicorn, salsa dancing, in a maid costume, etc. This got you so good. 

“Jesus, jesus. You win.” you say breathlessly as you stand back up. This obviously catches the attention of Derek and Emily and they walk over. They know about your stupid battle, and despite warning you that he’s going to find out, they of course participate. 

“Oh my god? Oh my god.” Emily says as she looks reluctantly at the screen. 

Derek just starts laughing. you're still giggling. Your phone buzzes suddenly, it’s a text from your mom.

“Oh god oh god oh no.” you mumble as you look at your phone. Your mom isn’t anyone you want to be hearing from. The simple text reads,

“How’s the bau?” You haven’t told anyone in your family you're a profiler, or where you work, or anything about your life.

Looks are exchanged between Emily and Derek. 

“Are you alright?” Asks Emily.

You start to freak out. 

“Yeah, Yeah yeah fuck okay yeah. I’m fine, it's alright. I just have to go really quick.” You start as you stand up and almost run out into the hall, pressing the elevator up. Staring at the buttons feeling like dogshit. Your brain is running its mouth, something you have gotten better at keeping in, is the outside talking. It’s still a part of you, but you hope it won't always be. It’s the only way people will listen, if you talk so much they can't look away, can’t ignore you. But at the same time you feel like they never do hear you. Tears welling in your eyes despite this being insanely stupid. The elevator doors open and you step in with a choked breath, someone slips in behind you. 

“Are you okay?” Spencer asks slowly while hitting the elevator button.

“No.” 

He had seen you get nervous but never really freak out. your fists clenched, Skin pale, teeth chattering. You had told him. Only him. A bit about your mom and family.

“What’s happened sweetheart? ” He says with his arm gently landing on your shoulder.

You feel insanely stupid. You walk out of the elevator into the parking lot.

“My mom texted.”

“Oh god, are you okay?”

“Not really, I'm sorry.” My voice starts to break, you bite your lip. “She found out where I work. What am I going to do? Is she going to tell people, make up rumors? Try to get me to come back? I keep my life secret for a REASON. I don’t know how she found out. Do you think someone here told her? I-”

His arms wrap around you and grip you intensely. He takes your arms and places them  around his waist. His hand lands on your head, stroking soft patterns into your hair. Gentle. Your hot cheek pressing  firmly against the cool vest that’s wrapped around his chest. You exhale into his arms. He cups your cheek and caresses it slowly.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. She can’t hurt you.”

Words that make you melt. You nuzzle into his neck. Just to stay for another minute. Breathing in the scent of fresh laundry, books, and coffee. The only person you'd ever feel so comfortable to hold, and to let hold you, is him. You let go, you know if you don't now you won't ever want to. He looks down at you, for a little too long, then takes your still shaking hand and begins to walk into the elevator. You follow him.  

That night, you cried a lot. Feeling so vulnerable that she knows where you are, god and probably who you're with. It’s always power with her. Can’t leave you alone but doesn’t love you enough to actually talk to you, to want you.  

Couple days later

Now, You're on a case, in Canada. Triple homicide of teen girls. Typical, yet always disgusting. you're currently in the car, being driven to the nearest motel. You're sitting in the middle of the back, next to Spencer and Emily. You pull out the seatbelt to make it budge and lay your head on it. Uncomfortable, sure, but when you’re exhausted nothing else but rest matters. You start to drift asleep, smelling the leather of the seatbelt, and feeling it rub and glide against your skin.  Hearing faint voices and the feeling of being carried out of the car feeling so warm. The subtle smell of coffee floating in the air.

You wake up. Soft hotel bed sheets cuddled into your arms, the familiar smell of well- Spencer, fills your nose. He’s next to you, looking so peaceful with the sunlight hitting him at the most cruel angle, shining on the curve of his nose, the curls of his brown husky hair. He looks so beautiful. All you want to do is lay in his arms and sink into his skin. It's truly tiring loving someone knowing what’s swimming beneath your eyes, in your mind. You know you'd love him and all of his horrors, you hope someone will love you and yours. His eyes flicker open, and land on yours.

“Mornin.” He mutters sleepily. It makes your heart flutter. 

“Good morning. How’d you sleep?” You ask while sitting up to stretch. He does the same. 

He looks at you and gives you a lazy smile, “Pretty good, I’m assuming you did too?”

“Yeah, yeah. But who moved me out of the car? That's the last thing I remember.”

“I did. I carried you from there onto the lobby couch, then to our room while we were getting checked in, since I was carrying you, they decided everybody should share, and we all agreed.”  

You both stare at each other for a little while until you mumble, “Thank you, Spencer.”

“For what?” He says as you both get up to get dressed and start the day.

 He just stares at you, with a look in his eyes, a feeling that you can’t make out. 

“For everything. For carrying me in, and always listening to the things i say, for being so sweet, and cute, and hugging me, calming me down,  for not ignoring me or wishing i would shut up, or atleast making it seem like you don’t want me to shut up, for spending time with me and making jokes with me, and making me fall in love with you-. Shit. Im sorry. Fuck. Just forget it.” You rub your hands over your face and rub your eyes, “sorry.”

“Okay I’m really sorry.” You mumble.

…

“I love you.”

“What?”

“I love you when you ramble, when you’re a stuttering mess, when you’re crying, when you’re scared, I love you when you get excited about things like coffee mugs, I love you so much when you’re laughing, when you smile and your whole face lights up. I love you when you get these ideas and they’re so smart I start to feel stupid. I love you when your teeth are chattering and you’re freaking out. I love you how you are- and I will love you forever.” He says so passionately that your knees feel weak. His hands cup your cheeks, silky smooth fingers and rough harsh fingertips. You kiss him, You kiss him like nothing else matters. Morning breath? Maybe, but the taste of loving Spencer Reid is stronger. He returns the favour and pushes you into him, his hands exploring your hips and waist, pulling you up into his arms. You nuzzle into his neck yet again and leave soft peppered pecks along his jawline and down his neck. He dances his fingertips up and down your palm and locks your fingers together.

“I love you, Spence.”

“God I love you too, Beautiful.”

Anyway bonus because im bored

Spencer's POV of carrying you out of the car!!

I see her laying against the seatbelt, a soft trail of drool tipping off the edge of the leather. I swear she’s the prettiest thing. We stop at the hotel, Hotch says, 

“Should we wake her up?”

“No. I’ll take her in.” I add while gently unbuckling the seatbelt. Stopping to stare at her for only a second, or 20. A pang hits my heart as I just remember how much she worries, hoping she’s at least at peace in her sleep. I wrap my arms under her, slowly lifting her from the seat. She leans into my chest and I swear it’s the cutest thing I've ever seen. I love her so much. We get inside and I lay her down on the lobby couch, sitting by her side, her head now in my lap. I brush the hair from her face as softly as I can. We get checked in and I pick her up again and carry her into the room, silent footsteps down the hall.

I place her on the bed, take off her shoes, and put the covers over her. Suddenly she's awake, and I tell her to go back to sleep, but she insists on changing into her pjs. Apparently sleeping without them is torture. She’s perfect. Now she’s knocked right out, clinging to the bedsheets, pulling them all on top of her. Doesn’t matter. Rather freeze then take them away from her anyway. I go over today's events, and the last couple days, months, and the day she first got here, looking so beautiful, being so lovely and kind.

When I first met her she talked my head off, but I didn't care. I wanted to hear what she had to say, and it wasn't at all stupid. There's a part of me that used to talk a lot. That part is slowly coming back with her. I want her in my arms, I drift asleep thinking of a life with her.

The day comes. It’s around 8am. Everyone’s cars are parked outside your house. Everyone carrying bags. You're not the one who's going to be driving. It’s Hotch. You’ll be Navigating. Which kinda freaks you out, just a little.

“All right, are we ready to go?” Asks Derek as he loads the last few bags into the back of your car. You chime back with, “Yeah I think we’re all set.” Looking around catching nods from the rest of the team.

Everyone awkwardly piles into the car, it’s cozy, in a ‘ready for a road trip’ type of way. You’re in the passenger seat, Hotch in the driver's seat. Spencer and Derek sitting in the middle two, with JJ, Emily, and Penelope piled in the back three. Cozy. You’re very excited for this trip. Your family hadn’t really been big on camping, and anytime you did go, it ended in catastrophe.

You pull out a map as Hotch pulls out of your driveway and onto the street.

“Finally” you sigh.

About two hours fly by and you’re finally outside of civilization. The beautiful trees meet your eyes and you smile. It’s around early fall so it’s still quite warm but the leaves are vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. You also see Spencer, reading a book with his elbow on the arm rest. He looks perfect reading there. You stare for a while then, you’re brought back to reality when Hotch asks,

“Where's the next turn?” You freak out a little, having lost your place and flip over the map a few times before finding your place and adding, “Right up the street, I'll tell you when I see it.” He nods. You look at Derek and see him smirking at you, he winks. You look away, embarrassed.

After four hours, a little bit of screaming directions, silly jokes, stares between you and Spencer, and stifled giggles later, you make it to the campsite. Stepping out of the car you wobble around for a second. You have only taken a few bathroom breaks/snack stops so your legs feel like jelly. You stretch all your limbs.

“Oh my god! We made it. I thought we’d be trapped in there forever.” Penelope laughs while hopping out of the car.

JJ adds, “God, I know right.” Emily and Spencer laugh.

Everyone’s out of the car and you walk around to find the perfect spot. After around 10 minutes you find the most perfect place ever and say, “This is it.”

“Damn okay, this is nice.” Derek smiles while laying down the bags. He was carrying most of them. After setting up the tents, you frown. You’re missing a tent. Asking everyone if they had brought a tent you come to the conclusion that you had, forgot, a tent. Feeling so very embarrassed you say, “Shit, I’m sorry guys, I made sure to check everything. I swear I brought one.”

“It’s okay, just means SOMEONE will have to share.” Derek laughs while looking between you and Spencer.

Spencer smiles and looks at you, you smile too. Hotch notices people looking for an answer and states, “I’ll decide who shares. You and Spencer,” While pointing at the two of you. The girls giggle rapidly behind you while they share knowing glances at each other. They know you like him. Derek laughs as soon as he sees your face go bright red. You smile, nod at Spencer and say, “Alright, who’s ready for a bonfire.”

Everyone nods as you go to gather firewood. “Hey, can I come with you?” Spencer asks as you’re about to leave. You’re surprised by this because he has been ignoring you the last week or so, but nonetheless say, “Sure yea.”

You begin the walk, grabbing some firewood, and looking at each other every few seconds before you break the silence and ask, “Why have you been ignoring me, Spencer, did I do something wrong?”

There’s a silence that rips you in half, until,

“I like you too much.”

“Wait what?”

“You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted to hold, to love and cherish. I can’t deal with those emotions. I love you.”

You’re stunned, and by this time you’re already back at the campsite and it's getting dark. So you part ways and start the fire. The flames barely envelop your feelings, you have no idea what to do. Sitting around the fire, you keep looking at Spencer, to find him already looking at you. After scary stories and s'mores, around midnight you decide to call it. Everyone leaves to their tents. You put out the fire before walking towards yours.

Spencers inside, reading a book. The only light coming from a warm lantern. He notices you walk in and sits up, placing his book down. You change into pajamas in your sleeping bag. You finally meet his eyes and he says, “I’m sorry I made things awkward, I know you don’t have an answer and that’s okay but-”

“I love you too.”

“Really?”

“Always.”

You wrap him in a bear hug, breathing in the scent of pine and coffee with too much sugar. You both lay down and he says, “Goodnight.”

“One more thing, Spence.”

“Sure, yea.”

You kiss him softly while holding his cheeks. After pulling away he looks stunned, as you roll over.

“Hey- what you can’t just roll over after that.”

“Goodnight, Spencer.” you say as you turn off the light.

“You okay sweetheart?” You ask while walking up behind him. He’s fixing his tie in the mirror. With a deep breath he says, “Yeah, just a little nervous. Are you sure they’ll like me? I mean you’re you and I'm just me.” 

“Yeah and you know what? You’re the best person I've ever met and - might I mention, the love of my life. They’re gonna love you just as much as I do.”  you reply back.

He smiles as you lean over and kiss him on the cheek.

“Okay, let’s go?” He says.

“Mhm.”

You walk out hand in hand and begin the drive. Even though you know how awkward Spencer is, you know your family will love him nonetheless. Arriving at your family’s house, you park, then step out. Spencer gives you a nervous smile before you whisper,

“It’ll be okay, trust me.” While you hold out your hand. He takes it and gestures to you to walk toward the door, you do. With a simple knock the night has begun. The door opens and you’re both greeted by your mother,

“Oh hi! You must be Spencer- I’ve heard such great things about you!” She says while wrapping him into a mom hug. You could see his arms try and figure out where to go. They land awkwardly on her upper-back and he gives her a gentle ‘pat pat’. After the strange hugs come to an end Spencer gives her that clumsy nervous smile he always gives and says,

“Yeah! And I-I’ve heard such good things about you as well. Thank you for letti- uhm inviting me Mrs.!” 

your mother gestures for him to continue along in the house. He looks to you for the look of approval. You smile and walk with him into the living room. You stop dead in your tracks and see that there's ribbons. There's streamers, and THERE IS a BALLOON WITH ‘Welcome to the family, Spencer!’ ON IT!

 You blurt out, “Oh my god, mom! You did not have to do all this!”

“Well, of course I did, honey, this is important.” She laughs.

You shake your head and mutter, “You seriously didn’t.” under your breath.

Spencer smiles and looks at you. You have a look that says ‘sorry my parents are insane.’ 

He shakes his head and whispers, “It's okay, you aren’t gonna scare me away with balloons and ribbons.”

You smile and nod. Your dad walks up to Spencer while holding out his hand, Spencer hesitantly shakes it and tries to be as firm as possible, clearly. 

“Spencer! How are ya?” He says while making scary eye contact with him.

Spencer looks like he’s trying to find words and lands on, “Uhm yeah I’m good, great.”

Your dad gives him a death stare, then guffaws and almost shouts, “HAH! Got ya pal! I’m just kidding! Thanks for coming. You know she really is crazy about you. She keeps having like- hour long phone calls with her mother in the middle of the night, all to talk about you!” 

Spencer looks surprised and smiles at you. But he can see you're already giving your dad a mean glare. He can tell you’re joking but, not fully.

Next are your aunties, who seem to be darting directly toward you and Spencer. You can’t avoid what's about to happen.

“Spencer of my gosh you are so handsome!” your first aunty says while cupping his cheeks and then finally, giving the boob-smothering aunty hug and finishing him off with the not-so-subtle cheek kiss. Spencer barely makes it out and you can tell. 

“Nice to meet you too.” He says.

Your other aunty just seemed to be entertained by her wine glass so you take that as an escape. You grab Spencer by the hand and go towards your parents. But get caught many times by different family members. With lots of cousin hugs and aunty kisses later, Spencer faintly seems to be surviving. Though, occasionally you give him an ‘are you okay?’ look that he always nods at.

“Can we eat now?” You quip with a pleasant smile. Now finally infront of your parents.

Your mom, standing next your dad, says, 

“ Of course! Dinner is ready and we wouldn’t want it to get cold, follow me.”

And we follow her, which lands us sitting at the dining table. You get up to go help your mother, which follows by her pleading that you sit back now. With not too much of a fight, you oblige. You smile at Spencer, he smiles back. You hold his hand under the table. Your mother begins to bring out an entire roast chicken. With mashed potatoes and so much more. You begin to feel hungry, like really hungry. You’d always loved your moms cooking and right now it felt like a necessity to devour it, and you did. You were honestly too busy eating to notice Spencer talking. 

“And also 88% of Americans regularly partake in family dinners, 59% of families dine together at least five times weekly. And more generally, 84% of parents agreed that family meals were important but only 50% of family dinners were eaten together.”

You look up at him and can see that your parents eyes are darting in between Spencer and each other. All of your cousins, aunts, and uncles stare at him. 

“Wow! I mean honey you told me he was smart but I didn’t know you meant a walking encyclopaedia!” Your mother looks at you and laughs.

Your dad smiles and adds, “Way to go kid!”

Everyone makes sweet remarks and begs him to tell them about random topics regarding their lives.

Spencer smiles at them and then at you. You all spend the rest of the night listening to Spencer's occasional genius blabber, your parents' corny jokes, you laughing at them, your uncle's bold jokes, and your aunt's wine glass clinking against yours. As the night comes to an end, you and Spencer are standing at the door, saying your goodbyes.

“You are just great together! It was a pleasure meeting you Spencer.” Your mother says, giving him yet another mom hug, but definitely not the last one. And your dad walks up to Spencer, pats him on the shoulder and says, “You really are a special kid, glad you two found each other.” 

You're surprised to hear that coming from your dad, and you give him a reassuring look that he knows is a, ‘thank you.’ 

“It was great to meet you guys too. I look forward to seeing you both again.” Spencer promises.

You smile, giving your parents more goodbyes and hugs. With the shut of the door the night ends. 

You both walk out, hand in hand. Smiling at each other and giggling.

“How’d I do?” Spencer asks.