#x child!reader

How do you tell a kid their parents abandoned them? Jack had been stuck with that question for the better part of two days now. Your parents hadn’t been seen by anyone. It was as if they’d left earth's surface and never looked back. For all he and everyone else knew they could have moved to another country. At the very least they didn’t reside in Pittsburgh anymore, at least according to the police.

Jack had been watching you from the kitchen for the last hour. You’d settled onto the couch with a warm blanket around you. Your favorite plushie tucked under your arm as you slept soundlessly, except for the soft snores that left you ever so often since you were still sick. The cartoon in the background was still playing softly, the black end credits already on.

In the last two days you’d stayed with him he’d gotten your things from your parents house. Said home that had been empty for two days. Your parents' belongings had been gone when the cops had let him inside the house. Abandoned shirts they’d opted not to take with them hanging from the drawers. The apples in the kitchen had gone bad, he hadn’t particularly liked the smell from the kitchen. No doubt your parents hadn’t changed the trash for a week at least or something had been left out to get moldy for some days.

Your room had been the chaotic mess it had been the day you got sick. The paper sheets half colored on the floor instead of your desk, the pens you’d used spread all over the floor. He’d cringed when he accidentally stepped on a lego piece with his non prosthetic foot.

On your request he’d grabbed the plushie on the bed. It was well loved to say the least. The stuffing was all in one place and one of the eyes was barely hanging on by a thin thread. He’d also per your request grabbed a blanket that was in the living room. Jack couldn’t help the way his lips curled down in a frown as he saw the family photos either turned away or with the picture facing the surface it had once stood on. It was as if your parents in their haste to leave had turned the once happy pictures away to hide the guilt that seeped into the cracks of their hearts. To hide the shame and in Jack's opinion the horrible decision they’d made. He didn’t understand how they could abandon you. Despite you being sick a lot you were a good kid. They had raised you well despite their recent act of abandonment. So he didn’t actually understand why they’d dropped you off at the hospital and just left.

No matter what he thought of the situation he was stuck with you at the moment. Not that he minded all that much. You were one of his favourite patients. And despite knowing it wasn’t good to get involved with your patients in any way he couldn’t help it. You were living with him, he was taking care of you. It was hard to not see you as his kid. He’d thought about it. If he fostered you, adopted you. If you got sick again he could easily help you. He’d come to acknowledge that he wasn’t horrible as a dad.

Then again as soon as those thoughts came the doubt would slither itself into his mind. Whisper that you were better off with a stable family, two parents, maybe siblings. He couldn’t give you that, at least not as of now.

“Jack?” He blinked, a hum leaving him as he was cast out of his thoughts. Walking over to you, he sat down by the end of the couch. Your head poked out from the blanket burrito you’d entangled yourself in as he settled down. Watching as he placed your meds and a glass of water on the coffee table.

“When will mom and dad be back” Jack had to look away from you to hide the frown on his face. Not only because of your innocent question but because your voice sounded so weak. His hand automatically went to your forehead. If the fever didn’t break until tomorrow he’d bring you to the hospital again.

He didn’t answer at first. How could he? Jack didn’t know the answer to your question, no one did. He glanced back at you, the hopeful expression, and something cracked inside of him. While his wife had left involuntarily your parents had left purposely. It wasn’t a coincidence they left you at his hospital.

Jack couldn’t just outright tell you they abandoned you. Or maybe he could, but it felt wrong to do so. “I don’t know” he looked towards the tv, avoiding your gaze. “Maybe, maybe they aren’t”

Your hopeful expression fell. Face scrunching up in confusion, abandonment wasn’t something that existed in your world. Not until now. “Are they in a better place, like grandma?”

That might have very well been a stab to his heart.

“No, they-“ he paused trying to find the right words. “They couldn’t take care of you anymore, but maybe” Jack handed you the medicine giving you a look of ‘don’t argue with me’.

“Maybe you if you want, I could care for you” when had he decided that was a good idea? Like actually decided.

“Like forever?” Your brows knitted in confusion. Was he going to be your new dad? “Like-like my new dad?” A cough left you.

“If you want” he had not thought this through.

You blink. Still somewhat confused, Jack didn’t fault you for it, it was confusing to a kid who’d only known the love of their parents before this. “Okay” you swallowed the pill with a grimace, your throat still hurt. Downing the rest of the water you curled back into the corner of the couch. Closing your eyes. You liked Jack and didn’t mind staying with him.

Okay. Okay. He could do this right? He took care of patients every night, how hard could a child be? His wife had always wanted kids, but that had clearly not gone to plan. Looking down at you now. Arms curled around your plushie, half asleep. Yes he could do this. For his wife. She would have helped you, and Jack could only wish he made his wife proud. For you. If you felt safe with him, if you wanted to stay with him he’d make that happen.

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By morning the fever still hadn’t broke through even with the help of the meds. The trip back to the hospital was inevitable at that point. Especially since the fever kept rising.

Grabbing the keys to his house he glanced into the kitchen to see that the light was off before he turned to walk towards you who was sat on the bench by the door. “Alright, got your jacket?”

You don’t look at him. Instead your gaze stays on your feet that’s dangling back and forth as you sit on the small bench-like seating area he had by the entry way to be able to put on his shoes easier when he didn’t have his prosthetic on.

“No” He raised a brow at the sheepish tone that tinted your otherwise hoarse voice. At least your voice sounded better than yesterday where it’s barely been a whisper.

His head turned towards you disapprovingly. It had rained all night, the wind was still blowing outside in cold gusts. And you were still sick.

Jack glanced at your short sleeves then back outside where he could hear the patter of rain against the road. Along with the puddle by the side walk, a hole that had yet to be fixed by the city. Watching the rain he shook his head. Hell no, you were putting your jacket on if he had anything to say about it.

“Put it on” his voice was stern but still held that gentleness he always reserved for you. “don’t want you getting more sick now, do we?” He grabbed your jacket and handed it to you, he couldn’t help but to frown at how thin it was, he’d have to get you a new one.

Your hands curled around the fabric before you, with a pout, put one arm through the sleeve and then the other. It did make the shivers from the fever go away slightly, not that you’d admit that Jack was right. You might be sick, but you were still a stubborn kid.

Jacks zipped your jacket, an assessing gaze as his eyes flicked up and down on your form. Making sure you were comfortable and warm. “Anything else you want to bring?” He didn’t know how long you’d stay at the hospital, at the very least overnight, his two days of work were up and he’d have to work today, no one to cover his shift.

He watched you walk into the living room, coming back out with your plushie. Of course.

His hand went onto your shoulder and he steered you towards his car. Opening the door to the passenger seat for you he watched you climb inside. Maybe if you were to stay with him he’d have to get a different car that wasn’t so far off the ground. But he did love his ridiculous big truck.

A smile tugged at his lips as he rounded the car and got into the driver's seat, watching you place the plushie nearly in your lap before you put on your seatbelt. Putting on his own seatbelt he started the car.

The drive wasn’t too long. Since his wife died he’d moved closer to the hospital. He hadn’t been able to stay in the same house they’d once happily lived in. The house that was planned to fill with the laughter of children and the smell of home cooked meals. But maybe now at least he could get one of those things.

As the two of you made it inside the hospital he kept a tight, not too tight, grip on your shoulder. Steering you past everyone in the waiting room. Shielding you slightly from a man that was coughing. He did not need you catching anything else.

You give a shy wave to Lupe as the two of you stop in front of the protective glass, walking right past the line of sick people. But Jack didn’t care all that much. Lupe smiled back at you. By now you recognized her and most other doctors, maybe one of the positive things about having to go to the hospital a lot. She recognized you too, as most of the staff did.

“Hi hon, you still sick?” You nod slightly, pressing yourself slightly into Jack as you look back at the angry glares from the people you’d skipped ahead of. Jack’s response was to unconsciously move you in front of him, his back receiving the glares instead.

“Robby in yet?” He kept you in place as he spoke to Lupe, keeping you from wandering off.

Your eyes glanced around the room. It felt different now, being here without your parents. It was like an emptiness in your chest you wanted to scratch away but couldn’t. It was scary. Jack had said they weren’t coming back. Maybe he’d said. But maybe had always been a no. When your parents said you could maybe get ice cream you never got it. So your parents weren’t coming back, Jack just didn’t know how to tell it to you.

It was true that kids were more perceptive than adults thought.

Lupe opened the door for you and Jack as they finished talking. Giving you a sympathetic smile before she got right back to the many complaining people waiting to get seen.

Jack steered you deeper into the hospital until he stopped by the nurses station. On the way he’d crouched down slightly to pick you up as he’d noticed your steps faltering from lack of energy.

He greeted Dana with a hushed voice not wanting to talk straight into your ear. Remembering you telling him loud noises rang in your ears almost painfully. Which had brought him to think that maybe you had an ear infection, but then it could just be the fever and headache doing its miserable job.

Perhaps against the usual protocol he gently placed you on the desk. Arms going on either side of you, caging you in so he could keep his eyes on you. He doubted you’d wander away but it was for extra precautions he told himself. Not because he was extremely worried for you and wanted to keep you as close as possible.

His body was slightly leaning to the right so he could see Dana clearly behind you. “Got a room open?” Any other day he would have greeted her but he was here for far more important things.

“Langdon just finished with a patient in room 9, can add the kid to the board and page Robby for you” working at the hospital was good for one thing at least.

“You’re a life saver Dana”

“Don’t I know it, take care of the kid now” she gave Jack a gentle but stern look as if to tell him what she’d bring down on him if he didn’t treat you well. Not that she doubted him, she could see the care and worry he held for you. The paternal instincts that had formed over two days. Even if he hadn’t admitted it to himself yet. You were already his kid now, no matter what would happen.

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It didn’t take long for Robby to arrive to your room in the ER. Personal cases usually tended to take priority even if it wasn’t serious. Besides since you only ever let Jack or Robby treat you, it’d be better for everyone if he took your case as soon as possible without the hassle if anyone else tried to treat you.

“Go easy on him will you, the newly made dad is really worried in there”

Robby couldn’t help the shit eating grin as he shook his head at Dana. “I always go easy on him”

“Sure you do- Antoine stop arguing with your girlfriend and get back to wo-“ Robby closed the door softly behind him as he stepped into your room. He felt like he almost intruded onto a sacred place as his eyes glanced over the room. The lights were dimmed, no doubt you had a headache then. Jack had scooted the stiff hospital chair closer to the bed you laid on. Your hands fiddling with the soft fur of a worn out plushie. Robby didn’t dare say anything at first, not when Jack talked to you in hushed words. Whispers that could only be heard to those included in the bubble of two.

The room felt much calmer than the rest of the ER. Maybe that’s why Robby stayed by the door for a few seconds. Catching his own breath. No beeping, no yelling, no people walking in every direction stretching themselves thin. Just a sick kid, Jack and a dark room.

“Still a fever?” Jack hadn’t just mentioned you when talking to Robby the last two days. It was all he ever talked about. Your symptoms. A cute thing you’d said. The way he was planning to start the process of adopting you. You were all he’d talked about for two days straight. And in the room right now, Robby could see clear as day that Jack could as well have been your dad by blood with the way he looked at you.

It wasn’t all that odd to him or Dana that Jack had so quickly fit right into the pattern as your caregiver. Because the fact was it hadn't happened overnight. Jack had been your primary doctor for the last few years, he’d always been extra gentle with you, and now you were fully under his care. He’d been bound to this fate years ago, even if no one knew it back then.

Jack bites the inside of his lip in worry. “Still a fever, last time I checked it was 105.8” He shook his head slightly before looking at Robby who gently hooks you up to the monitors. “It just keeps going higher”

“What tests did you do last time?” Robby’s fingers grab his glasses, while his other hand uses his doctor badge to log into the computer and into your medical chart.

“Just the blood test, parents wanted to leave as soon as they could” he relaxes his hand when he feels you try to force his fingers into a fist. “Like I said three days ago when we talked I told them to come back in the morning before I left but they never did”

“Think we’ll redo them just to be safe, maybe add a UA… pee test” Robby clarified for you as he turned his body to face you more, seeing the confusion written in your scrunched up face. “Think you can do that?” He gives you a soft smile in return as he watches you nod. You’d done them before, but both Jack and Robby learned long ago to always ask if you were okay doing it, and telling you what it was if you didn’t know. “We could do some scans but Jack they’re always clean, doubt it’ll change this time around”

“Better safe than sorry” at Jack’s words, Robby added the tests into your chart before moving forward to take your blood. Then he proceeded with all the other tests. Luckily they all came back clean. Like every time they deemed it that you had a really bad case of a common flu or infection. Perhaps someone from your school had been sick and since your immune system never seemed to kick in that was probably the culprit.

After two days at the hospital the fever finally broke. It took two more days for Jack to feel okay with taking you home again. The fever was practically gone. Your sore throat and headache were practically nonexistent by now.

Jack couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled this much. You’d been with him for five more days after the hospital trip. The fifth night, today, had been the first night you slept through. You hadn’t woken up in a cold sweat from the sickness, no tears from wanting your parents. You’d stopped asking when they were coming back, Jack had stopped answering the question anyway. It was one of the factors as to why Jack realized some kids adapt faster than others. Even if he hadn’t outright told you, some part of you understood that they’d never come back and so you adapted. Or at least you tried to. You weren’t as discreet as you thought you were when watching the cartoons on tv. Whenever a family would appear, when they’d say I love you and hug. Jack always noticed the crease in your brow from sadness or the way the corners of your lips dipped down, the glistening eyes before you hid in your plushie.

It was all very sad.

But then you’d do something so innocent as asking politely for a midday snack and the sadness that tinged his lips tilted up into a smile. You were polite as he’d noticed, he couldn’t deny it. Though your patient manners could certainly improve for others that weren’t him or Robby.

A soft expression splayed on his face as he watched you munch on the snack he’d given you, eyes transfixed on the screen. A cartoon was playing, Jack had tried to understand it but it was all too bright colored and loud for him to actually be able to sit down and enjoy it with you. Then again it wasn’t exactly made for people his age was it?

His phone was laying on the counter right in front of him. He’d been watching you from the kitchen. Eyes traveling from the phone and back to you every so often. He was scared to call your social worker. Scared to ask what it’d take for him to adopt you.

The social workers had already approved the home visit, they had to when you’d stayed for over a week. He knew the actual process would take time but he was ready for it. You’d said you wanted to stay with him. He’d make that happen. For you. Besides he’d rather have you stay with him than some stranger that might just be there for the paycheck.

You’d nuzzled into the couch by now. Talking slightly to yourself about what happened on the screen. As if you could make the characters listen. If he was honest it reminded him slightly of him and Robby when they’d yell at the referee.

The buzzing sound of his phone vibrating against the hard counter was enough to bring his focus elsewhere. Your social worker.

Jack’s hand froze halfway towards the phone. Heart hammering. It felt as if the temperature in the room had dropped significantly. His head swarmed. This was it.

With the feeling of his heart running out of his chest his finger slid over the screen to answer. He closed his eyes for a second to collect his breath and thoughts before he brought the phone to his ear.

He was met with a hello which he answered back. The woman on the other side spoke in a short snippy tone and she sounded far too business-like to work with kids. Jack hadn’t particularly liked her when she stopped by a day or so ago to check if you were ready to be moved. You’d still been sick and Jack had been able to talk his way through “doctor opinions” to let you stay a bit longer while he worked up the nerve to actually adopt you.

“We’ve been trying to reach you Mr. Abbot”

“Jack please, and I was just about to call actually, I wanted to le-“

“We have found a placement for Y/N” Jack didn’t even realize he stopped breathing when the social worker cut him off with those words. “The couple” of course, a couple, stability Jack didn’t have. “can take Y/N tomorrow, it’s always easier to do it as soon as possible for the child” Jack didn’t utter a word. Tomorrow. You’d be leaving tomorrow. “Mr. Abbot? You still there?”

“Y-yeah” he forced the words out even though his heart just cracked into a million more pieces since his wife died. “Can’t Y/n stay with me?”

“I’m sorry Mr. Abbot but it is in Y/n’s best interest to go with this couple. They have other kids there, to play with, a big backyard with a swing set, they live close to one of the best schools, Y/n will thrive with them” them, not him, not Jack, like you wanted.

“But-“

“I’m sorry Jack but you can’t change it” at the very least she had the sense to sound sympathetic this time.

“Y/n wants to stay here, I’m a doctor that must acco-“

“It’s not about what the child wants but what’s good for them, and I’m sorry to say it but you work nights Jack, despite Y/n being sick a lot you can’t look after a sick kid while working nights, if you switched to days, perhaps, but this family is already expecting Y/n, I can’t just change it now, it wouldn’t be fair to them, I promise you they’ll take good care of Y/n” Jack forced himself to keep back the snappy comeback. He was certain they didn’t know what was good for you. Not when they didn’t even take into account what you wanted.

His eyes traveled back to you as he drowned out the social worker's words. He’d have to tell you today didn’t he. Had to get you ready for tomorrow to leave.

“So if yo-“

“Yeah I got it” Probably not his best reaction, certainly wouldn’t help to get you back by being unfriendly to the people who’d take you. But he couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye, he just wanted to end the call and sit by you. For as long as he still had left with you.

So that’s what he did. He sat down beside you with a soft groan, he’d been standing for far too long. His eyes traveled to the cartoon. Listening to your soft breathing.

“Kid?” He chuckled quietly at the way your head practically snapped towards him. “I need to tell you something, it may upset you, and that’s okay”

“My parents aren’t coming back are they?” You said it so softly Jack almost didn’t hear it. Blinking down at you he was left speechless for a few seconds. He hadn’t realised you’d comprehended his earlier words as such. But of course you did. You were a kid, not stupid.

He licked his lips and let out a soft sigh. “That is true” he looked back down at you. You looked far too cozy under the fluffy blanket for the news. “but it’s not what I wanted to tell you” he watched your face scrunch up in confusion, he never realized just how animated kids were in their expression sometimes until now.

“Your social worker, you remember Mrs. Johnson right?” You nod. “She just called” he swallows to brace himself. “She’s found you a new home, a new place to live”

Eyes cast down, your brows crease further. A new home? Not with Jack? Buy he’d said… “but I wanted to live with you” tears gather, first your parents abandoned you, now Jack too. Deep down you knew Jack wasn’t abandoning you but it still felt like it. Even if it was out of Jack’s control at the moment. “I don’t want strangers”

“I know kiddo” he can’t stop the grimace from forming on his face. “You’ll still live in Pittsburgh, and we’ll still see each other every time you get sick, my hospital will still be the closest one to where you will live”

His breath catches as you fling yourself forward. Your arms wrapping around him tightly. Almost too tight, but he wasn’t about to tell you to stop.

Jack just hugged you right back, as if you’d disappear if he let you go. Because by tomorrow morning that’s exactly what would happen. And Jack was powerless to stop it. He’d been too late.

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At the Sugoroku's home.

Hajime was in the kitchen making some soup when he heard tiny pitter patters of feet making their way to him. Turning around he spotted his little girl standing in the doorway rubbing her eyes as she dragged a blanket behind her.

"What are you doing out of bed y/n?" He asked as he walked over to her to pick her up. She snuggled into him after he picked her up and her eyes closed again.

"I wanted you." She told him and Hajime almost had a heart attack with how cute she was being.

"Alright." He gave a small smile before going back to the soup and finishing it while keeping her awake by talking to her.

He soon told her to go and sit down while he got the soup for her. She waddled over to the table and got onto the chair with little trouble. He sat down next to her and helped her with eating it and making sure she did not burn herself. Once she had finished he left y/n at the table as he took the plates back to the sink. As he made his way back over to the table he noticed some paperwork that was due that day that he was supposed to have taken in but could not because y/n fell ill.

"Y/n how do you feel about seeing Uncle Hitoshi?" He questioned.

A smile made its way into her face as she nodded her head and held her arms out towards him. He picked her up and made his way to her room to help her change.

Meanwhile in building 13.

The inmates of cell 13 was wondering why they have not heard anything from Hajime. As Kiji was making his rounds he passed cell 13 and was asked by the inmates why he was there.

"I am making rounds as supervisor Sugoroku as he has asked for a couple days off." He explained to them.

They looked at one another and asked where he really was. Kiji told them the same thing and then carried on with his rounds. Uno looked towards Jyugo and they nodded their heads to one another and got both Rock and Nico in with the plan to escape and see where Hajime really was.

Meanwhile, Hajime has just got to the visiting area with y/n of building 13 and has asked for Hitoshi and Seitarou. Hajime was holding y/n in his lap as they were waiting and making sure that she still wanted to see them. She softly nodded her head and cuddled into his chest while she was waiting. As they chatted to one another, Hajime had been so focused on making sure y/n was okay and comfy that he had forgotten about the troublemakers of building 13, cell 13.

Seitarou made his way to the visitor room after he was told supervisor Sugoroku was there waiting for him. While he was doing that, cell 13 had broken out and looked around building 13 to try and find Hajime but they saw Hitoshi making his way to the visitors area for building 13, which they found odd as he is from building 4. In the room, Hajime was giving the paperwork to Seitarou as he introduced him to y/n who waved shyly at him as she stayed cuddled in Hajime's lap. That is until Hitoshi walked in through the door and walked over to pluck her out of Hajime's arms.

Cell 13 followed after Hitoshi soon barraged into the room and stopped when they saw a little girl in Hitoshi's arms. Y/n was happily talking to her uncle and asking if he was going to be long as she wanted his cuddles once he got home. Hitoshi smiled and talked to her while promising cuddles. While they were in their own world Hajime was beating the inmates and had Seitarou take them back to their cell. Hajime had y/n say goodbye to her uncle and she would see him later. They said their goodbyes before leaving and making their way back to their home.

They cuddled on the sofa while watching films and playing some games until they fell asleep.

The end.

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Spencer is taking a year off from his work at the BAU within his paternal leave to spend the time with his newborn daughter he wants and needs. The days since her birth, and those before that actually, were really difficult for him. But the father feels like he finally is adjusted to a routine with his child and in his role as a single father.

In his excitement Spencer went shopping with his little girl in her stroller for a matching celebration outfit. Or as matching as possible, since the father is not really keen on wearing a onesie himself. But he found something that satisfies his and (Y/N)’s taste to the best.

Here the both of them are now, standing in front of Rossi’s door, waiting for someone to open the door. That someone happens to be the “culprit” of it all - The one and only Penelope Garcia.

“A very warm welcome to- oh. OH. OMG this is THE baby Reid. I- This is what I’m most excited for. Oh, sorry. Yes, come in. I really wanna hug you, boy wonder, because I haven’t seen you in a while, but you know, baby!” With her hands she gestured towards (Y/N), who sits snugly in a baby carrier in front of Spencer’s chest.

Spencer smiles and offers his arm. “I’m always in for a side hug, and maybe your goddaughter also wants a taste of the Garcia Magic.” Penelope’s face lights up again, engulfing the genius and the baby in a firm, but still gentle, hug. “Now you both come in, we can’t have the wonder baby get sick. Also, I don’t think I can keep you any longer away from the rest. The others are already here, you two are the last.”

Spencer steps inside with the diaper bag in his hand. “Oh, wonder baby? How long did you work on that? Also, in my defense: We are the last, because a little someone needed a diaper change. We started with solid foods and you know, her whole digestive system has to get used to the diff-” Penelope stops abruptly and takes the flower patterned bag out of the genius’ hand.

“I love you and the baby already, but please. I can’t know everything about her poopy behavior when you want me to be an adequate godmother. So either please stop or you need to name someone else.” Spencer quickly shuts his mouth, acting more busy with cooing at his child than continuing the subject.

Upon entering the brightly decorated living room, little (Y/N) tries to look around. “Do you want to see what is happening? Yes?” Of course she doesn’t answer her father, still Spencer talks so much to her to enrich her speaking and comprehension skills as much as possible.

With a few already over and over practiced moves he gets the infant out of the carrier and puts her on his hip. She makes happy noises, a big smile gracing her face.

“Hear ye, hear ye, My name is Penelope Garcia and hereth I announce the arrival of the genius Dr. Spencer Reid and the accompanying child (Y/N) Reid,” Penelope makes a small bow and lets the two enter the room. The erupting cheering from the team members startled (Y/N). She grabs a handful of his hair and hides her face in the side of his neck.

Spencer gives them all an awkward wave. “Hey guys, I hope we don’t crash the party.” A small tug diverts his attention away from hso friends. “Uncle Spenwa, is thwis thwe babwy?” One of Matt’s children asks.

He crouches down while shifting his child to make her lie in his arms. Immediately Spencer is crowded by all the other children. “Yes, this is (Y/N). She is still fragile, so you need to be very careful with her.” The little ones look at her in awe.

Michael looks up at his uncle while pointing at the baby. “Can we play with her? Mommy packed my new truck. I can share with (Y/N).” Spencer’s heart explodes, he is sure of that. Just seeing how the other children react and embrace his infant as another part of the family.

JJ quickly intervenes, explaining to them why she is not able to participate in any game they come up with. Meanwhile the other adults start greeting Spencer and (Y/N), cooing at the little person in his arms. But she starts fussing, so the father quickly changes his grip on her, starting to bounce the girl. “Uh, I think it’s her diaper, I- uhm I need to- where?” He starts to turn red, not really sure how to phrase his question.

“If you want me to, I can take her down the hall for a change. If you want a minute for yourself, you know?” Derek offers, but Spencer unconsciously holds his daughter even closer to him, despite the smell that slowly emits from her. This doesn’t go unnoticed by the profilers. “I, I just want to do that myself. Thank you very much for the offer, though.” Nodding in understandment, Rossi gets up and points Spencer somewhere, where he can change her in peace.

Back in the living room, spread among the couches, the others share a look of swooning, not being able to overlook the apparent adoration the genius has for his baby.

Just a couple minutes later, Spencer is seated between them, talking and laughing with his family, relishing the moment. “I never thought you would ever be seen with a child, Reid. Your thing with germs and icky stuff, it really clashes with children,” Emily says while nursing another glass of wine. Tara, also having one in her hands, nods to support her point. The both of them still don’t share the number of glasses they already have. Assuming by that, it must not be the first of the evening.

While stroking (Y/N)’s cheek lovingly, he answers her without looking away from his daughter. “Yeah, it’s still a problem, the germ thing. But having a child is the best shock therapy. A year ago, I wouldn’t have known how to react when someone pukes and pees on you in the span of an hour. Now I know to change her and myself. But nobody prepared me for the mountains of laundry I have to do.” In the lightness of his voice is a small call for help.

“Oh, I’m familiar with those, Spencer. You are always welcome to come over for a playdate and bring any kind of laundry over. In a household of six children your two’s will not really make any difference,” Kirsty offers him with a soft smile. She knows exactly what kind of problems Spencer is facing, especially when she felt like a single mom before Matt transferred to the BAU. Appreciative, he nods to her, keeping this in his mind for the next time the look at his hamper makes him want to break down.

They make some more light-hearted small talk, until Penelope suddenly gets up and makes grabby hands towards little Reid. Confused, Spencer looks at her. “I need some baby’s cuddles. Gimme the little one. I promise I’ll be as gentle as a dog with a raw egg.” A little bit unsure, Spencer hands his daughter over, not without explaining to her how to hold the child. Nobody comments on the fact that this is redundant, since it’s not Penelope’s first time holding a small human being.

“Oh, you are such a sweet little creature. I don’t know how your father is able to withstand the urge to just take a small chomp, you are just too cute.” Softly, Garcia talks to her, rocking the little girl in the meantime. Derek takes at least a thousand pictures of the scene, knowing that Penelope will plaster her whole office in them.

Rossi enters the living room area, announcing that the dishes will be served shortly. Eagerly everybody goes into the dining room, hungry for a taste of Rossi’s immaculate Italian cooking skills.

While they eat and make light conversations, music is playing on a low volume in the background. It’s relatively calm, considering that there are more than half a dozen children around the table. Maybe it’s the fact that they are exhausted by running around and playing together. Maybe it’s just the atmosphere. Either way, no one is complaining about that, basking in the moment.

Especially Spencer, being more than content with his current situation. His daughter, the light of his day, is happily munching on some dry noodles. They are surrounded by their friends and family. He feels so at peace, a state he never thought was in the cards for him.

And yet here they are, at New Year’s Eve in their own little bubble. For one evening, the problems of the world seem non existent for all of them.

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Taglist:

All works:

@dindjarinsspouse @venomsvl @jswessie187 @kneelforloki @ssa-uglywhore27

Criminal Minds:

@averyhotchner @mggsprettygirl @herecomesthewriterwitch @ash19871962 @ellyhotchner @thefandomchoosesthewizard

General Spencer Reid:

@twofacesoftheworldbutnotsome @sweetandsunny

Spencer Reid x child!reader: