Chapter Text
Let's forget the baggages of the past and make a new beginning.
Shehbaz Sharif
Six months later
Two things happen right after each other that wake you up: the plane lands on the strip, and there's a quick and sloppy kiss on your cheek. You open your eyes, groggy as all hell, sit up, and turn just in time to see a few wisps of Spencer's hair before he flies out of the plane door. You blink in confusion - you've got that nasty feeling of being in limbo that always comes after naps - and try to gather yourself.
"Y/N?"
You turn back around find Penelope, JJ, and Emily all waiting for you. They're packed and ready to go, so you scramble to do the same as quickly as your tired body will allow. You stand and shuffle out of the plane behind them. You do a quick scan of the parking lot, searching for Spencer, but a SUV is already gone and he's nowhere to be found.
You follow the chain and pile into the other SUV with the girls and Morgan as driver. There's some small talk in the car, but it stays peacefully - and oddly - quiet for most of the ride. At one point, you're startled when a horn blows. You look up and out of the windshield, just to be met with bright orange - cones, barrels, and vests. The men wearing them are drilling, doing construction on the street. Oh, and there's a huge stop sign right in front of the car.
"Did any of you guys know they were doing construction down here?" Morgan asks as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel.
You all reply "no" to the question. As you sit in stand-still traffic and listen to everyone else's frustration at being stuck there, you're struck by where you actually are. There are definitely other ways, faster ways, to get back to Quantico. Why didn't Morgan take one of those?
Then again, you reason, none of you knew about this construction and the awful traffic it would cause, so it's nothing out of the ordinary. Right?
As you inch along, you can feel yourself becoming impatient. You're tired, worn out, and still confounded as to why Spencer just left you hanging on the jet. He knows you usually need some moral support after cases are finished.
Also, Penelope keeps looking at you with weird expressions, like she can't contain something she wants to say.
The next time you catch her looking you say, "Pen?"
She yelps quietly, surprised at being caught. Clearing her throat, she answers, "Yeah?"
"Is there something...on your mind?"
She replies "no" but you're unconvinced. "Are you sure? Nothing you want to...get off your chest?"
"Yep," she says, her voice unnaturally high, "Nothing to say." You want to keep interrogating her, but it's not worth it. So you let it go.
And even though Emily is usually much subtler, you catch the scathing glare she sends Penelope's way.
Next thing you know, Morgan's pulling into the BAU headquarters. Penelope practically bounds out of the car and dashes inside. You take your time, puzzled over everyone's behavior tonight. Taking a look at the parking lot, you spot the previously missing SUV as well as Spencer's car. So he came here and hasn't left yet. You sigh in relief.
You're the last one inside as you step in. You ride the elevator alone too, your foot tapping in restlessness as you stare at the numbers rising. All this quietness and alone time is starting to bug you. The doors open and you walk quickly to the bullpen doors. You open them and...you're rooted to the spot, transfixed.
The bullpen is completely different. Gone is the florescent lighting and drab carpeting. Gone are the gray walls and desks covered in endless paperwork. Gone is the smell of coffee mixed with cleaning supplies.
Well, not gone. Just hidden.
Hidden underneath red rose petals and beautiful tablecloths and more types of flowers than you can count. Hidden by twinkling fairy lights and glowing candles and the faint aroma of Spencer's cologne. Hidden by tons of pictures - of you and the team, but mostly of you and Spencer.
And there's your team, standing scattered around the room. Watching you with smiles on their faces and joy in their eyes. Penelope's even crying already.
And of course, Spencer, right in the middle of it all. Looking so beautiful, his face so lovely in the candlelight. Showing off the widest grin you've ever seen him wear.
In his hands sits a square, black velvet box.
When you see it, you gasp, and drop your go bag to bring your hands to cover your mouth. Looking back up at Spencer's face, he giggles a little at your reaction. You still haven't moved from the doorway. Spencer walks towards you and holds out a hand. You take it slowly, and he gently tugs you forward and leads you to the middle of the room. He takes a breath.
"Y/N, I know this doesn't seem like the best time for a proposal." You choke out a small laugh. "But I couldn't think of a better way than this: surrounded by your family, having successfully done your job and saved lives yet again.
"When you joined the BAU, you didn't want to get close to us. And it baffled us. What's the point of being a part of a team such as this one if you don't want to have personal ties? But when I encountered you that night, crying in your office, I finally understood.
"This job hurts. It scars and traumatizes everyone who does it, in one way or another. And you were scared, like we all were, like we all are. You didn't want to grow to love us and then lose us. But you couldn't account for one thing."
You smile as Spencer finishes the sentence: "Me."
He continues. "You didn't count on a love so big, so real, so true, that it would sneak past your defenses, get rid of your mask. You didn't factor in someone else loving you so much that they would put you first. You didn't see it coming that I would fall in love with you, and put you before me. But I did, and I do, and I always will. But only when you need me to, of course."
As you laugh, Spencer finally gets down on one knee. "Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, you kick ass and you do what you want just because you want to and you're a giant nerd, just like me. You are brilliant and funny and beautiful. You're the love of my life. I promise to always be there for you, care for you, and love you for as long as you want me. I--"
"Save some for the vows!" Rossi shouts, and everyone laughs. Spencer purses his lips in a small grin. "He's right," he whispers to you, and then opens the box to reveal the most gorgeous engagement ring.
"Y/N, will you marry me?" Spencer finally asks.
Your words get stuck in your throat so you nod frantically. The happiest expression breaks across Spencer's face. "Yes?" He asks, like he needs confirmation.
"Yes!" The words finally come forth and you pour them out. "Yes, yes, of course!"
Spencer takes your left hand and slides the ring onto your ring finger. It fits perfectly - you'd expect nothing less from him. As he stands and you embrace him, the room erupts into cheers. Someone pops a champagne bottle - Rossi you assume - and the clinking of glasses surrounds you.
But you're focused on Spencer. You lean back to kiss him, as intensely as you can given the setting, which he reciprocates. When you break apart, you murmur, "I love you, so much."
Spencer lets out a tiny sigh of happiness, and your heart threatens to overflow.
"Alright, alright," Penelope says, suddenly right next to you. "You've had your time. Let me love and celebrate you!"
You and Spencer laugh as you each extend an arm out to her. Penelope bundles in and hugs you two tighter than ever before, which is saying something. And then there's another weight partly on your back, and you look over your shoulder to see Morgan has joined the hug. He kisses you on your temple in congratulations.
In no time at all, the rest of the team is in on the hug. Even Hotch - you can spot him on the edge, his arms around Rossi and JJ. Pretty soon, you're all feeling a bit suffocated and the group hug dissipates. You cherish the memory, because you know it'll probably be the only one you'll ever experience.
Someone hands you and Spencer flutes filled with champagne. Someone else produces a box of chocolates and you and Spencer split one. Rossi starts to regale everyone with the story of how he proposed to his first wife.
As your family laughs around you, and with Spencer's arm around you and body connected to yours, you finally thank the universe for everything it has given you. Because nowhere else would be as perfect as this.