Dark Academia- Spencer Reid

Chapter 12

"You know Pretty Boy, I think we are going to be back in time for Zena's big lecture. You okay if the whole team comes to support her?" The lecture that Morgan was referring to was Zena's final dissertation, where she would become a head professor at the university rather than a professor under an advisor. Spencer was beyond worried that he was going to miss his girl's special day, and the rest of the team was too. More than anything they wanted to support her, they all loved her deeply. "I think that she would absolutely love to have all of us there. She talks all the time about how much she loves you guys," Spencer said glancing at his watch.

Zena knew that Spencer would be pulled away on a case during the week leading up to her dissertation and research presentation but didn't mind, she understood his job. However, she wanted him to be there for the presentation itself. After not hearing from him today, she assumed that he was stuck in the field, and instead of having him give her a cute little pep talk, she gave one to herself in the mirror. It was absolutely chaotic, and it made her cackle like a hyena, but it worked, she was confident walking out the door of their home.

Spencer and the team knew the rules about lights and sirens, truly they always followed it. However, when Hotch glanced down at his wristwatch and saw that they only had 20 minutes to get to Zena's big event, he held a brief meeting stating "Zena is a large part of our family, and we will be late. I classify this as a family emergency. Get to the SUV's, lights and sirens all the way."

They were late, not extremely late maybe only 10 minutes, but Spencer was so disappointed that he wasn't going to be able to watch Zena throughout all of it. When they all got there, they rushed out of the cars, sprinting like mad man in dress shoes and heels throughout the halls of Hopkins, finally finding the auditorium. Once they entered, they saw how big it was, and how filled up the seats were. The team looked at one another with smiles, all showing how proud they were of Zena, a full crowd.

After taking their seats far in the back, Spencer couldn't help but stare in awe at his girlfriend. Her thick black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, body clad in a beige blazer with brown and red plaid pants, and in true Zena fashion, earthy jewelry. Spencer thought she looked absolutely breath taking.

Zena's presentation went phenomenally, and she knew she was perfect. The panel was engaged, holding onto every last word she said. She even recognized that her students came to support her on her big day. And even though she was so happy to have completed the course work and become a head professor, she couldn't help but feel disappointed that the man she loved wasn't there to see her complete a huge milestone. After taking questions, she began to pack up her presentation, putting away the laser pointer and organizing her posterboards when she felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist and spin her around.

"Spence? Oh my god I can't believe you made it," she cried out, tears streaming down her face as she nuzzled it into the crook of his shoulder.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Pretty Girl. You were absolutely fantastic I am so proud of you," Spencer said comforting her by rubbing her back as she cried into his neck. He knew how unbelievably stressful the final dissertation is, having done it three times. But the first time is the absolute worst, and to think that she thought she was going through it alone upset Spencer.

The rest of the team intruded on their moment, and Zena looked up at them with a surprised face. "You all came? Wow, I don't even have words. Thank you," she said, engulfing the girls into a hug first, beginning to cry again. It was the final release of the nerves, and now the happiness was adding onto it. She then made her way over to Morgan who squeezed her tightly saying "I didn't understand a single word you said mama, but I could tell you crushed it." Lastly, Zena made her way over to Hotch, to whom she reached out her hand for a handshake. However, Aaron pulled the newest head professor into his arms, hugging her tightly. "Congratulations Zena, this is such an incredible accomplishment. We are all so proud."

The team headed back to Zena and Spencer's place, where they drank copious bottles of wine and ate incredible Italian food that Rossi had gone home early to specially prepare for her. The night was absolutely beautiful spending it with her best friends and of course their adorable kiddos, who were giving Pavlov all of the attention the little dog could ever hope for.

"Zena, you know how much I adore you. But I currently hate you because I know for the next month Jack is going to beg for a dog. He loves Pavlov way too much," Hotch said a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. She laughed saying, "I understand. But if Jack wants to come over once a week and play with Pavlov he is more than welcome to. I'd love to spend time with him. Same for Henry," Zena said, turning her attention to JJ.

Spencer was at the other end of the table talking with Rossi and Morgan. "Okay listen, you cannot tell a single soul, but I think it is time for me to propose to Zena, what do you think?" Spencer was so worried to hear what the men had to say. It had been a little over a year and half since they had been together. He knew he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life, and he had an inkling that she felt the same. "Hell yea man, that's what I like to hear," Morgan said engulfing Reid in a hug. Rossi looked at him pulling him into a hug and said "Reid, you're going to be engaged to the perfect person for you." Reid smiled and looked over to Zena who was currently crouched down to Jack's height showing him a new trick that Pavlov learned.

"You know, she's great with the kids," JJ said walking up to Spencer. Spencer nodded his head in agreement. "She's great at everything. She's going to be an incredible mother one day," he said excitedly. He wasn't ready for kids at 29, and he knew that she wouldn't be ready for quite some time. But he knew that when the time came, they would be the best parents. JJ looked up at the genius with a large smile on her face. Reid had fallen in love with a woman who was made for him.