Chapter 40: The proposal

Spencer's POV

This is it, the moment I've been waiting for.

I'm going to propose to Lina.

Down on one knee, I look up at Lina who has her mouth hanging open in shock. God, she's beautiful. With a shaky hand, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box. I open it to reveal the ring that I've chosen for Lina.

"Oh, my God, Spencer!" Lina's eyes widen when she sees the ring. The diamond heart glimmers under the moonlight and I can't help but smile when I see her reaction.

I am about to begin my proposal speech, but then my mind goes blank. Shit. Why can't I remember it? I stare at her, trying to think. She furrows her brows at me, an awkward tension between us as I try to get my stupid brain to work.

Finally, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I have to speak from my heart, not my brain. Opening my eyes again, I take her hand in mine. "Lina, you are the most smart, beautiful, kind, and fearless woman I know. You make my life brighter every day just by being with me."

"Spencer...." Lina's voice cracks, her hand flies to her mouth.

My throat tightens a bit. "God, you're everything I've ever wanted in a girl. I love the way you smile, the way I know everything is okay when I look at you.... I love holding you everyday in my arms, knowing that you're mine and I am yours. The way you kiss me makes me feel like I'm at the top of the world!" I kiss her fingers. "And these hands, how soft and gentle they feel when I hold them."

"Y-y-you're gonna make me cry, Spence." She wipes away a tear.

I continue on. "I can't imagine growing old with anyone else, nor do I want to. You are the only person in this world that I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"God." Lina breathes sharply, looking up to stop any more tears from falling.

I sniffle a bit. "Lina, the story of our love is only beginning. So will you join me in writing our own happy ending... by marrying me?"

Lina starts bouncing up and down. "Yes, Spencer! Hell yeah, I'll marry you!" I stand up and she jumps on me, wrapping her legs around my waist. I nearly fall back when she smashes her lips onto mine.

Kissing her back, we spin around together before I put her down. "Hold on, let me put it on for you." I take the ring out of the box and slide it onto her finger.

She holds her hand out in front of her, admiring the ring. "It's gorgeous...."

I put my hands on her waist and pull her closer to me. "But not as gorgeous as you."

Lina giggles and throws her arms around me. "I love you so, so much, Spencer. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." I smile and give her a kiss.

Just then, our friends appear in the doorway of the room.

"Hey, guys!" I greet them, knowing that I invited them earlier.

Garcia's eyes are red from tears. "Congratulations you guys!" She skips over to give Lina and I a tight hug. She abruptly pulls back and looks at me. "Wait, she said yes, right?"

I chuckle and smile fondly at Lina. "Yes, she did."

"Wait, so you guys knew he was going to propose to me the whole time?" asks Lina, looking at the team and they all nod with huge grins on their faces.

"That was what we were hiding from you earlier at the office." Prentiss smooths out her dress. "We didn't want to ruin the surprise."

"Aw... thanks, guys."

"Well, show us the ring!" JJ exclaims excitedly and I watch as Lina runs over to the girls, showing off her ring.

Prentiss gasps. "Oh, my God, it's so pretty!"

"I know!" Lina squeals.

Rossi comes up to me and pats me on the back. "Never let her go, kid."

I smile gratefully at him. "Never."

For the rest of the night, we all party and drink with each other, just having fun. In fact, we even have a dance off.

"C'mon, Spence." Lina drags me onto the dance floor. "Let's show everyone how good you're dancing is."

"Reid can dance?" Hotch asks, surprised.

I take Lina's hand and we move around the room together fluidly. "I took lessons during my personal time off!" I shout as I twirl her around.

"Ooh, Pretty Boy's got some moves." Morgan chuckles, his eyebrows raised. "But can you do this?" He gets down on the floor and starts breakdancing.

"Woo-hoo! Yesss, my Chocolate Thunder!!!" Garcia shrieks like a fan girl.

We all laugh and cheer him on. Tonight is the best night I've ever had—celebrating life with my closest friends and my fiancée. By the time it's 2 a.m., most of us are drunk.

"I had an amazing night with you guys." Lina smiles brightly. It's getting late and everyone is ready to leave.

"Anyone need a ride home?" Morgan offers, since he's still sober enough to drive.

Garcia raises her hand. "Meee...." She walks to him and nearly topples over.

"I'm gonna need to hitch a ride with you, David." Prentiss sways a bit.

Hotch takes a look at JJ's face and chuckles. "JJ, you need a ride?"

She nods drunkenly. "Please and thank you."

"Alright then, see you guys on Monday," says Rossi. "And once again, congratulations to you two."

I grin. "Thank you."

Everyone says their goodbyes and we all leave. After that, Lina and I walk hand in hand to my car. When we get in I tackle her face and neck with small kisses.

"Argh, Spence!" she squeals, taking my face firmly in her hands.

"Sorry, I can't help myself." I giggle. "You're so cute."

She blushes and pinches my cheeks. "And you're so adorable," she says in a baby voice.

For the car ride, we sit in silence while listening to some classical music. When we get to the apartment I flop on the couch, exhausted but unbelievably happy.

"I'm going to take a shower." She kisses me on the forehead before heading into the bathroom.

I stare after her in awe. That's my future wife. Closing my eyes, I think about what life will be like once we're married. Maybe we'll move into an actual house, and maybe adopt another cat? Have a kid? I laugh and shake my head at the thought. After that, I slowly doze off and start to snore, but then I hear Lina's voice next to me.

"Spence?" she whispers quietly.

"Hm?" I mumble, half awake.

"Go take your shower, you stink."

"Mmm...." I reluctantly get up and trudge into the bathroom. I turn the water on and take my shower. When I'm done, I throw on a pair of sweatpants and find Lina sitting on our bed with her glasses on, reading a book. "You should get some sleep."

She looks at my shirtless body and puts her book to the side, extending both her arms out. "Come."

I jump onto the bed and send her nearly flying off the bed. I grab her waist and pin her underneath me. "Hello, beautiful."

With one swift move, she flips us around so she's on top of me now, staring down at me alluringly. "I like being on top," she says, trying to sound seductive. She slowly rubs her hands on my bare chest. We look at each other for about ten seconds before bursting out in laughter.

"Oh, my God, Lina!" I can barely control my laugh.

"Yeah, I'm not doing that again." She giggles and rolls off of me.

I pout and take her hands, putting it back on my chest. "Awww, why not?"

She rolls her eyes and pushes me. "Goodnight, Spence."

"Hmpf, fine." I reach for the lamp and turn off the lights. After that, I scooch myself until my body is pressed completely flat against Lina. Then I curl around her, resting my head on top of hers and placing my hand on her waist. "Goodnight, Lina," I whisper, burying my face in her hair.