Chapter 24: One-year anniversary

Spencer's POV

As I stare out the window of the jet, I think about how tomorrow is the 1-year anniversary since Lina and I started dating. Smiling, I remember back to the night of our first kiss—it was magical, passionate, surreal....

That's why I want to do something special to celebrate this day. I want to show her how much she means to me and how much I love her.

Hm, love. I think in my head. I haven't even told her "I love you" before....

"Hey, Reid."

A voice shakes me from my thoughts, it's Prentiss.

I look at her. "What's up?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Um, the case that we just solved," I lie.

"No, you're not," Prentiss scoffs and I sigh. She knows me too well.

"Fine." I lower my voice to a whisper. "Tomorrow marks 1 year since I've been in a relationship with Lina."

Prentiss's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Really? That's wonderful. Are you guys doing anything special?"

"I want to take her out on a special date." I smile at the thought. "We don't go on many dates, but when we do, I make sure that it's unique and memorable."

"That's so sweet," Prentiss gushes. "She's very lucky to have you."

"I'm very lucky to have her." I grin just thinking of Lina. "Believe it or not, we've never said 'I love you' to each other yet."

"What?" Prentiss gasps. "Don't the average couple-"

"Say 'I love you' at around six months?" I finish her sentence and she nods. "I know the statistics, but I guess whenever I try to wait for the perfect moment, we get interrupted."

Prentiss puts a hand on my arm. "Well, you should tell her soon."

I glance over at Lina, where she's trying not to fall asleep and chuckle to myself. Guess she still doesn't completely trust everyone to fall asleep here.

"I'll talk to you later, Emily." I put a hand on her shoulder. She nods at me and I stand up to walk over to Lina.

"Hi, Spence," she says drowsily as I approach her, sitting down in the seat next to her.

"You can sleep, you know," I tease.

"I know." She sighs. I've known the team for over a year now, but I still can't let myself relax completely when I'm around them. I always feel like I need to keep my guard up."

"You worry too much," I whisper in her ear. Then I take her head and lean it on my shoulder, kissing her forehead. "Sleep. I'll make sure to protect you from our harmless friends." She giggles before closing her eyes.

Within a few minutes, I feel her breathing slow and her body relaxes. I sigh and close my eyes, drifting off as well.

By the time we land, it's 2 a.m. and I try waking up Lina, but she's in a deep sleep.

"She must've been really tired." Morgan walks up next to me.

"I don't want to wake her." I pick Lina up, bridal style. "Can you grab her bag for me, please?"

"Got it." He grabs her bag.

I carefully carry Lina down the steps of the jet where the rest of the team is there waiting.

"I didn't want to wake her up," I explain when they give me weird looks.

Hotch himself yawns. "It's okay, get her home." He nods at me and leaves.

"Good night, guys." Rossi waves.

After that, I have Morgan put Lina's bag around my neck and I carry to my car and carefully place her in the passenger seat, but I accidentally bump her head on the car door and she jerks awake.

"Who's there?" she exclaims, blinking a few times.

"Shhh... it's me," I reply calmly.

She looks around her surroundings in bewilderment. "Weren't we just on the jet?"

"Yeah. We landed but you were sleeping, and I didn't want to wake you up."

"So you just carried me here." She blushes.

"Mhm. And sorry about your head, I accidentally bumped it."

"Oh, that's fine." She rubs her forehead.

Soon, we arrive back at my apartment, and pass out on the bed without bothering to change.

The next morning, I wake up and check my watch, it's 10:05 a.m.

I look over at Lina who's still sleeping so I cover her up with a blanket and kiss her forehead. Since it's Saturday, we don't need to work today. I roll out of bed and stretch my back. Time to start preparing for our date. I want this date to be something that she'll never forget. I go to the store to pick up some stuff. After that, I call up JJ.

"Hello?" JJ answers.

"Hi, JJ," I greet her. "I need your help for something...."

Five hours later, I've set up everything. I haven't seen Lina all day but I left a text saying that I'm out.

I hope she'll like it. I think nervously as I drive back to my apartment.

When I arrive, I open the door and look around to find Lina reading a book on the couch. When she hears me, she instantly breaks into a huge smile.

"Spencer!" She comes running towards me and jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. Then she gives me a quick peck on my nose. "Where have you been all day? I missed you."

"Sorry, I had some stuff to do," I state blandly, not wanting to give my surprise away. "I need you to go home."

"What?" She unhooks legs from me.

"Just go." I slightly shove her to the door. She looks at me with sad, confused eyes and I feel bad.

"Oh, okay...." She grabs her belongings and hesitantly leaves. With a sigh, I close the door.

I had let JJ into Lina's apartment earlier and she's going to help Lina dress up. So hopefully everything will work out once she figures it out.

"Time to get ready," I mutter to myself, heading to the bathroom to take a shower. When I finish, I pick out an outfit to put on—a tan waistcoat, white button up shirt, a blue tie, and some brown trousers.

Next, I try to figure out what to do with my hair. But after several unsuccessful attempts of gel, water, and blow-drying it, I give up and just leave it as it usually is.

Now all I have to do is wait for JJ to call me and tell me that Lina's ready. Not knowing what to do, I sit on my couch, waiting impatiently.

Three hours passed, and in that time, I've read 12 books, washed the dishes, and vacuumed my apartment. Time moves dreadfully slow when you're anticipating something.

Finally, my phone rings and I answer it eagerly when I see that it's JJ.

"She's ready," JJ states over the phone.

I drive over to Lina's apartment and knock on the door. When she opens it my jaw drops.

There she is, standing in the doorway in the dress that JJ helped me pick out for her at the mall. It is a blue floral chiffon dress with puff sleeves and a square neckline that shows off her collarbones. Her black hair is in loose waves with a half up half down style, tied up with a blue bow in the back. She also has some light makeup on as well. I look down and smile when I see her wearing her usual white sneakers.

"Hi." Lina smiles shyly. She looks down and a few strands of hair fall on her face. I reach my hand and tuck them behind her ears.

"Happy 1-year anniversary." I lean down and give her a kiss.

"I thought you forgot," she replies and I shake my head.

"How can I forget?" I take her hand and pull her in for a hug.

I see JJ step out from behind the door and smiles at us, so I mouth the words "thank you" and she nods.

Lina looks up at me with sparkling eyes. "Where are we going?"

I lean down to whisper in her ear. "To the stars."