Chapter 34: Christmas Eve Shenanigans

We land at the Nashville airport and make our way to baggage claim. Upon arriving there I'm surprised to see both of my parents standing there waiting for us to come pick up our bags. My mom is so excited and my dad is recording my mom's reaction. She runs the last few feet to me and we hug tightly for about twenty seconds. When she releases me from the hug I turn to my dad and hug him, too. I turn after hugging my parents and see Spencer standing alone and smiling. I realize how rude I've been and say "oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Mom, dad, this is Spencer. Spencer this is my mom and dad, Lauren and Richard." Spencer, for once, attempts to overcome his phobia of handshakes and reaches out his hand to shake hands with my parents. My mom ruins that though and immediately embraces him in a hug. She pulls back and says "thank you so much. You've made my daughter so happy, I can hear it in her voice on the phone." Spencer blushes and says "It's not a problem, Mrs. Winters, I love her and want nothing more than for her to be happy." My heart swells and I give Spencer a smile as I blush. My dad says "I'm not as much of a hugger like my wife is, and Lise told me you don't like hand shakes. What makes you most comfortable?" Spencer chuckles and says "how about a fist bump?" My dad chuckles and nods as I watch them fist bump and can't decide if I love it or hate it. The light blinks and the alarm sounds alerting those near the carousel that the bags are about to start going around to be picked up. My dad and Spencer move forward to get ready to grab our bags. My mom sidles up to me and says "you really did pick a cute one." I chuckle and nod "he's pretty adorable." My mom laughs "hard to believe he's an FBI agent." I look at her and laugh a bit before saying "mom, please don't say that to or near him. He's very insecure about how young he is in the field. Everybody assumes he isn't the doctor on the team because of his age and all that." My mom smiles softly and nods "noted, honey." After a few minutes of idle chatter, my dad and Spencer come back with the bags. We make our way to temporary parking where my parents parked. As we are walking I ask "how did y'all know when the plane was landing and what carousel and all that?" My mon says "oh Spencer sent us the information and said it would be great if we wanted to surprise you." I shake my head and look at Spencer "you didn't have to do that, Spence." He nods and smiles "I know, but seeing you so happy and surprised to see them was very much worth it." I blush and give him a side hug as we continue walking. We approach my mom's GMC Yukon and my dad and boyfriend load up the car without letting me lift a finger. It's sweet and I'll enjoy it for now. Spencer and I climb in the back. I sit in the middle of the middle seat and buckle in, Spencer sits to the left of me. My dad is driving and my mom is sitting in the passenger seat. My mom looks back at us and says "I bet y'all are starving, what do you want to get to eat while we are in the city?" I look at my mom and smile and turn to Spencer. I say "I'm not hungry, still a little motion sick from the flight, wherever Spencer wants I'll just find something to get to eat to settle my stomach or eat it later when my stomach is actually settled." Spencer says "oh, here," and pulls out an extra ginger ale from his bag. I look at him and just want to kiss him for having an eidetic memory. I smile and say "thanks, Spence, this will probably help a lot." He smiles and puts his right arm behind my shoulders, snuggling in. My mom says "so Spencer, what are you craving?" Spencer says "you know what, just take me to your favorite local fast food or takeout place and we will decide from there if that works for both of you?" My dad nods and says "coming right up, sandwiches okay?" Spencer nods, smiling, and says "perfect." As soon as my dad says we are going to get sandwiches I know exactly where we are going - Hogan's. It's not owned by anybody named Hogan or anything it's just a joke because they sell hoagies and other sandwiches. It is really good and one of the places I've missed most since moving away from home and to the DC area. Spencer holds me by his arm around my shoulder as I lightly grip his leg trying not to get motion sick. Sitting in the middle seat of the Yukon isn't ideal but as long as I can watch the road I'm okay for now. We pull into the parking lot and file out of the car and into the restaurant. My father has established rapport with the workers because he comes here so often, sometimes making the hour drive just to go to this restaurant. It's that good. I order just a grilled cheese to settle my stomach a bit with a Diet Coke and Spencer orders a Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, despite my protests, because he has never had one and wants to try one. My dad orders an Italian sub sandwich and my mom orders a chicken gyro. We order at the counter and sit down with our number and wait for the food to arrive. My mom smiles and asks excitedly "so how was Vegas? Did y'all have a good time?" Before Spencer can say anything I say "we had a good time! We mainly spent time with Spencer's mom. She's a pretty wonderful lady." Spencer smiles warmly and says "she really enjoyed the company." My mom furthers the conversation "did you see any shows or do anything fun and Vegas-y?" I smile and nod "we did some sight seeing in Vegas and went to a nice dinner one night. Honestly, we wanted to take advantage of the extended time together and spent a lot of it in the room resting and just enjoying each other." My mom gives me a look like she wants to say something suggestive and I'm so glad she didn't. My dad and Spencer really enjoy each other. My dad received a bachelor's degree in math before going to law school, so they both have a shared interest that way. I watch and listen, and honestly learn a bit, listening to them talk. About 10 minutes after the intellectual banter between the two our food arrives. Sitting still for just long enough has given me some of my appetite back. A grilled cheese sounds just perfect right now. I take a bite of the sandwich and want to moan in pleasure at the hallelujah chorus resounding from my taste buds. I try not to eat too fast or too messily, but nobody would have noticed with how pink Spencer's face has turned from how hot his sandwich is. I giggle and say "Spence, is Nashville hot chicken too hot?" He coughs and nods his head "it is a bit hotter than I'm used to." I chuckle and say "yes we make them hot here." He nods and doesn't say anything, just guzzles water. He looks up and asks "do you think they have milk here?" I furrow my brow and say "I'm not sure, why?" Spencer clears his throat and says "milk is actually the ultimate remedy for hot food and burns. Water actually exacerbates the burning sensation, making it worse." I nod and rub his back "okay baby I'll go ask for some milk." Spencer nods as I get up to go ask if they have milk. The woman at the counter nods and hands me a couple of bottles of milk that I'm pretty sure are reserved for kids meals. I walk back over and hand them to Spencer. He nods and begins to drink them. I smile and rub his back "now you see why none of us ordered that sandwich. It was one and done for all of us." My mom giggles and says "I guess now you're officially part of the family." Spencer smiles and nods, finally getting some relief after the hot sandwich set his mouth on fire. We sit and talk for a little bit before deciding to leave. I'm very happy to see Spencer hitting it off so well with my parents. We get in the car and prepare for the hour drive back. Spencer returns his arm to behind my back, rubbing circles on my arm as the car drives through the urban jungle of Nashville. The driving in Nashville can be crazy, but as soon as we get on the interstate everything calms down. It's nearly a straight shot home from here. Eventually the quiet lull of the car, the muffled voices on the radio, and the conversations between everybody in the car soothes me to sleep, resting my head on Spencer's shoulder.

•••••

Spencer gently shakes me out of my sleep as my dad parks the car in the garage. I groan and stretch as Spencer helps me out of the car in my half awake state. I grab my purse and backpack and head around the car to get my suitcase. My dad pulls it out and then goes to pull Spencer's out of the car. I take this moment and grab my suit case before either of the men can carry my suitcase for me. They both try to stop me but I'm walking away with my suitcase before they can finish their thoughts. I walk to the door and wait for Spencer so I can lead him to the correct room in the house. We walk through the garage and into the living room. We also walk through the kitchen and down a hallway before coming upon my childhood bedroom. My bed is made and the small tv is still there as well as my old antique vanity from high school. My closet is mainly used for storing different seasonal decor and craft supplies because I don't live here anymore. Spencer follows me into the room and puts his suitcase down next to mine. He comes up to me and puts his hands on my waist "you didn't have to carry your own suitcase, Annie." I smile and say "I wanted to. You guys are going to baby me the whole time I'm home like I'm not a strong independent woman." Spencer chuckles and nods. He looks around at some of the old photos on the dresser and the art work, admiring my former style. Spencer smiles and I say "what?" He just laughs "this is exactly what I expected is all." I smile and look down briefly before returning the eye contact. I say "well I'm honestly not that different from my high school self style wise. I'm really just older and wiser." Spencer smiles "I'm grateful for that." I nod. After a beat I say "Spencer we need to tell my parents about the attack before they ask why I'm keeping the hat on all the time." He nods and says "you're right, let's do that now." We don't wait any longer and walk out to the kitchen where my parents are and sit at the table. I look at my parents "hey, mom, dad, can y'all come sit for a minute. I need to tell you something." My parents notice my serious tone and make their way to the table. My mom eyes me suspiciously and says "oh my God, Anneliese, are you pregnant?" My eyes go wide and I say "no mom, no. Not as of two days ago that's for sure." My mom furrows her brow but before she can ask more I say "the reason we spent most of our time in Vegas in the hotel is because the night we went out to dinner I was attacked by our waiter. He threw me into the wall twice and grabbed me forcefully in multiple ways." My parents' eyes are wide and laced with concern. My mom asks "what happened? Why did he attack you?" Spencer speaks up and says "he was continually flirting with her through dinner. He noticed she doesn't have a wedding ring or engagement ring so either in his arrogance or delusion he assumed he had a chance. I went to find Annie after she was taking a bit longer than I thought she would in the bathroom. I found him in a hallway next to the bathroom assaulting Annie while she fought for her life. I immediately drew my gun and identified myself as FBI. A worker saw me and left to call 911. There must have been police nearby already because within two minutes they were there." My dad looks angry and my mom looks distraught. I speak up and say "before anybody got there I fought back and stabbed him in the foot with my heel. There was blood apparently and it was his not mine. I only had a mild concussion from him slamming me into the wall and a few minor scrapes and bruises. I'm okay and we possibly saved more women because he attacked me and Spencer was able to put a stop to it so quickly." Spencer nods and squeezes my hand in encouragement. Spencer continues "when he finally moved where Annie wasn't in the way I tackled him and pulled him off of her. The police arrested him and handled it from there. Annie was barely conscious and there was blood on the floor and on her from her stabbing his foot, but at the time I didn't know where it was coming from. I rushed her to the waiting ambulance and informed the paramedics of the situation and her medical history. As soon as Annie's body recognized that she was safe in the ambulance she fell unconscious and didn't wake up for an hour or so after we got her checked out in her hospital room." I take my hat off and say "I didn't want to explain this to you guys in public so I've been wearing this hat to hide the main bruise from you guys and from the public. We got a lot of stares before I got the hat and it was uncomfortable for both of us." Spencer adds "everybody looked at me like I did it and it was the worst feeling ever. I want you both to know I would never hurt your daughter. I would die trying to protect her in any given situation." My parents nod, overwhelmed with information. I say "mom, dad? Y'all okay?" My dad nods and says "I'm just pissed this happened but I'm glad it's getting taken care of. I'm so happy you weren't hurt any more than you were." I nod solemnly and look at my mom. She looks at me and says "I'm just happy you're okay. I worry every day that something like this is going to happen in DC, but all it took was one trip to Vegas and a nice dinner out. I don't know if I should be more or less worried." Spencer nods seriously and says "I haven't told Annie this yet, but I plan on getting her set up in self defense classes with some members of my team so she will be better prepared. Honestly, she did a great job fighting him off. The only thing I would change is that she agitated him by insulting him which got her thrown into the wall the second time." I chime in "hey if I hadn't done that you wouldn't have been able to grab him. I'm not going out appeasing a man who is groping me like that." My mom sighs "you really are the same fighter you used to be huh?" Spencer raises an eyebrow "fighter?" My mom chuckles "oh yes, she only ever fought with her brothers though. She was too scared of us to fight with people in school. With her brothers though it's like she saw red." I interject "hey that was only until I was like 13. We all started growing up after that." Spencer chuckles "explains why you have such a good kick." My dad raises an eyebrow "what do you mean." I turn red as I know now Spencer has to tell my parents I kneed him in the crotch. Spencer chuckles "one night Annie was having a nightmare and when I tried to wake her up from it she kneed me in the crotch and it was some of the worst pain I've experienced. And I've been shot in the knee." My parents stare in shock before laughing at the story. My dad says "yep that's our girl." I chuckle and say "speaking of fighting, when are the boys going to get here?" My mom says "oh they're flying in this afternoon around the same time and said they would just rent a car together and ride the whole way here and go straight to the Christmas Eve communion service. They said they would keep the rental car for a few days so they could get around town more easily while they're home and just share it and split the cost." I nod "not a bad idea. I think I kinda feel like taking a nap, is that okay? We have a few hours before the service and I want to rest up before the service and the party." My mom nods "of course, honey, go rest up." I look at Spencer and ask "care to join me?" Spencer smiles and nods, following me as I leave the kitchen. We make our way to my childhood bedroom and I lock the door behind us just so none of my family members can barge in on us and embarrass me. I go to my suitcase and pull out a pair of sweats and a big t shirt bc they were on top. Spencer eyes me quizzically before saying "that's your period outfit? Did you start your period today?" I chuckle and shake my head "ever since I got the IUD I just have very light periods they aren't as bad as they used to be. I just packed this in case I needed an outfit for being bloated from Christmas food." Spencer nods and chuckles, grabbing some pajamas from his bag. I look at him and say "I definitely recommend sleeping fully clothed because my family knows no boundaries sometimes." Spencer chuckles and walks towards me in only his boxers and sleep pants "maybe we can teach them a lesson by letting them find us fully naked in your childhood bed." I laugh "Spencer that's a way for you to get shot. Again." Spencer chuckles and nods, pulling on his sleep t shirt. I close the blackout curtains in the room and climb into bed. Spencer grabs the tv remote that I forgot to grab and hands it to me without being asked. I give him a sweet guilty smile and thank him in a small voice. He chuckles and climbs into bed behind me pulling me close. He asks "what show are we sleeping to today?" I chuckle and say "how about a Christmas movie?" Spencer smiles and nods. I turn on the Santa Claus and snuggle into Spencer's embrace. Before falling asleep I ask "has my family scared you off yet." I feel Spencer laugh behind me and he says "we've been through too much already for your family to scare me off." I chuckle and say "what do you mean?" He scoffs "Annie I got shot before we were official, we've both had deaths on the job, you kicked me in the balls, we've had fights, we've done it all, much more than most couples who are married for decades, and we are both still here. Neither of us are going anywhere." I smile and say "I love you, Spence." He says "I love you, too, Annie. Now, get some sleep before we have to be extra social tonight." I say "yes sir" and we both snuggle into the embrace and quickly fall asleep.

•••••

I stir to a perky rap at the bedroom door. My mothers voice rings out from the other side "Lise, Spencer, we need to leave for the service in 45 minutes! Time to get up!" I groan and roll over to face Spencer. I say "part of me wants to stay right here in bed with you all night. No service, no party. Just you and me together without crazy family members or crazy waiters." Spencer chuckles and lowers his head to lightly kiss my neck. He says "we came all this way so you could enjoy your family at what you called the best party of the year. I don't want to miss that and I'm sure you don't." I moan slightly at the kisses and say "you're right. Just don't break up with me if my redneck family says something indecent in any way." Spencer laughs "I won't break up with you for that. I'm actually rather looking forward to it. To seeing what environment you were raised in." I laugh "you've seen most of the environment I was raised in from day to day but you haven't seen my drunk family holidays which is very different." He chuckles and nods "your parents seem like wonderful people." I smile and nod "they're pretty great. Can't complain, really." Spencer chuckles and lightly smacks my ass "okay, baby, let's get up and get ready." I squeal and move to get up. I laugh and say "that motivates me out of bed more than any other alarm clock I've ever had." Spencer laughs as we move to change clothes. I sit down at my old antique vanity to do my makeup. I decide on a natural look and try to cover up the bruise as best as possible. It's turned slightly purple and yellow in some places as it's healing, looking worse than it did before. I decide on a white sweater with little Pom poms, black leggings, and my short chestnut uggs along with some basic jewelry, the new tourmaline necklace included, and earrings. I know some of my family will call me "uppity" if I go all out. Spencer is wearing khaki pants and a white button up with a red quarter zip on top of it. He's wearing basic dress shoes, not his red bottoms, though, so my family doesn't come for him. He let me pick out his outfit to minimize any chances of being ridiculed for converse or sweater vests. He looks like a preppy southern boy and I honestly love it. He's styled his hair perfectly and looks yummy with the outfit and the Rolex I got him for his birthday. I hear another knock at the door and unlock it and open it to reveal my mom. She says "oh you two look wonderful. Especially you, Spencer, so handsome." Spencer blushes and I roll my eyes jokingly as we thank her. She chuckles and says "well I just wanted to give you this headband to wear tonight, I thought it might be a more sure proof way to cover up the bruise so the people and church and the family doesn't ask questions tonight." She hands me a beautiful black headband with pearls sewn into it. It looks expensive and I feel I don't even want to know where it came from or if they're real pearls. I thank her and nod, turning around to strategically style it in my hair and lock it in place with Bobby pins. With that we leave the house and head for the church. My mom asks "Spencer, did you and your mom ever go to Christmas Eve service?" I squeeze his hand as a warning to tread carefully. We've discussed this topic before privately and Spencer says "No ma'am, we didn't. My mother wasn't very spiritual or religious so I didn't have a very religion focused upbringing. However, I am excited to experience it tonight with all of you." My mom smiles in the rear view mirror and says "we are so glad to have you join us." My dad doesn't say anything as he parks the car and we all get out. As I'm walking up the path to the church steps with Spencer, holding on to his arm, I notice my two brothers standing at the door of the church waiting for us. Cole, my brother who is 5 years older than I am and a marketing CFO, and George, my brother who is 3 years older than I am and a musician and writer on Broadway in New York, spot us and call out to the family with excited grins. We smile and call out greetings to one another as we take turns hugging in the breezeway outside the church entrance. Spencer stands a couple steps back so everybody can greet everybody. Once all the hugging is over I take a step back to Spencer and say "Cole, George, this is my boyfriend, Dr. Spencer Reid." Both of my brothers extend hands and before I can protest Spencer takes both of their hands in handshakes. I guess he really does love me if he's willing to challenge his fear of germs. My brother George, the younger of the two who favors our mom more than anyone, asks "so you're a doctor? Did y'all meet in the hospital that Lise works at in DC?" Spencer and I exchange a quick look and Spencer answers "yes we did, but not in the way that you'd expect." Both my brothers give quizzical expressions as I continue the explanation "he was my patient." My oldest brother, Cole, who favors our dad most, starts laughing. After he regains control he says "I'm sorry I just can't imagine you dating a patient. I mean what happened?" I chuckle "well neither of us can legally discuss what landed him in the hospital, but a few days after he was discharged he tracked me down and asked me out to get drinks. The rest is history." My brothers smile sweetly and nod. My dad interjects and says "the service is about to start let's go get our seats." We file into the church and grab our programs, communion packs, and candles and sit in the pew my parents sit in most weeks. It's a short communion service mainly consisting of a few Christmas hymns, a brief sermon, communion, and a candlelight silent night. Spencer looks like he feels uneasy but only because I know him so well. He follows my lead in everything. The communion cups are little cups with a small cracker sealed separately on top of the cup. We take communion and ready our candles to wait for the flame to come to us. Once all the candles are lit the entire congregation sings the song "Silent Night." Spencer rarely sings, so he doesn't sing very much to the song and just mouths along the words. I think he may be tone deaf and embarrassed about it, but I'm not sure, honestly. One day I'll have to get him drunk enough and find out for sure. Once the device is over and we start to exit the pew, multiple life long members of the church come up to me and ask questions about my life as it's been at least a year since I came home. Spencer stays quiet yet polite and mainly let's me do the talking. He answers questions happily, but is uncomfortable talking to all these strange people, which I get. My family tends to sweep the church, so I ask my brothers "hey are y'all heading to Gigi's?" They nod and motion for us to follow them to their rental car. I send a quick text to my parents letting them know we hitched a ride with my brothers. In the car my brothers ask Spencer all the expected questions: "what do you do?" "Where do you work?" "Where are you from?" My oldest brother even says "if you hurt our baby sister we will have no choice but to kill you." Spencer chuckles "I won't but I'd like to see you try." I scoff and nudge Spencer "way to make a first impression, bubs." Spencer chuckles and my middle brother says "I like him already." We arrive at my grandmother's house. Not a lot of people are there yet, it's more of a come and go party, but my immediate family and aunt and cousin tend to stay the entire night. We have a good night and snack the whole night. Spencer and I both sip glasses of wine while I watch my mom down the wine with her siblings. Honestly my siblings and cousins and I stay sober for the most part to laugh at my mom and her siblings revert back to childish antics. Spencer meets all the family members and passes their tests with flying colors. I'm honestly shocked and impressed. Two of my redneck cousins ask to see Spencer's FBI badge and gun. They inspect his revolver and challenge him to target shooting. I feel the color drain from my face and my heart start beating faster as Spencer accepts their challenge. I tell Spencer "you know they've been shooting since they could hold a gun with two hands, right?" Spencer chuckles and nods "I can hit a target, though, babe." I sigh and shake my head following, ready to call 911 if somebody gets injured. We go out back to an old fence where we used to shoot BB guns and other guns at targets, mainly old beer cans, but there were a few actual targets made. They set it up and my older, classier cousin, Lacey, and I stand back with our glasses of wine, genuinely intrigued. I mean I've seen Spencer in action, well simulation, with his team so I know how good he is. My cousins show off and shoot the target with their hand guns and one of them sent one of their teenage kids to fetch the shot guns from their truck. It's honestly one big shit show. They're all at least halfway inebriated but still manage to hit the target. Spencer chuckles and nods as they tell him it's his turn. He points the gun and shoots three shots back to back right into the bullseye of the target. Their jaws drop and Lacey and my brothers and I all cheer for Spencer. My cousins are in shock and awe at Spencer. They start to set up beer cans on the fence and ask him if he can hit those. Spencer nods and sets up his stance. He squints his eyes back and forth a bit, I can genuinely see the numbers flying through his brain as he's calculating all the factors before he shoots all five cans perfectly in succession. My entire family that's outside erupts in cheers and clap Spencer on the back. I honestly couldn't have imagined Spencer's introduction to the family going better. After a little while Spencer comes back to me and I grab his hand, pulling him into me for a kiss. The family cheers again and I let the kiss continue just long enough before pulling away. Spencer looks happily dazed as I pull us apart. I lean up on my tip toes and say in his ear "that was one of the hottest things you've ever done." He chuckles and says "okay, tiger, wait until we get home." I giggle "DC home or my parents' house home?" He chuckles again "wait and see, Annie."