Chapter Text
They woke up a bit later in the morning, choosing to sleep in and bask in the morning sunrise. Aaron still cuddled right up to Spencer, his hand never moving from its spot on his stomach.
They ate breakfast as a family, pancakes at the request of a hyperactive seven year old. They sent Jack off to school on the bus, both giving him a quick kiss on the forehead before he went out the door. He acted disgusted but the smile on his face gave away his true feelings.
The drive to work was spent mostly in comfortable silence. Aaron's free hand resting on Spencer's thigh, they made occasional small talk, nothing that truly mattered.
Their routine continued as normal, Hotch walked in while Reid sat in the car for twenty minutes, reading a book in his mind while waiting for the right time to go in. It was still too early for any of the others to be in but they never took chances.
When the rest of the team eventually filed into the bullpen closer to nine, Hotch called them into the conference room.
“I believe Reid has things he needs to address.” Hotch explained before taking a seat. The rest of the team had a solemn look on their faces, already assuming the worst from their conversation the previous day.
“My privacy was violated yesterday. I do not blame you all for worrying about me, but instead of coming to me privately you assumed the worst of me.” He started, wringing his hands together, but continued before anyone could interrupt. “Im two years clean, I haven't relapsed, and those needles in my bag aren't what you think.”
“Reid, what else could you possibly need medical grade needles for?” Morgan questioned, wracking his brain for other possible reasons his coworker would carry around needles.
“Theyre for testosterone injections, its prescribed by my doctor and its something ive been taking since i was twenty years old, for you information.” He explained directly.
“Theres no way you're on steroids, kid. You're a twig, there's no way you think we’re believing that.” Rossi commented with his arms crossed.
“I’m transgender, Rossi.” Reid replied plainly, saying those words to the people he cared about most wasn't really as nerve wracking as he thought it’d be… it felt less like a death sentence and more like a weight being lifted off of his shoulders.
The whole team stared at the genius in shock, before long, Emily spoke up.
“Why didn't you tell us, Reid?”
“It's private information.” He explained with a shrug, “I was never going to tell anyone, I was simply going to let you all believe whatever you wanted. Things happened and while I thought my mind had been made up, I decided it was something that needed to be shared.”
“What caused you to decide to tell us? If you weren't gonna tell us after yesterday, what changed?” JJ asked.
“Well- while ive had top surgery i havent opted for any other gender affirming surgery… and it turns out I'm pregnant. Did you know twelve per-” Spencer started, before getting interrupted by an overly ecstatic Penelope Garcia.
“WHAT?” She shouted, practically jumping out of her seat and gathering Spencer into her arms. “Oh my sweet boy genius! I'm so so so happy for you! I'm going to knit so many sweaters for your little genius fetus”
The rest of the team remained in their seats processing the information, some having a harder time processing the flood of information than others, none seemingly in a negative way thankfully.
Rossi glanced over at Hotch, noticing the rare small smile that was displayed on his face. “You knew, didn't you?” Rossi asked him.
“I did.” Hotch responded softly, causing the rest of the team to look over at him.
“Congratuations, you two.” Rossi replied with a smug smile, uncovering his revelation to the rest of the team. The two had always suspected he knew more than he let on.
“Hold up, Hotch? Really?” Morgan questioned, it was honestly a better reaction than the Reid thought he’d have. He knew they would probably still have a private conversation filled with all of his worries about his pseudo-brother getting into a relationship with their superior.
“We’ve been together for three years. We moved in together a year and a half ago.” Reid explained softly, finally breaking free from Penelope's grasp.
“I can't believe we didn't notice! We’re supposed to be world class profilers and you somehow slipped right past us.” Emily joked. “Congratulations.”
“Do you guys commute separately? I never see you two leave at the same time.” JJ asked.
“He stays in the car for twenty minutes and leaves twenty minutes before I do, we haven't commuted separately since we got together.” Hotch explains simply.
“Oh i cant believe i didnt notice you two being all sneaky!! Our fearless leader and our boy wonder are going to have a little baby running around, I'm so excited! Have you told Jack yet? Oh I bet he’s going to be so excited for a little sibling!” Penelope exclaimed, practically vibrating, they probably couldn't contain her to a chair if they tried.
“We haven't told Jack yet, we only found out last night. I’m sure he’ll be very happy for someone that can keep up with him.” Hotch replied.
“Can I plan the baby shower? I have so many ideas for science related baby games!”
“Penelope, I'd expect no less from you.” Spencer told her with a laugh.
“Oh yes! thank you!! You wont regret it!”
After that the rest of the day went by as normal as it could be. They still refilled his coffee (decaf, of course, even if Spencer complained about it), their conversations were back and so was the playful banter. Spencer could tell their actions came from a place of love now, instead of worry.
He knew that whatever came next, they'd have his back.
And eight months later when baby Diana Brooke Hotchner-Reid made her dramatic entrance into this world, both Aaron and Spencer knew she’d never be short on love.