#I also wrote a version of this w/ Hotch? 😭 I cannot be stopped

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

My Baby Penguin

Prompt By @imagining-in-the-margins: Spencer and someone goes to/meet at the aquarium (I saw the Trivia post and had to write this lol ty for making it!)

Spencer Reid x F!OC (Dr. Aaliyah Hadid)

TW: mention of fear and child abductions

A/N: Sorry, this is kinda messy since it's a draft but I thought it was cute so 😭

When Aaliyah Hadid took the day off from the BAU to spend the day with her family at the local aquarium, she didn't expect to debate with a five-year-old about whether or not to get another stuffed animal. It's not like she didn't want to spoil her kid, but it would be an understatement to say that their home was already filled with toys from baby showers and previous birthdays, mostly from her unofficial aunts and uncles.

"Cleo, we talked about this," Liya says sternly while crossing her arms. "You agreed to one stuffed animal." Spencer stood between his two favorite girls struggling to pick a side while his daughter pouted.

"But mami, he's so cute! And Daddy said penguins are super cool, right Daddy?" she turned to him with her big doe eyes.

"She's right, actually. We saw the documentary about Antarctica and actually, many penguin couples can locate each other using distinct calls-" he starts to wave his hands excitedly while explaining before he is interrupted.

"Spence!" she exclaimed. "I love you and your fun facts but you aren't helping right now babe."

"Sorry sweetheart," he apologizes, leaning over to be on the same level as his daughter. "Sorry pumpkin, we already agreed to one stuffed animal right? And we know how important it is to keep our promises." She frowned and gave the soft pumpkin a big hug.

"Okay Daddy," she replied solemnly. Aaliyah chuckles against her will. Daddy's Girl.

As she puts the toy back, Spencer sighs. For some reason, he couldn't live with the guilt that came with not getting her the toy. What if she hates him? Or worse, hates him? Besides, it's just one toy...

"Liya, honey?" he pulls her aside. "Maybe we could try to work out a new agreement?"

"Spencer..." she warns him. "Did she already get to you?"

"I can't help it! She has your perfect eyes," he cradled her face in his hands. She sighed.

"Spence, I love her too, but we can't give in to her every time. We already let her have ice cream and we agreed to extra TV time. If we keep this up, she's going to feel like she can get whatever she wants without any consequence."

"Would that be a bad thing?"

"You know that's not what I- Wait, where did she go?"

"Hmm?"

The sudden dread kicked in, and it felt like their blood ran cold. The two have worked many abduction cases before and were easily able to sympathize with the parents, but this? Actually, being in this situation? It felt completely different, like wanting to freeze yet feeling a sudden urge to run in every direction possible.

Cleo couldn't have gone that far, that's for sure, and they didn't hear anything, so she was probably not taken by force. But then again, she also wouldn't leave with a stranger, the two taught her better than that.

As they spiraled through their worst fears, they found her in the corner of the other side of the store hugging another penguin that was practically her height. Spencer and Aaliyah threw their arms around the little girl, doing their best to hide their watery eyes.

"Don't ever do that to us again sweetheart, promise us," Spencer begged. All Cleo could do was nod before they released her. She showed off her newfound penguin bigger than the last one.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to show you the big penguin," she sniffled, scared she made her parents mad. Aaliyah kissed her forehead and smiled.

"You know what, fine. We'll get the big penguin. But in return, I want five good snuggles, is that okay?" she asked.

"Okay mami, I love you. And I love you, Daddy. Can you tell me more things about penguins?"

Spencer's face lit up immediately. "Of course, I can sweetheart!"

And as they left the aquarium, Aaliyah reached two conclusions. One, she loves her dorky husband and her adorable daughter unconditionally no matter the ridiculous things they can do sometimes it's not like she hasn't made mistakes either. And two, she will never let her husband handle negotiations with their daughter again.