Title: He Didn't Have To Be
By: Daisyangel
Pairing: JJ/Reid
Rating: G
A/n: written for the Father's Day Prompt challenge over at the country song prompts forum. Please check it out and contribute both stories and country song prompts.
Disclaimer: I don't own CM or the song "He Didn't Have To Be"by Brad Paisley
Summary: Henry reflects on just what exactly it means to have a father. Spencer Reid proves that you don't have to be a biologicalWritten for the country song prompts forum father's day prompt challenge.

***

Henry Reid smiled as he stared through the glass of the nursery window at his newborn daughter. Turning to the man standing next to him, he said,

"I hope I'm half the father to Maddy that you've been to me." Reid blushed at the compliment.

"I'm glad to be your father. It was sad that Will chose not to stick with your mom once she found out she was pregnant," Reid commented.

"Yeah, but you took up the slack even though you didn't have to," Henry replied.

"It's been my pleasure to be your father. You've done well for yourself, Henry," Reid stated with pride. Smiling Henry hugged the man who'd been his father for as long as he could remember.

"I remember the first time you asked her out on a date," Henry said with a smile.

"So do I," the genius agreed.

XXXX

When a single
mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

XXXX

A four-year-old Henry Jareau was in his bed. It was well past his bedtime but he couldn't sleep. His Uncle Reid was downstairs and he was pretty sure he was going to ask his mommy to go out with him. Henry didn't quite understand what that meant, but Jack had told him that it meant grown ups went out to places by themselves. They do it when they like each other the older boy had explained. Henry knew he liked Reid. He did fun stuff with him and he was nice to his mommy. He strained to hear as Reid began to talk. Unable to hear very well, the little boy crept silently from bed and stood at the top of the stairs so he could hear what was happening..

XXXX

"I had fun tonight, JJ. Thanks for inviting me over for dinner," Spencer thanked her.

"You're welcome, Spence. We love having you over. Henry adores you and you're fantastic with him. I think the 'Reid affect is a thing of the past," she teased. Reid smiled he'd been thinking the same thing. Stuffing his hands in his pockets he smiled nervously.

"Hey, JJ?" he asked softly.

"What is it, Spence?"

"Would you um, like to go on a date with me? Maybe to the movies. Henry could go to." The media liaison smiled. She couldn't believe the man she'd secretly loved for years was asking her on a date. Let alone the fact that he was willing to include her son without any hesitation. Most of the guys she'd dated since Henry was born always turned and ran once they knew she had a kid.

"JJ?" Reid called.

"Oh, sorry, I was just lost in thought. I'd love to go. Are you sure you don't mind Henry going?"

"Not at all. I know he's your first priority and to be honest I love him and want to spend as much time with him as I can," Reid shyly admitted. Leaning forward JJ placed a soft kiss on Reid's lips. Blushing they pulled apart and gave each other a smile.

"When were you thinking of going on this date?" JJ wondered.

"How about Saturday? We can go to Pizza Hut and then the movies. I know it's not a very romantic date, but I want to make sure we go somewhere that's kid friendly. Maybe our next date can be just the two of us and we can go somewhere a little more romantic," he added quickly.

"Our next date hmm?" JJ repeated. Fearing he'd spoken to quickly and assumed too much Reid tried to backpedal.

"Well I mean if you want to. I'm sorry for just assuming you'd want to," Reid apologized quickly.

"Relax, Spence, of course I want to go on a second date with you. I was just teasing," the blonde told him. The two of them began laughing and Reid gave her a sweet smile.

"Well I'd better go, but I'll see you Saturday," Reid said.

"Yeah, I'm glad we have tomorrow off. There's a lot to get done around here," JJ commented.

"Call me if you need any help," Reid said as he placed a kiss on her lips then turned and left the house leaving a smiling JJ and a very excited little boy in his wake.

XXXX

"That date went well," Henry commented.

"Yes it did," Reid replied.

"It was nice to be able to go for once. I know Mom struggled to find a guy because all of them found out about me and ran. All of them but you," the new father amended.

"I was committed to you and your mom. I still am. I'm glad that JJ and I had Bethany and Jake but you've always been my first child. The fact that you're not biologically mine doesn't matter."

"Do you remember when you asked Mom to marry you?" Henry questioned.

"Yes I do. You helped me. She definitely wasn't expecting that," the profiler replied.

"No, she wasn't expecting it at all. However, it was totally worth the look on her face," Henry agreed.

"That it was," Spencer said, remembering the night.

XXXX

I met the man
I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes
And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

XXXX

"Are you ready to help surprise your Mama, Henry?" Reid asked. The two of them were in JJ's kitchen working on dinner.

"Yeah!" cried the little boy.

"That's good why don't you go pick some of those sunflowers your mommy likes so much," Reid suggested.

"Okay," Henry called out as he headed for the back door. Spencer smiled as he thought about what was in store for everyone that night. He'd managed to get the day off so he told JJ he'd watch Henry so she didn't have to take him to daycare. When she asked him why he'd taken the day off he just told her he had somethings to take care of. Nodding in understanding she'd kissed both him and Henry then left for the BAU. Spencer couldn't believe they'd been dating for a year. It had been the best year of his life.

"I goted the flowers from the backyard like you told me to," Henry said proudly. Reid looked up as the five-year-old walked back into the kitchen carrying the sunflowers that were JJ's favorite.

"That's great, kiddo. Why don't you put them in that vase on the counter then you can go watch TV until dinner's ready," Reid suggested. Nodding Henry did what he was told before scampering into the living room and settling in front of the TV.

XXXX

The wonderful smell of a homecooked meal wafted through the house as JJ let herself in and kicked off her shoes.

"Spence, Henry, where are you?" she called out.

"Mommy!" came an excited yell as Henry barreled towards her. JJ let out a surprised breath as he crashed into her legs.

"Hi there, baby. Did you have fun with Spencer today?"

"Yeah, I picked you flowers and we maked you dinner."

"You mean you made me dinner," the mother corrected.

"Yeah, that's what I said, Mommy. Come on, you gotta see the kitchen we made it real pretty," the little boy informed her.

"I'd love to see it," she said taking her son by the hand and letting him drag her into the kitchen.

XXXX

Her breath caught as she saw the candles and her boyfriend standing at the stove checking something.

"Oh, Spence, this is amazing," she breathed.

"I'm glad you like it. If you want to get changed, dinner should be ready by the time you come down," Spencer offered.

"I think I'll take you up on that, JJ said as she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on his lips before turning and heading for the stairs.

XXXX

Dinner was going well and they'd finally reached the dessert course. Reid smiled at Henry and pointed towards the living room.

"Mommy, Spencer and I have a present for you. Do you want to see it?"

"I'd love to, sweetie."

"Okay, stay there and close your eyes. No peaking, Mommy. I mean it," the little boy said seriously.

"My eyes are closed and I won't peak, I promise," she replied. A couple of minutes went by before Henry reappeared in the dining room.

"Okay, you can open them now," Henry instructed. JJ opened her eyes to find her little boy standing their with a teddy bear with a jewelry box tied to the ribbon around the bear's neck.

"Thank you, baby," she said taking the bear. Reaching for the box she opened it. Frowning slightly when she realized it was empty she glanced up to where Spencer had been sitting to see if he knew what was going on. He wasn't in his chair anymore, though. He was down on one knee in front of her holding out the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen.

"Will you marry me, Jennifer Beth Jareau?"

"Yes! Yes I will marry you!" she cried tears sliding down her face as she threw herself into Reid's arms and covered his face in kisses. Taking her left hand he slid the ring on her fourth finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Hey Spencer, can I ask you something?" Henry asked shyly drawing the adults out of their own little world.

"Sure you can, Henry," the genius told him.

"Now that you're gonna marry my mommy, does that mean you're going to be my daddy?" The room went silent and Reid threw JJ a quick look. She just smiled at him and patted his arm.

"That depends, do you want me to be your daddy?" Spencer questioned.

"Yes I do," Henry exclaimed.

"Then yes, I'd love to be your daddy," the male agent replied.

"Yay! I love you, Daddy," Henry cried throwing himself into Reid's arms and hugging him as tight as his little arms could.

"I love you to, enry," Reid said tears clogging his throat. He finally had the one thing he'd been wanting all his life. He had a family.

XXXX

I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in
And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be
You know he didn't have to be

XXXX

A lot of things have happened since then," Reid commented as he stared transfixed at his granddaughter.

"I can't believe it's been three years since I met Sarah," Henry reflected.

"Now you're married and have a beautiful little girl," his father replied.

"Yeah, she's pretty precious, isn't she?" Henry said with a proud smile.

"That she is," Reid agreed.

"Would you like to hold her, Grandpa?" Henry offered.

"I'd love to," Reid responded.
 
"Well come on then," Henry said entering the nursery his father in tow. Settling in one of the rocking chairs, Reid waited for Henry to place Madeline Diana Reid in his arms.

"Here you go, Maddy. Here's your Grandpa. I hope I'm at least half the dad he didn't have to be," Henry said gently placing his tiny daughter into his father's arms.

Finished!