This story is roughly based
on the short story called
"The Velvet Ribbon"
from a book called
"In A Dark, Dark Room
and Other Scary Stories"
which I really liked and
wanted to make my own rendition of it. It's a
pretty long one.
Enjoy!
Word Count: 4910
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

She was so beautiful in a strange and mysterious way. Her H/C hair and deep bottomless E/C eyes mesmerized Spencer the minute she walked into the Behavioral Analysis Unit headquarters that day.

He found himself staring at her for way longer than he should be, Morgan seeming to notice.

"Is Pretty Boy checking out the new Agent?" he says smirking at a blushing Spencer.

"N-No, uh I just didn't know we were getting a new Agent. Who is she?" Spencer asks, glancing over at Morgan before looking back over to the mysterious beauty who was making her way to Hotch's office.

"Her name is Agent Y/FN Y/LN, she transferred here from somewhere. Penelope let me know who she was." he says as Spencer can just feel Morgans eyes watching him as he watches her.

Spencer takes his eyes off of her but not before noticing the black velvet choker that was placed on her neck, the thing seeming endless.

Hotch and the girl that Spencer now knows as Y/N come walking out of his office.

"Alright I need everyone in the conference room in five we have a case" Hotch says before leading Y/N to the conference room.

"Well looks like we need to be heading to the conference room pretty boy to meet your mysterious lady" Morgan says chuckling and patting Spencer's back before he headed off to the conference room.

Spencer then quickly fixed his shirt and hair before trailing behind him to the conference room, taking a seat next to Emily and far away from Derek and his teasing.

Spencer being the last member of the team to enter the room which is unlike him.

"Alright now that everyone is here I would like to introduce to you our newest member of the team, this is Agent Y/FN Y/LN." Hotch says.

Y/N shyly waves at the team, smiling and muttering a quiet "Hello" before quickly shuffling over to the only empty seat, which just so happened to be beside Spencer. Just his luck.

He tried to keep focused on what Garcia was saying but he felt his eyes continuously wondering over to her and that endless velvet choker placed around her neck.

He hoped that she or the team couldn't feel his eyes on her because boy would that be embarrassing.

Spencer turns his attention back to the board thinking he should focus on the case, this is so unlike him and he doesn't even know this girl yet.

The briefing is finally over and on their way to the jet the mysterious Y/N runs right into the back of Spencer, not paying attention where she was going, her falling on top of him as they crash to the ground.

She quickly scoots off of him and stands up, offering her hand to him "I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean to knock you over and fall on you I kinda wasn't watching where I was going and I'm a bit of a klutz..." she says, trailing off at the end noticing how he's staring at her outstretched hand.

Y/N looks at her own hand and then drops it to her side, giggling nervously.

Spencer notices and stands up off the ground and flashes the cutest smile over at her before saying "Uh, it's fine I'm a bit of a klutz sometimes myself too. I'm Dr. Spencer Reid and I don't shake hands or take anyone's hand because hand shaking is actually mo-"

"More unsanitary than kissing yeah I'm sorry I know! I just knocked you over and figured I'd help you up regardless if you wanted me to. Uh, I'm Y/N but you already know that..." she cuts in, giggling nervously again, smiling brightly at the handsome man.

He looks at her with such amazement and she notices his eyes flicker to the velvet choker around her neck.

She suddenly gets self conscious, hoping he won't ask about it. But everyone eventually does.

He smiles and then realizes they should probably get to the jet "Well Y/N we should be heading to the jet before the team thinks we got lost, it was nice literally bumping into you. Maybe we can talk later?"

She finds herself blushing a bit as she replies with a quiet "Y-Yeah, I'd like that Dr. Spencer Reid."

He flashes a smile at her and says "Please, just call me Spencer" as they start heading towards the jet.

☽★☾

It's been seven months since Spencer and Y/N have been a couple and not once during the whole time he's known her has she taken off her black velvet choker.

Spencer was so curious as to why so he finally decided to confront his girlfriend about it. He arrived back home to their little shared apartment and unlocked the door.

"I'm home baby" He calls out to her as he takes off his shoes and coat.

"I'm in here Spence!" She calls back from the kitchen, as she's making dinner.

Spencer then notices the smell of the food she's cooking as he walks into the kitchen, seeing she's making some chicken, mashed potatoes and macaroni wearing her Halloween mismatched socks, his matching hers perfectly.

"Mmm it smells delicious love." he says as he walks up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.

"Why thank you, boyfriend. It's almost done, the chicken is finishing up now." Y/N says, still so happy he's hers that she loves calling him her boyfriend, and Spencer loves it. They are pretty much the couple every couple dreams to be.

He smiles and then carries the mashed potatoes and macaroni to the table and places it in the center before setting the table for her.

He sits down at the table watching her as she finishes up cooking the chicken. Deciding that he'll wait until after the amazing dinner she made to ask about her choker. He didn't want to possibly ruin dinner with asking, he has no idea what it means to her and doesn't wish to upset her but his curiousness has gotten the best of him.

The sound of Y/N sitting the plate of chicken on the table caught his attention, bringing him back out of his thoughts. "It all looks and smells amazing love! I can't wait to dig in"

As Spencer says that she can feel her cheeks heat up bright red "Thank you Spence! Now I am starving let's eat."

They start making their plates and dig into the food, both of them starving and ready to eat.

"This tastes amazing!" Spencer says, smiling brightly with a bit of potatoes on the side of his mouth.

She giggles and smiles "Thank you Spence, I can tell! You're saving some for later on your face." she says while taking a napkin and brushing it off for him.

He feels his face heat up as he laughs. They finish up dinner and head into the living room to watch some tv and cuddle.

Spencer looks over to her and musters up some courage before finally asking her "Y/N, why do you always wear that black velvet choker around your neck?" he then traces his finger along it gently, looking into her deep E/C eyes.

She looks down and bites her lip, she has to come up with something.

She can't tell him yet.. he'll think she's a freak. Her head is held on her body by a little bit of Ribbon for fuck sake.

"I can't tell you yet Spence.. m-maybe if we ever get married" she mutters, trying to avoid his eyes and not start crying. She so badly wishes to tell him but she just can't risk losing him.

"I... I understand love. Just tell me when you're ready" he says, placing a soft kiss on her lips before they watch some movies.

She hopes he'll always be this understanding about it if she does tell him...

☽★☾

That day that Y/N bumped into Spencer, the day that she walked into the BAU, Spencer knew he wanted to marry her.

It's the day that started their feelings for each other.

And that's why they were here, a year and a half later with Spencer at the Altar as Y/N walks down the isle with Hotch giving her away, who has always been like a father to her.

Little Jack trails behind her as her Page, helping hold up her long train and Henry is in front of them carrying the pillow with the rings on them.

To the right side of Spencer are his best man Morgan, as well as his groomsmen Rossi and Will.

To the left of him are Y/N's maid of honor Penelope along with her bridesmaids Emily and Jennifer.

Spencer can't stop looking at how beautiful Y/N is in her white dress and velvet black choker that never leaves her neck no matter what she wears.

Happy tears are rolling down his cheek as he sees her, so happy that she is about to become his wife.

They are so in love with Halloween and Tim Burton movies that they decided to recite the Corpse Bride vows for their wedding.

Once Hotch and Y/N get up to the altar the minister says "Who gives this Bride to this Groom in marriage?"

Aaron smiles and looks at him saying "I do" He then takes Y/N's right hand and places it in the Spencer's left hand, and retires to his seat in the front.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Spencer and Y/N come today desiring to be united in this sacred relationship." the minister continues once Hotch is seated "I ask you each now, to repeat the marriage vows." he says looking at the two of them.

Spencer then looks into Y/N's eyes and starts to recite the Vows "With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way into darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine." he says sliding the ring onto her ring finger.

She starts tearing up as she repeats the same Vows "With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way into darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine." she then places his ring on his ring finger and sniffles, seeing Spencer tearing up a little too.

"May the Peace and the Unconditional Love of each other surround you and remain with you now and forevermore. You may now seal your vows with a kiss." the minister says, looking at the happy couple.

Spencer leans in to her and kisses her deeply, pulling away with a smile as they turn to face their friends and family.

"Allow me to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Reid!" he says as the crowd starts cheering for the two of them, Morgan and Penelope dumping confetti buckets on their heads.

Then they start down the isle into the reception area with all their friends and family following behind them.

Their first dance was magical, well, as magical as it can get when you're two clumsy people trying to dance..

But it was so special because it was the two of them. The whole team is dancing with them and then they eat their huge four tier cake and food the caterers brought.

Y/N falls into the hotel bed they're staying in exhausted from the wedding ceremony, they're leaving for their honeymoon tomorrow morning but wanted a night away at a fancy hotel the night before.

Spencer joins her and smiles over at her "Hello, Husband" she says looking over at him with a smile as she notices him join her in bed, them still in their tux and dress.

"Hello, Wife" he replies happily as he pulls her close to him to kiss her forehead, his fingers tracing her velvet black choker again "Can I know now why you wear your choker? You said maybe if we got married." he says looking into her eyes.

She panics again and tries to avoid his eyes, not wanting to ruin his night with that just yet. Or for awhile to be honest.. so she closes her eyes and replies with a mumbled "M-Maybe if we have kids.. I-I still can't tell you right now Spencer I'm sorry" she then feels him kiss her forehead.

"Don't worry baby it's fine I understand, just tell me when you're ready dear." He replies when she opens her eyes and looks into his chocolate brown ones.

He kisses her softly and then looks back into her eyes "Now, let's consummate this marriage hmm?" he says.

She blushes brightly and giggles "Yes, let's."

☽★☾

It's been three years since the couple have gotten married and Y/N has gave birth to their fraternal boy and girl twins Aleksandr and Aliza.

Aleksandr meaning "Defender of Man" and Aliza meaning "Joyful" both suitable names for the perfect little twins they had.

The twins are now babbling little toddlers at three years old, their birthday's being on Halloween which is one more reason for Spencer and Y/N to love Halloween so much.

They had just had their fourth wedding anniversary in September and today's date is October 31st, the twins birthdays which means the team as well as Spencer and Y/N have been working hard to plan the perfect Halloween themed birthday party for them, the twins taking on their parents love for Halloween too.

They already knew what they were being, a little Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles from The Flinstones! It was so precious. Spencer and Y/N decided to go as Fred and Wilma.

They are very proud parents to say the least, and the kids are such well behaved sweethearts.

The ringing of the doorbell knocks her out of her thoughts and she gets up from her spot on the couch, opening the door to a bright and cheery Penelope Garcia and behind her was Derek Morgan. Also known as the Godparents of the little twins Aleksandr and Aliza.

"Hi Y/N! Where are my favorite little twins?" Penelope says with excitement.

Y/N giggles and says "Well hello to you too Penelope! I'm starting to think you only love me and Spence for our children."

"Oh sugar you know I love me my HunnyBunny to bits!" Penelope says, using her nickname for her best friend before hugging her.

"You better BunBuns!" Y/N says, hugging Penelope before stepping back out of the way and opening the door to them "Now come into our home and make yourself at home instead of standing on our front porch!" she finishes.

"Yes please let me in it's cold out here sweetness, as much as I love the two of you my ass is freezing out here." Morgan pipes in, shivering a bit in the cool night air.

Garcia and him then start walking into the house, Y/N closing the door after Morgan gets in the house. She then leads the way into the twins playroom where them and Spencer resided.

Aliza looked up and squealed with excitement and yelled "AUNTIE PENELOPE! UNCLE DEREK!" as she runs over to the door.

At the sound of the excited child yelling Spencer turns his attention towards the door and smiles when he notices two of his best friends.

The older of the twins Aleksandr then tilting his head to the door and starts running towards them happily.

"Happy birthday little Munchkins!" Penelope and Derek say, hugging them tight.

Meanwhile in Hotchner's back yard everything was all set up for the twins birthday party in an hour, which is what Penelope and Derek came to inform Spencer and Y/N of.

Little Aleksandr and Aliza were already all dressed in their Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles costumes, Y/N and Spencer still haven't gotten into their costumes yet though.

"Hey Pretty Boy, come here for a second would you?" Morgan says, motioning towards their living room area.

Spencer nods and gets up, placing a kiss on the foreheads of his three favorite people, his wife and his twins, before heading out of the door.

He can hear Penelope's "Aww! You're such a perfect family" comment after he leaves the room and he chuckles before joining Morgan on the couch.

"So everything is all set up at Aaron's place for the twins party, so after you all get ready you can head that way and send us a text so we can get ready to surprise them once you all get there." Derek says, looking over at Spencer.

"Oh awesome! Thank you all so much me and Y/N just have to get on our costumes and then we'll be on our way over there." Spence says before the two of them head back into the twins room.

"Alright baby girl we better get heading back over there now we still have to get ready." Derek says as they enter the room.

Penelope wants to protest but she knows they'll all be at Hotch's together soon enough so they let themselves out the door.

Spencer and Y/N got into their Wilma and Fred costumes and got the twins all ready to go, buckled into the car and excited as to what's about to happen since mommy and daddy said it was a surprise, the toddlers loving surprises.

Once Spencer gets into the drivers seat Y/N sends a text to Penelope saying that they were on their way to Hotch's house for the party.

The car journey didn't take them very long as they lived not too far from Hotch.

The twins instantly got excited once they saw Aaron's decorated front yard "Are we going to uncle Aaron's?!" They ask in perfect unison.

The parents look over at each other and smiled. "Yes we are little ones" Y/N says, looking into the back seat at the two of them before texting Penelope that they were here.

After Spencer parks their Jeep in the parking space with the rest of the teams vehicles they get out and both unbuckle a kid, shutting the doors after and then walking into Hotch's back yard.

The minute they walk in the gate all the Halloween lights get plugged in and the whole team plus Henry and Jack pop out dressed in their costumes and shout "Surprise! Happy birthday Aleksandr and Aliza!" the twins eyes light up as they run over.

They start hugging everyone happily before they both say again in unison "This is the best birthday ever!"

Henry then runs up to them and excitedly says "There's a bouncy castle! Come on guys lets go."

Spencer and Y/N sit at one of the tables and watch the kids play, talking amongst their team who are all so much like a huge family.

They let the kids play until they start getting worn out and come running over to their parents "Can we have cake and presents now??" little Aleks asks them.

"Well of course you can!" Spencer says before getting them set up at the table.

Everyone then starts giving them their gifts and the twins loved each and every thing the team and their parents got them. They finally got to eat some cake too! After that all the kids were hyper and back to the bouncey castle until they wore themselves out again.

The two twins finally ready to go home and sleep so Spencer, Y/N, Aleks and Aliza all started hugging everyone and saying their goodbyes to the team before heading to the car.

Y/N and Spencer buckled the twins up in the back seat and put all their gifts in the Jeep before climbing in themselves.

The twins have already fell asleep before the two of them got into the Jeep, Y/N looking back at them and smiling at her sleeping toddlers before snapping a quick picture of the two of them asleep in their Halloween costumes.

After they made it home Spencer and Y/N unbuckled and carried Aleks and Aliza into the house, the twins waking up on the way upstairs.

Once they made it to their bedroom the parents get the two changed into their jammie's before they crawl into bed, getting tucked in and kissed by both parents.

Spence turns on their nightlight before shutting the big light off and they walk out of the room, Spence shutting the door behind them.

The couple start heading to their bedroom, both changing into their pajamas and climbing into bed to cuddle.

"The party was great, I really think they had a great time. And it was a great family day getting to be with the whole team!" Y/N says happily, looking at Spencer with a smile.

He smiles back at her "Yeah I think they really loved it and so did I, I enjoy our family days." he says before kissing her forehead.

Spencer figures tonight is about as good a night as any, she did say she might tell him about the choker once they had kids, and they have their little Aleks and Aliza. That damn choker keeps Spencer curious, he feels like the curiosity keep growing everyday. He wants to respect her boundaries but.. he's her husband, she could tell him right?

He musters up a bit of courage before looking over at her and asking "Baby, can you tell me about why you wear your choker now? You said maybe after we have kids and we have our precious little twins."

She bites her lip and tries to avoid his eyes.. no, she couldn't tell him yet.. everything is so perfect. "I-I'm sorry Spencer I can't. M-Maybe when I'm on my deathbed."

Spencer looks at her with sad eyes "I don't want to imagine you on your deathbed... I don't want to lose you. But I understand... I'll wait. Just tell me when you're ready."

"Thank you for understanding Spencer..." she says, kissing his cheek before the two of them drift off to sleep.

☽★☾

It's finally happening... and Spencer never wanted to imagine this happening. But this is what happens when you get old... you die. He knew it would happen. He just didn't want to think about losing her. So here they were, Spencer sitting next to Y/N on her deathbed.

The twins have both gotten married and had kids, they got to be grandparents. She had a full life, Spencer knows. He knows she's content with it.

She knows she's dying. She's accepted it. She keeps saying that she feels like today is the end, either it is actually the end or she just wants the pain of dying to be over. She doesn't want to leave her husband or her family though. But death is inevitable and it's sinking into her faster than she wanted it to.

She knew how she was going to tell Spencer about the choker, knowing he would remember and ask even though it's been decades.

Aleksandr, his wife Callie, and their son Liam were all in the room with Spencer and Y/N as well as Aliza, her husband Ben and their identical boy twins Ethan and Evan.

The whole team or well what's left of it are gathered in the room too. We've already lost Hotch and Rossi. So it was just Emily, Penelope, J.J, Derek and also J.J's husband Will, along with Jack and Henry.

Everyone's saying their goodbyes and crying and hugging Y/N, none of them wanting to lose her. As it starts getting late the remaining team members all head home as well as the twins and their families, all of them hugging Y/N tight and telling her they loved her incase it was the last time.

Once they all left it was just her and Spencer in the room, he never left her side. He couldn't. He needed to be by her side to the very end of this.

She looks over at him and smiles weakly "I love you so much Spencer, I know tonight is the my last night."

He feels his eyes start to water, him getting choked up before finally saying "I love you so much too Y/N. You walking into my life was the best thing to ever happen to me and our little family. I don't want to accept that I'm losing you because I don't know how I'm going to live without you after all these years." he places a soft gentle kiss on her forehead after, as to not break her in this fragile state.

She looks into his eyes and says "I know Spence.. I know."

He then traces his finger over that velvet choker she's still wearing around her neck, wondering if he'll ever know why she wore it always.

She weakly smiles and pipes in "You can ask again Spence."

At her words he looks into her eyes as he asks "Can you tell me now why you wear your velvet choker around your neck always my love?"

She then hands him a wrapped up piece of paper that she wrote out "This explains everything, but please don't read it until I'm gone. I know I'll be gone tonight so please tell me everything you need to tell me before I go."

He tears up and puts the note safely in his pants pocket, kissing her forehead gently before climbing into bed to cuddle with her one last time, him being the big spoon before he says "I've said all that I needed to say my love, I just want to cuddle with you."

She smiles and turns around in his arms, just laying with him. She knows it's about time so she grabs the scissors off the table beside their bed, her wanting to go in the comfort of their home. "Here Spencer, I want you to cut my choker off in a minute. I know it's almost the end I can feel it."

He looks at her shocked and grabs the scissors from her, kissing her deeply "I love you so so so much. I'll never stop loving you, please wait for me and our little family in the after life." he feels the tears start to roll down his cheeks.

She kisses the tears away and replies with "I love you so so so much too Spence, I'll never stop loving you either. I'll always be waiting for you guys."

He looks into her eyes and brushes her H/C hair out of her eyes as she lays her head on the pillow, deciding she's finally ready "Okay Spence, I'm ready. Cut the ribbon off when you're ready."

He musters up the courage, giving her one last kiss before lifting the choker off her neck slightly, sliding the scissors under the choker fully and snipping it, pulling it out from under her neck as her head falls off.

He hears her mutter "I...Love...You...Spence..." as the last words on her breath, her eyes closing after.

Spencer looks at her and tears up, knowing she's gone and starting to understand why she wore it.

Assuming the note will explain it all, he pulls the note from his pocket and starts to read it, still holding the cut choker in his hands as he reads.

Dear Spence,
If you're reading this that means I'm gone. And that means you found out my head falls off. The reason why I wear - or wore the choker all the time. I'm sure you want to know how it got this way or maybe you think I'm weird for it. This is why I never could tell you. I was so afraid of what you'd think and everything was perfect. But I'm realizing now that you, Spencer, are special. That no matter what you're always so understanding of everything and that's why I knew I had to write this out explaining it to you. My head falls off because I have the most severe case of a rare condition called "Dropped Head Syndrome" and I have since I was born pretty much, my head was too weak to be held on my body so they had to attach it with that velvet choker that is probably in your hands right now, and without the choker once I got older my head could fall off completely. I know it probably sounds outrageous and crazy and hell sometimes I didn't believe it too, but deep down I knew it was true. I'm sorry if it shocked you when I had you cut the choker off to have my head fall off on you. I love you so so much Spencer and I hope you know I always will even in death.
~Y/N Reid ♡

☽★☾