𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 |~𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚍~|

Chapter Twenty-Six

A while had passed since the case in Colorado with the cult. Now it was December again. Harris and I were coming up on our 1 year anniversary. 

This year, we weren't going up to Maine for Christmas; we decided to just stay home. 

One night, a few days after Christmas, Harris and I were ice skating on a pond. As we skated along, I said, "You're sure this is safe?" 

He nodded. "I tested it a lot. We'll be fine." 

"You know, drowning is a common cause of death shortly after cold water immersion. Once you fall in, you go into cold shock and you don't have much longer after that. Depending on the temperature of the water, it can take anywhere from 2 hours to 15 minutes to die in the water. Judging from the outside-" 

He cut me off. "Okay that's enough." He chuckled. "I told you, we'll be ok." 

"Well, that depends. Do you know what to do if I fall in?" 

"Well, I take you out of the water?" 

"Uh huh. How are you going to do that if I'm under the ice?" 

He rolled his eyes. "Can we just enjoy the beautiful view and the fun quality time." 

I shook my head. "It won't be fun if someone ends up dying." 

He stopped and grabbed my hands. Then, he leaned down and kissed me. He put his hands on the small of my back and I wrapped my arms around his shoulder. When we broke apart he smiled. "We'll be fine." 

I smiled and took his hand. We started skating around again. 

After another few minutes, he stopped. We were in the middle of the lake. "What are you doing?" I asked. 

He was getting down on one knee. "Delaney. I've known you for ten years now. I love you. Will you marry me?" He pulled out an elegant and simple gold band. 

I smiled and covered my mouth with my hand. "Yes," I said. He got up and kissed me. I smiled and hugged him tightly. Then, he put the ring on my finger. 

"Don't worry, that's just the engagement ring," he said. 

I smiled and looked down at it. "It's beautiful. I love you." 

We walked away from the icy pond, holding hands. We went to a local diner and got some coffee. I couldn't be happier. 

A couple of days later, the winter holidays were over. It was time to go back to work. 

I was at Harris's house when I got the call. I had just stayed the night. It was pretty early in the morning. 

I got up and started getting my things. Then, I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist. Harris kissed my cheek from behind. "Where are you going?"

I sighed. "Work." 

He turned me around and kissed me. "Please don't go." 

I smiled and put my finger on his lips. "You know I have to." I got my bag and slipped on my shoes. "I'll call you when we get back, okay?" 

He nodded and watched me leave. I waved goodbye to him and drove back to my house. I got ready for the case and then was off to the BAU. 

I didn't even realize that my engagement ring was on when I walked inside the round table room. 

"Woah there, twinkle toes, got anything to tell us?" 

"What?" I asked. 

"What is that and who gave it to you?" he asked, pointing to my ring. 

"Oh, yeah, I got engaged," I said nonchalantly. 

"Now don't get too excited about it," said Prentiss, sarcastically. 

"Wait a minute, who is this guy? Really, I don't even know his name." 

"His name is Harris Miller," said Reid. I elbowed him in the side. "What?"

I laughed. "You guys can meet him later. After the case sometime." 

"You're all invited to my house for dinner. Leroy can only come if she brings her fiance." 

"That sounds like a deal," said Prentiss. 

I nodded. "Okay." 

Then, Hotchner walked into the room with Garcia. She immediately grabbed my left hand and started freaking out. 

"Oh my God, Delaney! You're engaged? You have a boyfriend? What? How did I not know about this?" 

"Congratulations, Leroy," said Hotch. 

"Thank you." 

"We're all gonna meet him at my house for dinner after the case is over," said Rossi. 

I nodded. "Yep." 

JJ went to the front of the room and started explaining about what we had. There was somebody hitting people with his car. 

I sighed and took a few notes. 

It seemed like there was never a shortage of evil people in this world.