Hello again my lovely readers!
This took me a lot longer than I thought it would, but I had my birthday this weekend and ended up being away from the house for most of it! I pretty much know what I'm doing with this story and I'm excited for it, so I'm really hoping that all of you will enjoy it as well!
Thanks for sticking with me! -J
Chapter 1
It didn't take long for the Prentiss/Jareau clan to figure out that moving into their new home would be a lot more work than they had anticipated. Not only did the three females have to pack up the contents of the condo, but they also had to pack up JJ's apartment; making decisions about what things they needed to take with them, and what they had duplicates of. Since they still had to work, which meant travel, Emily hired painters to paint every room, wanting to make the house their own, but knowing it would take professionals a lot less time to finish then it would them. So as soon as they took possession of the house, the painters set to work, while JJ, Emily and Alex spent all their time outside of work and school packing.
It was the Saturday before the last week of school before Christmas holidays started, when the family was finally able to move in to the house; hiring movers as well as enlisting the help of their friends in order to get all their things moved and unpacked. It was a long process, but with everyone's help everything had been moved from the condo, as well as JJ's apartment and delivered to the new house where everyone was now split amongst the various rooms, unpacking and setting things up. Furniture was being put together, boxes were being emptied and items were being placed, and then replaced as JJ made her way into each room; constantly changing her mind about where things should and shouldn't go.
Knowing JJ was likely to change her mind a million times throughout the next week, Emily chose to focus her attention on simply getting things out of their boxes; placing them where she thought they should go, and accepting the fact that they would be moved by the time she looked for them next. The brunette was currently in the kitchen with Garcia and Reid; Reid and Garcia unpacking things while Emily placed them in what she hoped would be the appropriate cupboard, watching as Rossi worked in the family room with Hotch, both men looking annoyed as JJ stood close by, giving them both orders.
"Hey Princess, all of Alex's furniture is set up and her and her minions are already filling everything up," Morgan said as he came down the stairs, referring to Olivia, Spencer and Zoey who had come over to help Alex set up her room. "Do you want me to head up to your room?"
"That would be great," Emily smiled. "Why don't you take Rossi and Hotch up with you too, I'm sure Jen can handle things in the family room on her own now," she suggested, taking pity on her friends.
Hearing this Hotch and Rossi immediately headed for the stairs, anxious to escape the blonde who had become increasingly bossy, and just a little scary the further she got into her pregnancy.
"You know it's looking really great in here Emster," Garcia said as she handed the brunette a stack of plates.
"It really is," Emily smiled as she took a look around. "And we're almost finished with all the main rooms, which is really all we need to get done today," she pointed out happily.
"Which is a good thing since Blondie over there is just going to change everything anyways," Garcia said, pointing to JJ who was currently rearranging the DVDs on the shelf that Rossi had previously filled.
"Hey let her do it," Emily said. "At least she has stopped trying to do all the heavy lifting."
"This is true," Garcia laughed. "Because God forbid any of us tell her she shouldn't be doing something. Reid already made her cry once."
"I did not make her cry," Reid argued. "I was just concerned about her carrying that box of books. It's her hormones that are making her cry not me."
"Don't let her hear you say that," Emily mumbled, seeing her girlfriend making her way over.
"Oh Em, do you think that's the right cupboard for the plates?" JJ asked as she came in, Emily glaring at Garcia who was quietly snickering beside her.
"Uh I thought they would be okay here," Emily said. "But we can move them somewhere else if you'd prefer," she suggested, wanting to keep the blonde happy.
"I just thought they would be better over here," JJ said pointing to the cupboard closer to the refrigerator.
"You know what that's a good idea," Emily relented, immediately pulling the plates out of the cupboard and moving them to the one JJ pointed to. "You know it's getting kind of late we should probably feed the troops soon. Does pizza sound good?"
"Pizza sounds great," JJ replied happily. "The baby's getting pretty hungry. I can order if you want."
"That would be perfect," Emily said. "You can just get the usual, but you might want to check with the girls first because I think Alex mentioned that Zoey is doing he whole vegetarian thing now."
"I think you're right, I'll go make sure though," JJ said. "See you in a little bit gorgeous," she said, giving the brunette a quick kiss before heading for the stairs.
"You totally did that to distract her from moving everything around in here didn't you?" Garcia asked, coming up beside the profiler.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Emily replied, grabbing another stack of dishes and placing them in the cupboard. "Now get back to work or there will be no pizza for you."
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"Hey it's looking good in here," JJ said as she walked into Alex's room where she and the girls were currently unpacking her boxes.
The teen had chosen to paint her room the same colour as the room she had in the condo since it already matched her things and she loved it so much. Emily had found some fabric that matched her duvet, to cover the window seat cushions, and Alex and JJ had picked out some pillows earlier in the week as well. With most of her boxes already unpacked, the room was beginning to look like it belonged to a teenage girl, and JJ could tell that Alex couldn't be happier with it.
"I love this room JJ," Alex called happily from where she was hanging up clothes in her closet. "Like I don't really know if you can be in love with a room, but I definitely am. I never want to leave."
"None of us want to leave," Olivia added as she handed Alex another outfit to hang up. "I so want to move in here with you Lex."
"Me too," Spencer and Zoey both agreed.
"Well somehow I don't think your parents will let you all move in," JJ laughed. "But you guys can stay for dinner," she said. "We're ordering pizza I just wanted to come up and see what you guys wanted. You're a vegetarian now right Zoey?"
"Right," Zoey replied. "But I will eat anything without meat."
"Alright we'll get a veggie pizza for you then," JJ said. "And what would the rest of you like?"
"I'll eat whatever," Spencer replied from her spot on the floor as she continued to pull things out of boxes.
"Yeah me too, I'm not picky," Olivia said.
"Just no mushrooms," Alex said with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah I think I've got that one down," JJ laughed, as she headed back towards the door. "I'll let you girls know when the food is here."
"Thanks," the girls all called as they got back to work.
"Hey JJ wait up," Alex said, following the blonde out of her bedroom and into the hallway.
"What's up?" JJ asked, looking at the teen in confusion.
"Umm do you think…well do you think Logan could come by?" The teen stuttered, blushing in embarrassment. "Maybe stay for dinner."
"Of course," JJ replied with a smile. "But are you sure you want to do that with the whole team here?"
"Yeah I think he can handle it. I mean he already met Morgan and Garcia and they're definitely the worst," Alex laughed. "Plus between play rehearsal, school and the house, we haven't really gotten to see much of each other lately."
While Alex and Logan still weren't officially a couple, the pair were enjoying getting to know each other, and had been spending as much time as they could together while at school. Since the play was coming up that week, Alex had rehearsal every night after school, and therefore needed to use her weekends to keep on track with her schoolwork, and so there had yet to be a second date.
"Alright well I will let Em know then," the blonde said before heading towards the master suite to ask the rest of the guys what they wanted on their pizzas.
After getting their orders, and asking Morgan to move their full-length mirror to the other side of the closet door, JJ headed back downstairs to call the pizza place and then check on the kitchen.
"Hey Em, Alex asked if she could invite Logan over and I said yes," the blonde called as she made her way towards the brunette who was just finishing up with the last box of kitchen things. "I hope that's okay."
"That is more than okay!" Garcia replied happily, anxious to get another chance to talk to the young boy who was interested in her favourite "little Princess".
"Yeah that's fine," Emily laughed, shaking her head at her friend's excitement. "Did you call for the pizzas?"
"Yep," JJ replied. "They should be here in a half hour or so."
"Perfect," Emily smiled, leaning forward to give the blonde a quick peck. "I can't believe Alex is inviting Logan over with everyone here. She must be serious about him."
"She's definitely crushing pretty hard," JJ agreed.
"Alex has a boyfriend?" Reid asked curiously as he began to tidy up the empty boxes.
"He's not officially her boyfriend," Emily replied, having been told by the teen countless times in the past two weeks that they were not a couple yet. "But they went on a date and they really like each other."
"Oh young love," Garcia practically squealed. "It's just so adorable," she continued as the ringing of the doorbell echoed throughout the house. "Oh do you think that's him? Can I get it?" She asked excitedly, already heading towards the door before anyone could tell her no.
Rushing towards the front entrance, Garcia wasted no time in throwing the door open, startling the blonde boy standing on the other side.
"Logan, hi," the bubbly blonde greeted with a big smile on her face.
"Uh hi," Logan replied uncertainly. "It's Penelope right?"
"Aw you remember how sweet," Garcia gushed. "Come right on in cutie, Lexi is just upstairs," she said, ushering the now slightly scared looking teen into the house.
"Hi Logan," Emily greeted, coming around the corner, unable to hold back a laugh at the look on the young boys face. "How are you?"
"I'm good thank you," Logan replied politely. "This house is gorgeous. How's everything going here?"
"It's a lot of work but it's going well," Emily smiled. "Let me just get Lex for you. Her and the girls are just upstairs," she explained before moving to stand at the bottom of the stairs. "Alex, Logan is here," she yelled, immediately hearing the teen's hurried footsteps.
"Hi," Alex greeted Logan with a smile, slightly out of breath since she had run down the stairs. "Have you been here long?" She asked, concerned since Garcia was there, and was likely to harass the boy if left alone with him for long.
"No I just got here," Logan replied.
"Is dinner going to be here soon?" Alex asked, turning her attention to Emily.
"About 20 minutes," Emily replied.
"Is it okay if Logan comes upstairs until then?" The teen asked, unsure of what the rules about boys in her bedroom would be in this particular instance.
"Um yeah that's fine," Emily replied, allowing Logan upstairs since the girls were all over anyways. "I will call you down when the food gets here."
The older brunette watched as Alex gestured for Logan to follow her towards the stairs, smiling as the young boy reached for Alex's hand when he thought they were out of sight.
"You know you Prentiss ladies sure have a type," Garcia said, interrupting Emily's thoughts.
"What are you talking about?" Emily asked, raising her eyebrow in confusion.
"I'm talking about that blonde hair and those blue eyes of his," Garcia explained. "Reminds me of someone else I know."
Having never noticed this before, Emily couldn't help but smile. "Hmm I guess you're right," she said, putting an arm around her friend's shoulder before leading her back towards the kitchen, where she knew she would find her own blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty rummaging through the kitchen cupboards yet again.
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"So Alex are you nervous for Thursday?" Hotch asked as the entire group sat in various places throughout the living room and dining room enjoying their pizza.
"A little," Alex admitted. "But I'm more excited than nervous. I really just can't wait for everyone to see it."
"She's got nothing to be nervous about," Zoey said, having seen Alex at rehearsal every day. "She's going to kill it."
"Zoey's right," Logan agreed. "This is going to be the best play we've put on in a long time," he added, all three of Alex's friends nodding in agreement.
"And are you in this play as well Logan?" Rossi, who had been grilling Logan with questions since dinner arrived, asked.
"Oh no I'm not much of a singer," Logan replied with a laugh. "Actually not much of an actor either. I helped build and decorate the sets."
"Which look amazing," Alex added, looking pointedly at Rossi, silently willing him to stop asking so many questions.
"When is your family getting here JJ?" Reid asked, knowing the blonde was excited for her parents and brother to visit.
"They should be here Thursday afternoon," JJ replied. "Adam and Sara managed to get the day off so they could get here for the play," she explained. "They're all going to stay with us through Christmas too. And Lily cannot stop talking about getting to see you Lex. She's so excited to get to share a room with you."
"I can't wait to see her either," Alex replied with a laugh. "It'll be nice having them all here."
The group continued to enjoy their dinner, all chatting and laughing; the men of the BAU continuously throwing questions at Logan, who always answered without hesitation, not at all bothered by the interrogation.
"Play any sports Logan?" Morgan asked, sometime later when everyone had already finished with dinner, all still gathered around, talking lazily.
"No not really," Logan replied. "I used to play baseball but I eventually just grew out of it. Stopped enjoying it really," he explained. "I prefer to stick to art, and building stuff. I'm learning to play the guitar though too."
"Oh a musician!" Garcia exclaimed happily.
"I wouldn't say that," Logan laughed. "I'm not very good, but I'm hoping to get a little better. Music is my elective this year."
"Well I think that's great," Emily smiled, liking this boy more and more, even though she wasn't quite ready for her fourteen year old to have a boyfriend.
"Would it be okay if we go play cards or something?" Alex finally asked, wanting to get Logan away from the millions of questions her mother's co-workers seemed to have.
"Yeah go ahead," Emily replied with a grin, knowing that Alex was getting annoyed with everyone's questions.
With Emily's permission, the 5 teens stood up, following Alex down the hall towards the empty room, which would eventually house the pool table that JJ had purchased for Emily for Christmas.
"You know he seems like a pretty good kid," Hotch said once the teens were out of earshot. "Alex could do a lot worse."
"I think he's great for her," JJ agreed. "But Emily is still uncomfortable with the idea of Alex having a boyfriend."
"I am not uncomfortable," Emily argued as JJ raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I just prefer the idea of them taking their time and dating for a while."
"Emily's right, she's too young for a boyfriend" Rossi said, as Garcia and JJ both began to giggle.
"I think Grandpa Rossi is feeling a little overprotective today," Garcia said in a singsong voice as JJ continued to laugh.
"I am not," he denied.
"I don't know Rossi," JJ laughed. "You did ask the kid an awful lot of questions," she pointed out as the rest of the group began to laugh at the look on the older man's face.
"I'm not old enough to be a grandfather by the way," Rossi replied grumpily as everyone continued to laugh.
"Keep telling yourself that old man," Morgan kept laughing, just as JJ's phone began to ring, interrupting the carefree moment the team was enjoying.
Looking at her caller-id JJ didn't recognize the number; throwing Emily a quick look before getting up to answer the phone in another room. Emily watched as JJ left the room; worry filling her gut as she prayed that the team wasn't getting called away for a case this close to Alex's big night.
"Do you think it's a case?" Reid asked the question on everyone's mind.
"God I hope not," Garcia sighed as JJ came back into the room, her hand covering her phone; someone clearly still on the line.
"Hotch can I talk to you?" The media liaison asked, before once again leaving the room, not looking up to meet anyone's eye. Hotch quickly got up and followed the blonde, knowing that the call was definitely work related; hoping that he wouldn't have to bring the team away when he knew Alex was relying on all of them being there for her on Thursday.
"Well it's definitely a case," Morgan pointed out unnecessarily as everyone noticed the worried look on Emily's face, as the brunette began chewing at her lip anxiously.
"Em will you have to go?" Garcia asked, knowing that it would kill the profiler if she missed Alex's play.
"I don't know," Emily replied. "Strauss would have to okay it for me to stay back and I honestly don't know if she will," she explained, knowing it was likely that the Section Chief would want Emily travelling with the team given the amount of time off she had already taken in the last few months.
Silence fell over the group as they waited for their two colleagues to return, the other members of the team chancing glances at Emily who had begun picking her nails nervously. It was nearly ten minutes later when JJ and Hotch finally came back into the room, five heads turning in their direction expectantly. Emily knew as soon as she met JJ's eyes that she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear, knowing that she was going to have to deliver some bad news to her teenager as well.
"Wheels up at 9am," Hotch announced, everyone's shoulder's sagging in disappointment; their carefree night officially over. "Everyone needs to be on the plane," he said, looking towards Emily. "Strauss' orders."
The brunette nodded silently, feeling the rest of the teams' gaze on her as she kept her head down, knowing that if she looked up she would find 6 sets of sad eyes looking back at her; something, which she didn't think she could handle right now. Emily couldn't help but sigh as she felt JJ sit down next to her, the blonde immediately reaching for her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"We might be back before Thursday," JJ told her quietly. "We might not miss it."
"Yeah," Emily replied, sounding sad. "Maybe," she muttered, knowing that there was a good chance the team would be gone longer than the five days they had before the plane. The brunette also knew that there was no way Alex was going to understand her leaving right now; and frankly she just couldn't blame her for that.