Chapter 1

"Emily you need to get up," JJ whispered, leaning over the brunette who was currently pretending to sleep. "You need to pick Alex up so you can go meet your mom."

"Don't wanna," Emily whined, grabbing JJ around the waist and pulling her down, hiding her face in the blonde's hair.

"Sorry baby, but you promised your daughter that you would do this," JJ replied, trying not to laugh as she felt her girlfriend pull her tighter. "Come on you goof, time to act like a big girl."

"Ugh fine," Emily said, releasing her grip on the blonde and laying on her back. "Why did I agree to this again?"

"Because Alex wants to know her grandmother," JJ reminded her. "And because your mother has been making a huge effort and so you promised that you would do the same."

"Well I don't know what I was thinking," Emily pouted, turning to face JJ, running her hand over the blonde's small baby bump.

"Do you want me to come with you," JJ asked, smiling as Emily continued to rub her stomach, knowing it was comforting the brunette. "For support I mean."

"No," Emily replied biting her lip. "I think it would be better to deal with her on my own this time."

"You haven't told her about us have you?" JJ asked, seeing that Emily was keeping something from her.

"She knows we're dating," Emily replied. "I mean Alex talks about you so much that she asked and I told her we're dating, but I haven't exactly told her about the baby."

"Oh," JJ said, not sure how to feel about this.

"My mother hasn't always been supportive of my being gay Jen, but she's making a real effort to be okay with this," Emily explained, tilting the blonde's chin to look her in the eye. "I didn't want to spring the baby on her over the phone. I'm going to tell her. Actually I planned to tell her today."

"Okay," JJ said leaning forward and giving Emily a quick kiss. "Speaking of mothers I talked to mine yesterday, and well Thanksgiving is next week."

"I heard that rumor," Emily replied, earning a poke in the ribs from JJ.

"My mom wants us to come down," JJ said. "You, me and Alex."

"Oh," Emily muttered, looking a little stunned, biting her lip anxiously.

"I mean Hotch said we could have the whole weekend as long as we didn't get called away," JJ began. "And well I haven't seen my family since the pregnancy, and they really want to meet you. I know it's a big deal, and I know that it's a little nerve wracking meeting my parents, especially during the holidays…"

JJ's next words were cut off by Emily's lips on her, surprising the blonde, and bringing her speech to a halt.

"Of course I will come meet your family," Emily said when she finally pulled away.

"Yeah?"

"Definitely," Emily smiled. "I look forward to it. I mean it can't be worse than visiting my own mother."

"Be nice," JJ laughed, looking over the brunette's head to see the clock on the nightstand. "Speaking of which you really better get going now, you need to get Alex in an hour."

"You're still going to meet us down at the mall later?" Emily asked, dragging herself out of bed, stopping only to give Sergio (who was curled up on the end of the bed) a scratch on the head.

"Yep," JJ replied, sitting up. "I need to stop by my apartment and get a few things and then I'll meet you. Say around 2?"

"Perfect," Emily smiled, leaning in for a kiss before making her way to shower and prepare for lunch with her mother.

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"I still think you need to tell someone," Spencer told Alex as they sat in Spencer's room that morning with Zoey and Olivia.

"Guys we've been over this," Alex said. "I'm not telling anyone."

"Lex, Chelsea has been torturing you for over a month now," Zoey argued. "You need to tell Mrs. Greer."

"No, absolutely not," Alex replied sternly. "It's nothing I can't handle."

"People are afraid to talk to you because they don't want to get on Chelsea's bad side," Zoey said. "She's throwing around rumors like crazy."

"I don't care," Alex replied, crossing her arms, wishing her friends would just drop this.

"Lex we know it bothers you," Olivia interjected softly. "We know you say it doesn't, but it's obvious it does. Why don't you just talk to Mrs. Greer, or Dean Hackett and put an end to this?"

"I'm not going to give Chelsea the satisfaction of knowing she got to me okay?" Alex snapped, quickly standing to grab her overnight bag. "You guys need to just drop this," she said before heading out of the room and down the stairs, knowing Emily would be there soon to pick her up.

"Have you at least talked to your mom about this?" Spencer asked, as the three girls followed their friend down the stairs.

"No, and I don't plan to."

"Why not?" Zoey asked.

"Emily has enough going on right now with JJ, and her mom and work," Alex replied. "And like I said, I can handle this."

"Alex…" both Olivia and Spencer tried.

"Guys please?" Alex begged, her wide eyes looking suddenly sad. "I know you guys are worried but I'm fine. So can we please just let this go?"

"Alright," Spencer finally agreed, seeing Emily's car pull up in front of the house. "Emily's here," she pointed out.

"I'll see you guys on Monday," Alex said with a small smile, giving each of her friends a quick hug before heading out to the car, all three girls still watching her from the front door.

"Hey," Emily greeted with a smile when Alex opened the passenger side door, waving at her daughter's friends who stood in the doorway. "Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, lots," Alex replied, forcing a smile. "You ready for this?" She asked as Emily pulled away from the Hasting house, knowing Emily wasn't exactly looking forward to lunch with her mother.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Emily replied with a laugh, knowing Alex was looking forward to today.

"Are we still going shopping with JJ after?"

"Yep, she wants to get some more maternity things," Emily replied. "She was just going to stop by her place for a bit then she'll meet us around 2."

"How much longer are you two going to pretend that JJ doesn't live with us?" Alex asked, shaking her head.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean JJ spends every night at the condo, and yet once a week you let her go home so she can get some more of her things. I mean why don't you just ask her to move in already?" The teen asked. "I mean are you still going to do this once the baby gets here?"

"Of course not," Emily replied. "I just…I've actually been thinking about getting a house," the older brunette confessed. "I mean the condo is already getting a little crowded, and we'll need more space for the baby."

"That's a great idea," Alex said happily. "There are a couple houses for sale in Spencer's neighbourhood!"

"I'll look into that," Emily laughed. "But this needs to stay between us for now okay? I haven't talked to JJ about it yet."

"No problem," Alex agreed with a smile.

"Oh before I forget to tell you, JJ's parents want us to come down for Thanksgiving next weekend," Emily explained.

"Oh okay," Alex replied looking a little somber. "I'm pretty sure the Hastings are going away for the weekend but I could always stay with Zoey or something."

"Honey, when I said us I meant you, me and JJ," Emily assured the teen, reaching out to grab her hand. "They want to meet you too."

"Oh. Is that a good idea?"

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, looking confused.

"I don't know. I mean you haven't even met them yet," Alex replied with a shrug. "Do you really want your teenage daughter around when you finally do?"

"Of course," Emily quickly replied. "You and me are a package deal kiddo. JJ loves you and she wants you to meet her family. I want you with me. Don't ever doubt that," Emily finishes.

"Okay," Alex smiled, giving Emily's hand a squeeze. "Can't wait then."

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As if to prove her devotion to getting to know her granddaughter, Elizabeth Prentiss had arrived at the chosen restaurant early, patiently waiting for Emily and Alex to arrive. The surprise was evident on Emily's face at seeing her mother waiting for them as the waiter escorted them to their table.

"Alexandra, it's good to see you," Elizabeth said, standing from her seat to embrace the teen, furthering Emily's surprise.

"You too, Ambassador Prentiss," Alex replied a little awkwardly. "Thanks for meeting us."

"Oh please call me Elizabeth," the Ambassador replied, not wanting to push her luck by asking to be called grandma just yet. "And it's my pleasure. I'm glad we could do this," she said, turning her attention to her daughter. "Emily you look beautiful," she said, moving in to kiss Emily on the cheek.

"Thank you mother," Emily replied, wondering who this woman standing in front of her really was.

"Jennifer isn't with you?" Elizabeth asked, looking behind the two brunettes, as if expecting to see JJ hiding there.

"Oh no, she had some things she had to do," Emily lied.

"Oh well that's a shame, I was really hoping to see her," Elizabeth replied, sounding sincere. "Next time then."

"Definitely," Emily replied, as all three brunettes took their seats.

"So Alexandra, how are things going with that play of yours?" Elizabeth asked, having heard all about the musical from her chats with Alex over the phone.

"It's going really well," Alex replied, avoiding Emily's gaze, knowing that the profiler had been worrying that something was going on with Alex at school lately.

"Good," Elizabeth smiled. "And when is your performance again?"

"Just before Christmas break," Alex replied. "Little less than a month away now."

"Well you be sure to get me a ticket," the Ambassador said. "Are you getting nervous?"

"A little," Alex admitted. "But mostly I'm excited."

"That's good, I'm sure you're going to do just wonderful" Elizabeth assured, before turning her attention to Emily. "And how are things with you Emily? Work is treating you well?"

"Work is busy, but it's going well," Emily replied.

Just then a waiter came over to take their order, all three taking a moment to review their menus before making their choices. The trio continued with their small talk, Elizabeth impressing Emily with her knowledge and interest in Alex, as the teen happily discussed the book she was currently reading for her English class.

"So Emily, why don't you tell me a little bit about Jennifer?" Elizabeth said when they were almost through with their meal. "I mean I hear so much about her from Alexandra, but you rarely discuss her. How exactly did you two come together?"

"Well we were friends first," Emily explained unnecessarily. "We were really close and things just kind of happened I guess. I mean I think I fell for her without even realizing it," Emily confessed, her face reddening slightly in embarrassment. Noticing this Elizabeth smiled, clearly seeing the love in her daughter's eyes.

"I noticed," Alex pointed out happily. "I knew they had it bad for each other as soon as I met them."

"Yes apparently Alex was more astute to our attraction to each other then we were," Emily laughed. "But we found each other, and things have been going really well."

"Well I'm glad to hear that," Elizabeth replied. "I can tell she means a great deal to you."

"She does," Emily said.

"I know that I haven't been all that supportive of your relationships in the past Emily," Elizabeth began, wanting to try and right things with her daughter. "But I want you to know that it won't be like that anymore. I just want you to be happy. And I hope you'll allow me to be a part of all of this."

Emily could see the sincerity in her mother's eyes, she could hear it in her voice, and it nearly brought the normally put together brunette to tears.

"Thank you mother, that means a great deal to me," Emily replied rather emotionally. "There's something else you should know though," she continued, chancing a glance at Alex who immediately understood where the conversation was going. "Jennifer is actually pregnant. She was with someone before we started dating and she didn't find out until we were already together. I just want you to know because I don't want you to be blindsided by it later."

"Pregnant?" Elizabeth repeated, Emily looking anxious about her mother's reaction. "Well that's wonderful news," she said, once again surprising Emily. "I mean it is wonderful news isn't it?"

"Y-yes," Emily stuttered in shock. "It's great news. JJ and I plan to raise the baby together actually."

"That's great Emily," Elizabeth said, reaching out and grabbing Emily's hand, putting a big smile on Alex's face who had been watching the interaction anxiously. "We will have to plan dinner with Jennifer soon. I would like to formally meet the woman who has made my daughter so happy."

"I'd like that mom," Emily replied sincerely. "I'd like that a lot."

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Emily felt like she was in a state of shock as she left the restaurant, making plans to have her mother over for dinner next week. Emily allowed Alex to lead her back to the car, the teen texting JJ to let her know they would meet her in 20 minutes. Emily was silent throughout the drive; half listening as Alex went on and on about how great lunch had went. While the profiler agreed with the teen, she was hesitant to get her hopes up, having spent most of her life being ignored by her mother.

They arrived at the mall, with Emily barely noticing, following as Alex led her towards the building to where they planned to meet JJ inside.

"Hey," JJ called from where she was waiting on a bench as the pair approached. "How'd it go?"

Alex turned to Emily, watching as the older brunette opened her mouth to speak, before closing it again, apparently at a loss for words.

"I think she's in shock," Alex finally replied when it seemed like Emily was unable to answer.

"Was it bad?" JJ asked in confusion.

"No," Emily finally said, finding her voice. "It was….it was great. I mean she was cordial, and attentive. She's accepted our relationship and she wants to have dinner with us. All of us," Emily rambled on. "AND she took the news about the baby fantastically. Like she wants to be a part of the baby's life and everything."

"Well that's great baby," JJ said with a smile, confused by the sudden frown on Emily's face.

"I don't know, it just seems too good to be true," Emily replied, shaking her head.

"Aw come on Em," JJ said. "You need to give her the benefit of the doubt. She seems to really be trying."

"Yeah, and she seemed really sincere," Alex added.

"I guess you're right," Emily replied with a sigh.

"Of course we are," JJ smiled, leaning in to give the brunette a chaste kiss on the lips. "Now come on you two need to help me pick out some outfits that I can actually fit into," she said, grabbing Emily's hand and walking towards one of the stores. "Are you and Rossi still leaving for Texas tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah, we have some things we need to go over before the interview on Monday so we figured we'd just do it there," Emily replied, squeezing her girlfriend's hand. "We should either be back Monday night or early Tuesday morning. You think you two will be okay without me until then?"

"Oh I think we'll manage, huh Lex?" JJ replied with a laugh.

"Definitely," Alex smiled, following the couple happily.

The teen's smile quickly faded though as she saw a familiar blonde watching the trio from across the hall. The smirk on Chelsea's face telling Alex that school would not go well on Monday.