Hey Guys!
So this chapter took me a little longer than I had hoped it would! I've been really busy working, and binge watching Veronica Mars (anyone else a fan?), and I guess writing kind of got pushed to the side. But I finally set to work and here's what I've got! I hope you're all prepared for lots of mushy family stuff for the next few chapters because I'm really feeling that right now!
As always happy reading! -J
Chapter 4
When Emily woke early the next morning, it was to find Alex still holding onto her tightly, arms wrapped around her middle as she continued to sleep peacefully. Seeing the time, Emily knew she needed to get up, having to arrive at work on time since she and JJ would be leaving early in order to head to East Alleghany.
"Lex," Emily called, brushing hair out of the teen's face and kissing her forehead. "Sweetie we need to get up."
"Hmmm," the teen mumbled, tightening her hold on the older brunette.
"Lex," Emily laughed, poking the teen's side to get her moving. "Baby I need to get up."
"Why," Alex groaned, releasing Emily and rolling over to lie on her back. "It's too early."
"I need to get to work, and you have your appointment, so you should get up too," Emily suggested. "Don't forget you need to pack a bag, we're heading to the Jareau's as soon as JJ and I get back from work."
"Maybe I shouldn't go," Alex said, opening her eyes and turning to Emily sleepily. "I could stay with Penelope. I know she's having Thanksgiving with Reid and Rossi. I could go with her."
"And why would you do that?" Emily asked confusedly.
"Oh I don't know," Alex replied sarcastically. "Maybe because I look like some sort of delinquent," she said gesturing to her face; a very defined bruise under her eye, and a lip that was rather swollen.
"You're not a delinquent," Emily said. "So stop worrying. You're coming with us and that's that. So get your butt out of bed," Emily laughed, poking the teen's side.
"Okay, okay I'm up," Alex laughed, sitting up as Emily got out of bed.
"Be ready in an hour okay?" Emily said, turning to exit the teen's bedroom.
"Will do," Alex replied, laying back once more, not fully ready to get out of bed yet.
Emily headed towards the master bedroom, hearing JJ rustling around in the en-suite, clearly having been awake for some time. Walking in Emily found JJ getting ready in front of the mirror, her hair wet from the shower, wrapped in only a towel.
"Hey gorgeous," Emily said with a smile, taking a moment to admire the blonde.
"Hey yourself," JJ smiled, brushing out her hair.
"Sorry I left you on your own last night," Emily said, coming up behind her girlfriend, wrapping her arms around her, and kissing her shoulder.
"It's okay, I went to check on you and you guys just looked so cute," JJ replied, turning her head to give the brunette a proper kiss good morning. "Did you two talk?"
"We did," Emily smiled. "I think she'll be okay."
"Of course she will," JJ replied. "She's got Prentiss blood in her veins."
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"Oh Alex," Dr. Sullivan sighed, shaking her head as Alex walked into the office, seeing the teen's face. "That's not exactly the best look for you dear."
"Really?" Alex replied sarcastically, taking her seat on the couch across from the older woman. "I kind of thought it suited me."
"I take it this has to do with the girl you told me about?" The doctor asked.
"Yes…"
"And I take it you didn't follow my advice and tell Emily about what was going on?" She asked pointedly.
"Well she knows now," Alex replied with a shrug. "I seriously considered telling her, but I just wanted to handle it on my own."
"But obviously that didn't work out too well?" Dr. Sullivan replied, phrasing it as a question even though it wasn't one.
"Not at all," Alex admitted. "We ended up getting in this argument, or whatever. Actually no, it wasn't an argument. She cornered me, saying all this stuff about how my mother was a lesbian, and I'm obviously one too, and then I slapped her, and she did this," Alex explained gesturing to her face.
"So you reacted because she was talking about Emily?" Dr. Sullivan asked.
"When she was making things up about me I really didn't care," Alex said. "But the things she was saying about Emily and by association JJ, just made me so angry."
"That's understandable," Dr. Sullivan replied. "I mean Emily is your family, and by the way you talk about her, I know you see JJ as family too."
"I do," Alex smiled. "We're actually going to JJ's parent's house tonight to spend the holiday with them. It's weird, but I'm a little nervous."
"And why do you think that is?"
"Well I guess because I'm relying on Emily and JJ getting married one day," Alex admitted. "I mean I'm hoping that one day that will happen. Which means JJ's family will be my family, and I want them to like me…because I want JJ to be my mom one day too."
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JJ and Emily arrived at work before the rest of the team, both heading straight for their respective desks, determined to clear their desks by noon so they would be able to head out as soon as possible. Morgan, who was heading to Chicago to be with his family, arrived not long after, also planning on leaving earlier than normal. One by one the rest of the team filtered in, everyone getting straight to work, all working silently as they tried to get through as many files as they could before their morning meeting.
"Hey Reid, think you can take a look at this case for me?" Emily asked, shortly before their meeting, already over halfway through her stack of files.
"Sure," Reid replied. "Any reason why?"
"Something just seems off about the 2 murders to me," Emily explained. "I'm really not sure if they're linked or not. Think it could use a fresh pair of eyes."
"No problem," Reid said taking the file. "I'll go over it as soon as the meeting's over," he explained, gesturing to the conference room where Hotch and Rossi were currently headed.
Seeing that their boss was ready, the 3 profilers rose from their desks, heading towards the conference room, JJ and Garcia headed in the same direction.
"How's it going Agent Jareau?" Emily asked, having not seen the blonde since they arrived, knowing that JJ had quite a few things she wanted to get done before they left for the weekend.
"Oh it's going," JJ replied tiredly. "Would be going so much better if I could at least have some caffeine to get me through."
"Sorry, baby," Emily said sympathetically, giving the blonde's arm a squeeze as they entered the conference room.
"Alright, I know all of you want to be out of here early today, so we'll make this as quick as possible," Hotch said as the team all took their seats. "First things first though, Prentiss, JJ how's Alex?"
"Oh uh she's okay," Emily replied, slightly thrown off by the question.
"Someone really punched her?" Rossi asked, sounding angry.
"Yes, but she slapped the girl first," Emily explained.
"And rightfully so," Garcia said. "That horrible girl totally deserved it for bothering my little sugar plum."
"Was the girl really bullying her about you two being together?" Morgan asked, having heard the story from Garcia, whom JJ had text the day before after picking Alex up.
"Amongst other things," JJ replied. "That was just what made Alex finally snap."
"Poor kid," Rossi sighed.
"And how are you two doing with all of this?" Hotch asked seriously.
"We're okay," Emily said, turning her attention to JJ who was seated behind her.
"Yeah," JJ agreed. "Just looking forward to spending the weekend away from all of it," she admitted. "Give Alex some time to just relax."
"Well you make sure to let her know we're all here if she needs us," Morgan stated rather protectively.
"Yeah and if she needs me to do a thing, I totally can," Garcia said, making everyone laugh.
"Thanks guys, we really appreciate it," Emily smiled, squeezing JJ's hand underneath the table.
"Alright, well lets get to business then, Reid what do you have on your desk," Hotch asked, as everyone turned their attention back to their work, Emily taking one last glance around the table, grateful to have such an amazing team surrounding her.
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Emily and JJ managed to finish their work just after noon, spending a few minutes saying goodbye to each member of the team, wishing them a happy thanksgiving, before heading out to return home. While Emily drove, JJ text Alex letting her know they would be home soon so that she knew to be ready.
When they arrived at the condo, it was to find Alex sitting at the kitchen island reading a book, her bag packed and waiting by the door.
"Hey Chicky, you ready to head out?" JJ greeted, walking over and placing a kiss on the side of the teen's head.
"I am ready to meet me some Jareaus," Alex replied, marking her page before closing her book.
"Perfect," JJ laughed. "Em I'm just going to head up and grab our bags, I've gotta pack my makeup bag still anyways."
"Alright I'll be here," Emily replied, making her way over to Alex, running a hand through the teen's hair. "How was your appointment?"
"Good," Alex replied with a small smile, leaning against Emily as she continued to play with her hair. "I'm actually feeling much better, and I think I just really want to let this whole thing go. I mean I know we still have to have that meeting with Chelsea and her family, but I'm not going to spend anymore time sitting around and worrying about her and what she thinks."
"That's good baby," Emily said, kissing the top of Alex's head. "And you're okay with this trip right? I mean I know you were worried this morning and I really just want you to be comfortable."
"I'm okay," Alex replied, seeing the skeptical look on Emily's face. "Honest I am. I'm looking forward to meeting JJ's family. I just don't want them to think badly of me because of all this."
"They won't," Emily assured, wrapping her arms around the teen. "And we don't have to tell them anything you don't want them to know."
"You ladies ready to go?" JJ called as she made her way down the stairs.
"You got it," Emily replied, making her way over to the blonde to take the bags from her.
"Are you two going to be offended if I listen to my iPod on the way?" Alex asked as the women made their way out into the hallway.
"IPod?" JJ replied, throwing an arm around the teen. "This is a road trip you can't put in headphones! We've got to play road trip games!"
"Road trip games?" Alex asked sounding unenthused.
"Ah yes, you've never spent an extended period of time in a car with JJ," Emily said with a grin. "You're in for a real treat."
"I have a feeling this is going to be a very long drive," Alex said, looking worried.
"Kid, you have no idea," JJ replied with a big smile on her face.
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Alex made it through 2 rounds of 20 questions, and about 5 games of "I Spy" before convincing JJ to play with Emily, putting in her headphones and almost immediately falling asleep. Emily lasted for a few games before persuading JJ to take a break, the pair talking about anything but work for the next few hours, JJ telling Emily all about her family and growing up in the small Pennsylvanian town.
"My streets just up there on the right," JJ pointed out when they finally arrived in East Alleghany. "It'll be the white house on your left. The one with the swing on the porch. You won't be able to miss it."
"Alright, could you try waking up sleeping beauty back there," Emily asked. "She won't be happy if we wait till your parents are around to wake her up. She's very disoriented when she wakes up."
JJ turns in her seat as much as the seatbelt will allow, reaching out to shake Alex's leg. "Lex," the blonde calls loudly, knowing the teen was unlikely to hear her over her music. "Lex," she repeated, shaking her leg a little harder.
"What," Alex moaned, pulling one of her earbuds out so she could hear.
"We're just pulling up to my house sweetheart," JJ explained. "Time to wake up."
"Ugh why didn't you wake me sooner?" Alex asked with a groan, as Emily pulled the car into the driveway. "This is your house?" She asked, looking at the large home through squinted eyes.
"This is it," JJ replied with a smile, getting out of the car excitedly.
Emily and Alex followed suit, just as the front door opened, Sandy Jareau coming out with a big smile on her face.
"Jenny," Sandy called, jogging to meet her daughter, immediately embracing her in a big hug.
"Mom," JJ sighed happily.
"Oh let me look at you," Sandy said pulling out of the hug, holding her daughter out in front of her. "You look great."
"That's because you can't really see me under this coat," JJ laughed. "Just wait until we get inside, I assure you I'm getting fat."
"Oh don't be silly, you're not fat, you're pregnant," Sandy scoffed, kissing her daughter on the side of the head. "And you're absolutely glowing."
"Thanks Mom," JJ smiled. "Now would you like to meet some people?"
"Oh of course," Sandy said. "How rude of me! You must be Emily," she said turning her attention to the two brunettes who were waiting nervously by the car.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Jareau," Emily greeted, holding out a hand for the older woman to shake.
"Oh please call me Sandy," Sandy replied, ignoring Emily's hand and instead pulling her into a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
"All good things I hope," Emily joked, slightly thrown off by the hug, seeing JJ's smirk out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh of course," Sandy replied, releasing the brunette and turning her attention to Alex. "And Jenny has done nothing but talk about you lately young lady. It's nice to meet you Alex."
"You too," Alex smiled, allowing JJ's mother to pull her into a hug, appreciating the fact that the woman didn't immediately ask about her face.
"Well let's not stand out here in the cold all night," Sandy then said. "I have a casserole in the oven and your father's waiting in the den Jenny."
"Mom makes the best casseroles," JJ explained happily as Emily and Alex grabbed their bags from the car, then following Sandy towards the house. "You two ready for all of this?"
"Definitely," Emily smiled, already loving JJ's mom.
"I'm so ready Jenny," Alex joked, earning a glare from the blonde.
"You better watch it kid," JJ threatened as they entered the large house, where a tall, older man was waiting at the entrance to the den.
"There she is," Andrew Jareau said happily.
"Daddy," JJ exclaimed, practically leaping into the older man's arms.
"How you doing squirt?" He asked, kissing the top of his daughter's head.
"I'm good Daddy. Really good actually," the blonde replied, turning to face Emily and Alex who were watching this interaction with a smile. "This is Emily, and her daughter Alex."
"Andrew Jareau," the older man greeted, holding out his hand for Emily to shake. "It's great to finally meet both of you. Jenny here has been talking our ears off about the two of you for months. It's nice to finally meet the ladies who have got my daughter so happy."
"Oh well I assure you she makes us just as happy," Emily smiled, instantly liking the man. "And it's so nice to finally meet you and Sandy. I wish it hadn't of taken so long."
"Well you are very busy ladies," Andrew replied.
"That's for sure," JJ agreed, taking the bags from Emily and placing them near the bottom of the stairs. "We can get that all settled later."
"Of course, of course," Andrew said. "Let me take all your coats, Sandy will be hollering for us in just a minute. She's been fussing in the kitchen all day."
"Oh I hope she didn't go to too much trouble," Emily said as she removed her coat, handing it to Andrew who was hanging up Alex's.
"Trust me she lives for this," JJ assured the brunette. "Nothing makes her happier than feeding people."
"Jenny's right," Andrew agreed. "And she's been talking about your visit all week. I hope you two are prepared to eat," he said looking to the two brunettes.
"I'm always up for eating," Alex smiled.
"My kind of girl," Andrew chuckled, putting an arm around the teen. "Well let's head into the dining room then. I want to hear all about you two."
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Dinner was spent talking and getting to know each other, Sandy and Andrew telling Emily and Alex stories about a young Jennifer Jareau, while Alex and Emily shared stories about their own childhoods, as well as their new life together. Alex was relieved to find that Sandy and Andrew knew about what had happened with her parents, not really anxious to relive that particular story, and she was also appreciative of the fact that neither parent asked about where she had gotten her black eye.
After spending quite a bit of time seated at the dining room table, the group eventually moved into the den where Sandy had served cookies and they had continued to get to know each other.
"Well it looks like we're boring our young guest here," Andrew pointed out, seeing that Alex's eyes were beginning to drift shut, her head resting on Emily's shoulder.
"Sorry," Alex yawned. "It's been a long day."
"Well why don't you head up to bed sweetheart?" Sandy suggested.
"Where do you want her mom?" JJ asked, from where she was sitting on the other side of the teen, a hand resting on her knee.
"She can take Adam's old room," Sandy replied.
"I'll take you up," JJ told Alex, as the teen nodded before turning to Emily.
"You want me to come up with you?" Emily asked.
"No it's okay," Alex smiled sleepily. "I'll see you in the morning," she said, allowing Emily to pull her into a hug, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Night kid," Emily said.
"Night," Alex replied, standing up and facing the two Jareaus. "Thanks for dinner. It was great."
"It was our pleasure," Sandy smiled. "Goodnight Alex."
"Goodnight," Alex said, following JJ out of the room and towards the stairs.
"You have a wonderful daughter Emily," Andrew said once the pair were out of earshot.
"She's definitely a great kid," Emily replied with a smile.
"She seems to be doing quite well considering everything she's been through," Sandy pointed out. "With her parents I mean."
"There have been some rough points," Emily admitted. "But Alex has adjusted pretty well. We've gotten into a pretty good rhythm, and she adores having Jen around."
"Well we know Jenny loves being around," Sandy smiled. "She talks about Alex as much as she talks about you."
Emily smiled, knowing how much Alex and JJ had grown to love each other in the last few months, something which Emily loved to watch.
"Where did Alex get the black eye?" Andrew then asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
"That's a bit of a long story," Emily said, biting her lip. "And honestly Alex isn't really proud of it. I'd rather let her tell you about it. If that's okay."
"Of course," Andrew replied understandingly.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Alex passes out as soon as she lays down," JJ said as she reentered the den, sitting down next to Emily and taking her hand. "She was practically sleepwalking."
"I don't understand how she sleeps so much," Emily laughed. "She slept like 3 hours on the way here."
"Teenagers," Sandy said. "I remember Adam used to sleep half the afternoon away when he was that age."
"Yeah I'd have to be up at dawn to get to a soccer game and Adam would still be asleep when I would get home in the afternoon," JJ said. "When is he coming by the way?"
"They'll be here tomorrow afternoon," Sandy replied. "He said he'd come early. Lily is so excited to see you. And they're all looking forward to meeting Emily and Alex of course."
"Oh I can't wait to see Lily," JJ smiled. "She's probably gotten so big."
"I can't wait to meet you brother," Emily said. "I bet he has some good stories," she said with a laugh, as JJ poked her in the ribs.
"You better watch yourself Agent Prentiss," JJ laughed. "Don't forget I'm meeting your mother next week."
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It was just over an hour later when everyone decided to call it a night, Emily following JJ up the stairs and towards her old bedroom; a room which hadn't changed much since the blonde moved out at 18.
"Your parents are great," Emily said as JJ closed the bedroom door behind her.
"I've always thought so," JJ smiled wrapping her arms around the brunette's neck. "Thank you for coming with me."
"There's no where else I'd rather be," Emily smiled, leaning in to give the blonde a chaste kiss.
"My parents love you by the way," the blonde said, running a hand through the brunette's hair.
"Oh yeah? How do you know that?" Emily asked.
"My mom told me when we were getting the cookies from the kitchen," JJ laughed. "And my dad's just easy to read."
"Well I'm glad," Emily said. "I was hoping they would love me, because I really love their daughter."
"Oh yeah?" JJ asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Definitely," Emily replied, placing what was meant to be a light kiss on the blonde's lips; a kiss which JJ immediately deepened. "Mmmm," Emily groaned, as JJ's tongue found hers.
JJ dropped her hands to the taller woman's waist, playing with the hem of her shirt, seeking out the skin beneath it, her movements eventually stilled by the brunette's hand over hers. Pulling out of the kiss, Emily rested her forehead against JJ's, taking a moment to calm her breathing.
"Jen, I love you, but I'm not having sex with you at your parent's house," Emily finally said, running a hand through long blonde locks.
"But Em," JJ whined, sticking out her lip in a pout. "You're really going to deny me? When I'm pregnant?"
"Sorry baby," Emily replied amusedly, giving the blonde a quick peck.
"Fine," JJ huffed. "You keep trying to resist, I mean it's cute really. But if you really think you're going to be able to last all weekend you're kidding yourself. You'll give in eventually."
"Oh you think so do you?" Emily laughed.
"I know so," JJ replied smugly. "Game on Emily Prentiss. Game on."