"Traditions, Old and New"
Featuring: JJ and Sandy
When: December 2014/Season 10


JJ came down the stairs, having finished wrapping some presents since she had some quiet time in the house. Spence and Ella were playing outside in the snow and Henry was at a friend's house. When she rounded the corner, she found her mom in the kitchen. "Hey, I thought you had plans with some friends."

Sandy smiled as she stirred her cup of freshly made hot chocolate. "I do have plans. With you." She handed JJ the other cup she made, something the younger blond didn't notice at first.

JJ took it and had a small sip, sighing happily as she did. "Some day you're going to have to tell me what you do to make it taste this good. Mine never comes out this delicious."

Sandy laughed as she came around the kitchen island and put an arm around her daughter, taking her into the living room. "It's your Dad's recipe so trust me, you may not want to know."

JJ laughed. "I'll be sure to add some time to my workout. But, what do you mean plans with me? Did I forget about something?"

Sandy gestured to the couch as she answered. "No. I was just thinking that you and I could do something we haven't in awhile." JJ furrowed her brow until Sandy grabbed the remote and turned on the DVD she had snuck in earlier. The knowing sound of bells ringing, followed by horns blaring and the sight of red lettering made the profiler smile. She turned to her mom, who smiled sheepishly. "I know it's been awhile…"

JJ sighed; knowing the last time they had curled up and watched A Christmas Story was before Roz…

The four of them never could do it again after that since it was her favorite. But ever since having that talk with Henry last month, she was a little more open to thinking about the good times with Roz. Apparently her mom was ready for that too. "It has been, but it's a great idea."

Sandy smiled, as she got comfortable. JJ set her hot chocolate down in order to get their fleece blanket in position, covering their legs as she settled into the seat next to her mother. Sandy put an arm around JJ's shoulders after she picked up her cup again, taking a sip. She moaned, "You have to tell me at some point, Mom, so I can make this for the kids."

"I already told Spencer," she countered as they watched Ralphie put his Red Rider flyer into his mom's magazine.

JJ scoffed. "Really? You shared with him, but not your own flesh and blood?"

"If it makes you feel any better, I haven't told Dave or Becca either," Sandy countered, making JJ laugh.

The younger woman rested her head on her mom's shoulder, much like she did as a child. "I see who your favorite is."

Sandy chuckled, "Can you blame me?"

Taking another long sip of her hot chocolate, JJ sighed happily. "No. I really can't." The pair continued to watch the Christmas classic, lapsing into comfortable silence as the movie progressed.

JJ giggled when the reached the scene with the dad talking about how the Chicago Bears were more like Chipmunks. "Dad loved that line."

Sandy sighed, "He did. Not sure why it mattered much to him, it's not like the Bears were rivals of the 'Skins."

JJ nodded, "True." She turned and looked at her mom. "Do you think Dad would have liked Spence?" JJ's dad had passed away from a heart attack when she was a sophomore in college so she never had the chance to see what he thought about men in her life. Will or Spence.

Sandy smiled, running a hand over her daughter's head of long blond hair. Even though the couple ended up getting divorced by the time JJ was in high school, she still loved that man and knew him well. They just hadn't been able to face that they had both failed their oldest daughter. "Of course he would have. He may not be a typical man's man that could have helped out on Grandpop's farm, but he's a great provider to his family, adores your children, including Henry, and is head over heels in love with you. What's not to love?"

JJ nodded, curling into her mom's side again like she was a girl, not a grown woman. "I wish they could have met."

"Me too, dear." They turned back to the TV and started to laugh at the triple dog dare.

"Roz loved this scene," JJ laughed. "I remember daring Dave to do that once."

Sandy's eyes widened. "What? He didn't, did he?"

JJ giggled, turning on the couch to face her mom better. "Not exactly, but he did get a metal spoon that we put in the freezer stuck to his tongue. It was hilarious."

A hand went to Sandy's mouth as she laughed, "You kids. What did you do after that?"

"Roz poured hot tap water on his tongue to get it off. After we took a photo. I'm surprised you never saw that!" JJ set her now empty mug down on the coffee table, laughing even more at the memory. It was one of her favorite memories with her siblings. And it was all inspired by her sister's favorite Christmas movie.

Sandy was laughing as well, but more at her daughter's reaction to her own memory. That sounded a lot like the trouble those three could get into. After a few minutes, the pair finally settled down, seeing Ralphie in his pink bunny suit. "He looks like a Pink Nightmare!" JJ chuckled, mimicking how her dad copied the comment in the movie.

The pair was still laughing when a little girl joined them, her cold hands touching them both. "Brrr, Ella, you're freezing!" Sandy commented, pulling the girl into her lap. JJ quickly covered her with the blanket.

"Don't worry, I'm already starting a batch of hot chocolate," Reid called from the kitchen.

JJ and Sandy exchanged a smile. When JJ was little, it was always her dad that made the hot chocolate. "Think that's a sign he approves?" Sandy whispered. Reid came into the living room real quick and noticed what was nearing the end on the TV. It was one of the few Christmas movies he was familiar with.

"Oh I love this movie. Although Jean Shepherd's book is better than the onscreen interpretation."

The Jareau women still had each other's gaze. "Hers too, I think," JJ smiled.

Sandy nodded. "Agreed." She reached over and took JJ's hand. "New tradition?"

JJ nodded. "New tradition." She looked up, noting the confused look on her husband's face. "Making enough for me to get another cup?"

Reid nodded, "Of course. Can we watch the movie from the beginning?"

"Absolutely. I think it's time for a new family tradition."