That night after they went to bed, while Evelynn read a copy of Alice in Wonderland, Emily sat in her bed debating whether to call Mick or not.
"Oh come on Emily," Emily pressed on his name and held the phone to her ear.
"Emily Prentiss, to what do I owe this pleasure," Mick smirked down the phone.
"Hello Mick," Emily smiled settling into her bed.
"How are you doing? I haven't heard your voice in too long,"
Emily blushed "It's been a few hours,"
"Exactly!"
"Evelynn heard your messages," Emily admitted
"So she knows, how did that go down?" Mick asked
"Surprisingly well, she wants to meet you, will you still come?"
"You know I will, then we can make this official,"
"These last two months haven't been?" Emily questioned picking a thread on her blankets.
"You know what I mean, anyway, it's late, we should sleep, I'll be there by noon tomorrow," Mick said gently
"Goodnight Mick,"
"Night Em,"
Emily ended their call and set her phone on the nightstand to charge up. She lay down fully in her bed and looked at her ceiling above her.
"Mom," Came a whisper in the dark. "Mom,"
Emily opened her eyes, she must have fallen asleep and saw her daughter standing by her bedside. Crumbles in her arms and tears on her cheeks.
"Honey what's wrong?" Emily leant on her arm slightly raised
"I had a bad dream,"
Emily frowned and pulled the blankets back for Evelynn to climb in with her. After Evelynn was cuddled into her, Emily covered them and wrapped her arm around her.
"It must have been a bad one for you to come and wake me, you want to talk about it?"
"I feel stupid," Evelynn replied burying her face in her mother's neck.
"It's ok to have bad dreams,"
Evelynn nodded and closed her eyes, Emily kissed her head.
"We'll talk in the morning, go back to sleep, you're safe,"
"I love you momma,"
"I love you more,"
Emily was just closing her eyes when;
"Momma?"
"Hmm,"
"Did I do the right thing?"
"What do you mean?"
Evelynn sat up and flicked on the bedside lamp, causing Emily to cover her eyes and sit up. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was 2am.
"Running away from John and Claudia?"
"Honey, you went about it in the wrong way yes but John and Claudia want what's best for you, and if that's here with me or in England with them, they would move the Earth to make it possible for you,"
Evelynn nodded.
"You didn't email them again did you?"
She shook her head
"Evelynn...That was part of the deal, you stay here with me on the understanding that you call or email them every Friday after school," Emily looked at her "You madam have a head like a sieve," Emily pulled her back into bed and turned off the light "As soon as you've had breakfast in the morning, you get on that phone and call them,"
"I promise,"
Evelynn lay back down and cuddled back into her.
"Mom?"
"Evelynn,"
"Are you and Mick dating?"
"Yes,"
"I knew it! Have you kissed him yet? Like full on in his lap tongue kissing?"
"Evelynn Elizabeth Rose! That's enough! Go back to sleep,"
"So you have!" Evelynn teased.
"What are you fifteen?" Emily sat up
"Yup, I knew it! Declan owes me fifty bucks,"
"You two made a bet?"
"Yup,"
Emily grabbed a soft pillow "You asked for it,"
Before Evelynn could react, a marshmallow soft pillow connected with her cheek. She gasped in surprise that her oh so professional mother had just started a two am pillow fight.
So in retaliation, Evelynn picked up her own and hit her mother back. The two hit pillows until they were blanketed in an array of white feathers, that covered Emily's bed. The two fell asleep and woke up to the sound of the doorbell ringing later on that morning.
Emily groaned and got from her bed, looking at the clock she saw that it was midday already! Mick was here! They had slept in….rather late indeed. Trying not to get in a flap, Emily woke Evelynn up who scurried into her room to get ready for the remainder of the day,meanwhile Emily walked down the stairs and opened the door.
"Mick hi," Emily greeted "Come in,"
Mick smiled and stepped inside pulling Emily to him, pecking her lips gently. He chuckled pulling a feather from her hair.
"Do I want to know?"
"A spontaneous pillow fight at two am,"
"Emily honestly, it's time to grow up," He laughed
Emily smiled and walked into the kitchen, to which Mick followed and plonked himself on a chair.
"Coffee?"
"Please, so why a pillow fight?"
"Evelynn made a bet about us with her brother," Emily confessed
Mick laughed setting his phone and gun on the table.
"Hey, not in the kitchen, you know where the safe is," she scolded
"Yes dear," Mick mocked as he picked up his gun and walked into the hall closet to open Emily's gun safe.
Meanwhile Evelynn was drying her hair after taking a quick shower, she brushed out her raven hair and dressed in leggings and a Harley Quinn graphic tank top. Deciding to let her hair stay in its natural waves, Evelynn lined her eyes and pulled on her slipper boots before sending a quick text to Declan announcing that he had lost their bet. She took a breath, meeting new people always made her nervous. But she walked down the stairs nonetheless and followed the voices of her mother and a man who she assumed was Mick into the Kitchen.
"Here she is," Emily smiled noticing Evelynn walking into the kitchen.
Evelynn walked straight to her mother's side as more of a comfort thing than anything.
"Evelynn this is Mick, Mick this is my not so little girl,"
"You're your mother's double aren't you?" he smiled
"Thank you," Evelynn said a little more confident.
Something about Mick, made her feel at ease which in turn allowed her to come out of her shell.
"I'm going to hop in the shower, Mick don't freak her out," Emily instructed
"Would I?" Mick asked mocking hurt
"Yes you would," Emily smirked kissing him quickly before walking to her bathroom.
"So Evelynn, how are you liking America?" Mick asked
"It's nice but different to what I'm used to," Evelynn replied pouring herself a glass of chocolate milk.
"I can imagine and I've been here a while now, it's a big change, your mom told me you're a dancer?"
"Yeah,"
"Tell me more, I'd like us to get along, I don't want to be the mum's boyfriend that you can't stand," Mick said honestly
Evelynn pulled her leg onto the chair "Well, I do tap, Ballet and hip hop, that's a new one though, one of my brother's friends let me sit in her class because I got there early and it was raining, I ask mum that night could I do it as well,"
"So you don't want to take after your mum and become an agent?" He mused
Evelynn shook her head "No thank you, blood and violence isn't for me, I'd like to teach dance,"
"That's a promising career path, plus you've had training in England as well as here so you stand a better chance of being snatched up by a company, is there anywhere in particular you'd like to teach?"
"I'd like to teach in a small dance school,"
"So not somewhere like New York?" Mick asked, genuinely interested
"New York doesn't really appeal to me, its too much like London, crowded,"
"I agree with you there, well, focus hard at school and in dance and nothing will stop you, your mother will back you 100 percent," he smiled "I see you like Harley Quinn, is she your favourite?"
"One of them, Poison Ivy is my all time favourite," Evelynn confirmed
"Touche, she's one badass chick,"
"Who's a badass chick?" Emily asked walking into the kitchen, now dressed and free of feathers.
"Poison Ivy," Evelynn piped up
Emily made a face "Not my personal favourite but each to their own,"
"So what's the plan for today?" Mick asked
"Can we go to Six Flags?" Evelynn asked
"Probably not this time baby, if we were going to do that we'd go on a Friday after school got out," Emily replied
"What about food and the movies? My treat," Mick piped up
"I can do the movies, Evelynn?"
"Sure,"
"What's on that you want to see?" Mick asked her
"I'd really like to see The Greatest Showman," Evelynn replied biting her lip
"That good for you Em?" Mick looked at her mother
"Fine by me," Emily replied smiling "Go get your shoes kid,"
Evelynn ran to her room to grab some socks and her new studded boots.
"Lunch and a movie on you," Emily said walking to stand in front of Mick, "You don't need to butter her up for her to like you,"
"I know that," Mick replied slipping his hands around her waist "But I want her to think of me as someone she can talk to, you hear so much about kids hating their parents partners, I don't want that,"
Emily stroked his cheek gently "I don't think you need to worry about that,"
Mick smiled and pulled her into his lap placing a chaste kiss on her lips. Emily didn't want to admit it, but Mick made her swoon. She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to deepen the kiss. Neither of them aware of a certain fifteen year old watching them from the hall, capturing the moment on her phone which to her advantage was on silent. Evelynn hid herself back around the corner, smiling with her back pressed against the wall. It was like watching a Romance Novel unfold in front of her very eyes. And she did all she could not to squeal. Hey, Evelynn was a sucker for romance. She wondered if her mother had been like this with her dad. Emily put her finger to her lips for Mick to be quiet while she crept to the kitchen doorway.
"Get any pictures worth keeping?"
Evelynn jumped a mile "I don't know what you're talking about,"
Emily smirked and raised her eyebrow "Yeah, okay, whatever you say, let's go, and if I see that anywhere but your phone,"
"I won't give it to JJ or Penelope," Evelynn promised
"Good, but nice silent moves, you could be a spy if you wanted to,"
"No thanks, I'll stick with dancing,"
Emily smiled and pulled on her boots. The trio headed to Mick's car and got in, Evelynn trying to hide the fact she had really bad stomach pains, but she couldn't mask her wincing which Emily noticed.
"Everything ok honey?" Emily asked
"Yeah, my leg cramped that's all,"
Emily raised an eyebrow, not buying her daughter's tale but let it go nonetheless. They shortly arrived at the movies theatre and Mick insisted on buying the tickets and concessions. Much to Emily's protest. Evelynn was scrolling through her phone as they waited in line to be allowed into their screen when Emily gently nudged her.
"Did you email John and Claudia?"
"Yeah, they've gone away for the week to Devon, they always talked about going but never got round to it," Evelynn smiled as she showed her mother a picture of the two in question, smiling in a selfie that Claudia had took. Both of them baring bright eyes and smiles. John had grew a beard which was as black as his hair and Claudia had took to wearing her glasses permanently now.
"They seem like they're enjoying it," Emily stated
"Claudia said she would send more pictures when they got home,"
Mick took Emily's hand as they walked into their screen "Please no making out like teenagers, I don't want to be any more uncomfortable than I am right now with my leg," Evelynn begged.
"Scouts honour, kid," Mick winked as they sat down "So whose in this?"
"Zac Efron!" Evelynn swooned
"The kid from High School Musical?" Mick asked
"Yep! And can I just say, puberty has been good to him,"
Emily all but choked on her drink and placed it gingerly back in the cup holder of the chair.
"Sorry mommy," Evelynn grinned
"Shh it's starting," Emily smiled.
Half way into the film Evelynn excused herself to use the bathroom and what was there to greet her when she got there? Yup, you guessed it. The one thing every teenage girl dreaded. Luckily she had some change on her and got what she needed from the machine on the restroom wall that seemed to be everywhere. Evelynn wanted to cry, she wanted to be at home when this happened. Her stomach hurt and she just wanted to curl up in her bed. She could tell her mother and cut the day out short but she couldn't ruin Emily and Mick's day out. Evelynn splashed her face and took a few deep breaths and returned to the screen. But try as she might, she couldn't get back into the movie.
She pulled her legs on the chair and glanced to her mother, whose head was on Mick's chest watching the movie, his arm draped around her. The sooner they got home, the better Evelynn would be.
After the movie, the trio dumped their trash and headed to a nearby TGI Friday's. They ordered drinks and Mick excused himself to use the restroom. This gave Emily the chance to question Evelynn's odd behaviour.
"Alright mini me, what's going on?" She asked looking at Evelynn who was engrossed in her phone
"Nothing,"
Emily reached over and took her phone and put it in her purse "Evelynn,"
"Not here mom, please," she pleaded holding her stomach "There's too many people here,"
Emily put two and two together and gave her a look of sympathy before giving Evelynn her phone back, to which she texted.
From Mommy
To Evelynn
Do you have what you need?
From Evelynn
To mommy
Only what I got at the movies...
Emily made a face.
From Mommy
To Evelynn
Is this your first one?
Evelynn nodded feeling her face heat up. Emily put her phone on the table and opened her arms, Evelynn got up from her seat and walked into them. Bringing the teen into her lap, Emily cuddled her.
"We can go to the store on the way home,"
Evelynn nodded, Emily reached into her purse and pulled out some pain meds and pressed them into her palm.
"Two every four hours,"
"This sucks, I was having a good day as well," Evelynn pouted
"And you still can,"
"But my stomach hurts,"
"You'll be fine when they kick in, I have stuff if you need it, don't worry," Emily kissed her head.
Evelynn pulled away from her mother slightly "You aren't going to make a huge deal out of this are you? Some parents through their kids parties with these weird cakes that are really creepy,"
"Oh God no, this will stay between you and me, anything you want to know?"
"Can I still dance?"
"I guarantee every dancer still dances when it comes around,"
Evelynn nodded and returned to her seat just as Mick returned, looking worried having just seen the teen embracing her mother.
"Everything alright?" he asked
"Yeah, Evelynn was showing me some pictures her adoptive parents sent her, do you mind stopping off at the store on the way back to mine? I forgot to grab some things I need,"
"Can I stay in the car?" He smirked
"Are you ashamed of being seen with me Rawson?" Emily returned his smirk
"Not at all Prentiss, I just hate shopping," he countered "What are we eating?"
"I'm not really hungry," Evelynn admitted "Can I order from the kids menu?"
"As long as you eat it then yes," Emily replied
They looked over a menu each and put in their orders, Evelynn swallowed two pain tablets with a gulp of her drink.
"Blimey, you guzzled that fast," Mick pointed
"My leg won't stop cramping," Evelynn replied
"Guzzled?" Emily asked
"Drank fast, its a British thing," Mick answered
Emily nodded as their food was placed in front of them. On a table nearby, Evelynn saw a family with two kids around the same age. One had just dropped her spoon and was being comforted by her daddy. Evelynn tilted her head and watched the scene unfold.
"If you want a hug Evelynn you don't need to drop your spoon, just ask," Mick joked
Evelynn turned back and rolled her eyes playfully before snapping a picture of her food on her phone.
"Anyone want carrots? I can't stand them," Mick offered
"Then how do you manage to do your job in the dark?" Evelynn quizzed him.
"I have super powers my dear, didn't your mother tell you?"
They laughed and ate their food, while Emily was eating, Mick nudged Evelynn and loaded a pea on to his fork and flicked it at her mother. Evelynn bit her lip to hide her giggles.
"How old are we Mick?" Emily asked not taking her eyes off her plate
"That was totally Evelynn!" Mick countered
"Hey leave me out of this, I know better,"
"Traitor, I plead the fourth!" Mick held up his hands
"You mean you plead the fifth?" Evelynn corrected.
The Prentiss girls broke into laughter at Mick's failed attempt at starting a food fight.
"You pair are evil you know that?" Mick pouted
"Don't you call my baby evil, she just follows in her momma's footsteps," Emily retorted "But seriously, when do you have to be back at work?"
"I have to be back by Monday night, I'm going to see if Reid would lend me his couch,"
"You can stay with us!" Evelynn chirped "He can right?" she asked looking at her mother
"It's fine by me,"
"That's just asking for trouble, kid, we'll end up waking you up," Mick said seriously
Emily's eyes grew wide as she gave him a firm kick under the table.
"I have noise cancelling headphones," Evelynn laughed.
"Alright but don't say I didn't warn you, there's no controlling your mother," Mick smirked
"Thank God my room is down the hall," Evelynn replied.
Silence filled the table as they finished their food and paid the bill. Emily, Mick and Evelynn returned to the car and headed toward home, stopping at the store before they reached their destination. They all got out and walked inside.
"I'll meet you two at the car, I want to check out the movies, while you two shop," Mick announced before pressing a quick kiss to Emily's lips.
"Have fun," Emily led Evelynn to the health section, stopping only to grab a box "Pick a box to keep it in, trust me, you'll stock up so much you won't know what to do with it all,"
Evelynn chose a Paris themed box with a lid on and they walked into the section they needed. Emily walked into the aisle and looked at the options.
"There's so many!" Evelynn pointed out picking up a box that Emily took from her.
"You don't want that,"
"Why not?"
"One, you're too young for internals and two, thats a cup, they hurt if you put them wrong," Emily informed her,
Evelynn nodded and looked at the other products.
"Pads then?" Evelynn asked, Emily nodded
"They're better the first few times,"
Evelynn picked up a package of normal ones and nighttime ones, putting them in the box until they reached the check out.
"What about school?" She asked picking up a make-up bag that was blue with white spots.
"We'll grab extra and when we get home I'll help you get your bag ready for school, grab some hand gel,"
Evelynn picked up a small bottle of hand gel and a mini bottle of spray. Before spotting a little Penguin hot water bottle.
"Mom?" She asked her mother who was comparing pain medication for her
"I wondered how long it'd be till you saw that, go ahead," Emily smiled.
Evelynn grabbed the penguin and held on to it.
"Is the pain in your stomach or back?"
"My back,"
"So when you can, keep that on your back, we'll look into getting heat pads for school and dance,"
Evelynn nodded and they walked to the check out and Emily paid for her daughter's things. She didn't want to admit it, but now that Evelynn had entered this stage of her life, it made Emily realise her baby was indeed growing up. She didn't like that idea. They walked back to the car where Mick was leaning on the hood with a bag hanging from his arm.
"There's my girls," He said girls, Evelynn looked at her mother who smiled at her "Did I say something wrong?"
"Nope," Evelynn smiled and got in the car.
"Is she alright?" Mick asked
"She's growing up," Emily said looking at him.
"Ah, I'm glad I invested in ice cream now," He opened the passenger side door and Emily climbed in.
Mick got in and drove back to Emily's. He parked up and they walked inside, Evelynn took off her shoes and carried her box straight to her room, wanting to hide it as fast as she could. Emily told Mick she'd be back in a few moments, as she needed to sort Evelynn out. He nodded and put the ice cream in the freezer. Emily walked up the stairs and knocked on Evelynn's door.
"Honey it's only me,"
"Come in,"
Emily walked in to find Evelynn cross legged on her bed with Crumbles in her lap.
"Get yourself a spare pair of underwear just incase it comes while you're at school,"
Evelynn walked into her closet and returned with a spare pair that she put in her new blue bag, Emily slipped in a box of pain meds for her, while Evelynn put in a few pads, hand gel and spray.
"Anything else?"
"Nope, you're all set, do you know what to do with them?"
Evelynn nodded "I read the leaflets,"
Emily smiled and kissed her head "Just remember to change them out every few hours, how's your back?"
"The pain's gone," Evelynn replied
"Good, come down when you're ready ba...honey, I have to remember not to call you baby anymore,"
"No, please don't, I like it," Evelynn pleaded "I'm going to have another shower,"
Emily nodded getting up "Alright,"
Emily left the room and returned downstairs only to be pulled into her study by Mick and the door locked. She found herself being pressed against the door with his lips on hers, kissing her deeply. She smiled into his and wrapped her arms around his neck. Mick slid his hand under her shirt to feel her skin as his lips met her neck. Emily allowed her head to drop back a little
"Mick, she'll be down soon, she's only having a quick shower," Emily protested.
"I can be quick, I miss you baby," Mick looked at her.
"When she's in bed asleep, then I'm all yours,"
Mick pouted but nodded just the same, Emily smirked and kissed him again stroking his neck gently.
"I promise," Emily whispered against his lips.
"I'm holding you to it,"
Emily smiled and unlocked her study door, they walked into the family room just as Evelynn was coming down the stairs in a pair of pjs.
"Feel better baby?" Emily asked and Evelynn nodded as she crawled onto the couch "You really aren't yourself today are you?"
Emily sat down beside her and scooped Evelynn into her lap, cradling her close. Mick put on a dvd and sat beside Emily, draping his arm around her. Evelynn snuggled into her mother and watched the movie unfold.
"We don't own Batman and Harley Quinn," Evelynn pointed out
"You do now," Mick smiled "I thought my fellow Englishman would enjoy it, plus Poison Ivy is in it"
"Thank you," Evelynn returned the smile.
"Honestly, you two and Poison Ivy, you drive me mad," Emily pointed out chuckling.
