The next time Will visited was fantastic. I didn't have to lie or come up with an excuse. I just headed out Friday afternoon to pick him up from the airport. He smiled when he reached me, puling me into a tight hug and planting a kiss on my forehead. "Hey beautiful," he smiled.
"Hey," I said softly back as he released me and I snatched his bag before he could protest. On the way home we stopped by the grocery store and picked up some supplies for the weekend since apparently I was a "nightmare" when it came to dietary needs. I just rolled my eyes and went along with it.
When we got home, the easy conversation I'd gotten so used to continued. "Will, anything new in New Orleans?"
"Not really. Got a new partner, but that's all," he said softly and I nodded, trying not to think about Miami. I'd been miserable for the few hours that our relationship was shattered.
"Okay, well how's your partner?" I asked as Will expertly prepared chicken.
"A Rookie," he said, his tone revealing his annoyance.
"Are they going to get you hurt?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
He gave me a curious look. "And why do you care, Cher?"
I lost the ability to speak coherently for a few seconds. "B-because I… I love you!" I blurted out.
Will face went through a brief stage of shock to a gigantic smile. He quickly put the chicken he was trying in the fridge before walking over to me. "I love you too, Cher," he whispered, crouching down so his eyes were even with mine since I was seated.
And, if possible, my heart melted and I realized that I truly did love him. So, I draped my arms over his shoulders and tugged him closer so I could kiss him. His lips formed a smile against mine, which wasn't really helpful.
"Hey, Lamontagne, get your act together!" I snapped before going back in. And boy, did he shape up.
I prodded his lips apart and met his tongue, which quickly began to delve into my mouth, exploring every millimeter. It wasn't long before he was shifting, I suppose his feet were asleep from crouching. I easily slid my legs around his torso and drew my head back. " Stand up," I instructed, and a small smile played at his lips as he lifted me up and carried me to the bedroom.
…
I just wanted to lay there forever. With Will, I never wanted to leave. He always let me use him as a pillow, and if I didn't, he'd settle for wrapping his arms securely around me. He always insisted on cooking for me, and never complained when my lips tasted like Cheetos. Will was perfect.
It was when we were lying in bed together that the realization hit us. His left arm was around me, securing me to his side as his right traced the scars the BAU had helped me acquire. He didn't seem to mind the ugly scarring or say it made me look bad like some of my past boyfriends. No, he just seemed concerned with if they had hurt. I assured him I was fine.
"You know, I should really meet your team again," Will commented.
"Why?" I shuddered. I remembered all too well the interrogation they'd given him in Miami. Once Morgan had quit flirting with that police officer, he'd given a big brother speech that was better than anything her actual brother would say.
"Because, y'all are close. If we want this to continue, I need to know your friends," he said, putting it simply. I'd met his friends, or at least a few of them. They were alright, but nowhere as close as the members of my team.
"But you haven't even met my real family yet!" I blurted out idiotically.
"Your mom and your brother… Thomas?" He asked.
"Um… yeah." I trailed off. Will had no parents left and no siblings at all, so there was nobody for me to meet on that front, but on mine? "Look, even though I don't live in Pennsylvania any more, they're still very important to me."
"So, do you want me to meet them?" Will asked, his hand comfortably resting on my stomach, no longer chasing scars.
"Yes," I said with all the confidence I could muster. "I do."
"Well, then let's go to Pennsylvania!"
…
It was another two weeks before I could set up a day off and get up to Pennsylvania. Will flew into D.C. On a Thursday night and I picked him up before starting the drive north. We talked about cases and work, about the funny things that had occurred in the day. I talked about my hometown and growing up there and hw talked about his southern upbringing. Foe a good half hour stretch, Will pestered me for a chance to drive, which I refused numerous times, stating that he didn't know where he was going so even if he was driving, I couldn't sleep. Eventually, we pulled into my mom's drive and parked in front of her house.
Almost immediately, the door flew open. "Jennifer!" She cried happily as she dragged me from the car. "look at you!"
"Hi Mom," I wheezed through her bone crushing hug.
At this point, Will had pulled himself out of the passenger seat and was standing behind my mother. "Mrs. Jareau?" He asked and she immediately forgot about me. "William Lamontagne Jr, ma'am-"
He began before she cut him off. "It's Sandy, and what're your intentions with my daughter?"
"Will you don't have to-" I started, glaring daggers at my Mother's back.
"JJ, it's fine. My intentions are to treat your daughter the way she deserves, which is the best way possible." Will answered sweetly.
"You pass… for now." Mom gave him another once over before going to the trunk to help me with the bags. This was going to be a long weekend.
