"JJ," Sofia said softly as she climbed on to the couch.
"Mmm" JJ groaned slightly at the extra weight that seemed to have appeared on her stomach.
"JJ," Sofia said slightly louder.
JJ stirred not fully opening her eyes "Hey baby" she whispered wrapping her arms around Sofia's small frame.
"Why mommy crying?" she asked resting her head on JJ.
"I don't know sweetheart, why don't I go and find out" Sofia nodded as JJ sat up fully "Here sweetie you watch some cartoons while I go and see mommy" JJ smiled softly turning the TV on and the volume down low.
JJ made her way down the hall softly knocking on the door "Em, can I come in" she could hear the soft cries as she opened the door.
Emily was curled in the bed still asleep as her body shivered under the covers. JJ carefully made her way over sitting down softly on the bed as she gently ran her fingers through Emily's hair.
Emily flinched slightly at the touch "Shh, it's okay Emily you're safe" she said softly as she carried on hoping to stir the sleeping woman.
Emily moved closer to the soft touch as the voice brought her out of the nightmare that plagued her dreams "Jen" she whispered softly.
"I've got you Em" she said softly.
"Sorry I woke you"
JJ smiled "You didn't wake me okay, Sofia did" JJ chuckled slightly "Want to tell me about it?"
Emily moved slightly as her hand reached out to JJ's, JJ entwined their fingers as Emily spoke softly "I keep seeing him and Sofia's eyes and" JJ nodded as moved slightly so Emily could lean into her.
"Sofia is safe Em, he didn't hurt her" she said softly, the dreams haunted JJ as well, she loved Sofia and the second she walked in Emily's home that night the look on Sofia's face was enough to give anyone nightmares.
"Is she Jen? I mean last night she said she didn't want to go home but also we can't stay here forever can we?"
JJ laughed "My company not good enough?" she teased.
"You know what I mean" Emily said softly.
"Emily I meant what I said last night when I told her she didn't have to go home, we can sort something out, but for now I would rather you both stay here" JJ said softly
"But"
JJ placed a finger on her lips to still her "I am not saying move in, I am also not going to make you stay here. But I feel for now it is the safest place for you and for Sofia, Emily she is scared and she needs to feel safe"
Emily nodded "I just don't want to burden you"
JJ rolled her eyes "Well you aren't. I like having you both around Emily" she paused
"Jen, this has nothing to do with what we spoke about last night I promise"
JJ laughed "Em, I know that" Emily smiled as JJ helped her sit up "Let's get you dressed because by the look on your face you're in a lot of pain"
Emily nodded "I am, where is Sofia?"
JJ laughed "Micky mouse" she said softly as she helped Emily up.
They both made their way into the kitchen as Emily called to Sofia "Hey darling,"
Sofia turned hearing her mommy's voice "Mommy" she screeched as she jumped up running over to her, JJ could see Emily wanted to pick her up as she pulled out the kitchen stool.
"Sit down Em," Emily ran her fingers through Sofia's hair as JJ picked her up "Be gentle okay" JJ whispered placing Sofia on Emily's lap.
Emily's wrapped her arms around her pulling her close "love you baby" she whispered placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
Sofia tightened her grip on Emily causing her to wince slightly "Luve you too mommy"
JJ shook her head "Right what are we having for breakfast girls?" JJ said as she handed Emily a coffee.
"Pancakes?" Sofia asked as Emily closed her eyes slightly
"You want pancakes"
Sofia nodded "please"
JJ looked at Emily "You want pancakes as well?"
Emily smiled "I can if you don't mind?" JJ walked over running her fingers through Sofia's hair
"Why would I mind Em" she looked into her soft eyes as she smiled the clouds that seemed to linger over Emily had gone and she smiled at her.
"Then yes" Emily mused as she winced again.
"Right missy let's get you off mommy and into your own chair so you can have some juice" she said smiling at her and giving Emily a slightly pointed look.
After they had eaten and Sofia was now happily playing in the front room JJ made a start on the pots, Emily watched her for a while before walking behind her, her arms snaked around JJ's waist as she whispered. "Is this okay?"
JJ placed her hands over Emily's "you're fine Em, I promise" she said softly leaning slightly into her "I meant what I said Em, we can take each day at a time and you are in control okay?"
Emily nodded as she rested her chin on JJ's shoulder "What about work?"
JJ chuckled "What about it,"
Emily sighed softly "You know what I mean"
JJ nodded "I do" she said softly as she turned to face her.
"What happens here outside of work has nothing to do with anyone, this is between you, me and Sofia" she looked lovingly into the swirling chocolate eyes
"You don't mind?"
JJ raised her eyebrow slightly "Emily, my private life is just that private and yours is as well and I think you can do without the added worry"
Emily ran her fingers down JJ's cheek "okay"
JJ leaned slightly into her touch "One day at a time okay" Emily's eyes fell onto her lips as she swallowed, JJ smiled softly as she watched the internal debate that was now swirling inside Emily.
This had to be Emily's choice and Emily had to move first, she knew she was going to hesitate but part of her was grateful for the small body, which charged into the kitchen.
"Mommy?" Sofia frowned softly at us both causing Emily to blush, it really was sweet to watch.
"Yes darling" Emily said as she let go of me, I turned back around to carry on cleaning and washing the pots.
"Can we go ark" now this was my time to get puzzled as I turned back around
"Ark?"
Emily laughed slightly "Sofia, you cannot go to the park dressed like that" Emily raised an eyebrow at her.
"JJ?"
"Yes?"
"Can we go ark" Emily sighed as JJ chuckled
"Not up to my young lady, but I do agree with mommy you cannot go out dressed like that"
"Go and wait in your room and I will be in to help get you ready" JJ smiled softly.
"You don't have to if you don't want to Jen" Emily whispered causing JJ to sigh
"Emily, I do want to, but I also don't want to step on your toes" she mused back.
"You aren't stepping on my toes Jen, I promise" Emily smiled as she watched JJ retreat towards Sofia's room.
An hour later, Emily and JJ where sat on the park bench watching as Sofia played in the sandbox "She seems happy doesn't she" Emily said softly.
"She's a lot more relaxed now" JJ smiled watching her play with another girl around her age. "Emily you know as well as I do that children overcome things far faster than us, but much like you the nightmares might linger for a while"
"What's going to happen though if I can't get her to come back home Jen, what then pack up the house and try and sell that?"
JJ laughed, "You know, you really do give Reid a run for his money, does your brain ever stop thinking,"
Emily shook her head "Maybe when I'm asleep but even then I think it works overtime"
JJ smiled "Would it really be such a bad thing to have to move? Surely there are a lot of bad memories for you in that house as well"
Emily nodded "I just worry she isn't going to settle anywhere again"
"She has settled alright at mine Emily, just think about it, you know you are both welcome at mine as long as you want, there isn't any rush"
"So you want to see if we can tempt your daughter out of the sandbox and go for ice-cream or lunch" JJ smirked.
"You could try Jen, but I think she is in love with the box" Emily laughed slightly "Sofia" Emily called softly, she looked at her mommy then to JJ then back at the sand box, not moving a step as she looked back at her mommy.
"Sofia" she said slightly firmer, JJ couldn't help but laugh when she watched little shoulder slump slightly as she kicked the sand before looking back at her mommy.
"I DON'T WANT TO GO" Sofia shouted causing Emily to groan.
"She always like this Em?"
Emily laughed "Yes" Emily said as she got up slowly "Fine Sofia, JJ and I are going for ice cream we won't be long"
JJ's eyes bugged at her slightly "You are joking you are just going to"
Emily smirked "You really think I would leave her alone on a park without someone watching her" Emily gave a pointed look.
"You just"
Emily sniggered "I did because there is no other way than to get my daughter out of there without picking her up and her screaming murder"
"Oh"
Emily smiled "she will be right behind us before we even reach the gate" Emily said with a wink.
They both walked towards the gate as small arms tackled JJ's legs "don't leave me" Sofia pouted causing Emily to laugh
"Oh now you want to come"
Sofia nodded not letting go of JJ "up?" Sofia said her eyes looking into JJ's
"Someone has you wrapped around her little finger" Emily mused as JJ picked her up placing her on her hip.
"Pot calling kettle black there" JJ teased.
Finally, four hours later they were walking back through the front door, Sofia ran off through to the living room with the new toy that JJ had bought her, Emily stood in the doorway as she watched JJ for a moment.
"You okay Em?"
Emily nodded as she walked over to JJ wrapping her arms around her "Thank you" JJ frowned slightly.
Emily blushed slightly as a comfortable silence seemed to settle between them, Emily's eyes flickered down to JJ's lips again as she bit the inside of hers, JJ's hands rested on her lower back gently rubbing as she watched the look on Emily's face she mused slightly as Emily began to close the gap. Soft lips touched hers Emily closed her eyes as she kissed JJ gently.
JJ followed Emily's guide as she let Emily lead this dance, a soft moan travelled through the air as Emily pulled away, looking shyly back a JJ before averting her eyes. JJ cupped her chin softly making the now bright red brunette look at her, her eyes held swirling chocolate eyes in hers, no words were spoken as they just looked into each other lovingly.
JJ couldn't help the flutters that spun in her stomach, "One step at a time" she whispered as she pulled Emily into a soft embrace.