~~CM~~

It had been nine weeks since JJ had come to live with Emily. Between therapy and her friends, JJ had blossomed. She talked about her mother and sister with greater ease; crying in Emily's arms or sharing a silly memory.

Emily was impressed by JJ's resilience and determination. She kept up with her schoolwork, trained hard with her soccer team, and played even harder during the games.

Emily's concerns over JJ's social life were eased as the friendship with Penelope and Maya had grown stronger. They were inseparable now doing everything together from JJ's soccer games to Maya's dance classes. JJ had even gone out for pizza with her soccer teammates a few times.

It didn't phase JJ when Emily had to travel on a case. She loved time spent with Pam and they had a tendency to have too much fun.

Returning home after a case, Emily found the pharmacy delivery receipt for Tums, Pepto Bismol and Alka Seltzer. Apparently, Pam had allowed JJ, Penelope, and Maya to have a sleepover. The girls had decided to make videos of various taste tests. It involved blindfolds, laughter, and a variety of junk foods. They compared the cheese flavoring on chips before taste testing name brand and generic brand colas. It was the "How hot can you go?" with spicy chicken wings that set them over the edge into to gastrointestinal distress. Needless to say, they were grateful that pharmacy could deliver at 11:30 pm.

"If she experiments now, she won't try the more dangerous stuff when she's in college," Pam informed Emily.

Emily raised her eyebrow her friend, "Are you sure you are a licensed therapist?"

When not traveling, their schedule was pretty much the same from week to week; rushing to from appointments to soccer practices, squeezing in time to make dinner then diving into homework for JJ and paperwork for Emily. Aaron and Jack joined them one or two nights during the week and all day on Saturdays.

The only thing missing from Emily's life was a bit of adult time with Aaron. Rather than lean on Jess who already did so much for then, Emily offered to pay JJ to babysit Jack.

"No, Emily. I am happy to do it."

Smiling at the teen's earnest face, Emily pushed JJ's hair back over her ear, "JJ, you need pocket money."

"But you already pay for everything I need."

"Sorry, non-negotiable!" Emily stated, "If you babysit Jack, you get paid for it."

Emily couldn't wait to plan a date night with Aaron; she almost snickered out loud as her plan was simply alone time at Aaron's apartment.

~~CM~~

At the ten week mark, Emily took the day off from work. She met with the social worker and the dean of students regarding JJ's progress, pleased that they both felt she was doing well. The dean did recommend a math tutor as it was the one class where JJ was continually struggling.

"I'll find a tutor for her. Thank you for your time." Emily shook hands with the dean and walked out of the school with Julianna.

"I understand you have been back in the field for a few weeks now. How is that going?"

Nodding, Emily followed Julianna to the visitor parking lot. "JJ catches a ride with a friend or rides the bus after school. Most of the time, I can still drop her off in the mornings. I have my neighbor, well, my friend, stay overnight when I have to travel. It's only been two trips so far."

Julianna unlocked her car and dropped her bag in the passenger seat, "Yes, Pam, JJ had mentioned her."

She closed the door and turned around, leaning back against the car, "You don't need to worry, Emily. Things are going well. The home visits have been satisfactory. JJ is doing well in school. She is social and involved in sports. She is seeing a therapist and is in good health. You are doing great."

"I just worry." Emily confessed, picking at her fingernails.

"I'd be concerned if you didn't." Julianna held out her hand, "Have a good day, Emily."

~~CM~~

Emily headed to her neighborhood coffee shop, waiting for Jess and Jack. She had ordered their drinks, and double checked that Jack's hot cocoa wasn't actually hot. They entered a few minutes later, Jack zooming over to her.

Two hugs and a loud "Thanks!" later, Jack had a chocolate mustache and the women were relaxing into their squashy arm chairs.

"I couldn't bring my laptop and work from here. I'd fall into a coma."

Smiling, Emily leaned back further into the chair, "Mmm, this is nice. I wouldn't mind one of these chairs at home."

"Emily, do I get to come to your house tonight?" Jack asked her as she ruffled his hair.

"Yes, Sir!" She replied.

Jack giggled at being called sir.

"Well, how are things going with JJ? Aaron says she will talk to him now." Jess asked.

Emily sipped her drink, wiping her mouth before answering, "It's pretty cute. She still stammers but she will talk to him. She is growing more comfortable with Dave too but I think it's because she sees him each week at soccer. She won't say much around Derek or Spencer."

Jack popped up from train table in the corner of the coffee shop, "Spencer can do magic. Did you know that, Aunt Jessie?"

"Wow, Magic!" Jess answered but Jack had already gone back to playing with the trains, making sound effects as they crashed into each other, "Em, how are things going with Aaron? Any more talk about moving in together?"

Shaking her head at the situation, Emily replied, "It's bizarre having this conversation with you being Haley's sister."

Jess reached over and patted Emily's arm. "There is no betrayal here, you aren't cheating her or her memory. They were divorced. They always loved each other but it was truly over. Haley would want Jack to have a mother; she would also want Aaron to love again."

Emily expelled a long drawn out breath, "I can't tell you how much I needed to hear that," her voice dropped to a whisper, "I love Jack and I hope someday, I could be like a mother to him."

"I'm sure you know that Aaron is an all or nothing intense type of guy. You guys are in for the long haul. So, fill me in on the house hunt."

"Such a mess! The realtor doesn't expect the condos to sell at the same time, so one of us will need to move into the other's place. Both our homes are only two bedrooms so it will be cramped until we find a house and close on it. Plus, Aaron has to be approved as a foster parent before we can make any kind of move."

The women chatted for awhile before it was time to leave. Jess and Emily hugged goodbye and Emily took Jack to pick up JJ from school.

Emily sent Aaron a photo of JJ giving a Jack a piggyback ride, 'Look at our kids!'

~~CM~~