Chapter 21

It's Not So Bad to Love

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JJ couldn't help the smile that started over her face when Jackson drove her into the small street that made up the center of her small town. She'd avoided coming back to this place, but it certainly hadn't been for the atmosphere. She loved the close-knit mentality that had gone along with her childhood. The house hadn't changed much from when she was a child and JJ felt a strange comfort in that. She got out of the car slowly, glaring at Jackson as he all but forced her up the walk first. Nervous was an understatement. She was afraid it was going to be awkward. She hadn't been home in years and she'd been through a lot in that time.

She'd almost lost both of her best friends, one to a senseless crime, another to a deputy with a God complex.

She'd been though a relationship that had fallen apart around her ears, was her fault, and she still couldn't seem to deal with.

She hoped being with her family would help.

"Joseph John Jareau, don't you dare open that door without me!"

JJ smiled affectionately at her mother's shrill voice. Nevertheless, she heard the deadbolt turn and her nephew's blue eyes widened as he pulled open the door just a little bit and recognized who was there.

"Aunty Jenny!"

JJ laughed as he raced forward and buried his head in her stomach. "Didn't Nana tell you not to open the door?"

"Its just you. I know you."

"That's not fair," Jackson spoke up from behind her. "What am I, chopped liver?"

JJ felt her heart find a home in her throat as she saw her mother come around the corner from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Jennifer."

It wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but there was a smile on her mother's face, almost like she was relieved to see her. JJ vaguely wondered if Jackson had gotten her mother's hopes up on whether she'd be able to help Jacob. There was nothing that mattered more to Caitlyn Jareau than her family. "Hi Mom."

"How are you, dear?"

"I've been better," JJ answered with an affectionate smile.

Caitlyn smiled back, slightly wider. "Come in, come in. Julia's been baking cookies."

JJ's smile widened. "I can smell them."

Joseph almost bowled them over as he ran back into the house. "Cookies!"

Jackson laughed as he stepped around his sister to kiss his mother's cheek. "Who are we to stand in the way of cookies?"

Penelope sighed as she closed Gabi's door. Sure enough, when they'd taken Gabi into the clinic, the doctor had prescribed antibiotics for an ear infection. It was now nine o'clock and Gabi was sound asleep. She moved down the stairs to find Derek leaned back on the couch, content and relaxed. He looked up as she came around the arm.

"She asleep?"

Penelope nodded, sighing in relief. She dropped thankfully to the couch cushion Derek patted for her. "Out half way through story time."

"She's probably exhausted, being up all last night and all," Derek said, leaning over and kissing her temple, his hand starting to stroke across her shoulders. Between their jobs, Penelope's involvement in Emily's wedding and their adorable little girl, it had been a long time since they'd had time to themselves. They'd been too busy, too tired or accidentally interrupted. All Derek wanted right now was to spend more time with his girl.

"Derek.," Penelope sighed. "I'm tired."

He pulled her closer to him. "Beautiful girl..."

He wanted her, she knew it, could feel it in his caresses in the deliberate way his hand was stroking her skin. One of his hand snaked up to cup her cheek and turned her head. She let him, giving into his insistent hands as he tugged her onto his lap.

"I missed you," he murmured into her mouth as he kissed her.

"I'm always here," she replied breathlessly as his mouth moved down to drag along the neckline of her shirt.

"We haven't had time. You deserve time."

She chuckled, bringing his face back to hers. She kissed him thoroughly, but kept his hands from exploring.

"Penelope," he groaned, trying to fight her.

"Derek."

He sighed, finally pulling back. "What's wrong, Sweetness?"

"Nothing's wrong," she tried to reassure her. "I'm exhausted."

His hand trailed along her sides over her shirt. "I'll do all the work," he proposed, nibbling at her collarbone. "You can just relax..."

It sounded so fantastic and he was so persuasive. Her body was already starting to give in. "Derek..."

He grinned. He had her and he knew it, so his hands lipped under her shirt and quickly discarded it. He fully intended on taking advantage of this time when Gabi was asleep and his mother was happily ensconced in her basement apartment. He wanted her.

And he was going to have her.

"There is something wrong with this picture," Aaron groaned, his head in Emily's lap. She was basking in the Mediterranean sun, her hand running soothingly through his hair. The sea air, it seemed, had done wonders for her morning sickness. She hadn't been sick while at sea. He on the other hand, had gotten slammed with horrible cases of sea sickness. It was he who had spent a good majority of that morning close to the bathroom until she'd conviced him to come relax on the balcony. It was where they were now, he willing his stomach to calm while she browsed the morning paper.

"I told you I'd call the kitchen and get them to send up soda crackers and apples. And I'd even let you blame it on me as the pregnant one." Her hand fell to the bump that was just starting to show.

Aaron groaned.

"It'll be better once we've docked," she reassured him, her hand returning to his head. She knew it was soothing to his poor and pounding head.

"We're not set to dock for hours."

"Honey, let me get the crackers," she said, closing and folding the paper. "You're not enjoying this. I'm not enjoying this."

He let Emily up reluctantly, having been sufficiently guilt tripped. All he wanted was for this to be perfect for Emily, but his body had gone and revolted. Smelling her and having her close had made him feel better. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to keep the crackers down anyway, but if it made her happy to try, he wasn't going to argue any more. Finally, she returned, willingly allowing his head to drop back into her lap. "I'm sorry."

She lifted his hand to her lips. "Now you know how I feel."

"I will never be apathetic to your morning sickness again," she swore obediently.

Emily laughed. Aaron was the worst patient she'd ever dealt with. She knew it stemmed from his need to take care of others, but that didn't necessarily make it any less frustrating. "Crackers, apples, ginger ale and out here in the fresh air and you'll be a new man," she promised.

His eyes closed. "I'm sorry."

"Stop it," she told him gently. "It happens. You'll be fine to tour with me tomorrow, I don't mind having a relaxing day taking care of you. I believe there was something in our vows about sickness and health?"

He slowly and carefully pushed himself up to kiss her. "You are too good to me."

She chuckled against his mouth. "I don't mind."

"I love you."

The knock interrupted any plans he may have had to make her feel better about his illness. He hated that he couldn't seem to make this day fun for her. He was sure she had a whole list of things to do while on their cruise. He sighed, hearing her thank whoever was at the door before she returned to the balcony, her arms full. He moved to one of the nearby lounge chairs, separated by a small table.

Emily smiled, taking a seat on the chair he'd chosen. They had spent little to no time apart in these first couple of days of their honeymoon. Neither of them were particularly clingy people, especially since independence had come up as a bone of contention before, but they knew that their time to relax as a newlywed couple was short. Between their work and a baby on the way, they knew their alone time was limited and though they wouldn't change it. Emily knew they were both taking advantage of it while it existed.

I did it! In that I met my goal to have a little bit of almost everybody in this chapter! Next one'll probably be JJ-focused though, then probably Pen and Derek depending on where JJ goes. If she wants to be extremely helpful we're going to see a lot more of Jayje in the next two or three installments.

To those of you who reviewed and live in Canada and watched CM yesterday instead of today, y'all made me laugh. It's nice to know there's others out there!

Review please!