A/N 1: Read and review if you rock. I feel highly unmotivated when people don't take the 15 seconds it would take, even if you're not registered.
A/N 2: Since my girlfriend now reads this, I toned it back just a tad so it's not as over the top as I was going to make it. I can't let her start expecting anything of me, you know?
Emily made it home and showered quickly so she could run her errand before returning to complete her preparation.
She walked in the front door of a small, local florist that she'd placed an order with over a week prior. Tapping lightly on the counter, looking around for any signs of a human life-form; she began wandering around. Interesting, I'm the only last minute shopper in need of flowers. Finally, after several minutes of waiting with descendants of the vegetable kingdom, a human approached.
"Hello, ma'am. Can I help you?" The middle-aged female spoke politely.
Emily replied evenly, head still throbbing from her hang-over, "Oh hi, yes, thanks. I placed an order last week. It should be under Emily Prentiss."
"Just a moment, let me go find that for you." The florist called out as she retreated into the back.
A minute or two later, she re-appeared. Speaking apologetically, "I'm sorry, but we don't have anything for an Emily or a Prentiss."
Emily huffed, "Are you serious? After I spent nearly 20 minutes on the phone with that nit-wit last week explaining exactly what I needed, you're going to tell me that I need to find something else?"
"As I said ma'am, I'm terribly sorry, but it appears there may have been a mix up with your order. Was there anything else I could interest you with? Maybe I could help you put something together."
Acrimoniously speaking, "Okay, whatever, I don't have time for this. Just give me one of these white ones over here, and one of these red ones. I have a better idea anyway." She stated pointing to the flowers she wanted.
"So you'd like one-dozen white roses, and one-dozen red roses. Correct?" The florist confirmed.
"What? No. That's not what I said. I said one. Meaning one single white rose and one single red rose." Emily was beside herself with how difficult this process was becoming.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but there is a minimum of a dozen roses per purchase when not creating an arrangement. You'll have to purchase more than just the two. Would you like to make a few other selections?"
"What the hell kind of a scam are you running here, lady? First you 'misplace' my order, now this." Emily seethed, "You know what. I don't care, just give me 6 of each. But for as much as I'm about to spend, if you can take one red and one white and twist the stems around each other, it'll make this entirely awful experience worth it. Then I can get out of here."
"So you just want me to wrap this stem around this one?" The florist pointed at the stems, looking at Emily as though it was the most absurd thing she'd ever heard.
"No. I want you to twist them both so there's less stress on the one stem. Then if you have some rubber bands, I want you to band them in several places to hold them until I get them home. Now can we just get on with it? I'm kind of short on time as it is." Emily sighed, no longer angry just frustrated.
"Sure, I can try." The florist stated as she began quickly twisting the stems together until she heard one snap.
"Its fine, it's not like I don't have more to spare, right. Twist them slower this time." Emily spoke politely once again, slowly removing the tension from the room.
"Might I ask why you want me to do this?" The florist asked curiously.
"You're awfully nosy," glancing at her name tag for the first time, "Amy, but if it'll get it done right, then fine. I want them twisted together to signify them growing together, as if these roses are two different people both making compromises and because of that they can continue to grow together. Unlike twisting one around the other, one would get too stressed and break; similar to an unhealthy relationship. And you've already seen what happens when you rush to finish the ending before the ending is ready to be written. So, does that answer your question?"
"Yes, it does and I'm impressed, Ms. Emily. You're a thoughtful one. Hopefully this gentleman understands the significance you're portraying and the work you're putting into it."
"Oh, she will. She definitely will." Emily replied lovingly.
The two worked together to take care of this task: florist Amy twisting and Emily positioning rubber bands to remove in a few hours. After paying for the dozen roses, Emily took her creation home and dropped it on the kitchen counter along with the rest of the unused roses. Checking her watch, it was 11:03 am. It was much later than she had anticipated; now she had work to do.
JJ arrived shortly after noon, with a bottle of wine, a small-ish wrapped gift, and a larger wrapped gift. Emily buzzed her in and greeted her at the door with a kiss.
"Hey babe, how was the drive?" Emily asked eying JJ pointedly.
Entering the condo, "It was good once I got out of the mess of public works vehicles in front of my house. And for you? How was your morning?" JJ countered with a smile.
Without expression, "Oh, you know. The damnedest thing happened to me today. I was taking care of an errand, getting help from an associate, when she noticed my hands." Emily replied holding both of her hands up. One palm said 'PROPERTY OF JJ' while the other said 'PROPERTY OF JAY' in permanent marker. "As I'm sure you could imagine, I tried washing it off. What on Earth possessed you to brand me with something not washable?"
"Let the record state that you were very much an awake and willing participant in last nights festivities. In fact, you're the one that told me to put JJ on that one." She stated pointing at Emily's left hand. "Besides, you rather liked being my property last night."
Emily smirked, "I wish I remembered, but that's beside the point. The point is I can't get this off of my skin, so people are bound to find out. And as the not entirely intoxicated one, you should have vetoed my right to make stupid choices."
"So what. I guess that just means you better tell your mother soon. It's not like either one of us is any good at keeping our hands to ourselves anyway." JJ acquiesced.
Emily concluded, "Alright. I guess you're right. It was foolish to think we'd stay in hiding for any great length of time. The up side is that I wouldn't really have to sneak into your hotel room at night anymore."
JJ walked over to her lover and gave her a lazy hug and a kiss before taking a step back, "I was hoping you'd see it my way, but in case you didn't. Jay wanted me to give you this gift." smiling shyly, whilst turning a little red.
"Oh he did, did he?" Emily probed flirtatiously while opening the wrapping paper, then opening the box. Unable to take her eyes off of said item, Emily pulled the strap-on out and stared at it.
Retorting playfully, JJ confirmed, "Yes, he did. And he said if you're good, he'll show you how it works."
"Mmm that sounds rather hot; though it looks bigger than I would have expected." Running her fingers lightly over the length of the dildo, "As much as I love your fingers, they are rather narrow and short in consideration to the size of this."
JJ replied amorously with a kiss, "You'll be fine baby. I'll be gentle and take good care of you. Besides, if you think that's big then there's lots of room to expand our sex lives."
Emily kissed her back, "I look forward to it."
Pulling Emily by her hand to the sofa, she explained "I only have one more gift for you because I know you're not really into receiving materialistic gifts. Do you want it now or later?"
"It's up to you. I have a few for you too." Emily replied nonchalant.
Nervously JJ stated "We can get mine out of the way in a little bit, although you might think it's kind of stupid idea."
Emily concluded, "I hardly think I'd call any gift of yours stupid, Jennifer."
Several minutes of silence was broken by JJ's vocal intrusion, "knock, knock."
Emily replied sarcastically, "You're kidding right?"
Shaking her head, "You suck. Knock, knock."
Sighing, "Who's there?"
"Interrupting cow."
"Interrupting cow-"
Abruptly, JJ confirmed, "moo," then just as quickly, "knock, knock."
Emily played along again, replying, "Who's there now?"
"Interrupting starfish."
"Interrupting star-"
And before she could finish, JJ covered Emily's face with her five fingers momentarily, mimicking the appearance of a starfish, before lifting her palm to press their lips together. When she broke the kiss, she replied with a sad undertone, "I'm just a little nervous you're going to think it's really stupid."
"Honey, I'm not gonna think it's stupid. Look at me, would you?" Waiting for JJ to look at her, she continued, "Now why am I going to think it's stupid?"
"I don't know. It sounded like a good idea before I got here. Now I'm just not so sure."
Knowing there would be no talking her down from this ledge until after she opened it, "Okay then, let me be the judge." She continued unwrapping the hand-length, narrow box. It was velvety and black. Bracelet, necklace, something similar, she presumed. Once she opened it, there was a chain with a skeleton key attached to it. JJ spoke before she had a chance to ask.
"It's a key that my sister gave me after Matt died. She told me that it would help me to keep my heart safe because I could lock it up until I was ready to let someone else inside. And for when I was ready to love another person without fear. I put it on a chain and wore it for several years, until I realized I shouldn't ever put a key that close to the lock. Anyway, now you really do have the key to locking and unlocking my heart."
Emily pulled her younger blonde into an embrace, "And why exactly was I going to think that's stupid? I think it's beautiful and thoughtful." Smirking, she continued "A tad sappy, but beautiful none-the-less. Thank you, baby."
Penelope phoned JJ later that afternoon, not caring that her and Emily could be "busy" with one another. Luckily for her the two weren't. Instead they were just cuddled on the sofa talking about nothing of importance.
"What's up Pen?" JJ greeted.
"I just called to tell you about my amazing night." Garcia exclaimed happily.
"Oh my god, you spent the night with him? I didn't know you had it in you. Tell me. How was it?"
"If you're asking whether or not I had sex with him, then no, I didn't. Rein those hormones in tiger." Garcia replied jokingly.
Laughing, JJ replied, "Sorry, but you know, some things I just can't help."
"I know, I get it. Anyway, I just left his house after spending the night in his bed. He was just there with his perfect head against the pillow, his long dark legs curled with mine between the sheets. The whole bed smelled like him."
"It should. It's his bed, Pen." JJ teased.
"Shut up, you." Garcia retorted before gushing, "He and I watched a cheesy, scary horror movie. We just laughed at it while cuddling together in his room. And it was late when the movie was over so I didn't drive home. I slept on the bed, and his intention was to sleep on the sofa, but we were there together so he didn't. He went to sleep with the crown of his head against the nape of my neck. JJ, his breath felt so warm and sweet on my skin. Then he made me breakfast at one in the afternoon and we talked about everything. He's so fabulous."
JJ smiled genuinely while replying, "I'm really happy for you Pen. I'm glad to hear your night and day thus far have been so great."
"Thank you Gumdrop. Tell Emily I haven't forgotten her request and I'm on my way over." Garcia acknowledged cryptically.
"Uh, yeah, sure." She turned to Emily dropping the phone from her mouth a bit, "Hey Creeper, Garcia is on her way over, and she hasn't forgotten your request."
"Thanks Garcia." Emily suggested, loud enough for Garcia to hear.
"I'll see you two love birds in about 30 minutes. Time to jet though." She stated, hanging up abruptly.
JJ closed her phone while speaking, "We've got 30 minutes until she arrives."
"Alright, I guess I can go grab your gifts now and get that out of the way." Emily affirmed before heading back to her bedroom.
"First, I wanted to give you this." Emily approached with her intertwined rose montage. She lowered herself in front of JJ, resting on the balls of her feet. "I thought this would be the best way I could symbolize us. You're the white rose, even though they symbolize purity and innocence, and you are far from being pure or innocent." Emily teased, leaning in to give JJ a kiss. "I'm just kidding, baby. I know you love them, and I love you. I chose the red for me because it contrasts the white and you and I are individual people and complement each other nicely. Either one can stand out against the other, kind of like us."
JJ cupped Emily's cheeks in her hands and kissed her, "Aww. Even when you tease me incessantly, I can't possibly be mad at you when you say things like that. I love this." She said before grasping the intertwined roses. "You're amazing, Emily Prentiss."
"Thanks love, now I'll be right back again." She said moving to stand up once more to grab something from her pocket.
"This one is just kind of an after thought. It's something that I could do any day of the year, but I want you to have it now." Emily grabbed JJ's hand and turned the palm facing up before placing two keys into her palm, "I know tonight will be the first time you spend the night here, but I want you to have a key. You can let yourself in instead of having to wait for me to buzz you in. Besides, it's cold out there."
"Thanks Em. You'll have to show me which one is the building key, and which one is the condo key though." JJ replied sheepishly grinning at the keys in her palm.
Nodding her understanding, "Oh, I almost forgot. I also tossed some of my clothes I never wear in a spare closet to make you some room in my own so that you have somewhere to put some work clothes if you want. You know, so you feel comfortable and aren't living out of a go-bag when you stay over. There's a drawer in the bathroom open for you too."
"Wow, you sure know how to make me feel like a shitty girlfriend baby." JJ replied half-serious. "We've spent every night that we've been in the area at my house, and you don't even have a key to it or anywhere to put your things."
Emily hugged the blonde, "That's not how I intended to make you feel, love. I just want you to feel like you belong here. Besides, I know it's harder for you to let me in because of your history. That's why I don't mind staying at your house all the time; it's your comfort zone." With a kiss, she continued, "I wanted to try to make you feel as comfortable here."
"I am comfortable here. Now lay down with me and kiss me until Garcia gets here." JJ demanded grabbing Emily's shirt and pulling her down.
"Mmm," Emily moaned lightly as JJ's thigh contacted her center; she repositioned herself so she was resting firmly with the blonde's legs around her, but attempting to ensure this make out session doesn't get too heavy.
Twenty minutes later, Garcia greeted both women, dropped off another gift bag, and then left.
"What's in the bag?" JJ asked curious.
"It's a present for you. Are you ready?" Emily prankishly replied.
Mischievously, she countered "Aren't I always? And I mean that in more than one way."
"I like how that sounds. But let us take care of this matter first." Emily joked.
JJ opened the bag and pulled out something she would have never expected.
Eyes widening, "Where did you get this? I mean, I know where you got it, but HOW?"
Grasping the blonde around her waist, Emily explained. "Well, as it turns out, Papa Murphy is kind of a big deal and the interwebs are an amazing place. I ordered you some of that fantastic cookie dough online and had it over-night delivered to Garcia in case we got called away. It would be my luck that I'd order it and we'd have to leave. Then instead of cookie dough I could give you salmonella for Valentine's Day. Romantic, isn't it?"
"Gosh, I love you Emily Prentiss. You are so getting laid tonight."
Smirking devilishly, "I know."
A/N 3: No, they're not moving in together any time soon. Stop worrying, that's not how I operate. The next chapter is clearly going to be the consummation of the evening, so for anyone who reads at work… well there's your warning.