I never thought I would write more than 10 chapters for this story yet here I am with chapter 25 for you and still going strong!
Thank you for your continued support and reviews, you are all motivating me to keep this story going and I promise you will love this chapter as it has been my favourite to write so far!
Enjoy reading and feel free to leave some feedback as usual!
(PS: Chapter 25, someone pinch me, I still can't believe it!)
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The next time the doorbell rang in the Jareau-Prentiss household was on a Saturday a few weeks later and it came unexpected for both JJ and Emily. Neither of them could remember inviting anyone over for the weekend and so they looked at each other in confusion as Amelia came out of her room to see what was going on.
"Who dis?" Earning a shrug from JJ she followed the blonde who went to open the door for their unexpected visitor.
"I don't know sweetie. I guess we will see." With a last smile at Amelia she opened the door and was surprised to see Melissa standing in front of it.
It was mere seconds later that she remembered the unannounced visits from social services and for a brief moment went over the state of their house, hoping everything was okay.
"Hello Jennifer, I'm glad you're home. Can I come in?" Melissa smiled friendly and was led inside the living room where she was greeted by an equally surprised Emily.
"Hello Melissa, we almost forgot you were planning on visiting us again." An apologetic smile hushed across Emily's face as she shook the social worker's hand and was glad when she was quickly reassured.
"Don't worry, a lot of people do. I think it's a good sign though since it means you were focusing on Amelia." At this Emily considerable calmed down and gestured for her to sit down on the couch so they could talk about the latest progress.
It was only when Melissa asked about how Amelia was doing that they actually noticed that the girl wasn't with them any longer and JJ offered to look for her, wondering what had caused her to leave them and where she could be.
At first there was no sign of the girl but when JJ entered her room for the second time she noticed her slightly ajar closet door and carefully approached and opened it fully and the sight in front of her broke her heart all over again.
Just like the first time she had found her Amelia was curled up in the small space, rocking back and forth and crying quietly to herself until she noticed JJ standing in front of her and pressed herself further against the wall in an attempt to get away from her.
"Hey sweetie" JJ quietly spoke up, trying not to startle her too much. She sensed that her retreat had something to do with Melissa's visit but still wanted Amelia to talk to her.
"Can you tell me why you are afraid?" Her voice was soft and at first Amelia only let out small whimpers instead of answering JJ's question.
"Please talk to me sweetie, I just want to help you." JJ tried to stay calm and not think about Melissa and Emily waiting for them but the moment she reached out to touch Amelia's arm the girl started screaming and crying even harder.
"No sent me away, no!" Amelia sobbed and in that moment JJ knew she was afraid that Melissa would take her away again.
"Lia, hey Lia, listen to me. Nobody is going to take you away from us. Come here to me sweetie." At this Amelia finally looked up at her and leaped into her waiting arms, sobbing into her chest once JJ had wrapped her into a tight embrace.
"Mummy" Amelia sobbed desperately and JJ's heart broke into two at the emotional pain she must be feeling.
"It's okay baby, we love you, okay? We love you so very much." By now tears were pooling in her own eyes as well and she soothingly ran her fingers through Amelia's hair and up and down her back, waiting until she slowly calmed down.
It was only when she eventually looked up again that she noticed Melissa and Emily standing in the doorway, watching the interaction between her and Amelia. At first she wasn't sure how to react, wondering what Melissa thought of the situation but she dearly hoped it wouldn't have any negative impact on her evaluation.
"Sorry." She somehow felt the need to apologize for what had happened but Melissa just kindly smiled at her while Emily joined the pair on the floor.
"Hey Lia, do you think it's okay if you and JJ come back to us into the living room? I'm sure you can stay in JJ's arms if it makes you feel better." Emily quietly spoke to Amelia and brushed the tears from her face before helping JJ get up when the girl hesitantly nodded against JJ's chest.
Back in the living room they resumed their conversation, giving Amelia some more time to calm down before Melissa would focus on her.
"I'm glad to see that Amelia trusts you and you make sure she's cared for when she gets scared." Melissa had closely observed the interaction between the three of them and understood that the girl still had a lot to overcome and was pleased with the way her emotional outbursts were handled.
"We still have rough patches but we're trying to offer her as much stability as possible and I think she's slowly settling in and opening up to us." Emily quietly explained and lovingly watched over at JJ who still held Amelia close and reassured her that everything was okay.
"That's great to hear! Now do you want to tell me a little bit about your time here, Amelia?" Turning towards the girl Melissa waited until she was looking at her and shot her an encouraging smile.
"Jenny and Emmy cuddle with me when I'm sad or scawed." Amelia almost whispered and insecurely looked up at JJ then Emily who softly smiled at her.
"And we do a lot of fun things." Sticking her thumb back in her mouth she rested her head against JJ's chest again, hoping Melissa really wouldn't take her away from her new-found home.
"I'm glad you like it here Amelia. And don't worry; I just came here to see how you were doing." This considerable soothed Amelia's nerves but she still had to make sure the woman knew she was okay.
"I good, weally." Her small voice gave away her slight panic and JJ kept running her fingers up and down her back, letting her know she wasn't alone.
"Okay, I think this would be everything for now. As far as I'm concerned everything is going really well at the moment and have no doubt she will settle in further as time passes." Melissa smiled at them and they continued to say their goodbyes before Emily let her out and rejoined JJ and Amelia on the couch.
"Hey sweetie, is everything okay?" Emily wanted to make sure Amelia wasn't keeping any fears or emotions to herself after what had just happened and was relieved when she eventually nodded at her.
"I okay." She whispered and a small smile tucked at the corners of Emily's lips as she brushed a few strands of hair from her face.
JJ on the other hand felt her tiny body growing heavier against her and concluded that she must be tired and a glance at the clock told her that it was already time for her afternoon nap anyway.
"I think it's time for your nap sweetie." She could feel Amelia's reluctance as she slightly stiffened against her but knew she was already on the verge of sleep.
"It's okay; I can stay with you until you're asleep." Again she felt a small nod against her chest.
"Emmy?" Amelia whispered and the way her name slipped past her lips tugged at Emily's heartstrings as she replied.
"I'm right here baby. I'm not going anywhere." It seemed to be everything Amelia had needed to hear as she nodded off in JJ's arms who carefully got up to carry her into her room to get some much needed sleep.