Emily's parents lived on a small street called Collingwood Row, just around the corner from TJ's house—it was so close, in fact, that it would be very easy to walk to in warmer weather. It being February, though, Emily drove her and Isobel over. Collingwood Row was known for having large and beautiful houses, and Emily's parents' house was no exception, what with its two stories, large fenced-in front yard, and overall inviting nature. Emily couldn't wait for the next year-and-a-half, when the twins would be big enough to run around and play.

"This house is huge." Isobel said as Emily used her spare key to unlock the front door. "And beautiful, too—wow."

"My parents will appreciate that." Emily said as she closed the door behind them and quickly keyed in a security code on a console near the front door. "When they're here, there's a full staff, and everything."

"Like maids and a chauffeur?"

"As well as a secretary for my mother." Standing by the grand staircase, Emily beckoned to Isobel. "Come—I'll show you around."

Emily led her up the stairs and to the second floor, explaining the stories behind all the different objects and pictures as they went.

She'd moved into this house with her parents when she was fifteen, and recovering from her abortion, and for years after moving out, she would associate her parents' house with those dark, hard, conflicting emotions. These days, she'd long since healed and no longer felt those kinds of things when she passed through the front doors, allowing her to thoroughly enjoy bringing Isobel, who was getting lost in the grandeur.

"Did you ever get lonely?" Isobel asked, jogging down the hallway to where Emily was waiting for her, by a closed door.

"No." Emily confessed. "There's always someone around because when my parents are home, this house is kind of thoroughfare, just with all of the people coming to call on my parents. I also only lived here for three years, until I was eighteen and done with high school."

"What happened after that?" Isobel asked in surprise.

"I got into Georgetown University early, and I lived on campus until I was old enough to get my own place. I joined the FBI after that, and the rest is history."

"You're fascinating."

"You flatter me, baby girl."

Isobel grinned cheekily at the pet name and watched Emily open the door.

"Here you go."

Isobel turned on the light and looked around. She was pleasantly surprised to see that everything was modern-styled, but also to see touches of Emily here and there, how she'd been back then. The door, bed, closet doors, and the desk were all made of white polished oak, and everything else had some green theme to it. There were even old stuffed animals on the neatly made bed.

Isobel turned to Emily. "This room is pretty."

"Thank you, Sunshine. This room has seen lots of transformations over the years to keep with what I like because sometimes I would sleep here when I was feeling sad."

"I hope I can be that close with my kids one day, that they feel like they can come come home whenever they want."

Emily looked at her curiously. "You want kids one day?"

Isobel nodded. "I really do. Kids are still many lightyears away yet, but I want a lot, and my first girl will be Rachel Emiliana—for my mothers."

Emily blushed. "You're so sweet."

"Thanks." Isobel glanced around again. "What all do you want me to move out to the car for you?"

Emily pointed to a small mountain of boxes by the closet. "Just those. I'll recruit your dad and Will to help me lift the bigger stuff."

"But you are going to get your photo albums, too, right?"

"Of course, but what makes you bring it up?"

Isobel chuckled. "You've seen my dad with Will—they're brothers in the eyes of the law because Will married JJ, and my dad is JJ's brother, but when they're together, they act like little boys."

Emily had see this behavior during their stay at the LaMontagne house. "Good point."

"Imagine those two loose here and 'accidentally on purpose' looking around for your photos."

"All of my phot albums are down the hallway, in my mother's office. I'll go get them."

They worked together for an hour before Emily decided she had everything she wanted.

When they returned home, Isobel brought Emily's boxes into the living room so they could sort through them. Emily got as far as putting her coat, shoes, and purse away before sitting down on the couch, massaging her middle.

After putting water in the kettle on the stove to boil, Isobel sat with her.

"Are you alright?"

Emily nodded. "Your little siblings are just being difficult."

"Do they kick yet?"

"That won't be for awhile, but here—feel this."

Emily pulled back her shirt, showing off her swollen middle and she held Isobel's hand to it.

"They're just there, squirrelly as can be. One is here," Emily pressed Isobel's palm to the top side of the swell. "And the other is camped out right here, at the bottom."

Emily ran Isobel's hand along the bottom part of her midsection, by her navel. She watched Isobel move her hand around in pure fascination, like a child.

"Have you ever felt a baby belly like this before?" Emily asked after a minute.

Isobel pulled away. "Not since JJ was carrying Michael, and we came for a visit. She said he kicked a lot when he heard me."

"That's really special."

Isobel nodded. "I do spend a lot of time with kids, but only during theater season. The rest of the time, I spend with baby animals."

"Because of your job?"

"Yes. This morning, we played with puppies and kittens to socialize them. I had five puppies passed out in my lap, and one in my arms."

"That sounds amazing."

"It is, and I get to do it again tomorrow." Isobel said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why were you asking me about kids earlier?"

Emily's heart jumped as she thought about the new friends she'd made in New York. "While we were gone, we met a very charming girl named Rebel Rose Kelley. She's your age, and she reminded me a lot of you. Rebel's already finished high school, and she's even graduating from college in June."

"Wow."

"She reminded me of you because she's very bright and very independent. She also works very hard for the things she wants in life, just like you do."

"I like her already."

Emily smiled. "Rebel even helped us break the case and solve it. Know what else?"

"Do tell."

"I invited her for a visit in June because she wants to move here."

"And she's my age, you said?"

"Yes, and she also has a baby girl."

Isobel perked up even more. "Really? What's her name?"

"Sadie, and we got to take care of her for awhile. She's really sweet."

"Oh, I bet. And they're coming in June?"

Emily nodded. "Uh-huh, and Rebel knows about you and wants to be friends with you. She would've come sooner, but I made her promise finish school. She'll do that, have her birthday, and come into an inheritance all around the same time."

"I can't wait to meet her." Isobel said. "I'm starting to see why she makes you think of me. Do you like helping people?"

"I love it, Isobel."

Over on the stove, the kettle began to whistle. Isobel stood up and stretched.

"I put the kettle on for us, so I'll go tend to it." the teenager said. "But Emily?"

"Yes?"

Isobel smiled at her. "I'm really proud to be your kid."

Emily beamed. "Thanks, Isobel—that's really sweet. How about you go get the tea ready, and I'll get out my photo albums and we can look at them together? How does that sound?"

"Just perfect."

They looked through the photo albums for the rest of the afternoon.