Title: Life's a Journey (Part 37 of 40)
Author: trista groulx (dustytiger)
Rating: T (same as the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I am still a poor barista, please don't sue me. I know that CM is owned by lotsa ppl who are not me, including the network, creator, writers, actors and actresses that bring the show to life weekly.
Summary: After the events of the Doyle storyline Prentiss and Reid's lives change. Will they come together again?
Notes: Reid decides to show Aemelia that some things in her life will remain the same. Thank you for all the support on this, and the kindness in regards to my wrists. I've been working in a wrist brace for the past week so I've limited my typing time (hence wonky review replies). Thank you for all the support heart.
Reid wanted Aemelia to be more comfortable with the idea of Prentiss being in their lives so when the weekend came he decided to plan something special for her so that she would know that things hadn't changed that much. He tried to plan activities for them when he was home; but since that weekend was different he wanted to make it as special for her as possible. They had gone to the Smithsonian after breakfast, and despite all the times they had been there they were always amazed by the exhibits and by the history she could learn.
Prentiss was amazed as she watched them going through the museum together. She had been told in so many letters about how much like her father Aemelia was, but now getting actually watch them together she couldn't help but be surprised. The two of them would have the exact same reaction to learning new things and had the same sense of wonder when they saw an exhibit she knew they had both seen before. She saw her daughter's love of knowledge when she read but it had nothing on her sense of wonderment getting to see pieces of history.
Aemelia was holding onto Reid's hand and didn't seem to mind Prentiss being with them, but she also wasn't really asking Prentiss any questions, although she had a million for her father. After a few hours at the museum Reid realised that his plan wasn't working as he'd hoped. He knew that Aemelia liked to go shopping with her aunts so he decided to drive to the mall. They went to the food court first and ate lunch.
After a while Reid told them his knee was bothering him, knowing that Aemelia would want to find a new pair of shoes and a new dress to wear to the barbeque they were having the next day, so she agreed to stay with Prentiss and do their shopping. Aemelia took Prentiss' hand as they went through the crowded mall. Prentiss was happy that the little girl seemed to warming up to her, but knew that the little girl's relationship with Reid would always be stronger.
"Miss Emily?" Aemelia asked. "Could I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything, Aemelia," Prentiss assured the little girl.
"If my Daddy loves you and marries you and all that stuff, is he gonna still love me the same?"
"Of course he will, is that why you've been having nightmares?"
Aemelia looked at the ground. "I dunno. I liked it when it was just me and daddy all the time. But he saids he wanted me to have a mommy sometimes and that you would be the best. But I still don't know you good. I just know that you hads to go and hide from a bad guy and that my family missed you and loves you lots, so I know you gotta be a good person."
"What would you like to know about me?"
"Are all those stuffs you wrote to me true, or is it like a story?"
She stopped, shocked by her question. She had written those letters from the heart, but hadn't expected anyone to see them any differently. It made sense that she thought it could be a story, the little girl had read a lot, from a very young age, and when something scared her or made her worried Reid would reassure her that the words on the page were just stories; just like the stories she would imagine when she would play.
"No, Aemelia those letters weren't just stories. When I was hiding from that bad guy I had a lot of time to think and I thought about you and your dad a lot, and I wanted you to know that I always missed you," Prentiss explained. "I thought when I let Aunt JJ take you to your dad that I would be back with you when you were still a baby."
"Really?" she asked, sounding just like any child her age.
"Yes, really. I wanted a baby for a very long time before you were born. Then when you were born I couldn't keep you."
"Oh, so all that stuff was really real?"
Prentiss nodded. "Yes it was, some of it might be a little bit old for you, but it's all the truth."
"Oh, okay. Daddy asked me if it was okay if you maybe lived with us from now on, and I told him di'n' know, but I think that'd be okay now. But can Surgee still be my kitty?"
"I think that's a good idea, Sergio seems pretty mad at me for leaving for so long, and you take really good care of him. You always make sure he has his food and his water and you brush him every day."
"Daddy says that you gotta be sponsible when you grow up, and when I'm a bit older Ima have to clean up Surgree's kitty box."
"I think your father is doing a very good job teaching you how to be responsible."
"Daddy teaches me lotsa stuff. Will you teach me stuff too?"
"Of course I will."
"Miss Emily I got another question." She thought for a moment. "If you and my daddy have new babies, will I still be daddy's princess?"
"Yes, you always will be. You will always be special to him because of the time he got to spend with you when you were first born. As much as it hurt that I missed all of that, I am happy that your father got that time with you."
"Aunt Penny always says you gotta find the rainbow, you're good at that. Now can we find my new dress and shoes?"
"I'd really like that sweetheart."
They went into one of the stores looking for a dress. It didn't take them long to find a new summer dress and a pair of sandals, and Prentiss even bought the little girl a hat. When they found Reid he was drinking a coffee in the food court, and smiled when he saw that they had a few bags. He wanted them to be able to do something fun, and that they both enjoyed. After they sat down her got Prentiss a coffee and a chocolate milk for Aemelia.
Prentiss had forgotten how sweet Reid could be. He hadn't even asked if she would want a coffee, he just knew she would want it. It was small things like that which made her fall in love with him more every day. While Aemelia was drinking her chocolate milk she was telling Reid all about how much fun she had had that day. Reid was relieved to hear her tell him about how much fun she had had with Prentiss. She got even more excited as she talked about going shopping and getting to try on dresses and different shoes. He was happy that his daughter finally had the mother she always needed.
Prentiss sipped her own coffee, just listening to her daughter talk her father's ear off. As much as it had been difficult to be away for so long she realised it had been the best thing for Reid. He had needed the confidence to know that he was a good father, that he had been able to do it on his own. Had she been with him when Aemelia was born he would have let Prentiss take the lead, and he would not be as close with Aemelia as he was. She realised that they had a very special bond, and that it was created out of the horrible situation she had been faced with.
Prentiss couldn't help but laugh when Aemelia stood up from the table and put on the hat Prentiss had bought her, and sauntered around the table with her held high, showing off the accessory. She had always been worried that Aemelia might end up socially awkard like her father, but she realised that Reid had learned from his own past and made sure his daughter got what she needed to be a child. He kept her school with her peers. To keep her challenged he had enrolled her in dance class which the little girl had excelled at. She knew that had things been different Aemelia's life might have been different as well, as much as it hurt she knew she had made the best choice for her.
They left the mall after they were done their drinks, and when they got home they went through their usual evening routine. Reid made dinner for the family like he always did when he was home. Then he and Aemelia began to read a few books, winding down before bed. She was amazed that they would do at least three hours of reading each night, taking turns reading. But that night one thing was different before Reid had tucked her in Aemelia called Prentiss into her room.
"Good night Miss Emily," Aemelia said, smiling. "I love you."
Prentiss had to hold back tears. "Good night Aemelia, I love you too."
She watched as Reid hugged the little girl, wished her sweet dreams, then tucked her in. The couple then left the room. When they got into the hallway Prentiss hugged Reid tightly. She liked that she didn't have to tell him what she was feeling sometimes. He pulled her close to him and just held her for a few long minutes as she let the reality of everything sink in. Not only was she home, and with the man she loved; but her daughter was finally accepting her into her life. She knew that it might be some time before she got hear her daughter use the word "mom" but she knew they were on the right path, and that swelled her heart, and made her ready to face anything.
End Part 37
Notes: There we go things are getting better slowly... some of you are smart cookies, why do you think I added an epilogue hehe? But after that I'm done with the idea, the whole thing was supposed to be about Reid being a single dad, and how that worked into a relationship with Prentiss and I've done that. It's time for a new plot bunny to take hold... just dont' know when I'll be able to let it free :D