Chapter 51

Emily froze mid chop, slowly she put the knife down on the chopping board next to the carrot she was slicing. Her daughter had just said the word DATE!

It was the evening following the party. JJ was visiting Garcia while Emily made dinner. She and Sam had gone to see her on the way back from Shirley's.

Emily turned to her daughter, "Kendra asked you out?" she repeated.

"Yes." Sam looked as nervous as she sounded. "I said yes." Her dating had never been a topic of conversation between them.

Emily inhaled wishing JJ was here. She knew they had been talking. Had something happened at the party.

"It's just a movie." Sam was starting to seriously think her mom was going to say no when the older brunette sighed.

"Okay. " Sam was growing up all at once and Emily wasn't sure she liked it. "Just one thing."

"What?"

"Different beds when you're sleeping over."

Sam nodded she had already guessed her mom would say that.

"I don't know how much help I'll be but I'm here if you want to talk about anything." said Emily. She couldn't quite forget all the things Sam had suggested to help her woo JJ. And once Sam turned sixteen she would be classed as a consulting adult in some states. When she woke up this morning this wasn't what she was expecting.

"Thanks." Sam hugged her mom, she knew JJ would be there for her too.

After dinner when Sam went to her room JJ asked what was going on as they snuggled on the sofa.

"Sam has a date on Friday night."

"Kendra?"

Emily nodded. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think about it."

"What did you say?"

"Separate beds when they're at each others houses."

"That's a good call."

"What else?" asked Emily, "When I was a teenager I was raising Sam."

"I'll tell you what my parents told me when I first started dating," said JJ, "They said they'd rather know than have me sneaking around."

"I don't want to think of Sam having sex."

"Unfortunately the only way to stop kids having sex is to lock them all up."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working," Emily massaged her temples.

"Sam's a great kid, " said JJ, "So is Kendra."

"I know," admitted Emily, "She's my baby."

"You've taught her everything she needs to know," said JJ soothingly. "To make good choices. She's not going to jump into bed with her next week."

"I guess I'm not the best example," muttered the brunette, she felt JJ tense and realised what she had just said.

"JJ, I didn't mean that how it sounded."

"How exactly did you mean it?" JJ pushed herself to the opposite end of the couch.

Emily hid her face in her hands , disgusted with herself for not thinking first.

"That its wrong to sleep with someone when it feels right? To be honest when you love someone? What?" JJ sounded angry, she got to her feet. "I don't believe you're even entertaining the idea that Sam is going to start bed hopping! " The blond headed to their bedroom and closed the door firmly behind her.

Emily was stunned. Stupid. Stupid. STUPID! How could I be so idiotic!

It had only been days since JJ had shot Jason Battled. She linked her fingers together behind her head as she groaned. Wishing she could bang her head against something hard. She needed to apologise. Emily got up walked to the closed bedroom door and gently knocked.

No answer.

The brunette leaned back against the door and slid down to sit on the floor.

"Jennifer?"

Still nothing.

"Jen. I'm so so sorry. I don't think straight when it comes to Sam sometimes. And you're right." Emily thought she heard something from inside the bedroom. "I don't think she will. I think we've taught her that when she does fall in love and she's ready then I have to trust her."

Emily closed her eyes, "I'll sleep on the couch, okay?" Without warning the door opened and she ended up flat on her back looking up at JJ. Silently the blond offered her hand to help her up.

As Emily stood and looked into JJ's tear filled eyes," I didn't mean to..."

"I know," whispered JJ with a watery smile. She pulled the brunette close and hugged her. "I love you."

"I love you," said Emily. Her entire being relaxing with relief. She did not want to feel that awful again any time soon.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

The rest of the weekend passed peacefully, Emily whisked JJ off for a romantic lunch which started with a delivery of a dozen red roses.

Sam held the fort until Kendra was dropped off and then they took Rex to the park for a walk.

"You're very quiet," commented Kendra, "Second thoughts?"

"No, don't be daft," replied Sam, nudging her friend with her elbow. "I think my parents had a fight."

"About?"

"I didn't ask. I'm pretty sure they think I don't know. I think this sudden lunch from my mom has something to do with it."

"So they're good now?"

Sam nodded.

"Do they know about Friday?"

"Yep."

And? Did you get a list of rules? Coz my grandmother gave me one." said Kendra.

"Just one," said Sam, blushing, "Guess."

"Don't sleep together."

"Bingo."

Kendra laughed, "That was top of my grandmother's list too."

"We haven't even been out yet." chuckled Sam.

"So if I got you a hot dog. It wouldn't count as a date?"

"Do you want it to?" Sam glanced sideways at her friend. Should I be thinking girlfriend? She didn't know.

"I don't know," replied Kendra shrugging, "A hot dog's not very special."

"It's the thought that counts." Did that mean that Kendra was planning something.

"One hot dog coming up."

"Woof"

"Rex wants one too," laughed Sam.

"He'll have to make do with an end." grinned Kendra. She missed the little pooch.

The girls ate their food sat under a tree. Sam had been teaching Rex to sit and he was being very good waiting for bits.

"Can he do any tricks yet?"

"He loves playing fetch."

"Does he still steal odd socks?"

Sam snorted, "Yep, I swear he has a sock fetish. He even manages to get a hold of mom's and JJ's."

"Think they'll get married?"

"I don't know," replied Sam with a shrug. She didn't think a piece of paper would make a difference to the way they lived now. And if it wouldn't change anything then why bother?

Shirley was due to pick Kendra up soon so they strolled back with Rex jumping happily around them with as much energy as he had when they first set out.

JJ's SUV was back in the driveway. Sam let Rex off the leash as she entered. He ran off to say hello to his other humans.

Sam could see her parents cuddling on the couch. Whatever the problem the night before was, it had been dealt with. She was glad her family was happy again.

TBC...

A/N. Hi guys. I think this was more or less a day in the life of the Prentiss Jareau family. Now my stage is set. Hope you enjoyed it. Have fun and stay tuned. T-Rex :)