Here is the next chapter!! Your response to the last one was very heart warming. Thank you for all of your reviews.
So for this chapter, you might need some tissues. It just might bring a tear to your eye.....AND...... EVIL STRAUSS appears!
Garcia knocked on the door to the room that Emily and JJ were changing in. "Are you ladies decent in there?"
"Come on in, Pen," said JJ. "We're just about ready."
Garcia walked into the room with Katie and laughed at the two women, "I thought you said you were just about ready?" Emily and JJ each held a child in their arms. The two women were still in there bathrobes although it looked as if their hair and make-up was completed. JJ was holding a bottle as Lila drank from it and Emily was in the middle of trying to get John to burp.
"We are," said Emily. "They just woke up hungry."
Katie walked over to Emily, "Alright you two hand over our godchildren and get your gowns on. The guests are all here and we are expected to make our entrance in a half hour." JJ and Emily handed over the babies to their respective godmothers as they followed Katie's orders. The two godmothers brought the babies and their outfits into the room down the hall, joining the other members of the bridal party that were getting ready for their entrance.
Emily's mother had requested that they treat the evening as if it was the actual wedding reception, complete with the introduction of the bridal party and brides. The only allowance she gave to them was that they were not required to wear the same outfits from the wedding.
Emily chose a red quarter-sleeve gown with a moderately revealing neckline, while JJ chose a blue gown with spaghetti straps. Emily came out of the bathroom from touching up her make-up just as JJ finished slipping on her gown. "Absolutely gorgeous," said a breathless Emily.
JJ turned and smiled at Emily, "Not so bad yourself, but you're still not getting lucky tonight." JJ pulled Emily into a passionate kiss.
"Keep kissing me like that, Jennifer, and I am not going to be able to hold back," said Emily with a small smile.
The intimate moment between the couple was broken by a knock at the door, flowed by the little voice of their niece, "Aunt Jenny! Aunt Emily! It's time to go downstairs. Are you ready, yet?"
JJ and Emily shared a small laugh at the excitement in Hannah. "Come on in, Hannah," said JJ.
Hannah opened the door and gasped when she saw the two women before her. "Very pretty," she said.
"Thank you, Hannah," said Emily as she took Hannah's arm and guided the girl in a little spin. "You look very pretty yourself, Miss Hannah. I love the purple color."
Hannah let out a small giggle. "Mommy sent me in to tell you that the babies are all dressed and ready to go and that it's time to go to the party."
"Well, then let's go," said JJ as she took Hannah's hand and they all walked out into the hallway.
"Look at you fine ladies," said Morgan as he gave a little whistle. "JJ, if you weren't batting for the opposing team…"
"Careful how you finish that statement, Derek Morgan," said Emily with a mock glare at her friend.
"I thought we're going to a party," said Hannah with a confused look on her face.
Kenny crouched down to eye level with his niece, "We are."
"Then why was Derek talking about baseball?" asked Hannah.
The group of adults laughed at the innocent question that came from the little girl. "You want to take that one, Morgan?" asked JJ as she looked over at him.
Morgan looked at JJ with wide eyes as he tried to find the words that would get him out of this position. "It's okay," said Katie. "It was just a little joke that Derek was playing on your Aunts, Hannah. He was just being silly."
"Ohh," said Hannah with all the cuteness a little child could exude.
"I believe it is time for us to join the parents in the hallway downstairs," said Andy.
"Leave it to the big brother to keep us all in line," said Kenny sarcastically.
"You're one to talk," joked Beth. "You've been complaining about not being down at the party for the last half hour."
"There is booze, food and stuffy politicians there to make fun of. We are missing all of the fun," said Kenny, defending his actions.
JJ gave her brother a playful slap before warning him to behave. Emily just laughed and in a not so quiet whisper she told him that she would find him during the night and join in the fun. That, of course, also earned a playful slap from JJ. Garcia finally managed to get the group to go downstairs where they were joined by Emily and JJ's parents.
After exchanging a hug with her daughter, the Ambassador asked, "Do you two want to walk in carrying the twins? Or do you want Penelope and Katie to carry them in?"
"I think we should walk in with them, Mother. Jennifer?"
"I agree," said JJ nodding.
Katie and Garcia smiled as they passed their godchildren over to their mothers. "Alright," said the Ambassador, "Agents Hotchner and Rossi have agreed to announce everyone. We'll enter in the same order as the wedding. They will direct each couple where to stand. Once the four of you are announced, and enter the room we'll all dance and then the party officially begins."
Receiving an understanding nod from the group, she smiled at her assistant who then walked into the room. They could hear the noise in the room quiet down as Hotch's voice called for them all to find their seats.
"Good evening. I am Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, Unit Chief of the Behavior Analysis Unit."
"Mother, did you give him a prepared speech?" asked Emily as she grimaced at the words that Hotch was saying.
"Of course, dear, there is a proper protocol that needs to be followed."
"Myself, and Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi are pleased to be your Masters of Ceremony this evening."
They heard applause come from the room. "Oh, we are so dead once Hotch gets us alone," JJ groaned under her breath, earning a slight chuckle form Morgan and Garcia.
"We have the pleasure of working alongside our two guests of honor, and we could not be happier that they have chosen to spend the rest of their lives together as a happy family."
Next they heard Rossi's voice, "These two women have been through a lot, individually and together as a couple."JJ and Emily's hands found each other and they smiled. "Tonight they've come to announce and celebrate that their family is finally together." Another round of applause was heard and the doors to the ball room opened.
Hotch stepped back up to the podium and began the introductions. "To start off the night, we'd like to begin with the introductions of the wedding party. First, we have the parents of our two brides, Jack and Cindy Jareau and Michael and Elizabeth Prentiss."
"I don't believe it," said Emily as she watched her parents enter the room.
"What's wrong, Em?" asked JJ.
"That's the first time my mother has ever entered one of her parties without being introduced as an Ambassador."
"She said you'd be surprised," said Garcia with a smile.
"You knew about this?" asked Emily.
Before Garcia could answer they heard Rossi's voice, "Jennifer's brother, Kenneth Jareau and his girlfriend, Beth Jackson." The couple walked in to the applause of the guests inside.
"I did," said Garcia. "I helped your mother out with the list Thursday night. She was set on finding a way to show to you that her priorities have changed, that she realized the mistakes she made when you were growing up."
"She succeeded," said Emily as she dabbed the tear that formed in one of eyes.
Hotch's voice came next, "Jennifer's eldest brother, Andrew Jareau, his wife, Katherine and their daughter, the flower girl Hannah.
"You going to be okay?" asked JJ.
"I'll be fine," said Emily.
Rossi continued the introductions, "Maid of Honor, Penelope Garcia and Best Man, Derek Morgan."
After Garcia and Morgan entered the room, two of the waiters closed the door in front of JJ and Emily. "Formal," joked JJ as she smiled at her wife.
Emily gave JJ a kiss. "This is the last moment we'll have alone together for awhile."
"I'll meet you on the dance floor, Mrs. Prentiss," said JJ.
"Oh, definitely," agreed Emily.
Hotch joined Rossi at the podium and started to speak, "And, now, it is our happy pleasure to introduce Emily and Jennifer Prentiss."
Rossi stepped up, "And their twins, John David and Lila Erin Prentiss."
The door to the ball room opened. Emily and JJ walked into the room, holding hands and each with a child resting in the other arm. The occupants in the room stood up and applauded them as they entered. Emily and JJ made their way to the center of the room and posed for the professional photographer that their mother had hired. First, there was a picture with all four of them. Next came a picture of the happy couple. The pictures seemed to go on forever until Hotch announced that it was time for Emily and JJ to enjoy the first dance of the evening.
The special dances continued on just as they did after their wedding ceremony, including the father/daughter, combo, father-in-law/daughter-in-law dance. Once those dances concluded, Morgan stepped up to the podium. "Before I offer to customary toast to the happily married couple, I am actually here to fulfill a request that these two ladies asked of me. Emily handed me this piece of paper," he held it up to them. "She asked that I read this out and hopes that she and JJ were able to convey their appreciation. I honestly have no clue what it says because I was threatened by two very serious women with permits to carry. And I make it a point to never cross a woman, much less two, who carries a gun and is a better shot then me." This brought laughter from the room.
"Jennifer and I just wanted to take the time thank our two immediate supervisors, David Rossi and Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner. If not for your continuous support from the moment our relationship was revealed, we might not be here today at this celebration…" Morgan looked up at the two men and smiled, "I know that Reid is the handwriting expert, so he can probably back me up when I say that next part was written by JJ."
Looking over at the smiling faces of Emily and JJ Morgan could tell that he was correct in his assumption. He looked back down at the paper and continued to read. "…Hotch, since the day that I joined the bureau, you have always been there as a guide through the tough and happy times. You supported me when we had to deal with victims that looked just little bit too much like me. You made sure that I was okay after Georgia and you brought back to me the one person in my life that I could never live without when you walked into that conference room in Milwaukee with Emily, even though at the time you were not really aware of it. I can't say if things would have turned out the way they have if Emily had never taken that trip, but I know not having her there filled a void that was in my heart and for that I will forever be grateful to you. Morgan looked over and watched as Emily wiped tears from JJ's eye with her finger and gave her wife a kiss.
A slight applause came from the room before Morgan continued to read. "Rossi…Dave…you've done more for me in these past six months than anyone in my life ever has. You listened to me voice all of my insecurities. About whether I would ever be good enough for Jennifer or if I would be a good mother to the two most adorable babies on this planet. I know you are probably too proud to really admit it, but you are probably the sole person responsible for tonight ever happening. Had the events of last weekend happened differently, Jennifer and I would still have been married, but we would have not been here celebrating tonight and I might just have lost touch with the one person that I was starting to re-establish a bond with. For all of that I will forever be grateful to you." Once again a tear was wiped from its trail down a cheek. This time it was JJ that wiped the tear from Emily before another kiss was shared and another small applause was heard.
Morgan cleared his throat as he finished the letter, "The two of you have been deemed by the B.A.U. team as our parents. Each time you were commended for your leadership of the cases we've solved, you never took the credit. Instead you were both adamant that the members of the team received the credit…"
Morgan looked over at Emily, "Damn, Em, you should have at least let me read this last part, because I think you've put a voice to the thoughts shared by all of us at the B.A.U." This caused the room to laugh and nods to be seen from both Garcia and Reid.
Morgan continued to read, "Your experience and knowledge in the profiling world has led us all to be better profilers. Even Jennifer and Pen have learned some skills from the two of you, helping our team to be the best in the nation. You stood back in the shadows of your team and let us all shine. All of the ceremonial dances you've witnessed were a repeat of the ones done at our wedding last week. There is one dance left that we regret not doing. For those reasons just mentioned and many more we ask Aaron and Dave to join us in a dance as we show our appreciation for you always being there to guide us, and for being 'The Wind Beneath Our Wings'."
Emily and JJ held hands as they walked over to where the men were standing. A loud applause was heard as JJ took Hotch's hand and Emily took Rossi's as Bette Midler's voice was heard and the song started. As they did with their fathers, Emily and JJ then switched partners half way through the song, once again receiving applause.
The song ended with the four of them close together as the men each hugged the two brides, Morgan's voice was heard calling for the ceremonies to be officially completed and wishing that everyone would enjoy the rest of their night.
Then the insanity of the night started. Emily and JJ held on to their children as the Ambassador dragged them around the room. They arrived at the table where the Director of the F.B.I., James Morrison and his wife, and Strauss and her husband were sitting. "Director Morrison, thank you for coming," said Emily as the Director stood to greet the two women.
"Congratulations, Agents Prentiss on your marriage," said the Director.
"And your two adorable children," added his wife.
"Thank you," said JJ as she rocked a waking John in her arms. "Chief Strauss, it is nice to see you as well."
"Agent Jareau. Excuse me, my apologies, Agent Prentiss," Strauss answered.
"It's quite alright, Ma'am," said JJ with her most sincere fake smile. "Emily and I have been talking about that very slip-up last night. We realize that there might be some confusion, so if the Bureau agrees, I'd like to keep my professional name as Jennifer Jareau. Of course all of my paperwork will be signed Jennifer Prentiss, but it will alleviate any confusion."
"I'm sure that can all be arranged," said the Director. "Chief Strauss, you'll be able to handle that. Am I correct?"
"Of course, Sir," Strauss answered. "Stop by my office at some point before you return form Maternity leave."
"Yes Ma'am. Thank you," said JJ as John finally gave in to the hunger he was feeling. "If you would excuse me, it's time for his bottle. Em, Lila should be about to wake as well."
Emily nodded, "I'll be right there, Jennifer."
"Those were nice sentiments that you and Agent Jareau shared about Agents Hotchner and Rossi," said the Director.
"Thank you, Sir. We meant every word that was said. Well, except maybe, Agent Morgan's adlibs," Emily answered.
"They were entertaining as well. You all seem very fond of each other."
"We are, Sir. We all spend a lot of time together. We witness things no one should ever have to witness on an almost daily business. Those shared experiences can form strong bonds. We support each other, because no one can truly understand the evil we see, if they never see it for themselves. I'm sure that you can relate to that, Ma'am." Emily turned and smiled at Strauss as she remembered the woman's reaction when she stepped on the victim's hair at the crime scene in Milwaukee.
"Of, course, Agent Prentiss, but, I think that closeness might also be a problem for your team."
"How so?" asked the Director.
"I'm worried that the closeness could cause problems with their objectivity on their cases, especially with the marriage of two of their team members."
"And I would assume that you have a suggestion."
"I do, Sir. I believe that the members of the current B.A.U. all be reassigned to different divisions."
"What?!" said Emily.
uh oh. Bad Strauss!!
