It was mid-afternoon of New Year's Day before everyone's cell phone buzzed indicating an incoming text message.

"It appears that the unsubs are back in business," Rossi remarked ruefully as he read his phone's screen.

"And, they are probably still doing some pretty icky stuff," Garcia added.

"Your go bags are both packed and ready to go," Emma assured the two men.

"Do you want to come with us to the office?" Reid offered. "I am sure JJ and Blake would both like to see you, if only for a minute or two."

"I'm afraid I wouldn't have a way to get back home," Emma pointed out. "Al and Ginny won't be back until tomorrow and, even if I were allowed to go places by myself," she stopped to glare at Rossi, "I don't think I could comfortably fit behind the steering wheel to drive a car."

"I'm sorry," Garcia gave her a hug as she commiserated with her. "What about if I call you as soon as we get there? I can put you on the screen in the round table room and you can at least say 'Hi!' to everyone."

"That sounds good," Emma agreed with her. "And, maybe, after the team gets back from this case, everyone can come over for dinner one evening."

"Sounds good, Kiddo," Rossi leaned over to give her a kiss on the forehead. "And, just remember, you don't have much longer to go."

"Seven weeks or forty-nine days for a normal pregnancy," Reid spoke up. "And, for an average twins pregnancy - "

"Not that you're counting," Emma interrupted him with a smile.

"Now get going, all of you," she continued. "And make sure to take your winter coats and gloves. It looks like it is getting ready to snow again."

"I'll set the alarm system when we leave," Rossi told her. "But, make sure you double check it after we are gone."

"You can check it yourself using the app I installed on your smart phone," Garcia reminded him. "Don't worry, Emma will be safe!"

"Um – m – m –" Reid began stuttering. "Don't you need me to check on something upstairs before I go?" He looked hopefully at Emma.

"How thoughtless of me," Emma smiled as she held out her hand. "Let's go find something to check on."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Hotch's team began the new year by being sent out on several back-to-back cases.

"It seems that the latest fashion is for unsubs to hide out in snow drifts," JJ commented as they got off the plane in another nameless town to face yet another cold, snowy afternoon.

"I'm from Chicago, and even I am having trouble dealing with this weather," Morgan added as they headed towards the waiting SUVs.

"How is Emma doing with this?" Blake turned to ask Reid. "Coming from Las Vegas this has got to be hard for her."

"She hasn't been leaving the house a lot," Reid replied. "Between the weather and the fact that she is getting rather – " he hesitated, sensing that he needed to find the right word.

"Unwieldy," Blake suggested.

"Bulky," JJ suggested.

"Oversized," Morgan contributed.

"Fecund," Reid settled on. "Although, the doctor says she is within normal limits for being pregnant with twins."

"However," he continued. "She and Ginny did go down to check on our house this morning and she said that the workmen all appear to be on schedule." He smiled happily.

"Well, only another couple more weeks before you and I go on desk duty," Rossi reminded him.

"And the baby watch begins," Hotch treated them to one of his rare smiles.