Disclaimers: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters. I do own all characters not associated with the show.
Spoilers: None
Rating: T to be safe.
Notes: First and foremost, I want to thank EVERYONE who reviewed on the last chapter, and those who have kept my grandma in their thoughts and prayers. She did wonderful in the months of September–November, no hospital visits, or admissions this year! I hope this continues on through many, many years.
THANK YOU to everyone. You guys have been such a big help for several years, praying for my family whenever I needed it. You are all amazing and I am so thankful to have readers like you in my life.
Also, one more thing! This is another prayer-request, but a much happier one! My cousin, her name is Chelsea and her husband's name is Clayton, they are expecting a baby boy in February! This is amazing because for the last several years, Chelsea and Clay have had trouble with their pregnancies. They had a little boy, Woodrow Connor, who was born sleeping in July of 2017, then several more pregnancy loses following that.
With that said, I would love it if you guys could send out positive thoughts/vibes to my cousin and her husband that this little boy they are expecting makes it to his due date, alive and healthy. Thank you all so much!
Kids in this chapter:
Benson: 17 years old
Emily: 13 years old
Jenny: 4 ½ years old
I apologize in advance.
Saturday, May 28th, 1983
Today is Saturday. It has been 2 months since what happened back in March. And it has been a whirlwind since then. JJ is now signing in front of Emily 24/7; the older girl is so proud of the blue-eyed girl for overcoming her fears.
Jenny is also signing in front of Elizabeth, she is doing it more and more, because she loves the warm feeling she gets when Emmy's mommy smiles at her after she does a sign. It makes her tummy and heart feel good, instead of tight and yucky, like the look Sandy and Michael give her.
It's been 2 months, and now, JJ is signing in front of James as well. It's still hit and miss. It's spontaneous and fun and a delight each time it happens.
The speaking is still majorly a miss, though. So far, Jenny has not spoken at all, anymore, except for Emily's birthday, when she said Happy Birthday, Emmy, and during James and Elizabeth's Gender Reveal party, when she told Emily, verbally, which game she wanted to play.
The no speaking thing is ok, however. She can communicate her needs through signs, pointing, and nodding or shaking her head, and that is what matters the most.
*Knight Residence – Emily's point of view*
Today is Saturday, and wow how fast the last couple of months have gone!
I am going to be a big sister, to freaking Quadruplets!
Can you believe it?
I am going from an only child, to being a big sister to two boys and two girls, all at the same time.
They are due in August, just three months from now. God, I can't wait.
We are here at Benson's house. We are going swimming since it is now warm enough. And my Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Billy are the only ones who live close enough and who also have an in-ground swimming pool.
Jenny loves swimming and when I was teaching, or moreso, reminding her of the signs for summer, she was so excited to learn that we will be going swimming all day today, tomorrow, and maybe even after school on Monday.
"Jen-nee," I singsong as I walk through to the kitchen. I just came from the bathroom where I was putting on my swimsuit.
JJ is sitting in Annie's old highchair, eating Strawberry Puff snacks made for toddlers and babies. She smiles big when she sees me.
"Hey, Love! Are you ready to go swimming?" She nods her head rapidly and reaches out for me. She is in a pink and white bikini with her hair in two ponytails. She looks adorable.
"Okay, then. Let's go see if my Uncle Billy is ready to watch us." I pick Jenny up after wiping her hands off and moving the highchair tray and carry her outside to where my aunt and uncle have a shaded patio.
"Hey, Emmy-bear!" My Uncle Billy says.
"Hi!" Jenny signs surprising both of us. My eyes go wide and the greeting for my uncle dies on my lips. I was definitely not expecting that! This is the very first time in over two months that JJ has spoken directly to my Uncle Billy, even with sign.
Taking it in stride, my Uncle Billy says, "And hello to you, Little Miss," Jenny giggles at the new nickname.
Everyone has given her one in the last few months, because it makes her smile so much. My Mom calls her Sweets, Benson calls her Pum'kin, and now my Uncle Billy has Little Miss for her.
"Are you two ready to go swimming?"
"Yes," Jen signs again and then looks to me. I smile at her, to let her know that she is doing well with her signing.
My Uncle Billy says we need to put sunscreen on, and then we can get in the pool. He blows up Jen's arm floaties and some ring floaties as well, because she is so small and cannot swim without them.
"Here you go, Em," He helps Jen into the arm floaties. "Ok, you two are all set. Have fun; I'll be over here if you need anything."
"Thanks, Uncle Billy! Come on, Love, let's get in the water!"
"Water!" She signs just like I have taught her. "Swim in water."
"That is right! We are going toswim in the water." She is very tentative at first. But very slowly I get her to go down the steps and into the water. She has her arm floaties on, so she does sink.
We play for a little while. My cousins, Benson, Calvin, and Annie are at the grocery store with my Aunt Kathryn. They are picking up some things for the BBQ later this afternoon.
We are going to swim, have a cookout and swim some more. Then tonight, when it is dark enough, my Uncle Billy will make a campfire and we will have hot dogs for dinner and s'mores for a snack. Jen and I are spending the night here also.
The kids play inside and out for the rest of the day. Benson and Calvin teach Annie to swim, Annie and JJ play with the Knights' new swing set, and they eat hamburger and hot dogs, and have s'mores for a snack.
Emily is able to be a kid. She enjoys watching her best friend be happy, carefree, and most importantly, stress and anxiety free.
Jen tries a hamburger for a first. She eat her s'more with chocolate, but not graham crackers, and she wears herself out in the swimming pool.
Next day
Sunday, May 29th, 1983
***trigger Warning begins here. Please read with caution.
It's late in the morning on Sunday when Kathryn gets the call. The kids have just finished lunch, – grilled hot dogs, – and Annie and JJ are laying down for nap.
Billy is outside cleaning the grill because they are going to do steaks for tonight, and Kathryn is in the kitchen, looking through the bills, answering work emails, etc.
*ring, ring*
"Knights' residence, Kathryn speaking," She always answers like this, no matter what. The kids think it's funny, and Billy just smiles and shakes his head.
"Kathryn, its James," She knows right away that something is wrong. Her brother-in-law never speaks in this tone, otherwise.
"James? What's going on? Is something the matter? Is Liz all right? The babies?"
"That is why I am calling. Please do not tell Emily what I am about to say," Kathryn realizes this is more serious than she thought. It has to be if James is asking her not to say anything to Emily.
"Yes, of course, James. I won't say anything to her. Now, please, tell me what is going on."
"It is about Elizabeth," He tells her. "We are at the hospital. Lizzie was having some pains earlier. We thought it have been something she ate, so she went to lie down for a while. But," He sighs. Kathryn wonders if she is prepared to hear what could be next.
"Kat, she went into labor,"
No. No, no, no, no, no.
That is all Kathryn can think.
Elizabeth is only 30 weeks pregnant. Nearly 10 weeks left before her due date! She can't go into labor, she just can't. The babies, they would be so tiny, barely weighing over two pounds. There is no way they could survive!
"Oh, God," Kathryn breathes. "Oh, James, I am so sorry." It's all she can say. "What's happened? Were the doctors able to stop her contractions?"
Please, God, she begs in her mind. Please let them be able to stop her contractions. At least for another three weeks. Just three more weeks. Then the babies would be 33 weeks along, just over a month before their due date. They would weigh over 3 pounds, maybe even up to 4. They would be healthier, safer. Please, please, please…
Unfortunately, the sigh on the other end of the phone tells Kathryn it is not good news.
"They are trying so hard to. But they are not sure how long it will last. They have admitted her to the hospital, long term. Complete bedrest. She is going to be waited on, hand and foot. The only time she can get out of bed is for 30 minutes a day, to go the restroom, walk around, but other than that, they are telling her not to move."
Kathryn has no idea what to say. What could she say? How can she make this better? If doctors cannot stop the contractions, if Elizabeth's labor persists, then she and James could lose one or, worse, all the babies.
"What can I do, James? What can we do to make this easier on you and Liz?"
James sighs again. Kathryn's heart aches for her brother-in-law. She wouldn't wish this on her worst enemy. God, Emily is going to be so heartbroken. She already loves those babies to death, and she would be absolutely devastated.
"Just keep Em occupied, Kat," He answers. "Once we know for sure if we can delay the contractions, and keep them that way, then we will tell Emily what is going on. But, please, just keep her occupied for now."
"Of course, James. If you or Liz need anything, anything at all, just let Billy or I know, all right?"
"Yes, thank you, Kathryn. And, you can tell Benson if you'd like. If you think it would help to keep Em occupied, then you can tell him."
"Okay, James. I will tell Billy and Ben what is going on. Stay safe, James, and give our love to Liz. We will be praying for you." After a goodbye from her brother-in-law, Kathryn hangs up.
She looks around to the deserted kitchen. The older kids are in the basement playing on Benson and Calvin's Atari game system. Annie and JJ are upstairs taking a nap, and Billy is outside.
She goes to the sliding glass doors, the ones leading to the porch. Once she has stepped outside, Billy turns to greet her, giving her a kiss.
He notices right away that something is off.
"What's the matter, Honey?" He asks, obviously worried.
She can't help it. Her eyes fill with tears and her facial expression crumples. Billy looks alarmed and the most worried he's ever been; truthfully, she doesn't blame him.
Kathryn falls into her husband's arms.
"Honey, what's wrong, what has happened?" Billy wraps an arm around Kathryn, putting the cleaning tool in his other hand down. He walks them over to the couch that is outside and sits them both down. Kathryn doesn't answer, she just continues to cry.
"Baby, you're starting to worry. Please, Kat, tell me what has happened."
After a few more moments of crying, Kathryn takes a deep breath and sits up. She wipes her tears and says, "Billy, will you go and get Benson, please? This is something he needs to know as well, and I will only be able to say it once."
Billy just nods. He doesn't want to go and get his son. He wants his wife to tell him now, because he is so worried about what has upset her. But, if Kathryn feels as if she can only say what has happened, and Benson needs to be here for it, then he will heed her wishes.
"Alright, Honey. Stay here and I will be right back." Billy stands and opens the sliding glass door. He steps in and shuts it a little, looking back at his wife. He feels dread wash over him all of a sudden. Something has happened, something not good, something that is going to ruin the rest of the day for everyone.
Billy goes to get Benson and the two come back.
They go outside to where Kathryn is still sitting. Benson feels his heart drop as he sees the look on his mom's face, and then he turns and sees the same expression on his dad's face.
His insides get twisted up. There has only been was time his parents have looked like this, and that was nearly 7 years ago, when his father sit down to explain to Benson, Calvin, and Harvey that their baby sister was going to be born nearly 2 months early.
"Oh, God," He lets out. "No… Mom, please tell me you're not about to say what I think you are going to say." But Kathryn's face says it all. His heart hurts now. There's more of a risk now, with four babies compared to just one.
There is more a chance that one, more, or all of the babies will not survive.
Four lives, gone just like that.
If they doctors cannot help his Uncle James and Aunt Elizabeth, then they will be sitting Emily down, sweet, innocent, 13-year-old Emily, and will have to tell her that her mom has went into premature labor.
"What can I do to help?" Benson asks after a moment of gathering himself. Billy takes pride in his son, for stepping up, putting his own feelings aside. He knows how difficult this must be. Annie is his entire world and he knows these babies will be Emily's.
And it will devastate the young girl if she loses even one of them.
"We just need you to act as if nothing is happening. Uncle James does not want Emily to know just yet," Kathryn explains. "The doctors are going to try to stop Aunt Liz's contractions, if they can or cannot, we are going to wait awhile to see. Then, we are going to sit Emily down and explain what is going on."
"For now, though, just go back to the basement. If you dad and I need to leave later, to go to the hospital, you will at least know why. OK?"
And Benson nods, agreeing to this. If there is a chance the doctors can help, to give Liz even just a few more weeks, just three more, to make it to that 33-week mark, then there is no reason to alert Emily to the possibility of something worse.
He goes back to the basement, makes up a lie about mom and dad needing his help with something when asked why Billy came and got him, and then for the rest of the evening, he spends time entertaining JJ and Annie, playing games with his brother…
And worrying about his Aunt.
I'm back! I have been away for several months. I definitely needed that break. It really did help with me getting my thoughts together further for this, and outlining how/when I would end it. And on that note, I have decided to finished this story. This is chapter 47, and we now have 6 more chapters left. They are going to be short, with numerous time jumps, and will make a quick and painless end to the story. :)
Next chapter will be super short and will also reveal whether Liz was able to get her contractions to stop.
I want to thank each one of you who has reviewed, followed, favorited, and stuck by me, either waiting patiently for updates, giving prompts for chapters, or helping out in some other way.
I have done some terrible things to Jennifer. But I have also given her a lifetime of love and support from Emily and Em's family. Sandy, Michael, Amber, and Jackson will soon get what is coming to them.