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Nursebonbon: Thanks so much! I'm glad to be back and inspired. A lot of my stories suffered and it hurts because I had big plans for them but it's allowed me to write better if that makes sense. Maybe those chapters weren't meant to be the final drafts. It allows for fluidity in my writing and I can't wait for you guys to see what's next for JJ.

"Max?"

It's a surprise, seeing your best friend's girlfriend without said best friend around. It's even more of a surprise when she turns up at your front door entirely. It's not like running into each other at the supermarket, but it's kind of making JJ nervous as she hopes nothing is wrong between the two of them.

They're a really lovely couple and she's just accepted that they are together.

"Hi, sorry for turning up unexpectedly," Max starts nervously. "Spencer said you guys weren't working a case and he's gone to see some Chess event in town so... I wanted to talk to you."

That alarms JJ greatly and she steps back to let Max inside before closing the door. She offers a drink or something to eat but Max politely declines, taking a seat on one of the couches as JJ sits on the other.

"Detective series?" Max asks lightly when her eyes land on what JJ is watching on the TV.

"I got bored of the drama I was watching," JJ chuckles, turning the TV off. "And work pretty much never leaves my mind unless my boys are in the room."

Max smiles warmly. "Yeah. Kids are great."

JJ nods and puts a leg over the other. "Well? Is everything okay between you and Spence?"

Max looks caught off-guard but she recovers and nods. "Yeah, things are great..."

"But?"

"I've just noticed he talks about you a lot," Max says gently. "Like, he talks about all of you a lot, you're his family but whenever he talks about you..."

JJ feels awkward and she pulls at her collar before sighing and meeting Max's eyes again. "Whenever he talks about me, what?"

"It's like he's in love with you," Max says softly, a wry smile on her face. "It's not hard to see why. You're a badarse and beautiful and I'm just..." She sighs, covering her face.

"Max, Spencer is not in love with me," lie. "Whenever he's here, he talks about you like you're the only bright thing in his life."

Max reveals her face, looking so lost but hopeful. "Really?"

JJ lets out a soft chuckle, a smile growing on her face. "It's hard to get him to stop really." She then sits forward and takes Max's hands in hers. "He sees a future with you. That's never happened before in the whole time I've known him. Our jobs don't allow for thinking like that but I got lucky and now, I think he's really lucky with you."

Max lets out a happy sob and sniffles, squeezing JJ's hands. "Were... you and Spencer something once?"

"Honestly? I don't know what he's told you but we went on one date when we first met. He took me to my favourite team's game and well, I didn't really see it romantically. I thought it was two friends hanging out platonically... Then I met my future husband and had my beautiful sons," JJ says.

"I think he's always been in love with you but then you got with your husband and he... had to let you go," Max replies.

JJ pretends she's shocked and confused but then her face becomes neutral. "Well, he's got you now. And I'm happy with my sons and being single... Life is strange, it pulls us in different directions but they always reveal just why when it's time to. For now, enjoy what you have blossoming between you and Spencer. He needs this."

Max smiles a little. "He told me about Maeve. How awful it must have been to lose the love of your life," was Maeve really the love of his life? Can't you have multiple?, JJ thinks. "Like that. I'll make him happy, I promise."

JJ nods and hugs Max tightly. "Look after him. He's a bit battered and worn but he's priceless," she whispers.

"I will," Max promises.

...

"Luke," JJ calls out, eyebrows raised when she spots him at the flower aisle of the store. She's gone shopping with the kids with her mother at home and seeing her colleague with a bunch of roses in his hands makes her smile. "Who are those for? Me?"

Alvez snorts, playfully rolling his eyes. "You got your fair share, JJ," he replies, showing her the flowers. "No, they're for Penelope."

JJ grins. "Oh?"

"Yeah, she looked after Bella a few times when my friend decided to have an impromptu bachelor party so..." He trails off. "Does she even like roses?"

"You're trying too hard," JJ teases him, selecting a bouquet of colourful flowers she knows Penelope would adore. "Try these. Her life's full of colour. Wasn't always the case but our Penelope's bright."

Luke grins in relief, placing the roses back before taking the bouquet from JJ. "How have you been? I feel like if I dare mention how quiet work is, we'll get called out any second."

JJ laughs, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I've been good. At home, watching TV and spending time with Henry and Michael and my mother. My mother's actually sticking around for a bit now that Will and I..."

It took a few months to tell the rest of the team of her marriage breakdown but now they know, it feels like a weight off her shoulders. They're so supportive and kind and caring and even Matt and Kirsty have invited her, her mother and the boys over whenever they like for some fun time with movies and games.

"You're going to be alright, JJ," Luke says firmly. "Look at me." She does. "You're strong, you've got this. As long as you love your boys and they love you just as hard, you can get through this."

JJ's eyes tear up and she gives him a grateful smile, watching him grab a rose. "Who's that for?"

"Can't have my friend crying now, can I?" He asks, handing her the rose. "I'll pay for it. I'll go around with you until you're done and we'll check out together."

JJ looks down at the rose. When was the last time anyone gave her flowers romantically? "Thank you," she says. "You're a good friend."

And when she gets home, she finds out that Spencer sent her a large bouquet of roses as thanks for assuring Max.

She thinks that he would have been upset about Max and she going behind his back but... he's grateful.

'You're the best, Jennifer. Spence x'

"Yeah, but not enough for you," she mumbles to herself before turning and giving her family a wide smile as she announces she's got tacos.