December 12th

Emily wrapped her coat tighter around herself against the winter chill as a slight wind swept through the city square. Her coat didn't fit enough to button because she hadn't wanted to spent the money for a maternity coat, so it hung open and let in a chill. (She didn't mind too much, however, considering the fact that it seemed lately that she was always overheated.)

She wouldn't normally be out in the chilly weather – especially not with her sore feet – but it was a special occasion. Every year, the town's children's choir put on a Christmas concert to raise money for a charitable cause, lead by Fran Morgan who had started the tradition after the town had banded together to support her after her husband's death. Clyde had always loved the choir's performance, so she'd decided to attend, in spite of her sore feet, back, and...well, everything.

"Emily!" a voice greeted brightly. Turning to see who it was, she saw Matt and Kristy Simmons approaching, carrying a baby carrier.

Emily and Kristy had been pregnant together – attended prenatal yoga together, gone baby shopping together, even gone for coffee to commiserate about stretch marks and swollen feet together. She'd filled a void that JJ, no matter how hard she'd tried, couldn't quite fill, having never been pregnant herself.

"The little one finally decided to make her entrance to the world?" Emily asked. She embraced Kristy, then Matt, before bending down to get a good look at the newborn.

"Finally," Kristy agreed – she'd been almost a week overdue, afterall.

Peeking at the little girl's face, Emily hummed a little note of awe. "She's beautiful. What did you decide to name her?"

"Meet Rose Mary Simmons," Matt introduced with a fond smile at the baby. "Do you want to hold her?" Before she could answer, he'd already passed Emily the tiny baby.

Taking the little bundle and folding her into her chest, Emily's eyes lit up as she stared down at the baby, a tender smile on her face, realization dawning that it wouldn't be very long at all before she got to hold her own baby.

At that moment, the choir finished singing the final notes of Silent Night. And as they fell silent, Fran took the stage, smiling with pride for all the children she taught – including the other four Simmons children.

Clearing her throat, she began speaking, "This year, I'm honoured and humbled by this town's generosity. I know this year's cause is near and dear to a lot of us and I know our recipient is going to feel overwhelmed by everyone's support... As I'm sure most of you know, earlier this year, we lost one of this town's friendliest faces, tragically leaving behind a widow with a baby on the way."

That was the moment realization dawned on Emily...

"Emily Prentiss has been so incredibly strong through one of life's most difficult tragedies and I think we've all been in awe of how she's carried on. I've known her since she was very young and she's always had a strong will and a fiery spirit and she still amazes me with her ability to overcome.

"Emily, please join me on stage..."

Though she looked incredibly awkward and reluctant to do so, Emily crossed the square – still holding Rose Mary – to join Fran.

"I, umm... Wow..." Emily stammered, staring out at the amassed crowd and trying not to burst into tears in front of the entire town. "I'm really... I'm overwhelmed! I wasn't expecting this – honestly, I'm sure there are other much more worthy causes..."

"Emily, we all want to support you and your baby. We all loved Clyde and we know he'd want us to stand behind you if he couldn't."

She nodded, sniffled softly. "Clyde loved this town and I know he would be so incredibly proud to call this place home after seeing how much you've all done for me and our child." Tongue flicking out over her lip, she let out a shaky breath. "Thank you to all of you. Really. I'm honoured." She embraced Fran tightly then, as best she could with the baby in her arms.

From across the square, Garcia sidled up to Derek's side with a smirk on her face. She tapped him on the shoulder, startling him. "Could you be anymore in love with her?" she teased.

"What?" he sputtered. "No! Why does everyone keep saying things like that to me?"

She gave him a pointed look.

"Look, I used to have a crush on her when I was a kid," he said, "But I could never go after a pregnant widow. Besides, everyone knows I'm not ready to settle down."

She rolled her eyes. "Not ready? She's holding the cutest little baby and you're smitten with the idea of having a family together."

He sighed. "Pen..."

"No, you listen, Derek – Emily Prentiss is a catch and you may never have another chance with her."

Dear Silver Belle;

I have no idea how you managed to pull off that little surprise. Finding those ornaments on such short notice... Wow. You say you're not good at pulling off thoughtful and elaborate surprises, but I think you're wrong.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret – at home, where I'm living currently, I never put up a tree. I don't even own any ornaments. I've always just been too busy to bother...it's not like I'm ever at home to enjoy them anyway.

But yesterday, at my mother's place, I hung all the ornaments on the tree. My mom was teasing me as I did so, saying that I'm starting to fall for you. And much as I don't want to admit it, maybe she's right... I don't want to scare you off because you've made it clear that your heart still belongs to another.

I just want you to know that you're quickly taking up space in my heart in a way that no one else ever has... What you do with that information, well...that's up to you.

- Pilgrim