Chapter 137
AN: Thank you for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.
After realizing that they need to call Keelie both Penelope and Emily head straight into Rossi's office as they need to make the calls they need to make in private.
"Dave, we need to use your office," Emily says as she and Penelope walk into the office.
"Excuse me?" Rossi asks shocked, and a little amused.
"Dad, please," Penelope requests, giving him a pleading look.
"Okay, I guess I'll go into the bullpen," Rossi says, getting up and heading out of his office, wondering what his daughter and daughter-in-law are up to. Once Rossi ahs left the office Penelope closes the door while Emily pulls her phone, calls Keelie, and puts her phone on speaker.
"Hello, Keelie Bradley speaking," Keelie says, answering after only a couple of rings.
"Hi Keelie, it's Emily and Penelope…" Emily explains.
"Emily, I was just about to call you, I have good news," Keelie reveals, causing Penelope and Emily to exchange looks.
"You do?" Penelope asks.
"I just got word, Emily, Penelope, congratulations you are officially licensed foster parents in the state of Virginia," Keelie explains.
"That's incredible," Penelope says, as she and Emily exchange thrilled looks.
"That may actually help with the reason why we're calling," Emily comments.
"What's going on?" Keelie asks curious.
"The last two days we've been working a case, multiple murders, including the abusive parents of five siblings, that lived in Arlington," Emily explains.
"Because Social Services was busy the kids have been at the BAU with us," Penelope explains. "But the case is over so Social Services will be here soon to take them into care," Penelope explains.
"Keelie, they said they had no choice but to split them up," Emily explains. "Pen and I care bare the thought of that, we want…" Emily starts to say.
"To take them in," Keelie realizes, not overly surprised.
"Could we, legally?" Penelope asks.
"Your registered foster parents in the state of Virginia, if you're willing to foster them there is no legal reason why you can't," Keelie explains.
"Even though we were agents on the case of the murder of their parents?" Emily asks, wanting to be sure.
"It's an unusual situation, but there is no legal reason why you can't," Keelie explains. "What you will need to do is call back the social worker you've been dealing with, say who you are, that you are register foster parents and that you want to foster the children," Keelie instructs. "Because of the situation the social worker is likely to put you on hold while they check your status, and talk to their supervisor, that may take a little while, but there is no legal reason why you shouldn't be granted at least temporary custody. That could lead to permanent placement and open the path to adoption if that is what you would like," Keelie says, and at that Penelope and Emily exchange looks. "If your request is denied call me back and I'll handle it," Keelie tells Penelope and Emily.
"Thanks, Keelie," Emily says gratefully. "We'll let you know how it goes," Emily says, before hanging up. "So, we can do this," Emily says to her wife.
"Yeah, we can," Penelope says. "Em, but I know this going to be a lot, but not only can't I bare the thought of them being separated, It hurts to think of them to be apart of another family; it feels like they are meant to be ours," Penelope admits, knowing it might sound strange.
"It really does," Emily admits, as she can see the Kenzie, Maddie, and Casey being their daughters, she can see Noah and Connor being their sons, and she knows it's what she wants to happen. "Let's make the call," Emily says, calling back the number for the social worker she has been dealing with, once more putting the phone on speaker.
"Tracy Franklin speaking,"
"Tracy, Its BAU Unit Chief Prentiss," Emily says.
"Oh, Hi Emily, are the Bennett siblings ready to be picked up?" Tracy asks.
"Technically yes," Emily answers, as she knows it would be better if she did not lie. "Tracy I'm here with my wife Penelope Prentiss, who's our team's technical analyst," Emily explains.
"It's nice to meet you, Penelope," Tracy says.
"It's nice to meet you too," Penelope responds.
"Tracy, Penelope and I are licensed foster parents in the state of Virginia, you can check our file, and we would very much like to become foster parents to all five of the Bennett siblings," Emily explains.
"You would?" Tracy asks, surprise in her voice.
"We would," Penelope confirms.
"Um, I'm going to have to put you on hold why I talk to my supervisor," Tracy says.
"Of course, we understand," Emily says and both she and Penelope hear the sound of hold music. As the hold music starts Emily reaches out and takes her wife's hand.
While it is only ten minutes that Penelope and Emily wait on hold for them it feels like an eternity, until finally the hold music stops.
"Emily, Penelope I am here with my supervisor Greg Alda," Tracy says.
"Hello Mr Alda," Emily greats.
"Emily, Penelope, Tracy informs me that you would like to become foster parents to the Bennett siblings," Greg says.
"Yes sir, very much so," Penelope says.
"I've reviewed your file, you have had all the correct authorization, including conformation that you have the room, and clearance for five children, due to that, even considering the unique situation, I am giving you emergency temporary custody," Greg explains.
"Thank you, Sir," Emily says, feeling relieved.
"I will need to see you both, and the children, in my office for a meeting on Monday were will discuss what happens next," Greg explains.
"What does happen next sir?" Penelope asks.
"There will be some further evaluations to assure you are suitable for full, permanent custody of five children, and then if that goes well there will be a formal hearing, likely early next week to make the arrangement formal," Greg explains, and from his tone of voice Emily suspects that he feels that they will pass all those checks.
"Okay, thank you for that explanation, Sir," Emily says.
"I will be in touch with the meeting information, including what you will need to supply," Greg explains.
"Of course, we understand, thank you," Emily says, before hanging up.
As soon as Emily hangs up, she and Penelope both let out signs of relief before embracing.
"I know this is only the first step, but it's a damn good first step," Penelope says.
"It really is," Emily admits, as the two of them break apart. "Kids then team?" Emily asks her wife.
"Yeah," Penelope confirms, and the two of them head out off Rossi office, finding Rossi waiting outside.
"Can I have my office back now?" Rossi asks curious.
"Yeah, Dad, you can," Penelope tells him.
"Dave, can you gather the rest of the team, in a few minutes Pen and I have something to tell you all," Emily explains.
"Of course," Rossi says and while he goes to collect the team Penelope and Emily go back into Emily's office where Casey is sleeping in the portable bassinet, Noah and Connor are playing with toys Kenzie had in her bag, Maddie is drawing while holding the unicorn Penelope gave her, and Kenzie is reading while watching over her siblings.
"Kenzie, Maddie, Noah, Connor, Penelope and I have to talk to you," Emily says, as Penelope sits down on the chair, and Emily sits on the edge of the chair.
"Are we being separated?" Kenzie asks, and it is clear how afraid she is of that.
"No Sweetheart, you're not," Penelope assures her.
"Penelope and I have gotten permission for all of you to come stay with us, to live with us," Emily explains.
"For how long?" Maddie asks, looking amazed.
"We hope forever," Penelope admits. "But it's going to a few days before we know if that's possible," Penelope explains.
"If you can stay with us forever is that something, you'll be okay with?" Emily asks, looking between Maddie and Kenzie as she suspects that they are the only ones who understand what's really going.
"Yes!" Maddie says, and Kenzie nods hesitantly, not sure what to say, not sure what to think, but what she does know is that Penelope and Emily haven't hurt her and that's an improvement.
"Okay, Pen and I have to talk to our team, and arrange a couple of things, but once we do that we can head home," Emily explains.
"We'll be right outside if you need anything," Penelope says and she and Emily head out of Emily's office.
"New, safe home?" Noah asks, looking up at his oldest sister.
"Yeah Noah, I hope so," Kenzie says, as she hugs him, not wanting to get her hopes up in case it doesn't turn out.
"Like the story," Connor says, to Maddie.
"Yeah, just like the story," Maddie says to her brother, knowing that Kenzie always tells a story about how one day they'll have a safe and happy home; and she can't help but desperately hope that today is that day.
After leaving Emily's office Penelope and Emily walk out onto the catwalk where the rest of the team are standing.
"What's going on?" Matt asks, once the door behind Penelope and Emily is closed.
"Emily and I have been granted temporary, emergency, custody of Kenzie, Maddie, Noah, Connor and Casey," Penelope explains, and the members of the team all have looks on their faces that vary from shock to amazement.
"That's incredible," Rossi says, not overly surprised, as he saw this coming. From the moment he saw how Penelope and Emily interacted with the kids he thought this was possibly how things were going to turn out, but he didn't want to say anything incase it didn't.
"Congratulations," Luke says.
"How long is the emergency custody for?" Reid asks curious.
"On Monday we have to go into Social Services and have a meeting, in that meeting we will be told what information we have to provide, and what standards we have to meet, to get a positive recommendation for a custody hearing which will likely take place early next week," Emily explains.
"If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know," Tara says.
"Same," JJ, Matt, Rossi, Reid, and Luke say.
"Kristy and I can bring some supplies over tomorrow, some of our old things for you to use until you know if you've been granted full custody," Matt offers.
"That would be great, thanks Matt," Penelope tells him. "We're going to need some things before we can go home," Penelope says, looking at Emily.
"I know, but I don't like the idea of leaving them here without one of us here, and I'm going to have to go talk to the director," Emily admits, as she and Penelope are going to need at least a few days off, and she will have to explain what's going on.
"Give me a list, and I'll go get what you need," Rossi assures his daughter and daughter-in law.
"I can help," JJ says.
"Same," Matt says, knowing that he and JJ are the best to help as they are parents.
"Thank will be great, thank you," Penelope says. "Just give us a couple of minutes," Penelope requests, and she and Emily go back to Emily's office to write the list of the most basic things they are going to need to get them through the next few days; both knowing that if this goes their way then they will be doing a much bigger shop.
Over the next couple of hours Penelope and Emily create their list, and give it to Rossi, who takes Penelope's debit card but has no intention of using it, Emily speaks to the director, and JJ, Matt, and Rossi go purchase what Penelope and Emily need and also install the car seats they got in Emily's car.
As they have gotten a message from Rossi that everything is in Emily's car Penelope and Emily are getting the kids all packed up.
"We're ready Emily," Maddie says.
"Good, have you got everything?" Emily asks, looking around her office, making sure everything has been picked up, as she puts the portable bassinet over her shoulder.
"Yes," Kenzie says, having double checked as he didn't want anything to be left behind.
"Good, let's go," Penelope, who is holding Casey says, and the seven of them head out of Emily's office.
A couple of minutes later Penelope and Emily get down to where Emily's car is parked, where they find the rest of the team waiting.
"You never got to meet the rest of our super team," Penelope says. "This is JJ, Spencer, Matt, Luke, and my dad, Dave," Penelope introduces.
"Nice to meet you," Maddie says.
"Hi," Kenzie and Noah both say.
"Okay, Kiddos everyone in the car," Penelope says, as Emily puts a few things into the trunk.
Over the next few minutes Penelope and Emily, with help when needed from the rest of the team, help load all the kids into the car, everyone noticing that Maddie isn't letting anyone touch the unicorn that she is clutching, the unicorn that Penelope gave her.
Once the kids are all loaded into the car Penelope and Emily get into the front, Emily driving, and the rest of the team watch as they drive away.
"Five kids, how do you think they're gonna handle that?" Luke asks curious.
"I think once they adjust, they're going to be great," JJ says, believing in her friends, though she knows that that adjustment might take a while.
Due to the time of day, and the direction they are heading in, the drive to the Prentiss house is on the shorter side of how long it usually takes them.
"This is your home?" Maddie asks as Emily pulls the car into the garage, sounding amazed.
"We hope you'll consider it to be your home too soon," Penelope says.
"So, when we get inside Pen and I will show you around, and then we'll get things set up and started on dinner," Emily explains. "How does that sound?" Emily asks, turning to look at the kids.
"Good," Kenzie says, and Penelope and Emily get out of the car, and then get the kids out, leaving all the stuff in the trunk.
After giving the kids a tour of the downstairs area, they head upstairs, and it is clear to Emily, who is holding Casey, and Penelope, that Kenzie and Maddie at least, are impressed with the house.
"On this level there is mine and Pen's bedroom as well as four others," Emily explains. "Upstairs there is another one," Emily says.
"We get our own rooms?" Maddie asks amazed.
"Yep," Penelope confirms.
"We've never had our own rooms," Kenzie admits. "What if Maddie, Noah, Connor or Casey need me?" Kenzie asks, looking concerned.
"You'll be close sweetheart, and you don't have to look after them alone anymore," Emily assures her. "Penelope and I are going to look after all of you, we're going to keep you all safe, I promise," Emily says, and it is clear that Kenzie doesn't believe her, so both Penelope and Emily are determined to make it so she can. "Kenzie, do you want to see if you like the look of the upstairs room? It's the biggest," Emily reveals, as that is the most suitable room for the oldest.
"I'll see," Kenzie says, not sure what to think, as she heads upstairs.
"What room can I have?" Maddie asks.
"I think I know just the room," Penelope says. "Come on," Penelope says, leading Maddie to the first of the three rooms, the one with it's own bathroom.
"Connor, Noah, do you want to see the rooms I think you're gonna like?" Emily asks the two boys.
"Yes!" Connor and Noah say excited, and so Emily leads them to the rooms that share a bathroom. Noah ends up taking the one closest to the stairs, while Connor has the one closer to Maddie's room.
About forty minutes later Penelope is finishing up making dinner while Emily is walking downstairs, having set up the portable bassinet in hers and Penelope's room, and the temporary cot in the room that is now Connor's. If Penelope and Emily are granted full custody, they plan to get Connor and Casey more permanent things to sleep in, better quality, but for now they have gotten versions that will be good enough for the next few days.
"Just in time, Babe," Penelope, who is holding Casey, says as Emily walks into the kitchen, and Penelope puts Connor in a highchair that they have for when their goddaughters come over.
"Something smells nice," Emily says, noticing that all the kids have their food in front of them.
"I made basic Rossi family pasta," Penelope explains as she wanted to make the simplest thing possible.
"What can I get people to drink?" Emily asks. "Kenzie? Maddie? Noah? Connor?" Emily asks.
"Could I have some juice?" Maddie asks, sound nervous.
"Of course," Emily responds. "Kenz? Noah? Connor?" Emily asks.
"Milk!" Connor says.
"Me too, milk," Noah requests.
"Can do," Emily says. "Kenzie?" Emily asks.
"Juice too, please," Kenzie requests, and Emily gets each of the kids the drinks they have asked for.
Once Emily has gotten all of the older kids drinks, plus drinks for her and Penelope, Emily sits down next to Penelope and the two of them, and the five kids, have their first family dinner in their home.
A couple of hours after dinner Penelope and Emily are upstairs with Connor, Casey and Noah. As she just put Casey down to sleep Penelope is walking into the bedroom that joins the boy's rooms where Emily has helped Noah to brush his teeth and is now helping Connor.
"How's things going in here?" Penelope asks, walking into the bathroom.
"Noah brushed his teeth really well and is ready for bed, now it's Connor's turn," Emily explains.
"Well done, Noah," Penelope says. "Let's get you to bed," Penelope says, walking over to the four-year-old who she picks up, and takes into his room. Once Penelope is in Noah's room, she takes him over to his bed and she tucks him into his bed.
"Are you comfortable?" Penelope asks Noah.
"Yep!" Noah says.
"Noah, if you need anything during the night Emily and I are just down the hall, do you remember where our room is?" Penelope asks and Noah nods. "If you need anything all you have to do is ask, okay?" Penelope asks.
"Okay," Noah says.
"Do you want a story?" Penelope asks, Noah nods, and Penelope starts to read him his story.
While Penelope is putting Noah to bed Emily has finished helping Connor brush his teeth is carrying him to bed.
"I know it might be scary being in a new place, but you're safe here, Connor," Emily tells him. "Penelope and I are really close, and so are your brother and sister," Emily says, as she gets to Connor's crib and so she puts him down and tucks him in properly.
"Story?" Connor asks.
"Sure, I think I know just the story," Emily says, and she starts to tell him a story.
A few minutes after Emily started to tell Connor a story he is fast asleep and so she turns on the nightlight, and heads out of the room, turning of the main light and leaving the door open as she does. Just as she walks into the hallway Emily sees Penelope walk out Noah's room.
"Noah doing okay?" Emily asks her wife.
"Yeah," Penelope explains. "Connor?"
"I didn't even finish my story before he fell asleep," Emily admits.
"So, we've got three down," Penelope says, feeling like that's a pretty big achievement. "I'd say it's about an hour before Kenzie and Maddie should be in bed," Penelope says, knowing that they could be in bed earlier.
"That sounds about right," Emily admits, as they both head downstairs to where Maddie is drawing, and Kenzie is reading.
An hour after Penelope and Emily put the boys to bed Penelope is watching Maddie brush her teeth while Emily is upstairs in Kenzie's room. As Kenzie is in bed Emily is sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Are you okay?" Emily asks, not overly sure she will get a completely honest answer, but she still wants to ask.
"I've never had my own room, or slept in a room this big," Kenzie admits, looking around. "I don't know if I can sleep without Maddie and Casey nearby," Kenzie admits.
"It's different, and if you find it's something, you're not okay with, we can change things to make it so, if she's willing, you and Maddie can share a room," Emily explains.
"I'll see," Kenzie explains, knowing her sister was excited to have her own room so she doesn't want to take that away from her if she can help it.
"Kenz, I know you're not used to asking if you need something, but I never want you to be afraid to ask me or Penelope for anything," Emily tells the young girl. "If you need anything during the night, or if you can't sleep, you can always come to me and Penelope okay? You can come into our room anytime," Emily explains. "Okay?"
"Okay," Kenzie says, and she can't help but yawn.
"Do you need anything before going to sleep?" Emily asks.
"No, I'm okay," Kenzie says.
"Okay, remember what I said. I'll you in the morning," Emily says, standing up and heading to the door.
"Emily," Kenzie says just as Emily gets to the door and she turns around. "Thank you for making sure we weren't split up," Kenzie says, looking grateful.
"You don't have to thank me, Sweetheart, I was never going to let that happen," Emily says, before turning off the light and heading out of the room.
After making sure Maddie brushed her teeth correctly Penelope has followed her over to her bed, and after tucking in Maddie properly Penelope, like Emily upstairs, sits down on the edge of Maddie's bed.
"Are you comfortable?" Penelope asks, and Maddie nods. "Got your unicorn?" Penelope asks, and Maddie nods once again. "Maddie, if you need anything Emily and I will be in our room. If you need anything you just have to ask. Do you understand?" Maddie asks.
"Yes," Maddie confirms.
"Sweet dreams Sweetheart," Penelope says. "You're safe here," Penelope says, and after assuring that Maddie is tucked in Penelope gets up and head out of the room, turning off the light and leaving the door open a little as she goes.
Just as Penelope walks into the hallway, she sees Emily walking down the stairs that lead upstairs and so Penelope walks over to her wife.
"How's Kenzie?" Penelope asks.
"I think it's going to take her a while to adjust, but I think she's going to be okay," Emily admits. "I think it might be a while before she realizes that it is okay to actually ask for things, but I hope she gets there," Emily admits, knowing she is going to do everything in her power to help Kenzie understand that it is okay to ask for things. "What about Maddie?"
"She's okay," Penelope admits. "I think she's just glad to be somewhere new, somewhere safe," Penelope admits. "Like Kenzie I think she's going to need some time before she is comfortable asking for things," Penelope says, like Emily she wants to help make sure the kids understand that it is okay. "Em, I never want to say goodbye to them," Penelope admits.
"Me either," Emily admits, as both she and Penelope head to the boys rooms to make sure they're okay and once they are sure that they are they head to their room.
A little while later Penelope and Emily are in bed together, and even though neither slept the night before neither are asleep, they are lying in each other's arms, listening for signs that one of the kids need them.
"Pen, what if we're not granted permanent custody?" Emily asks, voicing her fear.
"I don't even want to think about that," Penelope admits.
"Me either, but we might have to," Emily says, trying to be logical. "Babe, want I want more than anything is for us to get granted permanent custody, and for us to be able to adopt them, but we've got to jump through a few hopes before we can do that; and we should talk about that," Emily admits.
"I know it's far from a done deal," Penelope admits. "But I need to believe that this will work in our favor, that they will become our kids," Penelope explains, and before Emily can say anything in response they are interrupted by Casey crying.
"I've got her this time," Emily says, kissing Penelope's cheek before getting out of bed, and going to get Casey who she picks up and takes downstairs so that she can feed her. Even though Penelope tries to stay awake with about a minute of Emily and Casey leaving the room she has fallen asleep.