Chapter 138
AN: Thank you so much for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.
The next morning Penelope and Emily, having taken turns overnight to get up with Casey and feed her. Penelope, Emily, and the kids are in the kitchen together eating the pancakes that Emily made as Pancakes is one thing she is really good at making.
"Maddie, would you like some more?" Emily asks, as she has noticed that Maddie has finished eating her food but hasn't asked for more even though it seems like she wants to.
"Can I?" Maddie asks.
"Of course," Emily says, and she gives Maddie some more food. "Kenz?" Emily asks, and Kenzie nods, so Emily gives her more food as well and they all continue to eat.
A while after breakfast Penelope, Emily and the kids are all in the living room when there is a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Penelope says, from where she is playing blocks with the boys, and she gets up and heads towards the doors, ruffling both the boys hair as she goes.
Getting to the front door Penelope checks who it is and because she recognizes who is on the other side Penelope opens the door revealing the Simmons family.
"Hi Aunt Penelope," David says.
"Come in," Penelope says, letting them in, hugging each of the Simmons kids as they enter, and everyone heads to the main living area. "Kenzie, Maddie, Noah, Connor, you remember Matt?" Penelope says.
"Yeah," Kenzie says, as Maddie nods.
"This Matt's wife Kristy and their children David, Jake, Lily and Chole," Penelope introduces. "And this is Kenzie, Maddie, Noah, Connor and Casey," Penelope says, pointing to each of them, and as she speaks Jake walks over to Kenzie while David walks over to Noah.
"Can I play with you?" David asks, and Noah nods.
"Do you want to see my game?" Jake asks Kenzie.
"Sure," Kenzie responds, and Jake shows Kenzie his switch and they start to play together.
"Hi," Maddie says to Lily and Chloe as Emily, who is holding Casey, walks over to where Penelope, Kristy and Matt are as the kids starts to play together. Jake and Kenzie play the switch, David, Connor and Noah build together, while Maddie, Lily and Chole draw together.
"How'd your first night go?" Kristy asks curious.
"Pretty good, different, but it was good," Emily admits.
"That's good," Kristy says, glad for them.
"So, we've got some of our old stuff in the car, it should help you for a few days," Matt explains.
"Thanks Matt, it means a lot," Penelope says. "So how about you and I go get everything, and Kristy and Em keep an eye on the kids," Penelope suggests.
"Sounds good to me," Kristy says, as both Emily and Matt nod. Once they do Penelope and Matt head outside while Kristy and Emily, holding Casey, walk back over to the kids, to keep an eye on them.
A few hours later the Simmons family, who stayed for lunch, have left and as Emily just got conformation of something she is waiting by the foot of the stairs for Penelope who went to collect Casey who has just finished nap.
"What's going on?" Penelope asks, keeping her voice low.
"Arlington PD have released the house, it's no longer a crime scene," Emily explains.
"And you think we should take the kids back there," Penelope realises. "Wouldn't that only cause them harm?" Penelope asks concerned.
"I don't know," Emily admits. "But it could help them to have familiar objects around, we get them to collect what they want," Emily explains. "JJ was able to get a few things, but it could help them to have more; but you're right it could cause harm," Emily says, it being clear that she doesn't want to do that.
"How about we talk to Kenzie and Maddie, give them the option," Penelope suggest, knowing that they are likely the only ones who will understand what is going on and they deserve to decide whether they go back to that house.
"That sounds like the best idea," Emily says, and the two of them head to the main living area.
Walking in the man living are Emily and Penelope walk over to the bench that is in the middle of the kitchen.
"Kenzie, Maddie, can you come over here please," Emily asks in a gentle voice, and the two sisters exchange looks as they walk over.
"Is everything okay?" Maddie asks nervous.
"Everything's fine, Sweetheart," Penelope tells her. "Em and I just need to talk to you about something, why don't you sit down," Penelope suggests, and the two sisters do that. As Maddie and Kenzie sit down it is clear that they are both worried about what Penelope and Emily are going to want to talk to them about.
"Penelope and I were wondering if you would like to go back to your house to get some of your things, things that you want to keep with you," Emily explains.
"I never want to go back there," Kenzie admits.
"I do, there are things I want," Maddie admits, looking at her sister and feeling a little guilty.
"Kenz, Maddie, both those answers are more than okay," Penelope assures her. "If you don't want to do something it's important you say so," Penelope explains. "Okay?" Penelope asks, and the two girls nod.
"Maddie, if you want to go then I can take you to get what you want and Kenzie you can stay here with Penelope," Emily explains, as while she and Penelope haven't talked about it it does seem like the best option for everyone.
"I know what you like, I can get it for you," Maddie tells her sister.
"No," Kenzie says. "You're not going alone," Kenzie tells her sister.
"Maddie won't be alone Kenzie, I'll be with her the entire time, I promise," Emily assures her.
"I'll go with Maddie," Kenzie says, as shed doesn't want her sister to go back to the house alone. "Can Noah, Connor and Casey stay here with Penelope? I don't want them to go back to that house, I can get what they would want," Kenzie explains, as she can tell that Maddie really wants to go back to the house, but she doesn't want her younger siblings to have to.
"I think that would be a good idea," Penelope says, as it will be hard enough for the kids to go back to that house, it would be easier if the youngest didn't go back.
"Why don't both of you go and get your shoes on and the three of us can get going," Emily suggests.
"Yes, Emily," Kenzie and Maddie say, before both of them head to the mud room so that they can put their shoes on.
"Are you going to be okay doing this with them?" Penelope asks her wife concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be okay, I'm more worried about that effect this is going to have on them," Emily admits. "Have you got Noah, Connor and Casey?" Emily asks.
"Yeah, we'll be fine, look after our girls, I've got them," Penelope says, and once she does Emily lends over and kisses Penelope's cheek, and then Casey's head.
"We've got our shoes on, Emily," Maddie says.
"Okay, then let's get going," Emily says and while she heads out of the house with Maddie and Kenzie Penelope walks over to where Noah and Connor are.
"Where Kenzie and Maddie going?" Noah asks.
"They're just going with Emily to get a few things, but they'll be home soon," Penelope assures the boys who continue to play together.
A little while after they left the Prentiss house Emily, Kenzie and Maddie have arrived at the Bennett house, as they approach the door Emily notices Kenzie and Maddie become more and more hesitant, and so Emily turns and kneels down in front of them both.
"We don't have to stay here long," Emily assures them. "And if at any point you feel like you can't be in this house any longer just tell me and we'll leave, okay?" Emily says, looking between Kenzie and Maddie, both of whom give slight nods. Once she sees the nods Emily stands up and heads to the front door, collecting the key that Arlington PD left for her. After opening the door Emily leaves the girls straight upside, where they enter the first room, the room that was Kenzie, Maddie and Casey's.
"Okay, what we're going to do is collect everything you want to keep and put it by the door, then we'll take it all down to the car," Emily explains. "Once we do that we'll go next door and do the same with your brothers things," Emily says.
"We don't have to go into their room do we?" Maddie asks worried, Emily knowing exactly who she is talking about.
"No Sweetheart, you don't have to go anywhere near that room," Emily assures her, and once they do they get to work, it being clear that both Maddie and Kenzie want to get this done as soon as possible.
A few hours later Emily, Kenzie, and Maddie have retuned to the Prentiss house with everything that the kids wanted to keep, and are just finishing up dinner, a healthy stir-fry that Penelope made. As Penelope and Emily can tell that everyone has eaten enough Penelope and Emily realise it's time to talk about the plan they have for the rest of the night.
"Have you had enough to eat, Kenzie?" Penelope asks.
"Yeah," Kenzie answers.
"Maddie?" Penelope asks, and Kenzie nods.
"What about you Noah? Have you had enough to eat?" Emily asks.
"Yes!" Noah says.
"What about you, Bud?" Emily asks Connor.
"Finished!" Connor says.
"Em and I had an idea we wanted to run past you all," Penelope says. "How would you feel about having movie night tonight?" Emily asks, looking between the kids.
"Movie night?" Maddie asks, looking amazed.
"Yep," Emily confirms.
"Yes!" Noah says excited.
"Then let's get cleaned up," Emily says.
Over the next few minutes Penelope and Emily, with help from Maddie, Kenzie and Noah, get dinner all cleaned up.
"Kenz, Maddie, do you want to help me make popcorn?" Penelope asks, looking between the two older children.
"Yes please!" Kenzie says, looking excited, as she has never made popcorn before.
"We'll get things ready," Emily says, as she takes Noah, Connor and Casey to the front living room, the movie room, and starts to get things set up.
About ten minutes later Penelope, Emily, and all the kids, Casey asleep on Emily's chest, are all huddled up on the couch together, watching a movie that was a recommendation from Kristy. As they see the looks of pure joy on the kids' faces Penelope and Emily exchange looks, both wanting to have a lifetime of moments like this.
The following afternoon, Penelope, Emily, and the kids are returning to the house, having spent most of the morning at the park with the kids. After the last few days Penelope and Emily liked seeing the kids, Kenzie especially, freer. However, it was also clear that she was still concerned about her siblings and spent more time watching them.
Entering the house, the kids, with the exception of Casey who is being pushed in a stroller, all hurry to the main living are.
"Hey Sergio," Emily greats, as she almost trips over the loving cat. "What are you thinking for dinner?" Emily asks, as Sergio, having no idea what almost happened, just heads into the front living area.
"I'm not sure," Penelope admits, and as she does her phone goes off, and so she checks it. "It Dad, offering to bring dinner over," Penelope tells her wife. "What do you think?" Penelope asks.
"I'm always up for Dave's cooking," Emily admits. "And I think it would be good for the kids to get to know other members of our family too, just like the Simmons' yesterday," Emily says.
"I agree," Penelope says, as she texts her father back, and a few hours later Penelope, Emily, the kids and Dave have an enjoyable dinner together.
The next morning Penelope and Emily try to hide from the kids the fact that they are nervous, as they get ready themselves, get the kids ready, and head into Virginia Social Services.
"Hello, we're Emily and Penelope Prentiss here for a meeting," Emily says to reception as she carries Connor, Penelope pushes Casey in the stroller, and the three older kids walk by themselves, though Noah was holding onto the stroller as he walked.
"Of course, come right through," The receptionists says.
Walking into the office Penelope, Emily, and the kids are greeted by a woman in her thirties and an older man.
"Emily and Penelope?" the women asks, and Emily recognizes the voice.
"Yes, Tracy?" Emily asks. "Mr Alda?" Emily asks.
"Yes," Tracy and Mr Alda both say, and Penelope and Emily shake both their hands.
"Penelope, Emily, if you will come to my office so we can talk, Tracy will look after the kids while we talk," Mr Alda explains.
"Okay," Emily says.
"Kiddos, Em and I have to go talk with Mr Alda, and you'll be with Tracy, but we'll be back, okay?" Penelope says to the kids.
"Okay," Kenzie says, sounding a little nervous and while the kids go with Tracy Emily and Penelope head into Mr Alda's office.
"Please, take a seat," Mr Alda says. "How's the last few days been?" Mr Alda asks.
"Good," Penelope answers.
"I think the kids are starting to get used to us, and we're getting into a routine, but they are clearly still effected by the way they had been living," Emily explains.
"That's not surprising," Mr Alda says. "Now, as I said on the phone we need to discuss what the process from here will look like," Mr Alda says. "A court hearing has been set for eleven am Wednesday, at that time a judge will decide whether to grant you full, permanent, custody," Mr Alda explains.
"That soon?" Penelope asks surprised.
"In these matters we like to move as quickly as possible, the children will be in your care in the meantime," Mr Alda explains. "To make their decision the judge will consider recommendations including ones from myself and Tracy," Mr Alda explains. "Once we finish this meeting I will send you an email which has details about the information I will need from you by two pm tomorrow," Mr Alda explains.
"What kind of information is that?" Emily asks, as she would assume that he would already know everything from their applications.
"Names of the people who will play significant parts in their lives, the school and care arrangements you have made, and any other arrangements you have made for them. My emails will detail everything I require," Mr Alda explains. "Due to the biological parents being dead there are some changes to Foster requirements that you must be aware of, I will go through those with you now and while we are doing that Tracy will be asking the children questions that will also influence our recommendation," Mr Alda explains. "Do you have any questions?" Mr Alda asks, and both Penelope and Emily exchange looks.
"No," Penelope and Emily say together, and Mr Alda starts to explain everything that Emily and Penelope need to know.
A few hours later Penelope and Emily are back at their house with the kids. While Connor, and Casey, are taking naps up in their rooms Connor, Maddie and Kenzie are in the main living area doing various things, while Emily and Penelope are in the kitchen, both looking at Emily's office.
"Okay, we've sent the list of our name," Emily says, knowing that list includes the team, partners, her mother, Joy, and even Morgan, Hotch and Clyde as they wanted to cover their basis. "The school and day care are going to call back tomorrow to confirm details," Emily says, looking at the list she and Penelope made.
"And we've talked to JJ's old Nanny who is willing to help when needed and we've sent her name too," Penelope says, both her and Emily knowing the nanny as they met her when JJ's boys were younger.
"We've got the registration forms we've submitted for Kenzie, Maddie, and Noah for the come and try little league day during spring break," Emily says. "And that we've looked into after school activities, including music classes for Kenzie," Emily says, knowing that will depend on the schooling. "What else do we need?" Emily asks.
"We need to talk to Tara," Penelope says, and just as she speaks Emily's phone rings.
"Speak of the devil," Emily says, and the two of them walk into the dinning room. "Hey Tara, thanks for calling us back, you've got both of us," Emily says.
"What's going on?" Tara asks confused.
"We need your help with something," Penelope admits.
"Anything. What can I do?" Tara asks.
"We were hoping that you know a specialist who focuses on Children, specifically child trauma," Penelope explains.
"You want to arrange a therapist for the children," Tara realises.
"After everything they've been through we think it would be the best thing to help them; so we were hoping you'd know someone good, who you trust," Emily explains, completely trusting Tara's judgement on this.
"I know just the person," Tara admits. "I'll text you the details, and let her know I've suggested her to you," Tara says.
"Thanks Tara," Emily says, before hanging up, and as soon as Tara texts the details Penelope and Emily call her and arrange an appointment for the weekend.
Over the next two days Penelope and Emily make the arrangements they need to make, getting the details to Mr Alda well before the two pm Tuesday deadline. It is ten thirty am on Wednesday, Emily, Penelope, and the kids are already together at the courthouse. As Penelope and Emily wait they desperately hope that they won't have to say goodbye to the kids.
"How long will this take?" Maddie asks, as Penelope and Emily explained to her and her siblings what is going on.
"It shouldn't be too long," Emily says, as Keelie explained the process to them.
"Okay," Kenzie says, and she sounds a little nervous as she knows enough to know that if she, and her siblings, can't stay with Penelope and Emily then chances are she is going to be separated from her siblings and she really doesn't want that.
"Hey, no matter what the judge decides, Em and I are still going to make sure you're safe and do everything we can to make it so you're still together," Penelope says, knowing that due to the connection to the case of their parents they have the ability to make sure the kids are in a safe home if they are not granted full custody.
"I want to stay," Noah says, looking between Penelope and Emily.
"We want that too, Bud," Emily says, and then she sees familiar people walking towards them. "What are you guys doing here?" Emily asks the team, Kristy and Stephen who are walking towards them.
"There was no way we weren't going to be here," Rossi says.
"Thank you," Penelope says, as she hugs her father.
"Will had to work, but he wanted to be here," JJ explains.
"Tell him thanks from us," Emily requests, it meaning a lot to her to have the people they care about here to support them.
"Kenzie, Maddie, Noah, Connor, this is Stephen," Penelope introduces. "I consider him to be my brother," Penelope explains, as Stephen is the only one in the group the kids haven't met.
"Hi," Maddie says.
"Nervous?" Tara asks Emily, in a quiet voice.
"Yeah," Emily confirms. "I don't know what I'm going to do if the judge doesn't grant us custody," Emily admits, and not sure what to say Tara reaches over and puts a comforting hand on her friends shoulder.
Half an hour after their team, their family, arrived at the courthouse Penelope, Emily, and the kids are sitting with Keelie at one of the tables Infront of the bench while social services is sitting at another, the team are in the gallery, and the judge is at the bench. As they are both feeling extremely nervous and are desperately hoping that the kids they already consider to be theirs won't be taken away, Penelope and Emily are holding hands.
"I have reviewed all the relevant materials in this matter," Justice Doyle says. "More often than not the children who come before me in this court have been through traumatic, and awful, situations, it sadness me that that is once again the case in this matter," Justice Doyle says. "However, unlike so many children who come before me Mackenzie, Maddison, Noah, Connor and Casey Bennett have two people in their corner who are willing to put them first, and do what's best for them," Justice Doyle says and both Penelope and Emily can't help but think that this sounds positive. "Penelope, Emily, I have read about all the arrangements you have made for the siblings, the interviews conducted with the members of your team who I note are here to support you today, and the interviews Social Workers conducted with the siblings," Justice Doyle says. "I note that concerns have been raised due to your busy work schedules, but I also note the answers you gave when these concerns were raised to you during the foster application processes, specifically the detailed personal information provided by Penelope about what it was like for you to grow up as a child of a BAU Agent and how that will affect how you and Emily parent," Justice Doyle says and neither Emily or Penelope can tell if that is good for them or bad. "With all relevant information taken into consideration I consider it a pleasure to grant full, permanent, custody of Mackenzie, Maddison, Noah, Connor and Casey Bennett to Emily and Penelope Prentiss," Justice Doyle says, causing Penelope and Emily to feel overwhelming joy. "In six months you may petition this court for adoption of the previously mentioned minors, and I sincerely hope you do," Justice Doyle says, and then the matter is formally closed, as Penelope and Emily hug, and then they each hug each of the kids as well, and both are surprised when Kenzie actually initiates the hugs.