So, I think I made a hiccup somewhere in the 3rd or 4th chapter and had James go out on boy's night, soooooo he will now be 21 for the rest of the story and no longer 19! Haha, sorry for the confusion!

The boys all groaned in the early morning as the sun hit inside the house at 8am, Morgan turned over and buried his head in the pillows, James cursed at the sun and Sean looked to be in the fetal position.

"I just want to sleep." He all but whimpered out, covering himself with the blankets.

Dave groaned, "I'm buying Emily sun shades when I'm more awake."

"I'll pitch in," Will said threw his thick accent as he held his pounding head.

Erin was at the top of the stairs with Amber and Jack, the older woman laughed as she carried Jack down stairs, "Some men we have, can't even hold their liquor."

Dave held his hand up and moved it back and forth, "No not now, go away."

Erin grinned, "Jack baby, go jump on Uncle Dave for me ok?" she whispered to him.

Jack giggled and nodded his head, letting his aunt put him down, Erin was pleased with the attack scream Jack gave out, earning a course of groans.

The older blonde went into the kitchen and helped Amber make breakfast and coffee.

"Hi-yaw!" Jack screamed and Erin heard Dave grunt out in pain, "Damn you Erin!"

"Shut up Dave!" Morgan yelled back.

The rest of the house slowly got up one by one and made their way to the kitchen at the delicious smell of bacon.

"Coffee…all of it.." Sean groaned as he sat at the island bar, thanking Amber for getting him a glass.

JJ laughed as she fed Henry his breakfast and smiled to her husband as he lazily shuffled into the kitchen to sit next to her.

Ann rolled her eyes as Sean rub his temple and sipped at his dark coffee, she shook her head and turned back to making a large batch of scrambled eggs.

"Hey little berry, where's your mama?" Garcia asked

Amber smiled at her nickname but shrugged at her Aunt, "I'm not to sure, most likely getting up and ready."

Erin gave Ann a look as the two women were at the stove by themselves, "And I see that a certain tall, dark and British is missing too"

Ann smiled, pouring the eggs into a large bowl, "I'm guessing she might take longer getting up this morning."

They laughed and continued breakfast, placing food on the table for everyone else and starting second batches, knowing the boys.

Indeed, the last couple joined everyone about 20 minutes later, Emily strolling in first wearing a white tank top and jaded blue jeans, she smiled at everyone and walked over to the two women at the stove.

Gratefully going for a cup of coffee, "Good Morning."

Erin arched an eyebrow at her shy smile, "Good Morning Em, how was your night?"

Emily took a sip of her coffee, "It was…"

The young mother was instantly distracted by Darren coming into the kitchen, the older man was pulling his t-shirt down his chest and made his way over the dark hair beauty. The taller man poured himself a cup of coffee and smiled down at her as she rested against the counter. He put the pot back and turned to the two older blondes, "Good Morning."

He gave Emily one last smile and turned to grab a plate and take a seat by Sean and Morgan at the bar.

Emily hummed to herself and sipped at the black liquid before turning to the two ladies on her right side, she scrunched up her eyebrows at their evil smiles.

"What?"

Erin shook her head as she finished flipping more pancakes, "Oh nothing Em."

Ann grinned scrambling the second batch of eggs, "It just looks to us that you got to see Hal's power ring last night."

Emily choked on her next sip and turned a deep red; she was saved by Jack running over to her.

"Mommy, come eat breakfast with me!"

She grinned at her baby and picked him up, she moved over to the bar to get a plate for them both, before leaving she turned back to her mother-in-law and friend. She cleared her throat, "I got to see it a few times last night…..and again this morning"

The older women laughed as they finished cooking.

~~~~~
The morning went on with ease, after everyone ate and helped to clean the kitchen, each couple started to take their leave. Soon it was only Emily, Darren and the Rossi's left at the house, Ann took the younger kids for the night to give their mother a break while the older ones had plans already set.

Dave and Darren sat outside under the cabana sharing a drink, while the girls where inside the house, stretching out on the long couches.

"Have you thought about yesterday at all?" Erin casually asked as she took a drink from her wine glass.

Emily bit her lip, "Yes and no, I will always love Aaron, no matter what but I don't know if I can ever forgive him for cheating. Then again, how would he feel if the roles were reversed? Would he even think about taking me back after being with some else? Plus, I really had a great time with Darren last night and I like that he doesn't care about us taking things slow."

Emily huffed and rolled her eyes, "But, I owe it to the kids to at least hear their father out and try to get onto civil grounds with him at the very least."

Erin nodded her head, "I think you do Em and although I'm always on your side, I think that it would be good for two to get to a point where you're somewhat ok with everything. I know how much Amber and James both miss their father,"

Emily bit her lip, "They really do, I guess that I should talk with them about everything too. Until now, I've just let them do their own thing and heal at their own pace. Maybe it's time to push them just a little."

~~~~~
It had been a week since Jack's party, Aaron came and went with his weekend with Jack and now it was Friday night again, perfect to do something with the kids. But first, Emily needed to talk with Amber and James, she had been dreading it greatly. She asked for everyone's opinion on the matter and yet, she was still drawing a blank as to how she would approach the topic. Neither side of the party would enjoy it at all but, as she walked up the stairs to the second floor, the easier of the two to talk with was her son. Why? Because he was the most like Sean and if Emily knew anything about getting under her brother-in-law's skin and making a point, it was straight to the point news with tough love.

She took a deep breath, grateful that her son was so much easier then Amber was. "James?" Emily called out, tapping lightly on the boy's bedroom door.

"Come in!"

Emily opened the door and walked inside, she looked around the room but couldn't see her oldest at all, "James?"

"Right here, sorry." James stumbled out of the walk-in closet holding a leather jacket and old motorcycle helmet.

James smiled at his mother, "I guess cleaning does have some logic to it."

Emily rolled her eyes but smiled, she walked over and sat down on his bed, "Honey, I wanted to talk to you about something."

The boy shrugged and sat next to her, "Is this about you and Darren? I'm really okay with you guys dating or doing whatever you want to do, I just want you to be happy."

Emily bit her lip and tried to hold her tears at bay at her son's words, "Oh James, don't make me cry."

They both laughed and the boy looked ready to get up but Emily held her hand in front of him, "I'm really glad that you're okay with Darren and I dating, I'm nervous to start seeing someone again but I'm ready to try something new. And to confirm, yes, we are dating now but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to see how you felt on having dinner with your father."

James glared, "Mom, you must be joking?"

"I'm not, he's asked me a few times already that he would like to have dinner with you and Amber. I told him that I would ask you both on how you two felt but of course, I'm not going to push you at all. I do have to tell you though, that your relationship with your father has suffered greatly and I know that you're very protective of me and I'm grateful for that, but I know you miss him."

"I don't,"

"James." Emily said sternly, here we go, "Don't lie to me, I'm your mother but also a profiler, I know you miss him and our Sunday's as a family. I know how much you miss Friday boys' only nights and him coming to see you play. I know that you want him to be in the stands with me and your Uncle David, cheering you on as you score another touchdown. I know that you miss fishing with him on Thanksgiving or taking the girls out to get candy on Halloween. I know that you miss going to the movies with you father and fighting over the popcorn bowl. I know how much you miss talking about going to Harvard together."

James looked down and tried to hold his breath and Emily knew she was hitting a nerve.

She pulled him into a hug and felt him break, crying softly into her arms, "Baby, I know it hurts but you need to see him. Just because we aren't together anymore, doesn't mean you guys have to fight too. Yes, he messed up but he is still your father and he's trying to get you and Amber back in his life."

Emily pulled his face up to look at her as she wiped his face, "You are his first born, named after him and your grandfather. You are the product of us, what we had, the product of a 24-year-old SWAT trainee who fell in love with a stubborn 18-year-old girl. The product of a love that was once so strong, we fought against ever person who tried to break us up. We had you James, before anything else. We had you before I was down with college, we had you when he was barely making enough to support us on his own in a tiny one-bedroom brownstone. We still had you because we wanted you. He wanted you, you are his everything and he wants that back. Will you at least think about going to dinner with him?"

The boy bit his lip and sighed, "I'll think about it, I promise."

Emily nodded, "Thank you."

James nodded wiping his own face clean, "When are you going to talk to Amber about this?"

Emily gave him a wary look, "I'm headed there next."

James laughed, "Good luck mom"

They shared a heartfelt laugh and Emily cupped his cheek, "Now finished cleaning your room before you get dressed, Darren will be here in a little under two hours and he wants us all to go out to dinner and a movie. I already called Claire for you"

"Sweet!" James got up fast and moved to the closet, "I found my old leather pants too!"

Emily rolled her eyes as she left the room, "Don't get lost in there!"

Emily took a breath and sighed, now it was time for the much harder talk. Amber was the most stubborn and kept to herself, she was more like Emily then anything else. Hard headed and easy to anger if you pushed to hard but who better to handle her own personality then herself. As she neared the end of the hall to her daughter's room, she peaked slowly inside and smiled.

Amber's door was cracked open and her very own little bookworm was curled up on her large window nook with several pillows around. She lay on her back with a few pillows propping her up enough to read comfortable as she cuddled the stuffed green dragon Aaron has bought when she was 5, the only thing Amber couldn't get rid of no matter how hurt she was. Sergio lay on a pillow by her feet, the black cat soaking up the evening suns rays and napping with the help of the mellow jazz music, coming from the girl's computer on the other side of the room. Aaron and Emily had both caught Amber in this position several times over, she would read a little bit, get tired when Sergio would climb up her chest for a hug and fall sleep with the cat; only to repeat the same process over and over until it was time for dinner or really time for bed.

Emily took a deep breath and knocked on her door, pushing it open and walking in when Amber called out to her.

"Hey honey, do you have minute to chat?"

Amber smiled and put her book down, she lifted the right side of the thick blanket she was under was let Emily joining her on the nook, laying on her back to mimic the same position.

Sergio stretched and climbed up the blanket to lay in the middle of them both, Emily automatically running her fingers along the top of his head.

"How was school?"

Amber shrugged, her hand resting on Sergio's spine as the cat purred in contentment, "It was the same as it always is. Never challenging enough to keep my interest and nothing entertaining enough happens with the girls. They only talk about boys and make-up and what dress looks cute with what, I think I need a new friend group."

They both laughed, "You've out grown many people there hon, are you at least enjoying your college courses?"

Amber smiled, "I am, those hold greater substance for my education and are actually going to get me somewhere. I think I am going to take that placement test we talked about the other day, if I'm able to graduate this year instead of next then I can double up on my courses for my major."

Emily smiled; she was blessed that Amber took after her father when it came to academics because they would be in a different boat altogether if she was anything like Emily in high school.

"I'm so proud of you,"

"Thank you! So, what was it that you wanted to chat about? Not that I don't love talking about school,"

Emily rolled her eyes but grinned, Amber might take after her Uncle Spencer a little bit too.

The brunette mother took a breath, "I was hoping to talk to you about your dad?"

Amber tensed, "Why?"

Emily bit her lip, "Because he wants to have dinner with you and James sometime soon, I know you don't want to see him.."

"No I don't, he cheated on you mom. He walked away from us and started over. You had to quit your job because of his mistakes."

"Amber. I know what your father did but once upon a time he was your hero."

Amber turned on her back and folded her arms, "That's right, was, he was my hero. He used to be the man that went to everything. His love for you used to be what I wished for in a husband. It's not anymore."

Emily sighed, "Honey, one day your dad will be your hero again. We all mess up in life…"

"Wrong! We don't all mess up in life, we don't all cheat on our wives, we don't all leave our kids to be with someone else!"

Amber choked out a breath as tears burned her eyes, "We all don't forget about going to our daughter's science fairs or their cheerleading competitions. We don't forget to call them and wish them luck on the days they have spelling bee's or refuse to talk to the one guy they actually like. We don't mess up enough to forget the important things."

Emily's heart broke and she mentally slapped herself and the shire forgetfulness of herself and how she didn't remember what Aaron used to do. How he was her biggest cheerleader, how he would make sure to drive her and her science projects to school and help her set up when they weren't on a case. It was Aaron who would write her notes and stick them in her binders and sign them, "world's luckiest dad,".

Emily bit her lip as she saw Amber struggling to keep her tears at bay as she stared daggers at the overhead dreamcatcher, "No baby, we don't mess up that bad to forget the little things. But be that as it may, your father loves you Amber. Your father calls me to check up on you all the time, he calls the school and sets up private meetings to know how you're doing."

Amber took in a breath and Emily hated herself for doing it, but she needed to get thru to her. "Uncle Dave told me that your dad has a photocopy of your last competition placement framed and on his desk right now."

Amber bit her lip and let out a strangled cry as her hands flew to her face to cover her tears, she sobbed into her hoddie as Emily pushed Sergio over a little and dragged Amber into a hug. The poor girl clung to her mother as she sobbed so hard that her body was ranked with shivers and unstable shaking. Emily ran a hand down her back in small circles, knowing it was now or never, "He loves you Amber and he didn't forget you. You're his little girl, his princess. He wants the freedom to talk to you without the snarky comments, he wants to get invited to your next spelling bee or help you set up for another summer fair. I know you want that too, I know that your want you dad back in your life and for him to get to know Mark like I know him. For him to give you the 'ok' you're so desperately looking for. For him to tell you how proud he is."

Amber let the tears that she had been holding in for so long flow freely, she hugged her mother tight and nodded her head. She wanted all of that again.

Emily waited for Amber to calm down, she smoothed her hair back and ran her hand up and down her back. Finally Amber was out of tears, little hiccups greeted Emily after a moment of silence and she pulled back to kiss her forehead.

"Will you please have dinner with your dad?"

Amber nodded her head and let out a deep breath, "Ok."

Emily smiled and hugged her again, letting time pass slowly by until Amber was ok. The girl pulled away from her and lay back, Sergio climbing up her body and licking her nose.

Both girls giggled and Amber cuddles the cat to her chest. "Thank you for hearing me out."

The girl gave a lopsided grin, "Why don't you take a few minutes to relax with Sergio and then get ready for dinner."

Amber frowned, "Are we going out?"

Emily stood up and tucked her in a little tighter, "Darren is getting off work in a few minutes and is going to take us all out to dinner and a movie. You have at least an hour and half before Mark shows up,"

She nodded and snuggled Sergio closer, "Sounds great."

Emily quietly left her room and rolled her neck, making her way down the hallway to get ready herself.