Christmas Day in the Jareau household as a huge affair. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents were all invited, and JJ loved being surrounded with her family. As much as JJ had wanted Emily to come with her, she only had to wait 2 days and she'd be back with her beautiful brunette.
"Hey Pops." JJ smiled, greeting her grandfather.
"Hi Jenna." Joseph smiled, using one of JJ's many nicknames. "How are you my dear girl?"
"I'm good, I've missed you so much." JJ hugged him tightly. JJ was close with her mother, but her Pops was her best friend. He had been incredibly supportive of her choices in life, and he was the only person other than Emily that she could speak to about anything.
"How's big city life treatin' ya?" He asked.
"Amazing. I love my college, and my friends." JJ smiled, pulling away to greet her other family members as they filtered through the door.
"Juicy J!" a female voice shouted out, catching JJ's attention.
"Hey Lady Kay!" JJ rushed over to her cousin, Kate, pulling her in for a big hug.
"How's my favourite JJ?" Kate asked. There were a few 'JJ's' in their family, it was a family tradition that had been around for generations. First there was her grandfather Joe, there was also her aunt Jessica and then her cousin Juliette. There was at least one JJ for each generation.
"I'm great Kate. Please tell you didn't bring that douchebag with you this time." JJ looked around the room in search for Brandon, the guy she had bought to Thanksgiving.
"Hell no. No one insults my family and sticks around." Kate scoffed.
"Thank god." JJ laughed.
JJ was wiped by the evening, playing soccer and football in the backyard was yet another tradition the Jareau family had around Christmas. Her cousin Mikey had tackled her whilst they were playing their football game, sending her flying backwards and landing on her ass. She knew she'd have a great bruise to go along with the story. She was sat in the kitchen, the rest of her family congregating in the living room, just so she could have some peace and quiet to facetime Emily. She pressed on the brunette's name, waiting for her to answer the call.
"Hey gorgeous." Emily's face lit up the screen.
"Hi Em." JJ returned, smiling just as brightly.
"How are you?"
"I'm doing good. I got my ass handed to me in football earlier." JJ pouted.
"Oh, poor baby. Do you need me to kiss it better?" Emily winked, pink tongue poking between her teeth with a devilish smile.
"Kiss what better?" Joe came in behind JJ, peering over her shoulder to see who she was talking to.
"Pops! Uh, it-"
"Sorry sir, that was incredibly inappropriate." Emily panicked.
"You must be Miss Prentiss." Joe looked over his glasses, peering down his nose to the screen to take in the brunette's face.
"Yes sir, Emily."
"It's lovely to meet you, I've heard a lot about you." Joe smiled.
"Pops." JJ let out a nervous laugh at the admission from her grandfather.
"Come on now Jenna, lighten up." Joe nudged JJ with his elbow.
"Jenna? That's a new one." Emily chuckled.
"Yeah, there's plenty more to go along with it." Joe laughed.
"Who we talkin' to Juicy J?" Kate peered over JJ's other shoulder.
"Emily." JJ rolled her eyes.
"Ah! The famous Emster! I'm Kate, JJ's favourite cousin." Kate beamed confidently.
"Uh, I think I'm her favourite actually." Mikey piped up from the kitchen doorway.
"Oh my god." JJ breathed out, her free hand coming up to cover her face in embarrassment.
"Ooh is this the girlfriend?" Jessica joined in.
"Hello." Emily laughed.
"When will we be getting the pleasure of meeting this goddess?" Jessica asked.
"She's already met mom, but it's up to her. There is 15 more of you lot to meet, it's overwhelming." JJ shrugged.
"15?!" Emily looked gobsmacked, which made Jessica and Joe start laughing.
"I take it you don't come from a big family Emily?" Joe asked.
"Nope, just me and my parents. I'm an only child." Emily revealed.
"JJ!" JJ's nana, Sophia, bellowed from the living room, catching the attention of Jennifer, Jessica, Joseph and JJ's cousin Juliette who had filtered into the kitchen. Emily laughed as they all answered.
"I'm going to give Emily the house tour. You go see what Nana wants, we won't be long." JJ stood up, shuffling through the crowd that had gathered.
"Ooh, a house tour. Must be huge to put all of you up!" Emily sniggered.
"It's big enough." JJ shrugged. She showed Emily the kitchen first, and then diverted around the living area and into the den to show her girlfriend. Before long, she'd shown Emily the multiple guestrooms that were situated upstairs before finally coming to her own bedroom.
"This is my room..." JJ laughed nervously, flipping the camera and the light switch on so Emily could see the room in its entirety.
"Wow- it's uh, very pink." Emily laughed.
"Don't get me started." JJ groaned.
"Is that a Mia Hamm poster?" Emily asked, laughing even harder.
"She was my favourite soccer player!" JJ admitted.
"And Green Day. I didn't think you were a punk rock kid."
"Well, that's better than Evanescence isn't it." JJ rolled her eyes, looking at the posters stuck around her room.
"I had my goth phase too." Emily confessed.
"I just thought Amy Lee was hot." JJ shrugged.
"You and me both Jen." Emily laughed.
"I miss you." JJ's face dropped a little as she sat on the end of her bed.
"I miss you too sweetie. What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Emily asked.
"I'll be back about 5, if my mom ever lets me leave." JJ let out a breathy laugh.
"I, um-" Emily started, biting her lip as she fretted.
"What's up?" JJ tilted her head quizzically.
"Uh, my mom has invited you to her Christmas/New Year gala."
"Oh right, cool." JJ smiled nervously.
"We don't have to stay for long, just a couple hours and then we can go back to my place." Emily suggested.
"It's okay. I don't have anything to wear to that kinda thing Em."
"That's already been sorted."
"What do you mean?"
"Wait and see my love." Emily smiled, ducking out of the frame to pick up Zenny.
"Hi baby!" JJ perked up at the sight of the not so little pup.
"She's missed you." Emily laughed, Zenzi licking her face excitedly.
"I swear she's grown since I saw her two days ago." JJ chuckled.
"I can only just pick her up! Mom loves her, which is surprising to say the least."
"Her ears are so big!" JJ cackled, cooing over the black pup. Zenzi barked at JJ's voice, tilting her head to the familiar voice. "So, the last place you haven't seen is the family room." JJ started.
"Is that where everyone is?" Emily asked.
"Yep. They will bombard you if I take you in there." JJ grimaced slightly, making Emily laugh.
"It's okay, I can take it." Emily winked.
"You might regret that..." JJ raised an eyebrow seriously, but Emily laughing broke her stern look and made her giggle too.
"Has Jenny Bear told you about the time she had her first kiss?" Charlie, another one of JJ's cousins piped up, turning to the blonde to do kissing faces at her.
"Charlie, I swear to god I will punch you in the neck." JJ threatened, holding her fist up.
"No! I wanna hear it!" Emily laughed.
"No, you really don't." JJ groaned.
"Come on babe..." Emily pouted.
"Tell her Jenny!" Juliette piped up.
"Fine! I was 13, this boy asked me on a date. We went to the movies, he did the whole yawn and stretch move to put his arm round me, when he moved in to kiss me, I freaked and spilt a whole 30oz soda in his lap..." JJ covered her face with her hand. Her cousins all fell about laughing, JJ just wanted to sink into the couch and hide forever.
"That story never gets old." Mia gasped between laughs.
"I can't wait to meet you guys, you all sound like so much fun." Emily chuckled, curled up on the couch in her mother's living area.
"Spring break?" Sandy spoke from the other side of the room.
"I'm don't know, Em?" JJ asked her girlfriend.
"Yeah, I don't see why we can't head up for a few days." Emily nodded.
"We'll have to invite Georgina when you're next here Jenna." Sophia said.
"Who's Georgina?" Emily asked.
"My best friend from high school. Nana I haven't spoken to her for months..." JJ contemplated.
"Because you didn't say goodbye to her before leaving." Sandy raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, well... she was being a dick." JJ rolled her eyes.
"Jennifer Jareau, that language is not tolerated in this house." Sandy spoke sternly.
"Yeah, whatever. I'm going to bed, night guys." JJ made herself scarce quickly, leaving her family and Emily a little bit confused. She was just getting herself tucked into her bed when Emily spoke again.
"Jen, what's up sweetheart?" Emily asked, worried.
"Georgina wasn't just my best friend; she was my girlfriend." JJ revealed.
"Oh..." Emily nodded slowly, jealousy creeping up on her.
"It didn't last long, but she was my first." JJ shrugged.
"I understand. I take it she wasn't happy when you left for college."
"Nope. She said I was running away from my problems and called me a coward. So, I told her where to stick it." JJ laughed.
"Well, I don't blame you for not saying goodbye, and for not wanting to see her again."
"It was messy, and my family didn't know we were together. I'd rather just forget about it." JJ explained.
"Okay, well let's forget about it. Are you looking forward to seeing me?" Emily wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"You know I am." JJ chuckled.
"What are you most looking forward to, Jennifer?" Emily asked, sinful expression still painted on her face.
"Getting my cuddles from Zenny." JJ joked.
"Hey! Am I not good enough for you anymore?" Emily pouted playfully.
"You have your uses." JJ winked.
"Which are?" Emily quizzed.
"That thing you do with your tongue." JJ moaned quietly, hoping to get a reaction out of the brunette.
"God, you are such a tease." Emily groaned.
"Expect some vigorous interpersonal activities tomorrow evening Miss Prentiss." JJ smirked.
"Vigorous interperson- you've been spending too much time with Spencer." Emily rolled her eyes.
"I'm not leaving your bed until you've fucked me so good I can't walk." JJ shrugged.
"A spectacular plan Jennifer, I look forward to it." Emily winked.
"Merry Christmas Emily." JJ smiled warmly, head tilting unknowingly whilst she took in the beauty of her girlfriend.
"Merry Christmas Jen." Emily returned, smiling brightly to the young blonde.
The Ambassadors gala between Christmas and New Year was famous, all the big names attended, even the President one year. Luckily, Emily was on strict ruling not to get hammered at this one because JJ was joining her. When Emily gave the blonde her dress, zipped up in the bag so she couldn't see the contents, JJ looked at her with concern.
"What are you wearing?" JJ asked, biting her lip as her nerves made her stomach swirl.
"You'll see angel." Emily winked, trying to reassure her girlfriend. She grabbed her own gown bag and turned to leave JJ in the guest bedroom.
"Wait, where are you going?" JJ queried.
"I'm going to get changed in my room. It'll be a surprise when we see each other." Emily smiled.
"But you've already seen my dress."
"Jen... please?" Emily looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Okay, go before I change my mind." JJ waved her hand towards the doorway.
JJ hung the bag on the door to the ensuite, unzipping it and pulling it away to reveal a forest green gown. She ran her hand over the beaded embellishment, noting the tiny golden beads slipped between the green. She smiled to herself; it was a beautiful dress. Not a colour she would usually wear, but she trusted Emily that it was a good decision. She did her makeup a little darker than normal, lining her eyes with black and mascara to make her lashes look unbelievably long. With a little pink blush and some golden highlight. Deciding to do her hair half up half down, she curled it with the heated iron Emily had left in there for her, the loose curls pinned up and falling nicely against her shoulders when she was finished. All that was left was to put her dress on.
Meanwhile, Emily was ready in the other room. Her dress long, black and elegant, showing her sharp collarbones perfectly with the collared neckline, lapels and three-quarter length sleeves. The embroidery around the waist really complimented her stunning hourglass figure. She wore her hair up in a bun, her eyeliner dark and lips blood red. She slipped her black Louboutin's on, grabbing her clutch and making sure she had everything she needed before heading out to wait in the living room for her blonde companion. She heard JJ fumbling around in the guestroom and wondered if she should go and help, knowing the slightly complicated nature of the lace up closure on the back of the dress. Just as she was about to head down the hallway and knock on the door, she heard it open.
"Emily?" JJ shouted out.
"Living room." Em returned. JJ walked into the room, stunned look on her face as she took in the brunette in her gown.
"Wow." JJ breathed; eyes wide.
"I knew that colour would look good on you." Emily chuckled.
"You look amazing." JJ grinned.
"You look beautiful." Emily smiled back, just as bright. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep, I think so." JJ nodded, checking her clutch at her side and looking down at her gown. Emily came to stand next to the blonde, holding her arm for JJ to hold onto before they left the apartment and headed downstairs where a car service was waiting to pick them up. They were almost there when Emily broke the comfortable silence.
"So, just a heads up, mother can be a little uptight at these events, they take months of planning, and everything has to go exactly the way she wants, or she gets a bit agitated." Emily laughed nervously. "My father, however, will probably be hammered by the time we get there. He hates them just as much as I do and will do just about anything to get out of going."
"Okay. Is there anything I need to do or say, or avoid?" JJ asked.
"No, you should be fine. If you don't understand or don't want to engage in conversation, just nod politely and excuse yourself. That's what I do anyway." Emily smiled.
"Sure." JJ chuckled, lacing her fingers between Emily's and clutching tight as they pulled into the long driveway.
"You're going to be fine Jennifer. They'll love you." Emily reassured her, placing a gentle kiss against her temple.
The car stopped in front of the wide steps up to the entrance, before Emily had a chance to open the door, it was opened for her by a gentleman in a black suit.
"Good evening Miss Prentiss." the guy spoke poshly.
"Raf, how many more times do I have to tell you to call me Emily." Emily rolled her eyes as she shuffled out of the car. On the other side of the vehicle, JJ's door was opened for her and a hand held out to help her.
"Thank you, sir." JJ spoke quietly, nodding to the other older man.
"You're welcome Miss Jareau." he nodded.
"Hi Eddie." Emily waved to the same guy.
"Hello Emily." he smiled.
"Come on princess, let's get out of the cold." Emily held her arm out for JJ again, who willingly took the support as they walked up the steps. When they entered the mansion, JJ was awestricken by the beauty of the old building. Her heels clicked on the grey marble floor, the unbelievably high ceiling with what looked like the original intricate moulding decorating it entirely.
"Holy-" JJ whispered.
"Beautiful isn't it. I loved living here as a kid, I used to make Eddie play hide and seek with me all the time." Emily chuckled at the memory.
"Emily darling." a tall, brunette woman approached the couple quickly, JJ taking in the older woman's striking features.
"Hello mother. Jennifer, this is my mom." Emily waved a hand towards the older brunette.
"Hello Ambassador Prentiss." JJ nodded, almost feeling like she needed to bow to the woman.
"Jennifer, please call me Elizabeth. Ambassador is far too formal for evenings like this." Elizabeth held her hand out for JJ to shake.
"In that case, call me JJ." JJ smiled.
"Your father is at the bar, I'm sure he'll make himself known before long." Elizabeth rolled her eyes, making JJ laugh.
"Please, make yourself at home JJ. Jack and Phillip are around somewhere, if you need anything just ask them. Emily, I need to go and greet the Italian Ambassador, I will come and find you two for a chat soon." Elizabeth kissed Emily on the cheek and put her hand on JJ's shoulder before disappearing through the foyer.
"Your mother is incredibly elegant." JJ smiled, holding a giggle back.
"She only dresses up like that for these engagements or business. When she's at home, she's usually lounging around in loose trousers and a t-shirt." Emily joked.
"Sounds like my mom." JJ joked back. "Woah, the stairs are incredible!"
"Oh god, the number of times I rode down the handrail when I was kid... you know, I fell off one year and cracked my head open?" Emily raised her hand to the back of her head, wincing at the memory.
"Why am I not surprised?" JJ laughed.
"Come on, I'll give you the tour later. Right now, I need a drink or 5." Emily clutched hold of JJ's hand, guiding the blonde towards the bar area.
An hour or so went by, Emily being dragged into conversation every 5 minutes by a different guest. JJ had lost count of how many people she'd been introduced to, just smiling and nodding and laughing at the odd joke. That was until, an older gentleman approached them.
"Queenie" He held his arms out.
"Hey chief." Emily smiled, closing the distance between the two of them and holding on tight.
"How the devil are you?" the older man asked, his English accent thick and posh.
"I'm good dad. Please tell me you haven't drunk all the good scotch." Emily pulled back, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Of course not Millie, I would never do that to you." he winked.
"Jen, this is my father, James Prentiss." Emily waved her hand for JJ to join them.
"Hello sir." JJ held her hand out for him to shake.
"Sir?" James looked bemused at Emily. Emily laughed in response. "Call me James, or Chief, whatever tickles your fancy JJ."
"Thank you. You have a wonderful home." JJ nodded, laughing lightly.
"Its spectacular isn't it! Can I get you girls something to drink?" James made a show of looking around before turning his attention back to the bar.
"Some of that fancy ass scotch please Chief." Emily grinned. JJ nodded in agreement, patiently waiting for beverage. As she was handed the glass, Elizabeth re-joined them.
"James, I hope you're behaving yourself." Elizabeth stood beside her husband, a hand resting on his shoulder.
"Of course darling." James rolled his eyes, making JJ laugh. She lifted her glass to take the first taste of this 'fancy ass' scotch Emily had asked for.
"Holy shit, this is delicious." JJ groaned, eyes going wide when she realised her error. "I am so sorry Ambassador."
"You're quite alright JJ, Emily has a potty mouth at the best of times." Elizabeth smiled in reassurance to the blonde.
"I do not." Emily scoffed. Elizabeth, James and JJ all laughed.
"Yes, you do." JJ countered, smirking at her girlfriend.
"I take full responsibility for that." James held his hands up.
"Cheers chief." Emily tilted her glass towards her father. She took a swig of her drink, humming at the warm sensation it left when she swallowed.
"1926, Macallan?" Elizabeth asked. Emily and James nodded.
"It's nothing like the one Rossi got me." JJ looked over to the brunette.
"Knowing David Rossi, he probably splurged a couple hundred bucks. This stuff is 75k a bottle darling." James chuckled.
"75000?!" JJ's mouth fell open in shock.
"We do things right at Casa de Prentiss." Emily sniggered at her girlfriend's reaction, her arm looping round her waist.
"James, how did you get the name Chief?" JJ asked.
"I was MI5. Chief of the anti-terrorism sector." James revealed.
"Woah, that's pretty awesome." JJ nodded, impressed with the older man.
"Excuse me, I've got to go and make my speech." Elizabeth quickly excused herself again.
"Dad was an agent for a while before that. That's why he wasn't around much when I was a kid, off saving the world every 5 minutes." Emily smiled at her father.
"Is that how you and Elizabeth met?" JJ asked.
"Yes, she had a 5-year post in London at the time. We were together a year before we found out Liz was pregnant with Millie. She was born in the UK, when she was old enough, she went with her mother travelling across the globe whilst I stayed and continued my work as an agent. By the time she was 15, I had relocated over here with the CIA, then I finally retired 2 years ago." James shared; JJ completely enthralled by the information.
"You must've had an action-packed life Chief, I'm impressed." JJ chuckled. Just as Emily was about to talk, there was a clicking of a glass from the other side of the room. They all turned to face the Ambassador.
"Good evening everyone. I would like to thank you all for attending and hope you are enjoying yourselves." Elizabeth started. Emily placed her empty glass on the bar, arm wrapping around JJ as she stood beside the blonde to listen to the rest of the speech.
"James, Emily and I all wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We also want to wish Emily a happy birthday. 26 years ago, my darling daughter rushed into this world a little earlier than expected, but we wouldn't have changed it for anything. Happy Birthday sweetheart." Elizabeth beamed at her daughter, raising her champagne glass to the brunette.
JJ wasn't sure she'd heard Elizabeth correctly; did she say it was Emily's birthday? Why didn't Emily tell her? She looked over at the blonde, eyebrows furrowed and a bemused expression covering her face. Emily looked back at her with worried eyes, full of apology.
"I'm sorry Jennifer." Emily whispered, turning to glare at her mother for making a big deal of it in front of all the guests. She saw the hurt on JJ's face and instantly felt guilty for not having told her girlfriend. The blonde fixed her face quickly, a weak smile covering her mouth instead as the mask went on.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." JJ smiled, turning to find the bathroom. Emily panicked, turning to look at her father who nodded his head in the direction JJ disappeared, so she followed.
"Jen!" Emily called out, the blonde ducking into the bathroom quickly, shutting the door until Emily stuck her hand in the crack. JJ huffed, opening the door to let the brunette in. Emily locked the door behind her before turning to face the blonde.
"Why didn't you tell me?" JJ let out a small laugh, quelling her nerves and slight anger towards the brunette.
"I, uh-" Emily stuttered, not knowing where to start. JJ stood there; arms crossed awaiting the brunette's explanation. "I hate my birthday." Emily started.
"So, you just decided not to tell me?" JJ asked.
"I was going to tell you, just not today." Emily gave her a weak smile.
"I understand that you don't like being the center of attention. What I don't understand is the fact that you'd keep something like that from me, you know I wouldn't have made a big deal out of it if you didn't want that..."
"I know, I guess I just panicked. I'm so sorry Jen. Please forgive me." Emily pleaded, ears ringing and eyes stinging with tears.
"I could never not forgive you Emily." JJ felt bad, closing the space between the two of them and hugging her girlfriend.
"I'm sorry." Emily whispered, burying her head into JJ's neck.
"Promise you won't keep the big stuff from me?" JJ asked.
"I promise." Emily nodded.
"Come on, we better get back to your party or they'll think we're hooking up in here." JJ chuckled lightly, trying to lift the mood.
"Wouldn't be the first time..." Emily mumbled.
"Seriously?" JJ raised an eyebrow.
"I was 16, don't judge me." Emily rolled her eyes.
"My girlfriend is a nympho." JJ cackled.
"That's funny, so's mine." Emily winked.
Emily and JJ enjoyed the rest of the evening, chatting to Elizabeth and James for the majority, hearing stories the Ambassador had to tell from postings all over the world, and James telling JJ some of the more secret parts of his job. Guests had started to leave around 11:30 and by midnight, only the four of them remained.
"Hey, can I ride the railing?" JJ whispered into Emily's ear, a little tipsy from the few scotches she's consumed.
"Sure Jen, just be careful." Emily chuckled, loving the more playful side of JJ when she was relaxed. JJ proceeded to kick off her heels, grasping her dress in her hands and running up the staircase until she was at the top. Emily nodded as a sign to go, stood waiting at the bottom for the blonde.
"Ready?" JJ raised her voice.
"Yes, Jennifer." Emily laughed.
"Okay, here goes nothin'" JJ grinned. She rather unceremoniously lifted herself up onto the sturdy wooden railing, sitting sideways on it as not to ruin her gown and began to slowly slide down. Emily noted the huge smile on JJ's face as she got closer to her, smiling along with her as JJ giggled like a little kid. It wasn't until she was about 2 meters away from Emily that she wobbled, Emily reacting immediately to rush forwards as she flew off the end.
"Holy shit." Emily grunted, catching JJ in her arms.
"Woah." JJ breathed a sigh of relief when she landed in her girlfriends' embrace. "That was fun!"
"We almost ended up in the ER." Emily laughed lightly.
"God, I love you." JJ smiled, looking into dark brown eyes as she was placed back on her feet.
"Really?" Emily shook her head slightly, not sure if she heard JJ right.
"Oh, uh-" JJ stammered, worried she'd spoken those 3 words too soon.
"You love me?" Emily asked.
"Yes." JJ bit her lip worryingly. Emily started laughing quietly, looking up at the ceiling to take a breath in.
"I love you too."