In an unsurprising twist, Emily found JJ in the kitchen.

But it was her friend's favorite room in the house. It was very cozy. Tonight was no different.

A hot treat was baking in the oven. A home manicure kit was open on the kitchen island countertop, and alongside it was a small array of bottles containing purple nail polish in varying darker shades. Even the room lights were at a soothing level.

JJ was at the kitchen island, wearing lounge clothes, and had her nose buried in a book.

Emily sat in the chair beside hers. "What are you reading?"

JJ set the book on the counter. "This is one of Ginny's, and the title is Traitor With No Nation. The new book is directly after it."

"Then you're rereading this one?"

"Yes. It's one of my favorites, and I wanted to read it again because... never mind." JJ shifted uncomfortably her seat. "I'm rambling. We have time to ourselves because the kids are down for the count, and Will is in the home theater."

"He showed it to me when he gave me the house tour this afternoon." Emily remarked. "I love the Old Hollywood theme. How long has Will collected movie memorabilia?"

"Most of his life—his dad got him into movies. It was their thing. Almost all of Will's things even made it through the hurricane." JJ said softly. "He also used to collect cigars and smoke them. Did you know that?"

Emily shook her head. "I didn't. What happened?"

"Will quit cold turkey on the day I told him I was pregnant with Henry. He hasn't smoked at all since."

"Wow."

JJ nodded. "Will said that he would rather be around to see all of our kids grow up, have kids of their own, and introduce all of them to the cinematic world."

"Wow." Emily said again, having new admiration for her friend.

"Will's poured a lot of love into that room."

"And the story behind it is amazing. You married a really fantastic man."

JJ grinned bashfully. "I definitely did."

Emily glanced at the book again. Virginia's nom de plume was greeting her in gold filagree at the bottom of the cover.

For a second, Emily wondered which material Virginia would prefer for a ring. Silver? Or gold? She would have to find a way to figure that out.

Stop! she scolded herself. You only just met her!

Emily pointed to the gold lettering, so as to keep her brain from wandering too far. "I think I've met my future wife."

"I know you have, Emelise. You light up in the best possible way when you talk about her, and it doesn't hurt that she's known your parents for so long. Talk about a helpful plus."

"You know," Emily said thoughtfully. "My parents have always kept framed pictures on their desks of me, as well as their friends, and even important people they've met."

JJ easily followed the train of thought that was being had. "I suppose they each keep a picture of Ginny?"

"You would be correct, my friend. I saw one when we were there tonight, and that's how I finally recognized her."

Now JJ was impressed. "That means you've been connected with Ginny all this time without even realizing it."

"I have." Emily agreed. "I've even been connected with her son because my parents have also been keeping pictures of him. Zion realized who I am when Ginny told him that I'm the daughter of 'Papa Fitzhugh' and 'Nana Elizabeth.' It really blew his mind."

"Extraordinary; it sounds like everything is falling into place." JJ said in wonder. "And Ginny's boy is called Zion?"

"Uh-huh. I bet he was born around the same time as Michael, Olivia, and Lucy."

"Our world seems to be shrinking every day now. Didn't you tell me that Zion is on your short list of baby names? That, and Eden?"

Emily nodded mutely at JJ's inquiry.

"Have you told Ginny that?"

Now Emily shook her head.

JJ sighed. It was clear that Emily was hopelessly in love. The way things were going, Emily was acting as though she had been struck dumb. It was entertaining to watch because she hadn't acted like this at all about Andrew. This was a step in the right direction.

Suddenly, the oven buzzed.

"I figured that since we're going to be having some girl time, I should at least whip something up." JJ headed over to the oven. "I made those apple turnovers that I brought to the Christmas party."

Emily remembered exactly what she was talking about, but she remained quiet. All she could think of was Virginia. Their date really couldn't come fast enough.

JJ went about with retrieving the turnovers from the oven.

"Ginny told me during the Skype call that she fell for me when she saw me today, and... uh... that's when I fell for her." Emily finally said. "She also informed me that she wants to be a mom again."

JJ almost dropped the turnovers.

"The universe is really looking out for you." she set the turnovers on the cooling rack and closed the oven door and turned back to the kitchen island. "Ginny told you those things?"

Emily bobbed her head. "She did."

"Are you in love with Ginny?" JJ asked gently.

"I absolutely am." Emily answered honestly. "She's even returning returning the feelings. We're so comfortable with each other already that we could have just kept talking. Maybe even all night."

"Wow, Emelise. I'm truly happy for you."

Emily heard these words, but was again on the track of a single, recurrent thought. "Did I tell you that I've met my future wife?"

JJ humored her. "Yes, you did."

And over a session of eating turnovers, drinking lemonade, and painting their fingernails, Emily told JJ about her Skype call with Virginia. It was a very fun time.

Across town, Virginia was deep into researching discreet ways to figure out Emily's ring size.

All Emily wanted to do the next morning was just skip work altogether.

Today, her brain was already only focusing on her life outside of the FBI. And she liked it. Her agenda was full of things family-related.

There was packing up her apartment, as well as the impending chat with Katherine, August, and Aurora. What were they all so desperate to talk about? She also had to get presents for Virginia and Zion. That would be interesting. Not to be missed was the matter of recruiting JJ to her get ready for the date.

Work was going to drag.

"Emily, I have a special delivery for you."

"Hm?"

Emily looked up from the report she'd been trying to focus on. There had been little success.

She perked up when she saw JJ. "Hey! What's that you've got?"

Her partner was carrying a potted orchid, wrapped in cellophane. Emily also spotted a note and a stuffed toy within. JJ placed the gift on the desk.

"It's from Ginny." she announced. "I bumped into the delivery man in the elevator lobby and took care of things before questions could be asked."

"You're a great friend."

Emily undid the cellophane wrapping and examined the note. She found Virginia's handwriting to be very neat.

I hope you like orchids—you came to mind when I saw them this morning. The elephants are from Zion. He was paying attention during the India story. See you tonight.

Yours,

Ace

The elephants were small, and made of blue denim. They were even holding on to each other by their trunks and tails. What made Emily's heart flutter was that there were four of them. It was as if she was looking at a depiction of her future family.

A happy ending with Virginia, Zion, and the baby. Emily herself made the fourth.

"Are you crying?" JJ held out the tissue box from the desk to her.

Emily's eyes in truth were tearing up, but she wiped her eyes before things could get out of hand.

"I'm fine." she coughed. "I promise."

"You have a family, even if it's just in its beginnings. It okay to feel things for them." JJ said kindly. "What got you about the toys?"

Emily exhaled to steady herself. "Remind me to tell you about our family vacation when I was nine. We were in India, and elephants were involved."

JJ was perplexed. Her best friend was extremely intriguing, but as of late, she was learning new things about her all the time. India? Elephants? How many different kinds stories did Emily have?

"Your life is fascinating." JJ said.

"And I'm glad of it." Emily winked. "How are things going out in the bullpen?"

"We're all still working on our case reports. How goes it in here?"

Emily shrugged. "I'm doing my best to make any headway, but my mind is on what will happen after you and I clock out."

"All of that would distract anyone. I'm just glad that we found a same-day moving company. Told you it would work out." JJ smiled sympathetically at Emily. "Anything else on your mind?"

"Where do you and Will shop for Michael when it comes to presents?"

This blindsided JJ so much that she finally sat at the desk, too. "I beg your pardon?"

"Hey, I'm going to Ginny's place for the first time—for a date. It would be unbecoming if I showed up with a present for her and not Zion."

"That makes it sound like you know what to get for Ginny already." JJ said slyly.

Emily coughed again. "Focus, Jennifer. Favorite toy store for Michael?"

"We always go to Rockefeller's Toys. Do you know what Zion is into?"

"Not entirely, but Ginny said that he could stand some variety with his food range. I might have promised to shake things up for him." Emily said in rather a nervous voice. "Ginny says she can cook anything, but apparently, Zion seems to think her repertoire is 'run-of-the-mill.' She described toddlers in general as talkative and judgmental."

"Ginny is dead-on about that." JJ laughed. "But anyway, Rockefeller's has all kinds of dress-up, and I bet they have kid chef wear. That would tickle Zion. He'd probably even take his mother seriously about food. You'd be a hero to both of them."

"Excellent point." Emily approved.

"I bet if you call over to the toy store, they'd hold something for you." JJ said in afterthought. "We could get it on the way home… or to wherever."

"What would I do without you?"

"You'd be very lost when it comes to the art of how to charm toddlers." JJ got to her feet again. "I'm going back to my desk now."

"Good call." Emily said as JJ headed back out. "Thanks for all your help."

Not only did the toy store have exactly what Emily was looking for, but they even agreed to hold it all for her, just like JJ thought they might. Stopping by after work would be very easy.

This put Emily in a very good mood for her next to-do list item.

Calling Virginia.

"Hi, Ace!" Emily greeted her when she picked up.

"Emily! How's work?" Virginia asked.

"I thought I was in for a dull day, but I just got your flowers and Zion's elephants. Thank you."

"You're so welcome. Do you like them?"

"I love it all. Will you tell Zion for me?"

"Oh, yes." Virginia promised. "He's at nursery school right now. I can tell you that he's going to be elated that you were talking about him."

Emily's heart flipped at the thought of making Zion's day. "I wish I could see the look on his face. What are you up to right now?"

Virginia chose her words carefully—giving things away would spoil her plans for their evening.

"I've just gotten home from a physical therapy appointment, so I'm going to have a rest." she managed. "Then it's a new round of errands before collecting Zion."

"Errands like what?" Emily tried.

Virginia laughed. "Errands like I'm not gonna tell you because it feels like you're just procrastinating now."

"That was what I was doing just now, yes."

Virginia indulged Emily for a few moments. "Fitzhugh just taught Zion the word 'lallygag' in its proper context the other day. Now my boy will tell me that was 'lallygagging' when he doesn't immediately follow through on something I asked him to do."

"You live with a sponge, not a kid."

"Get him started on jungle animals, especially elephants." Virginia challenged. "I dare you."

Emily smirked. "Elephants aren't the only exotic animal I've been around."

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me." Virginia teased. "How's the baby?"

Emily's heart flipped a second time; Virignia really did care. "Jellybean is growing away. I can't wait until I have a bump to really show off."

This thought made Virginia's heart jump. She was sure that Emily would look radiant with a big baby bump. So sure in fact, that the exact image had popped up in her dreams during the night.

I'll see you tonight." Virginia said, sad that it was already time to go.

"Tonight, Ace." Emily echoed. "See you then."

They hung up.

Emily made a mental note to also collect elephant gifts for Zion at the toy store later.

After that, she finally got back to work.