Finally, Saturday.

This usually meant sleeping in for Emily. Usually. Since being aware of her pregnancy, it seemed that the baby took extra measures to remind Emily of their presence. This routine included morning sickness. What a bummer.

So, within minutes of waking up, Emily found herself sitting cross-legged on her bed and rest her hands on her middle. She even practiced calming breaths.

"Come on, kid." Emily murmured. "You are not going to mess with me. Not today."

After a few more minutes of practiced calm, Emily felt her child settle. She was grateful. While she did love being pregnant, the last thing she wanted was any added drama to her nerves about the event happening in a few hours' time. Hanging out with Virginia and Zion. Her family.

"Morning, Aunt Emmy!" Michael trilled sweetly when Emily finally arrived for breakfast.

"Good morning, baby boy." she greeted him. "How are you?"

Michael just blew her a kiss and then indicated the empty seat beside him. He hugged Emily when she took the spot.

"Unbelievable." JJ said as she, Will, and Katherine emerged from the kitchen carrying in everything they needed for breakfast. "Michael has been squawking at anybody who has tried to sit there. It just turns out that he was just waiting for you."

Emily was kept from responding when Olivia chose this moment to skirt around the adults' legs to grab the empty space where Michael wasn't.

"Hi, Aunt Emmy." Olivia said cutely.

"Good morning, little cat." Emily wrapped one arm around the toddler. "How's it shakin'?"

Olivia leaned into her. "It's shakin' way good."

"Excellent. You ready for breakfast?"

"Yep!"

Emily turned to Michael. "What about you?"

Michael gave a vigorous nod. "Food, please!"

Emily looked then to both LaMontagnes and Katherine. All three were staring, agog. Both of the toddlers were under some spell. Ten minutes prior, the kids had been very fussy. Now they were being perfectly polite. It was bizarre.

"How on earth did you do that?" Katherine asked as she sat across the table from them.

"Do what?" Emily asked innocently.

"Charm a pair of somewhat cantankerous toddlers this early on a Saturday morning. Olivia was taking a page out of Michael's book while you were still upstairs."

JJ snickered as she took her place at the far end of the table. "Oh, Kit. Emily has a number of hidden qualities. Being magnetic to kids of all ages is one of them."

"Definitely true." agreed Will as he sat at the other end of the table. "Michael has worshipped Emily for his entire life. So has Henry."

"Incredible." Katherine looked around, eyebrow furrowed. "Where is my first nephew?"

Her words had hardly left her mouth when they all heard a creak on the stairs. Everyone turned as one to see Henry as he walked in. Startled to have so much attention on him, he stopped in his tracks.

"What's everyone looking at me for?" Henry said with uncertainty.

"We were just wondering where you are, is all." JJ answered him. "What kept you this morning? You're usually the first person down for breakfast."

Curiously, the boy turned red. "I was thinking about Valentine's Day. There's a person I want to make something for..."

"You mean Zara King?"

"Mom!" Henry stomped a foot in protest. "Come on!"

Emily playfully admonished JJ. "Leave him be!"

Will also came to Henry's rescue. "Son, please go sit with one of your aunts."

Henry opted for a spot on Michael's other side.

The adults exchanged amused looks with each other. In spite of Katherine having plenty of room by her, Henry, Michael, and Olivia had each decided on their own to sit with Emily. She was clearly the most popular person under the LaMontagne roof.

This truth dawned Emily her as everyone began to tuck into their food, and Michael and Olivia asked her for help with various things. She hoped this luck would carry over for the rest of the day.

"Will you remind me what you're going to do?"

Much like an actual baby sister, JJ was hanging out in Emily's bedroom, watching her get ready for her outing.

"Go to the U.S. Botanic Garden for awhile, and then out to lunch." Emily finished applying her makeup before slipping on a cardigan over her blouse and brushing wrinkles out of her pants. "I do need your help with something. Put your mom hat on."

"It's never off. What are you thinking?"

"I want to treat Ginny and Zion to lunch after, but I can't think of a place that would appeal to a kid. What do you have in your arsenal?"

JJ thought about it. "There's a place out that way on G Street called Farmhouse Diner. Michael digs it because it's very kid-friendly."

"Farmhouse Diner on G Street." Emily echoed, retaining the vital information. "Got it."

JJ watched her finish getting ready. She even watched her dress for the cold. Emily was very nervous. But it was oddly endearing.

"Take a breath." JJ coached. "Are you meeting them there?"

Emily nodded. "But I can't find my purse..."

JJ found it on a nearby bench and held it out. "Here you go."

Emily blushed when she realized it had been under her nose and took it. "Thanks, Jayje. Do I look alright?"

"You look perfect." JJ gave Emily a hug and then beamed at her. "Go have a good time."

"Thanks, again. See you later."

With one last hug, Emily departed for the garage, where her car was parked.

JJ closed the door behind her. All at once, however, she was filled with an impending sense of dread.

The only thing now on her mind was her dinner date with Clifford that evening.

So as to perish the thought, she did her best to imagine how things would go for Emily.

When she arrived at the U.S. Botanical Garden, it was to find that she had beaten Virginia and Zion there. But she didn't have long to wait for them.

"Hey, Emily!"

She had a small start because she hadn't noticed Virginia pull up in her car, turn it off, or open the door. Keeping her cool had been had been her main thought just then.

Emily strolled over. "Hi, Ace! How are you?"

Virginia opened the door and turned to face her, but promptly assumed a guilty expression. "I'm doing really great... for the most part."

"Oh? Is there something wrong?"

"I'm having another bad leg day, but worse than what it has been. You'll be seeing a new side of me."

"And I am happy to learn. We'll also move at whatever pace you think is best." Emily said. "I respect all of your wishes to be independent, but please consider me at your beck and call. For anything."

Virginia's heart lightened a considerable deal. "I love you."

Emily kissed her. "I love you. Tell me what you need right now."

"I'm going to pop the trunk because I need to get our things, but can you get Zion and help him?"

"Sure."

While Virginia set about her task, Emily opened the left side passenger door. Zion was extremely excited to see her.

"Hi, Emmy!" the little boy waved to her from his carseat. "Hi!"

"Good morning, little bird! I'm so happy to see you!" Emily tickled Zion's cheek. "Mama's busy, so I'm going to help you get out and put on your jacket, alright? Does that sound like a good idea to you?"

Zion immediately stopped arching his back in his attempt to be free of his carseat. "Yes, Emmy!"

It wasn't lost on Emily that taking care of a child was going to be in her future. Zion was practice. And very patient.

"Emmy?" Zion tugged on Emily's jacket, once she had bundled him up and grabbed his backpack. "Emmy?"

She scooped him up. "Yes?"

Zion offered her his best smile. "You make me happy."

Emily's heart did a cartwheel of surprise, but she hugged Zion close. "You make me happy."

Zion sank into Emily's hold. To any passerby, they looked like mother and son, having a cuddle. But it was in truth a moment of trust-building.

Virginia really was having a bad leg day. She now sat in a wheelchair and was even sporting traction gloves to help her steer the wheels better. Emily even spotted various bags and attachments for storage. It was clear that Virginia was ready for a day out.

She spoke shyly. "What do you think? I sometimes tire out easily, even though I can walk. This is one of those days."

"Are you alright?" Emily asked her. "To hang out?"

Virginia nodded. "Mhm. I just wanted to get in front of it before it could get any worse."

"That's a good idea." Emily eyed Virginia's wheels again. "I think your chair is very sharp. Is it made of aluminum?"

"Good eye." Virginia pointed to a bag on the back of her chair. "Will you hand me Zy's backpack? It's got a change of clothes and snacks inside."

Emily relinquished her hold, and watched as Virginia fit it in with to the other bag with ease.

"Wow." she remarked. "Is that a bottomless carpet bag?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Backup of all sorts is always necessary. That's why I have all the storage here." Virginia pointed to a large pouch secured to her left wheel. "Your purse will fit there. Mine is in a pouch on the other wheel."

"You think of everything." Emily put her bag away and secured it. "And the weight doesn't bother you?"

Virginia shook her head. "My legs might be questionable, but my upper body strength is pretty great. I'll be fine."

Reassured, Emily picked Zion up (he had been complaining about being cold) and let Virginia go first towards the building. Time for an adventure.

Not until they were a little while ways down the path of a large indoor garden did Virginia pull Emily aside for a moment. Zion was nearby, sniffing a bush of roses.

Virginia looked up at Emily with concern. "You look like your thoughts are somewhere else. Do you want to share?"

Emily stuck her hands in her pockets. "When I left the house, JJ was in a bit of a state. She's having dinner with her dad later tonight."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Therein lies the rub. Until our most recent case, he has been gone from her life altogether since she was eleven."

"Meaning now that JJ is totally jittery." Virginia realized.

"Yes, but," Emily relaxed her posture and gave her girlfriend a kiss. "I'm here with you now, Ace. That's a promise."

"Thank you." Virginia patted Emily's free hand. "Is anyone in your family allergic to cats? I dreamt last night that we came over for dinner, but it didn't go to well."

"No cat allergies that I know of."

"Good. That means there won't be any any problems when we do get around to meeting them."

"Speaking of which, when d—"

Emily's inquiry was disrupted cut off by Zion sidling up to them in a very adorable manner. "Mama, Emmy? Is it time to keep going?"

Virginia nodded and prepared herself to steer her chair again. "Yes, it is."

Emily motioned for Zion to turn around and go forward. "Lead on, little bird."

So Zion happily led the expedition, with Virginia and Emily following close behind.

The trio encountered something at the end of the pathway that made them stop. A fork in the road. While one way led to another garden, the other led to a small building set against the far wall. It was large and made of concrete. Atop it was a glass dome. Trees could be seen poking overhead. A sign above the entrance read 'AVIARY' in giant green letters.

Right on cue, Virginia shivered.

Zion was different.

Holding on to Emily's hand, he pointed up at the sign. "What's that word up there?"

"It says aviary." she told him.

"That's a fancy word…" Zion mused.

"Can you guess what it means?" Emily asked him.

Zion came up with a blank. "I don't know, Emmy."

She tapped Zion's ears. "Concentrate. Tell me what you hear."

Zion listened with all his might before brightening.

"Birds!" he cried excitedly. "I hear birds!"

"Very good!" Emily praised. "Aviary means that birds live in there!"

Zion's eyes widened as he took this in. "Mama doesn't like birds. Do you?"

Emily bobbed her head. "Yes."

"Can we go in?" Zion swung his hand in Emily's. "Please?"

"I think that's a question for mama." Emily answered him.

Zion caught her drift and turned to Virginia. "Please can I go into the a-very with Emmy, mama? Please?"

"Yes," Virginia decided. "But mind your p's and q's. Can you do that?"

Zion gave a serious nod. "Yes, mama."

"Then go have some fun with Emmy. Tell me about the birds." Virginia ruffled Zion's hair. "I'll be by the door when you come back out."

"Okay. I love you."

"Right back at you, Zy."

He grinned broader than ever and continued to swing his hand in Emily's again.

Emily realized with a jolt that she had just been trusted to be alone with Zion for more than five minutes. The aviary probably wouldn't even be that long. But her little companion didn't know that. He just saw this as time to hang out with a new friend. In his eyes, Emily was nothing short of amazing.

"You'll do great." Virginia said when she sensed Emily's apprehension. "Just have some fun with Zy, and indulge him in what he wants. That does include stuffed animals. I'll be waiting by the outside exit."

"Alright. See you in awhile."

Virginia acknowledged this and watch as Emily then gave all her attention to Zion. It didn't take long for the two of them to fall into their own world.

When Virginia found her waiting spot, she set up camp. Her fingers were also crossed that Emily and Zion would be awhile. The brief interlude would allow her to do something very important.

She fished her phone out from her pocket, unlocked it, and prepared a text message.

We made a friend whom I would love for you to meet, she sent.

The response was very fast. How lovely. When?