Only JJ knew the truth about why Emily cut out early on their first day back at work after the blizzard. Taking their cue from from her, the rest of the team didn't question their CO's early departure. Each agent had an alarming mountain of paperwork to contend with, as it was. It was enough to keep anyone busy.

After a quick stop at the LaMontagne house to refresh and put her gun away, Emily drove straight to the Rainers' building.

Zion was elated to see her when she entered their building.

"Hi, Emmy! I'm so happy to see you!"

"Right back at you, little bird!" Emily hugged him. "Are your things ready for our adventure?"

Zion grew sheepish. "I think my backpack is on mama's bed."

"Will you please go check for me?"

Zion gave a nod of understanding as he hurried off.

Emily turned to Virginia. The couple had already greeted each other, but now it was the author who had turned sheepish.

"Everything okay?" Emily asked her curiously. "Is there anything you need?"

"Not me, so much as my mini-me. He's in need of a new pair of winter boots. Zion grows like a weed." Virginia explained. "What all did you have planned?"

"Taking Zion to the bookstore at the mall to get a new book or something, and then for a snack before heading over to JJ's house. What do you think?"

Virginia gave Emily a real smile. "That sounds great. It actually also goes in line with what I was about to ask you."

Emily guessed it. "Bring little bird to get new boots?"

"Yes. Would you?"

"It would be my pleasure. Does he know about this addendum yet?"

Virginia shook her head. "Not yet. How is the baby?"

"She's happy at the moment, but," Emily framed her noticeably rounded middle with both hands. "She's getting big."

"I agree." Virginia said after a moment of observation. "Should we tell Zion?"

Emily opened her mouth to agree, but Zion's little voice rent the air.

"Tell Zion what?" he wanted to know as he walked over with his backpack in hand.

Virginia spoke soothingly to Emily when she gave her a quick panicked look. "Just go for it. He would have started putting the pieces together soon."

Emily made up her mind on the spot. She already knew that the Rainers were it for her for life, even if things were on extreme fast-forward. They also knew that she was part of their family, too. Cluing Zion in about what was to come felt like the right action to take.

So Emily knelt down to be level with Zion. "Buddy, do you like surprises?"

"I do." Zion answered her.

"Well, I have a couple surprises for when we go out, but I also have a super big one. Do you want to hear?"

Reading the seriousness of the matter, Zion stood still. "Yes."

Emily gave a small exhale to calm the nervousness that had cropped up. She knew Zion adored her, but what if he didn't take well to this development? That would be trouble. Her fingers were crossed for a positive response.

"It won't be for a ton more sleeps, but… I'm going to have a baby."

Zion fell quiet for a moment as he took in Emily's news. It was almost like watching a computer process new information.

"Emmy," his voice trembled with barely-contained excitement. "I'm gonna be a brother?"

"Yes—"

But that was all Zion needed to hear before he was off like a rocket, doing laps around the perimeter of the main floor as he squealed about dreams coming true.

"Huh." Virginia remarked as the little boy zoomed past them. "He took that way better than I expected. Zion doesn't have a mean bone in his body, but he is the youngest Rainer grandchild. I thought there would be a little bit of pushback."

Emily stood beside her. "We really lucked out, but we'll deal with it if he has an adrenaline crash later, I guess. Did you tell him that you were thinking about making him a big brother?"

Virginia shook her head. "No, but mostly because he would have talked himself hoarse at just the idea. I was also just a little worried that he would have rebelled. Guess not. We will definitely coach him through any adrenaline crashes if they come."

"Agreed." Emily framed her middle again, happy that she no longer had to hide it. "Is anything in our story ever going to happen in a normal way?"

"Nope, and I love it. What about you?"

Emily looked back at Virginia and kissed her. "I love it very much."

"So do I." Virginia returned the kiss and then patted her on the shoulder. "Now let's go corral Zy before he wears himself out."

This was much easier said than done because the little boy was extremely fast. He had also dropped his backpack, tossed his jacket, and lost one shoe. He was in his own world.

Luckily, Zion was caught and contained fairly quickly. He cooperated even more when Emily informed him of their plans. The last thing he wanted was to slow them down on purpose.

With one last round of hugs and kisses, Emily and Zion finally left.

Virginia departed out not long after them for her meeting. Part of her wished she could go with Emily and Zion. But then part of her wished she didn't. She wanted to see what would come of them hanging out together for a few hours without her. They would get to know each other even more. And have new experiences.

Imagining what those experiences were would surely get her though her meeting much faster.

Emily had been handed spending money from Virginia before they left that was enough to cover everything. She made a mental note to give her an extra special thank you, later on.

It also turned out that Zion loved to go shopping. A whole different part of him came alive. Emily knew how to handle him like this. It was great. They were speaking the same language.

After she told her tiny charge they were going to be purchasing new boots, he came alive even more. Emily became amused when she realized that Zion's inane chatter was actually a rambling lecture on everything he knew about shoes. This turned out to be quite a lot.

As the afternoon went on, Emily felt like her heart was fit to burst over how excited Zion was about everything and about just being with her. She even found herself planning more hangouts with him.

Emily just hoped that Zion's content would carry on for the next phase of their time together.

Going to the house of LaMontagne.

Zion fell quiet as Emily helped him stow his winter gear. He had his toys from home and one familiar place, but he was just quiet. Emily didn't blame him. This house was new.

"Little bird," Emily said as she guided Zion away from the main receiving area by the front door. "What do you think?"

Zion looked around. "It's very quiet."

"Because we're the only ones home right now." she told him patiently. "Do you remember who I said lives here?"

"You, and your friend!" Zion paused to think. "Umm… JJ?"

"Very good. She does live here, and guess what?"

Zion looked up at Emily. "Hm?"

"JJ lives here with her husband, and they have two boys. One of them is the same age as you."

Zion perked up. "What is his name?"

"It's Michael, and he won't be back for awhile," Emily checked her watch. "But I know that he has toys that you would like. Do you want to check those out? Or would you like to play with what you got today?"

Zion elected to play with a new set of puzzles that Emily had bought for him while they were out. He would play with Michael's toys later. Maybe.

JJ was a person of routine.

She did what she could to maintain sense and order at home. Creating this atmosphere was actually a learned trait from Will. Before their paths had crossed, JJ's life had been messy and unorganized in more ways than one. The perpetually disorganized state of her BAU foxhole was proof. She didn't even use that room anymore. The state of her old apartment was more proof. But that was another story.

In addition to the sense of joy and completion Will had brought into her life, he had also taught her practical lessons about why keeping a clean and balanced home was important. JJ greatly appreciated this. Even now.

Plus… Henry and Michael had never known any different.

Recent events, of course, had just about thrown the LaMontagnes' preference of stability clear out the window. JJ was learning to accept it. And nothing was going to be quiet once the twins were born. So this was just practice.

Today, she had the jitters because Ginny Lynn and her son would be having dinner at her house. No pressure.

But one small part of JJ's routine she was thankful was being able to collect Michael from the nanny and Henry from school. She liked to do these when she was in town. They even went to the grocery store. How perfectly normal.

JJ hadn't known what to expect when entering her house other than that Emily and Zion were already there, but it certainly wasn't to have her heart in her throat. What was her life now? She truly had no idea anymore.

"Em?" she called out. "I'm home, and I have the kids! Where are you?"

"Here!"

Emily and Zion appeared together in the front hallway.

Then… it was as if time came to an abrupt grinding halt.

Henry just stared. Michael, too.

JJ's heart rose into her that. She dropped her grocery bags, and her purse.

A genuine cry of surprise escaped her. Even her heart jumped.

Startled, Zion pressed closer to Emily for protection.

Emily regained control of her faculties first.

"Jennifer!" she hissed at her partner. "What's the matter with you? Zion's been given quite a turn, just now!"

JJ tore her eyes away from Zion to answer her. "Emelise, he looks just like Will did as a kid!"