Emily didn't know what to think.

Neither did JJ.

Thanks to their job, they were used to weird things. It was almost normal. What wasn't was an extraordinary something happening in their ordinary off-the-clock lives. All they could do was continue to watch.

Will felt thunderstruck. "There'll be initials on the back."

Virginia didn't have to look to know what they were. "WIJL. Please tell me who that is."

"My father. He was William Isaac Jesse LaMontagne Senior. I'm Junior." Will's eyes flickered from the watch to Virginia. "How did you even come by that? My father bemoaned the loss of his favorite watch for as long as I can remember. He never got over it."

"Funny you should ask about how I got the watch." Virginia tucked her watch away again. "My mother told me that the divorce was finalized through the mail, but everything was just awful on the day she walked away."

Will winced. "How bad?"

"Bad as in he threw the watch at her. It didn't hit her because she caught it. Looks like she never gave it back."

"Wow." said Will in surprise. "My father drank a lot, but he never once raised a hand to me. I can't picture him doing that someone else."

"It's what happened." Virginia told him simply. "When I was younger, I would sneak into my mother's things to look at the watch because it was the only material thing of my father's in the house."

"You couldn't help being curious..." Will mused.

"In time, the watch was restored and then mother gave it to me when I of age." Virginia tapped her pocket. "Mother despises her first husband, but she isn't totally heartless. I think she's been through too much in life to hold on to those old things."

Virginia surveyed Will with a new light.

"Do you know what all this means?"

Will gave a vigorous nod. "It means that we are brother and sister. Do I look like... her?"

"Oh, my goodness, yes. The strong genes must be why Zion mistook you for himself."

Virginia pulled a small travel-sized album from the side bag on her walker, and handed it over when she'd found what she was looking for.

"This is her. She might look familiar to you."

Will had an extreme jolt of recognition when he saw the person in the photograph. "Are you k—"

Virginia shook her head. "Nope."

Will handed the book to JJ. "Cher, check it out."

JJ felt a similar jolt of recognition when she looked up on the picture.

It was with a conscious effort that she connected with JJ first. "Did you know what their mother is Amaya Rainer? The chocolatier?"

"Yes, but," Emily immediately began to backpedal when she saw that JJ was less than impressed. "I wasn't searching for a resemblance between her and Will, was I? But now the resemblance is irrefutable."

Will turned to his houseguest again. "Has Amaya ever mentioned having a son?"

Virginia shook her head. "No. But... oh, man. Ready for a mind-bender?"

"Alright…" Will said cautiously.

"We have sisters."

Will had heard this information earlier from Emily, but it was different now because they were also his little sisters.

But he was excited. "What are their names?"

"Phoenix, Lilith, and Jubilation. I chose their names." Virginia said with pride. "Another story for another day."

She spoke now to JJ.

"My middle sisters are twins. They're even identical. Do you know if your twins are?"

JJ framed her middle with her free hand. "Yes, and we're still in awe. Is there a picture with Phoenix and Lilith in the photo album?"

"Third from the front."

JJ found it. Once again, her heart cartwheeled.

"Your sister are beautiful, but... wow..."

Virginia watched her put the pieces together. "Keep going."

"Jubilation. Is she…?"

"Yes. All of this is real."

So JJ passed the photo album to Will. "These are the rest of your sisters."

Phoenix and Lilith were dressed in very nice outfits because the picture had been shot during a professional photography session. Jubilation, in what looked like her Sunday best, stood between them on a bench to be at their level, but had been rather tickled by something that had been said. Her big sisters looked on in amusement while she pressed her little hands over her mouth in a poor attempt to maintain her composure. The picture was delightful. No wonder Virginia carried the picture around.

I have sisters—four of them, Will thought.

He then looked Virginia square in the eyes. "They're beautiful. And Jubilation is our sister? What's she like?"

Virginia thought about it. "Jubes was born a week before Zion, and she loves unicorns. Totally obsessed. But she can say 'integer,' and travels the world with Amaya. She is positively precious."

Will chose his next words carefully. "I totally see the resemblance between us, Phoenix and Lilith, and Jubilation. Who is their father?"

Virginia cleared her throat. "A subject like that is totally not dinner talk. By the way, I brought presents for your lovely wife and charming sons. You aren't left out."

Will was touched. "No?"

"Uh-uh." Virginia accepted the photo album back from JJ and swapped it out for a first edition copy of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. "This is for you."

"Woah! Thank you!" exclaimed Will as he accepted the gift. "How did you know I was looking for this?"

"Emily told me so."

Emily tried not to appear too bashful.

JJ stood when the over timer buzzed a moment later. "I'll take care of that. What do we tell the kids about ask this?"

"Nothing." Will and Virginia answered in a united front.

Emily snickered and quickly retrieved the photo album JJ had shown her earlier in the front hall.

"Virginia, this is the picture that made Zion confused." she passed her the album. "Have a look."

A torrent of emotions crossed Virginia's face as she processed what she was was looking at.

Virginia was almost breathless when she spoke with Will again. "This is you?"

"It sure is." Will confirmed. "That picture was taken in our front yard, along the main walk."

"You look like my boy's carbon copy here. It's uncanny. Could you please tell me a story about yourself from back then?"

Will happily told all of them the story of when he had gone to the bayou for the first time. Virginia hung on to every word.

All throughout dinner, none of the kids even suspected that anything even remotely outstanding had happened amongst the adults. Everything was ordinary. Normal.

But Virginia later saw an opportunity to discuss it again.

She pounced. Fast.

While the LaMontagnes cleaned up from dinner, and the children dispersed again, Emily brought Virginia to the living room. They were alone.

"How are you doing?" Virginia asked Emily as they sat together on the couch.

Emily was taken aback. "Me? You're the one who just gained a sibling."

"You're cute." Virginia gently squeezed one of Emily's thighs. "We wouldn't have gotten this far if you didn't care for the family as much as you do."

"Good point." Emily removed Virginia's hand from her thigh and brought it to her lips, gently peppering it with kisses. "I'm feeling intrigued by the grand scheme of things. Excited, curious, in love. Full of questions."

"That's good." Virginia set her hand in her lap. "You know... I think I'll go visit Amaya in the morning. I'd say come with me, but she had a hot temper. Be glad that Fitzhugh and Elizabeth are as normal as they are."

Emily gave a soft laugh. "They have their moments. I dare you to ask them about Johannesburg or Ontario."

"What about those places?" came JJ's voice.

The LaMontagnes entered the room, and sat opposite the couch in a pair of comfy armchairs.

"Nothing, Jayje." Emily said quickly. "Just my parents' misadventures from before I was born. They are very silly and like to screw with me."

But JJ had started smirking. "Misadventures, huh? Like you? In Vegas? Hungover?"

"Do you really want to go there?" Emily hissed. "What about the plane ride back home after Las Vegas? It was just Aaron, me, a bajillion week pregnant you, and that ridiculous craving."

JJ turned red. "Seriously?"

While they argued, Virginia looked to her brother. "Are they like this all the time?"

"You bet." Will replied. "They would have been together if I hadn't come into the picture, and all three of us are certain that they were married in another life. What's happening here is nothing."

This last part amused Virginia greatly.

She turned back to the other two and gently called out, "JJ?"

The woman turned to face her. "Yes?"

"What was that 'ridiculous' craving? Oreos dipped in peanut butter?"

"How the hell...?" JJ sputtered. "Yes. Yes, it was, but why do you ask?"

"That exact combo was exactly what I craved when I carried Zion." Virginia explained. "My mother also had that hankering both times I saw her pregnant. It looks like all kinds of things are getting passed around in weird ways from our side of the family. Does anything quiet ever happen here?"

"Not anymore." the other three chimed together.

"There is totally a story there. I will find out some time."

"Determined." JJ noted. "I like it."

Things then fell quiet for a beat as it dawned on them that they now had time to chat, and kid-free. But who would go first?

This was where Virginia took the plunge. "I'm here for this adventure, and I'm an open book, but... There are some super wild things you're going to learn if and when you shake the right tree hard enough."

"We consider ourselves warned. Anything else?"

"Mother is a nice person. You just have to work for it." Virginia sighed heavily as old memories flashed before her eyes. "Ask her why she ended up in Mississippi. The only thing I know is that Texas was her first choice."

"That's in the opposite direction!" But Will sighed. "Well... Thanks for the pointers."

Virginia gave him a playful salute. "You're welcome, brother."

Emily smiled at the siblings' exchange. It was fun to watch. But... How had none of them crashed yet? She was shocked neither had.

And... what would trigger a crash? Hopefully not an encounter with Amaya Rainer.

God forbid...

Emily came back to the present when she felt Virginia patting her hand.

"You with us?" the younger woman asked her.

"Yes, beautiful." Emily gave her a reassuring smile. "What's on your mind?"

Virginia went straight to the point. "I'm content to be a bystander. Now I just want to hear about why the hell you were hung over in Las Vegas during a case. But more to the point—what the hell did you even do?"

"I also want to hear." Will said in a swift manner. "Please?"

Emily groaned. But she still told them them what turned out to be a very amusing tale about taking a very silly bet from Derek to cheer up JJ. (She had been a tad grumpy at the time) It wasn't long before the atmosphere in the living room became cheerful and light-hearted.

What a relief.

Emily gave her girlfriend a house tour, ending at her bedroom. They were alone again.

But as soon as Emily closed the door…

"Ace, what's wrong?"

Virginia seemed on the verge of tears. "I'm a proud person. I also don't ask for help. You've realized that by now, right?"

"I have." Emily said seriously. "It's a trait I admire."

"It's about my mother again."

Emily rested her hands in the small of her back when the abby turned a few flips. "What about her? Are you worried?"

"Yes." Virginia said in a shaky tone. "I have a request of you. But now I'm conflicted because I don't want to sound ridiculous."

"My love, I'm sorry this is eating you. Truly. After everything that's happened between us now, I think we've established ourselves as a family unit. Wouldn't you say?" Emily got on one knee and looked up at Virginia. "Ask me anything. I did already blurt "Marry me!" on our first date, so I think it's really safe to say that we can talk to each other about anything."

It hadn't gone past Virginia that Emily had purposefully stood on one knee like this. Especially with a recently-rejected marriage proposal in her past. The gesture actually caused Virginia to fall even more in love with her.

"Come home with us." Virginia finally said. "I just need another adult to keep me company for a normal night, Emelise, and I need someone to share a bed with. Please? Will you?"

Emily's own sense of love also increased. Virginia was just asking for the need to be comforted.

"I'll come home with you whenever you want. Just ask." Emily rose to her feet. "We can totally have a normal night together."

Virginia let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Virginia. Let me hold you for a minute."

Virginia fell into her arms and melted into Emily's gentle touches. The comforting would start now. All else could wait.

One floor below them, Will was going through a thought process very similar to Virginia's. Now he was catching his breath.

"I have sisters!" he said to JJ. "Four of them, and one is a toddler!"

"That is pretty remarkable." JJ mused. "Amaya must be a lot younger than she looks."

Will made a harrumphing noise. "But did my father marry my mother to save her since she's an orphan? Or did they actually love each other?"

"I'm choosing to think positively and believe that they did love each other," JJ said calmly. "Since they made two children who have brought such joy to other people."

Will gave his wife a grateful smile. "That makes me feel a lot better."

"Terrific. One of my favorite things about all this is that both of Senior's children served in different ways." JJ fixed a fold in her husband's shirt collar. "That right there is really something to be proud of. I know I am."

"You are too good to me, Jennifer." Will kissed her on the cheek. "What's also tripping me out is that my mother is famous."

JJ nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that is crazy."

Amaya Rainer was the Gordon Ramsay of the chocolate world. Most people knew who she was by reputation alone.

"I just wonder why she left me and never came back. Was I not enough?"

JJ's heart filled with sadness; her husband's feelings were justifiable. "Do you want to meet her? Now that you know what you do?"

"Yes, but I'm not ready anymore." Will decided. "Not yet."

"That's perfectly okay." JJ soothed. "William, you have no reason to rush anything."

He nodded. "No rush. None."

"Mhm. You can talk to Amaya whenever you feel ready. I bet Virginia will help."

"Mark that as one thing I'm totally banking on." Will changed gears and brightened up. "But on the other hand, I am thoroughly excited to be a big brother."

JJ let out a puff of air when one of the twins pressed up against the side of her baby bump. "Having a sister is the best. I hope you have fun getting to know yours."

Before Will could do any more wondering aloud, Michael and Zion wandered in. They were tired. Bleary-eyed. So much fun had been had.

JJ beckoned to them. "Come on up, you two."

Will held his arms out. "You boys just want to be held, huh?"

Michael yawned. "Yes, daddy. Please."

The little boys climbed up on the couch and were asleep within moments. Michael settled with JJ. Zion chose Will. The adults fell silent. They were soaking in the moment. Calm in the chaos. A loud, but very peaceful silence.

Emily and Virginia found them like this.

"Did they finally reach their limit?" Virginia asked when she took in the sight.

"Only of being awake." Will said softly. "They wanted to be held after playing hard."

JJ noticed that Emily had her go bag with her. "Staying at the Rainer place?"

"Yep, and we already said good-bye to Henry. I'll see you at work."

Virginia motioned to Zion as she said to the LaMontagnes, "He is a heavy sleeper. Will you help us round his things up?"

The LaMontagnes were quick to say yes.

Parting was hard. At least for Virginia.

She moved towards JJ first and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad that we met. Getting a new sister makes me even happier. We'll see each other again."

"Good." JJ returned the hug and then held Virginia out at arm's length. "Because I love you a lot already."

Virginia grinned and then moved on to her brother.

"Will," she said quietly. "I don't have any words."

"Neither do I." the man replied. "Come here for a second."

The siblings embraced.

JJ couldn't begin to imagine how they felt. And Emily just wondered what all Virginia hadn't told her.

It would be a long night.

After tucking Zion in to his bed, Emily returned to the living room to find her girlfriend crashed on the couch. And staring into space.

That was as far as Virginia had made it from the front door. Her wet shoes were drying in the exterior hallway, but she still had her coat and purse on. Virginia's walker even stood off to one side. As if she wasn't interested in it.

Emily rolled back her shirt sleeves and secured her hair into a ponytail. "Zy is tucked in. The cat is even cuddled up with him and snoring. I need you to sit up straight."

"Why?" Virginia was confused, but she obeyed.

"So I can do this for you."

Emily removed the other woman's jacket and collected her purse.

Virginia watched her put the items away. "What are you doing?"

"I understand your feelings about asking for help." Emily said as she stood in front of her again. "But I can also see that your legs are worn out. All I want is to take care of you. Tell me what you need now."

And for the second that night, Virginia fell even more in love with Emily. "Marry me."

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Ask me again when the time is right. I'll be here waiting." Emily hugged her. "What do you need? In this moment?"

Virginia didn't hesitate. "My chair, please. It's by my bed."

Emily got it for her.

She spoke again when Virginia had settled herself. "I'm going to put on the kettle for tea. Would you like me to make sure there's enough water so you can have some?"

"Yes, please. I'll go get one of my puzzles." Virginia answered.

Amongst other things, she collected puzzles in all shapes and sizes.

"Okay." Emily told her. "That sounds great."

And each woman moved about the home. It was time for a perfectly normal night.

At the LaMontagne house, Will and JJ put their children to bed and shut the house down early. It was the only thing that made sense.

They lay together in bed, cooling off after a very passionate lovemaking session.

JJ called Will out when she noticed he was unusually quiet.

"Do you want to talk about it?" JJ asked quietly.

Will responded as he began wiping her down with a bedsheet. "It's dumb."

"Let me be the judge of that."

Will continued to wipe JJ down until she wasn't hot or sweaty anymore. He took his time. JJ waited. She wouldn't judge. Not even when Will repeated the process on himself.

He pulled JJ close when they laid together again. "I'm scared. You did say awhile back that not every rock needs to be turned over, but look at what happened tonight. It really feels like a storm is coming. Promise me you'll be by my side?"

JJ kissed Will. "Yes. I promise."

Will breathed a sigh of relief and thanked her.

Their talk turned to normal things.

But… even as they fell asleep, JJ couldn't help wondering about this impending storm.

She had already predicted that one was coming.

Now...

It was just a matter of when.