Emily sent her coat, purse, and go bag up to the Rainer place after being buzzed in. Her things were just feeling heavy. And being hands-free would make it easier to hug her family. That was good.

Riding in the lift took some time. Emily still wondered what Virginia had made for dinner, if Zion had done anything particularly amusing today, and whether or not not River was in the mood to play with her. Each musing was refreshingly normal. A fact that Emily was very pleased by.

She let herself in to the home, having already has a text from Virginia that the door was unlocked.

Zion found Emily after she'd put her gun and hostler away in her safe. Her shoes and umbrella were already drying in the outside hallway.

"Emmy!" the little boy jumped up and down in excitement. "I love when you come home!"

Emily's heart bloomed, although she was quick to laugh when Zion suddenly recoiled after hugging her.

"What wrong, little bird?" she asked him.

Zion looked up at her. "You're wet."

"It's raining outside."

"Oh, yeah. I was looking at it…"

Emily knelt down to be level with Zion. "Do you want to look at a book before dinner?"

Zion brightened. "Yes!"

"That's what I want to hear. Now run along and dry off—it looks like you got wet from where my umbrella splashed me. Find a book when you're done."

Zion saluted her and scuttled off.

Emily found Virginia in the kitchen. She was just closing the oven door and easing herself in to her wheelchair. Cold weather made her bad leg ache more often.

"Hello, beautiful." Virginia kissed Emily. "Wet enough out there for you?"

"Ha ha." playful sarcasm was heavy in Emily's response. "I already startled Zion when he found out the hard way that my clothes are wet."

Virginia snickered. "I see that you've put the put your things away. Your bags are on the bed. Go put something dry on."

"What's in the oven?"

"You'll find out when you come back. I'll not have you standing around in wet clothes. Not one second longer."

Virginia could be bossy from time to time in an adorably endearing way.

"Okay, then." Emily kissed Virginia. "I'll be right back."

Virginia's bedroom was much like the rest of the penthouse: clean, tidy, but still very much in touch with her love of all things travel and industrial design. There were also signs that a writer slept in this room because all kinds of books and journals lined the innumerable shelves on each wall.

Adjacent to one window stood a large polished oaken dresser. There were usually pictures atop it, but today they had been moved. In their stead was a note written in Virginia's hand.

You may have the bottom two drawers if you like

Emily's suddenly felt like she was floating on air. No wonder Virginia had been trying to get her out of the kitchen.

The profiler gave her middle a caress with both of her thumbs before she began putting on fresh clothes.

"It looks like we're going to have to think of an extra nice way to thank mama later."

Emily swore she could feel more wiggles after that.

"Did you find my surprise?" Virginia asked upon Emily's return. "I thought you could do with some space of your own here."

"Ace, I love it. But the only clothes I have now are in my go bag for work. I'd have to go get everything from JJ's house. And storage."

"Okay. Let's do that."

"Wait." Emily looked at her, eyebrows arched. "What are you saying to me?"

Virginia smiled at her. "I'm saying that even though everything has been on ultra fast forward, I wouldn't be opposed to you getting your clothes... and everything else from the LaMontagne house and bringing it all here."

"Ace, I love that id—"

Emily was interrupted by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor and River consequently jumping on to the counter in fright.

Zion could be seen at the other end of the kitchen, a fallen book at his feet.

"Sorry." the boy said in haste. "I got something to look at."

Zion had located his picture dictionary.

"Excellent." Emily praised. "Go find a spot on the couch. I'll be right over."

Zion picked up his book and began skipping away. "Okay, mama."

Emily's jumped in surprise at this last word and she looked to Virginia.

"That was all him." said the author. "From the heart."

"Wow." Emily remarked. "Zy does love me."

"Oh, yes. He really does."

Emily sighed happily. "So this is what it's like to have a family of my own."

"Absolutely. This is us. Even if things have been going at a fast pace. It'll be a fun story to tell the kids when they're bigger." Virginia confirmed. "By the way, I meant to tell you that there are three homemade pizzas in the oven."

"That sounds really good." Emily looked upon Virginia with some scrutiny. "Hey, what was it that you wanted to tell me earlier? You said on the phone that it's big. Wanna give me a hint?"

Virginia shook her head. "Later. When Zion is in bed."

Emily could see that Virginia would not be moved. So she didn't push it.

"Alright." she decided. "Then I'll go hang out with my dear little bird."

Emily regarded River. The cat had slinked across the countertop so she could be beside her. And her eyes were affixed on the woman. Directly.

"Okay, baby girl." Emily cooed to her. "Do you want to come hang with me and brother?"

The cat meowed loudly.

Emily scooped her up as she walked towards the living room. "Come on. Let's go."

River's meows turns to purrs of contentment. She adored this human.

Virginia just watched them go. Her life would never be normal, but at this point… she didn't care. Everything was perfect. In its own unique way.

True, they did have a meal with all of the Rainers and the LaMontagnes to look forward to, there was also dinner with her mother and Emily's parents. It needed taking care of. Soon.

DING!

Virginia pulled her phone from a side pocket on her wheelchair to see a new text from Will.

I'm going to have a video chat with mom later on. it read.

That's really amazing, Virginia sent back.

I'm a little nervous.

Virginia gave her brother some easy advice. Just be yourself. Amaya is very sweet, and a great listener.

That makes me feel better. Good night, V. sent Will.

Good night, she sent in turn.

Virginia put her phone away back and left to do something else. Away from Emily and Zion. She loved when they bonded. And she didn't want to interrupt them.

Emily and Virginia finally had time to themselves after Zion was in bed for the night. Both women loved moments like this. When it was just them.

For the moment, they were on the couch.

"You know… I also have a spare bedroom upstairs." Virginia said. "That one can also be yours. If you like. I just thought that you might like a place to crash away from my brother and your partner."

Emily nodded. "Yes. Please. I love the sound of that. Crashing with my parents or living out of a hotel while pregnant at this age? And searching for a new place?"

"Feasible, but you would go nuts?"

"Uh-huh. I even emancipated myself when I was a teenager. That is a story that my parents get a kick out of telling."

Virginia laughed softly. "That sounds like them."

"Zion imprinted on my heart the first day that we met. Even that wouldn't have happened without him. And," Emily pointed to her middle. "I know that Zion is more than a tad smitten with being a big brother. He also called me 'mama' tonight."

Virginia squirmed nervously. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." Emily replied. "Actually, I really loved it, Virginia. Zion makes me happy. There is one question I do have about him."

"Is it who his father is?"

"No, but feel free to elaborate. You have my attention."

Virginia changed positions to make herself more comfortable. "Zion's father is an anonymous donor that I picked from a donor catalog. Never did anything like that before."

"Are there any highlights you do know about him?" Emily asked her.

"He studied medicine at Stanford, speaks a host of languages, climbs mountains for fun, and..."

"Yes?" Emily laughed. "What is it?"

"Zion has the potential to be over six feet tall some day, and his eyes could turn green."

Emily was impressed. "Wow."

"That about sums it up." said Virginia. "Now you know why Zion soaks things up like a sponge—he gets it from his dad."

Emily gently touched Virginia's shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short. I think you're pretty brilliant."

"Thank you for keeping me grounded. I appreciate that." Virginia changed lanes. "Anything you want to share about Eden's father?"

Emily realized what Virginia was doing. She was offering secrets that the rest of the family probably didn't know. Doing so was a grand gesture because the Rainers were close-knit. Now Virginia was looking to see if she would meet her halfway.

"Andrew is FBI. His division is an elite one like mine is." Emily began. "He also played a lot of baseball as a kid. Would've gone pro if not for an injury sustained in college. Ended up getting recruited by the government, instead."

Virginia now found herself impressed. "That's remarkable. Any cool skills on his part?"

"Yes. Andrew plays the trombone. Chess is also a strong skillset."

Virginia perked up. "I can play chess and Zion has expressed interest in learning it. Do you play?"

"I do, so I'll definitely bring my board and pieces the next time I come over. What do think of Eden's dad?"

"I stand by what I've said before about his loss being our gain, but it sounds like between that man and yourself, Eden is also set up to be very brilliant. Are you going to let her look for him one day?"

"Only if she chooses to do so. Andrew and I came to the agreement that unless he marries one day and they have a kid, we're not speaking again." Emily gestured towards the stairs. "What about Zion? Is locating his dad an option for the future?"

"No. He and Zion can't legally meet unless he gets very ill," Virginia knocked on a nearby wooden end table. "And needs his father's medical records. Heaven forbid it should come to that."

Emily nodded. "Indeed. And I respect it."

Virginia was touched because she knew Emily meant it. "Thank you. And I respect the situation where Andrew is concerned."

"Thank you. As for the question I was chewing on..."

"Yes?" Virginia prompted.

Emily chose her words carefully. "I was just wondering whether or not Zion has known you to date?"

Virginia shook her head. "No. But then again… you are my first."

"Oh? In how long?"

"Since a few years before my injury. But you are my first girlfriend since college."

Emily hadn't been expecting this at all and felt her love towards Virginia intensify. "Wow. I'm honored."

"Good." approved Virginia. "You're the first person I've let this close to me since I even recovered from getting hurt. Emelise, even before Zion, I didn't have time for a relationship. What about you? Have you dated women before?"

"Yes, but not since before I joined the FBI. That was many moons ago. Many."

"But no women since then?"

"Uh-uh. Just you. That makes you my first, in a way. I like it very much." Emily moved closer to Virginia. "How about I take the upstairs bedroom for now, and work my way back to those bottom to drawers in due time?"

"Okay." Virginia grinned. "For the record, are you saying that you'll move in?"

"Yes." Emily hugged her. "I love you."

They couple shared a few moments of embrace before Virginia pulled away first. She was wrinkling the bridge of her nose.

"It's my leg because of this damn cold weather." she griped as she laid back on the couch.

"Here." Emily pulled said leg into her lap and began massaging the aching spot. "Let me take care of you."

Virginia sighed blissfully at Emily's gentle touches.

"Well, now that you have me in such a vulnerable position," she said. "I guess it's time to tell you about what I've been sitting on all night."

"Yes, it is." Emily agreed.

Virginia made herself a little more comfortable. "I've already been in the planning stages for a long time of getting more tattoos."

"Oh?" Emily's eyes flickered over Virginia's body. "Where?"

"My legs, but I haven't said anything until now because I didn't want to jinx it. Approval from doctors had to be given. What do you think?"

"I think that I totally understand wanting to keep it to yourself, and also that I'm excited for you." Emily responded. "Tattoos are a big deal. Do you have any ideas of what you want to get?"

Virginia shrugged. "More travel designs because traveling is one of my passions, but I'm open to suggestions from you."

"Where are your ideas?" Emily wanted to know. "You're the type to have sketches around somewhere."

"In a journal on my desk." said Virginia. "The official all-clear came from the doctor's office today, and that's what I was thinking about when we spoke on the phone."

"So you've been sketching." Emily realized. "I guess that means I should show you my tattoos then…"

Virginia curiosity was peaked; they had shared a bed before, but Emily's pajamas covered things up well. "How many do you have?"

Emily winked. "A fair number."

"Okay." Virginia sat all the way up. "I have to see."

Virginia moved herself into her chair and settled quickly.

Emily then made a sweeping motion towards the direction of the office. "After you, my lady. After you."

For the next while that evening, Emily and Virginia just spoke together about normal things. It was very satisfying.

And the most popular topic? Trading stories about their tattoos.