The next case flew by fast.

But there was also the matter of June's funeral and what sort of burial to have. Public? Private? So many choices. At least Emily had claimed June's body.

So many things to sort out.

And on top of everything else... They had been left to wonder just who had leaned on Cruz to get them to stop investigating.

But tonight would be a break from all that worry.

A large family gathering at The Red Door Grille in D.C. proper was about to happen. Emily and Will were to be the guests of honor.

At Amaya's insistence, the night would just be about her children and their families. No one was to lift a finger.

Tonight was about being happy.

The clocktower kin waited in the front reception area upon arrival. Apparently, the grill was a 'wait to be seated' kind of place.'

But Emily was nervous. It was plain. Virginia read her like a book.

"You have absolutely no chill. It will all be fine." she said. "I know that telling Amaya about Eden is one thing that has you nervous. What's the other?"

"Meeting Jubilation." admitted Emily. "Is that dumb?"

Virginia shook her head. "No. Mila, that blessed sweetie isn't even a half decade old."

"I know... But she is going to be my future sister-in-law. At some point."

The couple did talk about marriage in passing. They just weren't in any rush whatsoever. Emily liked the idea of a big family. But the idea of having a sister-in-law the same age as one of her children was a little funny to her.

"Just treat my sister like the kid that she is." Virginia said in amusement.

"And," Zion chimed in thoughtfully. "She has a favorite name!"

Emily was tickled that he'd been listening. "You mean like how I call you Zy?"

He nodded. "Yeah-huh. She loves when people call her AJ."

Emily gave Zion's hand a gentle squeeze. "Thanks for that. You were so smart to share."

Zion beamed at the praise and then kept one hand on Virginia's wheelchair as he stood by to keep an eye out for familiar faces.

"He's right. My baby sister can't say Jubilation, but she also knows that her middle names are Abigail and Jennifer. Going by AJ is easiest." Virginia looked up at Emily. "Any other questions?"

Emily said, "Would you please remind me of the basics about Phoenix's and Lilith's wives?"

"Yes." Virginia replied. "But first, don't be surprised if that whole posse tries to whisk you—and probably Will—away for a chat."

"Dually noted."

"Now—Phoenix's wife is called Valentine. She teaches kindergarten. It really is her calling."

"Amazing." Emily mused. "What's the scoop on Lilith's wife?"

"Dagmar is very sweet. Cool, too. She was born in Holland."

Emily lit up. "I've been there. A lot. I just can't speak the language, so mother always translated for me. What does Dagmar do?"

Virginia smirked. "You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you."

"What on earth is that sup—"

But she was interrupted by the arrival of the restaurant host. He had arrived to lead them to where they needed to be.

A private dining parlor had been rented out. There was enough space for everyone to dine together at the main table. A separate area could be seen for the kids, too. Just in case they wanted their own space. Even the all-American decor looked inviting.

Amaya walked over from the other side of the room and greeted her family. "I'm so happy to see all of you!"

"Are we the first to arrive?" Emily asked as Amaya took their coats and hung them on a nearby coat tree.

"Yes." Amaya moved out Zion's way after he hugged her and scuttled off to find his playmate. "Other people are en route..."

Things were clicking in her brain suddenly. Whatever jig these two had been keeping from her, it was up. Finally.

"What is the matter with you two?" Amaya pressed. "Nervous?"

Virginia caved almost instantly. "More on Emily's part."

"Hey!" Emily protested.

Amaya snickered. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Well, yes." Emily smoothed her dressed out with both hands to define the shape of her middle. "I'm pregnant."

Amaya's heart jumped happily. But before she could say anything, there sounded a new voice. Behind her. In the doorway.

"Ha! I knew it!"

Just now entering the room were four women. Two looked like younger copies of Virginia. The other two were as different as night and day. Phoenix, Lilith, Virginia, Dagmar. All of them were young adults. But each were still dressed so colorfully and uniquely that one couldn't help but noticing that the posse seemed cool.

The first woman stepped forward, looking like a much younger version of her elder sister. One distinguishing feature were her bright pink locks of hair.

She shook hands with Emily. "I'm Phoenix, and I'm so happy to meet you."

"Right back at you." Emily returned. "Your sister has told me stories of your antics over the years now."

"Call me Nix. Please." the woman politely insisted. "And just what has Ginny told you?"

"Did you really break your leg by tripping over your own desk leg in primary school?"

Phoenix turned red. Virginia promptly chose this moment to fix a strap on one of her wheelchair bags. Quite convenient.

"Yes, Emily." Phoenix told her new acquaintance. "That is definitely true."

Emily chuckled. "I accidentally broke my arm when I was almost twelve. And I was in the middle of pulling a prank."

Phoenix's eyes widened in surprise. "That is unfortunate, and I must hear what that prank was, but—welcome to the family."

"Thank you!"

Now the second member of the posse stepped forward. Tall with dark skin, black dreadlocks, and deep brown eyes, this woman was a vision. Her fun bohemian outfit accentuated the look.

"Valentine, I presume?" Emily guessed.

"Yes. I am Valentine Carter." the woman gave a playful sweeping bow after shaking hands with Emily. "How lovely to meet you."

Emily was now the one blushing. She hadn't been expecting everyone to be so sweet.

The third woman stepped forward. She was identical to Phoenix, except for her hair being dyed a pale blue. The type flower on her dress gave a major tip-off about which Rainer this was.

"Hello, Lilith." Emily said warmly.

Lilith hugged her. "As Nix told you, welcome to the family. We're so glad that you're here. Please call me Lily. I prefer it."

Emily bobbed her head. "Okay, Lily. I'll remember that."

"Excellent." Lilith took the hand of the last member of the gaggle and pulled her close. "This is my wife. Dagmar."

She was taller than all of them. Her outfit of a faded but still fun vintage eighties music t-shirt, jeans, leather bomber jacket, and flats made Emily curious as to just what kind of music this woman liked. But she was distracted almost the very next moment. Why? This woman's hair was rainbow-colored.

"I'm Dagmar Buskirk." she said merrily. What a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise." Emily shook her hand and then looked around. "I heard that you're also a mom?"

Dagmar nodded. "Yes. Mine and Lilith's boy is with a sitter."

"The same goes for our boys." Phoenix tacked on. "We'll ease you into meeting them another time."

"Looking forward to it." Emily turned then to Lilith. "We all heard your declaration. Tell me now—is there a bet on me being pregnant?"

Lilith shuffled her feet. "If you want to get technical, the bet also covered Ginny."

"And who started it?"

"I did." Amaya told Emily in a coy manner. "My dear, you have had me curious ever since we first met. The bet was just me having some fun."

Emily was at her most amused yet since she'd stepped foot into the room. "And what stakes did you propose?"

"One hundred Benjamins. Each."

Phoenix, Lilith, Valentine, and Dagmar each handed money over from their wallets or purses.

"Thank you, very much." Amaya pocketed the cash. "Someone please call for the littles."

Dagmar called out to the other end of the room. "Zion? AJ?"

Both children popped up from behind the far end of the table, where they had been playing together. Zion ran to Dagmar. AJ, to Valentine.

She scooped her niece into her arms and approached Emily a second time.

"This is our precious AJ." Valentine explained. "Unicorns are her most favorite thing in the world."

Emily paused a beat. She had seen Jubilation's picture before, but seeing her in person was very surreal. This little girl looked to be a near spitting image of Will. But a child, blond, and female. Why hadn't she noticed before?

Emily greeted her gently. "Hi, there. Zion told me that you like be called AJ. Is it alright if I call you that?"

AJ Rainer nodded and then let out a nervous giggle.

Curiously, this led to Amaya getting more money from Phoenix, Lilith, Valentine, and Dagmar.

"Another bet?" Virginia said in surprise. "That AJ would get the giggles? I mean, she is predictable…"

Amaya shrugged. "I was bored."

AJ looked at Emily again, reconsidering her. "Wow…"

"Yes?" Emily asked her.

But AJ spoke directly to Zion. "She is way pretty."

"Told you." Zion replied, matter-of-factly.

AJ blew Emily a kiss and slid from Valentine's arms. Her satisfaction had been met. Emily was cool. She and Zion went to play together again.

"Looks like the little princess has had the last word." Emily joked.

Amaya's eyes were fixed on the children as she began counting backwards. "Five… four… three… two… one…"

Zion spoke almost immediately. "AJ! I want to show you this cool trick!"

"No!" Virginia cried as she swiftly moved her chair towards them. "We told you no showing off!"

"You weren't kidding." Phoenix handed Amaya an additional twenty dollar bill. "It's been more than a hot minute since that boy showed off his crazy streak."

Lilith also handed over a bank note. "Are you a mind-reader?"

"Lilith, my dear, the world may never know." Amaya indicated the parcels that both couples were holding. "Feel free to put those on that table by the window. I want to talk to Emelise."

They got the message and were quick to depart. Amaya pulled Emily further away. Both were alone.

"So?" the older woman asked, almost shy. "What do you think?"

"Everyone is beautiful, and it's most certainly nonstop. Are things ever quiet?"

"No." Amaya replied. "Bets are also a regular thing, but they're always in good fun."

She then moved the bet winnings from her pocket to Emily's.

"I couldn't…" the profiler said in surprise.

"I insist." Amaya tapped Emily's pocket. "And it was in my plans all along to give my bet winnings to you. Just promise me that you'll use that for getting what you need for the baby's nursery when you're further along."

"Deal. Thank you." Emily hugged Amaya and then glanced out a window. "Have you heard from Will recently?"

Amaya checked her phone to find a new text waiting. She responded to it before speaking with Emily again.

"JJ used Will's phone to inform me that they're just around the corner now."

Emily beamed. "Then that's perfect—I'll go wait for them!"

Amaya watched her go. She was pleased of course that this event was happening. Truly.

But she was also quite glad of at least one night of them not asking her about June.

The things she knew…

It was Amaya's hope that they would stay hidden for as long as possible.

She didn't want to spoil all the good.

Not just yet.