Dinner went very well that night, and the way Emily saw things from there on out, everything was right in her world, and she was even beginning to sketch out a serious proposal plan for later that week. She'd also gotten JJ to agree to sitting down to talk about wedding plans and house hunting before vacation was over.

As for JJ, she was was also hammering a proposal plan that involved her easily securing reservations at Emily's favorite restaurant for later that week.

At the moment, all JJ wanted to do was just sit with Emily and at least talk about planning the babies' nurseries, but... the day had quite an adventure in store for them.

The beginning of the adventure unfolded with a phone call.

"Archie, hi!" JJ said in surprise when she answered the phone. "What's up? I'm still at the Prentiss house with Emily."

"I know this is very last minute, but can you and Emily look after Kaida today?"

"Of course, but what about everyone else?"

"Well, for starters, one of mom's old friends is in town, and they're catching up."

"Oh?" JJ said interestedly. "Who?"

"Aunt Cecelia."

Archer's words were said with a shudder, but with reason—Cecelia Szymański was from the old neighborhood in Pennsylvania, and, at least amongst the neighborhood kids, had always been referred to as the crazy lady at the end of the lane. JJ and her siblings had never figured out how their mother and Cecelia Szymański had even become friends, and they always dreaded being babysat by her.

"Copy that. Staying out of their way today."

"Good. Toshio and Sakura are here at the house with Cho right now because she's on lockdown." There was a brief pause, and then Archer added, "Haley Hotchner just came in to hang out, too. It's her day off."

"I'm glad they're becoming friends. Is Cho having contractions yet?"

"No, but it's any day now, and she's determined for the boys to come before the doctors have to induce her. Plus, what friends we do have here are all at work. A squirrelly Kaida cooped up in the house all day is not fun."

"Meaning that that leaves us, but don't worry—we'll keep her for as long as you need; just come pick her up after work. We'll even make dinner if things run late." (Beside JJ, Emily was listening and casting a wary eye at her, trying to figure out what they were being volunteered for) "Anything on the agenda in particular that we should know about?"

"Actually, Kaida is going to a birthday party the day after tomorrow, after school, but she needs to get a present for her friend and a new outfit because she's going through a growth spurt. Would you and Emily be willing to take her? We've already set aside some cash because Cho won't hear of money being spent out of your pocket since this is an errand we didn't have a chance to get to because Kaida was given the invitation by a classmate last week. She's been talking about it every day since."

"You're family, Archie, and we're glad to help out, but I just have one question."

"Why isn't Kaida at school?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Staff development day—you and Emily will have to learn about it in five years or so when you send your kids to school for the first time."

"Stop it!" JJ whined at her brother. "Don't put those ideas in my head before you get here!"

"So that's a definite yes?"

JJ laughed immediately. "Uh-huh. See you in awhile."

JJ hung up her phone and looked over at Emily, who had yet to stop erring on the side of wariness.

"Okay, what did you sign us up for?"

"You and I are going to take Kaida shopping for a party outfit and a birthday present because she got a last-minute invitation to a birthday party last week, and then time got away from Archer and Cho."

"Are we babysitting Kaida, too?"

JJ nodded. "Until Archer gets back from work—it turns out that Kaida has the day off today. Cho is on 'lockdown' at their house because she could go into labor at any moment now. Her parents and Haley are keeping her company."

"What about your mother?"

"Still in town, but catching up with an old friend who is passing through today."

"So Kaida's day would probably be very boring, if not for us?" Emily mused.

"You got it."

"Does this officially make us the 'fun aunts with credit cards,' then?"

"Oh, absolutely. You game? Sorry to do this without warning."

Emily shrugged. "Like you told Archer, we're family, and since those of us with kids are local now, I'm sure that this is the first of many last-minute babysitting favors that will happen, especially because between you, me, and Cho, our parents have six grandbabies to look forward to—that's half a dozen! I can't wait to see Kaida again and hang out with her!"

JJ leaned over and kissed Emily's cheek. "I love you so much."

Emily reciprocated the affection. "Right back at you, babe."

Smiling, JJ straightened herself up again and tried to stand, but was unsuccessful because her six-month belly was in the way, and the more she moved, the more Alexis and Olivia kicked, thinking it was a game.

Luckily, Elizabeth happened to be passing through the living room at that moment, intending to go to her office; Maximo was already gone for the day and she preferred to stay in her office when he was wasn't around. Seeing JJ struggle, she stopped and helped her up.

"Oh, I remember those days; Emelia kicked me like nothing else." she clucked as she righted JJ and helped her catch her balance. "Are you two planning something?"

"Mhm." JJ confirmed. "Archer is dropping Kaida off here because she needs to be looked after for the day by someone who will actually be fun, and who will take her shopping for a birthday party the day after tomorrow."

"And we're happy to help out." Emily added before holding her hands out to Elizabeth. "Help me into my chair, mother? Please?"

Elizabeth obliged and when Emily became settled, Elizabeth stepped out to the next room, telling them that she was going to call the chauffeur for them.

Not long after that, Archer arrived with Kaida. Unsurprisingly, the little one was first in through the door.

"Hi, Auntie JJ!" Kaida hugged her aunt around her big middle and looked up at with her with excitement. "How are you and my cousins?"

JJ stroked Kaida's hair affectionately. "We're so happy, and totally ready to go shopping!"

"Me, too!" Kaida backed up and looked around. "Wait, where's Auntie Emmy?"

"Still getting ready, and Nana Lizzie is helping her." JJ motioned to the backpack that Kaida was carrying. "Maybe if you go find them, they'll help you find a place to put your backpack."

Enticed by the task, Kaida dashed off, calling for Emily and Elizabeth.

"Jenny," Archer said, turning back to JJ. "Are you sure you guys can manage it?"

JJ nodded and supported the underside of her middle with both hands. "Positive, Archer. I've got two months left, and Emily has three. We'll be fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "You two still don't have a house yet, though, have you? The house next to ours is up for sale."

JJ gave her brother and thumb's down and made a noise akin to blowing a raspberry. "I know that you and I only lived in the same house for only the first eight years of my life, but still that'll be the day when I move next door to my overprotective big brother!"

"This is because we live next to the Hotchners, isn't it?"

"Yes!"

Laughing, Archer pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to JJ.

"Here's the spending money from Cho and I. Toshio and Sakura added in the fifties when Cho wasn't looking, so this is two hundred bucks now."

"Noted." JJ stuck the envelope in her purse, leaning against the wall on a nearby side table, and checked her watch. "Don't you have to get to work?"

"I make my own hours, but I had to make sure the girls were squared away first, especially Kaida." he paused, taking note of the quiet. "Where is she?"

JJ showed Archer to the living room and watched him say goodbye to Kaida before seeing him back out to his car.

After that, the next few minutes were filled with the chauffeur helping Emily from the house to the town car he had waiting in the garage, and Elizabeth pulling JJ aside for a moment.

"As I understand it from Archer, he and Cho, and Cho's parents gave you spending money for your shopping expedition?"

Her purse hanging off her shoulder, JJ patted it. "Two hundred dollars."

"Allow me to round things up a little more."

Elizabeth handed JJ a one hundred dollar bill and a fifty dollar bill.

"A-are you sure?" JJ stuttered.

"One hundred percent." Elizabeth told her, watching as she out the money away. "You're as good as my baby girl, JJ, and Kaida is now as good as a grandbaby, even though neither of her parents are biologically related to me. Since I can't come along to help spoil her, I want to help add to the fund that already is—get that sweet girl an extra outfit and a new pair of shoes for me."

"We can do that, and I think Emily will be very happy to help get her new shoes."

It was no secret that Emelia Magdalene Prentiss had an enormous shoe collection.

"That's for sure." Elizabeth quipped.

JJ nodded in agreement, and then in a bout of spontaneity, hugged Elizabeth. Surprised, but not displeased, Elizabeth returned the hug, reminded of how affectionate Emily had been as a small child.

"What was that about?" the ambassador wanted to know.

JJ shrugged. "Just because."

"I'll take that." Elizabeth hugged JJ again before giving her a pat on the arm. "Now go be with your family and have a good time."

"I will."

JJ turned and left out of the house to the town car, where everybody was waiting for her.

Little did any of them know that the rest of the day's adventure was already unfolding.